Day two of qualifying for the closed primaries is in the books. In the race for the fifth congressional district, Monroe State Representative Michael Echols jumped into the race, joining six other Republicans and three Democrats – including Bunkie attorney Dan McKay, who said if elected, he’d protect democracy by standing up to President Trump, who he called a “dictator.”

Cut 7 (09) “…as we speak.”

In the race for U.S. Senate, the big question is, will any big-name Democrats enter the race? Former Governor John Bel Edwards and current State Senator Jay Juneau have already said no. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says any Democrat would have a hard time raising money, because the national party does not look at Louisiana as a winnable state.

Cut 11 (12) “…ten million dollar race.”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson names his starting pitchers for the opening series of the college baseball season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An ugly scene at the end of a boys’ soccer game in Bossier Parish last night. Students from Bossier High School and Morgan City High School got into a fight following the closely contested game. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says at one point, a Morgan City student struck and injured a Bossier player. Micah Wilkerson was arrested and is being held on ten-thousand dollars bond.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson announced the Tigers’ starting rotation for this weekend’s opening series against Milwaukee. Sophomore right-hander Casan Evans will be the Friday starter, junior Kansas transfer right-handed pitcher Cooper Moore will be the Saturday Starter and Baton Rouge native and sophomore right-hander William Schmidt will be the Sunday starter. Monday’s starter has yet to be announced.

Even though the Tigers will be without Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson this season, D1Baseball.com’s Kendall Rodgers believes Evans will solidify himself as the next great LSU pitcher.

Cut 18 (14)  “…bona-fide Friday guy.”

First pitch against Milwaukee on Friday is at 2 p.m.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team is on the road at Missouri State tonight as the Bulldogs look to win their second straight game. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team is riding a four-game winning streak, and the Cajuns look to extend it to five tonight when they host Coastal Carolina at 7 p.m. Head coach Quannas White credits the team’s recent success to having unselfish players.

Cut 19 (11) “…are right now.”

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team looks to win its eleventh straight game tonight as they host FIU at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Techsters came in as a 13-seed in ESPN bracketologist Charlie Crème’s latest NCAA Tournament projections.

Eleven members of the 2025 LSU football team have been invited to participate in the 2026 NFL Combine. Garrett Nussmeier was one of 15 quarterbacks invited. The Tigers have the nation’s best 4 wide receivers invited to the NFL Combine, which includes Aaron Anderson, Barion Brown, Chris Hilton Jr. and Zavion Thomas.

The second day of qualifying for federal elections has ended. There are three Democrats who have qualified to represent the Fifth Congressional District. Among them is Winnsboro religious scholar Larry Foy, who says his goal is to return the balance of power in Washington to where it belongs.

Cut 6 (10) “…United States Constitution.”

Another Democrat running is Dan McKay, an attorney from Bunkie. The third Democrat to qualify is Jessee Fleenor, a dairy farmer from Loranger, who took a very combative tone in addressing the media immediately after qualifying…

Cut 8 (12) “…reactionary party.”

Qualifying concludes at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise showed up at the Secretary of State’s Office today to personally qualify for re-election. Scalise was asked if he was going to get involved in Louisiana’s US Senate race or the competitive fifth district Congressional race…

Cut 29 (12) “…right now”

Scalise is facing a challenger in the Republican primary. Political unknown Randall Arrington from Ponchatoula.

There have been rumors that former New Orleans Mayor and Lt Governor Mitch Landrieu could run for U-S Senate. Political analyst Bernie PInsonat does not expect Landrieu to qualify before tomorrow afternoon’s deadline…

Cut 10 (09) “…raising money”

President Trump’s endorsement of state senator Blake Miguez is a big storyline in the fifth district congressional race. One of the Miguez’s opponents in the Republican Primary is Misti Cordell, who is the chairwoman of the Board of Regents. She’s not bothered by the President’s endorsement…

Cut 30 (06) “…meet me yet”

Miguez says he will focus on his record of accomplishment as a state legislator…

Cut 28 (10) “…bathrooms”

Miguez will be attacked on where he lives. His permanent residence is outside of the district, but the Iberia Parish resident says he also owns a home in Baton Rouge, which is part of the fifth congressional district.

Three Democrats have joined seven Republicans in qualifying for the fifth congressional district primary. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In Monroe, the long process of removing all the debris left behind by last month’s ice storm continues. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says they are working with Southern Disaster Recovery, and the partnership is going well….

