Through the first quarter of 2026, small businesses in Louisiana and across the country have been having a hard time filling job openings. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says it’s not because of a lack of candidates, but instead it’s because of a lack of QUALIFIED candidates.

Cut 6 (06) “…transportation industry, manufacturing.”

A new LendingTree study shows that Louisiana has the third lowest rate of small business failures within the first year. Chief Consumer Financial Analyst Matt Schulz says this is despite the fact that entrepreneurs in Louisiana face significant challenges.

Cut 12 (10) “…take advantage of.”

Schulz says relatively few people have the means to secure funding to start a business; but with that relatively low number comes lack of competition, which means a better chance of survival in that first year.

Legislation to attract the aerospace industry to Louisiana has been approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. Governor Landry’s chief of staff, Julie Emerson, testified in favor of the bill.

Cut 5 (10) “…here in Louisiana.”

While it was not mentioned during the committee discussion, this legislation is likely designed to attract Elon Musk’s Space X and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.

LSU baseball suffers a huge upset, losing to Bethune-Cookman at Alex Box Stadium, 10-to-7. The loss by the Tigers could potentially be devastating, since it could make it tougher for the defending national champions to host a Regional in June. Center fielder Derek Curiel says they’ll likely have to win two more SEC games to make up for last night’s loss.

Cut 10 (09) “…on postseason”

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved sales and property tax breaks intended to grow the aerospace industry in Louisiana. This legislation is likely designed to attract  Space X and Blue Origin rocket companies to Louisiana. The bill’s author is Ways and Means Chairman Tony Bacala

Cut 6 (13) “…away from it.”

State officials say the legislation mirrors what is already in place in Florida and Texas.

LSU was upset by Bethune-Cookman on the baseball diamond last night as the Wildcats scored five runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Tigers ten to seven. In that seventh inning, LSU pitchers walked two hitters, hit two others and there was a critical error leading to two runs. Tigers center fielder Derek Curiel…

Cut 9 (06) “…cost us”

LSU is at Ole Miss this weekend.

A new LendingTree study shows that Louisiana has the third lowest rate of small business failures within the first year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Oil prices are falling back to 90-dollars a barrel following a ceasefire with Iran. Will gas prices follow? According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.80, which is 73 cents higher than a month ago. A gallon of diesel on average costs 5.33, four-cents away from an all-time record.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation designed to make Louisiana more attractive to companies which are building and launching rockets…

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The wife of a Fort Polk solider has been released from a federal immigration detention facility. Twenty-two-year-old Annie Ramos is Honduran-born, but has lived in the U-S since she was a toddler. Ramos tells the Associated Press she’s been trying to gain legal status.

The Artemis Two is returning back to Earth after a historic loop around the moon. The space craft traveled 252-thousand miles away from Earth. Eric Burns, a professor of physics and astronomy at LSU, says this mission is a way for America to get reacquainted with the moon and more trips are planned…

Cut 8 (12) “…go to Mars”

The goal is to manned spacecraft land on the moon in 2028.

The Secretary of State’s Office reports there are 455-thousand registered voters on the inactive voter list. Secretary Nancy Landry says a registered voter gets put on the inactive list if he or she has not cast a ballot in the last ten years and did not respond to an address confirmation card…

Cut 14 (06) “….have passed away”

Inactive voters can vote in the upcoming primaries, but they will need to confirm their address.

Legislation to attract the aerospace industry to Louisiana has been approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says other states are currently providing better tax incentives to lure aerospace companies.

Cut 4 (13) “…in this space.”

The measure would give sales tax rebates to aerospace businesses that create 200 permanent jobs and make a one-billion-dollar investment.

There are 455-thousand people on the state’s inactive voter list, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says they are still able to vote in the upcoming primaries.

Cut 13 (07)  “…the active list.”

Landry says a registered voter gets put on the inactive list if he or she has not cast a ballot in the last ten years and did not respond to an address confirmation card sent by the Secretary of State’s Office.

The Artemis Two crew has circled the moon and is headed back to Earth. The four astronauts aboard have traveled farther from Earth than anyone else ever has. Eric Burns, a professor of physics and astronomy at LSU, says we are learning what a trip like this does to the human body.

Cut 7 (09) “…astronauts’ own cells.”

In two years, NASA hopes to have astronauts back on the moon.

A new study from Lending Tree finds that the failure percentage for small businesses in Louisiana is about 20-percent in the first year, which is actually third lowest rate in the country. But Chief Consumer Financial Analyst Matt Schulz says the five-year failure rate paints a different picture…

Cut 11 (12) “…for Louisiana businesses”

The information industry — which involves producing and distributing information and cultural products and processing data — has the highest failure rate for new businesses.

