Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is meeting with the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture at the U.S. Agriculture Business Conference in Havana to look at the difficulties of importing much-needed resources to Cuba. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Legislation mandating the 10 Commandments be displayed in public school and college classrooms is nearing final passage. Brooke Thorington explains…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Saturday isn’t just the beginning of spring, it also kicks off Safe Boating Week. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is at the U.S. Agriculture Business Conference in Havana, Cuba to connect US rice and poultry exporters with potential Cuba importers. Strain says the country is in desperate need of food and that need continues to climb.

Cut 4 (12) “….billion or more.”

Strain is meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture to lay out logistics on the type of imports the country can handle.

The Cuban landscape is changing fast. With 80% of farmland privately owned by independent farmers or Co-op’s the issue will begin to look at how to get farmers the resources they need to be more productive.

Cut 5 (07) “…very little equipment.” 

The Cuban government is asking not just to buy seeds and fertilizer from the US but also for assistance and expertise from US farmers to help them become more self-sustainable. Strain said that we need to have a presence in Cuba and if we don’t someone else will.

Cut 6 (09) “…is our business.”

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Many are mourning the deaths of Baton Rouge plastic surgeon Doctor Lucius “Tre” Doucet and two of his three children. They were killed when when their single engine airplane broke apart enroute to Louisville on Wednesday afternoon. NTSB Aviation Investigator Aaron McCarter says the investigation into the cause of the crash is underway

Cut 7 (12) “..out of control.”

McCarter says the debris field is about a half-mile long near Nashville, Tennessee. He says they hope doorbell cameras or motor vehicle cameras caught the plane crash.

Doucet’s two children killed were set to graduate from LSU this weekend, Giselle and Jean-Luc Doucet.

McCarter says they will try to determine if human error, mechanical malfunction or weather caused the crash

Cut 8 (13) “…to tell.” 

McCarter says they know there was plenty of fuel on the plane.

Doucet was known as an avid flight enthusiast and practiced at Williamson Cosmetic Center.

The Beechcrafh V35 was built in the mid 1960s, but McCarter the age of the plane is not a concern, because of the hours of maintenance that is done on them

Cut 9 (11)  “..flying.”

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Legislation mandating the 10 Commandments be displayed in public school and college classrooms passes in the Senate on a 30 to 8 vote. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis challenged Bossier City Senator Adam Bass who presented House Bill 71 in the upper chamber.

Cut 10 (13) “…agree with that”

Donations or fundraisers would pay for the signs, but Duplessis argued the legislation is an unfunded mandate, requiring schools to display them but not providing the means to do so.

Duplessis said the bill is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment by promoting one religion over another.

Cut 11 (13) “…read and write.”

Duplessis, a practicing Catholic, said if parents want their children to learn the 10 Commandments they should take them to Sunday School.

Monroe Senator Jay Morris amended the bill to recognize the 10 Commandments as a historical document…

Cut 12 (11) “…mandate it.” 

The amended bill returns to the House for final passage.

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Saturday is the beginning of Safe Boating Week, and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Senior Agent Thomas Wolf says now is the time to make sure everything on your boat is in working order….

Cut 13 (10)  “…the action.”

Between 2019 and 2023 the state reported 107 boating fatalities and 82 percent of the victims weren’t wearing a lifejacket. Wolf says it’s vital your life jacket is in working condition.

Cut 14 (07)  “…working order.”

Alcohol is the leading cause of boating accidents and deaths and Wolf says the same rules apply on land as on water.

Cut 15 (07)  “…license.”

Safe Boating Week runs until May 24th.

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The wake of the release of the Saint’s 2024 regular season schedule sees many fans questioning if the Saints could see the postseason for the first time since 2020. NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson covers the Saints and says early season games against the Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons and Super Bowl champion Chiefs will test the Black and Gold…

Cut 16 (17) “….three or four games of the season.” 

The Saints had one of the easiest schedules last year and failed to make the playoffs. Johnson says based on 2023 win-loss records, the 2024 schedule is not difficult…

Cut 17 (18) “…it doesn’t feel that way.”

Some games to look forward to this season are Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, Malik Nabers and the Giants, and perhaps the most anticipated reunion, Sean Payton and the Broncos. Despite how shaky the Saints may seem, Johnson says they have a fighting chance against their old coach.

Cut 18 (21)  “… on that one, I think.”

The Saints open the regular season with a game at home against the Panthers, kicking off at noon on September 8th.

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Cut 19 (17) “… for a championship.” 

Cut 20 (18) “….over that one.”

Legislation mandating the 10 Commandments be displayed in public school and college classrooms passes in the Senate on a 30 to 8 vote. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplesis challenged Bossier City Senator Adam Bass who presented House Bill 71 in the upper chamber.

