The One Big Beautiful Bill, President Trump’s signature domestic policy package that promises to provide four-point-five trillion dollars in tax breaks and spending cuts is on the verge of passage in the U-S House. But Democrat Cleo Fields believes there’s enough skeptical Republicans to vote against the legislation…

Cut 12 (06) “…going to stop”

Assuming all 212 Democrats are present and vote no, that means the Republicans can only lose three votes and pass the bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson spent the night trying to convince GOP legislators to vote for it…

Cut 13 (10)  “…our personal preferences.”

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are concerned about the cuts to Medicaid and the elimination of green energy credits. Members of the House Freedom Caucus have pushed for steeper reductions in spending.

Governor Jeff Landry issued 17 line-item vetoes on the budget, with 16 of them having something interesting in common. Tyler Bridges, the chief political reporter for The Advocate, notes that those 16 line items were projects by Republicans who voted “no” on Landry’s key legislation, House Bill 148, which grants the insurance commissioner the authority to reject excessive rate increases.

Cut 7 (13) “…sponsored by Republicans.”

Vetoed projects included a highway extension in Bossier City, a tennis court in Livingston Parish, and a bridge in Metairie.

Grambling State has launched the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation. President Martin Lemelle says the nonprofit will advance the university’s pursuit of Research Two classification…

Cut 15 (15) “….support faculty innovation”

Lemelle says GR 2 is the engine behind their next chapter.

A final legislative vote on the Big, Beautiful Bill is expected today in the U-S House. Speaker Mike Johnson is working to get his fellow Republicans on the same page to get the 800-plus page bill onto President Trump’s desk by his Fourth of July deadline. Johnson says the legislation will provide four-point-five trillion dollars in tax cuts and invest 350-billion dollars in national security…

Cut 10 (07) “…around the world.”

But Democrat Cleo Fields is concerned about the one-point-two trillion dollar cutback in Medicaid and food stamps…

Cut 11 (08) “…left the house.”

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will also add three-point-three trillion dollars to the deficit.

Governor Landry issued 17 line-item vetoes on the budget and 16 of the line-item vetoes impacted funding for projects in the districts of Republican lawmakers who voted against a bill that gives the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rate increases. Tyler Bridges wrote the story for the Advocate and says it is a surprise…

Cut 8 (08) “…went after Republicans”

The NFIB says 36-percent of small business owners reported openings they could not fill last month.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The National Federation of Independent Business says 36-percent of small business owners reported openings they could not fill last month. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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It seems that there’s a certain tie that binds Governor Landry’s line-item vetoes. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Big Beautiful Bill is back in the House, and opinions among Louisiana’s delegation are obviously mixed along party lines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The National Federation of Independent Business’ June jobs report found that 36-percent of small business owners are having trouble filling job openings. NFIB State Director Leah Long says Louisiana’s new “One Door” policy will help consolidate public assistance and job training programs.

Cut 4 (11) “…qualified workforce.”

58-percent of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in June. 86-percent of those owners reported few or no qualified applicants for their vacancies. Long says House Bills 624 and 617 went into effect July 1st, but impacts may not be immediate.

Cut 5 (07) “…make it faster.”

Industries with the most openings were construction, manufacturing and transportation; while finance and agriculture sectors reported the fewest. Long says some of the increased numbers could be due to the time of year.

Cut 6 (11) “…those positions.”

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Governor Jeff Landry issued 17 line-item vetoes on the budget, with 16 of them having something interesting in common. Tyler Bridges, the chief political reporter for The Advocate, notes that those 16 line items were projects by Republicans who voted “no” on Landry’s key legislation, House Bill 148, which grants the insurance commissioner the authority to reject excessive rate increases.

Cut 7 (13) “…sponsored by Republicans.”

Vetoed projects included a highway extension in Bossier City, a tennis court in Livingston Parish, and a bridge in Metairie. Bridges says it’s a surprise because Landry is a very partisan Republican.

Cut 8 (08) “…went after Republicans.”

Affected legislators, fearing retaliation, mostly stayed silent, although Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh criticized Landry’s tactics, saying the vetoes reflect Landry’s push to enforce party loyalty. Bridges says political suspicion in the Capitol was that this would be a way for Landry to use Temple as a scapegoat.

Cut 9 (08)  “…insurance rates.”

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The Big, Beautiful Bill is back in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson is working to get his fellow Republicans on the same page to get it across the finish line and onto President Trump’s desk. Johnson says there are a lot of good things in the bill.

