A traffic stop in Lafayette led to the seizure of over two million dollars work of cocaine Friday. Lafayette Police Narcotics Division stopped a driver on I-10 and questioned him. Their interview with an alert by a K-9 officer led them to search the vehicle where they found over twenty-one thousand grams of cocaine. The driver, 52-year-old Sergio Garcia from Cypress, Texas was arrested and is being held on one count of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II narcotic.

Louisiana’s House Democratic caucus is pondering its perceived wins in the just completed legislative session. Chairman Matthew Willard says they were greatly outnumbered, but they were able to help defeat bills that targeted diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state government and at public colleges and universities.

Cut 3 (16) “…and what’s right.”

Lawmakers approved a 46-billion-dollar budget and Governor Landry says the session resulted in the largest tort reform effort in the state’s history, holding both trial lawyers and insurance companies accountable. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana president, Steven Procopio says the verdict is still out on whether changes will reduce insurance rates.

Cut 14 (09) “…to that.”

Lawmakers have approved legislation creating a “One Door” approach to access most state-provided assistance. Mandeville Representative Kim Carver says the Louisiana Workforce Commission, which will be renamed Louisiana Works would become the main public-facing agency for access to assistance.

Cut 10 (11) “…of work.”

He says the overhaul will improve service delivery, reduce duplication, and help more residents re-enter the workforce.

State lawmakers have approved legislation to support a “One Door” approach, where Louisianians can access most state-provided assistance. Mandeville Representative Kim Carver says one of the biggest changes is that Department of Children and Family Services will no longer administer the food stamp program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.

Cut 9 (09)  …child welfare system.”

Most programs will now be accessed through Louisiana Works.

Before the legislative session ended, lawmakers approved a 46-billion-dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins July first. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, president, Steven Procopio calls it a prudent budget.

Cut 12 (10) “…standstill budget.”

The biggest battle was over funding for L-A GATOR, the state’s new voucher program.

House Democrats are reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is hospitalized, and his son Pastor Donnie Swaggart says without a miracle, his father’s time will be short. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home Sunday. Spokesperson Megan Kelly…

Cut 6 (09) “…absolutely anything.”

World-renowned evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack at his home yesterday. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital, and spokeswoman Megan Kelly says his family is by his side.

Cut 8 (08) “…praying right now.”

Kelly says right now, Swaggart’s fate is in God’s hands.

Louisiana’s House Democratic caucus is reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Chairman Matthew Willard says despite being greatly outnumbered, Democrats had some significant wins this session, including helping defeat a bill targeting teachers unions.

Cut 4 (11) “…the teacher unions.”

Willard says Democrats also helped defeat a bill that targeted DEI efforts.

Lawmakers have approved a plan that would create a one stop shop for Louisiana residents to access most of the state’s benefit programs. Sean Richardson has more the Louisiana Workforce Commission will oversee those programs.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

As LSU looks to gain a huge advantage in the College World Series, the Tigers are cleaning up in the Jello Shot Challenge across the street. At Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina, they’re selling Jello shots in the colors of the eight participating teams, and let’s just say that LSU is running away with it. Seriously, it’s not even close.

House Democrats are reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

Lawmakers have approved a plan that would create a one stop shop for Louisiana residents to access most of state’s benefit programs. Sean Richardson has more the Louisiana Workforce Commission will oversee those programs.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

___________________________________________________

Louisiana’s House Democratic caucus is reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Chairman Matthew Willard says despite being greatly outnumbered, Democrats had some significant wins this session – among them is a bill they helped defeat that targeted diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state government and at public colleges and universities.

Cut 3 (16) “…and what’s right.”

Willard says another bill Democrats helped defeat was one that targeted teacher unions.

Cut 4 (11) “…the teacher unions.”

However, Willard acknowledges that Democrats didn’t get everything that they wanted. One of the battles that they lost was one that stipulates that a driver at least 51-percent at-fault in a crash collects no damages.

Cut 5 (10) “…with that policy.”

________________________________________________

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack at his home yesterday. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital. Swaggart is one of the most well-known televangelists and is the founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in Baton Rouge. Spokeswoman Megan Kelly says Sunday was a difficult day.

