Wes Muller

Smitty’s Supply pumps out stormwater without approval from all required agencies An oil products plant that exploded in August is discharging millions of gallons of treated water without approval from all state agencies

Although Smitty’s received its LDEQ permit, it began releasing the treated water before getting approval from the Department of Transportation and Development, which LDEQ says is required under a state law that regulates drainage ditches along state highways.
lailluminator.com/2026/02/26/s...

Trump’s new tariffs are just as illegal as his old tariffs Numerous media outlets are spreading false information about the law — and Trump is benefiting.

1.

FACT: Trump’s new tariffs are just as illegal as his old tariffs

But numerous media outlets are spreading false information about the law — and Trump is benefiting.

Let's break it down.

Gramercy alumina refinery plans to monitor water, soil for ‘red mud’ contamination • Louisiana Illuminator The Atlantic Alumina refinery near Gramercy has filed a plan to test for contaminants in the soil and groundwater around its facility after multiple instances of industrial waste spewing from its cont...

TOXIC WATCH: The Atalco Gramercy refinery has filed a plan to test the soil and groundwater around its facility after multiple instances of industrial waste spewing from its containment lakes into drainage ditches that lead to a popular fishing area. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports

Woman arrested & jailed in South Carolina—for joining an online Anti-ICE chat.

Her crime? She told high school students she was "Proud of them for using their voices."

She now faces up to 3 years in prison and a $3,000 fine—for the charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

State House votes to rename Florida airport to Donald J. Trump international The Republican-controlled Florida House voted 81-30 in support of the name change to President Donald J. Trump International Airport

Last week Donald Trump registered the trademark "Donald J. Trump International Airport." This week Florida Republicans voted to rename Palm Beach International Airport Donald J. Trump International Airport," putting taxpayers on the hook for licensing fees that go straight to him

The crowd just recited a pledge to the Christian flag: I didn't know there was either. A band from the 101st Airborne Division is playing the national anthem. (1)

'Even in Russia, they don't treat children like this': A family's nightmare in ICE detention A Russian couple and their children sought asylum in the U.S. In a Texas detention center, they say they endured worms in the food and hourslong waits for medicine.

I interviewed a family of Russian asylum seekers who’ve been held more than four months at the Dilley detention center in Texas.

As we spoke over Zoom this week, their daughter Kamilla was one day shy of turning 12. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday.

She replied: “To get out of here.”

Hundreds of Louisiana restaurants cited, fined for not disclosing imported seafood • Louisiana Illuminator Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood, but hundreds have failed to do so, according to a review of state enforcement data from 2025.

IMPORTED SEAFOOD FINES: Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood, but hundreds have failed to do so, according to a review of state enforcement data from 2025. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports:

Federal court strikes down Louisiana law on disabled veterans’ claims consultants A federal court has struck down a Louisiana law that sought to let private consultants take a cut of benefit payments for disabled veterans.

VETERANS BENEFITS: A federal court has struck down a Louisiana law that sought to let unauthorized consultants take a cut of disabled veterans' benefits in exchange for helping vets apply for them. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports Attorney General Liz Murrill is not conceding defeat.

Hundreds of Louisiana restaurants cited, fined for not disclosing imported seafood • Louisiana Illuminator Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood, but hundreds have failed to do so, according to a review of state enforcement data from 2025.

State officials cited 919 restaurants and fined 319 last year for failing to tell customers they were using imported seafood
lailluminator.com/2026/02/10/i...

St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...

"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

This dude is intense and correct

Sports stadium deals hand even more taxpayer money to billionaires • Indiana Capital Chronicle Two recent stadium deals have set separate records for taxpayer giveaways to sports teams. They serve as further evidence that public officials are uninterested in curbing subsidies for billionaire…

Sports stadium deals hand even more taxpayer money to billionaires

indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/15/r...

An inside look at what EPA inspectors found at Smitty’s Supply An EPA inspection of the Smitty’s Supply facility found hundreds of other chemical spills and hazards in areas unaffected by the August fire.

In one area of the facility called the Truck Stop, inspectors found a collection of drums labeled “Radioactive” with yellow crime scene tape wrapped around the barrels.

lailluminator.com/2026/01/15/i...

Records reveal federal criminal search warrant served at Smitty’s Supply Federal agents executed a search warrant at the Smitty’s Supply plant, records show, signaling a rare environmental crimes investigation could be underway.

Records reveal federal criminal search warrant served at Smitty’s Supply by the EPA's CID, the FBI and state police. lailluminator.com/2026/01/12/s...

Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133 to 12 in His Favor

Let’s talk for a sec about this NYTimes analysis showing Trump-appointed judges on the appeals courts cleared off on Trump actions in 92% of their decisions last year. There’s important & obviously concerning truth in this, but not quite as much as might seem. /1

Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.

Minneapolis public schools canceled classes officials after Roosevelt High School said armed Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

US oil companies will be slow to answer Trump’s call to tap into Venezuela, experts say President Donald Trump is unlikely to see many U.S. oil companies jump in response to his call to tap into Venezuela, industry experts say.

It would take several years, a shifting geopolitical landscape and either higher demand or a disruption to existing supplies before there’s any significant expansion into Venezuela, experts say lailluminator.com/2026/01/07/o...

ICE officer admits to sexually abusing detainee—for 3 straight months.

Between May and July he had sexual contact with her multiple times while she was under his "custodial and supervisory authority."

He initially groomed her by smuggling in pictures of woman's daughter—then more gifts.

State rejects Smitty’s Supply request to dispose of wastewater, storm runoff in drainage LDEQ denied a request by Smitty’s Supply to discharge wastewater from its disaster cleanup into ditches that flow to the Tangipahoa River.

State rejects Smitty’s Supply request to dispose of up to 12 million gallons of wastewater, storm runoff into drainage ditches lailluminator.com/2025/12/23/s...

Trump names Louisiana governor Landry as Greenland special envoy U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday announced he is appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the special envoy to Greenland.

President Trump announces Gov. Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland. From @reuters.com

www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

The cable, sent to all U.S. missions on December 2, orders U.S. consular officers to review resumes or LinkedIn profiles of H-1B applicants - and family members who would be traveling with them - to see if they have worked in areas that include activities such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance and online safety, among others.

Holy shit.

Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.

www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

Dozens of oil-covered animals recovered from Smitty’s Supply disaster A spokeswoman for the Center for Biological Diversity called the report “deeply troubling.”

As of last Wednesday, there were 59 animals found covered in oil and several others found dead. So far, 29 have been rehabbed and released back into the wilds of Louisiana. lailluminator.com/2025/12/08/a...

Ohio bill would add political parties to school board races, reduce State Board of Education seats • Ohio Capital Journal The Ohio legislature brought back up a bill that would add party names to local school board elections, and added an amendment that would eliminate elected seats on the State Board of Education,…

Ohio lawmakers have brought back up a bill to add party labels to candidates in local school board elections with a new amendment that would also eliminate all elected seats on the State Board of Education, making the entire body governor-appointed ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/24/o...

As offshore wind energy falls flat under Trump, Louisiana businesses wait and hope Trump’s anti-wind energy agenda is harming Louisiana businesses that form the backbone of America’s offshore oil and gas sector.

President Trump’s anti-wind energy agenda is harming Louisiana businesses that form the backbone of the US offshore oil & gas industry. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports they stand to lose billions if Trump fulfills his promise to end construction of offshore turbines.
lailluminator.com/2025/11/07/t...

Tweet from The Hill reporter Al Weaver @alweaver22: Cornyn, the lone outstanding vote, was traveling back to Washington and has landed at Dulles, per source. 10:00 PM, Nov 9, 2025

The procedural vote stands at 59–40, and the Senate is waiting for John Cornyn to get to the Capitol from Dulles

"I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess and to protect the federal workforce. This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will. This legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and ensure federal workers receive back pay, as required by a law I got passed in 2019. That’s a critical step that will help federal employees and all Americans who rely on government services. I’ll keep working towards a long-term government spending plan that includes critical priorities to support Virginians and funding for Virginia community projects."

My statement on the funding deal to reopen government, protect federal employees, and vote to protect health care:

Deal to end shutdown gains traction in US Senate as vote nears • Tennessee Lookout A deal was within reach Sunday night to end a government shutdown when it appeared enough U.S. Senate Democrats had agreed to join Republicans.

A deal was within reach Sunday night to end the longest federal government shutdown in history, when it appeared enough U.S. Senate Democrats had agreed to join Republicans: it doesn't address skyrocketing premiums for those enrolled in health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.

Atalco alumina refinery faces lawsuit from Louisiana environmental group An environmental group has filed a federal lawsuit against an alumina refinery that allowed toxic pollution to escape into public waterways.

Atalco alumina refinery faces lawsuit from Louisiana environmental group lailluminator.com/2025/11/03/a...

Ohtani is a beast!