England Airpark commissioners approved a lease to convert barracks into a short‑term migrant family center near the runway, a move that has drawn sharp criticism. The site could be up and running within weeks if contracts are signed.

A Senate committee advanced a bill to create a limited recreational alligator season with 10,000 lottery tags after LDWF says the statewide population topped 3 million. The measure now heads to the full Senate.

A Tax Foundation ranking finds Louisiana’s combined state and local sales tax averages 10.11%, the highest in the nation after a 2025 state-rate increase. The number reflects heavy local levies across parishes.

Moreno’s administration says it opened roughly 145 sales-tax audits in weeks and identified about $7 million in unpaid tax as New Orleans steps up enforcement.

New Orleans lawmakers prefiled bills to overhaul the Sewerage & Water Board, consolidate courts and push fortified‑roof incentives as the 2026 legislative session opens.

Sheriff‑elect Michelle Woodfork will unveil a transition team next Tuesday at SUNO, pairing policing and fiscal experts to prepare for her May 4, 2026 swearing‑in.

Sen. Kirk Talbot’s new bill would require FORTIFIED roofs for new builds and replacements, a move supporters say could lower homeowners insurance across Louisiana.

Rep. Alonzo Knox introduced HB 800 to increase grocery‑pricing transparency and HB 472 to let cities adopt rent‑stabilization as the 2026 legislative session opens.

A federal judge found St. James Parish failed to meet parts of a 2017 desegregation order; one school is now more than 95% Black and the case remains open.

State lawmakers filed at least 18 bills to regulate AI, focusing on chatbots, deepfakes and health‑care uses that could affect children and consumers.

Task force‑backed bills would expand anti‑hazing training and let colleges suspend or ban organizations after deadly initiation rituals.

Sen. Jay Morris filed SB 123 to let the governor recommend suspending or removing judges and DAs for misconduct, a change supporters say answers a pattern of failed supervision. The measure would require Senate supermajorities and a statewide vote in 2027.

Rep. Delisha Boyd prefiled HB 209 to establish a Louisiana minimum wage that phases to $14 by 2031 and adds reporting and enforcement tools for violations.