9:30 am Newscast

Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. But that could change. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says when the House received the budget, they were given X amount of dollars and had to make cuts accordingly. But he points out that they did that believing Revenue Estimating Conference would find extra monies to restore those cuts which they did.

Cut 5 (12) “…at all.” 
A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August instead of May still needs approval from the Senate. Senate President Cameron Henry says there are still too many unknowns about the convention…things he says will have to be answered before the upper chamber will approve it.

Cut 9 (07)  “…the Senate.”

——————–

Good news for Louisiana crawfish farmers as the USDA has announces they are now covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, which allows them to apply for federal disaster grants. Last year’s historic drought and a late-season freeze reduced production by about 200 million pounds. Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board Chairman David Savoy says supply has improved in April and May, but prices are still about a dollar more this year for boiled crawfish…

Cut 12 (05) “…come back.” 

Savoy says crawfish the money will help crawfish farmers with re-seeding which will go a long way in getting them back on track.

 It’s Motorcycle Awareness Month and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has some advice for Louisiana drivers.

Cut 13 (10)  “…difficult to see.”

 

8:30 am Newscast

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention in August instead of May still needs approval from the Louisiana Senate. Even if that happens and the convention accomplishes its goals, Senate President Cameron Henry any changes made at the convention would still have to go before voters to take effect.

Cut 8 (11) “…square one.” 

Meanwhile, there’s some good news for Louisiana Crawfish farmers who will now be covered unde the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program which means the USDA Farm Service Agency will offer them relief from losses they suffered during last year’s drought. Chairman of the Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board David Savoy…

Cut 11 (12) “…already.”

______________________

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional $88 million for the next fiscal year budget which is good news for teachers. Colleen Crain explains.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and officials are reminding all of us to be aware. Even with advances in technology like lane and driver assist, Greg Fisher with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says it’s still important to slow down and look before you go.

Cut 15 (07)  “…motorcycle safety awareness month.”

 

7:30 am Newscast

The USDA has announced Louisiana crawfish farmers are now covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, allowing producers to apply for federal disaster grants. Last year’s historic drought and a late-season freeze reduced production by about 200 million pounds at 45 thousand ponds. Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board Chairman David Savoy says it will take money to get production back to normal levels….

Cut 10 (05) “…in there. .”
We’re already more than a week into Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and safety officials are reminding all drivers to obey the spee limit and drive responsibly especially around motorcycles because…

Cut 14 (05)  “…hotdogging on motorcycles.”

——————————————-

Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention in August still has to clear the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

It looks like a three hundred dollar cut to teacher stipends in Louisiana could end up being restored. That’s based on figures from the Revenue Estimating Conference. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland…
Cut 6 (08) “…executive budget.”

 

 

 

 

6:30 am Newscast

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August as opposed to May, still must pass in the Senate. While Senate President Cameron Henry says a new start date is more realistic, he says there are still several unknowns about the process that will be used in June and July before the convention.

Cut 7 (10) “…August 1st.”
Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. And while the budget has yet to be heard in Senate Finance, House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says the Revenue Estimating Conference figures could allow for those cuts to be restored.

Cut 4 (10) “…backfill.”

The REC found an additional $88 million that can be added to the next budget year which begins July 1st.

————————————————–

The USDA has changed the rules so crawfisherman impacted by low production this year because of last year’s summer heat can apply for federal disaster grants. Sean Richardson has more from a local producer

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 
It’s Motorcycle Awareness Month and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has some advice for Louisiana drivers.

Cut 13 (10)  “…difficult to see.”

 

 

LRN Legialative Report

Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. And while the budget has yet to be heard in Senate Finance, House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says the Revenue Estimating Conference figures could allow for those cuts to be restored.

Cut 4 (10) “…backfill.”

The REC found an additional $88 million that can be added to the next budget year which begins July 1st.

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August as opposed to May, still must pass in the Senate. While Senate President Cameron Henry says a new start date is more realistic, he says there are still several unknowns about the process that will be used in June and July before the convention.

Cut 7 (10) “…August 1st.”

Henry says proposed changes made at the convention will still have to go before voters in either the November or December elections.

Cut 8 (11) “…square one.” 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow says Louisiana crawfish farmers will be covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program and the USDA Farm Service Agency will offer relief from losses they experienced brought on by the drought.

Chair of the Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board, David Savoy says there’s only one way to fix the issue.

Cut 10 (05) “…in there. .”

Savoy said the funding will make a major difference and help farmers with reseeding.

 

11:30 am Newscast

 

This Mother’s Day weekend, it looks like. Louisiana has some work to do for working moms. WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe with details from the 2024 Best and Worst States for Working Moms.

Cut 9 (14) “…professional opportunities.”

One area the survey looked at for working moms is the gender pay gap in Louisiana. Happe says the Bayou State ranked 48th overall.

