1:30 LRN Newscast May 20

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center predicts another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Acting NOAA administrator Ben Friedman says between 13 to 20 named storms are expected to form and between six and ten will become hurricanes.

Cut 9 (8) “…miles per hour”

A record 30 named storms formed in 2020.

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a cellphone when you’re driving makes passage out of the house. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill allows for use of Bluetooth and speakerphone. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick feels the law would hurt criminal justice reform and create a negative interaction between the police and the public.

Cut 5  (11)  “…oppose the bill”

The vote was 76-21 and the bill now heads to the Senate.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he is not looking to continue his political career after his term ends in 2024. Edwards says he does not anticipate that he will continue in public life as an elected official once his second term ends.

Cut 12 (07)    “…sector” 

Edwards says he’s also not considering running for any other office before this term ends, such as the US Senate race next year.

Lumber prices have more than tripled over the year amidst a pandemic-driven surge in new home construction and renovation. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says prices last year clocked at around 354 dollars per thousand feet of lumber. As of May 18th that number is up to 1,264 dollars. Chang says folks hoping to build or buy new homes are really feeling that lumber price increase…

Cut 7 (07) “…buying”