The Louisiana Legislature is debating a comprehensive nutrition bill that, among other things, would ban SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks. Governor Landry is not waiting for that bill to reach his desk as he’s signed an executive order banning soda and candy purchases from  Louisiana’s food stamps program…

Cut 15 (09) “…water over soda”

Democrats in the Louisiana Legislature oppose the idea of restricting SNAP recipients from using their cash assistance to purchase of soda.

There was enough opposition in the House Natural Resources Committee to kill a bill that would give parish governments the ability to permit carbon sequestration wells in their parish. Locals are concerned about the environmental impacts, but LSU law professor Keith Hall testified the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources should be the agency that permits these projects…

Cut 11 (12) “…House Bill 4.

Another hurricane season is right around the corner and one of the new things  the Hurricane Center will do this year…is provide forecast tracks earlier for unnamed storms that are expected to intensify rapidly….

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for all of north Louisiana, most of central Louisiana and a part of southwest Louisiana for this afternoon and into tonight. Forecasters say we could see damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes can not be ruled out.

As the legislature continues to debate a bill that, among other things, would ban SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks, Governor Landry is taking it one step further.

Cut 13 (06)  “…food stamp program.”

Landry says if SNAP recipients want to buy those products, they can do so with their own money and not with taxpayer money.

The House Natural Resources Committee has voted down a bill that would have allowed parishes to vote on whether to permit carbon sequestration wells in their areas. There was passionate testimony on both sides, including from 16-year-old Avery Williams, who expressed concerns about storing carbon dioxide below ground…

Cut 10 (13) “…in our future.”

Industry leaders expressed concern this bill would complicate permitting and hinder a growing industry where carbon dioxide emissions are captured from the air and stored underground.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not take in the biggest crawfish festival in the state. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The second weekend of Jazz Fest in New Orleans ramps up today. Luke Combs is one of the main headliners.

In Sulphur, the state high school softball tournament resumes with semifinal action.

And tomorrow is election day, voters in Lake Charles will decide whether to re-elect Nic Hunter. He’s being challenged by Democrat Marshall Simien.

As debate on a bill that would ban SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks works its way through the legislature, Governor Landry is taking it one step further. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

This week the state Senate approved a bill that would prohibit public water systems in Louisiana from adding fluoride to the water. Dentists oppose the effort, they say it will result in more cavities and tooth decay. But U-S Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior says there’s a link between fluoride and lower IQs in children.

Legislation that would have allowed parish government to vote on carbon sequestration well permits failed to pass the House Natural Resources Committee. Industry groups opposed the bill. Matt Coday, president of the Oil and Gas Workers Association, says environmental groups like the Sierra Club are using this bill to push their agenda…

Cut 12 (14) “…what powers Louisiana”

The bill failed on a ten to six vote.

The start of the hurricane season is about a month away and National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan says this year they will begin issuing official forecast tracks and watches and warnings earlier for tropical systems that have yet to form into a depression…

Cut 4 (08) “…coastal areas”

Brennan says it’s in response to unnamed storms rapidly intensifying into a hurricane in a short period of time.

The National Hurricane Center is enhancing how it communicates weather threats to the public. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not take in the biggest crawfish festival in the state. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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As debate on a bill that would ban SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks works its way through the legislature, Governor Landry is taking it one step further. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The National Hurricane Center is enhancing how it communicates weather threats to the public. Director Michael Brennan says the potential tropical cyclone product allows for an early forecast for systems that have not become tropical storms.

Cut 4 (08) “…coastal areas.”

Brennan says the NHC has made a lot of progress in the past five to 10 years in forecasting rapid intensification.

Cut 5 (10) “…early 2010’s.”

Brennan says with the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season approaching, these updates aim to improve preparedness and public safety. He urges Louisiana residents to stay informed and prepared.

Cut 6 (13) “…ready or evacuating.”

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The biggest crawfish festival in the state starts today. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival runs through Sunday, and Publicity Director Angelique (AHN-zhu-leek) Bernard says you can get crawfish prepared in many different ways.

Cut 7 (11) “…it’s delicious.”

Bernard says there’s a lot more to the Crawfish Festival than indulging in those tiny tasty crustaceans.

Cut 8 (15) “…under the tent.”

There are also two crawfish eating contests – today, it’s how fast you can eat two and a half pounds of crawfish; and tomorrow, it’s how much crawfish you can eat in 45 minutes. And at this festival, you are assured that the crawfish is harvested right here in the Pelican State.

Cut 9 (09)  “…it’s coming from.”

Admission is ten dollars today, 15 dollars tomorrow and five dollars on Sunday; or you can buy a weekend pass for 25 dollars.

