The Smoothie King Center is in dire need of major renovations. Kace Kieschnick has details on the effort to make it happen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Aeromixico is adding nonstop flights from New Orleans to Mexico City beginning June 17th.  The year-round service will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. New Orleans and Company President and CEO Walt Leger on what it will mean.

Cut 14 (09) “…our great nations.”

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Political experts are already looking ahead to next year’s governor’s race…and many expect Democrats to put up a strong challenger to Governor Jeff Landry’s re-election bid.  The Advocate’s Political reporter Tyler Bridges says Jamie Davis, who lost by only two percentage points to Republican Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate race, is a maybe. Former Lieutenant Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is a possibility and State Senator Jay Luneau of Alexandria is expressing interest.

Cut 5 (04) “…thinking about it.”

In Louisiana, a heavy foot means a much lighter wallet. A new study by LendingTree shows that after a first citation for driving up to 15 miles an hour over the posted speed limit, Louisiana drivers have on average the second-highest surcharge in the country, only behind Arizona. LendingTree Insurance Analyst Rob Bhatt (“bot”) …

Cut 10 (11) “…after a ticket.”

Several Democrats are expressing interest in challenging Governor Jeff Landry in a run for governor next year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A 34 year old man was arrested last night after allegedly telling crew members he had a bomb on a plane that landed at Louis Armstrong International.   Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s officials say it happened around 11:20. We’re told the aircraft landed safely  while the man was taken into custody.
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Beginning in June, you can fly nonstop from New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport to Mexico City on Aeromexico. Louis Armstrong Aviation Director Kevin Dolliole says travelers on the new Aeromexico flights will be able to connect easily to more than 100 other destinations.

Cut 13 (12)  “…60 international routes.”

The 31-year-old Smoothie King Center is in dire need of renovations. But where will the money come from? NOLA-dot-com Business Editor Stephanie Riegel says more than half the money has already been secured.

Cut 7 (12) “…150-million dollars.”

LSU’s playoff hopes are all but over after Saturday’s performance. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

New Orleans police are investigating the death of a 69-year-old man whose body was found with multiple bruises yesterday morning around seven.  Police have ruled the case a homicide. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office is investigating the cause of death.

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The Louisiana Board of Regents is developing the new Louisiana Opportunity Index.  Louisiana met its goal of awarded 85-thousand postsecondary annual credentials four years early, but the index works to make sure those achievements translate to real opportunities. Reed says the index is designed to make sure officials are measuring things that matter.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and to thrive.”

LSU will soon begin a 440-thousand-dollar preservation project to restore the iconic Native American mounds located on campus. The man-made mounds are thousands of years old, but are suffering from erosion. LSU campus landscape architect Dennis Mitchell says the preservation work will address mound erosion an add a new irrigation system.

Cut 11 (11) “…the perimeter.”

We heard from Public Service Commissioner-elect John Atkins last week. This morning, we’re hearing from the other commissioner-elect, Stephanie Hilferty. Cade Voisin reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Cade Voisin.”

LSU will soon begin a 440-thousand-dollar preservation project to restore the iconic Native American mounds located on campus. LSU campus landscape architect Dennis Mitchell is heading up the project…

Cut 10 (07) “…how to do that.”

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Louisiana has announced over 260-billion-dollars in economic investment across the state, and higher education officials are working to ensure their programs can develop students to meet the needs of a growing workforce. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says they want to make sure they are developing and retaining great talent in Louisiana

Cut 8 (13) “…opportunities in Louisiana.”

LSU’s playoff hopes all but came to an end Saturday after losing to Alabama in Death Valley, 31-13. LSU actually took a 13-10 lead with 2:44 left in the third quarter on a five-yard touchdown run by Dilin Jones. But it took Alabama just five plays to regain the lead that it would not relinquish. After the game, Head Coach Lane Kiffin said that two-minute, eight-second drive by Alabama was the turning point of the game.

Cut 13 (12)  “…at the end.”

LSU is set to embark on a 440-thousand dollar preservation project to restoring the Native American mounds that are located on campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Buc-ee’s officials groundbreaking ceremony is set for this morning at it’s new Lafayette location.  The 74-thousand square-foot travelling center is expected to bring more than 200 full time jobs to Acadiana.  Early projections call for an opening date in early 2028.

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The Louisiana Board of Regents is developing the new Louisiana Opportunity index to help measure how effectively Louisiana’s higher education system creates career opportunities for its students. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the index allows campuses to assess whether they are career-connected.

