Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she will not be the next president of the LSU System. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

___________________________________________________

A civic organization says when it comes to overall well-being, Louisiana is headed in the right direction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

After Louisiana solar panel installer PosiGen laid off 166 employees, one trade organization representing the solar, wind and energy storage industries is reaffirming its confidence in the growth of solar energy. Monika (noe-NEE-kah) Gerhart, the executive director of the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association, says Louisiana is among the nation’s leaders in solar energy growth.

Cut 3 (08) “…and new hires.”

Gerhart says solar is a mature industry that will continue to grow as long as the sun still shines.

Cut 4 (12) “…with good support.”

Gerhart points out that over the last decade, Louisiana has experienced the most cumulative power outage hours of any state in the nation.

Cut 5 (15) “…more affordable rate.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow ended speculation this morning that she could be the next president of the LSU system. During an appearance on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Letlow says she considered the opportunity, but the timing is not right…

Cut 6 (10) “…as a candidate.”

Letlow has represented Louisiana’s 5^th Congressional district since 2021. The Monroe native has previously taught at ULM, Tulane and South Florida. At her alma mater at ULM, she’s been an ombudsperson and also served as a Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Cut 7 (10) “…representing the 5th.”

Letlow says LSU is located in her district and believes her position on House Appropriations can be more beneficial for the university…

Cut 8 (05) “…in D-C.”

There’s still a possibility Letlow will run for U-S Senate. It’s believed she’s waiting to see if President Trump will endorse her in a race against several other challengers and incumbent Bill Cassidy.

________________________________________________

The group Leaders for a Better Louisiana says Louisiana’s overall well-being has improved over the last year. Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the findings come from the organization’s Louisiana Fact Book.

Cut 9 (08)  “…on a couple.”

Erwin says of the 20 indicators where Louisiana is making progress, education really stuck out, especially when it comes to reading and math in the early grade levels. And Erwin says Louisiana is making good progress on the economic front as well.

Cut 10 (08) “…good jobs growth.”

On the down side, Erwin says the state continues to experience issues with health outcomes, including poverty, food insecurity, life expectancy and low birthweight babies. Erwin says the biggest solution to the state’s problems is a strong education system.

Cut 11 (15) “…they improve.”

____________________________________________________

President Trump recently called on National Guard Troops to help fight crime in Washington D-C. During a meeting in the Oval Office today, he said he was considering doing the same in other cities, including one of our own.

Cut 12 (12) “…of this country.”

So far this year, New Orleans has seen a drop in crime as compared to this juncture last year. According to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, shootings, homicides, carjackings and armed robbery are all down. The president says crime in New Orleans can be taken care of very quickly.

Cut 13 (07)  “…than D.C.”

In a social media post, Governor Landry said, “We will take President Trump’s help from New Orleans to Shreveport.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana says Louisiana’s overall well-being has improved over the last year. Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says there are a total of 35 indicators; and of the 20 where the state is improving, Louisiana is especially making progress on education and on the economic front.

Cut 10 (08) “…good jobs growth.”

On the down side, Erwin says the state continues to experience issues with health outcomes, including poverty, food insecurity, life expectancy and low birthweight babies.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow ended speculation this morning that she could be the next president of the LSU system. Letlow says she considered the opportunity, but the timing is not right…

Cut 6 (10) “…as a candidate.”

After Louisiana solar panel installer PosiGen laid off 166 employees, one trade organization representing the solar, wind and energy storage industries is reaffirming its confidence in the growth of solar energy. Monika (noe-NEE-kah) Gerhart, the executive director of the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association, says Louisiana is among the nation’s leaders in solar energy growth.

Cut 3 (08) “…and new hires.”

Gerhart says solar is a mature industry that will continue to grow as long as the sun still shines.

Those of you who play Powerball will undoubtedly be holding your collective breath as the balls are drawn just before ten tonight. If you match all five numbers plus the Powerball, you will be 1.4-billion dollars richer. Monday night, one Louisiana man nearly pulled off the trick. John Stokes of DeRidder came one white ball short of the jackpot but still won 150-thousand dollars for his near-perfection.

