iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

“It makes perfect sense to house a new model of a Black art school in this city, in this culture amongst all of this tradition." ow.ly/ujP550ZUMup

01711

Verite News @veritenews.org · 09/10/2026

The systematic exploitation and torture of enslaved people generated enormous wealth and transformed New Orleans into one of the nation’s most important commercial centers. ow.ly/mWCp50ZUM9q

052

Verite News @veritenews.org · 08/10/2026

Plaintiffs, who are suing over a massive sediment spill last year that they claim caused millions in damage to the local seafood industry, worry that the pause in the lawsuits may imperil fact-finding efforts. ow.ly/Iz8750ZUM3Z

155

Verite News @veritenews.org · 07/10/2026

Three trans women have been held in solitary confinement for months while allegedly facing discrimination, medical neglect and physical abuse at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center. ow.ly/Ms3L50ZUG4H

12014

Verite News @veritenews.org · 06/10/2026

Press Robinson says the fight for voting rights has come full circle back to where it began. ow.ly/Yeh250ZV8xm

085

Verite News @veritenews.org · 06/10/2026

From the Whitney Plantation: The systematic exploitation and torture of enslaved people generated enormous wealth and transformed New Orleans into one of the nation’s most important commercial centers. ow.ly/wGiV50ZUVtE

1137

Verite News @veritenews.org · 06/10/2026

Several state lawsuits against the company behind a major liquefied natural gas terminal under construction in Cameron Parish have been temporarily halted by a judge. ow.ly/nSpG50ZUWZy

032

Verite News @veritenews.org · 05/10/2026

Thousands of formerly homeless Louisianans could lose housing under a state proposal to redirect federal funding from current programs toward a 200-bed shelter in Baton Rouge. We explain what could change and the steps still ahead. ow.ly/e9h850ZUBSL

0611

Verite News @veritenews.org · 05/10/2026

Immigration reporter @robste.bsky.social has covered everything from Catahoula Crunch and its impact on immigrant communities to prison labor and local elections. His latest work follows community opposition to an ICE detention center in Alexandria. ow.ly/upIf50ZUbRt

074

Verite News @veritenews.org · 04/10/2026

“Linc Hayes,” that cool Black undercover cop with the iconic ‘fro and dark sunglasses, has a New Orleans connection. ow.ly/RnJj50ZUff3

021

Verite News @veritenews.org · 04/10/2026

At a community town hall hosted by the Big Easy Budget Coalition, community members debated how the city should spend its waning general fund — and argued that it shouldn’t be on the police. ow.ly/ZtaF50ZU90r

042

Verite News @veritenews.org · 04/10/2026

Anti-censorship groups said a new St. Tammany Library Control Board policy would allow the board to exclude books that discuss race, sexuality and gender identity. ow.ly/919a50ZU8UH

052

Verite News @veritenews.org · 03/10/2026

L.B. Landry High School, which is housed in a sprawling $54 million campus that was built with post-Katrina federal recovery funds, has experienced severe enrollment declines over the past several years. ow.ly/Fknj50ZU8SG

084

Verite News @veritenews.org · 03/10/2026

A central function of The Black School is its design apprenticeship program, in which artists aged 14 to 24 are trained for six months in graphic design and other design disciplines. ow.ly/KRZY50ZU8Ok

0158

Verite News @veritenews.org · 03/10/2026

Asylum seeker Min Khant Zaw spent seven weeks at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana before being released on a $40,000 bond. ow.ly/3BYX50ZU8IL

0111

Verite News @veritenews.org · 03/10/2026

Faith leaders and residents marched and prayed in Alexandria, opposing a new immigration facility for families and children. Watch a minute from the Oct. 1 vigil. ow.ly/S9AT50ZU9TR

22713

Verite News @veritenews.org · 02/10/2026

Tensions in St. Tammany rose after the Library Board of Control voted on a resolution to change the book collection guidelines and keep restricting access to seven young adult graphic novels. ow.ly/GwZr50ZU5tW

Image: A contested library book as pictured at a St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control meeting in Mandeville.

Text: Anti-censorship groups said the new policy would allow the board to exclude books that discuss race, sexuality and gender identity. “I think it signals the removal of LGBTQ books and people of color books because they use the term ‘community standard’ and that is their code word for the majority,” said Kristin Luchsinger, the co-founder of the St. Tammany Library Alliance.

Image: A page from the book "Insectopolis" depicting insect reproduction.

Text: In a separate vote at the meeting, the board chose to keep restricting access to seven books, including ones that talk about puberty and insect reproduction.

Collings said the library administration chose to keep “Insectopolis” restricted because it depicts two insects engaging in sexual activity.

075

Verite News @veritenews.org · 30/09/2026

Reporter Diego Perdomo was on Fox 8 Nola to talk about what a $5 million funding cut would mean for New Orleans' Low Barrier Shelter and residents who rely on it. ow.ly/umBV50ZTiUH

0115

Verite News @veritenews.org · 30/09/2026

New Orleans’ proposed 2027 budget comes as the city faces a projected $100M+ budget gap. Here are three things to know about possible changes involving city jobs, services, and property taxes. Watch the breakdown ⬇️

142

Verite News @veritenews.org · 30/09/2026

Min Khant Zaw was flying back home to Louisiana from a West Coast vacation when he was detained by ICE officers at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. ow.ly/w1hH50ZSW5J

Text: He fled genocide in Myanmar. ICE detained him in Louisiana.

