St. Bernard Parish Republican Mike Bayham has filed a bill that would result in a 25-dollar fine for a person who is walking across the street in the crosswalk, but is looking at their phone and not paying attention to the traffic….

Cut 8 (10) “…going across crosswalks”

Bayham notes it’s against the law to handle your cell phone while driving and pedestrians should also face punishment if they are paying attention to their phone while crossing the street.

Another bill that will be up for debate in the legislative session is a proposed constitutional amendment by state senator Jay Morris. The West Monroe Republican would like to see a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor.

Cut 15 (13) “…very high bar.”

Morris says Louisiana residents are fed up with a system that allows repeat violent offenders to cycle through the courts without consequence.

According to the latest information from the U-S Drought monitor, three-quarters of the state is in drought conditions and 43-percent of the state is experiencing either severe or extreme drought. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we could use two weeks of consistent rainfall…

Cut 5 (12) “…into the spring”

The forecast for the next week calls for dry weather.

Good news for LSU football fans as AT-and-T is installing a new antenna system so that there will better wireless access during games. AT&T president David Aubrey says they are proud to work with LSU to bring state of the art connectivity to college football’s greatest venue…

Cut 10 (08) “…connected.”

The project is expected to cost 45-million dollars.

A Metairie woman who investigators say was driving while impaired is charged in connection with the death of Jefferson Parish Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer during a funeral procession last month. New Orleans Police Captain Anthony Micheu did not say which drugs were in Erica Katsanis’ toxicology report, but investigators believe she ignored the warning labels for those drugs.

Cut 12 (10) “…not properly taken.”

A New Orleans-area state representative has filed a bill that would impose a 25-dollar fine for staring at your cell phone while crossing a crosswalk. Chalmette Republican Mike Bayham says if a pedestrian is looking at his or her cell phone at the same time a driver is looking at his or her cell phone – which in itself is illegal, thanks to the work of the legislature last year – that’s a recipe for disaster.

Cut 7 (08) “…if not killed.”

This run of dry weather has put the state in a tough spot. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is asking Congress to shift West Feliciana Parish’s federal judicial district from the Middle District to the Western District. Landry says this is to ease the caseload in a district with a growing population. It would also shift cases involving prisoners at Angola from courts where all judges were appointed by President Obama to courts where most judges were appointed by President Trump.

The drought gripping Louisiana has gotten worse in recent weeks. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says currently, about three-fourths of the state is in a drought, with half of the state rated as severe to extreme drought – and he says that’s making life very tough for many people, not just firefighters.

Cut 4 (12) “…into production season.”

A 53-year-old Metairie woman has been charged in connection with the death of a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was struck and killed during a funeral procession on January 30th. New Orleans Police Captain Anthony Micheu says Erica Katsanis was impaired when she struck Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer’s motorcycle from behind.

Cut 11 (05) “…come back.”

Micheu did not say what drugs were in Katsanis’ toxicology report.

One state lawmaker wants you to pay attention when crossing crosswalks, or pay up. Chalmette Republican Representative Mike Bayham has filed a bill that would prohibit people from looking at their cell phones while crossing crosswalks. Bayham says it’s a modern-day safety issue.

Cut 6 (09) “…is paying attention.”

Those who are caught trying to get to the other side with their faces in their phones face fines of 25 dollars.

Governor Landry announced on his “X” account today that A-T-and-T is investing 45-million dollars to upgrade the network inside Tiger Stadium before the 2026 season. LSU President Wade Rousse joined Landry for the announcement. Rousse says when you have over 100-thousand people in one place, you need service that works.

Cut 9 (08)  “…first responders.”

This run of dry weather we’ve had lately has pushed the state into drought conditions. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says currently, about three-fourths of the state is in a drought, with half of the state rated as severe to extreme drought.

Cut 3 (13) “…coast in Terrebonne.”

Grymes says farmers and ranchers are starting to get nervous as we get ready to roll into production season.

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly childcare is in Louisiana. More than 10-thousand dollars per year for one child, nearly 21-thousand dollars for two children. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for childcare and in some cases decided to quit their job.

Cut 5 (07) “…they’re forced too.”

A West Monroe state senator, Jay Morris has filed a bill that would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor. He says he filed the bill because of what he calls a disturbing and repeated pattern of breakdowns within Louisiana’s juvenile justice system.

