The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. In a social media post this morning Governor Jeff Landry said he and his wife Sharon join Christians around the world in praying for Prop Francis and the Church at this time. Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says Pope Francis was a man of humility, compassion and justice.

There’s a push in this legislative session to increase the scholarship award amounts for TOPS recipients. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

15 years ago, yesterday, the Deepwater Horizon Oil rig exploded, resulting in the nation’s largest oil spill in U-S history. It took 87 days to cap the well, causing a long-lasting impact on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the Plaquemines Parish President at the time, and he remembers a lack of leadership, which inspired him to run for Lt. Governor…

Cut 11 (10) “…do to help?”
The explosion also killed 11 workers on the rig.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley has brought back his bill that seeks to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an inspection sticker. State Police has opposed the bill in the past, because it would result in a loss of revenue for the L-S-P. Bagley says he’s addressed State Police’s concerns by increasing vehicle registration fees by ten-dollars…

Cut 5 (04) “…inspection sticker”

The bill is awaiting debate in House Transportation.

It was 15 years ago Sunday when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the coast of Louisiana, killing 11 people and sending 134 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish at the time and is still upset with the Coast Guard, who he believes wasted a lot of time when people were trying save marine wildlife…

Cut 12 (10) “…never understood that”

The BP oil spill goes down as the worst offshore oil spill in the nation’s history.

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week and this year’s theme, “Respect the Zone So We All Get Home.” Jason Hazelton with the Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation says the most recent statistics show 891 people died in road construction in the United States, six fatal work zone crashes occurred in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (05) “…when we’re driving.”

The State Capitol is quiet today as lawmakers get an extended break for the Easter holiday. They will soon begin debate on a bill that seeks to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an inspection sticker. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says an inspection sticker is not needed when a police officer already has the authority to pull over an unsafe vehicle…

Cut 6 (12) “..go get it”

Bagley says it’s inconvenient for people to get an inspection sticker every two years or ever year for motorists in the Baton Rouge area.

The House Appropriations Committee will soon discuss a bill that increases funding for TOPS as Ruston Representative Christopher Turner wants to increase the Awards Amount and he’s also seeking to create a new scholarship award called the Excellence Award…

Cut 15 (13) “…four year universities”

The House Education Committee has already approved the proposal.

Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Caddo Parish Sheriff deputies say a 17-year-old girl was fatally shot in Vivian last night at a home on Pardue Street. Investigators are gathering information to determine the circumstances and whether foul play was involved.

State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

State Police opposed Bagley’s bill in the past because they would lose funding if motorists were not required to have an inspection sticker. Bagley addressed this by proposing a $10 annual increase to vehicle registration fees, maintaining funding without the need for inspection stickers.

Lawmakers are considering a bill to increase state funding for TOPS scholarship recipients, which would increase the award amounts. But Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver opposes the proposal because he wants to reduce state spending….

Cut 14 (07) “…going not more”

The TOPS funding bill is awaiting discussion in the House Appropriations Committee.

Sunday marked the 15 year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill off the Louisiana coast. It was on April 20th, 2010 that the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, spewing almost five-million barrels of oil into the gulf. 11 people were killed and 17 others injured, along with countless marine wildlife. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish back then. He remembers the sheer chaos in the response. He says he found himself fighting BP and the consultants more than fighting the oil.

Cut 10 (15) “…the main passes.”

Louisiana has its first case of measles for 2025. It’s an adult resident from the New Orleans area and that person is in isolation while receiving treatment in a hospital. The Louisiana Department of Health says the patient’s exposure to measles appears to be linked to international travel and L-D-H is working to identify and notify those who have come contact with the infected individual.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate vehicle inspection stickers,,,

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

There’s an effort to increase the award amounts for TOPS recipients. It’s held steady since the 2016-17 school year. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner’s bill would increase state funding for the TOPS scholarship program by 50 million dollars. Turner says the scholarship amount needs to be increased, because college costs are rising…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Nicholls.”

House Education has approved the bill but also needs House Appropriations approval before getting a full debate on the House floor.

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Jeanne Burns…

State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

State Police opposed Bagley’s bill in the past because they would lose funding if motorists did not have to pay for an inspection sticker. Bagley addressed this by proposing a $10 annual increase to vehicle registration fees, maintaining funding without the need for inspection stickers.

If passed, the bill would take effect July 1st. Only 13 states require annual inspections, with six, including Louisiana, requiring them every other year.

