Governor Jeff Landry delivered his State of the State address on the opening day of the legislative session. The Republican from St. Martin Parish used the opportunity to tout the successes of his administration, including 100-billion dollars in economic development projects…

Cut 12 (13) “…competes”

Landry says since he took office, the state has announced more than 124-thousand new private-sector jobs.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two women from Texas for allegedly using plastic crows to smuggle drugs and cell phones into the federal prison in Pollock….

Cut 10 (10) “…sky”

Sheriff Steven McCain says the two women were paid 40-thousand dollars to smuggle the drugs into the prison, but their creativity did not pay off.

If you’re planning on flying out of New Orleans this week, plan ahead…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

And if you are driving, you’ll notice the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has now surpassed three-dollars. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman…

Cut 5 (10) “….the past week”

The legislative session is underway. It opened as it always does, with the governor addressing a joint session of lawmakers. This year, lawmakers have a wide range of bills to consider. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics-dot-com says more insurance reform legislation is on the horizon.

Cut 23 (09)  “…auto insurance.”

The session must end by June 1st.

Gas prices continue to soar across the state, with regular unleaded now averaging $3.05 a gallon. Don Redman with Triple-A says the reason is not because the war in Iran is causing a drop in oil production; rather, it’s because it’s cutting off a major shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing tankers to find a different route to North America.

Cut 6 (08) “…start falling down.”

Two Texas women are under arrest for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs and contraband into the federal prison in Grant Parish by stuffing them inside crow decoys and dropping them via drones. Sheriff Steven McCain says it’s the latest creative attempt at this; last year, two men used a cannon to get meth and tobacco into the prison.

Cut 11 (08) “…get caught.”

Another water main break in uptown New Orleans leads to a widespread boil water advisory. Kaitlyn Tymrak, the interim general superintendent of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, says it was issued for much of the East Bank, including some of the most heavily populated and visited areas.

Cut 8 (10) “…New Orleans East.”

A new legislative session is now underway. Governor Landry is addressing a joint session of lawmakers to kick off the session. Among the bills lawmakers will consider is one from River Ridge Republican Senator Kirk Talbot, who’s seeking to make fortified roofs mandatory on all new construction homes. As filed, Senate Bill 147 applies statewide, but Talbot plans on narrowing that down.

Cut 12 (05) “…for new construction.” 

Uptown New Orleans has been dealing with a series of water main breaks in recent months. The latest happened overnight, when a 48-inch main ruptured. Councilwoman Aimee McCarron visited a woman who lives at the intersection of where it happened.

Cut 7 (11) “…be flooded too.”

A boil water advisory has been issued for much of the East Bank, including the French Quarter and the Central Business District.

Plastic crows are the latest instrument used in the effort to smuggle drugs and tobacco into the Federal Prison in Grant Parish. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The Saints are getting some much-needed help in the backfield, landing free agent running back Travis Etienne. The Jennings native will be moving closer to home after spending his first four seasons with the Jaguars. Speaking of homecomings, former Saints linebacker Demario Davis is signing with the Jets, marking his third stint with the team.

If you’re planning on flying out of New Orleans this week, plan ahead – far ahead. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Also in New Orleans, a water main busted in uptown New Orleans and most of the East Bank is under a precautional boil water advisory…

Cut 8 (10) “…New Orleans East”

That’s Kaitlyn Tymrak with the Sewerage and Water Board.

The longer you wait to fill up your gas tank, the more money you’ll end up paying. That’s because gas prices continue to climb amid the fighting in Iran. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the average price of regular unleaded has soared 55 cents over the last month. ($2.50 a month ago to $3.05, with much of the increase over the past week)

Cut 5 (10) “…the past week.”

Redman says the jump in gas prices is not because the war is causing a drop in oil production; rather, it’s because it’s cutting off a major shipping lane.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two women from Texas for allegedly using plastic crows to smuggle drugs and cell phones into the federal prison in Pollock….

Cut 10 (10) “…sky”

Sheriff Steven McCain says the two women were paid 40-thousand dollars to smuggle the drugs into the prison, but their creativity did not pay off.

If you’re planning on flying out of New Orleans this week, plan on arriving at Louis Armstrong International Airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure. That’s because the line at the TSA checkpoint is very long. Deputy Aviation Director Erin Burns says this comes as several TSA agents are out because of the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Cut 3 (06) “…six lanes open.”

