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Former North Carolina police officer arrested for allegedly planning mass shooting at New Orleans festival

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:58:36 -0400

A former North Carolina police officer was arrested in Florida after authorities said he planned a mass shooting at a New Orleans music festival.

Christopher Gillum, 45, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was taken into custody around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday at a hotel in Destin, Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities said Gillum was wanted for making "terroristic threats" and was believed to be traveling to a festival in New Orleans to "conduct a mass shooting."

Investigators recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room.

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Gillum’s family reported him missing Tuesday, telling authorities he had a history of self-harm and had made threats to harm "Black people," according to a police bulletin from Burlington, North Carolina.

Lt. Clint Lyons of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office said Gillum left the state before authorities could initiate an involuntary commitment, adding there were no legal grounds to detain him at the time.

Earlier Wednesday, Gillum was stopped by law enforcement in Okaloosa County but was released because he did not meet criteria for arrest or commitment, according to the bulletin.

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Deputies later conducted surveillance after learning he was under investigation and arrested him once a warrant was issued from Louisiana, authorities said.

Gillum is expected to be extradited to Louisiana to face charges, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities did not name the event, but the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival — known as Jazz Fest — runs through May 3 and draws hundreds of thousands of attendees annually. Louisiana State Police said "there are no known direct threats" to any festivals in the state.

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Gillum served as a sworn police officer in Chapel Hill from 2004 until his resignation in 2019, according to a town spokesperson.

He later worked as a police officer in Carolina Beach from October 2019 to October 2020, then became a detention officer with the Orange County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office in October 2023, leaving in July 2024.

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Gillum returned to the Chapel Hill Police Department as a non-sworn employee in 2024 before leaving later that year. He was rehired as an Orange County sheriff’s deputy in January 2025 but resigned that September.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Former North Carolina police officer accused of threatening mass shooting at New Orleans festival

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:03:35 -0400

A former North Carolina police officer was arrested late Wednesday for allegedly threatening a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival, authorities said.

Christopher Gillum, 45, was detained at a Destin, Florida, hotel Wednesday night, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said.

He is wanted in Orleans Parish in Louisiana for alleged terroristic threats and is accused of planning to travel to a festival in New Orleans to commit a mass shooting and then die by suicide, authorities said.

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The Louisiana State Police did not say which festival the suspect was allegedly targeting but said in a statement Thursday that "there are no known direct threats to any festivals in Louisiana."

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was scheduled to start its first weekend on Thursday.

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Alex Carrasquillo, the communication manager for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, confirmed to ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Gillum was an officer there from 2004 to 2019.

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Gillum returned as a non-sworn employee in 2024 before leaving for another job by the end of that year, Carrasquillo said.

Authorities in Louisiana and Florida highlighted the collaboration between several agencies and the use of license plate reader technology after the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said deputies learned Gillum was in the area through the county’s Flock camera system.

"This disturbing case highlights how technology like FLOCK and strong partnerships between agencies can help prevent potential violence and bring wanted fugitives into custody safely before a tragedy could occur," said Sheriff Eric Aden.

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Deputies also recovered a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition from Gillum's hotel room.

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Gillium is being held in the Okaloosa County jail pending extradition to Louisiana.

Lead contamination crisis exposed in public parks across major southern city

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:32:45 -0400

An investigation in New Orleans discovered high levels of lead contamination in playgrounds all over the city, despite previous efforts to rid them of the health hazard.

Now, city officials are racing to secure $5 million in federal aid to clean up the soil where local children play.

In February, Verite News reporters tested more than 80 playgrounds across the city, finding that 50% of the sites harbored lead levels that experts deem unsafe.

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At one park, levels were recorded at nearly 6,000 parts per million, or 30 times higher than the EPA’s recommended screening level.

According to Trust for America’s Health, a nonprofit public health policy organization based in Washington, D.C., more than 90% of New Orleans’ housing structures were built prior to 1978, which is the year lead was banned in residential paint.

"In addition to deteriorating paint … the lead dust from the use of leaded gasoline contributed significantly to elevated soil lead levels," the group noted.

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Children younger than age 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which health institutions claim can severely affect growth and brain development. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal, experts say.

Public health researchers recommend that parents avoid playgrounds known to be contaminated with lead, as it can be difficult to prevent children from ingesting traces of dirt or breathing in dust while playing.

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The announcement sparked immediate outrage from parents, many of whom had previously drawn attention to the excessive levels of lead in parks.

On April 7, Mayor Helena Moreno ordered the creation of a task force to review and improve the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC).

"The City’s immediate priority is to evaluate the current strengths and weaknesses of the City’s recreation program," the mayor said in a statement.

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The task force will "consider and make recommendations regarding the costs and practicalities of implementing a program to assess and remediate safety and environmental concerns at NORDC facilities and playgrounds, including the existence of lead in soil."

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Prior to this order, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Jennifer Avegno announced that city officials were working with the state’s congressional delegation to request $5 million in federal funds for the federal fiscal year, according to reports from Verite News.

"Protecting the health and safety of our children and families is at the center of every decision we’re making. The city previously applied for a lead prevention grant prior to the recent investigation of local parks," Avegno said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"Mayor Moreno moved quickly with an executive order to strengthen accountability, coordination and rapid response across agencies," she continued.

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"Through internal cross-departmental working groups and the Mayor’s NORD task force, we are aligning public health, recreation, capital projects and community partners to compile a full assessment of playground conditions, act decisively to prioritize remediation, and ensure that facilities remain safe for every child and family."

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"At the same time, we are actively pursuing additional external funding to expand our capacity, accelerate improvements, and ensure that long-term protections are in place."

The money will go toward testing and cleanup of affected playgrounds.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission for comment.

Molotov-slinging menace allegedly strikes Tesla shop amid wave of corporate arson attacks

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:58:43 -0400

An early morning arson attack torched a New Orleans business Tuesday, and investigators are working to determine whether the blaze is part of a broader pattern of politically-charged incidents targeting companies, authorities said.

New Orleans police responded around 7:52 a.m. to a business in the 2800 block of Tchoupitoulas Street after the owner discovered fire damage, according to the New Orleans Police Department.

No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made.

Investigators have not released details on how the fire was set or whether any suspects have been identified. Federal authorities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that they are aware of the incident.

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The ATF’s New Orleans field division said in a social media post that special agents and certified fire investigators and the New Orleans Police Department responded to where a suspected Molotov cocktail was used to ignite a fire at the front door of the Tesla sales office in the early morning hours.

The incident comes amid a broader wave of alleged politically motivated violence involving incendiary devices, including a recent Molotov cocktail attack targeting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home in San Francisco and a suspected arson at a California warehouse, which was allegedly set by a disgruntled worker who ranted about wages.

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Federal authorities in recent months have warned of a rise in attacks targeting Tesla properties nationwide, including arson, gunfire and vandalism, prompting investigations and heightened scrutiny from law enforcement.

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Tesla has also faced backlash in recent years due to CEO Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which worked to cut wasteful spending and fraud within the federal government.

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In 2025, former Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a federal investigation into a surge of Tesla-related vandalism and violence, warning that those responsible, including individuals accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at dealerships, could face up to 20 years in prison.

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"So, if you're going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out, because we're coming after you," Bondi previously said. "And if you're funding this, we're coming after you. We're going to find out who you are."

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Authorities have not said whether Tuesday’s fire is linked to any broader trend or if it was a targeted attack. A motive remains under investigation.

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Anyone with information is urged to contact the NOPD as the investigation continues.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Tesla for comment.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital's Gregory Norman-Diamond contributed to this report.

Restaurants revive retro pricing for anniversaries — but does the trend make 'cents'?

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 06:11:05 -0400

Restaurants are increasingly leaning into nostalgia with limited-time promotions that bring back menu prices from decades ago to help celebrate anniversaries.

Across the country, eateries marking milestone birthdays are temporarily slashing prices, offering everything from burgers and cocktails priced as they were when the restaurants first opened to specials tied to the anniversary number — such as $1.65 fries for 65 years in business.

At Burgerville, a Pacific Northwest burger chain that celebrated its 65th anniversary on March 10, customers could purchase items such as $1.65 small fries, a $1.65 fountain drink and a $3.65 original cheeseburger for one day only.

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"Sixty-five is such an incredible milestone for Burgerville," CEO Kyle Welch said in a statement. "We love taking this moment to look back, and also to look ahead, continue innovating, and serving our communities with quality, delicious, local meals for the next 65 to come."