President Trump recently called on National Guard Troops to help fight crime in Washington D-C. During a meeting in the Oval Office today, he said he was considering doing the same in other cities, including one of our own.

Cut 12 (12) “…of this country.”

So far this year, New Orleans has seen a drop in crime, compared to this time last year.

The group Leaders for a Better Louisiana says Louisiana’s overall well-being has improved over the last year. Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the findings come from the organization’s Louisiana Fact Book.

Cut 9 (08)  “…on a couple.”

Erwin says Louisiana is making progress in education, while it continues to struggle in health-related issues, like poverty and life expectancy.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she will not be the next president of the LSU System. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

You have just a few more hours to buy your Powerball tickets for tonight’s drawing. The jackpot has swelled to an estimated 1.4-billion dollars. The jackpot has rolled over since the last time it was won back on May 31st. This is the fourth biggest jackpot in Powerball history – the record was set in November 2022, when it swelled to more than two-billion dollars.

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow ended speculation this morning that she could be the next president of the LSU system. She says though higher education is her passion and background the timing isn’t right. LSU is located in her district and she believes her position on House Appropriations can be more beneficial for the university…

Cut 8 (05) “…in D-C.”

There’s still a possibility Letlow will run for U-S Senate. It’s believed she’s waiting to see if President Trump will endorse her in a race against several other challengers and incumbent Bill Cassidy.

We could see more Republican candidates enter next year’s U.S. Senate race and challenge incumbent Bill Cassidy. Carencro State Representative Julie Emerson told the Advocate she will throw her hat into the ring, if Congresswoman Julia Letlow doesn’t get in the race. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says everyone is waiting to see if Letlow will make a run for Senate.

Cut 10 (07) “…things up.”

A civic organization says when it comes to overall well-being, Louisiana is headed in the right direction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After sending in National Guard Troops to help fight crime in Washington D.C., New Orleans is among the cities President Trump is eyeing for a similar federal crime fight. In 2025, New Orleans saw lower crime rates than the previous year. According to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, shootings, homicides, carjackings and armed robbery are all down. The president says crime in New Orleans can be taken care of very quickly.

Cut 13 (7) “…than D.C…”

Trump mentioned Baltimore and Chicago as other possible areas he wants to address.

President Trump recently called on National Guard Troops to help fight crime in Washington D.C. and now he’s considering doing the same in other cities including one of our own.

Cut 12 (12) “…of this country.”

Crime rates have actually fallen in New Orleans in 2025

We now know one person who will not be the LSU System’s next president. After her name surfaced as a top candidate for the job, Congresswoman Julia Letlow ended that speculation. The Monroe native has represented the 5^th district since 2021 and previously taught at ULM, Tulane and South Florida. At her alma mater, ULM, she’s been an ombudsperson and also served as a Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Cut 7 (10) “…representing the 5th.”

166 solar power installers were recently laid off in Louisiana but Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association Director, Monika (noe-NEE-kah) Gerhart says Louisiana is among the nation’s leaders in solar energy growth and she points out that over the last decade, Louisiana has experienced the most cumulative power outage hours of any state in the nation.

Cut 5 (15) “…more affordable rate.”

She says solar is a mature industry that will continue to grow as long as the sun shines.

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow ended speculation this morning that she could be the next president of the LSU system. During an appearance on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Letlow says she considered the opportunity, but the timing is not right…

Cut 6 (10) “…as a candidate.”

Letlow has represented Louisiana’s 5^th Congressional district since 2021.

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says data shows that smoke-free policies are effective in reducing the rate of smoking-related cancers. Senior Director Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson says data like this further fuels their goal of additional smoke-free policies across the state.

Cut 9 (07)  “…their quit attempts.”

He says Orleans and Ouachita parishes, where smoking is prohibited in all indoor establishments, including bars and gaming facilities, experienced a higher decrease in smoking-related cancers, than the rest of the state.

