A meeting was held Monday on the remedial process of how the state’s congressional map will be drawn. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Its National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibeadeaux wants to make sure you are ready for an active hurricane season. Here are a few things you can do to make sure you are prepared.
Cut 4 (08) “…Senior citizens.”
Colorado State researchers are calling for 23 named storms, when the average for the last three decades is 14.

It’s National Fentanyl Awareness Day. According to the C-D-C, Louisiana’s overdose death rate is nearly double the national average. Kandyce Cowart with Blue Cross and Blue Shield says education and awareness are vital in combating this problem…
cut 11 (08) “….workd out”
Blue Cross is holding community forums at churches to help people learn about the dangers of Fentanyl.

It’s the middle of spring , but it will feel more like summer over the next few days as temperatures will hit 90 degrees in many areas of the state. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 13 (10) “…the state”
Keim says a cold front will sweep across the state Thursday, bringing cooler temperatures for the weekend. There’s also a slight chance for severe weather for most of the state on Thursday too.

At the state capitol, the House is expected to vote today on a bill that calls for a Constitutional Convention to be held later this month. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The federal judges who rejected a Congressional map with two Black majority districts have asked the state if the Louisiana Legislature can draw a new map. The Secretary of State’s Office has set a May 15th deadline for a map to be in place for the fall federal elections. Louisiana A-G Liz Murrill says it’s possible the case will head to the U-S Supreme Court this week.

Today, it’s National Fentanyl Awareness Day. According to the CDC over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Kandyce Cowart with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana equates it to a jetliner crashing every day…
Cut 10 (10) “…talking about.”
Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and it has been showing up in drugs like marijuana and cocaine and producing deadly consequences for users who are often unaware of its presence.

When you walk outside today, you’ll feel the heat and humidity as the state will see its first 90-degree temperatures of the year this week. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s usually the first heat wave of the year when individuals experience heat-related illnesses…
Cut 15 (12) “…the population.”
Keim says a cold front will arrive on Thursday to bring us more seasonable temperatures.

The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote this afternoon on legislation that calls for the state to hold a limited constitutional convention. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says last week the House approved amendments that the convention will not result in changes to the Homestead Exemption or the K-through-12th grade funding formula…
cut 9 (12) “….be removed”

It’s National Fentanyl Awareness Day and Louisiana has seen a sharp increase in fatal fentanyl overdoses. The latest data available shows 65-percent of suspected drug-related fatalities in Louisiana involved fentanyl. Kandyce Cowart with Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Louisiana says the problem in Louisiana is compounded by its location…
cut 12 (10) “…the country”

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to be ready.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry holds a bill signing ceremony this morning for four property insurance reform bills that have made it through the legislative process. A statewide poll of 800 registered voters conducted for the Advocate and the Times Picayune found that 68-percent of respondents do not agree with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s approach to fixing the insurance crisis. Temple believes his plan will bring more competition to the state, which will help reverse rising premiums.

The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote today on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry’s priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will need a two-thirds majority to pass.
Cut 7 (11) “…thin majority.”
The full House was scheduled to vote on the bill last week but it was pushed to today.

It’s only the first full week of May and we could see some 90-degree temperatures this week. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says humidity levels will also be up, so triple digit heat indexes are possible…
cut 14 (12) “….very nice”
There is a slight chance for severe weather on Wednesday for north Louisiana and for most of the state on Thursday.

A meeting was held Monday on the remedial process of how the state’s congressional map will be drawn. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Also, during yesterday’s hearing, the three-judge court wanted an answer from the state by the end of today on whether it’s possible the Louisiana legislature can try again and approve a new map for this fall’s elections. Legislators are are in session until June 3rd, but there might not be a legislative instrument available for them to start the process.

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to be ready.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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At the state capitol, the House is expected to vote today on a bill on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A meeting was held Monday on the remedial process of how the state’s congressional map will be drawn. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Its National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibeadeaux  wants to make sure you are ready for an active hurricane season. Here are a few things you can do to make sure you are prepared.

Cut 4 (08) “…Senior citizens.”

Thibeadeaux suggest having an emergency fund ready and not wait to start saving up.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that.” 

Thibeadeaux says now is a good time to make sure you know where to evacuate and what you’ll need…

Cut 6 (11) “…storm may be.”

Colorado State University conducts long-range forecasts and they anticipate a very active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, with the possibility of 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 of those likely becoming Major Hurricanes.

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The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote today on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry’s priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will need a two-thirds majority to pass.

Cut 7 (11) “…thin majority.”

The full House was scheduled to vote on the bill last week but it was pushed to today.

Pinsonat says for more assurance that the convention will receive passage in the House, the Republicans will need to reach across the aisle.

Cut 8 (07) “…(x2) of Democrats.” 

The bill was amended to protect the homestead exemption, the K-12 funding formula, and that a third party cannot fund the convention. Pinsonat says those were big concerns and while that might be what it takes to garner enough votes for passage…

Cut 9 (08)  “…be removed.”

Landry says his motivation to hold a constitutional convention is to give lawmakers more flexibility with the budget so, when there’s less money to allocate most of the cuts won’t fall on healthcare and education.

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Today, Louisiana observes National Fentanyl Awareness Day. 210 people die every day from Fentanyl overdoses and Kandyce Cowart with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana says everyone needs to be aware of how dangerous the drug is. She equates it to a jetliner crashing every day…

Cut 10 (10) “…talking about.”

Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and it has been showing up in drugs like marijuana and cocaine with deadly consequences for users who are often unaware of its presence. Cowart believes education and awareness are vital in combating the problem.

Cut 11 (08) “…word out.”

In a prescribed healthcare setting Fentanyl provides relief from severe pain, but illegal and improper use can be fatal.

Blue Cross is holding community forums at some area churches to help people learn about the dangers of Fentanyl. Cowart says the problem in Louisiana is compounded by our location…

Cut 12 (10) “…the country.” 

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It’s going to be a scorcher this week with temperatures in the 90s and heat indexes reaching triple digits in Louisiana. Climatologist Barry Keim says that compared to previous years, this heat wave is early, he says it’s usually around May 12^th through the 14^th when the mercury hits the 90s.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the state.”

And the heat wave is bringing very high humidity levels along with it. Keim says we’re likely to feel heat indexes into the triple digits.

Cut 14 (12)  “…very nice.”

Keim says it’s usually the first heat wave of the year when individuals experience heat-related illnesses and end up in the emergency room.

Cut 15 (12)  “…the population.”

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Cut 16 (15)  “..from us.”

Cut 17 (17) “…we’re doing that”

Cut 18 (20)  “… we’re in the fight.”

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Cut 19 (14) “…do things.” 

Cut 20 (19) “….we practice.”

A meeting was held in Shreveport, Monday discussed options on how to proceed with choosing the state’s congressional map. Attorney General Liz Murrill released a statement that the Secretary of State has issued a May 15^th deadline for a map to be in place for the fall election. In the statement she said the panel is inclined to move the deadline that she says will quote “create more chaos” for the state’s congressional election. Murrill wants the current map that was passed by lawmakers to remain in place.

Jared Evans, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, who defended the overturned map says the judges don’t believe a new map can be in place by next Wednesday.

Murrill said the US Supreme Court is expected to review the case this week.

A three-judge panel issued a decision last week that Louisiana’s congressional map creating a second majority-black district was unconstitutional because of racial gerrymander. They sided in a two to one vote with the plaintiffs who sued, leaving Louisiana as the only state in the country without a congressional map.

A statewide poll conducted for the Times-Picayune and the Advocate finds only 21-percent of voters approve of how Governor Jeff Landry is handling the state’s insurance crisis. UL-M political science professor Pearson Cross says the low the percentage could be that voters lack understanding of the insurance reform legislation that’s lawmakers are debating…

Cut 4 (11) “..for them.” 

The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry’s priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will need a two-thirds majority to pass.

Cut 7 (11) “…thin majority.”

The full House was scheduled to vote on the bill last week, but it was pushed to Tuesday.

Department of Children and Family Services is working to finalize plans with federal partners to provide summer nutrition for low income Louisiana school age children. The program Sun Bucks provides nutritious meals for the children through the EBT grocery buying program. Beginning in June, each eligible child will receive a singl payment of $120 for the summer. Sun Bucks will automatically be added to most eligible families’ assistance, but some may need to apply.

A statewide poll conducted for the Times Picayune and the Advocate finds Governor Jeff Landry’s approval rating is 56-percent. U-L-M political science professor Pearson Cross says Landry has been busy with two special sessions and a regular session since January and voters have noticed

Cut 3 (11) “..new governor.” 

Landry received nearly 52-percent of the vote when he was elected in October.

Another champion out of Louisiana. The Kentucky Derby winning horse Mystic Dan was ridden by Jockey, Brian Hernandez, a Lafayette native and Mystic Dan is co-owned by Shreveport Native Sharilyn Gasaway and her husband Brent. He won by a nose, edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young.  Gasaway says his greatest strength is of course his speed but he’s also very calm.

Cut 10 (07) “..150,000 people plus” 

Mystik Dan had a third place finish at the Arkansas Derby in March and won the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes in February.

When Corporal Jason Lee with the Baton Rouge Police took on extra duty Saturday, he never imagined it would include delivering a healthy baby boy. Lt. L’ Jean McNeely says Lee was driving down Greenwell Springs Road when he was flagged down by a woman, whose daughter was in labor. Immediately after baby Noah was born, McNeely says Lee noticed that he was having difficulty breathing.

Cut 7 (12) “…is history.”  

A statewide poll conducted for the Times Picayune and the Advocate finds Governor Jeff Landry’s approval rating is 56-percent. But only 21-percent of the voters approve of how he’s handling the state’s insurance crisis and Only one percent of the respondents said a new constitution should be one of the governor’s top goals. U-L-M political science professor Pearson Cross says Landry is pushing for a constitutional convention to begin on May 20^th.

Cut 5 (10)  “…deal with it” 

Destiny Allen and her brand-new baby, Noah are very fortunate that Corporal Jason Lee of the Baton Rouge Police took extra duty and was at the right place at the right time to deliver her baby boy. Lt. L’ Jean McNeely says Lee was driving down Greenwell Springs Road when he was flagged down by a woman, whose daughter, Destiny was in labor.  While it wasn’t Lee’s first time observing the miracle of birth.

Cut 8 (09) “…his first time.”

Lafayette native Brian Hernandez rode Mystik Dan to a win at the Kentucky Derby. Jeff Palermo reports co-owners of the horse are from Shreveport…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

It’s not everyday you observe an emu sight seeing but if you were near Prien Lake Rd in Lake Charles Sunday, you just might have. Boudreaux the emu had a little adventure after escaping from his home. But he got a little help from his friends at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, and made it home safely to his family and his mate Claudette.