Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for the fight of his political life next year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The small West Baton Rouge Parish town of Addis welcomes home 18-year-old John Foster tonight. Mayor David Toups says they’re throwing a parade for the American Idol finalist, followed by a special ceremony and mini-concert.

Cut 8 (13) “…by American Idol.”

Foster heads back to Los Angeles after it all to start preparing for Sunday’s season finale.

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A Senate committee approves two tort reform bills that some say will help lower auto insurance rates. One of the bills would reduce the payout an uninsured driver would receive if injured in a crash. The other would limit the payout for an injured driver that has been found to be 51-percent or more at fault in an accident. Bur New Orleans Senator Gary Carter says…

Cut 13 (13)  “…any sort.”

Newlab has launched Newlab New Orleans, an innovation hub focused on transforming Louisiana’s energy sector through technology commercialization. LED CIO Josh Fleig (“fleg”) says the initiative will provide startups from Louisiana and around the globe with scale-up space and access to a statewide network of test sites.

Cut 11 (06) “…from our borders.”

Auto insurance reform legislation has cleared another legislative hurdle as a Senate Committee approves changes to how the legal system handles car crash cases with injuries. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The town of Addis is rolling out the welcome mat for hometown hero, John Foster. The 18-year-old LSU freshman is coming home tonight after making it to the season finale of American Idol. There’s a parate in Foster’s honor set for five followed by a special ceremony and mini concert at 7:30.

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Senator Bill Cassidy could face a new challenger in his bid for reelection as news spreads that Governor Landry may be working to recruit Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for that senate seat,  joining State Treasurer John Fleming. Cassidy is believed to be vulnerable due to his vote in 2021 to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th riot at the Capitol. Cassidy says he stands by his vote.

Cut 4 (09) “…I would not.”

Newlab has launched Newlab New Orleans, an innovation hub focused on transforming Louisiana’s energy sector through technology commercialization. LED CIO Josh Fleig (“fleg”) says the initiative is backed by public-private partnerships, which will advance innovation in industrial power, carbon management, and maritime shipping.

Cut 10 (08) “…test those products.”

The LSU Tigers are ranked number one in all of the major college baseball polls heading into in the final SEC regular season series of the year. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

And the town of Addis is set to welcome home American Idol Finalist John Foster tomorrow with a parade or the Hometown hero.  The 18 year old pre-med major wowed the judges last night, punching his ticket to the final three.  The parade tomorrow is set for five with a concert to follow at 7:30.

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The House Ways and Means committee voted seven to four against New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry’s proposal to raise the individual income tax on tax filers who make more than 500-thousand dollars a year. Landry made this argument to the committee…

Cut 15 (10) “…worried about.”

Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he’s not interested in raising taxes…

Cut 16 (05) “…work for.”

And a bid by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick to eliminate the state and local sales tax on groceries isn’t going anywhere. Opponents have said the measure would have cost governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide. No one on the committee made a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal so the idea is dead for the session.

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee hears several auto insurance bills today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s own John Foster punched his ticket to the final three of American Idol last night wowing the judges.  The Addis native is being welcomed home tomorrow with a parade set for five pm, and a concert at 7:30.
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Organizers of several South Louisiana festivals, including Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, continue to report that many Canadian visitors have cancelled their trips this year amid the tensions between the two countries. New Orleans and Company CEO Walt Leger (luh-ZHAY) says South Louisiana welcomes everyone.

Cut 8 (15) “…welcoming and remarkable.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reports from 2020 to 2023 148 cyclists died on Louisiana roadways.  Public Information Officer Greg Fisher says drivers and cyclists need to be aware and for cyclists, always ride on the right side of the road.

Cut 11 (07) “…flow of traffic.”

Addis’ very own John Foster had made it to the season finale of American Idol. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Senate Judiciary Committee hears several auto insurance bills today, one of which could eliminate damages to those majority at fault in a crash. Committee Chairman Greg Miller.

Cut 4 (08) “…of the defendants.”

Miller says the purpose is to discourage people from filing frivolous lawsuits against big companies that carry lots of liability insurance.

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Amid tensions between Canada and the U.S., tourism groups are assuring visitors from north of the border and beyond that they are welcome in South Louisiana.Organizers of several South Louisiana festivals, including Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, say many Canadian visitors have cancelled trips already this year. New Orleans and Company CEO Wade Leger (luh-ZHAY)…

Cut 7 (11) “…really welcome here.”

Now that we’re well into the month of May and many more cyclists are out,  both cyclists and drivers need to make concerted efforts to share the  roadsand keep everyone safe. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Louisiana roadways have proven to be deadly for cyclists in the past.

Cut 10 (10) “…age of 25.”

