Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity in Louisiana. According to Louisiana Clean Fuels, there are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered throughout the state. Executive Director Ann Vail says you will find the vast majority of them in the more heavily-populated parishes.

Cut 4 (08) “…starting to drive.”

Walmart is planning to invest more than $330 million to modernize it’s regional distribution center in Opelousas. The State of Louisiana provided a competitive incentives package, including a $10 million performance-based grant tied to equipment investments. St. Landry Economic Development CEO Bill Rodier says the project shows that Walmart is committed to the location long-term.

Cut 7 (07) “…get this done.”

President Trump is encouraging Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for the US Senate. Jeff Palermo reports that Letlow would be a formidable challenger to Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign…

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Jeff Landry has named a new Inspector General, and he’s also changing the duties of the position. Former Commissioner of the Administration Angelle Davis replaces Stephen Street, who had the job for 18 years. Landry says the Office of the Inspector General will be in charge of finding efficiencies in state government…

Cut 13 (11)  “…do better.”

Electric vehicle adoption in Louisiana experienced a steady increase throughout 2025. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

President Trump is encouraging Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for the US Senate. Jeff Palermo reports that Letlow would be a formidable challenger to Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana has a new inspector general and the duties of that position are changing. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________________

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity in Louisiana. According to Louisiana Clean Fuels, there are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered throughout the state. Executive Director Ann Vail says you will find the vast majority of them in the more heavily-populated parishes.

Cut 4 (08) “…starting to drive.”

Jefferson Parish leads the way with more than 35-hundred. Per capita, Orleans Parish comes out on top, with almost one and a half percent of all vehicles registered being EVs or plug-in hybrids.

In all, EV adoption started its climb in 2021 and soared throughout the year last year, even after Congress pulled the plug on the EV tax credits that wasn’t supposed to expire until 2032. Vail pins some of the credit on Louisiana’s improving charging infrastructure.

Cut 5 (11) “…and it’s everywhere.”

Vail says she would like to see more multi-family housing communities offer EV charging to their tenants, but that may be easier said than done.

Cut 6 (11) “…work with that.”

________________________________________________________

Walmart is planning to invest more than $330 million to modernize it’s regional distribution center in Opelousas. The State of Louisiana provided a competitive incentives package, including a $10 million performance-based grant tied to equipment investments. St. Landry Economic Development CEO Bill Rodier says the project shows that Walmart is committed to the location long-term.

Cut 7 (07) “…get this done.”

Rodier says the modernization of the distribution center in Opelousas will double Walmart’s shipping capacity.

Cut 8 (13) “…that’s a big deal.”

The modernization of the Opelousas distribution center also means that Walmart is expected to retain over a thousand jobs in the parish. Rodier says it’s a big win for one of the largest employers in St. Landry.

Cut 9 (09)  “…we couldn’t be happier.”

______________________________________________________________

A huge development in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race as President Trump posted on his social media network, “Truth Social” that Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow should run against Senator Bill Cassidy. In his social media post, Mr. Trump called Letlow a “Great Star” and a “Total Winner.” Publisher of Lapolitics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says if Letlow runs, it will be a highly competitive race…

Cut 10 (10) “…the bank.”

Cassidy said in a statement he is confident he will win if Letlow decides to run. Letlow said she’s honored to have the President’s endorsement, but did not indicate if she will run for U.S. Senate. Alford says Letlow could announce her candidacy during Washington D.C. Mardi Gras at the end of the month, and she will also have the support of Governor Landry…

Cut 11 (13) “…reputation.”

Cassidy is seeking a third six-year term. He’s already drawn several challengers because he voted in 2021 to impeach President Donald Trump for his actions during the deadly January sixth attack on Capitol Hill. But since Trump got back in the White House, Alford says Cassidy has tried to show he is an ally of Trump and can help deliver the President’s agenda…

Cut 12 (11) “…win it.”

Four well known Republicans are already in the race. Alford says it will be interesting to see how many of them will stay in the race, if Letlow officially gets in.

_____________________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry has named a new Inspector General, and he’s also changing the duties of the position. Former Commissioner of the Administration Angelle Davis replaces Stephen Street, who had the job for 18 years. Landry says the Office of the Inspector General will be in charge of finding efficiencies in state government…

Cut 13 (11)  “…do better.”

