Small businesses are optimistic, yet cautious. That’s the big takeaway of the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, which rose slightly last month. NFIB State Director Leah Long says one reason is Governor Landry attempting to make the state more business-friendly with tax breaks.

Cut 9 (12)  “…optimism increases.”

Tourism in New Orleans is just about back to pre-pandemic levels. Walt Leger (luh-ZHAY), the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says last year, the city welcomed more than 19-million visitors – the highest number since 2019. Leger says they’re expecting 2025 to be another great year, buoyed by the Super Bowl.

Cut 13 (13)  “…to bring in.”

The LSU baseball team is off to Omaha for the College World Series. Fans gathered outside Alex Box Stadium to see the team off this morning as they boarded three buses bound for the airport. The Tigers won it all two years ago; these fans say they can do it again.

Cut 3 (07) “…Tigers win!!!”

LSU opens play Saturday against Arkansas, a team they beat two out of three times this season at Alex Box Stadium. The two teams are the betting favorites to win it all.

And the Tigers have a secret weapon – seven-year-old Caden Templet of Covington, who’s battling Burkitt’s lymphoma. He was paired with the LSU baseball team through Team IMPACT. Senior Case Manager Lynn LaRocca (la-ROCK-uh) says when pairing kids with college teams, they take several things into consideration, including their favorite sports and the closest schools to where they live.

Cut 12 (09) “…times per month.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s signature will make Ivermectin available over the counter at Louisiana pharmacies. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Small business optimism was up in May, according to the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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LSU has had a secret weapon in its run to Omaha and the College World Series. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A bill allowing pharmacies to sell ivermectin without a prescription is on its way to Gov. Jeff Landry for signature. SB19, sponsored by Senator Mike Fesi, permits adults to purchase the drug under a standing order from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Cut 4 (06) “…over the counter.”

Though approved by the FDA to treat certain parasitic conditions, ivermectin is not authorized for COVID-19 treatment, and experts warn that misuse can lead to severe health issues, including liver damage, seizures, and even death. However, Fesi says he personally used the drug for COVID-19 treatment successfully.

Cut 5 (09) “…got better quickly.”

Under the new law, pharmacists must screen for risks and inform patients about proper use. They are shielded from liability if they act in good faith, although insurers aren’t required to cover the drug. The bill passed both chambers with strong Republican support, aligning Louisiana with other GOP-led states.

Cut 6 (05) “…over the counter.”

The law will take effect once signed by the governor.

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Small businesses are optimistic, yet cautious. That’s the big takeaway of the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, which rose slightly last month. The improvement was primarily driven by stronger expectations for sales and better business conditions. However, the Uncertainty Index also increased, indicating that small business owners remain cautious. NFIB State Director Leah Long says taxes were the main concern for business owners.

Cut 7 (10) “…it is uncertain.”

Long says labor and inflation remained pressing issues, though concerns over labor quality fell. In May, 34-percent of owners reported unfilled job openings, and 86-percent of those hiring said qualified applicants were scarce.

Cut 8 (09) “…is super important.”

Long says one reason for the optimism is the administration change with Governor Landry’s sweeping tax reform and attempting to make the state more business-friendly with tax breaks to business owners.

Cut 9 (12)  “…optimism increases.”

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It turns out that LSU has had a secret weapon in their march to Omaha and the College World Series. Seven-year-old Caden Templet of Covington is battling Burkitt’s lymphoma and was paired with the Tigers baseball team through Team IMPACT, which matches children facing serious illnesses with college sports teams. Senior Case Manager Lynn LaRocca (la-ROCK-uh) says Caden has been with the team throughout the season.

Cut 10 (09) “…in the stands.”

LaRocca says Caden, however, will not be joining the team in Omaha – not yet, at least.

Cut 11 (13) “…the World Series.”

LaRocca says Team IMPACT has matched more than four-thousand kids battling serious medical issues with college sports teams, and they take several things into consideration, including the kids’ favorite sports and the closest schools to where they live.

Cut 12 (09) “…times per month.”

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Tourism in New Orleans is just about back to pre-pandemic levels. Walt Leger (luh-ZHAY), the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says last year, the city welcomed more than 19-million visitors – the highest number since 2019, the year before COVID-19 shut the world down. Leger says they’re expecting 2025 to be another great year, buoyed by the city hosting the Super Bowl.

Cut 13 (13)  “…to bring in.”

However, Leger says outside forces are creating some headwinds in international travel.

Cut 14 (10) “…economy right now.”

Leger says what’s especially tough is that many visitors to New Orleans are from Canada, and the rhetoric emerging from the White House, including comments about wanting to make Canada a U.S. state, is forcing Canadians to rethink their travel plans to the U.S.