Burns says the line is so long that it extends to the parking garage at times.

Two women from Texas have been arrested after allegedly using plastic crows to smuggle drugs, cell phones and tobacco into a federal prison located in Grant Parish. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says the suspects used a drone to drop the plastic crows filled with contraband onto the grounds of the Federal Prison…

Cut 9 (04)  “…didn’t work.”

Thirty-eight-year-old Melanie Jean Worthington and 41-year-old Kassy Marie Cole have been arrested on multiple drug charges. McCain says when authorities tracked down Worthington and Cole, they were in possession of the plastic crows that were dropped into the prison.

The 2026 legislative session begins at noon. Jeanne Burns has a look at some of the big issues that will be discussed.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for new construction in the coastal parishes. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says fortified roofs practically pay for themselves.

Cut 11 (09) “…to get it.”

The 2026 legislative session gets underway at noon today. State lawmakers have filed more than 13-hundred bills. House Bill 1, which is the budget bill, is one of the most important pieces of legislation. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the biggest budget fight could involve the L-A Gator Program. Governor Landry wants to double the funding for the voucher program that helps eligible families pay for private school tuition and other education expenses…

Cut 7 (11)“…big of a jump.”

In Lake Charles, McNeese hosts the men’s and women’s Southland Conference basketball tournaments. McNeese Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette says the men and women hoops teams have a chance to win both tournaments…

Cut 15 (09) “…home crowd”

Nicholls plays tonight after eliminating Northwestern last night.

A new statewide poll of Louisiana voters finds that their biggest concern is what’s in their pocketbook. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Here are the other headlines on this Monday….the ground was shaking in Red River Parish again this morning as there were four small earthquakes within ten minutes of each other.

About a dozen homes were flooded in the South Carrollton neighborhood in New Orleans because of a water main break.

And if you are flying out of Louis Armstrong Airport in Kenner, get there early because the TSA checkpoint line is extremely long due to sickouts as TSA workers are not getting paid because of the partial government shutdown.

Earthquakes are shaking Red River Parish. The US Geological Survey is reporting three to possibly four quakes ranging in magnitude 3.1 to 4.0 occurring around 4:40 to 5:10 this morning. They occurred near Edgefield which is north of Coushatta where last week a 4.9 magnitude earthquake shook residents and last night after 9:00 a 2.5 magnitude quake occurred.

A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for new construction homes in the coastal parishes. River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot’s bill would update the building code statewide. However, Talbot says he rushed the drafting of his bill to file it before the pre-filing deadline, and he will offer an amendment to narrow it down to the parts of the state where fortified roofs are needed the most.

Cut 12 (05) “…for new construction.”

Louisiana voters are most concerned about their wallets, says a recent survey by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. Pelican Vice President Erin Bendily says two-thirds of Louisiana voters report their electric and gas utility bills have increased over the past year.

Cut 5 (11) “…policymakers.”

And lawmakers are in Baton Rouge as the legislative session begins today, They will consider more than 13-hundred bills including the budget. La Politics dot com publisher Jeremy Alford says legislators must figure out how to make up for a loss of some federal funding….

Cut 8 (06) “…Medicaid.”

The legislative session must end by June 1^st.

A recent survey says Louisiana voters’ biggest concern is rising costs including recent spikes in utility bills. The survey was conducted by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy and their vice president, Erin Bendily says nearly eight in ten people say state government or the Public Service Commission policies bear at least some responsibility for higher utility bills

Cut 6 (10) “…agenda.”

Lawmakers are gathered in Baton Rouge today for the beginning of the 2026 legislative session. They will of course tackle the budget, they will also discuss giving more local control in carbon capture projects, legalizing guns on college campuses, making it a felony to drive over 30 miles over the speed limit, and more on insurance reform. LaPolictics dot com publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 9 (09)  “…auto insurance.”

A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for all new construction homes along the coastal parishes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

McNeese is hosting the Southland Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments for the fourth straight year this week. The Cowboys have been crowned Southland champs at home the last two years, but this year could be the first time the league leading Cowgirls get to join the celebration. McNeese Sports Information director Matthew Bonnette says it’s a big week for the school and Lake Charles area.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to the area.”