The first Black mayor-president in East Baton Rouge Parish history has died. Kip Holden passed away following a lengthy illness today at the age of 72. Former Lieutenant Governor and State Lawmaker Jay Dardenne says Holden loved people and was passionate about what he believed in.

Cut 7 (10) “…as a person.”

State Treasurer John Fleming is alleging a backdoor deal between President Trump and Governor Landry in which they would work to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate, have her resign for a high appointed position in state government so that Landry would appoint himself to the seat. Fleming says if that story is indeed true, the voters will be the ones who lose.

Cut 4 (13) “…and that’s problematic.”

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.”

Will the LA GATOR program be fully funded when the legislature passes the budget? The version of House Bill 1 that the House will debate and vote on tomorrow has it fully funded at 94-million dollars. Governor Landry says, however, he anticipates pushback by some Senators as the bill moves into the upper chamber of the legislature.

State Treasurer John Fleming is alleging a backdoor deal between President Trump and Governor Landry, in which they’d get work to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to Bill Cassidy’s seat, have Letlow resign for a high appointed state office so that Landry would appoint himself to the seat. Landry’s office had no comment. Fleming says any governor who appoints themself to fill a vacancy would instantly give themself an advantage in a special election.

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

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee approves two tort reform bills that supporters say will help in the effort to lower auto insurance rates – reducing the payout an uninsured driver would get if injured in a crash and limiting the payout for an injured driver more than 50-percent at fault. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the high number of bodily injury claims is contributing to high insurance rates.

Cut 14 (07) “…injury claims.”

Governor 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.”

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. State Treasurer John Fleming is alleging that the three could be behind a backdoor deal.

Cut 3 (14) “…an educator herself.” 

Cassidy is seen as being vulnerable, in large part because of his vote to convict then-former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial in 2021. Cassidy says while he stands by his vote, all that is in the past, and he has patched things up with the now-current President.

Cut 5 (08) “…working with him.”

The small West Baton Rouge Parish town of Addis is ready to roll out the welcome mat for its newest hometown hero, John Foster. The 18-year-old LSU freshman is paying a visit to his hometown tonight after making it to the season finale of American Idol. Mayor David Toups (“toops”) says the town will throw a parade for Foster along First Street at five this evening, followed by a ceremony and mini-concert at 7:30 at Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park.

Cut 8 (13) “…by American Idol.”

Former East Baton Rouge Mayor-President and reporter Kip Holden died today at age 72 after a lengthy illness. Former Lieutenant Governor and state lawmaker Jay Dardenne remembers serving in the legislature with Holden.

Cut 6 (11) “…work with everybody.” 

Holden started as a reporter before serving on the Metro Council, in the State House, and Senate.

Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for the fight of his political life next year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry is urging the Legislature to spend 93-million dollars on LA Gator, which is the state’s new voucher program that will provide tax dollars to families to pay for tuition at private schools and other expenses. Senate President Cameron Henry has said he doesn’t want the state to spend no more than 50-million dollars on the program next school year.

A Senate committee has approved three tort reform bills that supporters say will help bring down the state’s escalating auto insurance rates. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment says the legislation attempts to correct a big problem in Louisiana…

Cut 16 (11) “….excessive payouts”

But Democrats say tort reform was done in the past and it has not lowered rates.

Spirits are high in West Baton Rouge Parish as folks their welcome home American Idol finalist John Foster. The 18-year-old LSU student is one of three contestants vying to be next American Idol and a winner will be chosen on Sunday night. Today at 5 PM, there will be a parade in Foster’s hometown of Addis. Addis Mayor David Toups says something like this brings the community together…

Cut 9 (14) “….planned for him”

A Senate committee approves two tort reform bills that supporters say could lower auto insurance rates – reducing the payout an uninsured driver would get if injured in a crash and limiting the payout for an injured driver more than 50-percent at fault. Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau says the legislature has previously passed tort reform with hopes of lowering rates, but it never came to be…

Cut 15 (11) “…going to fix it.”

