If you’re planning on flying out of New Orleans this week, plan ahead – far ahead. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Plastic crows are the latest instrument used in the effort to smuggle drugs and tobacco into the Federal Prison in Grant Parish. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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If you’re planning on flying out of New Orleans this week, plan on arriving at Louis Armstrong International Airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure. That’s because the line at the TSA checkpoint is very long. Deputy Aviation Director Erin Burns says this comes as several TSA agents are out because of the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Cut 3 (06) “…six lanes open.”

Burns says the line is so long that it extends all the way to the parking garage at times; and if it wasn’t for the dedicated airport staff and the understanding traveling public, that could make for a very chaotic scene.

Cut 4 (09) “…efficiently as possible.”

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The longer you wait to fill up your gas tank, the more money you’ll end up paying. That’s because gas prices continue to climb amid the fighting in Iran. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the average price of regular unleaded has soared 55 cents over the last month. ($2.50 a month ago to $3.05, with much of the increase over the past week)

Cut 5 (10) “…the past week.”

Redman says the jump in gas prices is not because the war is causing a drop in oil production; rather, it’s because it’s cutting off a major shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing tankers to find a different route to North America.

Cut 6 (08) “…start falling down.”

Redman says exactly when gas prices will start moving the other direction is anyone’s guess; so for the time being, he says consider this the new normal.

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Uptown New Orleans has been dealing with a series of water main breaks in recent months. The latest happened overnight, when a 48-inch main ruptured. Councilwoman Aimee McCarron visited a woman who lives at the intersection of where it happened.

Cut 7 (11) “…be flooded too.”

In all, McCarron estimates at least a dozen homes in that area that have sustained similar flooding. Kaitlyn Tymrak, the interim general superintendent of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, says a boil water advisory has been issued for much of the East Bank of New Orleans, including some of the most heavily populated and visited areas.

Cut 8 (10) “…New Orleans East.”

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Two women from Texas have been arrested after allegedly using plastic crows to smuggle drugs, cell phones and tobacco into a federal prison located in Grant Parish. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says the suspects used a drone to drop the plastic crows filled with contraband onto the grounds of the Federal Prison…

Cut 9 (04)  “…didn’t work.”

Thirty-eight-year-old Melanie Jean Worthington and 41-year-old Kassy Marie Cole have been arrested on multiple drug charges. McCain says they used plastic crows to get methamphetamine, THC, synthetic marijuana, tobacco and cell phones into the prison…

Cut 10 (08) “…the sky.”

McCain says when authorities tracked down Worthington and Cole, they were in possession of the plastic crows that were dropped into the prison. The sheriff says ten people have been arrested this year for trying to smuggle drugs into the Federal Prison in Grant Parish. He says last year two men used a cannon to get meth and tobacco into the prison…

Cut 11 (08) “…get caught.”

McCain says these two women admitted to being paid 40-thousand dollars to smuggle in the contraband.

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Governor Jeff Landry delivered his State of the State address on the opening day of the legislative session. The Republican from St. Martin Parish used the opportunity to tout the successes of his administration, including 100-billion dollars in economic development projects…

Cut 12 (13) “…competes.”

Landry says since he took office, the state has announced more than 124-thousand new private-sector jobs.

The governor is also pleased to see auto insurance rates coming down…

Cut 13 (10) “…go back up.”

Landry says the state has also made strides in improving literacy…

Cut 14 (14) “…math and reading.”

A new statewide poll of Louisiana voters finds that their biggest concern is what’s in their pocketbook. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

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The 2026 legislative session begins today. Jeanne Burns has a look at some of the big issues that will be discussed.

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A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for all new construction homes along the coastal parishes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana voters say their biggest concern is rising costs. According to a survey conducted by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, 40 percent of the respondents listed the cost of living and inflation as their top concern. Erin Bendily is the vice president of the Pelican Institute

Cut 4 (04) “…and inflation.”

Bendily says two-thirds of Louisiana voters report their electric and gas utility bills have increased over the past year.

Cut 5 (11) “…policymakers.”

