Louisiana
WWLTV exclusive: Louisiana’s first African-American sheriff ready to take seat, make history
‘This lady is the primary African-American lady to be sheriff in the complete state. And since she did that, you are able to do that. They usually had been like, ‘Ohhhh.’
NEW ORLEANS — Making ready for her historic inauguration Monday as Louisiana’s first African-American feminine to be elected sheriff, Susan Hutson says she is raring to get began. And, in keeping with her, looking forward to a steeper-than-anticipated studying curve.
Hutson granted WWL-TV an unique on-camera interview as she prepares to take over a jail below a federal consent decree and historical past as some of the troubled jails in America.
Incumbent sheriffs in Louisiana do not usually lose re-election bids. However Hutson rode a progressive wave of felony justice reform and catapulted herself from 11 years as the town’s unbiased police monitor into the sheriff’s workplace.
The sheriff’s essential job is overseeing the town’s 1,438-bed jail, the Orleans Justice Heart. Whereas the jail inhabitants now sits at solely 914, a lot of the inmates are violent felony suspects with lengthy rap sheets. And due to persistent understaffing because of the job challenges and traditionally low pay, deputy turnover is excessive and lots of positions are unfilled.
The glass ceiling that Hutson shattered has not been misplaced on her. Visiting a church shortly after her shock election victory, she says there was a poignant second that helped put her win into perspective.
Visiting a church proper after her shock election victory, she says there was a poignant second that put her win into perspective.
“The pastor pointed to some little ladies, some little African-American ladies, and mentioned, ‘This lady is the primary African-American lady to be sheriff in the complete state. And since she did that, you are able to do that. They usually had been like, ‘Ohhhh.’ And that is the place it actually hit dwelling.”
The sheriff’s marketing campaign was low-key, however at occasions bitter, particularly for a race that did not embrace many coverage variations. However there was one large one: the plan to construct a separate facility, often known as Part Three, to accommodate inmates with psychological sickness. Gusman helps it; Hutson opposes it.
However Hutson will probably be preventing an uphill battle. The development of the stand-alone facility has been ordered by U.S. District Decide Lance Africk, who’s overseeing the 2012 consent decree the sheriff’s workplace agreed to within the settlement of a lawsuit that alleged years of sub-standard jail situations.
Hutson maintains {that a} new $50-million greenback constructing is just too expensive, particularly for a cash-strapped metropolis. She urged on the marketing campaign path {that a} wing of the present jail will be retrofitted for a similar function at a decrease value.
“I will observe the courtroom’s order,” she mentioned. “However there’s additionally a course of to, a authorized course of to attempt to reverse that order. And that is what we will proceed to do, to work to not construct Part Three.
Hutson mentioned she has spent the previous 5 months working with a transition workforce and listening to the group. What hasn’t gone as easily, she mentioned, is cooperation from outgoing Sheriff Marlin Gusman.
“We have had some cooperation from the sheriff and at occasions we have now not,” she mentioned. “However nothing goes to cease us. Nothing. So I simply have to attend a bit longer to seek out out all the data that I would like.
Hutson mentioned that due to the less-than-robust cooperation, she’s going to meet a few of her high jailers for the primary time when she reveals up for work subsequent week.
“I used to be not in a position to meet people who find themselves employed there, like on the jail, so I might go watch them. No, that wasn’t a part of the cooperation course of,” she mentioned.
Gusman and his transition chief sharply dispute Hutson’s model of occasions. They mentioned that the sheriff gave Hutson his cellphone quantity and informed her to achieve out any time she had questions or wanted help.
They mentioned Hutson not often reached out.
“I solely obtained two cellphone messages from her,” Gusman mentioned. “I consider they obtained the whole lot they requested for.”
Whereas Hutson mentioned she’s going to take time to evaluate the command workers she is inheriting, she has already named members of her govt workforce. One title raised some eyebrows. Kristen Morales tapped to be Hutson’s deputy sheriff for data and expertise, was fired final yr from the New Orleans Inspector Common’s workplace for giving workplace property – a cellphone – to a personal particular person. Morales appealed her dismissal, but it surely was upheld, with the Civil Service Fee questioning Morales’ candor.
Hutson mentioned she is aware of Morales each personally and professionally and has no qualms about naming her to her workers. She mentioned she was impressed by her professionalism and work ethic ever when the 2 labored collectively earlier than the Police Monitor’s workplace underwent an acrimonious break up from the IG’s workplace.
