The Republican lawmaker at the center of the redistricting debate says he’s received death threats after he was accused of using a derogatory word towards the executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This happened during a meeting last Friday of the Senate Government Affairs Committee. That committee will be meeting this evening following the conclusion of today’s meeting of the full Senate. It’s during tonight’s meeting that the committee is expected to adopt a new congressional map.

One person who won’t be at tonight’s Senate Governmental Affairs Committee meeting will be New Orleans Democrat Gary Carter. He stepped down from the committee following his outburst towards Jay Morris Friday. Yesterday on the Senate floor, Carter admitted he lost his cool while discussing a contentious issue.

Cut 14 (11) “…we had Friday.” 

Carter is being replaced on the committee by another New Orleans Democrat, Royce Duplessis.

A bill that would increase the pay of the governor and other statewide elected officials barely gets enough votes to pass the House. Harahan Representative John Illg’s legislation would increase the governor’s salary in 2028 from 130 thousand to 174-thousand dollars, the same amount a U.S. Representative receives.

Cut 6 (09) “…appropriate measure.”

New Orleans Senator Gary Carter has stepped down from the Governmental Affairs Committee following his outburst towards Jay Morris during Friday’s racially-charged redistricting hearing. Yesterday on the Senate floor, Carter issued a public apology to Morris.

Cut 13 (10) “…my temper.”

Carter is being replaced by another New Orleans Democrat, Royce Duplessis.

Morris, meanwhile, says he and his staff have received death threats amid allegations that he directed a racially insensitive word towards the state Democratic Party executive director. He says one voicemail threatened to carry out a mass shooting at his office.

Cut 10 (06) “…family”

Dadrius Lanus accuses Morris of telling him to, quote, “Shut up, boy.” Reporters present in the room say they never heard Morris use that word.

Monuments which are taken down may have new life, thanks to a bill advancing in the legislature. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham’s bill would transfer any publicly-owned historical statue or monument removed from public display to the Office of State Parks for placement in a state park in a different parish. Bayham says it’s a good compromise.

Cut 3 (09) “…their land anymore.”

It hardly had any “yes” votes to spare; nonetheless, a bill that would increase the salaries of the governor and other statewide elected officials passes in the House and advances to the Senate. Harahan Representative John Illg says it’s been decades since the state addressed the pay of elected officials.

Cut 8 (11) “…their own.”

The bill needed 53 votes in the House to advance; it received 54.

State Senator Jay Morris says he and his staff have received multiple death threats for something he says he never said. State Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius Lanus says Morris used a racial slur during last Friday’s racially charged debate over a new congressional map. Morris says the untrue allegation led to 150 nasty voice mails for his legislative assistant to hear.

Cut 9 (08)  “…is drummed up.”

The tense meeting also led New Orleans Senator Gary Carter to step down from the Governmental Affairs Committee. Carter’s emotions boiled as he questioned Morris about his intentions with legislation that he believes is attempting to remove Black people from political office.

Cut 12 (13) “…heart.”

The House barely passes a bill to increase the salaries of the governor and other statewide elected officials. Harahan Representative John Illg says his bill would leave state representatives’ salaries at 16,800 dollars, but it would provide legislators with additional per diem opportunities.

Cut 7 (11) “…already do this.”

Monuments which are removed by local governments would be moved to state parks under a bill passed by the House. While Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, who oversees the Office of State Parks, says House Bill 1215 was designed to deal with Confederate monuments which were taken down in New Orleans in 2017, the author, Mike Bayham, says his bill applies to other monuments as well.

Cut 5 (09) “…been taken down.”

The Republican lawmaker at the center of the redistricting debate says he’s received death threats after he was accused of using a derogatory word towards the executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This happened during a meeting last Friday of the Senate Government Affairs Committee. That committee will be meeting this evening following the conclusion of today’s meeting of the full Senate. It’s during tonight’s meeting that the committee is expected to adopt a new congressional map.

A bill that would increase the pay of the governor and other statewide elected officials barely gets enough votes to pass the House. Harahan Representative John Illg’s legislation would increase the governor’s salary in 2028 from 130 thousand to 174-thousand dollars, the same amount a U-S Representative receives.

Cut 6 (09) “…appropriate measure.”

Monuments which are taken down may have new life, thanks to a bill advancing in the legislature. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham’s bill would transfer any publicly-owned historical statue or monument removed from public display to the Office of State Parks, which would be required to move it to a location open to the public in a different parish. 

