Two weeks are left in the legislative session and one of the biggest issues undecided is whether lawmakers will pass a bill that will result in a Constitutional Convention in August. Details on how the convention will be held have yet to be decided. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the bill is awaiting a vote in Senate Governmental Affairs…
Cut 13 (08) “…politics.”
Lawmakers are looking for more specifics on how the convention will run and what are the exact proposed changes to the constitution.

Governor Landry has appointed Dustin Yates as the interim mayor of St. George, which will be the fifth largest city in Louisiana and located in East Baton Rouge Parish. Yates says he has plenty of work in front of him…
cut 5 (13) “….in this transition”
The effort to create a new city in East Baton Rouge started because of a desire to start a new school district and Yates that’s still the eventual goal.

President Biden has signed legislation designed to improve air travel. Sean Richardson spoke with Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves who helped write the bill that is designed to improve the flying experience.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

KTBS-TV is reporting an 18-year-old woman is dead and another is in serious condition after they were shot during the overnight hours behind a Whataburger in south Shreveport. No word on if Shreveport police have any suspects.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he is running for re-election this year, but is looking at possibly representing another district. His district has been changed substantially and is now a majority minority district and if he seeks to continue to represent the sixth district, he’ll face a challenge from Democratic Black state Senator Cleo Fields. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan…
cut 11 (12) “…national contributors
Graves could look to challenge fellow Republicans Julia Letlow in the 5th district or Clay Higgins in the third district.

President Biden has signed the F-A-A Reauthorization Bill. Graves played a major role in crafting this legislation that will look to add thousands of new air traffic controllers in an effort to reduce travel delays…
cut 9 (18) “….mass retirements”
The bill also has $25-million dollars for funding to update runways and terminals in an effort to improve the customer experience.

Governor Jeff Landry has appointed Dustin Yates, as the Interim Mayor of the state’s newest City of St. George, in East Baton Rouge Parish. Jeanne Burns has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

There was a welcome home celebration in Ruston for the Louisiana Tech baseball team as they returned from Virginia after sweeping Liberty as Conference USA regular season champions. They will play Middle Tennessee on Wednesday in the Conference USA Tournament, which will be held in Ruston.

There are two weeks left in the legislative session and one of the major bills that has yet to be decided is the measure that calls for a Constitutional Convention. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the bill is still awaiting a discussion in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee…
cut 14 (06) “….will happen”
Republican megadonor Lane Grigsby has recommended the governor should scrap the idea of having Jeff Landry picking 27 delegates for the proposed convention.

Governor Landry has appointed Dustin Yates as the mayor of the state’s newest city. St. George. The state Supreme Court has ruled for the incorporation of St. George, after 54-percent of voters living in the proposed city’s limits in East Baton Rouge voted to have their own city. National headlines have painted this as an attempt by whites to create their own majority city, but Yates says this is about controlling their own tax dollars…
cut 6 (13) “….our residents”

President Biden has signed the FAA Reauthorization Bill. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves had a major part in crafting the legislation. He says it’s good news for Louisiana travelers. One focus of the bill is to improve the overall experience for airline customers. Graves says that means everything from the baggage claim to air traffic control.
Cut 7 (11) “..experience for the family.”
One new provision is airlines must issue an automatic refund in cases when a flight is canceled or there is a long delay.

Congressman Graves says he plans to run for re-election, but he hasn’t committed if it will be the sixth District, his current seat that was reapportioned as the state’s second majority-Black district. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Graves could run against fellow Republican Julia Letlow in the fifth district…
Cut 10 (10) “…Republican district.”

With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Jeanne Burns.

The Louisiana Senate has approved the bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program which will provide parents public dollars to pay for private school tuition. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds, says this is a historic moment as the legislation will give parents options on where to send their child to school..

Cut 6  (11) “..of Louisiana. ” 
A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed in the Senate 29 to 10. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, who presented it to the Senate, champions the bill as protecting women…

Cut 11 (12) ” …that bathroom.”

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With two weeks remaining in the legislative session, one of the biggest pieces of legislation to be decided is whether lawmakers will hold a Constitutional Convention. The measure was amended in the House to begin in August, as for what it will entail remains a mystery. But first political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it still must clear the Senate.

