Legislation to expand the school voucher program passes in the House after explosive testimony from a surprise ally. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

In a bid to curb classroom distractions, legislation aimed at restricting student cellphone usage or any electronic device during school hours unanimously passed the Senate. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says cellphones in the classroom are a big distraction for students.

Cut 3 (10) “…continual distraction.”  

Much of Northwest Louisiana is experiencing severe weather, with eleven parishes under a tornado watch until 9:00 PM. Heavy rainfall has North and Central Louisiana are under a flood watch through Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Shreveport LA has issued a Flood Warning for Cypress Bayou At Wallace Lake affecting Caddo and De Soto Parishes.

Environmental Protection Agency is implementing a final rule aimed at reducing cancer causing air pollution released by 51 plants and refineries in Louisiana. The EPA action targets Denka Performance Elastomers facility in LaPlace which is the largest source of toxic emissions in the U-S. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says this rule addresses public health risks in local communities and protects future generations.

Cut 12 (13) “…in families.” 

The Louisiana Chemical Association argues that EPA used flawed data in determining this new regulation.

Legislation aimed at restricting student cellphone usage or any electronic device during school hours unanimously passed the Senate. Bill Sponsor Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell was questioned on the Senate floor about students not having a phone in the event of an emergency, such as a school shooter…

Cut 5 (13)  “…of directions.”

The bill heads to the House for more discussion.

After emotional testimony the House pass a bill that would expand the school voucher program to allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes acknowledged that his support of the bill could cost him his seat but says those who know his heart, know he has a heart for children.

Cut 8 (09) “…(clapping).” 

According to their social media page, Slidell Police say a naked woman who chased a man out of the woods wielding a rusty ax earlier this week is still on the loose. The unidentified victim was checking on a homeless man he had been assisting when he encountered the angry woman who raised the ax above her head and charged at the man who was eventually able to outrun the woman and escape to his vehicle. According to the post, police know who the woman is and it’s not the first time she has been naked in public. She faces assault and obscenity charges.

EPA says the rule will reduce both EtO and chloroprene emissions by nearly 80 percent and reduce nearby cancer rates by 96 percent. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says many of these impacted plants are located near low-income communities with people who suffer with elevated health risks. The rule slashes more than six thousand tons of toxic air pollution by requiring facilities to conduct fence line monitoring and lowering emissions.

Cut 11 (07) “…be safe.”

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter commends the Environmental Protection Agency for implementing a final rule aimed at reducing cancer causing air pollution released by 51 plants and refineries in Louisiana. The rule significantly reduces the amount of chloroprene, ethylene oxide and other substances. Carter says…

Cut 10 (10) “…air pollutants. “

Sabine parish authorities have identified the two men who died in a house fire at Toledo Bend early Sunday morning. 70-year-old David Keith Sebastien of Opelousas and 66-year-old David Mark Briley of Ville Platt were not able to escape the flames and lost their lives. Two other men were able to get out of the house on Brunson Drive in the Lanana Bay Area

A bill that would prohibit students’ use of cell phones in the classroom passed unanimously out of the Senate on Monday. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

After emotional testimony, the House passed a bill to expand the school voucher program. House Bill 745 will eventually allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. Alexandria Democrat Representative Ed Larvadain worries local superintendents will be faced with closing schools and potentially forcing children to schools farther from home.

Cut 9 (10) “…they’re tired.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars since he announced in January he would run the newly created 6^th congressional district seat, which now stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says  out of the 601-thousand dollars raised, 564-thousand came from individuals…

Cut 6 (13) “…opposes him.”

A month into the regular session and legislators are seeking to improve the state’s insurance market. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says when it comes to insurance reform, Republican lawmakers are seeking to make changes to reduce the number of lawsuits. Opponents say it will just pad the profits of insurance companies. He says tort reform and ESAs are on the front burner of this session

Cut 15 (11)  “…their voters”

Today’s the big day for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says even animals react to a total solar eclipse. She says crickets have been known to emerge because they think it’s nighttime and livestock often show signs of anxiety.

Cut 8 (07) “…of thing.” 

The northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

The full House is scheduled to vote on the Education Savings Accounts bill today. It would provide thousands of dollars to families regardless of their income with the ability to tap into state dollars to send their children to private school. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there’s opposition to doing this…

 Cut 14 (10)  “…public education.”

 The LSU women’s basketball team has taken heat for not being on the court for the national anthem, but the football team has not been present for the anthem in decades. AD Scott Woodward says they’ll review their processes. Governor Landry is calling for college teams to be present for the anthem. Tigers football coach Brian Kelly says they will do whatever the administration wants…

Cut 16 (18)  “…national anthem” 

It’s eclipse day, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, be at its maximum close to 1:45, and end at three.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says when the eclipse gets close to totality, around 1:45, hopefully there will be a little break in the clouds.

