Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law that eliminates the vehicle inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The 2026 legislative session was one full of bills aimed at strengthening the workforce in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The LHSAA Boys’ Basketball Championships are returning to Lafayette for the first time since 2011. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law yesterday, eliminating the vehicle inspection sticker program. The current sticker will be replaced by a QR code sticker sent in the mail when owners secure or renew registration. Landry says this was easily the most popular bill he’s signed.

Cut 4 (13) “…and start dancing.”

Most states, including all of Louisiana’s neighbors, have already replaced vehicle inspection stickers. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley authored the bill and has advocated for ones like it for years before finally getting this one into law. Landry says there was one key difference between then and now.

Cut 5 (05) “…the right governor.”

QR Code stickers will be a one-time six-dollar cost compared to the ten-dollar annual sticker. The only information on the code is a VIN number. Safety inspections will still be required for some commercial vehicles, school buses and some farm vehicles. Bagley credited Landry for helping pass the legislation.

Cut 6 (07) “…answer the questions.”

New Orleans, Kenner and Westwego can require their own local inspections.

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One thing the 2026 legislative session will be known for is for its litany of bills aimed at strengthening the workforce in Louisiana. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says one of the outcomes of the session is a restructured workforce delivery system, including the modernization of the Incumbent Worker Training Program.

Cut 7 (14) “…their existing workers.”

Knapp says the legislature also passed bills to expand career exposure beginning in as early as middle school.

Cut 8 (13) “…want to pursue.”

Knapp says the legislature also passed bills to expand access to workforce financial aid, particularly when it comes to the TOPS Tech scholarship.

Cut 9 (10)  “…part-time student.”

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The CAJUNDOME is home to the Sugar Bowl LHSAA Boys’ Basketball State Championships once again. The association announced plans yesterday to move the event to Lafayette after 12 years in Lake Charles. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot says the community could not be more excited.

Cut 10 (05) “…they support it.”

Lafayette hosted the event from 1997 to 2011 and set a six-day attendance record of nearly 70-thousand fans in 1999. Berthelot says the CAJUNDOME is the best venue in the state for an event like this, and Lafayette’s location at the intersection of I-10 and I-49 is accessible for schools and fans across Louisiana.

Cut 11 (13) “…but the LHSAA.”

The CAJUNDOME is, of course, home to UL-Lafayette men’s and women’s basketball and has undergone significant renovation in recent years. Berthelot says bringing the championships to the city could not have happened without the support of the university.

Cut 12 (12) “…great recruiting tool.”

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The Legislative Republican Delegation believes the GOP-led Legislature delivered meaningful results in the just-completed legislative session. Chairman and Monroe Representative Michael Echols says it was a wise move to use the state’s savings account to invest an additional 500-million dollars in roads and infrastructure and 360-million dollars in economic development initiatives.

Cut 13 (07)  “…and economic development.”

Echols says there was also important legislation approved that will benefit the state maybe not this year, but some time in the near future — and that’s a pair of bills to attract large aerospace companies with property and sales tax breaks.

Cut 14 (15) “…the aerospace industry.”

Echols says there’s also several bills dealing with workforce development that were approved, including legislation that prepares students as early as grade school for their professional lives.

Cut 15 (09) “…straight to work.”

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NCAA baseball Super Regionals begin Friday after a historic regional round. Little Rock and St. John’s became the first two four-seeds to advance in one tournament, and three-seeds Troy and Cal Poly also won their regionals. ESPN analyst Todd Walker says the upsets defy logic.

Cut 16 (17) “…of the game.”

Seven SEC teams advanced to the Super Regional round, including four hosts. At least two SEC schools are guaranteed a spot in Omaha thanks to conference matchups between Georgia and Mississippi State and Auburn and Ole Miss. Walker says he likes the Tigers in the Auburn Super Regional.

Cut 17 (18)  “…of free passes.”

