The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority approved its Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan, outlining nearly two-billion dollars in spending for projects that aim to protect and restore the state’s eroding coastline. Restore the Mississippi River Delta Campaign Manager Simone Maloz (muh-LAWZ) says a majority of Louisiana voters are on board.

Cut 9 (11)  “…wetlands in Louisiana.”

In its first year, the LA GATOR scholarship program has proven to be a hit – maybe a little too much of a hit. So much so that it’s unlikely that the state can accommodate all applicants. Barry Erwin, the chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says 40-thousand students registered for the program during the now-closed registration period.

Cut 12 (08) “…on what happens.”

The reintroduced bipartisan bill by Republican Representative Clay Higgins and Democratic Representative Troy Carter would strengthen food safety by empowering the FDA to destroy contaminated food imports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Republican Clay Higgins and Democrat Troy Carter have reintroduced the bipartisan Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act of 2025 to empower the FDA to destroy contaminated food imports. Deborah Long with the Southern Shrimp Alliance says the bill addresses a critical loophole that allows importers to “port shop” rejected products back into the U.S.

Cut 3 (12) “…re-enter our country” 

The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that says if police determine a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for an accident, that driver cannot recover damages for injuries suffered in the wreck. The bill’s author, Emily Chenevert (SHEN-uh-vair), says you shouldn’t be able to collect damages if the accident is mostly your fault.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the same measure.”

If a lawmaker gets his way, there will be no more LSU home football afternoon games in the month of September. Harahan Republican Representative John Illg has introduced a resolution that would request that all LSU home games in September start no earlier than six p-m. Illg points to the game against UCLA last September 21st that kicked off at 2:30 p.m., and many fans were overcome by the 92-degree heat that afternoon.

Cut 6 (08) “…it wasn’t worse.”

The average high temperature in Baton Rouge in the month of September is 89 degrees. However, it also cools to an average low of 69 degrees, making football under the lights a rather pleasant experience, even in late summer.

There are now more private sector jobs in Louisiana than ever before. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says Louisiana now has almost 1.7-million private sector jobs, a one-month increase of almost three-thousand jobs.

A man whose federal death sentence for killing a 12-year-old girl was commuted late last year once again faces execution. This, after a Catahoula Parish grand jury indicts Thomas Sanders on a state charge of first degree murder. Brad Burget (bur-GET), the district attorney in Catahoula and Concordia parishes, says in 2010, Sanders drove 12-year-old Lexis Roberts from Las Vegas to Louisiana and shot and stabbed her to death. 

Cut 8 (08) “…she was murdered.”

Northwestern State is in the process of establishing the first law school in North Louisiana. Executive Vice President and Provost Greg Handel (HAWN-dle) says people in the region want a law school in North Louisiana.

Cut 10 (12) “…of the state.”

If you are driving in the left lane on a four-lane highway and not passing any vehicles, you could receive a ticket under legislation heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Last season, dozens of fans at LSU’s afternoon home game against UCLA were overcome by the scorching heat. A state representative wants to prevent a repeat occurrence. Jefferson Parish Representative John Illg has filed a resolution requesting that all LSU September home games start no earlier than six p-m. The average high temperature in Baton Rouge in September is 89 degrees.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that says if a police officer determines a driver is 51-percent or more at fault, than the driver can not recover any insurance money for injuries. Defense Attorney Sidney Degan says the proposed legislation could reduce the amount of dollars awarded in a multi-vehicle wreck, which would help reduce rates and frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 15 (15) “…neligence and fault.”

Lawmakers say reducing accidents can help bring down insurance rates. That’s why Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has authored a bill that would ticket drivers who travel at the speed limit or below in the left lane. Luneau says he’s received a lot of positive feedback…

Cut 6 (09) “….feel the love”

The measure is heading to the Senate floor after receiving approval from Senate Transportation.

A law school could be coming to north Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Education says over 39-thousand Louisiana students have applied for state funding through the L-A Gator Scholarship program, the state’s new voucher program. Governor Jeff Landry has proposed 93-million dollars should be allocated for the program next school year, but that would only serve 12-thousand students.

An auto insurance reform bill advances to the full House, with the support of the governor and despite the opposition of the insurance commissioner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 26 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill that can result in a 150-dollar fine for driving in the left lane and not attempting to pass other vehicles. The House Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation to ban outdoor balloon releases, once the balloon falls back to the ground, it becomes litter and a threat to wildlife.

The district attorney in Catahoula Parish is seeking the death penalty against a Las Vegas man who killed a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish. Former President Joe Biden commuted the federal death sentence of Thomas Sanders who was found guilty of killing Lexis Roberts. Catahoula D-A Brad Burget believes Sanders should be executed for what he’s done and a state grand jury this week indicted him on a first-degree murder charge…

Cut 9 ()8) “…try this matter”

Northwestern State is working to establish a law school and executive vice president and provost Greg Handel says if they get the necessary approvals from the U-L System and the Board of Regents, they could hopefully begin teaching law in the fall of 2026…

Cut 12 (10) “…surmountable for us”

The idea started picking up steam when the school hired NSU graduate and former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese as its new president last year.

A measure that would prevent a driver from recovering damages when they are at 51-percent or more at fault in an accident has received approval from the House Civil Law Committee. It passed on an 11-4 vote, but Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown voted against it, because if a plaintiff who is mostly at fault for an accident can’t recover damages than a defendant who is mostly at fault should have to pay 100-percent of the damages.

Cut 14 (13) “…pay 51-percent.”

More discussion on this bill will take place on the House floor.

Also heading to the House floor is a bill that gives the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates. Governor Landry supports the legislation…

Cut 30 (10) “…are lowered”

But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the state’s legal system is why rates are so high.

