There’s one more week left in the legislative session. The two biggest pieces of legislation that have yet to receive final legislative approval are a new congressional map and the budget. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the Senate has had to make changes to the state’s spending plan.

Cut 4 (06) “…was supposed to.”

Teacher pay is also a big issue in the final days of the session. Educators could see their salaries reduced by two-thousand dollars because Constitutional Amendment 3 did not pass on May 16th. Alford says legislative leaders are not feeling pressure from the public to keep paying a two-thousand dollar stipend.

Cut 6 (08) “…in the legislature.”

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting that Governor Landry wants to issue an executive order that would move 150 million dollars from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid a pay cut.  There’s a news conference set for today at 11:30.

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Busy week for Governor Landry as he has plans for another news conference today where he’s set to announce a major economic development project in Central Louisiana.  That’s set  for this afternoon at two at England Airpark Community Center in Alexandria.

The SEC spring meetings kick off today, and doubling the size of the College Football Playoff will be a major topic. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It will likely be a busy final week of the legislative session.  Jeff Palermo has details on why. .

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There may be hope for an extension of the teacher pay stipend. Governor Landry and legislative leaders will be holding a news conference later this morning. According to the Louisiana Illuminator the Governor wants to issue an executive order to move 150 million from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid a pay cut.  That news conference is set for 11:30.

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Men at high risk for prostate cancer will soon have fewer barriers to getting screened for it.  A bill that would eliminate cost sharing for prostate cancer screening for high-risk men is now awaiting Governor Landry’s signature after unanimously passing in both the House and the Senate. Alice Kline, the Louisiana government relations director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says prostate cancer is a major concern among men, particularly over the age of 50.

Cut 11 (09) “…from the disease.”

The future of the College Football Playoff will be one of the main topics as the SEC spring meetings get underway today in Destin, Florida. The Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 want the College Football Playoff expanded from 12 to 24 teams starting in 2027, but USA Today national college football writer Matt Hayes says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is only willing to expand to 16 teams.

Cut 7 (07) “…end of story.”

It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…next seven days.”

Memorial Day weekend means one thing on the roadways in Louisiana—It’s Click It Or Ticket time! Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts from now through June 1st.

Cut 6 (13) “…wearing their seatbelts.”

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A memorial service takes place today in Lake Charles for hall of fame football coach Bobby Keasler. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, it’s a good time for crawfish.  Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App…

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”

It’ll be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week.  . Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says rain chances are higher on Saturday and Sunday and they drop off for Monday. She says the clouds and rain will ultimately make it more comfortable to be outside once it does dry out.

Cut 11 (08) “…actually near average.”

Law enforcement in Louisiana will be putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts through June 1^st as Click It or Ticket gets underway. According to Triple-A, more than 39-million people will be hitting the road this holiday weekend.  Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission…

Cut 8 (10) “…not buckled up.”

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The McNeese State family will be remembering a coaching legend today as they pay their final respects to Bobby Keasler, who guided McNeese to four Southland Conference championships from 1991 to 1997.  McNeese Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette  says Keasler’s death is a tremendous loss for the entire state.

Cut 14 (07) “…fantastic human being.”

Keasler died earlier this month at the ago of 80.

If you’ve got an envie for crawfish, this Memorial Day weekend is a good time to get you some.  That’s according to the co-found of the crawfish app Lanie King.  King says besides Memorial Day and graduations, there’s another big reason you should treat yourself to those tiny tasty crustaceans this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are right.”

If you’re looking to satisfy your craving for crawfish this Memorial Day weekend, it’s the perfect weekend.  Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s also Click It Or Ticket time as law enforcement will be focused on those not wearing their seatbelts now through June 1^st. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says if avoiding the 50-dollar ticket isn’t enough doesn’t make you wear your seatbelt, surviving a crash should be.

Cut 7 (09) “…a serious crash.”

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This Memorial Day weekend’s going to be a wet one as Louisiana continues to be stuck in this rainy weather pattern. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a stationary frontal system over the Southern Plains is helping to produce all of this rain.

Cut 10 (11) “…continuation of moisture.”

A memorial service happens today for a McNeese State legend. Family, former players, friends, and Cowboy fans will pay their final respects to Bobby Keasler, who died earlier this month at the age of 80. McNeese Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette says Keasler turned the McNeese football program into a winner after some lean years.