Third-overall seed Georgia is the top team left in the country after number-one UCLA and number-two Georgia Tech were both upset in the regionals. The Bulldogs have appearances in six of the last eight tournaments but haven’t reached Omaha since 2008. Walker says this year’s team has something those didn’t — pitching.

Cut 18 (18) “…country as well.”

Governor Landry announced his solution today to prevent a potential pay cut for teachers. The governor has signed an executive order that directs BESE to find 168-million dollars that’s NOT used on instruction from the state’s public school budget and use that money to pay a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand-dollar stipend for support workers.

Cut 9 (10)  “…sitting on”

The National Federation of Independent Business is pleased with how the legislative session went. State Director Leah Long says among the bills that passed that the organization is happy about is one that modernizes the state’s workers comp system and helps reduce costs for small businesses.

Cut 4 (12) “…employee making money.”

It’s been seven months since LSU announced the hiring of new President Wade Rousse. In that time, he’s committed to making improvements across the Baton Rouge campus. He says things students ask him about the most include parking and housing, along with a project currently underway near the softball field.

Cut 6 (14) “…and we will.”

A former Louisiana congressman is recounting his recent visit to war-torn Ukraine. Charles Boustany told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that on his final day in the country, May 23rd, the area in Kyiv where he was staying came under attack, and to say that it was a harrowing experience is putting it very mildly.

Cut 12 (06) “…close and rattling.” 

The attack left four people dead and dozens of others injured.

Governor Jeff Landry unveils his plan to make sure that teachers continue to get a two-thousand dollar stipend that they’ve received since 2023. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We’re getting new information on a Hammond police officer who’s being held in Mississippi without bond. Denver Golmon is accused of retaliating against a federal informant who helped get his uncle arrested on cockfighting charges. Golmon was deemed to be a danger to the public and a flight risk.

The organization that advocates for small businesses in Louisiana is generally pleased with how the legislative session went. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says one bill which passed that the organization is very pleased about creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or BayouWorks.

Cut 3 (11) “…earn industry certificates.”

Wade Rousse has been on the job as LSU’s president for seven months now. Rousse says his top priority is raising funds to build a new library. He says that LSU needs to reach a threshold of private funding for the project before the state can provide capital outlay, and they’re very close to their goal.

Cut 8 (12) “…to me.”

The organization that advocates for small businesses in Louisiana is generally pleased with how the legislative session went. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry unveils his plan to make sure that teachers continue to get a two-thousand dollar stipend that they’ve received since 2023. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The organization that advocates for small businesses in Louisiana is generally pleased with how the legislative session went. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says there were two bills in particular which passed that the organization is very pleased about. She says one of them creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or BayouWorks.

Cut 3 (11) “…earn industry certificates.”

Long says another bill that passed that the organization is pleased about is one that modernizes the state’s workers comp system and helps reduce costs for small businesses.

Cut 4 (12) “…employee making money.”

Long says there were also bills the organization was advocating for which went nowhere, including a centralized sales tax collection bill.

Cut 5 (13) “…we’ll get there.”

Long says the organization was also playing defense with some bills that it did not agree with, including those which would have imposed new labor mandates and regulatory mandates on small businesses.

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It’s been seven months since LSU announced the hiring of new President Wade Rousse. In that time, he’s committed to making improvements across the Baton Rouge campus. He says things students ask him about the most include parking and housing, along with a project currently underway near the softball field.

Cut 6 (14) “…and we will.”

Rousse says the administration has been searching for the optimal enrollment number as they face record application numbers. He says both the main and satellite campuses are expanding, but growth for the sake of growth can be dangerous.

Cut 7 (10) “…wise manner.”

Rousse says his top priority is raising funds to build a new library. He says that LSU needs to reach a threshold of private funding for the project before the state can provide capital outlay, and they’re very close to their goal.

Cut 8 (12) “…to me.”

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Governor Jeff Landry announced his solution today to prevent a potential pay cut for teachers. The governor has signed an executive order that directs BESE to find 168-million dollars that’s NOT used on instruction from the state’s public school budget and use that money to pay a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand-dollar stipend for support workers.

