The candidates in the 2026 U-S Senate race have submitted their campaign finance totals, and incumbent Bill Cassidy has a big lead financially over his two main challengers. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The State Capitol is undergoing a thorough exterior cleaning. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Tigers head coach Brian Kelly spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club just over a month before the season kicks off. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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The latest campaign finance numbers are in for the 2026 U-S Senate race for the three main Republican candidates. Incumbent Bill Cassidy has nine-million dollars on hand. State Treasurer John Fleming has 2.1-million dollars to spend, and State Senator Blake Miguez has 1.7. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Fleming’s and Miguez’s campaigns are mostly self-funded, which is not unusual.
Cut 4 (08) “….their own money”
Alford says the wild card in next year’s U-S Senate primary is Congresswoman Julia Letlow. He says Letlow could get into the race.
Cut 5 (12) “…as facts.”
Alford says Cassidy has a huge financial advantage over his two declared opponents, not only with money raised, but also with political action committee donations.
Cut 6 (13) “…that’s Cassidy.”
Cassidy has collected more than 2.3-million dollars in political action committee donations, more than either of his main competitors have in total cash on hand.
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The State Capitol is undergoing a thorough exterior refurbishment. This is actually the third phase in a four-phase project to rehabilitate the 93-year-old structure. Architect Matt Baker, the Assistant Director of Facility Planning and Control, says part of it involves a thorough cleaning of the outside of the building that will better waterproof it.
Cut 7 (10) “…shed those contaminants.”
The legislature allocated almost 32-million dollars his year. Baker says the exterior cleaning will be thorough.
Cut 8 (13) “…for energy efficiency.”
This third phase will take until the early summer of 2030 to be fully completed at an overall budget of 100-million dollars, so the state will need to come up with more money to see this portion of the project through to completion. After that, Baker says they can turn their focus to the fourth and final phase.
Cut 9 (08) “…of that nature.”
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McNeese is renaming its football stadium to Navarre Stadium in the largest naming rights gift in school and Southland Conference history. Lake Charles Navarre Auto Groups President Billy Navarre will gift five-million dollars over the next ten years. Athletic Director Heath Schroyer says investment in McNeese is investment in Lake Charles.
Cut 10 (15) “…this region.”
University President Wade Rousse says Navarre was one of the first people to invest in the Cowboys Athletics two years ago.
Cut 11 (11) “…entire region.”
Navarre is a member of the McNeese Foundation board and has been a longtime supporter of the university and Athletics Department. He says the basketball program brought in almost five million dollars in two trips to the NCAA tournament.
Cut 12 (13) “…be safe.”
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Public schools can get updated computers because of Act 161 from the 2025 legislative session. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc says during the Covid pandemic, schools used federal dollars to purchase computers for remote learning, many of those computers are now obsolete, so his House Bill 213 creates a buyback program.
Cut 13 (13) “…good, good bill”
St. Blanc says his legislation cuts the red tape that allows school systems to sell back computers they no longer use for newer technology.
Cut 14 (10) “…work with him.”
St. Blanc says Apple approached the state about passing this new law. The St. Mary Parish Republican says there are school systems that have old computers sitting in warehouses and they can now trade them in for new computers.
Cut 15 (12) “…stuff.”
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The Saints began training camp yesterday under first-year coach Kellen Moore. New Orleans will also have to find a new starting quarterback following the retirement of Derek Carr. Running back Alvin Kamara says training camp brings a fresh start every year.
Cut 16 (17) “…spark back.”
Along with Moore, the Saints welcomed new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Staley will bring a new defensive scheme to New Orleans after nearly ten years of Dennis Allen-led squads. Veteran Linebacker Demario Davis says it will be just as effective.
Cut 17 (16) “…speaks to itself.”
The biggest difference will be in the 3-4 defensive front, which could see defensive tackle Bryan Bresee lining up on the edge and defensive end Chase Young as a linebacker. The new scheme, along with rookie and veteran offseason additions, has defensive end Cameron Jordan feeling confident.
Cut 18 (11) “…I like that.”
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LSU head coach Brian Kelly spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday. He says for the first time in his career, he’s made it a focused goal to start 1-and-0. He says his players have the traits of excellence to get that done.
Cut 19 (19) “…to day basis.”
Kelly says six months ago, he set out to transform the LSU culture and roster. The Tigers signed the nation’s top transfer class, and Kelly says it’s not a question of if — but when — the Tigers win another national championship.
Cut 20 (16) “…for LSU.”