The House Natural Resources Committee kills a bill that would have prohibited the use of eminent domain for carbon capture storage and pipeline projects. Lawmakers approved legislation in 2020 that gave the government the power to use eminent domain for carbon capture, and Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association president Tommy Faucheux says you can’t turn back now.

Cut 12 (12) “…to invest.”

The vote in the committee was 12-to-7. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson spoke passionately about his bill that he says would have put the power back with the property owner.

Cut 13 (09) “…in the ground.”

The Environmental Integrity Project says Louisiana leads the nation with 65 planned carbon capture projects.

A proposed constitutional amendment to limit governors to two total terms takes the next step in the legislature. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham’s bill passed in the House Governmental Affairs Committee on a vote of 11-to-2. Under current law, governors who serve two terms can run for re-election after sitting out for four years. Bayham says former governors start with an unfair advantage.

Cut 6 (06) “…in the race.”

A state senator’s quest to prevent additional school districts from adopting four-day school weeks advances to the House. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says four-day school weeks create logistical problems, including in her own district.

Cut 10 (10) “…nothing to eat.”

Districts with a performance score of “A” will be allowed to pursue a four-day week if they choose to, and those already on four-day weeks can continue with that arrangement.

The House Natural Resources Committee defeats a bill that would have prohibited the use of eminent domain for carbon capture storage and pipeline projects. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson argued that eminent domain should not be used to benefit private industry and claimed it’s against the state constitution.

Cut 15 (10) “…our constitution.”

Other lawmakers, however, say eminent domain is a legal necessity.

A state senator’s quest to prevent additional school districts from adopting four-day school weeks advances to the House. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she filed a bill last year mandating a five-day school week; at that time, there were six districts with four-day weeks.

Cut 9 (12)  “…four-day school weeks.”

Cut 24 (03) (fade and use as bed)

It’s a big day for NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility in New Orleans as the rocket factory played a significant role in the construction of Artemis Two, which is headed to the moon. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A baseball player from Alexandria Senior High is killed in a hit-and-run late last night. Police say 16-year-old Collin Lacaze and a 16-year-old girl were standing along the side of a road when a vehicle hit them, and the driver took off. Lacaze was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. At this time, the driver is still on the loose.

Former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) pleads guilty for his role in a kickback scheme and faces up to five years in prison. Prosecutors say Montoucet used his position to ensure that Leonard Franques’ business received a contract to provide online hunting and boating courses. Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy says they stopped the scheme in its early stages.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in their government.”

A seafood advocacy group says a recent audit of 24 restaurants along the U.S. 190 corridor between Krotz Springs and Kinder found that half were selling imported shrimp. SeaD Consulting co-founder David Williams says that high number is very disappointing.

Cut 12 (11) “…not the case.”

Williams says of those 12, nine falsely claimed that the shrimp came from U.S. waters.

Legislation that increases penalties against minors for calling in fake bomb threats gets pushback, with Democrats concerned that parents could end up being fined up to five-thousand dollars. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We’re getting word that yet another inmate in the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center has died. The Department of Corrections identified the inmate as 50-year-old Paul Gathreaux. At this time, we don’t know the circumstances surrounding Gathreaux’s death. His death is the latest in a string of deaths at the correctional center, many of which are still under investigation.

Legislation that increases the penalties against minors for calling in fake bomb threats receives pushback. Jeff Palermo reports Democratic lawmakers are concerned the measure could also result in the child’s parents being fined up to five-thousand dollars.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Former Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) has pleaded guilty to one felony count related to a kickback scheme involving two other people already serving time in federal prison. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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It seems that restaurants in Louisiana still have room for improvement when it comes to being honest about the origins of their shrimp. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school receives pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because the proposal could also result in the child’s parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars for a first offense. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was one of the first lawmakers to object.

Cut 4 (08) “…trying very hard.”

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s legislation would result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years for terrorizing a school. The court shall also order a child to undergo a mental examination and-or participate in the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program. Johnson’s bill also mandates that the Department of Education provides information to the parents and students about the consequences of terrorizing or menacing a school.

Cut 5 (10) “…make a threat.”

Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter’s main problem with the bill is also the thousands of dollars in fines a parent could receive.

Cut 6 (10) “…to do this.”

Johnson says his legislation leaves it up to the discretion of the courts to decide if a parent should be fined. He says the overall goal is to make schools as safe as possible.

