A senate committee advances a bill that would ban the sale of kratom. Senate Bill 154 by Monroe Republican Jay Morris seeks to ban kratom entirely.

Cut 4 (12) “…families and to individuals.”

David Lebrano supports the bill and spoke to the dangers of the drug.  Lebrano’s son died from an apparent kratom overdose, and he hopes to prevent others from experiencing this pain.

Cut 5 (11) “…gas station, headshops, anywhere.”

Critics like kratom user and advocate Wednesday Forrest-Bear say the ban would take away from people using the product medically to help manage pain.

Cut 6 (06) “…regulate.”

The House approves measures that seek to lower the payouts car accident victims receive in court. Jeff Palermo reports that supporters say the legal reforms will help drive down auto insurance rates.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Coming up tomorrow, the House is expected to take up a measure giving the insurance commissioner the power to block excessive insurance rate increases. The bill, which Governor Landry supports and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple opposes, was on the House agenda yesterday, but it was pushed back.

The House advances bills that seek to reduce the big payouts car accident victims get after filing a lawsuit. Among them is Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s (SHEN-UH-VAIR) bill, which says if a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for a wreck, they are not entitled to damages.

Cut 13 (12)  “…cover that.”

Louisiana is once again participating in the federal SUN Bucks program. The program provides eligible children between the ages of five and 18 120 dollars to use on food during the summer months when they’re out of school. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director for the Department of Children and Family Services, says for those already receiving SNAP benefits, there’s nothing that they need to do.

Cut 9 (09)  “…household SNAP card.”

The House Transportation Committee votes down a measure that sought to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker program. The bill’s author, Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley argued that the requirement to get your vehicle inspected is government overreach.

Cut 4 (12) “…keep up with them.”

Critics argue inspections are often not properly conducted, while supporters, including inspection station owners, insist the program promotes road safety and maintains vehicle standards. Inspection station owner Kathy Slavant defended the integrity of the inspections.

Cut 7 (11) “…in what we do.”

The vote to defeat the bill was 6-to-5. Bagley says he’ll attempt to bring the bill back for another vote.

A bill that would have eliminated the need for motorists to get a vehicle inspection stickers failed in a 6-5 vote in the House Transportation Committee. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Oil and gas has long been a major driver in the state’s economy, and now we know exactly to what extent. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Balloon releases in Louisiana are one step closer to being illegal. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The House Transportation Committee voted 6-5 against a measure that sought to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker program. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley argues that the requirement to get your vehicle inspected is government overreach.

Cut 4 (12) “…keep up with them.”

Currently, vehicle owners must pay ten dollars for a one-year inspection sticker or 20 dollars for a two-year sticker. Bagley noted that 39 other states, including Texas this year, have ended similar programs.

Cut 5 (04) “…has the stickers.”

Critics argue inspections are often not properly conducted, while supporters, including inspection station owners, insist the program promotes road safety and maintains vehicle standards. Neal Underwood, representing inspection station owners, warned that removing the requirement could lead to increased accidents and higher insurance rates.

Cut 6 (08) “…insurance rate as well.”

Kathy Slavant, an inspection station operator, defended the integrity of the inspections.

Cut 7 (11) “…in what we do.”

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A new study shows that the oil and gas industry is a major driver of Louisiana’s economy. The study by the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says the oil and gas industry generates 25-percent of the state’s economy. LAMOGA President Tommy Faucheux (foah-SHAY) says it proves how big a player the industry is in the state.

Cut 8 (14) “…the energy industry.”

Faucheux says the oil and gas industry also generates 15-percent of the state’s jobs and 19-percent of the state’s total earnings.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of the state.”

Faucheux says as technology evolves, there will be a lot of opportunity to build on these strong numbers in the years to come.

Cut 10 (12) “…talk about today.”

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State Treasurer John Fleming has some questions for Orleans Parish schools regarding questionable expenditures, thanks to a new law requiring schools to submit expenses to the K-12 school transparency website.  Fleming says two thousand dollars were given to Act Blue.

Cut 11 (08) “…something like that.”

