The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee 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. Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud, says they are trying to prevent unfinalized information from becoming public…
Cut 10 (11) “…catastrophic.”
Opponents are concerned about not obtaining information on how governmental decisions are made.

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district has been tabled. Bill author Representative Alonzo Knox filed the bill in response to the state’s permitless conceal carry law that goes into effect July 4th.
Cut 4 (11) “…a crisis.”

In the springtime, fire ant mounds bring swarms of stinging pests to yards and gardens. Colleen Crain on how to get rid of the tiny tormentors.
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Colleen Crain.”

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

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was pulled from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Fire ant mounds are a sign of Spring that isn’t so welcome because they bring swarms of stinging pests to yards and gardens. Colleen Crain has more on getting rid of the tiny tormentors.

Cut 2 (33)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

____________________________________________

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

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

____________________________________________

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 (11) “…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 (11) “…need is enforcement.” 

New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno who supports the bill told committee members after discussions with Knox he’s opting to voluntarily pull the bill. But they plan to meet with Republican Senator Kirk Talbot who’s filed similar legislation that’s limited to the French Quarter.

Cut 6 (13) “…better shape.”

_________________________________________________

Warm weather means many things and unfortunately, one of them is the appearance of fire ant mounds. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist, Heather Kirk-Ballard says each mound could contain up to 200,000 of the stinging pests that become more active this time of year…

Cut 7 (12) “…pretty formidable.”

Swarms of fire ants can sting within seconds and, for some, cause serious allergic reactions.

Kirk-Ballard says a concerted effort is best when trying to eradicate fire ants. Coordinate with neighbors since the pests can create extensive underground tunnels and treat them in both April and October when the insects are active. Be careful to follow instructions on baits and poisons and pay attention to the timing of your treatment…

Cut 8 (11) “…wash away.” 

Many of the baits are safe for some animals but harmful to birds. Others are harmful to people and pets. Contrary to some popular myths, grits won’t work and neither will piling one mound top of the other but Kirk-Ballard says there are some organic options and one is non-toxic.

Cut 9 (12)  “…or rotenone.”

Never apply baits near water systems such as ponds and lakes. The LSU Ag Center website offers additional information at LSUAgCenter.com

________________________________________________________

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee 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. The bill’s author, Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud, says they are trying to prevent unfinalized information from becoming public…

Cut 10 (11) “…catastrophic.”

Governor Jeff Landry says current public records laws have become weaponized to stifle deliberative speech. Landry says he supports transparency when it comes to fiscal matters, but the current law is stretched and being abused.

Investigative reporter Lee Zurik, with Fox-8 TV in New Orleans spoke in opposition. He says public records 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.”

The bill, which is also touted as legislation to keep the governor and his family safe, passed on a six to two-vote. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter voted against it…

Cut 12 (10) “…know that.” 

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.”

___________________________________________________

The LSU gymnastics squad will compete in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships today in Fort Worth, Texas 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.”

LSU finished fourth last year. The Tigers have finished as runner-ups four times since 2014. They will compete at 3:30 central time in first session of the semifinals. They are one of four teams competing at that time and they need to finish in the top two to advance to the championship round on Saturday. Clark has told his team to keep the same mindset they’ve had all season long…

Cut 15 (06)  “…be successful”

LSU will compete against Cal, Arkansas and Stanford today. In the night session, it’s defending champion Oklahoma, Florida, Utah and Alabama.

____________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team leaves for Columbia, Missouri today as they head to Mizzou looking to snap their five game SEC series losing streak. Coach Jay Johnson has been meeting with players on a one-on-one basis in the hopes getting this team out of this slump…

Cut 16 (20)  “..those guys out”  

LSU is 3-and-12 in the SEC and can not afford to lose another SEC series and still make the NCAA Tournament. Johnson says the coaching staff is trying to get the best out of this team…

Cut 17 (09) “…right now.”

Johnson says this team is lacking clutch pitching and hitting…

Cut 18 (18)  “…Christian Moore.” 

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.

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson is adamant he is not resigning despite calls from hard line Republicans who are not happy he’s working with Democrats to pass legislation that would provide aid to Israel and Ukraine. The Republican from Bossier Parish says efforts to remove him from office are not helpful.
Cut 6 (06) “…do our job.”

Discussion has begun in the Louisiana House over a proposed bill that would result in the state holding a constitutional convention in May. Governor Landry wants to streamline the state’s current constitution by moving sections of it into state law. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says she’s unclear what changes could be made…

cut 15 (09) “…coming from”
The public will have a chance to vote in November on any changes to the state constitution.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that critics have labeled as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” It prohibits teachers in K-through-12th grade from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation during class time, or even during extracurricular and athletic events. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton is the author of the legislation…
cut 11 (08) “…haven’t discussed”
The proposal was approved on a 69-28 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that would prohibit the teaching of critical race theory in public classrooms. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis is concerned the legislation is too broad and it will impact a teachers’ ability to educate students about subjects that some may find difficult…
Cut 4 (08) “…history be taught”
The bill’s author, Denham Springs Senator Valerie Hodges, says her legislation will not prevent educators from teaching history lessons.

A bill to require parental approval for a teacher to identify a student by their preferred name or a pronoun that does not match their biological sex passes in the full House. The legislation is also referred to as one of the “Don’t Say Gay Bills.” Bill author, Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says teachers could still object for religious reasons…

Cut 9 (13) “…that classroom” 

Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle spoke in opposition and says this type of legislation makes it harder on transgender children…

Cut 10 (12) “…in any manner”

The House approved the bill on a 68- to-30 vote and the bill now heads to Senate Education.

The Pelicans will not have Zion Williamson for their do-or-die matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Bayou State ranks number in the country for cases of chlamydia. The 2022 data indicates the state moved from the number three spot in 2021 to number one. Chlamydia was also the most common sexually transmitted infection in 2022.

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie has suggested Johnson should step down. Some Republicans are upset Johnson’s aid package proposal for Ukraine and Israel will require support from Democrats, and they also do not like that the Bossier Parish Republican is not requiring more security at the U-S Mexico border as he pushes separate aid bills for Ukraine and Israel.

Johnson refers to himself as a wartime speaker…

Cut 8 (12) “…terribly divided” 

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would prohibit public school teachers from teaching critical race theory. Denham Springs Senator Valerie Hodges says her legislation will help preserve students’ self-esteem.

Cut 3 (06) “…have value.” 

For Governor Jeff Landry’s first 100 days in office, he’s yet to take his foot off the gas…. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly was in a Union Parish courtroom yesterday, pleading not guilty to the charge of illegal use of a weapon. Holley’s attorney Mike Small.

Cut 12 (12) “…this case.” 

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” 

Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s 100^th day in office and La-Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says politically this milestone signals a new power structure in the executive branch.

Cut 4 (11) “…the legislature.”

Alford says the reason it looks like Landry is off to a fast start is because he campaigned for the position for years.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee has begun discussions on the bill that would call for a constitutional convention so that lawmakers and delegates chosen by the governor can streamline the state’s constitution and provide better financial flexibility during tough budget times. Former state lawmaker Neil Abramson…
cut 14 (13) “…those decisions’
The House Governmental Affairs Committee continues discussing the bill today.