Governor Landry has sent President Trump a letter, formally requesting a major disaster declaration for nine parishes in northeast Louisiana following the winter storm, and the state’s entire congressional delegation is urging him to approve it. Senator Bill Cassidy says with such a declaration, FEMA can help those affected with some much-needed financial assistance.

Cut 6 (06) “…emergency hotel stays.”

A huge drug bust in Louisiana – 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers are arrested as part of an effort to crack down on drugs tied to Mexican cartels. Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood says drugs are constantly moving through central Louisiana because of I-49.

Cut 4 (14) “…like a hub.”

A new exhibit celebrating the life and career of the late former Governor Kathleen Blanco opened this past weekend at the Bayou Teche Museum in her hometown of New Iberia. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was among those who attended the event; he said he will especially never forget Blanco’s leadership during Hurricane Katrina.

Cut 14 (12) “…to this day.”

It’s been a strong start to the year for Hollywood South, as there are six film productions either shooting or in preparation in the state. Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana and the CEO of The Ranch Film Studios, says two of them are feature films.

Cut 9 (15)  “…Netflix.”

It’s officially game week for the LSU baseball team. The Tigers will open their season against Milwaukee on Friday at 2 p.m. One of LSU’s key returners is senior pitcher Zac Cowan (COW-in), who struck out 60 hitters in 52 innings of work last season. Cowan only threw a fastball and changeup last season, but says he’s added to his arsenal.

Cut 18 (11)  “…working on too.”

The LSU men’s basketball team is back at it tonight as the Tigers host the No. 21 Arkansas Razorbacks at 8 p.m.

Former LSU linebacker Greg Penn III is joining LSU’s defensive staff as an analyst, according to multiple reports. Penn was a three-year starter with the Tigers from 2022-2025. In his four years in Baton Rouge, Penn recorded 264 tackles with 17 and a half tackles-for-loss. He also wore the coveted No. 18 jersey during his senior season.

Ford Pemberton enters his first season as the ULM head baseball coach. The Warhawks finished last in the Sun Belt last season and are predicted to finish last this season, but Pemberton says he believes the future is bright in Monroe.

Cut 19 (11) “…trust our clubhouse.”

ULM opens its season on Friday at home against Central Arkansas at 1 p.m.

The Grambling State baseball team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2026 SWAC preseason baseball standings. The Tigers received a total of 143 points. The Southern Baseball team has been picked to finish seventh in the SWAC, but the Jaguars received two total first place votes.

The Southeastern softball team made its debut at No. 25 in this week’s NFCA/GoRout Division I Coaches Poll. The Lions went 4-2 during opening weekend in Clearwater, which included a big 4-2 win over No. 5 Oregon on Sunday.

Governor Landry has formally requested a federal major disaster declaration for the nine northeast Louisiana parishes impacted by the recent winter storm. He says the state meets the threshold with more than 11-million dollars in costs related to the storm already incurred. Senator Bill Cassidy says with such a declaration, FEMA can help those affected with some much-needed financial assistance.

Cut 6 (06) “…emergency hotel stays.”

The nine parishes the request covers are Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, and West Carroll.

We can add Republican state Rep. Michael Echols of Monroe to the candidates seeking Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat. He made the announcement today. Qualifying begins tomorrow. Echols serves as chair of the Louisiana House Republican Caucus and joins fellow state Sens. Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge and Blake Miguez of Erath and Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell of Monroe for the Republican primary election on May 16th.

In a statement Echols said, “President Trump needs more businessmen and builders like him to cut off illegal immigration, protect our farmers and rural communities, and fix the greatest economy in the history of the world that Joe Biden and his autopen tried to destroy.”

A months-long investigation into drug activity tied to Mexican cartels has resulted in 742 arrests statewide. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Filmmaking activity is heating up again in Louisiana. Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana and the CEO of The Ranch Film Studios says movie production in Louisiana and the United States was slower than normal the last two seasons. He says the writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 resulted in more movie production in Canada and Europe, but film production is now coming back to the U-S.

