A recent survey says Louisiana voters’ biggest concern is rising costs including recent spikes in utility bills. The survey was conducted by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy and their vice president, Erin Bendily says nearly eight in ten people say state government or the Public Service Commission policies bear at least some responsibility for higher utility bills

Cut 6 (10) “…agenda.”

Lawmakers are gathered in Baton Rouge today for the beginning of the 2026 legislative session. They will of course tackle the budget, they will also discuss giving more local control in carbon capture projects, legalizing guns on college campuses, making it a felony to drive over 30 miles over the speed limit, and more on insurance reform. LaPolictics dot com publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 9 (09)  “…auto insurance.”

A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for all new construction homes along the coastal parishes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

McNeese is hosting the Southland Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments for the fourth straight year this week. The Cowboys have been crowned Southland champs at home the last two years, but this year could be the first time the league leading Cowgirls get to join the celebration. McNeese Sports Information director Matthew Bonnette says it’s a big week for the school and Lake Charles area.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to the area.”

A new statewide poll of Louisiana voters finds that their biggest concern is what’s in their pocketbook. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Two feet of water in the streets and water was getting into some homes in Uptown New Orleans this morning. It came from a major water main break on Panola. It’s the second recent break on Panola. Residents in the area dealt with the last one last month. Water has been turned off in the area, and water is receding from the street, but motorists are being asked to avoid the area.

The 2026 legislative session begins today as lawmakers have more than 13-hundred bills to consider. The biggest one of them all is the state’s spending plan for next fiscal year. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the biggest budget fight could involve the L-A Gator Program. Governor Landry wants to double the funding for the voucher program that helps eligible families pay for private school tuition and other education expenses…

Cut 7 (11)“…big of a jump.”

A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for new construction homes in the coastal parishes. River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot filed the bill and says fortified roofs would practically pay for themselves.

Cut 11 (09) “…to get it.”

More earthquakes are being reported in Northwest Louisiana. The strongest was in Caddo Parish and was almost certainly felt. It happened this morning around 4:40. According to preliminary reports it was 3.9 magnitude. Just after 9:00 Sunday night the US Geological Survey reported a 2.5 magnitude quake near the same area as a 4.9 magnitude quake was felt near Coushatta last week.  Both this morning’s and Sunday’s earthquakes were at a depth of about 3 miles which is considered shallow and likely to be felt more strongly.

A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for new construction homes in the coastal parishes. River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot’s bill would update the building code along the coastal parishes to make fortified roofs mandatory on all new residential builds. He says current code is almost there.

Cut 10 (09) “…to that level.”

Talbot says on new builds, fortified roofs would practically pay for themselves.

The 2026 legislative session begins today. Jeanne Burns has a look at some of the big issues that will be discussed.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Louisiana voters say their biggest concern is rising costs. According to a survey conducted by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, 40 percent of the respondents listed the cost of living and inflation as their top concern. Erin Bendily is the vice president of the Pelican Institute

Cut 4 (04) “…and inflation.”

Meta signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the White House this week. Diana Doukas (DOO-kis), with Meta, says they will ensure that those in communities where data centers are located, including Richland Parish, are not impacted by rate hikes and she says as part of its pledge, Meta is launching the Community Action Grant Program.

Cut 12 (09) “…building sustainable communities.”

The LSU baseball team suffered its third consecutive midweek loss Wednesday. Coach Jay Johnson says he plans to spend more time in the batting cages.

Cut 17 (12)  “…than they are.”

The Tigers begin a three-game series against Sacramento State tonight.

Yesterday morning’s magnitude 4.9 tremor in Red River Parish was unusual and Cynthia Ebinger (uh-BING-er) with the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering says there’s an uptick in earthquakes in neighboring states but saying yesterday’s quake is a precursor to the so-called “big one,” she says that’s completely unpredictable.

Cut 6 (13) “…and sharing information.”

Governor Landry says the state is close to settling lawsuits against ConocoPhillips that allege the energy company is responsible for damaging the state’s coastal marshes, leading to land loss. He says the settlement calls for ConocoPhillips to give the state access to 150-thousand acres of land it owns and unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in coastal investment.

Cut 8 (12) “…of federal funding.”

The ConocoPhillips settlement follows others with Freeport-McMoRan, BP, Shell and Hilcorp. Chevron and Exxon have yet to settle.

Yesterday morning’s magnitude 4.9 tremor in Red River Parish was unusual for Louisiana. Cynthia Ebinger (uh-BING-er) with the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering says there’s an uptick in earthquakes in neighboring states.

Cut 5 (13) “…separate wastewater wells.”

Louisiana is close to a settlement with ConocoPhillips over damage to the state’s coastal marshes for which the state says the energy company is responsible. Governor made the announcement saying Conoco will pay into the state’s coastal trust fund allowing the state to move forward with a 94-mile coastal land project across Plaquemines and Terrebonne parishes, which would protect the Houma-Thibodaux area.

Cut 9 (08)  “…they’re actually actions.”

Meta pledges not to pass the costs of its data centers onto the communities, including in Richland Parish. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Saints and veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan have not reached an agreement and Jordan will test the free agency market. Ross Jackson, the host of the Locked On Saints podcast, says no matter what happens with Jordan’s future, the Saints will need to look for potential defensive ends to pair with rising star Chase Young.

Cut 15 (10) “…that’s Chase Young.”

Meta has signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the White House in a pledge to not pass the costs of operating their data centers onto the people in the communities where they operate including Richland Parish. Diana Doukas (DOO-kis), with Meta says  while protecting residents from utility rate hikes, they’re also bringing economic opportunities to the area.