Cut 14 (10) “…up with it.”

Morris says this process is not to be used if, for example, the governor simply disagrees with a judge’s ruling; instead, it’s intended to be used if that judge sentences the convict outside of the sentencing guidelines.

The Superbowl of rodeo, the Hondo Rodeo Fest is coming to the Ceaser’s Superdome in April. World champion cowboys and cowgirls have been invited to compete in eight categories, for a one-million-dollar prize.  Former Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs calls it adrenaline-pumping.

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s action packed.”

Special discounted tickets are on sale through tomorrow.

A state senator is proposing a constitutional amendment that he says would restore accountability in Louisiana’s justice system. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Northwestern State has announced the removal of Amy Step and Trey Jackson as coaches of the Northwestern State cheerleading team after an investigation looking into hazing allegations. Northwestern says the school identified areas reflecting lack of appropriate oversight and control of the program. Coach Step disagrees with the findings and there are former and current cheerleaders are calling the firing unjust.

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly child care is in Louisiana. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says parents reported spending an average of 870 dollars per child per month, or more than ten-thousand dollars a year.

Cut 4 (11) “…parents in Louisiana” 

Batson says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for child care and in some cases decided to quit their job, because it made more financial sense to stay home.

Looking for a family fun event. The Hondo Rodeo event is coming the Caesars Superdome April 10^th and 12^th. It’s a rodeo competition, a music concert and there’s also a street fest at champions square. James Trawick is the CEO of the Hondo Rodeo Fest and says they chose Louisiana because the state has some of the best rodeo competitors in the U.S.

Cut 11 (06) “…Louisiana than Wyoming.”

A recent survey shows Louisiana childcare costs around $10,000 per child per year. Mattilyn Karst Batson with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says the parents polled said they worried about paying for child car. She says the information will be shared with lawmakers as they make decisions on funding for childcare assistance.

Cut 6 (12) “…them to make.”

State Senator Jay Morris is proposing a constitutional amendment that would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor.

Cut 15 (13) “…very high bar.”

It’s senior night for LSU women’s basketball team as they host Tennessee tonight at five and Coach Kim Mulkey expects it will be emotional as Flau’jae Johnson plays her last regular season home game.

Cut 19  (20) “…an SEC opponent.”

The Superbowl of rodeo, the Hondo Rodeo Fest is coming to the Ceaser’s Superdome in April. World champion cowboys and cowgirls have been invited to compete in eight categories, for a one-million-dollar prize.  Former Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs calls it adrenaline-pumping.

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s action packed.”

Some polls show Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy trailing his competitors in the race for U.S. Senate. The wild card in the Republican primary is John Fleming, who was the first to announce a primary challenge against Cassidy more than a year ago. Cross says the wrestling match between Cassidy and Trump endorsed Julia Letlow could work to Fleming’s benefit.

Cut 9 (13)  “…over to me.”

A West Monroe state senator, Jay Morris has filed a bill that would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor. He says he filed the bill because of what he calls a disturbing and repeated pattern of breakdowns within Louisiana’s juvenile justice system.

Cut 14 (10) “…up with it.”

The Hondo Rodeo Fest, dubbed the Super Bowl of rodeo, is coming to the Caesars Superdome in April. Andre Champagne spoke with the organizers.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly childcare is in Louisiana. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for childcare and in some cases decided to quit their job.

Cut 5 (07) “…they’re forced too.”

A West Monroe state senator is proposing a constitutional amendment that he says would restore accountability for judges and district attorneys who fail to prevent violent crime. Republican Jay Morris’ bill would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor.

Cut 13 (11)  “…two-thirds vote.”

The race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bill Cassidy is in full swing. Congresswoman Julia Letlow entered the race after President Trump endorsed her. She has now become the target of ads accusing her of being liberal. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 8 (13) “…Trump-endorsed Julia Letlow.”

A survey of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers finds that childcare costs more than 10-thousand dollars a year per child, and many parents struggle to pay for it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

They call it the Superbowl of rodeos and it’s coming to the Caesars Superdome in April. This event in New Orleans is the first time they are holding the Hondo Rodeo Fest outside of Arizona and Hondo CEO, James Trawick, says they chose Louisiana because the state has some of the best rodeo competitors in the U.S.

Cut 11 (06) “…Louisiana than Wyoming.”