The Republican lawmaker at the center of the redistricting debate says he’s received death threats after he was accused of using a derogatory word towards the executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This happened during a meeting last Friday of the Senate Government Affairs Committee. That committee will be meeting this evening following the conclusion of today’s meeting of the full Senate. It’s during tonight’s meeting that the committee is expected to adopt a new congressional map.

A bill that would increase the pay of the governor and other statewide elected officials barely gets enough votes to pass the House. Harahan Representative John Illg’s legislation would increase the governor’s salary in 2028 from 130 thousand to 174-thousand dollars, the same amount a U-S Representative receives.

Cut 6 (09) “…appropriate measure.”

Monuments which are taken down may have new life, thanks to a bill advancing in the legislature. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham’s bill would transfer any publicly-owned historical statue or monument removed from public display to the Office of State Parks, which would be required to move it to a location open to the public in a different parish. 

Cut 4 (12) “…protection from vandalism.”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he and his legislative staff have received death threats after he was accused of using a racial slur during a heated committee hearing on proposed Congressional District maps. Morris blames the leaders at the Louisiana Democratic Party of using lies to generate hate…

Cut 11 (08) “…now better”

The executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Darius Lanus says Morris told him, a Black man, to “Shut up, Boy.”

Monuments taken down may have new life, thanks to a bill advancing in the legislature. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham’s bill would transfer any publicly-owned historical statue or monument removed from public display to the Office of State Parks. Bayham says it’s a good compromise.

Cut 3 (09) “…their land anymore.”

Bayham’s legislation could result in the Confederate monuments taken down in New Orleans in 2017 returning to public view at a State Park.

Governor Landry has signed Senate Bill 244 into law. The legislation makes it legal for Louisiana to hold a recreational alligator hunting season. The bill’s author is Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who notes that Louisiana’s alligator population has now topped three-million, and there are not  enough commercial alligator hunters to get it under control.

Cut 4 (14) “…along the way.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Fisheries Commission will establish how tags will be distributed and when the season will take place.

The LSU baseball team’s season will likely end sometime next week at the SEC Tournament. Unless the Tigers win the SEC Tourney, they will miss the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2011. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says coach Jay Johnson will get to work quickly after the season ends.

Cut 12 (08) “…offensive players too.”

An emotional Jay Morris took to the Senate floor to discuss death threats made against him. The Republican from West Monroe says one of the voice mails left at his legislative office threatened to carry out a mass shooting….

Cut 10 (06) “…family”

Morris is at the center of the redistricting debate as he has legislation to reduce the number of Black majority districts to one or zero. A leader of the Louisiana Democratic Party claims Morris used a racial slur during a heated debate in Senate Governmental Affairs, which Morris denies doing.

We have hit the stretch run towards Saturday’s May 16^th primary. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says expect a bevy of negative ads Bill Cassidy, John Fleming and Julia Letlow try to get into the Republican US Senate primary run-off…

Cut 7 (09) “…margin of error”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law that allows for the first ever recreational alligator hunting season in Louisiana. Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who authored the legislation, says recreational alligator hunting tags will be awarded through a lottery system…

Cut 6 (08) “…get two tags”

The recreational alligator hunting season will be announced at a later day. There’s already a commercial alligator hunting season and the reality TV show “Swamp People” helped grow interest in alligator hunting.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced details about this year’s Black Bear hunting season. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says the season will take place in December and 42 tags will likely be issued with most of the tags issued for Bear Management Area four, which is northeast Louisiana…

Cut 15 (11) “..excited about it”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he and his staff received multiple death threats for something he never said. The executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Dadrius Lanus says Morris used a racial slur during last Friday’s heated debate over a new Congressional map. Morris says the untrue allegation led to 150 nasty voice mails for his legislative assistant to hear…

Cut 9 (13) “…to be party”

Morris says news outlets support his story that he did not use the word “Boy” when he told Lanus, a Black Man, to  “Shut Up.”

Saturday is the May 16^th primary and Bill Cassidy, John Fleming and Julia Letlow are doing what they can to get votes from registered Republican and no party voters. Letlow has President Trump’s endorsement and ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s significant…

Cut 20 (07) “…in the past”

The 2026 Louisiana black bear hunting season will take place from December 5th to the 20th; and this year, bear hunting will be allowed in all seven of the state’s black bear management areas. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says 42 tags will be tentatively issued for the hunt.

Cut 13 (08) “…for a lottery.”

The lottery for the 2026 season will begin in late July.