Cut 7 (10) “…career guidance.”

Come January, Stephanie Hilferty will be the new public service commissioner out of district one, which encompasses much of Southeast Louisiana. The Metairie Republican beat Democrat Connie Norris and no-party candidate Chris Justin in last Tuesday’s general election to win a spot on the five-member commission. Hilferty, who had been a state representative, says voters told her one of their biggest issues is their water service.

Cut 4 (11) “…the service side.”

Louisiana was one of the very few states where Republicans weathered the election day storm this week. Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Cory Dennis says Julia Letlow’s win in the race for senate was a big victory, albeit a narrow one.  Experts had expected Letlow to take the race easily, but she edged out Democrat Jamie Davis by just two points. Dennis says that trend cannot continue.

Cut 5 (11) “…and flip another.”

Democrats in Louisiana were able to flip one seat in their favor Tuesday. Gregory Carroll won a special election in state house district 92. Carroll says he has a list of priorities in the months remaining in the term, which will include the next legislative session.

Cut 8 (10) “…to be addressed.”

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A Tulane survey of 143 Louisiana small businesses and startups finds they are optimistic about their future. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU officials are cracking down on unauthorized large gatherings on campus. University President Wade Rouse…

Cut 15 (08) “…shape or form.”

We know how Democrats are feeling after Tuesday’s midterm elections. How are Republicans feeling? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gary Crockett, the businessman and Navy veteran who finished second to Jamie Davis in the Democratic runoff for the U.S. Senate, has announced he is running for governor.  His announcement comes just after Jamie Davis came in just two points shy of beating Julia Letlow in the race for Senate here.

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After a brawl broke out during a homecoming celebration on campus at LSU’s last home game, LSU officials are cracking down on unauthorized large gatherings. University President Wade Rousse says he remembers how special it was to come to campus to tailgate as a kid, and he does not want to jeopardize that experience for anyone.

Cut 13 (09)  “…in this state.”

The 2026 Louisiana Startup report finds the state’s startup businesses are optimistic about their futures. 143 startups and small businesses across the state were surveyed by Tulane and Louisiana Innovation to gauge the business landscape in the state. Rob Lalka (LAH-kuh), the executive director of the Albert Lepage Center at Tulane, says businesses are committed to Louisiana.

Cut 10 (11) “…committed to Louisiana.”

Republicans got hammered across the country Tuesday, but Louisiana was one of very few states where Republicans weathered the storm. That’s the takeaway for Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Cory Dennis, who says things so far have gone according to plan.

Cut 4 (06) “…and flip CD6.”

Democrats in Louisiana were able to flip one seat in their favor Tuesday. Gregory Carroll won a special election in state house district 92 to fill the House seat vacated by Republican Joe Stagni, who resigned when he was elected to the Kenner City Council. Carroll says he doesn’t view his win as flipping a State House seat from one party to the other.

Cut 7 (15) “…State of Louisiana.”

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LSU President Wade Rousse announces plans to crack down on unauthorized on-campus gatherings on gameday ahead tomorrow’s big game. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

New Orleans City Council members voted unanimously Thursday to approve a property tax roll-forward, increasing millage rates to generate an estimated $23 million annually as the city works to close a budget gap in 2027.  City leaders say the increase is not a new tax but a roll-forward of existing millages that voters previously approved.

Jamie Davis’s strong showing in the U.S. Senate race has given the Democratic Party hope they can make a comeback in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

First Lady Melania Trump will be at Tiger Stadium this weekend to make a big announcement.  The first Lady and LSU have secured 5 million dollars to establish a permanent endowment fund supporting Fostering the Future scholarships for LSU students who experienced foster care.  The announcement is set for one pm, just before the Tigers and Tide kickoff.

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It’s Republican-versus-Democrat in the two U.S. House runoffs in Louisiana. In District Five, Democrat Pat Moore will face Republican Gabe Firment. Moore and Firment received 18 and 17 percent of Tuesday’s vote respectively. Firment says in the course of reaching out to voters in the Fifth District, he will especially focus on those who voted for Republicans other than himself.

Cut 12 (06) “…a natural fit.”

Moore says Firment bills himself as the most conservative Republican in the state House; and given what happened on Tuesday, that might not be the best selling point in the long run.

Cut 13 (07)  “…you all wanted?”