A Senate committee approves a budget that takes into account a revenue shortfall of 104-million dollars. Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says the fewer dollars available is the result of the Revenue Estimating Conference adopting an economic forecast less robust than previously predicted. Womack says this means additional dollars for school vouchers and education operation costs had to be cut.

Cut 8 (11) “…increases in MFP.”

If this spending plan is approved, teachers could lose out on two-thousand dollars they are currently receiving through a stipend.

The summer travel season begins this weekend and motorists are having to pay more than four-dollars a gallon for gasoline. Triple-A’s Don Redman says Americans will not cancel their summer plans, but they may alter them as a result of the high gas prices…

Cut 15 (13) “….for the summer”

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature is a measure that would eliminate the need for drivers to get an inspection sticker for their vehicle. It will be replaced by a six-dollar Q-R code that you would get the mail, just like you get your registration sticker for your license plate. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says service station owners opposed his bill, citing that this legislation will lead to a drop in business…

Cut 21 (08) “…all over”

The governor is expected to sign the legislation.

It will be a good weekend to consume some mudbugs. Laney King of the Crawfish App says prices have dropped 50-cents a pound this week and a sack of live crawfish is selling for less than three dollars a pound and boiled crawfish is going for about $550 a pound…

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are right”

Another long day of debate over a new congressional map; and despite strong opposition from Black lawmakers, the Republican-led legislature is poised to pass a map with one majority-minority district. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The debate wasn’t without some infighting among Republicans, however, as they discussed an amendment that moved Morehouse, Lincoln and Jackson parishes from District 5 to District 4.

It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chanelle Stigger in Lake Charles says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (09)  “…seven days.”

Stigger says as far as this weekend goes, rain chances will be higher on Saturday and Sunday.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, how about with one of Louisiana’s most famous delicacies? Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices this holiday weekend are averaging $2.99 a pound for live crawfish and $5.50 a pound for boiled crawfish.

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”

King says get them while you can – this is likely the last weekend you’ll be able to enjoy crawfish this year.

A Senate committee approves a budget that takes into account a revenue shortfall of 104-million dollars. Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says the fewer dollars available is the result of the Revenue Estimating Conference adopting an economic forecast less robust than previously predicted. Womack says this means additional dollars for school vouchers and education operation costs had to be cut.

Cut 8 (11) “…increases in MFP.”

If this spending plan is approved, teachers could lose out on two-thousand dollars they are currently receiving through a stipend.

The summer travel season begins this weekend and motorists are having to pay more than four-dollars a gallon for gasoline. Triple-A’s Don Redman says Americans will not cancel their summer plans, but they may alter them as a result of the high gas prices…

Cut 15 (13) “….for the summer”

Despite strong opposition from Black lawmakers, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a Congressional map with one majority-minority district. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ measure would most likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat representing Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives, upsetting Black lawmakers who want two majority-minority districts.

Cut 4 (11) “…white or Black.”

Baton Rouge Senator Denise Marcelle asked Morris why Republicans should determine who represents the state in Congress, when only a third of the voters are registered Republican.

Cut 5 (11) “…Republicans in Congress.”

The congressional map debate will continue on the House floor next week.

Inspection stickers in Louisiana are now one gubernatorial signature away from disappearing for good. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two majority Black districts was approved by the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Democrats strongly oppose the map and there is a difference of opinion among Republicans on what the six districts should look like.

The Senate Finance committee has approved a spending plan for next fiscal year that does not contain additional funding for the state’s voucher program known as L-A Gator. Also, there is no funding in the bill to supply teachers with a two-thousand-dollar stipend they have received since 2023. But Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says they are using money from the rainy-day fund to pay for highway projects…

Cut 9 (09) “…400-million”

The full Senate takes up the budget bill on Tuesday.

Triple-A projects 3.6-million Americans will travel by air this weekend, which is a slight increase over last year. Spokesperson Don Redman says a popular destination for Louisiana residents is Alaska.

Cut 14 (10) “…popular starting now.”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee has approved a proposed Congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s majority Black districts. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says race was not used as a factor in drawing the map, but New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd countered by saying it sure seems the map is drawn to benefit White Republicans…

Cut 7 (12) “….they’re white Republicans”

The proposed map heads to the House floor where it’s expected to be voted on next week.

The end of inspection stickers in Louisiana is just Governor Landry’s expected signature away from becoming official, as House Bill 1085 has achieved final legislative passage. The author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says that ten-dollar inspection sticker will be replaced with a six-dollar QR code…

Cut 10 (05) “…color, I think.”

And that information can only be read by special equipment available to law enforcement.

Despite four-dollar-plus gasoline prices, a record 45-million American plan on traveling this Memorial Day weekend. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

If you are traveling in the state this week, expect to run into some heavy downpours. A flash flooding risk is possible today and tomorrow across a large portion of the state. Overall rainfall amounts should range from three to six inches with some locally higher amounts through Tuesday,

The Congressional map Republican lawmakers are pushing cleared another legislative hurdle yesterday as the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved the new map on a ten-seven vote after a ten hour plus debate. If the proposed map is signed by the governor, one of the state’s two majority Black districts will be eliminated and Republicans will likely represent five of the six Congressional districts…

Cut 6 (08) “…egregious to me.”