Cut 5 (11) “…as normal”

Three Democrats have qualified for the fifth congressional district primary. Among them is Jessee Fleenor, a dairy farmer from Loranger, who took a very combative tone in addressing the media immediately after qualifying, at times using language that we cannot repeat on the radio. 

Cut 8 (12) “…reactionary party.”

And that was one of the more tame adjectives Fleenor used in his 20-minute speech.

As for the U.S. Senate, John Fleming has already qualified, and Bill Cassidy and Julia Letlow are expected to do so tomorrow. What about Eric Skrmetta? The 67-year-old had previously announced that he would challenge Cassidy, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that’s not looking so likely anymore.

Cut 9 (08)  “…fundraising.”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson names his starting pitchers for the opening series of the college baseball season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Speaking of LSU, A change at the top at the Board of Supervisors. Governor Landry announced that Vice Chairman Lee Mallett is taking over as board president. Mallett, who’s from Lake Charles, replaces Scott Ballard, who will remain on the board. During Ballard’s tenure as president, the board voted to re-integrate the University of New Orleans into the LSU system.

Seven Republicans and three Democrats have qualified for the fifth congressional district primaries. Republican Misti Cordell says she’s the one best suited to represent the district.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in that area.”

Democrat Larry Foy announced his candidacy even before Julia Letlow abandoned her re-election bid in favor of a U.S. Senate run. Foy said his goal is to return the balance of power in Washington to where it belongs.

Cut 6 (10) “…United States Constitution.”

Dan McKay says he will protect democracy by standing up to President Trump, who he called a “dictator.”

Cut 7 (09) “…as we speak.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says the amount of debris from the ice storm that his public works crews are collecting is astonishing. Mayor Ellis expects debris removal will take eight months.

Cut 4 (13) “…seeing.”

Ellis says the city of Monroe is working with Southern Disaster Recovery in removing the debris.

Two foreign nationals are indicted by federal prosecutors in what is believed to be one of the biggest meth busts in Louisiana history. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday; and during a search of the vehicle, they discovered about 360 pounds of meth inside a hidden compartment.

Cut 15 (11) “…you got caught.”

Seven Republicans have signed up for the GOP Primary for the 5^th Congressional seat that’s being vacated by Julia Letlow.  Letlow has the endorsement of President Trump in the Senate Race and state senator Blake Miguez has the endorsement of the president in the 5^th District Congressional race…

Cut 5 (06) “…national level”

One of Miguez’s opponents, Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says he will fight for Louisiana values in Washington…

Cut 7 (13) “…..fight, fight, fight”

Another candidate who qualified yesterday is Misti Cordell, who is the chairwoman of the Board of Regents. She is not concerned that President Trump’s endorsement went to someone else.

Cut 8 (08) “…meet me yet.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says the amount of debris from the ice storm that his public works crews are collecting is astonishing. The average for a week is 120 tons that is taken to the landfill, but yesterday alone 600 tons of debris was collected…

Cut 3 (10) “…few years ago”

Ellis expects debris removal will take months.

The University of Louisiana Monroe has installed drone detection equipment atop Malone Stadium. Doctor Mark Johnson is the training director for ULM Police and says this will bolster public safety as universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones. Johnson says Sky Safe gives campus police a reliable way to manage drones…

Cut 12 (10) “….come on”

On the first day of qualifying to run for U.S. Senate and House seats, six Republicans qualified for the Fifth Congressional District race. The seat is being vacated by Julia Letlow as she’s running for U.S. Senate. Among the six is State Senator Blake Miguez, endorsed by President Trump, who says he is running on his record of conservative legislation.

Cut 4 (13) “…banning Zucker-bucks.”

A lot has been made of the fact that Miguez lives far outside of the 5^th district in New Iberia, though legally he doesn’t have to live in the district to serve it. His opponents, including State Senator Rick Edmonds, believe it’s important a representative live in the district they represent.

Cut 6 (11) “…know this district.”

Two foreign nationals are indicted by federal prosecutors in what is believed to be one of the biggest meth busts in Louisiana history. U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall says Livingston Parish deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday; and during a search of the vehicle, they discovered among other paraphernalia, 71-hundred dollars in cash and 164 kilograms of methamphetamine. (360 pounds)

Cut 13 (10)  “…pounds of methamphetamine.”

The University of Louisiana at Monroe says it has bolstered public safety on its campus with the installation of a drone detection system. Dr. Mark Johnson is the Training Director for ULM Police, and he says universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones, especially during large events, such as academic ceremonies and football games.

Cut 10 (11) “…could do that.”