“Love the Boot Week” kicks off today in Louisiana with more than 600n clean up and beautification events planned across the state. You can sign up to get help clean up litter in Louisiana keepLouisianaBeautiful-dot-org. If you can’t participate next week, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says you can do your part any time.

Cut 5 (13) “…do that.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has released updated mercury and fish advisories for ten bodies of water and it’s issued a new warning for Lake Maurepas in southeast Louisiana. L-D-H Environmental Health section chief Shannon Soileau says because of mercury contamination, there are now fish consumption advisories for 51 waterways in Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…slight modifications.”

——————–

A south Louisiana lawmaker believes teachers should have the option to possess a gun in the classroom. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Faster internet has arrived for rural and smaller Louisiana towns. T-Mobile announces the completion of a 290-million-dollar upgrade and expansion. Senior Vice President Jennifer Silveira….

Cut 7 (09) “…the state.”

The investment also includes a 50 million dollar upgrade in the Greater New Orleans area.

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was pulled from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Fire ant mounds are a sign of Spring that isn’t so welcome because they bring swarms of stinging pests to yards and gardens. Colleen Crain has more on getting rid of the tiny tormentors.

Cut 2 (33)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

____________________________________________

A Senate Committee approves major changes to the state’s public record laws, despite objections from good government group and journalists. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

____________________________________________

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was voluntarily deferred in House Criminal Justice. Bill author Representative Alonzo Knox urged committee members to ask local law enforcement in their districts what they think about the law that goes into effect July 4^th allowing for concealed carry without a permit.

Cut 4 (11) “…a crisis.”

Knox amended the bill to allow gun owners with a permit to conceal carry in the New Orleans entertainment district so it would not infringe upon one’s rights. But that too was met with opposition. Firearm Professionals of Louisiana political director Chris Patron…

Cut 5 (11) “…need is enforcement.” 

New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno who supports the bill told committee members after discussions with Knox he’s opting to voluntarily pull the bill. But they plan to meet with Republican Senator Kirk Talbot who’s filed similar legislation that’s limited to the French Quarter.

Cut 6 (13) “…better shape.”

_________________________________________________

Warm weather means many things and unfortunately, one of them is the appearance of fire ant mounds. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist, Heather Kirk-Ballard says each mound could contain up to 200,000 of the stinging pests that become more active this time of year…

Cut 7 (12) “…pretty formidable.”

Swarms of fire ants can sting within seconds and, for some, cause serious allergic reactions.

Kirk-Ballard says a concerted effort is best when trying to eradicate fire ants. Coordinate with neighbors since the pests can create extensive underground tunnels and treat them in both April and October when the insects are active. Be careful to follow instructions on baits and poisons and pay attention to the timing of your treatment…

Cut 8 (11) “…wash away.” 

Many of the baits are safe for some animals but harmful to birds. Others are harmful to people and pets. Contrary to some popular myths, grits won’t work and neither will piling one mound top of the other but Kirk-Ballard says there are some organic options and one is non-toxic.

Cut 9 (12)  “…or rotenone.”

Never apply baits near water systems such as ponds and lakes. The LSU Ag Center website offers additional information at LSUAgCenter.com

________________________________________________________

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that critics say will gut the state’s public records law at every level. It would prohibit the public from obtaining any government documents involved in decision-making. The bill’s author, Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud, says they are trying to prevent unfinalized information from becoming public…

Cut 10 (11) “…catastrophic.”

Governor Jeff Landry says current public records laws have become weaponized to stifle deliberative speech. Landry says he supports transparency when it comes to fiscal matters, but the current law is stretched and being abused.

Investigative reporter Lee Zurik, with Fox-8 TV in New Orleans spoke in opposition. He says public records requests he obtained helped shine a light on what led to the collapse of the New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel in 2019

Cut 11 (12) “…this law.”

The bill, which is also touted as legislation to keep the governor and his family safe, passed on a six to two-vote. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter voted against it…

Cut 12 (10) “…know that.” 

Cloud says she’ll work to address some of the concerns of the opponents and will make changes to the bill before the full Senate takes a vote on it…

Cut 13 (05)  “…what they need.”

___________________________________________________

The LSU gymnastics squad will compete in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships today in Fort Worth, Texas as the Tigers are in search of the program’s first national championship. This is LSU’s 33rd appearance in the NCAA Championships and Coach Jay Clark might have the school’s most talented team

Cut 14 (08)  “…love to have.”

