Headshot of Louisiana Illuminator Editor, Greg LaRose

Greg LaRose

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Greg LaRose is the editor of the Louisiana Illuminator. He has covered news for more than 30 years in Louisiana. Before coming to the Louisiana Illuminator, he was the chief investigative reporter for WDSU-TV in New Orleans. He previously led the government and politics team for The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, and was editor in chief at New Orleans CityBusiness. Greg's other career stops include Tiger Rag, South Baton Rouge Journal, the Covington News Banner, Louisiana Radio Network and multiple radio stations.

Ruston girl, 8, dies from brain-eating amoeba infection
Louisiana

Ruston girl, 8, dies from brain-eating amoeba infection

3:52pm ET
Greg LaRose
Lillian Smart, who health officials believe contracted a brain-eating amoeba from swimming in a North Louisiana lake, died Saturday at a Ruston hospital from an infection linked to the pathogen. She had turned 8 years old a day earlier. “The...
State lawmakers gave Louisiana foster parents more money — or so they thought
Louisiana

State lawmakers gave Louisiana foster parents more money — or so they thought

Aug 21, 2026
Greg LaRose
Frustrated foster parents vented to a panel of Louisiana lawmakers this week about seeing less money from the state to care for kids in state custody. The news came as a surprise to the legislators, who added almost $17 million...
Child abuse, neglect deaths in Louisiana on pace to surpass 2025 numbers
Louisiana

Child abuse, neglect deaths in Louisiana on pace to surpass 2025 numbers

Aug 20, 2026
Greg LaRose
More child deaths possibly linked to abuse and neglect in Louisiana have been investigated so far this year than in all of 2025, and the number of proven fatal incidents is on pace to surpass last year’s count according to...
New Orleans could have right-sized its courts, and now it’s happening the hard way
Louisiana
Commentary

New Orleans could have right-sized its courts, and now it’s happening the hard way

Aug 18, 2026
Greg LaRose
An inconvenient truth is being overshadowed by an increasingly tedious melodrama between Gov. Jeff Landry and Mayor Helena Moreno, and not many of my fellow New Orleanians are willing to admit it. It’s that the city’s court system is long...
Reporters end suit seeking LSU revenue records after state law changes
Louisiana

Reporters end suit seeking LSU revenue records after state law changes

Aug 12, 2026
Greg LaRose
Three media outlets that sued LSU to obtain records that detail how its athletics department spends public money on student-athletes have agreed to end the case now that a new state law shields that information from disclosure. Louisiana Illuminator’s Piper...
Louisiana lenient on enforcing big truck weight limits, audit finds
Louisiana

DOTD, State Police lenient on enforcing big truck weight limits, audit finds

Aug 11, 2026
Greg LaRose
The two state agencies charged with enforcing Louisiana laws that limit the size and weight of big rigs have taken their eyes off the road in recent years, according to a new Legislative Auditor’s report. As a result, the review...
Cassidy abandons yet another principled stance with backing of Blanche
Louisiana
Commentary

Cassidy abandons yet another principled stance with backing of Blanche

Aug 10, 2026
Greg LaRose
There was a near total lack of passion when Sen. Bill Cassidy delivered a floor speech Friday at the U.S. Capitol to declare he would support the nomination of Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney. “I’ll be criticized for this vote...
Undeterred Democrats qualify for La. congressional races favoring GOP candidates 
Louisiana

Undeterred Democrats qualify for La. congressional races favoring GOP candidates 

Aug 06, 2026
Greg LaRose Elise Plunk
A new congressional district map in Louisiana is expected to further tilt its U.S. House delegation toward Republicans in 2027. But the new political landscape has not discouraged some Democrats from qualifying for races on the Nov. 3 ballot in...
New Orleans leaders ask special prosecutor to drop charges against AG Murrill
Louisiana

New Orleans leaders ask special prosecutor to drop charges against AG Murrill

Jul 21, 2026
Greg LaRose
A possible truce in the months-long discord between state leaders and New Orleans officials emerged Tuesday when Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams and five city council members asked a special prosecutor to drop criminal charges against Louisiana Attorney...
Drawn out of congressional district, Cleo Fields will seek old La. Senate seat
Louisiana

Drawn out of congressional district, Cleo Fields will seek old La. Senate seat

Jul 21, 2026
Greg LaRose
U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, has for weeks indicated he would not run again for Congress after the Louisiana Legislature revised the state’s House districts to favor a Republican candidate. He announced Tuesday he would seek his former seat...
Gov. Landry offer priorities for Trump’s Greenland pursuit
Louisiana

Gov. Landry offers priorities for Trump’s Greenland pursuit

Jul 09, 2026
Greg LaRose
President Donald Trump has resumed his assault on NATO this week at its summit in Turkey, including a continued push for outright U.S. control of Greenland. Ahead of his trip, Trump’s special envoy to the Danish territory, Gov. Jeff Landry...
Republicans take lead in Louisiana registered voters; Democrats claim purge
Louisiana

Republicans take lead in Louisiana registered voters; Democrats claim purge

Jul 07, 2026
Greg LaRose
Louisiana has been a Republican stronghold for more than a decade, but it wasn’t until July 1 that GOP voters officially outnumbered Democrats for the first time in state history. Republican Party leaders say the data finally reflect the state’s...