Connect with us

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Trump administration begins first detention flights to Guantanamo Bay • Louisiana Illuminator

Published

on

lailluminator.com – Ariana Figueroa – 2025-02-04 16:58:00

Trump administration begins first detention flights to Guantanamo Bay

by Ariana Figueroa, Louisiana Illuminator
February 4, 2025

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Tuesday sent the first flight of detained migrants on military aircraft from the United States to the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as President Donald Trump continues high-profile displays of his immigration crackdown.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted photos on social media of men in handcuffs and chains, being escorted by immigration officials dressed in tactical military gear.

“Guantanamo Bay will hold the worst of the worst,” Noem wrote. “That starts today.”

Trump announced last week that he would direct the Defense Department to use the migrant detention center on the base to detain up to 30,000 people who lack U.S. legal status. It would nearly double the current bed space that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has funding for across the nation, which is roughly 41,500.

More than 150 U.S. Marines and U.S. Army members started arriving at the base over the weekend, the U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs Office said in a press release. More than 300 military personnel are already stationed at the base. 

The base is known for holding suspects accused of terrorism in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Advocates have pressed for the base to be shut down, citing human rights violations.  

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed flights were taking place Tuesday during a segment on Fox Business.

“The first flights from the United States to Guantanamo Bay with illegal migrants are underway,” she said, adding that the president is “not messing around.”

During a Sunday interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Noem was asked if women, children and families would be detained at Guantanamo Bay, but Noem would not address the question.

“You know, if you look at what we are doing today of targeting the worst of the worst, we’ve been very clear on that,” Noem said during the interview. “The priority of this president is to go after criminal aliens that are making our streets more dangerous.”

While Guantanamo Bay has been used in the past to detain migrants, it’s usually been to intercept refugees fleeing from Cuba and Haiti during the 1990s, not used to transport people from within the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to States Newsroom’s request on where the flights departed from or how many detained migrants were on board the C-17 military jet, and if they had a criminal status. 

Last updated 4:36 p.m., Feb. 4, 2025

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.

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Saturday 10 PM Tropics Update: One far-off tropical wave to watch

Published

on

www.youtube.com – WWLTV – 2025-09-13 22:34:05

SUMMARY: A tropical wave near Africa is emerging over the Atlantic but remains disorganized. The National Hurricane Center gives it a 60% chance to develop into a depression or tropical storm, possibly becoming Gabrielle. This system may move northward, staying over the open Atlantic and away from the Gulf, posing no immediate threat. Since the last named storm in late August, stable air, dry conditions, and increased wind shear have suppressed tropical activity in the Atlantic. The next storm names are Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda, with only the current wave showing potential for development at this time.

Meteorologist Alexandra Cranford tracks a lone disturbance with a chance of development on Saturday night, September 13, 2025.

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says

Published

on

thecurrentla.com – Leslie Turk – 2025-09-11 15:30:00

SUMMARY: Dusty Guidry, a former consultant who pleaded guilty to accepting $800,000 in bribes, testified that Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes sought involvement in a bribery scheme at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Haynes, on trial for conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, and obstruction, was previously appointed to run Lafayette’s pretrial diversion program after supporting DA Don Landry. Guidry revealed Haynes pressured him to include him in a similar diversion program scheme at Wildlife & Fisheries, receiving checks totaling $90,000. The scheme involved splitting bribes among Guidry, vendor Leonard Franques, and former department secretary Jack Montoucet, who has also been charged. The statewide program never launched.

Read the full article

The post Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says appeared first on thecurrentla.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

OPPJ Comprehensive Plan

Published

on

www.youtube.com – KTVE – 2025-09-10 21:15:08

SUMMARY: The Ouachita Parish Police Jury is conducting a series of community meetings to gather public input for their comprehensive plan guiding future growth. Police Jury members, including Larry Bratton from District D, emphasize the importance of reflecting residents’ voices in the master plan. Community members participated in interactive stations, allocating resources to priorities like infrastructure and downtown development, to help shape goals for the next 2, 5, and 20 years. Landscape architect Matt Pizatella and partners from Atlas support the effort. Bratton stresses that without proactive planning, the parish risks costly and less beneficial outcomes in the long term.

OPPJ Comprehensive Plan

Source

Continue Reading

Trending