Cut 11 (04) “…be surprised.”

Improving the state’s insurance market and providing school choice are the main themes of this 2024 regular session. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeanne Burns” 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves for the 6^th Congressional District seal in November. The Baton Rouge Republican reported $3.8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Graves might be able to out-fund raise Fields, but the sixth district is now a majority-minority district..

Cut 5 (11) “…Cleo Fields.” 

Today’s the big day for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America. Even though cloudy weather is expected to decrease the view in Louisiana, LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says it’s definitely worth stepping outside to see how the moon blocking the sun affects the Earth.

Cut 7 (13) “…you are.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse, even a partial view of one without proper eclipse glasses. Doing so can cause permanent eye damage.

The probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions are very unstable right now, with a front to our north and west…

Cut 10 (11) “…the state.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted second-degree murder charge. A Union Parish Grand jury didn’t find enough evidence to indict him on attempted murder for a shooting in Farmerville on February 15th. Holly still faces a charge of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. Kelly says the case could be resolved soon.

Cut 17 (16) “…welcome back” 

Cloudy conditions will make it difficult to see the solar eclipse today. Meteorologist Ryan Gallagher has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…development”

A month into the regular session and legislation seeking to improve the state’s insurance market and giving parents more options to educate their children are moving through the process with few hiccups. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Jeff Landry and GOP lawmakers ran on these issues in the fall…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Education Savings Accounts”

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars since he announced in January he would run the newly created 6^th congressional district seat, which now stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Fields is off to a good start with finances…

Cut 4 (11) “…of money.”

Millions are excited for Monday’s total solar eclipse but mother nature may have other plans. Gary Chatelain (Shat-ta-lane) with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says they’re expecting cloudy skies on Monday before strong storms arrive.

Cut 9 (13) “…the day.” 

The odds of winning this Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million, but Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says while you might not win the $1.23 billion Powerball jackpot, there are eight ways total to win and those odds are 1 in 25.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the jackpot.”

The drawing is Saturday night, and the Louisiana Lottery reminds you to play responsibly and that it only takes one ticket to win.

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward has responded to Governor Landry’s call for college athletic teams to be present for the national anthem saying LSU will always be dedicated to the flag, the anthem and the country. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes this anthem controversy has been blown out of proportion…

Cut 8 (11) “…about nothing.” 

Landry is also calling on the NCAA to mandate that student athletes are present for the national anthem.

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tomorrow (Saturday) night. Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster is one of the inductees. Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss…

Cut 13 (13) “..Rag Magazine.”

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame is located in Winnfield and has 243 members with the latest inductees.

Governor Jeff Landry has called on the state’s higher education boards to develop a policy for college athletic teams to be on the field or court when the national anthem is played and if not, they could lose their scholarship. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says it would be difficult to fit the football team on the field when the Golden Band from Tigerland plays the “Star Spangled Banner…

Cut 7 (12) “…is threatened.”  

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge Saturday night highlighted by two term Governor John Bel Edwards. Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss says Edwards is being honored for his dedication of political service.

Cut 12 (13) “…justice reform.” 

Forecasters say the highly anticipated Great American Eclipse that starts around 12:30 on Monday in Louisiana could be eclipsed by clouds. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

The Powerball Jackpot has reached $1.23 billion, that’s a billion with a B. The cash value for Saturday night’s drawing is $595 million. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says the current jackpot has been rolling over since January 3^rd.

Cut 3 (11) “…out of it.”  

If you’re excited about the solar eclipse and you’re in Northwest Louisiana, you’ll have a 95% view. Lake Charles and Alexandria area, 90%, the Baton Rouge and Lafayette get 85%, and southeast Louisiana will have an 80% view but Gary Chatelain (Shat-ta-lane) with the National Weather in Shreveport says it will be mostly cloudy during the peak hours early Monday afternoon, but there is still a chance to see the moon block the sun.

Cut 10 (12) “…pretty limited. “

At $1.23 billion Saturday’s Drawing will be for the 4th largest Powerball Jackpot, and 8th largest jackpot in US Lottery history. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says the Bayou State is overdue for a Powerball Jackpot winner and this would be one heck of a prize. Since Louisiana joined the multi-state lottery game in 1995…

Cut 4 (08) “…next one.” 

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward and Governor Jeff Landry exchanged statements on Friday over the national anthem controversy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tomorrow (Saturday) night. Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster is one of the inductees. Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss…

Cut 13 (13) “..Rag Magazine.”