That’s Baton Rouge Democrat Denise Marcelle who asked West Monroe Republican Jay Morris why Republicans should determine who represents the state in Congress, when only a third of the voters are registered Republican.

Cut 5 (11) “…Republicans in Congress.”

The proposed map heads to the House floor for another vote next week.

Despite gasoline prices over four dollars a gallon, a record 39-million people will travel by car to a destination 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A’s Don Redman says a little pain at the pump will not keep people from having a good time this weekend.

Cut 13 (05)  “…for Memorial Day.”

Triple-A projects 3.6-million Americans will travel by air this weekend, which is a slight increase over last year.

This is the last year of the vehicle inspection sticker as a result of legislation approved by lawmakers. There was opposition from businesses who say the vehicle inspection forces drivers to make sure their vehicle is safe to drive and it’s a viable business for many. But the bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says vehicle inspections is not intended to be a money maker…

Cut 12 (08) “…even answer that”

Assuming Landry signs the bill like he said he would, you will no longer have to renew your inspection sticker as of January 1st of next year.

The debate in the House Governmental Affairs Committee over a congressional map with one majority-minority district has been going on all day. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ measure would most likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat representing Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives, upsetting Black lawmakers who want two majority-minority districts.

Cut 4 (12) “…white or Black.”

Baton Rouge Senator Denise Marcelle asked Morris why should Republicans have such a huge advantage in determining who represents the state in Congress when only a third of the registered voters are registered Republican.

Cut 5 (12) “…in Congress.”

The map was amended, so it would need to go back to the Senate once approved by the House.

A Senate committee approves a budget that takes into account a revenue shortfall of 104-million dollars. Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says this means additional dollars for school vouchers and education operation costs had to be cut.

Cut 8 (11) “…M-F-P.”

But Womack says the K-through-12 education funding formula is fully funded and there is 420-million dollars for early childhood education.

The end of inspection stickers in Louisiana is now just Governor Landry’s expected signature away from becoming official. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, who authored House Bill 1085, says that ten-dollar inspection sticker will be replaced with a six-dollar QR code that you place on your windshield.

Cut 10 (05) “…color, I think.”

And that information can only be read by special equipment available to law enforcement.

Hurricane season starts a week from Monday. What kind of season can we expect this year? Andrew Greenstein has some insight.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Weather Service says much of the state will see heavy rainfall through the Memorial Day weekend. An area from central to southwest Louisiana could see six to eight inches of rain over the next few days. Most of the state could see four inches, but the chances of severe weather is low.

The LSU baseball season came to an end last night in the SEC Tournament with a 3-1 defeat to Auburn, as the Tigers will miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. Head Coach Jay Johnson hopes the program grows from this historically bad season.

Cut 11 (11) “…there is too.”

LSU’s 22 losses against SEC teams is a program record.

Four years after ending service out of Alexandria, United Airlines made its grand return to England Airpark today. Airport Director Ralph Hennessy says the resumption of twice-daily service to and from Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston is great for business travelers.

Cut 4 (11) “…the same day.”

Hurricane season begins a week from Monday, and the National Weather Service is predicting a below-average one this year, with between eight and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes. Director Ken Graham says history has proven, however, that a below-average season prediction does not reduce the risk of a devastating storm ravaging the coast.

Cut 13 (08) “…storm as well.”

After a four-year absence, United Airlines returned to Alexandria today. England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says United is offering non-stop service to and from Houston.

Cut 3 (07) “…back to Alexandria.”

United had stopped service to Alexandria in 2022 due to an industry-wide pilot shortage coming out of the COVID pandemic. The first flight from IAH arrived at 2:50 this afternoon, greeted with a water cannon salute and other fanfare. 

Cut 23 (02) “He’s back!”

Ed Orgeron is back at LSU! The former Tigers’ head football coach is returning as an assistant. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Another employee at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center has been arrested. The latest one is correctional officer De’Ja Lee, who’s accused of having sex with an inmate. Lee has been fired from Elayn Hunt and was booked into the Iberville Parish Jail on one count of malfeasance in office.

The National Weather Service is expecting a below-average hurricane season this year, with between eight and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes. NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs says a certain weather pattern is the key factor behind this forecast.

Cut 12 (09) “…moderate to strong.” 

Officials say just because they’re predicting a below-average season, that does not reduce the risk of a devastating storm ravaging the coast.

After a four-year absence, United resumes service out of Alexandria today, with twice-daily non-stop flights to and from Houston. England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says the best part about flying out of a regional airport like AEX is you won’t have to arrive two hours before departure. 

Cut 5 (11) “…15-minute time frame.”

Cut 23 (fade and use as bed after 5 seconds)

The party’s over for LSU baseball this season. The Tigers’ season ended last night with a 3-1 loss to Auburn, ending one of the worst title defenses in college baseball history. Head Coach Jay Johnson hopes the program grows from this difficult season.

Cut 11 (11) “…there is too.”

The party is starting up again in Baton Rouge, however, for Ed Orgeron, who becomes the latest fired head coach to be welcomed back to LSU with open arms. Lane Kiffin has added Orgeron to his staff as the special assistant to recruiting and defense. WWL Radio Sports Talk show host Mike Detillier says his longtime friend got the itch to coach again last fall.

Cut 7 (11) “…about that too.”