Julie O’Donoghue

Julie O'Donoghue

[email protected]

Julie O’Donoghue is a senior reporter for the Louisiana Illuminator and producer of the Louisiana Illuminator podcast. She’s received awards from the Virginia Press Association and Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press. Julie covered state government and politics for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for six years. She’s also covered government and politics in Missouri, Virginia and Washington D.C. Julie is a proud D.C. native and Washington Capitals hockey fan. She and her partner, Jed, live in Baton Rouge. She has two stepchildren, Quinn and Steven.

Almost 20% of rape kits in Louisiana aren’t tested, audit finds
Louisiana

Almost 20% of rape kits in Louisiana never make it to a crime lab, audit finds

Nov 10, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
Nearly one in five rape kits collected over an 18-month period from 2024-25 in Louisiana was never submitted to a crime lab for testing, according to a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. The audit found 337 kits of the...
For runoffs, Louisiana voters selected Democrats with conservative records on social issues
Louisiana

For runoffs, Louisiana voters selected Democrats with conservative records on social issues

Nov 09, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
Louisiana Democrats have promised to capitalize on the surprisingly strong showing for their candidate, Jamie Davis, in the U.S. Senate election during the governor’s race in 2027. But the party still has two congressional races left to run this year...
Letlow holds off Davis to keep Louisiana US Senate seat in GOP hands
Louisiana

Letlow holds off Davis to keep Louisiana US Senate seat in GOP hands

Nov 04, 2026
Greg LaRose Julie O'Donoghue Piper Hutchinson
Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow survived a closer-than-expected challenge from Democrat Jamie Davis to claim Louisiana’s open seat in the U.S. Senate. The Associated Press did not call the race for Letlow until 99% of votes had been counted. She prevailed...
Secretary of State: About 50% of Louisiana voters will take part in midterms
Louisiana

Secretary of State: About 50% of Louisiana voters will take part in midterms

Nov 02, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects turnout among registered voters to reach between 48% and 52% once voters go to polls Tuesday, matching levels for midterm election cycles over the past 12 years, her spokesman said. Trey Williams, Landry’s...
Louisiana’s US Senate race no longer a ‘gimme’ for Republicans
Louisiana

Louisiana’s US Senate race no longer a ‘gimme’ for Republicans

Nov 02, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
For months, the outcome of the U.S. Senate race in Louisiana was considered a foregone conclusion. Congresswoman Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, was expected to easily beat Democratic candidate Jamie Davis, a farmer and one-term Tensas Parish police juror. But on...
Louisiana health officials warn against amoeba infections from tap water
Louisiana

Louisiana health officials warn against amoeba infections from tap water

Oct 30, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
The Louisiana Department of Health is urging the public not to use tap water for their sinuses or contact lenses following a fatal Acanthamoeba infection this year, one of 10 infections in the state reported since 2024. Health officials did...
Louisiana Senate race enters home stretch tighter than expected
Louisiana

Louisiana’s US Senate race enters homestretch tighter than expected

Oct 29, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
The U.S. Senate race in Louisiana is entering its final days much more competitive than many expected it to be even a few weeks ago. Political experts from both parties said U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, is still the...
Louisiana’s bond rating improves, which should save the state money
Louisiana

Louisiana’s bond rating improves, which should save the state money

Oct 27, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
One of the three national credit rating agencies upgraded Louisiana’s bond rating at the end of last week. The state should now expect to pay less in interest when it borrows money for roadwork and other construction projects. Fitch Ratings...
Louisiana 5th District candidates share views on abortion, redistricting
Louisiana

Louisiana 5th District candidates share views on abortion, redistricting

Oct 26, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
Four out of five candidates at a 5th Congressional District election forum Monday said they were opposed to abortion rights, while only one said he would oppose a national abortion ban if elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. “I’m...
Black voter turnout higher than normal for Louisiana’s first day of early voting
Louisiana

Black voter turnout higher than normal for Louisiana’s first day of early voting

Oct 22, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
Black voters made up a larger share of participants on Louisiana’s first day of early voting than they have in almost every other election over the past 18 years, making Democrats cautiously optimistic about the U.S. Senate race. Secretary of...
All you need to know about Louisiana’s property tax constitutional amendments
Louisiana

All you need to know about Louisiana’s property tax constitutional amendments

Oct 21, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
This report has been updated to include the Louisiana Realtors association’s position on the amendments. Louisiana voters will consider 10 constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, half of which would change the amount of property tax collected that fund...
Louisiana agencies spent $3.2B with nonprofits over 4 years
Louisiana

Louisiana agencies spent $3.2B with nonprofits over 4 years

Oct 20, 2026
Julie O'Donoghue
Louisiana allocated $3.2 billion in state funding to nonprofit groups over a four-year period that straddled Govs. John Bel Edwards and Jeff Landry’s time in office, according to a Louisiana Legislative Auditor report released this month. The auditor’s report tracked...