LSU finished fourth last year. The Tigers have finished as runner-ups four times since 2014. They will compete at 3:30 central time in first session of the semifinals. They are one of four teams competing at that time and they need to finish in the top two to advance to the championship round on Saturday. Clark has told his team to keep the same mindset they’ve had all season long…

Cut 15 (06)  “…be successful”

LSU will compete against Cal, Arkansas and Stanford today. In the night session, it’s defending champion Oklahoma, Florida, Utah and Alabama.

____________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team leaves for Columbia, Missouri today as they head to Mizzou looking to snap their five game SEC series losing streak. Coach Jay Johnson has been meeting with players on a one-on-one basis in the hopes getting this team out of this slump…

Cut 16 (20)  “..those guys out”  

LSU is 3-and-12 in the SEC and can not afford to lose another SEC series and still make the NCAA Tournament. Johnson says the coaching staff is trying to get the best out of this team…

Cut 17 (09) “…right now.”

Johnson says this team is lacking clutch pitching and hitting…

Cut 18 (18)  “…Christian Moore.” 

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson and Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie has suggested Johnson should step down. Some Republicans are upset Johnson’s aid package proposal for Ukraine and Israel will require support from Democrats, and they also do not like that the Bossier Parish Republican is not requiring more security at the U-S Mexico border as he pushes separate aid bills for Ukraine and Israel.

Johnson refers to himself as a wartime speaker…

Cut 8 (12) “…terribly divided” 

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would prohibit public school teachers from teaching critical race theory. Denham Springs Senator Valerie Hodges says her legislation will help preserve students’ self-esteem.

Cut 3 (06) “…have value.” 

For Governor Jeff Landry’s first 100 days in office, he’s yet to take his foot off the gas…. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly was in a Union Parish courtroom yesterday, pleading not guilty to the charge of illegal use of a weapon. Holley’s attorney Mike Small.

Cut 12 (12) “…this case.” 

Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie joins Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to vacate Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Jeff Palermo reports Johnson has no plans to leave…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s 100^th day in office and La-Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says politically this milestone signals a new power structure in the executive branch.

Cut 4 (11) “…the legislature.”

Alford says the reason it looks like Landry is off to a fast start is because he campaigned for the position for years.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee has begun discussions on the bill that would call for a constitutional convention so that lawmakers and delegates chosen by the governor can streamline the state’s constitution and provide better financial flexibility during tough budget times. Former state lawmaker Neil Abramson…
cut 14 (13) “…those decisions’
The House Governmental Affairs Committee continues discussing the bill today.

Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s 100^th day in office. Since January Landry has had two special sessions, one that was court-ordered for redrawing the state’s congressional map that also added the party primaries election structure, and another session focusing on crime. His first regular legislative session began last month.
La-Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor is now facing his biggest test… trying to convince lawmakers to hold a constitutional convention.

Cut 6 (11) “…as governor.”
A bill that would ban nitrogen hypoxia gas as a death penalty method advanced out of Senate committee Tuesday at the urging of the group “Jews against Gassing”. Aaron Block with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans says the coalition’s firm position against execution by gassing is not suggesting a comparison to the atrocities committed by the Nazis but…

Cut 9 (08)  “…that mechanism.”

———————————–

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly was in a Union Parish courtroom yesterday, pleading not guilty to the charge of illegal use of a weapon. Holly had faced a charge of second degree murder in connection to a shooting that wounded two people in Farmerville back in February, but a grand jury rejected that charge. Holley’s attorney Mike Small Small has requested to see the evidence against his client, whom he believes is not guilty.

Cut 12 (12) “…this case.” 

The LSU Tigers are struggling to find their way through this baseball season. The team has found themselves at 3 and 12 in SEC play halfway through the season and with a hard road to make the postseason tournament. Baseball America analyst Teddy Cahill says that the Tigers have two options ahead of them if they want to make the field for the NCAA tournament.

Cut 16 (11)  “…crazy in Hoover.”  

A bill that would ban nitrogen hypoxia gas as a death penalty method advanced out of Senate committee Tuesday. Representatives from a coalition of Jewish organizations, Jews Against Gassing, spoke before the committee and held a rally on the Capitol Steps. Holocaust Scholar and Loyola professor, Naomi Yavneh Klos (Nay-oh-me Yav-na-close) says the group holds no opinion on the death penalty but strongly opposes the method used by Nazis…

Cut 8 (09) “…antisemitic regime.” 

