The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote today on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republicans will need a two-thirds majority for the measure to pass and for a little insurance he believes they’ll have to reach across the aisle.

Cut 8 (07) “…(x2) of Democrats.” 

The House convenes at 1pm today.

Mystik Dan, which is owned by a couple from Shreveport along with others, won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but will the Kentucky-bred horse run in the second leg of the triple crown. The Preakness takes place on May 18th and co-owner Sharilyn Gasaway, says Mystik Dan, has not performed well in the past on short rest…
cut 19 (07) “…that race”
Gasaway says Mystik Dan has performed better when he has a month between races.

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week and before we get into the thick of the storm season, GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux says it’s a good time to get your plan in order and make sure you know where to evacuate and what you’ll need…

Cut 6 (11) “…storm may be.”

And speaking of weather, it’s only the first full week of May and we could see some 90-degree temperatures this week. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says humidity levels will also be up, so triple digit heat indexes are possible…
cut 14 (12) “….very nice”
There is a slight chance for severe weather on Wednesday for north Louisiana and for most of the state on Thursday.

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to be ready.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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At the state capitol, the House is expected to vote today on a bill on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A meeting was held Monday on the remedial process of how the state’s congressional map will be drawn. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Its National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibeadeaux  wants to make sure you are ready for an active hurricane season. Here are a few things you can do to make sure you are prepared.

Cut 4 (08) “…Senior citizens.”

Thibeadeaux suggest having an emergency fund ready and not wait to start saving up.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that.” 

Thibeadeaux says now is a good time to make sure you know where to evacuate and what you’ll need…

Cut 6 (11) “…storm may be.”

Colorado State University conducts long-range forecasts and they anticipate a very active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, with the possibility of 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 of those likely becoming Major Hurricanes.

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The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote today on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry’s priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will need a two-thirds majority to pass.

Cut 7 (11) “…thin majority.”

The full House was scheduled to vote on the bill last week but it was pushed to today.

Pinsonat says for more assurance that the convention will receive passage in the House, the Republicans will need to reach across the aisle.

Cut 8 (07) “…(x2) of Democrats.” 

The bill was amended to protect the homestead exemption, the K-12 funding formula, and that a third party cannot fund the convention. Pinsonat says those were big concerns and while that might be what it takes to garner enough votes for passage…

Cut 9 (08)  “…be removed.”

Landry says his motivation to hold a constitutional convention is to give lawmakers more flexibility with the budget so, when there’s less money to allocate most of the cuts won’t fall on healthcare and education.

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Today, Louisiana observes National Fentanyl Awareness Day. 210 people die every day from Fentanyl overdoses and Kandyce Cowart with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana says everyone needs to be aware of how dangerous the drug is. She equates it to a jetliner crashing every day…

Cut 10 (10) “…talking about.”

Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and it has been showing up in drugs like marijuana and cocaine with deadly consequences for users who are often unaware of its presence. Cowart believes education and awareness are vital in combating the problem.

Cut 11 (08) “…word out.”

In a prescribed healthcare setting Fentanyl provides relief from severe pain, but illegal and improper use can be fatal.

Blue Cross is holding community forums at some area churches to help people learn about the dangers of Fentanyl. Cowart says the problem in Louisiana is compounded by our location…

Cut 12 (10) “…the country.” 

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It’s going to be a scorcher this week with temperatures in the 90s and heat indexes reaching triple digits in Louisiana. Climatologist Barry Keim says that compared to previous years, this heat wave is early, he says it’s usually around May 12^th through the 14^th when the mercury hits the 90s.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the state.”

And the heat wave is bringing very high humidity levels along with it. Keim says we’re likely to feel heat indexes into the triple digits.

Cut 14 (12)  “…very nice.”

Keim says it’s usually the first heat wave of the year when individuals experience heat-related illnesses and end up in the emergency room.

Cut 15 (12)  “…the population.”

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Cut 16 (15)  “..from us.”

Cut 17 (17) “…we’re doing that”

Cut 18 (20)  “… we’re in the fight.”

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Cut 19 (14) “…do things.” 

Cut 20 (19) “….we practice.”

A meeting was held in Shreveport, Monday discussed options on how to proceed with choosing the state’s congressional map. Attorney General Liz Murrill released a statement that the Secretary of State has issued a May 15^th deadline for a map to be in place for the fall election. In the statement she said the panel is inclined to move the deadline that she says will quote “create more chaos” for the state’s congressional election. Murrill wants the current map that was passed by lawmakers to remain in place.

