Investigators say the apartment fire in Lafayette Parish that killed a nine-year-old girl early yesterday morning was the result of arson. Chris Cormier with the sheriff’s office says Julian Jacob faces several charges.

Cut 13 (11) “…narcotics.” 

No word on a motive or Jacob’s relationship with the people who lived inside the apartment that was set on fire.

While the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living is hailing a new report from the New England Journal of Medical Evidence that shows the national smoking rate falling below ten-percent, it acknowledges that it has more work to do in the state. Interim Director Taslim van Hattum (HATE-um) says 14-percent of Louisiana adults smoke cigarettes, and that’s just the beginning.

Cut 3 (12) “…amongst certain populations.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked an appeals court ruling that halted the ability to obtain a pair of abortion drugs by mail. The order signed by Justice Samuel Alito will allow people to obtain mifepristone and misoprostol through the mail without seeing a doctor in person for the time being.

Ruston High School two-sport star Ahmad Hudson has committed to play football at LSU and also wants to play hoops for coach Will Wade. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Investigators say the apartment fire in Lafayette Parish that killed a nine-year-old girl early yesterday morning was the result of arson. Chris Cormier with the sheriff’s office says Julian Jacob faces several charges.

Cut 13 (11) “…narcotics.” 

No word on a motive or Jacob’s relationship with the people who lived inside the apartment that was set on fire. 

A new report from the New England Journal of Medical Evidence shows the national smoking rate is now below ten-percent. Taslim van Hattum (HATE-um), the interim director of the New England Journal of Medical Evidence, says while Louisiana’s smoking rate is higher at 14-percent, there’s actually a bigger concern.

Cut 5 (11) “…and prevention efforts.” 

ULM is touting its College of Pharmacy, which it says has a 100-percent job placement rate. The school’s dean, Dr. Gina Craft, says when the students graduate, they’re immediately ready to launch their careers.

Cut 10 (14) “…when they graduate.” 

One of the top athletes in the country has committed to play football at LSU. Ruston High’s Ahmad Hudson is ranked as the top tight end in the country for the Class of 2027. More than 30 schools offered Hudson a scholarship, and KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says he narrowed the list to two.

Cut 8 (09) “…with it also.”

Being that Hudson is also ranked as the best basketball player in the state, he also wants to play for Will Wade on the Tigers’ basketball team.

We’re still awaiting a ruling by a three-judge panel on a federal lawsuit seeking to reinstate the U.S. House election that Governor Landry suspended last week in response to the Supreme Court ruling the congressional map unconstitutional. The lead plaintiff, fifth district Democratic candidate Lindsay Garcia, says Landry was out of bounds in calling off the House elections.

Cut 14 (11) “…he contradicts himself.”

Of all the insurance companies that filed for rate changes in Louisiana in the first four months of 2026, the vast majority filed for rate decreases for private auto and property. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says, however, that the fact that some carriers have filed for rate increases proves that the job of insurance reform is not done yet.

Cut 9 (05)  “…work to do.”

Louisiana has allocated one-point-five billion dollars on coastal protection and restoration projects next fiscal year, but one group remains upset that the Landry administration cancelled two large river diversion projects. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tragedy in Lafayette as a nine-year-old girl is killed in an apartment fire early yesterday morning. Firefighters pulled the girl from an upstairs bedroom after spending 30 minutes extinguishing the fire. Authorities say neighbors tried rescuing the girl but could not get inside.

The redistricting debate is expected to begin at the state capitol this week. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

As the debate gets underway, the State Senate will be without Larry Selders for the time being. The Baton Rouge Democrat is hospitalized with what his office calls “a serious medical emergency involving his heart.” His office says while he will be temporarily unavailable as he focuses on his health, his office remains open.

The Louisiana Legislature has given final approval to a one-point-five billion dollar plan for coastal protection and restoration. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Gordon Dove says one of the highlights of the annual plan is a 94-mile land bridge from Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish to Terrebonne Parish…

Cut 10 (11) “…eight parishes.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the trend in the first four months in 2026 has been mainly positive.

Cut 7 (10) “…specific to homeowners.”

Temple says while a small handful of auto insurance companies have filed for rate increases, the vast majority which have filed for rate changes have filed for rate decreases.

A school crossing guard in Livingston Parish is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Sheriff Jason Ard says 64-year-old Darren Goudeau (GOO-doe) of Walker was arrested.

Cut 13 (10) “…unfortunately it does.”

If you go to the polls on the first day of early voting, you will not be voting for U.S. House. That’s because Governor Landry suspended that election in light of the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional map. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says Landry’s quick action runs counter to historical precedent in the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…than 100 years.”

The latest poll in the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate is likely setting off alarm bells in the Bill Cassidy campaign. The poll by Emerson College and KLFY-TV shows Cassidy in third place with 21-percent support. John Fleming and Julia Letlow are neck-and-neck with 28 and 27-percent, respectively. ULM Political Science professor Pearson Cross says nearly half have an unfavorable view of Cassidy.