Cut 9 (10)  “…sitting on”

This plan will likely not sit well with school superintendents who say they need more money because of rising fuel costs, insurance and other expenses.

But Landry says since 1988, Louisiana’s K-through-12 enrollment has dropped by more than 111-thousand students, yet the cost to education each child has increased 67-percent.

Cut 10 (07) “…priorities problem.”

Landry says when you take into account inflation, Louisiana public school teachers are actually making less than what educators made in the 1980s.

Teachers have received a two-thousand-dollar stipend since 2023, but it’s on the verge of going away because two different constitutional amendments failed to pass over the last two years and the stipend was not funded in the budget just approved by lawmakers.

But the governor believes the money to pay for the stipend can be found in the non-instructional section of the state’s public school funding formula.

Cut 11 (07) “…teachers.”

Landry will need the support of the Legislature, before 168-million dollars can be removed from the Minimum Foundation Program. It will take a two-thirds vote by both the House and Senate.

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A former Louisiana congressman is recounting his recent visit to war-torn Ukraine. Charles Boustany told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that on his final day in the country, May 23rd, the area in Kyiv where he was staying came under attack, and to say that it was a harrowing experience is putting it very mildly.

Cut 12 (06) “…close and rattling.”

The attack left four people dead and dozens of others injured.

Boustany was in Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and to observe some of the country’s humanitarian efforts. He says the images from Ukraine that Americans see do the situation in that country no justice.

Cut 13 (11) “…we are now.”

Boustany was joined in Ukraine by another former Republican congressman, Geoff Davis of Kentucky. Boustany says it seems as if the U.S. has forgotten about Ukraine since the new administration took office.

Cut 14 (14) “…to these people.”

Governor Jeff Landry unveils his plan to make sure that teachers continue to receive a two-thousand dollar stipend that they’ve received since 2023. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A new poll shows Julia Letlow with a big lead over John Fleming in the Republican Senate runoff. The poll by Kaplan Strategies shows Letlow leading by 15 points, 52 to 37 percent. That closely mirrors the margin in the primary.

Wade Rousse has been president of LSU for seven months; and in that time, he’s been busy making improvements to the system. Rousse says the administration has been searching for the optimal enrollment number as they face record application numbers. He says both the main and satellite campuses are expanding, but growth for the sake of growth can be dangerous.

Cut 7 (10) “…wise manner.”

A former Louisiana congressman is recounting his recent visit to war-torn Ukraine. Charles Boustany told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that on his final day in the country, May 23rd, the area in Kyiv where he was staying came under attack, and to say that it was a harrowing experience is putting it very mildly.

Cut 12 (06) “…close and rattling.” 

The attack left four people dead and dozens of others injured.

Reaction is starting to come in on the just-concluded legislative session. The organization that advocates for small businesses in Louisiana is generally pleased with how the legislative session went. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says one of the bills the organization is happy that got passed creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or BayouWorks.

Cut 3 (11) “…earn industry certificates.”

Another bill modernizes the state’s workers comp system and helps reduce costs for small businesses. 

We’ll see more proposed constitutional amendments as a result of this session, including one that prohibits governors from serving more than two terms during their lifetimes. Political reporter for the Advocate Tyler Bridges says it only impacts three people right now.

Cut 15 (07) “…two terms lifetime.”

Students who assault teachers will soon face stiffer punishments, both at the school and in the legal system. A pair of bills toughening those penalties are awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Nikita Drummond-Clark taught for more than 30 years and told the House Education Committee she was forced to retire due to an injury she had suffered at the hands of a student.

Cut 8 (14) “…happened to me.”

Entergy is two years into executing a 1.9-billion-dollar resilience plan to fortify structures and upgrade distribution and transmission lines. Nyka Scott, the vice president of customer service, says the upgrades were put in place after Grand Isle was hit hard by Hurricane Ida.