Bills designed to attract aerospace companies to Louisiana are heading to the House floor. The legislation would provide property and sales tax breaks to companies like Space X and Blue Origin, who make and launch rockets. The governor’s chief of staff, Julie Emerson, testified in favor of the bill…

Cut 5 (10) “….here in Louisiana”

One of the bills calls on aerospace companies to commit to invest one-billion dollars by July 2031 and create 200 new jobs to receive annual rebate of state and local sales taxes.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says they’ve seen a big increase this year in the number of registered voters who have been put on their inactive voting list. Landry says you get on this list by not voting for 10 years and not responding to an address confirmation card sent in the mail…

Cut 15 (08) “….voter rolls clean”

There are 455-thousand people listed as inactive voters, but they can still vote in the upcoming primaries. They will have to show proof of where they live when they show up to the voting booth.

Artemis II is making its return to Earth after a successful trip around the moon.  The Orion spacecraft, which was assembled at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, has shown it can safely carry a human crew into deep space. LSU astronomy professor Eric Burns says the biggest issue has been the plumbing…

Cut 9 (08) “…routinely and safely”

Splashdown is scheduled for Friday night, just off the coast of San Diego.

A new report from Lending Tree finds that that just under 20-percent of Louisiana businesses fail within year one, but that’s the third-lowest percentage in the nation. Chief Consumer Financial Analyst Matt Schulz says the failure rate in Louisiana jumps to 47-percent after five years….

Cut 12 (10) “….take advantage of”

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved sales and property tax breaks intended to grow the aerospace industry in Louisiana. This legislation is likely designed to attract Elon Musk’s Space X and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket companies to Louisiana. The bill’s author is Ways and Means Chairman Tony Bacala

Cut 6 (13) “…away from it.”

State officials say the legislation mirrors what is already in place in Florida and Texas, where both SpaceX and Blue Origin have a presence.

When it comes to the initial resiliency of small businesses, Louisiana actually does quite well. That’s the finding of a new study by LendingTree. Chief Consumer Financial Analyst Matt Schulz:

Cut 10 (11) “…about 20-percent.”

Schulz says Lending Tree’s top tips for a small business to survive include targeting a specific audience and being extremely intentional about spending.

The crew of Artemis Two is en route back to Earth, with splashdown happening Friday evening. Andre Champagne reports on what we will learn from this mission.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A mayor and a police chief in Evangeline Parish are among five public officials accused of sharing protected information with a defendant in an ongoing criminal case. Ville Platte Mayor Ryan Williams and Mamou Police Chief Pat Hall are facing malfeasance charges.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation designed to make Louisiana more attractive to companies which are building and launching rockets. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The crew of the Artemis Two is en route back to Earth, with splashdown happening Friday evening. Andre Champagne reports we will learn a lot through this mission.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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A new LendingTree study shows that Louisiana has the third lowest rate of small business failures within the first year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Legislation to attract the aerospace industry to Louisiana has been approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says other states are currently providing better tax incentives to lure aerospace companies.

Cut 4 (13) “…in this space.”

The measure would give sales tax rebates to aerospace businesses that create 200 permanent jobs and make a one-billion-dollar investment.  The legislation has the support of the Landry administration. The governor’s chief of staff, Julie Emerson, testified in favor of the bill.

Cut 5 (10) “…here in Louisiana.”

Louisiana has a history in the aerospace industry. The Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has been building rockets for NASA in the 1960s, and Bollinger Shipyards has built barges to transport rockets.

While it was not mentioned during the discussion in House Ways and Means, this legislation is likely designed to attract Elon Musk’s Space X and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. The bill’s author is Ways and Means Chairman Tony Bacala from Prairieville.

Cut 6 (13) “…away from it.”

Industry experts say SpaceX and Blue Orgin are looking for additional launchpads. There’s also controversy with this industry, as concerns have been raised about the damage done to local wildlife and environment as a result of the rocket launches.

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The Artemis Two crew has circled the moon and is en route back to Earth. Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch (“cook”), as well as Canadian Jeremy Hansen, have traveled farther from Earth than anyone else ever has. Eric Burns, a professor of physics and astronomy at LSU, says we’re going to learn a lot from this mission.

Cut 7 (09) “…astronauts’ own cells.”

Burns says this mission is also a way for America to get reacquainted with an old friend it has not seen up close and personal since Apollo 17 in December 1972.

Cut 8 (12) “…go to Mars.”

Burns says while this mission has been smooth for the most part, there are a few kinks that will need to be worked out in future Artemis missions.

Cut 9 (08)  “…routinely and safely.”

Splashdown of the Orion capsule is scheduled for just after seven Central time Friday evening off the coast of San Diego.

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When it comes to the initial resiliency of small businesses, Louisiana actually does quite well. That’s the finding of a new study by LendingTree. Chief Consumer Financial Analyst Matt Schulz:

Cut 10 (11) “…about 20-percent.”

Schulz says while that’s the third lowest rate for first-year small business failure in the country, the five-year failure rate paints a very different picture.

Cut 11 (12) “…for Louisiana businesses.”

