Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the state’s crawfish industry is dealing with a significant labor shortage. Strain told state lawmakers that crawfish processing plants do not have enough workers to peel and package crawfish, because the federal government has put a cap on foreign guest workers.

Cut 4 (09) “…no that’s unacceptable.”

Several crawfish processing plants have shut their doors as a result.

Shintech Louisiana, which produces PVC that’s used in the construction of pipes and window frames, has announced a three-point-four billion dollar expansion to its facility in Iberville Parish. Shintech received an incentives package from the state through the FastStart, Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs. Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle says the collaboration will benefit the entire area.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the Plaquemine area.”

The investment will provide hundreds of construction jobs and result in 163 new direct jobs.

Julia Letlow secures another high-profile endorsement. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Treasurer and Republican US Senate candidate John Fleming says Trump officials offered him a job with the C-D-C in an effort to get him out of the Republican Senate Primary. Fleming says the most recent offer came from Ralph Abraham who just left the CDC as principal deputy director. Abraham is now working for the Letlow campaign. Fleming says he’s staying in the Senate race and intends to unseat Bill Cassidy.

According to AAA, gas prices for regular gasoline increased another 12-cents over night to a statewide average of $2.84. That’s up 28-cents in the last week. Gas prices typically increase this time of year with the transition to summer blend; but this year, there’s the added factor of the war in Iran, leading to a spike in oil prices. Greg Upton is the director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies…

Cut 7 (11) “…the fall again.”

Former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts has been convicted of having sex with 16-year-old during a party at her house while she was still in office.  Pamela Sleezer covered the case for the American Press and says many in Beauregard Parish worried she would be found not guilty, however…

Cut 5 (07) “…did this”

Sentencing is set for April 17^th.

Governor Landry has endorsed Julia Letlow over incumbent Bill Cassidy in the U-S Senate race. Landry says Letlow has the kind of raw Louisiana grit that Washington desperately needs. Meanwhile, the other major Republican candidate, John Fleming, claims an effort was made to get him out of the race by offering him the job of Deputy Director of the CDC, which Ralph Abraham just stepped down from.

A Tickfaw woman is behind bars after allegedly abandoning her eight-year-old son inside a Ponchatoula laundromat.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has been found guilty on felony charges for having sex with a 16-year-old boy during a party at her home when she was mayor in 2024. It took a six-person jury less than an hour to convict the 42-year-old Roberts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior. Reporter Pamela Sleezer covered the trial for the American Press and says the evidence was stacked against Roberts…

Cut 4 (16) “….for her”

Roberts will be sentenced April 17^th.

A statewide poll of Louisiana voters shows approval ratings for Governor Landry have fallen. The Pelican Institute for Public Policy surveyed 762 Louisiana voters, and 43-percent approve of Landry’s job performance. Last year Landry’s approval rating was 58-percent.

Another jump in gas prices. Greg Upton, the executive director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says while you were sleeping, gas prices increased another 12 cents.

Cut 6 (11) “…gallon so far.”

Gas prices typically increase this time of year with the transition to summer blend; but this year, there’s the added factor of the war in Iran, leading to a spike in oil prices. AAA has the statewide price for a regular gallon of gasoline at $2.83.

State officials call it a game-changer for how Louisiana competes for major economic development projects. Louisiana Economic Development launches the FastSites program. Governor Landry says it’s a program in which the state invests money to make sites shovel-ready for economic development projects.

Cut 10 (10) “…those particular sites.”

Landry says the state is providing 140-million dollars for 19 sites in 16 parishes.

Former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts has been found guilty on felony charges for having sex with a 16-year-old boy in 2024 while she was the mayor. Pamela Sleezer covered the trial for the American Press and says the victim’s mother had to remove herself from the courtroom because she was overcome with emotion when the verdict was read….

Cut 3 (08) “…her table.”

The incident happened at a party at her house and she will be sentenced April 17^th.

A statewide poll shows President Trump’s approval rating among Louisiana voters has fallen from 60-percent to 49 percent. The survey was conducted last month by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. Erin Bendily is the vice president of that organization…

Cut 15 (09) “….is still hight”

47-percent of Louisiana respondents disapprove of the President’s job performance.

The director of Invest in Louisiana, Jan Moeller, says information has been provided to the joint legislative budget committee that the state could see budget deficits in future years, because revenues have plateaued, but  state spending continues to grow. One example is the proposed 82-million -dollar increase in funding for the Department of Corrections. Meanwhile, the state must make up for a loss in federal dollars because of the budget bill approved by Congress in 2025.

