Louisiana

Steward Healthcare under fire by Louisiana legislators for causing the downfall of Glenwood Regional Medical Center

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2024

Steward Healthcare under fire by Louisiana legislators for causing the downfall of Glenwood Regional Medical Center

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Officials with the Louisiana Department of Health suggested Glenwood Regional Medical Center is a “financially distressed hospital” in a dire situation. The hospital’s services continue to decline due to mismanagement by its parent company Steward Healthcare.

After being put on immediate jeopardy status three times in a 120-day period, Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe is facing a major fallout that could be detrimental to the residents of Northeast Louisiana.

On Tuesday, April 9, Louisiana legislators raised questions and concerns about the hospital and its parent company during a Health and Welfare Committee hearing. In the hearing, Representative Michael Echols (R- District 14) is heard asking Glenwood’s interim CEO, Jonathan Turton, “Do you feel personally responsible for any deaths or declining care at your facility?” Turton then responded “Yes.”

Turton not only confirmed that deaths have occurred because of Steward Healthcare’s mismanagement, but he also highlighted the immoral actions of Glenwood’s parent company.

Rep. Michael Echols asked Turton, “Do you feel it’s wrong for those executives to steal from the organization and not funnel the resources you need to care for patients?” A long pause is heard before Rep. Echols follows up with, “That’s a yes or no, is that wrong?” Turton responded by saying “Yes.”

One former employee was emotional during her testimony as she accused Steward Healthcare of lying to the community. She listed the facilities that have closed since Steward took over five years ago.

The Women’s Center, Labor and delivery unit, skilled nursing facilities, Long-term acute care (LTAC), one medical surge unit, one critical care unit, the rehab center, and the imaging center have all ceased to exist under Steward Healthcare’s management.

“So whenever they go to the public and they tell them ‘we’re operating in full force’, there’s nothing full force about this hospital anymore, it’s the saddest thing I’ve ever been around,” the former employee said.

The former employee also mentioned how she had been in the process of treating patients when she found out that they no longer had a $5 piece of equipment in stock to complete the procedures.

In an interview, Rep. Echols said the Executive greed and corruption is unacceptable.

“It’s just a big Ponzi scheme. They bought an asset, they shuffled the asset to another entity, they then in turn, have cash flow moving to an operating entity, they loot that entity, and then try to hold the community hostage with the asset being another separately held resource. And so that, to me, is the criminal nature of this. It’s very structured, it’s very organized. And this has happened not only in our community but multiple communities across America,” Echols said.

Beyond not allocating money to provide resources and staffing necessary to operate, the hospital is also facing the potential of losing its license with the Louisiana Department of Health since it continues to violate compliance.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have put Glenwood on a “termination track”. If Glenwood is unable to get off that track before June 11, it will lose the ability to accept Medicare and Medicaid payments. Since Medicare and Medicaid are a large portion of the money the hospital brings in, this would ultimately shut down the facility.

Rep. Echols believes the actions of Steward Healthcare officials are “killings and maiming” patients that come to its hospitals.

“When I accuse these people of being healthcare terrorists, I mean it,” Echols said.

Echols said the nurses and doctors who are currently still working at Glenwood are doing everything they can to keep the hospital afloat, however, they’re dealing with a corporate monster.

“I’m pissed. I’m pissed that my constituents are getting hurt and I’m going to do everything within my power working with the Attorney General, the civil and any other authorities that I can to ensure that these injustices are made to be just,” Echols said.

KNOE reached out to Glenwood’s spokesperson and interim CEO, as well as Steward Healthcare for comment. Neither have responded.

As for right now, the quality of care is continuing to dwindle as KNOE’s investigations have revealed over the last five months.

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Louisiana

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

Published

6 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana State Police issued a Silver Alert Friday for a 76-year-old New Orleans man who has been missing since Wednesday.

Elbert Welch was last seen in the 1700 block of Holiday Drive on May 6 at approximately 11 a.m. State police received the request to issue a Silver Alert at approximately 6:54 p.m. Friday on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department.

Welch is a white male with brown eyes and black and gray hair. He is 5′10″ and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt, black pants and a blue baseball cap.

