Low-level arrests rise despite national crime declines
The analysis found that arrests for vagrancy, an offense often associated with homelessness, rose 44% between 2024 and 2025.
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Incoming US Senate panel chair will seek healthcare overhaul, but details unclear
Oregon Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden plans to press for “the boldest” healthcare bill possible after he takes over as Finance Committee chairman next year, but he didn’t commit to Medicare for All.
US Senate’s 11 Democratic freshmen arrive at Capitol
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Monday welcomed 11 newly elected Senate Democrats at the U.S. Capitol, following midterm elections in which his party flipped both chambers in Congress.
Louisiana reports results from its first-ever sport alligator hunting season
Sport hunters bagged more than 1,800 alligators during Louisiana’s new recreational hunting season, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Monday.
Trump open to immigration deal, calls crackdown ‘too tough’
Trump added that he thinks his immigration crackdown “both helped and hurt” him in the midterm elections.
Trump DOJ ends California suit over suspected noncitizen voters
The decision ended what had been a dramatic weeks-long battle between the federal government and state and local election officials over control of California’s elections.
Lawsuit challenges Landry-backed ‘lightning’ speed approval for data center power projects
A group of Louisiana landowners and community advocates are suing the Louisiana Public Service Commission over its procedure to fast-track large utility projects in the name of economic development. It comes as regulators are poised to give expedited approval to a power project linked to the massive $50 billion Meta…
States push short-term insurance as healthcare costs climb
Conservative states are making it easier for insurance giants to sell cheap, short-term healthcare plans with limited coverage — potentially sticking buyers with thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills.
For runoffs, Louisiana voters selected Democrats with conservative records on social issues
Louisiana Democrats have promised to capitalize on the surprisingly strong showing for their candidate, Jamie Davis, in the U.S. Senate election during the governor’s race in 2027. But the party still has two Congressional races left to run this year, with Democratic candidates advancing to the Dec. 12 runoffs for the…
Violent, property crime victimization rates fell in 2025, federal data shows
A new federal report released the week before Tuesday’s midterm elections found that Americans experienced declines in several categories of violent and property crime victimization in 2025, including aggravated assaults, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. The preliminary survey findings from the U.S. Bureau of…
Democratic wins put Medicaid expansion back in play in holdout states
In a handful of holdout states, Democrats appear ready to use their newly won statehouse dominance to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. In at least four states — Georgia, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin — the midterm election results have tilted the political calculus toward expansion, though lawmakers have…
Latino voters singled out by top Democrat for credit in congressional victories
WASHINGTON — The chair of the campaign arm for U.S. House Democrats said during a Friday press conference that this week’s midterm elections resulted in an overwhelming blue wave because of Latinos. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene said majorities won in the House and the Senate by…
Democrats will hold most legislative trifectas since 1984
Along with a dramatic change in congressional majorities on Election Day, an analysis from the National Conference of State Legislatures showed large shifts in legislative majorities around the country, flipping from a majority of Republican legislatures to majority Democratic. Democrats also now hold a large number…
Effort to recall Gov. Jeff Landry fails
The effort to get Gov. Jeff Landry recalled from office has officially failed, the Louisiana Secretary of State's office announced on Thursday. The lead organizer of recall effort said she did not turn in the required signatures before the Nov. 2 deadline
GOP Congress faces funding deadline, farm bill, lengthy to-do list in year-end session
WASHINGTON — Voters may have given Democrats control of Congress in the midterm elections, but Republicans will remain in charge of both chambers during the lame-duck session that spans November and December. The relatively brief five-week schedule, which begins Monday, gives GOP leaders a chance to wrap up unfinished…
Mastermind of immigration crackdown Stephen Miller named Trump chief of staff
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday he will elevate Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff, the first shake-up of his administration officials since Democrats trounced Republicans in the midterms. Former Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will move to the “Trump Political Operation,” the president…
LSU reinstates law professor suspended for political comments
LSU has reinstated a law professor that it removed from the classroom for making political comments critical of Gov. Jeff Landry in early 2025. Ken Levy, a tenured professor of criminal law, will make his return to the classroom in the spring semester, two years after he was suspended from teaching. In an interview…
Many girls and young women try unproven birth control methods to avoid pregnancy
Teenage girls and young women are more likely to rely on unproven strategies such as prayer, exercise and jumping up and down than they are on evidence-based contraception, according to a new study.