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation at UL-Lafayette have teamed up for a comprehensive survey on the challenges facing veterans. Director of the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation Gabriella Wilson says the goal of the survey which is open till June 15^th, is to improve services and support systems for veterans and their families.

Cut 9 (12)  “…by the end of November.”

The survey can be found at lchi.louisiana.edu.

Major announcement over the weekend as Saints QB Derek Carr announced his retirement, due to degenerative damage to his right shoulder.  Carr’s retirement leaves three quarterbacks in the Saints’ room – 26-year-old Jake Haener, 24-year-old Spencer Rattler and 25-year-old rookie Tyler Shough (“shuck”). New head Coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 16 (10) “…awareness to it.”

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It’s National Foster Care Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is looking for more foster families. Here’s Colleen Crain.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

All eyes will be on Louisiana’s own John Foster tonight as he competes for a spot in American Idol’s top three.  The Addis native performed twice last night earning him a spot in tonight’s top five found.  18 year old Foster is a pre-med student at LSU.

Shocking news out of the Saints’ rookie camp this weekend as quarterback Derek Carr has retired. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

May is National Foster Care Month, and the Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion to spotlight the need for foster caregivers. Secretary David Matlock says the number of foster families in Louisiana has gone up in recent years, but they could always use more.

Cut 6 (07) “…and so forth.”

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AARP is urging the House to reject a Senate bill that has advanced to the lower chamber. Andrew Muhl with the AARP of Louisiana says Senate Bill would effectively let nursing homes off the hook for damages caused by abuse and neglect. Muhl points to the incident involving Bob Dean, who evacuated residents in nursing homes he owned to an unsanitary warehouse during Hurricane Ida, in which seven people died.

Cut 10 (12) “…100-thousand dollars total.”

The bill was written by Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, co-authored by Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh. Seabaugh says the bill is not intended to rewrite law, but to clarify existing law he says was always intended to include nursing homes in the Medical Malpractice Act.

Cut 12 (08) “…nursing home industry.”

May is National Foster Care Month, and the Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion to spotlight the need for foster caregivers. Secretary David Matlock says thousands of kids need good, caring foster families.

Cut 4 (11) “…amazing foster homes.”

The state does provide training to those approved to be foster parents.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation at UL-Lafayette have teamed up to do a comprehensive survey to learn more about the challenges veterans face. Louisiana Center for Health Innovation Director Gabriella Wilson says they want to assess the needs of veterans…

Cut 7 (12) “…needs of everybody.”

The survey can be found at lchi.louisiana.edu. It will be open till June 15.

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AARP is speaking out against a bill that it says would let nursing home companies off the hook for abuse and negligence. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Saints rookie minicamp this weekend got rocked with shocking news that quarterback Derek Carr has retired. The Saints Carr had developed degenerative damage to his right shoulder, which he determined would prevent him from continuing his playing career. New Head Coach Kellen Moore says Carr will be missed.

Cut 14 (10) “…really, really special.”

Derek Carr has announced he’s retiring from the NFL. The Saints Organization announced the news on X this morning.  Carr had was diagnosed with a labral tear in his right shoulder and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff in late March not long after beginning to throw again after the left hand injury he sustained in December.  The report says after consulting with his wife Heather, Carr has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the League.

A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he didn’t let being homeless define who he was and knew he was meant for something great. He says the Jobs for American Graduates program has taught him patience, responsibility and leadership.

Cut 12 (08) “…different walks of life.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, started digging into the former Robert Prevost’s family after hearing his last name, and he was amazed at what he found.

Cut 6 (12) “…of New Orleans.”

Honora says the pope’s mother is the only one among her siblings who was born outside of New Orleans.

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Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year.  The Franklin Parish native says ever since she was a kid in Louisiana, playing with her sister that she has always dreamed about entertaining people.

Cut 10 (09) “…make you cry.”

Speaking of wins, the LSU baseball Tiers won a baseball game after one o’ clock in the morning for the second time this season as they outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks five to four in ten innings. Jared Jones scored the winning run on a headfirst slide into home. Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher.

Derek Carr has announced his retirement. The Saints Organization announced the news on X this morning.  Carr had was diagnosed with a labral tear in his right shoulder and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff in late March not long after beginning to throw again after the left hand injury he sustained in December.  The report says after consulting with his wife Heather, Carr has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the League.

A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he didn’t let being homeless define who he was and knew he was meant for something great. He says the Jobs for American Graduates program has taught him patience, responsibility and leadership.

Cut 12 (08) “…different walks of life.”

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If you’re considering crawfish for Mother’s Day, there’s good news!  Crawfish prices have hit their lowest price point for the year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Pope Leo the 14th may be from Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, says the Pope’s mother’s family is from the Crescent City…in fact his mother was the only one of her siblings born outside New Orleans.

Cut 7 (13) “…in New Orleans.”