Governor Landry signs the tax reform package in a ceremony at the State Capitol. He said the ultimate goals include spurring new business and investment in the state and to get people to stay in the state and not go to neighboring states like Florida and Texas which do not have any state income tax.

Cut 6 (10) “…here in Louisiana.”

Louisiana Citizens head to the polls tomorrow to vote on four constitutional amendments and several local races including the run-off for East Baton Rouge Mayor President. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says it’s easy to find out about the items on your ballot.

Cut 8 (11) “…this Saturday’s election.”

That app can be accessed on your phone while in the voting booth to make voting quicker.

A transformative partnership with Entergy Louisiana and Meta was announced for the largest AI data center in the country to be built in Richland Parish.  Sean Richardosn has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

There are three Louisiana teams playing in conference championships this weekend, starting with tonight’s game between Tulane and Army in the American Athletic Conference. Tomorrow afternoon, Southern battles Jackson State in the SWAC title game. Tomorrow night in Lafayette, it’s the Sun Belt title game between the Cajuns and Marshall. The Thundering Herd have the Sun Belt Player of the Year in Mike Green.

Signed, sealed, delivered – Governor Landry signs the tax reform package in a ceremony at the State Capitol. Landry said the changes in the tax code mark a new day in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (08) “…a better tomorrow.”

Landry said the changes will allow the people in Louisiana to keep more of their hard-earned money

After nearly two decades of declining enrollment UNO is planning to consolidate its five degree granting colleges into two in order to cut administrative costs. The university has already made significant cuts this year and hope to save two million dollars per year with the consolidation which will eliminate 2 Vice President positions. The University of Louisiana System Board approved the plan in an effort to help solve UNO’s budget crisis.

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Meta is putting their largest data center in Richland Parish. Entergy Louisiana will partner with them. Entergy Louisiana CEO Philip May says Entergy plans to build three advanced generation units, substations, and nearly 100 miles of transmission lines to support the project, which will create thousands of construction jobs and 44 permanent positions.

Cut 14 (13) “…to that area.”

Meta’s data center will be located on the 1,400-acre Franklin Farm mega site

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana. Everyone across the state will be voting on four constitutional amendments. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says several voters will also have some local races to decide.

Cut 7 (07) “…Baton Rouge Parish.”

…that race is between Democratic incumbent Sharon Weston Broome and Republican Challenger Sid Edwards.

Entergy Louisiana has announced a transformative partnership with Meta to construct Meta’s largest data center in Richland Parish, part of a 10-billion-dollar investment. Entergy Louisiana CEO Philip May says the 4-million-square-foot facility will anchor significant infrastructure development and economic revitalization in Northeast Louisiana.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the state.”

May says Entergy plans to build three advanced generation units, substations, and nearly 100 miles of transmission lines to support the project, which will create thousands of construction jobs and 44 permanent positions.

Governor Landry’s quest to rewrite the state’s tax code has reached the finish line. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight, it’s the semifinals of the high school football playoffs and for Ouachita Chrisitan to win its ninth state championship, the Eagles will fly south today to Donaldsonville to take on second-seeded Ascension Catholic. Host of the Sports Scouting Report Podcast Lee Brecheen believes O-C-S can pull off the upset…

Cut 10 (10) “…state title.”

In a ceremony at the Capital today, Governor Landry signed his recently passed tax reform package. He says thanks to this overhaul of the tax code, Louisiana can now bridge the gap with neighboring states and keep its home-grown talent here.

Cut 14 (10) “…it’s frustrated us.”

The bill didn’t include everything Landry hoped for. There is no broadening of the sales tax base. Instead, the tax package calls for an increase in the state sales tax rate to five-percent.

Senator Bill Cassidy will face a primary challenge by State Treasurer John Fleming and possibly others in 2026. Fleming served in the first Trump administration, and ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s likely he has gotten assurances that Trump will endorse him…

Cut 7 (05) “…consider him loyal.”

