Teacher pay raises won’t be the only thing voters will be deciding in next month’s constitutional amendment election. There are four other amendments on the ballot, including one on whether the mandatory retirement age for judges should be raised from 70 to 75 –.President and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, . Steven Procopio says this is the third time that this has been put to voters.

Cut 8 (08) “…fresh or younger?”

Big weekend in Ponchatoula as the annual Strawberry Festival gets underway this morning at eleven and runs through Sunday evening at six.  There’s a parade set for tomorrow morning at 9:30 and Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says this year’s strawberry crop is fantastic!

Cut 6 (12) “…them fast enough.”

One important change from last year – tonight and tomorrow night, the festival will close at eight o’clock, instead of ten.

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Ole Miss fifth-year senior transfer linebacker T.J. Dottery spoke about his decision to follow his coach to LSU. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

If you’ve been craving crawfish, now’s the time to get some as crawfish prices are down.   Crawfish App co-founder Lainey King says  now that Easter’s over,

Cut 15 (11) “…your favorite spot.”

There are several constitutional amendments to be decided in next months election.  Teacher pay is one.  But voters will also be deciding whether to authorize the creation of the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish.   Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, says the only reason that this is going to voters statewide is because that’s what the rules say.

Cut 9 (07)  “…of the state.”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is happening this weekend.  It kicks off this morning at 11 and runs through Sunday evening at Memorial Park on North Sixth Street. Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says there’s costs nothing to get in, and Lanier says there are strawberries everywhere.

Cut 5 (09) “…anything like that.”

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The House Labor Committee passes legislation that would prohibit a private or public employer from firing or taking retaliatory action against an employee for misgendering. Chairman Raymond Crews of Bossier City is the author of the legislation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is that proper?”

Crews is referring to Luke Ash, who was let go of his job last July after he refused to use someone’s preferred pronouns.

Peyton Rose Michelle, with Louisiana Trans Advocates, believes the legislation is unfair, because state law does not protect trans people from discrimination, yet this bill would protect someone who intentionally tries to disrespect a transgender individual.

Cut 12 (10) “…and be disrespectful.”

The measure is heading to the House floor after a six-to-four vote along party lines in House Labor.

The House Labor Committee approves legislation that protects workers from disciplinary action if they don’t use a co-worker’s preferred pronouns.  Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re making plans for the weekend, don’t forget the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival starts this morning.   Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says they’ll be taking over Main Street tomorrow morning with a parade that starts at 9:30.

Cut 4 (08) “…off the weekend.”

The festival runs through Sunday evening at six.
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Teacher pay raises won’t be the only thing voters will be deciding in next month’s constitutional amendment election. There are four other amendments on the ballot, including one that would allow local governments to reduce or eliminate inventory taxes on businesses in exchange for a one-time payment. Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, says while the business community doesn’t like the tax, getting rid of it is not that simple.

Cut 7 (14) “…they afford it?”

If you missed out on crawfish Easter weekend, now’s the time to get them.  Co-founder of The Crawfish App, Laney King.

Cut 14 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report,  I’m Jeanne Burns.

Three weeks into the legislative session and it’s quiet when it comes to debate on significant legislation and that might be design. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Landry administration is not pushing any significant legislation after doing a lot of heavy lifting in his first two years in office…

Cut 10 (12) “…reform legislation”

Pinsonat says the Landry Administration is not interested in rocking the boat with the governor set to run for re-election next year…

Cut 11 (12) “…we are delivering.”

A Denham Springs representative is asking the LHSAA to make dance, cheer and lacrosse sanctioned high school sports under its authority. Republican Roger Wilder’s resolution passed in the House Education Committee unanimously and heads to the full House for further discussion. Wilder told the committee he was alerted to the issue by a constituent.

Cut 7 (11) “…concerns for me.”

Another Denham Springs representative has a plan to address the shortage of school resource officers, and it has advanced to the full house. Kellee Dickerson’s bill to allow military veterans to serve as SROs passed unanimously in the House Education Committee. Dickerson says her bill is designed to improve overall public safety, not just in schools.

Cut 6 (09) “…our veterans.”

A commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spoke in favor of the bill stressing veterans would not replace police officers, but would provide reinforcement.

Louisiana officials react to President Trump’s decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you have outdoor plans for today, you’ll need to work around the weather. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because a cold front is coming.

Cut 12 (13) “…in southeastern Louisiana.”

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LSU sophomore Kailin Chio continues to prove why she’s one of the nation’s top gymnasts. On Thursday night, Chio recorded two perfect 10s in the second round of the Baton Rouge NCAA Regional. Head coach Jay Clark knows Chio is a rare talent but says her success wouldn’t be possible without her teammates.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in a vacuum.”

LSU will look to punch its ticket to Fort Worth for the fourth straight season tonight at seven when the Tigers compete in the regional finals against Clemson, Michigan, and Stanford.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate has been making candy in Louisiana for 170 years; and their Heavenly Hash, Pecan Egg and Gold Brick Egg are popular treats for Easter.  And this year, CEO Rob Nelson says they are looking to add additional flavors.