Cut 5 (08) “…didn’t lose power.”

Scott says similar infrastructure is being built across the state.

A pair of bills which establish tougher penalties for attacking teachers and school staff are awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The 2026 legislative session is over, but the fallout is not. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The College baseball transfer window opened yesterday and five members of the 2026 LSU roster have already entered their names. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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With hurricane season officially underway, Entergy Louisiana is preparing the Bayou State for storm season. Nyka Scott, the vice president of customer service, says the company completed conducting storm drills a few weeks ago.

Cut 4 (10) “…we see something.”

Entergy is two years into executing a 1.9-billion-dollar resilience plan to fortify structures and upgrade distribution and transmission lines across the state. Scott says the upgrades were put in place after Grand Isle was hit by Hurricane Ida.

Cut 5 (08) “…didn’t lose power.”

Scott says similar infrastructure is being built across the state.

Scott urges residents to join Entergy in preparing for storms before they arrive. If power does go out, stay away from downed lines and potentially electrified water, and have a plan in place.

Cut 6 (11) “…the Entergy App.”

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Students who attack teachers and other school employees face tougher penalties under a pair of bills awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. House Bill 283 is what New Orleans Representative Candace Newell calls the “Teacher’s Shield Act,” and it creates new mandatory penalties for students who attack teachers and puts additional protections in place for employees. Earlier in the session, Kimberly McDaniel told the House Education Committee about how her father was assaulted by a student.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the face.”

Nikita Drummond-Clark taught for more than 30 years and told the committee she was forced to retire due to an injury she had suffered at the hands of a student.

Cut 8 (14) “…happened to me.”

Several teachers said they got little to no support from their respective school districts, and that was evident in this exchange between Newell and Rosepine Representative Charles Owen.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the Teacher’s Shield.”

A companion bill, which calls for a minimum six-month sentence in prison or juvenile detention for any student convicted of assaulting a teacher, is also awaiting Governor Landry’s signature.

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The Louisiana legislative session is over, but not before lawmakers approved a 47-billion-dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st. Legislative leaders say they have allocated money to attract private industry, improve state roads and infrastructure and they continue to invest in K-through-12 education. But Erin Bendily of the Pelican Institute questions the millions of dollars that are known as legislative pet projects.

Cut 10 (09) “…things like that.”

Bendily says she’s also disappointed that the Louisiana Senate did not approve additional dollars to expand private school vouchers and teacher pay raises.

Cut 11 (09) “…on different things.”

Governor Landry will address the teacher pay issue during a ten a-m press conference at the state capitol this morning.

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The big story of the legislative session was the redrawing of the congressional map that eliminates a majority Black district. The chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Edmond Jordan, had this message for his Republican colleagues before they voted on a map that will give the GOP the ability to represent five of the state’s six congressional districts.

Cut 12 (12) “…a racist act.”

House Governmental Affairs Chairman and New Iberia Republican Beau Beaullieu says race was not a factor in the drawing of the map.

Cut 13 (05)  “…maximizes partisan advantage.”

The map approved by the Republican-led legislature is expected to be challenged in court.

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The Advocate’s political reporter, Tyler Bridges, says Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is one of the big losers of this session, because he will likely lose his seat in the U.S. House.

Cut 14 (06) “…Baton Rouge area.”

And we’ll see more proposed constitutional amendments as a result of this session, including one that prohibits governors from serving more than two terms during their lifetimes. Bridges says it only impacts three people right now.

Cut 15 (07) “…two terms lifetime.”

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The Saints completed their third day of organized team activities yesterday and will return to the field tomorrow and Thursday. Second year quarterback Tyler Shough says he’s been able to take advantage of an offseason without any rookie responsibilities or an open QB battle.

Cut 16 (17) “…specifically be better.”

New Orleans is missing veterans Cam Jordan, Demario Davis and Tyrann Mathieu, who were all around this time last year. Shough says he’s focused on improving as the leader of the offense on and off the field, especially for a group of rookies in the same position as he was a season ago.

