Community Accountability Network

Tag: Healthcare

  • St. Francis Saga — Part 2

    Ashley’s story begins with a parent’s worst fear: her young daughter suffered a seizure during a high fever.

    On Monday, Ashley claims her child had been showing symptoms of a 24-hour stomach bug other family members had over the weekend. On Tuesday, they visited the child’s primary doctor, who prescribed medication for nausea. The vomiting stopped but the fever persisted.

    On Wednesday morning, at 7:30 a.m., the child was sleeping on the couch when she had a seizure. Ashley says she rushed her to St. Francis Medical Center. In the ER, staff diagnosed strep throat but told Ashley they could not treat children under three and discharged the child without medication.

    “I didn’t feel right about it,” Ashley said. “Something just didn’t sit well with me.”

    After leaving the hospital, Ashley says she called the child’s primary doctor, who immediately requested she bring her daughter in. The PCP and other staff were reportedly shocked that the ER denied treatment to a child who was sick to the point of seizures. There, the child received an antibiotic injection and prescriptions for further treatment. Ashley stressed that proper care was critical, as untreated strep can lead to serious complications such as scarlet fever and even vision problems.

    Ashley also noted confusion during the ER visit when the doctor questioned her dosing of Tylenol, suggesting it might have caused the seizure. After confirming with her primary doctor that the dosage she had given — brand-name infant Tylenol — was correct, Ashley was left frustrated by the uncertainty and lack of clear communication.

    “This isn’t the first time I’ve been burned by St. Francis,” Ashley said. Years earlier, she says she had gone to St. Francis three times while severely ill and was repeatedly told she had the flu. It wasn’t until a family member took her to another hospital on Christmas Day that she was diagnosed with pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung.

    Ashley’s experience is part of a larger pattern reported by families in the community — particularly involving infants, young children, and postpartum patients.

  • St. Francis Saga — Part 1

    My disappointment with Saint Francis Medical Center — Downtown runs deep. But their negligence was a building block in my desire to continue advocating for my community.

    Video: Part 1

  • My-Home Studio Apartments — Pricing Questions

    Location: Monroe, LA

    This property was redeveloped and publicly promoted as affordable workforce housing, with rents discussed in the $800-$1,000 range.

    Now I’m seeing one-bedroom units advertised at $2,500 for a very basic 1 bed/1 bath.

    I’ve tried to get clarification — called the number listed with no response, messaged through Facebook with no response so far.

    I actually met with Sam Datta, the owner, shortly after his purchase of this property. I took a tour of the property with him and listened to his pitch for affordability in the area. He did not mention market-rate rentals at that time and insisted this was for people who needed affordable housing. He even confessed to me in our one-on-one that he chose this location specifically because it could only rent at affordable prices due to the area it is in and the history of the building. He also told me that part of the motivation in choosing that location was due to the Ochsner Cancer center that’s coming to Monroe. He mentioned wanting to have affordable housing for both the staff and potential patients who would need to live closer to their treatment center. Now it appears he is marketing more towards the incoming Meta employees.

    If this pricing is accurate, the community deserves to know what changed. If it isn’t, then clarity matters just as much.

    Affordable housing isn’t just a buzzword — it affects real families, real workers, and our local economy.

    Update: Productive Conversation with Management

    I had a really productive conversation today with a representative of a local apartment complex I’ve been covering concerning rental prices at My-Home at Monroe. We discussed the community’s concerns about affordability, and I appreciated how openly and thoughtfully he listened.

    As a result of our conversation, he shared that he’s actively working toward potentially adjusting rental prices to better serve the community. Because of that, he asked to pause outside coverage so this process can unfold.

    I would like to share that I was very impressed with management’s professional approach to having conversation about real issues.

    I’m hopeful to have an update by the end of the week. Thank you to everyone who reached out and trusted me to bring your concerns forward — this is exactly how constructive dialogue should work. I will say the property has come a long way since my last tour two years ago. There has been a lot of construction and upgrades made. I’m excited to share more with you this week after further discussion with the owner.

