Over 30-thousand Caddo and Bossier Parish SWEPCO customers were without power Saturday after the Southwest Power Pool gave an emergency directive to SWEPCO when they identified grid instability. Spokesperson Michael Corbin expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the sudden outages, noting that the emergency nature did not allow for advance notice to customers.

Cut 5 (08) “…in the future.”

For the first time, Saints quarterback Derek Carr is speaking out about his injury to his right shoulder. Carr opened up about his injury while leading a service as a guest pastor in Las Vegas, saying he has an MRI to prove that he has an injured shoulder.

Cut 9 (05)  “…forward with that.”

Carr’s comments come as NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport reports that Carr’s shoulder injury may sideline him for the entire 2025 season. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is not ready to write off Carr’s season just yet.

The House Transportation Committee approves legislation prohibiting the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is ordering state workers back to the office.  State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (05) “…are more productive.”

The House Transportation Committee approved a bill to prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while driving. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the bigger problem is not the talking. The real distractions are texting while driving, the use of social media, and streaming video.

Cut 13 (14)  “…in a crash.”

Alexandria defense attorney Ed Tarpley questions how the proposed law would be enforced and believes it’s an overreach of government regulation.

The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced a bill to amend the constitution giving teachers a pay raise.

Like the recently rejected Amendment 2, the plan would be to transform a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand-dollar stipend for other school staff into permanent pay increases. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter…

Cut 16 (10) “…paychecks have not.”

H-B 573 now goes to the House Civil Law Committee.

Over 30-thousand Caddo and Bossier Parish SWEPCO customers lost power Saturday. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry is ordering state workers back to the office. State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic.

Cut 6 (06) “…their other colleagues.”

Landry says state workers will be required to return to the office July 1st.

Cut 8 (09) “…back to work.”

Governor Jeff Landry says state workers will be required to return to the office July 1st.

State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic. He is also encouraging employees of agencies outside of his authority to return to their previous office.

PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell wants to know why there was a six-hour unplanned power outage impacting over 30-thousand SWEPCO customers in Bossier and Caddo parishes Saturday. SWEPCO spokesman Michael Corbin says the Southwest Power Pool identified grid instability and required SWEPCO to implement emergency outages Power was restored by the end of the night. ​Corbin says whatever caused the problem wasn’t a SWEPCO issue and a much larger issue possibly in another state.

Cut 4 (06) “…updates to it.”

SWEPCO expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the sudden outages, noting that the emergency nature did not allow for advance notice to customers.

The legislature is still working to give teachers and school staff a permanent pay raise. The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced House Bill 573, which would eliminate three education trust funds and divert two-billion dollars to pay down retirement debt, using the savings for teacher pay. Larry Carter, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, supports it, but he says passage of the amendment would come too late for the 2025-26 school year.

Cut 15 (07) “…amendment ultimately passed.”

Saints quarterback Derek Carr is speaking out about his shoulder injury. While leading a service as a guest pastor at ChurchLV in Las Vegas, Carr expressed frustration over social media speculation that he is faking the injury in an effort to get traded or to be released from the Saints.

Cut 10 (09) “…with this nonsense?”

Carr’s comments come as NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport has reported that Carr’s shoulder injury may sideline him for the entire 2025 season. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, however, is not ready to write off Carr’s season.

The House unanimously passed a bill that could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through third party apps. Rep. Troy Hebert says the bill would protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices like an Antoine’s reservation that sold for over $2000 during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says both deployments are to contribute to a safe and secure environment in those areas.

Cut 7 (11) “…and peaceful area.”

Saturday is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sites throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The first draft pick of Kellen Moore’s head coaching career is in the books, as the Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. Moore says it feels great to get the first one nailed down.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

As for the selection of Banks, Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Saturday is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites in Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says this way, the drugs can’t be used for illicit purposes.

Cut 4 (15) “…or whatever else.”

The process will be anonymous.

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting Former LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. David Guzick, who, under pressure, resigned this week, wasn’t without a job for long. Guzick, in a newly created role, is the LSU System’s Chief Research officer. At a board meeting in September, LSU Board of Supervisors member Esperanza Moran called for Guzick’s dismissal. He resigned from his LSU Health position, Wednesday and Friday, the LSU System board unanimously named Guzick to his new position.

The Louisiana National Guards 256^th Tiger Brigade will deploy nearly 700 guardsmen overseas to the Horn of Africa and Kosovo to support operations. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A bill that could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX passed the House. Rep. Troy Hebert’s the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices because they profit from bid percentages, but Hebert says apps like OpenTable that operate with restaurants will continue to operate.

Cut 11 (10) “…with your company.”

The DEA will have several collection sites throughout Louisiana Saturday for national drug take-back day. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge DEA field office, says they’ve been collecting expired or unwanted medications for years now and it’s been very successful.