Family reports that Welch has a medical condition that may impair his judgment.

Welch is believed to be walking on foot in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information regarding Welch’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the New Orleans Police Department, 4th District, at (504) 821-2222 or dial 911. All questions should be directed to the New Orleans Police Department.

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Louisiana

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score, TV and more from SBC series

Published

18 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score, TV and more from SBC series

Pressure is back on for Louisiana baseball, especially on the weekend in Sun Belt Conference play.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (30-19, 12-12) dropped their final midweek game of the season, losing 9-6 to the University of New Orleans in extra innings. Now, the Cajuns are back on the road for SBC play, needing every win they can get to better their chances of snagging a regional spot. They travel to Appalachian State for what will likely be a chilly three-game series against the Mountaineers.

Seventh-year head coach Matt Deggs will go with junior Cody Brasch to start Game 1, a spot the right-hander is becoming accustomed to. Saturday’s are for Andrew Herrmann, the most reliable of the Cajuns’ arms through the year. App State will start junior righty Nick DiRito on Friday, followed by junior righty Gage Peterson and junior lefty Tanner Nolan to close out the series.

Here’s how to watch Ragin’ Cajuns baseball in its SBC series vs App State (28-18, 15-9), including time, TV schedule, live score and streaming information.

Watch Louisiana baseball vs App State on ESPN+

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score

What channel is Louisiana baseball vs App State on?

TV: None

Livestream: ESPN+

Radio: Varsity Network, 96.5 FM

Louisiana vs. App State will be available live on ESPN+ streaming service for the teams’ ninth SBC series of the 2026 college baseball season. Matt Present will provide commentary from Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.

What time does Louisiana baseball play App State today?

5 p.m. Friday, May 8
2 p.m. Saturday, May 9
12 p.m. Sunday, May 10

The Louisiana vs. App State series starts at 5 p.m. Friday at Beaver Field in Boone, N.C., followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Cajuns will close out the series at noon on Sunday.

Louisiana baseball vs App State weather update

Friday’s matchup will be played in semi-cloudy weather with sunshine throughout the day. It’ll be a high of 62 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. Winds will get up to about five to 10 mph, and there is less than a 7% chance of rain in the afternoon. Saturday’s game will be played in warmer weather with a high of 67 degrees, followed by Sunday’s high of 73 degrees.

Louisiana baseball vs App State history

Series record: Louisiana leads 14-9

In Lafayette: Series tied 6-6

In Boone: Louisiana leads 6-3

Louisiana’s last win: April 2, 2023 (6-0)

App State’s last win: April 1, 2023 (8-5)

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

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Louisiana

Behind the Curtain: How Louisiana’s Parole System and Courts Shape Who Goes Free | The Lens

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Behind the Curtain: How Louisiana’s Parole System and Courts Shape Who Goes Free | The Lens

This week on Behind The Lens, the public gets a rare look inside one of the most powerful and least understood parts of Louisiana’s criminal justice system: the parole process.

A sign posted on the door at the live parole hearing on the campus of Loyola University. (Photo by Gus Bennett / The Lens)

In Louisiana, Parole Board hearings are sometimes held in public, offering families, victims, attorneys, advocates, and reporters an opportunity to witness how decisions are made about who is granted freedom and who remains incarcerated. But those hearings reveal more than individual cases. They expose the broader tensions shaping punishment, rehabilitation, public safety, and political pressure across the state.

Reporters Bernard Smith and Gus Bennett join editor Katy Reckdahl to examine how parole decisions are influenced not only by testimony inside the hearing room, but also by a growing wave of legal and political changes moving through Louisiana’s courts and legislature. From rulings connected to the Louisiana Supreme Court to election season politics and criminal justice reforms, the episode explores how policy decisions made at the highest levels can directly affect incarcerated people, victims’ families, prosecutors, and entire communities.

The discussion also breaks down how recent state actions involving sentencing, parole eligibility, election dynamics, and judicial oversight are reshaping Louisiana’s criminal justice landscape in real time. Together, the team examines the human consequences behind those decisions and what they reveal about accountability, power, and transparency inside the system.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music “Fading Prospects” by Podington Bear (soundofpicture.com)

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