Cut 13 (08)  “…politics.”
As for Landry’s first legislative session, Pinsonat says the governor for the most part has gotten his way on legislation he’s supported.

Cut 15 (10)  “…he wanted.”
The session ends June 3rd.

The Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map approved by lawmakers with two Black majority districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the May 15th ruling came just in time…

Cut 3 (10) “…fall elections.” 
The Gator Scholarship Program bill has now been approved by the Louisiana. It will provide public dollars to parents to pay for their children’s private school tuition. Those in favor of the bill says it gives parents more choice when it comes to their kids’ education. But some say Education Savings Accounts are an abandonment of public education and it’s teachers. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplesis.

Cut 7 (13) “…in the program.”  

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A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed the Louisiana Senate 29 to 10. New Orleans Senator Royce was among those opposed to the measure, saying it’s a cultural war issue meant to drum up fear.

Cut 10 (08) “…protect children.” 
The bill would also separate restrooms in prisons and domestic violence shelters. It heads next to Governer’s desk.

Organizers of a recall effort to oust Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape have already collected 6-thousand signatures…but they’ll need 30-thousand more by October in over to force a new election. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany on what would happen next.

Cut 12 (08) “…what not.” 

Young says if they meet their goal, a new election would most likely be on the Spring 2025 ballot for St. Tammany Parish voters.

The Louisiana Senate has approved the bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program which will provide parents public dollars to pay for private school tuition. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds, says this is a historic moment as the legislation will give parents options on where to send their child to school.

Cut 6  (11) “..of Louisiana. ” 

The E-S-A bill passed on a 24-15 vote. It still needs House approval. Opponents are concerned about the overall cost of the program which could be 500 million.

Organizers say they’ve collected 6,000 signatures of the 36,000 they need to recall embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany says they’ll rely heavily on business hubs for signatures.

Cut 13 (13) “…so far.” 

Signatures must be collected by October.

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The Supreme Court has ruled the most recent state congressional map approved by lawmakers with two majority Black districts will be the one to use in the upcoming election. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges”

A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed in the Senate 29 to 10. Senator Beth Mizell says the measure stemmed from an incident that happened at a Louisiana park restroom…

Cut 9 (12) “…nothing (x2).” 

A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed in the Senate 29 to 10. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis believes this bill is part of a cultural war issue based on fear. But Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell champions the bill as protecting women.

Cut 11 (12) ” …that bathroom.”
An effort to recall St. Tammany Parish’s new coroner is picking up steam…as organizers have collected 6-thousand of the 36 thousand signatures needed so far.  Dr. Christopher Tape ran unopposed and a recall effort began after criminal accusations of child sexual abuse more than two decades ago in New Mexico came to light. As for who will run against Tape if the recall is successful, Young says Family First St. Tammany is focused on getting enough signatures right now.

Cut  14 (10) “…of office.” 
All signatures for the recall must be collected by October.

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The Louisiana Senate has passed the Gator Scholarship Program which would give parents the ability to receive taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 
A ruling by the Supreme Court means the map approved by Louisiana lawmakers earlier this year with two majority black districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry on why knowing this far ahead of the November election is so important.

Cut 4 (10) “…doing that.” 

The Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map approved by lawmakers with two Black majority districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the May 15th ruling came just in time…

Cut 3 (10) “…fall elections.” 
The Gator Scholarship Program bill has now been approved by the Louisiana. It will provide public dollars to parents to pay for their children’s private school tuition. Those in favor of the bill says it gives parents more choice when it comes to their kids’ education. But some say Education Savings Accounts are an abandonment of public education and it’s teachers. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplesis.

Cut 7 (13) “…in the program.”  

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A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed the Louisiana Senate 29 to 10. New Orleans Senator Royce was among those opposed to the measure, saying it’s a cultural war issue meant to drum up fear.

Cut 10 (08) “…protect children.” 
The bill would also separate restrooms in prisons and domestic violence shelters. It heads next to Governer’s desk.

Organizers of a recall effort to oust Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape have already collected 6-thousand signatures…but they’ll need 30-thousand more by October in over to force a new election. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany on what would happen next.

Cut 12 (08) “…what not.” 

Young says if they meet their goal, a new election would most likely be on the Spring 2025 ballot for St. Tammany Parish voters.