One Louisiana lawmaker is making another run at raising the minimum wage in our state.  Democrat Delisha Boyd tried two years ago to raise it to 15 dollars an hour, but now she’s proposing raising it gradually up to ten dollars next year, then 12 in 2028, then 14 an hour an hour in 2031.

Cut 5 (07) “…the minimum wage.”

Right now, Louisiana’s minimum wage follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has remained the same for seventeen years.

If one New Orleans-area lawmaker has his way, state lawmakers will come out of the upcoming legislative session with a proposed constitutional amendment that would put a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again, but…

Cut 11 (11) “…set going forward.”

—————————
Crawfish season officially opened yesterday with one lucky mudbug. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

In an effort to reduce its ongoing budget deficit, the City of New Orleans is selling city-owned cars. New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso has said the selling of the vehicles was part of a campaign promise from Mayor Helena Moreno. So far, the city has reportedly sold 46 cars, at a profit of $64- thousand dollars.

One New Orleans lawmaker is taking another run at trying to get a minimum wage increase in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Wind Advisories remain in effect in many parts of Louisiana today and the threat of fires remains high. Ag and Forestry Commissioner, Mike Strain, says crews have battled more than 40 wildfires in Southeast and Northwest Louisiana since the weekend.  Two more forest fires broke out in Beauregard Parish just yesterday. Burn bans are in effect in many parts of the state.

——————————————-

A New Orleans-area lawmaker has offered up a proposed constitutional amendment for the upcoming legislative session that would place a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again.

Cut 10 (08) “…across the board.”

The help wanted sign is already out for Amazon’s new 12-billion dollar data center campus in the Shreveport-Bossier City Area.  North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon says there will be hundreds, many paying above 80-thousand a year…and he doesn’t expect Amazon to have to look far to fill those positions.

Cut 8 (08) “…taken up here.”

A south Louisiana lawmaker believes Louisiana’s governor should serve two terms and that’s it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A state representative from New Orleans is trying again to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana. Democrat Delisha Boyd tried two years ago to raise it to 15 dollars an hour, but that failed. This time, she’s trying a different approach.

Cut 4 (10) “…14 an hour.”

————————

The announcement of Amazon investing 12-billion dollars on a data center campus in the Shreveport-Bossier City area is still the buzz of the region – and now, the help wanted sign is already out. Amazon has already started posting positions at the data center on its website. North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon says there will be hundreds of jobs at very attractive salaries.

Cut 7 (09) “…two-year certifications.”

For the 10th year on the Tuesday after Mardi Gras, Louisiana officially kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky mudbug. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser granted the reprieve yesterday.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Tony the crawfish.” (applause fades)

Tony the crawfish, named for the legendary Tony Chachere (SASH-uh-ree), will live out his time at Chicot (“chico”) State Park in Ville Platte.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for all of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi from 9 AM to 6 PM today due to critical fire conditions caused by low humidity and gusty winds.  That after several fires across the state caused problems over the weekend, including an active fire in St. Tammany Parish that shut down I-12 between Abita Springs and Lacombe in St. Tammany Parish for three hours.

President Trump has approved Governor Landry’s request for a Major Disaster declaration for nine parishes in north Louisiana from last month’s massive winter storm. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says the declaration does not cover individuals at this point. But he says those who did sustain damage to their properties should report it to damage-dot-la-dot-gov.

Cut 6 (07) “…the federal government.”

————————–

A bill in the legislature could add an extra layer of protection in imports of certain seafood. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Ten Commandments posters will start going up in Louisiana classrooms now based on a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled a lower court’s decision ruling them unconstitutional was premature.  Loyala Law professor Dan Ciolino says there are still lots of questions.

Cut 14 (08) “…dangerous of that.”

President Trump approves Governor Landry’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for nine parishes impacted by last month’s winter storm. Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

One person was killed and two were injured in an “industrial accident” at a Belle Rose plant on Sunday.  Assumption Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Paul LeBlanc says a crew was doing a routine pressure test on a brine well at the GIE plant off Grand Bayou Road when a loose hose struck three people, killing one. The other two were air lifted to the hospital.

————————-

Louisiana classrooms are given the green light by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to put up Ten Commandments posters. This, after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a three-judge panel’s earlier decision that found the state law requiring those classroom displays to be unconstitutional. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the full Fifth Circuit did not overturn the ruling; it instead said it was too soon for it to rule on whether it is or not.

Cut 13 (09)  “…in the abstract.”

American Airlines adds an additional non-stop round-trip flight between Monroe Regional Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Monroe Regional Airport Director Charles Butcher says locals were getting squeezed out of the seats on the three existing daily round trips to and from DFW.

Cut 11 (06) “…are flying in.”