Cut 15 (09) “…they’ll be back.”

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The LSU baseball team leaves for Omaha this morning where they’ll play Arkansas on Saturday night in the opening round of the College World Series. Coach Jay Johnson says fine tuning their mental preparation is the biggest priority for the players at this moment…

Cut 16 (16) “…in Omaha.”

LSU second baseman Daniel Dickinson has been one of the most consistent players on this Tigers team. Johnson knew when he signed Dickinson out of the transfer portal that he would have a major impact on the program…

Cut 17 (20)  “…the statistics.”

LSU will play Arkansas at 6 PM on Saturday. The other two teams on LSU’s half of the bracket are UCLA and Murray State, who has a four-seed in the Oxford Regional has made it to Omaha. Johnson gave a quick breakdown on the teams LSU will have to battle to get to the championship series…

Cut 18 (18)  “…what we do.”

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Day one of Saints minicamp is in the books. Head Coach Kellen Moore says he’s impressed by the play of his young quarterbacks, Tyler Shough (“shuck”) and Spencer Rattler.

Cut 19 (16) “…ask for them.”

Moore says the quarterbacks worked on situational football yesterday.

Cut 20 (18) “…through this minicamp.”

A bill clarifying Louisiana’s concealed carry law that allows spectators at parades or demonstrations to carry concealed weapons, while maintaining the ban for participants in such events is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation does not alter existing law, but rather clarifies it. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox had concerns about public safety due to the potential for armed bystanders, particularly in crowded or alcohol-involved settings.

Cut 10 (10) “…than be defenseless.”

The bill applies to all government-permitted parades or demonstrations, and Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka noted the original concealed carry law already prohibits parade participants from carrying a gun.

Cut 11 (11) “…in a parade.”

The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says some of that money will be used to update the severely outdated OMV computer system.

Cut 8 (09) “…to stop that.”

A bill allowing pharmacies to sell ivermectin without a prescription is on its way to Governor Landry for his signature. SB19, sponsored by Senator Mike Fesi, permits adults to purchase the drug under a standing order from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Cut 4 (06) “…over the counter.”

Though approved by the FDA to treat certain parasitic conditions, ivermectin is not authorized for COVID-19 treatment, and experts warn that misuse can lead to severe health issues, including liver damage, seizures, and even death.

A Leesville man is facing charges after a three-year-old accidentally shoots another three-year-old. The victim was shot in the shoulder and chest and is in stable condition. 35-year-old Fernando Mejia is the father of the shooter, who found the gun hidden under a pillow. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says that’s no place to keep a gun, especially with kids present.

Cut 5 (10) “…grab it easily.”

Mejia is charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and failing to properly secure the firearm.

A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overburdened with their caseloads, averaging about 19 per month. Julie Floyd, a senior performance auditor at the Louisiana legislator’s office, says despite the burden, there hasn’t been a big turnover rate at the agency.

Cut 14 (08) “…around 15-percent.”

The Louisiana Legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says that includes money for water sector improvements for local water systems.

Cut 7 (10) “…going to that.”

A bill clarifying Louisiana’s concealed carry law that allows spectators at parades or demonstrations to carry concealed weapons, while maintaining the ban for participants in such events is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka on why the legislation is necessary.

Cut 9 (12)  “…cannot carry.”

The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. Andrew Greenstein reports that represents a small overall portion of the fund.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overworked. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after a shooting incident involving young children. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a three-year-old being shot at 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s home. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says once investigators arrived at the residence they found a 40-caliber gun in the bedroom….

Cut 3 (08) “…children were playing.”

Investigators determined that the injured child was playing with Mejia’s three-year-old, who found a loaded .40-caliber handgun hidden under a pillow. The gun discharged, striking the visiting child in the shoulder and chest.  Jordan says the child is in stable condition.

Cut 4 (09) “…regular room.”

Mejia was charged for failing to properly secure the firearm. He is currently being held in the Vernon Parish Jail and is also subject to a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sheriff Sam Craft says gun safety should be practiced at all times.

Cut 5 (10) “…grab it easily.”

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The Louisiana Legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says that includes about 709-million dollars for shovel-ready road projects that will be completed within one year.

Cut 6 (11) “…falling in line.”

McFarland says it also includes money for water sector improvements for local water systems.

Cut 7 (10) “…going to that.”

McFarland says the legislature will be putting forth a significant portion of the 110-million dollars it will take to update the severely outdated OMV computer system.

Cut 8 (09) “…to stop that.”

That 1.2-billion represents less than a third of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. Even after the withdrawal, it will still have 2.7-billion dollars left in it.

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A bill clarifying Louisiana’s concealed carry law that allows spectators at parades or demonstrations to carry concealed weapons, while maintaining the ban for participants in such events is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka on why the legislation is necessary.