The 2026 LSU baseball season will likely end next week with no NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 2011. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the Tigers pitchers’ have struggled and injuries have also been an issue…

Cut 11 (10) “…with multiple injuries”

The Tigers conclude the regular season with a three game series against Florida that will start on Thursday at Alex Box Stadium.

LSU baseball has tied a program high for the most SEC losses in one season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Looks like the Senate Governmental Affairs committee will vote earlier than expected on a new congressional map for Louisiana.  Originally set for tomorrow, that meeting’s been moved up to after the full Senate adjourns today.  Options on the table include one majority black district or none, even as Democrats continue to push for two.

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Over the next five days, watch TV or listen to the radio at your own risk. That’s because you’ll be bombarded with some of the dirtiest campaign ads in the Republican U.S. Senate race, with the primary election Saturday. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Bill Cassidy, John Fleming and Julia Letlow are going negative, because history has shown that negative campaigning works…so they’re all trying to put distance between their opponents and President Trump.

Cut 8 (11) “…to your side.”

For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a recreational alligator hunting season. That after Governor Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 244 into law.  The bill’s author is Franklin Senator Robert Allain, commercial hunting can’t keep up with the growing alligator population and gators that are turning up in neighborhoods.

Cut 5 (14) “…contact with them.”

Watching television in the next few days may be a little uncomfortable.  Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Pineville’s China Queen restaurant has permanently closed its doors following a controversy where a deer carcass, suspected to be roadkill, was discovered in their freezer. The closure follows a police investigation and 31 health code violations, including roaches and unsanitary conditions.

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Recreational alligator hunting is coming to Louisiana for the very first time.  That, after  Governor Landry signed Senate Bill 244 into law. The bill’s author is Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who notes that Louisiana’s alligator population now tops three-million, and there aren’t enough commercial alligator hunters to get it under control.

Cut 4 (14) “…along the way.”

A year ago, they were national champs, but with just three games to go in the regular season, the LSU baseball Tigers are making the wrong kind of history this year.  The purple and gold have suffered 18 losses in SEC play, which matches the most conference losses in program history. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says a lot has gone wrong, but the lack of development from pitchers returning from last year’s team really sticks out.

Cut 10 (11) “…was last year.”

If you watch tv-be aware, you’ll be seeing lots of dirty campaign ads in the Republican U.S. Senate race, as the primary is set for Saturday.  ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Bill Cassidy, John Fleming and Julia Letlow are pulling out all the stops to get their messages out to avoid finishing in last place.

Cut 7 (09) “…margin of error.”

Monroe Republican Senator Jay Morris says he’s been getting voicemail threats at his after he was accused by the Democratic Party of using a racial slur toward a Black party executive in a tense public hearing on redrawing Louisiana’s congressional districts on Friday.

Cut 29 (:08)”…mass shooting at my office.”

We’re told the Senate Governmental Affairs committee will vote on a new congressional map after the full Senate adjourns today.  Options on the table include one majority black district or none, even as Democrats continue to push for two.
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For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a recreational alligator hunting season. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Neuty the nutria, the New Orleans nutria who’d become an internet icon, passed away over the weekend.  His owners said they learned Neuty had a malignant mass in March and say the cancer was aggressive and spread quickly.  News of Neuty’s passing was shared on Neuty’s official Instagram page yesterday.

For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a recreational alligator hunting season. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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For the next five days, listen to the radio or watch TV at your own risk. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU has tied a program high for the most SEC losses in one season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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While commercial alligator hunting has been legal in Louisiana for quite some time, recreational alligator hunting is now legal for the first time, now that Governor Landry has signed Senate Bill 244 into law. The bill’s author is Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who notes that Louisiana’s alligator population has now topped three-million, and there aren’t enough commercial alligator hunters to get it under control.

Cut 4 (14) “…along the way.”

Allain says that growing alligator population has led to alligators appearing in places they’re not supposed to be in, including neighborhoods.

Cut 5 (14) “…contact with them.”

People may be surprised to learn that alligators can run as fast as 15 miles an hour.

Allain says recreational alligator hunting tags will be awarded through a lottery system.

Cut 6 (08) “…get two tags.”

The recreational alligator hunting season period will be announced at a later date.

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Over the next five days, watch TV or listen to the radio at your own risk. That’s because you’ll be bombarded with some of the dirtiest campaign ads in the Republican U.S. Senate race, with the primary election Saturday. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Bill Cassidy, John Fleming and Julia Letlow are pulling out all the stops to get their messages out to avoid finishing in last place.