Cut 11 (10) “…in the United States ”

After an investigation that began in October, authorities announced the arrest of 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers across Louisiana. The U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana, Zachary Keller, whose office will prosecute many of these cases, highlighted one of the cases out of Shreveport…

Cut 5 (14) “…mandatory minimum.”

Authorities recovered large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

Governor Landry has formally requested a major disaster declaration for nine parishes in northeast Louisiana from President Trump following the recent winter storm with 11-million dollars in costs related to the storm so far.  And Senator Bill Cassidy is requesting tax relief for individuals and small business owners.

Cut 8 (09) “…filing their taxes.”

The nine parishes Landry’s request covers are Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, and West Carroll.

Louisiana’s film industry is seeing an uptick in activity. Andre Champagne reports that after a couple of slow years, movie production is picking back up…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A new exhibit celebrating the life and career of the late former Governor Kathleen Blanco opened this past weekend at the Bayou Teche Museum in her hometown of New Iberia. And statue that will be permanently displayed outside the museum was unveiled. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was among those who attended the event; he said Blanco was passionate about Louisiana and its people.

Cut 13 (06)  “…around the state.”

Blanco served a single term as governor from 2004 to 2008 weathering the difficult period surrounding Hurricane Katrina. She did not seek re-election. She died in 2019 at the age of 76.

Authorities have announced the arrest of 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers across Louisiana as part of an effort to crackdown on drugs that enter Louisiana that are tied to Mexican cartels. State Police Superintendent Robert Hodges says this announcement should serve as a strong message…

Cut 3 (06) “…you to justice” 

The crackdown began in October and led to the recovery of 176 firearms, more than 15 kilograms of fentanyl, more than two-thousand fentanyl pills, 44 kilograms of meth and 20 kilograms of cocaine.

District 39 will need to elect a new state representative as Governor Landry has called upon current Representative Julie Emerson to be his new chief of staff. Landry called Emerson a proven leader with a deep understanding of Louisiana’s people, the state legislature, and the work that needs to be done to move the state forward. Emerson will begin her new role taking over for Kyle Ruckert next week. No word yet on when a special election can be held to fill seat in the legislature.

Governor Landry has sent President Trump a letter, formally requesting a major disaster declaration for nine parishes in northeast Louisiana following the recent winter storm, and the state’s entire congressional delegation is urging him to approve it. And Senator Bill Cassidy made another request

Cut 7 (10) “…in on time.”

Cassidy says that tax relief would not only apply to individuals, but also to small business owners.

Filmmakers are busy with six productions either shooting or in preparation to shoot here in Louisiana. Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana and the CEO of The Ranch Film Studios, says the Netflix produced movie “A Christmas Kind of Love” working with Second Line Stages in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans is one of two feature films in the works and he expects Hollywood South activity will remain strong through the year…

Cut 10 (10) “…U-S.”

Governor Landry has sent President Trump a letter, formally requesting a major disaster declaration for nine parishes in northeast Louisiana following the winter storm, and the state’s entire congressional delegation is urging him to approve it. Senator Bill Cassidy says with such a declaration, FEMA can help those affected with some much-needed financial assistance.

Cut 6 (06) “…emergency hotel stays.”

It’s been a strong start to the year for Hollywood South, as there are six film productions either shooting or in preparation in the state. Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana and the CEO of The Ranch Film Studios, says two of them are feature films.

Cut 9 (15)  “…Netflix.”

The Netflix produced movie is called “A Christmas Kind of Love.”

A months-long investigation into drug activity tied to Mexican cartels has resulted in 742 arrests statewide. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Representative Julie Emerson won’t be the next U.S. Senator from Louisiana, but she will be Governor Landry’s new chief of staff. Emerson takes over for Kyle Ruckert, and she begins her new role next week. A special election will need to be held to fill her seat in the legislature.

California and New York have ignored Louisiana’s extradition requests on doctors indicted for mailing abortion pills to people in Louisiana.  The dispensing of abortion pills is illegal in Louisiana when prescribed outside of a hospital setting, but shield laws in those states protect reproductive rights. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill argues these cases don’t fit that requirement as both women in question were forced to take the bills by someone else.