Alabama executes Michael Shannon Taylor for the 1991 murder of a couple in Gadsden
The state of Alabama executed Michael Shannon Taylor, 54, Thursday for the 1991 murders of Ivan and Lucille Moore in Gadsden. Taylor did not make a final statement. Taylor’s execution was the third in Alabama this year. Jeremy Tremaine Williams was executed in August and Jeffery Lee in September, both by lethal…
Young home shoppers still priced out without help, according to survey
The age of the typical first-time homebuyer last year remained stuck at a historic high of 40 years old as younger people continue to get the worst of brutally high prices and interest rates in much of the country. That’s according to new data from the National Association of Realtors, and it’s the second year
Democrats romped in state elections. What will they do with their newfound power?
The blue wave that swept across Tuesday’s midterm election will deliver Democrats new power over state government, giving them the opportunity to advance long-sought policy changes. Democrats flipped hundreds of seats, won control of several GOP-held chambers, broke veto-proof supermajorities and won a majority of…
Still focused on DC projects, Trump signs order preserving Oval Office
Trump, who tore down the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom, said “no major modifications” should be made to those rooms without the approval of Congress.
Trump’s gerrymandering push flops as Democrats win redrawn seats
The Republican project to gerrymander congressional districts across the country, initiated by President Donald Trump more than a year ago, failed to deliver significant wins for the party.
Louisiana Democrats’ near-miss on Senate seat gives party hope for governor’s race
Jamie Davis’ narrow loss to U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, has given Louisiana Democrats hope they could unseat a slate of Republican statewide elected officials next year, including Gov. Jeff Landry. “Jeff Landry, you’re on notice, buddy,” Davis told his supporters on election night, later confirming to…
Louisiana among states where IVF patients, doctors navigate fetal personhood laws
At least 24 states have put some form of fetal personhood language directly into their abortion restrictions or broader civil or criminal statutes.
New study says river diversions key to restoring coastal swamp forests in Louisiana
Coastal swamp forests in Louisiana, facing rapid sea level rise, land subsidence and lack of fresh sediment from rivers, are particularly hard to protect and restore. A new study from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium suggests that river diversions can restore sediment and support the root growth needed for…
Melania Trump attending LSU-Alabama game to announce scholarship fund
First lady Melania Trump will attend LSU’s football game Saturday to announce an endowment to the university that will support students from the foster care system. Trump said she will launch the “Fostering the Future” campaign during the Tigers’ matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. It features a $5 million…
Commentary: Nerding the numbers: These 7 parishes propelled Julia Letlow to victory
There are two things I look forward to ahead of Election Day, and both involve an intense passion for fine details. One is the obligatory newsroom pizza binge, and God help the soul who takes liberties with ordering. It’s not the time to go rogue with an artisan crust or bespoke toppings. The other eagerly
Supporters press Democrats to deliver on promises following landslide
Starting in January, the party will control both chambers of Congress, giving them the upper hand over much of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Trans sports bans get voter approval in 4 states
Voters in four states are on track to pass or have passed measures to restrict transgender athletes’ participation in sports, a key policy focus of the Trump administration.
Democrats won Congress. Now they have to figure out how to deal with Trump.
WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders in Congress have just a couple months to decide how they want to balance investigations into President Donald Trump and his administration with securing his signature on major bills to address the cost of living, a top concern for voters. While Democrats gained control of the House and…
Voters in five states back bans on noncitizen voting while one state bucks trend
Federal law already bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections, and no state currently allows noncitizens to vote in statewide elections.
Trump accepts the blue tsunami, despite months of election legal battles, threats
In a series of late-night interviews, the president said he would accept the results. He acknowledged that Democrats had performed well as they retook the House and Senate.
Vance and Trump blame midterm GOP elections loss on their war in Iran
he post was an unusual public distancing by a sitting vice president and marked a significant first step in a post-Trump Republican political landscape that Vance will likely seek to lead.
Democrats win majority of governorships for the first time in 16 years
Democrats are set to hold 28 governor’s offices compared with Republicans’ 20. Races in Alaska and Kansas have not yet been called.
Voters across the country reject data centers
Late Tuesday evening, 33 ballot measures to restrict data centers were passed by voters or were leading in ongoing vote counts, according to the tracking website Data Centers on the Ballot.
The election is over. What’s supposed to happen next for Congress?
The post-election process includes numerous steps and varying deadlines for when ballots have to be certified, since each state has different laws governing not only what happens on Election Day but what happens afterward.
Who is Hakeem Jeffries? Meet the likely first Black speaker of the US House.
The 56-year-old Brooklynite would lead Democrats’ charge against President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans’ policies, while pursuing an affordability and accountability-focused agenda.
