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Friends, Family Say Cokie Roberts' Passing Is 'A Great Loss For America'

Updated at 1:50 p.m. ET Friends, family, reporters and politicians gathered Saturday in downtown Washington, D.C., to remember journalist Cokie Roberts. She was hailed as a "servant" of God and referred to as a "special singular soul" by those who delivered remarks. Roberts died Tuesday at age 75 of complications from breast cancer. She had covered and commented on politics for NPR since 1978 and spent decades working for ABC News as well, including several years co-hosting the Sunday morning...

British Oil Tanker Seized By Iran Will Be Released Soon, Iranian Official Says

A British oil tanker detained by Iran will soon be released, according to an Iranian maritime official. The tanker, the Stena Impero, was seized along with its crew by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19 for alleged marine violations. "After the issuing of the ruling for the end of detention of the English tanker Stena Impero this vessel will soon, and after the passing of 65 days, begin its movement from the port of Bandar Abbas toward international waters,"...

Democrats Intensify Calls For Potential Impeachment Over Whistleblower Complaint

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Friends, Family Say Cokie Roberts' Passing Is 'A Great Loss For America'

By Scott Detrow • Sep 21, 2019

Updated at 1:50 p.m. ET

Friends, family, reporters and politicians gathered Saturday in downtown Washington, D.C., to remember journalist Cokie Roberts.

She was hailed as a "servant" of God and referred to as a "special singular soul" by those who delivered remarks.

Roberts died Tuesday at age 75 of complications from breast cancer. She had covered and commented on politics for NPR since 1978 and spent decades working for ABC News as well, including several years co-hosting the Sunday morning political show This Week.

Louisiana Gubernatorial Candidates Face Off in First Debate of 2019

By Paul Braun • Sep 20, 2019

Incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham solidified themselves as the frontrunners of their respective parties Thursday night in the first gubernatorial debate of 2019.

Eddie Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman and self-described political outsider, dismissed Edwards and Abraham as “career politicians,” but struggled to provide detailed policy proposals of his own.

Riverboats To Monitor Mississippi River Water Quality

By Tegan Wendland • Sep 18, 2019

Those calliope-playing Mississippi riverboats will soon be carrying more than passengers. Scientists are preparing to attach monitors to some boats in an effort to gather more data on the river's water quality.

Report: Federal Home Buyouts Take Too Long

By Tegan Wendland • Sep 18, 2019

After big floods like those in 2016 that inundated many homes in the Baton Rouge-area and beyond, sometimes a home buyout is the right choice. People whose homes have flooded multiple times can get money from the federal government to relocate to safer ground. But a new report from an environmental advocacy group finds that those buyouts can take a long time.

Reporters And Politicians From Louisiana To D.C. Remember Cokie Roberts

By Travis Lux • Sep 17, 2019

Politicians, newsmakers, and members of the media have been reflecting on the life of Cokie Roberts after news that she passed away Tuesday morning due to complications from complications with breast cancer. Roberts was a native New Orleanian, reporter, news anchor, and commentator for several news outlets during a long career in media. She was also the daughter of Louisiana politicians Lindy and Hale Boggs.

Review the Four Constitutional Amendments on the October 12 Ballot

By Paul Braun • Sep 17, 2019

Voters will have the final say on four proposed constitutional amendments when they head to the polls next month.

While most voters' will be focused on the gubernatorial candidates at the top of their ballot, they know little about the constitutional amendments down below.

Amid Trade War And Community Pushback, Company Reconsiders Chemical Plant in St. James

By Travis Lux • Sep 16, 2019

Chinese company Wanhua recently informed St. James Parish officials that it was withdrawing its application to build a chemical plant in the parish. The plant had faced vocal opposition and legal action from some residents and environmental groups, but the trade war with China may also have played a part in the company’s decision.

The Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is loaded with industry. Refinery stacks and storage tanks stand tall on the horizon, their contiguous line interrupted by sugarcane fields, ornate plantations, and quiet neighborhoods.

Live Blog: Democratic Debate Fact Check And Analysis

By Dionne Grayson • Sep 12, 2019

September's Democratic presidential debate has been narrowed to one night only, as more candidates have called it quits altogether.

Ten candidates are on stage for three-hour event hosted by ABC News and Univision, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. It's the third debate of the campaign and the first time that former Vice President Joe Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are all together.

Who will be the main target, what does it mean and what do the candidates stand for? Follow NPR Politics reporters for live analysis and fact checks.

Candidates' Messaging on State Economic Performance Needs Context

By Paul Braun • Sep 10, 2019

The Governor's race is heating up. As we approach the October 12 primary, the three major candidates vying to become the state's chief executive, and their supporters, have flooded the airwaves with their pitches to Louisiana voters.

And claims about the economy are front-and-center.

With candidates referencing their own economic statistics and offering conflicting outlooks, it can be hard for voters to know what to think.

On this week's Capitol Access, Greg Albrecht, chief economist of Louisiana's Legislative Fiscal Office, provides some non-partisan context.

State Urges Healthcare Providers To Report Symptoms Linked To E-Cigarettes

By Travis Lux • Sep 4, 2019

Louisiana state health officials are asking healthcare providers to report possible vaping-related illnesses.

A growing number of people around the country have been hospitalized with a pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarettes -- also called vapes, vaping devices, and a number of other different names.