Louisiana
Louisiana calls audible to update name, image and likeness law • Louisiana Illuminator
Student-athletes at Louisiana universities could be allowed to work with marketing representatives if lawmakers agree to update the state’s name, image and likeness (NIL) rules. It’s one of a few proposed tweaks to a law that has upended the revenue stream for collegiate athletics.
Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, said the contents of Senate Bill 465 will allow schools, mainly LSU, to keep in with the rapidly evolving and highly competitive NIL space.
Marketing professionals were specifically included in the bill in order to link student-athletes with more money-making opportunities, the senator said. They’re distinct from agents, who typically represent the athletes in their dealings with professional organizations.
The bill would also require athletes to disclose any NIL contract they sign worth $600 or more, the same income threshold for required reporting to the Internal Revenue Service on Form 1099, which is used for money earned from an individual or business that isn’t an employer.
Talbot’s proposal would also change financial literacy classes to an annual requirement. Currently, student-athletes are only required to take a single class between their first and third academic years.
Colleges would also be allowed to provide resources on financial responsibility, business formation and marketing if Senate Bill 465 becomes law.
Winston Decuir, general counsel for the LSU System, accompanied Talbot when he presented his bill Wednesday to the Senate Committee on Education.
“You have a lot of athletes, especially female athletes, that have higher opportunities at the collegiate level than they do at the pro level,” Decuir said.
LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne has an NIL valuation of $2.6 million, tops among women college athletes.
Basketball standouts Kaitlyn Clark from the University of Iowa and LSU’s Angel Reese, both first-round picks in Monday’s WNBA draft, will sign contracts with their respective teams that are worth far less than money they’ve made in college through NIL deals.
College athletic departments are also seeing impacts to their financial bottom line as NIL becomes more prominent, Decuir said. Corporate sponsors that once put their dollars exclusively into universities are now splitting those investments between student-athletes and schools.
“It’s going to require universities to reallocate their expenses,” he said.
“NIL is going to change the business model of college athletics,” Decuir added, “and a lot of people view it as an equitable change.”
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Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
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Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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