Cut 12 (11) “…what they’re doing.”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is bringing a bill that would allow constitutional carry to college campuses in the upcoming legislative session.  Though similar bills have failed in the past, McCormick says he was encouraged by a group of college students to make a run at it again.

Cut 8 (09) “…bill this year.”

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Santa Clara is done, and Inglewood is now on the clock. Andrew Greenstein reports New Orleans is continuing its push to land the 2031 Super Bowl.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Alexandria sets another enrollment record, with spring enrollment up 12-percent year-over-year, marking the 12th straight semester of record growth. Abbey Bain with LSU-A says one of the biggest reasons for the continued growth is smaller class sizes.

Cut 4 (08) “…and support them.”

A huge drug bust in Louisiana – 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers are arrested as part of an effort to crack down on drugs tied to Mexican cartels. Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood says drugs are constantly moving through central Louisiana because of I-49.

Cut 4 (14) “…like a hub.”

Non-felon adults being able to carry a gun without a permit became legal in Louisiana in 2024. For the upcoming session, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick has filed a bill that would allow teachers, students and the public to constitutional carry on college campuses.

Cut 7 (08) “…included in that.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill believes she would win a lawsuit against New York and California in her fight to extradite doctors who have been indicted for mailing abortion pills to people in Louisiana. The dispensing of abortion pills is illegal in Louisiana when prescribed outside of a hospital setting. Murrill says according to the Full Faith and Credit Clause in the U.S. Constitution, states must honor each other’s laws.

Cut 10 (12) “…in our state.”

LSU-Alexandria once again sets a new enrollment record, with overall spring enrollment up almost 12-percent year-over-year, with on-campus enrollment up more than 10-percent. Abbey Bain with LSU-A says the school is broadening its appeal beyond its traditional base.

Cut 6 (09) “…in the state.”

Authorities have announced the arrest of 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers across Louisiana as part of an effort to crack down on drugs that enter Louisiana that are tied to Mexican cartels. State Police Superintendent Robert Hodges says this announcement should serve as a strong message to those involved in gang activity or violent crime.

Cut 3 (06) “…bring you to justice” 

Nearly 500 of those arrests occurred in the Alexandria and Shreveport areas.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is trying again with legislation that would allow teachers, students and the public to constitutional carry on college campuses. University officials have expressed concerns about allowing students to possess guns on campus. But McCormick says a student should have the ability to defend themselves in an active shooter situation.

Cut 9 (06)  “…a college campus.”

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is suing California and New York in her effort to extradite doctors for prescribing abortion pills to people in Louisiana. So far, those two states have ignored Louisiana’s requests because of their respective shield laws. But Murrill says that’s irrelevant, because in both cases, the women were forced to take abortion pills by either their mother or their boyfriend.

Cut 12 (11) “…what they’re doing.”

New Orleans continues its push to land the 2031 Super Bowl. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says everyone who has covered a Super Bowl in New Orleans has given the city rave reviews.

Cut 15 (06) “…around the country.”

Next year’s Super Bowl is taking place in Inglewood, California; in 2028, it will be in Atlanta, and scheduling conflicts will prevent New Orleans from hosting it in 2029 or 2030.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is planning on suing New York and California in her fight to extradite doctors indicted for prescribing abortion pills to people in Louisiana. California Governor Gavin Newsom says his state will never help Louisiana criminalize healthcare. Murrill says Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are playing politics.

Cut 11 (12) “…their gun laws.”

LSU-Alexandria sets a new enrollment record, with overall spring enrollment up almost 12-percent year-over-year. Abbey Bain with LSU-A says two main factors are small class sizes and cost.

Cut 5 (09) “…been possible before.”

Bain says there was also more than a 10-percent increase in on-campus enrollment for the spring semester.

The debate over whether guns should be permitted on college campuses will be up for debate again in the upcoming legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A teen who shot himself at the end of a high-speed chase through several parishes in southwest Louisiana has died. The chase happened mid-morning last Thursday through Beauregard, Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. The teen attended Oakdale High School. All schools in Oakdale are closed today so that students and faculty can attend his funeral.