U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow discussed several major issues in Congress. She supports the president’s authority to carry out targeted military strikes against Iran under the War Powers framework and expects the House to approve the continuation of the operation. Letlow also criticized the shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, saying national security should not become part of political disputes. In addition, she highlighted two proposed bills aimed at preventing childcare fraud, including stricter oversight of childcare providers and a ban on future federal funding for providers convicted of fraud.

Louisiana State Senator Caleb Kleinpeter plans an aggressive legislative agenda as the 2026 session begins Monday. Kleinpeter filed 24 bills, covering public safety, technology, and tax relief. State leaders expect a member-driven session, meaning lawmakers will push their own priorities instead of following a single statewide agenda. Kleinpeter expects economic development and workforce training to stay central topics. Major projects such as the Hyundai investment and expanding data centers create pressure to train workers. State officials already work with Louisiana colleges to prepare residents for those jobs.

Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers asks the public for help identifying suspects in two violent crimes. Police search for a shirtless suspect who robbed an 80-year-old woman and stole her car on North 27th Street. Detectives also seek 34-year-old Darren Hudson for attempted second-degree murder after he allegedly shot a man during an argument. Tips remain anonymous through Crime Stoppers.

Louisiana leaders announced a major economic development effort designed to prepare land for large-scale business investment. The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) unveiled 19 project sites across 16 parishes through its new FAST Sites program, the largest coordinated site investment initiative in state history.

Many people hear the term “dark web” and assume it is illegal to visit. Tech expert Haggai Davis says that belief is a myth. The dark web is simply another part of the internet, but it carries serious risks.

Louisiana State Representative Dixon McMakin heads into the 2026 legislative session with a focus on infrastructure, public safety, and economic policy.

Louisiana lawmakers will open the 2026 legislative session Monday with strong momentum and a long list of priorities. State Senator Brach Myers says leadership and better communication across state government have helped align lawmakers on key issues.Myers, who moved from the House to the Senate after a special election last year, says the legislature now shows a stronger sense of direction than in previous years.“We’ve got a lot of people focused on the big priorities,” Myers said. “From the governor to legislative leadership to department heads, everyone is working toward the same goals.”He credits leaders such as Governor Jeff Landry, Senate President Cameron Henry, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, and several agency heads for creating that focus. Regular communication between lawmakers and state officials has helped keep policy efforts coordinated.

As the Louisiana legislative session opens Monday, economic leaders across the capital region are watching closely. One of them is Trey Godfrey with the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, commonly known as “The Partnership.” Godfrey says the organization will focus on protecting major economic opportunities while pushing policies that strengthen the state’s workforce pipeline.

A wrong to-go order at LJK Round 2 Café in Baton Rouge escalated into a confrontation that ended in a shooting. Police say Daylin Woods and Savannah Spears returned to the restaurant, acted aggressively, and Woods put a gun on the counter. The owner told staff to hide in a walk-in freezer, told the pair to leave, and gunfire broke out. The owner was shot in the abdomen, and Woods allegedly fired more shots at the building before fleeing. Woods is wanted for attempted second-degree murder and other charges; Spears is wanted as a principal.

Pastor Joshua Robertson, founder and CEO of Black Pastors United for Education, argues that churches can play a powerful role in fixing America’s education crisis. His organization helps pastors turn unused church spaces into learning hubs, homeschool programs, and hybrid education centers. Robertson pushes for school choice and says families need more options beyond the traditional public school system, which he believes is too large, too bureaucratic, and not focused enough on core skills like reading and math. His passion comes from personal experience: he graduated high school reading at a first-grade level, failed out of college, and was briefly homeless before a bishop took him in and taught him to read. Robertson went on to earn a Division I football scholarship at the University of Minnesota, complete college, and graduate seminary with the highest GPA in his class. He says his story shows the system—not the students—is broken. Robertson wants communities, churches, and parents to embrace innovative, customized education models that meet the needs of children who are being left behind. He continues to spread this message nationally and will share it at the Pelican Institute’s Solutions Summit. His work and mission are available at bpue.org.