State lawmakers laid out their concerns over holding a constitutional convention on May 20th, two weeks before the regular session is scheduled to end. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham is worried his bills in the regular session will not receive final passage.

Cut 13 (10)  “…out of time.”

——————————–

For Governor Jeff Landry’s first 100 days in office, he’s yet to take his foot off the gas…. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to a felony gun charge he faces from a shooting that wounded two people in Farmerville on February 15th. Holly’s attorney Mike Small expects his client will be cleared of all charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…about that.”

Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s 100^th day in office and La-Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says politically this milestone signals a new power structure in the executive branch.

Cut 4 (11) “…the legislature.”

Alford says the reason it looks like Landry is off to a fast start is because he campaigned for the position for years.

A bill that would ban the gassing method known as nitrogen hypoxia as a method the state can use in death penalty executions advanced out of a Senate committee yesterday. Senator Katrina Jackson Andrews filed the bill on behalf of the Jewish community.

Cut 7 (12) “…death penalty.”

————————————-

State lawmakers have begun discussions on holding a constitutional convention next month. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Officeannounced Tuesday the arrest of a man they say stalked his estranged wife for a year and eventually killed her. 49 year old David Hernandez is facing second degree murder charges in the death of 45 year old Lisa Hernandez who was found unresponsive March 20^th. Deputies believe David Hernandez staged a burglary to cover up the crime.

Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention next month will be heard in House Governmental Affairs today. The goal: to give lawmakers more flexibility when it comes to spending. Right now, when there’s a budget shortfall it falls on the backs of healthcare and higher education and the convention hopes to change that…as lawmakers get a jump start on the convention now.

Cut 6 (13) “…couple of weeks.”

Louisiana is the only state in the country that requires a license to be a florist. Legislation that would change that has been approved by the House Commerce Committee. Lawmakers argue it’s an unnecessary and others agree. General Counsel for the Pelican Institute Sarah Harbison says the public can weed out bad florists…

Cut 15 (10)  “…expectations.”

——————————————-

So far, no arrests have been made in the New Orleans Warehouse District mass shooting that killed one and injured 11 others Sunday night. At a press conference Monday afternoon Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said homicide detectives are actively working the investigation and Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a warning to those responsible for the shooting.

Cut 9 (10)  “…at all.”
Kirkpatrick urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crimestoppers or NOPD. A $5,000 reward is being offered along with $1,000 for each gun involved.

The Pelicans face the Lakers tonight in an NBA play-in tournament game. New Orleans had a chance to avoid the play-in tournament but lost to Los Angeles on Sunday. Expect Brandon Ingram to play more tonight after playing 23 minutes on Sunday in his first game back in 3 1/2 weeks. Also Coach Willie Green wants a more aggressive Zion Williamson after he scored just 12 points on Sunday.

New Orleans is still reeling after that mass shooting Sunday night that left one person dead and eleven others injured. At a news conference yesterday, police did not reveal much about the investigation, but to say they are actively working the case. Council Member Lesli Harris, who represents the Warehouse District expressed condolences and was visibly stunned over the incident.

Cut 8 (12) “…be caught.” 

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is observing National Work Zone Awareness Week right now. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says when driving conditions change, you’re more likely to have a crash because of road conditions, lane shifts, and narrowing occurs, he urges drivers to pay extra attention in work zones.

Cut 11 (12) “…home safely.”

————————-

The House Commerce Committee approves legislation to repeal the requirement for florists to be licensed. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain” 
A Slidell police officer crashed his motorcycle into an unmarked State Police car Monday while they were escorting Governor Jeff Landry during a visit. Authorities say the officer sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital. No one else was injured.

Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention next month will be heard in House Governmental Affairs today. Bill sponsor New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu saysthe plan for this convention is to move items from the constitution into statute to give lawmakers more flexibility. For example…

Cut 5 (11) “…raise taxes.” 

The last time Louisiana’s constitution was revised was 1974

The House Commerce Committee approves legislation that eliminates the requirement to have a license to be a florist. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says Louisiana is the only state that requires a florist to take a written exam to sell floral arrangements…

Cut 13 (10)  “…one of them.”

————————————

No arrests have been made in the mass shooting that killed one and injured 11 others Sunday night in New Orleans. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Police in Lafayette have released the name of the third victim killed in Friday night’s triple homicide as that of 46 year old Elizabeth Reames. Authorities say all three victims and suspect Chad Credeur were mutual friends. The shooting happened Friday night in the 700 block of College Road. Credeur was arrested on Saturday.