Less than a month after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that included permanent teacher pay raises, Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill to increase teacher salaries.  Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson’s bill would require school districts to use savings from eliminating three state trust funds to provide $2,000 raises for teachers and $1,000 for support staff.

Cut 3 (10) “…able to do it.”

The measure received approval from the House Education Committee, if it receives full legislative approval, voters will have to approve it, but this time the constitutional amendment will only focus on teacher pay.

Another step toward rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama has been taken. The name of the route was announced today. Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will run twice daily from each location and is set to begin service this summer. The line will include stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis. Announcement of the exact start date of service and fares is still a few weeks away.

A bill to ban fluoride in drinking water advances to the full Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

With a 35-3 vote, the full Senate has approved legislation cracking down on “left-lane camping,” the act of lingering in the passing lane.  Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau hailed it as “the most important bill of the session,” asserting it would ease traffic flow and reduce road rage.

Cut 9 (13)  “…kind of stuff.”

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.

A bill cracking down on “left lane camping” is headed to the House after passing the Senate 35-3. Current law says a vehicle cannot travel less than 10-miles per hour below the speed limit in the left lane of a four-lane highway. Senator Jay Luneau’s bill would allow police officers to ticket motorists who are traveling at or below the speed limit but not looking to pass vehicles in the right. First time offenders of the proposed law would face a fine of up to 150-dollars. During the debate, Sen. Royce Duplessis brought a little levity to the floor.

Cut 10 (12) “…fitting for this bill”

Less than a month after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that included permanent teacher pay raises, the House Education Committee advances a bill to increase teacher salaries using savings from eliminating three state trust funds and a companion bill would simplify the proposal. Unlike the original amendment, charter school teachers would also be eligible for raises. Laplace Representative Sylvia Taylor supports the bill and says these changes are crucial.

Cut 5 (08) “…wait on a whim.”

If both bills pass, voters must again approve the change.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has advanced a bill that would ban fluoride in drinking water. The bill was written by Houma Republican Mike Fesi, who echoed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in saying that fluoride is poison.

Cut 12 (12) “…into our water.”

Opponents say fluoride has proven to be beneficial when used at the right concentration. Baton Rouge pediatric dentist Dr. Robert Delarosa says when fluoride is added to drinking water at the recommended limit of point-seven milligrams per liter, it is an important tool to fight tooth decay.

At 44 and 0, LSU Shreveport baseball has the longest winning streak in NAIA history, and it’s longer than the current NCAA Division One record of 34. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says his team has really gelled this year.

But one challenge amid such dominance is not to let the team get over-confident.

Cut 7 (09) “…can be beat.”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has advanced Houma Republican Mike Fesi’s bill that would ban fluoride in drinking water. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says excessive levels of fluoride have been shown to lower IQs in babies. He says it’s an issue of freedom of choice.

Cut 13 (10)  “…as a physician.”

Annette Droddy, who represents the Louisiana Dental Association’s 19-hundred dentists, says when cities remove fluoride from their drinking water, tooth decay goes up.

Cut 15 (09) “…removal of fluoride.”

The vote was 6-to-3, along party lines.

Thanks to a 35-3 vote by the Senate, a bill cracking down on “left-lane camping” is zooming over to the House. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill to increase teacher salaries.  Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson’s bill would require districts to use savings from eliminating three state trust funds to provide $2,000 raises for teachers and $1,000 for support staff. A companion bill from Carencro representative Julie Emerson was designed to simplify the proposal in response to the recent voter defeat of Amendment 2 which was said to be too complex.

Cut 4 (09) “…teacher pay raise there.”

The Louisiana Department of Health launches a task force to fight waste, fraud and abuse. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Senator Kirk Talbot’s bill that would result in homeowners receiving a individual income tax credit of up to ten-thousand dollars, if they voluntarily pay to install a fortified roof on their home has been approved by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. Talbot says a fortified roof could mean fewer claims for insurance companies…

Cut 10 (10) “…know that.”

