Julie O’Donoghue

3 weeks ago | wwno.org | Diane Mack |Julie O’Donoghue

Over the weekend, Louisiana voters rejected all four constitutional amendments backed by Gov. Jeff Landry. Turnout for the election was almost twice as high as anticipated, and the governor is blaming liberal donors. Louisiana Illuminator senior reporter Julie O’Donoghue tells us why the proposals failed and what it reveals about voters’ views on the governor. The New Orleans Opera’s reimagined presentation of Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” brings cowboy culture to the stage.

Nov 25, 2024 | bizneworleans.com | Julie O’Donoghue |Wesley Muller |Julie O'Donoghue

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana Illuminator) — Gov. Jeff Landry scored one of the biggest victories of his political career Friday when he managed to push major corporate and personal income tax cuts through the Louisiana Legislature, apparently without leaving the state chronically underfunded. “I didn’t get a big win, the state of Louisiana got a big win,” Landry said in an interview Friday at the close of a 13-day special session.

Nov 19, 2024 | veritenews.org | Julie O’Donoghue

Around 70 mental health professionals and educators in Louisiana have signed a letter urging state lawmakers to vote against a proposed constitutional amendment that could send more young teenagers to adult prisons. “[W]e are greatly concerned that young people would be denied age-appropriate, constitutionally protected services and interventions should this legislation pass,” reads the letter signed by social workers, therapists and counselors from around the state.

Nov 15, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Julie O’Donoghue

The Louisiana Senate approved a measure Thursday that could result in younger teenagers being sentenced to adult prisons more often. The senators voted 28-9 in favor of Senate Bill 2 to lift limitations on the types of crimes for which people under age 17 can be sentenced as if they are adults. The proposal will next be considered by the Louisiana House and also needs voter approval statewide before it can become law. It will appear on the March 29 or Nov. 15 ballot next year.

Nov 8, 2024 | veritenews.org | Julie O’Donoghue

In a special lawmaking session focused on tax policy, Louisiana lawmakers are also quietly moving legislation that could lead to more underage youth being sent to adult prisons. The Louisiana Senate’s Judiciary C committee voted 4-1 Thursday in favor of a state constitutional amendment to remove limitations on the number of crimes for which youth under the age of 17 could be sentenced as if they are adults.