A political activist who took on a Texas law requiring “In God We Trust” signs in the classroom is offering schools in Louisiana the option as well. Signs from Artist Activist Chaz Stevens have a variety of options, they can be in Arabic, Spanish, and even rainbow-colored backgrounds.

Cut 9 (09) “…come through.”

And while many like Stevens believe it crosses the line of the separation of church and state, he’s pushing the envelope.

As the final hours of the State Legislature’s session wind down, House and Senate members reach a compromise on the state budget and raising the state-imposed spending cap to make use of surplus funds. Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) President Barry Erwin says the agreement helps assure a budget bill will be approved before adjournment at 6 tonight…:

Cut 10 (09) “…I’m optimistic.”

State health officials urge residents to avoid areas with blue-green algae due to the algal bloom observed in Lake Pontchartrain. State Health Officer Joe Kanter says some algae are harmless but certain types are toxic.

Cut 13 (11) “…stay away.”  

One in five physicians plan to leave the practice in the next two years, that’s according to an American Medical Association survey. Interim Dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Richard DiCarlo it’s burnout and COVID caused many in healthcare, like nurses and support staff to retire early.

Cut 8 (07) “… physician burnout.”

DiCarlo says medical schools are increasing class sizes so more graduates can enter the field to make up for the anticipated loss.

As the final hours of the legislative session wind down, House and Senate members reach a compromise on the budget and raising the state-imposed cap of spending to make use of surplus funds. Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) President Barry Erwin says the agreement helps assure a budget bill will be approved before adjournment…:

Cut 10 (09) “…I’m optimistic.”

House members wanted to spend a little of the surplus, preferring to pay down state retirement debt instead. Senators want to invest in infrastructure and other projects. Erwin says the agreement gives House members at least a piece of what they wanted…:

Cut 12 (14)    “…both of those sides.” 

Lawmakers must adjourn by 6PM Thursday with a balanced budget.

The House and Senate unanimously passed legislation to create a tax credit for restaurants that recycle oyster shells. The bill was strongly supported by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana which operates the only large-scale shell recycling program in the state. Advocacy Director Tyler Bosworth believes saying “no” to landfills and “yes” to slowing coastal erosion is a win for the state.

Cut 4 (11)  “…of Louisiana.’”

The state’s film tax credit will be extended to 2031. The original bill sought to extend the incentive set to expire in 2025, to 2035. But Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says it’s still a great victory for Louisiana, its residents, and workers in the film industry.

Cut 9 (09) “…did that.”

The tax credit is capped at $150-million annually.

The state’s film tax credit will officially be extended to 2031, once Governor Edwards signs House Bill 562. The original bill sought to extend the incentive set to expire in 2025, to 2035. But Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says it’s still a great victory for Louisiana, its residents, and workers in the film industry.

Cut 9 (09) “…did that.”

The film tax credit is capped to cost taxpayers no more than $150-million annually.

This is the first week on the job for the new Southeastern Louisiana University president Doctor William Wainwright. He comes to Southeastern after spending the last 12 years as chancellor of Northshore Technical Community College, so he’s familiar with the S-L-U mission.

Cut 12 (13) “…greatness of Southeastern” 

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville has all-terrain track wheelchairs available for people with limited mobility, to explore its natural surroundings. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves has endorsed former L-A-B-I present Stephen Waguespack for governor. In a video of the endorsement, Graves says Waguespack is the candidate who can put politics aside and do what’s right. Meanwhile Attorney General Jeff Landry has received endorsements from Congressmen Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson in the governor’s race.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 48-year-old John Hall after telling a five-year-old to smoke a marijuana cigar in a video posted on social media. Lt. L’Jean McKneely…

Cut 13 (13) “…through Crimestoppers.”  
Hall is reportedly the ex-boyfriend of the child’s grandmother.

The M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides financial assistance to adults who would like to earn credentials to get a job in a high-demand area is once again accepting applications. Program Specialist Brittany Theriot says the program provides multiple training options.

Cut 3 (12) “…workforce priority.”

Applicants must be adults 21 or older.

A package of anti-LGBTQ bills has reached final passage, but will Governor John Bel Edwards veto them? Republicans have solid majorities in both chambers and have the votes needed to override vetoes, but will they?  LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it’s an election year, and many may feel the necessity to push the bills into law, to send a message in an election year…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…running for governor.”

The session ends tomorrow night at six PM

The 2023 KIDS COUNT for Louisiana shows significant progress over the years, Director of Data and Research with Agenda for Children Teresa Falgoust Louisiana, is the only state to show an improvement in 4th-grade literacy but she says lawmakers still need to invest more in education.

Cut 6 (11)  “…our state.”

The Senate has given final approval to a bill that attempts to improve reading scores. The legislation would require third graders to pass a reading test in April in order to be promoted to the fourth grade. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell…
Cut 6 (12) “…be retained.” 
The legislation gives third graders three chances to pass the literacy test. Students diagnosed with dyslexia and kids still learning English could still be promoted to the fourth grade. Gonzales Senator Ed Price voted against the bill as he believes it’s an unfunded mandate…
Cut 7 (07)  “…fund it.” 
Senators still approved the bill on a 28-11 vote. Mississippi has a similar program and they’ve seen an increase in reading scores.