Cut 4 (12) “…protection from vandalism.”

For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a recreational alligator hunting season. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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For the next five days, listen to the radio or watch TV at your own risk. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU has tied a program high for the most SEC losses in one season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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While commercial alligator hunting has been legal in Louisiana for quite some time, recreational alligator hunting is now legal for the first time, now that Governor Landry has signed Senate Bill 244 into law. The bill’s author is Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who notes that Louisiana’s alligator population has now topped three-million, and there aren’t enough commercial alligator hunters to get it under control.

Cut 4 (14) “…along the way.”

Allain says that growing alligator population has led to alligators appearing in places they’re not supposed to be in, including neighborhoods.

Cut 5 (14) “…contact with them.”

People may be surprised to learn that alligators can run as fast as 15 miles an hour.

Allain says recreational alligator hunting tags will be awarded through a lottery system.

Cut 6 (08) “…get two tags.”

The recreational alligator hunting season period will be announced at a later date.

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Over the next five days, watch TV or listen to the radio at your own risk. That’s because you’ll be bombarded with some of the dirtiest campaign ads in the Republican U.S. Senate race, with the primary election Saturday. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Bill Cassidy, John Fleming and Julia Letlow are pulling out all the stops to get their messages out to avoid finishing in last place.

Cut 7 (09) “…margin of error.”

Cross says the three are going negative, because history has shown that negative campaigning works. And he says in this instance, the mission for all three is to put distance between their opponents and President Trump.

Cut 8 (11) “…to your side.”

That’s a taller task when it comes to attacking Julia Letlow, since she has Trump’s endorsement. Cross says in his time following national politics, he has never seen anything like Trump’s influence in elections.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in the past.”

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The LSU baseball team is creating the wrong kind of history one season removed from winning the program’s eighth national championship. With three regular season games to go, the Tigers have suffered 18 losses in SEC play, which matches the most conference losses in program history. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says a lot has gone wrong, but the lack of development from pitchers returning from last year’s team really sticks out.

Cut 10 (11) “…was last year.”

Guilbeau says injuries have also been an issue.

Cut 11 (10) “…with multiple injuries.”

Starting pitcher Cooper Moore also got hurt in March and never returned. Friday night starter Casan Evans missed a couple of weekends due to arm soreness. Guilbeau says for LSU to get back to being a national contender again, the pitching has to improve dramatically.

Cut 12 (08) “…offensive players too.”

Center fielder Derek Curiel, shortstop Steven Milam and right fielder Jake Brown are expected to turn pro after they are selected in the Major League Baseball draft in July.

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The 2026 Louisiana black bear hunting season will take place from December 5th to the 20th; and this year, bear hunting will be allowed in all seven of the state’s black bear management areas. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says 42 tags will be tentatively issued for the hunt.

Cut 13 (08) “…for a lottery.”

The lottery for the 2026 season will begin in late July.

Louisiana held its first black bear hunting season in more than 35 years in December of 2024. That year, 10 bears were harvested. Sixteen were harvested last year; and Hanks says with the black bear population continuing to thrive, they’ve decided to open it up even more.

Cut 14 (09) “…we’re expanding more.”

Bear area specific population estimates and vital rate data are used to determine the number of bear harvest permits to be issued. Cubs and females are not legal to harvest. Hanks says nearly half of the tags that will be issued will be for Bear Management Area Four. Hanks says that’s where they are seeing the most interest in a bear hunting season, in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 15 (11) “…excited about it.”

A 300-pound plus bear can provide about 200 plates of food. Bear fat can be used for baking, cooking, making candles and waterproofing boots.

State Senator Jay Morris of West Monroe is accused of using a derogatory word towards Black people at a racially charged Senate Committee meeting last Friday. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Cut 23 (fade out after 3 seconds)

Well, Jerry Reed might be chagrined to learn that it is now legal to recreationally hunt alligators in Louisiana, thanks to Governor Landry signing Senate Bill 244 into law. The bill’s author is Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who notes that Louisiana’s alligator population has now topped three-million, and there aren’t enough commercial alligator hunters to get it under control.

Cut 4 (14) “…along the way.”

Allain says that growing alligator population has led to alligators appearing in places they’re not supposed to be in, including neighborhoods.

Cut 5 (14) “…contact with them.”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris is accused of using a racially insensitive word during the redistricting debate last Friday. The video from media members is inconclusive on whether Morris said the word “Boy” when confronting audience members who he said were talking loudly during the debate, making it hard for him to concentrate and answer questions.

Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Caleb Kleinpeter says he spoke with several news organizations who were covering the tense committee meeting and none of them heard Morris use the word “Boy.”

Cut 8 (04) “…debunked that.”

But State Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius Lanus says he knows what he heard.

Cut 9 (04)  “…he said”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will meet again on Wednesday. It’s expected it will approve a map that eliminates one, if not both, Black Majority districts from the state’s Congressional map.

Two teens were killed in a crash in Concordia Parish, and the teen driving the SUV is under arrest. Investigators say early yesterday morning, 18-year-old Gregory Steele of Vidalia lost control of the SUV and drove it off the roadway, causing it to overturn. Steele suffered minor injuries, but 19-year-old Jacob Bonnette of Vidalia and 17-year-old Michelle Baity of Natchez, Mississippi, were killed. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says alcohol appears to have been a factor.

Cut 13 (08) “…the traffic violations.”

Another 18-year-old suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Wallace says none of the four were restrained. 

Soaring gas prices will likely not put a dent in Memorial Day travel, with a record 39-million people expected to hit the road. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says that’s because people had already made their plans before the war in Iran began.

Cut 10 (05) “…already baked in.”

The early voting numbers released by the Secretary of State’s office paint a startling picture. Of the nearly quarter-million ballots cast in the seven days of early voting, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by nearly 45-hundred. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says three factors especially motivated Democrats to show up to the polls.

Cut 3 (13) “…contentious redistricting hearings.”

Those hearings really got heated when West Monroe Senator Jay Morris allegedly used a racially derogatory term. State Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius Lanus says Morris called him “boy” when telling him to shut up. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairman Caleb Kleinpeter told reporters he does not believe Morris directed that word towards Black people.

Cut 7 (08) “…saying.” 

Two teens were killed in a crash in Concordia Parish early Mother’s Day morning, and the teen driving the SUV is under arrest. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says investigators believe 18-year-old Gregory Steele of Vidalia was impaired when he lost control of the SUV and rolled it over.

Cut 14 (05) “…report finalize that.” 

19-year-old Jacob Bonnette of Vidalia and 17-year-old Michelle Baity of Natchez, Mississippi, were killed. Steele and another 18-year-old were injured. None of the four were restrained.

Soaring gasoline prices won’t be keeping drivers off the roads this Memorial Day weekend, with more than 39-million people expected to venture more than 50 miles from home. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the bigger concern is high gasoline prices putting a huge dent into holiday travel late in the year.

Cut 12 (08) “…the discretionary income.”

Two people connected with last month’s mass shooting in Shreveport where a gunman killed eight children have been indicted by a federal grand jury. U-S Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Zachary Keller, says one of men indicted is Charles Ford. It’s believed the gun Shamar Elkins used on April 19^th belonged to Ford…

Cut 9 (06)  “…shooting”

We’ll see multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms this Mother’s Day weekend as a weak front has stalled near the coast and it’s interacting with a very moist air mass. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says multiple inches of rain are possible…

Cut 3 (11) “…welcome the rain.”

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WalletHub is out with its rankings of the best and worst states for working mothers. Andrew Greenstein reports to find Louisiana on the list, look to the very bottom.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee held a lengthy and sometimes contentious meeting on TODAY over proposed Congressional maps to replace the current one struck down by the U-S Supreme Court. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis thinks New Orleans and Baton Rouge should each have a majority black district.

Cut 12 (09) “…preferred candidates.”

Public discussion is underway on drawing up a new Congressional District map. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We’re getting word of an explosion at a refinery in Chalmette. The explosion at Chalmette Refining happened just before one this afternoon. While it shook several nearby businesses, there are no reports of any injuries. This happened less than a year after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland.
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It’s shaping up to be a stormy Mother’s Day weekend. This, as a weak front has stalled near the coast, and that front is interacting with a very moist air mass. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a chance for high winds and hail, and we can’t rule out the possibility of a tornado. He says while excessive rainfall is possible in southeast Louisiana, the rest of the state will be dodging rain drops.

Cut 5 (10) “…through the weekend.”

A new WalletHub study shows Louisiana is unfortunately the worst state for working moms. The study ranked the 50 states and the District of Columbia on professional opportunities, child care and work-life balance. Analyst Chip Lupo says in order for Louisiana to dig out of the basement in these rankings, it’s going to need to create a business climate that’s better for work overall, using Florida as an example.

Cut 8 (06) “…your engine.”