Louisiana through a partnership with Apple will distribute more than 25-thousand Mac and iPad devices to eleven Alexandria area organizations to make digital opportunities more accessible for residents. Governor Landry says the project is called Etoufee and it’s intended to support rural Louisianans who may not be able to afford a computer…

Cut 3 (13) “…modern economy”

Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges will receive the largest award, about 13-thousand devices.

Construction is underway on a Buc-ees in Lafayette. Lafayette Economic Development Authority President Mandi Mitchell expects the mega travel store to open in February 2028….

Cut 14 (05) “….month or two”

The 82-million dollar development is located off the Louisiana Avenue exit on Interstate 10.

Last week, Democrat Jamie Davis nearly pulled off a huge upset in the US Senate race and when he spoke to his supporters last Tuesday, he hinted at a possible run for governor next year. Davis says he hasn’t made a final decision yet…

Cut 6 (06) “…you can beat him”

And him, would be Governor Jeff Landry, who will be running for re-election. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has said he’s considering a run for governor.

Today is Veterans Day. Louisiana V-A Secretary Charlton Meginley says it’s a day when we celebrate former military personnel who fought to protect our freedoms.

Cut 10 (10) “…in my mind.”

There are about 247-thousand veterans who live in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor is out with its results of its audit of sexual assault kits collected from July 2024 through December 2025. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s clout in Washington D-C has been severely weakened. Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will no longer lead the Republican Party in the U-S House when a new Congress convenes in January. And today, Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish lost to Ohio Representative Jim Jorden for the Minority Leader position.

Since the loss to Alabama, the criticism has been amped up on LSU football coach Lane Kiffin. There are some fans who believe Kiffin should worry more about winning games, instead of walking into the stadium with celebrities and having smoke machines and a basketball hoop on the sidelines. Kiffin says the celebs, basketball goal and fire extinguisher is for recruiting…

Cut 11 (12) “…losing the game”

Federal employees face another year of rising healthcare costs with premiums increasing by double digits for a third consecutive year and average employee contributions rising by more than ten-percent. John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association urges federal workers to examine their healthcare needs and choose the plan that works best for them…

Cut 5 (14) “….out of pocket”

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor conducted an audit of the handling of sexual assault kits collected from July 2024 through December 2025. Performance Audit Manager Kristin Jacobs says the audit found that nearly one out of every five had not been submitted to a crime lab for testing.

Cut 6 (10) “…by state law.”

Jacobs says it’s important to note that that doesn’t necessarily mean that those sexual assault kits were mishandled – it could mean that law enforcement has closed the case, or the kits could still be pending lab testing.

A Tangipahoa teenager is behind bars after allegedly crashing an ATV on a public road that injured three others. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the incident happened during the middle of the night over the week in the Kentwood area. Sticker says the teen driver was traveling at a high rate of speed…

Cut 12 (09) “…struck a tree”

One of the riders remains hospitalized. 18-year-old Mason Simpson is facing three counts of negligent injuring and several other charges including reckless operation of a vehicle.

LSU fans are still miffed over the Tigers loss to Alabama 31 to 13. Lane Kiffin says he expects to catch some heat from fans about all the flashy gameday activity, like actor Kevin Costner, walking down Victory Hill with the team. Kiffin says that performance is part of the program, though, and doesn’t really change anything on the field.

Cut 10 (13) “…in the red zone.”

Federal employees are experiencing soaring health insurance costs, including 50-thousand of them in Louisiana. John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association says those increases mean for many, health insurance becomes their second biggest monthly expense, behind only housing.

Cut 4 (06) “…dollars a month.”

He says when it comes to healthcare, one size definitely does not fit all, and people should examine their healthcare needs and choose the plan that works best for them.

Former Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards tells The Advocate despite the Democrats’ strong showing in the midterm elections, he has no plans of making another run for governor. Edwards spoke with Advocate Political reporter Tyler Bridges.

Cut 28 (09) “…be a candidate.”

Lane Kiffin called back to his time in L-A and brought out the stars for the LSU-Alabama game on Saturday. Shaq, Angel Reese, Paul Skenes, Livvy Dunna and Kevin Costner all joined Kiffin for the Tiger walk. Kiffin says he met Costner years ago, and it was great to introduce him to the passion and tailgating in the South.