Burgerville opened its first location in Vancouver on March 10, 1961, and has since expanded to more than 40 restaurants throughout Oregon and Washington, according to the company.

Other restaurants are tying anniversary celebrations to nostalgic menu pricing and historic dishes.

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In New Orleans, several long-running restaurants are marking milestone anniversaries with special menus and retro promotions, Axios reported this month. Tujague’s, which dates back to 1856, is celebrating its 170th year with $1.70 Grasshopper cocktails, a drink that was invented at the restaurant.

Brennan’s, meanwhile, is commemorating its 80th anniversary with $80 multi-course meals featuring signature dishes spanning eight decades.

In Las Vegas, Carmine's Pizza Kitchen celebrated 50 years in business with a promotion last month that recreated prices from its opening era. During the anniversary event, diners could order $3.50 large cheese pizzas, $1.99 meatballs and 95-cent salads, matching prices from the restaurant’s early days.

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"Vegas has given me this, so that’s why I’m doing this promotion," owner Carmine Vento told Neon Las Vegas at the time. "It's about saying thank you to Las Vegas. I'm very proud of what I've accomplished."

The promotions, which appeal to budget-conscious consumers and tap into nostalgia, reflect a broader industry tactic known as "throwback pricing," Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) reported last year, with even major chains taking part.

At the time, White Castle had just announced it would offer six Original Sliders for $4 — pricing the burgers at about 67 cents each, roughly what they cost in 2012 — as part of a promotional deal.

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"Being able to share an offer that takes us back in time — like our '6 Sliders for $4' deal — helps feed the soul a little bit," Jamie Richardson, chief marketing officer at White Castle, told NRN. "To be able to promote savings that harken back to 2012 is compelling, especially in a day and age where sticker shock for so many daily purchases can be real."

Friendly's previously celebrated its 90th birthday with 90-cent scoops of ice cream during a limited promotion, while Planet Hollywood introduced a throwback menu at its Times Square location priced at the restaurant’s original 1991 menu prices.

Industry analysts say such promotions can draw customers in, though they may not always lead to repeat visits.

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"Rollback pricing can incentivize a one-time visit or order, but I am skeptical that it would result in repeat usage unless there is something super special about the occasion or item," Robert Byrne, senior director of consumer research at Technomic, told NRN. "I would also suggest that rollback pricing runs the risk of reminding consumers exactly how expensive their prices have become, which creates another issue."

Limited-time deals may be fleeting, but the nostalgic appeal can still be powerful across generations, according to the industry publication Restaurant Business.

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The restaurant marketing blog Gourmet Marketing makes a similar point.

"Nostalgia for the past is one of the most powerful promotional draws for restaurant customers," it argued in a post. "Nostalgia influences people to spend more money, feel more social and feel better about themselves."

Shia LaBeouf lands behind bars again as third victim steps forward in alleged Mardi Gras melee

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:48:44 -0500

Shia LaBeouf has been arrested on another charge related to his alleged Mardi Gras bar brawl earlier this month.

LaBeouf was being held at the Louisiana Orleans Justice Center after being taken into custody early Saturday on a new charge of simple battery, according to inmate records viewed by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Local outlet WWL Louisiana reports that an arrest warrant was issued Friday after an additional victim came forward from his alleged fight outside R Bar Feb. 17.

This is the actor's third simple battery charge related to the alleged incident. He is scheduled to appear in court Saturday afternoon for his first appearance related to the new charge.

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to LaBeouf and New Orleans police for comment.

LaBeouf appeared in court Feb. 26 for a status hearing on the original charges. During the hearing, Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Simone Levine set a $100,000 bond and ordered LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

According to The Associated Press, LaBeouf was reprimanded for allegedly yelling homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people near the French Quarter last week. The police report said LaBeouf allegedly dislocated one victim’s nose.

Levine also ordered the 39-year-old to submit to weekly drug tests.

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LaBeouf posted bond after the hearing and ran away from the media outside the courthouse shortly after.

In a video captured by local news network WDSU, LaBeouf, who was wearing a white fleece pullover, jeans and boots, jogged away from the courthouse as members of the media attempted to follow him.

The "Transformer" star's whirlwind day last week allegedly began with an early-morning bar fight in the Faubourg Marigny district of the city. Authorities responded to a simple battery on the 1400 block of Royal Street at approximately 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, when two male victims reported being assaulted, according to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).

LaBeouf was allegedly "causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive at a Royal Street business." When a staff member attempted to eject the actor from the establishment, LaBeouf allegedly used "his closed fists on the victim several times," police said.

"The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive."

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Multiple people allegedly attempted to hold LaBeouf down outside the business in Faubourg, and he was eventually allowed up in hopes he would leave.

The "Even Stevens" actor allegedly struck the same victim again with "closed fists to the victim’s upper body" before allegedly assaulting another person with a punch to the nose.

"LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived," police said. "He was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. Upon release, he was arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery."

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The next day, LaBeouf broke his silence with a two-word message posted on X shortly after 2 a.m., "Free me." Earlier in the day, the "Transformers" actor was spotted celebrating Mardi Gras and dancing on Bourbon Street with his release papers in his mouth, WGNO reported.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital's Tracy Wright and Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

ICE detains New Orleans police recruit after immigration judge signed removal order following his hiring

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:10:34 -0500

A New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) recruit was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents over his illegal status, the city’s police chief said Wednesday.

According to NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, the recruit, who was not named, was hired by the police force in June 2025 and was going through the department's police academy.

"We learned about it this morning," Kirkpatrick said Wednesday. "There was no struggle involved. The recruit was taken into custody without any incident whatsoever."

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Kirkpatrick declined to identify the recruit, referring questions on his identity to ICE. ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to ICE for additional details.

She said the department had no indication during the hiring process that the individual was not legally in the U.S.

"There was nothing in the [personnel] packet that would have given us reason to believe that this person did not have legal status," she said. "There is some question that may have developed later."

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According to Kirkpatrick, the recruit applied to join the department in June 2025, had a valid driver’s license and Social Security number, and had passed the federal E-Verify system.

She said ICE later informed the department that an immigration judge had signed a removal order for the recruit on Dec. 5, 2025, following his application to the police force.

"The order of removal occurred after we had already hired him," she said.

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Kirkpatrick said the recruit had lived in the United States for about 10 years and had previously lived in Georgia.

She said that the NOPD had conducted standard criminal background checks, including a search through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, and found no criminal history.

According to Kirkpatrick, the ICE field director also confirmed the recruit had no criminal record.

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"We did the due diligence," she said.

"I have been told that he will not be given a bond hearing and that he will be in the process of a removal," she said.

New Orleans tourists shot when man fleeing gunfire ducks into famed restaurant

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:39:15 -0500

Three tourists in New Orleans were wounded in a shooting that left a 19-year-old dead when the man ducked into a famed Creole restaurant in a bid to escape the gunfire, authorities said Monday.

The shooting unfolded just after 8 p.m. Friday, when the 19-year-old man was chased down a street and fired upon, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.

The man ran into the foyer of Dooky Chase's Restaurant to escape the gunfire. The restaurant was crowded at the time, and the gunfire struck three bystanders waiting for tables, Kirkpatrick said.

All three victims were women visiting the city, she said. Two were friends from Los Angeles and the third was visiting from Florida.

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One woman from Los Angeles was shot about five times, according to Kirkpatrick, and has had several surgeries. Her friend also underwent surgery and was in stable condition.

The victim from Florida was shot and treated at a hospital. She was later released.

Police said they believe there was one shooter, who is still being sought, though others may have been involved.

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Kirkpatrick said that the person who was shot and killed was the target, noting that it "appears to be a retaliatory type of shooting." The motive, however, remained unclear.

The 19-year-old killed was identified as Kareem Harris, WVUE-TV reported.

The Dooky Chase's Restaurant released a statement following the shooting.

"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our guests, staff, family, and our historic restaurant during this difficult time," the Chase family said. "As a family rooted in faith and community, we lift up in prayer all those impacted by this random and tragic incident."

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The restaurant is a culinary landmark in the city, earning fame for its Creole food and serving as a meeting place for Civil Rights leaders. Politicians such as Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama each dined there while in office.

