The reason is cost. The government would need to force or incentivize private companies to pay for the modules.

A legislative committee blocked a bill Wednesday that would have established a Louisiana Voting Rights Act to strengthen protections against gerrymandering and voter suppression. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports: lailluminator.com/2026/04/09/l...

Safe gun storage requirement holstered in Louisiana A Louisiana Senate committee blocked a proposal Tuesday that would have made it a misdemeanor to leave loaded guns unsecured around kids.

The proposal had the backing of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, whose leader called it a “pro-life” bill. But his support wasn’t enough to overcome the pro-gun lobby at the Louisiana Legislature. lailluminator.com/2026/04/08/s...

Proposal would require Louisiana to send every voter's personal info to Homeland Security House lawmakers approved a bill to submit every voter's personal information to the federal government for further scrutiny.

'SAVE' SHARING: Louisiana lawmakers have advanced a bill to require that state election officials send personal information on all registered voters to the federal government for further scrutiny. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports

Drones broach restricted Barksdale air base; no details on source or response Barksdale Air Force Base has confirmed multiple unauthorized drones entered its restricted airspace in Bossier Parish earlier this month.

CONFIRMED: Drones broach restricted Barksdale air base; no details on source or response lailluminator.com/2026/03/27/d...

High levels of ‘forever chemicals’ found in Smitty’s Supply stormwater discharges Testing of discharges from a destroyed petrochemical facility in Tangipahoa Parish found high levels of cancer-linked PFAS compounds.

NEW: Sampling of stormwater discharges from Smitty's Supply detected high levels of cancer-linked compounds known as “forever chemicals,” according to months-old lab reports that state officials released this month after @wesmuller.bsky.social asked for them.

No chance Louisiana nixes its income tax this year, lawmakers say Landry’s proposal to eliminate the state income tax is struggling to gain traction as Louisiana faces a projected budget shortfall next year.

Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposal to eliminate the state income tax is struggling to gain traction as Louisiana lawmakers face difficult decisions to prevent a projected budget shortfall next year.
lailluminator.com/2026/03/12/n...

Southeastern review panel rejects complaint from researcher removed from Lake Maurepas study • Louisiana Illuminator A Southeastern faculty grievance committee has ruled against reinstating a researcher removed last year from a high-profile study examining pollution in Lake Maurepas.

Southeastern review panel rejects complaint from researcher removed from Lake Maurepas study lailluminator.com/2026/03/06/r...

Iranian warship hit by US torpedo did not carry ammunition, say Indian sources The ship was reported to be taking part in naval exercises hosted by New Delhi and was 'defenceless'

So apparently the Iranian frigate was unarmed per requirements of the Milan 2026 naval exercises, and we knew the ship was unarmed and defenseless.

I really cannot understand the decision to fire on her accept as performative sadism.

www.middleeasteye.net/news/iranian...

Louisiana to spend $140 million on FastSites to lure business investment Louisiana officials have selected 19 ready-made construction sites across the state for $140 million in infrastructure investment to entice large-scale development.

Louisiana officials have selected 19 ready-made construction sites across the state for $140 million in infrastructure investment to entice large-scale development. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports

Smitty’s Supply pumps out stormwater without approval from all required agencies An oil products plant that exploded in August is discharging millions of gallons of treated water without approval from all state agencies

Although Smitty’s received its LDEQ permit, it began releasing the treated water before getting approval from the Department of Transportation and Development, which LDEQ says is required under a state law that regulates drainage ditches along state highways.
lailluminator.com/2026/02/26/s...

Trump’s new tariffs are just as illegal as his old tariffs Numerous media outlets are spreading false information about the law — and Trump is benefiting.

1.

FACT: Trump’s new tariffs are just as illegal as his old tariffs

But numerous media outlets are spreading false information about the law — and Trump is benefiting.

Let's break it down.

Gramercy alumina refinery plans to monitor water, soil for ‘red mud’ contamination • Louisiana Illuminator The Atlantic Alumina refinery near Gramercy has filed a plan to test for contaminants in the soil and groundwater around its facility after multiple instances of industrial waste spewing from its cont...

TOXIC WATCH: The Atalco Gramercy refinery has filed a plan to test the soil and groundwater around its facility after multiple instances of industrial waste spewing from its containment lakes into drainage ditches that lead to a popular fishing area. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports

Woman arrested & jailed in South Carolina—for joining an online Anti-ICE chat.

Her crime? She told high school students she was "Proud of them for using their voices."

