A national survey of small businesses finds optimism increased slightly in April, but the small business optimism index remains below the 50-year average. Joe Gallinaro has more…
cut 2 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry gave today as the deadline to have an approved Congressional map so her office can prepare for the fall Congressional elections. But federal judges have rejected two different maps approved by state lawmakers and Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill is seeking direction from the U-S Supreme Court.

Christopher McCoy of Bunkie has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of Lauren Vaughn. She was a 22 year-old nursing student from Alexandria. The incident happened on Good Friday in 2023. Bridget Vaughn, Lauren’s mother, says McCoy was sentenced to six years in prison.
Cut 3 (12) “…grieving process”
State Police says McCoy’s blood alcohol level was .15 at the time of the fatal crash. Lauren Vaughn was a passenger in his vehicle when it ran off the road.

Crawfish farmers got some good news last week. The USDA is changing its rules so crawfish producers can take advantage of federal disaster grants. LSU Ag Center economist Kurt Guidry says those dollars can be used to help reseed their ponds for next year.
Cut 11 (10) ” …tend to seed.”
Guidry says despite the efforts to reseed, production is expected to be down again next year.