Louisiana has filed suit against the U-S Department of Education’s new Title Nine regulations that protect transgender students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana is a step closer to getting her first Bucees as the City of Ruston and State and Federal Highway Administration sign a memorandum of understanding.

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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We know Louisiana is the Sportsman’s Paradise but it’s also ideal for bird watchers. Brooke Thorington has more on a new website, especially for them.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana has filed suit against the federal government for changing its Title Nine rules to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination. State Attorney General Liz Murrill says the new rules disregard the concept of a person’s biological sex and provide protections based on gender identity

Cut 4 (13) “…an administration.”

Murrill says the new Title Nine rules could result in boys and girls sharing locker rooms, bathrooms and perhaps lodging on overnight field trips with members of the opposite sex.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would prevent transgender children from using the bathroom that does not align with their biological sex. Director of Forum for Equality Sarah Jane Guidry calls it harmful legislation and it’s why the U-S Department of Education needs to protect transgender students

Cut 5 (10) “…their identity.” 

Several other states led by Republicans are also suing the U-S Department of Education in trying to prevent these new Title Rules from going into effect. Governor Jeff Landry fully supports Louisiana’s legal effort…

Cut 6 (12) “…set forth.”

Director of Louisiana Trans Advocates, Peyton Rose Michelle, says Louisiana’s government leaders continue to try and erase trans individuals and it’s hurtful…

Cut 7 (12) “…queer kids.”

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A bill to raise a driver’s license fee by $6.00 to fund litter abatement advances from House Appropriations. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, whose office oversees Keep Louisiana Beautiful, says they need more funds to clean up.

Cut 8 (06) “…(x2) paradise.” 

Currently, $1.50 from license fees goes towards cleaning up the state, but the increase would send $7.50 from your driver’s license to fund litter abatement.

Cut 9 (11)  “…way of grants.”

Nungesser says last year they gave out $1.9 million in grants, and the increase will allow his office to distribute $3.5 to $4 million to parishes.

When you throw trash on Louisiana’s streets and roadways, Nungesser says it impacts tourism and industry recruitment and is also expensive to pick up.

Cut 10 (08) “…that mess.”

The bill advances to the House.

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Bucees is one step closer to reality in Louisiana. The State and Federal Highway administration and the City of Ruston signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Mayor Ronny Walker is excited about the impact the popular travel center will have on the area…

Cut 11 (09) “… huge.”

Walker expects the new Bucees to have a huge economic impact that extends the entire North Louisiana region.

Cut 12 (11) “…at Bucees.” 

Walker says, they’ve been making plans and preparations for Bucees for 14 months. There is still work to do but things are moving along and are on schedule for a 2024 groundbreaking and 2025 opening…

Cut 13 (11)  “…the whole works.”

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Because the Pelican State is located along two major migration routes in North America, state tourism has launched a new interactive website, it’s BirdingLouisiana-dot-com.  Doug Bourgeois with the Office of Tourism says it’s a one-stop shop for birdwatchers.

Cut 14 (12)  “…across Louisiana.”

Bourgeois says the website is a great way to cater to a unique market and entice them to swoop in for bird sightings. And another great thing about a large majority of birders, they’re retired so they tend to visit longer.

Cut 15 (08)  “…the state.”

And if you’re a novice spotting birds, the site provides photos and details about birds in your area of the state along with a checkoff list. And you can also listen to birds on the website.

Bourgeois says Jefferson Davis Parish is a popular site for birders to attend the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival.

Cut 16 (09)  “…(x2) Yellow Rails.”

This year’s festival in southwest Louisiana will be October 23^rd to the 27^th.

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Cut 17 (17) “…got me.”

Cut 18 (20)  “…I’m prepared.”

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Cut 19 (16) “…last eight.” 

Cut 20 (20) “…..constraints.”

Louisiana is joining several other states in a lawsuit against the federal government over new Title IX rules that expand protections to LGBTQ-plus students in a classroom setting. Attorney General Liz Murrill on what the new rules mean for every school that receives federal funding.

Cut 11 (11) ” …as well.”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill to prevent transgender children from using the bathroom that does not align with their biological sex. Director of Forum for Equality Sarah Jane Guidry calls it harmful legislation and it’s why the U-S Department of Education needs to protect transgender students.

