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T u e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 3, 2026
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ELECTION 2026
Attacks begin in Senate race
Cassidy releases ad against Letlow as polls put her in lead BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
within a few miles of the facility. Louisiana State Police said all eight inmates who broke out of Riverbend Detention Center near Lake Providence early Friday morning were considered violent offenders, including
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow are suddenly engaged in a pitched battle as Cassidy tries to fend off her and other Republican challengers in his race for reelection this year. On Saturday, a super PAC supporting Cassidy launched a TV ad that slammed “liberal Letlow.” The ad linked Letlow to two leading Democrats — former President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — and accused her of voting with Biden more than any of the other four Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. On Sunday, Letlow responded by playing her strongest card. “I am so proud to have earned the endorsement of President Donald Trump, and now I’ll continue fighting alongside him to secure our borders and to continue to grow our economy,” Letlow Cassidy posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. She also said: “Well, it didn’t take long for Bill Cassidy and his never-Trumper, pro-impeachment allies to begin attacking me.” The opening salvo by the proCassidy super PAC, Louisiana Letlow Freedom Fund, and Letlow’s response took place nearly two weeks before candidates qualify for the race over a three-day period beginning on Feb. 11. The closed Republican primary — which also allows unaffiliated voters to participate — is on May 16. Three different polls show Cas- Fleming sidy trailing in head-to-head races against Letlow and another Republican challenger, state Treasurer John Fleming. Besides Letlow and Fleming, three other Republicans have also announced intentions to run in the Senate race: state Sen. Blake Miguez, Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta and St. Tammany Parish Council member Kathy Seiden. No major Democratic office holder has announced plans to run yet. Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, finds it noteworthy that the Louisiana Freedom Fund would launch the attack ad so early. “This shows the seriousness of the threat that
ä See ESCAPEES, page 3A
ä See SENATE, page 3A
PHOTOS By LEE BALL
The Soul Express Brass Band leads a second-line through the crowd at the Krewe of Carnivale en Rio float den on Saturday, where krewe members loaded their floats for this Saturday’s parade in Lafayette. The krewe has over 700 members.
ABOVE: Larry Champagne, right, passes bags of throws to the next krewe member during bead load-in day Saturday at the Krewe of Carnivale en Rio float den in Lafayette. RIGHT: Krewe members pass bags of throws up to the second level of a float on Saturday.
Officials: North La. escapees stole bus BY AIDAN McCAHILL
chase into Arkansas before being apprehended, authorities said. An East Carroll Parish resident says Two of the inmates who broke out of he later held another two escapees at a north Louisiana prison last week — gunpoint until deputies arrived to take both being held there for crimes com- them into custody. Two more were found nearby in Mismitted in Baton Rouge — took a school bus and led officers on a high-speed sissippi, one in Alexandria and another Staff writer
Chenier tribute album wins Grammy BY JOANNA BROWN
Staff writer
There’s a little recording studio down on the banks of the Vermilion that just can’t stop turning out Grammy winners. Dockside Studio in Maurice secured its 14th Grammy win last night with “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,” produced by Joel Savoy, Steve Berlin and John Leopold from Valcour Records. It’s also the second Grammy win for the Eunice-based record label, which
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secured a Grammy in 2013 with “The Band Courtbouillon,” featuring Wayne Toups, Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy. Collectively, these wins are a sign of the impact that Louisiana musicians, producers, studios, labels and legacy artists like Clifton Chenier continue to enjoy across the globe. Joel Savoy and Leopold approached the stage during the Grammy live broadcast Sunday to accept the award, presented in the Best Regional Roots Music Album category.
“It’s a hell of a way to kick off 20 years as a small independent label in south Louisiana,” said Joel Savoy, who founded Valcour Records in 2006. “It would not be possible without the legacy that Clifton Chenier left behind, and it’s our honor to accept it on behalf of the zydeco community that works hard day and night to keep this music thriving.” Leopold added a “thank you” to CJ Chenier and the estate of
John Leopold, left, and Joel Savoy pose with the Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album for ‘A Tribute to the King of Zydeco’ on Sunday. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RICHARD SHOTWELL
ä See GRAMMY, page 3A
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101ST yEAR, NO. 218