The Senate gives the final okay to the new congressional map, and Governor Landry signed it yesterday. The new map effectively eliminates one majority Black district, likely resulting in Louisiana electing five Republicans and one Democrat in November. ULM Political Science professor Pearson Cross says this was as predictable an outcome as could ever be.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the majority.”

On the heels of a record-breaking Love The Boot Week will come another statewide cleanup initiative. In September, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful will launch Love Our Waterways. Nungesser says efforts to beautify the Bayou State and protect wildlife won’t stop now that Love the Boot Week is over.

Cut 5 (11) “…litter in Louisiana.”

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Is it possible that gasoline prices have peaked? Here’s Joe Gallinaro.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Louisiana has banned the planned, intentional outdoor release of twelve or more mylar or latex balloons. In order to protect wildlife, waterways, and power grids, the new law classifies mass balloon releases as intentional littering.  Penalty for a first offense is $500 and 8 hours of community service. The new law will go into effect August first Releases of balloons made of biodegradable or photodegradable materials are not penalized.

Hours of debate over Louisiana’s congressional map ended yesterday with one fewer majority black district.  The map is being redrawn after the US Supreme Court said race played too much of a factor in the current one which has two majority-minority districts.  Democrats allege the map drawn by the Republican-led Legislature is so solely based on party politics, but House Governental Affairs Chairman Beau Beaullieu disagrees.

Cut 11 (14) “…two Democrat districts.”

But the fight’s not over yet as it’s likely the Legislative Black Caucus or a voting rights group will file a lawsuit to prevent the new map from going into effect once it has the governor’s approval. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says they also have other tools, just like the grassroots effort that led to the voting down of the five constitutional amendments on the May 16th ballot.

Cut 13 (12)  “…it all up.”

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Despite coming in a distant second in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, John Fleming is feeling good about his chances in the runoff. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Gonzales woman who previously ran for mayor is facing multiple felony charges this morning after a shooting on Perry Lane left a man hospitalized.  Hammond Police  identified the suspect as 58 year old Kemlyn Lomas of Gonzales. Lomas ran for mayor of Gonzales in 2024 and advanced to the runoff, where she was defeated. She currently serves on the Gonzales Planning and Zoning Commission.

After a debate that lasted about eight hours, the Louisiana House approved a Congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s existing majority Black districts. The vote was 66-35. The Republican-led legislature is drawing a new map because the U.S. Supreme Court says race played too much of a factor in the current map. Democrats say race should still be a factor in the drawing of a new map, but House Governmental Affairs Chairman Beau Beaullieu says that would lead to more litigation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is too much?”

Every Black member of the Louisiana House spoke in opposition to the legislation, including Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller.

Cut 12 (10) “…mean we should.”

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The Shreveport grandmother accused of starting a fire that led to the deaths of her two young granddaughters was in court yesterday.  Rita Montgomery pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and other charges.  The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 16.

The program that provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months has begun sending out the one-time payments of 120 dollors to recipients.  SUN BUCKS can be used on any SNAP-eligible food items, and that does not include hot prepared food, energy drinks, soda, candy or any other junk food.  And Economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, Tim Jenkins says there is a time limit to use the benefit.

Cut 5 (10) “…cannot be recovered.”

The Louisiana House approves a congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two Black majority districts. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, this is the first weekend of he Great Louisiana Fair.  It returns to Louisiana Downs for its second year, beginning today.  The fairgrounds will be packed with more than 30 state fair-style amusement rides for all ages. Plus there’s free live entertainment. The Fair runs through June 14^th.

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With the incumbent out of the race, Julia Letlow and John Fleming are now squaring off head to head for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Fleming says his supporters are more excited now with the results of a poll his campaign did after the primary.

Cut 7 (14) “…at this point.”

Louisiana Radio Network has repeatedly asked for an interview with Julia Letlow, but her campaign has not replied to our requests.

Children enrolled in the state’s SUN Bucks program are starting to receive their money. The program provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, says each eligible child enrolled in the program will get a one-time payment of 120 dollars.

Cut 4 (08) “…66-million dollars.”

As Governor Landry promises he and the legislature will find a way to give teachers another two-thousand-dollar stipend, he also announced the formation of a bipartisan MFP permanent pay raise task force.  The Governor says while public school enrollment has gone down by 100-thousand over the last four decades, per-student spending has increased dramatically. All while teacher pay has not kept up with inflation.

Cut 6 (11) “…it for inflation.”

Applied Digital Corporation announced plans to build a massive A-I data center in the town of Boyce. The 3.6-billion-dollar artificial intelligence factory will bring with it 200 direct high-paying jobs.  Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Massingill says this project has the potential to be one of the most transformational in the history of Rapides Parish.

Cut 12 (10) “…get to work.”

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prevent the public from seeing how much universities are paying college athletes. Joe Gallinaro explains.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.” 

