Voters will likely have the opportunity in April to decide whether the mandatory retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. The measure needed a two-thirds vote to pass, and it got exactly that as it passed the Senate 26-13. Shreveport Republican Alan Seabaugh questioned why put this measure on the ballot again, when voters recently rejected a similar amendment.

Cut 7 (12) “…you are correct.”

The Senate approves a bill to boost the online betting tax from 15-percent to 21 and a half percent. Columbia Republican Representative Neil Riser says one-quarter of the revenue generated will be divided evenly among all NCAA Division One athletic programs in the state.

Cut 10 (07) “…year from this.”

The first-ever Mississippi Gulf Coast Buc-ee’s is open off I-10 at the Menge (MEN-jee) Avenue exit in Pass Christian.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A new report by the Legislative Auditor’s Office finds that the Department of Children and Families is understaffed. The report says child welfare offices were short at least 129 workers in the 2024 fiscal year and reported almost 150-million dollars in personal expenditures.

Online sports gambling companies will soon be paying more tax to the state on all wagers originating from Louisiana. The Senate has approved House Bill 639 by Columbia Republican Neil Riser, who says the amount of the tax that the legislature zeroed in on was a little lower than what he had originally proposed.

Cut 9 (11)  “…we agreed to.”

Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened today at 6 AM. Located off I-10 at the Menge Avenue exit in Pass Christian, the massive 74,000-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets.  To get to Buc-ee’s from downtown New Orleans, drivers can take I-10 east through Slidell and across the Mississippi border, exiting at Menge Avenue. Harrison County Economic Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says a newly expanded five-lane bridge is expected to reduce traffic congestion around the site.

Cut 4 (12) “…just the beginning.”

Louisiana voters might have the opportunity to decide in April whether the retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Voters will likely have the opportunity in April to decide whether the mandatory retirement age of judges should be raised to 75 years old, after the Louisiana Senate approved the proposed constitutional amendment. Norco Senator Gregory Miller says 70 is too young to force a judge into retirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…of Louisiana.”

Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened this morning. Located off I-10 in Pass Christian, the massive 74-thousand-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets. Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says this new location will draw visitors from nearby states, especially Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…New Orleans and Mobile.”

AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto Senate Bill 134, which would cap malpractice damages against nursing homes at 500-thousand dollars. The organization says it would effectively eliminate people’s ability to hold nursing homes accountable for malpractice. Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl (“mull”) says nursing homes in Louisiana rank among the nation’s worst. 

Cut 10 (12) “…them even worse.”

The bill’s author, Shreveport Republican Senator Thomas Pressly, says his bill clarifies the Medical Malpractice Act, which was always intended to include nursing homes.

Cut 12 (14) “…or on site.”

The LSU baseball team is headed to the College World Series for a 20th time. The Tigers swept the Super Regional series against West Virginia, winning last night 12 to 5 over the Mountaineers for their 48th win on the season. Coach Jay Johnson says the players put in the work to punch their ticket to Omaha…

Cut 14 (09) “…with them.”

A bill to largely ban speed cameras across the state – well, most of it, at least – is on Governor Landry’s desk. This is not the first effort of its kind. This version allows speed cameras to operate in school zones. Monroe Republican Senator Stewart Cathey says that’s a reasonable compromise.

Cut 8 (12) “…school zone’s operational.”

The House, however, added an amendment to exempt the City of Opelousas from the ban.

Louisiana ranks 49th in the country for overall child well-being according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book. Jeanne Burns on why Louisiana ranks so low.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Congressman Clay Higgins is making another push to subject members of Congress to random drug testing. The Southwest Louisiana Republican has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, which would require members of Congress to take a random drug test once per term. Higgins made a similar effort back in 2018.

AARP Louisiana says Senate Bill 134 would effectively eliminate the ability to hold nursing homes accountable for malpractice with a cap on malpractice damage and they’re urging Governor Landry to veto it.  Bill author, Senator Thomas Pressly, says his bill clarifies the Medical Malpractice Act, which was always intended to include nursing homes. AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl (“mull”)….

Cut 11 (11) “…is held to.”

Lawmakers passed a bill to mostly outlaw speed cameras with exceptions for school zones and one town that says their police department doesn’t have the resources to run radar. The House amended Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill to exempt Opelousas. Cathey says it’s a slippery slope.

Cut 9 (12)  “…across our state.”

The LSU Baseball is heading to Omaha. It’s the Tigers 20^th trip to the College World Series. They punched their ticket by sweeping West Virginia in the Super Regional with last night’s 12 to 5 win. Shortstop Stevan Milam was the offensive star of the series with a grand slam in game one and four more runs on Sunday night. Milam struggled with the bat in SEC play, but he’s been a Monster at the plate in the NCAA Tournament….

Cut 16 (09) “…to LSU.”

Louisiana ranks 49^th in the country for overall child well-being according to the Kids Count Data Book Director of Data and Research at Agenda for Children, Tereasa Falgoust says s 30 percent of Louisiana children and teen deaths were due to homicide, double the national rate…

Cut 5 (14) “…the solution.”

According to the Kids Count Data Book, Louisiana ranks 49^th in the country for overall child well-being. Director of Data and Research at Agenda for Children, Tereasa Falgoust, says the state dropped a spot in the rankings despite gains in education. She says Louisiana ranks 35^th in education as reading scores improved thanks to high-dosage tutoring…

Cut 6 (09) “…transformative.”

