A lot of the attention on the May 16^th ballot is on the Senate Republican Primary, but the ballot also includes a measure involving teacher pay. Constitutional Amendment would pay down teacher retirement debt so the state can give teachers a permanent 22-hundred dollars pay raise. It’s currently a stipend….

Cut 9 ()5) “…taxes”

That’s Doctor Keith Courville, the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Executive Director.

According to a political action committee, the state’s first ever 100-percent A-I generated political advertisement will be seen on television in the fifth Congressional district. The Louisiana First Victory Fund produced the ad, which is supporting Rick Edmonds in the Republican 5^th Congressional District race. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says A-I-generated political ads can cost less than your traditional commercial, and they can be produced faster.

Cut 12 (08) “…or four days.”

The NCAA Tournament begins in earnest today and for the third straight year the McNeese State men’s basketball team is in the Big Dance. The 12^th seeded Cowboys face 5^th seeded Vanderbilt at 2:15 PM in Oklahoma City. Senior guard Javohn Garcia says it will be critical for McNeese to start the tournament off hot…

Cut 15 (11) “….of the tournament”

The Southern women’s basketball team plays tonight against Samford in a First Four matchup.

The LSU baseball team plays its SEC home opener tonight against eighth ranked Oklahoma. The Tigers fielding percentage ranks 14^th in the SEC and Coach Jay Johnson says the Sooners like to pressure you with their speed….

Cut 17 (16) “…with this team”

First pitch is at 7 PM.

State Senators are demanding an action plan from the Department of Children and Family Services on how the agency can prevent child abuse deaths. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says 12 children have died this year after 53 children died last year in cases where D-C-F-S was contacted about possible child abuse in the home…

Cut 10 (10) “…the baby”

Rebecca Harris has led DCFS since August. She reorganized the child welfare division in October. The secretary says there are other areas where they can improve…

Cut 12 (09) “…and families.”

Senators have asked Harris to come up with ideas that can improve the effectiveness of the agency and want to see those recommendations in two weeks.

U-S Senator Billy Cassidy continues to criticize Congresswoman Julia Letlow for not yet agreeing to a televised debate. Letlow is challenging Cassidy in the May 16^th Senate Republican Primary Election and state treasurer John Fleming is also running. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says if the debates end up a heads-up battle between Cassidy and Fleming, there’s one way that Letlow’s absence could hurt her.

Cut 8 (08) “…Julia Letlow.”

That said, Hogan says since Letlow is Trump’s endorsed candidate, not as many people would tune in to the debates if she’s not on stage.

The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that could result in prison time if you lie about serving in the military. It’s known as stolen valor and Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says this is a way of protecting the integrity of the military service of Louisiana’s veterans, including himself.

Cut 5 (07) “…service means something (2x).”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.

State Senators are fed up and want solutions on how the Department of Children and Family Services can be more effective in preventing serious injuries of deaths after the state agency gets involved in child abuse cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says there have been 12 child deaths this year after 53 child deaths in 2025…

Cut 9 (10)  “…that child.”

Barrow has a bill to abolish the Department of Children and Family Services and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is so upset, he’s ready to vote for it…

Cut 13 (09) “…do it.”

Lawmakers have asked Secretary Rebecca Harris to present a plan in two weeks on how to improve DCFS.

We are about two weeks away from the May 16^th primary and the three main candidates in the Senate Republican Primary have yet to agree on a date to hold a televised debate. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says John Fleming seems eager to debate…

Cut 7 (8) “…out there”

And Bill Cassidy keeps criticizing Julia Letlow for not committing to a TV debate.

The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that could result in prison time if you lie about serving in the military. It’s known as stolen valor and Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says this is a way of protecting the integrity of the military service of Louisiana’s veterans, including himself.

Cut 5 (07) “…service means something (2x).”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells lawmakers that many public universities and colleges are struggling financially. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Are you having trouble accessing the official OMV website. It’s still expresslane-dot-la, but the domain extension changed this week from dot-org to dot-gov. OMV says the change strengthens cybersecurity protections.

Louisiana is the third best state to be a doctor says a report by Wallet Hub. The states were ranked on 19 metrics, including average annual salaries, the number of hospitals per capita and the quality of public hospital systems. Another metric is projected supply of physicians by 2032.

Cut 11 (10) “…in rural areas.”

If you lie about serving in the military, you could end up behind bars. A bill making what’s known as stolen valor a crime in Louisiana cleared the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House. It’s sponsored by Caleb Kleinpeter of Port Allen and backed by Louisiana V-A Secretary Charlton Meginley, who told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that stolen valor is not a victimless crime.

Cut 3 (11) “…gain to it.”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.

When it comes to the best states for doctors, Louisiana ranks surprisingly high. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Health Secretary Doctor Bruce Greenstein says an estimated 21-thousand people in Louisiana will lose Medicaid coverage when new work requirements for the program take effect next year. The new rule is the result of federal legislation that calls for certain Medicaid recipients to prove they are working in school, job training or volunteering.

The May 16th primary is about two months away, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry is urging voters to check their party affiliation on their voter registration. Landry says the May 16th primary is closed, which means only registered Republican voters or no-party voters can vote in the Republican primary, and only registered Democrats or no-party voters can vote in the Democratic primary.

Cut 7 (10) “…be affiliated with.”

The deadline to register for the May 16th primary election is April 15th in person or by mail. April 25th is the deadline to do it at geauxvote-dot-com

In the UL System’s lawsuit against Conference USA, a hearing in Lincoln Parish is cancelled after Conference USA filed a motion to move the case to Federal Court. The U-L system filed the lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech in its quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt for the 2026 football season. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, believes Conference USA is trying to extract as much money from Louisiana Tech as possible before its inevitable exit.

Cut 14 (06) “…in this league.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow releases a poll that shows her with a one percent lead over Bill Cassidy in the Senate Republican Primary. John Fleming is not far behind, trailing Letlow by eight percent. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the survey of likely Republican primary voters finds 28-percent are undecided and Cross says Fleming is trying to reach those voters…

Cut 10 (07) “…runoff”

Louisiana Tech’s legal fight to join the Sun Belt Conference starting on July 1^st will continue has taken another turn. Conference USA has filed a motion to move the case to federal court, so a Thursday hearing in state court on the matter has been cancelled. Matt Bellinson of the Ruston Daily Leader says Tech is adamant which league they will play football in 2026…

Cut 15 (08) in the Sun Belt”

A  repeat honor for one of Southern University’s programs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gas prices increased another seven cents from yesterday. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.45. That’s 35-cents higher than a week ago. A gallon of diesel in Louisiana costs on average of $4.73.