Cut 7 (10) “…this bill does.”

The House approved the bill on a 71-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

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Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) faces up to five years in prison for participating in a kickback scheme. Federal prosecutors say the 78-year-old Montoucet used his position as secretary to steer a state contract to a company called D-G-L-1 in exchange for one-third of the profit. FBI special agent in charge, Jonathan Tapp:

Cut 8 (06) “…this great state.”

Lafayette businessman Leonard Franques (fran-KEZ) and Dusty Guidry of Youngsville are already serving time in federal prison. Prosecutors say Guidry was the mastermind behind the scheme and it was Montoucet who made sure Franques’ business received a contract to provide online hunting and boating courses. Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy says they stopped the illegal scheme in its early stages.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in their government.”

Montoucet is also a former state representative and retired Lafayette fire chief. Governor John Bel Edwards appointed Montoucet as LDWF secretary in January 2017 and was set to retire in 2024 when he resigned abruptly in April 2023. Murphy says Montoucet was set to receive his portion of the kickback after he retired and the money was hidden in a secret fund.

Cut 10 (10) “…of that scheme.”

Montoucet pleaded guilty to one felony public corruption count. He will be sentenced June 30th.

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A seafood advocacy group says its audit of restaurants along the U.S. 190 corridor between Krotz Springs and Kinder shows that restaurants still have a long way to go when it comes to telling the truth about the origins of their seafood. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting ordered shrimp from 24 restaurants; and of those, it discovered that nine were serving imported shrimp despite being told that the shrimp was domestically caught. Co-Founder David Williams says at each stop, they explicitly asked about the origin of the shrimp.

Cut 11 (09) “…telling the truth.”

Three other restaurants were serving imported shrimp, but they had clearly indicated so. Williams says the high number of restaurants along the 190 corridor serving imported shrimp is very disappointing.

Cut 12 (11) “…not the case.”

Williams says along with supporting the local economy, there are specific reasons that diners specifically ask for domestically-caught shrimp.

Cut 13 (07)  “…more healthy alternative.”

Williams also notes that since imported shrimp is a lot cheaper than domestic shrimp, those who claim that their shrimp is domestic when it’s in fact imported are financially defrauding diners.

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A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says of the four stress dimensions it looked at, Louisiana ranked in the top ten in all of them.

Cut 14 (09) “…safety-related stress.”

Lupo says when it comes to financial stress, Louisianans tend to pay higher interest rates than those in other states. That’s because the state’s median credit score ranks close to the very bottom.

Cut 15 (11) “…up is excellent.”

Lupo says one thing that Louisiana does have going for itself is the fact that it doesn’t exactly cost an exorbitant amount of money to put a roof over one’s head.

Cut 16 (10) “…comes to money.”

WalletHub says the least stressed state in the country is South Dakota.

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Dr. Bryan Maggard, who serves as UL-Lafayette’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, has been appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. He will serve on the 13-person selection committee for the next three football seasons. Maggard, who’s one of three representatives from the Group of Six schools, says he hopes to be a voice for the G6, but only if they prove worthy of being in the conversation.

Cut 17 (09)  “…for the consideration.”

Maggard says serving on the college football playoff selection committee will help shine a spotlight on athletics in Lafayette.

Cut 18 (07)  “…certainly our university.”

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One of Lane Kiffin’s first moves as LSU football coach was retaining defensive coordinator Blake Baker on his staff. Kiffin praised Baker’s work over the past two years and says he wants the defense to reach a new level this season.

Cut 19 (17) “…used to be.”

Kiffin and his staff added nine wide receivers from the transfer portal this offseason. He says the move is aimed at providing the Tigers with quality depth, which will give the team the best chance to reach its full offensive potential this season.

Cut 20 (18) “…are out there.”

Under legislation that has advanced to the full House, inspection stickers would be out, and QR codes would be in. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the only information those QR codes would provide to law enforcement would be the VIN.

Cut 6 (10) “…instead of 10.”

Bagley says the QR code makes it easier for law enforcement to enter the vehicle’s VIN information into their system during a traffic stop.

A new Mississippi River bridge would not be the only roadway named after a living president under legislation being considered. A bill by Monroe Representative Pat Moore to designate a one-mile stretch of Louisiana Highway 15 as Barack Obama Road passed unanimously in the House Transportation Committee.

