The special session is over and two major pieces of legislation came out of it. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift from open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Landry advocated hard for party primary elections…
Cut 13 (11) “…change that.”
Elections for the Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will also move to party primaries in 2026. Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in those primary elections.

Under the new Congressional map, Congressman Garret Graves’ sixth district turns into a majority-minority district, increasing the chances greatly that an African-American could be elected to that district.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley will continue in his role after BESE unanimously voted for his reappointment.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Last summer’s 2024 historic drought is expected to lead to a smaller crawfish harvest this year. LSU Ag Center crawfish expert Mark Shirley says the current water level in the Atchafalaya Basin is extremely low at one to two feet….
cut 5 (06) “…the winter”

Governor Landry wanted to change Louisiana elections from jungle primaries to a closed-party primary system and the legislature passed a bill, but it wasn’t everything Landry proposed. Colleen Crain has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The next special session which will convene next month will focus on addressing crime in the Bayou State. What’s happening in New Orleans is a focus for the new governor. NOLA-dot-com reports State Police will deploy 40 troopers to New Orleans in March to help city police fight crime.

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has reappointed Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley
Cut 7 (11) “…to go.”
Louisiana’s K-through-12 education earned its highest place ever in the U-S News and World Report, moving from 46th to 41 from 2019 to 2022.

We’ve already heard the 2024 crawfish season could be one of the worst ever in terms of supply and prices due to last summer’s historic drought. And LSU Ag Center Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley warns the outlook for next year isn’t promising either.
Cut 4 (06) “…next year.”
He says the fields that don’t have crawfish this year will have to be restocked and with limited availability, it creates issues for the 2025 crop.

Governor Jeff Landry calls the results of the special session an exciting day for Louisiana. Jeanne Burns has more…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio is concerned moving some of Louisiana’s elections to party primaries will create confusion among voters and some might not like it…
cut 12 (09) “…thinking”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has reappointed state superintendent of education Doctor Cade Brumley. Brumley has been Louisiana’s education chief since 2020 and there are signs the state’s public education system is improving. Brumley says the Nation’s Report Card has moved Louisiana’s overall ranking from 46th to 42nd and fourth graders are number one in the nation for reading growth…
cut 8 (06) “…to go”

The historic drought this past summer could result in fewer crawfish this year and next year. LSU Ag Center crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says water levels are low in the Atchafalaya Basin and that will affect the wild crawfish catch…
cut 6 (10) “….the Basin”
A wet week is coming up as four to six inches of the rain could fall across the state through Thursday.

State lawmakers will not be in Baton Rouge this week to complete their redistricting work. That’s because they completed the special session on Friday by passing a new Congressional map that has a second majority-minority district. Governor Jeff Landry is pleased with what lawmakers accomplished…
cut 15 (08) “…Congressional maps”
The map heading to the governor’s desk makes the sixth Congressional Distirct, the one currently occupied by Republican Garret Graves, a majority-minority district.

Lawmakers also passed a bill that moves federal elections, along with elections for Louisiana Supreme Court, PSC and BESE to party primaries starting in 2026. State elections will continue to use the open primary system. PAR President Steven Procopio opposed the move to party primaries…
cut 10 (08) “…Public Service”

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley will continue in his role after BESE unanimously voted for his reappointment. Brooke Thorington has more.
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be laid to rest today in Sulfur. The 77-year-old collapsed shortly after a performance in Llano, Texas last Saturday. Sonnier was diagnosed with autism as a child and executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard says as a way to cope, his physician told him to learn to play an instrument, which led Sonnier to the accordion…

Cut 7 (05) “…that happened.” 
Instead of flowers, donations can be made to AutismSpeaks-dot-org.
Tragic news from the Louisiana Department of Health as officials confirm two winter weather-related deaths. Coroners confirmed a 36-year-old man died in Rapides Parish and a 73 year old woman in Sabine parish died of hypothermia. These are the first deaths related to the severe winter weather conditions that began last Sunday.

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Louisiana lawmakers have wrapped up the special session producing two major pieces of legislation. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Governor Landry says the outcome of the special session is a win for the people of Louisiana…

Cut 14 (08) “…great state” 
The governor had asked lawmakers to pass a bill that would only allow registered voters of a party to vote in their party primary. But Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in the primaries. He also wanted closed party primaries for federal and state elections. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the author of the legislation…

Cut 5 (08) “…different voices here.” 

10:30 am

The special session is over and two major pieces of legislation came out of it. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Landry advocated hard for party primary elections…

Cut 13 (11) “…change that.”
Elections for the Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will also move party primaries in 2026.

Corey Raymond is back in Purple and Gold. The longtime secondary coach is back with the Tigers and he’ll coach the cornerbacks. Raymond’s contract is reportedly for two years, with a school option for a third year. The other two new additions are from Missouri…edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples and safeties coach Jake Olsen.

