Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will move forward with her motion to vacate U S House Speaker Mike Johnson if he puts a Ukraine aid bill up for a vote. A divided House Republican caucus led to the removal of Johnson’s predecessor. But LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says the desire for a new speaker is not as strong as it was before…

Cut 4 (08) “…seeing now ” 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched the Know2Protect campaign to educate parents about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children. The problem is rampant in Louisiana and the State Attorney General’s office indicates an almost 100-percent increase in cases from 2022. Special Agent Jessica Zuppardo says…

Cut 10 (10) “…reporting it.”

Buckle UP in Your Truck Campaign begins next week as Law Enforcement focuses on pickup truck drivers wearing seatbelts. Because trucks are large and heavy, DOTD Spokesperson, Gregory Fischer believes Pickup Truck Drivers may have an elevated sense of safety causing some to feel comfortable unbuckled…

Cut 13 (13) “…big trouble.”

LSU could win its first national championship in gymnastics Saturday. College Gym News co-managing editor Brandif  Heffner says Cal, Florida, and Utah are more than capable of winning a national championship as well, but the Tigers benefit from having the best gymnast in the country….

Cut 7 (10) “…in the final”  

The championship begins at 3pm Saturday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Benton’s political future is on the line as the US House is scheduled to vote on Saturday to provide funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says far right Republicans oppose additional funding to Ukraine.

Cut 3 (11) “…as speaker” 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched the Know2Protect campaign to educate parents about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Special Agent Jessica Zuppardo says you can learn more at dhs-dot-gov Know 2 Protect, that’s with the number two.

Cut 9 (12) “…the police.” 

Oklahoma stumbles at the NCAA gymnastics championships, giving LSU an excellent chance to win its first national title.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission the state has the 3^rd highest rate of pick-up truck fatalities so next week officers will focus on them with the Buckle UP in Your Truck Campaign. DOTD Spokesperson, Gregory Fischer…

Cut 12 (10) “…their seatbelts” 

The U-S House is expected to take a vote on Saturday to send foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel, a move that puts Mike Johnson’s position as House Speaker in jeopardy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

In Lafourche Parish detectives are investigating two Thursday night shootings, one in Raceland, and the other in Thibodeaux that resulted in four injuries. There’s no evidence the two are related and Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in both investigations.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched the Know2Protect campaign to educate parents about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Special Agent Jessica Zuppardo says you can learn more at dhs-dot-gov Know 2 Protect, that’s with the number two.

Cut 9 (12) “…the police.” 

LSU could win its first national championship in gymnastics tomorrow. College Gym News co-managing editor Brandif Heffner says Cal, Florida, and Utah are more than capable of winning a national championship as well, but the Tigers benefit from having the best gymnast in the country….

Cut 7 (10) “…in the final”  

The championship begins at 3pm Saturday.

A bill to allow administrators and certified teachers to have guns in school will go before the House Criminal Justice Committee soon. Teacher unions oppose the bill, but Greenwell Springs Representative Lauren Ventrella says she’s heard from educators who say otherwise…

Cut 11 (13) “…is necessary.”

State Health has updated mercury and fish advisories for ten bodies of water and a new warning for Lake Maurepas. Environmental Health section chief Shannon Soileau says advisories are issued when unacceptable levels are detected…

Cut 14 (10)  “…general population.”

For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Health’s website.

Faster internet has arrived for rural and smaller Louisiana towns. T-Mobile announces the completion of a 290-million-dollar upgrade and expansion. Senior Vice President Jennifer Silveira….

Cut 7 (09) “…the state.”

The investment also includes a 50-million-dollar upgrade in the Greater New Orleans area.

Love the Boot officially kicks off today and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says having a clean state goes far beyond beautification, it impacts tourism and economic development. More than 20 years ago, Nungesser says Louisiana was being considered as the site for a Nissan plant and litter trashed the opportunity.

Cut 6 (12) “…this dirty.”

You can sign up at KeepLouisianaBeautiful-dot-org

In preparation for Love the Boot Week, Brooke Thorington is talking trash with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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T-Mobile has completed its 290-million-dollar upgrade and expansion in Louisiana, bringing high-speed connectivity to previously underserved areas of the state. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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A south Louisiana lawmaker believes teachers should have the option to possess a gun in the classroom. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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“Love the Boot Week” kicks off today and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says there are more than 600 clean-up and beautification events planned in all 64 parishes aimed at cleaning up litter in Louisiana, April 20^th through the 28^th.

Cut 4 (13) “…great state.”

You can sign up to get involved at KeepLouisianaBeautiful-dot-org and even if you can’t participate next week, Nungesser says any day of the year you can do your part by picking up litter.

