Louisiana

Frederick Bell of Larose, La., says he's received no guidance from a public defender on how to fight drug charges from October. Bell is part of a class action lawsuit against Louisiana's public defender board that charges the public defense system is unco

National

Public Defenders Hard To Come By In Louisiana

6:38pm March 10, 2017

by Debbie Elliott

A new lawsuit in Louisiana challenges the state's public defense system as unconstitutional. Indigent people there arrested for serious crimes are put on waiting lists to see a public defender.

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A neighborhood in the eastern part of New Orleans where a tornado touched down on Tuesday. Tornadoes destroyed homes and injured dozens of people in the city.

'It's Just A Mess.' New Orleans Residents Clean Up After Tornadoes

2:24pm February 08, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

Tornadoes injured dozens of people as they moved through southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday. In New Orleans East, the National Guard was helping clear streets of debris and downed electrical wires.

Eshon Trosclair holds her son Camron Chapital on Tuesday after a tornado tore through while they were inside their home in the eastern part of New Orleans. The National Weather Service says at least three confirmed tornadoes touched down, including one in

After Tornadoes Hit In And Around New Orleans, Wall Of Storms Moves East

5:31pm February 07, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

The National Weather Service says multiple tornadoes touched down in southern Louisiana on Tuesday, and severe weather moving east threatened other Southern states.

A new lawsuit alleges the public defender system for the the state of Louisiana has failed to provide effective representation to poor people.

National

La. Governor Sued Over State's Alleged Failure To Provide Lawyers To Poor Defendants

5:27pm February 07, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

A lawsuit filed Monday describes defendants waiting months in jail before meeting a lawyer, and some defendants who don't get a lawyer at all. Similar suits are underway in at least six other states.

Wetlands and marshlands that once protected New Orleans and the surrounding areas from storm surge have been depleted over the years. Here, the $1.1 billion Lake Borgne Surge Barrier outside New Orleans in 2015.

To Fight Coastal Damage, Louisiana Parishes Pushed To Sue Energy Industry

6:45pm January 23, 2017

by Tegan Wendland

Louisiana has a $90 billion plan to fight coastal erosion. Gov. John Bel Edwards says suing oil and gas firms, which have contributed to the damage, will help foot the bill. But he faces obstacles.

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Richie Blink, born and raised in Plaquemines Parish, La., south of New Orleans, works for the National Wildlife Federation. He got in touch with an archaeologist to take a look at some shards of pottery that were eroding into the Gulf of Mexico. Blink hol

Louisiana History Washes Away As Sea Levels Rise, Land Sinks

10:08am January 04, 2017

by Tegan Wendland

Louisiana's coastline is disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico, taking with it many historic sites. Archaeologists are scrambling to document what they can before it's gone.

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St. Joseph, La., a town of about 1,100 people in northern Louisiana.

Contaminated Water In St. Joseph, La., Leads To Public Health Emergency

6:39pm December 16, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Gov. John Bel Edwards told residents of the North Louisiana town Friday not to use tap water after officials found water going to three buildings was contaminated with lead or copper.

President-elect Donald Trump waves on stage with Louisiana Republican Senate candidate John Kennedy at a rally in Baton Rouge on Friday.

Republican Wins Final Senate Race Of 2016 In Louisiana Runoff

9:55pm December 10, 2016

by Jessica Taylor

Republican John Kennedy is headed to the Senate with his runoff victory in Louisiana on Saturday. His victory means the GOP will have a 52-48 edge in the Senate come January.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence campaigns with John Neely Kennedy, the Republican Senate candidate in Louisiana. Kennedy faces Democrat Foster Campbell in a runoff election on Dec. 10.

Democrats Make Long-Shot Effort To Win Louisiana Senate Seat

6:00am December 07, 2016

by Ryan Kailath

Following Donald Trump's victory, Democrats around the country have suddenly focused on Foster Campbell's campaign in an attempt to limit Republicans' incoming Senate majority to 51 seats.

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A map from the National Weather Service shows tornado reports (red T), wind reports (blue W) and hail reports (green H) for Tuesday. More than 20 tornadoes were reported as a powerful storm system moved through the Southeast. Zoom in on the map here.

National

At Least 5 Reportedly Killed As Strong Storms, Including Tornadoes, Hit Southeast

12:17pm November 30, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Four children were critically wounded in Alabama by a tornado and severe thunderstorms, the National Weather Service says. Tornadoes were also reported in Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.