Examination of the data revealed questionable expenditures, such as almost 250 thousand dollars on staff retreats, almost 170 thousand dollars on restaurants, and five thousand dollars for fireworks.  Fleming says all these expenses need to be accounted for and examined.

Cut 12 (05) “…it does now.”

Fleming praised the initiative, emphasizing that transparency promotes accountability, greater efficiency, better educational outcomes, and improved teacher pay by shedding light on how taxpayer money is used.

Cut 13 (08)  “…waste, fraud and abuse.”

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Balloon releases in Louisiana are one step closer to being illegal. The House passed HB581 by Harahan Republican John Illg, sending it to the Senate. Illg says balloon releases are tantamount to litter.

Cut 14 (12) “…the air here?”

Representative Illg says what goes up must come down; and when those balloons released into the air come down, they could have serious consequences for the environment and wildlife.

Cut 15 (06) “…into the air.”

There was no debate on the House floor before members voted; and as Speaker Phillip DeVillier announced, the vote was not unanimous.

Cut 16 (04) “…14 nays.”

For anyone over 16, penalties under Illg’s proposed legislation would be 150 dollars for a first offense, 250 dollars for a second offense and 500 dollars for each subsequent offense. The measure heads to the Senate for more consideration.

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The second-ranked LSU baseball team will host the top team from the Southland tonight. The Southeastern Louisiana Lions are at Alex Box Stadium. S-L-U is 33-11 overall, 18-6 in the Southland, and Coach Bobby Barbier’s team is coming off a series victory over Houston Christian…

Cut 17 (11)  “…season long.”

Southeastern Louisiana’s pitching staff ranks fourth in the Southland Conference with a team ERA of 3.28. Brennan Stuprich is their Friday night ace, with a team ERA of 2.06. But Barbier says they have several guys who are pitching well…

Cut 18 (23)  “…starting roles.”

Barbier says they are looking forward to playing the second-ranked Tigers…

Cut 19 (19) “…most of the year.”

The House Transportation Committee approves a bill that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while driving. Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso says a person behind the wheel that is more focused on his phone than the road is a threat to other motorists.

Cut 11 (06) “…drunk driving”

Highway safety advocates say a ban on handheld cell phones while driving in Louisiana is really needed. But Alexandria defense attorney Ed Tarpley questions how the proposed law would be enforced, and he also believes it’s an overreach of government regulation…

Cut 14 (10) “…every day life.”

The Louisiana Legislature has rejected similar proposals to the past, but supporters of a ban on handling your cell phone while driving say the proposed legislation can help reduce auto insurance rates by reducing crashes.

The House Transportation committee votes against a bill that sought to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker program. The vote to turn the bill away was 6-to-5. It was sponsored by Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley.

Cut 4 (11) “…keep up with them.”

Critics argue inspections are often not properly conducted, while supporters, including inspection station owners, insist the program promotes road safety and maintains vehicle standards. Neal Underwood, representing inspection station owners, warned that removing the requirement could lead to increased accidents and higher insurance rates.

Cut 6 (08) “…insurance rate as well.”

Bagley noted that 39 other states, including Texas this year, have ended similar programs.

Over 30-thousand Caddo and Bossier Parish SWEPCO customers lost power Saturday because of grid instability, and PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell wants answers. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The House Transportation Committee approves legislation prohibiting the use of hand held cell phones while driving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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​PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell wants to know why there was a six-hour unplanned power outage on Saturday, with over 30-thousand SWEPCO customers in Bossier and Caddo parishes. SWEPCO spokesman Michael Corbin says that due to a directive from the Southwest Power Pool, the regional transmission organization. SPP identified grid instability and required SWEPCO to implement emergency outages to prevent widespread damage to power lines and equipment.

Cut 3 (12) “…their homes or businesses.”

SWEPCO began restoring power around 9 p.m. that evening, with approximately 87-hundred customers still without electricity. By the end of the night, all outages were resolved. As of Sunday, SWEPCO confirmed that grid conditions had stabilized and the situation had improved. ​Corbin says whatever caused this wasn’t a SWEPCO issue and a much larger issue possibly in another state.

