A new statewide poll of Louisiana voters finds that their biggest concern is what’s in their pocketbook. Kace Kieschnick has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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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.
Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”
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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 1st.
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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 19th 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.”