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Natalie McLendon

@nataliemclendon.bsky.social
529 followers 38 following 34 posts

Southwest Louisiana Investigative Reporter linktr.ee/nataliemclendon

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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 23h
thecurrentla.com/2026/when-in...
thecurrentla.com
When industry knocks, what say do coastal communities get?
Gov. Landry has sought to centralize control over major industrial projects. In Cameron Parish, local officials contend with that as LNG looms large.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Follow me to stay up to date with The Current’s expanding Southwest Louisiana coverage.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Despite a moratorium issued by Gov. Jeff Landry last October in response to fierce backlash from his own rural constituents, carbon sequestration in Southwest Louisiana continues. thecurrentla.com/2026/despite...
thecurrentla.com
Carbon sequestration moves forward in SWLA
Residents are concerned about the potential threat posed to the Chicot Aquifer, the main source of drinking water for 15 parishes.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Slamming on tables, threats of ejection, one councilman pleading with his colleagues to please calm down. Emotions ran high at a recent Sulphur City Council meeting, when councilmen DiPetta and Baden traded jabs over calls for an attorney general investigation. thecurrentla.com/2026/theres-...
thecurrentla.com
Inside Sulphur’s city hall feud
Last month, a special meeting by the Sulphur City Council devolved into chaos. So what exactly is going on? The drama — explained.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Earlier this year, Lake Charles resident Terrell Deshotel submitted a public records request to the city of Lake Charles. The city’s response caught him by surprise. thecurrentla.com/2026/inside-...
thecurrentla.com
The fight for public records access in Lake Charles
The City of Lake Charles has offered a variety of creative, and at times legally questionable, justifications for refusing to release public records.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, stopped in Southwest Louisiana on Tuesday to provide a legislative update — members of the press weren’t allowed in. thecurrentla.com/2026/speaker...
thecurrentla.com
Rep. Mike Johnson stops in SWLA, no press allowed
At least 200 business leaders attended a closed-door gathering to hear Johnson speak on legislative priorities for the area.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
A proposed carbon sequestration project in Cameron Parish could become Louisiana’s third Class VI injection well project and the second in the parish. thecurrentla.com/2026/carbon-...
thecurrentla.com
Carbon sequestration may expand in Cameron Parish
A Lake Charles company has requested a permit for two wells. If approved, the project would be the third of its kind statewide, and the second in the parish.
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Reposted by Natalie McLendon
Warwick Sabin @warwicksabin.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Exciting news! The Current, a newsroom in Lafayette, La that is part of the @deepsouthtoday.org network, is expanding its coverage to Southwest Louisiana with the addition of a new investigative reporter — @nataliemclendon.bsky.social — based in Lake Charles. deepsouthtoday.org/2026/05/19/t...
deepsouthtoday.org
The Current Expands Coverage to Southwest Louisiana With Dedicated Investigative Reporter Serving Lake Charles - Deep South Today
The Current, a newsroom in Lafayette, Louisiana that is part of the Deep South Today network, is expanding its coverage to Southwest Louisiana with the
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
My first piece as The Current’s southwest Louisiana investigative reporter. Federal and state officials visited southwest Louisiana on Friday, following a final investment decision on a long-delayed liquefied natural gas export terminal in Cameron Parish. thecurrentla.com/2026/u-s-ene...
thecurrentla.com
U.S. energy secretary, Gov. Landry rally for LNG in Cameron
Federal and state officials visited southwest Louisiana following a final investment decision on a long-delayed LNG export terminal in Cameron Parish.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Opposition to President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran and his administration’s policies on immigration and the environment were among the issues that brought out attendees at events held Saturday throughout Louisiana as part of the national “No Kings” demonstrations.
lailluminator.com
‘Don’t give up hope’: Trump policy spurs vocal dissent at Louisiana’s ‘No Kings’ protests • Louisiana Illuminator
Opposition to President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran and his administration's policies on immigration and the environment were among the issues that brought out attendees at events held Satu...
