Governor Jeff Landry hits on crime, education and inspection stickers in his rundown of legislative priorities for the 2026 legislative session. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A huge cockfighting bust in St. Landry Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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One of the best running backs in Louisiana high school football history is returning to his home state to play for the Saints. Andre Champagne has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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Governor Jeff Landry laid out his legislative priorities for the 2026 session that got underway on Monday. Landry, who pushed tough-on-crime legislation in his first year in office, would now like lawmakers to approve a measure that allows the governor to recommend the removal of judges.
Cut 4 (16) “…they are incompetent!”
Landry used the murder of Jacob Carter as evidence that the legislature needs to pass this proposed constitutional amendment. The out-of-state tourist was killed during a robbery in the French Quarter in 2024. The teenager wore an electronic ankle monitor after he was arrested with guns and drugs, but the battery was dead when he shot Carter in the back.
Landry is also pushing for the approval of House Bill 838, which would eliminate the need for Louisiana residents to get an inspection sticker for non-commercial vehicles.
Cut 5 (14) “…only six dollars.”
The governor says the QR code can provide instant information to law enforcement about ownership, year, make, model, and, eventually, insurance coverage.
And despite Senate President Cameron Henry’s opposition to increasing funding for the state’s education voucher program known as LA GATOR, Landry called on legislators to strengthen it. Henry has expressed concern about the program becoming unaffordable, but Landry does not see it that way.
Cut 6 (08) “…controlling the cost.”
Landry’s budget proposal calls for the state funding for LA GATOR to double from 44-million dollars to 88-million dollars.
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The group Louisiana Progress is working with lawmakers on what it calls its “affordability agenda.” Executive Director Peter Robins-Brown says the costs of essentials are spiraling out of control, and it didn’t happen overnight.
Cut 7 (11) “…five, six years.”
Robins-Brown says Progress Louisiana is backing 16 bills addressing a wide range of issues that are costing Louisianans a disproportionate amount of their hard-earned money.
Cut 8 (10) “…health care costs.”
Robins-Brown says these bills are being sponsored by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, which speaks to the fact that affordability affects everyone from all walks of life.
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A major cockfighting bust in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the raid happened over the weekend near Opelousas. (70 roosters seized; more than 60 people arrested.)
Cut 10 (08) “…that were participating.”
Sheriff Guidroz says the property owner, 36-year-old John Lachapelle, was the principal organizer. He’s facing felony charges, including cockfighting, possession of schedule two drugs and illegal carrying of weapons. Guidroz says it took a large team of deputies to carry out the raid.
Cut 11 (08) “…whole lot different.”
Despite St. Landry Parish being billed as the Cockfighting Capital of Louisiana, cockfighting remains illegal throughout the state and the country. Guidroz says as long as that’s the case, and he does not foresee that changing anytime soon, he will vigorously enforce the law.
Cut 12 (11) “…to tolerate it.”
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The Saints were active on the first day of the NFL free agency period. Their two biggest additions were running back Travis Etienne and veteran offensive guard David Edwards. Matt Paras of The Advocate says both players are strong pieces to build around quarterback Tyler Shough and should help address the issues with the run game from last season.
Cut 13 (11) “…Saints this offseason.”
After playing eight seasons with the Saints, veteran linebacker Demario Davis is leaving New Orleans. Davis signed a reported two-year, $22 million deal with the New York Jets on Monday. Paras says Davis, who led the team in tackles this season, will be hard to replace.
The Saints also signed former Tulane and Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright to a reported four-year deal worth $14 million. Paras says the move to make Wright the fourth-highest-paid punter in the NFL is justified.
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The LSU baseball team looks to get out of its offensive slump tonight as the Tigers host Creighton in their last game before SEC play. LSU had a total of nine hits in losses to Sacramento State on Saturday and Sunday. Coach Jay Johnson wants his hitters to string together quality at-bats.
Cut 16 (10) “…couldn’t sustain anything.”
The Tigers are hitting .291 this season, which ranks 14th in the SEC. Johnson says his team needs to start taking more pitches to get into deeper counts.
Cut 17 (12) “…you need baserunners.”
First pitch this evening is at 6:30.
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The UL-Lafayette baseball team is coming off a series win against Dallas Baptist. The Cajuns will play five games at home this weekend, starting with Texas Rio Grande Valley tonight. Head Coach Matt Deggs says his team has to do four things well in order to continue being successful this season.
Cut 18 (18) “…three-run game.”
UL-Lafayette currently holds the number-12 RPI but remains unranked after opening the season 12-and-4. Deggs doesn’t want his team looking too far ahead and believes the Cajuns must focus on controlling what they can and continuing to improve each day as a team.
First pitch this evening is at six.