Since the Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map approved by lawmakers with two Black majority districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says anyone within the changed districts will know it long before it’s time to cast a vote.

Cut 5 (12)  “…that seat.”

Qualifying for the Congressional races is from July 17th to 19th.

Organizers say they are off to a strong start in the first month of the recall effort to oust embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany says they’ve collected about 6,000 signatures but they’ll need to have 36,000 by October.

Cut 12 (08) “…what not.” 

Tape ran unopposed and a recall effort began after criminal accusations of child sexual abuse more than two decades ago in New Mexico came to light.

The Louisiana Senate has approved the bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program. The program would start by offering grants to families who are currently involved in the voucher program. It will eventually be open to all families. Senate President Cameron Henry says the E-S-A bill was amended so the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will determine how fast the program will grow and who will be eligible…

Cut 8 (11)  “…here.” 

A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms that match their gender identity but not their biological gender passed the Senate. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis believes the bill is a cultural war…

Cut 10 (08) “…protect children.” 

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, believes the bill protects women and girls…

Cut 11 (12) ” …that bathroom.”

The bill would also separate restrooms in prisons and domestic violence shelters. The bill awaits Governor Landry’s signature.

The Supreme Court ruled the most recent congressional map approved by lawmakers with two Black majority districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections this week. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry said we needed the map by May 15^th for the November elections, but Some questioned the deadline when the election is not until November. Landry says it takes months to run a statewide election.

Cut 4 (10) “…doing that.” 

Recall efforts to oust embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape after criminal accusations of child sexual abuse more than two decades ago in New Mexico came to light are underway. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany says they’ve collected about 6,000 signatures. As for who will run against Tape if the recall is successful, Young says they are focused on getting enough signatures right now.

Cut  14 (10) “…of office.” 

The Louisiana Senate has passed the Gator Scholarship Program which would give parents the ability to receive taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed in the Senate 29 to 10. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis asked Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, who presented it to the Senate, why it’s needed. She says because of an incident that happened at a Louisiana park restroom…

Cut 9 (12) “…nothing (x2).” 

The US Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map with two black-majority districts will be used for Louisiana’s fall election. NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans believes the ruling came down to timing.

Cut 10 (06) “…a new map.” 

Qualifying for the fall election is mid-July.

Governor Jeff Landry is campaigning for the passage of the Gator Scholarship Program, which would give all families the ability to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school education. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fighting opposition from public schools…

Cut  14 (10) “..as it is.” 

Authorities say a 15-year-old girl from Terrebonne Parish was sexually abused, set on fire and shot twice. Sean Richardson reports a car crash in Baytown, Texas likely saved her life

Cut 1 (35)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Most of Southwest Louisiana west of the Mississippi River is under a tornado watch until 10 PM. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the entire state will get hit with bad weather and the most severe areas being from Baton Rouge to Alexandria….

Cut 3 (14) “…next 36 hours or so.” 

The US Supreme Court ruled Louisiana’s congressional map with two majority-Black districts will be used for the fall election. After several years and back and forth and multiple maps passed by the legislature, NAACP Legal Defense Fund Attorney Jared Evans says he’s pleased to finally tell his clients…

Cut 9 (12) “…joy today.” 

Opponents of Governor Jeff Landry’s Gator Scholarship Program are concerned about the cost, an estimated 500-million dollars by year three of the program. Landry says E-S-A’s empower parents, putting them in control of the type of education they want their child to receive. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says school choice was a campaign pledge from the governor and it’s important an E-S-A bill reaches his desk for signature…

Cut 13 (11) “….brag about achievements” 

Authorities say a 15-year-old girl from Terrebonne Parish was sexually abused, set on fire and shot twice and a car crash in Baytown, Texas likely saved her life. At the hospital, it was clear that the teen’s injuries were from abuse. When questioned 41 year old Terrence Washington of Thibodaux admitted to shooting and sexually abusing the teen and both Washington and the Mother who allegedly blamed the teen for the abuse and set her on fire have been arrested.

Cut 8 (08)  “…course of my career.” 

Tabor says the teens drive to survive and fight to get better are nothing short of heroic.
Washington and the child’s mother face child cruelty charges and attempted 1st degree murder.

Most of Southwest Louisiana west of the Mississippi River is under a tornado watch till 10PM. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says to batten down the hatches and get ready for a rough day of severe weather.

Cut 5 (12)  “…across Louisiana.”

41-year-old Terrence Washington and LaTonya Harris of Thibodaux are facing child cruelty and attempted 1st degree murder charges. Authorities say Washington was sexually abusing a 15-year-old and the teen’s mother blamed the young victim then set her on fire. On April 18th Washington shot the 15-year-old in the chest and the face and then on April 20th they were in a car crash in Texas. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Lt. Blake Tabor…

Cut 7 (11) “…service road area.”  

At the hospital, it was clear the teen was a victim of abuse. Tabor says her drive to survive and fight to get better are nothing short of heroic.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a chance for another round of tornados and hail starting tonight and continuing into Saturday. The most severe areas being from Baton Rouge to Alexandria….

Cut 4 (08) “…slight to marginal risk.” 

The US Supreme Court says the state’s most recent map with two majority Black districts will be used in the fall election…

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

Governor Jeff Landry held a pair of town hall meetings this morning in the New Orleans area to push for the passage of the Gator Scholarship Program, which would give all families the ability to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school education. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is having trouble building support for the proposed program in the state Senate…

Cut 12 (06) “…running ads.” 