Cut 5 (10) “…or unwanted medication.”

The process is anonymous; agents will take back medications, no questions asked.

The Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to provide support for Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa. This marks the brigade’s fourth overseas deployment since the 9/11 terror attacks, and Commander Jonathan Lloyd says they continue to play a vital role in both global operations and state disaster relief efforts.

Cut 8 (11) “…Horn of Africa mission.”

A bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through third party platforms. Bill sponsor, Rep. Troy Hebert says the legislation targets elite restaurants that are being exploited without their knowledge or consent. He says the penalty if a platform doesn’t get written consent from a restaurant would be one thousand dollars.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

The bill also allows the state attorney general to seek restitution for misled consumers. The bill now moves to the Senate, as debate continues over the ethics and sustainability of reservation trading.

The first draft pick of Kellen Moore’s head coaching career is in the books, as the Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. Moore says he’s excited to have Banks wearing the black and gold.

Cut 14 (16) “…an excellent job.”

A bill passed the House unanimously, could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Rep. Troy Hebert, the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, like the Antoine’s reservation sold for over two thousand dollars during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

About 700 Soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256 will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

Saturday is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (00) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

With the ninth overall pick, the Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr Thursday night.  About his first selection as Head Coach, Kellen Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line and it feels great to get his first pick nailed down.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

Less than a month after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that included permanent teacher pay raises, Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill to increase teacher salaries.  Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson’s bill would require school districts to use savings from eliminating three state trust funds to provide $2,000 raises for teachers and $1,000 for support staff.

Cut 3 (10) “…able to do it.”

The measure received approval from the House Education Committee, if it receives full legislative approval, voters will have to approve it, but this time the constitutional amendment will only focus on teacher pay.

Another step toward rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama has been taken. The name of the route was announced today. Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will run twice daily from each location and is set to begin service this summer. The line will include stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis. Announcement of the exact start date of service and fares is still a few weeks away.

A bill to ban fluoride in drinking water advances to the full Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

With a 35-3 vote, the full Senate has approved legislation cracking down on “left-lane camping,” the act of lingering in the passing lane.  Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau hailed it as “the most important bill of the session,” asserting it would ease traffic flow and reduce road rage.

Cut 9 (13)  “…kind of stuff.”

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.

A bill cracking down on “left lane camping” is headed to the House after passing the Senate 35-3. Current law says a vehicle cannot travel less than 10-miles per hour below the speed limit in the left lane of a four-lane highway. Senator Jay Luneau’s bill would allow police officers to ticket motorists who are traveling at or below the speed limit but not looking to pass vehicles in the right. First time offenders of the proposed law would face a fine of up to 150-dollars. During the debate, Sen. Royce Duplessis brought a little levity to the floor.

Cut 10 (12) “…fitting for this bill”

Less than a month after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that included permanent teacher pay raises, the House Education Committee advances a bill to increase teacher salaries using savings from eliminating three state trust funds and a companion bill would simplify the proposal. Unlike the original amendment, charter school teachers would also be eligible for raises. Laplace Representative Sylvia Taylor supports the bill and says these changes are crucial.

Cut 5 (08) “…wait on a whim.”

If both bills pass, voters must again approve the change.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has advanced a bill that would ban fluoride in drinking water. The bill was written by Houma Republican Mike Fesi, who echoed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in saying that fluoride is poison.

Cut 12 (12) “…into our water.”

Opponents say fluoride has proven to be beneficial when used at the right concentration. Baton Rouge pediatric dentist Dr. Robert Delarosa says when fluoride is added to drinking water at the recommended limit of point-seven milligrams per liter, it is an important tool to fight tooth decay.

At 44 and 0, LSU Shreveport baseball has the longest winning streak in NAIA history, and it’s longer than the current NCAA Division One record of 34. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says his team has really gelled this year.

But one challenge amid such dominance is not to let the team get over-confident.

Cut 7 (09) “…can be beat.”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has advanced Houma Republican Mike Fesi’s bill that would ban fluoride in drinking water. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says excessive levels of fluoride have been shown to lower IQs in babies. He says it’s an issue of freedom of choice.

Cut 13 (10)  “…as a physician.”

Annette Droddy, who represents the Louisiana Dental Association’s 19-hundred dentists, says when cities remove fluoride from their drinking water, tooth decay goes up.

Cut 15 (09) “…removal of fluoride.”

The vote was 6-to-3, along party lines.

Thanks to a 35-3 vote by the Senate, a bill cracking down on “left-lane camping” is zooming over to the House. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill to increase teacher salaries.  Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson’s bill would require districts to use savings from eliminating three state trust funds to provide $2,000 raises for teachers and $1,000 for support staff. A companion bill from Carencro representative Julie Emerson was designed to simplify the proposal in response to the recent voter defeat of Amendment 2 which was said to be too complex.

Cut 4 (09) “…teacher pay raise there.”