The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office’s legislative package for 2026 focuses on election security. House Bill 691 by Beau Beaullieu would check the state’s voter rolls against the SAVE program to identify potential non-citizens. Secretary Nancy Landry says a recent check of the state’s voter rolls turned up non-citizens who had cast ballots.

Cut 10 (10) “…an eligible voter.”

House Bill 547 by Polly Thomas would prohibit taking pictures of voter registration information in precinct registers. Landry says this is to protect those who haven’t voted yet from intimidation.

Cut 11 (11) “…who had voted.”

Small business owners have a laundry list of issues they’d like to see lawmakers tackle this session. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says navigating Louisiana’s complex taxation system continues to be a minefield for small business owners, and she says that can be alleviated by the legislature implementing a centralized sales tax.

Cut 9 (09)  “…remit sales tax.”

More good news about auto insurance rates. Since the start of last year, nearly 40 companies have filed rate decreases for private passenger auto policies. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the latest company to do so is Imperial Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, who filed a six-percent decrease on its Value Product.

Cut 4 (06) “…that’s a positive.”

The National Weather Service says as many as six tornadoes ripped through southeast Louisiana last night, impacting St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Tammany parishes. A suspected tornado knocked down trees and power lines in areas around Roseland, Fluker and Kentwood. But Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller says there are no deaths or major property damage.

Cut 12 (08) “…were damaged.”

The commissioner of agriculture and forestry is urging the federal government to allow guest workers back into the country to peel crawfish. Mike Strain says these guest workers have been doing the work for upwards of 18 dollars an hour; and it’s work that Americans will not do, to the chagrin of crawfish farmers.

Cut 10 (09) “…these workers in.”

The McNeese men’s basketball team is going dancing for a third straight year. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Two of the 70 birds seized in a cockfight in St. Landry Parish have been stolen from the parish’s animal control facility. This was the cockfight that was raided last weekend near Opelousas, in which more than 60 people were arrested, and guns and drugs were also seized.

Crude oil prices have surpassed 90-dollars a barrel, and Triple-A says the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $3.23. The International Energy Agency is releasing 400-million barrels of oil from strategic reserves, but LSU Center for Energy Studies director Greg Upton says that will not help with gas prices, instead it will ease short-term supply disruption…

Cut 6 (11) “…short run.”

The commissioner of agriculture and forestry is sounding the alarm over the lack of crawfish peelers in the state. Mike Strain says this is because the Department of Homeland Security has stopped processing H-2B applications for skilled guest workers, preventing them from coming back. 

Cut 9 (07)  “…skilled guest workers.”

McNeese men’s basketball is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row. This, after beating Stephen F. Austin, 76-59, to win the Southland Conference title. Senior guard Javohn Garcia, who erupted for a career-high 31 points in the win, says the Cowboys were not going to let the Lumberjacks end their 27-game winning streak at home.

Cut 4 (10) “…came out victors.”

Cut 25 (04) “…Alligator!”

Obviously, “alligator” has more than three letters, but there are now more than three-million alligators in Louisiana. As such, the Senate Natural Resources Committee approved a bill to create a recreational alligator hunting season. Wildlife and Fisheries General Counsel Garrett Cole says if there is one, interested recreational hunters would be chosen through a lottery.

Cut 11 (10) “…the secretary said.”

Small business owners have a laundry list of issues they’d like to see lawmakers tackle this session. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says navigating Louisiana’s complex taxation system continues to be a minefield for small business owners, and she says that can be alleviated by the legislature implementing a centralized sales tax.

Cut 9 (09)  “…remit sales tax.”

A lawmaker wants to give voters the final say on a minimum wage increase. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s proposed constitutional amendment would set Louisiana’s minimum wage to $10.25 an hour, and it would task a state agency to adjust it annually based on the consumer price index. Barrow says too many people in Louisiana still make minimum wage.

Cut 14 (07) “…$7.25 an hour.”

Two men are cited for allegedly shooting and killing a whooping crane in Evangeline Parish last month. Wildlife and Fisheries Corporal Tib Guillory says 36-year-old Logan Thrasher of St. Landry and 33-year-old Manuel Luis of Mexico face up to 120 days in jail and a 950-dollar fine, along with restitution.

Cut 6 (03) “…15-thousand dollars.”

Guillory says Thrasher and Luis were working on a farm where agents located the dead crane. Whooping cranes are an endangered species and, thus, are federally protected.

For the third year in a row, the McNeese Cowboys are going dancing. McNeese beat Stephen F. Austin yesterday, 76-59, to win their third straight Southland Conference title. Senior guard DJ Richards says earning their way back into the NCAA Tournament is an accomplishment no one can take away from them.

Cut 5 (09) “…hard to do.”