Jared Evans, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, who defended the overturned map says the judges don’t believe a new map can be in place by next Wednesday.

Murrill said the US Supreme Court is expected to review the case this week.

A three-judge panel issued a decision last week that Louisiana’s congressional map creating a second majority-black district was unconstitutional because of racial gerrymander. They sided in a two to one vote with the plaintiffs who sued, leaving Louisiana as the only state in the country without a congressional map.

A statewide poll conducted for the Times-Picayune and the Advocate finds only 21-percent of voters approve of how Governor Jeff Landry is handling the state’s insurance crisis. UL-M political science professor Pearson Cross says the low the percentage could be that voters lack understanding of the insurance reform legislation that’s lawmakers are debating…

Cut 4 (11) “..for them.” 

The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry’s priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will need a two-thirds majority to pass.

Cut 7 (11) “…thin majority.”

The full House was scheduled to vote on the bill last week, but it was pushed to Tuesday.

A statewide poll conducted for the Times-Picayune and the Advocate finds only 21-percent of voters approve of how Governor Landry’s handling the state’s insurance crisis. UL-M political science professor Pearson Cross says the low the percentage could be that voters lack understanding of the insurance reform legislation that’s lawmakers are debating…

Cut 4 (11) “..for them.” 

On the subject of gun control, 63-percent are in favor of requiring a permit to conceal carry.

Baton Rouge Police Corporal Jason Lee has no idea when he pulled extra duty Saturday it would include delivering a baby. Lt. L’Jean McNeely with BRPD says it’s very fortunate that Lee was at the right place at the right time, and while it wasn’t Lee’s first time observing the miracle of birth.

Cut 8 (09) “…his first time.” 

Mom and baby Noah are reportedly doing well.

Waiting for the governor’s signature is a bill to allow property insurance companies to drop customers if they’ve been a policyholder for three or more years. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says by reducing regulations on insurance providers, it will result in more companies writing homeowners policies. But Ben Riggs, executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, says repealing the three-year rule will not spur on more competition among private insurance carriers…
Cut 12 (09) “…less available”

Temple says ending the three-year rule is just one of several reform measures that will help bring more insurance companies to Louisiana
Cut 13 (08) “…to Louisiana.”
New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard is also concerned the legislation will result in more homeowners being forced to use Citizens Insurance.

The legislation only gives insurers the ability to cancel up to five percent of its total policyholders in Louisiana and no more than five-percent in a single parish.

A statewide poll conducted for the Times-Picayune and the Advocate finds Governor Jeff Landry’s approval rating is 56-percent. U-L-M political science professor Pearson Cross says Landry has been busy with two special sessions and a regular session since January and voters have noticed.

Cut 3 (11) “..new governor.” 

Corporal Jason Lee with the Baton Rouge Police took on extra, extra duty Saturday, he delivered a healthy baby boy. Lt. L’ Jean McNeely says Lee was flagged down by the woman whose daughter was going into labor. Immediately after baby Noah was born, McNeely says Lee noticed he was having difficulty breathing.

Cut 7 (12) “…is history.”  

Mom and baby are reportedly doing well.

The Louisiana House’s proposed budget cut $24-million from the $87 million Governor Landry earmarked for Early Childhood Education. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

A meeting will be held today in Shreveport to decide how to finalize the state’s congressional map after the most recent one was dismissed by a three-judge federal panel. After three years of back and forth, NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans is disappointed with last week’s ruling…
Cut 24 (11) “…Black districts.”
There’s a good chance the U-S Supreme Court will have to get involved.

The Senate Finance Committee will soon begin to discuss the House Approved budget. The House’s spending plan proposes to spend 24 million dollars less on early childhood education. Executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Libbie Sonnier, says the reduction could be detrimental.
cut 7 (08) “….dire”

The Louisiana Senate could give final legislative approval today to a bill requiring high schoolers to pass a computer science course to graduate. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says the requirement takes effect for the 2027-28 school year
Cut 14 (08) “…this bill.”
Hughes says the legislation would also require the passage of a computer science course to be eligible for TOPS.

When Corporal Jason Lee with the Baton Rouge Police took on extra duty Saturday, he never imagined it would include delivering a healthy baby boy. Lt. L’ Jean McNeely says Lee was driving down Greenwell Springs Road when he was flagged down by the woman whose daughter was going into labor.

