Blake Miguez ends his campaign for U.S. Senate and is now instead running for the now-open fifth district U.S. House seat. It comes after President Trump endorsed Julia Letlow, prompting her to enter the Senate race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it underscores how weird of an election cycle this has been. 

Cut 7 (10) “…doing what tomorrow.”

Miguez lives in New Iberia, which is not part of the fifth district. Pinsonat says when it comes to the U.S. House, that doesn’t matter.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director Meghan Jones says they’re also accepting donations to help the many families who need financial support.

Cut 15 (08) “…in our region.”

These grades would send the State of Louisiana to its room with no dinner. In its annual State of Tobacco Control report card, the American Lung Association gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products; and Cs in smokefree air and access to cessation services. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says Louisiana needs to do a better job in getting the word out that low dose CT lung cancer screening tests are covered by insurance for those considered to be high-risk for lung cancer.

Cut 4 (12) “…last 15 years.”

LDWF plans to complete the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state this week. Fisheries outreach biologist Joshua Porter says their popularity as a sport fish has led to stocking programs across the country.

Cut 10 (06) “…from anglers.”

A campaign detour for Blake Miguez just before the start of qualifying. The state senator from New Iberia announced on social media today that he’s ending his run for U.S. Senate and is instead running for U.S. House in the fifth district – the seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after President Trump endorsed Letlow last month, Miguez saw the writing on the wall.

Cut 6 (07) “…for her seat.”

Like the race for U.S. Senate, Miguez will face a crowded field in that congressional race as well, with Rick Edmonds, Misti Cordell and Dixon McMakin officially announcing runs for that seat, with several more expected to also enter.

LDWF plans to complete this week the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state. Joshua Porter, who is a fisheries outreach biologist, says they stock ponds with Rainbow Trout, where bank fishing is possible…

Cut 9 (09) “….time of the year”

LDWF stocks Rainbow Trout during the winter months when water temperatures are cool enough for them to thrive.

According to the American Lung Association’s latest annual State of Tobacco Control report, Louisiana either has room for improvement or is failing, depending on the metric. It gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says that may explain Louisiana’s relatively high rate of lung cancer.

Cut 3 (08) “…adult smoking rate.”

The state’s smoking rate is 16-percent, sixth highest in the nation.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. United Way of Northeast Louisiana President Kim Lowery says 56-percent of households in this part of the state already struggle to pay their bills.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the time.”

You can donate on the same website, or you can text FAMILYRELIEF to 91999.

Louisiana’s Corrections Secretary held a press conference to address the string of unexpected deaths at a prison facility in Iberville Parish. Andrew Greenstein was there

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Department of Corrections has announced a 43-year-old inmate at Elyan Hunt died yesterday and the death is being classified as underdetermined and under investigation.

The first attack ad is out in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary. A super PAC supporting incumbent Bill Cassidy has labeled Congresswoman Julia Letlow, in its words, a “liberal,” accusing her of voting with former President Joe Biden more than any of the other Republican in Louisiana’s House delegation. Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM.

Cut 10 (08) “…to do so.”

Letlow responded to the ad by saying it did not take long for Cassidy and his never-Trumper, pro-impeachment allies to begin attacking her.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director, Meghan Jones, says they began accepting applications for financial assistance Saturday morning; and within two hours, they received two thousand applications.

Cut 14 (07) “…an overwhelming need.”

Go the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s website for more information.

Governor Landry’s proposal to double next year’s funding for the LA GATOR program is getting pushback from legislative leaders, particularly in the Senate. The program is currently funded at 44-million dollars, Landry is calling for 88-million. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says that rising price tag has some lawmakers concerned.

Cut 8 (09) “…those other states.”

The department of public safety and corrections is addressing a series of unexpected deaths at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in Iberville Parish. Chief of Operations Seth Smith says of the 47 deaths at Elayn Hunt in 2025, 18 were unexpected.

Cut 4 (06) “…currently pending autopsy.”

Travis Day took over as warden of the facility, taking over for Keithe Turner, who stepped down after only eight months on the job.

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The gloves are already off in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The United Way of Northeast Louisiana has launched the Family Relief Effort to help those affected by last week’s ice storm. Within two hours of opening applications, the United Way received more than two-thousand of them. As such, it could really use your help. To donate, text FAMILYRELIEF to 91999.

Governor Landry wants to expand the LA GATOR voucher program so more families can use state dollars to attend a school that fits them best. He wants to increase the current 44 million dollar allocation to 88 million dollars. But Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says the state is projected to see a drop in state revenue because of recent tax changes.

Cut 9 (09)  “…GATOR program quickly.”

The gloves are off in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary. A pro-Cassidy super PAC, Louisiana Freedom Fund, took aim at Julia Letlow labeling the Congresswoman a liberal. Cassidy’s campaign also released a statement yesterday that says they raised 1.4-million dollars at a Washington Mardi Gras fundraiser. ULM Political Science professor, Pearson Cross says how much Letlow will have remains a question mark.

Cut 12 (10) “…sure to come.”

The department of public safety and corrections is addressing a series of unexpected deaths at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in Iberville Parish. Secretary Gary Westcott says the health issues inside the prison are not much different than those outside the prison.

Cut 5 (14) “…and our nation.”

The United Way is working to help households facing financial hardship after the recent ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director, Meghan Jones, says over 94% of families applying for assistance are asking for help with groceries.

Cut 15 (08) “…in our region.”

You can donate on the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s website, or text FAMILYRELIEF to 91999.

The department of public safety and corrections is addressing a series of unexpected deaths at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in Iberville Parish. Chief of Operations Seth Smith says of the 47 deaths at Elayn Hunt in 2025, 18 were unexpected. Secretary Greg Westcott says the health and safety of the inmates is of utmost importance to all prison staff.

Cut 6 (09) “…this responsibility serious.”

The pro-Bill Cassidy super PAC, Louisiana Freedom Fund, is taking aim at Julia Letlow, who entered the race for U.S. Senate on January 20th. They’re calling her a liberal who sided with former President Biden more than any other Louisiana Republican in the House. Political Science professor, Pearson Cross says Letlow’s campaign team is ready to respond to these attacks, and she will go on the offensive as well.

Cut 11 (08) “…with Julia Letlow?”

Another budget battle is brewing over the funding for the LA GATOR program. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director, Meghan Jones, says they began accepting applications for financial assistance Saturday morning; and within two hours, they received two thousand applications.

Cut 14 (07) “…an overwhelming need.”

A 15-year-old will be tried as an adult for his alleged involvement in Saturday’s shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in the small East Feliciana town of Clinton that injured 6 people. Sheriff Jeffrey Travis says it appears to be gang related…

Cut 26 (11) “….horrified”

4 people so far have been arrested. Travis says the victims are all expected to survive, but one may never walk again.

The first attack ad is out in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary. A super PAC supporting incumbent Bill Cassidy has labeled Congresswoman Julia Letlow, “a liberal,” accusing her of voting with former President Joe Biden more than any of the other Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM.

Cut 10 (08) “…to do so.”

Letlow responded to Louisiana Freedom Fund by saying it did not take long for Cassidy and his “never-Trumper, pro-impeachment” allies to begin attacking her.

The department of public safety and corrections is looking into a number of unexpected deaths at a prison facility in Iberville Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry wants to increase funding for LA GATOR, the program that provides state tax dollars for parents to use to pay for private school tuition, homeschool materials and other education expenses.  It’s currently funded at 44 million dollars, but Landry’s budget proposal calls for 88 million dollars. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says LA GATOR’s rising price tag has some lawmakers concerned.

Cut 8 (09) “…those other states.”