Two Louisiana Congressmen, Clay Higgins and Troy Carter have filed legislation to give the FDA the authority to destroy contaminated food imports, like seafood, eliminating the option to re-export rejected goods. Deborah Long with the Southern Shrimp Alliance says the bill closes a loophole that allows importers to “port shop” rejected products back into the U.S.

Cut 3 (12) “…reenter our country”

It’s National Crawfish Day, and it’s observed every year on April 17th. Easter weekend is a big weekend for crawfish boils and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says you can find live crawfish below three dollars a pound…

Cut 12 (06) “…$2.95”

One lawmaker says there should only be night games at LSU in the month of September. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

573-million dollars of the nearly two-billion-dollar spending plan of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is allocated to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. But the project has been paused for 90 days since Governor Jeff Landry questioned its effectiveness and cost. Despite this uncertainty, CPRA included full funding in the plan and Restore the Mississippi River Delta Campaign Manager Simone Maloz (muh-LAWZ)…

Cut 10 (12) “…should get more information.”

Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter have filed legislation that would give the FDA the authority to destroy contaminated foreign seafood, instead of allowing it to be re-exported. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Harahan Representative John Illg has introduced a resolution that would request all LSU September home games start no earlier than 6 p.m. The average high temperature in Baton Rouge in the month of September is 89 degrees, posing a potential health treat for fans. Illg says this is something that people have been screaming for.

Cut 8 (06) “…over somebody’s health.”

ESPN has the authority to dictate the start times of LSU games based on their contract with the SEC.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s wish list of two-billion dollars in coastal restoration projects includes 573-million for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. The project in Plaquemines Parish is designed to rebuild wetlands using sediment from the Mississippi River. Restore the Mississippi River Delta Campaign Manager Simone Maloz (muh-LAWZ) says a majority of Louisiana voters are on board.

Cut 9 (11)  “…wetlands in Louisiana.”

It’s up to state lawmakers to provide funding for the coastal projects.

Happy National Crawfish Day. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s been a good crawfish season and there is enough to go around this Easter weekend…

Cut 14 (07) “…as well.”

Strain says don’t wait to reserve your sacks.

Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter have filed legislation to give the FDA the authority to destroy contaminated food imports, like seafood, eliminating the option to re-export rejected goods. Deborah Long with the Southern Shrimp Alliance says the bipartisan bill aims to protect consumers, uphold food safety, and support Louisiana’s seafood industry by ensuring contaminated products don’t reenter U.S. markets.

Cut 5 (12) “…creating super bugs.”

The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to rebuild wetlands using sediment from the Mississippi River has been paused for 90 days as Governor Jeff Landry questions the 573-million-dollar project’s effectiveness and cost. Restore the Mississippi River Delta Campaign Manager Simone Maloz (muh-LAWZ) says reducing or canceling the MBSD project would undermine decades of progress.

Cut 11 (12) “…what happens next.”

LSU home football afternoon games in September should all start after 6:00 P.M. says Harahan Representative John Illg and he’s introduced a resolution requesting it. Illg says last September when the UCLA game kicked off at 2:30 p.m., many fans were overcome by the 92-degree heat. He went to the game with friends, and all but two bailed by halftime. They were certainly not alone, and Illg says that’s not right.

Cut 7 (10) “…need for it.”

The average high temperature in Baton Rouge in the month of September is 89 degrees but it cools to an average low of 69 degrees for a pleasant game under the lights. Ultimately, by SEC contract, ESPN dictates the start times of LSU games.

It’s April 17^th. Happy National Crawfish Day! Easter weekend is always big weekend for crawfish boils and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says if you plan on boiling crawfish this weekend, make sure you’ve reserved your sacks…

Cut 13 (05)  “…don’t wait.”

573-million dollars of the nearly two-billion-dollar spending plan of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is allocated to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. But the project has been paused for 90 days since Governor Jeff Landry questioned its effectiveness and cost. Despite this uncertainty, CPRA included full funding in the plan and Restore the Mississippi River Delta Campaign Manager Simone Maloz (muh-LAWZ) says a majority of Louisiana voters are on board and there are a lot of unanswered questions that Landry hasn’t answered.

