Legislation that attempts to put a stop to hazing on Louisiana college campuses is nearing final legislative passage. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With his days in Washington now numbered, the proverbial shackles are off Bill Cassidy, and he has seemed to have found a new sense of freedom. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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With a recall effort against Governor Landry picking up steam, Louisiana Republicans are working to stop the momentum. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act is close to final legislative passage. Wilson died in a hazing incident in February 2025 when he was repeatedly punched in the stomach while pledging for Omega Psi Phi fraternity on the Southern University Campus. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux presented the bill on the Senate floor with Wilson’s parents watching.

Cut 4 (11) “…be here today.”

If Governor Landry signs the legislation into law, it would take effect for the 2027-28 school year and will apply to fraternities, sororities and any other organization on campus including athletic teams and bands. Boudreaux says the proposed law requires schools to provide information about the dangers of hazing.

Cut 5 (14) “…anonymous reporting options.”

If a death of a student results from hazing, the organization involved would be banned from campus forever. And any school that violates the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act would not be allowed to seek funding for construction projects from the Bond Commission for two years.  Boudreaux told the Senate this legislation could prevent another hazing death.

Cut 6 (09) “…we move forward.”

The Senate approved the legislation 37-0, and the measure goes back to the House for approval of House changes. The anti-hazing law has already received unanimous support from the House.

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Without ever having to face Louisiana voters ever again, Senator Bill Cassidy seems to have suddenly found his voice to criticize President Trump. Cassidy says spending a billion dollars of taxpayer money on a ballroom where the East Wing of the White House used to be is ridiculous.

Cut 7 (12) “…and health care.”

Cassidy also slammed the deal Trump reached with the Justice Department, in which he dismissed his ten-billion-dollar lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for establishing a 1.776-billion-dollar anti-weaponization fund. Part of that taxpayer money could go to people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

Cut 8 (08) “…precedent for this.”

Cassidy says he would expect a great deal of backlash from the American people over this development.

Cut 9 (11)  “…in on it.”

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LSU President Wade Rousse says he spends a quarter of his time as the leader of the LSU system dealing with athletics, and he’s urging Congress to approve legislation to get the cost escalation under control. Rousse says defining what a college athlete is would be a good start.

Cut 10 (09) “…very, very helpful.”

Rousse says transfer portal rules also need to be in place.

Cut 11 (08) “…out a year.”

Rousse says he also wants an independent body to establish a salary cap per sport.

Cut 12 (05) “…this under control.”

Rousse was hopeful the U.S. House would take up the SCORE Act this week. The SCORE Act would provide uniform rules for NIL and revenue-sharing in college athletics. But the bill was pulled from the agenda after the Congressional Black Caucus dropped its support for the bill over the attacks on the Voting Rights Act.

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An effort to recall Governor Landry is gaining headway in Louisiana, and Republicans are doing what they can to thwart it. Organizers were spurred to launch the recall effort after Landry halted the U.S. House election to redraw the map following the Supreme Court ruling. Desiree Morrison is one of the leaders behind the recall effort; she says people are showing up in droves to add their signatures.

Cut 13 (07)  “…more to come.”

Morrison says the word is rapidly spreading throughout the state.

Cut 14 (10) “…what we’re doing.”

Organizers will need just over 500-thousand valid signatures by October 31st to get the issue before voters – something that Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Cory Dennis says will not happen.

Cut 15 (09) “…leadership can accomplish.”

Dennis says they’re doing that by launching a social media campaign to tout Governor Landry’s accomplishments in office.

Cut 16 (10) “…throughout the country”

Those same organizers have also launched a recall effort against Attorney General Liz Murrill and against East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards.

With the failure of Amendment Three at the ballot box over the weekend, the fate of teacher pay is now in the hands of the legislature. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says he doubts that the legislature will be able to give teachers another stipend for the next fiscal year, since education funding is now about 500-million dollars in the hole.

Cut 3 (09) “…amendment not passing.”

The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act is close to final legislative passage. Wilson died in a hazing incident in February 2025 when he was repeatedly punched in the stomach while pledging for Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Southern University. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux presented the bill on the Senate floor with Wilson’s parents watching.

Cut 4 (11) “…here today.”

An effort to recall Governor Landry is picking up steam, and Republicans are doing what they can to slow the momentum. Organizers were spurred to launch the effort after Landry halted the U.S. House election to redraw the congressional map following the Supreme Court ruling. Desiree Morrison, who’s one of the leaders behind the effort, says word is rapidly spreading throughout the state.

Cut 14 (10) “…what we’re doing.”

Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Cory Dennis says the party is countering the effort by launching a social media campaign to tout Governor Landry’s accomplishments in office.

