Latest news with #SusanHutson
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Qualifying ends for New Orleans elections, here's who's running for mayor, sheriff
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Friday, July 11, was the final day to qualify for the upcoming elections in Orleans Parish. The qualifying period kicked off Wednesday. Some of the higher-profile races on Oct. 11 include Mayor of New Orleans and Orleans Parish Sheriff. Building partially collapsed in New Orleans French Quarter As of Friday afternoon, those who have qualified for the New Orleans mayoral election include: Russell Butler, No Party Eileen Carter, No Party Renada Collins, No Party Royce Duplessis, Democrat Arthur Hunter, Democrat Frank Janusa, Republican Helena Moreno, Democrat Tyrell Morris, Democrat Oliver Thomas, Democrat Ricky Twiggs, Independent Gabrielle Harris Thomas, Republican Manny Chevrolet, No Party Joseph Bikulege Jr., Independent Frank Scurlock, No Party Those who have qualified for the Orleans Parish Sheriff election include: Susan Hutson, Democrat Ernest Lee Sr., Republican Edwin Shorty Jr., Democrat Michelle Woodfork, Democrat Julian Parker, Democrat Bob Murray, Democrat Stay with WGNO for rain so more heat this weekend Qualifying ends for New Orleans elections, here's who's running for mayor, sheriff Weekend Outlook: To Beach or NOT to Beach? Trump administration rhetoric on FEMA moves toward reform rather than termination Mass layoffs begin at the State Department Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Orleans Sheriff's Office to stick with immigration policy in spite of new state law
A controversial new state law that creates criminal penalties for local law enforcement officers who do not fully cooperate with federal immigration investigations is set to go into effect next month, putting the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office in a legal quagmire. For more than a decade, under a legal settlement in a federal civil rights case, the sheriff's office, which runs the New Orleans jail, has maintained a policy that places tight restrictions on how its employees can interact with federal immigration authorities. But beginning on Aug. 1, under Act 399 of 2025, Orleans Parish deputies who follow that policy could be charged with committing a felony and face up to 10 years in prison. On the other hand, if the sheriff's office goes against the policy and obeys the new state law, it risks violating a longstanding federal court settlement. Will Harrell, senior program monitor for Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, said the agency already collaborates with U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement in ways that do not violate that court order — also known as a consent decree. In a phone interview Wednesday, he said the agency is constitutionally obligated to stay the course. 'To the extent that the consent decree allows, we will cooperate with the (new) law. We already do,' Harrell said, noting that the settlement was signed and ordered in place by a federal judge. The U.S. Constitution gives federal law precedence over conflicting state law. 'We feel that the proper position is to maintain our compliance with the consent decree.' The sheriff's office's immigration policy —– enacted in 2013 by then-Sheriff Marlin Gusman — prohibits Sheriff's Office deputies from initiating investigations into detainees' immigration statuses and blocks the office from honoring most 'detainer' requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. When ICE makes a detainer request for a jail inmate, local jailers are authorized to hold that person in jail for a short period past their release date, without a court order. But honoring such requests is voluntary under federal law. And in most cases — other than those where the subject of the request is facing particularly serious charges — it is prohibited by the sheriff's office's policy. The policy was adopted as part of a federal court settlement in a 2011 civil rights case. At the time, the sheriff's office accepted detainer requests. But according to the suit, it went beyond what federal law allowed. Two Hispanic construction workers alleged in the suit that after being picked up on minor charges, they were illegally held in the city's jail at ICE's request for months beyond their release dates, well beyond the 48 hours federal law allows for immigration detainers. When he adopted the policy, bringing the suit to a close, Gusman said it would allow his office to 'cooperate with ICE, provided specific procedures are followed' and that it was consistent with the provisions of another, much broader federal consent decree — meant to bring the long-troubled jail up to constitutional standards — that was adopted the same year. But the state has recently sought to undo the policy by reopening the 2011 civil rights case that led to it. In February, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill requested that the state become a party in the federal case that yielded the policy, in an effort to get the OPSO's immigration policy thrown out. A federal judge has not yet decided if she will grant or deny the state's request to intervene in the case. Harrell said until the judge makes that call, the agency is bound by the original consent judgement. 'If the consent decree goes away then we have no choice but to cooperate with ICE in all cases of detainers and we will do that,' Harrell said Landry, a conservative immigration hardliner and ally of President Donald Trump, and other top Republicans in the state have long sought to end so-called 'sanctuary' policies adopted by local governments, specifically targeting the sheriff's office's policy and a similar immigration policy adopted by the New Orleans Police Department in 2016 as part of its own long-running federal consent decree. Last year, the Louisiana State Legislature, with Landry's support, passed Act 314, which prohibits government agencies from adopting or maintaining so-called 'sanctuary' policies, taking aim at the OPSO policy. When that law's passed, officials in Hutson's office said that the agency would continue to comply with the federal consent judgement. The newly passed law, Act 399, takes things a step further. Act 314 is a civil law, enforceable by court order and carrying no jail time for violations. Act 399, on the other hand, is a criminal law. Under the law as written, sheriff's office employees who refuse ICE detainer requests face felony charges of malfeasance in office, which carries a potential 10-year sentence in prison. The new law also adds to the crime of obstruction of justice, making it a misdemeanor to 'knowingly … hinder, delay, prevent, or otherwise interfere with or thwart federal immigration enforcement efforts.' Under the change members of the public can face up to a year in jail. Immigrant and civil rights advocates have called the language in the law vague. Bruce Reilly, deputy director of New Orleans criminal justice reform group Voice Of The Experienced, called the new law an example of government 'overreach.' 'I think the legal question may be, 'Can the state pass a law that forces people to be deputized by federal agencies?'' Reilly said. ___ This story was originally published by Verite News and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Orleans Parish Sheriff to restart suspended re-election campaign
