Elise Plunk

Elise Plunk

[email protected]

Elise Plunk is an environmental reporter for the Louisiana Illuminator and Report for America corps member based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She grew up in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida, where she was a reporter for WUFT news and editor-in-chief of Atrium Magazine. Elise's work is a part of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, which offers free coverage of agriculture, water and environmental issues from a network of reporters centered around the Mississippi River Basin to news outlets across the nation.

Parasitic food poisoning illnesses are on the rise in Louisiana
Louisiana

Parasitic food poisoning illnesses are on the rise in Louisiana

Jul 09, 2026
Elise Plunk
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 23 cases of Cyclosporiasis infection, a stomach illness caused by a parasite found on contaminated food and water, within the state. This is just above the average of 20 cases reported over the same...
Inside the lab at the heart of Louisiana’s mosquito-borne disease prevention network
Louisiana

Inside the lab at the heart of Louisiana’s mosquito-borne disease prevention network

Jul 09, 2026
Elise Plunk
Hundreds of meticulously labeled vials filled with mosquitos line colorful plastic trays inside a freezer at the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Baton Rouge. Each vial sitting atop the frosty shelves, aligned in rows like egg cartons on a...
Louisiana doubles money available to nonprofits for conservation work
Louisiana

Louisiana doubles money available to nonprofits for conservation work

Jul 06, 2026
Elise Plunk
Louisiana has doubled the state money available for nonprofit groups to preserve and restore public lands of historic, environmental or recreational importance. Louisiana Outdoors Forever was allotted $2 million by the state legislature for the 2027 grant application cycle, which...
Louisiana expands red snapper limits for Fourth of July weekend
Louisiana

Louisiana expands red snapper limits for Fourth of July weekend

Jul 01, 2026
Elise Plunk
State officials will temporarily expand the number of red snapper recreational anglers can take home in Louisiana for the Fourth of July holiday. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will allow those fishing in state coastal waters for red...
Letlow rides Trump endorsement to US Senate GOP ticket win; Davis cinches Democratic bid
Louisiana

Letlow rides Trump endorsement to US Senate GOP ticket win; Davis cinches Democratic bid

Jun 27, 2026
Greg LaRose Wesley Muller Elise Plunk
Congresswoman Julia Letlow will advance to the November general election as the Republican Party nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Louisiana, where she is the odds-on favorite to win. The Associated Press projected Letlow the winner over state Treasurer...
Gov. Landry tosses proposal to increase tarpon regulation 
Louisiana

Gov. Landry tosses proposal to increase tarpon regulation 

Jun 25, 2026
Elise Plunk
This report was updated to include reaction to the veto from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. An attempt to bolster regulation and research for one of Louisiana’s most popular offshore sport fish species has been deep-sixed. Gov. Jeff Landry has vetoed...
Raw milk sickens 11 people in Louisiana; health officials investigate
Louisiana

Raw milk sickens 11 people in Louisiana; health officials investigate

Jun 23, 2026
Elise Plunk
Eleven people in Louisiana have fallen ill after consuming raw milk, with two needing to be hospitalized, state officials said Tuesday. The Louisiana Department of Health is investigating the string of people who have tested positive for bacterial infection associated...
Experts say time is the key element for Louisiana vanishing coast, culture
Louisiana

Experts say time is the key element for Louisiana’s vanishing coast, culture

Jun 15, 2026
Elise Plunk
Coastal restoration leaders, political pundits and everyday people in Louisiana are seething after a recent study said New Orleans and other coastal communities in the state have reached a “point of no return” against climate change. But the scientists who...
Mangrove forests rebound worldwide, maybe just in time for Louisiana’s coast
Louisiana

Mangrove forests rebound worldwide, maybe just in time for Louisiana’s coast

Jun 11, 2026
Elise Plunk
Mangroves are making a comeback across the world after decades of loss, thanks in part to warming temperatures. Louisiana could benefit from the spread of the rooty aquatic tree, which would provide unique protection against erosion in vulnerable coastal areas...
Whether New Orleans can replace lead pipes for drinking water up to voters statewide
Louisiana

Whether New Orleans can spend federal money to replace lead pipes up to voters statewide

Jun 09, 2026
Elise Plunk
Local advocates are celebrating the approval of legislation aimed at addressing New Orleans’ long-standing problem of lead contamination in its drinking water, but voters statewide will need to approve the plan in the November election. The proposals from Sen. Royce...
2026 Louisiana legislative session: Winners and losers
Louisiana

2026 Louisiana legislative session: Winners and losers

Jun 05, 2026
Piper Hutchinson Julie O'Donoghue Wesley Muller Elise Plunk
Louisiana lawmakers adjourned their annual lawmaking session Monday after dramatically altering Louisiana’s congressional election map and amid a frantic funding search for teacher pay stipends. The three-month session started with little excitement as Gov. Jeff Landry had no clear agenda...
Hunters, fishers get expanded privacy under new Louisiana laws
Louisiana

Hunters, fishers get expanded privacy under new Louisiana laws

Jun 04, 2026
Elise Plunk
Hunters and fishers in Louisiana now have expanded privacy after state lawmakers approved bills to exempt information about them from public records laws. Gov. Jeff Landry has signed off on the laws, which take effect Aug. 1. House Bill 1177...