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Governor Jeff Landry says a new that deal has been struck to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Federal and state dollars, along with tolls will pay for the bridge. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association opposed the financing plan proposed last year by the Edwards administration and they do not like Landry’s plan, even though it reduces the toll for trucks to cross the bridge from $12.50 to $8.25. Director of the L-M-T-A Renee Amar…

Cut 11 (11) “…Louisiana truckers.”
Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be laid to rest this afternoon in Sulphur. The 77-year-old collapsed shortly after a performance in Llano, Texas last Saturday. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard says Sonnier died doing what he loved…

Cut 6 (09) “…go out.” 

Two 10-year-old boys are safe at home this morning after going missing in a heavily wooded area south of St. Francisville last night. West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s officials say the boys were reported missing around sunset. Fresh tracks were discovered by K-9 teams and deputies around 11 last night and after being checked out by E-M-s, the boys were reunited with their parents.

A closed party primary bill is heading to Jeff Landry’s desk, but it’s not as expansive as the governor wanted. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Legislature has sent a Congressional map to the governor’s desk that now includes two majority Black districts. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick had given the legislature a January 30th deadline to rewrite the map because the old one violated the Voting Rights Act. St. Bernard Parish Representative Michael Bayham voted against the map because of the rushed process.

Cut  14 (08) “…a mess”

Governor Jeff Landry says a new deal has been struck to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Landry says this plan reduces the overall cost of the bridge by 25 percent. He says federal and state dollars will pay for the bridge, plus  there will be tolls, but they won’t be as high as the ones proposed by the Edwards Administration

Cut 9 (10) “…26 percent” 

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a Congressional map to the governor’s desk that has two majority Black districts. This could result in a second Louisiana Democrat being elected to the U-S House. State Representative Beau Beuallieu says the proposed Congressional boundaries also protect four Republican members…

Cut 13 (15) “…Louisiana” 
Meanwhile, state lawmakers have approved a bill that would result in a move to party primary elections for Congress, BESE, PSC and Louisiana Supreme Court starting in 2026. It’s not everything Governor Jeff Landry wanted. Democratic New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis says voters did not ask for this change…

Cut 3 (07) “…are going to be frustrated.”

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Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to finance a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge calls for tolls but at a lower cost than what the Edwards Administration proposed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 
The Louisiana Department of Health confirms two winter weather-related deaths in Sabine and Rapides parishes. Coroners confirmed a 36 year old man and a 73 year old woman both died of hypothermia in separate instances. These are the first deaths related to the severe winter weather conditions that began last Sunday.

Governor Jeff Landry says a new deal has been struck to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Landry says this plan reduces the overall cost of the bridge by 25 percent. He says federal and state dollars will pay for the bridge, plus tolls, but not as high as proposed by the Edwards Administration

Cut 9 (10) “…26 percent” 

But the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, who opposed Edward’s financing plan and they aren’t happy with Landry’s plan either. Director of the L-M-T-A Renee Amar says no other stretch of I-10 from California to Florida is tolled and believes federal and state tax dollars should pay for construction…

Cut 12 (08)  “…money eventually”  

It’s estimated it will cost two billion dollars to replace the Calcasieu River Bridge built in 1952.

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a Congressional map to the governor’s desk that has two majority Black districts. This could result in a second Louisiana Democrat being elected to the U-S House. State Representative Beau Beuallieu says the proposed Congressional boundaries also protect four Republican members…

Cut 13 (15) “…Louisiana” 

Funeral services for Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be held Saturday afternoon in Sulphur.  Sonnier was honored with numerous accolades, and he was inducted into seven Music Halls of Fame. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard…

Cut 8 (09) “…his heart.” 

Sonnier was 77.

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a Congressional map to the governor’s desk that has two majority Black districts. This could result in a second Louisiana Democrat being elected to the U-S House. State Representative Beau Beuallieu says if the Legislature did not redraw the map, Judge Shelly Dick would and that could be messy too…

Cut 15 (11) “…her decision”

The state Legislature approved a bill that would change elections for Congress, BESE, PSC and Louisiana Supreme Court to party primaries in 2026. Statewide, legislative, and local elections would continue to use the jungle primary system. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez carried the bill for the governor on the Senate floor…

Cut 4 (05) “better.”

The special session ended Friday afternoon.

Governor Jeff Landry says a new deal has been struck to build a new Calcasieu River Bridge. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association opposed the financing plan proposed last year by the Edwards administration and they do not like Landry’s plan, even though it reduces the toll for trucks from $12.50 to $8.25. L-M-T-A Director Renee Amar…

Cut 11 (11) “…Louisiana truckers.”

Funeral services for Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be held Saturday in Sulphur. The singer and accordion player collapsed shortly after a performance in Texas last Saturday. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard says Sonnier died doing what he loved…

Cut 6 (09) “…go out.” 

He was 77.