Construction crews find remnants of devastating 18th-century fires beneath iconic American city

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:46:01 -0500

Construction crews working on a $9 million water main replacement project in the heart of New Orleans recently uncovered centuries-old remnants of fires that once devastated the historic city.

The artifacts, which were uncovered in the French Quarter, were found in early November on St. Peter Street between Chartres and Royal streets, NOLA.com reported last month.

The finds were disclosed in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) document shared with city and state agencies.

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Though the artifacts were uncovered in November, FEMA did not share the results with state agencies until Dec. 23.

The discovery consisted of about 1,000 objects and a layer of burnt clay.

Excavators also found a pewter button belonging to a British soldier in the late 1700s — as well as nails, brass pins, a copper coin, brick fragments, pieces of glass and bronze buckles.

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The artifacts are tied to two devastating fires in New Orleans history: the Fire of 1788 and the Fire of 1794.

"Assessment is still ongoing," said the FEMA document. "However, the interpretation thus far is that the burn layers represent the Fire of 1788 and the Fire of 1794."

The artifacts will help experts glean more information about the "intensity of burn and level of destruction along the 600 block of St. Peter Street," according to FEMA, as well as details about reconstruction efforts in the fires' wake.

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The water mains that are being replaced date back more than 115 years.

The recently uncovered layer was "heavily disturbed from previous utility work," but there are clear strata showing that "two burn events are represented," according to the report.

A FEMA spokesperson told ӣ��Ƶ Digital the artifacts have been removed to a laboratory, where archaeologists are preparing required analysis.

No additional information is known at this time.

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The Fire of 1788 devastated the then-young city of New Orleans, destroying over 800 buildings that represented around 80% of the French Quarter's structures, according to NOLA.com. The 1794 fire destroyed more than 200 buildings.

This isn't the only time that the Big Easy has made headlines for archaeological discoveries in recent months.

In October, a New Orleans couple unearthed a mysterious Roman relic in their backyard, setting off an investigation into its origin.

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Preservation in Print editor Daniel Monteverde told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that New Orleans is "a news town with so much history and color that little is surprising… but the [Roman artifact story] is the most unique story I’ve come across."

'Unlucky' Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 22:28:51 -0500

A Honduran national had an "unlucky" encounter with Border Patrol enforcement on Friday.

The woman, who agents identified as Reyna Funes-Cruz, allegedly ran a red light in Slidell, Louisiana, and rammed into an Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) vehicle, U.S. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino wrote on X.

"Apparently she never learned the lesson that red means stop," Bovino wrote. "Not ‘accelerate and collide with a government vehicle actively enforcing federal law.’"

According to a DHS spokesperson, Funes-Cruz illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 and was released under former President Joe Biden's administration. She was cleared by emergency medical services and remains in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.

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No injuries were reported as a result of the crash, according to the post, but Bovino said she was "certainly taken into custody" following the accident.

"Unlucky for her. Lucky for us," Bovino continued in the post.

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Federal agents were reportedly in the area as part of the Operation Catahoula Crunch. The operation targets illegal immigrants in the New Orleans area, according to officials.

"Catahoula Crunch targets include violent criminals who were released after arrest for home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape," Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

ICE has reportedly apprehended approximately 370 people in the area, according to a Dec. 18 update.

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"DHS is making the New Orleans community safer as it continues to arrest illegal alien drug dealers, hit-and-run criminals, and one monster who was convicted for arson and threatening a person with intent to terrorize," McLaughlin said.

The DHS reported that it has deported more than 622,000 individuals in 2025 as of Dec. 19.

A department spokesperson told ӣ��Ƶ that taxpayers are "tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily" and are offering a $3,000 "exit bonus" until the end of the year.

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The department also reported that 2.5 million illegal immigrants have left the country, and an estimated 1.9 million self-deportations have occurred since President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration.

President of TPUSA chapter twice denied by university's student government vows to fight: 'not backing down'

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:00:26 -0500

PHOENIX — A student at Loyola University New Orleans who has twice been denied the opportunity to start a Turning Point USA chapter on campus vowed at the conservative organization's annual AmericaFest conference that she would keep fighting.

Anistin Murray is a freshman at the Catholic school located in the heart of the Big Easy. She and two other would-be co-founders of the campus club have endured a monthslong battle with the school's student government association (SGA), which insists that Turning Point shouldn't have a presence on campus.

On Oct. 15, the TPUSA students were first denied an official charter. Murray and her fellow founders then enlisted the help of Loyola New Orleans law students to draft an appeal, saying that the decision was "subjective."

"Most of it was subjective reasoning," law student Ethan Estis told ӣ��Ƶ Digital at the time. "They didn't really root it in any of the laws or rules and regulations that they're supposed to follow, and it was purely subjective. And that was our basis in attack in the written appeal that we did."

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After the appeal succeeded in the school's Court of Review, the case was remanded back to the SGA, the same body that denied Murray and her co-founders in the first place. Following a second review earlier in December, the SGA again blocked the right-leaning students.

"They said that, you know, it does make a lot of the students feel uncomfortable and that it will bring a lot of hate and negativity and all this disruption to the university, which I find quite sad because that's not what an organization is meant to push," Murray told ӣ��Ƶ Digital at AmericaFest in Phoenix.

"You know, they say that they stand for the majority of the students and the student body at Loyola, but I think to undermine that, there were people who voted yes to have a Turning Point at Loyola," she said, adding that she feels like students who agree with TPUSA's values have been silenced.

Murray said that Turning Point stands for dialogue, not hatred.

"Just because people disagree with us does not mean that there needs to be uncivil discourse," she said. "Like, we can talk civilly and understand that we disagree, but we're hearing each other and understanding that we both come from different places, and I think that was the biggest part for [the SGA], and that was a very important question that got reiterated a lot."

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Murray said that the group is formulating a plan of action to proceed, despite the two denials.

A representative from the school previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that there is no limit to how many times the Turning Point students can appeal the SGA's decision.

Despite the denials, Murray remains undeterred. She wants to work with the school to find a positive solution. Part of moving forward, she said, includes having a conversation with the school on how to proceed within the university's guidelines.

"We don't want to step on our university's toes, but we are not backing down," said Murray.

"These people who are against us need to understand that just because they're against us, we're not against them. Turning Point is not just an outlet for conservative believers, but Turning Point does have faithfully driven values that do align with conservative values.

"Having this critical deliberation is the sense of learning and growing and what we need on this university's campus."

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Loyola New Orleans told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that there are currently no updates on the situation.

"Following the December 3 appeal process, the Student Government Association Senate voted to deny the charter application, and the SGA President upheld the decision," the school said. "The students may pursue an additional appeal in the spring semester, and no new materials have been submitted since the SGA President upheld the decision."

The SGA has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Louisiana AG urges NOPD to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:34:52 -0500

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is recommending New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick direct the agency to cooperate with federal immigration authorities following a major federal enforcement operation that resulted in the arrest of dozens of criminal illegal immigrants.

In a letter dated Friday to Kirkpatrick, Murill said the department's policies appear to conflict with state law and could be interpreted as "sanctuary" policies, which generally prohibit local authorities from cooperating with federal law enforcement in immigration matters.

"NOPD must 'use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law,'" the letter states. "I look forward to working with you and NOPD to ensure its policies and actions comply with state law."

DHS ARRESTS DOZENS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF LAUNCHING NEW ORLEANS OPERATION

"At this time, I recommend that you immediately direct NOPD officers and staff to fully cooperate with ICE and CBP," she added, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to Kirkpatrick, ICE and CBP.

In 2024, Louisiana enacted a law banning jurisdictions from adopting and implementing sanctuary policies.

"As Superintendent of NOPD you are responsible for the issuance and implementation of departmental policies," the letter to Kirkpatrick states. "Policies that fundamentally require officers and employees to refuse to cooperate with ICE except in very limited circumstances violate Louisiana law and could subject the offender to felony prosecution for malfeasance."

HOMAN VOWS TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS IN TWIN CITIES 'WITHOUT APOLOGY' AMID MAYOR OPPOSITION

The letter came amid a major federal immigration crackdown in the Louisiana region, as well as backlash from anti-ICE advocates.

A New Orleans City Council meeting was thrown into chaos Thursday as anti-ICE protesters stormed the chambers, shouted down officials and clashed with police.

The outburst came one day after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Operation Catahoula Crunch, a two-month federal initiative deploying 250 Border Patrol agents to New Orleans and surrounding areas.

