Power outages bring frustration to New Orleans residents post-Francine
Residents of the Carrollton neighborhood in New Orleans are among the thousands of utility customers in the city who remain without power after Hurricane Francine passed through.
Hurricane Francine hits, unleashing extensive flooding across southeastern Louisiana
Hurricane Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday evening as a 100 mph Category 2 hurricane, becoming the 7th hurricane to strike the state in 7 years and the first Louisiana hurricane landfall since Category 4 Ida struck in August 2021.
CLIMATE GLIMPSE: Wildfires plague U.S. West and Brazil, Yagi rampages in Vietnam
Extreme weather is again striking multiple places around the world, including wildfires in California, a hurricane that threatens Louisiana, drought and wildfires in the Amazon and flooding in Nigeria.
Hurricane Francine strengthens on final approach to Louisiana
Francine strengthened into a hurricane by late Tuesday and continued to strengthen into the morning hours Wednesday over the northern Gulf of Mexico as it made its final approach to coastal Louisiana.
Thousands in the dark as Hurricane Francine strikes Louisiana, raising flood fears
Hurricane Francine has slammed into Louisiana as a dangerous Category 2 storm, knocking out power to more than a quarter million customers and threatening a large stretch of the Gulf Coast with flooding and destructive winds.
Louisiana residents brace as Tropical Storm Francine is expected to hit their coast as a hurricane
Tropical Storm Francine has strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to make landfall as a hurricane at mid-week in Louisiana.
Brewing Gulf storm takes aim at upper Texas and Louisiana coasts
A large disturbance over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is organizing and is expected to become Tropical Storm Francine later today as it sets its sights on the northwestern Gulf Coast.
Still no immediate signs of development in the Atlantic
As we’ve discussed in recent newsletters, the tropical struggles across the Atlantic only days removed from the hurricane season peak – especially in a season forecast to bring exceptional activity – feel more unusual with each passing day.
In Louisiana's Cancer Alley, company cancels plans for grain export facility in historic Black town
Residents of a historic Black community in Louisiana who’ve spent years fighting against a massive grain export facility set to be built on the grounds where their enslaved ancestors once lived appear to have finally halted the project.
AmeriCorps CEO gets a look at a volunteer-heavy project to rebuild Louisiana's vulnerable coast.
A volunteer-heavy effort to restore some of Louisiana’s eroding coast with recycled oyster shells was part of the scenic backdrop for a visit from the head of AmeriCorps, the federal agency that deploys volunteers to serve communities around the nation.
Ten Commandments won't go in some Louisiana classrooms until at least November as lawsuit plays out
Louisiana has agreed to delay implementing a requirement that the Ten Commandments be placed in all of the state’s public school classrooms, at least until November.
Hurricane Beryl: How to contribute to relief efforts
Hurricane Beryl’s estimated death toll was 18 including 11 in the Caribbean and six in Texas. It left millions without power and many people in need picking up the pieces in Texas, Louisiana, and the Caribbean.
Judge sides with 16 states, putting on pause Biden's delay of consideration of gas export projects
A Louisiana judge says the Biden administration can't delay consideration of projects aimed at exporting liquefied natural gas while a legal challenge plays out in federal court.
Ten Commandments. Multiple variations. Why the Louisiana law raises preferential treatment concerns
Christians and Jews believe in the Ten Commandments — just not necessarily the version that will hang in every public school and state-funded college classroom in Louisiana.
Panel's approval of liquefied natural gas export terminal puts more pressure on Biden to block it
What would be the nation’s largest export terminal for liquefied natural gas has won approval from a federal commission.
Long a Republican state, Louisiana is redder than ever under new governor
Just months into office, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has gained national attention for his push for groundbreaking conservative policies.
New Louisiana law requiring classrooms to display Ten Commandments churns old political conflicts
A bill signed into law this week makes Louisiana the only state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom in public schools and colleges.
New law requires all Louisiana public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments
Louisiana has become the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom.
Judge rules that federal agency can't enforce abortion rule in Louisiana and Mississippi
A federal judge on Monday granted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as employers in two Southern states, temporary relief from complying with a federal rule that would have required them to provide workers with time off and other accommodations for abortions.
Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging federal rules to accommodate abortions for workers
A lawsuit challenging federal rules entitling workers to time off and other accommodations for abortions lacks standing, a federal judge in Arkansas ruled on Friday.
Judge blocks Biden's Title IX rule in four states, dealing a blow to protections for LGBTQ+ students
The Biden administration’s new Title IX rule expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students has been temporarily blocked in four states after a federal judge in Louisiana found that it overstepped the Education Department’s authority.
