The Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map approved by lawmakers with two Black majority districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the May 15th ruling came just in time…

Cut 3 (10) “…fall elections.” 
The Gator Scholarship Program bill has now been approved by the Louisiana. It will provide public dollars to parents to pay for their children’s private school tuition. Those in favor of the bill says it gives parents more choice when it comes to their kids’ education. But some say Education Savings Accounts are an abandonment of public education and it’s teachers. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplesis.

Cut 7 (13) “…in the program.”  

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A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed the Louisiana Senate 29 to 10. New Orleans Senator Royce was among those opposed to the measure, saying it’s a cultural war issue meant to drum up fear.

Cut 10 (08) “…protect children.” 
The bill would also separate restrooms in prisons and domestic violence shelters. It heads next to Governer’s desk.

Organizers of a recall effort to oust Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape have already collected 6-thousand signatures…but they’ll need 30-thousand more by October in over to force a new election. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany on what would happen next.

Cut 12 (08) “…what not.” 

Young says if they meet their goal, a new election would most likely be on the Spring 2025 ballot for St. Tammany Parish voters.

The Louisiana Senate has approved the bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program which will provide parents public dollars to pay for private school tuition. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds, says this is a historic moment as the legislation will give parents options on where to send their child to school.

Cut 6  (11) “..of Louisiana. ” 

The E-S-A bill passed on a 24-15 vote. It still needs House approval. Opponents are concerned about the overall cost of the program which could be 500 million.

Organizers say they’ve collected 6,000 signatures of the 36,000 they need to recall embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany says they’ll rely heavily on business hubs for signatures.

Cut 13 (13) “…so far.” 

Signatures must be collected by October.

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The Supreme Court has ruled the most recent state congressional map approved by lawmakers with two majority Black districts will be the one to use in the upcoming election. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges”

A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed in the Senate 29 to 10. Senator Beth Mizell says the measure stemmed from an incident that happened at a Louisiana park restroom…

Cut 9 (12) “…nothing (x2).” 

A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed in the Senate 29 to 10. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis believes this bill is part of a cultural war issue based on fear. But Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell champions the bill as protecting women.

Cut 11 (12) ” …that bathroom.”
An effort to recall St. Tammany Parish’s new coroner is picking up steam…as organizers have collected 6-thousand of the 36 thousand signatures needed so far.  Dr. Christopher Tape ran unopposed and a recall effort began after criminal accusations of child sexual abuse more than two decades ago in New Mexico came to light. As for who will run against Tape if the recall is successful, Young says Family First St. Tammany is focused on getting enough signatures right now.

Cut  14 (10) “…of office.” 
All signatures for the recall must be collected by October.

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The Louisiana Senate has passed the Gator Scholarship Program which would give parents the ability to receive taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 
A ruling by the Supreme Court means the map approved by Louisiana lawmakers earlier this year with two majority black districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry on why knowing this far ahead of the November election is so important.

Cut 4 (10) “…doing that.” 

The Supreme Court says the most recent congressional map approved by lawmakers with two Black majority districts will be the one used in upcoming federal elections. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the May 15th ruling came just in time…

Cut 3 (10) “…fall elections.” 
The Gator Scholarship Program bill has now been approved by the Louisiana. It will provide public dollars to parents to pay for their children’s private school tuition. Those in favor of the bill says it gives parents more choice when it comes to their kids’ education. But some say Education Savings Accounts are an abandonment of public education and it’s teachers. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplesis.

Cut 7 (13) “…in the program.”  

—————————————-
A bill to ban transgender people from using school restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity passed the Louisiana Senate 29 to 10. New Orleans Senator Royce was among those opposed to the measure, saying it’s a cultural war issue meant to drum up fear.

Cut 10 (08) “…protect children.” 
The bill would also separate restrooms in prisons and domestic violence shelters. It heads next to Governer’s desk.

Organizers of a recall effort to oust Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape have already collected 6-thousand signatures…but they’ll need 30-thousand more by October in over to force a new election. Noble-Bates Young with Family First St. Tammany on what would happen next.

Cut 12 (08) “…what not.” 

Young says if they meet their goal, a new election would most likely be on the Spring 2025 ballot for St. Tammany Parish voters.

Today is the deadline to file your state income taxes. Of course, Louisiana does have an automatic six-month extension, but that’s an extension on filing not payment. So if you think or know you’ll owe taxes, that needs to be paid today. Connor Brown is a certified tax preparer for LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors and says there are several ways you can get that done.

Cut 5 (12) “…third party provider.” 

A bill that would make the sale of any hemp product containing THC illegal in Louisiana is one step closer to becoming law. It passed the House Criminal Justice Committee by a vote of 7 to 5. Some lawmakers are concerned THC can get a person high and are concerned that they’re being marketed to children. CEO of Crescent Canna defended the hemp market in Louisiana.

Cut 14 (11)  “..entire country.”

The bill has already passed the Senate and heads next to the full House.

