Early voting began today in the and a new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

More than $12,000 in donations collected for the families of the eight child victims of the mass shooting in Shreveport last month is being refunded. That after questions about where the money is going and who is handling it.  The Community Foundation of North Louisiana was designated two weeks ago as the nonprofit to receive donations for the families. Yesterday, the foundation notified donors it cannot hand out the money because of IRS rules.

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Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

The Louisiana Legislature has given final approval to a one-point-five billion dollar plan for coastal protection and restoration. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Gordon Dove says one of the highlights of the annual plan is a 94-mile land bridge from Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish to Terrebonne Parish…

Cut 10 (11) “…eight parishes.”

As early voting begins, it appears, incumbent Bill Cassidy is trailing both of his top challengers in the Republican US senate primary.  That’s according to the poll by Emerson College and KLFY-TV. Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says in the survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters, nearly half of them have an unfavorable view of Cassidy compared to just 15-percent of John Fleming, which is a big factor in why he leads this poll.

Cut 8 (09) “…feeling the effects.”

Several lawsuits were filed late last week seeking to force the elections for U.S. House to proceed. Among them was one filed by fifth district Democratic candidate Lindsay Garcia, who said Governor Jeff Landry was out of bounds in calling off the House elections.

Cut 14 (11) “…he contradicts himself.”

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With four weeks to go in the legislative session, state lawmakers are expected to begin this week the public debate on drawing up a new Congressional district map. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. At issue is the sixth district, which in 2024 was created as the state’s second major minority district and Democrat Cleo Fields represents it. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says not only does the sixth district’s boundaries need to be changed, several others need to be redrawn too.

Cut 4 (09) “…all that out.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the insurance trend in the first four months in 2026 has been mainly positive.

Cut 7 (10) “…specific to homeowners.”

Early voting began today in the and a new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

More than $12,000 in donations collected for the families of the eight child victims of the mass shooting in Shreveport last month is being refunded. That after questions about where the money is going and who is handling it.  The Community Foundation of North Louisiana was designated two weeks ago as the nonprofit to receive donations for the families. Yesterday, the foundation notified donors it cannot hand out the money because of IRS rules.

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Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

The Louisiana Legislature has given final approval to a one-point-five billion dollar plan for coastal protection and restoration. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Gordon Dove says one of the highlights of the annual plan is a 94-mile land bridge from Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish to Terrebonne Parish…

Cut 10 (11) “…eight parishes.”

As early voting begins today, a poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows a very close race for Senate. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Meantime, several lawsuits seeking to restore the May 16^th election have now been filed.  These are challenges to Governor Jeff Landry’s decision to suspend the congressional races, after a U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring those districts unconstitutional. Plaintiffs say that’s a decision for the legislature, not the governor.

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In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s an exciting occasion.

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

Because of the rain, just a couple of Louisiana college baseball teams played last night. Louisiana Tech fell to Dallas Baptist four to one. Declan Dahl suffered the loss for the Bulldogs, despite striking out nine over seven innings. He gave up a two-run homer in the second inning and the Bulldogs could only muster five hits.

Also last night…Charlotte blanked Tulane ten to nothing.

LSU will start its series against South Carolina at 1 PM today and then play game two at 6:30. LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans has been ruled out. It’s the second weekend in a row, he will not pitch after experiencing arm discomfort last weekend in Starkville.

For the 32 people who had been running for U.S. House in Louisiana, all their efforts have now gone to waste, now that Governor Landry has suspended just that portion of the May 16^th election. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A federal lawsuit challenging the governor’s decision on the House elections has already been filed, claiming the move is unlawful and unconstitutional.

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The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is soaring towards four dollars a gallon. Regular unleaded at many service stations is selling for more than $3.80 a gallon right now. Patrick DeHaan from GasBuddy…

Cut 11 (09) “…a gallon mark.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage. The bill author’s, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says it’s inconvenient for drivers to have to get a vehicle inspection sticker every year or two.  But Davey Quinn of Hammond says passage of Bagley’s bill will result in more uninsured motorists, vehicles with tinted windows that are darker than they should be and vehicles that not fit for the road.

Cut 5 (10) “…the people first.”

