The Light Switch

Forecasters expect fewer major storms this hurricane season, but you know what they always say next: it just takes one. So we always have to be prepared, including plans to evacuate at a moment’s notice. But should we count on contraflow being an option to get out of town when a major hurricane’s bearing down on us? We ask that question to the state’s leading expert on the topic.

Louisiana has already experienced its first storm for hurricane season 2026, and it serves as a good reminder to literally get your house in order. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple talks with us about what’s being done to help lower the cost of coverage, ranging from roof improvement grants, homeowner’s premiums, auto rates and commercial coverage.

There’s no sugar-coating it. Louisiana ranks very poorly when it comes to domestic violence incidents that turn fatal. We can see this when we look at crime statistics, an expert says those numbers are just a starting point. She explains why domestic violence victims can’t just leave these situations.

First, we’ll explore how data center development has led to a fast-track for building power plants, potentially putting regular ratepayers on the hook for some of the cost. We’ve also got a sit-down interview with U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, who shares his thoughts about losing his district in a landmark Supreme Court ruling. 

Less than half of our state’s registered voters cast ballots in the May 16 elections. And if history is an indicator, we’ll see fewer people show up for the June runoffs. Why does Louisiana struggle so much with voter turnout? We’ll talk with a voting rights advocate who’s had a front row seat at the Capitol to see the vast changes in state election laws.

Hurricane season begins June 1, and you should be going through the usual checklist to make sure you’re prepared. But it’s not like you need a reminder about the risk we face; you get one every time you pay your homeowner’s insurance premium. We talk with an expert about the factors that drive those rates and whether there’s any relief in sight.

Hurricanes aren't the only extreme weather concern for Louisiana heading into the summer months. Forecasts call for an elevated wildfire risk for the entire state starting in July and lasting at least through August. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain details preparations and offers advice to the public to limit the damage.

Hurricane season is just days away and, more than 20 years after Katrina, controversy once again surrounds storm protection in the New Orleans region. Some of the main characters in this drama are the governor, one of his major donors and the legislature. We talk with the leader of a good government group that pushed for change two decades ago — and sees the need to do so again.

A Supreme Court ruling in a Louisiana redistricting case has taken the legs out from under a law that civil rights advocates call the crown jewel of the 1960s movement. They fear decades of progress are about to be wiped out through redrawn election maps. We’ll hear how Black voters in Louisiana have reacted to the decision and the ensuing move from the governor to suspend the state’s U.S. House p...

We’re back with the rest of our interview with LSU President Wade Rousse. This week, he goes into more detail about pulling the University of New Orleans into the LSU System. Rousse also explains his role in recent big coaching hires and what he thinks Congress should do to rein in unchecked spending on college athletes and limit the transfer portal.

LSU System President Wade Rousse sat down recently for an extensive interview with the Illuminator — so extensive that we need to break it up into two episodes. This week, Rousse covers his plans for academics. Next week: LSU athletics.

There are nearly 20 bills in the Louisiana Legislature dealing with artificial intelligence, covering lots of ground. One thing they have in common is that most have been put on the shelf because President Donald Trump wants the federal government to handle AI regulation. We hear from lobbyists from both sides of the issue.

Gov. Jeff Landry is cheering a brand new rating that shows Louisiana has some of the cheapest electricity prices in the country. Is that reflected in your monthly bill? We talk with a consumer advocate who's looked at the numbers and explains whether there’s any relief in sight.

There’s a possibility a Louisiana lawsuit could force abortion pills off the market at least temporarily, perhaps permanently. One organization says — regardless of the outcome of this case — abortion drugs will continue to be available. We explore what could lie ahead on the reproductive health care horizon in Louisiana and nationally.

If you’re looking for work in Louisiana, there are plenty of opportunities in the plumbing profession. But you’re looking at thousands of hours of on-the-job training before you actually get your license. Plumbers say the years of hands-on, supervised training are critical because the work involves public health and safety. But one state lawmaker wants to create a fast-track for future plumbers to...

The agency that responds to to child abuse in Louisiana faces an uncertain future. One state lawmaker has proposed shutting down the department if there's not dramatic change. How did we get here? We explore that in this episode. Plus, we have news on hunting and the latest effort to remove fluoride from our drinking water.

The 2026 legislative session is under way, and we have a look at two issues where Gov. Jeff Landry should expect a fight, even with his fellow Republicans. We also have an interview with the leader of one of the state’s most powerful lobbying groups, and single out a bill you should be following. 

This year’s congressional midterm elections in Louisiana are the first in decades using closed party primaries — except they’re not really closed. And that’s been a sticking point for some politicians. This week, we hear from two Republican state officials who are on opposite sides of the debate over whether closed party primaries are here to stay — or one and done after this year. 

Louisiana officials have put new rules in place for what you can buy with SNAP benefits, what we often call food stamps. These are big changes, not just for consumers but for the grocery stores where they shop. The Louisiana Department of Health handles SNAP benefits, and we’ll hear from its leader about what you can and can’t buy— and the reasons for all the change.

There's been so much change at LSU: A new president, a new chancellor and, pretty soon, an old school with a new name, LSU New Orleans. Plus, there's the reorganization of the entire LSU System. We’ll talk with a key university administrator about what’s next in the school's quest to achieve elite academic status.

Louisiana restaurants have to let diners know when they are serving imported seafood, and they can’t use terms like "Cajun" on "Creole" if it describes such menu items. State officials are starting to get serious about enforcing this law, and we have a first look at how many restaurants have been cited and fined for violating the rules.

Back in July we brough you the story of a Russian couple seeking asylum in America over fears they could face punishment in their home country for their anti-Putin views. They took all the proper steps to enter the U.S., yet they were separated and placed in ICE detention when they appeared for their immigration appointment. More than a year later, they remain apart – with one of them held in Loui...

We have an extended conversation with a 2nd Amendment advocate here in Louisiana about how our state concealed carry law treats situations like the one in Minneapolis in which Alex Pretti was killed. He's also a gun safety instructor with thoughts to share on how federal agents handled the confrontation.

The federal funding spigot remains largely closed for health research, and that has an impact on Louisiana medical schools that are known for their breakthroughs in chronic disease treatment. We talk with a New Orleans oncologist  about how the unreliability of research resources has impacted how he cares for his patients.

Five months after the explosion at a Tangipahoa plant, it looks like there will be a criminal investigation into the environmental disaster. New reports from federal regulators reveal a long list of problems and violations. Plus, there’s a new report on use of force by Louisiana State Police. We talk with the analyst that pulled it together and learn why troopers don’t feel the numbers paint a fai...