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For the past four years, driving past the Hertz building in Lake Charles has been a sad reminder of Hurricane Laura’s destruction but that is about to change. Colleen Crain explains…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The owner of a James Beard nominated restaurant in Gretna is speaking out on social media about a police officer he says has been “terrorizing” his customers in with traffic citations. According to Nola.com, Marlon Williams, the owner of Chicken’s Kitchen, said he noticed an uptick in traffic stops outside his business around six weeks ago…but Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson has said the restaurant is simply on a problematic stretch of roadway and authorities are trying to make it safer.

Turns out there were multiple tornadoes that touched down in southwest Louisiana late Monday. Several businesses and homes were damaged in Sulphur, with estimated peak winds of 120-miles per hour. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 8 (08) “…rolled over” 

The Skyline of Lake Charles is changing as the tall, mirrored Hertz building is finally coming down. It has been four years since the building sustained significant damage in Hurricane Laura leaving broken glass panes to greet travelers along the I-10. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says they are making sure the taxpayers are not footing the bill for the demolition…

Cut 10 (12) “…not own.”

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Today is the deadline for Louisiana state income tax. Here’s Sean Richardson with what you need to know.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The debate over banning hemp products containing THC in Louisiana continues at the capitol. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high and some of them are marketed towards children…

Cut 13 (11)  “..gets you high.”

Today is the deadline to file your state income taxes. But don’t worry if you need more time. Louisiana has an automatic six-month extension to November 15, 2024. Connor Brown is a certified tax preparer for LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors

Cut 4 (10) “…taxes that are due.”

That means if you think or know you will owe some taxes that still need to be paid by today. Otherwise, you will start accruing interest and penalties.

The National Weather Service says multiple tornadoes touched down in southwest Louisiana on Monday. Meteorologist Jeremy Michael says two tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area and the other in St. Martin Parish

Cut 7 (16) “…Sulphur tornado.”

Another storm system is headed our way but Michael says the arriving tomorrow should be more of a heavy rain event.

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A Senate approved bill that would make the sale of consumable hemp products containing THC illegal has passed the House Criminal Justice Committee.  Sean Richardson has more on the debate.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The College of Engineering and Science and the Institute of Micro-manufacturing at Louisiana Tech University have been awarded 1.3 million dollars by the United States Air Force. That comes in the form of a Department of Defense grant which will allow researchers to enhance military technology, diagnose any issues and advance the lifespan of that technology.

At least two people have died as a result of severe weather in South Louisiana yesterday. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Officials report someone died just outside the town of Henderson.

Cut 16 (10) “….a tornado” 

In West Baton Rouge Parish, a woman was killed, and two others were injured after a tree fell onto a mobile home during last night’s storms. A man and a five year old child were taken to the hospital. A wind gust of 83 miles per hour was reportedly recorded at the nearby Erwinville Community Center at that time.

Meanwhile, there’s damage and power outages across South Louisiana this morning. Some 50 thousand residents are still without power as crews work to clear debris and restore service.

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Formosan Subterranean termite swarm season is in full swing. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

April’s “Love the Boot” Week is being declared a big success as more than 19-thousand people volunteered, collecting a record 347 tons of litter. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says Louisiana residents showed up for our state..

Cut 6 (11) “…love the boot.”

The severe weather that rolled through Louisiana yesterday has left at least one person dead. Officials report someone died just outside the town of Henderson during what many believe was a tornado. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands…

Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”

Louisiana Income Tax returns are due tomorrow, May 15^th. If you need a little extra time to prepare them, there’s good news and bad. Colleen Crain explains.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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The pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville says 60 children were set to receive their First Communion on Saturday when a teenager entered the church and brandished a gun. Law enforcement was quick to respond and a frightening experience ended with no shots fired…

Cut 10 (06) “…young man .”

Authorities have charged a 16-year-old with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

Louisiana’s Love the Boot Week was a major success. That’s according to Keep Louisiana Beautiful and The Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Close to 20,000 volunteered and collected a record 346 tons of litter KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says litter is 100% preventable if we all do our part.

Cut 5 (08) “…out the window.” 

The severe weather that rolled through Louisiana yesterday is responsible for at least one death. Authorities say a person died just outside of the town of Henderson. St. Martin Sheriff Becket Breaux says a twister likely hit the parish…

Cut 16 (10) “….a tornado” 

As of this morning Entergy was reporting some 50, 000 customers still without power as a result of the storm.

The Louisiana House has given final legislative approval to a bill that scraps a plan to put cameras up on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge that would issue tickets to speeding violators resulting in twice the normal fine. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez is a big proponent of cops ticketing speeding vehicles, not cameras

Cut 13 (13)  “..compliance.”

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful and The Office of the Lieutenant Governor announced that April’s,  Love the Boot Week was a major success.  With 19,441 people volunteering and a record 347 tons of litter collected,  KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says it was a year of tremendous growth.

Cut 4 (10) “…4400 plants.”
Louisiana has hit the peak for termite swarm season. Experts say Formosan subterranean termites are some of the most destructive species we have, responsible for billions of dollars in damages every year. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says if they get in your home, they love to feast on moist wood as a result of a water leak or drainage issue…
Cut 8 (13) “…in an area though”