Cut 24 (13) “…agree with that”

Duplesis said the bill is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment by promoting one religion over another. Monroe Senator Jay Morris amended the bill to recognize the 10 Commandments as a historical document…

Cut 25 (11) “…mandate it.” 

The amended bill returns to the House for final passage.

Governor Jeff Landry held two town hall meetings Thursday pushing for passage of the Gator Scholarship Program, which would give all families the ability to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is having trouble building support for the program in the state Senate…

PM Cut 12 (08) “…in the Senate.” 

Opponents are concerned about the cost of the program, an estimated 500-million dollars by the third year.

The US Supreme Court ruled Louisiana’s congressional map with two majority-Black districts will be used for the fall election. Opponents say the most recent map was based on race; NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans says it was politics that altered Congressman Garett Grave’s district into a second majority-Black district.

Cut 11 (06) ” …for governor.”

The US Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map with two black-majority districts will be used for Louisiana’s fall election. NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans believes the ruling came down to timing.

Cut 10 (06) “…a new map.” 

Qualifying for the fall election is mid-July.

Governor Jeff Landry is campaigning for the passage of the Gator Scholarship Program, which would give all families the ability to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school education. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fighting opposition from public schools…

Cut  14 (10) “..as it is.” 

Authorities say a 15-year-old girl from Terrebonne Parish was sexually abused, set on fire and shot twice. Sean Richardson reports a car crash in Baytown, Texas likely saved her life

Cut 1 (35)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Most of Southwest Louisiana west of the Mississippi River is under a tornado watch until 10 PM. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the entire state will get hit with bad weather and the most severe areas being from Baton Rouge to Alexandria….

Cut 3 (14) “…next 36 hours or so.” 

The US Supreme Court ruled Louisiana’s congressional map with two majority-Black districts will be used for the fall election. After several years and back and forth and multiple maps passed by the legislature, NAACP Legal Defense Fund Attorney Jared Evans says he’s pleased to finally tell his clients…

Cut 9 (12) “…joy today.” 

Opponents of Governor Jeff Landry’s Gator Scholarship Program are concerned about the cost, an estimated 500-million dollars by year three of the program. Landry says E-S-A’s empower parents, putting them in control of the type of education they want their child to receive. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says school choice was a campaign pledge from the governor and it’s important an E-S-A bill reaches his desk for signature…

Cut 13 (11) “….brag about achievements” 

Authorities say a 15-year-old girl from Terrebonne Parish was sexually abused, set on fire and shot twice and a car crash in Baytown, Texas likely saved her life. At the hospital, it was clear that the teen’s injuries were from abuse. When questioned 41 year old Terrence Washington of Thibodaux admitted to shooting and sexually abusing the teen and both Washington and the Mother who allegedly blamed the teen for the abuse and set her on fire have been arrested.

Cut 8 (08)  “…course of my career.” 

Tabor says the teens drive to survive and fight to get better are nothing short of heroic.
Washington and the child’s mother face child cruelty charges and attempted 1st degree murder.

Most of Southwest Louisiana west of the Mississippi River is under a tornado watch till 10PM. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says to batten down the hatches and get ready for a rough day of severe weather.

Cut 5 (12)  “…across Louisiana.”

41-year-old Terrence Washington and LaTonya Harris of Thibodaux are facing child cruelty and attempted 1st degree murder charges. Authorities say Washington was sexually abusing a 15-year-old and the teen’s mother blamed the young victim then set her on fire. On April 18th Washington shot the 15-year-old in the chest and the face and then on April 20th they were in a car crash in Texas. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Lt. Blake Tabor…

Cut 7 (11) “…service road area.”  

At the hospital, it was clear the teen was a victim of abuse. Tabor says her drive to survive and fight to get better are nothing short of heroic.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a chance for another round of tornados and hail starting tonight and continuing into Saturday. The most severe areas being from Baton Rouge to Alexandria….

Cut 4 (08) “…slight to marginal risk.” 

The US Supreme Court says the state’s most recent map with two majority Black districts will be used in the fall election…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Governor Jeff Landry held a pair of town hall meetings this morning in the New Orleans area to push for the passage of the Gator Scholarship Program, which would give all families the ability to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school education. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is having trouble building support for the proposed program in the state Senate…

Cut 12 (06) “…running ads.” 

Authorities say a 15-year-old girl from Terrebonne Parish was sexually abused, set on fire, and shot twice. Sean Richardson reports a car crash in Texas likely saved her life.

Cut 1 (35)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Authorities have confirmed plastic surgeon Dr. Lou Doucet was killed in a plane crash in Tennessee on Wednesday. Doucet, an Opelousas native was flying the plane from Gonzales yesterday morning to Kentucky. The identities of the two passengers who also perished have not been released.

Louisiana is in for some pretty bad weather that should start tonight and go through Saturday.  The whole state will get hit and the most severe areas being from Baton Rouge to Alexandria. LSU Climatologist, Barry Keim.