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says National Signing Day felt more like Tax Day instead as money is becoming more of a factor in getting players to sign with a school. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Sean Richardson” 

There are four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Amendment 2 would require a 48-hour waiting period before a vote on budget-related legislation and 3 would permit limited extensions of legislative sessions if needed for budget legislation. Author of the bills, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the two are designed to work together…

Cut 5 (05) “…both passed together.”

Governor Jeff Landry signs the tax reform bill in a ceremony at the Capitol this afternoon. Standing before lawmakers, he said passing the complex package was a true team effort.

Cut 12 (15) “…our job creators.”

Republican Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming announced his 2026 U.S. Senate candidacy, challenging incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy. Fleming, a former naval officer and senior Trump advisor, emphasized his dedication to America First principles, highlighting his service in Trump’s administration. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Pearson Cross says it will be an interesting race.

Cut 6 (12) “…come after him.”

Two of the four amendments on Saturday’s ballot have to do with passing budgets in the legislature. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Tigers signed 23 players to start the early signing period but lost out on a few elite prospects in the final two weeks leading up to it. LSU can make up for those losses by signing players out of the transfer portal, but head coach Brian Kelly says it takes money

Cut 11 (12) “…live in.”

In a ceremony at the Capitol today, Governor Landry signs the tax reform bill into law. The package that Landry signed includes an across-the-board tax cut to a flat three-percent and the elimination of the corporate franchise tax. Landry says this tax reform package is the dawn of a new era.

Cut 13 (11)  “…pro-business environment.”

Four Constitutional amendments are on Saturday’s ballot. Amendment 3 would allow a legislative session to be extended by two days to finish work on the budget if necessary, and it would permit up to three such extensions. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala (BAH-ka-lah) who authored amendments 2 and 3 says under the current law, failing to pass a budget bill on time would trigger a lengthy – and costly – special session.

Cut 4 (10) “…as we could.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy will have a least one Republican challenger for Senate in 2026. Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming announced his 2026 U.S. Senate candidacy and Congressman Clay Higgins may be another challenger. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Pearson Cross suggests Trump’s endorsement will likely determine the race’s outcome among Republican contenders.

Cut 8 (05) “…Clay Higgins.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly says recruiting used about relationships, now it’s about the dollars. The Tigers signed 23 players to start the early signing period. Recruiting services rank LSU’s class anywhere between sixth and eighth. Head Coach Brian Kelly is pleased with the class he brought in, but says it will take more financial support from Tiger fans to remain competitive…

Cut 10 (08) “…one or two guys.”

Governor Landry and Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, Susan Bourgeois announced what is expected to be the largest private capital investment in Louisiana history today. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is building a $10 billion AI data center in Richland Parish.

Cut 12 (10) “…and innovation.”

The the project will bring over 500 direct jobs, 1,000 indirect jobs and 5,000 construction jobs at its peak.

It’s not the job he wants but outgoing Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves’ name has surfaced as a possible choice to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Graves believes for FEMA to be effective in responding to disasters, it needs to be cabinet level agency.

Cut 4 (08) “…of community.”

Despite a couple big names defecting from LSU before the first day of the early signing period today, LSU has inked a few big names in the freshman class of 2025, including the top two running backs in the state. Zach Nagy, the publisher of LSU Tigers on S-I, says the top one is Harlem Berry from St. Martin High School in Metairie, whom he calls the best running back LSU has signed since Leonard Fournette.

Cut 6 (10) “…down the field.”

Nagy says LSU also signed the number two running back in the state – J.T. Lindsey of Alexandria High School

Ashley Davis, a fourth-grade math teacher at Central Intermediate School, has been awarded the 3,000th Milken Educator Award. Beyond her classroom success, Davis mentors fellow teachers, leads professional learning communities, and serves on the Instructional Leadership Team.

Cut 11 (13) “…form of teaching.”

