Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly visited the Magnolia Power Generating Station in Plaquemine and said the plant arrives at the perfect time. He noted that electricity demand keeps rising across the country and that Louisiana feels that pressure as new data centers and major industries come online.

The Capital Area United Way will host a free tax-prep event Saturday at the Goodwood Main Library, offering support through its IRS-certified VITA program. George Bell and Cheri Ausberry highlighted how volunteers help low- to moderate-income families file accurately and claim eligible credits. Entergy, Red River Bank, Mid City Redevelopment, and legal-aid partners will also share resources onsite. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with walk-ins welcome. Residents can book appointments at cauw.org/vita or by calling 2-1-1 to ensure access to free, reliable tax preparation and community support.

State Representative Kim Carver says workforce development will dominate the upcoming legislative session, with lawmakers aiming to prepare Louisianans for high-demand jobs tied to major economic projects. Carver wants stronger career exposure in middle school, giving students early access to real employers and clear paths to high-wage careers.He’s also pushing a bill that strengthens reporting requirements for child sexual abuse materials. Working with Attorney General Liz Murrill, Carver says the updates align Louisiana with national best practices and help law enforcement stop predators faster.The session opens Monday, with momentum building on both fronts.

Lieutenant Don Coppola returned to the studio to reflect on the powerful impact of the Beyond Bars program. Earlier this week, Dez and Rashan shared raw stories about violence, accountability, and the years they lost behind bars. Their honesty stopped listeners in their tracks. Dez spoke about missing family milestones during his 15 years in prison. Rashan described nearly three decades of incarceration and the moment he accepted responsibility for taking a life. Their message hit young audiences the hardest. Coppola said the goal is simple: stop kids before they make choices that steal their future. Parents can learn more through Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP.

State Rep. John Wyble says lawmakers enter the 2026 session with momentum and a focus on bills that affect daily life. He expects strong legislation on workforce training, coordinated statewide development, and TOPS reforms that tie public dollars to fields with high job demand. Wyble plans to codify the governor’s workforce executive order and advance HB 229, which steers TOPS funding toward degrees that lead to real careers. He also highlighted upcoming bills to support rural economic development, help small communities fight blight, and expand affordable housing.

A routine morning chat on Mornings with Brian Haldane turned into a deeper look at a growing problem: how much we’re being recorded without knowing it. Haggai Davis, host of Tech Gumbo, opened the segment by joking about his own computer troubles, but the conversation quickly shifted to something much bigger — the rise of Meta’s smart glasses and the privacy concerns that follow.

The Beyond Bars program brought two powerful voices into the studio. Desmond Kennedy and Rashan Williams shared raw stories about trauma, violence, and the choices that led them to long prison sentences. Kennedy, now 16 years into a 20-year sentence, described a childhood shaped by addiction, loss, and early exposure to guns. Williams, serving life without parole, talked about growing up with a mother battling addiction, joining gangs, and later taking a life during a moment of rage. Both men now speak to kids in schools. They use their past to show how fast bad decisions can destroy a future. Their message is direct: you always have a choice, and one choice can take your freedom or your life.

The Amite River Basin Commission is advancing a major flood-mitigation effort called the Upper Amite Restoration Project, designed to lower flood risk across the Capital Region. State Representative Paul Sawyer explained that the new master plan shows the most effective way to protect the region is to hold water in the Upper Amite before it reaches the flat terrain south of I-12, where drainage slows and backups can trigger widespread flooding like the 2016 event. A large reservoir was once considered, but residents in East Feliciana and St. Helena opposed it. Instead, the Commission is acquiring former sand and gravel mining sites along the Amite River and restoring them to natural conditions. These reclaimed sites will serve as multiple smaller storage areas, slowing the river, holding stormwater, improving downstream drainage, and helping recharge the Southern Hills Aquifer. Many sites will eventually become public recreation areas with lakes and trails. Sawyer also noted that House District 69 currently has no representative. Early voting runs February 28–March 7, and Election Day is March 14, the same day as Baton Rouge’s Wearin’ of the Green parade.

Winter Storm Fern hit the Monroe and West Monroe areas hard, leaving residents with frozen pipes, water damage, and trees collapsing under ice. More than half of all reported claims statewide came from Northeast Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is spending the week in the region to help residents navigate claims and answer insurance questions. He says the storm highlights the need for more fortified roofs, which lower long-term risk and can qualify homeowners for discounts, grants, or tax credits. Temple encourages residents to review their policies, shop rates, and explore fortified roof options.

Senator Bill Cassidy weighed in on last night’s State of the Union, saying the President delivered a sharp mix of policy and political theater. Cassidy said affordability drove the speech, with focus on gas prices, groceries, housing, and prescription drugs — issues he hears about from Louisiana residents every day. Cassidy said he’s already working with the White House on legislation to lower drug costs and give the President new tariff tools. He also highlighted energy policy and said Louisiana needs strong oil and gas production to keep prices down. Inside the chamber, he described a lively atmosphere on the Republican side and said the President used moments of Democratic silence to highlight party differences. Cassidy said his main priorities moving forward include lowering health care costs, pushing price transparency for medical services, and protecting Social Security while keeping the program solvent.