Cut 6 (11) “…right now.”

Reverend Swaggart’s son, Pastor Donnie Swaggart, said in a statement that without a miracle, his time will be short. Megan Kelly says Reverend Swaggart is in God’s hands.

Cut 7 (09) “…for healing.”

Reverend Swaggart turned 90 in March. He’s been a huge figure in Christian ministry for nearly seven decades. Reverend Swaggart has been able to reach millions of Christians through television, radio, gospel music and Bible distribution efforts. Kelly says Reverend Swaggart has his family by his side.

Cut 8 (08) “…praying right now.”

________________________________________________

State lawmakers have approved legislation to support a “One Door” approach, one place where Louisianians can can access the most of the assistance they need. Mandeville Representative Kim Carver says one of the biggest changes is that Department of Children and Family Services will no longer administer the state’s food stamp program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.

Cut 9 (09)  …child welfare system.”

Carver says the Louisiana Workforce Commission, which will be renamed Louisiana Works would become the main public-facing agency for benefit access.

Cut 10 (11) “…of work.”

Carver says the Department of Health would manage SNAP processing, and DCFS would shift to focus on child welfare. He says the overhaul will improve service delivery, reduce duplication, and help more residents re-enter the workforce.

Cut 11 (12) “…benefits that they need.”

________________________________________________________

Before the legislative session ended, lawmakers approved a 46-billion dollar state operating budget for the next fiscal year that begins July first. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, president Steven Procopio, calls it a prudent budget.

Cut 12 (10) “…standstill budget.”

The biggest budget battle was over funding for L-A GATOR, the state’s new voucher program.  Procopio says lawmakers left out 50-million dollars that Governor Landry requested for L-A GATOR.

Cut 13 (09)  “…private schools”

Governor Landry says the legislative session resulted in the largest tort reform effort in the state’s history, holding both trial lawyers and insurance companies accountable. Procopio says the verdict is still out on whether changes will reduce insurance rates.

Cut 14 (09) “…to that.”

House Democrats are reflecting on the session, saying while they were greatly outnumbered, they did score some significant wins. Chairman Matthew Willard says a battle they didn’t win was one that stipulates that a driver at least 51-percent at-fault in a crash collects no damages.

Cut 5 (10) “…with that policy.”

Willard says some wins include defeating bills that targeted DEI initiatives and teachers unions.

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack at his home yesterday. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital; and his son says barring a miracle, his time will be short. Spokeswoman Megan Kelly says Reverend Swaggart is now in God’s hands…

Cut 7 (09) “…for healing.”

A pharmacy benefit managers bill sought by Governor Landry did not pass, but Jeanne Burns reports he will have the chance to sign a P-B-M reform bill that did receive final legislative approval…

Cut 23 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

This year’s legislative session had some big wins for small businesses.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry is overseas. Landry along with Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois are attending the International Paris Air Show. It’s the world’s largest aerospace and aviation event. L-E-D says the trip will strengthen economic ties, attract new investment and showcase the state’s growing role in global industries.

Louisiana’s House Democratic caucus is reacting to the just-completed legislative session. Chairman Matthew Willard says they had some significant wins – among them is a bill they helped defeat that targeted diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Cut 3 (16) “…and what’s right.”

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack at his home yesterday. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital. Swaggart is one of the most well-known televangelists and is the founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in Baton Rouge. Spokesperson Megan Kelly says Sunday was a difficult day…

Cut 6 (11) “…right now”

Reverend Swaggart’s son, Pastor Donnie Swaggert, said in a statement that without a miracle, his time will be short.

Governor Landry could call a special session so lawmakers can approve legislation to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from owning drug stores, which he says would lower prescription drug costs. But Monroe Representative Michael Echols believes his PBM Reform bill approved on the final day of the session will accomplish just that…

Cut 7 (13) “…entire nation.”

The NFIB is praising the legislature for passing a series of bills this session to improve the small business climate in Louisiana. State Director Leah Long says a pair of them will streamline workforce development by reorganizing the Department of Children and Family Services under the new Louisiana Works agency.

Cut 5 (07) “…to small businesses.”