Cut 11 (10) “…the data centers.”

Governor Jeff Landry says the state is close to settling lawsuits against ConocoPhillips that allege they’re responsible for damaging coastal marshes, leading to land loss. 42 lawsuits are pending, and ConocoPhillips is named in 13 of them. Landry says coastal litigation has held up progress that the coast desperately needs.

Cut 7 (08) “…far too long.”

Yesterday’s magnitude 4.9 tremor in Red River Parish was highly unusual for the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After putting together his most productive season in New Orleans since 2021, Saints veteran defensive end, Cam Jordan, will be an unrestricted free agent next week. Last season he recorded 10-and-a-half sacks, however, the host of Locked on Saints Podcast, Ross Jackson, says, at 36 years old, he doesn’t expect NFL teams to sign Jordan to a long-term contract.

Cut 14 (12) “…agency opens up.”

Meta is pledging not to pass the costs of operating its data centers onto the people in their respective communities by signing the Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the White House. Diana Doukas (DOO-kis), the director for economic opportunity and advocacy at Meta, says Meta will ensure that those in communities where data centers are located, including Richland Parish, are not impacted by rate hikes.

Cut 10 (12) “…we are covering.”

For the first time in his 15-year NFL career, Saints veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan will test the free agency market. Ross Jackson, the host of the Locked On Saints podcast, says even though Jordan didn’t reach an agreement with the Saints yet, the team can still bring him back.

Cut 13 (10)  “…that 2011 draft.”

Governor Landry announces the state is very close to reaching a settlement with ConocoPhillips over lawsuits that allege the oil and gas producer is financially responsible for damaging the coast. Jeff Palermo the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The oil and gas industry may play at least a partial role in Louisiana’s earthquakes. That’s according to Cynthia Ebinger (uh-BING-er) with the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering.

Cut 4 (11) “…correlated seems likely.”

A New Orleans representative is again proposing a bill that would crack down on political messaging created with the use of artificial intelligence. Democrat Mandie Landry says a bill she’s filed requires any image on political material created with A-I that could deceive the recipient be clearly disclosed as such.

Cut 3 (08) “…with artificial intelligence.”

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake jolted Red River Parish around 5:30 this morning. Rob Skoumal (SKO-mall) with the U.S. Geological Survey says while people might not associate earthquakes with Louisiana, they’re not entirely unheard of.

Cut 10 (08) “…isn’t super unusual.”

Skoumal says there will likely be aftershocks, with a slight chance of one registering 4.0.

Ragin Cajuns fans have bragging rights today as U-L Lafayette handed second ranked LSU it’s second consecutive loss last night. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

For the first time in his 15-year NFL career, Saints veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan will test the free agency market. Ross Jackson, the host of the Locked On Saints podcast, says even though Jordan didn’t reach an agreement with New Orleans yet, the team can still bring him back.

Cut 13 (11)  “…since that 2011 draft”

A New Orleans representative is again proposing legislation aimed at cracking down on the use of artificial intelligence in political materials. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The first ever X Games Championship will be held in the Ceasars Superdome in July. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation announced the event today. The three day festival will include 18 competitions in skateboarding, BMX, and Moto X featuring more than 100 of the world’s top athletes in these sports. A musical lineup will be part of the entertainment, but the lineup has not yet been announced. The games are scheduled for July 24, 25 and 26

An earthquake jolts Red River Parish early this morning. Rob Skoumal (SKO-mall) with the U.S. Geological Survey says it was a magnitude 4.9 that struck near Coushatta at around 5:30 this morning.

Cut 9 (10)  “…fairly widely felt.”

He says there will likely be aftershocks.

In baseball, UL Lafayette upset LSU Wednesday night in front of the Cajuns’ third largest crowd in school history. Mat Deggs team beat the Tigers seven to two, scoring three runs in the first inning and never trailing.

Cut 6 (06) “…special night.”

The Cajuns are in Texas for a three game series at Dallas Baptist this weekend, while LSU hosts Sacramento State.

An earthquake shook Red River Parish early this morning. Rob Skoumal (SKO-mall) with the U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 4.9  earthquake is not expected to cause damage. Skoumal says we may never know the cause of the earthquake, but humans cannot be completely ruled out.

Cut 11 (10) “…by wastewater disposal.”

Governor Landry endorsed Julie Letlow in the U.S. Senate race. John Fleming, who is also seeking the senate seat, blasted the endorsement in a social post. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says in that same post, Fleming said before Ralph Abraham announced his departure from the CDC, he offered him his position in an effort to get him out of the senate race. Cross says.

Cut 15 (10) “…smoother for Letlow.”

One week after resigning from the CDC, Abraham was announced as Letlow’s campaign manager.

A proposed bill that would crack down on potentially misleading political ads created with artificial intelligence. Democrat Mandie Landry’s bill would political material created with A-I be clearly disclosed as such. She told Tommy Tucker on WWL radio that she filed a similar bill last year and it made it all the way to the Governor desk.

Cut 4 (10) “…was very interesting.”

Wednesday night was a special night for Ragin Cajun baseball fans — not so much for LSU as U-L Lafayette defeated second ranked Tigers seven to two. Coach Matt Deggs team scored three runs in the first and never trailed. Coach Jay Johnson started junior right-hander Gavin Guidry. Two errors in the first inning helped produce the three runs in the first inning…

Cut 7 (12) “…credit.”