Meta is getting the word out to parents about Teen Accounts for Instagram. Meta Spokesperson Stephanie Otway says they put safeguards on the accounts and parents can check their teens account. She says Meta is taking a hands-on approach and using AI to identify Teens on Instagram.

Cut 5 (12) “…restrictive state.”

Cyclists from across the state and beyond are gathering in Lafayette for Cycle Zydeco this week. It gets underway tomorrow, and organizer Scott Schilling says there are non-stop activities with a little bit of cycling mixed in.

Cut 13 (07)  “…culture down here.”

If you can’t make all five days, there’s a weekend option Saturday and Sunday.

Ruston Police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting in the parking lot of Y2 Kuts Barbershop. Authorities say 30-year-old Deontrell Hunter was shot and killed Sunday night. Nearby Ruston Police officers heard the shots and responded immediately. After interviewing witnesses, police believe the incident was a result of an ongoing dispute among extended family members. Investigators say multiple individuals were involved and armed with handguns. Five bystanders received superficial injuries and were transported by private vehicle for treatment.

The Louisiana Department of Health is working to fight waste, fraud and abuse with a new task force. Undersecretary Drew Maranto says One initiative involves collaborating with the Office of Motor Vehicles to ensure that no Louisiana Medicaid recipient has an active driver’s license in another state. Another involves a partnership with U-L Lafayette to use artificial intelligence for state-specific data analysis.

Cut 7 (09) “…within the system.”

Meta’s Teen Accounts look to safeguard minors and notify parents of what their kids are doing on Instagram.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Cycle Zydeco gets underway tomorrow in Lafayette. Organizer Scott Schilling says cycling is just one component of the five-day event. And if you think you’re too out of shape, you’ll be in good company.

Cut 14 (08) “…the sweet spot.”

For those who can’t participate for all five days, there is a weekend option for just Saturday and Sunday.

If River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot’s bill is passed, Louisiana homeowners could receive a individual income tax credit of up to ten-thousand dollars, if they voluntarily pay to install a fortified roof on their home.

Cut 9 (08)  “…three years.”

The bill was approved by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.

A new task force to fight waste, fraud and abuse is being launched by the Louisiana Department of Health. Undersecretary Drew Maranto says one initiative involves working with the attorney general’s office to identify questionable billing practices.

Cut 8 (08) “…to this conduct.”

Instagram has Teen Accounts with protective safeguards and parental notification and Meta wants to be sure parents of teens under the age of 16 years are aware. Spokesperson Stephanie Otway says 97-percent of teens aged 13–15 are complying with their settings that do not allow teen accounts to be public. Meta also put additional requirements on Teen Accounts for changing age.

Cut 4 (11) “…their birthday.”

Cyclists from across the state and beyond are gathering in Lafayette for Cycle Zydeco this week. It gets underway tomorrow, and organizer Scott Schilling says cycling is just one component of the five-day event.

Cut 12 (08) “…to the other.”

There is a weekend option on Saturday and Sunday.

Two are dead after crashing their Jeep while speeding away from pursuing troopers in Alexandria. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says police tried pulling the Jeep over early Saturday morning along the U.S. 165 frontage road.

Cut 3 (11) “…improper lane usage.”

Wallace says the driver would not slow down and it eventually ended up in a bayou. 33-year-old Aaron Watson of Amite and 30-year-old Brandon Wright of Pineville were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Yesterday marked 15 years since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the Louisiana Coast killing eleven workers including five Louisianans. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says he still thinks about the families who lost loved ones.

Cut 13 (09)  “…close to home.”

Christians are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. LSU Professor of Religion Michael Pasquier says there will be a time of mourning and after his funeral, bishops from around the world will meet behind closed doors to choose the next pope…

Cut 8 (12) “…Catholic Church.”

National Work Zone Awareness Week and police are out in full force looking for people driving dangerously through work zones. In Louisiana, all fines for moving violations within work zones are doubled. DOTD secretary Joe Donahue says depending on where you are, those fines could be even higher

Cut 11 (11) “…fines for traffic.”