She now faces up to 3 years in prison and a $3,000 fine—for the charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

State House votes to rename Florida airport to Donald J. Trump international The Republican-controlled Florida House voted 81-30 in support of the name change to President Donald J. Trump International Airport

Last week Donald Trump registered the trademark "Donald J. Trump International Airport." This week Florida Republicans voted to rename Palm Beach International Airport Donald J. Trump International Airport," putting taxpayers on the hook for licensing fees that go straight to him

The crowd just recited a pledge to the Christian flag: I didn't know there was either. A band from the 101st Airborne Division is playing the national anthem. (1)

'Even in Russia, they don't treat children like this': A family's nightmare in ICE detention A Russian couple and their children sought asylum in the U.S. In a Texas detention center, they say they endured worms in the food and hourslong waits for medicine.

I interviewed a family of Russian asylum seekers who’ve been held more than four months at the Dilley detention center in Texas.

As we spoke over Zoom this week, their daughter Kamilla was one day shy of turning 12. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday.

She replied: “To get out of here.”

Hundreds of Louisiana restaurants cited, fined for not disclosing imported seafood • Louisiana Illuminator Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood, but hundreds have failed to do so, according to a review of state enforcement data from 2025.

IMPORTED SEAFOOD FINES: Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood, but hundreds have failed to do so, according to a review of state enforcement data from 2025. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports:

Federal court strikes down Louisiana law on disabled veterans’ claims consultants A federal court has struck down a Louisiana law that sought to let private consultants take a cut of benefit payments for disabled veterans.

VETERANS BENEFITS: A federal court has struck down a Louisiana law that sought to let unauthorized consultants take a cut of disabled veterans' benefits in exchange for helping vets apply for them. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports Attorney General Liz Murrill is not conceding defeat.

Hundreds of Louisiana restaurants cited, fined for not disclosing imported seafood • Louisiana Illuminator Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood, but hundreds have failed to do so, according to a review of state enforcement data from 2025.

State officials cited 919 restaurants and fined 319 last year for failing to tell customers they were using imported seafood
lailluminator.com/2026/02/10/i...

St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...

"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

This dude is intense and correct

Sports stadium deals hand even more taxpayer money to billionaires • Indiana Capital Chronicle Two recent stadium deals have set separate records for taxpayer giveaways to sports teams. They serve as further evidence that public officials are uninterested in curbing subsidies for billionaire…

Sports stadium deals hand even more taxpayer money to billionaires

indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/15/r...

An inside look at what EPA inspectors found at Smitty’s Supply An EPA inspection of the Smitty’s Supply facility found hundreds of other chemical spills and hazards in areas unaffected by the August fire.

In one area of the facility called the Truck Stop, inspectors found a collection of drums labeled “Radioactive” with yellow crime scene tape wrapped around the barrels.

lailluminator.com/2026/01/15/i...

Records reveal federal criminal search warrant served at Smitty’s Supply Federal agents executed a search warrant at the Smitty’s Supply plant, records show, signaling a rare environmental crimes investigation could be underway.

Records reveal federal criminal search warrant served at Smitty’s Supply by the EPA's CID, the FBI and state police. lailluminator.com/2026/01/12/s...

Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133 to 12 in His Favor

Let’s talk for a sec about this NYTimes analysis showing Trump-appointed judges on the appeals courts cleared off on Trump actions in 92% of their decisions last year. There’s important & obviously concerning truth in this, but not quite as much as might seem. /1

Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.

Minneapolis public schools canceled classes officials after Roosevelt High School said armed Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

US oil companies will be slow to answer Trump’s call to tap into Venezuela, experts say President Donald Trump is unlikely to see many U.S. oil companies jump in response to his call to tap into Venezuela, industry experts say.

It would take several years, a shifting geopolitical landscape and either higher demand or a disruption to existing supplies before there’s any significant expansion into Venezuela, experts say lailluminator.com/2026/01/07/o...

ICE officer admits to sexually abusing detainee—for 3 straight months.

Between May and July he had sexual contact with her multiple times while she was under his "custodial and supervisory authority."

He initially groomed her by smuggling in pictures of woman's daughter—then more gifts.

State rejects Smitty’s Supply request to dispose of wastewater, storm runoff in drainage LDEQ denied a request by Smitty’s Supply to discharge wastewater from its disaster cleanup into ditches that flow to the Tangipahoa River.

State rejects Smitty’s Supply request to dispose of up to 12 million gallons of wastewater, storm runoff into drainage ditches lailluminator.com/2025/12/23/s...