The Louisiana Legislative Auditor is out with its results of its audit of sexual assault kits collected from July 2024 through December 2025. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s clout in Washington D-C has been severely weakened. Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will no longer lead the Republican Party in the U-S House when a new Congress convenes in January. And today, Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish lost to Ohio Representative Jim Jorden for the Minority Leader position.

Since the loss to Alabama, the criticism has been amped up on LSU football coach Lane Kiffin. There are some fans who believe Kiffin should worry more about winning games, instead of walking into the stadium with celebrities and having smoke machines and a basketball hoop on the sidelines. Kiffin says the celebs, basketball goal and fire extinguisher is for recruiting…

Cut 11 (12) “…losing the game”

Federal employees face another year of rising healthcare costs with premiums increasing by double digits for a third consecutive year and average employee contributions rising by more than ten-percent. John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association urges federal workers to examine their healthcare needs and choose the plan that works best for them…

Cut 5 (14) “….out of pocket”

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that from July 2024 through December 2025, nearly one out of every five sexual assault kids were never sent to a crime lab for testing as required by state law. Performance Audit Manager Kristin Jacobs says that doesn’t necessarily mean they were mishandled; as such, she’s recommending that state law be clarified to indicate which sexual assault kits need to be tested.

Cut 8 (10) “…to be tested.”

A Tangipahoa teenager is arrested after allegedly crashing an ATV on a public road that injured three others. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says 18-year-old Mason Simpson was booked on several charges.

Cut 13 (12) “…negligent injury”

The Smoothie King Center is in dire need for major renovations. Now, the key question is where the money will come from to pay for them. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The new U.S. House Republican leadership will not include anyone from Louisiana. Republicans choose Jim Jordan of Ohio as House Minority Leader for the 120th Congress when it convenes January 3rd. Outgoing House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was not going to seek the minority leadership after the huge losses his party suffered a week ago.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor conducted an audit of the handling of sexual assault kits collected from July 2024 through December 2025. Performance Audit Manager Kristin Jacobs says the audit found that nearly one out of every five had not been submitted to a crime lab for testing.

Cut 6 (10) “…by state law.”

Jacobs says it’s important to note that that doesn’t necessarily mean that those sexual assault kits were mishandled – it could mean that law enforcement has closed the case, or the kits could still be pending lab testing.

A Tangipahoa teenager is behind bars after allegedly crashing an ATV on a public road that injured three others. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the incident happened during the middle of the night over the week in the Kentwood area. Sticker says the teen driver was traveling at a high rate of speed…

Cut 12 (09) “…struck a tree”

One of the riders remains hospitalized. 18-year-old Mason Simpson is facing three counts of negligent injuring and several other charges including reckless operation of a vehicle.

LSU fans are still miffed over the Tigers loss to Alabama 31 to 13. Lane Kiffin says he expects to catch some heat from fans about all the flashy gameday activity, like actor Kevin Costner, walking down Victory Hill with the team. Kiffin says that performance is part of the program, though, and doesn’t really change anything on the field.

Cut 10 (13) “…in the red zone.”

Federal employees are experiencing soaring health insurance costs, including 50-thousand of them in Louisiana. John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association says those increases mean for many, health insurance becomes their second biggest monthly expense, behind only housing.

Cut 4 (06) “…dollars a month.”

He says when it comes to healthcare, one size definitely does not fit all, and people should examine their healthcare needs and choose the plan that works best for them.

Former Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards tells The Advocate despite the Democrats’ strong showing in the midterm elections, he has no plans of making another run for governor. Edwards spoke with Advocate Political reporter Tyler Bridges.

Cut 28 (09) “…be a candidate.”

Lane Kiffin called back to his time in L-A and brought out the stars for the LSU-Alabama game on Saturday. Shaq, Angel Reese, Paul Skenes, Livvy Dunna and Kevin Costner all joined Kiffin for the Tiger walk. Kiffin says he met Costner years ago, and it was great to introduce him to the passion and tailgating in the South.

Cut 9 (10)  “…enjoying it.”

With the 31-13 loss to the Crimson Tide that followed, Kiffin says he expects to catch some heat from fans about all the flashy gameday activity. He says that performance is part of the program, though, and doesn’t really change anything on the field.