Cut 16 (10) “…throughout the country”

Organizers will need just over 500-thousand valid signatures by October 31st to get the issue before voters.

With the failure of Amendment Three over the weekend, teachers are staring at a pay cut next year, let alone the lack of a pay raise. This, as a bill to increase the governor’s salary makes its way through the legislature. But Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says that bill is being greatly pared down.

Cut 5 (11) “…reimbursement of expenses.”

After Bill Cassidy’s failure to advance to the runoff in the Republican primary over the weekend, the big question is, what’s next for his political future? In a conference call with reporters, Cassidy said in no uncertain terms that his political career will be coming to an end at the end of his term. Cassidy says his time in elected office is now numbered.

Cut 10 (03) “…can possibly be.”

In all, Cassidy will have spent 18 years in Washington – six as a U.S. representative and the last 12 as a U.S. senator.

An effort to recall Governor Landry is gaining headway in Louisiana, and Republicans are doing what they can to thwart it. Organizers were spurred to launch the recall effort after Landry halted the U.S. House election to redraw the map following the Supreme Court ruling. Desiree Morrison is one of the leaders behind the recall effort; she says people are showing up in droves to add their signatures.

Cut 13 (07)  “…more to come.”

Organizers will need just over 500-thousand valid signatures by October 31st to get the issue before voters – something that Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Cory Dennis says will not happen.

Cut 15 (09) “…leadership can accomplish.”

Those same organizers have also launched a recall effort against Attorney General Liz Murrill and against East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards.

Louisiana’s film incentive program is making the state one of the biggest film production hubs in the country. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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A bill that would shield revenue sharing contracts that colleges and universities have with their athletes from the public is one step closer to final passage. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With voters once again saying no to a constitutional amendment aimed at providing teachers and school support staff with a permanent pay raise, teachers are once again on to plan “B.” Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana’s film incentive program is making the state one of the biggest film production hubs in the country. Adriane Bennett with Film Louisiana says the state is creating pathways to the film industry by getting kids involved at an early age. One of those programs is Film Prize Junior, which is a film festival for middle school and high school students.

Cut 4 (09) “…that film festival.”

Bennett says it’s programs like that which makes Louisiana one of the most attractive states in the country for film production.

Cut 5 (11) “…over the country.”

In fact, Bennett says not too many states rank ahead of Louisiana when it comes to film production.

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re number four.”

Bennett says the legislature can certainly do its part in keeping the momentum going, by helping continue to create the sustainable workforce ecosystem connecting education and job creation. She says all of that, in effect, will lead to greater economic development for the state.

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Legislation that would prevent the public from seeing what college athletes receive in a revenue share deal they have with their schools is moving closer to final legislative passage, as the House-approved bill has cleared the Senate Education Committee. The bill’s author, Lafayette Representative Themi Chassion, says if these financial deals are made public, it puts LSU and other Louisiana college athletic teams at a disadvantage.

Cut 7 (10) “…don’t want that.” 

Opponents of the legislation say revenue share deals are funded with public dollars and therefore should be public. It’s money the school is using to directly pay the player, which is different from NIL, which is a third party source.

Attorney Scott Sternberg spoke in opposition. Sternberg represents three media outlets in a public records lawsuit against LSU that’s attempting to see the revenue share deals.

Sternberg says agents know what the players are making, so allowing the public to know how much a university is compensating a player is not putting the school at a competitive disadvantage.

Cut 8 (09) “…to make more.”

Chassion, who has a daughter that played college basketball, says the revenue share contracts with schools should also remain private to protect the player from harassment.

Cut 9 (12)  “…die with football.”

Chassion’s bill is awaiting a vote on the Senate floor.

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It’s back to the drawing board for teachers looking for their annual stipend to become a permanent pay raise. This, after voters reject another plan concocted by state lawmakers to accomplish that goal – this one involving the abolishment of three large education trust funds to use those revenues to pay down teacher retirement debt. Larry Carter, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees, says it’s now up to lawmakers to once again come up with a plan “B.”

Cut 10 (11) “…a permanent pay.”

Carter says while it’s been going on for years, the fight for teacher pay is now entering a new phase.

Cut 11 (14) “…and school employees.”

Carter says with the state experiencing momentum in terms of student achievement, it is more important than ever to pay teachers competitive salaries.

Cut 12 (11) “…hundred dollars less.”

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After receiving 45-percent of the vote in the Senate Republican primary, it’s believed Congresswoman Julia Letlow is in the driver’s seat to earn the GOP nomination over State Treasurer John Fleming. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Letlow should win if she can avoid any major mistakes before the June 27th Senate Republican primary runoff.