Landry says he wants the Inspector General to take the reports issued by the legislative auditor that provide recommendations on how state government agencies can be more efficient and implement them. The governor says his administration recently took an old recommendation on how the state can do a better job in checking Medicaid eligibility and it saved the state millions…

Cut 14 (09) “…long time ago.”

The state inspector general under the leadership of Stephen Street would investigate allegations of mismanagement, misconduct, fraud and corruption within state government and turn those findings over to federal and state prosecutors.

It will take legislative action in the upcoming regular session to change the role of the state inspector general, but Landry doesn’t see how anyone would vote against it…

Cut 15 (09) “…reform it.”

______________________________________________________________

Make it three in a row for the Lady Tigers as the sixth-ranked team in the nation took down 13th-ranked Oklahoma, 91-72, in Oklahoma yesterday afternoon. LSU took the lead for the first time late in the first quarter and never trailed for the rest of the game. Senior guard Flau’jae Johnson was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points and said LSU was able to neutralize Oklahoma’s fast paced style of play.

Cut 16 (12) “…in that way.”

Sophomore guard Jada Richard (ree-SHARD) from Opelousas was the second highest scorer with a career-high 21 points. She credits her teammates for her offensive explosion

Cut 17 (12)  “…always be open.”

LSU will try to make it four in a row Thursday night against Texas A&M. Tipoff in College Station is at eight p-m.

______________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team finally got a win in the SEC on Saturday as the Tigers defeated Missouri 78 to 70. The Tigers are now 1-4 in league play heading into tomorrow night’s game at Florida. Coach Matt McMahon says the goal now is to stack some wins together.

Cut 18 (11)  “…great fashion.”

It was a nice bounce-back victory for LSU, which lost a heartbreaker last Wednesday to Kentucky, blowing an 18-point lead and losing on a last-second shot. Forward Marquel Sutton led the way with 26 points…

Cut 19 (17) “…40 minutes.”

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity in Louisiana. According to Louisiana Clean Fuels, there are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered throughout the state. Executive Director Ann Vail says you will find the vast majority of them in the more heavily-populated parishes.

Cut 4 (08) “…starting to drive.”   (AM)

Governor Jeff Landry, who’s working with President Trump on taking control of Greenland, is in Washington, D-C, as tensions are building over Trump’s desired acquisition. During an appearance on Fox News, Landry said the East Coast of the U.S. should be concerned with China’s involvement with the arctic nation as he says the Chinese have an impressive fleet of ice breaker vessels.

Cut 12 (09)“…President knows that.”

——————————

The LSU women’s basketball team started off 0-and-2 in conference play, but the Lady Tigers are back to .500 in the SEC after a big win against number-two Texas. ESPN Women’s College Basketball Bracketologist Charlie Crème says the win against Texas shows that LSU is trending in the right direction.

Cut 6 (10) “…having an issue with.”

LSU travels to Norman to face number-13 Oklahoma tomorrow afternoon at  2.

Sorry to disappoint, but the possibility of light snow in Louisiana tonight forecasters had predicted earlier on the week is a thing of the past.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says though those chances had diminished, Grymes we will still strong cold front that will result in a cold weekend.

Cut 10 (10) “…MLK morning.”

Walmart is planning to invest more than $330 million to modernize it’s regional distribution center in Opelousas. The State of Louisiana provided a competitive incentives package, including a $10 million performance-based grant tied to equipment investments. St. Landry Economic Development CEO Bill Rodier says the project shows that Walmart is committed to the location long-term.

Cut 7 (11) “…get this done.”

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity in Louisiana. According to Louisiana Clean Fuels, there are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered throughout the state. EV adoption started its climb in 2021 and soared throughout the year last year. Executive Director Ann Vail says some of the credit goes to improving charging infrastructure.

Cut 5 (11) “…and it’s everywhere.”

———————————-

LSU is putting the finishing touches on its transfer portal class. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The LSU women’s basketball Tigers’ season is looking up after that big win against number-two Texas this week.  ESPN Women’s College Basketball Bracketologist Charlie Crème’s lates bracketology update,  has LSU as a number two team.  Up next for Coach Kim Mulkey’s team…a trip to Norman Oklahoma where they’ll play the number 13 Sooners tomorrow at 2.

Louisiana has a new inspector general and the duties of that position are changing. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Sorry to disappoint, but the possibility of light snow in Louisiana tonight forecasters had predicted earlier on the week is a thing of the past.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says though those chances had diminished, Grymes we will still strong cold front that will result in a cold weekend.

