A bill that would ban kratom in Louisiana advances to the full House. The Senate has already passed it; and yesterday, the House Criminal Justice Committee followed suit. Supporters of the ban say kratom can lead to several health issues and even death. But opponents say when taken in its pure form, kratom has its benefits.

Cut 16 (07) “…opioids.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is sounding the alarm on whooping cough. Secretary Bruce Greenstein says so far this year, the state has confirmed 170 whooping cough cases; there were 154 all of last year. Greenstein says what’s especially concerning is that whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.

Cut 6 (12) “…help protect them.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s push for a new law that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates without actuarial data cleared another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints have released their 2025 schedule; and for the first time in 25 years, they will not be on primetime television. That doesn’t mean that they won’t later in the season; with flex scheduling, NBC, ESPN or Amazon Prime can flex them into a primetime slot if they surprise the naysayers.

The Senate Insurance Committee approves legislation that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rate increases without actuarial data. The meeting got contentious between Senator Royce Duplessis and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple as the New Orleans Senator is frustrated Temple will not support this legislation…

Cut 12 (14) “…red herring”

Temple says the legislation, which has already been approved by the House, would be over-regulation of the insurance industry.

The Louisiana Department of Health gave updates on measles and whooping cough cases throughout the state. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (“green-steen”) says the state epidemiology team launched an investigation into potential measles exposures after the department confirmed two cases.

Cut 4 (06) “…cases were identified.” (No new cases identified)

Greenstein says for whooping cough, 170 cases confirmed this year, which already surpasses the 2024 total of 154. L-D-H says vaccination is the best way to prevent serious complications.

Big day today at the legislature as the House debates the state budget. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight LSU baseball faces its old coach. Paul Mainieri is in his first season as the head coach at South Carolina. The Gamecocks are going through a rough season, but Mainieri is optimistic he can make South Carolina a championship contender…

Cut 30 (06) “…recruiting”

A House approved bill that would give Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner more authority to reject excessive rate increases has received approval from the Senate Insurance Committee. The bill also has the support of Governor Jeff Landry. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office already rejects rate increase proposals and the Executive Counsel for the Department of Insurance David Caldwell tried to make that point clear…

Cut 11 (11) “…done this.”

State health officials remain concerned about the high number of whooping cough cases. L-D-H Secretary Bruce Greenstein…

Cut 5 (14) “….whole of 2024”

Greenstein says there are vaccines available to prevent serious complications.

The House Criminal Justice Committee agrees with the Senate, kratom should be banned in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The House Education Committee has made significant changes to a bill designed to educate college students about the dangers of hazing. Instead of requiring any student who joins a student organization to take a semester long course on hazing prevention, the legislation now calls for student organizations to provide their new members with a two-hour anti-hazing training class, instead of one-hour training.

The Senate Insurance Committee approves legislation that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject rate increases without actuarial data. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis strongly supports the House-approved bill. Duplessis says drastic steps need to be taken to address the insurance crisis…

Cut 10 (07) “…need this authority”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office already rejects rate increase proposals and he says this bill is over regulation, which is not what the Louisiana insurance market needs.

The state health department continues to see whooping cough cases increase, surpassing the total number of cases for 2024. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says there have been 170 whooping cough cases this year as the state will likely set a record for the number of cases. Greenstein says vaccination is the best way to prevent serious complications…

Cut 6 (12) “….help protect them”

The Louisiana House will vote on a budget for next fiscal year today. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they created some savings so Louisiana teachers can continue to receive a two-thousand dollar stipend they received the last two school years, but at this time there is no funding to continue high-dosage tutoring…

Cut 8 (09) “….dollars are recognized”

The Senate will comb through the budget for the next couple of weeks after the House approves it today.

A bill that makes it a crime to produce, sell or possess kratom continues to make its way through the Legislature. The bill’s author, Monroe Senator Jay Morris, says kratom use can lead to an elevated heart rate, seizures, psychosis, liver toxicity and even death. David Lubrano Senior says his son got hooked on kratom and ended his life…

Cut 14 (10) “…again”

Opponents of the legislation say kratom when used in its pure form is a better drug to take than opioids and its synthetic kratom that is the real problem. The Senate passed bill received House Criminal Justice Committee approval yesterday.

The Louisiana Department of Health gave updates on measles and whooping cough cases throughout the state. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (“green-steen”) says the state epidemiology team launched an investigation into potential measles exposures after the department confirmed two cases.

Cut 4 (06) “…cases were identified.” (No new cases identified)

Greenstein says for whooping cough, 170 cases confirmed this year, which already surpasses the 2024 total of 154. L-D-H says vaccination is the best way to prevent serious complications.

