6:30 am Newscast

The Louisiana House is set to vote today on a bill that calls for a constitutional convention to begin on May 20th. The Landry Administration says reorganization is needed so state lawmakers can avoid making deep cuts to health care and education when there are budget deficits. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson supports the effort…

Cut 10 (10) “…on the ballot.”

Legislation to better define gun-free zone laws pertaining to parade routes advances from House Criminal Justice. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry’s bill clarifies that guns are not permitted within 100 feet of the center line of a parade route and it does not apply to law enforcement or…

Cut 4 (12) “…to them.”

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New Orleans will be home to the Gulf Coast’s only HBCU Medical School. Founding Dean Dr. Leo Seoane (Swan ee) says Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine will transform generations of young black and brown lives…

Cut 7 (09) “…nationwide.”

The fate of Louisiana’s congressional map is up in the air again after a two-to-one ruling throws out the map lawmakers approved in January with a second majority-black district. The ruling was handed down after a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of some Republicans on the grounds the January map was racial gerrymandering.  The Secretary of State’s Office has said it needs a map in place by May 15th for the fall election. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 14 (14)  “…this controversary.”

9:30 am Newscast

After three years and nine announced and unannounced visits to the facility, the State Inspector General’s Office has completed its investigation of conditions at Ware Youth Center in Red River Parish. Inspector General Stephen Street

Cut 10 (07) “…suitable place.”

In 2022 the New York Times reported allegations of abuse and at least 64 suicide attempts at the facility prompting then Governor Edwards to request an investigation.

Another bill heading to the governor’s desk removes an end date on the popular fortified roof program as are several insurance reform bills. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says removing the end date shows insurance companies Louisiana has a long-term commitment to resiliency…

Cut 6 (06) “…toward that.”

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Three Kenner police offers were shot over the weekend during a standoff after responding to an earlier double shooting that left one person hospitalized and critical. Authorities say the suspected shooter, 31-year-old Matthew Lathers was later killed by Jefferson Parish SWAT officers. We’re told all three of the officers shot will be ok.

If you have illegally tinted windows or a cover obscuring your license plate, Louisiana State Troopers will be issuing citations the first week of May. Trooper First Class Ross Brennan says obscured license plates and dark windows make it difficult for troopers to identify motorists and their vehicles.

Cut 15 (12)  “…place coverings.”

Louisiana law requires front window tint to have light transmission of at least 40-percent, side windows 25-percent and rearmost windows 12-percent.

 

 

8:30 am Newscast

If you have illegally tinted windows Louisiana State Troopers want you to know they’ll be looking for you come May 1st. Trooper First Class Ross Brennan says excessively dark tinted windows create a driving hazard for motorists, especially when it’s dark outside…

Cut 14 (10)  “…pulling out.”

The Saints selected five players in the draft on Saturday and the highlight was South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler. Coach Dennis Allen likes the Q-B’s potential…
Cut 16 (17)  “…as a quarterback.”

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A bill that qwould outlaw edible items that contain THC like gummies is making it’s way through the Louisiana lature.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
House Bill 611 has is one of several insurance bills headed to the governor’s desk, which means insurers will no longer be prohibited from canceling a homeowners insurance policy if they’ve insured that policy holder for there years or more. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says House Bill 611 allows insurers to drop some policies after three years

Cut 5 (06) “…for them.” 

7:30 am Newscast

Several property insurance reform bills have received final legislative passage, including a measure Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says will create simple, clear timelines for the claims process

Cut 4 (12) “…quicker.”

Senate Bill 323 which will give insurance companies 60 days, instead of 30 days for a qualified adjuster to the start claims process.

Edibles containing THC, like gummies, could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Senate Bill 237 removes a loophole that allows hemp products to contain up to half a milligram of THC per serving or package. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly used THC gummies as an example.

Cut 8 (11) “…and safety.” 

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The investigation of Ware Youth Center in Red River Parish prompted by a 2022 New York Times report alleging poor conditions is complete. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

A Dubach Police officer was killed over the weekend, hit by a commercial truck during a routine traffic stop. State Police say 51 year old Russsel Croxton was speaking to the driver of the vehicle he had stopped when he was hit. Croxton was taken to the hospital where he later died.

6:30 am Newscast

Edibles containing THC, like gummies, could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says his legislation does not impact the highly regulated medical marijuana industry. He’s going after the recreational hemp industry that he says misled lawmakers.

Cut 7 (10) “…of children.”
If you have illegally tinted windows or a cover obscuring your license plate, Louisiana State Troopers are giving you a heads-up they’ll be issuing citations the first full week of May. Trooper First Class Ross Brennan…

Cut 13 (12)  “…plates are obscured.”

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Several property insurance reform bills expected to bring more insurers into Louisiana are headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Three Kenner police offers were shot over the weekend during a standoff after responding to an earlier double shooting that left one person hospitalized and critical. Authorities say the suspected shooter, 31-year-old Matthew Lathers was later killed by Jefferson Parish SWAT officers. We’re told all three of the officers shot will be ok.

 

 

Legislative Report

With your Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Jeanne Burns

Louisiana lawmakers have said yes to several property insurance reform bills and they’re now headed for the governor’s desk.  That includes a measure Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says will create simple, clear timelines for the claims process

Cut 4 (12) “..quicker.”

Right now insurers are prohibited from canceling a homeowners insurance policy if the policyholder has been insured by the company for three years or more. Temple says House Bill 611 allows insurers to drop some policies after three years

Cut 5 (07) “…for them.” 

