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W e d n e s d ay, a p r i l 29, 2026
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Former mayor, others subpoenaed
Broome, current council members called to testify in BR corruption probe BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer
Former East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and many of the current Metro Council members have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury as prosecutors continue to investigate
past alleged corruption inside Baton Rouge government. Broome and nine members of the Metro Council who have held seats in the past few years were called to testify this week, said multiple sources with direct knowledge of the investigation. Sources confirm that council mem-
bers Brandon Noel, Rowdy Gaudet and Denise Amaroso are among those who have received subpoenas. None of them has been accused of wrongdoing in the probe. Since late 2025, a special grand jury has been reviewing evidence in a widening probe by the state Attorney General’s Office that has already
netted indictments of seven people, including three current or former public officials. Broome and several council members did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Broome, who was mayor-president
ä See SUBPOENAED, page 7A
Nuclear fabrication operation moving to La.
Broome
St. George vote could bring job changes New school district would present options for educators BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer
PHOTO PROVIDED By TURNER INDUSTRIES
Turner Industries says it will produce piping and equipment for older nuclear power plants at its 75-acre site in Port Allen as well as building components for small modular reactors.
BR-based Turner Industries adding 1,000 jobs at 2 sites BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer
Turner Industries, the Baton Rouge-based industrial contractor, will relocate its nuclear fabrication business, including the jobs and equipment needed to build the “guts” of nuclear power plants, from Texas to two of its Louisiana locations. The move will involve expanding Turner’s fabrication yards in Port Allen and New Iberia and will bring 1,000 permanent jobs with an average salary of $77,000. It underscores how companies are responding to Gov. Jeff Landry’s new strategy to make Louisiana a major player in nuclear energy. Turner Industries CEO Stephen Toups made the announcement on Tuesday at a nuclear power summit that Landry convened at The Windsor Court hotel in New Orleans. More than 200 indus-
try leaders, investors and regulatory executives gathered to discuss the state’s nuclear strategy and to promote development opportunities in the state. “Turner Industries has been a cornerstone of our state’s industrial strength for decades,” Landry said in a prepared statement following the announcement. “This expansion puts Louisiana workers at the center of building the next generation of nuclear power.” Landry unveiled his nuclear energy strategy at a global energy conference last month in Houston. The initiative seeks to position Louisiana at the center of the country’s nuclear supply chain and aligns with President Donald Trump’s focus on nuclear energy. The Trump administration has invested billions in nuclear energy and pushed to
ä See NUCLEAR, page 6A
“Turner Industries has a 65-year legacy of supporting the energy sector, and today we are leaning into the future of American energy independence.” STEPHEN TOUPS, Turner Industries CEO
The prospect of a new St. George school district means potential job changes for the hundreds of employees working at the five public schools that St. George would inherit, but also opportunities for educators both near and far interested in trying something new. The same dynamics were at play when Baker and Zachary in 2003, followed by Central in 2007, broke away from the East Baton Rouge Parish school system and formed their own independent school districts. The five district-run schools located in the city limits of St. George currently employ 478 people, ranging from 67 at Shenandoah Elementary to 141 at Woodlawn High. About 300 are teachers. All will have decisions to make if voters greenlight a St. George school district when they head to the polls May 16. At an April 14 community forum, Robin Clark, a pre-K teacher at Jefferson Terrace Academy, one of the affected schools, shared her concerns about her employment future. “If this passes, my job is gone. I cannot teach in the same room, in the same classroom with the same supplies that I have in my room,” Clark told an audience of about 70 people at a Baton Rouge magnet school. “Twenty-one years in this district and no guarantee of a job.” Teachers with tenure, like Clark,
ä See ST. GEORGE, page 7A
Julia Letlow overcomes tragedy, earns Trump’s backing Member of Congress well-liked in Washington BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
President Donald Trump was playing host at the Congressional Ball at the White House one evening in December. But before the festivities began, Trump had a special announcement: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow had just gotten engaged with her beau, Baton Rouge lawyer/lobbyist Kevin Ainsworth. “Julia, where are you? Come on up,” Trump called out.
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ELECTION 2026
of my entire life … in the entire United States of America!” she exclaimed haltingly. U.S. SENATE Letlow cruised to victory without having to break a sweat in her three elections to the House. She is well-liked in Washington, winning a seat on Editor’s note: This story is the third in a the influential House Appropriations Committee series of profiles of major candidates in and securing endorsements from Trump, Gov. the U.S. Senate race. Jeff Landry, Attorney General Liz Murrill and other Republicans as she tries to unseat U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a fellow Republican. She reached the stage. But Letlow has seemed uncomfortable at times “Do you want to say something?” he asked. Letlow shook her head, clearly caught off guard in the spotlight that comes with this big test. She has rejected televised debates and mostly avoidby Trump’s invitation. “Yeah, go ahead,” Trump encouraged her, grin- ed the press — and the scrutiny that comes with ning. ä See LETLOW, page 4A “Thank you so much … to the best president …
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U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow
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