Cut 3 (06) “…excited about that.”

Louisiana has lots of picture perfect weekends when it comes to the weather.  This Easter weekend isn’t one of them.  LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there will be rain across the state today and while the cold front that’s bringing it, will not produce nearly enough of it to get us out of our current drought.

Cut 14 (11) “…of the prediction.”

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate continues its 170 year candy making tradition this year and they’re  looking to add new flavors.  You may recall, an Illinois-based private equity firm purchased a majority stake in the company and CEO Rob Nelson says the deal provides Elmer with more financial resources to expand its products.

Cut 5 (10) “…or line extensions.”

You can sound off on the new flavors they’re considering on Elmer’s social media channels.

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A Denham Springs representative has a plan to address the shortage of school resource officers, and it has advanced to the full house. Kellee Dickerson’s bill to allow military veterans to serve as SROs passed unanimously in the House Education Committee. Dickerson says her bill is designed to improve overall public safety, not just in schools.

Cut 6 (09) “…our veterans.”

Dickerson says using veterans as school resource officers has many benefits beyond simply providing security.

Cut 7 (13) “…our school system.”

A commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spoke in favor of the bill stressing veterans would not replace police officers, but would provide reinforcement.

With communities facing a shortage of school resource officers, one Denham Springs representative has a solution that is headed to the full House.   Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today may not be the best day for outdoor plans…as a cold front will bring thunderstorms across our state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim …

Cut 13 (12) “…these particular storms.”
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Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate has been making candy in Louisiana for 170 years with many popular treats, including the Gold Brick Egg four flavors of Heavenly Hash.  But this year, they’re looking to add more flavors to each.  CEO Rob Nelson urges their fans to go to their social media channels to see what flavors they’re considering.

Cut 4 (07) “…the results are.”

She’s one of the nation’s top gymnasts and on Thursday LSU’s Kailin Chio became just the second gymnast in program history to record two perfect 10s in an NCAA regional. She now has 12 career perfect scores, ranking second in program history. Junior Konnor McClain says being able to witness what Chio is accomplishing is special.

Cut 10 (13) “…it into words.”

The Tigers are set to compete in the regional finals today at 5.

Louisiana officials react to President Trump’s decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you have outdoor plans for today, you’ll need to work around the weather. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because a cold front is coming.

Cut 12 (13) “…in southeastern Louisiana.”

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LSU sophomore Kailin Chio continues to prove why she’s one of the nation’s top gymnasts. On Thursday night, Chio recorded two perfect 10s in the second round of the Baton Rouge NCAA Regional. Head coach Jay Clark knows Chio is a rare talent but says her success wouldn’t be possible without her teammates.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in a vacuum.”

LSU will look to punch its ticket to Fort Worth for the fourth straight season tonight at seven when the Tigers compete in the regional finals against Clemson, Michigan, and Stanford.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate has been making candy in Louisiana for 170 years; and their Heavenly Hash, Pecan Egg and Gold Brick Egg are popular treats for Easter.  And this year, CEO Rob Nelson says they are looking to add additional flavors.

Cut 3 (06) “…excited about that.”

Former Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) pleads guilty to one felony count related to a kickback scheme.  Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana’s the most stressed state in the country…at least according to a new Wallet Hub Study based on work, family, health and safety, and money stressors.  But Wallet Hub analyst Chip Lupo says our state does have something going for it when it comes to financial stress.

Cut 16 (10) “…comes to money.”

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A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school receives pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because the proposal could also result in the child’s parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars for a first offense. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s legislation would result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years for terrorizing a school.

Cut 5 (10) “…make a threat.”

Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter’s main problem with the bill is also the thousands of dollars in fines a parent could face.

Cut 6 (10) “…to do this.”

The House approved the bill on a 71-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country.  That’s according to a new study by WalletHub which looked at work, money, family, and health and safety related stress.  WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says the financial stress is due in part to the higher interest rates we pay compared to those in other states…because our median credit score ranks close to the very bottom.

Cut 15 (11) “…up is excellent.”

Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) faces up to five years in prison for participating in a kickback scheme. Federal prosecutors say the 78-year-old  used his position as secretary to steer a state contract to a company called D-G-L-1 in exchange for one-third of the profit. FBI special agent in charge, Jonathan Tapp:

Cut 8 (06) “…this great state.”

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Legislation that increases the penalties against minors for calling in fake bomb threats receives pushback. Jeff Palermo reports Democratic lawmakers are concerned the measure could also result in the child’s parents being fined up to five-thousand dollars.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The FBI yesterday announced arrests in relation to 5 drug busts across Louisiana, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of narcotics linked to Mexican cartels.  The operation uncovered more than 250 pounds of cocaine, 25 pounds of fentanyl and in one case, more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine was confiscated after two Mexican nationals were arrested on the interstate in Breaux Bridge while towing an ice cream machine.