Mother Nature is gifting moms in Louisiana with ideal weather this weekend. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold front moving in is probably the last one we’ll have this spring, and you’ll want to take advantage of it.

Cut 12 (13) “…lack of humidity.” 

———————-

A beautiful morning for fishing fans at Pierre Part’s Veterans Park as the “Every Fish Matters” conservation event is happening. Tournament Fisherman Cliff Crochet brought lots of fish to release back into Louisiana waterways. The goal: to raise awareness and have some fun, helping Louisiana’s fish population grow, and have some fun doing it.

Cut 8 (08)  “…fighting for conservation.” 

If you’re looking for the best price for mudbugs this Mother’s Day weekend, you’re in luck. Since 2017 The Crawfish App has been tracking more than 800 crawfish retailers in Louisiana and the app can direct you to the best in your area. Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says this season has been the most unpredictable.

Cut 4 (07) “…crawfish season.” 

King says prices this Mother’s Day are about a dollar more than last year.

10:30 am Newscast

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday and for Louisiana working moms, it will hopefully be a well-deserved break. Sean Richardson Has the story.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

A gift from Mother Nature this weekend as a cold front moves through to cool things off a bit. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says dewpoint temperatures will be in the 50s to low 60’s so…

Cut 13 (08) “…outside.”
———————————————

This crawfish season has been one of the most unpredictable ones on record and Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says typically prices go up for Mother’s Day, but

Cut 3 (14) “…retail level.” 

King says prices this Mother’s Day are about a dollar more than last year. And while prices were steep this Easter…

Cut 5 (12)  “…sack of crawfish.” 

You can expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana.

9:30 am Newscast

If you’re looking for the best price for mudbugs this Mother’s Day weekend, you’re in luck. Since 2017 The Crawfish App has been tracking more than 800 crawfish retailers in Louisiana and the app can direct you to the best in your area. Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says this season has been the most unpredictable.

Cut 4 (07) “…crawfish season.” 

King says prices this Mother’s Day are about a dollar more than last year.

When it comes to working Mom’s in Louisiana, the news is mixed this year. 2024’s Best and Worst States for Working Moms shows room for improvement when it comes to the gender pay gap. WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe says Louisiana ranked 48th overall.

Cut 10 (08) “…for working moms.” 

—————————–

If you love fishing then the “Every Fish Matters” 2nd annual release event is for you. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”
For all you baseball fans, the LSU Tigers lost to the Crimson Tide as Alabama rallied from a four run deficit to beat LSU eight to seven. In Ruston, Louisiana Tech beat Western Kentucky nine to seven. Nichols topped Lamar in eleven innings five to four.

 

8:30 am Newscast

With Mother’s Day fast approaching this Sunday, Louisiana has some work to do for working moms. WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe with the 2024 Best and Worst States for Working Moms.

Cut 9 (14) “…professional opportunities.” 

One area the survey looked at for working moms is the gender pay gap in Louisiana. Happe says the Bayou State ranked 48th overall.

Mother Nature is gifting moms in Louisiana with ideal weather this weekend. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold front moving in is probably the last one we’ll have this spring, and you’ll want to take advantage of it.

Cut 12 (13) “…lack of humidity.” 

—————————

If you’re a fan of fishing, Pierre Part’s Veterans Park is the place to be this morning for “Every Fish Matters”. Tournament Fisherman Cliff Crochet is bringing lots of fish to release back into Louisiana waterways. The goal: to raise awareness, help Louisiana’s fish population grow, and have some fun doing it.

Cut 7 (09) “…spreads conservation.”  
This crawfish season has been one of the most unpredictable ones on record and Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says typically prices go up for Mother’s Day.

Cut 3 (14) “…retail level.” 

You can expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana.

9:30 am Newscast

For the first time since the state has been trying attempting to update the congressional map, all sides agree the matter needs to be settled by the US Supreme Court. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice opened the new Swanson Center for Youth at Monroe this week. It’s a big step that demonstrates the state’s commitment to juvenile rehabilitation. The Tier 1 secure setting provides intensive rehabilitative service and can accommodate up to 72 youths in individualized rooms.

——————————–
The Third group of Louisiana National Guard Soldiers is in Texas assisting with border security and Governor Jeff Landry visited them on Thursday. Some Louisiana Lawmakers accompanied Landry on his visit to the Southern Border. Among them, Mandeville Representative Jay Galle says it’s not the Mexican government governing the south side of the border.

Cut 9 (12)  “…our country.”

The future of West Monroe’s Glenwood Regional Hospital is in jeopardy, after parent company Steward Health Care declared bankruptcy. Mayor Staci Mitchell Glenwood Regional needs to remain open because the two hospitals across the river in Monroe can’t handle the number of patients that need care.

Cut 11 (12) “…Steward’s doing.”