A package of conservative so-called “anti-woke” bills have reached final passage, but will Governor John Bel Edwards sign or veto them? Among them is one that prohibits classroom discussion of one’s gender or sexuality in schools. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it will be interesting to see what Edwards does…:

Cut 27  (12) “…affect him politically.”

Legislation seeking to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit is dead this session. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull it from consideration, because of amendments senators were proposing to put on the bill…

Cut 15 (12) “…defer it”
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment to make sure training would still be required to conceal carry.

Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with the Sunday evening fire at the Covington Walmart. State Fire Marshal Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was the Northshore community that responded quickly after a photo of the suspects was released.

Cut 9 (12) “…from Covington.”

Charges include Aggravated Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson.

Conceal carry legislation is dead for the legislative session. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment for training as a requirement to conceal carry. Luneau says at a gun store in his district, he saw a young man interested in purchasing a handgun, but told the gun shop owner he didn’t know how to load it…

Cut  16 (08)  “…else does”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull his bill from consideration, because of proposed amendments.

Restore Louisiana announces an August 1^st survey deadline for homeowners affected by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida and the May 2021 severe storms.

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx ”  

Game time for the LSU baseball team’s first game in the super regionals is 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. The fifth-seeded Tigers will play Kentucky in the best-of-three in the super-regional series in Baton Rouge. LSU beat Oregon State 13 to 7 at the Box Monday.

Legislation to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth is close to final passage despite efforts by Democrats to stop the bill from heading to the governor’s desk. A Louisiana Department of Health report showed only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…

Cut 11 (08)  “…heard of it.”
But Republicans say it is happening and this legislation is needed to protect kids from having life-altering procedures that they may regret later in life.

A constitutional amendment that supporters say would make it clear slavery is prohibited did not receive enough votes to pass. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert argued the constitution is already clear that slavery is illegal…

Cut 15 (09)  “…than this”
A bill heading to the governor’s desk would result in life in prison for anyone convicted of possessing more than 250 grams of fentanyl. It’s an attempt to slow down the number of fentanyl overdoses, but LSU criminal law professor Doctor Ken Levy is skeptical…

Cut 9 (08)  “…are suffering.”
Levy says poverty and mental health issues are the root causes behind drug use.

EPA announces a $480,000 grant to DEQ to establish an air monitoring site in St. James Parish. Congressman Troy Carter says the people of St. James Parish are impacted by air pollution.

Cut 3 (13) “…and community.”

LDEQ received $450,000 to establish a temporary community air monitoring site targeted toward communities on the west side of the Mississippi River.

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Monroe Senator Jay Morris argued for passage of the measure, saying it will protect children from life-altering medical procedures…

Cut 10 (13) “…protect kids.”

The bill passed in the Senate 29-10.

The two suspects wanted for setting a fire inside the Covington Walmart Sunday, have been arrested. Hours after photos of the suspects were shared by the media the 17-year-old and 15-year-old boys were booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. Charges include Aggravated Arson, and Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson. The State Fire Marshal in conjunction with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office say they received an overwhelming amount of tips from the community which led to the arrest.

Attorney General candidate and Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill to increase the penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage in the legislature. But LSU Law Center criminal law professor Dr. Ken Levy says instead of passing laws to increase penalties, it’s the root cause of drug use that needs to be the focus instead.

Cut 8 (13) “…to address.”

A House bill giving police the power to tell you “stay back” while they do their job wins final legislative passage in the state Senate. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson’s bill was represented on the Senate floor by Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard. He says the bill is a way to avoid misunderstandings between citizens and law enforcement officers that can sometimes get out of hand…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…please back up.”

On a 29-10 vote, the Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Monroe Senator Jay Morris argued for passage of the measure, saying it will protect children from life-altering medical procedures…

Cut 10 (14) “…protect kids.”

Opponents of the legislation point to a Louisiana Department of Health report that found only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…

Cut 11 (09)  “…heard of it”

The legislation would take effect on January 1st.

A proposal to make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert told Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields he does not believe the state constitution needs to be changed regarding slavery…

Cut 14 (14)  “…from everybody”

The vote was 21-16 in favor of the measure, but it needed 26 yes votes to pass.

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling received final passage. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says even if the suspect never physically endangers a resident, it would be considered a crime of violence…

PM Cut 3 (12) “…of parole.”

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling received final passage Sunday. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says while the intent is good, defense attorneys will most likely challenge the law once enacted. He says it would make more sense if…

Cut 5 (12)  “…legal challenge.

A political action committee supporting Stephen Waguespack for governor fired the first negative ad of the campaign; calling Attorney General Jeff Landry soft on crime. Now a PAC backing Landry is firing back. Political analyst Roy Fletcher discussed it on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

Cut 10 (11) “…exactly right.”

Qualifying is in August and the primary is October 14^th.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for your help in identifying two suspects in connection with a fire at Walmart in Covington, Sunday night. State Fire Marshal Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says one male has brown hair, the other with dirty blonde hair, and both have the same unidentified logo on the front of their t-shirts.

Cut 7 (09)  “…in Covington.” 

A photograph of the two suspects can be found on our website at LouisianaRadioNetwork-dot-com.

Cleco – one of Louisiana’s electric providers – is spreading the word on how customers can lower energy costs during the summer months by launching its Watt Matters campaign. Communications Strategist Caitlyn Watkins says lowering energy usage translates to lower bills.

Cut 12 (11) “…big savings.” 

You can find more at cleco-dot-com.