Louisiana lawmakers are focusing on small business issues in week two of the legislative session. The biggest concerns are high insurance costs, complicated sales tax rules, and workforce shortages. Business groups support legal reforms to lower insurance rates and reduce lawsuit costs. A proposed centralized sales tax system would simplify filing and cut expenses for businesses operating in multiple parishes. Workforce development remains a priority, with efforts to expand job training and better connect workers to open positions. The overall tone at the Capitol feels less intense than past sessions. With an election year coming, lawmakers may be more cautious, but there is still room for progress on key business reforms.

A high-profile staged crash trial is exposing a system driven by big money and raising questions about accountability. At the State Capitol, the legislative session is off to a busy start, with less direct control from the governor and major debates forming around education funding, carbon capture, and foreign land ownership. In New Orleans, aging infrastructure is under pressure as officials roll out a costly plan to fix ongoing water system failures. At the same time, Mardi Gras controversies continue to spark backlash, with parade organizers moving quickly to discipline participants and limit further issues.

Week two of the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session is underway, and several major policy debates are beginning to take shape. Political commentator Moon Griffon says carbon capture legislation is expected to dominate early discussions at the Capitol.

State Representative Jessica Domingue of Terrebonne Parish says the debate over carbon capture during the Louisiana legislative session should focus on facts and science rather than misinformation.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to colorectal surgeon Dr. Kelly Finan with Our Lady of the Lake Health, colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Cases are rising in younger adults. It is now the leading cause of cancer death among people under 50.

Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on possible changes to college athletics as NIL deals and revenue sharing reshape the system. After holding a roundtable with coaches, athletes, and experts, Cassidy said both the old NCAA model and the current NIL environment create problems for student-athletes. Lawmakers are reviewing issues such as athletes losing academic credits after transferring, lack of standard contracts, and the risk that many athletes earn short-term money but leave college without graduating. Cassidy said possible solutions include standard NIL agreements, stronger disclosure rules in the transfer portal, and policies that keep education at the center of college sports. The Senate plans to hold hearings later this month to explore federal legislation aimed at stabilizing college athletics while protecting student-athletes’ long-term success.

Southern Palette is a new food and drink fundraiser for the LSU Museum of Art happening March 21 from 6–10 PM in downtown Baton Rouge near the Shaw Center. The event will feature 30 chefs from across the South, each serving a specialty dish for guests to sample. Attendees can also enjoy craft cocktails, wine, and beer while walking through the outdoor tasting event. Live music from the Laura Doyle Trio and the Lynn Drury Band will create a festival atmosphere. Proceeds support the LSU Museum of Art’s exhibitions, education programs, and preservation of its collection.

Mental health care continues to evolve, and NeuroJust is helping patients find relief when traditional options fall short. The Baton Rouge clinic specializes in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive therapy designed to treat depression and anxiety without medication side effects.For many patients, TMS offers a new path after years of struggling with therapy, prescriptions, or both.