Cut 4 (06) “…updates to it.”

SWEPCO expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the sudden outages, noting that the emergency nature did not allow for advance notice to customers. Corbin says there was no advanced warning from SPP, and SWEPCO was ordered to shut down immediately.

Cut 5 (08) “…in the future.”

Campbell is having a press conference with SPP and SWEPCO tomorrow and says he doesn’t want to point fingers, and wants to know why it happened and prevent future incidents like this from happening.

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Governor Landry is ordering state workers back to the office.

Cut 6 (06) “…their other colleagues.”

State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (05) “…are more productive.”

Landry says state workers will be required to return to the office July 1st.

Cut 8 (09) “…back to work.”

Landry is also strongly encouraging employees of agencies that don’t fall within his authority to return to the office by that date.

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For the first time, Saints quarterback Derek Carr is speaking out about his injury to his right shoulder. Carr opened up about his injury while leading a service as a guest pastor at ChurchLV in Las Vegas, saying he has an MRI to prove that he has an injured shoulder.

Cut 9 (05)  “…forward with that.”

People are chiming in on social media speculating that Carr is faking the injury in an effort to either get traded or to be released from the Saints. Carr says all that talk is frustrating him.

Cut 10 (09) “…with this nonsense?”

Carr’s comments come as NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport has reported that Carr’s shoulder injury may sideline him for the entire 2025 season. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, however, is not ready to write off Carr’s season just yet, saying that the team is waiting for clarity.

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The House Transportation Committee approved a bill this morning that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while driving. Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso says a person behind the wheel that is more focused on his phone than the road is a threat to other motorists.

Cut 11 (06) “…drunk driving”

The Louisiana Legislature has rejected similar proposals to the past, but supporters of a ban on handling your cell phone while driving say the proposed legislation can help reduce auto insurance rates, by reducing crashes.

But Alexandria defense attorney Ed Tarpley doubts this proposed law can reduce auto insurance rates.

Cut 12 (11) “…moving violation.”

Highway safety advocates say a ban on handheld cell phones while driving in Louisiana is really needed. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the actual talking on a handheld device is not that big of a problem, it’s the texting while driving, the use of social media or streaming video that’s the real distraction.

Cut 13 (14)  “…in a crash.”

Tarpley questions how the proposed law would be enforced and he also believes it’s an overreach of government regulation…

Cut 14 (10) “…every day life.”

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The legislature is once again working to give teachers and school staff a permanent pay raise after Amendment 2 failed at the ballot box last month. The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced House Bill 573, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to eliminate three education trust funds and divert two-billion dollars to pay down retirement debt, using the savings towards teacher pay. Larry Carter, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, supports it, but he says passage of the amendment would come too late for the 2025-26 school year.

Cut 15 (07) “…amendment ultimately passed.”

Like Amendment 2, the plan would be to transform a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand-dollar stipend for other school staff into permanent pay increases. Carter says don’t confuse that with pay raises.

Cut 16 (10) “…paychecks have not.”

H-B 573 now goes to the House Civil Law Committee.

The House Transportation Committee approved a bill this morning that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while driving. Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso says a person behind the wheel who is more focused on his phone than the road is a threat to other motorists…

Cut 11 (06) “…drunk driving”

The Louisiana Legislature has rejected similar proposals to the past, but supporters of a ban on handling cell phone use while driving say the proposed legislation can help reduce auto insurance rates, by reducing crashes. Alexandria defense attorney Ed Tarpley, however, doubts this proposed law can reduce auto insurance rates…

Cut 12 (11) “…moving violation.”

Highway safety advocates say a ban on handheld cell phones while driving in Louisiana is really needed.

Over 30-thousand Caddo and Bossier Parish SWEPCO customers lost power Saturday because of grid instability, and PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell wants answers. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

If you’re a state worker, get ready to start schlepping to the office again. That’s because Governor Landry is ordering you back to the office by July 1st. State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (05) “…are more productive.”

Landry is also strongly encouraging employees of agencies that don’t fall within his authority to return to the office by that date.

PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell wants to know why there was a six-hour unplanned power outage on Saturday, affecting more than 30-thousand SWEPCO customers in Bossier and Caddo Parishes. SWEPCO Spokesperson Michael Corbin says that due to a directive from the Southwest Power Pool, the regional transmission organization. SPP identified grid instability and required SWEPCO to implement emergency outages to prevent widespread damage to power lines and equipment.

Cut 3 (12) “…their homes or businesses.” 

If you’ve ever said you could do a better job balancing the budget than the elected officials you repeatedly insult on social media, you’re now invited to put your money — make that the state’s money — where your mouth is. PAR, LSU and The Advocate have all teamed up to launch the online game, “Solve The Budget.” PAR President Steven Procopio says for example, you can decide which facets of education to spend money on and which ones to cut.

Cut 11 (10) “…and university spending.”

For the first time, Saints quarterback Derek Carr is speaking out about his injury to his right shoulder. Carr opened up about his injury while leading a service as a guest pastor at ChurchLV in Las Vegas, saying he has an MRI to prove that he has an injured shoulder.

Cut 9 (05)  “…forward with that.”

Carr’s comments come as NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport has reported that Carr’s shoulder injury may sideline him for the entire 2025 season.

Governor Landry is ordering state workers back to the office. He issued an executive order requiring workers to return to their offices by July 1st.

Cut 6 (06) “…their other colleagues.”

State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic. Landry is also strongly encouraging employees of agencies that don’t fall within his authority to return to the office by that date.

Two new buildings are under construction at Louisiana Tech, including the Forest Products Innovation Center on the south campus that houses ag and forestry. University President Jim Henderson says it will expand the school’s research capacity.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in the country.”

The other one is the Origin Bank Academic Center for Student Athlete Success, which will be located adjacent to Joe Aillet Stadium. Both buildings are expected to open in the fall of 2026.

State lawmakers are attempting to ban the sale of kratom at gas stations and smoke shops. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

At the TPC Louisiana, Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin are your 2025 Zurich Classic champions. The two finished at 28 under par, one stroke better than brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard (HOE-guard). The pivotal hole was the 17th, when Novak and Griffin birdied while Frank Capan the third’s tee shot went into the water. With the win, Novak and Griffin each take home more than 1.3-million dollars.

Saturday is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says there are reasons for turning in your unwanted medications to the DEA instead of simply throwing them out.

Cut 3 (10) “…hands into everything.” 

A bill passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader. Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear) emphasized that the legislation targets elite restaurants being exploited without consent and says the penalty without written consent would be one thousand dollars a day.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

About 700 soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256th will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

The NFL Draft continues through Saturday, culminating with the selection of Mr. Irrelevant. Thursday night, the Saints used their first round draft choice to select offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. First year head coach Kellen Moore says he chose Banks to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

One down, six to go. The NFL Draft continues tonight and wraps up tomorrow, culminating with the selection of Mr. Irrelevant. Last night, the Saints took Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. First-year head coach Kellen Moore says it feels great to get the first pick out of the way.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

As for the selection of Banks, Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

Prior to the draft, several draft experts had the Saints taking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the ninth pick. The Saints passed on him – and so did everyone else. The second round opens with Deion’s son’s name still on the board.

It’s the most anticipated series of the college baseball season: Number-seven LSU against number-six Tennessee – the last two College World Series champions. LSU will start Kade Anderson on the mound tonight and Anthony Eyanson will start on Saturday. Sunday’s starter is to be announced. Tigers left hander Connor Ware is a possibility; he started the final game of the Alabama series. Ware was asked about the LSU-Tennessee rivalry…

Cut 20 (14) “….they’re not.”

LSU enter the series on a two game losing streak, as they lost in the final game of the Alabama series and suffered an ugly 13-3 defeat to in-state foe Northwestern State.

LSU’s women’s basketball team just scored a big name in the transfer portal as MiLaysia Fulwiley has announced that she will be playing for Kim Mulkey next season. The guard joins the Tigers from South Carolina.