The Louisiana House will debate the state budget today. The biggest question is whether the legislature would keep teacher pay at its current level in light of the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box in March. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they were able to do just that.

Cut 7 (11) “…in recurring revenue.”

Once the House approves the budget bill today, the Senate will spend the next few weeks going over the spending plan.

A bill to ban kratom continues to make its way through the legislative process. The House Criminal Justice Committee voted for the legislation that’s already been approved by the Senate. The committee heard tearful testimony from David Lubrano Senior, who told lawmakers his son took his own life after he could not get over his addiction to kratom…

Cut 13 (10)  “…causing.”

But there are those who say kratom is a better alternative than opioids when it comes to managing pain…

Cut 15 (09) “…to do?”

On a ten to one vote, the committee approved the bill, sending to the House floor for more consideration.

Big day today at the legislature as the House debates the state budget. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry’s push for a new law that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates without actuarial data cleared another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee agrees with the Senate, kratom should be banned in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health gave updates on measles and whooping cough cases throughout the state. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (“green-steen”) says the state epidemiology team launched an investigation into potential measles exposures after the department confirmed two cases in the state.

Cut 4 (06) “…cases were identified.” (No new cases identified)

Greenstein says while they may have gotten the upper hand on measles, the same cannot be said for whooping cough.

Cut 5 (14) “…whole of 2024.” (170 whooping cough cases so far in 2025; 154 cases in all of 2024)

Greenstein says what’s especially concerning is that whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.

Cut 6 (12) “…help protect them.”

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The House will debate the state budget today. The biggest question going into the session is whether the legislature would be able to keep teacher pay at its current level in light of the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box in March. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they were able to do just that.

Cut 7 (11) “…in recurring revenue.”

McFarland says the budget sacrifices state funding for high-dosage tutoring.

Cut 8 (09) “…dollars are recognized.”

Governor Landry is looking to put 94-million dollars into the LA GATOR scholarship program, and McFarland says the House was able to keep that intact.

Cut 9 (08)  “…early childhood education.”

Whether the LA GATOR funding level remains intact in the Senate remains to be seen. Landry is expecting some pushback from Senators once the budget works its way into the upper chamber of the legislature. McFarland says the overall plan chops more than 100-million dollars off the budget, which he says is good because of a looming 86-million-dollar shortfall for the 2027 fiscal year.

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The Senate Insurance Committee approves legislation that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject rate increases without actuarial data. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis strongly supports the House-approved bill. Duplessis says drastic steps need to be taken to address the insurance crisis…

Cut 10 (07) “…need this authority”

The bill also has the support of Governor Jeff Landry. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office already rejects rate increase proposals and the Executive Counsel for the Department of Insurance David Caldwell tried to make that point clear…

Cut 11 (11) “…done this.”

The meeting got contentious between Duplessis and Temple as the New Orleans Senator is frustrated Temple will not support this legislation

Cut 12 (14) “…red herring.”

Temple says this proposed legislation would be over-regulation of the insurance industry and would keep companies from wanting to write policies in Louisiana.

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A bill to ban kratom continues to make its way through the legislative process. The House Criminal Justice Committee voted for the legislation that’s already been approved by the Senate. The committee heard tearful testimony from David Lubrano Senior, who told lawmakers his son took his own life after he could not get over his addiction to kratom…

Cut 13 (10)  “…causing.”

The Mayo Clinic says kratom is an herbal extra that comes from tree in southeast Asia. It can be used a stimulant in low doses and as sedative at higher doses.

The bill’s author, Monroe Senator Jay Morris, says kratom use can lead to an elevated heart rate, seizures, psychosis, liver toxicity and even death. Lubrano says his son got hooked on kratom and decided to end his life…

Cut 14 (10) “…again.”

But there are those who say kratom is a better alternative than opioids when it comes to managing pain…

Cut 15 (09) “…to do?”

This man testified how kratom taken in its pure form has improved his life after suffering traumatic injuries from a fall…

Cut 16 (07) “…opioids.”

Opponents of the legislation are urging lawmakers to put more regulations on synthetic marijuana and allow people to buy and possess the pure form.

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Top ranked LSU baseball begins its final SEC series of the season tonight as the Tigers visit South Carolina. LSU has not named a starting pitcher for tonight, but plan to start Kade Anderson in game two on Friday and Anthony Eyanson on Saturday, allowing Anderson and Eyanson to pitch on regular rest. Eyanson has been terrific lately and Coach Jay Johnson says the right-hander has the qualities needed to be a great pitcher…

Cut 17 (22)  “…physical ability”

The Gamecocks are 5-22 in the SEC and in 15^th place. But Johnson sees talent on the South Carolina roster…

Cut 18 (18)  “…another weekend.”