Cut 5 (10) “…their identity.” 

Legislation to hold a constitutional convention beginning May 20^th advances from House Appropriations. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu told committee members it would cost 63-thousand-dollars if it wraps by June 3^rd but could grow to 1.5 million if it concludes in mid-July. …

Cut 6  (11) “…our per diem.” 

The bill passed on a 14 to 6 vote, along party lines and advances to House.

A bill to raise a driver’s license fee by $6.00 to fund litter abatement advances from House Appropriations. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, whose office oversees Keep Louisiana Beautiful, says they need more funds to clean up.

Cut 8 (06) “…(x2) paradise.” 

Currently, $1.50 from license fees goes towards cleaning up the state, but the increase would send $7.50 from your driver’s license to fund litter abatement.

Legislation to hold a constitutional convention beginning May 20^th advances from House Appropriations. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu told committee members it would cost 63-thousand-dollars if it wraps by June 3^rd but could grow to 1.5 million if it concludes in mid-July. …

Cut 6  (11) “…our per diem.” 

The bill passed on a 14 to 6 vote, along party lines and advances to House.

Three Kenner Police officers shot during a lengthy standoff with a gunman on Sunday have been released from the hospital. The gunman, Matthew Lathers, was killed after exchanging gunfire with both Kenner Police officers and Jefferson Parish deputies. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says it started when Lathers shot two people sitting in a vehicle outside of his home…

Cut 10 (06) “..fired upon them.” 

A small town in north Louisiana is mourning the loss of a police officer, killed while on duty on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Three Kenner Police officers shot during a lengthy standoff with a gunman on Sunday have been released from the hospital. The gunman, Matthew Lathers, was killed. Lathers exchanged gunfire with both Kenner Police officers and Jefferson Parish deputies. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says a member of his SWAT team fatally shot Lathers.

Cut 9 (04) “…in time.” 

Lopinto says Lathers was wanted for an armed robbery and an attempted murder that occurred last week.

In Lincoln Parish, a Dubach police officer was killed while conducting a traffic stop on U-S 167 just south of Hamilton Road. State Police spokesperson Ryan Davis says officer Russell Croxton’s police vehicle was hit by a truck driver who didn’t see the police unit.

Cut 4 (11) “..injuries” 

After three years and nine visits to the Ware Youth facility in Red River Parish, the State Inspector General’s Office has completed its investigation. This after a 2022 New York Times article reported abuse allegations and 64 suicide attempts. Inspector General Stephen Street says the attempts varied…

Cut 12 (13) “…other categories.” 

Edibles containing THC could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says his bill does not impact the highly regulated medical marijuana industry; he’s going after the recreational hemp industry that he says misled lawmakers.

Cut 7 (10) “…of children.”

The bill passed in the Senate and awaits a hearing in a House committee.

In Lincoln Parish, a Dubach police officer was killed while conducting a traffic stop on U-S 167 just south of Hamilton Road. State Police spokesperson Ryan Davis says Officer Russell Croxton’s police vehicle was hit by a truck driver from Arkansas who didn’t see the police unit in the right lane…

Cut 3 (05) “…flashing lights.” 

Croxton’s father, Ruston Police Sergeant Raymond Croxton, also died in a traffic crash while on duty in 1978.

Edibles containing THC, like gummies, could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Even with an age requirement to purchase hemp products, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says they are easily getting into the hands of minors and there have been reported cases of psychosis in children.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the effects.”

The bill has passed in the full Senate and is awaiting a House committee hearing.

Three Kenner police officers were injured after a standoff Sunday morning that ended with the suspect 31-year-old Matthew Lathers deceased. It happened while police were investigating a double shooting. All three police officers have been released from the hospital.

Several property insurance reform bills expected to bring more insurers into Louisiana are headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Twenty-one people from Shreveport and Bossier City face federal bank fraud charges for allegedly stealing nearly seven million dollars from U-S-A-A customers. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says the suspects used stolen bank information to issue counterfeit checks and others were recruited to deposit checks into their bank accounts in exchange for money…

Cut 11 (12) ” …individuals.”

Several property insurance reform bills have received final legislative passage, including a measure Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says will create simple, clear timelines for the claims process.

