Election Day is upon us. Jeff Palermo has a preview.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there is a place you can call or text if you need someone to talk with. Michelle Southern has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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Election Day is upon us. Those who didn’t take advantage of early voting have one more chance to go to the polls Saturday to weigh in on the U.S. Senate race and five constitutional amendments. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitics-dot-com, says the Republican Senate primary could be the last stand for incumbent Bill Cassidy.

Cut 3 (12) “…weeks and days.”

There are also three people vying for the Democratic nomination, but Alford points out that unlike on the Republican side, none of them are particularly known throughout the state.

Cut 4 (08) “…the general election.”

In early voting, according to updated numbers from the Secretary of State’s office, Democrats outnumbered Republicans at the polls statewide by more than eight-thousand – and Alford says that could spell doom for the constitutional amendments.

Cut 5 (15) “…on all five.”

The legislature has said if Amendment Three does not pass, it will not grant teachers another stipend, meaning they stand to suffer a two-thousand-dollar pay cut in the next fiscal year.

Polls are open Saturday from seven a-m until eight p-m.

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The 2026 Louisiana turkey hunting season produced a record harvest, as more than four-thousand birds were harvested. LDWF Turkey Program Manager Cody Cedotal (SED-uh-tul) says 4,024 turkeys were harvested during the season that ran from April 3rd to May 3rd.

Cut 6 (07) “…be doing well.”

The 2026 harvest is more than 12-percent higher than the 2025 season. The previous turkey season harvest record was 3,695 birds in 2024. Ten years ago, hunters were harvesting less than two-thousand birds. But Cedotal says in 2018, a decision was made to push back the start of the season, and it has paid off.

Cut 7 (12) “…grown from there.”

Cedotal says many hunters again reported increased encounters with jakes, which is an indicator of good reproduction in some areas.

Cut 8 (10) “…for next spring.” 

Cedotal says it’s important that we see drier weather, as this is a time when turkey eggs hatch.

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May is Mental Health Awareness month; and if you’re feeling depressed, overwhelmed or experiencing any mental health-related distress, you can call or text 9-8-8. Sherrard Crespo with VIA LINK says Louisiana 9-8-8 is a help line and callers don’t necessarily need to be suicidal to reach out.

Cut 9 (07)  “…there for that.”

Crespo says callers to Louisiana’s 9-8-8 helpline are connected with real, trained crisis specialists who provide confidential, judgment-free support and help individuals navigate tough moments.

Cut 10 (09) “…plan of action.”

Crespo says they also always offer a follow-up call the next day. She says they average about five-thousand calls a month.

Cut 11 (12) “…of emergency intervention.”

For more information, go to louisiana988.org. There’s also a chat option on the website. Crespo says an overwhelming majority of callers report feeling better after speaking to someone at 9-8-8.

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The 2026 Saints schedule is out, and New Orleans will open the season September 13th against the Lions. WWL Radio sports talk show host Mike Detillier says that the Lions will be a tough matchup.

Cut 12 (09) “…can score touchdowns.”

The Saints first two games are on the road against Detroit and Baltimore. New Orleans hosts Las Vegas in week three for the home opener, and then it’s a big Monday night matchup against the Falcons. Detillier says it will be important for the Saints offense, with its new additions, get on the same page early.

Cut 13 (11) “…of the football.”

Detillier says the Saints also have a tough stretch of games in late November.

Cut 14 (11) “…good football team.”

Election Day is upon us. Those who didn’t take advantage of early voting have one more chance to go to the polls tomorrow to weigh in on the U.S. Senate race and five constitutional amendments. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitics-dot-com, says the Republican Senate primary could be the last stand for incumbent Bill Cassidy. 

Cut 3 (12) “…weeks and days.”

The 2026 Louisiana turkey hunting season produced a record harvest, as more than four-thousand birds were harvested. LDWF Turkey Program Manager Cody Cedotal (SED-uh-tul) says 4,024 turkeys were harvested during the season that ran from April 3rd to May 3rd.

