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Top Story

This category showcases the lead coverage readers need to know, offering context, clarity, and insight into issues shaping New Orleans and beyond.

A towering, austere view of the House of Detention in New Orleans, set against a dramatic, swirling sky.

The towering legacy of the House of Detention

“This building’s architecture tells one story. But its human history tells another— and we need to confront both,” said Loyola Law School professor Andrea Armstrong
by Bernard Smith June 20, 2025 Updated January 17, 2026

Louisiana’s new bill would codify gas as “green energy”

A bill on its way to the Governor’s desk—with connections to gas industry allies—could enshrine hydrocarbons as Louisiana’s future.
by Emily Sanders, ExxonKnews, and Delaney Dryfoos, The Lens June 18, 2025 Updated March 5, 2026

Dan Bright was my brother. Death Row didn’t kill us, but it tried. 

We can’t keep losing our brothers to the aftermath of injustice. We can’t call it “freedom” if we’re still dying from what they did to us.
by Shareef Cousin June 15, 2025 Updated January 24, 2026

‘No Kings Day’ draws 6,500 into New Orleans streets

Protesters carried handmade signs, chanted slogans, voiced concerns about mounting threats to democracy and billionaire-first politics, and — because it’s New Orleans — they blew bubbles. 
by Gus Bennett June 14, 2025 Updated June 25, 2025

Will Ascension Parish become Ammonia Parish?

Three new proposed chemical plants could more than quadruple ammonia production in the Donaldsonville area, leaving Ascension residents to face more toxic air pollution and possible chemical disasters, according to a new report from Rural Roots and the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
by Delaney Dryfoos June 13, 2025 Updated June 13, 2025

Air pollution messes up pregnant women’s metabolism, spurs preterm births

Tiny air pollutants appear to cause molecular changes in expectant mothers' blood that can impact fetal development and cause stress in the mother, which could be behind early labor and health problems for babies.
by Brian Bienkowski, The New Lede June 11, 2025 Updated June 11, 2025

Her hips uncover the truth about America’s music history

Dancer Chipo Kandake along with New Orleans drumming legend Herlin Riley present a show on Saturday that tells the story of what we call American music, which, she says, started with the Black community.
by Mizani Ball June 6, 2025 Updated June 11, 2025

K-3 reading improves as Louisiana continues early-literacy focus

Armed by scientific studies, reading experts urged a resurgence of phonics, which helps children learn to read by sounding-out words, in a way well-known to older generations. But the state's third graders are still struggling from their Zoom-heavy start to reading.
by Marta Jewson June 4, 2025 Updated June 4, 2025

Tracking the sediment carried by the muddy Mississippi

New research shows that typically, less than 10% of land-building alluvium reaches the Bird’s Foot Delta region, the southernmost reach of the river, where it meets the Gulf.
by Delaney Dryfoos May 27, 2025 Updated May 27, 2025

Judge’s order requires Farm Line ‘be treated with human decency’

For the second consecutive year, a federal judge tells the DOC to provide Farm Line workers with protections from the sweltering Louisiana heat.
by Bernard Smith May 25, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

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Most Popular

ICE has been deporting pregnant and postpartum immigrants. Now we know how many.ICE has been deporting pregnant and postpartum immigrants. Now we know how many.March 25, 2026Shefali Luthra, The 19th NewsHealth
Do the 'climate-tech' startups headed to old Navy base signal innovation—or a cover for Big Oil?Do the 'climate-tech' startups headed to old Navy base signal innovation—or a cover for Big Oil?March 24, 2026Delaney NolanEnvironment
Louisiana pipeline explosion shows deep dangers of LNG buildout for our communities, in Louisiana and beyondLouisiana pipeline explosion shows deep dangers of LNG buildout for our communities, in Louisiana and beyondFebruary 27, 2026Roishetta Ozane and Lauren ParkerEnvironment

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