A bill requiring the OMV to add an image of a flying eagle to the driver’s license of a verified U.S. citizen is headed to the Senate after passing in the full House.

A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school receives pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because it could also result in parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars for a first offense. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was one of the first to object.

Cut 4 (10) “…trying very hard.”

Ultimately, the House approved Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill on a vote of 71-26. The proposed legislation would result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years for terrorizing a school. Johnson said the Department of Education would also be required to provide information to the parents and students about the consequences of terrorizing or menacing a school.

Cut 5 (10) “…make a threat.”

The Alliance for Affordable Energy has concerns about an agreement between Meta and Entergy that they say protects ratepayers from rate hikes due to energy needed to power Meta’s data center. Executive Director Logan Burke says a signed agreement is a good start, but the thing that ratepayers really need to be put at ease is a set of guardrails put up by the Public Service Commission, just like what’s been done elsewhere.

Cut 11 (12) “…on ratepayers’ backs.”

Of a more immediate concern – gas prices. Triple-A says the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.63. Gas Buddy-dot-com petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says it can all be traced back to the war with Iran.

Cut 12 (09) “…threat of attack.”

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s effort to eliminate the need for an inspection sticker received approval from the House Transportation Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Also advancing – a bill requiring the OMV to add an image of a flying eagle to the driver’s license of a verified U.S. citizen. It passed in the full House 71-29. While many say the citizenship symbol is one of pride, opponents say it opens up those who don’t have it for harassment. The bill now moves to the Senate.

In just one month, gasoline prices have soared by a dollar across all grades – by almost two for diesel. Gas Buddy-dot-com petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says it’s unknown when they’ll come back down. He says the best we can do until then is to strive for fuel efficiency.

Cut 14 (05) “…bit slower.”

The Alliance for Affordable Energy has some concerns about the deal Entergy and Meta signed to power Meta’s new data center in Richland Parish. Under the deal, Meta would pay the entire cost for Entergy to build seven new power plants. Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says if it turns out that Meta doesn’t need all that power, ratepayers would be left holding the bag.

Cut 10 (12) “…of those costs.”

Under legislation that has advanced to the full House, inspection stickers would be out, and QR codes would be in. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the only information those QR codes would provide to law enforcement would be the VIN.

Cut 6 (10) “…instead of 10.”

Emissions testing will still be required for residents living in the Baton Rouge area because of a federal air quality order under the Clean Air Act.

Using a casino theme to capture people’s attention, the group Restore The Mississippi Delta is out with a new ad campaign touting the benefits of reconnecting the Mississippi River to coastal wetlands. Campaign Director Simone Maloz hopes it will convince lawmakers to reach out to those who live near the coast to learn what’s important to them.

Cut 5 (09) “…in their future.”

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s effort to eliminate the need for an inspection sticker received approval from the House Transportation Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Alliance for Affordable Energy is weighing in on the deal between Entergy and Meta that they say will save customers more than two-billion dollars. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The group Restore The Mississippi Delta is out with a new ad campaign touting the benefits of reconnecting the Mississippi River to coastal wetlands. The digital and streaming ads feature a casino theme that notes that by canceling two major sediment diversion projects, Governor Landry is putting people’s livelihoods at risk.

Cut 3 (09) “…everyone loses.”

Campaign Director Simone Maloz says the ad campaign is intended to get the word out to Landry and other members of the administration and the legislature that these diversion projects are what people want.

Cut 4 (10) “…diversions last year.”

Maloz says she hopes the ad campaign will convince lawmakers to reach out to stakeholders to learn what’s important to them.

Cut 5 (09) “…in their future.”

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The House Transportation Committee approves legislation that would end the requirement for motorists to get an inspection sticker. Instead of an inspection sticker, owners of personal vehicles would have a QR code sticker on their windshield that would provide law enforcement with the vehicle’s identification number. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is the author of the legislation.

Cut 6 (10) “…instead of 10.”

Emissions testing will still be required for residents living in the Baton Rouge area because of a federal air quality order under the Clean Air Act.

During the committee discussion, legislators had questions about what the QR code would reveal. Office of Motor Vehicles Director Bryan Adams says the QR code will display only VIN information.

Cut 7 (09) “…so forth.”