El-Sayed declares victory and storms into the US Senate
Unofficial results reported by the Associated Press show that with 85% of the vote counted, El-Sayed was leading Rogers 51.9% to 46.1% as of 2:27 a.m. when the AP officially called the race.
Alaska’s US Senate race a tossup, many absentee and early votes to be counted
Alaska’s closely watched U.S. Senate race remained too close to call early Wednesday morning as Democratic challenger Mary Peltola led incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan by only a few hundred votes with thousands more remaining to be counted.
Banks, Miguez to meet in 6th District runoff
Chauna Banks, a Black Democrat, finished first Tuesday in the 6th Congressional District primary, a district that had to be redrawn after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled its previous version was a racial gerrymander.
Blue tsunami sweeps the US, as Democrats land huge gains in Congress
Voters across the country administered a sharp reprimand to President Donald Trump and Republicans who hold majorities in Congress, with Democrats gaining control of the Senate and on track by early Wednesday to take over the House as well.
Letlow holds off Davis to keep Louisiana US Senate seat in GOP hands
Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow survived a closer-than-expected challenge from Democrat Jamie Davis to claim Louisiana’s open seat in the U.S. Senate.
Louisiana voters approve 7 of 10 constitutional amendments
Half of the ballot items involved property taxes that help pay for many parish governments, sheriffs and public schools.
Joseph Cao wins right to fill remaining BESE District 1 term
Joseph Cao, the former Republican congressman who Gov. Jeff Landry picked as a placeholder on the state school board late last year, won the right to take over the job for good in Tuesday’s election.
What Louisiana’s 4 US House incumbents raised and spent to keep their seats
The four sitting members of Congress from Louisiana successfully fended off longshot challengers in Tuesday’s election
State Reps. Pat Moore, Gabe Firment advance to 5th District runoff
A glut of Monroe-area Republicans on the 5th Congressional District ballot opened the door for a Democrat from the city and a Central Louisiana lawmaker to claim the top two spots in Tuesday’s primary election.
In historic night, voters elect 5 Black governors, including first woman, first Republican
Those historic victories were called early during Tuesday’s high-stakes midterm elections, when Democrats hoped to claw back state power from Republicans, who have controlled a majority of governorships and state legislatures for the last 16 years.
Republicans add to their Public Service Commission majority
Democrats are losing the District 5 seat covering North Louisiana that they have held since 1974 when it was created in a revised Louisiana Constitution
US Sen. Ashley Moody keeps Florida seat in GOP hands
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody won her third statewide election Tuesday as Republicans kept hold of the Florida seat to which Moody was appointed after President Donald Trump nominated Marco Rubio as secretary of state.
Pappas defeats Sununu in pivotal New Hampshire US Senate race
Pappas is the first openly gay man elected to the Senate, and his win helps Democrats’ chances to take control of the upper chamber.
Cooper becomes first Democrat to win US Senate race in NC since 2008
Cooper is no stranger to winning statewide elections: He won two terms as governor and four as attorney general. Now, that success is translating to the federal level.
Georgia’s Jon Ossoff wins US Senate reelection
The race was called by the Associated Press less than an hour after polls closed Tuesday.
Democrats score control of US Senate in stunning midterm victory
Just a handful of highly competitive Senate races will determine who holds the majority in the upper chamber.
Democrats win sizable US House majority amid sweep of close races
Democrats are largely expected to regain control of the U.S. House once all ballots are counted in this year’s midterm elections, though it will likely take days or even weeks to know just how many seats the party will pick up.
Follow the battle for US Senate control
States Newsroom's DC Bureau team is monitoring election results throughout the country Tuesday night to keep track of whether Republicans retain control of the U.S. Senate or cede power to Democrats.
Voters sail through mostly smooth Election Day, despite federal interference fears
Across the United States, voters headed to their polling places. At churches, schools and community centers, they rendered their verdict on the direction of the country and those who lead it.
Detroit turnout takes center stage as voters weigh Michigan’s US Senate race
High voter turnout in Detroit is seen as integral to success for Democratic candidates.
Justice Department placing election monitors in Orleans, EBR, Lafayette
The U.S. Department of Justice shed some light Tuesday morning on where it will deploy observers for what it has called its largest ever Election Day monitoring effort. In Louisiana, its personnel will be at polling sites in East Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Orleans parishes, according to a statement from the agency. No…
Party control of state leadership could flip across the country
While much of the national attention on today’s midterm elections has focused on control of Congress, voters across the country will also choose which party controls the levers of state power.
