On day one of qualifying, six Republicans and three Democrats qualified for the ballot in the fifth congressional district. Andrew Greenstein reports one candidate’s opponents are taking him to task for where he lives.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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ULM is the first university in the state to install a drone detection system. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A big weekend of Mardi Gras parades is coming up, but there is the threat of severe weather. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin gives us the details.
Cut 3 (32) “…meteorologist Bill Jacquemin.”
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On the first day of qualifying for the closed party primaries, six Republicans have qualified for the ballot in the Fifth Congressional District. That’s the seat being vacated by Julia Letlow as she’s running for U.S. Senate. Among the six who qualified yesterday was the man who President Trump endorsed, State Senator Blake Miguez, who says he will be running on his record of conservative legislation.
Cut 4 (13) “…banning Zucker-bucks.”
Miguez was originally going to run for U.S. Senate but changed gears when Trump endorsed Letlow in that race, setting off a chain of events. Miguez says he will continue fighting for President Trump’s agenda on behalf of the people of Louisiana.
Cut 5 (06) “…the national level.”
A lot has been made of the fact that Miguez lives in New Iberia, which isn’t close to the boundaries of the Fifth District – it’s important to note that under federal law, U.S. House members are not required to live in the district that they serve in. Still, that’s not stopping his opponents from hammering him on that fact, including Rick Edmonds.
Cut 6 (11) “…know this district.”
Edmonds is a state senator from Baton Rouge; he says he will fight for Louisiana values in Washington.
Cut 7 (13) “…fight, fight, fight.”
Another candidate who qualified yesterday is Misti Cordell, who’s currently the chairwoman of the Board of Regents. She says it doesn’t concern her that President Trump’s endorsement went to someone else.
Along with Baton Rouge, the Fifth District also includes northeast Louisiana, which Cordell says has unique needs – and since she’s from northeast Louisiana, she’s the one best suited to represent the district – not someone who lives in New Iberia.
Austin Magee, Michael Mebruer and Sammy Wyatt have also qualified for the Republican primary. Qualifying ends tomorrow afternoon.
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The University of Louisiana at Monroe says it has bolstered public safety on its campus with the installation of a drone detection system. Dr. Mark Johnson is the Training Director for ULM Police, and he says universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones, especially during large events, such as academic ceremonies and football games.
The drone detection equipment is mounted atop Malone Stadium; and Dr. Johnson says it gives ULM real-time visibility into its airspace, and officers are alerted immediately when an unauthorized drone flies over campus.
Cut 11 (11) “…the operator is.”
Johnson says a grant from FEMA allowed them to partner with Sky Safe, which is known as a global leader in drone detection. He says Sky Safe gives campus police a reliable way to manage drone activity on campus.
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Two foreign nationals are indicted by federal prosecutors in what is believed to be one of the biggest meth busts in Louisiana history. U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall says Livingston Parish deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday; and during a search of the vehicle, they discovered among other paraphernalia, 71-hundred dollars in cash and 164 kilograms of methamphetamine. (360 pounds)
Cut 13 (10) “…pounds of methamphetamine.”
Wall says his office has worked diligently to move cases like this one very quickly.
Cut 14 (12) “…these two gentlemen.”
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says the deputies who stopped the two men last Saturday were true heroes that day.
Cut 15 (11) “…you got caught.”
The Justice Department says the two men are citizens of Honduras and El Salvador and are in the country illegally.
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The number-two LSU baseball team will open its national title defense at 2 p.m. tomorrow against Milwaukee. Kendall Rodgers of D1Baseball.com believes the Tigers will be dangerous at the plate. Rodgers says sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel has positioned himself to have an even better second season at the plate after putting on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason.
Cut 16 (09) “…good spot there.”
Third baseman Trent Caraway was one of LSU’s additions in this year’s transfer portal cycle. Caraway hit .267 with 12 homers and 47 RBI for Oregon State last season, and Rodgers believes he will have plenty of success for the Tigers in 2026.
Cut 17 (14) “…season for LSU.”
LSU will be without starting pitchers Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson this season, as both have turned pro. However, they return one of the best arms in the nation in sophomore right-hander Casan Evans. Last year, Evans had a 5-1 record and struck out 71 in over 52 innings of work. Rodgers believes Evans will solidify himself as the next great Tigers pitcher.
Cut 18 (14) “…bona-fide Friday guy.”
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The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team is riding a four-game winning streak, and the Cajuns look to extend it to five tonight when they host Coastal Carolina at 7 p.m. Head coach Quannas White credits the team’s recent success to having unselfish players.
White, who was hired by the Cajuns in March of 2025, says he’s enjoying his time in Lafayette.