Governor Landry is set to announce his plan for lowering insurance premiums at the top of the hour, and a new poll shows that this could be the single most important announcement of his governorship. The poll by Bernie Pinsonat and Greg Rigamer shows that Landry’s favorable and unfavorable ratings are split almost down the middle, and the high price of insurance is a major factor. Pinsonat says the survey also shows that 36-percent hold the legislature accountable for addressing the crisis.

Cut 11 (11) “…cost of insurance.”

If the City of New Orleans heeds the recommendations of consultants it hired, Bourbon Street will become a permanent pedestrian mall. Consulting firm Teneo says while the final decision rests with the city council, anything short of permanently closing off Bourbon Street to vehicular traffic increases the risk of a repeat of the New Year’s Day terror attack.

The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after the Landry administration ordered a 90-day pause on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Campaign Director Simone Maloz (muh-LAWS) says the project is essential to slowing the loss of coastal land to erosion. 

Cut 14 (14) “…restore our coast.”

Two Lake Charles children reported missing in November are back home with their father, thanks to a television show. On March 7th, REELZ’s On Patrol: Live aired “Missing” segments featuring Colton and Cohen Desormeaux. Angeline Hartman with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children says the show changed everything.

Cut 5 (09) “…get involved.”

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries has chosen Ascension Parish to put up its new low-carbon ammonia facility. Governor Landry says the new four-billion-dollar facility will create many high-paying jobs.

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

Landry says this is the latest in a series of major economic development projects to come to Louisiana, leading to a very bright future in the state.

A 26-year-old woman is charged after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian on I-20 in Ouachita (WASH-uh-taw) Parish. Police say Mecca King gradually veered onto the shoulder and hit 38-year-old Eugenia Bates, killing her. State Trooper Ryan Davis says King had an odor of alcohol on her breath; and upon questioning, she admitted to having two drinks.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big as originally projected following the defeat of Amendment Two. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

It is now more expensive to play Mega Millions. The cost of a single ticket is now five dollars, up from two dollars. Kim Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says in return, non-jackpot prizes now start at ten dollars, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

While still astronomical, the odds of winning the jackpot are also slightly improved.

Governor Landry makes another huge economic development announcement. Andrew Greenstein is at the Capitol with more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A 73-year-old man from Cuba who was taken into custody by ICE agents in Lafayette as he was on his way to work is back with family. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman on I-20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday. State Trooper Ryan Davis says Mecca King was traveling in the outer lane and gradually veered onto the shoulder and struck a pedestrian, 38-year-old Eugenia Bates.

Cut 3 (12) “…her injuries.”

Davis says King was found to have an odor of alcohol on her breath. Upon questioning, King admitted to drinking two alcoholic beverages.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

King was arrested and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center.  Davis reminds you that walking along the Interstate is illegal, and there’s no excuse for impaired driving.

Cut 5 (08) “…cab services.”

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Mega Millions players will face a price hike as tickets increase from two to five dollars, starting with today’s drawing. Kim Chopin (show-PAN) with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better odds of winning the jackpot—improving from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million—and more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”

Chopin says non-jackpot prizes will also rise, starting at ten dollars, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

Chopin hopes these changes will combat “jackpot fatigue,” a trend where only enormous prizes attract attention. They aim to distinguish Mega Millions from Powerball and raise the average jackpot from 450 million to 800 million dollars.

Cut 8 (12) “…grow a lot faster.”

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Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry said it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world..

Cut 9 (11)  “…blue ammonia.”

Landry says the new facility will create many high-paying jobs…

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

Landry says this is the latest in a series of major economic development projects to come to Louisiana, leading to a very bright future in the state…

Cut 11 (11) “…innovation and sustainability.”

CF Industries started evaluating Ascension Parish three years ago in deciding where to build its new ammonia facility. Along with the direct jobs, the project will also create more than 300 construction jobs. No word on when construction will begin; CF Industries is looking for the facility to be operational in 2029.

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House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland warns that budget cuts are coming because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass last month. McFarland says passage of the amendment would have provided Louisiana with additional dollars to spend this year…

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

Passage of Amendment Two would have made a temporary two-thousand dollar teacher pay stipend permanent. 198-million dollars is needed to make the stipend a permanent two-thousand dollar raise and McFarland says finding the money remains a priority, because the state is finally making gains in student achievement…

Cut 13 (09)  “…role in that.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, the Pelican Institute released its Pelican Pulse poll highlighting voter sentiment on key issues facing the state.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The legislature will be considering a bill that would boost the tax on hemp products. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is speaking out after a jury rules that Chevron must pay Plaquemines Parish almost 745-million dollars. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Pelican Institute for Public Policy released its latest Pelican Pulse Poll ahead of the upcoming 2025 Louisiana legislative session.  The survey of over 800 Louisiana voters shows lawmakers a clear picture of what voters are prioritizing.  Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says the poll shows voters believe government spending is out of control.

Cut 4 (07) “…limit its growth.”

Erspamer says a majority of voters favor giving families school choice…

Cut 5 (13) “…fully funded.”

