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How Calvin Duncan's election led to Liz Murrill's indictment

Louisiana's attorney general faces 16 felony counts.

Politics

The legal battle that led to Attorney General <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Liz Murrill&#x27;s indictment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/07/liz-murrill-indictment-intimidation-court" data-vars-content-id="5f4fb9ff-d6d5-4ca9-a275-c08c1c06f540" data-vars-headline="How Calvin Duncan&#x27;s election led to Liz Murrill&#x27;s indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/07/liz-murrill-indictment-intimidation-court" target="_self">Liz Murrill&#x27;s indictment</a> began with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Calvin Duncan&#x27;s election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/04/calvin-duncan-takes-office-leaves-court-cases" data-vars-content-id="5f4fb9ff-d6d5-4ca9-a275-c08c1c06f540" data-vars-headline="How Calvin Duncan&#x27;s election led to Liz Murrill&#x27;s indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/04/calvin-duncan-takes-office-leaves-court-cases" target="_self">Calvin Duncan&#x27;s election</a>.The big picture: Duncan, who spent 28 years in prison before being exonerated, launched his campaign for clerk of criminal court last year and quickly became the focus of several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national stories" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/us/calvin-duncan-jailhouse-lawyer-new-orleans-louisiana.html" data-vars-content-id="5f4fb9ff-d6d5-4ca9-a275-c08c1c06f540" data-vars-headline="How Calvin Duncan&#x27;s election led to Liz Murrill&#x27;s indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/us/calvin-duncan-jailhouse-lawyer-new-orleans-louisiana.html" target="_blank">national stories</a>.

Scrapped by state, brake tags still required in New Orleans

Baton Rouge also still require emissions checks.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana scrapped brake tag" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/03/blackout-license-plates-coming-to-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="f5f3f006-5876-4657-9246-9e1b482bbfbd" data-vars-headline="Scrapped by state, brake tags still required in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/03/blackout-license-plates-coming-to-louisiana" target="_self">Louisiana scrapped brake tag</a>s during the last legislative session, doing away with most required vehicle inspections. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="f5f3f006-5876-4657-9246-9e1b482bbfbd" data-vars-headline="Scrapped by state, brake tags still required in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> drivers are the exception to the new rule.

Liz Murrill indictment intensifies New Orleans-Baton Rouge power struggle

Murrill faces intimidation charges over a letter she sent to Mayor Helena Moreno.

The indictment of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/06/louisiana-ag-indicted-triggering-legal-standoff" data-vars-content-id="30357c1f-530b-4199-b722-0fe095fa63ae" data-vars-headline="Liz Murrill indictment intensifies New Orleans-Baton Rouge power struggle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/06/louisiana-ag-indicted-triggering-legal-standoff" target="_self">Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill</a> is the latest and most dramatic escalation in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-running power struggle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/12/louisiana-special-elections-congressional-map-town-hall?" data-vars-content-id="30357c1f-530b-4199-b722-0fe095fa63ae" data-vars-headline="Liz Murrill indictment intensifies New Orleans-Baton Rouge power struggle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/12/louisiana-special-elections-congressional-map-town-hall?" target="_self">long-running power struggle</a> between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.Why it matters: New Orleans still depends on the state for major financial decisions, meaning the deteriorating relationship could have consequences beyond the courtroom.

Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz reportedly considering New Orleans wedding

They'd join a growing list of celebrities who've tied the knot here.

Culture

Actor Zoë Kravitz and singer Harry Styles are reportedly considering getting married in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="f957516f-12a6-42ce-af6f-6bbb3d58586b" data-vars-headline="Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz reportedly considering New Orleans wedding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>.Why it matters: We love love.

Moreno warns state could punish New Orleans

She withdrew the city's loan request pending before the state leaders.

State leaders may &quot;target the city&#x27;s finances&quot; in retaliation for an Orleans Parish grand jury&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/07/liz-murrill-indictment-intimidation-court" data-vars-content-id="65f776bc-9665-4734-8c59-a65377aefa88" data-vars-headline="Moreno warns state could punish New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/07/liz-murrill-indictment-intimidation-court" target="_self">indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill</a>, Mayor Helena Moreno warned Thursday.Why it matters: She withdrew the city&#x27;s loan request pending before the State Bond Commission, saying &quot;denial was imminent.&quot;

Stomach bug that causes 'explosive' diarrhea on rise in Louisiana

The state is investigating 23 cyclosporiasis cases.