Cut 10 (07) “…around the world.”

But Democrat Cleo Fields doesn’t see it that way. He says there are a lot of bad things about the bill.

Cut 11 (08) “…left the house.”

Fields says he’s confident that Democrats can get enough Republicans to stick with them to torpedo the bill altogether.

Cut 12 (06) “…going to stop.”

Assuming that all 212 Democrats are present and vote no, that means Johnson can only lose three votes and pass the bill. He says he knows he has his work cut out for him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…our personal preferences.”

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Grambling State University launches the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation. University President Dr. Martin Lemelle (leh-MELL) says it’s a new non-profit designed to advance the university’s pursuit of Research 2 classification and deepen its research footprint.

Cut 14 (06) “…to that purpose.”

Dr. Lemelle says the foundation has several components to it.

Cut 15 (15) “…support faculty innovation.”

Lemelle says research has been core to Grambling’s foundations, since its early days as an agricultural institution. But he says the school has come a long way since then.

Cut 16 (11) “…iteration of technology.”

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LSU has added three left-handed pitchers in the transfer portal since returning from Omaha. Oregon sophomore Santiago Garcia and North Dakota State freshman Danny Lachenmayer were both exceptional in relief last season while Tennessee freshman Ryler Smart spent the year as a redshirt. Tigers pitching coach Nate Yeskie says he felt like his staff needed some balance on the left side of the mound but as for their roles, that will be up to them.

Cut 17 (18)  “…to start.”

Freshman pitcher William Schmidt was ranked as the No. 16 prospect in the MLB draft out of high school by MLB.com last year. Schmidt pitched 32-and-a-third innings for the Tigers this season with a 4.73 ERA. Yeskie says this offseason will determine if he can take the next step.

Cut 18 (20)  “…into the spring.”

Tigers ace Kade Anderson made the leap to dominance his sophomore year after a freshman season behind pitching duo Luke Holman and Gage Jump. Yeskie says Schmidt roomed with Anderson on the road this season to see what it takes.

Cut 19 (18) “…good blueprint.”

Two men suspected in a Lake Charles murder over the weekend are under arrest. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Larry Bigelow was taken into custody in Beaumont, Texas, and 22-year-old Titus Tezeno (TEZ-eh-noh) turned himself in. Both are charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 23-year-old Kalin (KAY-lin) Stevens.

Book your tickets now for Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

One state senator is expressing frustration over the Supreme Court delaying a ruling over Louisiana’s congressional map. Shreveport Republican Alan Seabaugh is a vocal critic of the current map, and he argued it prioritizes race over equal representation, violating the 14th Amendment.

Cut 10 (11) “…what happened.”

Even though the redrawn map flipped a Republican seat to Democrat last year, the state has argued in favor of that redrawn map.

With Texas State set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12, could Louisiana Tech fill the void? Dave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast says, don’t count on it. He says the Sun Belt has reached out to East Carolina, who responded with a wait-and-see.

Cut 7 (09) “…of the A-A-C.”

One of two suspects in a Lake Charles weekend murder has been apprehended. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that 22-year-old Larry Bigelow was arrested in Beaumont, Texas. The second suspect, 22-year-old Titus Tezeno (TEZ-eh-noh), remains at large. Both are charged with the shooting death of 23-year-old Kalin (KAY-lin) Stevens of Lake Charles late Sunday night.

Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.Offering twice-daily scenic trips along the Gulf Coast, it connects to major Amtrak routes like the City of New Orleans. Ross says the service will bring convenience that one stop a day doesn’t have.

Cut 4 (08) “…and tourism.”

Texas State is officially set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12 in 2026 after approving the five-million-dollar buyout earlier this week. Louisiana Tech was rumored to be the apparent replacement, but Dave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast says the conference’s non-Louisiana schools feel the Sun Belt would be over saturated by the Bayou state.

Cut 6 (09) “…two weeks ago.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on Louisiana versus Callais, a case challenging the state’s new congressional map with two majority-Black districts.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for a ruling.”

One of the two suspects in a Lake Charles murder over the weekend has been captured. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Larry Bigelow was taken into custody in Beaumont, Texas. 22-year-old Titus Tezeno (TEZ-eh-noh) remains on the loose. They’re both charged with shooting and killing 23-year-old Kalin (KAY-lin) Stevens of Lake Charles late Sunday night.