In 2023, the latest year in which statistics are available, 14 people were killed in Louisiana work zones, with 898 killed nationwide.

A 16-year-old girl is shot and killed in Caddo Parish. It happened last night inside a home in Vivian. 17-year-old Wyatt Sanders and another 16-year-old girl are each facing charges in connection with the girl’s death, including negligent homicide and illegal possession of a handgun. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Breck Scott says the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.

Cut 14 (03) “…to the juvenile.”

It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week. This year’s theme is, “Respect the zone so we all go home.” Lisa Freeman, the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says construction workers are putting their lives on the line for the safety of the rest of us.

State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says when you’re going through a construction zone, 100-percent of your attention and focus needs to be on driving safely.

Cut 10 (12) “…dark at night.”

In Louisiana, all fines for moving violations within work zones are doubled.

On Easter Monday, Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, died at 88 after a 12-year papacy defined by humility, advocacy for the marginalized, and reform.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting a case of measles in the Region 1 of the state which includes New Orleans, and the parishes of Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines. LDH says the infection appears to be linked to international travel and the individual is in isolation but not hospitalized. LDH is working to identify and notify those who may have come in contact with the patient since measles is highly contagious. This is the first known case of measles in Louisiana this year. There were three travel related cases in 2024, also in the Greater New Orleans area.

Two men are dead after crashing their Jeep while speeding away from pursuing troopers in Alexandria. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says police tried pulling the Jeep over early Saturday morning but they sped up and turned onto England Drive, a narrow, winding road that leads to Alexandria International Airport.

Cut 4 (08) “…goes through there.”

The Jeep was later found partially submerged in a bayou, and 33-year-old Aaron Watson of Amite and 30-year-old Brandon Wright of Pineville were ejected from the vehicle. Wallace says it’s unclear which one was the driver and unknown why the two were running from police.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, has died at the age of 88. He led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years and took on controversial issues like climate change, inequality and he welcomed gays and lesbians into the Catholic Church.  LSU Professor of Religion Michael Pasquier says his stance on these issues upset some American Catholics…

Cut 6 (12) “…American prospective.”

DOTD has a message for all you drivers – “Respect the zone so we all go home.” Andrew Greenstein is at DOTD headquarters in Baton Rouge with more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It was 15 years ago yesterday when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off Louisiana’s coast sending 134 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the worst offshore oil spill in the nation’s history. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the marshes impacted by the oil were restored, but several islands that would serve as nesting grounds for pelicans were lost.

Cut 12 (13) “…to our coast.”

A 16-year-old girl is shot and killed in Caddo Parish. It happened last night inside a home in Vivian. 17-year-old Wyatt Sanders and another 16-year-old girl were arrested and charged with negligent homicide and illegal possession of a handgun. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Breck Scott says investigators do not know the exact nature of the relationship between the three.

Cut 15 (03) “…at this time.”

They don’t believe there was an intent to harm the victim. The investigation is ongoing

The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting a case of measles in the Region 1 of the state which includes New Orleans, and the parishes of Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines. LDH says the infection appears to be linked to international travel and the individual is in isolation but not hospitalized. LDH is working to identify and notify those who may have come in contact with the patient since measles is highly contagious. This is the first known case of measles in Louisiana this year. There were three travel related cases in 2024, also in the Greater New Orleans area.

Yesterday Pope Francis extended Easter greetings and today Christians are mourning his death.  He was 88. LSU Professor of Religion Michael Pasquier says Pope Francis wasn’t without controversy and was seen as doctrinally lenient by some. He says the Pope initiated reforms in Vatican finances, expanded roles for women and highlighted mercy and inclusivity, often clashing with traditionalists.

Cut 7 (12) “…those standards.”

Yesterday marked 15 years since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the Louisiana Coast killing eleven workers including five Louisianans. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says he still thinks about the families who lost loved ones.

Cut 13 (09)  “…close to home.”