The National weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake yesterday. It traveled six and a half miles, crossed I-10 and traveled into downtown Lake Charles damaging several homes in its path. And a much stronger tornado with EF-3 damage was reported in Sulphur with peak winds of 145 mph. In St. Martin Parish, A 24-year-old woman from Texas died when a suspected tornado struck her camper. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office…

Cut 6  (13) “..deceased. ” 

In West Baton Rouge Parish, a woman who was nine months pregnant and her unborn child died when a tree fell on her trailer in Port Allen. Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger…

Cut 5 (08)  “…everyone”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris has withdrawn his legislation that would have restricted the public release of records and internal communications from Governor Jeff Landry’s office. Morris made the announcement on the Senate floor.

Cut 11 (14) ” … hide anything”

There are still two other bills alive in the legislative session that would limit public access to state government records, but it remains to be seen if they can get approval in the Senate.

The New City of St. George has a mayor and a chief of police. Today, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as interim Mayor. A former public-school teacher and coach, Yates is in his 19^th year with the St. George Fire Department. He says his goal is to ensure a timely transition what will set up the City of St. George for long term success. Landry also appointed Todd Morris as the interim Chief of Police.  Morris has served in many law enforcement roles for the past 34 years.

The National weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake yesterday. It traveled six and a half miles, crossed I-10 and traveled into downtown Lake Charles damaging several homes in its path. And a much stronger tornado with EF-3 damage was reported in Sulphur which traveled 3.4 miles with peak winds of 145 mph. In West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says a double fatality occurred in Port Allen when a tree fell on a trailer. He says there are multiple reports of trees and powerlines down…

Cut 4 (14) “…machinery” 

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is in contact with local emergency partners. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodaux …

Cut 9 (03) “..storm system.” 

A bill that sought to dramatically restrict the public’s access to records within Governor Jeff Landry’s office is dead for the session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation Christopher R. McCoy pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the Good Friday 2023 death of Lauren Vaughn. Louisiana State Police say Vaughn was a passenger in a vehicle driven by McCoy. He was driving east on Highway 1176 when he went into a ditch then hit a tree. LSP reported that McCoy’s BAC was .15, nearly twice the legal limit.

The New City of St. George has a mayor and a chief of police. Today, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Dustin Yates as interim Mayor. A former public-school teacher and coach, Yates is in his 19^th year with the St. George Fire Department. He says his goal is to ensure a timely transition what will set up the City of St. George for long term success. Landry also appointed Todd Morris as the interim Chief of Police.  Morris has served in many law enforcement roles for the past 34 years. Most recently serving as Chief of Crimes against Persons and Special Operations for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

Severe weather with hurricane force winds and possible tornadoes caused damage from southwest Louisiana through south central Louisiana yesterday. Governor Jeff Landry says a storm out of Texas converged with another storm system coming out of the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 10 (08) “…size” 

The Louisiana Department of Health says Monday’s severe weather resulted in three storm-related deaths. Mel Bridges has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges”

St. Martain Parish was sustained storm related damage in yesterday’s line of severe weather. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says most of the damage that occurred in Henderson and Cecilia…

Cut 8 (10)  “…were affected” 

One of the St. Martin Parish’s most famous restaurants, Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant sustained some damage.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed three-storm related deaths from yesterday’s severe weather, including a woman who was nine months pregnant. The unborn baby did not survive and is counted as the third storm related death.  West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says the double fatality occurred in Port Allen when a tree fell on a trailer in which she resided…

Cut 3 (10) “…did not survive” 

A 24-year-old woman from Texas died in St. Martin Parish from a suspected tornado. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says the woman was in a camper…

Cut 6  (13) “..deceased. ” 

One of the St. Martin Parish’s most famous restaurants, Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in Henderson sustained some damage. Higgins says the restaurant is not a total loss, but repairs will be needed…

Cut 7 (11) “…during the storm.”  

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is in contact with local emergency partners and receiving damage assessments. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodaux says a squall line with hurricane force winds and possible tornadoes caused damage from southwest Louisiana through south central Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08) “..160-thousand.” 

Louisiana Income Tax returns are due this Wednesday, May 15^th but if it’s impossible to complete and file them by then, Louisianans now have an automatic extension, giving you until November 15^th. You don’t have to file the extension, but you do still have to pay any taxes owed by May 15^th. Taxes not paid by the deadline are subject to interest and penalties. If you prepare your own tax returns, they can be filed electronically through Louisiana File Online or using commercially available tax preparation software. If you prefer paper mail-in returns, the forms are available at revenue.louisiana.gov/Forms.

The Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says we need a congressional map by Wednesday the November 2024 election. Attorney General Liz Murrill has brought the issue to the U S Supreme Court but Loyola Law Professor, Dean Ciolino doesn’t expect the nation’s highest court to act that quickly.

Cut 10 (12) “…resolution.” 

US News and World Report Best States has Louisiana at 40th in Pre-k through 12th Education. That is the highest the state has ever ranked. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Most of the state, south of Interstate 20 is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says some areas have already received two to four inches…

Cut 6  (11) “..flooding ” 

Kowalski says the heaviest rainfall is expected tonight.