Cut 5 (13) “…do that.” 

Last year almost 13-thousand individuals participated in “Love the Boot Week” and collected 313 tons of litter in every corner of the state. And it’s not just litter removal, participants also planted trees and refurbished gardens.

Nungesser says having a clean state goes far beyond beautification, it impacts tourism and economic development. More than 20 years ago, Nungesser says Louisiana was being considered as the site for a Nissan plant and litter trashed the opportunity.

Cut 6 (12) “…this dirty.”

Nungesser says it’s only about 25-percent of the population that litter and if you go out and pick up trash for a day you’re 80-percent less likely to litter in the future.

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Faster internet has arrived for rural and smaller Louisiana towns. T-Mobile announces the completion of a 290-million-dollar upgrade and expansion. Senior Vice President Jennifer Silveira….

Cut 7 (09) “…the state.”

The investment also includes a 50 million dollar upgrade in the Greater New Orleans area.

92% of Louisiana Parishes now have access to mid-band ultra capacity 5-G. Silveira says T-Mobile’s recent upgrades bring improved services across the board…

Cut 8 (11) “…our network.” 

Silveria says T-Mobile invests in Louisiana communities with their Hometown Grants program that provided $50,000 to Chappapeela (Chap uh peel uh) Sports park for a public address system for emergency communication. And Project Ten Million provides connectivity to some school students…

Cut 9 (09)  “…stay connected.”

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Waiting for a hearing in the House Criminal Justice Committee is a bill that would allow administrators and certified teachers to possess a gun inside a school. Greenwell Representative Lauren Ventrella says armed teachers would be required to have a concealed carry permit and take active shooter and de-escalation courses

Cut 10 (06) “…the weapon.”

Teacher unions oppose the legislation. But Ventrella says she’s also heard from educators who would feel safer if they were armed…

Cut 11 (13) “…is necessary.”

Opponents are also concerned about allowing guns in a firearm-free zone. But Ventrella says gun-free zones do not matter to someone who wants to kill multiple people…

Cut 12 (13) “…when called.” 

There have been attempts in the past to arm teachers, but previous state legislative bodies have voted against those proposals.

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The Louisiana Department of Health has released updated mercury and fish advisories for ten bodies of water and it’s issued a new warning for Lake Maurepas in southeast Louisiana. L-D-H Environmental Health section chief Shannon Soileau says because of mercury contamination, there are now fish consumption advisories for 51 waterways in Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…slight modifications.”

Black Bayou Lake, Caddo Lake, and Toledo Bend Reservoir are among the ten bodies of water that have updated advisories. Soileau says the state issues precautionary advisories when unacceptable levels of mercury are detected in fish or shellfish…

Cut 14 (10)  “…general population.”

Soileau says the advisories are posted with signage at public boat launches, information can also be found on L-D-H’s website and D-E-Q has an app that contains specific fish and consumption recommendations.

Soileau says the new advisory for Lake Maurepas is only for women of childbearing age and children younger than seven

Cut 15 (13)  “…warmouth.”

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It’s win or go home for the Pelicans tonight as they host Sacramento in an elimination play-in game. New Orleans needs to beat the Kings in order to advance into the Western Conference playoffs as the eighth seed and play Oklahoma City. The Pels will have to do it without Zion Williamson, who is sidelined by a hamstring injury. Host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says the Pelicans other two big stars, Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum need to play well tonight…

Cut 16 (15)  “…on Sunday.”  

Tip-off at the Smoothie King Center is at 8:30. But they’ve struggled at home this season, with a 21-19 record, while going 28-14 on the road. Madison says it’s strange to have a better record on the road than at home…

Cut 17 (20) “…baffling.”

Sacramento’s best player is De’Arron Fox, who is averaging 27 points a game. Madison says the Kings have won every game this season against the Kings and they’ve done a good job defending Fox…

Cut 18 (20)  “…to win.” 

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Cut 19 (18) “…finishing it.” 

Cut 20 (20) “…position.”

Legislation to remove the required 30-minute meal period for minors who work five or more hours advances from House Labor Committee. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps questioned bill author, Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder if he considers a 16 or 17-year-old a young adult. He countered that the emancipation age is 16, and you’re allowed to marry at age 16.

Cut 7 (13) “…a minor.”  

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the bill because she wants to ensure the state allows private businesses to operate as they see fit.

Cut 8 (12) “…all over.” 

The bill passed on a 10 to 2 vote and advances to the House.

Waiting for a hearing in the House Criminal Justice Committee is a bill that would allow administrators and certified teachers to possess a gun inside a school. Greenwell Representative Lauren Ventrella says armed teachers would be required to have a concealed carry permit and take active shooter and de-escalation courses.

