After less than a week, the special session is over. The legislature has voted to delay the 2026 federal primary elections by 30 days, with the April closed primary moving to May. Democrats have fought against this GOP-backed plan, including Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan.

Cut 6 (12) “…political process.”

The legislation also moves qualifying from January to February. House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Beau Beaullieu pushed back against the idea they’re trying to suppress the Black vote.

Cut 7 (11) “…interference.”

Republicans say this will give them more time in case the Supreme Court rules in the coming weeks that the current Congressional map is unconstitutional.

Louisiana lawmakers also approve a plan to fund the SNAP program while the federal government remains shut down. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It took less than 24 hours for Monroe Police to make an arrest in connection with the murders of three people, including a two-year-old girl. 24-year-old Travis Payton is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, home invasion and criminal conspiracy. Payton had 11 prior arrests and three prior convictions; police say he was on probation at the time of the murders.

Monroe Police arrest a suspect in connection with the murder of three people, including a two-year-old girl. 24-year-old Travis Payton is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, home invasion and criminal conspiracy.

The special session is over as the state legislature votes to push back next year’s closed party primary elections by one month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Before adjourning sine die, the legislature also approved a resolution that calls on the use of 150-million in state funds to pay for the SNAP program in November. Monroe Senator Jay Morris was the only no vote – he says it sets a bad precedent for the state to do something that the federal government should be doing.

Cut 11 (14) “…support this”

LSU’s search for its next president is down to five – Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte, Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says the presidential search committee will narrow that list during its meeting today, and those who make the cut will have some busy days ahead.

Cut 3 (14) “…and upper administrators.”

The legislature has given final passage to a plan to move the 2026 federal primary election calendar back one month. Democrats argued that this is part of a greater plan to redraw the Congressional map and take away one of the two majority minority districts so that the Republicans can add another seat in the U.S. House. Baton Rouge Representative Denice Marcelle…

Cut 8 (10) “..against it.”

House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Beau Beaullieu tried to assure Black lawmakers that the only intention is to move the dates back so they will have more time to react to an expected ruling by the Supreme Court over the constitutionality of the current Congressional map…

Cut 9 (12)  “…United States.”

Before adjourning sine die today, the legislature also approved a resolution that calls on the use of 150-million in state funds to pay for the SNAP program in November. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says it’s ridiculous the feds are not doing its job in providing food assistance benefits.

Cut 10 (06) “…at stake.”

The search for LSU’s next president is currently down to five –  Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte (ZHEE-uh-von-ee pee-duh-MON-tuh), former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says even though Lee is currently serving as the interim president, Rousse is actually seen as the front-runner to land the job.

Cut 5 (11) “…Landry mega-donor.”

After less than a week, the special session is over. The legislature has voted to delay the 2026 federal primary elections by 30 days, with the April closed primary moving to May. Democrats have fought against this GOP-backed plan, including Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan.

Cut 6 (12) “…political process.”

The legislation also moves qualifying from January to February. House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Beau Beaullieu pushed back against the idea they’re trying to suppress the Black vote.

Cut 7 (11) “…interference.”

Republicans say this will give them more time in case the Supreme Court rules in the coming weeks that the current Congressional map is unconstitutional.

LSU’s search for its next president is down to five – Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte (ZHEE-uh-von-ee pee-duh-MON-tuh), Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says while the decision will ultimately be made by the Board of Supervisors, Governor Landry will have outsized influence in the process – especially since he’s the one who appoints board members.

Cut 4 (14) “…looks that way.”

LSU’s search for its next president is down to five – Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte, Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says the five will have some busy days ahead.

Cut 3 (14) “…and upper administrators.”

Senator Bill Cassidy now has to fend off a challenge from five prominent Republicans in next year’s primary election in order to hold onto his Senate seat, with the newest addition being State Representative Julie Emerson. Cassidy says he welcomes the additional competition and the political attacks that will come with it.

Cut 6 (05) “…plan on winning.”

Frank Wilson is hard at work as LSU’s interim football coach, preparing his team to take on Alabama in Tuscaloosa a week from Saturday. Wilson says he’s not thinking into the future, whether he would be considered for the full-time vacancy. He says when he was asked to serve as head coach for the remainder of the season, he jumped at the opportunity.

Cut 15 (09) “…university extremely well.”

One name that’s been mentioned as Brian Kelly’s permanent replacement is Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall. During his media availability yesterday, Sumrall said he’s not fazed or distracted by the mentions of his name in the coaching searches and said he’s locked in on playing UTSA tomorrow night.

Cut 17 (11) “…my focus, fully.”

A huge change in weather is on the way across the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Monroe police are investigating a triple homicide where one of the victims was a two-year-old girl. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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It’s finally going to start feeling like fall this week. A cold front is coming through the lower Mississippi Valley today; and State Climatologist Jay Grymes says that will bring a huge change in temperatures.

Cut 3 (12) “…time of year.”

Grymes says temperatures will drop significantly behind this cold front, so you will want to break out that jacket as you make your way to school or work in the morning.

Cut 4 (09) “…into the 40s.”

Grymes says the state could also be in for a little precipitation.

Cut 5 (08) “…passage as well.”

Grymes says by the weekend, parts of the state will be back into the 70s, so enjoy the cooler temperatures while you can.

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Hurricane Melissa is shaping up to be one of the most devastating storms in history. It made landfall in Jamaica as a Category Five hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 miles an hour. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore, who led the response in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, says the top priority is to help the people who couldn’t evacuate from the island.