Cut 10 (10) “…MLK morning.”

—————————

Governor Jeff Landry is in Washington, D-C, as tensions are building over President Trump’s desired acquisition of Greenland. The President says the United States needs Greenland for national security. Landry says there’s a concern about Russia taking over Greenland.

Cut 13 (11)  “…knocking on it.”

Greenland is controlled by Denmark, and both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly said the island is not for sale and reject the idea of a U.S. take over.

The LSU women’s basketball team started off 0-and-2 in conference play, but the Lady Tigers are back to .500 in the SEC after a big win against number-two Texas. ESPN Women’s College Basketball Bracketologist Charlie Crème says the win against Texas shows that LSU is trending in the right direction.

Cut 6 (10) “…having an issue with.”

LSU travels to Norman to face number-13 Oklahoma tomorrow afternoon at  2.

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity in Louisiana. According to Louisiana Clean Fuels, there are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered throughout the state. Executive Director Ann Vail says you will find the vast majority of them in the more heavily-populated parishes.

Cut 4 (08) “…starting to drive.”

Governor Jeff Landry, who’s working with President Trump on taking control of Greenland, is in Washington, D-C, as tensions are building over Trump’s desired acquisition. During an appearance on Fox News, Landry said the East Coast of the U.S. should be concerned with China’s involvement with the arctic nation as he says the Chinese have an impressive fleet of ice breaker vessels.

Cut 12 (09)“…President knows that.”

—————————–

A record-breaking field has taken to the streets of Baton Rouge for the 15th annual Louisiana Marathon this morning. Marketing Director Mike Wattigny (WATT-nee) says more than nine-thousand runners from all over the world are competing, with more than 60-percent coming from outside Louisiana.

Cut 3 (10) “…runner from China.”

If you were looking forward to the possibility of light snow in Louisiana tonight, you’ll likely be disappointed.  Forecasters have revised their prediction from earlier in the week.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the chance of winter precipitation has declined as we get closer to the weekend.

Cut 9 (12)  “…last January.”

Grymes says we could see two, possibly three, light freezes early next week.

As Governor Landry continues his meetings with President Trump in Washington, DC, about Trump’s quest to acquire Greenland, people here in the U.S. are expressing concern. Kaitlyn Joshua, a community activist in Louisiana, was on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says this whole idea is foolish.

Cut 14 (09) “…do that.”

Most public opinion polls in both the U.S. and Greenland oppose the Trump administration’s efforts in acquiring Greenland.

A record-breaking field will take to the streets of Baton Rouge for the 15th annual Louisiana Marathon. Marketing Director Mike Wattigny (WATT-nee) says more than nine-thousand runners from all over the world will be competing, with more than 60-percent coming from outside Louisiana.

Cut 3 (10) “…runner from China.”

LSU is putting the finishing touches on its transfer portal class. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

On Thursday, forecasters had said there was a slight possibility of very light snowfall in South Louisiana tomorrow night into Sunday morning. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says while those chances are pretty much gone, it’s still going to be quite cold.

Cut 10 (10) “…MLK morning.”

Crawfish season is here but it’s early so prices are pretty high. According to the Crawfish App, live mudbugs are over seven dollars per pound, and boiled crawfish are over ten dollars per pound. Laney King, founder of the app, says prices will come down.

Cut 28 (12) “…the entire season.”

And harvesting for crawfish will likely be paused this weekend, because of cold temperatures. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we could see two, possibly three, light freezes early next week. But he says we are not looking at pipe busting cold.

Cut 11 (12) “…morning freezes.”

Grymes says a cold front will push through the state on Saturday, producing a chilly weekend.

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team has another big game on Sunday afternoon as the Lady Tigers visit 13^th ranked Oklahoma. ESPN Women’s College Basketball Bracketologist Charlie Crème anticipates a high scoring matchup involving two of the highest scoring teams in women’s hoops…

Cut 8 (12) “….low 90s”

Tip off is at 2 PM.

On Sunday, it’s the Louisiana Marathon that will take place through the streets of Baton Rouge. On Saturday, there will be shorter races and Marketing Director Mike Wattigny says they even have an event for walkers…

Cut 5 (12) “all abilities”

This year’s Louisiana Marathon is expected to draw 95-hundred participants.