A poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows a very close race with early voting set to begin Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A beloved crossing guard in Livingston Parish is killed by a suspected drunk driver. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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With early voting starting tomorrow, we’re expecting a ruling today on a federal lawsuit challenging the suspension of Louisiana’s U.S. House elections following Wednesday’s Supreme Court decision ruling the state’s congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says that ruling forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

The lawsuit states that the Supreme Court did not order the election to be postponed and that absentee ballots have already been cast. Ciolino points out that according to federal law, the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November is the only mandatory election day.

Cut 4 (07) “…for congressional elections.”

Ciolino says Landry’s quick action in postponing the U.S. House election runs counter to historical precedent in the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…than 100 years.”

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A new poll on the Republican U.S. Senate primary shows State Treasurer John Fleming leading the field with 28-percent of the vote, followed by Julia Letlow at 27-percent and Bill Cassidy at 21-percent. Emerson College and KLFY-TV conducted the survey; and Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says this is an extremely close race with 22-percent undecided.

Cut 6 (04) “…be shut out.”

Cross says it’s bad news for Cassidy, because the two-term incumbent Senator is trailing his two challengers with early voting starting Saturday. He says in the survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters, nearly half of them have an unfavorable view of Cassidy.

Cut 7 (08) “…going to grow?”

Cross says only 15-percent of the respondents have an unfavorable view of Fleming, which is a big factor in why he leads this poll.

Cut 8 (09) “…feeling the effects.”

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In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s an exciting occasion.

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

Maher says the odds of winning the million-dollar prize is less than one in 11-million.

Cut 10 (11) “…million-dollar prize.”

Those five white balls are drawn from a drum containing 69 of them, hence the long odds. Mayer says of those 11 millionaires, five of them doubled their prize to two-million dollars with the Power Play.

Cut 11 (10) “…it was two.”

Those 11 lucky players were among 89 across the country, including 19 in Indiana, who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Had any one of them picked 15 as their Powerball, they would have joined players in Indiana and Kansas in splitting the 143-million-dollar jackpot.

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Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Grays Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the community.”

Sheriff Ard says 64-year-old Darren Goudeau (GOO-doe) of Walker was arrested and is charged with vehicular homicide and DWI.

Cut 13 (10) “…unfortunately it does.”

Ard says he hopes this incident will get people to re-evaluate their behavior on the roadways.

Cut 14 (12) “…when we drive.”

With early voting starting tomorrow, we’re expecting a ruling today on a federal lawsuit challenging the suspension of Louisiana’s U.S. House elections. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional districts forced Governor Landry’s hand.

Cut 3 (12) “…to take place.”

In just one night, the Louisiana Millionaires Club added 11 new members. That’s because in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, a whopping 11 tickets were million-dollar winners. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery:

Cut 9 (05)  “…just being luck.”

They were among 89 who matched the five white balls of 3, 19, 35, 51 and 67. Two others had 15 as their Powerball, and they split the 143-million-dollar jackpot.

Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

With next Sunday being Mother’s Day, the crawfish supply is expected to be tight given the recent cold snap that moved through the state. As such, crawfish prices held steady this week. This weekend, you can expect to pay just under three dollars a pound for live crawfish and $5.35 a pound for boiled crawfish.

Governor Landry announced the suspension of the U.S. House races in light of the Supreme Court ruling on the congressional map. But absentee ballots have already been sent out, and early voting begins tomorrow. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the late delay is also adding more work for the secretary of state’s office and the local clerks of court.

Cut 16 (06) “…off the ballot.”

If any of the 32 former House candidates wish to continue their quest for Congress, they’re going to have to start all over again once a new map is adopted. That could make fundraising tricky, with several donors having already given the maximum amount allowed by law. Political strategist Lionel Rainey says if the Federal Elections Commission does not grant a waiver, that’s going to put them in a tough spot.

Cut 10 (07) “…they can raise.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition from the businesses that conduct the inspections. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”

Others say eliminating the stickers would result in more uninsured drivers on the roadways, but Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Bryan Adams says the state does not need inspection stations to help find uninsured motorists.

Cut 6 (09) “…all understood that.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. Four Republicans and two Democrats currently make up Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Wednesday’s historic Supreme Court ruling gives legislative leaders a chance to pass a map that would add to the number of Republicans in the U.S. House.

Cut 15 (06) “…five one map.”

With the U.S. House elections now on hold, that means the process will start all over again from square one once a new map is adopted. Political strategist Lionel Rainey says there are many unanswered questions, such as whether donors who have already given the maximum amount can donate again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…raise more money?” 

Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The legislature passed a measure that would effectively eliminate the office of New Orleans criminal court clerk, and the man set to assume that office Monday is not taking that lying down. Calvin Duncan has filed a lawsuit in federal court aiming to stop the bill from taking effect.

Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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For the 32 people who had been running for U.S. House in Louisiana, all their efforts have now gone to waste. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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As a result of this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision, Louisiana’s legislative leaders say they plan to approve a new congressional district map during the final month of this legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition from the businesses that conduct the inspections. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”

The bill author’s, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says it’s inconvenient for drivers to have to get a vehicle inspection sticker every year or two. He’s seeking to replace the inspection sticker with a six-dollar QR code that drivers would pay through the mail instead of going to an inspection station.

Davey Quinn of Hammond says passage of Bagley’s bill will result in more uninsured motorists, vehicles with tinted windows that are darker than they should be and vehicles that not fit for the road.

Cut 5 (10) “…the people first.”

Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Bryan Adams says the state does not need inspection stations to help find uninsured motorists.

Cut 6 (09) “…all understood that.”

Bagley downplayed the role inspection stations have in preventing unsafe and uninsured drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Cut 7 (09) “…safety issue here.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor. If the upper chamber approves, the full House will have to agree to the Senate amendments before it goes to the governor’s desk. Governor Landry supports the bill.

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With the U.S. House elections now suspended in light of the state’s congressional map being declared unconstitutional, that means all campaigns are now null and void. Once a new map is adopted, the process will start all over from square one, with candidates going through the qualifying process in the new districts. Political strategist Lionel Rainey notes that all this comes after the 32 candidates from both parties had already raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on an election that now will not happen.

Cut 8 (08) “…not exist anymore.”

Rainey says Louisiana has entered uncharted waters with this last-minute suspension of the primary election; and as such, there are many unanswered questions – particularly when it comes to how much money the candidates will be able to raise, should they choose to run in a newly-drawn district. He points out that the federal government puts a cap on how much an individual can give to a specific candidate.

Cut 9 (09)  “…raise more money?”

Rainey says if the Federal Elections Commission does not grant a waiver given the unique circumstances, that’s going to put the candidates who decide to continue their quest for U.S. House in a very tough spot.

Cut 10 (07) “…they can raise.”

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The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is soaring towards four dollars a gallon. Regular unleaded at many service stations is currently selling for more than $3.80 a gallon. Patrick DeHaan from GasBuddy says it seems inevitable gas prices in Louisiana will eclipse four dollars a gallon soon.

Cut 11 (09) “…a gallon mark.”

DeHaan says this latest surge in gas prices is connected to the rising cost of oil.

Cut 12 (10) “…prices going up.”

The highest statewide average gas price ever recorded in Louisiana was $4.56 a gallon in June of 2022. DeHaan says if peace negotiations don’t improve between the U.S. and Iran, there’s a chance we could see a new record this year.

Cut 13 (07) “…of getting there.”

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With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says a session that was coasting along could experience some turbulence over the next few weeks.

Cut 14 (10) “…a fast track.”

Four Republicans and two Democrats currently make up Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation. Alford says Wednesday’s historic Supreme Court ruling gives legislative leaders a chance to pass a map that would add to the number of Republicans in the U.S. House.

Cut 15 (06) “…five-one map.”

Yesterday, Governor Landry announced the suspension of the U.S. House races. But absentee ballots have already been sent out, and early voting begins tomorrow. Alford says the late delay to the congressional primaries is also adding more work for the secretary of state’s office and the local clerks of court.

Cut 16 (06) “…off the ballot.”

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The LSU baseball team begins a must-win three-game series against South Carolina tonight. Both the Tigers and Gamecocks are fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive, and coach Jay Johnson believes South Carolina will give his team its best shot.

Cut 17 (18)  “…be highly competitive.”

LSU has not only struggled to hold leads in SEC play over the past three weeks, but it has also had trouble closing out one and two-run games. But Johnson believes that could change soon.

Cut 18 (19)  “…season so far.”

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Louisiana Tech is in Dallas this weekend to take on Dallas Baptist in a pivotal three-game series. The Patriots rank first in Conference USA and fifth nationally in home runs with 91 and counting. In addition to hitting home runs, head coach Lane Burroughs says DBU can beat teams in other ways.

Cut 19 (14) “…an offensive standpoint.”

Senior catcher Matt Houston has been on a hot streak over his last several games. Houston hit two home runs earlier this week against ULM, and Burroughs says that he has earned the opportunity to become an everyday player.

Cut 20 (11) “…every day now.”

Just when they thought they had it all figured out comes the curveball of curveballs. With the Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map just two days before the start of early voting, the U.S. House election is now on hold until the legislature can pass a new congressional map. La-politics dot com publisher Jeremy Alford says a session that was coasting along could experience some turbulence over the next few weeks.