Image: Min Khant Zaw, who spent seven weeks in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention before being released, poses for a portrait at his host family’s home in Covington.

22213

Verite News @veritenews.org · 28/09/2026

In Southeast Louisiana, Tangipahoa Parish has seen the highest growth in voters being moved to the inactive list with more than 23,000 people being placed on it. ow.ly/hTLk50ZRSOq

Text: Tangipahoa residents want to make sure all voters know about inactive list

Image: Tamara Whittington looks at a canvasing app during a voter registration and inactive voter training meeting in Hammond.

0108

Verite News @veritenews.org · 28/09/2026

The Fred Hampton Free Store in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward turned an abandoned building into a community sanctuary and resource. ow.ly/X0py50ZS1yu

03312

Verite News @veritenews.org · 26/09/2026

Pianist and composer Clarence Williams partnered with violinist Armand J. Piron to start a music publishing business that would became the country’s leading Black-owned music publisher. ow.ly/QHLf50ZPMev

1115

Verite News @veritenews.org · 25/09/2026

The 2027 budget Moreno presented relies primarily on cuts, though it’s possible that property tax increases may be on the table. ow.ly/2K0C50ZRBln

013

Verite News @veritenews.org · 25/09/2026

The shelter is the only New Orleans shelter that boards pets and does not require sobriety tests and identification. ow.ly/EFBR50ZReI6

045

Verite News @veritenews.org · 24/09/2026

“They promised us a special meeting … and then a few days later, they canceled it.” Opponents of the proposed ICE detention facility at England Airpark held their own public forum, saying the community deserves information and a chance to ask questions.

01812

Verite News @veritenews.org · 24/09/2026

Concerns raised included the lack of transparency around contracts with the federal government and the trauma children will experience in detention. ow.ly/1ua850ZQPvO

041

Verite News @veritenews.org · 24/09/2026

After spending years of listening to stories from fellow immigrants, this New Orleans-area artist has released a new album inspired by their experiences. ow.ly/EnQw50ZQPtG

021

Verite News @veritenews.org · 23/09/2026

The Ouachita Parish DA’s office attempted to obtain a DNA sample this week from former death row inmate Jimmie “Chris” Duncan in an apparent effort to reopen the case against him for the 1993 death of his former girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter. ow.ly/KKIS50ZPMCP

Text: Ouachita DA reopens prosecution of former death row prisoner Jimmie Duncan

Image: Jimmie “Chris” Duncan stands in front of a motel in Alexandria, Louisiana, where he lived for weeks until he found an apartment.

021

Verite News @veritenews.org · 23/09/2026

0105

Verite News @veritenews.org · 18/09/2026

TODAY: Join us for a Reddit AMA with The Current and the Gulf States Newsroom! What do you want to know about how Louisiana sheriffs are spending millions in opioid settlement funds? We'll answer your questions starting at noon. ow.ly/Vk5P50ZOY8P

Text: Sheriffs are getting 20% of Louisiana’s $621M in opioid settlement funds but aren’t required to report their spending.

Ask reporters Katie Jane Fernelius, Alena Maschke and Drew Hawkins anything about what they found when they followed the money.

Image: (from left to right) reporters Katie Jane Fernelius, Alena Maschke and Drew Hawkins

082

Verite News @veritenews.org · 18/09/2026

A long-abandoned 114-year-old Central City building that was once used as a firehouse is being reopened as an early childhood education center with seven affordable housing units. ow.ly/1ZA350ZOY5N

2102

Verite News @veritenews.org · 17/09/2026

Over the past decade, the country has seen historic increases in voter turnout for federal elections. But young voters ages 18 to 24 have consistently lagged all other age ranges in election turnout. ow.ly/k9jn50ZOPUc

"If nothing else motivates you, realize your relatives, your loved ones had a cost they had to pay for us to vote and have the rights that we have today."

Roderick Morning-Trice, Dillard University senior

082

Verite News @veritenews.org · 17/09/2026

Join us for a Reddit AMA with The Current and the Gulf States Newsroom! Friday at noon, we'll answer your questions about how Louisiana sheriffs are spending millions in opioid settlement funds. ow.ly/mWvg50ZOxWY

085

Verite News @veritenews.org · 15/09/2026

Happening today: The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center is offering an open house of workshops and resources to New Orleans homeowners and renters. ow.ly/4qgl50ZNTlq

Text: Housing coalition strives to empower tenants in New Orleans amid state, federal housing policy changes

Image: The Broadside is hosting the inaugural Fair Housing Summit on Tuesday (Sept. 15)

031

Verite News @veritenews.org · 15/09/2026

The 2026 Kids Count Data Book ranks Louisiana 35th in education, 49th in child health and 48th in overall child well-being. ow.ly/XsxP50ZNONO

Text: At the “Families Count: Child and Family Well-Being in New Orleans” forum hosted last week, Republican state Rep. Barbara Reich Freiberg of Baton Rouge said:

“It’s imperative that we focus on ages birth to 3. If you listen to political rhetoric, everyone wants early childhood education. But when we are looking at budget numbers, it is not always a high priority.”

