Melinda Deslatte
@melindadeslatte.bsky.social
PAR Louisiana research director. Former Associated Press reporter. Adjunct at LSU Manship School. Graduate of LSU and the University of Maryland. Budget nerd. Football fan. Policy wonk.
$1K buyout, potential penalties, few guardrails: See details of SpaceX's deal with Vermilion Parish. www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/new... via @theadvocateaca.bsky.social #lalege
$1K buyout, potential penalties, few guardrails: See details of SpaceX's deal with Vermilion Parish.
Job creation is one of the biggest promises attached to the project. SpaceX is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs in Vermilion Parish over the next 10 years, according to Louisiana Economic Developm...
theadvocate.com
Voters face 10 constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, dealing with property taxes, term limits, bail rights, retirement debt and more. We have a handy PAR Louisiana guide that breaks them down. We take no positions on them, just provide information: parlouisiana.org/wp-content/u... #lalege
apnews.com/article/new-... #Saints gearing up for an early season stress test after dispiriting primetime loss to rival Falcons (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Saints gearing up for an early season stress test after dispiriting primetime loss to rival Falcons
New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore says he's seeing evidence at team headquarters that his players are motivated “to get things right” after their dispiriting 45-24 loss to rival Atlanta in a game ...
apnews.com
The Tigers had one of the nation’s worst offenses last year. Now, through five games of 2026, they have one of the best. bit.ly/4jHQDED
Lane Kiffin’s LSU offense is off to a red-hot start. These numbers tell the story.
The Tigers had one of the nation’s worst offenses last year. Now, through five games of 2026, they have one of the best.
bit.ly
Grambling State’s Martin Lemelle is Louisiana’s youngest university president — and one of the most ambitious. His plan is to transform Grambling into just the 16th HBCU, out of 107 total, to be designated as a research university. #lalege #lagov
Grambling’s president reaches for brass research ring to elevate North La. HBCU • Louisiana Illuminator
Grambling State’s Martin Lemelle is Louisiana’s youngest university president — and one of the most ambitious.
lailluminator.com
Is AI a threat to humanity? Louisiana candidates for the US Senate, 5th and 6th districts say the AI industry should have guardrails but don't provide many details. From @eplunk.bsky.social and me. #lalege lailluminator.com/2026/10/05/a...
AI apocalypse? Most Louisiana candidates for Congress stay vague on regulation • Louisiana Illuminator
Most candidates running for Congress in Louisiana agree there should be some federal regulations placed on artificial intelligence. But at this point they are mostly offering generalities, without pro...
lailluminator.com
#Saints remember Katrina, a punt block and 'rebirth' as they host the Falcons on Monday night apnews.com/article/sain... (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Saints remember Katrina, a punt block and 'rebirth' as they host the Falcons on Monday night
The New Orleans Saints are commemorating the Superdome's emotional first game after Hurricane Katrina as they host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.
apnews.com
Falcons and #Saints renew their longstanding rivalry as each seek early season momentum apnews.com/article/falc... (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Falcons and Saints renew their longstanding rivalry as each seek early season momentum
The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons each have a chance to establish some early season momentum when they renew their longstanding rivalry in the Superdome on Monday night.
apnews.com
#Saints placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve apnews.com/article/sain... (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Saints placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve
New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore says running back Travis Etienne Jr. is being placed on injured reserve. The move means Etienne will miss a minimum of four games.
apnews.com
#LSU will be made a Distinguished Military College, a newly revived federal designation that offers graduates of its Reserve Officer Training Corps program priority in becoming a commissioned military officer, DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth announced #lalege
Hegseth taps LSU cadet corps for new generation of military officers • Louisiana Illuminator
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday he is elevating LSU’s corps of cadets program with a new designation
lailluminator.com
The UL System has hired a consulting firm to examine its athletics budget problems and recommend solutions, including whether its member schools should move to a lower Division I subdivision or even drop to Division II or III. #lalege #lagov
Consultant to evaluate UL System teams leaving Division I to save money • Louisiana Illuminator
The University of Louisiana System has hired a consulting firm to examine its athletics budget problems and recommend solutions
lailluminator.com
Louisiana improves Advanced Placement scores, but many students can’t access AP courses www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @patrick-wall.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Louisiana improves Advanced Placement scores, but many students can’t access AP courses
More Louisiana high school students are earning high marks on Advanced Placement exams, yet many lack access to the college-level courses.
theadvocate.com
Candidates in Louisiana's crowded 5th Congressional District race met for a forum at the University of Louisiana - Monroe last nigt. Disagreement: AI regulation Agreement: More restrictions on Congresional stock trading needed #lalege lailluminator.com/2026/09/30/5...
6 takeaways from the 5th Congressional District candidates’ forum • Louisiana Illuminator
Candidates running for Congress in Louisiana’s crowded 5th District race had the sharpest disagreements over artificial intelligence regulation and economic development at a forum held Tuesday night a...
lailluminator.com
apnews.com/article/coll... Now that it has passed the US Senate, what comes next with the Protect College Sports Act? (from @apnews.com)
Now that it has passed the Senate, what comes next with the Protect College Sports Act?
The Senate has passed a bill aimed at controlling spending and addressing issues in college sports. The bill, which took over four months to pass, faces challenges in the House.
apnews.com
#LSU had a $44m athletics deficit last year and has over spent by $177.5m over the last six years. Its projected deficit for this year is $26m. But President Wade Rousse is hopeful his revenue generating plan can fix that, plus provide money for the system #lalege lailluminator.com/2026/09/24/l...