Health

An outbreak of a gut-wrecking parasite is plaguing the U.S. as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health" data-vars-content-id="debde01c-e2f5-4fda-8443-dde9ba1650c3" data-vars-headline="Stomach bug that causes &#x27;explosive&#x27; diarrhea on rise in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health" target="_self">health</a> officials investigate what&#x27;s driving an increase in cases, including in Louisiana.The big picture: The gastrointestinal illness — called cyclosporiasis — is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food.

Taxi rides could cost $1 more in New Orleans

Drivers asked for the surcharge to offset gas prices.

Transit

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/politics" data-vars-content-id="22f8798d-750f-458a-ae11-7e30531ec14a" data-vars-headline="Taxi rides could cost $1 more in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/politics" target="_self">New Orleans City Council</a> will vote Thursday on whether to add a $1 surcharge to every taxi ride through the end of 2027.Why it matters: Drivers asked for the surcharge to offset rising gas prices and insurance costs, says Councilmember Eugene Green, who is supporting the proposal.

After pump failures, SWBNO to rely on backup power for future storms

The utility is reevaluating its new power equipment.

The equipment that pumps water out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="5d8780a0-e158-4d5f-9e8b-46f23428605a" data-vars-headline="After pump failures, SWBNO to rely on backup power for future storms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> during major storms will rely on backup power for the foreseeable future, Sewerage and Water Board officials recently told City Council.Why it matters: The new, $300 million SWBNO power complex doesn&#x27;t seem to have been configured in line with how Entergy provides power.

New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades

Calls for service have remained steady, however.

Public Safety

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b5ea607a-39ca-4d61-90d1-bf0a1de7c6ba" data-vars-headline="New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> is on pace to record its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lowest number of murders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/19/homicide-rates-fall-nopd-national-guard-crime-trends" data-vars-content-id="b5ea607a-39ca-4d61-90d1-bf0a1de7c6ba" data-vars-headline="New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/19/homicide-rates-fall-nopd-national-guard-crime-trends" target="_self">lowest number of murders</a> since at least the 1960s, according to crime analyst Jeff Asher.Zoom in: That&#x27;s a remarkable turnaround for a city long plagued by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violent reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/08/national-guard-violence-tourism-louisiana-jeff-landry-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b5ea607a-39ca-4d61-90d1-bf0a1de7c6ba" data-vars-headline="New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/08/national-guard-violence-tourism-louisiana-jeff-landry-new-orleans" target="_self">violent reputation</a>.

Essence Fest returns as New Orleans weighs its future

Michelle Obama, Cardi B and Patti LaBelle headline this year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Essence Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/08/teyana-taylor-essence-fest-changes" data-vars-content-id="5f78f960-6081-42bb-af20-c9ed6dd7cb47" data-vars-headline="Essence Fest returns as New Orleans weighs its future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/08/teyana-taylor-essence-fest-changes" target="_self">Essence Fest</a> kicks off Thursday in New Orleans with a Fourth of July weekend headlined by Michelle Obama, Cardi B and Patti LaBelle.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s contract with Essence is up for renewal this year, and organizers need to show they can throw a successful event worth millions in financial incentives from the city and state.

UNO officially becomes LSUNO with return to LSU system

Leaders hope the transition helps stabilize the school.

Education

The University of New Orleans&#x27; 15-year run within the University of Louisiana System comes to an end Wednesday as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school folds back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/03/uno-shifts-back-to-lsu-system-amid-crisis" data-vars-content-id="87565511-c90a-41b5-a1dc-494f1a654a5a" data-vars-headline="UNO officially becomes LSUNO with return to LSU system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/03/uno-shifts-back-to-lsu-system-amid-crisis" target="_self">school folds back</a> into LSU&#x27;s umbrella.Why it matters: The change, officials hope, will bring stability to New Orleans&#x27; largest public university after years of budget woes, layoffs and program cuts amid declining enrollment.

News 🗞

Audubon Zoo welcomes new sea lion

Moreno warns state could punish New Orleans

Stomach bug that causes 'explosive' diarrhea on rise in Louisiana

Taxi rides could cost $1 more in New Orleans

New Orleans actors land Emmy nods