Senator Bill Cassidy could be fighting for his political life next year, with the possibility of not only having to face several challengers in the Republican primary, but also a formidable opponent in the general election. National Democrats are urging former Governor John Bel Edwards to run for Senate. Cassidy says he doubts that voters as a whole would send him to Washington.

Cut 6 (12) “…for President Trump.”

Newlab has launched Newlab New Orleans, an innovation hub focused on transforming Louisiana’s energy sector through technology commercialization. LED CIO Josh Fleig (“fleg”) says this reinforces Louisiana’s role in sustainable energy leadership and economic reindustrialization.

Cut 12 (07) “…state as well.”

The small West Baton Rouge Parish town of Addis is ready to roll out the welcome mat for its newest hometown hero, John Foster. The 18-year-old LSU freshman is paying a visit to his hometown tonight after making it to the season finale of American Idol. Mayor David Toups (“toops”) says the town will throw a parade for Foster along First Street at five this evening.

Cut 7 (12) “…the parade route.”

That’s followed by a  mini-concert at 7:30.

John Foster’s hometown is ready to roll out the welcome mat for the American Idol finalist.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order yesterday that supports student-athletes in Louisiana receiving fair compensation when it comes to the use of their name, image, and likeness that as national legal proceedings continue around the issue. The NCAA and several athletic conferences have entered into a proposed settlement agreement that would permit colleges to pay student-athletes directly for NIL use.

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Senator Bill Cassidy could face a new challenger in his bid for reelection as news spreads that Governor Landry may be working to recruit Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for that senate seat,  joining State Treasurer John Fleming. Cassidy is believed to be vulnerable due to his vote in 2021 to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th riot at the Capitol. And though Cassidy says he stands by his vote, he says he’spatched things up with the now-current President.

Cut 5 (08) “…working with him.”

A Senate committee approves two tort reform bills that supporters say will help in the effort to lower auto insurance rates…reducing the payouts for injured drivers in and limiting payouts for drivers found to be majority at fault in an accident. The legislation has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.

Cut 14 (07) “…injury claims.”

Both tort reform bills approved by Senate Judiciary A have already passed the House.

Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for the fight of his political life next year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The small West Baton Rouge Parish town of Addis welcomes home 18-year-old John Foster tonight. Mayor David Toups says they’re throwing a parade for the American Idol finalist, followed by a special ceremony and mini-concert.

Cut 8 (13) “…by American Idol.”

Foster heads back to Los Angeles after it all to start preparing for Sunday’s season finale.

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A Senate committee approves two tort reform bills that some say will help lower auto insurance rates. One of the bills would reduce the payout an uninsured driver would receive if injured in a crash. The other would limit the payout for an injured driver that has been found to be 51-percent or more at fault in an accident. Bur New Orleans Senator Gary Carter says…

Cut 13 (13)  “…any sort.”

Newlab has launched Newlab New Orleans, an innovation hub focused on transforming Louisiana’s energy sector through technology commercialization. LED CIO Josh Fleig (“fleg”) says the initiative will provide startups from Louisiana and around the globe with scale-up space and access to a statewide network of test sites.

Cut 11 (06) “…from our borders.”

Auto insurance reform legislation has cleared another legislative hurdle as a Senate Committee approves changes to how the legal system handles car crash cases with injuries. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The town of Addis is rolling out the welcome mat for hometown hero, John Foster. The 18-year-old LSU freshman is coming home tonight after making it to the season finale of American Idol. There’s a parate in Foster’s honor set for five followed by a special ceremony and mini concert at 7:30.

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Senator Bill Cassidy could face a new challenger in his bid for reelection as news spreads that Governor Landry may be working to recruit Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for that senate seat,  joining State Treasurer John Fleming. Cassidy is believed to be vulnerable due to his vote in 2021 to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th riot at the Capitol. Cassidy says he stands by his vote.

Cut 4 (09) “…I would not.”

Newlab has launched Newlab New Orleans, an innovation hub focused on transforming Louisiana’s energy sector through technology commercialization. LED CIO Josh Fleig (“fleg”) says the initiative is backed by public-private partnerships, which will advance innovation in industrial power, carbon management, and maritime shipping.

Cut 10 (08) “…test those products.”