“There are two sides to each story,” Hutson mentioned. “And I employed her as a result of she has the skillset and the excellence in her work.”
Hutson says she’s going to run her workplace the best way she ran her marketing campaign: listening to the general public and being clear. On a personal observe, she says she’s going to draw power from her household, who’re touring from California and Texas to be together with her for her historic second.
Hutson mentioned that as she takes her oath of workplace on her household bible, her ideas and feelings will flip to the spirit of her deceased mom, who shared a house together with her in New Orleans.
“My mom got here right here to dwell with me in 2016 and he or she died right here in New Orleans,” Hutson mentioned. “So she’s not right here with us. She’s right here in spirit. However my dad will probably be right here. My brother will probably be right here. My three sisters will probably be right here. We’ll be right here collectively. And I do know she’s going to be right here with us in spirit.”
Susan Hutson defeats long-time Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman
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U.S. News & World Report has released a database comprised of the top elementary and middle schools in 2025 in each state.
The rankings of schools can even be narrowed down by city and district levels.
Top 10 elementary schools in Louisiana
There are numerous Louisiana elementary and middle schools ranked within U.S. News’ database, and here are the top ten best ranked elementary schools statewide in Louisiana.
No. 1 T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School
According to U.S. News, T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School, located in Lake Charles, is ranked number one in Louisiana elementary schools and is a part of Calcasieu Parish Public Schools.
The student population of T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School is 300, and the school serves K-5.
No. 2 Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies
According to U.S. News, Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies is ranked number two in Louisiana Elementary School and is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools.
Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies enrollment is 368 students, and the school is kindergarten through fifth grade.
No. 3 Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies
U.S. News says that Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies is number three in Louisiana Elementary Schools and is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools.
The student enrollment at Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies is 357 and serves the grades pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 4 Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies
Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies in Metairie is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools and is ranked number four in Louisiana Elementary Schools, according to U.S. News.
Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies’ enrollment is 418 students and teaches pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 5 South Highlands Elementary Magnet School
South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Shreveport is a part of Caddo Parish Public Schools and is ranked number five in Louisiana Elementary Schools, says U.S. News.
The student enrollment at South Highlands Elementary Magnet School is 517 and the school serves grades pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 6 Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School
Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School is part of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools and is ranked number six in Louisiana Elementary Schools, according to U.S. News.
Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School’s student enrollment is 464 and the school serves pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 7 Fairfield Magnet School
Fairfield Magnet School, located in Shreveport, is a part of Caddo Parish Public Schools and is ranked number seven on U.S. News’ list of the top Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Fairfield Magnet School has a student enrollment of 515 and teaches pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 8 Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies
Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies is located in Westwego, which is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools, and is ranked number eight in U.S. News’ list of Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies teaches pre-k through fifth grade and the enrollment is 336 students.
No. 9 Phoenix Magnet Elementary School
Phoenix Magnet Elementary School, located in Alexandria, is a part of Rapides Parish Public Schools and is ranked number nine in U.S. News’ list of the best Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Phoenix Magnet Elementary School serves pre-k through fifth grade and student enrollment is 351.
No. 10 B.R. Foreign Language Academy Immersion Magnet
B.R. Foreign Language Academy Immersion Magnet is a part of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools and is ranked number ten in U.S. News’ list of Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Immersion Magnet’s student enrollment is 548 and serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s legislative leaders say they have a tax deal; final votes expected Friday • Louisiana Illuminator
State lawmakers have agreed to a pared-down version of Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax overhaul package but one that would still affect most people and businesses in Louisiana. The deal, hashed out in back-room negotiations Thursday, is expected to receive full approval Friday.
“A lot can change overnight, but as of right now, we’re comfortable with the number of votes we have…in the Senate,” said Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie.
“I believe we have the votes [in the Louisiana House],” Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson, R-Pineville said.
The revised package calls for pushing the current sales tax rate of 4.45% to 5% for five years, starting July 1, 2025, when the state’s next fiscal year starts. It would drop to 4.75% in 2030 but still remain higher than the current 4.45% rate.
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In exchange for these higher, permanent sales taxes, most Louisiana residents would receive an income tax cut. The state would move from a three-tiered income tax system with a high rate of 4.25% to a flat rate of 3% accompanied by a significantly higher standard deduction threshold.
