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.

LSU receives USDA grant to develop bird flu vaccine
Louisiana

LSU receives USDA grant to develop bird flu vaccine

Nov 13, 2026
Elise Plunk
Researchers at Louisiana State University have been awarded $2 million to develop a bird flu vaccine for poultry, a disease that has decimated flocks and contributed to price spikes for grocery goods such as chicken and eggs in recent years...
Flu activity in Louisiana continues to lead the nation
Louisiana

Flu activity in Louisiana continues to lead the nation

Nov 12, 2026
Elise Plunk
Louisiana has the highest level of influenza activity in the country for a fourth straight week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State health officials have recorded six deaths and 208 hospitalizations associated with flu so...
Apple to provide 18,000 computers to Louisiana groups, local governments 
Louisiana

Louisiana to provide 25,000 computers for workforce training to community colleges, local orgs

Nov 10, 2026
Elise Plunk
Clarification: This report was updated with information Connect Louisiana provided after the governor’s news conference. Eleven Louisiana organizations will receive a total of 25,000 new computers from the state to help people train and obtain the growing number of tech-oriented...
Lawsuit challenges Landry-backed ‘lightning’ speed approval for data center power projects
Louisiana

Lawsuit challenges Landry-backed ‘lightning’ speed approval for data center power projects

Nov 09, 2026
Elise Plunk
A group of Louisiana landowners and community advocates are suing the Louisiana Public Service Commission over its procedure to fast-track large utility projects in the name of economic development. It comes as regulators are poised to give expedited approval to...
Louisiana reports results from its first-ever sport alligator hunting season
Louisiana

Louisiana reports results from its first-ever sport alligator hunting season

Nov 09, 2026
Elise Plunk
Sport hunters bagged more than 1,800 alligators during Louisiana’s new recreational hunting season, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Monday. The monthlong season, which the Louisiana Legislature established during its spring session, ended Oct. 31. Gov. Jeff Landry...
Effort to recall Louisiana governor Jeff Landry fails
Louisiana

Effort to recall Gov. Jeff Landry fails

Nov 06, 2026
Elise Plunk
The effort to get Gov. Jeff Landry recalled from office has officially failed, the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office announced Thursday. The lead organizer of recall effort said she did not turn in the required signatures before the Nov. 2...
New study looks to find out what it takes to protect coastal swamp forests in Louisiana
Louisiana

New study says river diversions key to restoring coastal swamp forests in Louisiana

Nov 05, 2026
Elise Plunk
Coastal swamp forests are perhaps one of the most iconic Louisiana wetlands. They are made up of mainly Cypress and Tupelo trees, supporting a wide range of ecosystem benefits, such as habitat for native species, carbon storage and storm surge...
Gulf Coast states could get more flexibility to manage red snapper limits
Louisiana

Gulf Coast states could get more flexibility to manage red snapper limits

Nov 02, 2026
Elise Plunk
The way Gulf Coast states manage their limits for red snapper, a popular catch among recreational anglers, is poised to change next year as fisheries management officials recommend adding more flexibility for states into federal rules. The Gulf Fishery Management...
Watchdog’s report urges Congress to take action on flood insurance
Louisiana

Watchdog’s report urges Congress to take action on flood insurance

Oct 30, 2026
Elise Plunk
Almost 90% of U.S. properties facing high flood risk don’t have insurance to cover such a catastrophe, according to a government watchdog agency’s latest report. To address the problem, it’s calling upon Congress to confront large structural issues within the...
Pipeline projects booming in the US while federal regulations ease, report notes
Louisiana

Pipeline projects booming while federal regulations ease, report notes

Oct 28, 2026
Elise Plunk
New pipeline projects are booming across the United States at the same time the Trump administration rolls back federal environmental and safety regulations, according to a new report. A new analysis from the Environmental Integrity Project, a policy nonprofit based...
2 major coastal projects get go-ahead from BP oil spill settlement trustees
Louisiana

2 major coastal projects get go-ahead from BP oil spill settlement trustees

Oct 20, 2026
Elise Plunk
Two major coastal restoration projects got the final go-ahead to begin construction in Louisiana, together restoring up to 1,700 acres of coastal shoreline and wetland habitat at a total cost of $265 million. The East Orleans Landbridge and Raccoon Island...
FBI investigate white-powder letters sent to election offices Louisiana, 3 other states
Louisiana

FBI investigates white-powder letters sent to election offices Louisiana, 3 other states

Oct 16, 2026
Elise Plunk
Federal officials are investigating letters containing an unidentified white powder that were mailed to elections offices and capitol buildings in multiple states this week, including Louisiana. Officials in Arizona, Ohio and Oklahoma also reported receiving the letters, prompting building evacuations...