It’s a new day in collegiate athletics following the House settlement allowing universities to pay their student athletes directly. All schools will be allowed to share up to 20 and a half million dollars of their annual athletic revenue, with that cap increasing four-percent each year over the next decade. Sports attorney Fritz Metzinger of Stone Pigman says many schools will follow the back pay formula devised in the settlement.

Cut 13 (13)  “…this money.”

LSU takes on UCLA in a winner’s bracket game at the College World Series tonight. Jared Jones is looking to bounce back from an 0-for-5 performance against Arkansas Saturday night. Head Coach Jay Johnson says it’s about getting ready for the next game.

Cut 11 (11) “..the box.”

One state representative says his pharmacy benefit manager reform bill that passed this session will lower prescription drug costs over time. Monroe Republican Michael Echols says his legislation is a simple idea – if there’s a deal on your medicine, the savings go to you, not the corporate middlemen.

Cut 9 (13)  “…PBMs.”

The NCAA announces a new N-I-L Go program to review payments over 600 dollars. Sports attorney Fritz Metzinger of Stone Pigman says the Deloitte review board can determine whether they are valid business opportunities or masked booster payments.

Cut 15 (13) “…N-I-L payments.”

Big game for LSU tonight as they face UCLA in a winner’s bracket game in the College World Series. UCLA is 48-and-16 and entered the NCAA baseball tournament as the 15 seed. Head Coach Jay Johnson on the Bruins:

Cut 12 (10) “…awesome night”

If LSU wins, that gives them a huge advantage – they would then have two chances to advance to the best-of-three national championship series. First pitch from Omaha tonight is six p-m.

Scottish native Robert MacIntyre, who spent a year at McNeese before turning pro, finished second at the U.S. Open, two strokes behind J.J. Spaun at one over par. MacIntyre said it’s a matter of so close, yet so far away.

Cut 18 (10)  “…work to do.”

Monroe Republican Michael Echols believes the approval of his bill right before the close of the legislative session is the strongest crackdown on pharmacy benefit managers in the country. Echols says his legislation ensures that prescription drug rebates and discounts flow directly to the patients or their health plans, instead of pharmacy benefit managers

Cut 8 (08) “…national level.”

Echols says this legislation will make sure that if there is a deal on your medicine, those savings will go to you.

The NFIB believes the 2025 legislative session was a good one for small businesses. NFIB state director Leah Long says they are pleased with the changes to the legal system that could lead to lower insurance costs and bills were also approved to support Louisiana’s new “One Door” workforce policy…

Cut 5 (07) “…small business”

A new era of college athletics will begin July 1 after the NCAA House settlement approved revenue sharing. Kace Kieschnick spoke with Stone Pigman sports attorney Fritz Metzingier.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The LSU baseball team will play UCLA tonight in a winner’s bracket game at the College World Series. Former LSU golfer and Shreveport native Sam Burns shot an eight over par 78 yesterday and finished tied for seventh at the U-S Open. Burns had the lead at the U-S Open after the second and third rounds.

Monroe Republican Michael Echols believes the approval of his bill right before the close of the legislative session is the strongest crackdown on pharmacy benefit managers in the country. Echols says his legislation ensures that prescription drug rebates and discounts flow directly to the patients or their health plans, instead of pharmacy benefit managers

Cut 8 (08) “…national level.”

Echols says this legislation will make sure that if there is a deal on your medicine, those savings will go to you.

The NFIB believes the 2025 legislative session was a good one for small businesses. NFIB state director Leah Long says they are pleased with the changes to the legal system that could lead to lower insurance costs and bills were also approved to support Louisiana’s new “One Door” workforce policy…

Cut 5 (07) “…small business”

A new era of college athletics will begin July 1 after the NCAA House settlement approved revenue sharing. Kace Kieschnick spoke with Stone Pigman sports attorney Fritz Metzingier.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The LSU baseball team will play UCLA tonight in a winner’s bracket game at the College World Series. Former LSU golfer and Shreveport native Sam Burns shot an eight over par 78 yesterday and finished tied for seventh at the U-S Open. Burns had the lead at the U-S Open after the second and third rounds.