A lawmaker wants to give voters the final say on a minimum wage increase. Louisiana is one of 20 states in which the minimum wage aligns with the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has not changed since July of 2009. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says that’s just untenable.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a decent life.”

Barrow’s proposed constitutional amendment would raise the minimum wage to $10.25 an hour, with annual increases in line with the consumer price index.

Small businesses in Louisiana are keeping a keen eye on Baton Rouge as the legislative session gets underway. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says one issue facing many small business owners is the quality of labor, and that’s something that she’d like the legislature to address.

Cut 7 (10) “…go to work.”

Legislation that would allow the Louisiana Wildlife Commission to establish a recreational alligator season has received approval from the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A National Guard member is arrested for accidentally shooting and injuring a fellow guardsman. New Orleans Police say 18-year-old Lindz Nagin was handling a gun when it accidentally went off, hitting the victim in the chest. The victim is in stable condition. Nagin is free on five-thousand dollars bond.

Small business owners are keeping a keen eye on Baton Rouge now that the legislative session is underway. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Legislation that would allow the Louisiana Wildlife Commission to establish a recreational alligator season has received approval from the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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One lawmaker wants to let voters have the final say on the minimum wage. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two men are cited for allegedly shooting and killing a whooping crane in Evangeline Parish last month. LDWF agents cited 36-year-old Logan Thrasher of St. Landry and 33-year-old Manuel Luis of Mexico for violating the migratory bird treaty act in killing the bird. Wildlife and Fisheries Corporal Tib Guillory says whooping cranes are federally protected.

Cut 4 (06) “…lot of them”

Guillory says as such, whooping crane biologists place GPS collars on as many of them as they can so that they can alert certain people that the birds are near them and they should be left alone.

Cut 5 (10) “…check on them.”

LDWF agents were led to Thrasher and Luis because they were working on the farm where the whooping crane was found shot to death and on the day when he stopped sending data. Guillory says the two men face up to 120 days in jail and a 950-dollar fine, along with restitution.

Cut 6 (03) “…15-thousand dollars.”

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Small businesses in Louisiana are keeping a keen eye on Baton Rouge as the legislative session gets underway. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says one issue facing many small business owners is the quality of labor, and that’s something that she’d like the legislature to address.

Cut 7 (10) “…go to work.”

Concerns over labor quality caused a slight drop in the monthly Small Business Optimism Index, but that was tempered somewhat by strong sales and profit figures that are causing them to feel more certain in the coming months. Long says the legislature made great strides last year, and she wants to see that momentum continue.

Cut 8 (08) “…workforce in Louisiana.”

Long says navigating Louisiana’s complex taxation system continues to be a minefield for small business owners, and she says that can be alleviated by the legislature implementing a centralized sales tax.

Cut 9 (09)  “…remit sales tax.”

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Louisiana could soon have a recreational alligator hunting season. There’s a commercial alligator hunting season, but Franklin Senator Robert Allain says with the number of alligators increasing in the state, he would like to open alligator hunting to recreational hunters.

Cut 10 (09) “…to hunt alligators.”

About 50 years ago, the state’s alligator population was below 100-thousand; but thanks to conservation efforts, there are now more than three-million gators in the state, with about two-million in the wild. Wildlife and Fisheries General Counsel Garrett Cole says interested recreational hunters would be chosen through a lottery.

Cut 11 (10) “…the secretary said.”

The recreational hunters would not be allowed to shoot alligators; it would be hook and line harvesting from land. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says they want to provide this recreational opportunity for the common folk of Louisiana.

Cut 12 (08) “…want to experience.”

The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved the bill to create a recreational alligator hunting season. It now heads to the Senate floor for more discussion. It would be the Louisiana Wildlife Commission that would set up the official rules and regulations.

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A lawmaker wants to give voters the final say on a minimum wage increase. Louisiana is one of 20 states in which the minimum wage aligns with the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has not changed since July of 2009. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says that’s just untenable.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a decent life.”

That’s why Barrow is proposing a constitutional amendment not only to increase the minimum wage immediately, but also to make sure it keeps up with inflation. Barrow’s proposal would set Louisiana’s minimum wage to $10.25 an hour, and it would task a state agency to adjust it annually based on the consumer price index. Barrow says too many people in Louisiana still make minimum wage.

Cut 14 (07) “…$7.25 an hour.”

This is by no means the first time someone has proposed an increase to the state’s minimum wage. In all previous attempts, business groups have pushed back, saying raising the minimum wage would lead to higher consumer prices and fewer jobs. Barrow says business owners she’s spoken to disagree with that notion.

Cut 15 (12) “…with your employees.”

Since this is a proposed constitutional amendment, it will require a two-thirds majority in both houses before it goes to the voters.

