By Greg LaRose | Editor-in-Chief
The qualifying period for Louisiana’s party primaries in May runs Wednesday through Friday, so expect more ins and outs throughout this week.
Workers adjust the name of the “John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” on Dec. 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C., to including President Donald Trump’s name. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
By Julie O’Donoghue
President Donald Trump has made Gov. Jeff Landry his latest addition to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which could soon update its rules for reviewing the impact of any project that uses federal dollars or needs a federal permit. Preservationists fear the council, which Trump has overhauled to his liking, could weaken or eliminate the process altogether.
State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty is entering race for the District 1 seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission. (Submitted photo)
By Wesley Muller
State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, who’s authored legislation to bring accountability to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, announced Monday she will run for the District 1 seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Hilferty describes herself as a conservative who “isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo” and stressed protecting rate payers from the increasing cost of electricity.
Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, left, greets Gov. Jeff Landry as Landry leaves the House Chamber with his son, JT, right, after speaking on opening day of legislative session April 14, 2025, at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate-Pool)
By Piper Hutchinson
State Rep. Dixon McMakin announced his candidacy just last month to replace U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, who joined the field to challenge U.S. Sen Bill Cassidy at President Donald Trump’s urging. And now that state Sen. Blake Miguez has entered the 5th District field with Trump’s endorsement, McMakin has ended his campaign just before the qualifying period begins.
By Tristan Baurick, Verite
The United Kingdom closed its last deep-pit coal mine in 2015 and shut down its last coal-burning power plant in 2024. But now that station is busier than ever, fueled by American forests that are pressed into wood pellets in Louisiana and Mississippi. After years of celebrating the shift away from coal, U.K. residents are recognizing wood pellets aren’t the cleaner, greener alternative they were supposed to be.
By Robbie Sequeira
Mayors hold nonpartisan jobs in an increasingly hyper-partisan political environment. While some view confrontation with the White House as the right approach, others are opting for accommodation — or just keeping their heads down. Cities rely on federal money and President Donald Trump has made it clear that more ICE agents and fewer federal dollars will flow to cities that don’t respond to his requests.
D.C. DIGEST
NEWS FROM THE STATES
Family of migrant who died in custody wants answers | NJ Monitor
Judges tosses suit to keep state voter data from feds | NE Examiner
‘Bathroom bill’ vetoed for a third time | NH Bulletin
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