Cut 6 (11) “…along the coast.”

Honore says the United Nations will be coordinating the relief effort. He says some private organizations are ready to help, including one from Louisiana.

Cut 7 (14) “…send in supplies.”

To put Melissa’s strength in perspective, when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana 20 years ago, its winds were 125 miles an hour, making it a Category Three storm. As such, by the time Melissa passes, the damage will be mind-boggling. Honore says it could take many years for Jamaica to recover.

Cut 8 (07) “…get them recovered.”

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The Monroe Police Department is investigating a triple homicide. One of the victims was a two-year-old girl. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says they were gunned down in an overnight shooting on Grammont Street.

Cut 9 (12)  “…should be a moral wakeup call.”

The other two victims are adults

Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan says they are offering a five-thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter…

Cut 10 (11) “…very soon.”

Zordan is urging people not to take justice in their own hands as he’s concerned about retaliatory shootings.

Ellis says this violent event will not be tolerated…

Cut 11 (10) “…work to be done”

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Governor Landry wants to immortalize slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Cut 12 (08) “…on college campuses.”

Landry made that request following a Turning Point USA event on the LSU campus, which Kirk was scheduled to speak at, had it not been for his assassination back in September.

Cut 13 (03)  “…to do it.”

Landry’s request has garnered mixed reaction, with the majority of comments on his post on “X” in opposition – whether it be for Kirk’s political views or Kirk’s lack of connection to LSU or Louisiana.

The Monroe Police Department is investigating a triple homicide. One of the victims was a two-year-old girl. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says they were gunned down in an overnight shooting on Grammont Street.

Cut 9 (12)  “…should be a moral wakeup call.”

The other two victims were adults. A five-thousand dollar reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the shooter.

A cold front coming through the state is going to finally make it feel like fall outside. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says temperatures will drop significantly behind this cold front, so you will want to break out that jacket as you make your way to school or work in the morning.

Cut 4 (09) “…into the 40s.”

Enjoy it while you can – Grymes says temperatures will return to the 70s by this weekend.

Hurricane Melissa is leaving a trail of utter devastation behind in Jamaica. It made landfall today as a Category Five hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of a whopping 185 miles an hour. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore says the United Nations will be coordinating the relief effort, and he says some private organizations are ready to help, including one from Louisiana.

Cut 7 (14) “…send in supplies.”

Governor Landry wants to immortalize slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Cut 12 (08) “…on college campuses.”

Landry’s request has garnered mixed reaction, with the majority of comments on his post on “X” in opposition – whether it be for Kirk’s political views or Kirk’s lack of connection to LSU or Louisiana.

Hurricane Melissa is shaping up to be one of the most devastating storms in history. It made landfall in Jamaica as a Category Five hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 miles an hour. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore, who led the response in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, says the top priority is to help the people who couldn’t evacuate from the island.

Cut 6 (11) “…along the coast.”

Closer to home, it’s finally going to start feeling like fall this week. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a cold front is bringing a huge change in temperatures.

Cut 3 (12) “…time of year.”

Overnight lows this week will plunge into the 40s.

Monroe police are investigating a triple homicide where one of the victims was a two-year-old girl. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is urging the LSU Board of Supervisors to erect a statue of Charlie Kirk on campus.

Cut 13 (03)  “…to do it.”

Landry’s request has garnered mixed reaction, with the majority of comments on his post on “X” in opposition – whether it be for Kirk’s political views or Kirk’s lack of connection to LSU or Louisiana.

The Monroe Police Department is investigating a triple homicide. One of the victims is a two-year-old girl. Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan says they are offering a five-thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter.

Cut 10 (11) “…very soon.”

It’s finally going to start feeling like fall this week. A cold front is coming through the lower Mississippi Valley today; behind it will be daytime highs in the 60s and overnight lows down into the 40s. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the state could also be in for a little precipitation.

Cut 5 (08) “…passage as well.”

Grymes says by the weekend, parts of the state will be back into the 70s, so enjoy the cooler temperatures while you can.

Hurricane Melissa is ravaging Jamaica at this hour. It made landfall today as a Category Five hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 miles an hour. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore says the United Nations will be coordinating the relief effort, and he says some private organizations are ready to help, including one from Louisiana.

Cut 7 (14) “…send in supplies.”

Governor Landry wants to immortalize slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Cut 12 (08) “…on college campuses.”

Landry’s request has garnered mixed reaction, with the majority of comments on his post on “X” in opposition – whether it be for Kirk’s political views or Kirk’s lack of connection to LSU or Louisiana.

It’s finally going to start feeling like fall this week. A cold front is coming through the lower Mississippi Valley today; and State Climatologist Jay Grymes says that will bring a huge change in temperatures.

Cut 3 (12) “…time of year.”

Grymes says the back end of the cold front will bring daytime highs in the 60s and will send overnight lows plunging into the 40s.

Governor Landry reportedly had outsized influence in Scott Woodward’s decision to fire Brian Kelly as LSU’s head football coach. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitics-dot-com, says such involvement by Landry is not unprecedented.

Cut 24 (14) “…of his personality.”

LSU is expected to be aggressive in getting the best football coach it can find. So who’s the betting favorite to replace Brian Kelly? Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

As one bridge gets set to reopen, another gets set to close. The bridge along L-A 507 over a waterway near the Village of Castor in Bienville Parish will reopen Friday after being closed for ten months. Then on Monday, a bridge along that same roadway near the intersection of L-A 514 in Red River Parish will close for nine months for replacement.