Texas State is leaving Sun Belt for the PAC-12 next year. Louisiana Tech is a hopeful replacement, but the sun might be setting on the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says you can get your tickets now.

Cut 3 (08) “…limited number.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on a challenge to Louisiana’s congressional map. Seabaugh says the newly-drawn sixth district has already been ruled unconstitutional and lines should be redrawn before the next election; but only Governor Landry can call lawmakers back to address the issue, and that’s not going to happen.

Cut 11 (06) “…uphold that deal.”

The state has argued that the map, with two majority Black districts, should remain as is. The new map flipped one of Louisiana’s six seats from Republican to Democrat last year.

Book your tickets for Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, now. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Texas State announced they’ll be moving on from the Sun Belt for the PAC-12 next year. Louisiana Tech is a hopeful replacement, but the sun might be setting on the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says you can get your tickets now.

Cut 3 (08) “…limited number.”

Offering twice-daily scenic trips along the Gulf Coast, it connects to major Amtrak routes like the City of New Orleans. Ross says the service will bring convenience that one stop a day doesn’t have.

Cut 4 (08) “…and tourism.”

Restoring service lost since Hurricane Katrina, it boosts tourism, jobs, and regional mobility while celebrating Gulf Coast culture. Ross says the service reflects significant infrastructure investment, improving connectivity and economic growth.

Cut 5 (12) “…trying to do.”

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Texas State is officially set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12 in 2026 after approving the five-million-dollar buyout earlier this week. Louisiana Tech was rumored to be the apparent replacement, but Dave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast says the conference’s non-Louisiana schools feel the Sun Belt would be over saturated by the Bayou state.

Cut 6 (09) “…two weeks ago.”

While U-L Lafayette and ULM are pushing the Bulldogs due to their historic rivalries and quick commutes, others argue Tech won’t add new TV markets for the conference. Schultz says the Sun Belt has reached out to East Carolina who responded with a wait-and-see.

Cut 7 (09) “…of the A-A-C.”

Schultz says if the Sun Belt wanted Louisiana Tech, there would have been a quick announcement. The conference has been surprisingly slow on the issue and Schultz expects there won’t be an answer by Sun Belt Media Days July 22. He hopes this is because they’re taking the time to consider expansion to 16 teams.

Cut 8 (09) “…and E-C-U.”

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Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on Louisiana versus Callais, a case challenging the state’s new congressional map with two majority-Black districts.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for a ruling.”

Last Friday, the Court opted for re-argument, leaving the map in place for now. Seabaugh, a vocal critic of the redistricting, argued it prioritizes race over equal representation, violating the 14th Amendment.

Cut 10 (11) “…what happened.”

Seabaugh says the district has already been ruled unconstitutional and lines should be redrawn before the next election; but only Governor Landry can call lawmakers back to address the issue, and that’s not going to happen.

Cut 11 (06) “…uphold that deal.”

Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama,  Restoring service lost since Hurricane Katrina, it boosts tourism, jobs, and regional mobility while celebrating Gulf Coast culture. Ross says the service reflects significant infrastructure investment, improving connectivity and economic growth.

Cut 5 (12) “…trying to do.”

After a five-million-dollar buyout earlier this week, Texas State is officially set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12 in 2026. UL-Lafayette and ULM are pushing for La Tech to fill the gap.  Host of the Locked on Sun Belt Podcast, Dave Schultz, says if the Sun Belt wanted the Bullgods, there would have been a quick announcement. The conference has been surprisingly slow on the issue, and Schultz expects there won’t be an answer by Sun Belt Media Days July 22. He hopes this is because they’re taking the time to consider expansion to 16 teams.

Cut 8 (09) “…and E-C-U.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on a case challenging the state’s new congressional map with two majority-Black districts. Last Friday, the Court opted for re-argument, leaving the map in place for now. Seabaugh, a vocal critic of the redistricting, argued it prioritizes race over equal representation, violating the 14th Amendment.

Cut 10 (11) “…what happened.”

Authorities in Lake Charles are looking for two men who they say shot and killed a man over the weekend. 23-year-old Kalin (KAY-lin) Stevens of Lake Charles was found dead along U.S. 90 late Sunday night. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says the suspects are Larry Bigelow and Titus Tezeno (TEZ-eh-noh), both of Lake Charles. Sheriff Guillory says the shooting was the result of an argument that Stevens had with the two suspects. He says both are convicted felons.

Cut 13 (10)  “…with a firearm.”