The East Baton Rouge Parish Library will host community workshops to help residents explore local government data and shape a new transparency tool. The sessions begin March 16 at the Bluebonnet Regional Library and continue through mid-May at branches across the parish.

The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport says operations remain smooth even as a partial federal government shutdown affects Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees nationwide. While major airports report long lines and delays, local officials say travelers in Baton Rouge should expect normal operations.

LSU is bringing the AI conversation back to Baton Rouge with a sharper focus this year. The AI in Action Symposium is set for Friday, March 20, 2026, at the LSU Student Union, with programming scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is open through March 15, and the event is hosted by the E. J. Ourso College of Business.

Attorney Franz Borghardt discussed two major Louisiana legal cases during his weekly segment. First, he explained the retrial of Melanie Curtin in Livingston Parish. Curtin’s previous conviction was overturned after an appeals court ruled the original trial included errors, including evidence that may have unfairly prejudiced the jury. Borghardt said selecting jurors will be difficult because many people in the community already know about the case, making it harder to find jurors who can remain impartial. He also explained how courts decide whether evidence should be allowed at trial. Judges must weigh whether evidence is relevant and whether its value outweighs the risk of unfair prejudice against a defendant. Borghardt then discussed a federal trial in New Orleans involving attorneys accused of staging car accidents to collect insurance money. Prosecutors claim the scheme involved multiple participants and may resemble an organized criminal operation. He said federal prosecutors often build cases like this by getting lower-level participants to cooperate in exchange for reduced charges. Defense attorneys typically challenge the credibility of those cooperating witnesses. Borghardt added that staged crash schemes can affect the public because they contribute to Louisiana’s already high auto insurance rates.

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter called for renewed negotiations to end the federal government shutdown, warning that federal workers should not suffer because of political disputes. He also raised constitutional concerns about U.S. military action involving Iran and urged the State Department to help Americans leave the Middle East safely. Carter also hosted a town hall and resource fair to connect residents with government services.

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says voters will see a major change in 2026 elections with the introduction of closed party primaries for races such as U.S. House, U.S. Senate, BESE, Public Service Commission, and the Louisiana Supreme Court. Registered Democrats and Republicans will vote in their party’s primary, while “no party” voters can choose which primary to join. Landry also highlighted three legislative proposals aimed at strengthening election integrity, including verifying voter rolls with federal citizenship data, banning photos of precinct voter registers, and tightening voter ID requirements. She noted Louisiana already ranks fourth nationally in election integrity but continues refining election security laws.

Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says Mardi Gras wrapped up safely despite massive crowds, thanks to hundreds of officers, drones, and traffic control efforts. Police plan to use the same strategy for the upcoming Wearin’ of the Green Parade. Morse also addressed a shots-fired incident near 225 Fest, which left no injuries. He raised concerns about repeat offenders and court delays but noted Baton Rouge shootings and homicides are down 13% this year.

Louisiana lawmakers began the 2026 legislative session Monday with several key policy debates already emerging. Dr. Steven Procopio of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) says early signals from the governor’s opening address and filed legislation show lawmakers may take a measured approach this year.

Louisiana political commentator Jeff Crouere, host of Ringside Politics, discussed a range of issues affecting the state and New Orleans during a recent radio appearance. Topics included airport travel delays, law enforcement leadership changes, and priorities emerging ahead of the legislative session.

BREC saw huge demand when summer camp registration opened, with more than 548,000 attempts to secure spots. Officials say the rush shows how valuable the camps are for Baton Rouge families. Parents like Bianca London and Acqueena Grant say the programs help children stay active, social, and engaged. Evante Topp, Director of the BREC Foundation, also highlighted efforts to expand community support for parks and the Baton Rouge Zoo.