Columnist Will Sutton

Will Sutton: ESPN's French Quarter walk was a bust, but not for the reasons they apologized for

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Jan 3, 2024

Hundreds of thousands of our nation's college football-crazy fans were watching the annual Sugar Bowl from New Orleans when the broadcaster did what almost all broadcasters do when they are in…

Will Sutton: Decades of adventures, but none quite like this actual earthquake

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Dec 29, 2023

For just a few seconds, I was wondering whether there would be another hour, another day, another weekend.

Will Sutton: Louisiana politicians Kennedy, Edwards have slavery ties. We can do better.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Dec 15, 2023

Louisiana's U.S. Sen. John Kennedy has slave connections. So does U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy.

Will Sutton: The Voting Rights Act protects democracy, votes. More need to watch.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Nov 28, 2023

Things were looking up for Republicans who feel as though the GOP they've known has been hijacked and as Democrats continue to think about how they can keep the White House in 2024.

Will Sutton: Bayou Classic showcases Black excellence in higher ed

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Nov 24, 2023

This is the second year Southern University and A&M College System President-Chancellor Dennis Shields attended the Bayou Classic at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It was one of man…

Will Sutton: Pilot program will help New Orleans HBCU students close the racial wealth gap

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Nov 21, 2023

There's no magic bullet that will rapidly narrow then close the racial wealth gap, especially when so many people fail to accept — let alone work toward eliminating — asset and wage disparities.

Will Sutton: Louisiana has made parental leave progress. Now, let's aim for even better.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Nov 17, 2023

Adopting a child, having natural childbirth or fostering a child should be a joyful experience. That may not happen when you don't have a job when you add another mouth to feed. Or when you ha…

Will Sutton: Recent voting trends say we've already decided Saturday's runoffs. Did you?

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Nov 14, 2023

Louisiana voters didn't turn out much during the early voting period that ended Saturday.

Will Sutton: Could Jeff Landry's focus on New Orleans crime help the city? We'll see.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Updated Nov 10, 2023

When Gov.-elect Jeff Landry announced the composition of his transition committee on New Orleans, he triggered howls of protest because so few Blacks and women made the cut. Many also griped t…

Will Sutton: Why Marc Morial wants new Democrats to fill 'the leadership vacuum' in Louisiana

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Updated Nov 7, 2023

Marc Morial has been around politics and community engagement since his youth in Pontchartrain Park. He's run for public office several times. He lost his first campaign (for Congress in 1990)…

Will Sutton: Actually, the Louisiana Supreme Court should have 2 Black justices

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Nov 3, 2023

Louisiana often struggles when it comes to acknowledging what's fair and just.

Will Sutton: 'We all have to do better': What Shawn Wilson, Democrats learned from loss

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 28, 2023

The recent gubernatorial primary election opened a lot of eyes.

Will Sutton: Super fog visability, crashes, injuries, death. Our blood can save lives.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 25, 2023

When I woke Monday morning and walked into my living room I knew something was wrong. I couldn't see out the window.

Will Sutton: Domestic violence is often deadly. We must respond faster to calls for help.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 20, 2023

All men aren't equal. Some are awful human beings.

Will Sutton: Evil of Hamas can't be condoned. Divides must be understood.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 19, 2023

Black folks are divided when it comes to Israelis and Palestinians — then again, not really.

Will Sutton: New Orleans needs Anne Kirkpatrick to lead NOPD's fight against violent crime

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 17, 2023

Anne Kirkpatrick could become New Orleans' top cop at the City Council's next meeting on Thursday.

Will Sutton: Interim NOPD chief must answer many questions before getting council's nod

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 10, 2023

If all goes as anticipated, Interim New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick will make her case before the City Council on Wednesday. Citizens will have a chance to weigh in, and we’…

Will Sutton: Why Shawn Wilson shouldn't have an uphill battle for governor but does

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 6, 2023

Louisiana should have an accessible, balanced, fair-minded governor who can work on behalf of all of its people. We need someone who can work for and with everybody.

Will Sutton: Louisiana redistricting battle continues – until we get it right

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Oct 3, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that Alabama's new congressional maps were flawed because that state’s lawmakers failed to create a second majority-Black district. Many in Louisiana cheer…

Will Sutton: New Orleans City Council holds the key to street repairs

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Updated Sep 29, 2023

As New Orleanians focus on whether the City Council will confirm Mayor LaToya Cantrell's choice for the permanent police chief position, they might also look closely at who's going to fix thei…

Will Sutton: The time for a Louisiana civil rights museum -- for now. But later?

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 26, 2023

The civil rights era was a movement, not a single day, month or year.

Will Sutton: More Louisiana children are in poverty because Congress failed to act.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 22, 2023

Stephanie McGuffee isn’t officially poverty-guideline-grade poor, but she’s been on the borderline and she’s worked with enough low-income families to know what it’s like.

Will Sutton: Want a better Louisiana? Register to vote and tell 'em what you want.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 19, 2023

The Louisiana registration clock is ticking. The question each of us faces is whether our voices will count when the future direction of our state is determined.

Will Sutton: Innocent until proven guilty, yes. But running for office with criminal charges?

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 15, 2023

It's hard not to think of the comparisons.

Will Sutton: I didn't see this New Orleans police chief choice coming. Or did I?

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 12, 2023

I haven't talked to all the Black people in New Orleans, but I'm here to tell you that people are disappointed, shocked and stunned that New Orleans Interim Superintendent Michelle Woodfork di…

Will Sutton: Eccentric advocates can help. Not all can, or should lead.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 8, 2023

One of the nine East Baton Rouge Parish School Board members resigned a few days ago. I have no idea what Katie Kennison was thinking.

Will Sutton: Jeff Landry, GOP blame Urban League for his debate dodge. Voters, take note.

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 5, 2023

Attorney General Jeff Landry is leading all gubernatorial candidates by various margins, depending on which poll you believe. One recent poll shows Republican Landry leading Democrat Shawn Wil…

Will Sutton: Trump mugshot shows a man who sought bad trouble

BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist
Sep 1, 2023

Former President Donald Trump apparently took what he thinks is a glam-worthy, campaign-focused mug shot, and he may be right. His supporters are rushing to buy his mug merch, and many no doub…