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The number-13 LSU baseball team ended its two-game losing streak Tuesday with an 8-4 win over Creighton. The Tigers also appeared to shake off their hitting slump, recording nine hits, including two home runs. Junior outfielder Jake Brown said the team held a players-only meeting before the game to address the struggles.

Cut 16 (12) “…next to you.”

Brown hit his ninth home run in Tuesday’s win and leads the Tigers in home runs, batting average, RBI and stolen bases. He credits his offseason work to helping him get off to a fast start this season.

Cut 17 (11)  “…perform so far.”

After missing the last 15 games with a hand injury, LSU senior outfielder Chris Stanfield made his return to the lineup. Coach Jay Johnson says having Stanfield in the lineup makes the Tigers better.

Cut 18 (15)  “…to be made.”

Johnson says whether or not Stanfield will start this weekend is still up in the air.

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The LSU men’s basketball season ended Wednesday with an 87-82 loss to ninth-seeded Kentucky in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. The Tigers finished 15-and-17, marking the second consecutive and third overall losing season under head coach Matt McMahon in his four years in Baton Rouge. McMahon acknowledged the criticism surrounding the program.

Cut 19 (18) “…make moving forward.”

Much of southwest and central Louisiana is under a tornado watch. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a storm system is making its way east from Texas.

Cut 6 (11) “…into the night.”

Cities in the watch area include Lake Charles, Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe.

Senator Bill Cassidy recently held a roundtable discussion on legislation to regulate NIL deals in college sports. Former Auburn football coach and current Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville was part of it; he says he supports student-athletes getting paid, but he believes President Trump should issue an executive order to put some restrictions in place right away.

Cut 14 (11) “…more money.”

A Senate committee approves legislation that makes disruptive protests at or near churches a crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’d like to see the original Louisiana Purchase document, you will get your chance next month. The document that doubled the size of the United States at the outset of the 19th century will be on display at the old State Capitol in Baton Rouge starting April 14th. Governor Landry made the announcement in his State of the State address on Monday.

This is a day when you want to pay close attention to the weather. A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the storm system will work its way across the state throughout the day today.

Cut 8 (11) “…across the area.”

A Senate committee advances a bill that would make it a crime to stage a disruptive protest inside a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says his bill would not prohibit someone from holding a sign in front of a place of worship; but causing a disruption would lead to a 500-dollar fine and up to 15 days in jail.

Cut 10 (12) “…disruptive service.”

Lake Charles is the undisputed capital of boys’ high school basketball this week as the city is playing host to the semifinals and championships for all ten state divisions. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler says the region rolls out the red carpet for the 40 teams competing each year.

Cut 5 (09) “…big game feel”

And if that’s not enough, McNeese is hosting Stephen F. Austin this afternoon, with a trip to the NCAA Tournament at stake.

Speaking of college sports, Senator Bill Cassidy recently held a roundtable discussion on potential legislation to regulate NIL deals. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Julie Cromer says with student athletes trying to cash in on those deals, the education component of being a student-athlete is going away, and athletic departments need help.

Cut 13 (11) “…education.”

A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe. This, as a storm system is making its way through the state from Texas. State Climatologist Jay Grimes says a tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornado formation.

Cut 7 (11) “…become EF1s, EF2s.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress can no longer sit on the sidelines as it needs to come up with legislation to regulate NIL deals in college athletics. Cassidy says legislation needs to be put in place protect student athletes who are signing these deals that result in agents receiving a 40-percent commission.

cut 12 (12) “…go to pros”

Lake Charles is the epicenter of March Madness in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports the Southland Conference is crowning new champions today and tomorrow and the high boys basketball tournament is taking place  at the Burton Coliseum.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Senate committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to conduct a disruptive protest inside a church or near a place of worship. The legislation is in response to a protest that took place at a Minneapolis church last January where the pastor was an ICE officer. It now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.

We could be in for severe weather later today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a storm system is making its way east from Texas, bringing a slight risk for severe weather – a two out of five on the scale.

Cut 6 (11) “…into the night.”

A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana.

With all due apologies to Kim Mulkey if she’s listening, but Lake Charles is the basketball capital of Louisiana this week. McNeese is hosting Stephen F. Austin this afternoon for the chance to return to the NCAA Tournament, and the city is also hosting the boys’ high school state championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler says this is the 13th straight year the Burton Coliseum is playing host.

Cut 4 (07) “…this one.” 

The U.S. Geological Survey sent a team to northwest Louisiana to install new equipment to assist in detecting earthquakes. This, in the wake of a series of tremors triggered by last week’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing a Vivian police officer. A Caddo Parish grand jury indicted 58 year old Nicholas Alexander last month for first-degree murder in the death of Officer Marc Brock.