The Legislative Black Caucus and House Democrats are asking Governor Edwards to veto the Congressional map from the redistricting session. Last year Republicans held a historic veto session, and Edwards convinced enough lawmakers not to support overriding the anti-transgender sports bill. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…

Cut 9 (10)  “…anymore.”

The UL System Board of Supervisors approves a request by Louisiana Tech to name its Biomedical Engineering Building for former university president Dr. Daniel Reneau. In 1972 Reneau led the push for Tech to start one of the country’s first biomedical engineering programs. University spokesperson Tonya Oaks Smith…

Cut 13 (11) “…for our students.”

The potential conflict between Russia and Ukraine has oil and gas prices on a roller coaster. David Grubb has more on what it could mean for the United States…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

In St. John the Baptist Parish, there are reports of an explosion at the Marathon refinery in Garyville.  The Office of Emergency Preparedness in the parish says the explosion was reported at 9:30 this morning and no further details. Airline Highway in front of the plant is reportedly closed.

Now that the redistricting session is over, the focus is on Governor John Bel Edwards to see if he’ll veto the maps approved by the Legislature. Erik Picolli has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Erik Picolli.” 

A male juvenile was killed in Marrero this morning according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Authorities were dispatched around 7:30 to a shooting in the 1800 block of Betty Street and found a teen suffering from a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead on the scene.

As the markets continue to react to the possibility of a Russian invasion in Ukraine, Louisiana is keeping an eye on the oil and gas markets.  With the U-S already at its limit for oil exports, government officials have been trying to find ways to help meet the increased demand. But Associate director of the Tulane Energy Institute, Eric Smith says that will be a difficult proposition with few allies ready to step up.

Cut 6 (12)  “…in an emergency.”

Saturday, June 4^th is set as demolition day for the Kirby Smith Hall at LSU. Executive Director of Residential Life Pete Trentacoste says there’s even an opportunity for you to purchase a brick from the former residence hall as a souvenir.

Cut  11 (09)  “…procuring one.”  

The 13-story building opened in 1967.

As the world keeps a watchful eye on the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Louisiana is paying close attention to the oil and gas markets, which have been incredibly volatile as tensions have escalated. Any invasion by Russia into Ukraine would have an immediate impact on the state says Eric Smith, associate director of the Tulane Energy Institute.
Cut 4 (13) “…to Europe.”
According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a regular gallon of gasoline is $3.30, 24-cents more than a month ago.

Governor Edwards says he’s carefully examing the Congressional, legislative, PSC, and BESE maps the state Legislature approved. Edwards is concerned none of the maps reflect a growth in the African American population by adding more majority-minority districts. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the governor can veto these maps…
Cut 7 (09) “…or not.”
Edwards has 20 days once he receives the legislation to decide whether he’ll veto the legislation approved in the redistricting session.

D-Day for LSU’s Kirby Smith Hall has been set, Brooke Thorington has more on when the 55-year-old building will be reduced to rubble.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Southern University System has a new president-chancellor. His name is Dennis Shields and he’s been in university administration for four decades. The 66-year-old Shields is the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and will replace Ray Belton who will retire this fall.

The potential armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine has put oil and gas prices on a roller coaster. David Grubb has more on what that could mean for the United States…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a six-year-old child rescued from a burning mobile home in New Iberia has died. Firefighters responded to the blaze Sunday afternoon with a child trapped inside. He was rescued but died at a local hospital. An investigation into the cause of the deadly fire is ongoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards will have 20 days once he receives the legislation to decide if he’ll veto the political maps approved by the Legislature during the redistricting session that ended on Friday. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Republican lawmakers could override the governor’s veto, but if Edwards doesn’t use his veto authority, he would disappoint his biggest supporters…
Cut 8 (08) “…actually happens”
Edwards released a statement Friday saying the maps should reflect the growth of the African American population, but the maps approved by the Legislature did not increase the number of majority-minority districts.

Louisana Tech is renaming its biomedical engineering building after former long-time president Dan Reneau, who in 1972 started a biomedical engineering program. University spokesperson Tonya Oaks Smith says Dr. Reneau established the groundwork for future success…
cut 14 (12) “…through engineering”

Now that the redistricting session is over, the focus is on Governor John Bel Edwards to see if he’ll veto the maps approved by the Legislature. Erik Picolli has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Erik Picolli.”

Alexandria Police is investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old on Saturday night. Two others were also injured in the incident that occurred in the 21-hundred block of Lee Street. No arrests have been made. And New Orleans Police say a man was fatally shot outside of Costco yesterday in what is being called a domestic dispute. The shooter was apprehended.