Cut 8 (06) “…the coming years.”

Legislative leaders believe they make wise budget decisions for next fiscal year, they can stave off major cuts in the future.

Big baseball game tonight in Lafayette as second ranked LSU visits the Ragin Cajuns. Catcher Cade Arrambide says despite their struggles they are sticking together…

Cut 19 (16) “…fail”

The Ragin Cajuns are 9-and-3 and their pitching staff has struck out 133 hitters in 118 innings.

A new poll of Louisiana voters shows Governor Landry’s and President Trump’s approval ratings have dropped since last year. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

That same poll also found two-thirds of Louisiana voters report that electric and gas utility bills have increased over the past year.

Gas prices jumped another 12-cents overnight. According to AAA, the statewide average for regular gasoline is up to $2.84. That’s up nearly 30-cents from a week ago.

A 43-year-old Tickfaw woman faces child cruelty and abandonment charges after she allegedly left her eight-year-old son at a Ponchatoula laundry mat. A witness called police and Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry (bree) Layrisson says she was eventually arrested in Jefferson Parish. Layrisson says the boy’s father drove down from Ruston to pick the child up…

Cut 6 (06) “….cartoons for him”

Layrisson says the boy is doing well.

A sold-out crowd is expected tonight at Tigue Moore Field in Lafayette as second ranked LSU visits the Ragin Cajuns. The Tigers are coming off a loss to Northeastern. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 18 (13) “…want to be”

First pitch is at 6 PM.

Louisiana has been enjoying budget surpluses for the last several years, but a report from the Legislative Fiscal Office says that may change soon. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It took a six-person jury less than an hour to convict former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts on two felony charges…carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior. Roberts will be sentenced on April 17^th for having sex with a 16-year-old boy at a party at her home in 2024 while she was the mayor.

Governor Jeff Landry says the state has redefined how Louisiana will compete for high-impact-nationally sought-after projects…..

Cut 11 (07) “…Fastsite”

These 19 sites will share 140-million dollars in state funding to get their land ready to attract a major project. Landry says previously the state would wait for companies to approach Louisiana before preparing a site, now the state will have land that is shovel ready.

A Tickfaw woman is facing multiple charges after witnesses saw her abandon her eight-year-old son at a Ponchatoula laundry mat. Police Chief Bry Layrisson says 43-year-old Jeannete Edmonds was arrested in Jefferson Parish and during their investigation they learned Edmonds tried to abandon her son two other times during that day…

Cut 5 (09) “…same thing occurred”

Layrisson says all things considered, the boy is doing well.

A statewide poll of Louisiana voters shows approval ratings for Governor Landry have fallen. The Pelican Institute for Public Policy surveyed 762 Louisiana voters, and 43-percent approve of Landry’s job performance. Pelican Institute Vice President Erin Bendily says Landry’s approval rating last year was 58-percent, but she believes rising costs are hurting Landry’s approval numbers.

Cut 13 (09)  “…come to fruition.”

A spokesperson for the governor’s re-election campaign says if liberal activists want to take comfort in approval numbers from polls like this. That’s fine because Landry will be re-elected next year.

Invest in Louisiana director Jan Moeller says the Legislative Fiscal Office has told the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that budget deficits are possible in the coming years as revenue has plateaued and state expenses are on the rise and that’s a concern for those who count on state funding…

Cut 9 (12) “….for healthcare coverage”

Legislative leaders say if the state budgets smartly this year, they can avoid revenue shortfalls in future years.

Louisiana has identified 19 sites around the state that will collectively receive 140 million dollars to develop their land and infrastructure to attract manufacturing, logistics, and next-generation industries. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says it’s important to have land that is shovel ready when trying to compete for major economic development projects…

Cut 12 (11) “…can even begin”

Each site will receive between one million and 25 million dollars and the goal is to make that money back and then some in tax revenue from the jobs that the business creates.

A Tickfaw woman is behind bars for allegedly abandoning her eight-year-old son inside a Ponchatoula laundromat. Pontchatoula Police Chief Bry (“bree”) Layrisson says people saw 43-year-old Jeanette Edmonds drive away without her son, and she was quickly located in Harvey and taken into custody by Jefferson Parish deputies. Layrisson says Edmonds showed no regard for the well-being of her son.

Cut 4 (09) “…son was okay.”

Layrisson says Edmonds also tried to abandon her son earlier in the day at a cemetery and a local farm.