Cut 13 (08)  “…monitor her actions.”

Stockley expects Letlow will continue to play up President Trump’s endorsement.

Cut 14 (11) “…next 30 days.”

The winner of the Republican Senate Primary will face the winner of the Democratic Senate primary. On the Democratic side, a runoff between Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett is expected, but Nick Albares has until 4:30 this afternoon to ask for a recount after falling fewer than 300 votes short of Crockett in the unofficial vote count. Stockley says it likely won’t matter who wins the Democratic primary.

Cut 15 (12) “…being elected senator.”

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The Pelicans have named former Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach. Mosley spent the last five seasons with the Magic and guided Orlando to three consecutive playoff appearances. They nearly upset the number one seed in the Eastern Conference this year before losing to the Pistons in Game 7 of the first round. Jake Madison, the host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, says Mosley fits what the Pels are looking for.

Cut 16 (09) “…through a rebuild.”

Madison says Mosley can return the Pelicans back to respectability after 14th and 11th place finishes in the Western Conference the last two seasons.

Cut 17 (11) “…their head coach.”

Madison says Mosley is known as someone who can build relationships with his players and getting the most out of them when it comes to effort. He says Mosley is also known as a defensive-minded coach.

Cut 18 (08)  “…to be respectable.”

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Saints starting quarterback Tyler Shough has been impressed with first round pick and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Shough was asked what stood out about Tyson after he watched his game film from Arizona State.

Cut 19 (15) “…all over tape.”

Tyson was a two-time, first-team All Big 12 selection at Arizona State. The Saints selected him eighth overall.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says a contract has been offered to veteran defensive end Cam Jordan, but a contract has not been extended to Swiss Army knife Taysom Hill. Loomis was also asked if running back Alvin Kamara has a roster spot, but he continues to be evasive with that question.

Cut 20 (07) “…week or two.”

For the second year in a row, Louisiana voters say no to a constitutional amendment that would have provided a permanent pay raise for school employees – 2,250 for teachers and 1,125 dollars for support staff. Larry Carter, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees, says it’s now up to lawmakers to once again come up with a plan “B.”

Cut 10 (11) “…a permanent pay.”

Governor Landry posted on social media that if the legislature does not come up with a way to fund a pay raise for them, no public employee will get a pay raise. Melinsa Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says she doesn’t know exactly what Landry means by that.

Cut 8 (11) “…get pay raises?”

Legislation that would prevent the public from seeing what college athletes receive in a revenue share deal they have with their school is moving closer to final passage, as the House-approved bill has cleared the Senate Education Committee. The bill’s author, Lafayette Representative Themi Chaisson, says if these financial deals are made public, it puts LSU and other Louisiana college athletic teams at a disadvantage…

Cut 7 (10) “…want that” 

Attorney Scott Sternberg spoke in opposition. Sternberg says agents know what the players are making, so allowing the public to know how much a university is compensating a player is not putting the school at a competitive disadvantage.

Cut 25 (10) “…make more.”

The bill now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.

The runoffs in the U.S. Senate races are set. On the GOP side, it’s Julia Letlow against John Fleming; and on the Democratic side, it appears to be Jamie Davis against Gary Crockett. According to unofficial numbers, Crockett finished 284 votes ahead of Nick Albares; Albares has until 4:30 tomorrow to ask for a recount.

Two political analysts say it’s no surprise that Senator Bill Cassidy didn’t even make the runoff. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

For the second year in a row, voters said no to every constitutional amendment on the ballot by a wide margin. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says voters do not have the time to research these issues to make informed decisions.

Cut 7 (11) “…on in life.”

All five amendments failed by a minimum of 16 points, with the one to remove certain employees from the civil service division failing by a whopping 56 points.

Attorney General Liz Murrill announces that 60 registered sex offenders in the greater Baton Rouge area have been arrested as part of a major internet sex crimes operation called “Operation Restricted Domain.” Murrill says these offenders violated sex offender registration laws and engaged in unlawful online activity by communicating with children through various apps…

Cut 12 (08) “…Roblox.”

Bill Cassidy’s 12-year run in the U.S. Senate is coming to an end with his third-place finish in the GOP Senate primary. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak says Cassidy’s political future actually ended five years ago when he voted to convict then-former President Trump for his role in the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

Cut 11 (12) “…endorse Cassidy. .”

So with Cassidy out of the mix, it’s Julia Letlow against John Fleming in the June 27th runoff to represent the Republican Party in the November general election. Fleming doesn’t have Trump’s endorsement, but he did serve in his first administration. And the State Treasurer’s campaign has been mostly self-funded.

Cut 15 (11) “…powerful politician.”