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has decided to restart her re-election campaign as of Thursday, July 10. The announcement comes months after she suspended her run amid the Orleans Parish Prison escape of 10 inmates. Nine have since been recaptured and transferred to Angola Prison while Derrick Groves remains on the run. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry shares thoughts following FEMA Review Council meeting Following the May 20 suspension, she said 'I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs. Now is the time to focus on security, accountability and public safety.' Hutson is expected to make a formal announcement during a speech at Addis Nola at 5:30 p.m. Also running for the position are: Michelle Woodfork Edwin Shorty Jr. Earnest Lee Sr. Julian ParkerStormy by day with Super BUCK Moon by night for Thursday Judge Seeber bridge to fully close for repairs: DOTD Walmart recalls about 850,000 water bottles after 2 people blinded Three fall into water at Glacier National Park while taking photo: rangers Iconic cereal maker WK Kellogg selling to Ferrero for $3B Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Social media video appears to show escaped New Orleans inmate Antoine Massey pleading case
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Law enforcement officials are investigating videos posted to social media that appear to show escaped New Orleans inmate Antoine Massey. In the videos posted to Instagram, a person who appears to be Massey speaks directly to the camera and refutes allegations regarding his original arrest and the circumstances surrounding his escape. Kidnapping suspect wanted in Jefferson, St. Charles parishes Louisiana State Police officials confirmed that they are aware of the video and issued a statement saying, 'All video and surveillance evidence is part of the ongoing investigation and search for the escaped inmates. We cannot provide additional information that may hinder investigative leads or law enforcement operations.' Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson issued the following statement: The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office is aware of a video circulating online that appears to show Antoine Massey, one of two individuals still at large following a recent escape from the Orleans Justice Center. 'If the individual depicted in the video is indeed Antoine Massey, we strongly urge him to come forward and turn himself in to the proper authorities. Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges. It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed.' We continue to work closely with local, state, and federal partners to ensure both individuals are safely apprehended. Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. You can remain anonymous. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson The videos were posted more than two weeks into the Orleans police searching for suspect in St. Claude art heist Three arrested in St. John Parish drug bust OPSO discusses funding needs for jail repairs with city council 'Blessing of the Fleet' ceremony held in New Orleans at start of Hurricane Season NORD Splash Day summer kickoff Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPSO discusses funding needs for jail repairs with city council
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — During the special council meeting, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson insisted that the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office is in need of about $1 million to address plumbing concerns in the jail, including $300,000 to $400,000 for emergency repairs to fix immediate leaks behind the walls. According to a plumbing contractor brought in by Hutson, the leaks were slow at first, but a pressure change caused the pipes to burst. New Orleans jail escapee releases videos, prompting search of home where they were made, source says 'Some sort of a pressure increase or whatever blew out the o-ring out in this, and then it just started leaking through the chase and then throughout the entire building,' OPSO plumbing contractor Ernie Anderson said. The city council was hesitant to agree to hand over the money, questioning if the OPSO already has enough funds to cover this problem. At the meeting, Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack said that, after taking a look, Hutson has about $5 million of emergency funds before the city would need to step in. 'Yeah I think they would have plenty of dollars to do any major renovation,' Waguespack said. Councilman JP Morrell questioned the urgency for city money, saying he never received any notice of severe plumbing-related issues before now. Social media video appears to show escaped New Orleans inmate Antoine Massey pleading case 'I still don't have any estimates regarding plumbing issues. I understand emergent plumbing issues, but your words, what you've been saying is these are long standing plumbing issues the council has been aware of,' Morrell said. Hutson ultimately argued against his point, saying she has notified the council every step of the way about plumbing issues since the jail has been open. 'We have notified you every budget cycle, every chance we get up here that we have infrastructure issues and the plumbing been part of them. We didn't have this major leak until recently,' Hutson Orleans police searching for suspect in St. Claude art heist Three arrested in St. John Parish drug bust OPSO discusses funding needs for jail repairs with city council 'Blessing of the Fleet' ceremony held in New Orleans at start of Hurricane Season NORD Splash Day summer kickoff Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
