Joseph Cranney

By the end of 2025, research shows a third of U.S. local newspapers will be closed for good. Many remaining are broke and understaffed. But local newsrooms are still a vital force for good in communities across the country. Proof, just in the last year, of what we stand to lose:

Murder cases in New Orleans are more likely to drag for 5+ years than be resolved within 1 year. One of the country's deadliest cities is also among the slowest in closing its homicides. By @jilliankramer: nola.com/interactive/mu…

We got reports that the feds say a La. police chief faked in exchange for bribes. In a town of 1,000 where the DA can't recall a felony, the chief said there were 6 armed robberies in 6 months, describing victims "in a panic and scared" and his hapless search for perpetrators.

The closest we'll probably ever come to the full Gary Smith treatment on Embiid that I've been clamoring for for years. This is remarkable.

New🚨: Rikers Island guards stood by as Michael Nieves bled out onto the floor after cutting his throat with a razor. Their inaction, a medical examiner said, contributed to his death. We obtained video of what went wrong, making it public for the 1st time nytimes.com/2025/07/14/nyr…

According to a new report detailing "severe shortages" in local news, the number of journalists working in the US has dropped by more than 75% since the start of the century — from 40 journalists for every 100,000 residents to just 8.2 journalists now. muckrack.com/research/local…

Scoop Ex-Pistons player Malik Beasley's money problems ran so deep he pledged his current and future NBA contracts as collateral in one deal and stiffed his dentist That dentist started seizing part of Beasley's NBA paychecks in February detroitnews.com/story/sports/n… @detroitnews

After Bogalusa's mayor was caught in a drug trafficking investigation, a local accountant appointed by the state took over the city's administration. He doesn't talk to the city's elected leader, and he makes $200 per hour. (by @WillieSwett) nola.com/news/northshor…

NEWS: An Iranian immigrant who has lived in New Orleans for nearly 50 years was detained outside her Lakeview home Sunday, part of the Trump administration's widening immigration crackdown. nola.com/news/politics/… via @nolanews

Years before 10 inmates broke out of the New Orleans jail, the sheriff eliminated a high-risk security unit. That now appears to have been a critical misstep that helped to allow for last month’s escape. Story via @joey_cranney: nola.com/news/orleans-p…

One of the only Katrina reforms was consolidation of a smattering of local levee boards, ending an era of politics & patronage. How's that going, 20 years later? “I’m in the Bahamas on my big yacht. I had no clue there was a meeting." By @alexlubben: nola.com/news/environme…

Read Jennifer's book.

Convicted child molester priest denied parole. Patrick Wattigny appears before parole board and reveals how he promised Archbishop Gregory Aymond he wouldn’t do it again. My story ⁦@WWLTV⁩ with ⁦@RVargasWrites⁩ ⁦@GuardianUS⁩ wwltv.com/mobile/article…

Excited to publicly announce that the Owls will be taking the trip across the pond to compete in the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta this summer‼️

The power of public backlash: Last summer, golf resort Cabot Citrus was poised to get 324 acres of state forest, to much criticism. A year later, it could now strike a deal with the state to sell 340 acres and EXPAND the state forest. w/ @MaxChesnes tampabay.com/news/environme…

The hunt to recapture 10 jail escapees, down to 2, is expected to cost New Orleans around $250k a week. nola.com/news/crime_pol…

Just how chaotic was the New Orleans jail before May's escape? Guards are attacked, spit on, harassed, etc. at a rate of 3x a week. Fewer than 5% of daily cell-by-cell checks are actually done. Inmates jam cell locks, are "emboldened" to defy security. nola.com/news/new-orlea…

Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been accused of rape in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles nola.com/sports/pelican…

SCOOP: Weeks before Trump pardoned Paul Walczak, his mother, Elizabeth Fago, attended a $1M/head fundraiser with Trump. Walczak's pardon application emphasized Fago's financial support for Trump & her connection to a plot to publicize Ashley Biden's diary nytimes.com/2025/05/27/us/…

I've heard lots of great feedback on the story about enduring Leidenheimer Baking Co. and its roll in New Orleans food Here's more, a photo essay from @DavidGrunfeld , following a delivery driver from dawn to the diner... nola.com/entertainment_…

One of the escaped New Orleans jail detainees was actually a state inmate who was supposed to be there temporarily. He was awaiting transport to a state prison. A repeat offender and accused murderer, he remains at large. nola.com/news/new-orlea…