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.

Tours start today aboard massive historic marine vessels docked in New Orleans as the city kicks off the Sail 250 celebration with the largest flotilla to ever sail the Mississippi River. Mark Romig is with the Sail 250 host committee…:
Cut 6 (07) “run through Sunday”
It’s all part of celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The ships will make five stops on a tour that wraps up in Boston in July.

A bipartisan bill filed in the US Senate would overhaul several major college sports rules, including transfer policies, athlete eligibility, and coaching moves. The proposal includes a one-time transfer allowance without having to sit out a year, set a five-year eligibility limit, and implement the so-called Lane Kiffin Rule, which would ban coaches from leaving for another school before a season ends. The “Protect College Sports Act” will need 60 votes to pass the Senate.

A new groundbreaking study out of LSU finds infertility can damage an employees sense of self-worth, altering how they see themselves at work and how they behave on the job. Michael Johnson with LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business, who lead the study, says this can lead to counterproductive work behaviors…:
Cut 8 (11) “things like that”
He says workplaces can help by encouraging support, understanding, and flexibility for employees dealing with infertility.

Pineville based Cleco has confirmed the company will power the new multi billion dollar AI data center coming to Rapides Parish. Cleco spokeswoman Jennifer Cahill:
Cut 10 (11) “that we serve”
She says large customers like Applied Digital can help lower costs by spreading expenses across a broader customer base.

Since Louisiana voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have provided a permanent pay raise for school employees, a teachers union hopes lawmakers can find another way to fund increases. Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees president Larry Carter..:
Cut 11 (14) “and school employees”
The amendment would have given teachers an annual raise of $2,250.

Legislation moving toward final passage would block public access to details of revenue-sharing agreements between colleges and their athletes. Supporters say making those details available puts schools like LSU at a disadvantage. Opponents of the bill like Attorney Scott Sternberg say that’s ridiculous…:
Cut 8 (09) “to make more”
The bill now heads to the Senate Floor.

Thanks to Louisiana’s film incentive programs, Hollywood South appears to be back. Joe Gallinaro reports…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Joe Gallinaro”

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season, and motorists aren’t going to see much relief at the pump. According to AAA, the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is back over $4. The overnight jump was 3 cents to 4.02 in Louisiana. That’s 33 cents higher than the same time last month.

Republican US Senate candidates Julia Letlow and John Fleming are back on the campaign trail ahead of the June 27th runoff election. Letlow, who received 45% of the vote Saturday, is already building momentum according to ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…:
CUT 13 (08) “monitor her actions”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise on Monday endorsed Letlow.

A bill to shield athletic revenue sharing figures from public record advances in the legislature. The bill’s author, Lafayette Representative Themi Chassion, says public deals put LSU and other Louisiana college athletic programs at a disadvantage…:
CUT 7 (10) “don’t want that”
Opponents of the legislation say revenue share deals are funded with public dollars and therefore should be public.

With voters rejecting the teacher pay constitutional amendment, lawmakers are being urged to find another source of funding for the raises. Andrew Greenstein reports..:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

A Greensburg man accused of abusing and neglecting 27 dogs has been arrested after nearly a month on the run. Police say 51-year-old Charles Hollins was taken into custody Monday in Tangipahoa Parish during a routine traffic stop. Hollins’ wife had already been booked.