Legislation that would fine a driver 150-dollars for camping in the left lane, just driving the speed limit and not using the lane as a passing lane is headed to the Senate floor. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says currently a motorist can get a ticket if they are driving 10 miles per hour below the speed limit in the left lane…

Cut 5 (11) “…on the highway”

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved Luneau’s bill.

Northwestern State is seeking approval from the University of Louisiana System and the Board of Regents to have a law school on their campus in Natchitoches…

Cut 11 (14) “…of that approved”

Executive Vice President and President Greg Handel (HAWN-dle) says if the approval process goes as they plan, the law school will accept its first class for the fall of 2026.

The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that says if police determine a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for an accident, that driver cannot recover damages for injuries suffered in the wreck. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert (SHEN-uh-vair), says you should not be able to collect if the accident is mostly your fault.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the same measure.”

House Bill 431 was approved on an 11-4 vote and advances to the House floor.

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill aimed at drivers who travel at the speed limit in the left lane and are not attempting to pass. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s measure would result in a 150-dollar fine for a first-time offender.

Cut 4 (12) “…to other traffic.”

This measure heads to the Senate floor for further discussion.

A Las Vegas man’s federal death sentence for killing a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish was commuted, but he is now indicted on a state charge. And as Andrew Greenstein reports, the D-A is seeking the death penalty.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Office of Juvenile Justice confirms a 17-year-old offender at the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe escaped yesterday afternoon but was quickly apprehended. The O-J-J says their security protocols were activated immediately, and the juvenile was caught without incident.

If you’re driving in the left lane on a four-lane highway and you’re not passing any vehicles, you could receive a ticket under legislation heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A man whose federal death sentence for killing a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish is now indicted on a state charge. And as Andrew Greenstein reports, the D-A is seeking the death penalty.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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North Louisiana could soon be getting its first law school. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill aimed at drivers who travel at the speed limit in the left lane and are not attempting to pass vehicles in the right lane. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s measure would result in a 150-dollar fine for a first offender for motorists who are camping in the left lane causing a traffic hazard.

Cut 4 (12) “…to other traffic.”

Luneau says left-lane “rolling roadblocks” cause driver frustration and contribute to accidents.

Cut 5 (11) “…on the highway.”

No one spoke out against the bill during committee discussion. Luneau says he’s received a lot of positive feedback about this legislation.

Cut 6 (09) “…feel the love.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

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A grand jury in Catahoula Parish hands down a first-degree murder indictment against a man who killed a 12-year-old girl back in 2010. Thomas Sanders was previously convicted in federal court for the death of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. He was sentenced to death; but Brad Burget (bur-GET), the district attorney in Catahoula and Concordia parishes, says that sentence was commuted to life in prison in December by then-President Joe Biden.

Cut 7 (14) “…of that child.”

Sanders was in a relationship with Lexis’ mother, Suellen Roberts; and after the three had taken a trip to the Grand Canyon, Sanders shot Suellen to death. Burget says Sanders then drove Lexis to Louisiana and shot and stabbed her to death.

Cut 8 (08) “…she was murdered.”

So with Sanders’ federal death sentence commuted, Burget says he will seek the death penalty against him on the state first-degree murder charge.

Cut 9 (08)  “…try this matter.”

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Northwestern State is in the process of establishing a law school. Currently, there are only four law schools in the state, none of which are in North Louisiana. Executive Vice President and Provost Greg Handel (HAWN-dle) says people in the region want a law school in North Louisiana.

Cut 10 (12) “…of the state.”

The idea started picking up steam when the school hired NSU graduate and former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese as its new president last year. Handel says there are many steps that need to happen before the university can officially launch its law school.

Cut 11 (14) “…of that approved.”

Handel says they hope to welcome the first students in the fall of 2026.

Cut 12 (10) “…surmountable for us.”

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The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that says if you are 51-percent or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover damages for injuries suffered in the wreck. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert (SHEN-uh-vair), says you should not be able to collect if the accident is mostly your fault.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the same measure.”

The bill passed along party lines on an 11-to-4 vote. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown voted against it, because if a plaintiff who is mostly at fault for an accident can’t recover damages than a defendant who is mostly at fault should have to pay 100-percent of the damages.

Cut 14 (13) “…pay 51-percent.”

Defense Attorney Sidney Degan argued the proposed legislation could reduce the amount of dollars awarded in a multi-vehicle wreck, which would help reduce rates and frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 15 (15) “…neligence and fault.”

The measure heads to the House floor and it has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.

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Three days after announcing the firing of David Griffin, the Pelicans named Natchitoches native and McNeese legend Joe Dumars as the new executive vice president of basketball operations. Owner Gayle Benson says the hiring of Dumars was not hastily made and she spent time talking with players, coaches and league officials. The host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says the franchise should have interviewed multiple candidates.

Cut 16 (18) “…a wide net.”

Dumars was the President of Basketball Operations in Detroit when the Pistons won an NBA title in 2004. But a lot of his draft picks flopped, his free agent signings fizzled and some of his trades didn’t pan out. Madison says the NBA Hall of Famer is respected around the league.

Cut 17 (18)  “…with this hire.”

Madison expects Dumars will retain Willie Green as the head coach, but former number one overall pick Zion Williamson could be traded because of his inability to stay healthy.

Cut 18 (12)  “…sort of situation.”

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The ninth ranked LSU baseball team opens a three-game series against 15th ranked Alabama. The Tigers are 10-5 in the SEC and the Crimson Tide is 8-and-7 in league play. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says Bama has one of the best power hitters in the country in Justin Lebron.

Cut 19 (17) “..15 home runs.”

LSU was swept last weekend at Auburn. Johnson expects his team will respond.

Cut 20 (18) “…has been great.”

First pitch tonight is at 7 PM and the game will be on ESPN-U.