Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana is combining federal and state dollars to make a 3.5-billion-dollar investment in rural Louisiana. Joe Gallinaro has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”
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With Medicare’s annual open enrollment period opening Thursday, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has some helpful tips for beneficiaries. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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If you’re looking to study the music business in college, two of the best schools for that are right here in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.
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The November 3rd election is now just three weeks from today. If you’d like to vote in it and have yet to register to vote, you have until today to do so. Trey Williams with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office says at this point, your only option to register in time to vote on November 3rd is to do it online.
Williams says despite today’s deadline, you can actually register to vote at any time.
If you had previously registered to vote, no need to register again – your registration is still active. Williams says you can still use the occasion of today’s deadline to double-check your registration status.
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Governor Jeff Landry announces the state is in the process of investing 3.5-billion dollars in rural Louisiana. One-point-five-billion dollars of that is in federal broadband funding. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of ConnectLA, says by the end of 2026, he expects 95-percent of Louisiana to have access to reliable internet.
Cut 7 (10) “…the national average.”
Archie Chaisson, the executive director of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, says the office is investing 580-million dollars in 152 road and bridge projects.
Cut 8 (11) “…hampers our community.”
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Rural Health Transformation Project is spearheading a 1.4-billion-dollar initiative to improve access, quality and innovation across rural health care systems statewide. ULM President Dr. Carrie Castille says they have received funding to expand programs in its College of Health Sciences, which will expand their nursing enrollment.
Cut 9 (10) “…our rural communities.”
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The annual open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries opens Thursday, and the Louisiana Department of Insurance has some helpful tips to help you navigate your options. Ron Henderson, the deputy commissioner at the LDI’s office of consumer advocacy, says when it comes to Medicare plans, one size does not fit all – make sure you get the plan that suits your needs.
Henderson says the Department of Insurance has specialists who are able to help beneficiaries choose which plan is best for them – and with just a little bit of information, they can help you zero in on the best one.
Cut 11 (08) “…correct information back.”
Henderson says since LDI does not sell insurance itself, it will give unbiased advice – the department does not stand to benefit financially based on the selection.
Cut 12 (08) “…your top three.”
Just about anywhere, there are plenty of Medicare scams out there, many of which involve scammers trying to get seniors to give them their Medicare ID numbers. Henderson says treat that number as you would treat your Social Security number – do not give it to anyone who calls you unsolicited.
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Billboard magazine is out with its list of the best music business schools in the world; and of the 48 which made the grade for 2026, two of them are in Louisiana – The Loyola University School of Music and Theater Professionals and U-L Lafayette’s music business program. U-L Lafayette launched its bachelor’s degree program in music business about 12 years ago. It’s run by Associate Music Professor Scott Durbin, who says students get hands-on experience in all facets of the music industry.
Cut 13 (10) “…booking and touring.”
Durbin says as part of the curriculum, students work with a local up-and-coming artist.
Cut 14 (11) “…to better themselves.”
In 2023, Shirley collaborated with Entrepreneurship Professor Jonathan Shirley to create HodgePodge. Shirley says students in U-L Lafayette’s music business school put the show on each year, filling every role needed to stage a concert.
Cut 15 (12) “…it’s their show.”
And since its inception, HodgePodge has grown in popularity.
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Southern upset Prairie View A&M on the road, 28-14, on Saturday. The Jaguars marched a 13-play go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, and cornerback Herman Brister sealed the win with a 47-yard pick-six with 15 seconds left. Coach Marshall Faulk says in big moments players don’t need to switch on another gear, just fall back on their practice.
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Grambling is rolling with another big 45-38 win over Jackson State this weekend. Quarterback Jacobe Robinson threw for over 200 yards and four touchdowns and ran in another score. Coach Mickey Joseph says there’s a reason the transfer was at Boston College and Southern Miss.
The G-men are now first in the SWAC West and will visit 5-and-2 Alabama A&M on Saturday.
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LSU lost yet another close one in Kentucky, falling 35-34 to the Wildcats on Saturday. The Tigers missed too many chances, including two trips to the red zone where they had to settle for field goals. Coach Lane Kiffin says it’s an area where they need to get better.
Cut 18 (12) “…it’s a problem.”
Kiffin says the Tigers had two fewer sacks, two more turnovers and the same number of explosive plays as Kentucky and still had four different chances to win the game. He told the players that shows they can be a really good team.
A few big calls did not go the Tigers’ way — whether a Wildcat was out of bounds on a punt return touchdown, a Kentucky QB sneak on the goal line where forward progress seemed to stop, and a potential false start before the game-winning two-point conversion. Kiffin says officials have a really tough job.
Cut 20 (19) “…always evened out.”