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.”

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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” 

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Two of the amendments you’ll be voting on on Saturday have to do with passing budgets in the legislature. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala (BAH-ka-lah) authored amendments 2 and 3. Amendment 2 would require a 48-hour waiting period before voting on budget-related legislation. Bacala says a situation arose in the 2023 regular session that prompted this amendment.

Cut 3 (09) “…even review them.” 

Amendment 3 would allow a session to be extended by two days to finish work on the budget if necessary, and it would permit up to three such extensions. Bacala 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.”

Bacala says the two amendments are designed to work hand-in-hand.

Cut 5 (05) “…both passed together.”

The legislature passed both amendments nearly unanimously, clearing the way for their placement on the ballot.

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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.”

Fleming, who served as a U.S. Representative from 2009 to 2017 and co-founded the House Freedom Caucus, criticized Cassidy for voting to convict Trump during his impeachment trial, arguing Cassidy betrayed Louisiana conservatives. Cross says its likely Flemmings has gotten assurances Trump will endorse Flemming…

Cut 7 (05) “…consider him loyal.”

Congressman Clay Higgins may be another challenger to Cassidy for his Senate seat in 2026. Cross suggests Trump’s endorsement will likely determine the race’s outcome among Republican contenders.

Cut 8 (05) “…Clay Higgins.”

Cassidy’s spokesperson questioned Fleming’s motives, citing his brief tenure as state treasurer and alleging his eagerness to leave Louisiana for Washington.

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly sounded off on the NIL landscape that’s dominating recruiting. The veteran head coach says recruiting used about relationships, now it’s about the dollars…

Cut 9 (07)  “…live in”

The Tigers signed 23 players to start the early signing period. Recruiting services rank LSU’s class anywhere between sixth and eighth. Kelly is pleased with the class he brought in, but it will take more financial support from Tiger fans to remain competitive…

Cut 10 (08) “…one or two guys.”

LSU lost out on a few elite prospects in the final two weeks leading up to the early signing period. LSU can make up for those losses by signing players out of the transfer portal, but again it will take money….

Cut 11 (12) “…live in.”

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

Cut 12 (15) “…our job creators.”

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.”

Landry 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.”

Landry, however, did not get the broadening of the sales tax base he had been seeking. Instead, the tax package calls for an increase in the state sales tax rate to five-percent.

LSU signs some big names on this, the first day of the early signing period. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry announces 10-billion dollar investment of a Meta AI Data Center coming to Richland Parish.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (34) “….I’m Colleen Crain” 

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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.” 

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…

Cut 4 (08) “…of community.”

Graves is in his final days as a U-S Representative for Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District. The Baton Rouge Republican was also rumored candidate for U-S Transportation Secretary. But former Wisconsin Congressman and Fox Business Host Sean Duffy is Trump’s nominee.

Graves says he’s not a fan of FEMA’s structure and wanted to see Trump implement reforms in his first term

Cut 5 (12) “…Homeland Security.”

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It’s national signing day and LSU has signed 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’s 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 from Alexandria Senior High School, who he says has blossomed in his senior season.

Cut 7 (11) “…for that program.”

On the defensive side, LSU signed Aiden Anding of Ruston High School, the top cornerback and the number-13 player overall in the state.

Cut 8 (15) “…like Aidan Anding.”

When all is said and done, LSU is expected to have a top ten recruiting class.

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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?”

Her creative approaches, like “Lemonade Day,” integrate real-world applications, fostering both academic and social-emotional growth.  Davis has significantly influenced Central Intermediate’s inclusion model, creating a supportive environment for general and special education students to thrive.

Cut 10 (15) “…it doesn’t matter.”

Beyond the classroom, Davis mentors fellow teachers, leads professional learning communities, and serves on the Instructional Leadership Team. Davis also actively supports her community by coaching youth sports.

Cut 11 (13) “…form of teaching.”

Davis, the first recipient in Central Community School System and 51st in Louisiana, joins the national Milken Educator Network, celebrating exceptional teaching and leadership.

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Governor Jeff Landry has announced a Meta, the operator of Facebook and Instagram, will invest $10 billion  dollars to build an Artificial Intelligence Optimized Data Center in Richland Parish near Rayville. Landry says the project is expected to result in 500 or more direct jobs and more than one-thousand indirect jobs, plus thousands of construction jobs.

Cut 12 (10) “…technology and innovation.”

Landry says this is investment is a game changer for Louisiana…

Cut 13 (14)  “…Louisiana’s landscape.”

Landry says this facility is the largest of more than 20 Meta Data centers…

Cut 14 (08) “…our state.”

Construction begins immediately and Entergy will meet add clean, power efficient power plants to its system to meet growing power demands.