For the second year in a row, Louisiana voters say no to a constitutional amendment that would have given teachers a permanent pay raise. Governor Landry posted on social media today that if the legislature does not come up with a way to fund a pay raise for them, no public employee will get a pay raise. Melinsa Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says she doesn’t know exactly what Landry means by that.

Cut 8 (11) “…get pay raises?”

A Lafayette toddler drowns in a bathtub over the weekend. Investigators say 50-year-old Dawn Lee was the guardian of three-year-old Khaine Natto. They say she left him unsupervised in a bathtub and later found him unresponsive; Natto was rushed to a hospital but did not survive. Lafayette Police Senior Corporal Ken Handy says Lee was booked into jail.

Cut 5 (04) “…of negligent homicide.”

Julia Letlow and John Fleming move on, and Bill Cassidy does not. After the vote Saturday, Letlow was asked about the impact of Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump in 2021 and how that impacted the results of primary…

Cut 13 (11)  “…tonight’s result.”

Cassidy’s third place finish in Saturday’s Senate Republican Primary likely means the end of his political career. The 68-year-old from Baton Rouge failed to make the run-off as he was seeking a third term in the U-S Senate. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak is not surprised Cassidy finished behind Julia Letlow and John Fleming…

Cut 9 (08)  “…momentum.”

Meanwhile on the Democratic side, it’s going to be Jamie Davis and likely Gary Crockett.

For the second year in a row, voters said no to every constitutional amendment on the ballot by a wide margin. All five amendments failed by a minimum of 16 points, with the one to remove certain employees from the civil service division failing by a whopping 56 points. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says there are several reasons why voters turned aside all five amendments. 

Cut 6 (14) “…every election cycle.”

A Lafayette toddler drowns in a bathtub and the woman who was in charge of caring for him is arrested. Lafayette Police Senior Corporal Ken Handy says 50-year-old Dawn Lee left the bathroom to conduct some other business in the home and returned to a horrifying sight.

Cut 4 (04) “…inside the bathtub.”

Three-year-old Khaine Natto was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Lee is charged with one count of negligent homicide.

Bill Cassidy has become the second U.S. Senator in Louisiana’s history not to be re-elected in the last 94 years. Cassidy finished third in the Senate Republican Primary, while Julia Letlow and John Fleming advance to a June 27th run-off. Cassidy addressed his supporters Saturday night and took a subtle dig at President Trump.

Cut 10 (16) “…stolen.”

Fleming did several interviews with media outlets across the state and is already on the attack.

Cut 14 (14) “ itself.”

Tragedy in Lafayette over the weekend, as a toddler drowns in a bathtub and the woman who was in charge of caring for him is arrested. Lafayette Police Senior Corporal Ken Handy says officers found three-year-old Khaine Natto unresponsive inside the bathtub.

Cut 3 (05) “…inside the bathtub.”

Corporal Handy says the guardian, 50-year-old Dawn Lee, left the bathroom to conduct some other business in the home and returned to discover Khaine unresponsive. Lee was arrested on one count of negligent homicide.

A bill seeking to crack down on mixing imported shrimp with domestically-caught shrimp and passing the whole lot off as domestic shrimp is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner authored House Bill 857, which passed in both houses without a single dissenting vote. Kerner says his bill calls for substantial penalties.

Cut 6 (04) “…third offense 50-thousand.”  

Julia Letlow and John Fleming move on to the runoff in the GOP Senate primary, and Bill Cassidy’s days in the Senate are now numbered. Addressing her supporters on election night, Letlow said President Trump’s support helped her withstand 26-million dollars in negative advertisements against her.

Cut 11 (11) “…negativity.”

Cassidy finished third with 25-percent of the vote; his fate appearing to have been sealed five years ago when he voted to convict then-former President Trump in his second impeachment trial. LSU political science professor Larry Hogan says the results of this primary election proves that for Republican voters, it seems like there’s only one thing that matters.

Cut 8 (11) “…for other elections.”

While John Fleming is moving on, he has significant ground to make up, racking up 28-percent of the vote, less than 14-thousand votes more than Cassidy. Fleming doesn’t have the endorsement of President Trump, but he did serve in his first administration. And the State Treasurer’s campaign has been mostly self-funded.

Cut 15 (11) “…powerful politician.”

In other news, a bill seeking to crack down on a way to skirt Louisiana’s seafood labeling laws is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. It’s called co-mingling – mixing imported shrimp with domestically-caught shrimp and passing the whole lot off as domestic shrimp. Cheri Blanchard, a Louisiana board member of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says it’s sometimes unclear exactly who is doing this in order to sell the shrimp at a premium price and keep the profits.

Cut 5 (10) “…be doing that.”