House Transportation advances a bill that will ban the use of touching your cell phone while driving. Chris Alexander with Louisiana Citizen Advocacy Group spoke against the bill saying in testimony from previous legislative attempts the bill’s author has said the ultimate goal is to get rid of phones in vehicles altogether.

Cut 5 (07)  “…will occur.”

The bill now goes to the House floor. It has already received Senate approval.

The U-S House has sent to the Senate a 95-billion dollar foreign aid package that includes aid for Ukraine. Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene leads a group of hard-right Republicans who believe Speaker Mike Johnson of Benton should be fired as Speaker because the House approved billions in foreign aid over new border security and immigration policies. Johnson believes the House did the right thing…

Cut 7 (03) “…judge it well”  

The Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s 5-year grid resilience plan that including 2100 projects to fortify structures that will help avoid storm-related power outages or shorten their duration. The project is expected to cost 1.2 billion dollars but Entergy President and CEO Phillip May says benefits far outweigh the cost.

Cut 26

The LSU gymnastics team won its first championship in dramatic fashion Saturday rallying from behind to win during the final rotation. Before retiring in 2020, former head coach DD Breaux led the Tigers to 31 top-ten finishes in 43 seasons. The Donaldsonville native is so happy to see the program grow under head coach Jay Clark…

Cut 10 (16) “…on Saturday.”

A Hamond High School Student is in custody after a stabbing at the school this morning. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards says two female students were fighting in the bathroom when one stabbed the other with a foldable key-knife resulting in three non-life-threatening wounds to the upper extremities. That student is in stable condition. The student found to be in possession of the knife has been booked into Florida Juvenile Detention Center facing a charge of Aggravated Second Degree Battery.

The Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s 5-year grid resilience plan that including 2100 projects to fortify structures that will help avoid storm-related power outages or shorten their duration. The project is expected to cost 1.2 billion dollars but Entergy President and CEO Phillip May says benefits far outweigh the cost.

Cut 26

House Transportation heard emotional Testimony for and against legislation to ban the use of touching your cell phone while driving this morning. Accident victims spoke in support of the bill and Kenner resident Connie Zimmerman in opposition the bill for several reasons and told committee members it violates one’s liberties.

Cut 4 (11) “…a police state. ” 

In it’s 50th year as a program, the LSU gymnastics team can finally call itself national champs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The U-S House has sent to the Senate a 95-billion-dollar foreign aid package that includes aid for Ukraine. Speaker Mike Johnson of Benton needed help from Democrats to pass the aid bill for Ukraine and that puts his job as speaker in jeopardy…

Cut 6  (12) “..where they may.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields would like to see every school bus in Louisiana to have heating and air conditioning by August 1, 2025. Fields says it’s hard to learn in the classroom after sweating on the ride to school…

Cut 14 (12)  “… unconscionable.”

A bill to ban touching your cell phone while driving advances from House Transportation. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU gymnastics Coach DD Breaux is beaming with pride today as the program she built can finally say they are national champions. The LSU gymnastics team won its first championship in dramatic fashion rallying from behind to win during the final rotation. Breaux was watching from the stands in Fort Worth, Texas…

Cut 9 (05) “…the mountain” 

Breaux hired current head coach Jay Clark in 2012 as an Associate Head Coach.

A dramatic rescue this week in Lake Charles as Lake Charles police officers rescued a a female trapped inside a car sinking in the river. Cpl. James Gruspier saw the car, called for help, and swam to the car. The occupant who could not swim was terrified. Gruspier along with Sgt. Ryan Magee and Officer Brennan Hoover with a flotation device were able to free the panicking occupant as the car was swept into the current on its way to quickly sinking. The three officers formed a circle around the occupant and swam her safely to shore.

With the 3^rd highest rate of pickup truck fatalities Louisiana Law enforcement will be out in force next week. DOTD Spokesperson, Gregory Fischer says during the Buckle Up in Your Truck campaign, there’s an opportunity for state Law enforcement to receive extra funding for overtime patrols, but Fischer says It’s not about issuing tickets. He hopes the desire to avoid a ticket will help pickup drivers establish the habit of buckling up…

Cut  14 (09) “…these things.” 

The U-S House is expected to take a vote on Saturday to send foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel, a move that puts Mike Johnson’s position as House Speaker in jeopardy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU could win its first national championship in gymnastics on Saturday. They will compete against Utah, Florida and Cal, but not Oklahoma. The two-time defending champion Sooners suffered multiple falls in the semifinals and they are out. College Gym News co-managing editor Brandif Heffner

Cut 6  (10) “..slight edge.” 

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Benton’s political future is on the line as the US House is scheduled to vote on Saturday to provide funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Johnson has separated the foreign aid package into separate bills but Republican hardliners are demanding that any foreign aid bill be tied to strong border security policies. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Johnson is doing what he thinks is right and is not worrying about the political ramifications…

Cut 5 (11)  “..United States.”

As part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Know2Protect campaign to educate parents about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children, Special Agent Jessica Zuppardo says if your child is a victim of such abuse do not to delete any messages, don’t engage with the perpetrator, and contact local law enforcement.

Cut 11 (12) “…law enforcement.”

LSU could win its first national championship in gymnastics Saturday. They will compete against Utah, Florida and Cal. Utah is looking to tie a record with a 10th national championship. Florida is seeking its fourth and Cal is fresh off a Pac-12 title. But College Gym News co-managing editor Brandif Heffner likes LSU’s depth…

Cut 8 (08) “…championship final.” 