    Part Two: Follow-Up with Sam Datta

    Sam Datta, owner of My Home at Monroe, met with me today to discuss concerns raised by locals who were surprised to see units advertised at prices significantly higher than originally expected. Datta said the project was approved through zoning as a mixed housing development, with 80% designated as workforce housing and 20% intended to meet affordable housing standards.

    According to Datta, several factors influenced the current pricing structure, including changes in the regional housing market and a growing shortage of short-term housing for incoming contract workers. He said an influx of implanted and temporary workers has led many to live in hotels due to limited availability of furnished apartments.

    Datta said they have decided to price their available units at $1,500, all utilities paid and completely furnished, noting that this only includes the 50 ready units. “Currently people in the workforce are paying $110-250 a night for housing,” Datta explained. “We conducted market surveys and, based on those findings, invested more into the property than we originally planned to meet the locals’ needs.”

    My Home at Monroe is offering gated access, on-site security with a live-in courtesy officer, indoor and outdoor pool access, and many more future amenities planned for Phase 2 of the project. Datta said those additions may include a restaurant, retail spaces, potential conference or office areas, and on-site laundry facilities, though some elements are still in discussion.

    Despite the higher-end amenities, Datta emphasized that his intent is not to price out local residents. “We don’t want to price gouge,” he said. “Our goal is to offer a nice project at a reasonable price, so residents can use the balance of their money for food, entertainment, and supporting businesses in this area.”

    Datta also noted that much of the temporary housing currently used by contractors is located outside of Monroe, meaning a significant portion of that economic activity is leaving the community. “A lot of temporary housing is being provided further out of town,” he said. “That’s money being spent elsewhere. Our goal is to improve this area and meet the immediate needs of contractors coming in.”

    According to Datta, city leadership — including the mayor and city council — has expressed the need for housing options that can accommodate the growing number of temporary workers tied to regional projects. While many of those workers may only be in the area short-term, Datta said their presence still represents income and economic opportunity for the community. He expressed to me that they are still early on in development stages, and while they are offering units for lease right now, the full property is not ready for lease up. Once the temporary workers move on to the next project, he sees his luxury complex will be at a point where locals will reap the benefits.

    As the project continues toward completion, Datta said he anticipates being better positioned to offer a finished product that more directly serves local residents and aligns more closely with affordability expectations.

    Following discussions about community feedback and rental concerns, Datta shared that he is actively exploring ways to adjust pricing moving forward, with the goal of better balancing market demands and community accessibility.

    This story is ongoing, and further updates are expected as those decisions are finalized.

  • Ouachita Parish Fire Department — Chief Robert Moore Interview

    In a sit-down interview, Robert Moore, Fire Chief of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department, said the department’s mission is simple: to serve the public and meet community needs.

    “We’re here to help,” Moore said. “I just don’t think people realize everything we do.”

    Many residents only interact with the fire department during emergencies, but Chief Moore says the department provides far more services than most people realize. He has served with the department for nearly 15 years and brings more than 35 years of public safety experience to the role.

    Ouachita Parish operates as one unified fire district, covering nearly the entire parish outside of Monroe and West Monroe. Unlike many areas in Louisiana that rely on small volunteer districts, Ouachita Parish runs as a coordinated system with 15 fire stations, with a 16th station planned along Highway 80 near Trapp Field, currently projected for 2028.

    While fire suppression is a core responsibility, about 80% of calls are medical. Many firefighters are paramedic-certified and provide advanced life support, often arriving before ambulance services. The department is also the only local agency with mechanical CPR devices on every frontline truck, allowing consistent chest compressions during cardiac arrest and transport — a critical factor in survival, especially in rural areas.

    Despite covering more than 600 square miles, the department holds a Class 3 fire rating, considered exceptional for a district of this size and one that can positively affect insurance rates. Moore says the department plans years in advance for major purchases like fire engines, ladder trucks, and stations, allowing them to operate without debt or bonds and stay within budget.