For the 20^th time, the LSU baseball team is headed to the College World Series. The Tigers swept West Virginia in the Super Regional winning last night 12 to 5. LSU first baseman Jared Jones is one of two players who was on the 2023 national championship team. Jones understands what it will take to bring home an eighth national championship for the program…

Cut 17 (10)  “…get ready for Game 1.”

Game one will be Saturday against Arkansas, who swept its Super Regional series versus Tennessee.

AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto a bill that would cap malpractice liability for nursing homes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A bill awaiting Governor Landry’s signature will essentially ban speed cameras in Louisiana. There have been past efforts but this version allows the cameras in school zones. Bill author Senator Stewart Cathey…

Cut 8 (12) “…school zone’s operational.”

One other exception was added by the House for the town of Opelousas.

Speed cameras are the governor’s signature away from being outlawed in the state — well, most of it, at least. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto Senate Bill 134, which would cap malpractice damages against nursing homes at 500-thousand dollars. The organization says the bill would have essentially gotten Bob Dean off the hook for his role in the situation where eight of his nursing home residents died when they were moved to a warehouse during Hurricane Ida. The bill’s author, Shreveport Republican Senator Thomas Pressly says Dean’s liability would not have been capped under his bill.

Cut 13 (10)  “…Medical Malpractice Act.”

Louisiana ranks 49^th in the country for overall child well-being according to the Kids Count Data Book that’s put together by the Annie E Casey Foundation. Director of Data and Research at Agenda for Children, Tereasa Falgoust, says one of the main reasons for the poor ranking is that 20-percent of Louisiana children live in a high-poverty neighborhood ranking, compared to just eight percent nationwide…

Cut 4 (11) “…health care.”

It’s back to Omaha for the 20^th time for the LSU baseball team The Tigers swept the Super Regional series versus West Virginia, winning last night 12 to 5 to punch their ticket to the College World Series. Coach Jay Johnson says this team was built around 12 returning players from last year’s team, plus an outstanding freshman class and key pick-ups out the transfer portal. He says it all came together to form a championship worthy team…

Cut 15 (13) “…tonight.”

Game one will be Saturday against Arkansas, who swept its Super Regional series versus Tennessee.

A bill to largely ban speed cameras across the state – well, most of the state – is on Governor Landry’s desk. Monroe Republican Senator Stewart Cathey says he’s happy that he got his bill across the finish line.

Cut 7 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

Cathey’s bill was thrown a curveball as the House passed – by one vote – an amendment that exempts Opelousas from this ban.

AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto Senate Bill 134, which would cap malpractice damages against nursing homes at 500-thousand dollars. The organization says it would effectively eliminate people’s ability to hold nursing homes accountable for malpractice. Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl (“mull”) says nursing homes in Louisiana rank among the nation’s worst.

Cut 10 (12) “…them even worse.”

Louisiana ranks 49^th in the country for overall child well-being according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book. Jeanne Burns on why Louisiana ranks so low.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

The LSU baseball team is headed to the College World Series for a 20th time. The Tigers swept the Super Regional series versus West Virginia, winning last night 12 to 5 over the Mountaineers for their 48th win on the season. Coach Jay Johnson says the players put in the work to punch their ticket to Omaha…

Cut 14 (09) “…with them.”

Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee met with President Trump this week to find common ground on his “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Among them was Bill Cassidy, who says the two-hour meeting was very productive. Cassidy says the bill will need some changes to pass the Senate.

Cut 3 (17) “…people do better.”

LSU hosts West Virginia in the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament beginning today. The Mountaineers have gone to back-to-back Super Regionals and were undefeated in Clemson last weekend. Tigers coach Jay Johnson says the Mountaineers will be ready…

Cut 12 (13) “…right now.” 

The series kicks off this afternoon at one.

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With warmer temperatures here, now is the time to take steps to protect yourself from West Nile Virus. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is happening today in Ruston. Tori Davis with Experience Ruston says the event has grown into a music and arts festival. Admission is Free.

Cut 9 (15)  “…huge arts market.”

The heat will be on today at Alex Box Stadium in more ways than one as the high temperature in Baton Rouge is predicted to be 95-degrees. It’s already been a crazy NCAA Tournament with a lot of upsets and LSU goes into this Super Regional Series as a big favorite in today’s 1 pm game. But second baseman Daniel Dickinson knows West Virginia will be a tough team to beat…

Cut 18 (09)  “…their season.”

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is happening in Ruston today with music, food, and fun for all ages.  Tori Davis with Experience Ruston says peaches are a huge crop in northwest Louisiana – so much so that Ruston is known as the peach capital of Louisiana.

Cut 11 (14) “…you’ll ever eat.”

So if you’re in the area, be sure to check it out. Admission is free.

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Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee met with President Trump this week to find common ground on his “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Among them was Bill Cassidy, who says the two-hour meeting was very productive. Cassidy says the president laid out his main objectives that he wants to achieve with his “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

Cut 4 (17) “…the American people.”

Mosquito season is upon us, so now is the time to take steps to protect yourself from West Nile Virus. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says when you go outside, apply EPA-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET and…

Cut 7 (12) “…windows and doors.”