Wildfires causing problems in in northwest and southeast Louisiana over the weekend.  A stretch of Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish was closed for three hours due to active wildfires. Officials announced the closure around 5:30 last night between Abita Springs and Lacombe, reopening around 9.  Meantime, in Livingston Parish, a fire burning near Gum Swamp Road is now under control after scorching more than 200 acres there over the weekend. And a wildfire in the Mora community burned an estimated 30 to 40 acres in southwest Natchitoches Parish yesterday. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.

President Trump has approved Governor Landry’s request for a Major Disaster declaration for nine parishes in north Louisiana from last month’s massive winter storm. Mike Steele with GOHSEP…

Cut 4 (10) “…at this point.”

Steele says the costs incurred by governments have been wide-ranging, with much more still to come.

————————————–

Louisiana classrooms are given the green light to start putting up the Ten Commandments posters. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

American Airlines adds an additional non-stop round-trip flight between Monroe Regional Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Monroe Regional Airport Director Charles Butcher on what this will mean.

Cut 10 (11) “…into the area.”

It’s one of the Supreme Court’s most significant decisions in decades – and strikes down most of President Trump’s tariffs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that challenges against Louisiana’s 10 Commandments law are premature allowing it to go into effect immediately.  The Court vacated preliminary injunctions against the law, ruling against the ACLU. This ruling allows Louisiana public schools to immediately start posting displays of the Ten Commandments.

—————————–

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has made cleaning up litter one of his big priorities. Nungesser says the state recently hired a litter expert to assess the state’s litter problem.

Cut 6 (10) “…mission to do.”

Nungesser says part of that mission is instilling the values of properly disposing of litter at a young age, so the state has launched new programs in schools aimed at doing just that.

Winter, spring, summer and fall – this month, Louisiana has experienced it all. We’re in for another couple days for record-breaking warmth throughout the state. But LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will be coming in Sunday  morning, and that will bring a rude awakening.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the south.”

Louisiana classrooms are given the green light by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to put up Ten Commandments posters.  That after the court on Friday vacated a three-judge panel’s earlier decision that found the law requiring the classroom displays unconstitutional. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says this latest decision doesn’t overturn the ruling; but said it was too soon for it to rule on whether it is or not.

Cut 13 (09)  “…in the abstract.”

Ciolino also spoke to us about the US Supreme Court’s decision that strikes down most of President Trump’s tariffs. The court ruled yesterday that Trump did not have the broad authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to unilaterally impose tariffs. Ciolino says this decision is final and will cost the Trump administration billions of dollars in refunds.

Cut 4 (09) “…and how much.”

——————————–

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser remains focused on cleaning up litter in Louisiana. Nungesser says part of that mission is instilling the values of properly disposing of litter at a young age, so the state has launched new programs in schools aimed at doing so.

Cut 7 (07) “…video you watch.”

A good start for LSU baseball in Jacksonville as they came from behind to beat Indiana 14 to 7.  That after getting 18 hits and walking 14 times late in the game.

Cut 18 (21) “…out of a game”

LSU plays again today at noon against Notre Dame.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser continues his crusade against litter. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The top ranked LSU baseball team is in Jacksonville this weekend and is set to take on Notre Dame at noon.  That after scoring nine runs in the eighth inning yesterday, beating Indiana 14 to 7.  The Tigers trailed by a run in the eighth inning, but Zach Yorke belted a three-run home run to give the Tigers the lead and then LSU had 18 hits and walked 14 times to get the win.

——————————

In a 6-to-3 decision, the Supreme Court has struck down most of President Trump’s tariffs. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says this is one of the most significant opinions by the Supreme Court in decades.

Cut 3 (10) “…reach its opinion.”

Ciolino says this decision is final and will cost the Trump administration billions of dollars in refunds.

It’s been a crazy weather month with feels like temperatures that have made it feel like a visit to each season.  Now we’re for a little record-breaking warmth throughout the state. And then LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will be coming in Sunday morning, with the coldest weather coming on Tuesday.

Cut 11 (11) “…the southern reaches.”

It’s one of the Supreme Court’s most significant decisions in decades – and strikes down most of President Trump’s tariffs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that challenges against Louisiana’s 10 Commandments law are premature allowing it to go into effect immediately.  The Court vacated preliminary injunctions against the law, ruling against the ACLU. This ruling allows Louisiana public schools to immediately start posting displays of the Ten Commandments.

—————————–

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has made cleaning up litter one of his big priorities. Nungesser says the state recently hired a litter expert to assess the state’s litter problem.

Cut 6 (10) “…mission to do.”

Nungesser says part of that mission is instilling the values of properly disposing of litter at a young age, so the state has launched new programs in schools aimed at doing just that.

Winter, spring, summer and fall – this month, Louisiana has experienced it all. We’re in for another couple days for record-breaking warmth throughout the state. But LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will be coming in Sunday  morning, and that will bring a rude awakening.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the south.”