Bagley says the QR code makes it easier for law enforcement system to enter the vehicle’s VIN information into their system during a traffic stop. Bagley says the annual cost for the VIN sticker is six dollars, which is cheaper and not as time consuming as having to get an inspection sticker.

Cut 8 (07) “…little cheaper”

The measure, which has the support of Governor Landry, heads to the House floor for more discussion.

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We’re getting reaction from the Alliance for Affordable Energy on Entergy’s agreement with Meta that they say will deliver more than two-billion dollars in savings to customers over the next 20 years. As part of the agreement, Entergy will build seven new natural gas-fueled power plants, all paid for by Meta. Executive Director Logan Burke says that’s a lot of risk.

Cut 9 (11)  “…all their costs.”

Burke says the issue is that these investments last a lot longer than 20 years; and furthermore, ratepayers would be left holding the bag if it turns out that Mets doesn’t need all that power from those seven gas-powered plants.

Cut 10 (12) “…of those costs.”

Burke says a signed agreement between Entergy and Meta is a good start, but the thing that ratepayers really need to be put at ease is a set of guardrails put up by the Public Service Commission, just like what’s been done elsewhere.

Cut 11 (12) “…on ratepayers’ backs.”

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The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed four dollars for the first time since August 2022. According to Triple-A, the statewide average is slightly lower at $3.63. The price at the pump has increased by more than a dollar in just one month. Gas Buddy-dot-com’s petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says it can all be traced back to the war with Iran.

Cut 12 (09) “…threat of attack.”

Diesel prices have skyrocketed even further since the conflict with Iran began. AAA says the statewide average for a gallon of diesel is up to $5.12 — that’s a $1.80 increase in a month. DeHaan on why diesel prices have escalated faster than regular gas…

Cut 13 (10) “…the country.”

DeHaan says it’s unknown when gas prices will fall back down. He says the best a driver can do to reduce gas costs is to strive for fuel efficiency.

Cut 14 (05) “…bit slower.”

If you’ve felt nauseous after filling your gas tank lately, you’re in good company. Gasoline prices have skyrocketed over the last month since the start of the war in Iran, with regular unleaded averaging $3.63 a gallon. Gas buddy dot com petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says if you think that’s bad, the average price of diesel has soared to $5.12 a gallon!

Cut 13 (10) “…the country.”

The group Restore The Mississippi Delta released a casino-themed ad campaign touting the benefits of reconnecting the Mississippi River to coastal wetlands. Campaign Director Simone Maloz says it’s intended to get the word out to Governor Landry and other lawmakers that the diversion projects that they cancelled are what people who live along the coast want.

Cut 4 (10) “…diversions last year.”

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s effort to eliminate the need for an inspection sticker gets the O-K from the House Transportation Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Also advancing – a bill requiring the OMV to add an image of a flying eagle to the driver’s license of a verified U.S. citizen. It passed in the full House 71-29. While many say the citizenship symbol is one of pride, opponents say it opens up those who don’t have it for harassment. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Transportation Committee advances legislation that would replace the inspection sticker with a QR code. During the committee discussion, legislators had questions about what the QR code would reveal. OMV Director Bryan Adams says the QR code will only reveal to law enforcement officers the VIN.

Cut 7 (09) “…so forth.”

Emissions testing will still be required for residents living in the Baton Rouge area because of a federal air quality order under the Clean Air Act.

And when you go to fill up, you’re continuing to pay up the nose at the pump. Triple-A says the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.63, up more than a dollar in one month. Gas Buddy-dot-com petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says it can all be traced back to the war with Iran…

Cut 12 (09) “…threat of attack.”

The national average is more than four dollars a gallon.

The group Restore The Mississippi Delta is out with a new ad campaign touting the benefits of reconnecting the Mississippi River to coastal wetlands. The digital and streaming ads feature a casino theme that notes that by canceling two major sediment diversion projects, Governor Landry is putting people’s livelihoods at risk.

Cut 3 (09) “…everyone loses.”

We’re getting reaction from the Alliance for Affordable Energy on Entergy’s agreement with Meta that they say will deliver more than two-billion dollars in savings to customers over the next 20 years. As part of the agreement, Entergy will build seven new natural gas-fueled power plants, all paid for by Meta. Executive Director Logan Burke says that’s a lot of risk.

Cut 9 (11)  “…all their costs.”