Cut 7 (08) “…going to grow?” 

In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery:

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

They were among 89 who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Two others had 15 as their Powerball, and they split the jackpot.

Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

Early voting starts Saturday in the closed party primaries – well, some of them. Governor Landry has issued an executive order suspending the U.S. House primaries following the Supreme Court decision that ruled the state’s congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says that ruling forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

A poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows a very close race with early voting set to begin. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

With Mother’s Day a week from Sunday, the crawfish supply is expected to be tight given the cold snap moving through the state. As such, crawfish prices held steady this week. This weekend, you can expect to pay just under three dollars a pound for live crawfish and $5.35 a pound for boiled crawfish.

A poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows a very close race with early voting set to begin Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

A beloved crossing guard in Livingston Parish is killed by a suspected drunk driver. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

With early voting starting tomorrow, we’re expecting a ruling today on a federal lawsuit challenging the suspension of Louisiana’s U.S. House elections following Wednesday’s Supreme Court decision ruling the state’s congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says that ruling forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

The lawsuit states that the Supreme Court did not order the election to be postponed and that absentee ballots have already been cast. Ciolino points out that according to federal law, the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November is the only mandatory election day.

Cut 4 (07) “…for congressional elections.”

Ciolino says Landry’s quick action in postponing the U.S. House election runs counter to historical precedent in the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…than 100 years.”

____________________________________________

A new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

Cross says it’s bad news for Cassidy, because the two-term incumbent Senator is trailing his two challengers with early voting starting Saturday. He says in the survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters, nearly half of them have an unfavorable view of Cassidy.

Cut 7 (08) “…going to grow?”

Cross says only 15-percent of the respondents have an unfavorable view of Fleming, which is a big factor in why he leads this poll.

Cut 8 (09) “…feeling the effects.”

_____________________________________________________

In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s an exciting occasion.

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

Maher says the odds of winning the million-dollar prize is less than one in 11-million.

Cut 10 (11) “…million-dollar prize.”

Those five white balls are drawn from a drum containing 69 of them, hence the long odds. Mayer says of those 11 millionaires, five of them doubled their prize to two-million dollars with the Power Play.

Cut 11 (10) “…it was two.”

Those 11 lucky players were among 89 across the country, including 19 in Indiana, who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Had any one of them picked 15 as their Powerball, they would have joined players in Indiana and Kansas in splitting the 143-million-dollar jackpot.

_______________________________________________________________

Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

Sheriff Ard says 64-year-old Darren Goudeau (GOO-doe) of Walker was arrested and is charged with vehicular homicide and DWI.

Cut 13 (10) “…unfortunately it does.”

Ard says he hopes this incident will get people to re-evaluate their behavior on the roadways.

Cut 14 (12) “…when we drive.”

With early voting starting tomorrow, we’re expecting a ruling today on a federal lawsuit challenging the suspension of Louisiana’s U.S. House elections. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional districts forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery:

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

They were among 89 who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Two others had 15 as their Powerball, and they split the 143-million-dollar jackpot.

Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

With next Sunday being Mother’s Day, the crawfish supply is expected to be tight given the recent cold snap that moved through the state. As such, crawfish prices held steady this week. This weekend, you can expect to pay just under three dollars a pound for live crawfish and $5.35 a pound for boiled crawfish.

Governor Landry announced the suspension of the U.S. House races in light of the Supreme Court ruling on the congressional map. But absentee ballots have already been sent out, and early voting begins tomorrow. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the late delay is also adding more work for the secretary of state’s office and the local clerks of court.

Cut 16 (06) “…off the ballot.”

If any of the 32 former House candidates wish to continue their quest for Congress, they’re going to have to start all over again once a new map is adopted. That could make fundraising tricky, with several donors having already given the maximum amount allowed by law. Political strategist Lionel Rainey says if the Federal Elections Commission does not grant a waiver, that’s going to put them in a tough spot.

Cut 10 (07) “…they can raise.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition from the businesses that conduct the inspections. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”

Others say eliminating the stickers would result in more uninsured drivers on the roadways, but Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Bryan Adams says the state does not need inspection stations to help find uninsured motorists.

Cut 6 (09) “…all understood that.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. Four Republicans and two Democrats currently make up Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Wednesday’s historic Supreme Court ruling gives legislative leaders a chance to pass a map that would add to the number of Republicans in the U.S. House.

Cut 15 (06) “…five one map.”

With the U.S. House elections now on hold, that means the process will start all over again from square one once a new map is adopted. Political strategist Lionel Rainey says there are many unanswered questions, such as whether donors who have already given the maximum amount can donate again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…raise more money?” 

Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The legislature passed a measure that would effectively eliminate the office of New Orleans criminal court clerk, and the man set to assume that office Monday is not taking that lying down. Calvin Duncan has filed a lawsuit in federal court aiming to stop the bill from taking effect.