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A House bill that would have allowed parishes to vote on whether to permit carbon sequestration wells in their areas has failed in a 10-6 committee vote. The House Natural Resources Committee heard passionate testimony from citizens, including from 16-year-old Avery Williams, who expressed concerns about storing carbon dioxide below ground…

Cut 10 (13) “…in our future.”

Rosepine Republican Charles Owen’s bill sought to give local governments a voice in permitting decisions, which are currently handled by the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources. Supporters emphasized community rights, while opponents, including industry leaders, argued the bill would hinder business growth and complicate permitting. Keith Hall, who’s a law professor at LSU, argues that local governments regulate land use, but Carbon Capture is below the ground.

Cut 11 (12) “…House Bill 4.”

Matt Coday, the president of the Oil and Gas Workers Association, says environmentalist groups like The Sierra Club are using HB 4 to push their agenda.

Cut 12 (14) “…what powers Louisiana.”

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As the legislature continues to debate a bill that, among other things, would ban SNAP recipients from using the money to buy soft drinks, Governor Landry is taking it one step further.

Cut 13 (06)  “…food stamp program.” (Landry signs executive order banning candy and soda from state’s food stamp program)

Landry says if those people want to buy those products, they can do so with their own money and not with taxpayer money.

Cut 14 (11) “…that’s wrong”

Landry says a healthy Louisiana means a stronger Louisiana.

Cut 15 (09) “…water over soda.”

As for the similar bill in the legislature, Patrick McMath’s bill passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and will soon be heard on the House floor.

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The second-ranked LSU baseball team will begin a three-game series tomorrow night against the Texas A&M Aggies. The Tigers are third in the SEC in pitching with a team ERA of 3.75 and second in hitting, with a team batting average of .312. Former LSU star and ESPN college baseball analyst Todd Walker says LSU’s offense is more than good enough to win it all…

Cut 16 (20) “…yes.”

It’s been a struggle for the Aggies this season. A&M was ranked number one in the preseason, but slumped offensively at the start of the season and they are 8-13 in the SEC. Coach Jay Johnson says despite the record the Aggies have a formidable record…

Cut 17 (20)  “…good challenge.”

LSU should be a confident team heading into this series as the Tigers are coming off a hard fought series victory over defending national champion Tennessee. Johnson says confidence is such a big part of baseball…

Cut 18 (17)  “…everything.”

The House has approved legislation giving the Insurance Commissioner the authority to reject rate increases deemed excessive. This proposal, backed by Governor Jeff Landry, was added to another insurance related bill and it passed on a 68-34 vote. Opponents to the measure say the Insurance Commissioner already has this authority, Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso disagrees…

Cut 9 (10)  “…striking it down.”

All 31 Democrats in the House voted for the bill. But about half of the Republican lawmakers in the lower chamber voted against it, including Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, who previously worked for the Insurance Department…

Cut 10 (10) “…is good policy.”

The bill now moves to the Senate.

A House bill that would have allowed parishes to vote on whether to permit carbon sequestration wells in their areas has failed in a 10-6 committee vote. The House Natural Resources Committee heard passionate testimony from citizens, including from 16-year-old Avery Williams, who expressed concerns about storing carbon dioxide below ground…

Cut 23 (13) “…in our future.”

As the legislature continues to debate a bill that, among other things, would ban SNAP recipients from using the money to buy soft drinks, Governor Landry is taking it one step further.

Cut 13 (06)  “…food stamp program.”

Landry says if those people want to buy those products, they can do so with their own money and not with taxpayer money.

Louisiana State Police are investigating the death of a New Iberia man, shot and killed when authorities in the New Iberia area were attempting to take him into Protective Custody. It happened Wednesday when the Iberia Sheriff’s Office assisted by New Iberia Police officers made contact with 30-year-old Justine Rhine and authorities say he produced a firearm. NIPD officers then discharged their service weapons striking Rhine. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Louisiana program designed for mothers wanting an alternative to abortion is getting underway. The program, called Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network, is administered by the Department of Children and Family Services and operated by Texas-based Human Coalition. Senator Rick Edmonds, whose act in the 2022 legislative session established the program, says it gives pregnant women full access to Human Coalition’s team of nurses and social workers through a chat line or toll free number.

Cut 4 (08) “…kind of format.”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation giving the Insurance Commissioner the authority to reject rate increases deemed excessive. This proposal is backed by Governor Jeff Landry but several Republican legislators are skeptical. Mandeville Representative Jay Galle says the legislation does not make it clear when the Insurance Commissioner can use their authority to block excessive rate increases…

Cut 11 (07) “…is that determined?”

Glorioso says a process will be in place to make sure any rate increase rejected would be done in an arbitrary manner.

