Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns told Governor Jeff Landry that he will be stepping down as Chairman effective June 30th.

Cut 6  (09) “…gaming control board.” 

During his time as the chair he’s seen two riverboat properties become first-class land based properties with another three under construction, as well as bringing sports betting to the state.

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate but failed in the House. Bossier City Representative, Raymond Crews fears chasing an issue that he says will solve itself soon.

Cut 10 (10) “…getting fines for it” 

The fate of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe is unclear as the hospital’s owner Steward Health Care has filed for bankruptcy. Brooke Thorington has more from State Representative Michael Echols.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Federal three-judge-panel has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. The current legislative session is scheduled to end June 3rd. But with the budget yet to be heard in Senate Finance, Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for them to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed.

Cut 3 (08) “…to do it.” 

A Federal three-judge panel told Louisiana Lawmakers they have until June 3^rd to create a new congressional map, or the panel will create one. But multiple attempts to draw maps have all been rejected by federal judges in different districts. Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s all part of the legal process…

Cut 5 (12)  “…outcome is.” 

A bill moving along at the state capitol would end the requirement that employers have to give minors a 20-minute meal break if they’ve worked five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says hard working teenagers would rather make money than take a break…

cut 11 (09) “…of pay”
The bill is heading to the Senate floor for final legislative passage.

A bill to make holding a cellphone while driving a crime failed to pass in the House with a 21-72. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The Violence Policy Center says in 2022, Louisiana ranked second in the country for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says while the number of firearm homicides decreased by six percent from 2021 to 2022, the number of gun-related suicide attempts increased by almost three percent across the country in 2022.

Cut 15 (06)  “…suicide rates”

A panel of 3 federal judges has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. While the legislature is in session Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed. He says it’s time to let State Attorney General Liz Murrill handle the congressional map with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cut 4 (08) “…this time.” 

The NAACP has also filed an appeal for the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the congressional map for the fall election.

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, but his yearly attempt failed in the House overwhelming by a 21-72 vote. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick questions what else would be considered a crime in McMath’s bill.

Cut 9 (11) “…still out there, yes.” 

Legislation is moving closer to final passage to end the requirement for employers to give minor workers at least a 20-minute meal break if they work five or more hours. Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder says kids in school go for a long period of time, especially if they are involved in extracurricular activities…

Cut 12 (12) “…in a school.” 

The bill heads to the full Senate for final passage.

Last year’s number one MLB draft pick and former LSU pitching star Paul Skenes has been called up to the big leagues by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Skenes will face the Chicago Cubs after being one of the most dominant pitchers in Triple A baseball this season posting a 0.99 ERA and struck out 45 batters in 27 and a third innings.

LSU baseball is not projected to make the NCAA tournament after the initial D-1 Baseball and Baseball America projections. The Tigers need to win four of their next six games in order to have a good chance at making the NCAA tournament and LSU will travel to face Alabama this weekend.

The two projections do have UL-Lafayette and Louisiana Tech making the tournament with the Ragin Cajuns as a two seed in College Station and the Bulldogs as a three seed in the Starkville Regional.

And ULM was able to defeat Stephen F. Austin yesterday 11 to 6 after scoring 10 unanswered runs. The Warhawks tied the game in the fifth inning and then scored their remaining 5 runs in the sixth inning to go on and win 11 to 6.

The New Orleans Saints have cut former Texas A&M, Minnesota Vikings, and Cleveland Browns quarterback Kellen Mond yesterday. Their quarterback room was crowded after the addition of South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler through the draft and Saints solution was to cut Mond. The Saints quarterback room will now include starting quarterback Derek Carr, second year quarterback Jake Haener, NFL veteran Nathan Peterman, and Rattler.

ULM softball will try to keep their historic momentum going into the SunBelt softball tournament when the Warhawks take on the South Alabama Jaguars at 4 pm today. The Warhawks secured the number 6 overall seed after winning 12 games in conference play and finishing the season with a 31 and 23 record. The LA Tech Bulldogs will face the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers after defeating UTEP 2 to nothing yesterday. The Bulldogs took two out of three games when the teams met in the regular season.

And in the Non-select Division I baseball playoffs, third seeded Sam Houston will take on second seeded West Monroe at 5:30 today and thirteenth ranked Benton will take on first seed Barbe at 5:30.

The three-panel court has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. But with the budget yet to be heard in Senate Finance, Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for them to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed.

Cut 3 (08) “…to do it.” 

Henry says it’s time to let State Attorney General Liz Murrill handle it with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Since Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe has declared bankruptcy, Representative Michael Echols says Steward Health Care is to blame. As for a prospective buyer, he says he’s been told the medical community has reached out to Ochsner, Willis-Knighton, and other regional medical facilities.

