For the 32 people who had been running for U.S. House in Louisiana, all their efforts have now gone to waste, now that Governor Landry has suspended just that portion of the May 16^th election. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A federal lawsuit challenging the governor’s decision on the House elections has already been filed, claiming the move is unlawful and unconstitutional.

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The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is soaring towards four dollars a gallon. Regular unleaded at many service stations is selling for more than $3.80 a gallon right now. Patrick DeHaan from GasBuddy…

Cut 11 (09) “…a gallon mark.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage. The bill author’s, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says it’s inconvenient for drivers to have to get a vehicle inspection sticker every year or two.  But Davey Quinn of Hammond says passage of Bagley’s bill will result in more uninsured motorists, vehicles with tinted windows that are darker than they should be and vehicles that not fit for the road.

Cut 5 (10) “…the people first.”

As a result of this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Louisiana’s congressional districts, state legislative leaders say they plan to approve a new map during the final month of this legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

As this story continues to unfold, a federal lawsuit seeking to restore the May 16^th election has now been filed.  The case challenges Governor Landry’s decision to suspend the congressional races, saying it’s unlawful, unconstitutional, will disenfranchise voters.

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With the U.S. House elections now on hold, it means all campaigns are now null and void. Once a new map is adopted, the process will start all over from square one, with candidates going through the qualifying process in the new districts. Political strategist Lionel Rainey notes that all this comes after the 32 candidates from both parties had already raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Cut 8 (08) “…not exist anymore.”

A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”

With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says a session that was coasting along could experience some turbulence over the next few weeks.

Cut 14 (10) “…a fast track.”

Meantime, a Federal lawsuit seeks to restore the May 16^th election after Governor Jeff Landry suspended congressional races.  Governor Landry signed an executive order suspending the closed party primary for US Representative and only that race. That May 16^th primary and a potential June 27^th run off for Congress are now on hold.  The new federal lawsuit  challenges the state’s decision. Plaintiffs say the suspension is unlawful and unconstitutional.
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For the 32 people who had been running for U.S. House in Louisiana, all their efforts have now gone to waste. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A crossing guard died after being hit by a vehicle at a Denham Springs elementary school yesterday afternoon.  We’re told Katy Wells was on duty after school at Gray’s Creek Elementary when she was hit by a truck driving northwest on Hwy. 16.  Officials have said a 64 year old man is facing charges of vehicular homicide and DWI.

Big news from Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries which announced it’s building a state of the nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Turner is one of the nation’s largest industrial contractors, with more than 93-hundred employees and these new facilities will create a thousand new jobs.  Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Turner officials believe Louisiana should be at the center of the next wave of nuclear innovation.

Cut 8 (12) “…when you’re ready.”

Turner Industries was founded in Baton Rouge in 1961 and has six offices statewide.

A man was fatally shot last night in New Orleans Mid-City just a block from Jesuit High School.  NOPD says they got the call just before eight and responded to the 500 block of South Hennessey Street.  EMS also responded but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.  So far there’s been no word on possible motive or suspect.

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Louisiana Tech is closing the chapter on its time in the Conference USA and turning the page to a new era in the Sun Belt. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Construction officially gets underway in Lake Charles this afternoon on the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the new bridge will be a vast improvement over the one that it will be replacing.

Cut 5 (06) “…still being debated.”

Construction officially gets underway this afternoon on a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

One teen was killed and a driver seriously injured this week as they allegedly tried to flee Bogalusa Police and hit a utility pole.  It happened Monday night near the near the intersection of West 9th Street and Avenue G in Washington Parish. Authorities say neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt.

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Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries announces it’s creating one-thousand jobs, as it’s building state-of-the-art nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the facilities will be dedicated to the production of high-precision modules and nuclear-grade piping for the next generation of nuclear power.

Cut 7 (05) “…one as well.”

More on the agreement reached between Louisiana Tech and Conference USA which will allow Tech to leave Conference USA and join the Sun Belt this summer. Terms of the out-of-court settlement have not been released, but Matt Bellinson of the Ruston Leader says Louisiana Tech most likely had to pay a hefty exit-fee.

Cut 14 (08) “…eight-million dollars.”

Bellison says Tech will recoup the money though with big savings on travel in the long run.

Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries announces plans to build a nuclear fabrication facility in New Iberia and Port Allen. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Construction officially gets underway in Lake Charles this afternoon on the new 2.3 billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Abshire…

Cut 4 (08) “…a screeching halt.”

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The House Education Committee approves legislation that would give Louisiana public colleges the authority to increase tuition by as much as 10-percent for all graduate, professional and specialized programs and any undergraduate program identified as high-cost. Lobbyist Norby Chabert (sha-BEAR) testified in favor of the legislation; he says the money generated from the higher tuition costs would be put to good use.

Cut 10 (08) “…to student ratios.”

The bill passed on an eight-to-three vote and heads to the House floor. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson says if you raise tuition, fewer students will attend college.

Cut 11 (06) “…in lower demand.”

Many have said tuition increases are necessary, since the state no longer funds higher education to the level it once did.

After two years, Cleco’s owners have found a buyer. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

For the first time in 25 years, young men have surpassed young women when it comes to how important religion is in their lives. That’s according to a new Gallup poll.   Dr. Justin Langford at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville says it’s good news, but…

Cut 13 (11)  “…these moral principals.”

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Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Higgins is calling for a one-hour debate with solid questions posed by a moderator. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even though Higgins has not issued an endorsement in the race, there does seem to be one in particular that he’s not supporting.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and MAGA generally.”

The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will get a 40-million-dollar makeover and ultimately reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Geoff Richards, the chief operating officer of vacation ownership at Travel And Leisure Company, says when his company was scouting cities to establish Sports Illustrated Resorts, Baton Rouge was a logical choice.

Cut 15 (12) “…see throughout Louisiana.”

For two years, the Canadian-based owners of Cleco Power have been trying to sell the utility. Now, it has a deal in place to do just that. Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets has reached a deal to sell the company to Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners. Jennifer Cahill with Cleco says the company’s leadership team fully supports the deal.

Cut 4 (09) “…serve throughout Louisiana.”

Cahill says Cleco will be in good hands with its new owners.

A new poll finds that the number of young men in the U.S. who say religion is a very important component of their lives is increasing. Gallup says its survey shows 42-percent of men between the ages of 18 and 29 say religion is very important to them. That’s up from 28-percent in 2022-23. Dr. Justin Langford at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville has a theory on why that might be.

Cut 11 (08) “…than ever before.”

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Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the three major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has released a statement regarding the suspected roadkill case over at Pineville’s China Queen restaurant.  The agency saying they did an inspection of the restaurant and found the claims to be valid and the animal was removed from the premises.  For its part restaurant owners had posted a sign saying the animal was never intended to be served to customers.

A recent Gallup poll finds that more young men are saying religion is very important in their lives. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate in a one hour format. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 8 (11) “…kinds of groups.”

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A downtown Baton Rouge hotel will soon be converted into a year-round sports hospitality destination. The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will get a 40-million-dollar makeover and will reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Geoff Richards, the chief operating officer of vacation ownership at Travel And Leisure Company, says the goal is to make Baton Rouge a year-round sports tourism destination.

Cut 14 (13) “…and vacation ownership.”

Conference USA has announced it has reached a positive resolution with Louisiana Tech that will allow the Bulldogs to begin play in the Sun Belt starting next athletic season. Financial terms have not been released. There was a report that Tech is paying eight million dollars to leave Conference USA.
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Forty-four years after a 16-year-old girl was killed, her alleged killers have finally been arrested. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry has plenty to say about last week’s fatal mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana…pointing the finger at parents and the judicial system and calling on lawmakers to increase penalties to keep young violent criminals locked up.

Cut 14 (11) “…their lives.”

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Little bit of a scare after the music ended Saturday night at Festival International in Lafayette.  19 year old Jai’Quan Pierre was arrested after brandishing a firearm at a crowd, prompting an officer to discharge their service weapon. We’re told no individuals were struck or injured during the incident.  Pierre is in custody facing several charges.

A bill heading to the House floor seeks to give the governor and statewide elected officials a significant pay raise. Under Harahan Representative John Illg’s measure the governor would see his salary increase by 52-thousand dollars and other statewide elected officials would see an increase of 41-thousand dollars.   Illg says by tying the pay of the governor and statewide elected officials with university system president pay, the legislature will never have to take a vote on it again….

Cut 9 (05)  “…again.”