The legislature passed a series of bills aimed at strengthening elections in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Pineville-based utility company CLECO has notified the Public Service Commission that its for sale. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Wanna bet that Jeff Landry will be re-elected governor in 2027? That’s not such a good idea, because it will now be against the law. Outlawing wagering on election outcomes is just one of several election-related bills passed by the legislature this past session. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says another one assesses attorney’s fees and court costs for knowingly providing false information on a notice of candidacy.

Cut 3 (14) “…qualify for office.”

Watson says another bill on the governor’s desk calls for a procedural election audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor every four years.

Cut 4 (14) “…in the state.”

Watson says another bill closes a loophole that currently allows foreign funding of election contests and ballot measures.

Cut 5 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Another bill that the legislature passed requires legislative approval of election-related consent decrees, so that groups cannot force changes to election procedures through lawsuits.

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Cleco has begun the process of finding a new owner, notifying the Louisiana Public Service Commission as required. This move was expected, as Cleco’s 2016 private equity buyout included plans for a future sale. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the announcement didn’t come as a surprise.

Cut 6 (09) “…was an investment.”

Johnson emphasized that the process is in its early stages, and a sale is unlikely before December 2026. Any buyer must keep Cleco’s headquarters in Pineville and not increase its rates.

Cut 7 (12) “…across Louisiana.”

Johnson reaffirmed support for local jobs and services, urging the PSC to require job protections, and says it’s critical to the local economy.

Cut 8 (09) “…for our folks.”

Cleco serves 300-thousand customers across 24 parishes and remains under regulatory oversight.

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Louisiana lawmakers approved a 53-billion dollar budget and only one lawmaker voted against it. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted no. The Republican from Caddo Parish explained his decision during an interview on KEEL Radio in Shreveport…

Cut 9 (13)  …concern of mine.”

McCormick says state spending only increased by one-percent which is less than inflation and that’s good. But he says using an additional one-point-six billion dollars in federal money to pay for Medicaid is not a good idea, when you consider the federal government is trillions of dollars in debt…

Cut 10 (06) “…federal money.”

McCormick says he’s also disappointed the Legislature did not fund the LA Gator Program, the state’s new voucher program, to the amount Governor Jeff Landry was seeking. McCormick says politics got involved…

Cut 11 (09) “…harms families.”

The Louisiana Legislature appropriated 43-million dollars to the LA Gator Scholarship program, Governor Landry was seeking 93-million dollars. The program provides taxpayer dollars to families to help pay for private school tuition and other school expenses.

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You can add another name to the list of Republican primary challengers for Bill Cassidy’s U.S. Senate seat. New Iberia State Senator Blake Miguez has announced that he is entering the race. The 43-year-old has been in the legislature since 2015, first as a state representative and, since last year, as a state senator. Miguez joins State Treasurer John Fleming in challenging Cassidy for his seat. Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says that could create some headwinds for Cassidy’s re-election bid next year.

Cut 12 (12) “…race against him.”

Cross says while Fleming is more conservative than Cassidy, that’s nothing compared to Miguez – and that could come into play in the newly-closed U.S. Senate primary.

Cut 13 (14)  “…very interesting primary.”

In Miguez’s campaign announcement video, he hammered Cassidy for his vote to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his alleged role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Cross says that will be a theme that will play out over and over again in the run-up to the primary.

Cut 14 (13) “…the Republican party.”

Cross says with two prominent Republican challengers, he believes the likely outcome will be a runoff between Cassidy and either Fleming or Miguez – or possibly some other prominent Republican who subsequently enters the race. The primary is next April.

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LSU is 2-and-0 in the College World Series and one win away from the C-W-S championship series after beating UCLA nine to five today. Before the game was suspended last night because of severe weather, LSU fell behind 3 to nothing in the first inning. The Tigers responded with four runs in the bottom of the first inning, capped off by a three-run home run by Jared Jones…

Cut 15 (07) “…on the board.”

Anthony Eyanson pitched the first three innings of the game. When the game resumed this morning at 10 AM in the fourth inning, Casan Evans pitched into the eighth inning allowing just two runs and striking out five…

Cut 16 (08) “…team win.”

LSU will play again tomorrow against the winner of tonight’s game between UCLA and Arkansas.

House Democrats are reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Lawmakers have approved a plan that would create a one stop shop for Louisiana residents to access most of state’s benefit programs. Sean Richardson has more the Louisiana Workforce Commission will oversee those programs.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana’s House Democratic caucus is reflecting on the just-completed legislative session. Chairman Matthew Willard says despite being greatly outnumbered, Democrats had some significant wins this session – among them is a bill they helped defeat that targeted diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state government and at public colleges and universities.

Cut 3 (16) “…and what’s right.”

Willard says another bill Democrats helped defeat was one that targeted teacher unions.

Cut 4 (11) “…the teacher unions.”

However, Willard acknowledges that Democrats didn’t get everything that they wanted. One of the battles that they lost was one that stipulates that a driver at least 51-percent at-fault in a crash collects no damages.

Cut 5 (10) “…with that policy.”

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Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack at his home yesterday. The 90-year-old from Ferriday is in intensive care at a Baton Rouge hospital. Swaggart is one of the most well-known televangelists and is the founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in Baton Rouge. Spokeswoman Megan Kelly says Sunday was a difficult day.

Cut 6 (11) “…right now.”

Reverend Swaggart’s son, Pastor Donnie Swaggart, said in a statement that without a miracle, his time will be short. Megan Kelly says Reverend Swaggart is in God’s hands.

Cut 7 (09) “…for healing.”

Reverend Swaggart turned 90 in March. He’s been a huge figure in Christian ministry for nearly seven decades. Reverend Swaggart has been able to reach millions of Christians through television, radio, gospel music and Bible distribution efforts. Kelly says Reverend Swaggart has his family by his side.

Cut 8 (08) “…praying right now.”

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State lawmakers have approved legislation to support a “One Door” approach, one place where Louisianians can can access the most of the assistance they need. Mandeville Representative Kim Carver says one of the biggest changes is that Department of Children and Family Services will no longer administer the state’s food stamp program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.

Cut 9 (09)  …child welfare system.”

Carver says the Louisiana Workforce Commission, which will be renamed Louisiana Works would become the main public-facing agency for benefit access.

Cut 10 (11) “…of work.”

Carver says the Department of Health would manage SNAP processing, and DCFS would shift to focus on child welfare. He says the overhaul will improve service delivery, reduce duplication, and help more residents re-enter the workforce.

Cut 11 (12) “…benefits that they need.”

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Before the legislative session ended, lawmakers approved a 46-billion dollar state operating budget for the next fiscal year that begins July first. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, president Steven Procopio, calls it a prudent budget.

Cut 12 (10) “…standstill budget.”

The biggest budget battle was over funding for L-A GATOR, the state’s new voucher program.  Procopio says lawmakers left out 50-million dollars that Governor Landry requested for L-A GATOR.

Cut 13 (09)  “…private schools”

Governor Landry says the legislative session resulted in the largest tort reform effort in the state’s history, holding both trial lawyers and insurance companies accountable. Procopio says the verdict is still out on whether changes will reduce insurance rates.

Cut 14 (09) “…to that.”