— NEW JUDGE: Jackie Maloney garnered 55 percent of the vote to defeat fellow Republican Lindsey Valenti on Saturday in the runoff to become the next district judge for the 24th Judicial District, based in Jefferson Parish. Maloney replaces Judge Scott Schlegel, who was elected to the Court of Appeals last year. 

— NEW MAYOR: Also on Saturday, incumbent Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr., a Democrat, got 53 percent of the vote to knock off former Mayor Lee Posey, an independent. Williams also defeated Posey in 2020.

— READ IT FIRST: SOCIAL SECURITY FIX: Social Security’s Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Trust Fund reserves are likely to be depleted between 2033 and 2035, the trustees report, resulting in a benefits cut of around 25 percent if no legislative change is enacted. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy lays out his plan to head off the problem in an exclusive guest column for Wednesday’s Beltway Beat.

— RECORDS ROW: Media and public records attorney Scott Sternberg will be the guest speaker at the Press Club of Baton Rouge luncheon today. He will discuss legislation that would significantly reduce the public’s right to access government information. Sternberg has testified against the bill in committee. The event is held in the Drusilla Place Catering ballroom and is open to the public (admission is free, though lunch is not), but only Press Club members and working reporters are allowed to ask questions. 

— LADA HONOR: The Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association has named Eric Lane, owner of Gerry Lane Enterprises in Baton Rouge, its 2024 Louisiana Dealer of the Year. The annual award recognizes one standout Louisiana automobile dealer for their business success and impact in the community.

— TOBACCO CASH: The Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation Board, which handles the fruits of a 1998 master settlement with major tobacco product manufacturers, is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Capitol. The board will take up a resolution to authorize executing the documents necessary to cause the redemption of all outstanding bonds. You can see the Legislative Auditor’s most recent report on the corporation’s finances here.