Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to fund a two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend will move forward after a state judge lifted his order that temporarily blocked it.  Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Is it a forgone conclusion that Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow will be elected as Louisiana’s next U.S. Senator? Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Lincoln Parish coaches are concerned the NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility model could leave some high school athletes behind. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A plume of Saharan dust has made its way across the Atlantic and is now over Louisiana. The dry, hot dust and the wind that carries it will help to disrupt storms and hurricane formation. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says don’t put away your umbrellas just yet.

Cut 4 (10) “…back as usual.”

The dust will also bring a milky haze to the sky, and you can expect a vibrant sunset. Keim says high temperatures across the state are expected to stay in the mid 90s throughout the week.

Cut 5 (12) “…temperatures very warm.”

The atmospheric dust particles can raise concerns for people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses. Keim says this plume, though, is not expected to cause as many issues as in past years.

Cut 6 (08) “…of an impact.”

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A Baton Rouge judge is allowing Governor Landry’s plan to fund a two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend to move forward. Judge Chip Moore lifted the temporary restraining order he set after disqualifying the law firm representing the plaintiffs. Patrick Wall, an education reporter for The Advocate, says the state argued that the law firm, Baker Donelson, could not be involved in a lawsuit against Louisiana while also representing the state in a separate case on the federal level.

Cut 7 (07) “…temporary restraining order.”

Landry’s plan reduces funding for public schools by 168-million dollars. Instead, the money will be used to give teachers a two-thousand-dollar stipend and support staff a one-thousand dollar stipend. Wall says the plan results in a reduction of four-percent or more in state funding for local school systems.

Cut 8 (03) “…for that money.”

Wall says the plaintiffs went to court on Monday ready to argue the Legislature and the state board of education have jurisdiction over public school funding, not the governor. Landry’s plan is set to effect on July first. Wall says the plaintiffs have a short time to react to Monday’s court ruling.

Cut 9 (07)  “…clock right now.”

Judge Moore did not rule on whether Landry has the legal authority to reallocate public school education funding. The lawsuit was basically dismissed after it was determining the law firm the plaintiffs hired can not be involved in litigation against the state when they are representing Louisiana in another case.

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Nearly 180-thousand people voted for Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate Republican Party primary runoff, while 156-thousand people nominated Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis in the Democratic Party primary runoff. Davis believes he can make it a competitive election on November 3rd. Professor Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM and doesn’t give Davis much of a chance.

Cut 10 (11) “…on past performance.”

There are still four months before we get to the November general election. Cross says Letlow will spend this time making sure Republican voters are fully behind her.

Cut 11 (07) “…voted against her.”

Letlow defeated John Fleming 57 to 43-percent in the Republican Party primary runoff. President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow was a key factor in her getting the Republican nomination, and Cross expects the President will be involved in the general election race.

Cut 12 (13) “…get her launched.”

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The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will end the days of 25 and 26-year-olds playing college athletics. The system does, however, still grant up to five seasons of eligibility. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says it could have a similar effect to COVID eligibility, oversaturating college sports with older athletes.

Cut 13 (08)  “…just weren’t there.”

While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result. Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

Recent cuts to NCAA roster limits won’t help high school athletes either. Butler spoke with Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie and Ruston High School coach Jerrod Baugh, who both agreed the new rules will put a strain on the next few years of recruiting. Butler says impacts are already being felt.

Cut 15 (09) “…for you anymore.”

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SMU guard Jaron Pierre became the first New Orleans native to be drafted by the Pelicans last week. The St. Augustine alum was taken with the 58th overall pick after averaging over 17 points and four rebounds a game with the Mustangs. The 6-6 scorer says he can do it all.

Cut 16 (19) “…at showing it.”

Pierre shot 46-percent from the floor and 37-percent from three last season.

He was also the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2025 with Jacksonville State. Pierre turns 24 in July and made 121 college starts over five seasons with Southern Miss, Wichita State, Jax State and SMU. He says that experience will help him transition to the NBA.

Cut 17 (16) “…the long run.”

Political analysts say the hard part is over for Julia Letlow. Nearly all of them say Letlow is all but certain to beat Jamie Davis and be elected to the U.S. Senate. But after beating John Fleming Saturday night, Letlow says she’s not taking anything for granted.

Cut 6 (11) “…House of Representatives.”

With that, Letlow says she’s ready to take on Jamie Davis as the campaign shifts to the general election. The Tensas Parish farmer and former police juror beat Gary Crockett by a whopping 60 points to gain the Democratic nomination.

As for Fleming, his campaign strategist, Roy Fletcher, told Talk Louisiana on WRKF that Fleming ran a good campaign, nearly hitting a home run.

Cut 14 (04) “..of people.”

In the meantime, Fleming is expected to seek re-election as state treasurer next year.

Baton Rouge officials are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North landfill to recover the remains of a missing 15-year-old. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The State Supreme Court throws out a 30-year-old conviction of a man who had been sentenced to death for killing his then-girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter. In upholding a lower court’s ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that Jimmie Duncan’s conviction for killing Haley Oliveaux was based on discredited evidence.

The historic rain event on June 18th may be long gone in Avoyelles Parish, but the painstaking task of recovery is just getting underway. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says many people in the parish lost everything.

Cut 3 (08) “…just thrown away.”

Baton Rouge officials are partnering with the FBI to recover the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, which are believed to be in the Baton Rouge North Landfill. Police Chief T.J. Morse says it is an active solid waste landfill covering over 400 acres that receives around 16-hundred tons of waste each day.