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
As the Lake Charles social coordinator of Society of Professional Journalists Louisiana, I’ve been hosting media happy hours for about seven months now. My friend, Renee Carthan, made some content during last night’s event. Hope to see you next month!
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
I talked to WWNO education reporter Aubri Juhasz about Calcasieu Parish’s open desegregation case for Louisiana Considered. You can listen to that segment at the link in the comments.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
More than 60 years after federal courts ordered Calcasieu Parish schools to desegregate, a federal judge in Lake Charles is reviewing the local order and potentially considering its dismissal, in a development that has taken the school board by surprise. thecurrentla.com/2026/desegre...
thecurrentla.com
Desegregation, reviewed
A federal judge in Lake Charles is reviewing the local school desegregation order, in line with a push by the Trump administration. Local officials are baffled.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
thecurrentla.com
Will Lake Charles benefit from Trump’s Venezuela takeover?
Southwest Louisiana is uniquely positioned to profit. Still, experts and company representatives have been cautious in their predictions.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
The probe involves Jonathan Cernek, former chairman of the Coushatta Tribe, who federal regulators allege used a casino business credit card to build and furnish his personal home.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Shoe leather reporting at No Kings protest Oct. 18 at Lock Park in Lake Charles, La.
Shoe leather reporting at No Kings protest Oct. 18 at Lock Park in Lake Charles, La.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
More than 150 people assembled at the edge of Lock Park in downtown Lake Charles for its No Kings event, while a small group of counter-protestors stood across a quiet side street. lailluminator.com/2025/10/18/l...
lailluminator.com
Louisiana joins the No Kings festivities with typical flair • Louisiana Illuminator
Thousands of people gathered at 10 events across Louisiana as part of Saturday’s national No Kings movement to protest President Donald Trump.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
According to documents obtained by the Illuminator, former GM Todd Stewart failed to alert auditors & potential investors about suspected fraud tied to ex-chairman Johnathan Cernek. lailluminator.com/2025/09/22/c...
lailluminator.com
Feds order Coushatta casino to suspend former GM for not disclosing fraud concerns • Louisiana Illuminator
The National Indian Gaming Commission ordered the Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission to suspend the license of its former general manager who's now a consultant for the business.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
A new audit of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana found over $100k in credit card charges without receipts during just two months of 2024. The review comes after the former chairman resigned amid reports of an FBI probe into casino credit card use. lailluminator.com/2025/09/12/c...
lailluminator.com
Audit shows Coushatta Tribe didn’t track credit card use • Louisiana Illuminator
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana failed to keep track of its credit card use, with no receipts to show for purchases that totaled more than $100,000 over a two-month period.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Had a great time hosting our first Media Happy Hour in Lake Charles. Big thanks to everyone who came out to connect and swap stories. Excited to keep building space for local media to gather outside the newsroom. Stay tuned for the next one!
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Protestors at Lock Park in Lake Charles, Louisiana
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Reposted by Natalie McLendon
Louisiana Illuminator @lailluminator.com · 17/06/2025
DEVELOPING: ICE, State Police raid Delta Downs in southwest Louisiana. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/06/17/i...
lailluminator.com
ICE, State Police raid Delta Downs in southwest Louisiana • Louisiana Illuminator
Police sources report federal, state and local law enforcement took part in an immigration raid Tuesday morning at Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino and Hotel near Vinton.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Two young members of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana are speaking out after state lawmakers voted Tuesday against a bill they say was important to their land, culture and safety.
lailluminator.com
Coushatta Tribe’s next generation warns against risk from carbon sequestration • Louisiana Illuminator
Two young Coushatta Tribe members are speaking out after state lawmakers voted against a bill they say was important to their land, culture and safety.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Federal immigration authorities arrested 11 workers last week at the Port of Lake Charles who allegedly lacked permanent legal status to be in the United States, the New Orleans office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Monday. lailluminator.com/2025/03/20/i...
