Changes are coming to DCFS, thanks to the just-completed legislative session.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Good news for your pocketbook as the price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped 17-cents in the last week. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the drop coincides with a drop in crude oil prices….

Cut 13 (12) “….price of gasoline”

Governor Landry has vetoed his first bill from the 2026 legislative session. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux received legislative approval on his proposal to raise the cap by 50-percent on compensation someone can receive from the state for being wrongfully convicted. Landry says the Legislature just raised the cap four years ago and before increasing payouts again, the state should ensure that the process is fair, accountable, and protected against abuse.

The SEC and Big 10 are not supporting the Protect College Sports Act as currently written. The bipartisan bill seeks to regulate NIL, transfer portals and athlete revenue-sharing. The proposal also gives conferences the option of pooling their media rights, which is something SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is not interested in doing. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio…

Cut 10 (12) “…media rights”

The Louisiana Legislative Republican Delegation is happy about what lawmakers pushed through this legislative session. Chairman and Monroe Representative Michael Echols says important measures were approved to attract large aerospace companies to invest in Louisiana by offering them property and sales tax breaks…:
Cut 14 (15) “…the aerospace industry.”

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow has been a critic of the Department of Children and Family Services and their handling of cases when informed about troubles in a home and a young child could be in danger. But Barrow says new legislation will improve communication within the stakeholders of the agency to better protect children…

Cut 5 (08) “…definitely be narrowed”

On Capitol hill, the Protect College Sports Act received its first hearing today. It is legislation designed to fix college sports. The bill preserves NIL and revenue sharing for student-athletes but adds regulations to snuff out illegitimate deals and cap-evading loopholes. It also provides medical insurance for athletes, but USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says the bill limits the earnings of athletes and their representation.

Cut 11 (12) “…five percent.”

Lafayette and the Cajundome is the new home of the state boys basketball championships. LHSAA Assistant executive director Karen Hoyt says the Cajundome is also host site state volleyball championships….

Cut 8 (11) “…the renovation”

There will be several changes within the Department of Children and Family Services as a result of the just-completed legislative session. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow initially sought to abolish the agency altogether. While that quest went nowhere, she was able to get a bill to the governor’s desk that adds a law enforcement liaison within the department.

Cut 3 (12) “…and Family Services.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law yesterday, eliminating the vehicle inspection sticker program.  Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley authored the bill and credited Landry for helping pass the legislation.

Cut 6 (07) “…answer the questions.”

The inspection sticker is being replaced with a six-dollar QR code that arrives in the mail that provides law enforcement with the VIN.

The Senate is holding a hearing today on the Protect College Sports Act. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Not only will drivers save money by not having to have their vehicles inspected every year, but they can also save money at the gas pumps – at least compared to recent weeks. Louisiana’s average for a gallon of regular stands at $3.80, which is down 3 cents from the prior day, and 17 cents lower than the same time last week.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law that eliminates the vehicle inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The governor has also signed legislation that expands the definition of first degree murder to include shootings and gang violence in public venues. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the change in the law is a direct response to the shooting in April at the Mall of Louisiana which took the life of 17-year-old Martha Odom.

The U.S. Senate is hearing arguments on the Protect College Sports Act this morning. The bill provides a framework of antitrust exemption and athlete protections to give control back to the NCAA in the NIL era. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has begged Congress to step in but has now released a joint statement with the Big Ten against the bill.

Cut 9 (10)  “…very much”

The high school boys basketball championships are returning to Lafayette after spending the last 12 years in Lake Charles. The games will be played at the Cajundome, the home of UL Lafayette men’s and women’s basketball. President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot, says bringing the championships to the city could not have happened without the support of the university…

Cut 12 (12) “…great recruiting tool.”

There are lawmakers and organizations hailing the 2026 legislative session for the package of bills intended to improve workforce development. Monroe Representative Mike Echols, the chairman of the Legislative Republican Delegation, says they passed legislation that provides exposure to career opportunities for students as early as grade school.

Cut 15 (09) “…straight to work.” 

Adam Knapp, the CEO for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says legislation was approved that expands eligibility requirements for the TOPS Tech scholarship program for students in community and technical colleges.

Cut 9 (10)  “…part-time student.” 

Knapp says legislators also approved the Learn and Earn Act, which authorizes specialized internships on high school campuses.

The LHSAA Boys’ Basketball Championships are returning to Lafayette for the first time since 2011. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee begins discussion on a bill intended to fix college athletics. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey asked Congress to pass a law that would bring much-needed regulations on NIL deals and reduce player movement from school to school. But the SEC and Big 10 issued a joint statement last night saying they oppose the legislation as it is written now.

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law Tuesday, eliminating the vehicle inspection sticker program. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley who authored the bill says he’s been pushing for this a while, but Landry said there was a key difference this time…:
Cut 5 (05) “the right governor”

This session also saw plenty of bills aimed at improving Louisiana’s workforce:
Cut 2 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The Louisiana Republican Delegation is happy about what lawmakers pushed through this legislative session. Chairman and Monroe Representative Michael Echols says important measures were approved designed to attract large aerospace companies with property and sales tax breaks…:
Cut 14 (15) “…the aerospace industry.”

The CAJUNDOME is home to the LHSAA Boys’ Basketball State Championships once again. The association announced plans yesterday to move the event to Lafayette after 12 years in Lake Charles. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot says Acadiana is the perfect location for this event…:
Cut 11 (13) “but the LHSAA”
The championships had been held in Lake Charles for 12 years.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law that eliminates the vehicle inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
East Baton Rouge, Livingston, West Baton Rouge, Ascension and Iberville parishes all require a separate emissions test on top of the standard inspection.

Gas prices continue to fall nationwide. Louisiana’s average for a gallon of regular stands at $3.80, which is down 3 cents from the prior day, and 17 cents lower than the same time last week.

The Legislative Republican Delegation is pleased with what they were able to accomplish this session. Chairman and Monroe Representative Michael Echols says lawmakers made smart investments by using state savings to put another $500 million into roads and infrastructure and $360 million into economic development:
Cut 13 (07) “and economic development”

Echols is also happy about the package of bills passed aimed at strengthening jobs in the state. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says one of the outcomes of the session is a restructured workforce delivery system, including the modernization of the Incumbent Worker Training Program…:
Cut 7 (14) “their existing workers”

Most personal vehicles will no longer need an annual safety inspection sticker starting in 2027 under a bill signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry Tuesday. The current brake tag would be replaced with a $6 QR code tied to the vehicle’s registration. Landry says this was a very popular initiative this session…:
Cut 4 (13) “and start dancing”
Drivers in East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, Iberville, and Ascension parishes would still need emissions testing under federal law.

Also Tuesday Landry signed an executive order tied to funding for permanent teacher pay raises. He called for a $168 million dollar reduction in public school funding to pay for $2000 stipends for Louisiana educators. Lawmakers passed a state budget last week that did not include the raises, and Landry’s proposed funding cut will need legislative approval first.

The 2026 legislative session was also packed with bills to strengthen the workforce in Louisiana. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says some of them expanded career exposure beginning in middle school…:
CUT 8 (13) “want to pursue”
The broad workforce package was a bipartisan one, with many of the laws passed receiving no opposition in either chamber.

Lafayette will host the high school boys basketball championships after spending the past 12 years in Lake Charles. The LHSAA announced plans Tuesday to move the event to the Cajundome and Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot says they are thrilled…:
Cut 10 (05) “they support it”
Lafayette hosted the event from 1997 to 2011.