As a result of this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Louisiana’s congressional districts, state legislative leaders say they plan to approve a new map during the final month of this legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

As this story continues to unfold, a federal lawsuit seeking to restore the May 16^th election has now been filed.  The case challenges Governor Landry’s decision to suspend the congressional races, saying it’s unlawful, unconstitutional, will disenfranchise voters.

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With the U.S. House elections now on hold, it means all campaigns are now null and void. Once a new map is adopted, the process will start all over from square one, with candidates going through the qualifying process in the new districts. Political strategist Lionel Rainey notes that all this comes after the 32 candidates from both parties had already raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Cut 8 (08) “…not exist anymore.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”

With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says a session that was coasting along could experience some turbulence over the next few weeks.

Cut 14 (10) “…a fast track.”

Meantime, a Federal lawsuit seeks to restore the May 16^th election after Governor Jeff Landry suspended congressional races.  Governor Landry signed an executive order suspending the closed party primary for US Representative and only that race. That May 16^th primary and a potential June 27^th run off for Congress are now on hold.  The new federal lawsuit  challenges the state’s decision. Plaintiffs say the suspension is unlawful and unconstitutional.
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For the 32 people who had been running for U.S. House in Louisiana, all their efforts have now gone to waste. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A crossing guard died after being hit by a vehicle at a Denham Springs elementary school yesterday afternoon.  We’re told Katy Wells was on duty after school at Gray’s Creek Elementary when she was hit by a truck driving northwest on Hwy. 16.  Officials have said a 64 year old man is facing charges of vehicular homicide and DWI.

Big news from Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries which announced it’s building a state of the nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Turner is one of the nation’s largest industrial contractors, with more than 93-hundred employees and these new facilities will create a thousand new jobs.  Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Turner officials believe Louisiana should be at the center of the next wave of nuclear innovation.

Cut 8 (12) “…when you’re ready.”

Turner Industries was founded in Baton Rouge in 1961 and has six offices statewide.

A man was fatally shot last night in New Orleans Mid-City just a block from Jesuit High School.  NOPD says they got the call just before eight and responded to the 500 block of South Hennessey Street.  EMS also responded but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.  So far there’s been no word on possible motive or suspect.

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Louisiana Tech is closing the chapter on its time in the Conference USA and turning the page to a new era in the Sun Belt. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Construction officially gets underway in Lake Charles this afternoon on the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the new bridge will be a vast improvement over the one that it will be replacing.

Cut 5 (06) “…still being debated.”

Construction officially gets underway this afternoon on a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

One teen was killed and a driver seriously injured this week as they allegedly tried to flee Bogalusa Police and hit a utility pole.  It happened Monday night near the near the intersection of West 9th Street and Avenue G in Washington Parish. Authorities say neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt.

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Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries announces it’s creating one-thousand jobs, as it’s building state-of-the-art nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the facilities will be dedicated to the production of high-precision modules and nuclear-grade piping for the next generation of nuclear power.

Cut 7 (05) “…one as well.”

More on the agreement reached between Louisiana Tech and Conference USA which will allow Tech to leave Conference USA and join the Sun Belt this summer. Terms of the out-of-court settlement have not been released, but Matt Bellinson of the Ruston Leader says Louisiana Tech most likely had to pay a hefty exit-fee.

Cut 14 (08) “…eight-million dollars.”

Bellison says Tech will recoup the money though with big savings on travel in the long run.

Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries announces plans to build a nuclear fabrication facility in New Iberia and Port Allen. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Construction officially gets underway in Lake Charles this afternoon on the new 2.3 billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Abshire…

Cut 4 (08) “…a screeching halt.”

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The House Education Committee approves legislation that would give Louisiana public colleges the authority to increase tuition by as much as 10-percent for all graduate, professional and specialized programs and any undergraduate program identified as high-cost. Lobbyist Norby Chabert (sha-BEAR) testified in favor of the legislation; he says the money generated from the higher tuition costs would be put to good use.

Cut 10 (08) “…to student ratios.”

The bill passed on an eight-to-three vote and heads to the House floor. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson says if you raise tuition, fewer students will attend college.

Cut 11 (06) “…in lower demand.”

Many have said tuition increases are necessary, since the state no longer funds higher education to the level it once did.