State Police say a St. Charles Parish man who ran from cops during a DWI stop was attacked by an alligator…:
Cut 1 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Meta is launching a national workforce training program to prepare workers for jobs supporting AI infrastructure, and Baton Rouge was selected as one of four pilot cities. The program will train fiber technicians, welders, plumbers, electricians, and other skilled trades. Participants are paid while training, with tuition, travel, and lodging covered.

The Assumption Parish School System has launched an option for students to take classes entirely online. Superintendent John Barthelemy says this program is an alternative for students who thrive with more flexibility…:
Cut 8 (07) “on their needs”
Virtual academy students will still have the chance to take part in sports, clubs and other events.

After losing five-star edge rusher commit Jaiden Bryant to Miami last week, LSU added a flurry of talent to its 2027 class. The Tigers replaced Bryant with five-star pass rusher K.J. Green. The Georgia native is the second-ranked edge rusher in the class. Andre Champagne of 247Sports says Green is solid..:
Cut 16 (10) “…edges to do.”
Three-star cornerback Markez Davis of Northwest High School in St. Landry Parish announced his commitment to LSU Monday.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says many property owners and drivers are seeing a drop in insurance premiums, but rates for commercial auto insurance continue to go up…:
Cut 10 (12) “still going up”
He blames high settlements in court with those payouts being passed down to premiums, and more legal reform is needed to address that issue.

State Police say a St. Charles Parish man was attacked by an alligator when trying to evade officers during a DWI stop. Trooper Kyle Wagner says when 40-year-old Victor Rivas was pulled over on I-310 for suspected drunk driving, he jumped off the elevated road into the swamp below and was attacked by the gator:
Cut 5 (09) “of a drone”
Rivas is charged with DWI and resisting an officer.

Northwest High School football star Markez Davis committed to LSU’s 2027 recruiting class yesterday. Kace Kieschnick reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

An East Baton Rouge Parish woman is suing the parents of a 13-year-old boy who’s accused of spray-painting racist graffiti on her garage door last month. Ryan Thompson, Carolyn Morrison-Howard’s lawyer, says his client has been intimidated for a while…:
Cut 14 (06) “…a repeated act.”
The boy was arrested and was booked into juvenile detention on several charges, including hate crimes.

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law Tuesday, eliminating the vehicle inspection sticker program. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley who authored the bill says he’s been pushing for this a while, but Landry said there was a key difference this time…:
Cut 5 (05) “the right governor”

This session also saw plenty of bills aimed at improving Louisiana’s workforce:
Cut 2 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The Louisiana Republican Delegation is happy about what lawmakers pushed through this legislative session. Chairman and Monroe Representative Michael Echols says important measures were approved designed to attract large aerospace companies with property and sales tax breaks…:
Cut 14 (15) “…the aerospace industry.”

The CAJUNDOME is home to the LHSAA Boys’ Basketball State Championships once again. The association announced plans yesterday to move the event to Lafayette after 12 years in Lake Charles. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot says Acadiana is the perfect location for this event…:
Cut 11 (13) “but the LHSAA”
The championships had been held in Lake Charles for 12 years.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law that eliminates the vehicle inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
East Baton Rouge, Livingston, West Baton Rouge, Ascension and Iberville parishes all require a separate emissions test on top of the standard inspection.

Gas prices continue to fall nationwide. Louisiana’s average for a gallon of regular stands at $3.80, which is down 3 cents from the prior day, and 17 cents lower than the same time last week.

The Legislative Republican Delegation is pleased with what they were able to accomplish this session. Chairman and Monroe Representative Michael Echols says lawmakers made smart investments by using state savings to put another $500 million into roads and infrastructure and $360 million into economic development:
Cut 13 (07) “and economic development”

Echols is also happy about the package of bills passed aimed at strengthening jobs in the state. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says one of the outcomes of the session is a restructured workforce delivery system, including the modernization of the Incumbent Worker Training Program…:
Cut 7 (14) “their existing workers”

Most personal vehicles will no longer need an annual safety inspection sticker starting in 2027 under a bill signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry Tuesday. The current brake tag would be replaced with a $6 QR code tied to the vehicle’s registration. Landry says this was a very popular initiative this session…:
Cut 4 (13) “and start dancing”
Drivers in East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, Iberville, and Ascension parishes would still need emissions testing under federal law.

Also Tuesday Landry signed an executive order tied to funding for permanent teacher pay raises. He called for a $168 million dollar reduction in public school funding to pay for $2000 stipends for Louisiana educators. Lawmakers passed a state budget last week that did not include the raises, and Landry’s proposed funding cut will need legislative approval first.

The 2026 legislative session was also packed with bills to strengthen the workforce in Louisiana. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says some of them expanded career exposure beginning in middle school…:
CUT 8 (13) “want to pursue”
The broad workforce package was a bipartisan one, with many of the laws passed receiving no opposition in either chamber.

Lafayette will host the high school boys basketball championships after spending the past 12 years in Lake Charles. The LHSAA announced plans Tuesday to move the event to the Cajundome and Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot says they are thrilled…:
Cut 10 (05) “they support it”
Lafayette hosted the event from 1997 to 2011.