    The department also offers several free services many residents don’t know about, including free smoke alarm installation, fire safety education in schools, CPR and first responder medical training, fire protection reviews for new subdivisions, and assistance with gas or carbon monoxide concerns. If a request falls outside their jurisdiction, staff help connect residents with the appropriate agency.

    Ouachita Parish Fire Department maintains an Urban Search and Rescue team and is part of a regional response network activated through the Louisiana State Fire Marshal. Local firefighters have deployed to floods, hurricanes, and other disasters both in Louisiana and out of state. The department is also trained and equipped for high-angle rescue, confined space rescue, and water rescue, with all equipment and training maintained in-house.

    While life-threatening emergencies take priority, firefighters also respond to animal rescue calls when needed, including animals trapped in vehicles, trailers, or dangerous situations. In many cases, animal control or law enforcement requests assistance due to the specialized equipment required.

    The department employs approximately 190 personnel, including firefighters, dispatchers, training staff, and maintenance crews. On any given day, at least 46 firefighters are on duty, working 24-hour shifts. The department operates its own in-house fire academy, which lasts about a year and includes EMT certification and fire suppression training. The department is currently hiring and expects to bring on around 15 new firefighters this year.

    Those interested can learn more at:
    – ouachitafire.org
    – 318-325-1621
    – Facebook

  • Update: Waiting on Public Records

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor & The Record

    I want to address the delay in publishing the next installment of this series.

    Multiple public records requests have been submitted to local entities regarding board minutes, confidentiality agreements, legal expenditures, and related documentation connected to the Meta project. As of today, local agencies have not provided responses within the expected timeframe.

    The State of Louisiana is currently the only office that has formally acknowledged receipt of my request and is actively assisting in locating records. That process is underway.

    I have also reached out directly to several officials for comment. Mayor Friday Ellis responded and his responses were published. Shane Smiley has not responded to requests for comment as of publication. As fate would have it, I did see him in person last week at the Daily Press in Monroe. I reminded him of my requests for transparency and was told he would follow up, but I have not yet received a response. The mayor’s office in Rayville has also not returned my calls.

    In addition, individuals with legal authority have contacted me requesting meetings regarding what I have uncovered so far. I welcome open dialogue grounded in documentation. I am looking forward to these meetings.

    Let me be clear: this reporting is not driven by rumor. It is driven by records. The next article is delayed because I am waiting on documentation. Responsible reporting requires verification, not assumptions.

    This story is not being abandoned. It is being built carefully.

    Major projects leave paper trails. When those records are received and reviewed, I will publish. Taking what I’ve learned off the record and putting it into a responsible article takes time.

    I planned my timelines for publishing around the length of time public records requests operate on — lesson learned.

    Stay patient. It’s still coming.

  • Part 4 — The New Smoke Stack

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor, and the Record

    As data centers continue expanding across rural and residential parts of the country, they are often described as clean, quiet, and low-impact. But when these facilities arrive in regions like North Louisiana, they are not entering a blank slate. They are being layered onto communities that already experience some of the highest rates of chronic illness in the state and the nation. Understanding the environmental and health implications of data centers requires looking not just at what they add, but at what already exists.

    North Louisiana has long struggled with elevated rates of respiratory disease. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more common here than in many parts of the country, and these conditions are known to worsen with exposure to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants are associated with industrial activity, fossil-fuel power generation, and diesel emissions — all of which are connected to the energy demands of large-scale data centers. Even when facilities operate without outages, backup diesel generators are routinely tested, releasing concentrated bursts of pollution into surrounding areas. For residents already living with respiratory vulnerability, these emissions can compound existing health risks over time.

    Cancer is another major concern. Louisiana has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the United States, and while the most well-known industrial pollution corridor lies in the southern part of the state, northern parishes are not immune to cumulative exposure. Long-term contact with air and water contaminants, even at low levels, has been linked in scientific literature to increased cancer risk. Many North Louisiana communities already live near industrial plants, rail corridors, and power infrastructure. Adding another energy-intensive operation raises concerns not because of a single source, but because of layered exposure that builds over decades.

    Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in Louisiana, and North Louisiana follows this trend closely. Medical research has established a strong connection between air pollution and cardiovascular illness, including heart attacks and strokes. Fine particulate matter can enter the bloodstream through the lungs, increasing inflammation and stress on the cardiovascular system. When regions with high baseline rates of heart disease experience additional pollution burdens, the public health consequences can be significant, even if those changes are gradual and difficult to trace to one source.

    Water use presents another critical issue. Data centers require enormous volumes of water to cool servers and maintain operations. In rural North Louisiana, many residents rely on groundwater and wells rather than large municipal systems. Heavy industrial water withdrawal can lower water tables, strain aquifers, and affect water quality. Communities elsewhere have reported declining well levels and water access challenges after large facilities began operating nearby. In a region where clean, reliable water is already essential to public health, increased competition for water resources raises serious concerns.

    These environmental pressures do not occur evenly across populations. Low-income and rural communities often bear a disproportionate share of industrial impacts, including poorer air quality and reduced access to healthcare. North Louisiana already faces challenges related to chronic disease, maternal and infant health outcomes, and access to medical services. Research shows that air pollution exposure is linked to higher rates of low birth weight, premature birth, and other adverse outcomes. While no single facility can be blamed for these trends, cumulative environmental stress plays a recognized role in worsening health disparities.

    None of this suggests that data centers alone are responsible for North Louisiana’s health challenges. Smoking rates, diet, genetics, and socioeconomic factors all play important roles. But public health experts consistently emphasize that environmental exposures interact with these factors, amplifying risk rather than existing in isolation. When communities already facing high rates of asthma, cancer, heart disease, and stroke are asked to absorb additional industrial load, it is reasonable to ask how much more the system can bear.

    The conversation around data centers is often framed as a choice between economic growth and opposition to progress. That framing misses the point. The real issue is whether communities are being given a full picture of how these facilities affect air quality, water resources, and long-term health in regions already carrying heavy environmental and medical burdens. Digital infrastructure may be invisible to the eye, but its physical footprint is real, measurable, and felt most by the people living closest to it.

    As North Louisiana continues to be considered for large-scale industrial and digital development, the question is not whether technology should exist, but whether growth is being planned with the health of existing communities at the center of the conversation, rather than treated as an afterthought once construction is complete.

    Health data shows us the consequences. Money records show us the motivations. In the next article, Inside The Black Box, I’ll be examining the financial trail behind data center development and asking why so many key decisions affecting public resources were made behind closed doors.

    TLDR:
    North Louisiana already faces high rates of asthma, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Large data centers add significant demands on electricity and water, contributing to air pollution and resource strain that can worsen existing health vulnerabilities. While no single facility can be blamed for these conditions, layering energy-intensive infrastructure onto communities with known health challenges raises serious concerns about cumulative environmental exposure and long-term public health. Communities deserve transparency and health-centered planning before additional industrial impacts are introduced.

  • Part 3 — After the Whistle

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor & The Record

    Meta’s multi-billion AI-focused data center in Richland Parish is one of the largest private investments Louisiana has ever seen and one of Meta’s largest data centers in the world. It promises jobs, infrastructure improvements, and economic momentum. But beyond the big numbers, many people are asking a practical question: what does this actually mean for the people who live here, both now and after construction ends?

    Today I’m breaking down the negative and the positive — it’s going to be a long one but stay with me.

    Jobs and Local Investment

    The construction phase is currently driving much of the economic activity. More than 3,700 workers are employed on site, with that number expected to peak near 5,000 within the year. Once the facility is operational, the workforce drops significantly to about 500 permanent jobs in specialized areas like IT, electrical work, engineering, security, and facilities management.

    In addition to direct employment, state estimates suggest more than 1,000 indirect jobs could be supported through logistics, retail, hospitality, and service industries. Meta and its contractors have already spent over $875 million with Louisiana businesses, benefiting more than 160 local companies. The project has also led to more than $300 million in infrastructure upgrades, including roads, water systems, and wastewater improvements that will remain long after construction is complete.