Schulz says while times are challenging for people everywhere across the country, entrepreneurs in Louisiana especially face significant headwinds when it comes to starting a business.

Cut 12 (10) “…take advantage of.”

Schulz also notes that Louisiana is traditionally a low credit score state, making it more difficult for entrepreneurs to secure the funding needed to start their own businesses. But he says with that relatively low number comes lack of competition, which means a better chance of survival in that first year.

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There are 455-thousand people on the state’s inactive voter list, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says they are still able to vote in the upcoming primaries.

Cut 13 (07)  “…the active list.”

Landry says a registered voter gets put on the inactive list if he or she has not cast a ballot in the last ten years and did not respond to an address confirmation card sent by the Secretary of State’s Office.

Cut 14 (06) “…have passed away.”

Landry says there has been an increase in the number of inactive voters this year because of a law approved in 2024 that allows the Secretary of State to move voters to the inactive list if they can’t verify their address and they haven’t voted in more than a decade.

Cut 15 (08) “…voter rolls clean.”

She says a person can be completely taken off the voter rolls if one who is already on the inactive voter rolls does not vote in two consecutive federal election cycles.

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The LSU football team is now two and a half weeks into spring practice, and one name starting to turn heads is early enrollee freshman Richard Anderson. Head coach Lane Kiffin says the top-rated defensive lineman in the 2026 class has been impressive so far.

Cut 16 (14) “…excited about him.”

Last season, LSU struggled to run the ball, ranking 124th nationally with an average of just 104 rushing yards per game. Kiffin says that to be successful this season, the Tigers must establish a consistent running game.

Cut 17 (21)  “…whole team up.”

Kiffin says that throughout his coaching career, he has won with a variety of team styles. So far this spring, Kiffin says the defense has had the upper hand over the offense.

Cut 18 (18)  “…playing right now.” 

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Louisiana Tech football is still looking to fill a hole at running back after the departure of Clay Thevenin. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says he still wants to see more from his backs and believes the starting role is still up for grabs.

Cut 19 (12) “…at that position.”

Cumbie says senior quarterback Trey Kukuk (CUE-kuck) has already shown tremendous improvement in just seven practices.

Cut 20 (15) “…a football player.”

Legislation to attract the aerospace industry to Louisiana has been approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says other states are currently providing better tax incentives to lure aerospace companies.

Cut 4 (13) “…in this space.”

The measure would give sales tax rebates to aerospace businesses that create 200 permanent jobs and would make a one-billion dollar investment. Governor Landry’s chief of staff, Julie Emerson, testified in favor of the bill.

Cut 5 (10) “…in Louisiana.”

Louisiana has a history in the aerospace industry. The Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has been building rockets for NASA since the 1960s.

There are 455-thousand people on the state’s inactive voter list, but they are still able to vote in the May 16th closed party primaries.

Cut 13 (07)  “..active list.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says a registered voter gets put on the inactive list if he or she has not cast a ballot in the last ten years and did not respond to an address confirmation card sent by the office.

If it was up to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, we wouldn’t be having these closed primaries at all. Nungesser says along with resulting in a far less representative government, next month’s primary will cost the state a lot of money.

Cut 28 (08) “…where or what.”

On top of that, races that do not produce a majority, which will in all likelihood include the U.S. Senate Republican race, will move on to a runoff on June 27th, costing the state even more money.

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt underwent a scheduled procedure to remove the pins in his surgically repaired foot, and coach Lane Kiffin says he expects him to miss the rest of spring practice.

Five-star prospect and Oak Grove girls basketball star Caroline Bradley is staying home as the six-foot-five center committed to LSU. All of the elite programs were recruiting her, including UCLA and South Carolina. Bradley says the relationship she’s built with LSU coach Kim Mulkey played a major factor in her decision…

Cut 3 (12) “…it worked.”

According to ESPN, she’s ranked 3rd among the country’s Class of 2027 players.

College Basketball Insider for CBS Sports, Jon Rothstein, is reporting that former LSU head and assistant coach and player and Louisiana native, Johnny Jones, will join Will Wade’s staff.

McNeese freshman guard Larry Johnson is reportedly entering the transfer portal. Johnson broke Joe Dumars’ freshman scoring record at McNeese that had lasted 44 years.  Johnson averaged 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

The LSU baseball team hosts Bethune-Cookman tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Louisiana Tech, coming off a much-needed series win at FIU this past weekend, will travel to Natchitoches to face the red-hot Demons of Northwestern State at 6 p.m. tonight. Northwestern State enters the matchup on a four-game winning streak.

ULM baseball dropped its second Sun Belt series of the season this past weekend, losing two games to Georgia State. Senior third baseman Jake Haggard, who leads the team in RBI’s with 41, missed game three of the series after being scratched with a back injury. Head coach Ford Pemberton expects Haggard to return to the lineup tonight against Mississippi Valley State.

Cut 17 (11)  “…should be back.”

First pitch is set for 6 p.m.