Qualifying for the closed primaries is underway. Andrew Greenstein is at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge and has a look at who’s qualified so far for U.S. Senate.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

With Letlow running for U-S Senate, that leaves her fifth District Congressional seat vacant. Nine people have qualified to run in that election, including two Republican lawmakers Rick Edmonds from Baton Rouge and Blake Miguez from New Iberia. The Chairperson for the Board of Regents, Misti Cordell, will also compete for the Republican nomination.

A temporary bill aimed at stopping some welfare fraud is now permanent as President Trump signed Senator John Kennedy’s bill, Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. Previously, the Social Security Administration needed congressional approval to share the master file of names of deceased people with other agencies. This act makes permanent that temporary law that allowed the information to keep improper payments from being sent to dead people. Kennedy says it saved the federal government at least 330-Million dollars in improper payments since December of 2023.

Cut 8 (10) “…duh.”

Former LSU and Neville football star Will Campbell did not have a good game in the Super Bowl as his Patriots lost to the Seahawks. The rookie offensive tackle waited until Tuesday to talk to reporters and said the knee he injured in the regular season, is still not 100-percent, but he’s not making excuses…

Cut 12 (07) “…I was healthy”

Candidates who plan on running for U-S Senate and the U-S House of Representatives are qualifying today at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge. Bill Cassidy is seeking a third term and is expected to qualify either tomorrow or Friday. State Treasurer John Fleming is one of Cassidy’s main challengers in the Republican Primary. The other is Congresswoman Julia Letlow. Fleming says he’s the most conservative candidate in the Republican primary…

Cut  4 (10) “…..65-percent”

A well-known Democrat is not expected to challenge the Republican Primary winner. But someone will face a Republican in the November general election. Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis believes he will be the one and he could shock the world…

Cut 6 (10) “… a new champion”

President Trump has signed Senator John Kennedy’s bill that puts a mechanism in place that prevents dead people from receiving government assistance after they pass away. Kennedy says he has been working to prevent welfare fraud for years and cited the 2023 cost of sending the improper payments…

Cut 9 (08)  “…dead people.”

Kennedy’s legislation ensures the Social Security Administration will share death notices with the Treasury Department’s Do Not Pay system.

The LSU men’s basketball team was trounced by 21^st ranked Arkansas last night. The final score was 91-62 as LSU shot just 31-percent from the field. Coach Matt McMahon on another difficult night…

Cut 27 (13) “…shots there”

LSU is 2-9 in SEC play.

Qualifying is underway in the closed primaries for federal offices. Among those who qualified for U.S. Senate this morning was Republican State Treasurer John Fleming, who noted that he was the first one to announce a primary challenge to Bill Cassidy.

Cut 3 (07) “…your vote? ” 

He said in a still-crowded field, made a little less so following President Trump’s endorsement of Congresswoman Julia Letlow, he’s still the most conservative candidate in the Republican primary

Whichever Republican who wins the primary will not have a cakewalk in the general election campaign, as at least one Democrat has qualified. Jamie Davis says at the end of the day, everyone has the same feelings about what’s happening in Washington.

Cut 5 (09) “…tired of it”

Democratics, Political consultant Tracie Burke and former Housing Authority of New Orleans Chief of Staff Jabarie Walker are expected to qualify later this week.

A temporary bill aimed at stopping some welfare fraud is now permanent as President Trump signed Senator John Kennedy’s bill, Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. Previously, the Social Security Administration said they needed congressional approval to share the master file of names of deceased people with other agencies. This act makes permanent that temporary law that allowed the information to keep improper payments from being sent to dead people. Kennedy says it saved the federal government at least Three Hundred Thirty Million dollars in improper payments since December of 2023.

Cut 8 (10) “…duh.”

The Super Bowl was rough for former LSU and Neville football star Will Campbell and the rookie offensive tackle for the Patriots received a lot of criticism for his play. Campbell says it comes with the job…

Cut 11 (10) “…for me ”

President Trump has signed a bill aimed at stopping some welfare fraud. Senator John Kennedy’s bill, Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act amends the Social Security Act to allow the Social Security Administration to share the Death Master File with the Treasury Department so they can discontinue payments to recipients who have passed away.

Cut 7 (08) … the checks

The Act makes permanent Kennedy’s previous bill.

Qualifying for the closed party primary elections for the U.S. Senate and House opened today. State Treasurer John Fleming is the first Republican to qualify in the Senate primary. Congresswoman Julia Letlow is expected to qualify later this week and has already gotten President Trump’s endorsement. LaPolitics Editor Jeremy Alford says in this race, Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy is in for the political fight of his life.

Cut 6 (11) “…last couple weeks.”

It was not a Super Bowl to remember for former LSU and Neville football star Will Campbell. The rookie offensive tackle for the Patriots allowed two sacks and 14 pressures according to Next Gen Stats as Seattle defeated New England 29-13. Campbell did not speak with reporters after the game and on Tuesday he apologized for not making himself available on Sunday night…

Cut 10 (12) “…said anything.”

