Tagged News

• Louisiana bill to end inspection stickers could affect required emissions checks near Baton Rouge Play Video

  May 23, 2026 8:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers are moving to replace the state vehicle inspection sticker with a $6 QR code, and drivers in the capital region are raising questions about what happens to emissions testing. The bill has the governor's support and is likely to pass. If it does, inspection... more »

• La. State Capitol increases safety ahead of Tuesday's packed Senate committee Play Video

  May 12, 2026 6:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - After a fiery debate Friday over the future of Louisiana’s Congressional districts, the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee prepared for another long afternoon of public testimony . The crowds on Friday raised safety concerns at the State Capitol, as more visitors packed its grounds on Tuesday... more »

• East Baton Rouge public defenders ask lawmakers for guaranteed funding Play Video

  April 15, 2026 6:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge District Attorney's Office and Public Defenders were both at the Capitol on Wednesday, saying they don't have enough money for their offices. Lawmakers passed House Bill 59, sponsored by State Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, through committee, requiring money to be... more »

• Louisiana could become second state with domestic violence offender registry under proposed bills Play Video

  March 31, 2026 6:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Nearly half of all Louisianans have reported experiencing domestic violence, according to a survey conducted by Tulane University, and lawmakers want communities to know when a person convicted of domestic abuse is in a community. Two bills moving through the state capitol could create a database... more »

• Louisiana lawmakers look ahead to legislative session starting next Monday Play Video

  March 2, 2026 7:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana lawmakers have already filed more than a thousand bills for the upcoming legislative session, covering topics from economic incentives to improved infrastructure and better schools. Lawmakers said they're tired of seeing people leave Louisiana for opportunities in other states, and that this legislative session is... more »

• UnitedHealthcare contract extended 90 days to mid-February after concerns about deadline Play Video

  December 16, 2025 7:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - For more than 330,000 people in Louisiana who rely on Medicaid services, their health insurance policy will change in February following a 90-day contract extension. It's one of six companies that provide Medicaid coverage in Louisiana, but some lawmakers are worried about the change, especially as... more »

• K-12 School Safety Task Force discusses implementing new technology to improve school safety Play Video

  November 14, 2025 6:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers discussed new proposals aimed at upgrading school safety on Friday at the K-12 School Safety Task Force meeting. The meeting took place at the Capitol, where task force members heard from several community companies about new technology that could improve the safety of local schools.... more »

• Louisiana athletics leaders looking to get ahead of NIL issues Play Video

  September 30, 2025 7:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A legislative task force made up of athletics leaders from across the state, student-athletes and high school coaches met Tuesday to try to get ahead of future name, image and likeness issues. Nearly every university in the state had a seat at the table Tuesday. The... more »

• One Tank Trips: The State Capitol Play Video

  June 19, 2025 5:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE — While the panoramic views from the Louisiana State Capitol are breathtaking, they're just one of the building's many unique features, all thanks to the vision of former Gov. Huey P. Long. Tracy Tullier is a tour guide at the Louisiana State Capital and said that there... more »

• Louisiana poised to stiffen penalties for fentanyl distribution, including life terms Play Video

  June 9, 2023 5:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A proposed Louisiana law that would stiffen penalties for those convicted of distributing fentanyl is pending Gov. John Bel Edwards' approval. In the worst cases, a dealer could be sentenced to life in prison. Watch live newscasts here The sponsor of the bill,... more »

• State Police names new second-in-command in wake of embattled trooper's exit

  June 20, 2022 2:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State Police has named a new chief of staff just days after a longtime, high-ranking trooper retired under a cloud of controversy . State Police announced Monday that Lt. Col. Chavez Cammon will take over as the agency's second-in-command. Cammon takes over for Lt.... more »

• Lawmaker plans to pull $3 million from City of Central over political spat Play Video

  March 9, 2021 6:51 PM

  CENTRAL- A political spat has State Senator Bodi White planning to reallocate funding that was dedicated for the City of Central. Instead, he said it will now go to the school system. White said it comes after a disagreement between the council and mayor over a proposed new city... more »

• Millions of Americans face unemployment benefits lapse

  December 25, 2020 10:58 AM

  A challenging year draws to a close with hope arriving in the form of promising COVID vaccinations that are already being administered to healthcare workers across the nation. But even as this glimmer of hope appears, so does a looming financial threat that would impact millions of Americans. ... more »