She says nearly eight in ten say state government or the Public Service Commission policies bear at least some responsibility for higher utility bills

Cut 6 (10) “…agenda.”

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The 2026 legislative session begins today as lawmakers have more than 13-hundred bills to consider. The biggest one of them all is the state’s spending plan for next fiscal year. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the biggest budget fight could involve the L-A Gator Program. Governor Landry wants to double the funding for the voucher program that helps eligible families pay for private school tuition and other education expenses…

Cut 7 (11)“…big of a jump.”

Alford says legislators also have to figure out how to make up for a loss of federal funding….

Cut 8 (06) “…Medicaid.”

Lawmakers will also devote time on legislation to give more local control over carbon capture projects. There’s legislation to allow guns on college campuses and a proposal to make it a felony crime to drive more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit. Alford says there’s also more insurance reform legislation…

Cut 9 (09)  “…auto insurance.”

The legislative session must end by June 1^st.

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A state senator is looking to make fortified roofs mandatory for new construction homes in the coastal parishes. River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot’s bill would update the building code along the coastal parishes to make fortified roofs mandatory on all new residential builds. He says current code is almost there.

Cut 10 (09) “…to that level.”

Talbot says on new builds, fortified roofs would practically pay for themselves.

Cut 11 (09) “…to get it.”

As filed, Senate Bill 147 would update the building code statewide. However, Talbot says he rushed the drafting of his bill to file it before the pre-filing deadline, and he will offer an amendment to narrow it down to the parts of the state where fortified roofs are needed the most.

Cut 12 (05) “…for new construction.”

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McNeese is hosting the Southland Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments for the fourth straight year this week. The Cowboys have been crowned Southland champs at home the last two years, but this year could be the first time the league leading Cowgirls get to join the celebration. McNeese Sports Information director Matthew Bonnette says it’s a big week for the school and Lake Charles area.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to the area.”

The Cowboys enter the tournament second in the conference behind Stephen F Austin and will see their first action tomorrow night in the semifinals. The men are 26-and-5 on the season and 19-and-3 in conference play including a loss to SFA in their last matchup. Bonnette thinks home court advantage will give the Cowboys a good shot at completing the three-peat.

Cut 14 (09) “…division one school.”

The Cowgirls lead the league with a 27-and-4 record on a historic 20-game win streak. They’ll take the court for the first time in Wednesday’s semifinals, and Bonnette says Cowgirl fans are right to be confident in this year’s team.

Cut 15 (09) “…home crowd.”

McNeese will have the chance to take home both men’s and women’s Southland tournament championships for the first time in school history.

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The LSU women’s basketball team lost to South Carolina for the 19^th consecutive time on Saturday at the SEC Tournament. Just like the game on Valentine’s Day, LSU did not make enough plays. LSU was within five points with 45 seconds left, but instead of fouling Carolina in an effort to get the ball back quickly, they allowed the Gamecocks to drain the clock…

Cut 16 (20) “…do it.”

Mulkey has yet to beat Dawn Staley and South Carolina since she arrived at LSU in 2021. Mulkey says the difference between LSU and the Gamecocks is that she’s been at LSU five years and Staley has been at Carolina for 18 years…

Cut 17 (09)  “…so close.”    (2x)

LSU will likely be a two-seed in the SEC Tournament. The bracket will be released on Sunday.

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The regular season ended for the LSU men’s basketball team with a triple overtime loss to Texas A-and-M on Saturday. The Tigers went 3- 15 in league play. Coach Matt McMahon says he accepts his share of the blame for another losing season in conference, but he still feels good about the future if given another chance…

Cut 18 (18)  “…moving forward.” 

LSU will play Kentucky in the opening round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday.

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At the girls’ basketball state championships, Rosepine High School in Vernon Parish won its third title in four years as the Lady Eagles beat Holy Savior Menard High School in overtime. Case James scored 14 points…

Cut 19 (10) “…all of us .”

Merryville in Beauregard Parish, won its first state championship as the Lady Panthers defeated Midland 49 to 46. Avery Cournoyer was named the Most Outstanding Player as she scored 21 points…

Cut 20 (12) “…our turn.”