Louisiana
New U.S. attorney for Middle District of Louisiana increases indictments by 200%
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Kurt Wall, the newly appointed US Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, said his focus is attacking violent crime, eliminating cartels, and enforcing immigration law, in line with the Trump Administration.
“The cartels have their tentacles all across this country, and just because we are in Baton Rouge and not in New York or Miami does not mean we are not affected by them,” Wall said.
Part of his job is to defend the federal government in wrongful detention cases. Wall said when authorities arrest dangerous individuals with warrants, they will also detain others found at the scene who are in the country illegally.
“They are not leaving them, they are going to get swept up too, whether you think that’s a good thing or bad thing, it’s not for me to comment on, but that’s what is happening,” Wall said.
Recent prosecutions and increased activity
The Middle District Court sentenced five people connected to a large-scale cocaine and heroin trafficking ring based out of East Baton Rouge Parish on Wednesday.
“We’re going to put our foot to the pedal and go after them hard,” Wall said.
In his first 60 days, Wall’s office has increased indictments by 200% compared to a similar time frame last year. Some of that increase has come from immigration enforcement.
“Previous administrations weren’t quite as strict when it came to those coming across our border and who was going to get detained — this administration has put an emphasis on that — they are detaining more people, so consequently we are going to get more petitions from people claiming they have been detained illegally,” Wall said.
Wall is serving a four-year term for the Middle District.
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Louisiana
New ATV/UTV task force aimed at reducing the staggering deaths and injuries among young riders
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.
What is cyclorphine?
According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
Reported effects
The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:
- Central nervous system depression
- Lethargy or stupor
- Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.
What the bulletin says about trends
The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.
Where cyclorphine has been detected
The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:
- Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
- Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
- DeSoto Parish (March 25)
- Natchitoches Parish (May 14)
The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.
The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
Before freedom was celebrated, it was fought for. Journey through Louisiana’s complex road from slavery to emancipation, where revolutionaries, musicians, educators, and everyday people challenged a system built on bondage. From the drumbeats of Congo Square to the sugar plantations of the German Coast, from acts of resistance and self-purchase to jubilant celebrations of emancipation, this powerful documentary uncovers the people, places, and events that shaped Louisiana’s unique path to freedom. Through compelling interviews, historic sites, and stories long overlooked, Emancipation Jubilee reveals a legacy of resilience that still echoes across the state today.
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