Cut 6  (10) “…the baby.” 

Mom and baby Noah are reportedly doing well, and Lee has been to visit them at the hospital. Talk about protect and SERVE.

A meeting will be held today in Shreveport to decide how to finalize the state’s congressional map after the most recent one was thrown out in court. NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans says he and other interested parties will attend the meeting and begin what’s called the remedial process.

Cut 5 (09) “…congressional map.” 

Evans says the court only ruled on the configuration of the map, not that Louisiana shouldn’t have a second majority Black district.

$24 million was cut from the state budget in the House that would go towards early childhood education. Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Libbie Sonnier says the program is vital towards helping students read at grade level.

Cut 8 (10) “…even worse.” 

It’s possible the Senate could restore funding.

A property insurance reform bill waiting for the governor’s signature would end the three-year rule. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a customer that’s been a policyholder for more than three years. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment says the legislation allows insurance companies to manage their risks better.

Cut 10 (11) “…everybody else.”

But New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard is concerned that removing this consumer protection policy will result in more homeowners relying on Citizens Insurance, which is 10-percent more expensive than the private market.

Cut 11 (11) “…(x2) riskiest policies.”

Ending the three-year rule is one of several insurance reform bills in this session.

The budget passed in the House last week, cut $24 million from early childhood education and reduced teacher pay stipends from $2,000 to $1,700. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin says it sends a bad message and it’s discouraging…

Cut 3 (13) “…a difference.” 

Louisiana Tech raised $1.96 million on Giving Day this year. The fundraiser was held on April 18^th and LA Tech President Jim Henderson says they received donations from over 800 different donors, like students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, corporate partners, and community members.

Cut 6  (10) “…they live.” 

The Rolling Stones long awaited appearance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is getting fantastic reviews. 40-thousand people were on hand to see the British Rockers perform a two-hour, 18-song setlist. President of New Orleans and Company Walt Leger says you would never guess Mick Jagger is 80 years old

Cut 9 (08) “..amazing show” 

One of the highlights was New Orleans soul queen, Irma Thomas singing “Time is on My Side” which was the first Top 10 American hit for the Rolling Stones in 1964.

Governor Landry’s legislative priorities are running into resistance in the Senate. A House-approved school choice bill the governor supports hasn’t been heard in Senate Education. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Senate President Cameron Henry is not fully on board with Landry on the E-S-A bill or the constitutional convention.

Cut 15 (11)  “…kind of weird”

The head baseball coach at Walker High School, Nicholas Scelfo has been arrested for allegedly submitting false invoices of almost $30,000 to the school for reimbursement of equipment he never purchased. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard…

Cut 10 (06) “…disappointing.”

Ard says the investigation is ongoing.

Police have arrested 34-year-old Foreign National Amanvir (Uh man ver) Singh (Sing) in the shooting death of 36-year-old long-haul truck driver, Gurpreet (Gore preet) Singh Judge. The shooting happened alongside Interstate 20 in Caddo Parish last month. Sgt. Casey Jones with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says they originally believed it was road rage but the two knew of each other.

Cut 8 (11) “…Greenwood, Louisiana.” 

The National 2024 Small Businessperson of the Year is Iam Tucker, president and CEO of Integrated Logistical Support in New Orleans. She bought the business from her father and has grown the firm to 50 employees with a revenue of over $2.7 million.

Cut 6 (13) “…engineering company.”

The owner of an engineering firm in New Orleans has been awarded Small Business Person of the Year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The baseball coach at Walker High School faces felony theft charges after he allegedly submitted false invoices totaling close to $30,000. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Governor Jeff Landry’s legislative priorities are facing resistance in the Senate. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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The National 2024 Small Business Person of the Year is from Bayou State. Iam Tucker is the president and CEO of Integrated Logistical Support in New Orleans. As a second-generation small business owner of 15 years, Tucker says she’s extremely honored to receive the recognition.

Cut 4 (10) “…my life.”

Integrated Logistical Support consists of civil and structural engineers who provide construction management. Tucker says that after an architect draws plans for a structure, the civil engineers make it work. For example…

Cut 5 (09) “…correctly.” 

As a former Baton Rouge police officer, Tucker says her plans to excel in law enforcement were sidetracked when her father asked her to purchase his business. The UNO graduate says she made steady payments to her father and has grown the firm to 50 employees with a revenue of over $2.7 million.

