With Mother’s Day fast approaching this Sunday, Louisiana has some work to do for working moms. Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst with the 2024 Best and Worst States for Working Moms.

Cut 9 (11) “…professional opportunities.” 

One area the survey looked at for working moms is the gender pay gap in Louisiana. Happe says the Bayou State ranked 48th overall.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says this might be the last weekend with ideal weather before the summer heat takes hold. He says the long-range forecast is calling for hotter than normal conditions and wetter than usual.

Cut  14 (11) “…right now.” 

This crawfish season has been one of the most unpredictable ones on record and Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says typically prices go up for Mother’s Day.

Cut 3 (14) “…retail level.” 

Expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana.

Tournament Fisherman, Cliff Crochet is giving away fish in Veterans Park in Pierre Part Saturday.

Cut 6  (04) “…80,000 fish. ” 

His goal is to spread out resources and help the fishing population grow, you will be able to release your fish in your favorite fishing spots and down the road catch some fish. The event is from 6 am to noon.

Funeral arrangements for former Rosepine Senator James David Cain have been announced. Cain who served in the House from 1972 to 92 and the Senate from 92 to 2008 passed away Wednesday. His funeral will be held next Friday May 17^th at Grace Church in DeRidder.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and for Louisiana working moms, it will hopefully be a well-deserved break. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

Mother Nature is gifting moms in Louisiana with ideal weather for the weekend. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold front moving in is probably the last one we’ll have this spring, and you’ll want to take advantage of it.

Cut 12 (13) “…lack of humidity.” 

A middle school student in Bossier City accidentally fired a gun inside of his classroom. The student brought the loaded gun to Cope Middle School Thursday to show another student. The gun went off while the child was trying to put it back into his backpack. Fortunately, it discharged into a cabinet, and no one was injured. The firearm was confiscated, and the student was taken into custody.

Crawfish prices typically go up for Mother’s Day but Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says while they’re about a dollar more than Mother’s Day last year, prices have gone down.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sack of crawfish.” 

Expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana. You can download The Crawfish App for free on your smartphone.

Heads up Fishing enthusiasts “Every Fish Matters” 2nd annual release is Saturday. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns is stepping down as Chairman effective June 30th. During his time as chair, he’s seen two riverboat properties become first-class land-based properties with another three under construction, as well as bringing sports betting to the state. Those are only a few of the milestones of Johns’s time as Chairman. He says that wasn’t a small task.

Cut 7 (11) “…was done properly .”  

Steward Health Care has announced its selling Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe. Steward has filed for bankruptcy and is looking to sell several of its 31 hospitals in eight states. The Glenwood hospital has been struggling with staffing and supply issues and State Representative Mike Echols says it’s time for Glenwood to have a new owner…

cut 7 (11) “…Steward Health Group”
A Federal three-judge panel told Louisiana Lawmakers they have until June 3^rd to create a new congressional map, or the panel will create one. But multiple attempts to draw maps have all been rejected by federal judges in different districts. Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s all part of the legal process…

Cut 5 (12)  “…outcome is.” 

According to the Violence Policy Center, Louisiana ranks second in the nation for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says states with weak firearm laws and higher gun ownership consistently have higher gun death rates.
Cut 13 (12) “…of gun deaths.”
Mississippi ranks first for the highest gun death rate followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, Alabama, and Missouri.

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, but his yearly attempt failed in the House overwhelming by a 21-72 vote. Denham Springs Representative, Roger Wilder, is concerned about court issues that would come with the violation.

Cut 11 (11) ” …concerned about the bill, thank you.”

A panel of 3 federal judges has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. While the legislature is in session Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed. He says it’s time to let State Attorney General Liz Murrill handle the congressional map with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cut 4 (08) “…this time.” 

The NAACP has also filed an appeal for the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the congressional map for the fall election.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns is set to retire June 30th of this year. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

For the second year in a row, U-S News and World Report ranks Louisiana as the worst state in the country. The ranking is based on several categories that Louisiana did not perform well in, like crime, the economy and its roads. Are there any positives? U-S News and World Report’s Gary Emerling says Louisiana ranked 21st for healthcare access and more children under the age of five are spending time in an education setting…

cut 6 (03) “…pre-school enrollment.”

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns is set to retire June 30th of this year. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

______________________________________

A bill to make holding  a cellphone while driving a crime failed to pass in the House with a 21-72. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

______________________________________

The three-panel court has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. The legislature is in session, and they are scheduled to end June 3rd as well. But with the budget yet to be heard in Senate Finance, Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for them to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed.

Cut 3 (08) “…to do it.” 

Henry says it’s time to let State Attorney General Liz Murrill handle the congressional map at this point with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in the works.

Cut 4 (08) “…this time.” 