For the fourth semester in a row, McNeese saw its enrollment increase. For the spring semester, its enrollment went up 5.3-percent – its biggest spring enrollment increase in 16 years. Interim President Kedrick Nicholas says enrollment has increased steadily since taking a major hit during the pandemic.

Cut 26 (12) “…this past fall.”

Qualifying for Louisiana’s new closed party primary elections for U.S. Senate and U.S. House got under way today. State Treasurer John Fleming from Minden is the first Republican to qualify. He is challenging Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy who wants a third term and Congresswoman Julia Letlow who received President Trump’s endorsement and is expected to qualify later in the week. LaPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford says Fleming is hoping to be a factor.

Cut 4 (09) “…in the room.”

Several law enforcement agencies in the New Orleans area have teamed up to form an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It’s housed at the Kenner Police Department. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the task force became operational at the beginning of the year, and the public should expect to see numerous arrests in the next several weeks.

Cut 7 (08) “…the law allows.”

A new statue and museum exhibit celebrates the life and career of the late Governor Kathleen Blanco. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

NFL free agency begins next month, and Ross Jackson, the host of the Locked On Saints Podcast believes the Saints will be looking to build around quarterback Tyler Shough. The Saints picked up a fifth-year option on receiver Chris Olave’s rookie contract last offseason, and Jackson believes New Orleans may try to extend him for the next several years this summer.

Cut 17 (16)  “…ten receiving touchdowns.”

State Treasurer John Fleming from Minden is the first Republican to qualify for the U-S Senate Republican Primary. Fleming is challenging Incumbent Bill Cassidy. Cassidy is seeking a third-term and Congresswoman Julia Letlow is expected to qualify for the Senate Republican Primary later in the week. Will we see a well-known Democrat face the Republican Primary winner, La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says probably not…

Cut 5 (08) “….futre race”

For the fourth semester in a row, McNeese has seen an increase in enrollment, up five percent from last spring  to just more than 65-hundred students. Interim President Kedrick Nicholas says in 2024, McNeese developed a five-year strategic plan with the focus on increasing enrollment…

Cut 11 (09) “…we can maintain.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced a new task force for the Greater New Orleans area that will investigate internet crimes against children. The A-G says the problem is only getting worse. She says in January, the statewide ICAC Task Force received more than nine -thousand cybertips. Murrill says sextortion and extortion are becoming more prevalent.

Cut 8 (10) “…them for money.”

A life-style statue of the late Governor Kathleen Blanco is now on display at the Bayou Teche Museum in her hometown of New Iberia. Blanco also served as a Public Service Commissioner and Lt. Governor. Current Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he will never forget Blanco’s leadership during Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (12) “….to this day”

Qualifying is underway for the closed party primary elections for U-S Senate and U-S House. The Senate Republican Primary will receive the most attention as Incumbent Bill Cassidy is seeking a third-term, but faces a formidable opponent in Julia Letlow…

Cut 18 (14) “….elected life”

That’s La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford. Republican State Treasurer John Fleming is also running, but it doesn’t look like a well-known Democrat will qualify.

McNeese State’s spring enrollment is up five-percent over last Spring and it’s the highest spring enrollment increase in 16 years.  Interim McNeese president Kedrick Nicholas says since the fall of 2024 they have prioritized enrollment and student support…

Cut 12 (14) “…competitor institutions”

A task force has formed that will investigate internet crimes against children in the Greater New Orleans Metro area. Chris Masters with the Attorney General’s office says the task force is equipped with the latest technology to address the rising numbers of tips related to child exploitation in the area. Masters urges parents to watch what their children are doing on the internet.

Cut 9 (14)  “…them on there.”

There is now a bronze statue of former Governor Kathleen Blanco in her hometown of New Iberia. It’s located at the Bayou Teche Museum. Blanco served one term during a chaotic time for the state as it was recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser was elected parish president in Plaquemines Parish the year following Katrina…

Cut 15 (12) “…every other parish.”

Blanco passed away in 2019 at the age of 76.

Qualifying begins today for Louisiana’s new closed party primary elections.  And experts say the race to watch is the Republican Senate Senate Primary where incumbent Bill Cassidy  is seeking a third term faces a few challengers including Julia, who has the support of President Trump. LaPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford says Cassidy is in for the political fight of his life.

Cut 6 (11) “…last couple weeks.”

Many are wondering whether a well-known Democrat may throw their hat into the ring between now and Friday when qualifying ends. Alford says former Governor John Bel Edwards and State Senator Gary Carter have said they will not run. He says it’s likely the winner of the Republican Senate Primary will face a Democrat with little name recognition.

Cut 5 (08) “…a future race.”

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A new statue and museum exhibit celebrates the life and career of the late Governor Kathleen Blanco. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

For the fourth semester in a row, McNeese has seen an increase in enrollment, up 5.3 percent to just more than 65-hundred students. A decade and a half ago, that number was consistently more than eight thousand. Interim President Kedrick Nicholas says there’s a strategic plan to get those number back up and keep them there.

Cut 11 (09) “…we can maintain.”