The operation, referred to by protesters as "Swamp Sweep," has intensified backlash from immigrant rights groups and triggered growing unrest at city hall.

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The intent is to remove "criminal illegal aliens roaming free thanks to sanctuary policies" that prevent local authorities from honoring ICE arrest detainers, DHS said.

DHS arrests dozens of illegal immigrants within 24 hours of launching New Orleans operation

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 20:12:09 -0500

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday that it had made dozens of arrests in New Orleans just one day after launching Operation Catahoula Crunch, the latest federal immigration operation cracking down on criminal illegal immigrants.

"Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens harming them, their families or their neighbors," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

"In just 24 hours on the ground, our law enforcement officers have arrested violent criminals with rap sheets that include homicide, kidnapping, child abuse, robbery, theft and assault."

DHS released several photos of the arrested individuals accused of "terrorizing Americans."

The men, all with criminal histories, are reportedly from Vietnam, Honduras, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.

SEXUAL PREDATORS, DRUG TRAFFICKERS AMONG ICE'S 'WORST OF THE WORST' ROUNDUP IN VIRGINIA

Officials said they detained Vietnamese national Binh Van To, who has been convicted of kidnapping, homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

Hung Ngoc Tran, another Vietnamese national, was convicted of sexual assault, larceny and "fondling" a child, DHS said.

DHS said Carlos Roberto Guardado-Ramirez of Honduras was arrested for simple battery, domestic abuse, child endangerment, resisting an officer and driving while intoxicated.

Jose Raul Lopez-Serrano, also a Honduran national, was convicted for marijuana possession and previously arrested for disturbing the peace, DHS added.

250 BORDER AGENTS TO DEPLOY TO LOUISIANA FOR 'SWAMP SWEEP,' REPORT SAYS

Luis Fernando Maldonado-Velasquez, a Guatemalan who has an immigration warrant, has previously been arrested for suspected vehicle theft and forging and altering documents, DHS added.

Freddy Caldero-Caraballo is from the Dominican Republic and was reportedly arrested for suspected possession of cocaine, public intoxication and driving while intoxicated.

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McLaughlin condemned sanctuary politicians Thursday for failing to prioritize the safety of American families, echoing previous statements that sanctuary policies have allowed illegal immigrants with criminal allegations to be released.

"President Trump and Secretary Noem will stand up to protect American families when sanctuary politicians won’t," McLaughlin said. "If you see a law enforcement officer today, thank them.

"Sanctuary policies endanger American communities by releasing illegal criminal aliens and forcing DHS law enforcement to risk their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens that should have never been put back on the streets."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the DHS for more information.

Anti-ICE protesters storm New Orleans council meeting, unleashing chaos amid immigration crackdown

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:15:06 -0500

A New Orleans city council meeting descended into chaos Thursday when anti-ICE protesters stormed council chambers, shouting down officials and clashing with police over the launch of a major federal immigration enforcement surge now underway across southeast Louisiana.

The outburst came one day after the Department of Homeland Security announced Operation Catahoula Crunch, a two-month federal initiative deploying 250 Border Patrol agents to New Orleans and surrounding areas. The operation, referred to by protesters as "Swamp Sweep," has intensified backlash from immigrant rights groups and triggered growing unrest at city hall.

Protesters began gathering outside City Hall around 9:30 a.m., holding signs, chanting through megaphones and denouncing the operation. When officers later allowed demonstrators into the council chambers, tensions escalated immediately.

Several protesters marched toward the podium and attempted to speak, but council members cut them off, saying their comments were unrelated to the agenda item. The room erupted with shouts of "Shame!" and "Coward!" echoing through the chamber, until council members abruptly suspended the meeting and walked out, leaving protesters to take over the room.

DHS LAUNCHES NEW IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN OPERATION IN NEW ORLEANS

Roughly 30 to 40 protesters refused to comply with repeated police orders to leave. Officers began escorting people out, and, in one heated moment, an officer physically lifted a protester and carried him from the chamber as others screamed in outrage.

"Shame on you. He’s a peaceful protester," one woman yelled. "You don’t drag people out like that — it’s criminal."

Another protester confronted officers near the chamber doors, yelling, "Our people are under attack, and you drag him out? Who do you work for?"

DHS LAUNCHING MASSIVE IMMIGRATION OPERATION IN LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI: 'SWAMP SWEEP'

Outside barricades, activists flipped off officers and shouted obscenities while police held their positions behind a metal gate. As of Thursday afternoon, no arrests or detentions had been reported.

Inside the chamber, protesters broke into a sustained chant, shouting, "No ICE! No KKK! No racist USA!"

The Department of Homeland Security says Operation Catahoula Crunch is aimed at removing "criminal illegal aliens roaming free thanks to sanctuary policies" that prevent local authorities from honoring ICE arrest detainers.

WATCH: Anti-ICE protesters dragged out of New Orleans City Hall

In a sharply worded statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said sanctuary policies "endanger American communities by releasing illegal criminal aliens and forcing DHS law enforcement to risk their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens that should have never been put back on the streets."

She added that it was "asinine that these monsters were released back onto New Orleans streets to COMMIT MORE CRIMES and create more victims."

McLaughlin also emphasized that Operation Catahoula Crunch is focused on offenders she described as "violent criminals who were released after arrest for home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape," adding, "under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are restoring law and order for the American people."

AS ICE READIES ‘SWAMP SWEEP,’ MISSISSIPPI PLEDGES TO AID — NOT BLOCK — FEDERAL CRACKDOWN

Thursday’s confrontation came after a demonstration Monday outside City Hall, where dozens gathered to oppose the impending sweep. According to local outlet WWNO, Monday’s event featured emotional speeches accusing DHS of retraumatizing immigrant communities.

One demonstrator told the crowd "We were hurting, we were abandoned and, instead of help, we got soldiers with rifles," adding the community needs "housing, health care, real jobs, not soldiers."

Another protester grew emotional while shouting about a deceased family member, saying, "You can’t crush the flame of someone who’s already gone."

Organizers on Monday accused federal authorities and local police of "targeting vulnerable communities" and vowed to continue demonstrating "for as long as Operation Swamp Sweep remains in effect."

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WWNO reported that Monday’s event was organized by the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression with support from Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Indivisible NOLA, Union Migrante and others.

DHS has given no end date beyond confirming the operation is expected to run for roughly two months.

Loyola New Orleans TPUSA chapter denied again after 'absolutely appalling' student government meeting: student

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:32:26 -0500

The student government at Loyola University denied a chapter of Turning Point USA from becoming a registered student organization (RSO) for the second time Wednesday night.

The decision was handed down after Turning Point students won an appeal by the school's court of review, and the case was sent back to the student government, which first denied the chapter in October. The student government has not yet provided a reason for blocking the conservative group a second time.

"[I]t is pure politics, again," Loyola New Orleans law student Ethan Estis told ӣ��Ƶ Digital Thursday morning. Estis advised the undergraduate Turning Point students during their appeal process.

Estis questioned the student government association's (SGA) strict enforcement of some rules, which he said were not observed during the first Turning Point meeting.

LOUISIANA GOP THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND TURNING POINT USA CHAPTER REJECTED BY NEW ORLEANS UNIVERSITY: 'INJUSTICE'

"Before the meeting even started, the room was apparently at 'capacity,' and the SGA VP said 'people need to leave' so that they [SGA] could 'not face a fire marshal violation' otherwise 'campus police will be removing people,'" Estis said, adding that a crowd of about 80 to 90 people turned out for the meeting.

"Unlike the last SGA meeting, none of these procedures within the SGA, such as wanting to be within the fire marshal capacity threshold, entering executive session, etc., were followed last time," Estis said. "It was clear they aimed to follow and use the rules to their benefit, though I am skeptical how far they were allowed to interpret them.

"Some of these statements were absolutely appalling because these meetings are open to everyone, including members of the public, and their failure to consider the large number of folks who would attend lies on them, not the spectators."

LOYOLA NEW ORLEANS LAW STUDENTS TEAM UP WITH TURNING POINT MEMBERS TO APPEAL 'SUBJECTIVE' CHAPTER DENIAL

At least one SGA member wanted to hold the meeting without outside spectators despite the fact that SGA meetings are open to the public, according to Estis.

"At one point, before the meeting started, one senator asked if there could be a motion raised to begin the meeting 'only with undergraduate students in the room present' to which the VP responded, 'Unfortunately, our bylaws do not allow such power to be authorized,'" Estis continued.