Cut 3 (14) “…next 36 hours or so.” 

There is a chance for tornados and hail for a lot of the state.

The US Supreme Court ruled Louisiana’s congressional map with two majority-Black districts will be used for the fall election. Opponents say the legislature’s most recent map was based on race; NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Evans says politics was the driving factor that altered Congressman Garett Grave’s district into a second majority-Black district.

Cut 11 (06) ” …for governor.”

Authorities say 41-year-old Terrence Washington of Thibodaux was sexually abusing a 15-year-old and the teen’s mother blamed her daughter and then set her on fire. Cops say on April 18th Washington shot the teen in the chest and face. Then on April 20th, they left the state. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Department Lt. Blake Tabor…

Cut 6  (08) “..by law enforcement. ” 

The teen was taken to the hospital and it was clear the teen’s injuries were from abuse. Both Washington and the child’s mother have been arrested.

The US Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map with two black-majority districts will be used for Louisiana’s fall election. NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans believes the ruling came down to timing.

Cut 10 (06) “…a new map.” 

Qualifying for the fall election is mid-July.

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that bans the sale of nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, it’s sold in metal canisters in convenience stores and smoke shops. It can be used to make homemade whipped cream, but director of the Louisiana’s Poison Control Center, Mark Ryan, says some use it for human consumption, which is dangerous…

Cut 5 (15) “…including Amazon.” 
If Governor Jeff Landry signs this bill, Louisiana would become the first state to completely ban public sale of nitrous oxide.

Governor Jeff Landry held a pair of town hall meetings this morning in the New Orleans area to push for the passage of the Gator Scholarship Program, which would give all families the ability to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is having trouble building support for the program in the Senate…

Cut 12 (08) “…in the Senate.” 

Opponents are concerned about the costs with an estimated 500-million dollars the programs in its third year.

The US Supreme Court rules Louisiana’s congressional map with two majority-Black districts will be used for the fall election. NAACP Legal Defense Fund Attorney Jared Evans says he’s pleased to finally tell his clients…

Cut 9 (12) “…joy today.” 

But an attorney for Republican plaintiffs, which included Congressman Garret Graves, says the state has enacted a map of a brutal racial gerrymander.

With inclement weather anticipated the LSU Ole Miss baseball game start time has been moved to 4 o’clock today. Most of the state is under a flash flood watch from 1 pm until 1 pm tomorrow. Widespread rainfall amounts of two to six inches and up to 12 inches is possible.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is in France this week at the Cannes International Film Festival to promote Louisiana film production to an international market. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The U-S Supreme Court orders Louisiana to use the Congressional map that has two majority black districts. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is holding two town hall meetings today in the New Orleans area to promote his proposal that would allow parents of all income levels to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private education. He just concluded one meeting at Rummel High School in Metairie and will hold the second one at Mandeville this morning.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to two debates before the November fifth Presidential election, June 27th and September 10th. U-L-M political science professor Pearson Cross expects high viewership…
cut 12 (04) “….make a difference”
Polls show the race is extremely tight.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Europe for the next couple of the weeks. He’s at the Cannes Film Festival this week promoting the state’s film tax credit incentives. Then he heads to Italy and Spain to promote international tourism to Louisiana. Nungesser says a 300-thousand dollar grant from the U-S Commerce Department is helping to pay for the trip…
cut 9 (10) “…overseas there”
Chef Samantha Carroll will prepare Louisiana seafood dishes while in Madrid to bring a taste of Louisiana to an international audience.

A ruling from the U-S Supreme Court will result in a new Congressional map for Louisiana that will be used in this fall’s elections. It’s the map approved by lawmakers earlier this year that has two majority Black districts, not one. The sixth District becomes a majority-minority district and it will stretch from Baton Rouge to Shreveport, despite concerns its racial gerrymandering…
cut 15 (12) “….over”
That’s political analyst Bernie Pinsonat. The ruling could result in a Congressional race between Republican incumbent Garret Graves and Black Democrat Cleo Fields.

President Biden and former President Donald Trump have announced they will participate in two debates before the presidential election.
Cut 10 (05) “…taking place.”
That’s U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

A bill heading to the governor’s desk will ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is used for food preparation, but there are some who consume it directly and overdoses of nitrous oxide are difficult to treat…
cut 6 (11) “….potentially very dangerous”
That’s the director of the Louisiana Poison Control Center, Doctor Mark Ryan.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is at the Canne Film Festival in France. He’s joined by representatives from Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge and Ranch Studios in St. Bernard Parish. Nungesser says they want to show the world what Louisiana brings to the table in the form of film tax incentives…
cut 8 (12) “….get out of those strikes”
After France, Nungesser will head to Italy and Spain to promote international tourism to Louisiana.