Cut 6 (07) “…be doing well.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there is a place you can call or text if you need someone to talk with. Michelle Southern has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

LSU’s baseball team might not be defending its national title, but its softball team is certainly vying for one, and its quest begins this evening. The Tigers take on Akron at Tiger Park at 5:30 this evening in the Baton Rouge Regional. Before that, Virginia Tech takes on South Alabama.

The 2026 NFL Schedule was released yesterday. The Saints will kick off the season with a two game road trip at Detroit and then Baltimore. WWL’s Mike Detillier says the early road trip will test a young Saints offense right out the gate.

Cut 13 (11) “…football.” 

Week 3 they’ll open up the dome to the Raiders and number one pick Fernando Mendoza before hosting the Falcons Monday night week 4 in the 20 year anniversary of the “Domecoming” after Katrina and the only primetime game on the schedule. The Black and Gold will head to Paris in week 7 to face the Steelers and enjoy a bye in week 8.

The Baton Rouge Regional of the NCAA Softball Tournament begins today with fifth-seeded Virginia Tech taking on South Alabama at 3 p.m. The four-seeded Tigers will kick off their tournament run with a matchup against Akron at 5:30.

LSU baseball dropped game one against 19th-ranked Florida 11-8 last night. The Gators put up six runs in the top of the first against Tigers starter Danny Lachenmayer and never let go of the lead. Game two of the final regular season series is set for tonight at 6:30.

UL-Lafayette grabbed a big win over number-20 Coastal Carolina in a 7-2 victory behind a dominant outing from starting pitcher Cody Brasch who held the Chanticleers to just one hit in six innings. Game two is tonight at 6:00

Louisiana Tech took a 2-1 game one win over Sam Houston last night behind a two-RBI night from freshman shortstop Casey McCoy. The Dutchtown High School product tied the game with a solo shot to center in the fifth and then took the lead on a sac fly in the sixth. First pitch in game two is tonight at 6:00.

In the Southland Conference Baseball tournament, top-seeded Southeastern earned a 3-2 win over Houston Christian and will take on McNeese tonight after the Cowboys beat Nichols 11-3. The Colonels will have an elimination game against the Huskies at 1:00 this afternoon.

The Louisiana Senate approves a new congressional map that has five majority white Republican districts and just one majority Black Democratic district. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The first debate in House Governmental Affairs is expected sometime next week. The legislature must achieve final passage of the congressional map by June 1st, when the legislative session must end.

Along with the three Republicans battling for that party’s Senate nomination, there are three people vying for the Democratic nomination – Jamie Davis, Nick Albares and Gary Crockett. Statewide, more Democrats cast ballots in early voting than Republicans; LSU political science professor Larry Hogan says that doesn’t necessarily mean enthusiasm for any one of the three.

Cut 23 (08) “…four constitutional amendments.”

We’re well into spring; so if you haven’t taken proactive steps to protect your home from termites, now would be a very good time to do so. LSU AgCenter entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says one thing you can do is turn off your lights at night.

Cut 24 (07) “…and are nocturnal.”

Ashbrook also recommends that you keep wood as far away from your home as possible, because the closer to your home that you store your wood, the less distance termites have to travel in order to start feasting on your home’s framing.

The U.S. Senate primary election is tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein has a preview.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the U-S House races for this spring have officially been cancelled as a result of legislation signed by Governor Landry that moves the U-S House races to an open primary on November third. Landry says some voters will continue to see the cancelled U-S House races on Saturday’s ballot, election officials are prohibited from releasing or disclosing the results.

Heading to the Louisiana House is a proposed Congressional map with one majority Black district, and five districts that favor Republican representation.  Monroe Democrat Katrina Jackson-Andrews made the point during debate on the Senate floor that only a third of the state’s voters are registered Republican, so the map should have more diversity.

Cut 16 (12) “…of our people.”

West Monroe Republican Jay Morris says federal law allows the Legislature to use partisan advantage as a factor in redistricting.