Cut 17 (19)  “…to prepare yourself.”

Veteran wide receiver Chris Olave has been an active participant at voluntary OTAs despite ongoing contract negotiations over a possible extension. The All-Pro missed last year’s season finale with a blood clot found in his lung, but Shough says he hasn’t missed a beat.

Cut 18 (19) “…the whole year.”

Cut 23 (12) “…without objection.” (gavel tap, followed by applause that fades out)

With that, the 2026 legislative session draws to a close, but not before lawmakers approved a 47-billion-dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st. Legislative leaders say they have allocated money to attract private industry, improve state roads and infrastructure and they continue to invest in K-through-12 education. But Erin Bendily of the Pelican Institute questions the millions of dollars that are known as legislative pet projects.

Cut 10 (09) “…things like that.”

Bendily says she’s also disappointed that the Louisiana Senate did not approve additional dollars to expand private school vouchers and teacher pay raises.

Cut 11 (09) “…on different things.”

The big story of the legislative session was the redrawing of the congressional map that eliminates a majority Black district. The chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Edmond Jordan, had this message for his Republican colleagues before they voted on a map that will give the GOP the ability to represent five of the state’s six congressional districts.

Cut 12 (12) “…a racist act.”

House Governmental Affairs Chairman and New Iberia Republican Beau Beaullieu says race was not a factor in the drawing of the map.

Cut 13 (05)  “…maximizes partisan advantage.”

The Advocate’s political reporter, Tyler Bridges, says Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is the big loser in this, because he will likely lose his seat in the U.S. House.

Cut 14 (06) “…Baton Rouge area.”

Cut 24 (04) “…It’s all over!”

The 2026 legislative session is all over! The Senate adjourned sine die shortly before four this afternoon, and the House followed suit a short time later. Of course, this year’s session will be forever remembered for how the legislature seemed to stop in its tracks to redraw the congressional district map after the Supreme Court ruled the previous map an unconstitutional gerrymander. Following several lengthy debates, the legislature passed and Governor Landry signed a map that closely resembles the one the state used in 2022.

One year after vetoing a similar bill, Governor Landry allows a bill to ban balloon releases to become law without his signature. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is grateful that Landry allowed Harahan Representative John Illg’s balloon release ban to become law this time around, saying it will save wildlife in the long run.

Cut 9 (06)  “…tangled in them.”

Among the bills that didn’t make it onto Governor Landry’s desk was one that would have named a potential new Mississippi River bridge after President Trump. Monroe Representative Michael Echols says naming the bridge after Trump was not absolute; it was contingent on him securing federal funding during his term.

Cut 14 (09) “…dollars to Louisiana.”

While it sailed through the House, Echols says the Senate had no interest in road or bridge-naming bills this year. As such, a bill by Moore Representative Pat Moore to name a one-mile stretch of Highway 15 after President Obama also went nowhere.

Hurricane season is underway. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says the agency has done its part in preparing – now it’s time to do your part.

Cut 5 (13) “…and your property.”

It’s the first of June, which also means it is the first day of hurricane season. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Tragedy in West Monroe, as two girls drowned in Ouachita River yesterday. They were among three who went swimming in the river yesterday evening. A boy was able to get out and call for help when the girls failed to resurface. Divers pulled the girls’ bodies from the water at around 7:30 yesterday evening.

One year after vetoing a similar bill, Governor Landry allows a bill to ban balloon releases to become law without his signature. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is grateful that Landry allowed Harahan Representative John Illg’s balloon release ban to become law this time around, saying it will save wildlife in the long run.

Cut 9 (06)  “…tangled in them.”

A great run by the U-L Lafayette baseball team has come to an end, as the Cajuns were eliminated in the NCAA regionals by Mississippi State last night, 19-5. The Cajuns relied on a deep and talented freshman class, who head coach Matt Deggs says only got better as the season went on.

Cut 7 (14) “…of season, man.”