Cut 10 (12) “…should get more information.”

Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter have filed legislation to give the FDA the authority to destroy contaminated food imports. Currently many shipments contaminated with banned drugs or pathogens are simply returned to exporters. Deborah Long with the Southern Shrimp Alliance says this practice undermines American producers who follow strict safety standards and it threatens a sustainable industry.

Cu 4 (09) “…banned antibiotics” 

If one New Orleans-area lawmaker has his way, there will be no more afternoon games at LSU in the month of September. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s National Crawfish Day, and it’s observed every year on April 17th. Easter weekend is a big weekend for crawfish boils and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says you can find live crawfish below three dollars a pound…

Cut 12 (06) “…$2.95”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly this morning for the first time since the death of former Tiger football star Kyren Lacy. Lacy was one of Kelly’s first signees out of the transfer portal after he arrived in Baton Rouge in November of 2021.

Cut 3 (05) “…incredible personality”

Lacy died Saturday night in Houston from an apparent suicide.

Dying eggs is an Easter tradition and the high price of eggs this year is not expected to change the practice. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the Department of Justice was told by the Trump Administration to take a hard look at egg prices.

Cut 10 (09) “…pricing of eggs.”

The average wholesale price in Louisiana was $3.75 per dozen but Strain recommends shopping around for the best prices.

The legislature is taking aim at distracted driving this session. A bill by Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso and Covington Senator Patrick McMath would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving illegal. Studies show using a hand-held cell phone while driving has deadly consequences. Suzanne Salter knows that all too well. Her 31-year-old daughter, Nicole, was killed by a distracted driver in Livonia in 2014.

Cut 6 (14) “…heard the thump.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says that the legislative package he supports targets the real cost drivers, excessive bodily injury claims and litigation. Temple stresses the need to “bend the loss curve” to bring down rates, indicating that while there are disagreements, both he and Governor Landry ultimately share a common goal: reducing Louisiana’s oppressive insurance premiums.

Cut 14 (10) “…committed on doing.”

Former State Representative Billy Montgomery of Haughton has died. Montgomery represented district 9 from 1988 to 2008. He was an educator, a principal, and a coach who was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He led Haughton High School’s basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 1968 and 1969. The gym at Bossier Parish Community College and the basketball court at Haughton High School are named in his honor. He was 87 years old.

Despite rising egg prices across the United States, families will still practice the beloved Easter tradition of dyeing eggs. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says at the start of April the average wholesale price in Louisiana was $3.75 per dozen and in other markets $6.23 per dozen.

Cut 9 (09)  “…before you buy them.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has faced difficulty arranging a meeting with Governor Jeff Landry, even as Landry emphasizes tackling Louisiana’s soaring auto insurance rates, the highest in the country.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry says wants to address at least one more item to address rates and that is cracking down on handheld cell phone use while driving

Cut 8 (11) “…their insurance premiums.”

A bill by Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso and Covington Senator Patrick McMath would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving illegal.  Hand-held cell phone usage is already a primary violation in school zones and construction zones.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke today about the life of Kyren Lacy, who died in an apparent suicide on Saturday night in Houston. Lacy was one of Kelly’s first signees out of the transfer portal after he arrived in Baton Rouge in November of 2021 and he chooses not to dwell on the tragic ending to Lacy’s life, instead remember his happy times…

Cut 5 (10) “…great emotion.”

Funeral services for Lacy are still pending.

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting that sixteen international students attending Louisiana universities have had their visa’s revoked by the Trump administration. The schools include Southern University, Southern New Orleans, UL Lafayette, UNO, and Tulane. A Southern spokesperson told the Illuminator that no reason for the revocation was given. A Tulane spokesperson said two students had their visas revoked based on prior criminal arrests.

The legislature is taking aim at distracted driving this session. Andrew Greenstein has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry is working to address the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates but he has yet to meet with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple with regards to this legislative session and while Temple agrees with the Governor that excessive claims and litigation drive up insurance costs, he disagrees with Landry’s focus on curbing legal advertising by injury attorneys arguing that advertising costs only account for a small fraction of rate calculations.

Cut 13 (10)  “…cost of the claim down.”