Because Democrats will likely lose a Congressional district in Louisiana, there’s a campaign to vote against the five constitutional amendments on the ballot. Barry Erwin with Leaders for a Better Louisiana says Amendment Two, which creates the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge, is one to watch…

Cut 9 (08) “….Parish in particular”

The Louisiana Senate has approved a Congressional map that eliminates one of the two majority Black districts. Monroe Senator Jay Morris says under his proposal, the state’s congressional map will have five districts that will likely have Republican representation and one district likely represented by a Democrat.

Cut 13 (12)  “…maximize Republican advantage.”

The state senate approved the map on a 27-10 party line vote. New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis says the map undoes all the progress that Blacks have made since the civil rights movement.

Cut 14 (11) “…of the world.”

Louisiana House members will begin debating the Senate approved Congressional map next week.

Tomorrow is election day and polls indicate a tight race for the two runoff spots in the Senate Republican Primary. Incumbent Bill Cassidy is seeking a third term, but he’s facing two well financed challengers with name recognition, Julia Letlow and John Fleming. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says even if Cassidy makes it to the run-off, there’s no guarantee he’ll will win…

Cut 5 (09) “…other two candidates”

Five constitutional amendments are on tomorrow’s ballot. Constitutional Amendment One would allow the legislature to remove state government jobs from the civil service system and its protections without getting approval from the Civil Service Commission. Steven Procopio with the Public Affairs Research Council…

Cut 8 (07) “…private business approach.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is reminding voters that tomorrow is still an Election Day even though the US House races have been moved to the November 3rd open primary. She says any votes cast in that race are void and candidates will still need to qualify in August.

The Louisiana Senate approves a new congressional map that has one majority Black Democratic district. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (38) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are five constitutional amendments on the ballot Saturday and one of them would create the St. George Community School System. Barry Erwin with Leaders for a Better Louisiana says this one of the main reasons the city of St. George formed in Baton Rouge…:
CUT 9 (08) “Parish in particular”
The race for US Senate is also on tomorrow’s ballot.

There was such a huge swarm of termites that passed through southeast Louisiana this week that they showed up on weather radar. LSU AgCenter entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says that’s not uncommon here this time of year…:
Cut 10 (10) “lot of wood”
He says it’s a good idea to take preventative measures around your house like keeping the lights off at night and not keep wood near your house.

The Republican candidates in the US Senate Race on our Saturday ballot include incumbent Bill Cassidy, Julia Letlow and John Fleming. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says there has been so much publicity surrounding Letlow and Fleming, it could mean Cassidy’s 12 year run in Washington comes to an end..:
CUT 4 (10) “indicate he’s third”
There are three candidates vying for the U.S. Senate Democratic nomination.

Voters will see five constitutional amendments on the ballot tomorrow. Amendment Three has received the most attention. Barry Erwin with Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the amendment would abolish three large education trust funds and use the revenues of the funds to pay down teacher retirement debt…:
Cut 7 (10) “lot of implications”
Polls will be open Saturday from 7am-8pm.

The Louisiana Senate Thursday passed a congressional map with five Republican leaning districts and one Democratic leaning district. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

It’s that time of year to start thinking about protecting your home from termites. Andrew Greenstein reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The 2026 Saints schedule is out and includes only one primetime game which will be a Monday night football matchup against the Falcons to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Black and Gold’s return to the Dome following Hurricane Katrina.

The Election date for the 2026 US House races has been confirmed under a bill signed by Governor Jeff Landry. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says we will all have something on our May 16th ballot, but the election for the House will be held on the November 3rd open primary, and any votes already cast in the cancelled House race are void and will not be counted.

One of the items on our ballot Saturday is for US Senate. Andrew Greenstein has a preview…:
CUT 1 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The Louisiana Senate has approved a congressional redistricting bill that eliminates one of the two minority districts. Monroe Senator Jay Morris says the supreme court allows lawmakers to draw a map based on party politics…:
Cut 15 (11) “based on race”
But opponents say only a third of the state is registered Republican. The measure advanced on a 27-10 vote and will now be considered in the House.

