SUMMARY: The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office halted autopsies due to a July 5th air conditioning failure, causing a backlog of about 20 bodies. Coroner Dwight McKenna reported that autopsy rooms reached nearly 90 degrees, delaying work while waiting for city repairs. Plans to transfer bodies to LSU Medical Center are pending approval; if denied, they may be sent to Jefferson Parish. McKenna faces controversy over the office’s lack of written protocols, resulting in lawsuits and a recent $67,000 judgment against the office for inadequate procedures. Despite calls for documented plans, McKenna insists experience guides his actions over formal paperwork.

Orleans Parish coroner says air conditioning issue forces pause on autopsies Subscribe to WDSU on YouTube now for more: …

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SUMMARY: Lingering clouds this morning accompany a warm, moisture-rich air mass, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible this afternoon, ending after sunset. Similar storms may pop up tomorrow. Very hot weather is expected Wednesday, with temperatures nearing triple digits, requiring heat safety precautions. A tropical system may develop along the Gulf Coast late week, increasing weekend rain chances. Tuesday brings drier air and fewer storms, tied to a weak upper ridge and shear axis. By Wednesday, an easterly wave could organize near the northern Gulf Coast, potentially increasing rain late Thursday through Saturday, easing the heat.

There are a few lingering clouds this morning. Very warm and moisture rich airmass remains in place, and mid-level disturbances could allow for more patchy to scattered showers and t-storms this afternoon. Storms should end just after sunset. Pop-up storms still remain possible for tomorrow as well. Very hot conditions are expected on Wednesday as temperatures push upper 90’s near the triple digits. Heat safety will need to be practiced. By the late week, a tropical system could move along the gulf coast with a slight chance of development by the weekend. Regardless, this system could bring more chances for rain and storms over the weekend.

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by Julie O’Donoghue, Louisiana Illuminator
July 14, 2025

Gov. Jeff Landry and state lawmakers have put $31.7 million toward refurbishing the outside of the Louisiana State Capitol. 

The money, included in the annual state construction plan that took effect July 1, will be used to waterproof the Capitol’s exterior in order for it to undergo a thorough cleaning. 

“It is a symbol of Louisiana, and it’s one of the most visited state capitol buildings in the country,” Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said. “We’re taking all the steps we need to waterproof it so it will last another 200 to 300 years.”

Completed in 1932, Louisiana’s State Capitol is a classic example of the Art Deco design style popular at the time and also used for the Empire State Building in New York City. Its construction took just 14 months. The building was the brainchild of Huey Long, who was a U.S. senator at the time and would be buried on its grounds three years later after his assassination in a Capitol hallway.

The state will have to find more money in future years to complete the waterproofing project. It is expected to total $113.9 million, according to Louisiana’s construction plan.

Of the $31.7 million allocated this year, $21 million comes from general state funding and $700,000 from an account set up in 2023 for Capitol repairs. The state plans to borrow the other $10 million.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

The post Nearly $32 million slated to start exterior makeover of Louisiana State Capitol appeared first on lailluminator.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This content presents a straightforward report on the allocation of state funds for refurbishing the Louisiana State Capitol. The article focuses on factual details without expressing political opinions or promoting a specific ideological viewpoint. The inclusion of quotes from a Republican Senate President and historical context about Huey Long provides balanced information without leaning towards partisan commentary, making the content centrist in nature.