It’s believed 83-year-old Marvin Stephens of Prairieville who confessed to shooting and killing his 75-year-old wife Patricia, Wednesday may have dementia. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says the case is under investigation and medical experts will be consulted.

Cut 3 (10) “…rough for him.”

Stephens faces second-degree murder charges.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a death row inmate challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana’s execution methods. Judge Shelly Dick ruled since Louisiana is not able to obtain the drugs needed to carry out an execution, there was nothing to settle. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is glad the death penalty litigation was dismissed

 Cut 6  (09) “..move forward” 

The last death sentence carried out in Louisiana was in 2010 when Gerald Bordelon voluntarily dropped his appeals so he could be put to death.

For Congresswoman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the U-S House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.

Cut  11 (06)  “…future generations.”  

Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow died of COVID shortly before he was to be sworn in to Congress.

New Orleans is host to the NCAA men’s Final Four and this weekend and fans of Kansas, Villanova, Duke, and North Carolina are flocking to the Big Easy. Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says they expect tens of thousands of individuals to provide much-needed cash for the city and the state, and not to mention some good publicity.

Cut 15 (08)  “…gonna be invaluable.”

The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher reports what it means for consumers and what help may be coming…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

After someone stole 264 gallons of diesel valued at $12-hundred, the St Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating the man driving the gold or light brown pickup truck who they believe is the suspect. It happened on March 21.

Accuweather says we will see another busy hurricane season, they are predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temperatures are already above normal….

Cut 10 (09) “…like in May.”
Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passes overwhelmingly in the House. It tasks the Library of Congress with recording stories of those impacted by the pandemic.  Letlow believes there is power in telling your story and it will allows individuals, like herself that lost her husband, to preserve the memory of their loved one lost to COVID.

Cut 12 (11) “…of Congress.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Property owners across the state are bracing themselves for skyrocketing National Flood Insurance premiums that take effect today. US Senator Bill Cassidy says the President could stave off the rate hikes with an executive order and there’s bipartisan support to spare consumers…:

Cut 5 (13) “,…could end this now.” 

The revamped NFIP “Risk Rating 2.0” system prices flood insurance by property individually; instead of by flood zone.

AccuWeather’s predictions for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season calls for 16 to 20 named storms. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nina played a big role in the last two hurricane seasons and could play a factor this year too.

Cut 9 (12)  “…breaking season.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the house is one that’s personal, the COIVD-19 American History Project Act which tasks the Library of Congress to record stories of those, like herself, that lost a loved one to COVID. Letlow says the act also allows those on the front lines to participate too.

Cut 13 (11) “…gratitude.”

The legislation now heads to the Senate.

New Orleans is set to host the NCAA men’s Final Four for the sixth time this weekend. Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the quartet of basketball bluebloods involved: Kansas, Villanova, Duke, and North Carolina, are as good as it gets.

Cut 14 (09)  “…this weekend.”

New Orleans last hosted in 2012, generating more than $7 million in tax revenue for the state.

The NAACP has filed a lawsuit after the legislature voted Wednesday to override Governor Edwards’ vetoes of Congressional district maps. Edwards says he is disappointed and the GOP majorities in both chambers chose to ignore simple math…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…minority districts.”

The House passed their override by a 72-31 vote; the Senate’s passed 27-11. Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt says a second district wasn’t as simple as applying the simple math. She says federal law dictates that Black population needed to be contiguous and compact…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…as a minority district.”

A federal judge in Baton Rouge rules the state’s 2019 truth in labeling law as unconstitutional. The legislature passed the law in an effort to prevent food companies from labeling a veggie burger as a “tofu burger,” because it doesn’t contain meat or “cauliflower rice,” when it’s broccoli, not rice. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain disagrees with the ruling

 Cut 6  (07) “..labels are accurate” 

But Vice President of Policy at the Good Foods Institute Jessica Almy says consumers are not confusing veggie burgers for beef burgers…

Cut 7 (06) “…these products.” 

Almy says the law was passed in an attempt to control what consumers buy and Strain says the state plans to appeal the ruling.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today dropped below $4.00 to $3.99 a gallon. And while it’s barely below $4.00 Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman admits it has been a tough few weeks for consumers and the future is still unclear on prices.

Cut 10 (12)  “…the market.”

38-year-old Israel Williams of Alexandria is charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says Williams also faces two counts of molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13. Carnline says multiple agencies are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

cut 4  (04) “…more arrests.”

Williams is being held on a $5.4 million bond.

A state law that sought to prevent the labeling of food products such as “tofu burgers” and “cauliflower rice,” is ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

38-year-old Israel Williams of Alexandria is charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says law enforcement in Florida tipped off local authorities of Williams’ possible sex trafficking of a juvenile who is connected to Alexandria.  Carnline says Williams was arrested on Friday.

Cut 3 (11) “…sexual-related crimes.”

A federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled the state’s 2019 truth in labeling law as unconstitutional. The Louisiana Legislature passed the law in an effort to prevent food companies from labeling a veggie burger as a “tofu burger,” because it doesn’t contain meat or “cauliflower rice,” when it’s broccoli, not rice. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain disagrees with the ruling

 Cut 6  (07) “..labels are accurate” 

For the first time since the Buddy Roemer years, the state legislature has overridden a governor’s veto. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Crews are surveying storm damage in various parts of the state after a line of severe storms passed through Wednesday. Crews are in Natchitoches Parish and also in Rosedale and Lacombe surveying possible tornado damage.

Louisiana GOP lawmakers were successful in their first veto override since 1991. Both chambers had enough votes to override Governor Edwards veto of the congressional maps passed last month in the redistricting session that only has one majority-minority district. The NAACP has already filed a lawsuit concerning the map.

There may not be much drama when it comes to this fall’s U-S Senate race based on some recent poll numbers. David Grubb has the details…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The FDA and CDC expand eligibility for a second COVID booster shot for older adults and those who are immunocompromised. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter a second booster should be given at least four months after the first booster for those 50 and older and to those ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised.

Cut  11 (12)  “…worked properly.”  

The first case of the fungus which causes White-nose syndrome in bats has been detected in Louisiana. While it’s not contagious to humans or other animals Disease biologist Nikki Anderson with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the fungus can cause White-nose syndrome which has killed more than six-million bats nationwide.

Cut 8 (09)  “…disease negative.”

The State legislature voted Wednesday to override Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes of Congressional district maps they passed in a special session last month. At an afternoon press conference, the governor says he is disappointed by the overrides, but not surprised. He says GOP majorities in both chambers chose to ignore simple math…:

Cut 4 (14)  “…easy to understand.”

The House passed their override by a 72-31 vote; the Senate’s passed 27-11. Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt says that a second district wasn’t as simple as applying the simple math. She says federal law dictates that the Black population needed to be contiguous and compact…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…as a minority district.”

The FDA and CDC expand eligibility for a second COVID booster shot for those 50 and older and ages 12 and up for the immunocompromised. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s best for those who are eligible for a second booster shot, to do so sooner than later and stay ahead of surges. You can visit any existing vaccine provider for the second booster.

Cut 13 (07) “…this booster.”

Second boosters can be given four months after the first booster for those groups.

A recent poll by JMC Analytics indicates U-S Senator John Kennedy is the clear favorite for re-election. Pollster John Couvillon says even though 23 percent of those polled are still undecided, Kennedy has everything he needs to coast into re-election.

Cut 16 (07)  “…midterm year.”

Kennedy faces opposition from democrats Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon.

The Louisiana House voted to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of a Republican-drawn Congressional map that has one majority Black District. 70 votes were needed in the 105 member House. Speaker Clay Schexnayder reads the final vote

Cut 12 (06) “…(applause)” 

There are 68 Republicans in the House and all of them voted for the override, plus three independents and Democratic Representative Francis Thompson.

After the House vote, there was an emotional debate in the upper chamber. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson claims supporters of a Congressional map with one majority-minority district are choosing party over people.

Cut 13 (13) “…what’s right”

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says it matters where the Black population lives and the population is not dense enough to create two majority-minority districts and the Voting Rights Act supports their argument…

Cut 15 (12) “…in their population” 

A lawsuit is expected to be filed challenging the Congressional District map approved that has one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields expects the courts will toss it out and make the Legislature draw a new map…

Cut  16 (09) “…needs to do”

The vote in the Senate to override was 27-11. It’s the first time 31 years the Legislature has overridden a governor’s veto.

Severe weather is entering the state and has already prompted tornado warnings and watches. Tornado Warnings have been issued for Jackson, Bienville, Wynn, and Natchitoches until 12:45. Much of the state is under a tornado watch through the remainder of the day. Be sure to check your local forecast and take proper precautions today.

The Veto Override session is officially underway in both chambers. Since Governor Edwards rejected the congressional maps passed last month because they failed to create a second majority-minority congressional district lawmakers are meeting to override his veto. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the prospect of this override session lacks the enthusiasm of last year.

Cut 14 (13)  “..almost like a sleeper.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder expects the veto session to wrap up tomorrow

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy tells Politico.com he’s considering a run for Louisiana Governor in 2023. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy is known as a moderate and that’s helped Governor John Bel Edwards win two terms in office…

Cut 4 (08) “…strong candidate.”

After 4 people were killed in separate open burns recently the State Fire Marshal’s Office issues a safety warning. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says if open burns are legal in your area check weather conditions before you begin, especially wind speeds and direction because they can change quickly.

Cut 7 (09) “…to rain.” 

She says to make sure you are 75 feet from any structure and set a five-foot wet control line around the burn.