Latest news with #TheLightSwitch
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
A conversation with Beth Shelburne on ‘Blood Money'
The cost of defending lawsuits against individual officers and larger, class-action cases against the entire department has pushed ADOC's legal spending over $57 million since 2020. In the last five years, the department has spent over $17 million on the legal defense of accused officers and lawsuit settlements, along with over $39 million litigating a handful of complex cases against ADOC, including a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice over prison conditions. (Alex Cochran for Alabama Reflector) Journalist Beth Shelburne spent over a year investigating the Alabama Department of Corrections, pulling court documents, financial records and internal documents to track settlements over excessive force and what happened to those involved. In 'Blood Money,' a four-part series that ran on the Alabama Reflector last month, Shelburne revealed the state had spent tens of millions of dollars to settle litigation alleging assaults on inmates that led to hospitalizations, brain damage or death. Most of that money went to attorneys for corrections officers. Some officers at the center of multiple allegations excessive force received promotions afterward. Shelburne discussed the series with Louisiana Illuminator Editor Greg LaRose on the Illuminator's podcast, 'The Light Switch.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch,' Episode 7: A smatter of ethics
Here's something you don't hear much: 'Boy, Louisiana is just TOO ethical.' Political corruption has been our brand for a Long time – pun intended. There are few corners of the state that haven't been touched by greed, envy and every other sticky finger of those in power. This sordid history serves as the backdrop for what would be a very significant rewriting of Louisiana's ethics laws, with Gov. Jeff Landry behind the pen. In this episode of 'The Light Switch,' senior reporter Julie O'Donoghue walks us through just a few of the changes being proposed. They include increasing the limits on gifts for elected officials and government employees, ranging from the governor down to your local building inspector. Read Julie's coverage of the ethics proposals lawmakers are considering: Confidential complaints against elected officials, gov't workers might be eliminated Lawmakers might lift limits on gifts to officials, gov't employees As charges linger over Landry, Louisiana House votes to overhaul ethics investigations Also weighing in on the ethics topic is Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council. The 75-year-old good government group doesn't take stands on legislation, but its leader says he's concerned about the possible changes in the works. For our News from the States segment, we head to Indiana where there are changes in store for the naturalization ceremonies where new U.S. citizens take their citizenship oaths. Reporter Leslie Bonilla Muñiz with the Indiana Capital Chronicle explains how some traditions are being eliminated – and why. Read Leslie's coverage of the naturalization changes. Listen to Episode 7 of 'The Light Switch' on and SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch' Episode 6: Kratom collision course
Photos by Getty Images, Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator You might have heard of kratom – but it's more likely you've seen it, or at least the word – written in neon on the front of a smoke shop — or on a little bottle next to the checkout at a convenience store. Technically, kratom is not a drug, but some people use it like one. In many cases, they're using it to help them get off of drugs, like highly addictive opioids. But there are other kratom stories, and they don't have happy endings. There are two bills being debated in the Louisiana Legislature – one seeks to ban kratom entirely, and the other would regulate how it's packaged and sold, keeping it available for people who say it's changed their lives for the better. In this episode, Illuminator editor Greg LaRose explores both sides of the kratom issue. You'll hear from the people it affects, good and bad and explore the science behind substance and the disputes over it. Plus, we'll chip away at the misinformation that surrounds the political debate – here in Louisiana and in other states that have chosen to regulate, ban and un-ban the substance. Please subscribe and rate The Light Switch on Spotify or Apple.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch' Episode 4: Risk and rewards from the Angola Prison Rodeo
This week's episode of 'The Light Switch' focuses entirely on the Angola Prison Rodeo, now in its 60th year at Louisiana State Penitentiary. While the rest of the state is deep into its unofficial festival season, about 75 incarcerated men take part in a rodeo that's not your traditional apple pie, bucking broncos and fancy horses event. Its critics describe it more like a sordid gladiator exhibition from peak Roman Empire times. They say this exploitation of inmates reflects outdated views on incarceration in Louisiana, a state where more than 1,000 of every 100,000 residents are behind bars according to the Promise of Justice Initiative. But the rodeo also has its supporters – and some of the most ardent are the inmates who are part of the show. Reporter Piper Hutchinson attended the event last month and heard why they see the rodeo as a key part of positive prison culture. Read more about her visit to 'The Wildest Show in the South.' There are two ways to listen to 'The Light Switch' … Spotify (listen below on the embedded player or use this link) Apple (listen with the embedded player or use this link)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch' Episode 3: Temple, tables and a wrongful arrest
LAI, Getty Images photos Episode 3 of the Louisiana Illuminator podcast, 'The Light Switch' is now available on and . This week, Illuminator reporter Wes Muller serves up details on restaurant reservation trading, a burgeoning digital industry that's made a splash in big dining destinations such as New Orleans. Think of it as eBay, but for tables at high-demand spots. Winning bids have reached four figures just for seats – food not included. But restaurants aren't really embracing these apps, and Wes tells us why lawmakers are getting behind a proposal to place some restrictions on them. Wes also caught up with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple to get the skinny on why he and Gov. Jeff Landry have seemingly been at odds over their respective proposals to bring down auto insurance rates. They actually have some common ground, but it's clear a political fence needs to be mended. Finally, we hear from one of our fellow reporters from the States Newsroom network: Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. She broke a story that went viral a week ago when police in her state arrested a U.S.-born Georgia man under a Florida law that forbids immigrants without legal status from entering the state. Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez was held in jail even after providing with his Real ID and a birth certificate that he's an American. The judge said she was obligated to keep him in custody for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Jackie followed Juan Carlos' case alongside his family, as they feared the worst. Please listen, follow and rate 'The Light Switch.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