Cut 9 (08)  “…half an acre.”

Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. 51-year-old Maurice Parms was arrested and is charged with first-degree murder. 

Julia Letlow rode President Trump’s endorsement all the way to the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. Letlow was the last to enter the race, only doing so in January after Trump endorsed her. That proved to be the game-changer, as her entry thinned the field, allowing her to easily beat John Fleming and incumbent Bill Cassidy. Letlow says Trump reached out to her after she was projected to be the winner.

Cut 8 (07) “…the Senate side.”

So, what’s next for Fleming? LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says the 74-year-old will continue working as State Treasurer and will likely seek re-election next year.

Cut 12 (05) “…stature.”

So Julia Letlow moves on to the general election, where her Democratic opponent is Jamie Davis. The Tensas Parish farmer and former police juror easily beat Gary Crockett to gain the Democratic nod.

After reports that the runoff between her and State Treasurer John Fleming could be a nailbiter, Julia Letlow won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate Saturday night by 14 percentage points. Fleming’s campaign strategist, Roy Fletcher, told Talk Louisiana on WRKF, the Letlow campaign spent a lot on advertising in the days leading up to the run-off election…

Cut 13 (09) “…never heard of.”

Letlow is now the favorite to be elected to the U.S. Senate in the November 3 general election versus Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. During the closed party primaries, Letlow geared her messaging towards fellow Republicans. Now that the race has shifted to the general election phase, Letlow says her strategy will remain consistent with the approach she’s had since entering the race in January.

Cut 7 (10) “…earn their vote.”

Baton Rouge officials are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North Landfill to find the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather. Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. Fire Chief Michael Kimble says the search will be conducted entirely by hand and compares the process to combing through the wreckage of 9/11.

Cut 11 (11) “…no more.”

Director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Joey Frank says more than 15-hundred households in the parish have reported flood damage in the historic rainfall two weeks ago. As recovery efforts begin, he says 120 displaced residents are staying in hotel rooms or in RVs at the Paragon Casino, with the state picking up the tab.

Cut 4 (10) “…just so sad.”

The closed party primaries are over; and thus, the race for the U.S. Senate moves to the general election phase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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So, what’s next for John Fleming following the loss? LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says the 74-year-old will continue working as State Treasurer and will likely seek re-election next year…

Cut 12 (05) “…stature.”

Recovery efforts are underway in Avoyelles Parish following the historic flooding two weeks ago.  Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they’re winding down the emergency supply distribution centers.

Cut 5 (10) “…and in Dupont.”

Over 15-hundred households in the Parish have reported flood damage. The state urges any homeowners who have not already done so to report damages to damage-dot-la-dot-gov.

The Manning Passing Academy brought some of the top college quarterbacks in the nation to Thibodaux this weekend, including Texas quarterback Arch Manning. Manning will return to his home state November 14 as the Tigers host the Longhorns. The New Orleans native says he’s looking forward to playing in Death Valley.

Cut 18 (08) “…we’re excited.”

It is the first meeting between the schools since 2019.

Investigators are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North landfill to recover the remains of a missing 15-year-old. Kace Kieschnick has more on this grim story….

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Forty-nine men and women began training to be a State Police Trooper today. Cadet Class 109 will train for 24 weeks in Baton Rouge in areas such as defensive tactics, advanced firearms and impaired driving detection.

The GOHSEP estimates 15-hundred households in Avoyelles Parish have reported flood damage in their home from the record rainfall event on June 18^th. Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness director Joey Frank says 120 displaced residents are staying in hotel rooms or in RVS at the Paragon Casino, with the state picking up the tab…

Cut 4 (10) “…just so sad”

Those with damage are strongly encouraged to document all of it at damage.la.gov, in order to bolster the state’s quest to secure a federal disaster declaration.

State Treasurer John Fleming did not advance to the general election in the Senate Republican Primary run-off, but his campaign strategist Roy Fletcher says Fleming ran a good campaign, nearly hitting a home run…

Cut 14 (04) “…of people”

Fleming lost by 14-percentage points to Julia Letlow, who will be on the November 3^rd ballot along with Democratic Party Primary winner Jamie Davis.

The rain may be long gone in Avoyelles Parish, but the painstaking task of recovery is just getting underway. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says many people in the parish lost everything.

Cut 3 (08) “…just thrown away.”

Baton Rouge officials are partnering with the FBI in searching the Baton Rouge North Landfill for the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather. The searchers are wearing fully insulated suits due to the threat of hazardous gases. Fire Chief Michael Kimble says the safety of the men and women conducting the search is a top priority.

Cut 10 (10) “…the search.” 

Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. 

Political analysts say the hard part is over for Julia Letlow. Nearly all of them say Letlow is all but certain to beat Jamie Davis and be elected to the U.S. Senate. But after beating John Fleming Saturday night, Letlow says she’s not taking anything for granted.

Cut 6 (11) “…House of Representatives.”

Davis easily won the Democratic Party nomination, receiving 80-percent of the vote to defeat Gary Crockett. The Tensas Parish crop farmer and former police juror says his grassroots campaign is just getting started.

Cut 14 (13) “…ground up.”  (woo-hoo) 

Davis and Letlow will square off November 3rd, vying for the seat currently held by Bill Cassidy, who failed to make the GOP runoff in his re-election bid.