Buckle UP in Your Truck Campaign begins next week as Law Enforcement focuses on pickup truck drivers wearing seatbelts. Because trucks are large and heavy, DOTD Spokesperson, Gregory Fischer believes Pickup Truck Drivers may have an elevated sense of safety causing some to feel comfortable unbuckled…

Cut 13 (13) “…big trouble.”

Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has said she will move forward with her motion to vacate U S House Speaker Mike Johnson if he puts a Ukraine aid bill up for a vote in the House. A divided House Republican caucus led to the removal of Johnson’s predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, last October. But LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says the desire for a new House Speaker is not as strong as it was last Fall…

Cut 4 (08) “…seeing now ” 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched the Know2Protect campaign to educate parents about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children. The problem is rampant in Louisiana and the State Attorney General’s office indicates an almost 100-percent increase in cases from 2022. Special Agent Jessica Zuppardo  says…

Cut 10 (10) “…reporting it.”

Oklahoma stumbles at the NCAA gymnastic championships, giving LSU an excellent chance to win its first national title.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Louisiana has the 3^rd highest rate of pickup truck fatalities according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and next week some Law enforcement officers will be focused on pickup truck drivers during the Buckle UP in Your Truck Campaign. DOTD Spokesperson, Gregory Fischer…

Cut 12 (10) “…their seatbelts” 

The Louisiana Department of Health has released updated mercury and fish advisories for ten bodies of water, Among them, Black Bayou Lake, Caddo Lake and Toledo Bend Reservoir. L-D-H Environmental health section chief Shannon Soileau says the state issues precautionary advisories when unacceptable levels mercury are detected in fish or shellfish…

Cut 14 (11)  “…general population.”

The House Labor Committee approves legislation to remove the required 30-minute meal period for minors who work five or more hours. Bill author and Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder is a business owner and says the required break forces his teen age employees to lose 30 minutes of pay when they rather stay on the clock.
Cut 6 (07) “…want to.”
The measure passed on a ten to two vote.

Big economic development news in northwest Louisiana today as industrial manufacturer Fibrebond announces a 50-million-dollar expansion of its production facility in Minden. Mayor Nick Cox says for over four decades Fibrebond has been the cornerstone of their economy…
cut 3 (14) “…here to stay”
The expansion will enable Fibrebond to retain more than 450 existing jobs in northwest Louisiana

Every Spring millions of beautiful birds migrate through Louisiana but the lights from our homes and buildings can be fatal to some especially during storms so The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is asking Louisianans to turn off bright lights from 11 pm to 6 am each night. Federation Communications Director Jimmy Frederick…

Cut 9(11)   … used to.

The Louisiana Department of Health has released updated mercury and fish advisories for ten bodies of water, and it’s issued a new warning for Lake Maurepas in southeast Louisiana. L-D-H Environmental health section chief Shannon Soileau says because of mercury contamination, there are now fish consumption advisories for 51 waterways in Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…slight modifications.”

Black Bayou Lake, Caddo Lake and Toledo Bend Reservoir are also among the ten bodies of water.

The House Labor Committee advances a bill to remove the state mandate that requires a 30-minute meal period for minors who work five or more hours advances from.  Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the bill because she wants to ensure the state allows private businesses to operate as they see fit.

Cut 8 (12) “…all over.” 

The bill passed on a 10 to 2 vote and advances to the House.

Webster Parish’s largest employer is expanding its facility, and the project is expected to produce hundreds of new jobs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s peak time for birds migrating through Louisiana and Jimmy Frederick with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation says, establishing the habit of diming or turning off lights at night helps prevent confusion for the birds so they can safely make their way back to their northern nesting sites. Over 450 million fly through the Bayou State and include multiple beautiful varieties of shore birds and song birds…

Cut 11 (07) “…his wings”

A bill to remove the required 30-minute meal break for minors who work five or more hours advances from House Labor. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Economic growth is coming to Minden as industrial manufacturer Fibrebond announces a 50-million dollar expansion of its production facility in. Officials say this will result in an estimated 650 new jobs to support the expansion. Construction begins in June and Mayor Nick Cox says this latest expansion will bring Fibrebond’s total manufacturing and warehouse space to more than one million square feet on its 254-acre campus…

Cut 5 (10)  “…north Louisiana.”

The LSU baseball team leaves for Columbia, Missouri today as they head to Mizzou looking to snap their five game SEC series losing streak. Coach Jay Johnson says the coaching staff is trying to get the best out of this team…

Cut 17 (09) “…right now.”

 It’s peak time for birds migrating through Louisiana and since confusion caused by building light could cause them injury or death, The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is asking Louisianans to turn off bright lights each night from 11 pm to 6 am. Federation Communications Director Jimmy Frederick says he understands the need to light our homes for safety and security and suggests other options to help the flying visitors make it safely though the Bayou State…

Cut 10 (09) “…huge difference”

Diming lights or using motion activated lights are other ways to protect the migrating birds.

Legislation to remove the required 30-minute meal period for minors who work five or more hours advances from House Labor Committee. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps questioned the bill’s author, Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder asking if he considers a 16 or 17-year-old a young adult. He countered that the emancipation age is 16, and you’re allowed to marry at age 16.

Cut 7 (13) “…a minor.”  

Big economic development news in northwest Louisiana as industrial manufacturer Fibrebond announces a 50-million dollar expansion of its production facility in Minden. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Fibrebond is taking advantage of a retention and modernization state tax credit to build a new production facility…

Cut 4 (13) “…shiny things ” 

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was pulled from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Every spring millions of beautiful birds migrate through Louisiana but the lights from our homes and buildings can be fatal to some especially during storms so The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is asking Louisianans to turn off bright lights from 11 pm to 6 am each night from now to May 31^st. Federation Communications Director Jimmy Frederick…

Cut 9(11)   … used to.