She’s in – Congresswoman Julia Letlow has entered the U-S Senate race, challenging Bill Cassidy who is seeking a third term. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry’s invitation to Greenland’s prestigious dog sledding race has officially been rescinded. The chairman of the Greenland Dogsledding Association posted the announcement on social media this week, as President Trump has ramped up rhetoric in his desire to wrest the island nation from Danish control. 

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for north central and northwest Louisiana. It will go into effect Friday morning and run through Sunday morning. Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says freezing rain is expected to arrive on Friday night, so prepare now for potential power outages from the freezing rain.

Cut 11 (07) “…start preparing.”

While you were sleeping, House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the British Parliament, becoming the first U.S. Speaker of the House ever to do so. In his nearly 23-minute address, Johnson talked about the great experiment America embarked on when it gained independence from the British 250 years ago.

Cut 3 (13) “…equal and free.”

Three days after President Trump endorsed her, Congresswoman Julia Letlow has announced that she’s challenging Bill Cassidy in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, joining a host of other challengers. Letlow is in her second term as a U.S. Representative, and ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it is a political gamble to run for the Senate.

Cut 8 (08) “…of office.”

Chances of a winter storm hitting the northern half of the state this weekend are growing bigger and bigger. Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says travel could be treacherous this weekend.

Cut 10 (07) “…travel impacts.”

Hill says freezing rain is expected to arrive on Friday night and the precipitation is expected to turn to sleet and possibly snow before the storm system moves out on Sunday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson became the first-ever U.S. Speaker of the House to address the British Parliament. In the unofficial kickoff of America’s 250th birthday celebration, Johnson told the British lawmakers that the relationship between the two countries has always been more powerful and enduring than the enemies that they face.

Cut 4 (09) “…has ever known.”

Johnson addressed a joint session of the House of Lords and the House of Commons for nearly 23 minutes.

How long do you expect to live? 75 years? 85 years? On Monday, a Baton Rouge woman just celebrated her – listen to this number – 110th birthday! Mildred Bowie taught English for 36 years. She has nine great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Her advice to everyone – treat others the way you want to be treated.

After months of speculation, Congresswoman Julia Letlow has made her decision – she’s entering the U.S. Senate race. Three days after President Trump endorsed her, Letlow announced that she is running for the seat currently held by Bill Cassidy. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says with Trump’s endorsement vaulting Letlow to the top, there’s a good chance the primary will go to a run-off.

Cut 7 (15) “…much in question.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the British Parliament this morning. Johnson’s address to a joint session of the House of Lords and the House of Commons serves as the unofficial start of America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 5 (10) “…importantly in spirit.”

Chances are growing that a winter storm could hit the northern half of the state this weekend. Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says freezing rain is expected to arrive on Friday night and the precipitation is expected to turn to sleet and possibly snow before the storm system moves out on Sunday.

Cut 9 (09)  “…on both.”

Hill says there’s a 40-percent chance the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas will also see some ice and snow accumulation on Saturday and Sunday.

Cut 23 (fade after 3 seconds)

Even if you’re not one of Hank Williams Jr.’s rowdy friends, you’re invited to the Cajundome in Lafayette to hang out with all his rowdy friends on April 17th. Tickets to his concert go on sale Friday at ten a-m. Asleep at the Wheel will be his opening act.

She’s in – Congresswoman Julia Letlow has entered the U-S Senate race, challenging Bill Cassidy who is seeking a third term. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry’s invitation to Greenland’s prestigious dog sledding race has officially been rescinded. The chairman of the Greenland Dogsledding Association posted the announcement on social media this week, as President Trump has ramped up rhetoric in his desire to wrest the island nation from Danish control. 

The entire Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is hearing oral arguments this afternoon in Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law. The law requires posters of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom throughout the state. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says unlike the previous hearing before the Fifth Circuit, all 17 judges will hear these arguments.

Cut 4 (08) “…of such laws.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the British Parliament this morning, becoming the first U.S. Speaker of the House ever to do so. In his nearly 23-minute address, Johnson talked about the great experiment America embarked on when it gained independence from the British 250 years ago.

Cut 3 (13) “…equal and free.”

Fifth District Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she will run for U-S Senate, challenging incumbent Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary. Letlow made the announcement at the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Power Breakfast event. Her announcement comes after President Trump endorsed her over Cassidy. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says with Trump’s backing Letlow is the favorite to win this seat…

Cut 6 (08) “…Trump’s endorsement”

Qualifying for the U-S Senate seat is next month and the party primary is May 16^th.