Estis described a few protesters with signs outside the campus building where the meeting was held, adding more showed up as the group of Turning Point students, numbering about 30, walked to the school's chapel to pray and debrief after the decision.

He said one sign said "F--- TPUSA."

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He said protesters chanted things about Charlie Kirk, along with "no KKK USA."

The school's SGA set off a firestorm after its first denial of the chapter on Oct. 15. The Louisiana GOP offered to support the students in any way possible during the battle. Chairman Derek Babcock said if they were denied again, the party would be standing by to "right the injustice."

In mid-November, the Turning Point students filed an appeal with the school's court of review and won. The court cited deviations from standard SGA voting procedures, along with subjective and irrelevant objections to the Turning Point chapter, including fear for student safety and the "campus climate."

However, the Loyola student handbook mandated that the court's decision be remanded to the SGA, the same body that denied the chapter in the first place.

Estis said there is no further appeals process, but the school said the opposite.

"There is no limit to appeals in the bylaws," Loyola New Orleans said in a statement.

"TPUSA would submit a form through howlconnect to petition the court to hear their appeal. The decision to hear the case is not automatic, but up to the court," the school continued. "Court of Review would hear the appeal if—"but not limited to: the allegation of harm or injury due to Student Government Association action and/or inaction, the failure to properly execute procedure, and failure to comply with the governing documents of the Loyola University of New Orleans Student Government Association."

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"Despite the denial, we’re going to move forward externally," he said.

"In my ultimate opinion, no organization, no matter if it is TPUSA or [Students for a Democratic Society] ... should be grated [sic] or denied RSO status by members of the SGA, who are themselves an RSO," he said. "It is not right, and we aim to correct this wrong using any means that are both necessary and proper."

"At its December 3 meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate voted to deny the charter application for a student chapter of Turning Point USA," a Loyola New Orleans spokesperson told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "The denial came after a renewed review of the charter application following an appeal. The SGA President upheld the Senate’s vote."

"Under Loyola’s governance structure, SGA is responsible for reviewing and voting on student organization applications. Loyola supports the integrity of the student governance process, including the ability to appeal, and remains committed to fostering a campus environment grounded in respectful dialogue, inclusion, and the Jesuit value of care for the whole person."

The SGA did not return a request for comment.

Father-to-be Navy officer vanishes with pilot instructor after plane drops off radar

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:35:39 -0500

A flight instructor and her student, a U.S. Navy officer who was also a father-to-be, are presumed dead after their small plane plunged into a New Orleans lake, according to authorities and local reports.

Instructor Taylor Dickey and her student, Navy Lt. David Michael Jahn, took off in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk last Monday, but the aircraft disappeared from flight radar over Lake Pontchartrain, about four miles north of New Orleans Lakefront Airport, according to the United Cajun Navy. Local media WWLTV reported that the 30-year-olds departed from Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport, about 70 miles northeast of where they went missing.

While the bodies have not yet been recovered, the United Cajun Navy said Sunday that they located the wreckage of the plane. The crew’s K9 unit also indicated that the area may contain potential remains.

"Now we get one step closer to closing it out and giving some of the family some relief," Gabe Johnson with the United Cajun Navy said.

FAMILY MATRIARCH DIES DAY AFTER RESCUE FROM REMOTE ISLAND THAT SAW FAMILY SWIM ASHORE TO ESCAPE BOAT FIRE

Jahn, a Civil Engineer Corps officer with the Navy Seabees based in Gulfport, Mississippi, was married to his wife, Taylor, who is five months pregnant, the United Cajun Navy told ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Sunday. He was nearing his commercial pilot’s license with just under 250 flight hours, according to the flight school.

The United Cajun Navy added that the pilot instructor "was known for her strong faith, her love of flying, and her commitment to mentoring other women in aviation."

While the United Cajun Navy is still continuing its search effort, arguing that "families deserve closure," the Coast Guard said its agency suspended operations Wednesday afternoon after crews searched by air and water for roughly 45 hours, covering more than 770 square miles.

"Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones impacted by this tragic situation," Cmdr. Michael Wurster, the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans search and rescue mission coordinator, said in a statement. "Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we make, and it is done only after every effort has been made to locate those involved."

COAST GUARD SWOOPS IN TO SAVE STRANDED SAILORS FROM SINKING BOAT HUNDREDS OF MILES OFF COAST

Michael Carastro, the owner of flight school Apollo Aviation that owned the plane, said during a press conference on Tuesday that no distress call was made, but the plane likely disintegrated on impact in a "very, very violent" manner.

He described the challenges of flying over water at night, especially in "marginal" weather, present a lot of challenges to the pilot.

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The United Cajun Navy said the group deployed boats, sonar teams, air support and K9 units amid harsh weather during the holiday search mission.

"This is how we spend our Thanksgiving weekend out here trying to bring closure to somebody else's family," Kevin Ratzman, the deputy instant commander for the United Cajun Navy, said.

Carastro also expressed profound grief and noted that this was the first serious incident Apollo Aviation had experienced in its decades of operation.

Ahead of ICE ops, New Orleans police leader lambasted for comments about enforcement of immigration law

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 13:07:21 -0500

New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick made waves earlier this week when she stated illegal immigration by foreign nationals in the U.S. is a "civil issue" and that therefore her agency will not enforce certain immigration laws — but would respond when ensuring public safety and that those involved in a federal operation are "not going to get hurt."

Kirkpatrick made the remarks at a press conference marking the end of a 15-year consent decree between the city and federal government, after then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu invited the Obama Justice Department to probe the agency for alleged "pattern or practice" of civil rights-related misconduct.

During press questions, Kirkpatrick responded to one reporter by saying that to "be in the country undocumented is (a) civil issue."

"We will not enforce civil law, and so our support is to make sure they're not going to get hurt and our community is not in danger," Kirkpatrick said.

ICE READIES SWAMP SWEEP: MISSISSIPPI PLEDGES TO AID, NOT BLOCK, FEDERAL CRACKDOWN

"Am I expecting them to come?" she said. "Yes, I'm expecting them to come. But can I tell you they're coming Friday? No, I can't tell you that."

"If they call for help because they say they're going to be hurt. We are going to be there in order to help anyone in danger. We are not enforcing — because we can't."

Kirkpatrick’s comments swiftly went viral on social media, with critics — largely from the right — lambasting her for claiming her agency cannot enforce certain immigration laws.

DENVER MAYOR SAYS HE’S PREPARED TO GO TO JAIL OVER OPPOSITION TO TRUMP DEPORTATIONS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Commentator Chaya Raichik, better known as "LibsOfTikTok," also responded to the superintendent's comments.

"Anne Kirkpatrick... says that illegally invading the U.S. is a ‘civil issue’ and her police force ‘will not enforce the law.’"

"Illegally invading the country is a crime. This is who is in charge of the police."

NOEM, IN ILLINOIS, CALLS OUT GOV. PRITZKER, CHICAGO'S MAYOR OVER THEIR HANDLING OF CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

"This is Law Enforcement 101. Every American knows this," conservative commentator David Harris Jr. tweeted separately.

Florida journalist Eric Daugherty responded to a clip of Kirkpatrick, writing: "False. It is a crime."

"How can you be the leader of a major police force and not know this? Arrest and deport. No exceptions," Daugherty said.

CHICAGO POLICE ORDERED NOT TO RESPOND AFTER CAR-RAMMING ATTACK ON FEDERAL AGENTS: SOURCES

Louisiana Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill commented below Daugherty’s message, saying that she spoke directly to Kirkpatrick about her comments.

"It is a state crime to obstruct ICE and federal immigration enforcement. Law enforcement should enforce the law," Murrill said.

In response to Murrill, several other critics reamed Kirkpatrick for being in charge of the New Orleans Police Department the night a man mowed down revelers ahead of the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, suggesting there were preventative measures on Bourbon Street, including installation of bollards and hardened temporary infrastructure, that were missed.

JONATHAN TURLEY: WHY BLUE STATES' NEW ANTI-ICE LAWS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL VIRTUE SIGNALING

Other critics cited 8 U.S. Code 1325, which criminalizes "improper entry by (an) alien." That section describes how it is a criminal act to elude immigration inspection, provide false documentation or enter the U.S. illegally outside a port of entry.