On the business side, the corporate franchise tax will be eliminated altogether, and the corporate income tax would move to a flat rate of 5.5% — right between the current lowest rate of 3.5% and highest rate of 7.5%.
The Legislature has also agreed to dissolve some government funds dedicated to special purposes and end some business and industry tax breaks to shore up state revenue. This includes ending the state’s many incentive programs such as the Quality Jobs and Enterprise Zone tax credits, among others..
A portion of the state inventory tax credit, which helps businesses cover their local parish tax bills, will be phased out for some employers in 2026. Money from the vehicle sales tax that was going to large transportation projects – such as the new Baton Rouge Interstate 10 bypass bridge and Interstate 49 expansions – will now be diverted for general government expenses.
In an interview Thursday night, Henry said he did not expect the current deal to leave Louisiana with a significant budget shortfall as some had feared. Still, lawmakers held off on taking votes on the tax package until Friday because they are waiting for the final revenue estimates to be finished by staff.
“Staff needs the time … . And we want time to read and digest the bills before we vote,” House Republican Caucus Chairman Mark Wright, R-Covington, said.
Landry was also throwing a political fundraiser Thursday night in Baton Rouge, and any tax votes taken before Friday would likely have coincided with the event.
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Legislative leaders are also combining the bill that cuts income taxes with the legislation to increase sales taxes in order to pin down conservative Republican votes. Once the proposals merge, lawmakers will no longer be able to vote for the tax break without the corresponding tax hike.
“It’s to lock people in. You can’t vote for the tax cuts without voting for the revenue, too,” said Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette, chairman of his chamber’s Democratic Caucus.
Republicans have supermajorities in the Senate and House, but Democrats will be needed to reach the 70 votes required to pass the sales tax hike legislation. Certain conservative Republicans have refused to vote for any bill that included a tax hike, which means bipartisan support becomes even more important to get the package across the finish line.
Much of the negotiations over the past two days has taken place between Landry and Senate Democrats, who had reservations about raising Louisiana’s sales tax rate to pay for an income tax reduction.
Louisiana already has the highest average sales tax rate in the nation when local parish rates are included. High sales taxes are more of a burden for poor people, who end up spending more of their paycheck to cover their cost.
Boudreaux said Democrats were given some concessions for agreeing to support Landry’s tax package. They were assured certain health care services wouldn’t be cut, and funding for early childhood education and juvenile vocation programs would be prioritized, he said.
The state funding formula for higher education might also be reworked to direct more support to Louisiana historically Black colleges and universities, according to Boudreaux.
The votes appear to be on tight margins, however.
Wright, as the head of the House Republican Caucus, expressed concern that the Legislature would start “losing people” who would vote for the tax bills the longer they waited to vote on Friday. Some lawmakers have made it clear they don’t intend to push their holiday travel to support the tax overhaul.
The special session must end by 6 p.m. Monday.
“It’ll be interesting because I heard they may have more Republicans missing as the day goes on, especially around five o’clock,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard of New Orleans, who has opposed Landry’s proposal.
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Sixteen candidates have applied to become Nexus Louisiana’s new permanent leader.
Anita Tillman, co-chair of the selection committee overseeing the Nexus CEO search, provided an update at Thursday’s board of directors meeting.
Tillman says executive search firm Isaacson Miller presented 10 candidates to the committee on Oct. 31, and a second round of candidate presentations will be held on Dec. 5.
Semifinalist interviews will be conducted virtually on Jan. 14. The presentations serve as a way to discuss what the organization is looking for and give feedback to Isaacson, Miller about the type of candidates the firm should recruit.
Some prospective candidates have expressed interest but have yet to apply, according to Tillman.
“Once those interviews happen, and we drill it down to whatever the outcome is, then those candidates will be moved over to the full board to do rounds of in-person interviews and make their decision,” Tillman says.
The in-person interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of Feb. 10 and the search is expected to be completed before the end of February.
Nexus Louisiana began accepting applications for the position on Nov. 1. Part of the job description says that the new president and CEO will be critical in providing internal and external leadership. The individual will assess and align the organization’s structures while advocating for Nexus Louisiana as a critical driver of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Baton Rouge region across the state and globally.
Nexus has been without a permanent leader for two years following longtime CEO Genevieve Silverman’s departure in June 2022 after 14 years. Nexus management consultant Calvin Mills has handled leadership responsibilities since 2022.
View a description of the position.
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