Federal employees are experiencing soaring health insurance costs, including 50-thousand of them in Louisiana. John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association says the rate these costs are increasing is staggering.

Cut 3 (07) “…over three years.”

Hatton says those increases mean for many, health insurance becomes their second biggest monthly expense, behind only housing.

Beginning in June of next year, there will be nonstop flights from New Orleans to Mexico City…via Aeromexico four days a week.  New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno says Mexico is already a major economic partner for the city and for the state and says the flight is also great news for her personally.

Cut 15 (12) “…about this trip.”

The 31-year-old Smoothie King Center is in dire need of renovations. NOLA-dot-com Business Editor Stephanie Riegel says so far, more than half the money has been secured but the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District will have to come up with the remaining 195 million.  And Riegel says time is of the essence to bolster New Orleans’ chances of landing the 2031 Super Bowl.

Cut 8 (13) “…for that game.”

Expect funding for the Smoothie King Center to be a major talking point in the 2027 legislative session.

A lot of talk lately about who will challenge Governor Jeff Landry, who is seeking re-election next year. Advocate newspaper political reporter Tyler Bridges says a Republican, like State Treasurer John Fleming, could possibly challenge Landry…

Cut 6 (08) “…conservative message”

If you have a heavy foot, chances are your bank account is much lighter than it could be. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph is apologizing for his players who were involved in a big brawl with players from Arkansas Pine Bluff following their loss to the Lions. KNOE-TV reports 12 players are suspended for this Saturday’s game, two players are suspended for the rest of the season.

Several Democrats are expressing interest in challenging Governor Jeff Landry in next year’s gubernatorial election. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LDWF is hailing the just-concluded recreational alligator hunting season. Throughout the month-long season last month, more than 36-hundred hunters harvested more than 18-hundred alligators. The average harvest size was seven and a half feet.

Louisiana drivers who treat public roadways like their personal dragstrips have the second highest average insurance surcharge in the country. A LendingTree study shows that first speeding ticket up to 15 miles over the speed limit results in almost 90 dollars a month in surcharges. LendingTree Analyst Rob Bhatt says in certain situations, you can keep that speeding ticket off your record by taking a defensive driving course.

Cut 12 (08) “…off your record.”

The Smoothie King Center is in dire need of renovations. The key question is, where is the money going to come from? NOLA-dot-com Business Editor Stephanie Riegel says so far, they have just over half the money secured.

Cut 7 (12) “…150-million dollars.”

That leaves the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District on the hook for the remaining 195-million dollars.

Former Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards tells The Advocate despite the Democrats’ strong showing in the midterm elections, he had no plans of making another run for governor. Edwards spoke with Advocate Political reporter Tyler Bridges.

Cut 4 (09) “…be a candidate.”

Any potential talk of Edwards seeking to return to the governor’s mansion effectively became moot when voters passed Amendment Four, limiting governors to two lifetime terms. That means barring any court challenges to test the retroactivity of the amendment, Edwards and Bobby Jindal are now ineligible to run for governor.

An Alabama church pastor couldn’t help but poke a little fun at his alma mater on Sunday. Chris Hodges, who graduated from LSU, opened his sermon at Church of the Highlands by revealing a crimson red jacket and saying that’s 40-million dollars down the drain, referring to the amount of money LSU spent on its football roster through NIL money.

In Louisiana, a heavy foot means a much lighter wallet. A new study by LendingTree shows that after a first citation for driving up to 15 miles an hour over the posted speed limit, Louisiana drivers have on average the second-highest surcharge in the country, only behind Arizona. LendingTree Insurance Analyst Rob Bhatt (“bot”) says it’s a significant amount.

Cut 11 (08) “…a speeding ticket.”

The 31-year-old Smoothie King Center is in dire need of renovations, and funding is short by almost 200-million dollars. NOLA-dot-com Business Editor Stephanie Riegel says the renovations are needed in part to ensure that the Pelicans remain in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the Pelicans here.” 

Gayle Benson has already pledged 150-million dollars, and the state is prepared to kick in 75-million dollars towards the facility that it owns.