Cut 12 (12) “…what he’s done.”

It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…next seven days.”

Memorial Day weekend means one thing on the roadways in Louisiana—It’s Click It Or Ticket time! Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts from now through June 1st.

Cut 6 (13) “…wearing their seatbelts.”

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A memorial service takes place today in Lake Charles for hall of fame football coach Bobby Keasler. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, it’s a good time for crawfish.  Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App…

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”

A New Orleans-area lawmaker’s effort to prevent a governor from serving more than two consecutive terms continues to make its way through the legislative process. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There was speculation that Lane Kiffin might add former national champion head coach Ed Orgeron to his staff when Kiffin was hired at LSU. That speculation became a reality last night when LSU announced that Coach O is returning to LSU and will serve as a special assistant to recruiting and defense. The 64-year-old hasn’t coached since he was fired by LSU in 2021.

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Debate on a congressional map that reduces the number of majority Black districts from two to one shifts over to the House today as the Governmental Affairs committee discusses the Senate-approved map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’ll be a lengthy hearing, with dozens of people expected to.

Cut 14 (06) “…Democrats are not.”

Current Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is expected to lose his seat if this new map becomes law.

Most political analysts believe that whoever wins the Republican Senate runoff between Julia Letlow and John Fleming will easily beat the Democratic nominee. But Democratic political strategist James Carville, says he thinks it’ll be a lot closer as  Democrats had a very strong turnout in the primary, despite Democrats being greatly outspent.

Cut 8 (10) “…that’s stunning.”

Debate on a congressional map that reduces the number of majority Black districts from two to one shifts over to the House today as the Governmental Affairs committee discusses the Senate-approved map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democrats do not have enough votes to stop the so-called 5-1 map from passing.

Cut 13 (07)  “…favor of Republicans.”

The House-approved constitutional amendment that prohibits a governor from serving more than two consecutive terms is headed to the Senate floor. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says he authored the legislation in response to what happened with two governors who in the last 100 years served more than two terms, Earl K. Long and Edwin Edwards.

Cut 5 (08) “…a federal facility.”

Bayham says nine other states have similar term limits

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The general election in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race is going to be a Republican blowout, right? One prominent Democratic strategist says, not so fast. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Now that the lost election is behind him, Senator Bill Casidy is focused on getting things done in his last seven months in the U.S. Senate. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, is working on health care legislation in the time he has left.

Cut 11 (07) “…to accomplish that.”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee begins debate this morning on the proposed congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two majority Black districts. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

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Bill Cassidy may have lost his bid for re-election, but he’s by no means packing it in. He still has plenty of things on his to-do list in the next seven months, including fixing Social Security.

Cut 10 (10) “…people are receiving.”

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The House-approved constitutional amendment that prohibits a governor from serving more than two consecutive terms is headed to the Senate floor. The Senate Governmental Affairs committee approved the measure on a party-line five to three vote, with Democrats voting against it. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis is not 100-percent behind term limits.

Cut 4 (08) “…people to decide.”

Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says he authored the legislation in response to what happened with two governors who in the last 100 years served more than two terms, Earl K. Long and Edwin Edwards.

Cut 5 (08) “…a federal facility.”

Bayham says nine other states have similar term limits. If the measure passes the Senate with a two-thirds vote, the proposed amendment will be placed on the November 3rd ballot.

With a recall effort against Governor Landry picking up steam, Louisiana Republicans are working to stop the momentum. Joe Gallinaro reports.

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Senator Bill Cassidy ’s time is slamming the deal President Trump reached with the Justice Department, that dismissed his ten-billion-dollar lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for establishing a more than 1.7-billion-dollar anti-weaponization fund.

Cut 8 (08) “…precedent for this.”

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The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act is close to final legislative passage. Wilson died in a hazing incident in February 2025 when he was repeatedly punched in the stomach while pledging for Omega Psi Phi fraternity on the Southern University Campus. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says the proposed law requires schools to provide information about the dangers of hazing.

Cut 5 (14) “…anonymous reporting options.”

LSU President Wade Rousse is urging Congress to approve legislation to get the cost escalation of college athletics under control. Rousse says they need to define what a college athlete is, put some transfer portal rules in place, create an independent body to establish a salary cap per sport.

Cut 12 (05) “…this under control.”