Kirby Smith Hall, which not only served as a dormitory for LSU students but also as transitional offices for two governors will soon be a memory. Executive Director of Residential Life Pete Trentacoste says the building is currently in deconstruction mode to remove asbestos before it’s imploded in June.
Cut 10 (09) “…to the ground.”
Governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards used the building for their transitional offices.

Louisiana Tech is renaming its Biomedical Engineering Building after former university president Doctor Daniel Reneau. Reneau helped start the biomedical engineering program at Tech in 1972, one of the first such programs in the country. School spokesperson Tonya Oaks Smith says the U-L System Board voted unanimously to name the building after Reneau…
cut 15 (08) “….in this way”

The state Legislature has approved two identical Congressional District maps which contain one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers that a second one should be drawn since the African American population has grown to 33-percent. Slidell Republican and Chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Sharon Hewitt says they looked at adding another majority-minority district but based on the Census data the Black population is not concentrated enough to have two Black majority voting districts

Cut 4 (12) “…upset.”

And we’re now in the thick of Mardi Gras season. New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says hotel occupancy is increasing and King Cake sales are off the charts this year with bakeries having a hard time keeping up with demand.

Cut 9 (12) “…activities.”

Schulz says hotel occupancy is also in the 80-percent range for next weekend thru Fat Tuesday, but they are hoping that will increase.

Louisiana Radio Network
==============================================================

The Krewe of Janus (Janice) rolls tonight at 6 PM in Monroe and there’s plenty of excitement for the return of the parade. Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says it was extremely emotional having to cancel last year’s parade and so that makes this year’s event even more special. As Throws Lieutenant for the Krewe of Janus, Kenly is in charge of ordering and distributing throws and knows firsthand there’s more than three million to catch from 28 floats, so be well prepared to carry your loot home.

Cut 12 (07) “..great things.”  

And in last year’s NFL draft not a single player from a Historically Black College or University was taken, something that Grambling football legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams are seeking to change by introducing the HBCU Legacy Bowl. With 98 draft-eligible players taking the field at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium tomorrow and more than two dozen NFL scouts expected to be in attendance, Williams is excited about the possibility of the Legacy Bowl helping pro dreams become a reality.

Cut 15 (17) “…that they need.” 

The game airs live on the NFL Network starting at 3 pm.

It’s a big Mardi Gras parade weekend. Brooke Thorington reports the city of New Orleans is ready to let the good times roll…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

And The state Legislature has approved two identical Congressional District maps, but not without significant opposition. The maps contain one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers a second one should be drawn, because the Black population has grown to 33-percent. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…

Cut 3 (10) “..fairly.”

White Republican lawmakers were also upset that the Congressional map splits Grant Parish in half between the fourth and fifth districts and St. Mary Parish between the first and sixth districts.

================================================================

The Krewe of Janus (Janice) rolls tonight in Monroe and there’s plenty of excitement for the return of the parade that’s been a staple of the Twin Cities, Monroe, and West Monroe, since 1984. Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says they are prepared with 3.5 million throws for attendees, especially youngsters.

Cut 10 (10)  “…super fun.” 

This year’s theme is Janus goes to Hollywood and rolls at 6 PM

And at last year’s NFL Draft, not a single player from a Historically Black College or University was taken, with only one being selected in 2020. The HBCU Legacy Bowl, created by Grambling football legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams, seeks to change that. Williams says that the game will be a showcase for scouts to check out some great undiscovered talent.

Cut 13 (15) “…see the players.”

Williams says providing real post-graduate employment options for the players is also an important aspect of the game’s mission.

Two identical Congressional district maps that maintain one majority-minority district are headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

And we’re in the thick of Mardi Gras season and New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says you can’t underestimate the economic, cultural, emotional, and impact of Mardi Gras 2022. Schulz says there’s plenty of pent-up demand to return to the beloved tradition of carnival season.

Cut 7 (10) “…forward to.” 

The Krewe of Janus rolls tonight at 6 PM in Monroe. The theme of this year’s parade is Janus Goes to Hollywood and Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says the King and Queen’s floats have specialty throws that are quite collectible.

Cut 11 (08)   “….to have.”  

Around 3.5 million are prepared for attendees, especially youngsters.

And last year’s NFL draft saw no picks from a Historically Black College or University. Grambling football legends James’s “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams seek to change that and have created the HBCU Legacy Bowl. One of the things that Williams is most proud of is that dozens of companies are participating in a job fair for these student-athletes. He says he understands that most won’t make an NFL roster, so providing real post-graduate employment options for these players is an essential part of the game’s mission.

Cut 14 (13)  “…they wanna do.” 

The game airs live on the NFL Network starting at 3 pm.