Cut 4 (12) “..quicker.”

He’s referring to Senate Bill 323

With 38 years under their belt, Festival International is still going strong. President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says the festival is a great way to draw tourists from across the globe to the city for the first time.

Cut 6  (10) “…great music.” 

Berthelot says that the five-day event is not only the largest international music festival in the world but it’s also free.

Crawfish prices have dropped to new lows. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the average price for a pound of live mudbugs in the Bayou State is $2.99.

Cut 12 (10) “…couple of weeks.” 

The average price for boiled crawfish is $5.29 a pound.

Twenty-one individuals in Shreveport and Bossier City are under indictment in a federal bank fraud case. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Dr. Wade Rousee has been chosen as the new president of McNeese State University. The two-time graduate of the UL-system has served in various roles at McNeese including dean in the College of Business and VP of university advancement.

In addition to Louisiana hosting two world-renowned festivals this weekend, crawfish prices have dropped to new lows. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the average price for a pound of live mudbugs in the Bayou State is $2.99.

Cut 12 (10) “…couple of weeks.” 

The average price for boiled crawfish is $5.29 a pound.

Three LSU Tigers were selected in the first round of the NFL draft and the next Tiger that could be chosen is defensive tackle Maason Smith from Houma. W-W-L radio draft expert Mike Detillier says Smith had a disappointing season last year, but he has a lot of potential…

Cut 5 (11)  “…this league.” 

In the first round, Washington selected Jayden Daniels, the Giants picked Malik Nabers and Jacksonville drafted Brian Thomas Junior.

In the House-approved state budget for the next fiscal year, Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says they’ve earmarked 3-point-5 million so the state can receive 70-million dollars in federal aid for the summer EBT program. While DCFS is concerned it might too be late to participate in the program McFarland says otherwise…

Cut 11 (11) “…feeding program.”

There’s a world of music to be heard at Festival International this weekend. President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says the five-day event attracts more than 300,000 visitors from 42 different states and 10 different countries.

Cut 7 (12) “…our community.”  

And the free event is also the largest international music festival in the world.

Last night, the Department of Transportation hosted a construction kick-off meeting for the new 4-lane Jimmie Davis Bridge over the Red River in northwest Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

The House approves a $48 billion budget for the next fiscal year and according to The Louisiana Illuminator, it contains about 40-million dollars’ worth of pet projects. Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says they are for worthy initiatives…

Cut 12 (12) “…do that.” 

$166 million is earmarked for teacher bonus pay.

A new Jimmie Davis Bridge over the Red River is coming to Bossier and Caddo Parishes. The project is slated to start this month and take about two and a half years. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says they handed out detour maps and construction phasing information, so there won’t be any surprises.

Cut 8 (09) “…businesses too.” 

The Saints need offensive linemen and the Black and Gold believe they got a starter for years to come. With the 14th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, New Orleans selected Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (Tall-ee-s-a   Foo-ah-gah). Coach Dennis Allen says it’s not every time that a team’s need matches the best player available.

Cut 3 (08) “…that time.” 

It’s a huge festival weekend in Louisiana with Festival International and Jazz Fest, attracting visitors from all over the world. But Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s the southern hospitality shown to tourists that brings them back again and again…

Cut 6 (12) “…for more.”

Governor Landry says the goal of the constitutional convention is move certain sections of the constitution into state law. He says the changes will hopefully result in more budget flexibility when the state is facing a deficit. Landry says right now the Legislature’s hands are tied during tough budget times, resulting in big cuts to health care and education…

Cut 4 (10) “…those things ” 

Democrats say they are uncomfortable rushing into a constitutional convention without more details. There’s a concern the state’s popular 75-thousand dollars homestead exemption will be removed from the constitution. Landry that’s not his intent…

Cut 5 (13)  “…statue.” 

The House approves a budget for the next fiscal year that contains 166 million dollars in bonus pay for teachers. According to House leaders, it equals a stipend of about 17-hundred dollars, but Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says it will vary…

Cut 10 (10) “…districts need.”

The spending bill heads to the Senate and there’s still time to provide more money for teacher pay.

The full House approves a bill to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says some minors are eager to work and the state should not hold them back or prevent businesses from working them more than five consecutive hours…

Cut 8 (11) “…wanting to work.” 

The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.