AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto Senate Bill 134, which would cap malpractice damages against nursing homes at 500-thousand dollars. The organization says it would effectively eliminate people’s ability to hold nursing homes accountable for malpractice. Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl (“mull”) says nursing homes in Louisiana rank among the nation’s worst. 

Cut 25 (12) “…them even worse.”

The bill’s author, Shreveport Republican Senator Thomas Pressly, says his bill clarifies the Medical Malpractice Act, which was always intended to include nursing homes.

Cut 26 (14) “…or on site.”

A bill to largely ban speed cameras across the state – well, most of it, at least – is on Governor Landry’s desk. Monroe Republican Senator Stewart Cathey says he’s happy that he got his bill to the finish line. 

Cut 27 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

However, Cathey’s bill was thrown a curveball as the House passed an amendment that exempts Opelousas from this ban. Cathey says he’ll work to eliminate that exception in a future session.

Another bill on Landry’s desk calls for a series of nutrition reforms. One major component involves banning certain artificial colors and additives in meals served in schools. Covington Republican Senator Patrick McMath says they’re part of the nationwide Make America Healthy Again movement.

Cut 30 (11) “…change their ingredients.”

Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee met with President Trump this week to find common ground on his “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Among them was Bill Cassidy, who says the two-hour meeting was very productive. Like other senators, Cassidy says the bill as passed by the House will not pass in the Senate without some changes.

Cut 3 (17) “…people do better.”

This weekend is free fishing weekend in Louisiana! Rene LeBreton with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the decades-old tradition has been a huge success both in Louisiana and across the country.

Cut 26 (08) “…license after that.”

The fishing license is good for 365 days.

The Louisiana High School Coaches Association named Franklinton native Jessica Barber as its new director. Barber says she hopes to be a resource for coaches across the state.

Cut 17 (11)  “…offering solutions”

Barber brings nearly two decades of coaching experience at the high school, college and AAU levels, and she was most recently an assistant women’s basketball coach at Southern Miss. 

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is tomorrow in Ruston. Tori Davis with Experience Ruston says the event has grown into a music and arts festival.

Cut 9 (15)  “…huge arts market.”

The festivities begin at nine tomorrow morning, and admission is free.

The talk of the political world is the epic fallout between President Trump and Elon Musk over the Big Beautiful Bill, which Musk calls “an abomination” full of pork spending. While some say the relationship between Trump and Musk is damaged beyond repair, Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s more like a lover’s tiff.

Cut 5 (12) “…wish you hadn’t.”

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is tomorrow in Ruston. Tori Davis with Experience Ruston says peaches are a huge crop in northwest Louisiana – so much so that Ruston is known as the peach capital of Louisiana.

Cut 11 (14) “…you’ll ever eat.”

With warmer temperatures here, now is the time to take steps to protect yourself from West Nile Virus. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Mosquito season is upon us, so now is the time to take steps to protect yourself from West Nile Virus. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says when you go outside, apply EPA-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET.

Cut 6 (09) “…hours or so.”

Sokol says it’s also important to eliminate any standing water on your property, since standing water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos.

Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee, including Bill Cassidy, met with President Trump this week to find common ground on his “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Cassidy says Trump laid out the main objectives that he wants to achieve.

Cut 4 (17) “…the American people.”

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is tomorrow in Ruston. Tori Davis with Experience Ruston says there’s plenty of entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Cut 10 (11) “…until 10:30 p.m..”

Throughout the week, restaurants throughout Ruston have been participating in the Peach Culinary Crawl, offering special peach-inspired dishes.

If you’re not going to be around Ruston tomorrow, may I suggest going out fishing? This is free fishing weekend throughout the state. Rene LeBreton with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says most people who take advantage of the free fishing weekend eventually go out and get themselves a fishing license, and they’re very easy to obtain.

Cut 12 (09) “…top of that.”

And the fishing license is good for 365 days following the date of issuance.

Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee met with President Trump this week to find common ground on his “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Among them was Bill Cassidy, who says the two-hour meeting was very productive. Like other senators, Cassidy says the bill as passed by the House will not pass in the Senate without some changes.