As Election Day arrives, Democrats poised to see gains and pump brakes on Trump agenda
Trump came into his second term with his party in control of both chambers of Congress. But historically, the president’s party loses seats in the midterm elections, and this cycle appears unlikely to be an exception.
Trump targets Louisiana with election eve tele-rally: ‘I don’t see how Julia can possibly lose’
The 10-minute “tele-rally” on the eve of Election Day was the first occasion in which the president has actively campaigned for Letlow since she secured the Republic Party’s nomination in June.
Commentary: Before Louisiana bets on nuclear, we should look at offshore wind
If the goal is clean, dependable electricity, Louisiana should also evaluate offshore wind.
Secretary of State: About 50% of Louisiana voters will take part in midterms
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects turnout among registered voters to reach 48% to 52% once voters go to polls one Election Day, matching levels for midterm election cycles over the past 12 years, her spokesman said.
Trump promotes Reflecting Pool renovation the day before the election
Trump spoke for roughly 45 minutes, bouncing from topic to topic. His remarks included but were not limited to unfounded allegations of “unprecedented” vandalism to the pool’s lining.
Supreme Court rejects Trump attempt to freeze California vote counting
The decision marked a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s bid to control voting in the country’s most populous state and capped a whirlwind three weeks of legal war between the U.S. Department of Justice and California’s state and local election officials.
Gulf Coast states could get more flexibility to manage red snapper limits
The way Gulf Coast states manage their catch limits for red snapper, a popular catch among recreational anglers, is poised to change next year as fisheries management officials recommend adding more flexibility for states into federal rules.
Few apartments open for low-income renters, but costs drop in some cities
Average income-restricted rent fell year over year in 13 of 50 markets, compared with three for market-rate rent.
Day before election, Trump’s DOJ asks US Supreme Court to rule in California voting case
The appeal came on the eve of Election Day and as more than 5 million mail ballots have already been cast in California, a state where voters are expected to elect dozens of Democrats to the U.S. House.
Lafayette activist sues Clay Higgins for blocking him on Facebook
A community activist is suing U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, alleging the congressman violated his First Amendment rights by blocking him from his official Facebook page in retaliation for political criticism.
Voters make governors, regulators answer for high utility bills
As broad affordability concerns define elections across the country, voters in several states on Tuesday will have a say on their future utility bills.
Louisiana’s US Senate race no longer a ‘gimme’ for Republicans
On the eve of Election Day, a GOP victory appears less certain, according to election analysts as well as political advisers and elected officials from both major parties.
Federal judge rejects Trump attempt to pause Alaska’s US Senate election
In a 20-page order issued Sunday morning, U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason said the federal government failed to explain how it has the authority to bring its lawsuit.
Explosive spending, ugly ads and courtroom battles set stage for tense midterm elections
When the polls close Tuesday night, the 2026 U.S. election will go down as one of history’s most expensive and extraordinarily ugly midterms — galvanizing record-breaking early voter turnout among a deeply divided electorate.
College students in swing states rally against off-campus voting sites, student ID bans
Students have protested against laws and decisions from local election officials that they say could make casting ballots harder, including off-campus polling sites and bans on student IDs when voting.
Trump loses appeals over California ballots, Homeland Security operations
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a U.S. Department of Justice request that would have required state and local election officials to not tabulate ballots from voters on a list the U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed unless they could prove their citizenship.
Trump continues rally spree in attempt to blunt Dem momentum in midterms lead-up
As Trump’s midterm travel that began in early October hits its final stops, the president was slated to rally in Florida on Friday and visit Kansas and Iowa over the weekend.
Watchdog’s report urges Congress to take action on flood insurance
Almost 90% of U.S. properties facing high flood risk don’t have insurance to cover such a catastrophe, according to a government watchdog agency’s latest report. To address the problem, it’s calling upon Congress to confront large structural issues within the insurance industry to try and close the coverage gap.
Federal subpoenas to election officials mark escalating Trump pressure campaign
As the Trump administration waged a public legal fight with California over the ballots of suspected noncitizen voters in mid-October, behind the scenes a federal grand jury in Santa Ana issued a series of subpoenas to election officials in Los Angeles County at federal prosecutors’ urging. The subpoenas demanded a…
Amendment 8 would keep ‘foreign adversaries’ from seizing Louisiana property
Louisiana would join a trend among states that have banned certain foreign nations from gaining control of private property if its voters approve a change to the state constitution on Tuesday’s ballot. Amendment 8 specifically prohibits a “foreign adversary” or their representative from expropriating property. The…
Early voting sets midterms record, breaking 2022 mark
It’s still unclear if this year’s midterm elections will break the overall record voter turnout of 2018. The 53% turnout that year was the highest rate in a midterm since 1914.
