By Greg LaRose | Editor-in-Chief
We’ll bid farewell to Tropical Storm Bertha today, and continue our coverage of the roiling political storm between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Gov. Jeff Landry expresses his frustration with New Orleans officials Wednesday, July 22, 2026, after a criminal indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill, right, was withdrawn earlier in the day. (Piper Hutchinson/LAI)
By Piper Hutchinson
The governor and attorney general said that although a special prosecutor has dropped criminal charges against Murrill, it is not enough to prevent accountability for the city leaders Murrill accused of weaponizing the criminal justice system against her.
Innocence & Justice Louisiana filed a lawsuit against Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams' office after its public records requests were repeatedly met with delays and denials. (Greg LaRose/LAI)
By Robert Stewart, Verite
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office has repeatedly denied requests for public records from Innocence & Justice Louisiana, a nonprofit, pro bono law firm that has helped free dozens of wrongfully convicted prisoners. The ongoing denials, which began earlier this year, could result in delays to appeals and post-conviction proceedings, running the risk that innocent people will continue to languish in prison unnecessarily.
WATCH AND LEARN
Reporter Elise Plunk walks us through Tulane University research aimed at helping save the Louisiana coast while also putting recyclable materials to use.
By Tim Henderson
The Trump administration claimed a rare court victory for its embattled immigration detention policy when the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, covering three states with large detention centers, agreed to stay court rulings that freed three immigrants during an appeal. The ruling covers Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
COMMENTARY
By Tramelle Howard
Louisiana cannot build a dynamic workforce by making higher education unaffordable and off limits. If leaders are serious about expanding opportunities, they should increase funding for public colleges and universities, strengthen and better fund need-based aid and ensure students have the support to complete their credentials.
D.C. DIGEST
Ex-DOJ staffers warn against Blanche’s AG confirmation | States Newsroom
Food aid advocates ask to delay shift of SNAP costs to states | States Newsroom
State AGs join legal fight against Trump’s wind farm freeze | Newsroom or reporter name
NEWS FROM THE STATES
After 4 months in detention, she begins her asylum fight | Minnesota Reformer
State payouts for gov’t misconduct reach $537M | Washington State Standard
Hospital sued over cancelled gender-affirming care procedure | Penn Capital-Star
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