Cut 9 (12)  “…cannot carry.”

The legislation does not alter existing law but enhances clarity for citizens and law enforcement. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox had concerns about public safety due to the potential for armed bystanders, particularly in crowded or alcohol-involved settings.

Cut 10 (10) “…than be defenseless.”

The bill applies to all government-permitted parades or demonstrations, and Zelenka noted the original concealed carry law already prohibits parade participants from carrying a gun.

Cut 11 (11) “…in a parade.”

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A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overburdened with their caseloads. Julie Floyd, a senior performance auditor at the Louisiana legislator’s office, says there has been an increase in recent years in vacancies, especially in front-line case workers.

Cut 12 (08) “…to increase salaries.”

Floyd says due to these vacancies, the workers at DCFS have seen their caseloads increase substantially.

Cut 13 (10)  “…cases each month.”

Floyd says despite the added workload for the DCFS workers still with the agency, there hasn’t been a big turnover rate at the agency.

Cut 14 (08) “…around 15-percent.”

Floyd says DCFS and the state have implemented special pay mechanisms to encourage employees to stay. However, a staffing and salary analysis showed that it’s inconclusive as to whether those special mechanisms were leading employees to stay.

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year. It contains 30 million dollars in high-dosage tutoring and 199-million for teacher stipends. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there is a 45-million-dollar difference in spending for the L-A GATOR scholarship program.

Cut 13 (08)  “…cutting it back.”

Congressman Clay Higgins is making another effort to mandate random drug testing for members of Congress. He has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, which calls for at least one random drug test per term, with positive results referred to the Committee on Ethics. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan calls this a political stunt.

Cut 4 (09) “…voting against it.”

Higgins first proposed this back in 2018.

A Hammond man is charged with second-degree murder after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle. St. Tammany Parish deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman placed the girl in a car seat in his pickup truck and left her there for more than nine hours. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says alcohol likely played a role in Boatman’s lack of sound judgment.

Cut 9 (08)  “…multiple alcoholic beverages.”

With LSU and their rabid fans headed to Omaha for the College World Series, one restaurant across from the ballpark is getting ready. Every year, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sells Jell-O shots in the colors of the eight participating teams. Owner Kevin Culjat (KULL-jit) says when LSU went two years ago, they really cleaned up.

Cut 10 (09) “…happens this year.”

One dollar for every shot sold goes to the school’s local food bank.

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year, albeit clearing only half the money for the L-A GATOR program as what Governor Landry had asked for. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry wants to expand the program so more families can receive state assistance to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.

Cut 14 (12) “…play out.”

If Congressman Clay Higgins has his way, all members of Congress would take a random drug test at least once per term. The Southwest Louisiana Republican has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it allows Higgins to promote clean living and law and order.

Cut 5 (06) “…would oppose it.”

A Hammond man is arrested after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle in Madisonville over the weekend. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says 35-year-old Joseph Boatman picked up his daughter after getting off work early Sunday morning.

Cut 7 (14) “…inside the car.”

Lieutenant Carboni says the girl was buckled into that car seat for more than nine hours in scorching hot conditions.

It appears that Anne Kirkpatrick’s leadership of the New Orleans Police Department is paying dividends. The latest survey by the New Orleans Crime Coalition shows public satisfaction with the New Orleans Police Department is now at 47-percent – that’s up from 40-percent a year ago and just 31-percent when Fitzpatrick took over as NOPD superintendent in 2023.

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins is reintroducing a bill that would mandate random drug testing for members of Congress. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Hammond man is charged with second-degree murder after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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One restaurant across from the site of the College World Series is gearing up for the onslaught of LSU fans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Southwest Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Higgins has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, a bill that would mandate random drug testing for members of Congress. Originally introduced in 2018, the legislation calls for at least one drug test per term, with positive results referred to the Committee on Ethics. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan.

Cut 4 (09) “…voting against it.”

Higgins, who first proposed the idea after taking a drug test himself as a law enforcement officer, insists the measure is serious. Hogan says this allows Higgins to promote clean living and law and order.

Cut 5 (06) “…would oppose it.”

Higgins says he has seen “behavior that would cause one to wonder,” reinforcing his motivation for reintroducing the bill. Though Hogan says the Congressman didn’t provide any specific examples in his statement.

Cut 6 (10) “…I don’t know.”

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A Hammond man is arrested after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle in Madisonville over the weekend. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says 35-year-old Joseph Boatman picked up his daughter from work.

Cut 7 (14) “…inside the car.”

Lieutenant Carboni says the girl was buckled into that car seat for more than nine hours.

Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon.”