Kirkpatrick’s reference to civil law referenced the fact there is a section in the code under the Immigration & Naturalization Act that says being unlawfully present in the U.S. for a visa overstay or other infraction is indeed civil, not criminal.

"Inadmissible aliens," as described in law, also can face civil removal proceedings under 8 USC 1227 and 8 USC 1182.

DHS LAUNCHING MASSIVE IMMIGRATION OPERATION IN LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI: 'SWAMP SWEEP'

In a separate statement, Murrill said she fully expects "all law enforcement and local officials will not obstruct federal authorities and will enforce state law to protect people and property."

"I support ICE operations that ensure violent criminals are removed and ensure legal immigration policies are respected and followed," she added.

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the New Orleans Police Department for comment.

An official who picked up the phone indicated they would seek out the proper official to pass along any comment, but the inquiry was not returned.

New Orleans not taking crime 'seriously enough,' says carjacking victim's daughter as federal operation looms

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 08:00:23 -0500

The daughter of a woman killed in New Orleans during a carjacking in 2018 says the city still isn't taking crime seriously enough as the Trump administration prepares to send federal agents into the Big Easy.

Jeannot Plessy, 49, was killed in November 2018 after two men carjacked her while the mother was trying to pick up her children, according to FOX 8. Jontrell Robinson, 18, and Edwin Cottrell, 19, avoided a second-degree murder trial and pleaded guilty to manslaughter for Plessy's death.

Robinson was sentenced to 30 years in prison and Cottrell was handed 12 years in lockup.

Plessy was thrown out of her car by Robinson, who got into the driver's seat while Cottrell and other teenagers waited nearby in another stolen minivan. Plessy's 33-year-old son-in-law heard screaming and tried to help, resulting in Robinson accelerating the car backwards.

TEEN MURDER SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY SWATTED VICTIM'S HOME WEEKS BEFORE DEADLY HIT-AND-RUN: LAWYER

Robinson ran over Plessy when he backed the car up, killing Plessy.

Both Cottrell and Robinson also pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder, two counts of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice, simple robbery, conspiracy to commit simple robbery and unauthorized use of a movable.

As federal immigration officials prepare to enter New Orleans as part of operation "Swamp Sweep," Plessy's daughter, Nadia Sanchez, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital she doesn't believe the city has gotten a grasp on violent crime.

MOTHER SAYS ALLEGED STALKER WHO KILLED HER DAUGHTER SHOULD BE TRIED AS AN ADULT

"I don’t think the city or elected officials took the necessary actions or took crime seriously enough. Their focus was on other priorities — mainly tourism — while residents and their concerns took a back seat," Sanchez said. "I don’t think much has changed in how the city deals with crime."

"There hasn’t been much focus on the victims and their experience. Residents are the ones who live with the consequences every day," she added.

Sanchez said she never felt unsafe in her neighborhood until her mother was killed.

250 BORDER AGENTS TO DEPLOY TO LOUISIANA FOR 'SWAMP SWEEP,' REPORT SAYS

"We didn’t have safety concerns. I walked my daughter to the playground every day after school. I never felt like we lived in a dangerous neighborhood — until it happened to us," Sanchez said.

However, she doesn't know if federal intervention is the solution to New Orleans' problem, saying it would be a "band-aid measure" to the issue, but said city officials need to prioritize public safety.

Operation "Swamp Sweep" is expected to begin in early December and will reportedly be aimed at arresting 5,000 people in southeast Louisiana and Mississippi.

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Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he has been working with federal officials regarding immigration and crime matters.

"We do know that New Orleans is a place under which we've had illegal criminal activity, alien activity, in and around that city. Chief Conley, who is the chief of police from Kenner, has consistently had problems with illegal aliens conducting very violent crime in and around the city, in his city, and has been consistently working with the feds to try to crack that down," Landry told ӣ��Ƶ.

250 border agents to deploy to Louisiana for 'Swamp Sweep,' report says

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:46:04 -0500

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to send 250 border agents to New Orleans for a two-month immigration crackdown operation called "Swamp Sweep," according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and three people familiar with the matter.

"Swamp Sweep," which is expected to begin on Dec. 1, is reportedly aimed at arresting approximately 5,000 people across southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi. The reported operation marks the latest in a series of DHS illegal immigration crackdowns in cities across the country, including Chicago and Los Angeles.

In response to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, "Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country. We do not discuss future or potential operations."

DHS ‘BLITZES’ CHICAGOLAND, NETTING ‘MANY ARRESTS’ AS NOEM ONSITE FOR IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican who is closely aligned with President Donald Trump, recently discussed the possibility of federal agents working in his state during an appearance on "America Reports." He noted that his state was "working closely with our federal partners" on immigration and crime crackdowns.

"Look, people around Louisiana want their communities to be safe, irrespective of whether it's criminal or illegal. Aliens conducting violence or American citizens or Louisiana citizens. If you go out there and break the law, we're gonna put you in jail," Landry later added.

NEW ICE DETENTION FACILITY 'LOUISIANA LOCKUP' OPENS AT NOTORIOUS PRISON

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley, who Landry said is working closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Louisiana State Police, recently spoke about a community safety operation that federal agents were also involved in. According to Conley, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and ICE took "13 to 15 people into their custody."

"You know, we've gotten complaints for the last three years on the lawlessness and the nuisance crimes that have been occurring at the lakefront. We've had a strong presence, we patrolled it, we've sighted people, but it just wasn't enough. The conduct was escalating, citizens were getting harassed and bullied, strong-armed, and enough is enough," Conley said in a video posted to the Kenner Police Department's X page.

U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who has overseen other immigration enforcement operations under Trump, has reportedly been tapped to lead operation Swamp Sweep.

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Documents reviewed by the AP show that Border Patrol teams are set to go across neighborhoods in southeast Louisiana, stretching from New Orleans through Jefferson, St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes and as far north as Baton Rouge. There are also plans for federal agents to go into southeastern Mississippi.

In preparation for the operation, federal agents have been securing several staging sites. The AP, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that part of the FBI's New Orleans field office has been designated as a command post. Additionally, a naval base will reportedly be used to store vehicles, equipment and "less lethal" munitions, such as tear gas and pepper balls. The outlet said documents it reviewed showed that DHS asked to use the naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans for up to 90 days beginning this weekend.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Loyola New Orleans student court vacates previous decision barring Turning Point chapter

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:47:24 -0500

FIRST ON FOX: A student court at Loyola University New Orleans vacated the Student Government Association's (SGA) decision to bar a newly-formed Turning Point USA chapter from becoming an official campus organization, according to a document obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

The decision was made after an appeal from the would-be Turning Point members with help from two of their supportive Loyola New Orleans law school counterparts.

The SGA will vote again on whether to grant TPUSA a charter. The date of that vote is not yet scheduled.

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"The overruling of the SGA‘s decision by the Court of Review is a big win for the students of Loyola University New Orleans," said Ethan Estis, one of the law school students who assisted in drafting the appeal.

"The court clearly saw a deviation from the standard practice of granting RSO status to an organization," he said, "I am incredibly proud of the Loyola University Turning Point USA student leaders, who remained determined and confident in their position — their resilience is contagious. The Court of Review made the right decision here — upward and onward for these student leaders and for all students who have an opportunity for their voice to be heard at Loyola!"

The appellate decision from the school's Court of Review cited deviations from standard SGA voting procedures in the Oct. 15 meeting where the decision was made.

"The Court finds that an executive session was not formally called, and therefore individuals not specified in the bylaws should have exited the room alongside Turning Point USA Loyola representatives," the decision says. "As a result, the subsequent vote does not comply with open-meeting requirements."

It also shreds two reasons used by the SGA to bar the chapter — student "safety" and "campus climate" — which it says were not valid for opposing official recognition of the chapter. Prior to the original SGA decision to bar the group, the chapter met all the school's formal requirements for chartering.

The court further ruled that the SGA overstepped its boundaries in attempting to require the chapter to provide a detailed budget plan, despite acknowledging that the chapter would be funded by the national TPUSA organization.

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Loyola confirmed the court's decision in a midday Tuesday statement.

"The Student Government Association’s Court of Review has issued its decision on the appeal related to Turning Point USA’s student organization charter application," the school said. "The Court vacated the Senate’s prior decision and remanded the matter to the SGA Senate for reconsideration based on procedural considerations."

