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.”

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.”

Two feet of water in the streets and water was getting into some homes in Uptown New Orleans this morning. It came from a major water main break on Panola. It’s the second recent break on Panola. Residents in the area dealt with the last one last month. Water has been turned off in the area, and water is receding from the street, but motorists are being asked to avoid the area.

The 2026 legislative session begins today as lawmakers have more than 13-hundred bills to consider. The biggest one of them all is the state’s spending plan for next fiscal year. 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.”

A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for new construction homes in the coastal parishes. River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot filed the bill and says fortified roofs would practically pay for themselves.

Cut 11 (09) “…to get it.”

More earthquakes are being reported in Northwest Louisiana. The strongest was in Caddo Parish and was almost certainly felt. It happened this morning around 4:40. According to preliminary reports it was 3.9 magnitude. Just after 9:00 Sunday night the US Geological Survey reported a 2.5 magnitude quake near the same area as a 4.9 magnitude quake was felt near Coushatta last week.  Both this morning’s and Sunday’s earthquakes were at a depth of about 3 miles which is considered shallow and likely to be felt more strongly.

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 along the coastal parishes to make fortified roofs mandatory on all new residential builds. He says current code is almost there.

Cut 10 (09) “…to that level.”

Talbot says on new builds, fortified roofs would practically pay for themselves.

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

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Louisiana voters say their biggest concern is rising costs. According to a survey conducted by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, 40 percent of the respondents listed the cost of living and inflation as their top concern. Erin Bendily is the vice president of the Pelican Institute

Cut 4 (04) “…and inflation.”

The 2026 legislative session begins today as lawmakers have more than 13-hundred bills to consider. The biggest one of them all is the state’s spending plan. 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.”

Lawmakers will also discuss giving governments more local control over carbon capture projects. There’s legislation to allow guns on college campuses and a proposal to make it a felony to drive more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit. And there’s more insurance reform legislation…

Cut 9 (09)  “…auto insurance.”

There’s a bill to make fortified roofs mandatory for new construction. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he rushed to file Senate Bill 147 before the pre-filing deadline, and will amend it to narrow it down to parts of the state where fortified roofs are needed the most.

Cut 12 (05) “…for new construction.”

A new statewide poll of voters finds that their biggest concern is their pocketbook.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”