Cut 3 (17) “…people do better.”

This weekend is free fishing weekend in Louisiana! Rene LeBreton with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the decades-old tradition has been a huge success both in Louisiana and across the country.

Cut 26 (08) “…license after that.”

The fishing license is good for 365 days.

A sweeping bill calling for a series of nutrition reforms is on the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 14, authored by Covington Republican Patrick McMath, unanimously passed both houses of legislature. One thing that didn’t make it onto the final bill was banning the use of SNAP benefits to purchase soft drinks. McMath says that’s because Governor Landry made the issue moot.

Cut 25 (11)  “…for SNAP recipients.”

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is tomorrow in Ruston. Tori Davis with Experience Ruston says the event has grown into a music and arts festival.

Cut 9 (15)  “…huge arts market.”

The festivities begin at nine tomorrow morning, and admission is free.

LSU Associate Professor of coastal meteorology Paul Miller says Louisiana can expect some African visitors this weekend. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

A sweeping bill that mandates a series of nutritional reforms is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

LSU hosts West Virginia this weekend with a trip to the College World Series on the line. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

If the sky outside seems hazy and brown this weekend, you don’t need to get your eyes checked. It’s the result of dust particles from the Sahara Desert. Associate professor of coastal meteorology at LSU, Paul Miller, says dust plumes are a regular part of the Atlantic climate system.

Cut 4 (10) “…happening here.”

For most, the plume will be nothing more than a bizarre experience, but Miller says its arrival will bring poor air quality conditions, which can be harmful to certain individuals.

Cut 5 (11) “…something like that.”

It’s not all bad though, Miller says the plume can act as a temporary shield from intense storms and even hurricanes. The dust is brought across the Atlantic by hot, dry desert winds.

Cut 6 (10) “…cyclone development.”

Miller says weather systems off the coast of Florida should disperse the dust by Monday.

________________________________________________________

A sweeping bill calling for a series of nutrition reforms is on the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 14, authored by Covington Republican Patrick McMath, unanimously passed both houses of legislature. Major components include banning certain artificial colors and additives in meals served in schools, and forcing food companies to put QR codes on packaging if their products contain certain artificial ingredients. McMath says they’re part of the nationwide Make America Healthy Again movement.

Cut 7 (11) “…change their ingredients.”

Also, restaurants and other food businesses which use seed oils in their cooking will have to clearly indicate such. And McMath says certain medical professionals will be required to take a one-hour course on nutrition and metabolic health every two years.

Cut 8 (16) “…they simply don’t.”

One thing that didn’t make it onto the final bill was banning the use of SNAP benefits to purchase soft drinks. McMath says that’s because Governor Landry made the issue moot.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for SNAP recipients.”

McMath acknowledges that change will not happen overnight, and that it will take some time for food companies to change their ingredients. Therefore, the QR codes won’t take effect until January 1st, 2028, while the school meal ingredient requirements go into effect at the start of the 2028-29 school year.

________________________________________________________

Looking for something to do this weekend? How about going fishing! This is the weekend to do it – Rene LeBreton with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this is free fishing weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “…sport of fishing.”

Every state has a free fishing weekend, although not necessarily the same weekend. LeBreton says the program has been going on for decades, and it’s been very successful.

Cut 11 (08) “…license after that.”

And LeBreton says fishing licenses are very easy to obtain – and very inexpensive.

Cut 12 (09) “…top of that.”

And the fishing license is good for 365 days following the date of issuance.

_________________________________________________________

The Super Regional between LSU and West Virginia kicks off at Alex Box Stadium tomorrow. The Mountaineers and Tigers have similar records at over 40 wins each. Tiger Rag editor Glen Guilbeau thinks LSU may have the upper hand, but that doesn’t mean this weekend’s series is a sure thing.

Cut 13 (15)  “…as well.”

Tigers aces Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson have been a devastating duo on the mound, but Guilbeau says if LSU can’t wrap up the series by Sunday, Monday’s game three could get interesting.

Cut 14 (17) “…off game.”