"Rooted in our Jesuit mission, Loyola University remains committed to dialogue, transparency, and supporting our students as they engage in democratic processes and shared governance."

Loyola New Orleans law students team up with Turning Point members to appeal 'subjective' chapter denial

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:00:58 -0500

Supporters of Turning Point USA at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law have teamed up with their undergraduate counterparts as the younger students battle to start a chapter of the conservative group.

On Oct. 15, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate at Loyola barred a Turning Point chapter from becoming an officially recognized organization on campus, sparking a national outcry. Now, two law students have stepped in to help the conservative group draft and file an appeal with the SGA.

"I just found that this was not probably right for an SGA to determine whether or not students should have access to an organization," Loyola law student Ethan Estis told ӣ��Ƶ Digital, adding that similar denials of new Turning Point chapters are happening across the country.

Estis, who enlisted the help of a second law student to draft the appeal, worked as a field representative for Turning Point during his time as an undergraduate at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and has stayed in contact with leaders of the expansive conservative organization.

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"This one just hit home for me, and I wanted to help as much as I could," he said.

Estis spoke with the current Turning Point field representative in Louisiana, who connected him with the undergraduates.

"Reviewing the SGA grievance of why they denied the charter, it was fabricated through equity and not through law," Estis said. "Most of it was subjective reasoning. They didn't really root it in any of the laws or rules and regulations that they're supposed to follow, and it was purely subjective. And that was our basis in attack in the written appeal that we did."

LOUISIANA GOP THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND TURNING POINT USA CHAPTER REJECTED BY NEW ORLEANS UNIVERSITY: 'INJUSTICE'

Estis noted that one of the reasons the chapter was officially denied is because, according to the SGA, Turning Point is too similar to other Christian organizations on campus. But as Estis pointed out, Turning Point isn't even an explicitly Christian group, and advocates for conservative principles like free markets and limited government.

Inasmuch as Turning Point does promote Christianity, he knocked the idea by some SGA leaders and student opponents of the group that its values do not align with those of the university.

In opposition to the chapter, a freshman named Rosalina Framboise reportedly said that the group doesn't belong on the Jesuit Catholic campus because of late Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk's assertions that, "queer people are trying to corrupt your children," and, "transgenderism and gender fluidity are lies that hurt people and abuse kids."

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The Catholic Church does not endorse gay marriage or transgenderism, and just this week Catholic bishops banned so-called "gender-affirming care" from Catholic hospitals.

The Loyola New Orleans SGA Court of Review confirmed that it received the students' appeal, and said that it plans to make a decision about the chapter's fate before Nov. 21.

Estis said that the SGA Senate's official appellate process remains somewhat unclear, though he believes the Court of Review has the ability to either overrule the SGA Senate's decision on its own, or send the matter back to the SGA Senate for another review.

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"They didn't know exactly where to go on this appeal," Estis said of the Turning Point organizers, calling them "incredible" people. "And they sent over the form to me of what the appeal looks like, which, by the way, Loyola was not overtly transparent in ... telling them how to appeal."

"They were very, very grateful for [the help]. They told me their story. I wrote out exactly what I thought [the appeal] should look like," Estis said. "They made some edits and changes, as did I. But they didn't have a lot of guidance from the get-go of where to go."

As the group waits to learn its fate, Estis told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that he does not believe the SGA should have the right to deny official chapter status to a group, provided that that group has met all the requirements that Loyola demands, as Turning Point has.

"By limiting the organizations that exist on campus simply because of subjective-based reasoning that the SGA is using here just is not right," he said.

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Loyola said it has supported and will continue to support the process of student government outlined in its student government handbook, and that the Turning Point founders are going through the same process that all other student organizations face when being formed.

"The university consistently upholds this peer-to-peer process and emphasizes fairness, inclusion and respect for differing viewpoints as part of its Jesuit educational mission," the school told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"Moreover, Loyola encourages civil discourse and open dialogue across all perspectives, which are essential to our Jesuit, Catholic mission and our shared commitment to the pursuit of truth. Our Catholic and Jesuit identity calls us to think critically, engage differing viewpoints with compassion and respect, and support student self-governance as a meaningful part of the Loyola experience."

Illegal immigrants allegedly offered WhatsApp 'menu' of women for sex trafficking ring

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 09:00:10 -0500

Three illegal immigrants in Louisiana allegedly ran a sex trafficking ring and offered a "menu" of women to potential clients as young as 18 using WhatsApp, federal prosecutors allege.

Officials said Zaira Lopez-Oliva, Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington and Jesus Lopez, known as "El Perro," were arrested in October after running a sex trafficking ring in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

A source initially tipped off the FBI with screenshots from WhatsApp from El Perro, who sent pictures of scantily clad women who were available for sex acts, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege that the women were forced to have sex with men, who paid anywhere from $40 to $60.

Both Castellanos-Kirington and Lopez-Oliva allegedly helped Lopez with several aspects of the sex trafficking operation.

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Prosecutors said Lopez-Oliva helped Lopez transport victims to and from the New Orleans Airport. In one surveillance video screenshot shared by the Department of Justice, prosecutors said, Lopez-Oliva was seen inside a pickup truck with Lopez near the New Orleans Airport.

Castellanos-Kirington and Lopez-Oliva both helped Lopez "maintain the operation" at the two locations in Baton Rouge when he was unable to, the documents state.

The complaint detailed that clients of the sex trafficking ring were anywhere from 18 to 60 years old.

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When federal agents raided the house where the operation was based, one of the victims said she was in financial trouble and got Lopez's contact information from a friend, prosecutors said. She was allegedly informed when she arrived in Louisiana that she'd be performing sex acts for male clients. Two of the victims interviewed were also illegal immigrants.

The female victim allegedly told prosecutors that she wouldn't be paid at all on Mondays and Tuesdays and would only get to keep $20 if a client paid $40, with the rest going to Lopez.

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One of the victims also told investigators she "was not allowed to leave or tell anyone what she was doing," and if she told anyone, Lopez would "kill her."

All three suspects are charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and aiding and abetting.

Escaped monkeys from Mississippi truck crash puts spotlight on NIH-funded Tulane lab

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:37:58 -0400

Three aggressive monkeys still on the loose after a truck hauling 21 of the animals from Tulane University in New Orleans flipped on a Mississippi interstate Tuesday. They are part of a controversial program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), according to the White Coat Waste Project, a nonprofit focused on eliminating wasteful government spending on animal testing.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office, which "eliminated" five of the escaped 40-pound monkeys, initially said the driver of the truck told authorities the primates were dangerous, a threat to humans and required personal protective equipment (PPE) to handle.

The university later confirmed to ӣ��Ƶ Digital the monkeys in question were not carrying any diseases and had received recent checkups at Tulane before they left the facility, confirming they were pathogen-free.

Tulane officials said 13 of the monkeys remained caged during the wreck, which happened north of Heidelberg, and are now in the possession of their owner en route to their intended destination.

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The identity of the owner and "original destination" were not released.

"The transport of research animals is a common occurrence and usually requires legally binding contracts that prevent the involved parties from disclosing information, both for the safety of the animals and to protect the parties' proprietary information," the university wrote in a statement.

White Coat Waste Project told ӣ��Ƶ Digital it has been working to cut taxpayer funding for Tulane’s primate lab for years, and right after the crash, followed the monkeys and the money allegedly straight to the NIH.

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"Every year, the NIH ships $35 million of our hard-earned tax dollars to Tulane so it can breed thousands of primates, torture them in wasteful and abusive experiments, and truck them off to other labs," White Coat Waste Project senior vice president Justin Goodman wrote in a statement. "Nearly 6,000 monkeys are locked up in Tulane’s taxpayer-funded facility where the primates are isolated in tiny cages and infected with some of the deadliest pathogens on earth—like anthrax, botulism, monkeypox, COVID, and AIDS-like viruses."

The organization alleges in a recent experiment at Tulane’s primate center, human nipples were sewn onto male monkeys.

"Despite promising White Coat Waste that he'd end all primate tests, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya just renewed millions in funding for Tulane's torture lab," Goodman wrote. "We’re urging [Health and Human Services] Secretary [Robert F.] Kennedy to follow the lead of the first Trump administration and shut down government primate labs and retire the survivors to sanctuary. The way to end Tulane’s monkey business is simple: Stop the money. Stop the madness."