Cut 25 (12)  “…our patients.”

Legislation is moving closer to final passage to end the requirement for employers to give minor workers at least a 20-minute meal break if they work five or more hours. Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder says the state should not hold back teen workers who want to put in the hours…

Cut 10 (10) “…wanna work.”

The bill heads to the full Senate for final passage.

Dead last is what Louisiana is ranked for the second year in a row in US News and World Report’s 2024 Best States report. Managing Editor for Government Rankings Gary Emerling says the ranking is based on several categories that Louisiana does not perform well in…
Cut 24 (11) “…beneficiaries.”
There are some positives, Louisiana ranks 21st in healthcare access.

Louisiana ranked 50th in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 Best States, and here’s Sean Richardson on why.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

North Louisiana is under an enhanced threat level of severe weather this afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms could be accompanied by large hail and damaging wind gusts as high as 75 miles per hour. Flooding rain is also possible so remain weather aware today.

Legislation is moving closer to final passage to end the requirement for employers to give minor workers at least a 20-minute meal break if they work five or more hours. Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder says kids in school go for a long period of time, especially if they are involved in extracurricular activities…

Cut 12 (12) “…in a school.” 

The bill heads to the full Senate for final passage.

The Violence Policy Center says in 2022, Louisiana ranked second in the country for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says the number of gun-related suicide attempts increased six percent across the country in 2022.

Cut 15 (06)  “…suicide rates”

53% of homes in Louisiana have firearms.

For the second year in a row, Louisiana ranks dead last in the U-S News and World Report’s best states rankings. Managing Editor for Government Rankings, Gary Emerling, says there are two major reasons why,poor roads and a high crime rate…
cut 5 (08) “….juvenile incarceration”
Emerling says preventable hospital admissions are also 27-percent higher in Louisiana than the national average.

The now bankrupt Steward Health Care group is selling the Glenwood Regional Medical Center. The hospital in West Monroe has been plagued by staffing and supply issues. But complicating the issue is that Medical Properties Trust owns the property. State representative Mike Echols says one of the leaders at Steward is also under investigation….
cut 8 (12) “…my perspective”

Minors might be able to work long hours without having to take a mandatory 20-minute meal break as a result of legislation moving closer to final legislative passage. Brooke Thorington has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Zachary Evans Cryer from Benton High School in Bossier Parish has been named the Louisiana High School student of the year by the Department of Education. Cryer is a leader for 4-H, BETA, student council and the Fellowship of Christian athletes. He also competes on the track and basketball teams, while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

For the second year in a row, U-S News and World Report, ranks Louisiana as the worst state in the country. The ranking is based on several categories that Louisiana did not perform well in, like crime, the economy and its roads. Are there any positives? U-S News and World Report’s Gary Emerling says Louisiana ranked 21st for healthcare access and more children under the age of five are spending time in an education setting…
cut 6 (03) “…pre-school enrollment”

A bill moving along at the state capitol would end the requirement that employers have to give minors a 20-minute meal break if they’ve worked five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says hard working teenagers would rather make money than take a break…
cut 11 (09) “…of pay”
The bill is heading to the Senate floor for final legislative passage.

The fate of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe is unclear as the hospital’s owner Steward Health Care has filed for bankruptcy. Brooke Thorington has more from State Representative Michael Echols.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU Football head coach Brian Kelly says there are players just looking to get paid. Kelly made the comments to WAFB-TV in response to the Tigers missing out on two proven defensive tackles who committed elsewhere. Kelly says LSU does have generous NIL opportunities, and LSU can also get you ready for the NFL. Damonic Williams and Simeon Barrow visited LSU, but are heading to Oklahoma and Miami instead.

Louisiana ranks 50th in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 Best States report, and here’s Sean Richardson to take a look at why.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Republican Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish will keep his job as House Speaker as a vote to remove him failed miserably.

Governor Jeff Landry will visit the U-S Southern border today to get a first hand look at Operation Lone Star. Since April Louisiana National Guard soldiers have been assisting with border security efforts.

Steward Health Care has announced its selling Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe. Steward has filed for bankruptcy and is looking to sell several of its 31 hospitals in eight states. The Glenwood hospital has been struggling with staffing and supply issues and State Representative Mike Echols says it’s time for Glenwood to have a new owner…
cut 7 (11) “…Steward Health Group”
Steward says they intend to sell by the end of June.

According to the Violence Policy Center, Louisiana ranks second in the nation for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says states with weak firearm laws and higher gun ownership consistently have higher gun death rates.
Cut 13 (12) “…of gun deaths.”
Mississippi ranks first for the highest gun death rate followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, Alabama, and Missouri.