Louisiana law that could limit filming of police hampers key tool for racial justice, attorneys say
Civil rights attorneys say a new Louisiana law that makes it a crime to approach within 25 feet of a police officer under certain circumstances is an affront to the movement for racial justice and violates the First Amendment.
Louisiana chemical plant threatens to shut down if EPA emissions deadline isn't relaxed
Denka Performance Elastomer in Louisiana threatened to shut down if the Biden administration doesn't give it more time to reduce its emissions.
Louisiana governor signs bill making two abortion drugs controlled dangerous substances
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed a first-of-its-kind bill to classify two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances.
Louisiana Legislature approves bill classifying abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances
Louisiana lawmakers have approved a first-of-its-kind bill that would classify two abortion-inducing drugs as a controlled and dangerous substances.
Hot weather poses new risk as thousands remain without power after deadly Houston storm
As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to hundreds of thousands after deadly storms left at least seven people dead, it will do so amid a smog warning and rising Texas heat.
Supreme Court orders Louisiana to use congressional map with additional Black district in 2024 vote
The Supreme Court has ordered Louisiana to hold congressional elections using a House map with a second mostly Black district, despite a lower-court ruling that called the map an illegal racial gerrymander.
Storms kill a pregnant woman in Louisiana, adding to the region's recent weather woes
Storms that slammed several Southern states have added to the region’s recent string of weather-related destruction and death.
Louisiana lawmakers reject adding exceptions of rape and incest to abortion ban
Despite pleas from Democrats and gut-wrenching testimony from doctors and rape survivors, a GOP-controlled legislative committee rejected a bill that would have added cases of rape and incest as exceptions to Louisiana’s abortion ban.
For a Louisiana lawmaker, exempting incest and rape from the state's abortion ban is personal
Democratic state Rep. Delisha Boyd is fighting an uphill battle in her attempt to pass a bill that would exempt cases of rape and incest from Louisiana's near-total abortion ban.
Mick Jagger wades into politics, taking verbal jab at Louisiana state governor at performance
Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger waded into Louisiana politics during the band's performance at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Man says his emotional support alligator, known for its big social media audience, has gone missing
A Pennsylvania man says his emotional support alligator named Wally has gone missing amid the coastal marshes of Georgia.
Kansas has new abortion laws while Louisiana may block exceptions to its ban
Kansas is requiring abortion providers to share patient information with the state and increasing funds to anti-abortion centers, while bills to loosen a restrictive ban in Louisiana face an uphill battle.
Louisiana Legislature opened window for sex abuse survivors to sue, but state's high court shut it
Advocates for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse say they will ask Louisiana’s Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling that wiped out 2021 legislation giving them a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits.
Biden and Trump win Louisiana's presidential primary having already clinched nominations
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump won Louisiana’s primary on Saturday, collecting more delegates after they already clinched their party nominations.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Louisiana's presidential primaries
Louisiana politics have been dominated this year by new Republican Gov. Jeff Landry’s special legislative sessions to address crime and adopt new congressional maps.
Overtown businesses celebrate rich history during Black History Month
There is so much rich history in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. Many of the buildings and businesses are where great musicians played and partied in the days of segregation, and this weekend, some of those same places are holding special events and deals to honor that legacy, including Red Rooster.
FBI investigates after letter with white powder sent to House Speaker Johnson's Louisiana church
Authorities have launched an investigation after a north Louisiana church attended by House Speaker Mike Johnson received mail containing a white powder.
Louisiana State University running back charged with attempted second-degree murder
A Louisiana State University freshman football player has been arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder after a shooting last week that injured two people.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry calls for special session, focused on tough-on-crime policies
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry officially called for a highly anticipated crime-focused special legislative session on Thursday that could overhaul the state’s current criminal justice system, reversing hard-fought and historic reforms that happened under Landry’s Democratic predecessor.
As Mardi Gras nears, a beefed-up police presence and a rain-scrambled parade schedule in New Orleans
New Orleans’ annual Carnival celebration has entered its high-intensity home stretch with a beefed-up police presence and a weather-scrambled parade schedule.
Military veteran who killed Iraqi civilian is ordered jailed on Capitol riot charges
A military veteran who shot and killed a handcuffed civilian in Iraq nearly 20 years ago has been ordered jailed on charges that he used a metal baton to assault police officers during the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
Witness says fatal shooting of American-Palestinian teen in the occupied West Bank was unprovoked
The passenger in a pickup truck where an American-Palestinian was fatally shot in the occupied West Bank says the shooting was unprovoked.