Image: Terry Baquet, editor-in-chief at Verite News, talks with state Sen. Royce Duplessis, a Democrat from New Orleans, and Republican state Rep. Barbara Reich Freiberg of Baton Rouge at the "Families Count" event in New Orleans.

Text: Meshawn Siddiq, deputy director of Family Health and Wellbeing for the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services, said families’ basic needs must be met.

“If we have a family whose lights have been cut off or are behind on their rent, it doesn’t matter how good our services are. If we don’t meet their immediate needs, they are going to fall through the cracks,” she said.

Image: Meshawn Siddiq (left), deputy director of Family Health and Wellbeing for the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services, and Manning Family Children’s Vice President Emily Wolff (right) speak with the audience at Tuesday’s event in New Orleans.

043

Verite News @veritenews.org · 14/09/2026

Currently, programs to help reduce the cost of energy bills, either as financial assistance or through energy efficiency, are limited. ow.ly/5p4Y50ZN1eq

021

Verite News @veritenews.org · 12/09/2026

Air conditioning is critical to protect against extreme heat, but new research suggests that more public resources are needed so New Orleans residents use it without fear of energy costs. ow.ly/EFcJ50ZMMHB

070

Verite News @veritenews.org · 11/09/2026

Jimmie Duncan is haunted by the 27 years he spent on death row. Despite his overturned conviction, Louisiana could force him to go back. Reporter Richard A. Webster was on Fox 8 Nola recently to talk about the time he spent with Duncan: ow.ly/FmcF50ZM1Xy

096

Verite News @veritenews.org · 29/08/2026

Would you care if produce at a farmers market came from a different farm? 🍅🥬 Shoppers at the Crescent City Farmers Market said they’re generally open to vendors reselling produce from other farms—but they want transparency about where their food was grown.

4186

Verite News @veritenews.org · 26/08/2026

Church leaders are voicing opposition to the family and children detention facility set for construction at England Airpark in Alexandria, which is on the same land as the largest hub for deportation flights in the United States. ow.ly/buvk50ZFQiC

Text: Every person that will be brought through this facility is more than an immigration number, a case in the system. Each person is someone’s child, parent, sibling, spouse, friend and neighbor. Being placed behind a fence or a secured door does not remove someone from the circle of our moral concern.” — Pastor Leigh Rachal

Image: Pastor Leigh Rachal holds a press conference condemning family and child detention in Alexandria, Louisiana.

0136

Verite News @veritenews.org · 25/08/2026

A group of more than 20 New Orleans restaurants is teaming up to raise funds for the ACLU of Louisiana next month. The “Chefs for Justice” will offer promotions in support of the ACLU's work on issues like voting rights, civil rights and immigrant rights. ow.ly/iU2n50ZFf4M

0133

Verite News @veritenews.org · 25/08/2026

What's the difference between ICE and Border Patrol, or a refugee and an asylum seeker? The terminology around the topic of immigration in the United States can be confusing. Our glossary can help. ow.ly/76TN50ZFfpN

234

Verite News @veritenews.org · 20/08/2026

075

Verite News @veritenews.org · 20/08/2026

The Trump administration agreed to pay German energy company RWE more than $1.2 billion to abandon its offshore wind projects in the U.S., including plans for a wind farm south of Louisiana that could have powered more than 350,000 homes. ow.ly/tuei50ZBAjT

22322

Verite News @veritenews.org · 20/08/2026

Louisiana’s new surgeon general has aligned with some of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s views on vaccines. In a state with the worst health outcomes in the nation, how will her leadership impact public health? ow.ly/3EMw50ZAApq —with The New York Times

41213

Verite News @veritenews.org · 14/08/2026

Frank Perez, a historian and teacher of queer history in Louisiana, died at 57 on Saturday, Aug. 8. People who knew him remember him as welcoming, supportive, knowledgeable and unpretentious. ow.ly/ua4o50ZzCHx

0131

Verite News @veritenews.org · 14/08/2026

Although Louisiana enjoys a relatively strong film tax incentive, it might not be enough to weather external shifts in the film and TV industry. ow.ly/ucof50ZzCGk

021

Verite News @veritenews.org · 14/08/2026

The first noticeable effect would be the congressman who represents the city, Democrat Troy Carter of the 2nd Congressional District, would increase his power because he would move into the majority. ow.ly/5CVQ50ZyBCB

040

Verite News @veritenews.org · 14/08/2026

The Model Cities Initiative will grant $300 million for public safety to two to four American cities, but the grant would require recipients to align with the Trump administration on priorities like immigration enforcement and bans on urban camping. ow.ly/eyoj50Zyjru

2148