Cut 7 (09) “…margin of error.”

Cross says the three are going negative, because history has shown that negative campaigning works. And he says in this instance, the mission for all three is to put distance between their opponents and President Trump.

Cut 8 (11) “…to your side.”

That’s a taller task when it comes to attacking Julia Letlow, since she has Trump’s endorsement. Cross says in his time following national politics, he has never seen anything like Trump’s influence in elections.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in the past.”

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The LSU baseball team is creating the wrong kind of history one season removed from winning the program’s eighth national championship. With three regular season games to go, the Tigers have suffered 18 losses in SEC play, which matches the most conference losses in program history. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says a lot has gone wrong, but the lack of development from pitchers returning from last year’s team really sticks out.

Cut 10 (11) “…was last year.”

Guilbeau says injuries have also been an issue.

Cut 11 (10) “…with multiple injuries.”

Starting pitcher Cooper Moore also got hurt in March and never returned. Friday night starter Casan Evans missed a couple of weekends due to arm soreness. Guilbeau says for LSU to get back to being a national contender again, the pitching has to improve dramatically.

Cut 12 (08) “…offensive players too.”

Center fielder Derek Curiel, shortstop Steven Milam and right fielder Jake Brown are expected to turn pro after they are selected in the Major League Baseball draft in July.

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The 2026 Louisiana black bear hunting season will take place from December 5th to the 20th; and this year, bear hunting will be allowed in all seven of the state’s black bear management areas. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says 42 tags will be tentatively issued for the hunt.

Cut 13 (08) “…for a lottery.”

The lottery for the 2026 season will begin in late July.

Louisiana held its first black bear hunting season in more than 35 years in December of 2024. That year, 10 bears were harvested. Sixteen were harvested last year; and Hanks says with the black bear population continuing to thrive, they’ve decided to open it up even more.

Cut 14 (09) “…we’re expanding more.”

Bear area specific population estimates and vital rate data are used to determine the number of bear harvest permits to be issued. Cubs and females are not legal to harvest. Hanks says nearly half of the tags that will be issued will be for Bear Management Area Four. Hanks says that’s where they are seeing the most interest in a bear hunting season, in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 15 (11) “…excited about it.”

A 300-pound plus bear can provide about 200 plates of food. Bear fat can be used for baking, cooking, making candles and waterproofing boots.

State Senator Jay Morris of West Monroe is accused of using a derogatory word towards Black people at a racially charged Senate Committee meeting last Friday. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Cut 23 (fade out after 3 seconds)

Well, Jerry Reed might be chagrined to learn that it is now legal to recreationally hunt alligators in Louisiana, thanks to Governor Landry signing Senate Bill 244 into law. The bill’s author is Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who notes that Louisiana’s alligator population has now topped three-million, and there aren’t enough commercial alligator hunters to get it under control.

Cut 4 (14) “…along the way.”

Allain says that growing alligator population has led to alligators appearing in places they’re not supposed to be in, including neighborhoods.

Cut 5 (14) “…contact with them.”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris is accused of using a racially insensitive word during the redistricting debate last Friday. The video from media members is inconclusive on whether Morris said the word “Boy” when confronting audience members who he said were talking loudly during the debate, making it hard for him to concentrate and answer questions.

Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Caleb Kleinpeter says he spoke with several news organizations who were covering the tense committee meeting and none of them heard Morris use the word “Boy.”

Cut 8 (04) “…debunked that.”

But State Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius Lanus says he knows what he heard.

Cut 9 (04)  “…he said”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will meet again on Wednesday. It’s expected it will approve a map that eliminates one, if not both, Black Majority districts from the state’s Congressional map.

Two teens were killed in a crash in Concordia Parish, and the teen driving the SUV is under arrest. Investigators say early yesterday morning, 18-year-old Gregory Steele of Vidalia lost control of the SUV and drove it off the roadway, causing it to overturn. Steele suffered minor injuries, but 19-year-old Jacob Bonnette of Vidalia and 17-year-old Michelle Baity of Natchez, Mississippi, were killed. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says alcohol appears to have been a factor.

Cut 13 (08) “…the traffic violations.”

Another 18-year-old suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Wallace says none of the four were restrained. 

Soaring gas prices will likely not put a dent in Memorial Day travel, with a record 39-million people expected to hit the road. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says that’s because people had already made their plans before the war in Iran began.

Cut 10 (05) “…already baked in.”