Trump will hold in-person rallies in Iowa and Kansas after all as election nears
The Midwest rallies mark the final sprint to Election Day on Nov. 3 — now just four days away — where the GOP is itching to maintain its narrow majority in the U.S. House and control of the Senate.
Election officials brace for federal interference but expect to persevere
As concerns rise about the potential for federal influence over the results of next week’s midterm elections, many voting experts and advocates remain confident that the nation’s highly localized systems of administering and counting votes will persevere.
‘Medically frail’ Medicaid enrollees won’t have to prove their inability to work to keep coverage
Medicaid recipients who are disabled or have a chronic illness will not have to prove they are unable to work to be exempted from new work requirements that take effect next year, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
Callais plaintiffs target Louisiana’s lone majority-Black congressional district
The plaintiffs whose lawsuit led to the dismantling of one of Louisiana’s two majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana are now targeting the remaining district, a move that could severely dilute Black voting power in the state.
Louisiana health officials warn against amoeba infections from tap water
The Louisiana Department of Health is urging the public not to use tap water for their sinuses or contact lenses following a fatal Acanthamoeba infection this year, one of 10 infections in the state reported since 2024. Health officials did not say when or where the infected person died. It’s one of two “serious”…
Trump administration has slow-walked 380K potential immigrant voters
The processing delays come amid broader attacks by the Trump administration related to voting and citizenship, with officials attempting to block some ballots from being counted and threatening election officials with prosecution.
Trump cancels weekend Kansas and Iowa rallies 5 days ahead of election
Meanwhile, election forecasters say Democrats remain heavily favored to win the majority in the House, and Senate races have also moved in the direction of Democrats.
In a blizzard of lawsuits, Trump’s DOJ battles across the US over midterm elections
The Trump administration’s sweeping efforts to combat noncitizen voting and assert authority over elections is under intense scrutiny in courtrooms across the country.
These are the tightest races for US House control right now
The focus on a short list of campaigns highlights how much power voters in a small number of congressional districts have to determine whether Republicans keep control of that chamber for the next two years or Democrats take over.
Louisiana’s US Senate race enters homestretch tighter than expected
The U.S. Senate race in Louisiana is entering its final days much more competitive than many expected it to be even a few weeks ago.
Judge denies Trump DOJ attempt to exclude 20,000 California ballots from vote count
The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court, where a three-judge panel has already denied its emergency request on procedural grounds. Two of the judges also expressed opposition on the merits — a strong signal the Trump administration will probably lose again.
Feds targeting naturalized Americans in voter investigations, groups say
A lawsuit accuses Homeland Security of operating what it calls an “Unlawful Voter Initiative” — a policy to target thousands of naturalized and derivative citizens for voter eligibility investigations and tracking.
Pipeline projects booming while federal regulations ease, report notes
New pipeline projects are booming across the United States at the same time the Trump administration rolls back federal environmental and safety regulations, according to a new report.
Some voters with felony convictions face new rules for the midterms
A half-dozen states enacted laws this year changing voting rules for people with felony convictions, including when their rights can be restored and how they can register to vote — affecting voters in next week’s elections.
Lawmakers urge DCFS to revive expired psychiatric care contract for foster kids
Mental healthcare for Louisiana’s foster children in crisis faces an uncertain future after the state’s child welfare agency could not reach terms to renew a contract that’s been in place for more than 30 years. In response, state lawmakers have pleaded with the leader of the Department of Children and Family Services…
Told her baby wouldn’t survive, she had to leave the state for an abortion. She’s sharing her story.
Next Tuesday, Idahoans will vote to determine whether the state’s near-total abortion ban should remain the law.
Courts to decide fate of Trump’s latest push to control voting as Election Day nears
Democrats and voting rights advocates have long feared Trump would attempt to interfere in the midterm elections, especially if Republicans appear poised to lose control of Congress.
Time for change? Permanent daylight saving time bill awaiting US Senate action
Most of the nation returns to standard time Sunday morning, and Congress could decide as early as next month whether it will be the last time people have to change their clocks.
Groups push Gov. Landry to address Big Oil’s orphan wells
The groups sent a letter to the governor Monday asking if he would meet with them to discuss his vision for tackling what they see as a looming threat to the state’s vulnerable coastal areas and the ecosystems they host.