The Louisiana Legislature has less money to spend than originally projected. Jeff Palermo on what this means.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Hantavirus outbreak on a sight seeing cruise ship sailing through the South Atlanta has some worried another pandemic could happen. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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***Note: The meeting was still in progress as of the posting of this AM Newscall. Adjust the lede accordingly.***

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee pulled an all-nighter in adopting a new congressional map. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Revenue Estimating Conference has adopted a forecast that will result in fewer available dollars to spend for Louisiana lawmakers. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says the changes adopted will lessen state general fund dollars by 104-million dollars for next year’s fiscal year.

Cut 4 (10) “…run into problems.”

Deslatte says this jeopardizes Governor Landry’s request to double the funding of the Louisiana GATOR Scholarship program, which provides low-income families with state dollars to pay for private school tuition and other education expenses. She says Senate President Cameron Henry was not on board with doubling the size of L-A GATOR anyways.

Cut 5 (11) “…funded right now.”

The House has already approved a budget for next fiscal year, so the Senate will have to shrink the spending plan. Deslatte says Governor Landry’s tax reform plan that went into effect in 2025, which lowered state income and business taxes, is the main reason in the decline in state revenue.

Cut 6 (10) “…is driving this.”

The legislature is expected to approve a budget for next fiscal year by June 1st.

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News of three people on a cruise ship dying from the hantavirus and several others infected has some people worried about the possibility of another pandemic. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert Dr. Fred Lopez says hantavirus is not nearly as contagious as other viruses.

Cut 7 (07) “…we’re talking about.”

Hantavirus spreads from rodent droppings to people, and usually a person cannot transmit it to another person. But Lopez says this is a special type of Andes virus, where it can spread between people.

Cut 8 (06) “…who are infected.”

Lopez says health officials will use the hantavirus outbreak on the nature-sightseeing cruise ship to get a better understanding of how the Andes virus transmits between people.

The cruise ship was forced to dock in Spain, and the crew members and passengers on board are now being quarantined at facilities around the globe. Symptoms can develop between 4 and 42 days from exposure, which is why the quarantine can last that long.

Lopez says hantavirus should not be of high concern to the general public.

Cut 9 (08)  “…able to contain.”

Betsy Arkaway, the 65-year-old wife of actor Gene Hackman, died in February of 2025 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. It is suspected she fell ill from the severe respiratory disease from an infected rodent dropping in their New Mexico home. New Mexico often leads the nation in hantavirus cases.

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While it’s improving, misrepresentation in the origin of shrimp in Louisiana restaurants remains an issue. A recent audit of 44 Baton Rouge restaurants by SeaD (“seed”) Consulting found that nine failed to disclose that their shrimp was imported. SeaD Founder David Williams says while six of those restaurants had no signage or menu disclosure, there was another issue with the other three.

Cut 10 (09) “…ask your server.”

When SeaD’s undercover diners asked those servers, they told them that their shrimp was American wild-caught shrimp, when genetic testing found them to be imported shrimp. Williams calls that a Cardinal sin.

Cut 11 (09) “…you the truth.”

In all, 14 restaurants were found to be serving imported shrimp, including five which clearly stated such. Williams says of those 14, there were instances of co-mingling of the shrimp – that is, mixing domestic shrimp with imported shrimp.

Cut 12 (07) “…the processor level.”

There is a bill making its way through the legislature which is aimed at cracking down on co-mingling shrimp.

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***Note: The meeting was still in progress as of the posting of this AM Newscall. Adjust the story accordingly when necessary.***

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee took all night and several hours into this morning to hash out a new congressional map. Gonzales Democrat Ed Price presented his map first; and after more than five hours of public discussion, it was voted down 4-3. Price’s map would have protected the strength of Louisiana’s Black voters.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the Callais decision.”

Like the map that the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional, Price’s map, based on party registrations as stated in his Senate Bill 407, would have created four safe Republican districts and two safe Democratic districts.

Cut 14 (11) “…registered than Republicans.”

At around 12:30 this morning, after the committee voted down Price’s map, West Monroe Republican Jay Morris presented Senate Bill 121, which would reinstate the map from 2022.

Cut 15 (08) “…what this does.”

New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis asked Morris where in the Supreme Court’s order was it ordered that the current U.S. House election be scrapped and new maps needed to be drawn right now.

Cut 16 (14) “…Western District ordered.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”