• Louisiana's state treasurer released from hospital after testing positive for COVID-19

  December 3, 2020 3:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State Treasurer John M. Schroder was released from the hospital Friday night after contracting the coronavirus , his office announced Saturday. Schroder's office announced Thursday, that he was admitted to the hospital for complications related to COVID-19. The 59-year-old state official is currently resting... more »

• Rep. Garret Graves quarantining after potential COVID exposure

  December 3, 2020 2:31 PM

  WASHINGTON - Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves will self-quarantine after potentially being exposed to the coronavirus. Graves' office announced Thursday that the representative is currently out-of-state and will remain so until he completes the CDC-recommended quarantine period. He will be tested for the virus and is currently making arrangements... more »

• Two major issues remain unresolved as conclusion of special session approaches

  June 29, 2020 8:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A special session called by Republican lawmakers during the COVID-19 health crisis has yet to resolve two key issues before adjourning Tuesday evening. According to The Advocate , legislators must still approve the operating and construction budgets that will fund health care, education, prisons, and countless... more »

• Women showing more influence at the state capitol

  June 24, 2018 9:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE--When Rep. Paula Davis put forward a compromise Friday to resolve an epic fight over funding state government, a fellow Republican proposed an amendment that could have placed the bill in jeopardy. As Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Shreveport, approached the podium, Davis firmly shook her head no and repeatedly... more »

• Former Governor Edwin Edwards blames all sides for no compromises at the Capitol Play Video

  June 5, 2018 5:50 PM

  GONZALES- From the office of his Ascension Parish home, former Governor Edwin Edwards said he's been keenly watching what's been happening with lawmakers reaching an impasse when it comes to passing a budget. Edwards is the only four-term Governor in the history of Louisiana. The 90-year-old is just shy of... more »

• Lawmakers discuss ways to reduce state's prison population Play Video

  March 2, 2017 7:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards' criminal justice task force has made recommendations to lawmakers on how to reduce Louisiana's prison population. The task force discussed the topic of violent crimes on Thursday and made recommendations that included granting parole hearings for juveniles sentenced to life in prison... more »

• Critical tax vote planned Wednesday in House committee

  June 15, 2016 11:38 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Pressure is being put on members of the House tax committee, who are deciding whether to scale back a tax deduction for upper-income earners. The Ways and Means Committee meets Wednesday afternoon to consider the legislation by Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White, to raise more than $100 million... more »

• Bill would limit last-minute raises from outgoing governors

  June 1, 2016 11:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's lawmakers want more say over a governor's ability to dole out last-minute pay raises. A bill by Republican Sen. Gerald Long requires the joint House and Senate budget committee to approve executive branch salary increases during the last 90 days of a governor's term. The measure... more »

• Students invade Capitol for 'Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day'

  April 29, 2016 7:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Lawmakers took the day off Friday, so students, along with their parents and teachers, took over the Louisiana State Capitol building. It was all part of a new event that Governor John Bel Edwards called, “Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” And that is... more »

• How will lawmakers curb TOPS spending? Play Video

  April 6, 2016 5:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The House Education Committee met Wednesday to feel out plans to curb TOPS spending. Lawmakers tossed out some ideas but didn’t agree on any one plan. One proposal would raise the minimum grade point average requirement from 2.3 to 2.5. Another plan would require students to... more »

• Disabled children could lose state funded day care

  February 17, 2016 12:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Hundreds of disabled children in Louisiana could lose state funded daycare March 1st. The bad news came Tuesday during testimony by state health care officials. The Department of Health and Hospitals is short millions of dollars forcing it to cut the program. 612 children will be affected. Shannon... more »

• Lawmakers want budget transparency from Jindal Play Video

  September 24, 2015 7:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State lawmakers want to know why the governor will not tell them how much money the state overspent last fiscal year. They want transparency from Governor Jindal's administration. "Well it puts us in a bind trying to make the proper adjustments," said Sen. Dan Claitor(R-Baton Rouge). A... more »

• Activists say La. immigration task force too narrow-minded Play Video

  September 3, 2015 7:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Members of a new immigration task force met Thursday to begin discussing how illegal immigration has impacted Louisiana's economy, but some activists are concerned that they're taking too negative a view on the situation. The task force met Thursday to discuss crunching the numbers and seeing how... more »