Cut 6 (13) “…engineering company.”

Under her leadership her firm has received more than 100 contract awards across various state, local and federal agencies.

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Police have arrested 34-year-old Foreign National Amanvir (Uh man ver) Singh (Sing) in the shooting death of 36-year-old long-haul truck driver, Gurpreet (Gore preet) Singh Judge. The shooting occurred alongside Interstate 20 in Caddo Parish last month and Wednesday night, Singh was arrested near Jackson, Mississippi where he lives. Sgt. Casey Jones with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office …

Cut 7 (10) “…we got.”

Jones says the incident was originally believed to have been a road rage incident. It’s now known that the two knew of each other.

Cut 8 (11) “…Greenwood, Louisiana.” 

At the time of the shooting, witnesses reported two people outside their vehicles arguing on the one ramp to I-20 and when the victim tried to run away, the suspect allegedly shot him. Jones says the investigation is still ongoing…

Cut 9 (10)  “… their investigation.”

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The head baseball coach at Walker High School, Nicholas Scelfo has been arrested for allegedly submitting false invoices of almost $30,000 to the school for reimbursement of equipment he never purchased. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says they were contacted after school officials conducted an equipment inventory.

Cut 10 (06) “…disappointing.”

When the school discovered no equipment they reviewed the reimbursement invoices, and contacted vendors associated with the orders. They found the orders did not exist. Ard says they are still investigating the incident.

Cut 11 (08) “…majority of it.”

Ard says the arrest for felony theft over $25,000 comes as quite a shock to the community.

Cut 12 (09) “…hate it for them.” 

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Governor Landry’s legislative priorities are running into resistance in the Senate. A House approved school choice bill that the governor supports has yet to be heard by Senate Education. Landry also backs a major change in the public records law, but the bill awaits a debate on the Senate floor. And Senate President Cameron Henry also does not fully support a proposed constitutional convention. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 13 (06)  “…he wants.”

Pinsonat says Representative Julie Emerson’s Education Savings Account bill passed 72 to 32 in the House on April 8, but the measure that would greatly expand the state’s voucher program  has stalled in the Senate…

Cut 14 (12)  “…in a committee.”

Pinsonat says a big concern with the E-S-A bill is the cost. The proposal makes taxpayer dollars available to all families to pay for education expenses, including private school tuition.

Pinsonat says Senate President Cameron Henry is not fully on board with Landry on the E-S-A bill or the constitutional convention

Cut 15 (11)  “…kind of weird”

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The LSU baseball team will host the Texas A&M Aggies this weekend. A&M currently sits on top of D1 Baseball’s rankings and the Aggies are top 3 in the SEC in almost every major hitting and pitching category so far this season. The Aggies will not be the first number one team that the Tigers have faced, but LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says that they may be the most complete team they’ve seen since there are seemingly no holes in A&M’s play.

Cut 16 (16)  “… a lot of holes.”

The Aggies are not only a very balanced team, but they have been dominating their competition this season. That dominant play has shown up in many ways, but none more empathic than last weekend when A&M run-ruled the nineteenth ranked Georgia Bulldogs 19 to 9. Coach Johnson says that taking on Texas A&M will be an exciting opportunity for the Tigers.

Cut 17 (15) “…at home.”

LSU has won seven of its past nine games after taking two of three against Missouri and Auburn as well as defeating UNO, Nicholls, and Grambling in midweek games. The Tigers need this winning streak to continue if they want to make the NCAA tournament this season and Johnson says that his team is in the right mindset to accomplish this goal.

Cut 18 (14)  “… game playoff.”

LSU will take on Texas A&M with the first pitch today at 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and the SEC Network.

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New ULM Warhawks football coach Byrant Vincent says that he has seen a lot of offseason progress show up in his team’s spring training. Vincent says that he has a plan in place to help get the Warhawks back on track in the win column, but like with any new system, he says that there will be some challenges that come with everything being new.

Cut 19 (14) “…do things.” 

The Warhawks finished last season with a 2 and 10 record overall and an 0 and 8 record in SunBelt play. Vincent says that building a winning culture at ULM will take time and that the first eight weeks are very important to a program’s success. That’s why Vincent says he’s developed a two part plan to really build a strong foundation for ULM.

Cut 20 (19) “….we practice.”

The Warhawks will open their 2024 season at home against Jackson State on August 29th.