Louisiana solar panel installer PosiGen recently laid off 166 employees but one solar, wind and energy storage trade organization says they’re confident in the growth of solar energy. Monika (noe-NEE-kah) Gerhart, the executive director of the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association, says solar is a mature industry that will continue to grow as long as the sun shines.

Cut 4 (12) “…with good support.”

She says Louisiana is among the nation’s leaders in solar energy growth and points out, over the last decade, Louisiana has experienced the most cumulative power outage hours of any state in the nation.

A Deridder man was one number short of becoming a billionaire. John Stokes matched the powerball and four of the five other numbers in Saturday’s Powerball 1.1-billion-dollar jackpot drawing. He didn’t walk away empty handed though, he tripled his winnings with the power play option and was awarded $150,000. The jackpot as grown and tonight’s drawing is 1.4 billion dollars making it the sixth largest jackpot among all U.S. lottery jackpot games.

An anti-smoking group says smoke-free policies has led to a drop in smoking-related cancer.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry and federal officials will be at Angola this afternoon to announce that ICE detainees will be housed at the State Penitentiary. In a statement, Governor Landry says criminal illegal aliens beware, Louisiana Lockup is where your time in America Ends. It’s been reported the undocumented immigrants will be housed at Camp J, which has been under renovation.

Two more Republicans are eyeing the U-S Senate race, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson and St. Tammany Councilwoman Kathy Seidan are looking at challenging Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy. Cassidy is already facing three announced challengers. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s a sign many see Cassidy as vulnerable because of his 2021 vote to impeach President Trump…

Cut 12 (08) “…getting in it”

After Louisiana solar panel installer PosiGen laid off 166 employees, one trade organization representing the solar, wind and energy storage industries is reaffirming its confidence in the growth of solar energy. Monika (noe-NEE-kah) Gerhart, the executive director of the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association, says Louisiana is among the nation’s leaders in solar energy growth.

Cut 3 (08) “…and new hires.”

Union Parish vegetable farmer Conrad Cable says he will challenge Republican House Speaker and Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson in next year’s federal elections. Johnson will be well-funded in his re-election bid, but Cable says he has a plan to raise money…

Cut 6 (17) “….we intend to do”

Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is facing at least three Republican challengers in his bid for re-election. They are State Treasurer John Fleming, Acadiana state Senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says all of these candidates can make a run for U-S Senate and not lose their current seat…

Cut 11 (10) “….squeak ahead”

In April, there will be a party primary, as Republican and no party voters will have a chance to elect a GOP candidate for the November election

A big press conference is scheduled for 3 PM today at Angola as Governor Landry along with federal officials will announce detainee undocumented immigrants will be housed at the State Penitentiary. Louisiana has nine ICE processing and detention centers and Louisiana Illuminator Editor Greg LaRose says Louisiana has become a go-to location for the Trump administration since it placed a heightened emphasis on immigration enforcement.

Cut 15 (09) “…hold times.”

Governor Landry says the federal government has approved the state’s waiver that prohibits SNAP recipients from using food stamps to purchase soda, candy and energy drinks. Landry says this new policy is part of the state’s Make Louisiana Healthy agenda.

Cut 21 (09) “…Louisianians healthy.”

Landry says SNAP recipients are now able to purchase rotisserie chicken with food stamps, a healthy food item.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will face a Democratic challenger in next November’s general election. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Powerball mania is in full effect across the country as the prize for tonight’s jackpot is up to an estimated 1.3 billion dollars.  Tonight’s jackpot is the fifth largest in Powerball history with an estimated cash value of $589 million dollars.

—————–

State and Federal officials are set to make a big announcement later today, making it official that Angola will house ICE detainees in Camp J.  It has been closed since 2018. However, Louisiana Illuminator Editor Greg LaRose says ays in late July the governor declared a state of emergency for expedited repairs.

Cut 14 (11) “…changed.”

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says smoke-free policies are working when it comes to reducing the rate of smoking-related cancers.  And Senior Director Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson, says the positive effects of smoke-free policies have many more benefits.

Cut 8 (12) “…having asthma attacks.”