Pelicans new head coach Jamahl Mosley has officially been introduced.  The man who led the Orlando Magic to the playoffs over the last three seasons Mosley is known as a defensive minded coach and he talked about why it’s important.

Cut 16 (12) “…high level.”

Governor Landry says there’s no logical reason that teachers should not get a permanent pay increase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gov. Jeff Landry will discuss the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program and sign bills on this morning at the State Capitol.   The program allows eligible homeowners to apply for grants to cover costs for strengthening their roofs against hurricane-force winds.  That news conference is set for 9:30.

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A proposal to prevent the public from seeing the revenue share contracts between universities and their athletes was approved by the Senate by a  22-13 vote. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil argued that if other SEC schools know how much LSU is giving to a particular player, it could give them too much bargaining power.  But, Norco Senator Gregory Miller says the state is losing sight of its priorities with this legislation.

Cut 8 (16) “…trying to protect.”

A 3.6-billion-dollar artificial intelligence factory is coming to Rapides Parish, as Applied Digital Corporation plans to build a massive A-I data center in the town of Boyce. The project will create more than one-thousand construction jobs, and the new campus will bring in 200 direct jobs once the facility is open.  Governor Jeff Landry…

Cut 11 (13) “…you very much.”

As Governor Landry announced that he and the legislature will find a way to give teachers another two-thousand-dollar stipend, he says there’s no logical reason not to find the money to permanently increase teacher pay in Louisiana. Landry teacher pay has failed to keep up with inflation, while over the past forty years per-student spending has steadily increased.

Cut 5 (15) “…dollars for students.”

Speaking of money, a proposal that would keep the public from seeing the revenue share contracts between universities and their athletes has been approved by the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says…

Cut 7 (09) “…are doing it.”

Several Senators spoke out against this legislation.

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A 3.6-billion-dollar AI data center will be built in Rapides Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Pelicans have officially introduced new head coach Jamahl Mosley. Mosley comes to New Orleans from Orlando, where he led the Magic to the playoffs in the last three seasons.  Mosley says he likes what he sees in his new team.

Cut 14 (09) “…says a lot.”

With just one week left in the legislative session, it seems there may be hope for finding money for teacher after all.  Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A report from the Louisiana Illuminator says the Governor wants to issue an executive order to move 150 million dollars from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid that pay cut.  Again, that news conference is set for this morning at 11:30.
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The two biggest pieces of legislation that have yet to receive final legislative approval at the capitol are a new congressional map and the budget. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says besides the budget and redistricting, there are several other pieces of legislation that lawmakers would like to send to the governor’s desk before the legislative session ends on June 1st.

Cut 5 (07) “…and tort reform.”

The SEC spring meetings get underway today in Destin, Florida and there will likely be lots of talk about expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams beginning in 2027.  The Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 want to see that happen.  And a CBS Sports survey shows SEC coaches and athletic directors are split on that.  USA Today national college football writer Matt Hayes…

Cut 8 (08) “…with the troops.”

There’s one more week left in the legislative session. The two biggest pieces of legislation that have yet to receive final legislative approval are a new congressional map and the budget. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the Senate has had to make changes to the state’s spending plan.

Cut 4 (06) “…was supposed to.”

Teacher pay is also a big issue in the final days of the session. Educators could see their salaries reduced by two-thousand dollars because Constitutional Amendment 3 did not pass on May 16th. Alford says legislative leaders are not feeling pressure from the public to keep paying a two-thousand dollar stipend.

Cut 6 (08) “…in the legislature.”

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting that Governor Landry wants to issue an executive order that would move 150 million dollars from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid a pay cut.  There’s a news conference set for today at 11:30.

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Busy week for Governor Landry as he has plans for another news conference today where he’s set to announce a major economic development project in Central Louisiana.  That’s set  for this afternoon at two at England Airpark Community Center in Alexandria.

The SEC spring meetings kick off today, and doubling the size of the College Football Playoff will be a major topic. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It will likely be a busy final week of the legislative session.  Jeff Palermo has details on why. .

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There may be hope for an extension of the teacher pay stipend. Governor Landry and legislative leaders will be holding a news conference later this morning. According to the Louisiana Illuminator the Governor wants to issue an executive order to move 150 million from general school district funding into teacher pay to avoid a pay cut.  That news conference is set for 11:30.

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Men at high risk for prostate cancer will soon have fewer barriers to getting screened for it.  A bill that would eliminate cost sharing for prostate cancer screening for high-risk men is now awaiting Governor Landry’s signature after unanimously passing in both the House and the Senate. Alice Kline, the Louisiana government relations director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says prostate cancer is a major concern among men, particularly over the age of 50.

Cut 11 (09) “…from the disease.”

The future of the College Football Playoff will be one of the main topics as the SEC spring meetings get underway today in Destin, Florida. The Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 want the College Football Playoff expanded from 12 to 24 teams starting in 2027, but USA Today national college football writer Matt Hayes says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is only willing to expand to 16 teams.

Cut 7 (07) “…end of story.”