South Carolina has struggled under first year head coach Paul Mainieri. The former LSU coach who came out of retirement last year to take the job in Columbia has faith he can build another winning baseball program, but admits this weekend will not be easy…

Cut 19 (19) “…beat the Tigers”

First pitch tonight is at 6 p.m.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that would make Insurance Commissioner an appointed position rather than an elected position. Senate President Cameron Henry testified in favor of the bill…

Cut 9 (12)  “…better rate.”

Henry says 39 states appoint their insurance commissioners; and among the ten states that have the lowest insurance rates, nine of them have appointed insurance commissioners. Tim Temple, who was elected as insurance commissioner in 2023, opposes the bill, saying an appointed insurance commissioner will not solve the state’s insurance crisis…

Cut 12 (10) “…Louisiana voter.”

The bill advances after no one on the committee objected to advancing the measure to the Senate floor.

The House is set to debate the state budget. The biggest question going into the session is whether the legislature would be able to keep teacher pay at its current level in light of the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box in March. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they were able to do just that.

Cut 7 (11) “…in recurring revenue.”

Governor Landry is looking to put 94-million dollars into the LA GATOR scholarship program, and McFarland says the House was able to keep that intact.

The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a ban on kratom that’s already been approved by the Senate. The committee heard tearful testimony from David Lubrano Senior, who told lawmakers his son took his own life after he could not get over his addiction to the drug.

Cut 13 (10)  “…causing.”

A proposal to make Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner an appointed position instead of being elected as it is now, heads to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order allowing Louisiana universities to pay their athletes. Jeanne Burns explains why the governor issued the order….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”

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Senator Bill Cassidy could be facing another opponent in next year’s Republican primary, and the first challenger is not happy about it at all. There are reports that President Trump and Governor Landry are trying to urge Congresswoman Julia Letlow to enter the 2026 race for Cassidy’s seat. The only major challenger so far is State Treasurer John Fleming, and he’s alleging that Trump, Landry and Letlow could be behind a backdoor deal, should Letlow be elected Senator.

Cut 3 (14) “…an educator herself.”

Fleming says he initially found that story to be so outlandish that he dismissed it, but he says he started believing it when he heard it from many different people. He says if that story is indeed true, the voters will be the ones who lose.

Cut 4 (13) “…and that’s problematic.”

Governor Landry’s office had no comment on Fleming’s claim. As always, anytime a governor appoints a replacement to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy, there would be a special election to fill the remainder of the unexpired term, unless the vacancy occurs close to the next regular election. Fleming says any governor who appoints themself to fill a vacancy would instantly give themself an advantage.

Cut 5 (09) “…everything for re-election.”

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Former Baton Rouge Mayor-President, lawmaker and reporter Kip Holden died today at age 72 after a lengthy illness. Holden started as a reporter before serving on the Metro Council, in the State House, and Senate.  Former Lt. Governor and State Lawmaker Jay Dardenne remembers serving in the legislature with Holden.

Cut 6 (11) “…work with everybody.”

In 2005, he became the first African American Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish, holding the position for three terms until 2016. Dardenne says Holden loved people and was passionate about what he believed in…

Cut 7 (10) “…as a person.”

Dardenne says he will never forget one thing about Holden, and that’s his outfits…

Cut 8 (08) “…flashy character.”

He is survived by his wife Lois, five children, and two sisters.

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The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that would make the Insurance Commissioner an appointed position rather than an elected position. Senate President Cameron Henry testified in favor of the bill…

Cut 9 (12)  “…better rate.”

Henry says 39 other states have appointed insurance commissioners; and of the ten states with the lowest insurance rates in the country, nine have appointed insurance commissioners.

This is not the first time a state lawmaker has proposed that the insurance commissioner should be appointed by the governor. But with legislators looking for solutions to sky high insurance premiums, they seem more open to the idea. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter:

Cut 10 (08) “…to be done.”

Tim Temple, who was elected as insurance commissioner in 2023, testified in opposition to the bill…

Cut 11 (08) “…one person.”

Temple says an appointed insurance commissioner will not solve the state’s insurance crisis…

Cut 12 (10) “…Louisiana voter.”

The bill advances after no one on Senate and Governmental Affairs objected to advancing the measure to the Senate floor.

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New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s bill to ban schools from serving “ultra-processed” foods, targeting items containing ingredients such as food dyes and seed oils, passed the House Education Committee on an 8 to 1 vote. Miguez says this is sending a message to D.C and the MAHA movement.

Cut 13 (12)  “…message here today.”

These ingredients have come under scrutiny from health food influencers and political figures like US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The bill aligns with a growing push for healthier food options in public institutions. Miguez says its time to get the junk out of our children’s food…

Cut 14 (09) “…to do so.”

The Senate-approved bill goes to the House Floor for more discussion.