After multiple attempts to draw maps, that have been rejected by federal judges in different districts, Henry says it’s all part of the legal process…

Cut 5 (11)  “…outcome is.” 

The NAACP has also filed an appeal for the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the congressional map for the fall election.

____________________________________________________________________

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns told Governor Jeff Landry that he will be stepping down as Chairman effective June 30th.

Cut 6  (09) “…gaming control board.” 

During his time as chair, he’s seen two riverboat properties become first-class land-based properties with another three under construction, as well as bringing sports betting to the state. Those are only a few of the milestones of Johns’s time as Chairman. He says that wasn’t a small task.

Cut 7 (11) “…was done properly .”  

Johns says “It’s been an incredible honor to serve in this very important position to regulate such a large industry in our state,” and the future looks bright.

Cut 8 (10  “…the next chairman.” 

_________________________________________________________

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, but his yearly attempt failed in the House overwhelming by a 21-72 vote. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick questions what else would be considered a crime in McMath’s bill.

Cut 9 (11) “…still out there, yes.” 

Bossier City Representative, Raymond Crews asked are they chasing an issue that will solve itself in the near future.

Cut 10 (10) “…getting fines for it.” 

Denham Springs Representative, Roger Wilder is concerned about court issues that would come with the violation.

Cut 11 (11) ” …concerned about the bill, thank you.”

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns told Governor Jeff Landry that he will be stepping down as Chairman effective June 30th.

Cut 6  (09) “…gaming control board.” 

During his time as the chair he’s seen two riverboat properties become first-class land based properties with another three under construction, as well as bringing sports betting to the state.

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate but failed in the House. Bossier City Representative, Raymond Crews fears chasing an issue that he says will solve itself soon.

Cut 10 (10) “…getting fines for it” 

The fate of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe is unclear as the hospital’s owner Steward Health Care has filed for bankruptcy. Brooke Thorington has more from State Representative Michael Echols.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Federal three-judge-panel has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. The current legislative session is scheduled to end June 3rd. But with the budget yet to be heard in Senate Finance, Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for them to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed.

Cut 3 (08) “…to do it.” 

A Federal three-judge panel told Louisiana Lawmakers they have until June 3^rd to create a new congressional map, or the panel will create one. But multiple attempts to draw maps have all been rejected by federal judges in different districts. Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s all part of the legal process…

Cut 5 (12)  “…outcome is.” 

A bill moving along at the state capitol would end the requirement that employers have to give minors a 20-minute meal break if they’ve worked five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says hard working teenagers would rather make money than take a break…

cut 11 (09) “…of pay”
The bill is heading to the Senate floor for final legislative passage.

A bill to make holding a cellphone while driving a crime failed to pass in the House with a 21-72. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The Violence Policy Center says in 2022, Louisiana ranked second in the country for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says while the number of firearm homicides decreased by six percent from 2021 to 2022, the number of gun-related suicide attempts increased by almost three percent across the country in 2022.

Cut 15 (06)  “…suicide rates”

A panel of 3 federal judges has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. While the legislature is in session Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed. He says it’s time to let State Attorney General Liz Murrill handle the congressional map with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cut 4 (08) “…this time.” 

The NAACP has also filed an appeal for the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the congressional map for the fall election.

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, but his yearly attempt failed in the House overwhelming by a 21-72 vote. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick questions what else would be considered a crime in McMath’s bill.

Cut 9 (11) “…still out there, yes.” 

Legislation is moving closer to final passage to end the requirement for employers to give minor workers at least a 20-minute meal break if they work five or more hours. Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder says kids in school go for a long period of time, especially if they are involved in extracurricular activities…

Cut 12 (12) “…in a school.” 

The bill heads to the full Senate for final passage.

A federal 3 judge panel is giving the Louisiana Legislature until June 3^rd to draw yet another congressional map or have the court provide interim boundaries for the November 5^th election. The last map, drawn in January, was ruled unconstitutional because of impermissible racial gerrymander. This time the judges did not say this map would require a 2^nd majority minority district.  It’s not clear whether Lawmakers have a legislative instrument that would allow for a new map during this session, as it appears the deadline to introduce new bills for this session has passed.

The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun if they were within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure. McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens…

Cut 6  (10) “…lower crime.” 

One of the bills Governor Landry signed into law this morning phases out the three-year rule for Insurance Companies. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a policyholder that’s been a customer for three or more years. But Pollock Representative Gabe Firment gives the insurers the ability to drop some of their older policyholders…

Cut 11 (11) ” ..in Louisiana.”

Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated is being honored by the U.S. House with the naming of his hometown post office. His widow and 5th district U.S.  Representative Julia Letlow spoke on the House floor.

Cut 3 (07) “..his story.” 

Letlow worked in the Jindal administration as his congressional district director and then as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.