Cut 10 (07) “…the weapon”

Opponents, which include teacher unions, are also concerned about allowing guns in a firearm free zone. But Ventrella says gun free zones do not matter to someone who wants to kill multiple people…

Cut 12 (13) “…when called.” 

There have been attempts in the past to arm teachers, but previous state legislative bodies have voted against those proposals.

A Senate Committee approves major changes to the state’s public record laws, despite objections from good government groups and journalists. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

And after one season with the Lady Tigers, Hailey Van Lith is heading to TCU. The guard entered the transfer portal after the Tigers lost to Iowa in the Elite Eight. She’s finishing up her last semester in Baton Rouge and will graduate next month with one more year of eligibility.

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was voluntarily deferred in House Criminal Justice. Bill author Representative Alonzo Knox urged committee members to ask local law enforcement in their districts what they think about the law that goes into effect July 4^th allowing for concealed carry without a permit.

Cut 4 (08) “…a crisis.”

Knox told committee members he was pulling the bill and will discuss points brought up with Senator Kirk Talbot who’s proposed similar legislation.

The LSU gymnastics squad will compete in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships today in Fort Worth as the Tigers are in search of the program’s first national championship. This is LSU’s 33rd appearance in the NCAA Championships and Coach Jay Clark might have the school’s most talented team.

Cut 14 (08)  “…love to have.”

A proposal to expand gun-free zones in New Orleans did not get out of House Criminal Justice Committee. Opponents to the legislation say adding another gun-free zone infringes on a person’s Second Amendment rights. New Orleans metro councilwoman Helena Moreno says there’s also a bill on the Senate side, so the issue is not dead for this session…

Cut 6 (13) “…better shape.”
The second-ranked LSU gymnastics squad competes in the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships today at 3:30 in Fort Worth, Texas. Coach Jay Clark has told the team to keep their same mindset…

Cut 15 (06)  “…be successful”
LSU will compete against Cal, Arkansas, and Stanford today.

Members of the news media and good-government groups strongly oppose a bill supported by Governor Jeff Landry to prevent journalists and the public from obtaining records that can now be accessed through public records requests. New Orleans investigative TV reporter Lee Zurik says public record requests he obtained helped shine a light on what led to the collapse of the New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel in 2019…

Cut 11 (12) “…this law.”
Governor Jeff Landry says current public records law stifles deliberative speech.

Bill author Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says she’ll work to address some of the concerns of the opponents and will make changes to the bill before the full Senate takes a vote on it…

Cut 13 (05)  “…what they need.”

Senate Governmental Affairs approves legislation that critics say will gut the state’s public records law at every level. It would prohibit the public from obtaining any government documents involved in decision making. Bill author, Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud, says they are trying to prevent unfinalized information from becoming public…

Cut 10 (11 ) “…catastrophic”

Fox 8 New Orleans Investigative reporter Lee Zurik spoke in opposition. He says public records requests helped shine a light on what led to the collapse of the New Orleans Hard Rock hotel in 2019.

Cut 11 (12) “…this law.”

Cloud says she’ll work to address the concerns of opponents and make changes before the full Senate votes.

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was voluntarily deferred in House Criminal Justice. Bill author Representative Alonzo Knox urged committee members to ask local law enforcement in their districts what they think about the law that goes into effect July 4^th allowing for concealed carry without a permit.

Cut 4 (12) “…a crisis.”

Knox amended the bill to allow gun owners with a permit to conceal carry in the New Orleans entertainment district so it would not infringe upon one’s rights. But that too was met with opposition. Firearm Professionals of Louisiana political director Chris Patron…

Cut 5 (12) “…need is enforcement.” 

Knox says he plans to meet with Republican Senator Kirk Talbot who’s proposed similar legislation and work on points made in committee.

Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie joins Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to vacate Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Jeff Palermo reports Johnson has no plans to leave…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

In the state legislature, a bill to create a gun-free zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district is voluntarily deferred after debate in House Governmental Affairs. Bill author Rep Alonzo Knox pulled the bill and told committee members he planned to address points made in debate and present the bill at a later time.

The Louisiana Senate approves a bill to prohibit public school teachers from teaching critical race theory. Denham Springs Senator Valerie Hodges says her legislation will not prevent educators from teaching history lessons…

Cut 5 (09)  “…America.”

The bill passed on a 28-11 vote and heads to the House for more discussion.

And the House approves legislation that critics have labeled as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” It prohibits K-12 teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation during class time, extracurricular and school athletic events. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry spoke in opposition…

Cut 12 (12) “…sits in” 

The proposal was approved on a 69-28 vote and heads to the Senate.