Good news for Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan.  Federal funding for 2027 is going up 2.4 percent, instead of the nine-hundredths or one percent that was proposed.  Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority on getting the increase.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

Local governments could  soon be able to hold votes to see if residents want fluoride removed from the water. The Louisiana Senate approved the legislation yesterday, 26-7.  Some Democrats voted for the legislation, like Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux, who is fine with giving Louisiana voters an opportunity to decide for themselves.

Cut 10 (10) “… of the people.”

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It’s migration time in the Gulf Coast region for birds heading up north, Which means the Lights Out Louisiana initiative is in full swing.  The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the initiative, says whether you’re in a high-rise building or a single-story home, you should turn off all lights that are visible from the outside.

Cut 5 (08) “…deaths as well.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season.  It will go from sharing five percent softball, gymnastics and Olympic sports to having it’s own five percent share. In the interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio Ausberry said they want to make sure Coach Jay Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to do your part in keeping birds safe during their journey up north. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio.

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches.”

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Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent, and that was not going to be nearly enough.

Cut 6 (09) “…an affordability crisis..”

A bill that would allow local governments to hold a vote on whether residents want fluoride removed from their drinking water has been approved by the Senate. Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s. Health experts say it’s safe. But Houma Republican Mike Fesi, who authored the bill, says research says otherwise.

Cut 11 (11) “…night to sleep?”

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north…which is why  the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

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The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

The Tigers lost to Ole Miss last night in in Oxford.  At the plate, LSU was two-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In other action, La Tech trounced Middle Tennessee eight to one.
And Johnny Jones is officially back at LSU. The DeRidder native, who was once a head coach for the Tigers, will be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for a second time.

Teacher pay raises won’t be the only thing voters will be deciding in next month’s constitutional amendment election. There are four other amendments on the ballot, including one on whether the mandatory retirement age for judges should be raised from 70 to 75 –.President and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, . Steven Procopio says this is the third time that this has been put to voters.

Cut 8 (08) “…fresh or younger?”

Big weekend in Ponchatoula as the annual Strawberry Festival gets underway this morning at eleven and runs through Sunday evening at six.  There’s a parade set for tomorrow morning at 9:30 and Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says this year’s strawberry crop is fantastic!

Cut 6 (12) “…them fast enough.”

One important change from last year – tonight and tomorrow night, the festival will close at eight o’clock, instead of ten.

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Ole Miss fifth-year senior transfer linebacker T.J. Dottery spoke about his decision to follow his coach to LSU. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

If you’ve been craving crawfish, now’s the time to get some as crawfish prices are down.   Crawfish App co-founder Lainey King says  now that Easter’s over,

Cut 15 (11) “…your favorite spot.”

There are several constitutional amendments to be decided in next months election.  Teacher pay is one.  But voters will also be deciding whether to authorize the creation of the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish.   Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, says the only reason that this is going to voters statewide is because that’s what the rules say.

Cut 9 (07)  “…of the state.”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is happening this weekend.  It kicks off this morning at 11 and runs through Sunday evening at Memorial Park on North Sixth Street. Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says there’s costs nothing to get in, and Lanier says there are strawberries everywhere.

Cut 5 (09) “…anything like that.”

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The House Labor Committee passes legislation that would prohibit a private or public employer from firing or taking retaliatory action against an employee for misgendering. Chairman Raymond Crews of Bossier City is the author of the legislation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is that proper?”

Crews is referring to Luke Ash, who was let go of his job last July after he refused to use someone’s preferred pronouns.

Peyton Rose Michelle, with Louisiana Trans Advocates, believes the legislation is unfair, because state law does not protect trans people from discrimination, yet this bill would protect someone who intentionally tries to disrespect a transgender individual.

Cut 12 (10) “…and be disrespectful.”

The measure is heading to the House floor after a six-to-four vote along party lines in House Labor.

The House Labor Committee approves legislation that protects workers from disciplinary action if they don’t use a co-worker’s preferred pronouns.  Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re making plans for the weekend, don’t forget the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival starts this morning.   Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says they’ll be taking over Main Street tomorrow morning with a parade that starts at 9:30.

Cut 4 (08) “…off the weekend.”

The festival runs through Sunday evening at six.
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Teacher pay raises won’t be the only thing voters will be deciding in next month’s constitutional amendment election. There are four other amendments on the ballot, including one that would allow local governments to reduce or eliminate inventory taxes on businesses in exchange for a one-time payment. Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, says while the business community doesn’t like the tax, getting rid of it is not that simple.