Erspamer noted Insurance premiums take the number two spot for highest priority for voters in the state with lawsuit abuse being identified as a major factor for the high premiums.

Cut 6 (08) “…to make that fix.”

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When the legislature convenes in less than a week, among the bills they’ll be taking up are ones that would tax hemp products. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot is proposing raising the tax on hemp products from three-percent to 15-percent, while Monroe Representative Mike Echols is proposing raising it to 20-percent. Echols says there are multiple purposes behind his proposed hemp tax rate.

Cut 7 (11) “…an addiction disorder.”

Echols says the last legislative session made it clear that hemp is in Louisiana to stay, so he’d like to use the occasion to raise money for essential services, like drug treatment and prevention.

Cut 8 (10) “…alcohol or tobacco.”

Needless to say, retailers who sell hemp products are not happy with either bill. Joe Garrity, the CEO of Crescent Canna, says those bills only hurt the retailers who already face a great deal of red tape.

Cut 9 (08)  “…know they enjoy.”

Garrity says his industry is among those in Louisiana that he says are unfairly targeted by lawmakers.

Cut 10 (15) “…is even better.”

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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is speaking out after a jury awards Plaquemines Parish almost 745-million dollars from Chevron. The jury ruled that Chevron’s oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico has caused the Louisiana coastline to erode. Mike Moncla says the state gave Chevron the green light decades ago for oil exploration.

Cut 11 (10) “…ruin our coast.”

Moncla says Chevron and other oil companies were encouraged to conduct oil exploration off the coast for decades.

Cut 12 (16) “…begged to do.”

Moncla says the verdict is an industry-killer.

Cut 13 (09)  “…for your company.”

Chevron is expected to appeal the jury verdict.

Phil Cossich, one of the attorneys that represented Plaquemines Parish, hailed the verdict. He says it’s been a long time coming and one that could be a great step in saving the coast.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation is actively involved in litter removal with this week being Love the Boot Week. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says partnering with Keep Louisiana Beautiful, DOTD employees are participating in cleanup efforts statewide this week

Cut 14 (12) “…100 miles of roadway.”

Mallett says litter removal is a year-round commitment. In fiscal year 2024, DOTD allocated approximately 13.6-million dollars for these efforts, collecting the equivalent of over 18 Olympic swimming pools of litter.

Cut 15 (12) “…how much litter is out there”

Thanks to an additional three-million dollars from the state legislature, Mallett says DOTD hired contractors to target high-traffic areas, beginning in New Orleans before the Super Bowl and now extending to major interstates and eventually rural routes.

Cut 16 (13) “…across the state.”

DOTD urges residents to help keep Louisiana clean by disposing of trash responsibly and joining local cleanup initiatives.

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The 30-3 LSU Tigers are ranked as high as third in the college baseball polls. The Tigers are riding an eight-game winning streak after sweeping Oklahoma. The final game of the series was played in frigid conditions for baseball, but the Tigers held on for a 3-2 victory. Coach Jay Johnson says he was concerned his team’s mindset heading into the final game of the series, but he knew right away they were ready to play…

Cut 17 (16) “…fine today.”

LSU did not allow an earned run in the sweep over the Sooners. Pitching coach Nate Yeskie’s father passed away on Thursday, but he stayed with the team to call pitches. Johnson says LSU’s success on the mound shows why he’s one of the best pitching in the country…

Cut 18 (18) “…at LSU.”

LSU catcher Luis Hernandez is swinging a hot bat. In his last five games, he’s 10 of his last 20 and hit three doubles in the series against Oklahoma. Johnson says the transfer from Indiana State is a big part of their success…

Cut 19 (13) “..swinging the bat.”

One economist says while most sectors of Louisiana’s economy are expected to suffer from President Trump’s tariffs, there are some exceptions. Dr. Loren Scott says one example is the Louisiana timber industry because of reduced competition from Canadian wood…

Cut 3 (09) “…the amount of competition.” 

Dr. Scott says economists generally oppose tariffs, calling them, in his words, “a really bad plan.”

Three people are killed, including a five-year-old girl, in a house fire in Shreveport yesterday morning. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says there were no working smoke detectors inside the home; and even though everyone inside was awake, it’s hard to escape a burning fire with no advanced warning…

Cut 8 (07) “…ever experienced.”

The man suspected of killing his parents inside their Amite-area home is in custody in California. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The parents of a teenage girl found abandoned in a Shreveport hotel room amid squalid conditions are under arrest. Angela and Carey Herring are charged with improper supervision of a juvenile and criminal neglect of a family. Police say they left their 15-year-old daughter in the room unsupervised for two weeks.

One economist says most sectors of Louisiana’s economy will suffer from President Trump’s global tariffs. Dr. Loren Scott says one possible exception is Hyundai, which recently announced a 5-billion-dollar investment in a new steel plant to supply its car factories in Alabama and Georgia.

Cut 4 (09) “…25-percent tariff on it.”

Scott says another potential exception is the timber industry because of reduced competition from Canadian wood.