Cut 9 (10)  “…enjoying it.”

With the 31-13 loss to the Crimson Tide that followed, Kiffin says he expects to catch some heat from fans about all the flashy gameday activity. He says that performance is part of the program, though, and doesn’t really change anything on the field.

Federal employees are experiencing soaring health insurance costs, including 50-thousand of them in Louisiana. John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association says the rate these costs are increasing is staggering.

Cut 3 (07) “…over three years.”

Hatton says those increases mean for many, health insurance becomes their second biggest monthly expense, behind only housing.

Beginning in June of next year, there will be nonstop flights from New Orleans to Mexico City…via Aeromexico four days a week.  New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno says Mexico is already a major economic partner for the city and for the state and says the flight is also great news for her personally.

Cut 15 (12) “…about this trip.”

The 31-year-old Smoothie King Center is in dire need of renovations. NOLA-dot-com Business Editor Stephanie Riegel says so far, more than half the money has been secured but the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District will have to come up with the remaining 195 million.  And Riegel says time is of the essence to bolster New Orleans’ chances of landing the 2031 Super Bowl.

Cut 8 (13) “…for that game.”

Expect funding for the Smoothie King Center to be a major talking point in the 2027 legislative session.

A lot of talk lately about who will challenge Governor Jeff Landry, who is seeking re-election next year. Advocate newspaper political reporter Tyler Bridges says a Republican, like State Treasurer John Fleming, could possibly challenge Landry…

Cut 6 (08) “…conservative message”

If you have a heavy foot, chances are your bank account is much lighter than it could be. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph is apologizing for his players who were involved in a big brawl with players from Arkansas Pine Bluff following their loss to the Lions. KNOE-TV reports 12 players are suspended for this Saturday’s game, two players are suspended for the rest of the season.

The dust has barely settled from last week’s midterm elections, but attention is already shifting to next year’s governor’s race. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Country Music Association says they are in touch with Sammy Kershaw’s team after the 90s country music star from Kaplan announced on Facebook he’s been denied the red carpet for the 2026 CMA Awards. Fans of the 68-year-old performer are supporting Kaplan who has seen his followers on Facebook grow and two of his songs are now charting on ITunes.

State and local officials broke ground this morning on a Buc-ee’s store in Lafayette. The 74-thousand square foot store will be located at the Louisiana Avenue- -10 exit. Governor Landry was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony…

Cut 15 (13) “…in Lafayette.”

The other Louisiana Buc-ee’s store is already under construction in Ruston and expected to open in April.

An embarrassing end to the Grambling-Arkansas Pine Bluff football game on Saturday as a major brawl broke out when the contest ended which has resulted in the suspension of 14 Grambling players and nine from UAPB. Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph…

Cut 13 (10) “…they didn’t
The SWAC has also fined each school 25 thousand dollars.

Even though two U.S. House races remain pending, attention is starting to shift to next year’s gubernatorial election. Pollster John Couvillon says given the pounding Democrats laid on Republicans across the country – and Jamie Davis’ near-miss against Julia Letlow in Louisiana – several high-profile Democrats will likely be considering a run for the state’s top office.

Cut 4 (10) “…perhaps some others.”

Former Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has told the Advocate he has no plans of returning to politics.

In St. Tammany Parish, investigators say Reverend Daniel Okafor has been arrested for stealing money from St. Jane de Chantal Parish Church in Abita Springs for almost three years. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says Reverend Okafor was diverting 21-thousand dollars in church funds for personal use.

Cut 10 (10) “…monetary instrument abuse.”

Reverend Okafor was arrested this morning.

ESPN and The College Football Playoff  have agreed to double the size of the playoff, increasing the field to 24 teams starting next year. LSU Coach Lane Kiffin is in favor of the expanded field…

Cut 8 (08) “….getting in”

LSU still has a chance to get in this year’s playoff, but they will need to beat Texas and Tennessee the next two weeks to have any shot.

An ugly brawl broke out at the conclusion of Grambling’s three point loss to Arkansas Pine Bluff on Saturday. Fourteen Grambling players have been suspended and nine players for the U-A-P-B have been suspended. Grambling Coach Mickey Joseoph says his players need to learn to control their emotions…

Cut 14 (12) “…high road”

It’s the second straight season the Grambling football team has been involved in a big fight during a game.