    The Ripple Effect on Small Businesses

    Even when large national firms win major contracts, they rarely do all the work alone. Local electricians, plumbers, HVAC companies, material suppliers, restaurants, hotels, and service providers often see increased demand as large contractors subcontract portions of the work and workers spend money locally. Many small businesses gain not only income, but experience and credibility that can help them secure future contracts.

    That ripple effect is strongest during construction. The goal is to turn short-term demand into long-term opportunity.

    Communities across the country that have hosted large data centers offer a useful comparison. In places like Northern Virginia, Ohio, and parts of Texas, data centers brought short-term construction booms, higher tax bases, and infrastructure upgrades, along with long-term, high-paying technical jobs. At the same time, many of those communities also experienced sharp drop-offs in employment once construction ended, housing pressure during peak build years, and ongoing concerns about energy use and utility costs. National studies consistently show that while data centers can anchor economic growth, the benefits last longest in communities that invest in workforce training, housing planning, and economic diversification rather than relying on the facility alone. Where those investments were missing, growth tended to plateau once the initial boom passed.

    Housing and Population Pressure

    Thousands of workers need places to live, and communities often respond by building new homes, expanding rentals, or converting short-term housing to accommodate them. That activity can be good for builders and property owners, but it also comes with risk.

    Construction workers are temporary by nature. Many will leave once the project is complete. If too much housing is built too quickly, the community could be left with empty homes and declining rental demand. If too little housing is built, prices can rise and push out long-term residents. Thoughtful planning is critical so housing growth matches the population that remains after construction ends.

    Utilities, Infrastructure, and Long-Term Costs

    Data centers require significant electricity and water. To support this project, power generation, transmission, roads, and utility systems are being expanded. These upgrades can benefit the broader community, but they also raise important questions about long-term maintenance and cost sharing. Communities elsewhere have learned that without careful planning, residents and small businesses can end up absorbing higher utility or infrastructure costs once construction slows. Later in the series we will take a closer look at the utility usages and risks.

    Taxes and Public Revenue

    Meta received tax incentives to locate in Richland Parish, which helped secure a major investment and infrastructure commitments. In the short term, that means less direct tax revenue from the company itself. However, contractors, workers, and supporting businesses generate income, sales, and property taxes that help fund schools, roads, and local services.

    Much of this revenue peaks during construction. Whether those benefits last depends on whether workers settle here permanently and whether local businesses are positioned to continue growing once the project is complete.

    A Parish Already Facing Population Decline

    This project arrives at a time when Richland Parish has been losing population for years. The parish had about 20,725 residents in 2010. By 2020, that number dropped to just over 20,000, and current estimates place it under 19,700. This investment presents a real chance to slow or reverse that trend, but only if people choose to stay.

    If families settle here, schools could see higher enrollment and increased funding. Local businesses could gain steady customers. If most workers leave, the parish risks returning to the same challenges it faced before construction began.

    How Residents Can Help Make the Benefits Last

    Large projects do not automatically create lasting prosperity. Communities that benefit long-term are the ones that engage early and stay involved.

    Residents can take advantage of this moment by supporting workforce training and certification programs that help locals qualify for permanent jobs. Small business owners can position themselves for subcontracting opportunities and future projects by building relationships now. Community members can advocate for housing, school funding, and infrastructure planning that reflects long-term population needs rather than short-term peaks. Encouraging economic diversification and quality-of-life investments helps ensure the parish is not dependent on a single employer.

    Most importantly, staying informed and involved gives residents a voice in how growth happens and who it benefits.

    The Bottom Line

    The Meta data center is not a guarantee of success or failure for Richland Parish. It is a chance. Whether this moment leads to sustainable growth or a short-lived boom depends on planning, participation, and long-term thinking.

    In the next article, we will take a closer look at the environmental effects of large data centers, including energy use, water demand, and how those impacts can affect rural communities like ours.