Cut 14 (12) “…fast track.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says he’s not worried – bills were filed weeks ago in anticipation of this very scenario.

Cut 8 (07) “..that we need.”

Seabaugh says he’s confident that the legislature can pass a new map by June 1st, which is the date when the session must end.

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition from the businesses that conduct the inspections. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…not obvious.”

The bill author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, downplayed the role inspection stations have in preventing unsafe vehicles from the roads and uninsured drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Cut 7 (11) “…safety issue here.”

Bagley’s bill advanced to the full Senate without objection in committee. If the Senate approves, the House will have to agree to the Senate amendments before it goes to the governor’s desk.

The ACLU of Louisiana calls yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional map “disgraceful.” The Supreme Court threw out the map, ruling it an unconstitutional gerrymander. Executive Director Alanah Odoms says it’s not just people of color who will suffer in the long run because of this ruling.

Cut 5 (07) “…upon name change.”

In light of yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling, next month’s U.S. House primaries in Louisiana are now suspended until a new congressional map can be drawn. Political analyst Scott Hughes says once that happens, the process will need to start all over again; and with only six months to hold an election essentially from square one, that would make a closed primary untenable.

Cut 10 (11) “…we’ll be done.”

Legislative leaders say approving a new Congressional map in this regular session is possible. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The timing of all this makes last October’s special session that much more consequential. That’s the session that adjusted the primary election dates. The Supreme Court ruling came down 18 days after the original primary date of April 18th. Had the dates not been changed, the current maps would have likely had to remain in place for the rest of the election cycle.

In light of yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling, next month’s U.S. House primaries in Louisiana are now suspended. Secretary of State Nancy Landry made the announcement this afternoon ahead of Governor Landry’s expected executive order. Political analyst Scott Hughes says with this suspension, the entire process will need to start all over again, since the districts will have changed and there are specific qualifying rules.

Cut 9 (09)  “…a huge issue.”

The decision comes just two days before early voting in the primaries was set to begin. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says postponing the U.S. House elections is the right thing to do so that the legislature can approve a legal congressional map.

Cut 7 (06) “..now and then.”

All other races and the constitutional amendments are still on.

The ACLU of Louisiana is outraged over yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional map. Executive Director Alanah Odoms says she fears that this ruling will be the catalyst for making life a lot more difficult for minorities.

Cut 4 (13) “…orders and policies.”

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new two-point-three billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, Governor Landry said he plans to put more pressure on the federal government to provide more money for the construction of the bridge.

Cut 13 (09) “…around the area.” 

More federal money also means lower tolls to cross the bridge. The tolls haven’t been established yet; they will be collected for 50 years.

The U.S. House primaries in Louisiana are suspended after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh agrees with the decision.

Cut 6 (11) “….exist anymore.

With the suspension of the House primaries, the process would need to start all over from square one once a new map is in place. Political analyst Scott Hughes says if the process is not completed by January 3rd, when the next Congress is sworn in, Louisiana would be left with no representation at all in the House, so it might be in the legislature’s best interest to scrap the closed primary for the U.S. House race.

Cut 11 (13) “…for closed primaries.”

The ACLU of Louisiana calls yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional map “disgraceful.” Executive Director Alanah Odoms says by chipping away at the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the Supreme Court is dialing back civil rights as a whole.

Cut 3 (13) “…opportunities of others.”

The first Louisiana patient to receive sickle cell gene therapy is back at home after six weeks at Manning Family Children’s Hospital New Orleans. Gene Therapy Program Director Dr. Benjamin Watkins says sickle cell disease is a chronic condition that causes intense pain throughout the body.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the country.” 

Watkins says this new FDA approved treatment can provide a functional cure for sickle cell.

The ACLU of Louisiana calls yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling on the state’s congressional map “disgraceful.” The Supreme Court threw out the map, ruling it an unconstitutional gerrymander. Executive Director Alanah Odoms says it’s not just people of color who will suffer in the long run because of this ruling.

Cut 5 (07) “…upon name change.”

So in light of this ruling, next month’s U.S. House primary election is now in limbo. Governor Landry is expected to suspend the primary, saying the state is now restricted from using the current congressional map. Political analyst Scott Hughes says if that happens, that would leave only six months to essentially hold an election from square one, which could make a closed primary untenable.

Cut 10 (11) “…we’ll be done.”

One state senator says approving a new congressional map in this regular session is possible.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Outgoing Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson got quite the going-away present – a 30-count indictment related to last year’s jailbreak. The charges include malfeasance in office and payroll fraud. Hutson lost her re-election bid to Michelle Woodfork, who will be sworn in Monday. Chief Financial Officer Bianka Brown is also indicted on 20 counts.