Guilbeau expects Eyanson to start game one to be available to close out game three if necessary. He thinks coach Jay Johnson will have to save sure-handed righty reliever Casan Evans to start Monday.

Guilbeau believes Johnson will stick with the lineup that secured a Regional championship versus Little Rock.

Cut 15 (14) “…fifth or sixth.”

First pitch tomorrow is set for 1 p.m.

_______________________________________________________

The Louisiana High School Coaches Association named Franklinton native Jessica Barber as its new director. Barber brings nearly two decades of coaching experience at the high school, college and AAU levels. Barber is proud to be the association’s first female director. She says when she got the job, she thought of the deserving women who impacted her as an athlete.

Cut 16 (12) “…high school athletics.”

Barber was most recently an assistant women’s basketball coach at Southern Miss from 2023 to 2025. She also served at ULM, Loyola University New Orleans, Pine High School, Franklinton High School and Edna Karr High School. Barber says she hopes to be a resource for coaches across the state.

Cut 17 (11)  “…offering solutions”

Barber identified one of the biggest challenges coaches face as burnout and commitment among high school athletes. As an experienced assistant coach, Barber says building relationships and having fun should always be at the center of athletics.

Cut 18 (12)  “…help with.”

___________________________________________

If you check the internet, you can find plenty of trade rumors involving Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. The team’s best receiver has two more years left on the contract that he signed when he was a rookie. Coach Kellen Moore says there’s nothing to the reports that the Black and Gold are looking to deal Olave.

Cut 19 (10) “…in him”

Tight end Foster Moreau is not participating in OTAs because of a knee injury he suffered in Week 18. But Moore is impressed with Moreau’s involvement with the team.

Cut 20 (19) “…we want.”

The 2025 legislative session ends next Thursday, and this session will be remembered for auto insurance reform. Governor Landry has signed several legal reform bills expected to produce lower payouts to car accident victims. He says it’s legislation the insurance industry has been seeking for several years.

Cut 12 (15) “…of that list.” 

Among the other bills awaiting Landry’s signature is one that authorizes a new bidding process to purchase new voting machines, replacing over ten-thousand machines that are nearly 35 years old. Joel Watson of the Secretary of State’s office says the new machines will print out paper ballots.

Cut 8 (06) “…the election.”

Soon, you’ll be able to cruise down Louisiana highways with darker-tinted front windows. A bill on Governor Landry’s desk would allow tint on front windows as dark as 25-percent of light transmission, down from the current 40-percent. Its author, Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel (DESH-uh-tell), says this brings Louisiana in line with other states which suffer through brutal summer heat.

Cut 4 (08) “…and other states.”

In the waning days of the session, several bills still remain pending in the legislature. We recently asked Landry whether there were any pending bills which if they didn’t reach his desk, he would call a special session. Landry said no.

Cut 24 (13) “…of this state.”

Soon, you’ll be able to cruise down Louisiana highways with darker-tinted front windows. A bill awaiting Governor Landry’s signature would allow tint on front windows as dark as 25-percent of light transmission, down from the current 40-percent. Its author, Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel (DESH-uh-tell), says this brings Louisiana in line with other states which suffer through brutal summer heat.

Cut 4 (08) “…and other states.”

Pope Leo the 14th names Ugandan-born priest, Father Simon Peter Engurait, as Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Bishop-Elect Engurait says south Louisiana is home and he loves the people there…

Cut 11 (13) “…next Bishop.”

Legislators approved a new bidding process to help the Secretary of State’s Office replace Louisiana’s decades-old voting machines. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Faculty and fellow graduates gave Wiley a standing ovation as she walked across the stage at graduation.

Soon, you’ll be able to tint your front windows darker. A bill allowing for just that passed overwhelmingly in both houses of the legislature and now awaits a signature from Governor Landry. Its author is Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel (DESH-uh-tell).

Cut 3 (14) “…light coming through.”

Deshotel says this bill brings Louisiana in line with other states which suffer through brutal summer heat.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good.”

