The redistricting debate is expected to begin at the state capitol this week. Jeff Palermo has the story
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The first four months of 2026 have shown encouraging signs on the insurance front in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Louisiana has allocated one-point-five billion dollars on coastal protection and restoration projects next fiscal year, but one group remains upset the Landry administration cancelled two large river diversion projects. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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With four weeks to go in the legislative session, state lawmakers are expected to begin this week the public debate on drawing up a new Congressional district map. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. At issue is the sixth district, which in 2024 was created as the state’s second major minority district and Democrat Cleo Fields represents it. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says not only does the sixth district’s boundaries need to be changed, several others need to be redrawn too.
Cut 4 (09) “…all that out.”
Redistricting is never a fun process for the Louisiana Legislature. Pinsonat says one factor that makes this map drawing exercise more complicated is that you have three state lawmakers running for Congress…
Cut 5 (06) “…I can run.”
State senators Blake Miguez and Rick Edmonds and state representative Michael Echols were all candidates in the 5th District race.
Pinsonat expects the map that this Louisiana Legislature will approve will look much like the one approved by lawmakers in 2022 that was challenged legally by civil rights groups…
Cut 6 (10) “…please them.”
Pinsonat also expects the Louisiana Legislature will approve legislation that would move the U-S House races back to an open primary.
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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the trend in the first four months in 2026 has been mainly positive.
Cut 7 (10) “…specific to homeowners.”
Temple says while a small handful of auto insurance companies have filed for rate increases, the vast majority which have filed for rate changes have filed for rate decreases. He cautions policyholders, however, that that doesn’t mean they’ll see a lower bill next month.
Cut 8 (12) “…a rate decrease.”
Temple says the fact that some insurance carriers have filed for rate increases proves that the job of insurance reform is not done yet.
Cut 9 (05) “…work to do.”
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The Louisiana Legislature has given final approval to a one-point-five billion dollar plan for coastal protection and restoration. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Gordon Dove says one of the highlights of the annual plan is a 94-mile land bridge from Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish to Terrebonne Parish…
Cut 10 (11) “…eight parishes.”
Restore the Mississippi River Delta supports many of the projects including the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp, which will divert fresh water from the Mississippi River into the second-largest coastal forest remaining in Louisiana. Amanda Moore is with the National Wildlife Federation
Cut 11 (11) “…outside of New Orleans.”
But Restore the Mississippi River Delta remains upset that the Landry administration cancelled the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton Sediment diversions were cancelled. Moore says the state already spent nearly 700-million dollars in Deepwater Horizon funds on these two large diversions…
Cut 12 (12) “…restore the coast.”
However Dove says you get a better bang for your buck with land bridges…
Cut 13 (10) “…coast..”
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Multiple lawsuits have been filed seeking to force the elections for U.S. House to proceed. Among them was one filed by fifth district Democratic candidate Lindsay Garcia, who said Landry was out of bounds in calling off the House elections.
Cut 14 (11) “…he contradicts himself.”
While the House elections are suspended, early voting for all other races, including U.S. Senate, is underway, which Garcia says adds to the problem
Cut 15 (08) “…getting right now.”
Garcia points out that, as is the case with all Supreme Court rulings, there is a waiting period of 32 days before Wednesday’s ruling becomes final, so the ruling would not become final until well after the May 16th primary election..
Cut 16 (13) “…the Louisiana legislature.”
In a separate case, the 19th Judicial District Court Friday afternoon rejected an attempt to force the state to hold the U.S. House elections.
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The Ragin Cajuns swept Georgia State this past weekend at Tigue Moore Field to get U-L Lafayette back to the .500 mark in Sun Belt Belt play. Coach Matt Deggs sweeps in conference play make up for games you could have won earlier in the season…
Cut 17 (23) “…sometimes.”
The Cajuns defeated Georgia State four to three on Sunday to complete the sweep and a 5-0 week. Shortstop Blaze Rodriguez was part of a dramatic double play to end the game and says getting the brooms out is always fun…
Cut 18 (10) “…pitchers.”
The Cajuns host UNO on Tuesday.
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The LSU baseball team’s faint NCAA Tournament hopes are still alive after getting a much needed sweep over South Carolina. Catcher Cade Arrambide had another big day on Sunday, with three hits and an RBI. Arrambide says after losing nine straight SEC games, LSU needed this sweep…
Cut 19 (10) “…good teams.”
Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher on Sunday as he threw six shutout innings. LSU’s pitchers were in command all weekend, allowing just four runs during the three game series. Coach Jay Johnson says throwing strikes makes a difference…
Cut 20 (19) “…this weekend.”