Carboni says alcohol likely played a role in Boatman’s lack of sound judgment.

Cut 9 (08)  “…multiple alcoholic beverages.”

When the girl was finally discovered unresponsive Sunday afternoon, the temperature was in the 90s, with a heat index of more than 100 degrees. Boatman is booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on a charge of second-degree murder.

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With LSU and their rabid fans headed to Omaha for the College World Series, one restaurant across the street from Charles Schwab Field is getting ready. Every year, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sells Jell-O shots in the colors of the eight participating teams for five dollars apiece. Owner Kevin Culjat (KULL-jit) says when LSU went two years ago, they really cleaned up.

Cut 10 (09) “…happens this year.”

Culjat says to get ready for LSU’s arrival, they’re stocking 120-thousand Jell-O shots. He says the Jell-O shot tradition took off a couple years ago when social media got wind of it, so he decided to keep it going for a worthy cause.

Cut 11 (08) “…shot sold locally.” ($1 for every Jell-O shot is donated to the team’s local food bank)

Culjat says with another good year this year, they will hit a milestone.

Cut 12 (09) “…that pretty easy.”

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The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year. It contains 30 million dollars in high-dosage tutoring for students as well as 199-million for teacher stipends. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there is a 45-million-dollar difference in spending for the L-A GATOR scholarship program, which is the state’s new voucher program.

Cut 13 (08)  “…cutting it back.”

The LA Gator funding debate has Governor Landry at odds with Senate President Cameron Henry. Pinsonat says Henry wants to keep funding for LA Gator at the same level as the state’s current voucher program, but Landry wants to expand the program so more families can receive state assistance to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.

Cut 14 (12) “…play out.”

The Louisiana Legislature has until 6 p-m Thursday to approve a budget, because that’s when the legislative session must come to an end. Pinsonat says the insurance reform legislation was completed a couple of weeks ago. He says it was a top priority for the Landry administration and lawmakers…

Cut 15 (08) “…concentration.”

A bill that received final legislative passage on Monday creates an individual income tax credit for residents who pay for a fortified roof that can help reduce storm damage during a high wind weather event. Supporters say a fortified roof can also help lower a homeowner’s insurance premium.

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LSU baseball has completed the road to Omaha. They are one of eight teams that are in the College World Series. Right fielder Jake Brown says the team’s resiliency has been positive characteristic this season.

Cut 16 (15) “…toughness.”

Brown was an LSU recruit when the Tigers won the national championship in 2023 and he’s thrilled to be part of Jay Johnson’s second LSU team that he’s brought to the C-W-S.

Cut 17 (11)  “…go play.”

LSU left fielder Derek Curiel says the team is playing its best baseball at the right time.

Cut 18 (12)  “…some fun.”

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year. It contains 30 million dollars in high-dosage tutoring for students, as well as 199-million for teacher stipends. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there is a 45-million-dollar difference in spending for the L-A GATOR program.

Cut 13 (09)  “…cutting it back.”

Online sports gambling companies will soon be paying more tax to the state on all wagers originating from Louisiana. The Senate has approved House Bill 639 by Columbia Republican Neil Riser, who says the amount of the tax that the legislature zeroed in on was a little lower than what he had originally proposed.

Cut 9 (11)  “…we agreed to.”

That 21 and a half percent is an increase from the current 15-percent.

Louisiana voters might have the opportunity to decide in April whether the retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The race is on to get bills passed before the session ends Thursday evening. Monday, lawmakers approved transferring U-N-O from the U-L system to the LSU system, and they also sent a bill to the governor’s desk allowing ivermectin to be sold in pharmacies without a prescription.

The Senate approves a bill to boost the online betting tax from 15-percent to 21 and a half percent. Columbia Republican Representative Neil Riser says one-quarter of the revenue generated will be divided evenly among all NCAA Division One athletic programs in the state. While that represents a drop in the bucket for LSU, it will go a long way at other schools.

Cut 10 (07) “…year from this.”

Should the mandatory retirement age of judges be raised from 70 to 75? Looks like you’ll get to decide that next April. This after the Senate approved the proposed constitutional amendment by exactly the requisite two-thirds majority. Norco Republican Gregory Miller says Louisiana is an outlier when it comes to this issue.

Cut 8 (09) “…retirement age.”

Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened this morning. Located off I-10 in Pass Christian, the massive 74-thousand-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets. Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says this new location will draw visitors from nearby states, especially Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…New Orleans and Mobile.”

For the 20th time, LSU is in the College World Series. The Tigers will play Arkansas on Saturday in its first game in Omaha. Tigers left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson says how Jay Johnson prepares the team during the regular season, prepares them for what they’ll also experience at the College World Series.

Cut 14 (13) “…play there.”