Three people are killed, including a five-year-old child, in a house fire in Shreveport Sunday morning. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says there were no working smoke detectors inside the home; and even though everyone inside was awake, it’s hard to escape a burning fire with no advanced warning…

Cut 8 (07) “…ever experienced.”

A 34-year-old man wanted for killing his parents is captured in California. Police arrested Joshua Brocato in Los Angeles after he allegedly murdered Marc and Priscilla Brocato inside their Amite area home last week. Tangipahoa Sheriff Gerald Sticker says they were tracking Brocato after he fled the scene…

Cut 9 (08)  “…his movements.”

Sticker says when Joshua Brocato was arrested on Friday, he had three guns on him and was wearing military-style attire. He says investigators do not know why he killed his parents or why he fled to California.

The first female student government president at Southern University has died. Roena Wilford died last Wednesday at the age of 74. In 1970, when Wilford was 20, she broke the glass ceiling with her election as student government president. Wilford remained a part of the university following her graduation, later becoming a physics professor.

The Louisiana Department of Education conducted a study showing fewer high school students involved in internships and apprenticeships than in neighboring states. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley… 

Cut 10 (11) “…seeing those numbers uptick.”

Brumley says the department of education is encouraging schools to promote work-based learning. Also expect to see legislation on this topic.

Parents can now see how taxpayer dollars are being spent on public education. Along with State Treasurer John Fleming, Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds unveiled the Louisiana K-12 School Transparency Project Portal, a website providing financial data on public and charter schools.

Cut 4 (09) “…public charter schools.”

The portal is hosted on the Treasury Department’s website.

With the clock tik-tok’ing for Tik Tok, the race is on to finalize a sale. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

ULM students voting on whether to impose an athletic fee. ULM’s athletic budget is the lowest in the Sun Belt Conference, and adding the per-student fee would help it get in line with other schools in the conference. The proposal is 75 dollars per full-time student per semester. It would generate about 600-thousand dollars in the first year – money that would go towards things like enhanced nutrition programs for student-athletes and a new scoreboard in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Voting concludes today. 

When the legislature meets in the regular session, one of its jobs is to come up with 200-million dollars to keep teacher and school staff salaries at their current levels. This, thanks to the defeat of Amendment 2. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they’ll try again at giving them a permanent pay raise and they’ll have to do a better job in getting the message out to the public and fight misinformation.

Cut 9 (14)  “…how they work.”

TikTok’s owner has until Saturday to sell the app to keep it online in the U.S. The Trump administration is helping facilitate a sale, and there are two willing buyers. Tech analyst Haggai Davis says the big wild card in these negotiations is TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.

Cut 15 (14) “…the ultimate decision.”

Parents who are curious on how their tax dollars are spent on public education can visit the School Transparency Project Portal at the State Treasury’s website. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Kenner Police Department is strengthening its ties with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The department has joined the 287-G program, which grants state and local police the authority to perform specific immigration enforcement duties. While the move has stoked fears in Kenner’s Hispanic community, Police Chief Keith Conley says a series of horrific crimes led to his decision to join the 287-G program.

A new study by the Louisiana Department of Education shows that fewer Louisiana High School students are involved in internships and apprenticeships than neighboring states. By integrating internships into the educational framework, Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world job experience.

Cut 12 (06) “…work=force ready.”

Parents can now see how taxpayer dollars are being spent on public education with the new Louisiana K-12 School Transparency Project Portal. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds helped unveil it yesterday; he says the site helps parents compare schools’ financial integrity, supporting school choice.

Cut 6 (07) “…those tax dollars.”

Now that Amendment 2 has failed at the ballot box, the question now becomes, what will become of teacher salaries? Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tulane University is the latest to shutter its office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It comes as the Trump administration continues applying pressure to colleges and universities to do away with DEI initiatives. Tulane is restructuring the office, launching the Office of Academic Excellence and Opportunity. The school says it is still committed to gender and sexual diversity, as well as multiculturalism.

Parents can now see how taxpayer dollars are being spent on public education, thanks to the Louisiana K-12 School Transparency Project Portal – a website providing financial data on public and charter schools. The project was mandated by Act 370 from the 2023 Legislation, authored by Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds.

Cut 5 (09) “…kids to be educated.”

A new study shows that fewer Louisiana High School students are involved in internships and apprenticeships than neighboring states. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley underscores the need for collaboration between businesses, schools, and policymakers to strengthen career education and expand work-based learning programs.

Cut 11 (10) “…before they get here”

With the defeat of Amendment 2 at the ballot box, the legislature will now have to come up with 200-million dollars to keep teacher and school staff salaries at their current levels. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says in the immediate term, that will be a challenge. And in the long term, the legislature will take another stab at giving teachers and other school staff permanent pay raises, but it will likely not be in the form of a bill as ambitious as Amendment 2.

Cut 8 (14) “…opportunity to pass.”

TikTok could once again go dark in the U.S. on Saturday, if a sale is not finalized. It’s currently owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance. Tech analyst Haggai Davis says China is showing signs that it’s willing to cooperate.

Cut 14 (10) “…tariff questions involved.”