Temple’s insurance reform legislation seeks to reduce regulations in order to create a more friendly insurance writing market, which he believes will drive up competition and stabilize insurance premiums.

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Edibles containing THC, like gummies, could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says his legislation does not impact the highly regulated medical marijuana industry. He’s going after the recreational hemp industry that he says misled lawmakers.

Cut 7 (10) “…of children.”

Pressly says there are more than 2,200 locations in the state selling THC products and he’s gravely concerned about the ATC’s lack of regulatory ability to inspect them.

Senate Bill 237 removes a loophole that allows hemp products to contain up to half a milligram of THC per serving or package. Pressly used the example of THC gummies.

Cut 8 (11) “…and safety.” 

The bill passed in the Senate on a 27 to 9 vote and was assigned to the House Criminal Justice.

11:30 am Newscast

Crawfish prices are down again this weekend in Louisiana. Experts say the average price for a pound of live mudbugs in Louisiana is now about $2.99. With prices down another 50-cents this week, Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says it’s all about supply and demand, so you don’t want to miss your change at what could be the lowest prices of the 2024 season.

Cut  14 (11) “…from consumers.” 

In addition to Louisiana, The Crawfish App also surveys the average prices in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is offering a cash reward to anyone with information with the vandalism of an historic French Quarter museum yesterday afternoon. Nungesser says surveillance cameras captured a woman spraying graffiti on a wall of the Presbytere around two yesterday afternoon. The presbytere is an example of colonial Spanish architecture and has been on the National Historic Registry since 1970.

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A package of Property insurance reform bills have received final legislative passage, including House Bill 611. One bill that’s heading to the governor’s desk removes an end date on the popular fortified roof program. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says this shows insurance companies that Louisiana is has a long-term commitment to resiliency…

Cut 6 (07) “…toward that.”
Twenty-one people from Shreveport and Bossier City face federal bank fraud charges for allegedly stealing nearly seven million dollars from U-S-A-A customers. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says stolen bank information was used to issue counterfeit checks and others were recruited to deposit checks into their bank accounts in exchange for money…

Cut 11 (12) ” …individuals.”

10:30 am Newscast

Twenty-one people in Shreveport and Bossier City are under indictment in a federal bank fraud case. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
A six year old boy is hospitalized and critical this morning after authorities say he was accidentally shot in the face by his eleven year old brother. It happened just before eleven last night in a Shreveport apartment complex. Shreveport Police are still investigating the incident.

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Several property insurance reform bills have received final legislative passage, including a measure Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says will create simple, clear timelines for the claims process

Cut 4 (12) “..quicker.”

Temple is talking about Senate Bill 323 which will give insurance companies 60 days, instead of 30 days for a qualified adjuster to the start claims process. He says the additional time will stop insurers from just sending a warm body to inspect a damaged home.

If you’re looking for live crawfish, you’re in luck this weekend as prices are down once again. Experts say the average price for a pound of live mudbugs in the Bayou State is $2.99 right now, and $5.99 if you get them already boiled. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says since the app was created eight years ago this has been the most unusual season to date due to last year’s drought.

Cut 13 (12) “…little bit more.”

 

9:30 am Newscast

It’s been happening for 38 years, and this weekend Lafayette’s Festival International is hitting a high note.   President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says Festival International was created when the oil and gas industry was suffering in 1986 and is a great way to celebrate the Louisiana’s French.

Cut 8 (13) “…support it.” 
Twenty-one people from Shreveport and Bossier City stand accused of stealing nearly seven million dollars from U-S-A-A customers. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says many military service members and elderly residents who did banking with U-S-A-A and did not check their accounts regularly had money taken from their account in 2021 and 2022…

Cut 10 (08) “…bank account balances.” 

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If you’ve been dying to get your hands on some good old Louisiana mudbugs, this weekend might just be the perfect time as crawfish prices have dropped to new lows. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the average price for a pound of live mudbugs in the Bayou State is $2.99.

Cut 12 (10) “…couple of weeks.” The average price for boiled crawfish is $5.29 a pound.
In case you missed it the Saints moved up four spots in the second round of the NFL draft to take Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry with the 41st overall pick. McKinstry was a first-team A-P All-American for the Crimson Tide. New Orleans gave up a fifth and sixth round pick with Green Bay to move up the four spots to take McKinstry.

In college baseball, The Ragin Cajuns edged Southern Miss three to two. Old Dominion defeated ULM two to one in 12 innings. Louisiana Tech blanked Sam Houston two to nothing. And the LSU baseball took game one of three, beating Auburn five to nothing.

8:30 am Newscast

Crawfish prices have dropped another 50-cents and as Brooke Thorrington explains, these could be the lowest prices of the season.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Several property insurance reform bills have received final legislative passage, including a measure Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says House Bill 611 allows insurers to drop some policies after three years

Cut 5 (07) “…for them.” 

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With 38 years under its belt Festival International is still going strong. And it’s happening in Lafayette this weekend. President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says the event attracts more than 300,000 visitors from 42 different states and 10 different countries to Acadiana.

Cut 7 (12) “…our community.”  

Twenty-one people from Shreveport and Bossier City face federal bank fraud charges for allegedly stealing nearly seven million dollars from U-S-A-A customers. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says several employees at the Teleperformance Call Center in Shreveport obtained account information and shared it with others..

Cut 9 (11) “…gain.”