Former star LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy is dead at the age of 24 and for those who know him personally, today is a difficult day. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Casino employee and a patron have been arrested, and both have been charged with one count each of Theft between $5,000 and $25,000.  The Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division says 49-year-old Margaret Lake allegedly helped 23-year-old Ahmond Junius place several late wagers while she was working as a Roulette Dealer at Caesars in New Orleans. The case remains active. The two are accused of stealing more than $10,000.

The deadline to file your federal taxes is midnight tomorrow night. If you’re among those waiting until the last minute to get your taxes done, CPA Jerry Schreiber with the accounting firm Schreiber and Schreiber says, get organized.

Cut 5 (11) “…the return.”

David Griffin is out as the New Orleans Pelicans’ executive director of basketball operations. Griffin’s firing comes one day after the Pels wrapped up an injury-riddled 21-and-61 season. Jake Madison, the host of the Locked On Pelicans podcast, says his firing is a clear message from Pelicans’ ownership.

Cut 9 (11)  “…needed to happen.”

We’re learning details of the final moments of former LSU star wide receiver Kyren Lacy from law enforcement in the Houston area. Deputy Thomas Gilliland with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office says it started when Lacy’s sister called 911 late Saturday night.

Cut 14 (10) “…into the ground.”

He says Lacy drove off and later deputies tried to pull him over but after several miles Lacy crashed into a curb. Officers found him deceased of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In his hometown of Thibodaux there is mourning. Lacy’s former high school football coach at Thibodeaux High School Chris Dugas (Doo-gah)…

Cut 13 (09)  “…part of your family.”

Lacy spent his first two years of college football at U-L Lafayette. He led the Cajuns in receiving his freshman season and helped them win a Sun Belt title in 2021. He transferred to LSU after 2021 and in his senior season he caught 58 passes for 866 yards and an SEC high nine touchdown passes. He was preparing for the NFL draft, but he was also facing negligent homicide charge for a fatal wreck that State Police say he caused in December in Lafourche Parish on Highway 20.

Weekend Festivals were rocked by two shootings. In New Orleans, shots rang out as crowds were leaving the French Quarter Festival.

Cut 3 (12) “…this subject.”

NOPD Captain Samuel Palumbo says four people were injured. Police have not identified the person arrested. The shooting victims were transported to the hospital, and they are expected to be okay.

Saturday night in Ponchatoula, two people were hurt in a shooting at the Strawberry Festival. Neither of those injuries are life-threatening. Police in Ponchatoula say they hope to make arrests soon.

An improperly restrained toddler died in a vehicle crash in Richland Parish Sunday afternoon. Troopers with Louisiana State Police say 1-year-old Amella Kyles who was in the back seat died as a result of injuries sustained when a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Shanice Kyles went off the Hwy 80 and struck a tree. Shanice, who was properly restrained and another child also improperly restrained in the back seat sustained minor injuries. Driver impairment is not suspected. The accident remains under investigation.

In his hometown of Thibodaux, there is morning as Kyren Lacy is remembered. Authorities in the Houston area say Lacy took his own life on Saturday night during a police chase. He became an All-SEC performer at LSU and Lacy’s former high school football coach at Thibodaux High, Chris Dugas (Doo-gah) says Lacy played football and basketball and helped Thibodaux win a state championship in boys basketball in 2019…

Cut 12 (09) “…leader on the team.”

A Casino employee and patron have been arrested and both have been charged with one count each of Theft between $5,000 and $25,000.  Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division says 49-year-old Margaret Lake allegedly helped 23-year-old Ahmond Junius place several late wagers while she was working as a Roulette Dealer at Caesars in New Orleans. The case remains active. The two are accused of stealing more than $10,000.

The tax deadline is approaching fast, and here is some tips for those who haven’t filed their returns yet.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Violence interrupted weekend festivals. Two people were shot Saturday at the Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula and Four people were shot last night near the closing of French Quarter Fest in New Orleans. NOPD Captain Samuel Palumbo says there was plenty of law enforcement in the area…

Cut 4 (12) “…chooses to do this” 

Victims in both shooting were transported to hospitals and fortunately, all are expected to be okay.