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An HHS spokesperson told ӣ��Ƶ Digital the NIH is currently subject to a court injunction stemming from ongoing litigation related to the previously canceled Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) grants, which prevents the immediate termination of the Tulane grant.

The HHS clarified the grant has not been newly renewed; the spokesperson said what has been described as "renewals" are continuing disbursements under the original grant.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) senior science advisor for primate campaigns Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel called on authorities to demand full necropsies and veterinary records for the monkeys killed in the crash and to make the results public.

"Tulane has locked down information after the crash—refusing to say who owned the monkeys, what they were being used for, or what pathogens they carried. Inside sources have told us the monkeys were actually not headed to Florida," Jones-Engel wrote in a statement Thursday to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "PETA has requested that local authorities be provided with necropsies and veterinary records, and we are also going to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] because this is fundamentally a public health issue."

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She alleged Tulane National Primate Research Center’s colony harbors diseases including Chagas, Valley Fever, West Nile virus and diarrheal pathogens, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware imported monkeys have arrived in U.S. primate facilities carrying tuberculosis and Burkholderia pseudomallei.

"Tulane's claim that secrecy protects ‘animal safety’ is obscene," Jones-Engel wrote. "These animals were shot dead. Tulane’s primate center is funded by taxpayers, and transparency is a matter of public health, not proprietary privilege. Passing the buck to highway patrol or state wildlife officers is an outright dodge. Local responders are not equipped to assess zoonotic risks—that responsibility lies with Tulane and with the CDC. By hiding behind contracts and weak paperwork, Tulane is shielding its dangerous primate center and protecting the notorious monkey experimentation industry from scrutiny at the expense of community safety."

Though the university sent a team of animal care experts to assist, officials emphasized the monkeys were not being transported by Tulane, not owned by Tulane, and not in Tulane’s custody at the time of the crash.

PETA wrote a letter to the CDC Friday, requesting the CDC "acknowledge its responsibility, increase transparency, and protect communities from the dangers posed not only by the primate trade but also by the presence of entrenched pathogens in U.S. primate facilities."

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The NIH and Kennedy's office did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's requests for comment.

Deputies said they have been in contact with an animal disposal company to "help handle the situation."

Mississippi Highway Patrol and Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries are investigating, along with local law enforcement.

Louisiana GOP throws weight behind Turning Point USA chapter rejected by New Orleans university: 'injustice'

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:00:31 -0400

This story is part of ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s investigative series Campus Radicals. Get the full series here.

The Louisiana GOP is offering help to the students at Loyola University New Orleans who founded a Turning Point USA chapter on campus, only to have the student government bar the chapter from becoming an official organization.

"For the students, certainly, we encourage them to go through the process the way that it's written out," Louisiana GOP Chairman Derek Babcock told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "I think that's the right way to initially do this ... and we'll support them in every way we can through that process."

On Oct. 15, the campus Student Government Association (SGA) denied the group the ability to charter — become an official campus organization — during a student senate meeting. The denial means that the organization will not receive funds from the university and will not be able to reserve campus space for any activities.

Babcock said the group is preparing to appeal the decision through the proper SGA channel.

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"If they're denied again, I believe that is an injustice that needs to be rectified, and we're going to be there to help them in any and every way necessary to right the injustice," he said.

The SGA reportedly denied the charter after students raised concerns that Turning Point does not share the same values as the Jesuit Catholic school.

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The student attributed quotes to Turning Point's founder, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Sept. 10, about "queer people are trying to corrupt your children" and "transgenderism and gender fluidity are lies that hurt people and abuse kids," as evidence for that claim. However, official Catholic Church doctrine does not support gay marriage or transgenderism.

Another student, who identified herself as Hispanic, claimed Kirk held bigoted views towards Hispanics.

"You know, as far as the student government, I certainly would encourage them to take a better look at this and think twice about the initial decision they made," Babcock said, noting that other right-leaning groups like the Federalist Society exist on campus along with other faith-based organizations.

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"There is no justifiable reason for denying Turning Point to have a chapter at that university," he said. "That's an argument we'll make in every arena that it needs to be made. And if that's what has to happen, we'll be there with those students to help support them through that process."

Babcock also called for the school to look into the matter, and possibly override the SGA's decision, though he said he respects the school's commitment to allowing students to govern themselves.

"Well, I think that they need to be paying attention to this, and they need to take it seriously, because if they don't have a mechanism in place today... they need to get one quickly, because it may become necessary," he said.

Babcock pointed to the support for Turning Point USA from Gov. Jeff Landry, who on Monday night spoke at a Turning Point event at Louisiana State University and called for the school to erect a statue of Kirk.

"I know they're a private university, but they're in the state of Louisiana, and here's our Louisiana governor, not just supporting but actually speaking at and advocating for Turning Point events and memorials," he said. "So, you know, that university administration needs to think very carefully about what's happening here."

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When asked about the appeals process, Loyola spokesperson, Aariel Charbonnet, pointed ӣ��Ƶ Digital to a document containing the SGA bylaws, which says, "The Court of Review shall handle all appeals rendered to it by the constituents of Loyola University of New Orleans Student Government association."

The document explains that every Justice on the Court of Review has a vote on all the matters before the court.

The court can invite people to speak before it, but it is unclear whether Turning Point members will have that opportunity during the appeals process.

"The court can have ‘guest speakers’ that they can invite to the meeting and ask questions," Charbonnet said. "But it is not required. In other words, they can attend If they are invited by the court as a special guest."

Charbonnet said there is no process by which the university administration could override an SGA decision, except under certain conditions involving legality or conflicts with rules and regulations of the school.

"Any part of this Constitution or any resolution passed under its authorization that is in conflict with the laws of the United States of America, the State of Louisiana, or with any rules or regulations of Loyola University New Orleans, shall be null and void from the time of its enactment," the school's constitution says.

"The Student Government Association will support through its actions and programs the goals, purposes, and values of Loyola University New Orleans … and will abide by all university policies and procedures."

Turning Point USA chapter denied official status by Loyola University New Orleans student government

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:06:32 -0400

A student government body at Loyola University New Orleans has denied a newly-formed chapter of Turning Point USA the ability to become an official student organization on campus.

"Breaking: Turning Point USA was denied the ability to charter as an organization affiliated with Loyola University New Orleans at the Oct. 15 Student Government Association senate meeting," according to a one-sentence story from the school's newspaper, The Maroon.

The denial means that the chapter will not have access to school resources, including reserving space for campus events.

However, a Milwaukee-based left-wing blog called Fight Back! News that describes itself as "not 'neutral' or 'even-handed' in our coverage," appears to have covered the Oct. 15 Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, where the SGA senate denied Turning Point's ability to charter, or become an official organization on campus.

The Loyola New Orleans website says that five or more students interested in founding a campus group can apply to do so. Assuming certain application conditions are met, the SGA vice president forwards the chartering application to the SGA senate for review.

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The students attempting to start the organization then appear before the SGA senate for a question and answer session before the SGA decides on whether to approve the organization.

According to Fight Back! News, one student said Turning Point's values do not comport with the school's Jesuit Catholic values.

"Loyola University New Orleans, and our whole Jesuit Community, have prided themselves on the core values of Saint Ignatius, and the Society of Jesus at large. As it stands, Turning Point USA, its leaders, and many of the individuals whom they support are in direct opposition of these values," a freshman named Rosalina Framboise reportedly said, particularly attributing statements to Kirk that "queer people are trying to corrupt your children" and "transgenderism and gender fluidity are lies that hurt people and abuse kids," as evidence for her claim.

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Official Catholic Church doctrine does not support gay marriage or transgenderism.

An unnamed student reportedly claimed Kirk and Turning Point promote "hate towards Hispanics."

Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

After his assassination, left-wing professors have attempted to shred Kirk's legacy, as Turning Point displays on college campuses have been destroyed and students have been threatened.

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"At Loyola University New Orleans, the chartering of new student organizations, including Turning Point USA, follows a student-led, peer-to-peer process administered by the Student Government Association (SGA)," the school explained in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"The SGA Senate made a recommendation to the SGA President on the proposed organization’s application for recognition, and the SGA President upheld the recommendation," the statement continued.

"Student leaders of the proposed organization have been notified of their right to appeal the decision through the SGA Court of Review, as outlined in Loyola’s Student Organization Handbook.

"Loyola will continue to support the student-led process as it moves through its next steps.

The Turning Point organizers on campus could not immediately be reached for comment.

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