Confidence is building for a winter storm to hit the state this weekend. National Weather Service Meteorologist Dayvon Hill says arctic air is once again expected to surge south by the weekend, and it will meet up with Gulf and Pacific moisture.

Cut 10 (10) “…of wintry precipitation.”

There’s a 60 to 70 percent chance the I-20 corridor will see freezing rain Friday night to Sunday morning. It’s a 50-50 percent chance for central Louisiana.

A new report from the Pelican Institute highlights positive signs for the state’s economy, but the institute says tax policies still need to be revised to foster job creation and encourage business growth. The report’s author, Vance Ginn, says Louisiana’s gross domestic product grew by four-percent in the second quarter of 2025, and Louisiana led the region in personal income growth during that time.

Cut 7 (10) “…save and invest.”

But Ginn says outmigration remains a problem, and the state’s job growth over the past year has remained sluggish.

Louisiana’s constitution is 51 years old and Baton Rouge Republican Dixon McMakin is proposing a constitutional convention to change it. He points out that Louisiana’s constitution is more than 100-thousand words long…

Cut 14 (09) “…back to basics.”

President Trump encouraged her to run for U.S. Senate and Representative Julia Letlow made her intention clear this morning announcing her candidacy for U.S. Senate at the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Power Breakfast event. Her announcement comes days after the president posted on social media that she had his “complete and total endorsement” calling her a “great star” and “total winner”

A new constitution is a topic that is seeing renewed interest. In 2024, Governor Landry pushed for a constitutional convention, but the State Senate showed no interest. Now, Baton Rouge Republican Dixon McMakin is proposing a constitutional convention that would start on December 29th. He says the current state constitution includes things that don’t belong there, such as the finances and intricacies of the local parishes.

Cut 15 (09) “…and local government.”

A new Pelican Institute report shows the state’s economy improving with Louisiana’s gross domestic product growing by four-percent in the second quarter of 2025, and Louisiana leading the region in personal income growth, but the the report’s author, Vance Ginn, says outmigration remains a problem, and the state’s job growth over the past year has remained sluggish.

Cut 9 (07)  “…here to Louisiana.”

Confidence is building for a winter storm to hit the state this weekend. National Weather Service Meteorologist Dayvon Hill says freezing rain and a wintry mix could move in beginning Friday and the potential impact on the upper half of the state will need to be monitored throughout the week.

Cut 12 (10) “…a sleet event.”

Today, all 17 judges of the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law that requires posters of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled an identical Kentucky law unconstitutional. He says Louisiana may know that it has no case in the Fifth Circuit – and that could be part of its strategy.

Cut 6 (10) “…its own precedent.”

The State Fire Marshal is investigating a weekend house fire that claimed the lives of three people in Livingston Parish. They have not been able to rule out the possibility of electrical-related contributing factors, and they are reminding the public of the importance of electrical safety including the dangers of overloading power strips. The fire marshal says, do not connect multiple extension cords together and that extension cords are only for temporary or short-term purposes.

After Governor Landry unsuccessfully called for a constitutional convention in 2024, there’s new interest.  Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

A new Pelican Institute report shows positive signs for the state’s economy. Author of the report Vance Ginn says gross domestic product grew by four-percent in the second quarter of 2025 and Louisiana led the region in personal income growth. He credits Louisiana’s 2024 tax reforms and says the Tax Foundation moved Louisiana’s ranking up to 31st in the country in overall competitiveness.

Cut 8 (08) “…competitive in Louisiana.”

The entire Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is hearing oral arguments this afternoon in Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law. The law requires posters of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom throughout the state. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says unlike the previous hearing before the Fifth Circuit, all 17 judges will hear these arguments.

Cut 4 (08) “…of such laws.”

The Louisiana case is being combined with a nearly identical case out of Texas.

Louisiana’s constitution is 51 years old and Baton Rouge Republican Dixon McMakin is proposing a constitutional convention to change it. He points out that Louisiana’s constitution is more than 100-thousand words long compared to the U.S.’ 236-year-old constitution which is less than nine-thousand words long, including the 27 amendments.

Cut 14 (09) “…back to basics.”

The latest economic report from the Pelican Institute highlights a couple of success stories regarding Louisiana’s economy. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Arctic air and a wintery mix are expected by the weekend. National Weather Service Meteorologist Dayvon Hill says rain will move into northwest Louisiana on Friday and will eventually turn into freezing rain, a wintry mix and possibly snow. He says there’s a 60-percent chance that north Louisiana will be impacted by the winter weather and about a 50-percent chance for central Louisiana.

Cut 11 (08) “…of the state.”