There’s an effort in the legislative session to increase the award amounts for TOPS recipients. It’s held steady since the 2016-17 school year. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner’s bill would increase state funding for the TOPS scholarship program by 50 million dollars. Turner says the scholarship amount needs to be increased, because college costs a lot more than it did when he went to school…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Nicholls.”

But Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver is against Turner’s proposal because he wants to reduce state spending….

Cut 14 (07) “…going no more.”

The House Education Committee has approved the bill. It still needs to be reviewed by Appropriations before it gets a vote on the House floor.

I’m Jeanne Burns with the Legislative Report on the Louisiana Radio Network.

Tomorrow marks the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Easter Weekend is the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish. And Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says crawfish prices are very low.

Cut 6 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

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State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley says Louisiana is the only red state that requires them. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

Tariffs on Canada could harm Louisiana’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Canada is the state’s largest international tourism market. However, he says President Trump’s tariffs have discouraged travel, leading some Canadian officials to cancel upcoming visits.

Cut 3 (11) “…cancel this year”

Louisiana is the only red state that requires passenger vehicles to have up-to-date inspection stickers and State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate them. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. But this time he has the support of state police who had opposed the move because they’d lose funding.   Bagley addressed this by proposing a $10 annual increase to vehicle registration fees.

Cut 5 (04) “…inspection sticker.”

Tomorrow marks 15 years since the the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, spewing almost five-million barrels of toxic oil into the gulf. 11 people were killed and 17 others injured, along with countless marine wildlife. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish back then. He says a lack of leadership on the ground in is what inspired him to eventually run for lieutenant governor.

Cut 11 (10) “…do to help?”

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It’s the biggest crawfish weekend of the year; Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The ninth-ranked LSU baseball team held on for a four-to-three victory over Alabama last night with great performances from pitchers Anthony Eyanson and Zac Cowan and center fielder Chris Stanfield went 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Coach Jay Johnson says they keep getting great production from Stanfield…

Cut 17 (08)  “…proud of him.”

Tomorrow will mark 15 years since the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, spewing almost five-million barrels of toxic oil into the gulf. 11 people were killed and 17 others injured, along with countless marine wildlife. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish at the time and remembers not just the tragedy itself, but the chaos in the response. He says he found himself fighting BP and the consultants more than fighting the oil.

Cut 10 (15) “…the main passes.”

Nungesser says it’s an experience he hopes never to have to relive.

Easter weekend is a big weekend for crawfish in Louisiana.   Laney King, the founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are very low right now but they’re also going fast.

Cut 7 (09) “…do that now.”

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State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley says Louisiana is the only red state that requires them. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

Six arrests have been made in connection to last Saturday’s shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival that injured two teens. Last Saturday, multiple law enforcement agencies searched five homes tied to the incident. Pontchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson says those arrested were all between 18 and 21 years old. Camryn Finley and Dealvin Davis, both charged with attempted second-degree murder and terrorizing, and Courtney McGee, Markus Dokes, Quentrel Smith, and Quenton Smith, who were charged with terrorizing.

Cut 13 (08)  “…these six individuals.”

Tariffs on Canada could harm Louisiana’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Canada is the state’s largest international tourism market. However, he says President Trump’s tariffs have discouraged travel, leading some Canadian officials to cancel upcoming visits.

Cut 3 (11) “…cancel this year”

If ever there was a weekend to enjoy some tasty tiny crustaceans, this is it. This is the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish – and Laney King, the founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are very low this Easter weekend.

Cut 6 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

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Tomorrow marks the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Ponchatoula Police Department issued arrest warrants for six men following a shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival that injured two teens. Police Chief Bry

Cut 12 (10) “…good old detective work”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says tariffs on Canada could harm tourism in Louisiana.

Cu 4 (11) “…reach that record.” 

Nungesser says he’s seeing cancellations all over the state from Canada and has talked with Canadian mayors. He says Canada still loves Louisiana, but they can’t convince them to visit the U.S. this year.

If ever there was a weekend to enjoy some tasty tiny crustaceans, this is it. This is the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish – and The Crawfish App says you can get live crawfish for about $3.10 a pound this weekend. App founder Laney King says crawfish is so popular this weekend that some stores are sold out, so you’d better get a move on it.

Cut 7 (09) “…do that now.”

LSU’s quest to repeat as national champions in gymnastics ended Thursday night as they failed to get past the semifinals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Six men are under arrest in connection with the shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival last weekend. The suspects range in age from 18 to 21. None of the victims’ injuries are life-threatening, and all are expected to make a full recovery. Police say it stemmed from an altercation and was not a random attack.