Steel standoff

By Elise Plunk | Reporter

“When residents say they are concerned about adding more industrial facilities to communities that have already carried an enormous environmental burden, that concern deserves to be taken seriously.” — Sherry White, Modeste resident living near the planned Hyundai steel mill in Ascension Parish.

Randy Capello of Donaldsonville sits in on a Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality hearing Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at the Lemann Center Gymnasium on the air quality permit for the Hyundai steel mill. (Photo by Elise Plunk/Louisiana Illuminator)

Concerned neighbors, supporters air views on Hyundai steel mill permit

By Elise Plunk

The first and only public hearing on the air pollution permit for Hyundai steel facility’s in Ascension Parish was held three days before the project breaks ground. It gave a staunchly divided crowd of residents, elected officials, industry representatives, and local business owners a chance to share their thoughts on whether the state should approve the project based on its pollution impact.

He spent 27 years wrongfully convicted on death row. What’s next?

By Richard A. Webster & Kathleen Flynn | Verite/ProPublica

Since his release from prison, after being exonerated on a murder charge that landed him on death row, Jimmie "Chris" Duncan has been trying to piece together some semblance of a normal existence.

Ashley Murray/States Newsroom

9 justices on the Supreme Court or 13? Congress revives numbers battle.

By Ashley Murray

As public opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court flags amid decisions that have roiled the nation, Democrats renewed calls ahead of the midterms to expand the high court, while House Republicans attempted but failed to pass a constitutional amendment this week that proposes to cap the number at nine.

Rural hospital closures would mean longer drives for maternal care

By Shalina Chatlani

In 14 states, the closure of the closest rural hospital or its obstetric unit would force many Medicaid patients to drive an hour or more to get to another hospital that provides inpatient maternity care, according to a new analysis.

New anti-homelessness law punishes people already living a sentence

By Andrea Hagan

On June 9, Act 788 went into effect in Louisiana. It creates a new crime, unauthorized camping, defined as intentionally using a tent, shelter or bedding overnight in a public space not designated for camping. A homeless person could be fined money they don’t have. To have them serve time for the condition they are already in is absurd.

New invasive insect poses ‘serious threat’ to Georgia farmers | Georgia Recorder
As hemp’s future hangs in the balance, NC policymakers look ahead to regulate cannabis | NC Newsline
Seizures, chest pain and long holds at a Phoenix ICE facility flying under the radar | Arizona Mirror

Thanks for reading Morning Look. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.