The Light Switch

Louisiana’s U.S. Senate election turned out to be so much closer than predicted, and Black voters were a big reason why. What does this mean for 2027 in Louisiana, where the governor, other statewide officials and legislative seats will be on the ballot? We’ll talk with the leader of a group that’s worked for more than a decade to ensure marginalized voices are heard come Election Day.

Election Day is behind us, and it’s time to dig into the numbers, analyze the campaigns, look at what messages worked and which ones fell flat. The U.S. Senate race headlined the ballot in Louisiana, and the Illuminator's reporting team will share their thoughts on how the contest unfolded — and got much more interesting leading up to November 3rd.

Depending on your political leanings, you might see the intensity surrounding how ballots are cast in the midterm elections as good or bad. But we can all agree more people should pay attention and get involved with elections. We’ll talk with someone who’s on the ground here in Louisiana and across the South to ensure voters have clear and fair access to the polls. We’ll learn about their concerns  and discuss how policy shapes our democratic process.

Louisiana could see more than half of its immigrants with protected status lose that safeguard by 2028. These projections come from a group in the thick of policy battles with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement. It predicts more than 14,000 people will be removed from the Louisiana workforce. We'll talk with the group’s leader.     

Louisiana utility regulators want to stop a $2 billion electric transmission project being built in the Midwest. It won’t cost a dime for Louisiana customers or impact their property or access to power. So why did nearly all members of the Louisiana Public Service Commission join this fight? We talk with an advocate for utility customers about how this fight could potentially impact if and when power lines we need here are eventually built.

An advancing lawsuit could upend the way evictions are handled in Louisiana. The case focuses on a justice of the peace who handles hundreds of evictions a month, and the fees his court collects go toward his hefty salary. We’ll talk with one of the attorneys who explains what’s at stake here. Also, where do candidates in Louisiana’s competitive congressional races stand on nondisclosure agreements? We’ve asked. Most answered.

Louisiana will soon require health insurance to cover at-home visits for new moms and their babies. The outcomes show it’s worth the investment, but it’s going to take a while to meet the demand. We'll hear from one of the people behind this huge change in preventative health care. Also, Grambling’s president talks about the school’s march toward elevating its status as a research institution

New research, rooted right here in Louisiana, is providing us with a more accurate picture of the problems that violence creates in our communities. The findings show the connection between violence and the common struggle to make ends meet, as well as the lack of help for people who could benefit from mental health support.

University leaders are paying attention to a task force evaluating how state colleges and universities are funded. Perhaps no one is following closer than Jim Henderson, president at Louisiana Tech. His campus is a state leader in graduation rates and retention, but it's last in line for getting money from the state. 

Conservationists are worried the massive SpaceX launch facility planned for Louisiana will threaten what many consider the state’s optimal setting for wildlife. We look at one endangered species that calls the area home. Plus, a new task force is looking into how Louisiana funds higher education.