Termites swarming at your house? It’s that time of year. Although the swarms do not mean homes are infested, LSU AgCenter entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says its always a good idea to take preventative measures..:
Cut 11 (09) “in ground bait stations”
This week southeast Louisiana saw such a huge termite swarm come through it showed up on weather radar.

The U.S. Senate primary election is tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein has a preview.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Now that we’re in the middle of the spring, now is the time to take steps to protect your home from termites, if you haven’t already done so. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Senate approves a new congressional map that has five majority white Republican districts and just one majority Black Democratic district. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A U.S. Senate campaign that started in December of 2024 when John Fleming announced a primary challenge against Bill Cassidy reaches its first critical checkpoint tomorrow with the primary election. Several other hopefuls also threw their names in the ring; but when Julia Letlow entered the race after getting President Trump’s endorsement, that cleared the field except for the incumbent Cassidy and the original challenger Fleming. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says tomorrow could be Cassidy’s last stand.

Cut 4 (10) “…indicate he’s third.”

If he does indeed finish third, his 12-year run in Washington will come to an end. Polling indicates a runoff is a near certainty; and Hogan says the mountain will be higher to climb for Cassidy in that next phase.

Cut 5 (09) “…other two candidates.”

There are three people vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate – Jamie Davis, Nick Albares and Gary Crockett. There has been no polling data to indicate where the race stands currently. Statewide, more Democrats cast ballots in early voting than Republicans; Hogan says that doesn’t necessarily mean enthusiasm for any one of the three.

Cut 6 (08) “…four constitutional amendments.”

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Voters will see five constitutional amendments on the ballot tomorrow. Amendment Three has received the most attention. Barry Erwin with Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the amendment would abolish three large education trust funds and use the revenues of the funds to pay down teacher retirement debt.

Cut 7 (10) “…lot of implications.”

Constitutional Amendment One would allow the legislature to remove state government jobs from the civil service system and its protections without getting approval from the Civil Service Commission. Steven Procopio with the Public Affairs Council says supporters say the current civil service system is too rigid, with too many rules that make it difficult to find ways to improve government operations and efficiency.

Cut 8 (07) “…private business approach.”

Amendment Two asks voters if they want to create the St. George Community School System. Erwin says the reason why the city of St. George formed in Baton Rouge was so that residents in that city can have its own school system.

Cut 9 (08)  “…Parish in particular.”

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We’re well into spring; so if you haven’t taken proactive steps to protect your home from termites, now would be a very good time to do so. LSU AgCenter entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says Louisiana’s climate makes termite infestations more likely.

Cut 10 (10) “…lot of wood.”

Ashbrook says your first line of defense is to take preventative measures.

Cut 11 (09) “…in-ground bait stations.”

In addition to those preventative measures, Ashbrook says there are certain precautions you can take to reduce the risk of termites damaging your home, including turning off your lights.

Cut 12 (07) “…and are nocturnal.”

Ashbrook also recommends that you keep wood as far away from your home as possible, because the closer to your home that you store your wood, the less distance termites have to travel in order to start feasting on your home’s framing.

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The Louisiana Senate has approved a Congressional map that eliminates one of the two majority Black districts. Monroe Senator Jay Morris says under his proposal, the state’s congressional map will have five districts that will likely have Republican representation and one district likely represented by a Democrat.

Cut 13 (12)  “…maximize Republican advantage.”

The state senate approved the map on a 27-10 party line vote. New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis says the map undoes all the progress that Blacks have made since the civil rights movement.

Cut 14 (11) “…of the world.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled Louisiana’s current congressional map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, because race was the primary factor in the drawing of the sixth district, represented by Democrat Cleo Fields.

Morris says the nation’s highest court says it’s okay to draw a map based on party politics and a 5-1 map is reflects Louisiana’s conservative values.

Cut 15 (11) “…based on race.”

But Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews says only a third of the state’s voters are registered Republican, so the map should have more diversity.

Cut 16 (12) “…of our people.”

The new congressional map heads to the House, and the first debate in House Governmental Affairs is expected sometime next week.