Cut 7 (14) “…they afford it?”

If you missed out on crawfish Easter weekend, now’s the time to get them.  Co-founder of The Crawfish App, Laney King.

Cut 14 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report,  I’m Jeanne Burns.

Three weeks into the legislative session and it’s quiet when it comes to debate on significant legislation and that might be design. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Landry administration is not pushing any significant legislation after doing a lot of heavy lifting in his first two years in office…

Cut 10 (12) “…reform legislation”

Pinsonat says the Landry Administration is not interested in rocking the boat with the governor set to run for re-election next year…

Cut 11 (12) “…we are delivering.”

A Denham Springs representative is asking the LHSAA to make dance, cheer and lacrosse sanctioned high school sports under its authority. Republican Roger Wilder’s resolution passed in the House Education Committee unanimously and heads to the full House for further discussion. Wilder told the committee he was alerted to the issue by a constituent.

Cut 7 (11) “…concerns for me.”

Another Denham Springs representative has a plan to address the shortage of school resource officers, and it has advanced to the full house. Kellee Dickerson’s bill to allow military veterans to serve as SROs passed unanimously in the House Education Committee. Dickerson says her bill is designed to improve overall public safety, not just in schools.

Cut 6 (09) “…our veterans.”

A commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spoke in favor of the bill stressing veterans would not replace police officers, but would provide reinforcement.

Louisiana officials react to President Trump’s decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you have outdoor plans for today, you’ll need to work around the weather. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because a cold front is coming.

Cut 12 (13) “…in southeastern Louisiana.”

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LSU sophomore Kailin Chio continues to prove why she’s one of the nation’s top gymnasts. On Thursday night, Chio recorded two perfect 10s in the second round of the Baton Rouge NCAA Regional. Head coach Jay Clark knows Chio is a rare talent but says her success wouldn’t be possible without her teammates.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in a vacuum.”

LSU will look to punch its ticket to Fort Worth for the fourth straight season tonight at seven when the Tigers compete in the regional finals against Clemson, Michigan, and Stanford.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate has been making candy in Louisiana for 170 years; and their Heavenly Hash, Pecan Egg and Gold Brick Egg are popular treats for Easter.  And this year, CEO Rob Nelson says they are looking to add additional flavors.

Cut 3 (06) “…excited about that.”

Louisiana has lots of picture perfect weekends when it comes to the weather.  This Easter weekend isn’t one of them.  LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there will be rain across the state today and while the cold front that’s bringing it, will not produce nearly enough of it to get us out of our current drought.

Cut 14 (11) “…of the prediction.”

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate continues its 170 year candy making tradition this year and they’re  looking to add new flavors.  You may recall, an Illinois-based private equity firm purchased a majority stake in the company and CEO Rob Nelson says the deal provides Elmer with more financial resources to expand its products.

Cut 5 (10) “…or line extensions.”

You can sound off on the new flavors they’re considering on Elmer’s social media channels.

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A Denham Springs representative has a plan to address the shortage of school resource officers, and it has advanced to the full house. Kellee Dickerson’s bill to allow military veterans to serve as SROs passed unanimously in the House Education Committee. Dickerson says her bill is designed to improve overall public safety, not just in schools.

Cut 6 (09) “…our veterans.”

Dickerson says using veterans as school resource officers has many benefits beyond simply providing security.

Cut 7 (13) “…our school system.”

A commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spoke in favor of the bill stressing veterans would not replace police officers, but would provide reinforcement.

With communities facing a shortage of school resource officers, one Denham Springs representative has a solution that is headed to the full House.   Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today may not be the best day for outdoor plans…as a cold front will bring thunderstorms across our state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim …

Cut 13 (12) “…these particular storms.”
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Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate has been making candy in Louisiana for 170 years with many popular treats, including the Gold Brick Egg four flavors of Heavenly Hash.  But this year, they’re looking to add more flavors to each.  CEO Rob Nelson urges their fans to go to their social media channels to see what flavors they’re considering.

Cut 4 (07) “…the results are.”

She’s one of the nation’s top gymnasts and on Thursday LSU’s Kailin Chio became just the second gymnast in program history to record two perfect 10s in an NCAA regional. She now has 12 career perfect scores, ranking second in program history. Junior Konnor McClain says being able to witness what Chio is accomplishing is special.

Cut 10 (13) “…it into words.”

The Tigers are set to compete in the regional finals today at 5.