Louisiana lawmakers pass new congressional map with second majority-Black district
The Louisiana Legislature passed a congressional map with a second majority-Black district on Friday, marking a win for Democrats after a legal battle and political tug-of-war that spanned nearly two years.
Louisiana's special session kicks off Monday. Here's a look at what may be discussed
Louisiana’s newly inaugurated lawmakers are set to convene for a special session during which they will discuss items that could impact how the state conducts elections.
Activists who engage with voters of color are looking for messages that will resonate in 2024
Activists who engage with voters of color are finding lackluster enthusiasm after disappointments on some issues such as voting rights and student loan forgiveness during President Joe Biden's term.
Search is on for pipeline leak after as much as 1.1 million gallons of oil sullies Gulf of Mexico
As much as 1.1 million gallons of oil may have been discharged into the Gulf of Mexico from a pipeline system off Louisiana’s southeast coast.
Lease of Gulf waters delayed by whale protection debate must continue, court rules
A federal appeals court has ordered the Biden administration to carry on with an auction of oil and gas drilling leases for Gulf of Mexico waters in 37 days — rejecting arguments by environmentalists.
1 dead in interstate crashes as super fog shrouds New Orleans area, recalling fatal October pileup
A mix of smoke and fog known as ‘super fog' has triggered accidents involving multiple vehicles and at least one death on Interstate 10 in Louisiana.
Four tracts of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico are designated for wind power development
The Biden administration has designated four tracts of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas and Louisiana coasts for development of wind energy.
What is super fog? The mix of smoke and dense fog caused a deadly pileup in Louisiana
A combination of fog and thick smoke from a marsh fire reduced visibility on Louisiana highways to near nothing on Monday.
'Superfog' near New Orleans blamed for highway crashes that killed at least 7
Authorities say at least seven people have been killed after a “superfog” of smoke from south Louisiana marsh fires and dense fog caused multiple massive car crashes involving 158 vehicles.
AP Election Brief | What to expect in Louisiana's statewide primaries
The race to replace Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards tops the list of contests voters will decide Saturday in one of only three gubernatorial elections scheduled this year.
Messy week ahead for the northern Gulf Coast
An area of low pressure in the southern Gulf of Mexico associated with a washed-out cold front will lift northward today and accelerate northeastward on Wednesday and early Thursday toward the northern Gulf Coast.
Judge upholds most serious charges in deadly arrest of Black driver Ronald Greene
A judge has delivered a victory to the state prosecution of white Louisiana lawmen in the deadly 2019 arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene.
Louisiana Republicans are in court to fight efforts to establish new Black congressional district
Voting rights advocates are locked in a court fight with Louisiana's top Republicans over whether the state must follow Alabama’s court-ordered path in drawing a new, Black-majority congressional district.
Reprieve for New Orleans as salt water creeping up the Mississippi River slows its march inland
Salt water inching up the Mississippi River is progressing more slowly than once projected — buying time for water systems in metropolitan New Orleans that draw drinking water from the river.
Florida lawmaker files bill to rename South Florida roadway for Jimmy Buffett
A Florida lawmaker has filed a bill to rename portions of A1A in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties after late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
Louisiana's struggle with influx of salt water prompts a request for Biden to declare an emergency
Salt water flowing from the Gulf of Mexico into the drought-stricken Mississippi River is prompting Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards to ask President Joe Biden to declare a state of emergency.
EXPLAINER: What is saltwater intrusion and how is it affecting Louisiana's drinking water?
Salt water from the Gulf of Mexico is creeping up the drought-stricken Mississippi River and threatening drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities.
Judge blocks government plan to scale back Gulf oil lease sale to protect whale species
The Biden administration is appealing a federal judge's order requiring the Interior Department to expand next week’s scheduled sale of Gulf of Mexico oil and gas leases by millions of acres.
A Supreme Court redistricting ruling gave hope to Black voters. They're still waiting for new maps
The Supreme Court’s decision siding with Black voters in an Alabama redistricting case gave Democrats and voting rights activist a surprising opportunity before the 2024 elections to have congressional maps redrawn in a handful of states.
Appeals court scales back order squelching Biden administration contact with social media platforms
A federal appeals court has significantly whittled down a lower court order curbing Biden administration communications with social media companies.
Record heat recorded in Dallas as scorching summer continues in the United States
Another record-setting day of high temperatures hit the Dallas/Fort Worth area before a slight cooling trend moves into the area.
How Trump is gaining an advantage in the nitty-gritty battle for delegates
Donald Trump's Republican presidential rivals appear to be at a disadvantage in the battle for delegates who will actually determine the party’s 2024 nominee.