lailluminator.com
ICE raid at Port of Lake Charles results in 11 arrests • Louisiana Illuminator
ICE arrested 11 workers last week at the Port of Lake Charles who allegedly lacked permanent legal status to be in the United States.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Concerns about the risks of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects were the main focus of a community meeting Monday night in Allen Parish. lailluminator.com/2025/02/26/c...
lailluminator.com
Local opposition mounts to carbon capture projects in Louisiana • Louisiana Illuminator
A packed audience discussed the safety and risks of storing carbon dioxide underground near the Chicot Aquifer, which provides nearly half of the state’s drinking water.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed natural gas facility, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project during a public hearing Tuesday. lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
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Reposted by Natalie McLendon
Louisiana Illuminator @lailluminator.com · 19/02/2025
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed natural gas facility in Calcasieu Parish, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project during a public hearing. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social was there. lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
lailluminator.com
Greenhouse gases from proposed Venture Global site concern Calcasieu neighbors • Louisiana Illuminator
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed Venture Global natural gas facility, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Thanks to Kris St. James for having me on at KYKZ KIX 96 this morning to talk journalism.
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Reposted by Natalie McLendon
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 02/02/2025
More than 8,000 web pages across more than a dozen U.S. government websites have been taken down since Friday afternoon, a New York Times analysis found. The purges have removed information about vaccines, veterans’ care, hate crimes, scientific research and more.
nyti.ms
Thousands of U.S. Government Web Pages Have Been Taken Down Since Friday
Federal agencies moved to satisfy Trump’s orders to remove topics like diversity initiatives and “gender ideology.”
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Reposted by Natalie McLendon
Louisiana Illuminator @lailluminator.com · 26/01/2025
INVESTIGATION: Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter initially fought to withhold emails from the public in which he slams a nonprofit leader for her online criticism of city and school leaders. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports on the aftermath. lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
lailluminator.com
Lake Charles mayor slams nonprofit leader for online criticism, leading her to resign • Louisiana Illuminator
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter complained to the board of a nonprofit that works with at-risk youth after its director criticized the city and school system on social media.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter describes former Big Brothers Big Sisters director ‘unhinged’ in emails he first fought to withhold from public view lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
lailluminator.com
Lake Charles mayor slams nonprofit leader for online criticism, leading her to resign • Louisiana Illuminator
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter complained to the board of a nonprofit that works with at-risk youth after its director criticized the city and school system on social media.
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Reposted by Natalie McLendon
DeSmog @desmog.com · 19/12/2024
When this public university set out to launch an LNG research center, they felt others hadn’t done enough to bring in fossil fuel industry’s views. So they hired an LNG lobbyist to lead it. That was just the start. @sarasneath.bsky.social @nataliemclendon.bsky.social www.desmog.com/2024/12/19/m...
desmog.com
How to Start a Public University LNG Research Center: An LNG Lobbyist Director and Donations for Research Votes
At McNeese State University’s LNG center, “we want to ensure that our LNG industry has a major say in research direction,” one of its project leaders wrote.
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Nina Lakhani @ninalakhani.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Revealed: how a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate impacts - @sarasneath.bsky.social and @nataliemclendon.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Revealed: how a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate impacts
McNeese State University in Louisiana building a liquefied natural gas center, prompting fears of ‘corporate capture’
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
One of Louisiana’s top public universities has prompted concerns about “corporate capture” over its expanding relationship with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, despite environmental warnings about pollution and prolonging fossil fuel use.
theguardian.com
Revealed: how a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate impacts
McNeese State University in Louisiana building a liquefied natural gas center, prompting fears of ‘corporate capture’
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
The Louisiana Illuminator has successfully obtained emails that were initially withheld by Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter after I filed a public records request earlier this year. lailluminator.com/2024/12/06/l...
lailluminator.com
Lake Charles mayor turns over emails he sought to withhold from public • Louisiana Illuminator
The Louisiana Illuminator has withdrawn its lawsuit against Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter for holding back nearly 300 pages of his emails from a public records request.
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Natalie McLendon @nataliemclendon.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
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