Governor Jeff Landry is in Rayville along with Louisiana Economic Development Secretary,  to make a major economic development announcement. Meta is building a 5 billion dollar AI facility in Richland Parish The Facility will bring hundre5-billion-dollare state. Entergy will need to build 3 new power plant plants to provide energy for the project expected to bring in even more jobs. The project is projected to provide a significant boost to Louisiana’s economy.

Garret Graves is in his final days as a U-S Representative for Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District. The Baton Rouge Republican’s name has surfaced as a possible choice to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but Graves says he’s not a fan of FEMA’s structure and wanted to see Trump implement reforms to it in his first term

Cut 5 (12) “…Homeland Security.”

It’s Official. McNeese welcomes Matt Viator (VEE-uh-tore) back as its new head football coach. Viator previously coached the team from 2006 to 2015, racking up 78 wins, four Southland Conference titles and five playoff appearances. Jim Gazzolo with the American Press in Lake Charles says this is a great rehire for the school but says the second time around might not be a carbon copy of Viator’s first stint.

Cut 17 (14) “…of recreate it.” 

Central Intermediate School’s assembly transformed into a milestone celebration as Ashley Davis, a fourth-grade math teacher, was awarded the 3,000th Milken Educator Award. Founder Lowell Milken presented Davis with the prestigious honor and an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize, praising her dedication to raising academic achievement and fostering a love for learning.

Cut 9 (08)  “…wait what?”

Outgoing Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves’ name has surfaced as a possible choice to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Graves says he has spoken to Donald Trump’s transition team about various positions with the new administration, but FEMA director is not one he’s excited about…

Cut 3 (08) “…that position.”

He says he’s not a fan of FEMA’s structure and wanted to see Trump implement reforms in his first term. Graves believes for FEMA to be effective in responding to disasters, it needs to be cabinet level agency and not tucked inside the U-S Department of Homeland Security

Senator Bill Cassidy is urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring the Social Security Fairness Act up for a vote.

Cut 13 (15)  “…it weeks ago.”

The legislation would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which lawmakers from both parties say unfairly cuts Social Security benefits for those who work in the public sector.

This year many Louisiana students are missing out on financial aid for college due to incomplete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (27)“…I’m Sean Richardson.”

St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators were baffled when an Opelousas mother turned herself in to authorities telling them that she physically and sexually abused her children, both under the age of 4 years citing extreme stress stemming from a divorce. There were no outstanding arrest warrants for 31-year-old Kiersten White who is now charged with indecent behavior with juveniles, first degree rape, sexual battery, and cruelty to juveniles.

Cut 9 (10)  “…to have happened.”

Major Mark LeBlanc (le-BLAH) says the kids’ injuries are minor, and that they should make a full recovery.

Some aspects of the recently passed comprehensive tax reform package will require voter approval, in March. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 27 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former Catholic priest and admitted serial child molester, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a boy in the 1970s.  93-year-old Lawrence Hecker’s plea is a rare conviction linked to the Catholic Church’s long-standing abuse scandal. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says Hecker plead guilty to every count…

Cut 9 (05)  “…to a life sentence.”

The Maurepas Swamp Project in St. John the Baptist Parish breaks ground on a freshwater divergence that will reconnect the Mississippi River to Maurepas Swamp.  Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Communication Director James Karst says River reintroduction involves redirecting fresh water and sediments from the Mississippi River into the swamp via engineered channels aiming to counteract decades of wetland loss and create a healthier environment for native species.

Cut 7 (11) “…very long time.”

Four years ago, in the wake of an explosive investigative report by USA Today, LSU promised to make improvements to its Title Nine office. However, a new report by the Louisiana Illuminator says there’s been little to no progress. Piper Hutchinson is conducting the investigation for the Illuminator in conjunction with Tiger Rag Magazine. She says employees within the office are alleging a hostile work environment, which is causing a slowdown in Title Nine complaints.

Cut 3 (11) “…office right now.”