First U.S. auction of Gulf of Mexico tracts for wind power set for Aug. 29
The Biden administration has announced plans for the first sale of offshore wind power leases in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana and Texas coasts.
Destructive hurricanes happen, even in El Niño years
If you’re reading this newsletter, you can count yourself among the savvier hurricane enthusiasts. Many of you subscribe to the daily newsletter because you worry about your family and home during hurricane season. Some of you enjoy the inside baseball of tropical meteorology and forecasting the most powerful storms on Earth. Still, others like staying ahead of the next threat because – let’s face it – none of us like surprises during hurricane season.
Archaeologists in Louisiana save artifacts 12,000 years old from natural disasters and looters
Archaeologists have been gingerly digging up the ground at a site in central Louisiana this summer to unearth and preserve evidence of prehistoric occupation.
Strongest June hurricanes: Where did they form, where did they go?
The record books aren’t exactly replete with June hurricanes. On average, about once every five years, we can expect a June hurricane in the Atlantic and – as we’ve discussed in previous newsletters – only about once a decade will a June hurricane strike the U.S.
Supreme Court unfreezes Louisiana redistricting case that could boost Black voting power before 2024
The Supreme Court lifted its hold on a Louisiana case that could force the state to redraw congressional districts to boost Black voting power.
Supermajorities in state capitols push controversial policies to the edge
A historically high number of supermajorities in state legislatures has pushed laws further to the edge on abortion, climate and transgender issues.
Supreme Court voting rights ruling stuns minority voters, who hope it expands their representation
This week’s Supreme Court decision ordering Alabama to redraw its congressional maps was seen by many minority lawmakers and voting rights activists as a stunning victory with the potential to become a major stepping stone for undoing gerrymandered political maps that dilute the political strength of communities of color.
Historic acquittal in Louisiana fuels fight to review 'Jim Crow' verdicts
Criminal justice advocates have struggled at the Louisiana Legislature as they seek legal relief for hundreds of people convicted of serious crimes by nonunanimous juries.
Bill to restrict youth access to 'sexually explicit' public library books advances in Louisiana
Activists in Louisiana are voicing concerns over a bill advancing in the GOP-controlled House to restrict children and teens from accessing public library books deemed “sexually explicit.”.
Videos show purported ivory-billed woodpeckers as US moves toward extinction decision
New video and photographs purporting to show ivory-billed woodpeckers flying in a Louisiana forest have been published by researchers.
Memphis 'snake factory' transplants slither into their new home in Louisiana
It's become an annual conservation event in central Louisiana: Young Louisiana pine snakes that were bred in captivity are released in Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana.
High school senior breaks record, receives $9M in college scholarships
A high school senior and his family are celebrating after the young man breaks records for receiving more than $9 million in college scholarships.
Changes planned for College Board’s Black history class
The College Board says it's revamping the new AP African American studies course again, following criticism that the agency bowed to political pressure and removed several topics from the framework, including the Black Lives Matter and slavery reparations movements.
EPA proposal takes on health risks near US chemical plants
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed that chemical plants nationwide measure certain hazardous compounds that cross beyond their property lines and reduce them when they are too high.
Oil drilling in Gulf safer, but concerns linger, report says
A new National Academy of Science study says that 13 years after a massive BP oil spill fouled the Gulf of Mexico, regulators and industry have reduced some risks in deep water exploration in the gulf but some troublesome safety issues persist.
PD: Man bolts through ER’s glass door to escape cops after Key West hit-and-run arrest
A Louisiana man faced multiple charges after a destructive hit-and-run crash in Key West culminated in a brief, but daring escape from custody at the emergency room, according to police.
Video: Breaking down timeline of tragic tornadoes in Mississippi
In the video above, meteorologist Jonathan Kegges breaks down the timeline of events of the recent tornadoes that ravaged Mississippi and what people should look for on the radar to help deal with future tornadoes.
French Quarter Festival unveils lineup for 40th anniversary
Organizers have announced a lineup of more than 270 acts for New Orleans’ 40th annual French Quarter Festival, billed as Louisiana’s largest free showcase of music, food and culture.
Adebayo scores 26 points, Butler adds 18 as Heat beat Pelicans 124-98
Bam Adebayo scored 26 points and the Miami Heat led comfortably from the first quarter on in a 124-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Woman raped in unmonitored drug sting sues police handlers
A police informant raped twice during an undercover drug buy in Louisiana has filed a lawsuit alleging her law enforcement handlers failed to monitor the sting in real time.
Survey: 3.3 million US adults displaced by natural disasters
More than 1.3% of the adult population in the U.S. was displaced by natural disasters in the past year, with hurricanes responsible for more than half of the forced relocations.