Pope Leo the 14th named Ugandan-born priest, Father Simon Peter Engurait as Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The 53-year-old says he did not expect the Holy Father to choose him to be the sixth bishop of the diocese.

Cut 10 (10) “…in saying yes.”

Engurait has served as the Diocesan Administrator in the diocese since January 2024, upon the sudden passing of Bishop Mario Dorsonville. He previously served as the Vicar General since 2017.

Using a hand-held cell phone while driving will soon be illegal in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that you’re never too old to chase your dreams. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana received a “C” grade on R Street’s insurance regulation report card, ranking 39th in the country. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. This, after the House gave its final approval on a vote of 94-to-1, with Oil City Republican Danny McCormick casting the lone “no” vote. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

Redman says cell phone use while driving has become a major problem – not just in Louisiana, but everywhere.

Cut 5 (15) “…a huge distraction.”

It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation, such as speeding or running a red light, that would be an additional fine. Redman says it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Cut 6 (09) “…a big concern.”

There will be a getting-used-to period before officers start issuing fines after the first of the year.

________________________________________________________

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Faculty and fellow graduates gave Wiley a standing ovation as she walked across the stage at graduation, and Wiley says she’s very grateful.

Cut 7 (11) “…me their support.”

Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom two years later. Her desire to complete the program never wavered; and she went back to school following the death of her husband.

Cut 8 (12) “…me on target.”

In all, Wiley’s gap in her Master’s program lasted more than ten years. As such, while she was able to carry over a small handful of credit hours she had previously earned, she had to take most of her core courses over again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the courses over.”

The whole time, Wiley was serving as a substitute teacher at Bossier Parish Schools. She plans to continue substitute teaching while exploring new opportunities through counseling or mentoring.

________________________________________________________

Louisiana earned its highest grade and rank since 2013 on the R Street Institute’s annual report. Louisiana received a “C” on its report card evaluating the effectiveness of the state’s regulation and property and casualty insurance, ranking 39th in the nation. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the improvement shows regulatory reforms made last legislative session are working.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the ranking.”

Temple and the report credited reforms to the process for rate changes as well as the ongoing Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. The program helps to provide fortified roofs for Louisiana homeowners, limiting insurance claims.

Cut 11 (07) “…the resiliencies.”

In addition to showing that the state is trending in the right direction, Temple says the grade can influence insurance companies in the future.

Cut 12 (10) “…do consider.”

_________________________________________________________

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good.”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape.

New Orleans Democrat Alonzo Knox gave passionate testimony for the bill. He says government should not be making the decision for a teenager who is pregnant because of a sexual assault.

Cut 14 (10) “…monster’s child.”

New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd is the author of the legislation, and it’s the third time she’s brought this bill before state lawmakers. It’s personal to Boyd as well, because her mother was raped as a minor and gave birth to her.

Cut 15 (10) “…that choice.”

The bill was defeated in committee on an eight to three vote.

_______________________________________________________

LSU will host West Virginia in the Super Regional round of the NCAA baseball tournament this weekend. The Mountaineers went 3-and-0 in the Clemson regional with a 9-6 victory over 11-seed Clemson and two narrow comeback wins against Kentucky. Voice of the Mountaineers Andrew Caridi says it’s an experienced group.

Cut 16 (16) “…pretty good season.”

WVU shares the load offensively with five players batting over .300. A tight-knit group, Caridi says the team was excited for the atmosphere in Clemson, and a trip to Baton Rouge will be another step up.

Cut 17 (12)  “…get to competing.”

West Virginia is 44-and-14 under first-year head coach Steve Sabins, who spent nine years as an assistant in Morgantown. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says he considered targeting Sabins for his own coaching staff, and he isn’t underestimating the Mountaineers.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to win.”

After 7 of 16 hosts failed to advance to Super Regionals, LSU is the betting favorite to win a College World Series title. The SEC sent a record 13 teams to the NCAA tournament this year, but only four have made it to the second weekend. Johnson, though, doesn’t doubt the quality of the nation’s top teams.

Cut 19 (18) “…by a mile.”

Game one of the best-of-three series is set for 1:00 Saturday.