Louisiana
Who Is The 25-year-old Louisiana Mayor Allegedly Caught Up In Drug Trafficking Ring?
Scandal is sweeping one small Louisiana city after its own mayor was arrested on serious offenses. Tyrin Truong was elected mayor of Bogalusa, La. in 2022. Now, he’s been charged in connection to an alleged drug trafficking ring, according to police.
At the young age of 23, Truong made history when he was elected mayor. According to NOLA.com, the Bogalusa native won by ousting the city’s incumbent, Wendy O’Quin Perrette, to become Bogalusa’s youngest ever mayor and one of youngest mayors in Louisiana history.
The democratic nominee began his political career interning for U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay in Missouri, where he graduated from college. After moving back home to Bogalusa, Truong threw his name in the mayoral pool and won with 56 percent of the vote, NOLA.com reported.
But ironically, soon after he becoming mayor and even pushing for increased police presence in his city, the now 25-year-old finds himself on the wrong side of the law.
The Alleged Crimes and Arrest
The Louisiana State Police Narcotics/Violent Crime Task Force began an investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization in April 2024, according to CBS News. In their investigation, the task force discovered the organization was responsible for distributing opioids, marijuana, other THC products, and MDMA, and they were allegedly using social media to run the whole show.
According to officials, money made from these drug sales were allegedly used to purchase guns, some of which were even used in violent crimes across the city. After authorities uncovered the operation, arrest warrants for seven individuals were issued, including for Mayor Truong.
“We have zero tolerance for wrongdoing, especially, from public officials,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Truong was taken into custody and charged with transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, unauthorized use of a moveable, and soliciting for prostitutes, according to jail records.
Records show he was released on $150,000 bond. After his release, Truong took to social media to thank his supporters and declare his innocence. He wrote on Facebook “If you think I ran a drug operation (and all those other accusations), you’re sadly mistaken. Those who know me, KNOW me and I’ll let God and my attorney handle the rest!”
The other six suspects face charges of transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses. Three of them have been charged with conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I controlled substance. Another one faces an additional charge of distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to Louisiana State Police.
In a statement, District Attorney Collin Sims said “We are going to continue to invest time and resources into helping the citizens of Bogalusa. We are not finished.”
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana will receive $18.9 million in federal grants for hurricane recovery, Sen. John Kennedy announced Thursday (May 14).
Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will support disaster recovery efforts and repairs in communities impacted by Hurricanes Ida and Francine.
Kennedy said the funding will support Lafourche, Jefferson and Terrebonne parishes, as well as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
The grants include $8.8 million to the Greater Lafourche Port Commission for permanent repairs from Hurricane Ida.
Jefferson Parish will receive $5.3 million for management costs from Hurricane Ida.
Terrebonne Parish will receive $2.6 million for debris removal operations from Hurricane Francine.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will receive $2.2 million for debris removal operations from Hurricane Francine.
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GOP-led states sending hundreds of additional National Guard troops to DC
Three GOP governors have pledged to send hundreds more National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to aid Trump’s federalization of the city.
Straight Arrow News
Louisiana National Guard soldiers have returned to Washington, D.C., on a second deployment as part of President Trump’s continued crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital.
Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington nine months ago to trigger deployments of states’ National Guard troops to the capital.
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry first sent a contingent of Louisiana soldiers to Washington in August 2025. Lt. Col. Noel Collins told USA Today Network on May 13 that all of those soldiers returned to Louisiana by the end of December.
Landry’s latest deployment of Louisiana soldiers includes about 125 who began assisting other soldiers and local police May 12.
Louisiana’s soldiers won’t make arrests, but they will patrol high-traffic areas while playing a supporting role for the D.C. National Guard and local police.
The White House has said its capital crime task force has made more than 12,000 arrests since August and seized thousands of illegal guns.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A new report shows Louisiana students are making some of the biggest gains in the country, with state education leaders celebrating the progress.
The newest national report card now ranks Louisiana 32nd in the nation, a jump from 49th in 2019.
“Louisiana is no longer about Louisiana simply believes, but for K-12 education, Louisiana achieves,” said state Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley.
The jump comes mainly from improved reading and math scores, making Louisiana the only state that has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Gov. Jeff Landry said the achievement comes at an opportune time for the generation to capitalize on economic developments coming to the state.
“These young men and women are going to get an opportunity we have never had. These kids get to grow up in a new Louisiana at a time when they are getting the education they need,” Landry said.
Brumley said the focus is now on attendance, more tutoring, higher teacher pay, and job readiness.
“Tutoring for every kid to get a little extra help if they need it; differentiated pay so we can target pay in a very precise way to those teachers doing great work for kids; and in the elevation in career and technical education,” Brumley said.
While leaders are celebrating, Brumley said the real work is keeping that momentum.
“Louisiana doesn’t have to be last. Indeed, we can be number one. We will continue to see great results,” Brumley said.
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