LSU struggles with multimillion-dollar athletics deficit: ‘We've got to stop that bleeding’ • Louisiana Illuminator
After years of minimal profits, LSU athletics is now tens of millions of dollars in the red.
lailluminator.com
Two Louisiana community college chancellors and a North Louisiana district attorney are among the six semifinalists for the Southern University System presidency, the search committee tasked with filling the post announced Thursday. #lalege #lagov
Southern University announces semifinalists for system president’s job • Louisiana Illuminator
Two Louisiana community college chancellors and a North Louisiana district attorney are among the six semifinalists for the Southern University System presidency
lailluminator.com
apnews.com/article/lsu-... Kiffin and Mike Elko combating early season tension as No. 10 #LSU hosts No. 23 Texas A&M (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Lane Kiffin and Mike Elko combating early season tension as No. 10 LSU hosts No. 23 Texas A&M
Lane Kiffin’s first two home games as LSU’s coach were runaway victories. His third, against Texas A&M, is bound to be more intense The No. 10 Tigers and No. 23 Aggies both are coming off their fi...
apnews.com
Raiders-#Saints matchup features a new generation of NFL coaches in Kubiak and Moore apnews.com/article/new-... (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Raiders-Saints matchup features a new generation of NFL coaches in Kubiak and Moore
Klint Kubiak and Kellen Moore are the last two offensive coordinators to win Super Bowls. Both parlayed their success into head coaching jobs, and they will be looking across the sideline at each othe...
apnews.com
Legislator proposes Dolly Parton license plate in Louisiana to support literacy lailluminator.com/2026/09/24/l... (from @jsodonoghue.bsky.social) #lalege
Legislator proposes Dolly Parton license plate in Louisiana to support literacy • Louisiana Illuminator
State Rep. Mike Bayham, R-Chalmette, is proposing a special Dolly Parton license plate in Louisiana that would help fund a state literacy program for children started by the country music icon.
lailluminator.com
West Feliciana secures data center deal without NDA, sets model for other parishes www.wafb.com/2026/09/22/w... (from @wafb.com #lalege
West Feliciana secures data center deal without NDA, sets model for other parishes
A data center project in West Feliciana Parish was negotiated without a non-disclosure agreement, according to Parish President Kenny Havard, who said the approach is becoming a model for other parish...
wafb.com
I recently sat down for an interview with Jim Henderson to chat about his progress in transforming Louisiana Tech into an R1 with a financially stable athletics program and a student newspaper. Also, his (many) thoughts on the funding formula. Check it out #lalege lailluminator.com/2026/09/22/q...
Q&A: Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson • Louisiana Illuminator
After serving as president of the University of Louisiana System from 2017-23, Jim Henderson became president of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. In a recent interview, he detailed his work return...
lailluminator.com
Southern says power outages are fixed, for now. But they say the state needs to help with $50M in electrical infrastructure needs. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Southern says power outages are fixed, for now. But they say the state needs to help.
The university spent over $1.7 million in September to end a string of power outages. But it’s going to need a lot more to fix the problem long-term, leaders say.
theadvocate.com
Check out our PAR forum with candidates running for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. You can watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnKy... #lalege #la05 #lacongress
The PAR Perspective: 5th Congressional District Candidate Forum
YouTube video by PAR Louisiana
youtube.com
New balance of Louisiana’s “rainy day” fund (Budget Stabilization Fund) is nearly $1.4B, the Revenue Estimating Conference is told. That’s the highest the balance has ever been in the fund. #lalege
Louisiana’s unemployment trust fund balance now tops $1.2B, the Revenue Estimating Conference was told this morning. The fund is projected to grow larger over the next year. Projections do NOT trigger any change in employer taxes or unemployment benefit amounts. #lalege
Tyler Shough and the #Saints produce two big drives at the end to topple the Ravens 24-17 apnews.com/article/sain... (from @apnews.com)
Tyler Shough and the Saints produce two big drives at the end to topple the Ravens 24-17
Tyler Shough scored on a fourth-down sneak with 1:28 remaining, and the New Orleans Saints rallied to a 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
apnews.com
Some 58,000 Medicaid recipients in Louisiana might fall short of work requirements, according to information from the state health department lailluminator.com/2026/09/21/l... (from @jsodonoghue.bsky.social) #lalege
Some 58,000 Medicaid recipients in Louisiana might fall short of work requirements • Louisiana Illuminator
As many as 58,000 Louisiana Medicaid recipients might have to take additional steps to meet the new federal work requirements for the program that go into effect in January, according to information f...
lailluminator.com
Faculty at Louisiana universities from certain countries will soon have to seek state permission to do their research under a new, far-reaching law that dramatically increases surveillance of researchers. #lalege #lagov #laed
New Louisiana security council puts foreign researchers under microscope • Louisiana Illuminator
Faculty at Louisiana universities from certain countries will soon have to seek state permission to do their research under a new law
lailluminator.com
Are Louisiana's coastal restoration efforts working? New data provides answers. www.nola.com/news/environ... via @mikejsmith504.bsky.social #lalege
Are Louisiana's coastal restoration efforts working? New data provides answers.
The first-of-its-kind assessment gauges the effects of four decades of restoration projects. What does the city of Denver have to do with it?
nola.com
#Saints enter Week 2 emboldened by their dramatic near comeback in Detroit apnews.com/article/new-... (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Saints enter Week 2 emboldened by their dramatic near comeback in Detroit
The New Orleans Saints are moving on to Week 2 sounding more emboldened than disappointed by their season-opening loss to Detroit.
apnews.com