- Louisiana has had budget surpluses for the past six years but is among 10 states near the bottom in bond ratings.- A series of pending bills are aimed at providing Texans around $16 billion in property tax relief.

- A recent poll among Louisiana voters revealed two candidates are nearly neck-and-neck in the Governor's race.- The Texas Senate has passed a bill that would define fentanyl poisoning as murder for purposes of prosecution and death certificates.- Arkansas lawmakers will consider a bill to ban Hemp products that contain Delta-8, a component of the psychoactive THC found in cannabis.

- Governor John Bel Edwards has announced he will use his constitutional authority to deny the Industrial Tax Exemption Program applications by the Folgers Coffee company.- Texas has reopened a program to help people who are struggling financially to pay their rent.- Louisiana’s insurance commissioner Jim Donelson has decided not to run for reelection.

- A special program to promote gulf wind turbine technology development in Louisiana was announced Monday.- A Texas education bill filed Friday contains language similar to Florida’s controversial Don’t Say Gay law.- The Texas Senate has advanced a bill to make illegal voting a felony again even if a person didn't know they were ineligible to vote.- Louisiana is among the top states in the nation for high gender-pay gap.

- AmTrak and the Southern Rail Commission will apply for federal funds to study passenger rail service between Meridian, Mississippi and Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas.- A Texas lawmaker wants to have all five Texas Juvenile Justice Depart youth prisons closed, citing excessive costs that he feel should be used for early intervention.- Texas school districts may get grants for training school employees and teachers to be armed on campus.- Governor Sanders of Arkansas supports a bill that would require internet users to verify their age for websites and apps.

- Louisiana Republican Congressman Garret Graves has opted out from the governor's race.- Five women and two doctors are suing the State of Texas over its abortion bans citing a lack of clarity over "medical emergency" exceptions.- A Texas lawmaker is pushing a bill to allow nurse practitioners to serve as primary doctors in underserved areas.- Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a new formula to give raises for teachers and support staff.

- Louisiana attorney general's office has asked a federal appeals court to formally end a 1992 federal court agreement voting rights advocates say is still needed to ensure Black voters have a voice in electing a justice.-Texas Department of Transportation is getting $407 million dollars to build out EV charging stations.- Retired Army Lt. General and environmental advocate Russell Honore' says the state needs more water and air monitoring for pollution along Louisiana's "Cancer Alley".

- A Democrat has officially announced his candidacy for Louisiana governor.- A former Louisiana congressman announces his candidacy for Lt. Governor.- A rent relief program in Texas has been reopened to help those in need to meet rent and utility payments.

- A 31-year veteran of Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development has been appointed to take the top DOTD spot and succeed the retiring Secretary Shawn Wilson.- The Deep East Texas Council of Governments is challenging the accuracy of the new Texas State broadband map.

- Severe weather struck much of the Red River Radio listening area yesterday evening and well into the night time hours. Damage from tornados has been reported.- A new statewide report highlights challenges within the 211 Texas call system.- A Texas state park has closed its gates to the public as a Dallas developer has plans for an exclusive multi-million dollar private golf community.