One of the biggest stories from Louisiana’s 2026 legislative session, which wrapped up yesterday, was lawmakers approving a new congressional map that removes one of the state’s majority-Black districts. Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Edmond Jordan, had this message for his Republican colleagues:
Cut 12 (12) “a racist act”
Republicans say the map follows traditional redistricting standards and was not drawn to unfairly favor or disadvantage voters based on race.

Other critics of the this session are also pointing to the failure of teacher pay raises and additional funding for private school vouchers. Erin Bendily with the Pelican Institute also questioned what she describes as millions spent on legislative pet projects.
Cut 10 (09) “things like that”
Governor Landry is addressing the teacher pay raise matter today.

Hurricane Season began Monday and Nyka Scott with Entergy urges residents to be prepared…:
Cut 6 (11) “the Entergy App”
She says Entergy is two years into a $1.9 billion plan to strengthen and upgrade Louisiana’s power grid.

The College baseball transfer window opened yesterday and five members of the 2026 LSU roster have already entered their names. Kace Kieschnick has the story:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

The legislative session came to an end Monday after lawmakers passed a $47 billion dollar budget. Members say money has been allocated to attract private industry, improve roads and continue to invest in K-12 education. Not included were teacher pay raises and money to fund the school choice voucher program which Erin Bendily of the Pelican Institute says is disappointing…:
Cut 11 (09) “…on different things.”
Governor Landry will address the teacher pay issue during a 10am news conference.

The other big story out of this session was the redrawing of the congressional map that eliminates a majority Black district. The Advocate’s political reporter, Tyler Bridges says Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields came away from this session with some significant setbacks…:
Cut 14 (06) “Baton Rouge area”
The map approved by the Republican-led legislature is expected to be challenged in court.

A pair of bills which establish tougher penalties for attacking teachers and school staff are awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Andrew Greenstein reports:
Cut 1 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The college baseball and softball transfer portal opened yesterday, and five LSU baseball players have already entered, including Mavrick Rizy, DJ Primeaux, Daniel Harden, Trent Caraway, and Jaden Noot after limited roles in 2026.

LSU softball is also losing one of its top arms, as Jayden Heavener, who led the starters in ERA and won 13 games, has entered the portal.

The 2026 legislative session is over, but the fallout is not. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Hurricane Season is officially underway and Entergy Louisiana vice president of customer service Nyka Scott says they are ready…:
Cut 4 (10) “we see something”
She joins state leaders in encouraging residents to be prepared for potential storms.

There are a pair of bills awaiting Governor Landry’s signature that would toughen penalties on students who attack teachers or other school employees. During the House Education Committee meeting on the matter, Nikita Drummond-Clark, a teacher of more than 30 years, said she had to retire after being injured by a student:
CUT 8 (14) “happened to me”
The bills would create mandatory penalties for students who attack teachers and also put additional protections in place for school employees.

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office says an Uber driver has been arrested for allegedly raping a customer during a ride. They say 56 year old Adolfito Marte Mercedes is charged with first degree rape. Additional details about what happened are being withheld to protect the privacy of the victim. The sheriff’s office issued a statement urging members of the public to be cautious while using a rideshare service.

A visit to New Orleans this weekend would be a good idea as the city welcomes historic marine vessels for America’s 250th birthday. The gathering of tall and military ships are known as Sail 250. Mark Romig is with the host committee…:
Cut 4 (07) “…they’re referred to.”
The vessels will be open for free public tours through the weekend.

A new series of studies led by a professor at LSU found the emotional toll of infertility can carry over into the workplace. Michael Johnson with LSU’s EJ Orso College of Business says people experiencing infertility may struggle with self-worth on the job..:
Cut 7 (12) “…their infertility struggles.”
The study suggests employers can help by creating a more understanding and flexible workplace environment.

Cleco is supplying power for the $3.6 billion data center that’ll be built near Alexandria. They say that will result in a stronger power grid for all of its customers without raising rates…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A bill is headed to Governor Landry’s desk that would change how voters without a photo ID can cast a ballot. Right now, if you go to the polls without ID, you can sign something with your date of birth and mother’s maiden name. Under the proposed law, voters will have to go to the Office of Registrar of Voters in that parish to cast a conditional ballot with two days to gather the required photo ID documents.

Tall ships have arrived in New Orleans as the city celebrates Americas 250th birthday through the weekend. Joe Gallinaro reports…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Joe Gallinaro”

A bill has been sent to Governor Landry’s desk that would create a new survivor-led task force focused on improving protections and support for sexual assault survivors across Louisiana. Lawmakers approved the measure following a recent survey showing one in 10 Louisiana adults experienced sexual violence last year. The task force would work on improving services, training, and survivor resources statewide.

State leaders launch a new initiative aimed at improving rural healthcare. Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Evelyn Griffin says the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund would give rural healthcare providers better tools and partnerships that can result in better care for smaller communities:
Cut 13 (11) “care more efficiently”
State officials say partnership opportunities and program timelines will be announced in the coming months.

Pineville-based utility provider Cleco will provide the power for the 3.6-billion-dollar data center that will be built in the Rapides Parish town of Boyce. Data Centers use an enormous amount of energy, but Cleco spokeswoman Jennifer Cahill says this won’t result in higher bills for other customers:
Cut 11 (08) “the data center”
Applied Digital is expected to provide 200 permanent jobs once it begins initial operations in mid-2027.