Louisiana’s two Democratic congressmen send a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider cuts to the AmeriCorps program. Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE have reduced staff by 85-percent and eliminated more than one-thousand grants nationwide. Baton Rouge Congressman Cleo Fields says those grants go towards essential services.

Cut 6 (09) “…after-school funding.”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would give Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner more authority to reject large rate increases. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

After hearing concerns from Lieutenant Governor, Billy Nungesser, two Louisiana Congressmen, Troy Carter and Cleo Fields, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider cuts to the AmeriCorps program. Fields says there is no strategic logic behind these cuts.

Cut 7 (10) “…have on people.”

The Department of Government Efficiency has reduced AmeriCorps staff 85 percent and eliminated more than one thousand grants nationwide.

A state program for mothers looking for an alternative to abortion is launching soon. The program, called Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network, was born from an act in the 2022 session by Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds, who says Thrive provides pregnant women with life-affirming care to build long-term stability.

Cut 5 (10) “…and Medicare plans.”

The LHSAA Network has awarded Future LSU Tiger and former Alexandria Senior High star running back J-T Lindsey this year’s Warrick Dunn Award crowning him the best high school football player in the state. Lindsey rushed for just under 25-hundred yards and 33 touchdowns. ASH head coach Thomas Bachman says Lindsey was a pleasure to coach…

Cut 14 (07) “…that you have.”

Louisiana’s two Democratic congressmen send a letter to President Trump, urging him to reconsider massive cuts to AmeriCorps. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that would give Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner more authority to reject large rate increases. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A Louisiana program designed for mothers looking for an alternative to abortion is getting underway. The program, called Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network, was established by way of Act 561 of the 2022 regular legislative session, which was sponsored by Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds. He says it provides a telehealth service to help expectant mothers make decisions during pregnancy.

Cut 3 (08) “…a huge factor.”

The Thrive program is administered by the Department of Children and Family Services and is operated by Texas-based Human Coalition. Senator Edmonds says through a toll-free number or a live online chat, it gives pregnant women full access to Human Coalition’s team of nurses and social workers.

Cut 4 (08) “…kind of format.”

Edmonds says Thrive gives pregnant women with holistic, life-affirming care to build long-term stability.

Cut 5 (10) “…and Medicare plans.”

DCFS is expected to launch the Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network website soon.

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Louisiana’s two Democratic congressmen send a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider cuts to the AmeriCorps program. Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE have reduced staff by 85-percent and eliminated more than one-thousand grants nationwide. Baton Rouge Congressman Cleo Fields says those grants go towards essential services.

Cut 6 (09) “…after-school funding.”

Fields says there is no strategic logic behind these cuts.

Cut 7 (10) “…have on people.”

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says AmeriCorps provides essential services, not just for those being served, but also for the volunteers themselves.

Cut 8 (06) “…over the country.”

Fields and Carter sent their letter after hearing concerns from Louisiana’s Republican Lieutenant Governor, Billy Nungesser.

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The Louisiana House has approved legislation giving the Insurance Commissioner the authority to reject rate increases deemed excessive. This proposal, backed by Governor Jeff Landry, was added to another insurance related bill and it passed on a 68-34 vote. Opponents to the measure say the Insurance Commissioner already has this authority, Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso disagrees…

Cut 9 (10)  “…striking it down.”

The 31 Democrats in the House voted for the bill. But about half of the Republican lawmakers in the lower chamber voted against it, including Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, who previously worked for the Insurance Department…

Cut 10 (10) “…is good policy.”

Several Republican legislators are skeptical this legislation will lower insurance rates. Mandeville Representative Jay Galle says the legislation does not make it clear when the Insurance Commissioner can use their authority to block excessive rate increases…

Cut 11 (07) “…is that determined?”

Glorioso says a process will be in place to make sure any rate increase rejected would be done in an arbitrary manner.

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Future LSU Tiger and former Alexandria Senior High star running back J-T Lindsey is this year’s Warrick Dunn Award winner. The LHSAA Network gives out the prestigious award to the best high school football player in the state. Lindsey gives credit to his mother for pushing him to be the best player he can be….

Cut 12 (06) “…on me.”

Lindsey led the ASH Trojans to an undefeated regular season and a trip to the state championship game. He says he’ll never forget his senior season…

Cut 13 (07)  “…amazing.”

Lindsey rushed for just under 25-hundred yards and 33 touchdowns. He rushed for 252 yards and two touchdowns in a memorable semifinal victory over John Curtis. ASH head coach Thomas Bachman says Lindsey was a pleasure to coach…

Cut 14 (07) “…that you have.”

(Sound courtesy of the LHSAA Network.)