Robert Collins

Busy news week. Above working with Dillard University student journalist / mass communications major Zuri Primos for campus media. Below with Whitney and Sabrina from WVUE FOX 8 who came out to campus today.

New Orleans elections 2025: What to expect on election night - Verite News New Orleans Political analyst Robert Collins issues his predictions for winners, losers and runoffs in this year's fall municipal election.

My latest column is out: New Orleans elections 2025: What to expect on election night.
Also, remember to watch me and the WVUE FOX 8 team live on election night for returns and analysis.

veritenews.org/2025/10/07/n...

While I was in the WYES TV studio today to record an episode of Informed Sources, I ran into Akayla Bailey, a Senior Mass Communications major at Dillard University. Akayla is doing her Internship at the station. It’s always great to see our Dillard students working in television.

I served as debate moderator along with Mike Smith of the Times Picayune at tonight’s Mayoral Forum on Water and the Coast. All four major candidates came through. This is me looking moderate. Photo credit: Angela Chalk.

Football Sunday with girlfriend and my family members.  With the way the Saints and LSU offense are playing, I’m going to need more Heineken.

I will be moderating this mayoral forum on Tuesday along with Mike Smith of the Times Picayune. 

Thoughts about the mayoral debate on WVUE FOX 8.

The FOX 8 Mayoral debate takes place tonight at 6PM. I will have comments about the debate during the late news. Tune in.

Chief Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto of WAFB in Baton Rouge, sister station of FOX 8, was back on the Dillard University campus today, with his crew, to work on a series of investigative reports with me. The investigations will include my commentary and analysis. 

Some of my analysis on the state of the race for Mayor of New Orleans, including the latest FOX 8 poll.

How has civic engagement changed in the 20 years since Katrina? - Verite News New Orleans The city rebuilt its civic life in 20 years after Katrina. It became stronger in some areas of civic engagement, and weaker in others.

My latest column is out. How has civic engagement changed in the 20 years since Katrina?
veritenews.org/2025/09/09/r...

A word about my latest publication in this video produced by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC.

Recorded a special edition of Informed Sources, talking about the long term changes caused by Hurricane Katrina on the 20th Anniversary of the storm. Today’s panel: Errol Laborde, Dennis Woltering, me, Dawn Ostrom. It will be broadcast on WYES the first week of September. 

A little of my live in-studio analysis on the effect of the indictment of Mayor LaToya Cantrell from the 5PM news. Full segment is at: www.fox8live.com/video/2025/0...

Busy news day.

The Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury. I will have comments later on FOX 8 News. Stay tuned. 

A few of my students in my Urban Politics class at Dillard University who will be helping me to analyze the campaigns for New Orleans Mayor and City Council this year. New school year! Let’s get after it!

My comments on Arthur Hunter dropping out of the race for Mayor of New Orleans and endorsing Royce Duplessis.

Retired Judge Arthur Hunter has withdrawn from the Mayor’s race and endorsed State Senator Royce Duplessis. I will have comments and analysis on WVUE FOX 8 later today. Tune in.

I was too busy on campus to make it into the station today, so two sets of news crews actually had to come to me for two different stories. But at least the viewers got to see some background shots of our beautiful campus at Dillard University in this spot with Maddie Kerth.

The Politics of Resilience: Civic engagement in New Orleans 20 years after Katrina | The Data Center In New Orleans, civic engagement thrives through deep-rooted participation in cultural traditions and social clubs, which double as networks for mutual aid, professional opportunity, and community ser...

My latest academic research publication is out: “The Politics of Resilience: Civic Engagement in New Orleans 20 Years after Katrina,” published jointly by the Brookings Institution and The Data Center.
www.datacenterresearch.org/reports_anal...

Is there a path forward for the New Orleans Sheriff to keep her job? Spoiler alert: No.

This is my analysis of the most recent poll for the election of Mayor of New Orleans. Full story by Sabrina Wilson, with leading candidate statements, is at this link: www.fox8live.com//2025/07/23/...

Lunch at Mandina’s with Times Picayune / Advocate veteran political reporter / book author Tyler Bridges. I met Tyler 35 years ago when he was a young beat reporter covering campaigns, and I was a young US Senate staffer. We’ve both been on the political beat a very long time. #Newsmen

Preview of 2025 election: How the influence of political families and organizations has waned - Verite News New Orleans For most of the last 50 years, city politics has been dominated by old family dynasties or Black political organizations. Not so in 2025.

My new column is out. Preview of the 2025 election: How the influence of political families and organization has waned.

veritenews.org/2025/07/15/n...

Date night. Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre. Tonight’s musical is “Company.”

First time working with reporter Gabby Killett , who is (relatively) new to FOX 8. We are talking about issues on the first day of qualifying for New Orleans municipal elections.

My comments on the addition of Royce Duplessis to the race for Mayor of New Orleans.

The Bureau of Governmental Research briefing featuring Andy Kopplin, Rebecca Mowbray, myself, and Judge Calvin Johnson went well. Great audience. Link to video replay is: www.bgr.org/june-18-brea...

My comments from yesterday. Full report is at: www.fox8live.com/2025/06/23/m...