The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would make it illegal to touch your cell phone while driving. Jeff Palermo reports the measure is one more vote from reaching the governor’s desk..

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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We’re getting some raw numbers on the Super Bowl’s economic impact to Greater New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein is at the Capitol, where the announcement was made.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Sulphur high school teacher and coach is facing charges for his alleged role in the stabbing of a six-year-old child. Major Mark Leblanc with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says their deputies went to a home in the Leonville area to investigate a domestic disturbance and walked into a chaotic scene

Cut 3 (08) “…stab wounds.”

Leblanc says 37-year-old Patrick Greene was combative with deputies, but was eventually arrested and charged with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, two counts of aggravated assault and resisting an officer. Leblanc says the child is at a Baton Rouge hospital with life-threatening injuries….

Cut 4 (09) “…critical condition.”

KLFY-TV is reporting that the child previously had a brain tumor and was a patient at St. Jude. Leblanc says there were a total of seven children inside the home when the violence broke out…

Cut 5 (08) “…conjure up.”

Leblanc says some of the children belonged to Greene, the others belonged to Greene’s wife. The Calcasieu Parish School Board say Greene is now on administrative leave.

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It may soon be illegal to handle your cellphone while behind the wheel as a handheld cellphone bill is nearing final legislative approval. Covington Republican Patrick McMath explained it is illegal in the state to text and drive, but that law is unenforceable…

Cut 6 (06) “…against the law.”

The legislation means that your cell phone cannot be in your hand while driving. McMath told the Senate that handling a cell phone while driving would be a secondary offense and explained to the Senate what that means…

Cut 7 (12) “…this law.”

The Senate approved the House Bill 33 to 5. Similar bills have failed in previous years, but supporters like McMath says this legislation can help lower auto insurance rates…

Cut 8 (10) “…so yes.”

The measure heads back to the House for approval of Senate amendments and then it will head to the governor’s desk and Jeff Landry is expected to sign it.

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Two cyclists were killed Sunday night in overnight crashes in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. 75-year-old Jerry Francis of Houma was rear ended while traveling south on LA Hwy 57. State Trooper Peggy Bourque says Francis’ bike had no lights or reflective material…

Cut 9 (07)  “…stay visible.”

28-year-old Jonathon Bourg of Golden Meadow suffered a fatal crash while riding a motorized bicycle in Larose. Bourque says Bourg was struck at the intersection of LA Hwy 308 and LA Hwy 657 after running a red light…

Cut 10 (09) “…as drivers.”

Bourque says the other two drivers involved in the crashes were properly restrained and uninjured. Neither were suspected of being impaired, and standard toxicology samples from Francis and Bourg are pending analysis as investigations are ongoing. Bourque reminds drivers to stay vigilant…

Cut 11 (10) “…saving lives.”

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It goes without saying that Super Bowl 59 was an economic boom for Louisiana. And now, we have some of the numbers. A new study from LSU’s Business school finds that Super Bowl 59 generated 1.25-billion dollars in economic output — that’s the second most among the last ten Super Bowls. Saints Owner Gayle Benson also noted that visitors and vendors spent more than 650-million dollars while in Louisiana

Cut 12 (08) “…the game” 

The state also rolled out the welcome mat for business leaders, investors and innovators through its Louisiana Now pavilion; and Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois said more than four-thousand of them stopped by.

Cut 13 (12)  “…saw our potential”

New Orleans has hosted 11 Super Bowls, tied with Miami for the most in history. And Benson says work is already underway for New Orleans to secure its 12th.

Cut 14 (14) “…than New Orleans.”

The soonest the Super Bowl can return to New Orleans is 2030.

A bill is making its way through the legislature that would require insurance companies to allow homeowners to insure their homes for their stated market values. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new poll finds the sheriff of Orleans Parish has abysmal approval numbers, and Helena Moreno is the clear favorite to become the new mayor of New Orleans. Sean Richardson has more on the survey paid for by a PAC that is not affiliated with any candidate.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Senate approved bill that would provide low-income homeowners with a tax credit of up to two-thousand dollars to help defray the cost of high insurance premiums has cleared its first hurdle in the House. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A bill is making its way through the legislature that would require insurance companies to allow homeowners to purchase “stated value” policies. The bill was written by Belle Chasse Republican Representative Jacob Braud (“bro”), who says it would essentially allow homeowners to purchase coverage that matches the value of their homes.

Cut 4 (09) “…dollars of insurance.”

Braud says his bill would apply to those who have mortgages on their homes; those with homes that are paid off can insure them for any amount.

Cut 5 (13) “…fair market value.”

Braud acknowledges that there is risk involved in buying too little insurance under his bill. That’s why he included an educational component to it.

Cut 6 (11) “…risk of this.”

The bill passed in the House last week on a vote of 79-to-20. It now heads to a Senate committee before it’s heard on the Senate floor, should the committee approve it.

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JMC Analytics and Polling surveyed Orleans Parish voters to find out how elected officials are viewed by the public ahead of this fall’s election. Pollster John Couvillon says it’s not a surprise to see Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson with a 63-percent disapproval rating following last month’s jail break where ten inmates escaped…

Cut 7 (13) “…political viability.”

The poll also surveyed the upcoming Orleans Sheriff’s race, Hutson is receiving 12 percent of the vote, while former New Orleans police chief Michelle Woodfork is polling at 35-percent.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter has a 66-percent favorable rating. Couvillon says Carter has not ruffled many feathers during his time as a state legislator and now as a U.S. Representative.

Cut 8 (10) “…most people like him.”

For the New Orleans mayoral race, Couvillon says city councilwoman Helena Moreno is the clear favorite with 52-percent of the respondents in the survey supporting her, but can she keep up the momentum until election day in October…

Cut 9 (10)  “…four and a half months to go”

The polls surveyed 500 likely voters in Orleans Parish on May 27th and 28th. A political action committee not affiliated with any candidate paid for the poll.

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Louisiana Senators have shelved a proposal to lower income and sales taxes. The House-approved bills stalled after a report revealed that the tax cuts would result in a 142-million-dollar shortfall in fiscal year 2027 and a 590-million-dollar shortfall in 2028. Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan (“yahn”) Moller says the Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee was wise to put the brakes on these tax cuts, since the state income tax was just lowered earlier this year…

Cut 10 (08) “…schools and hospitals.”

The bills looked to cut the state sales tax from six percent to 5.75 percent and the individual income tax from three percent to 2.75 percent. The tax cut plan also sought to double the standard deduction for senior citizens. Moller says legislators always want to cut taxes, but they also have to pass a balanced budget every year.

Cut 11 (13) “..families and communities .”

On another note, the budget lawmakers are getting ready to approve is not a perfect spending plan, according to Moeller, but lawmakers are spending the available dollars they have wisely.

Cut 12 (09) “…Senate did that.”

The Louisiana Senate is expected to approve its version of the budget later this week.

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On a narrow eight-to-seven vote, the House Ways and Means Committee approves a Senate bill that would allow low-income homeowners to receive up to a two-thousand-dollar income tax credit to help them pay homeowner property insurance costs. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis is the author of the legislation.

Cut 13 (08)  “…insurance premiums.”

Under Duplessis’ bill, the state would not issue more than 10-million dollars in tax credits each year and the credits would be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Homeowners who make less than 200-percent of the poverty level would be eligible. There was no way Chalmette Republican Michael Bayham would vote against this bill.

Cut 14 (11) “…about it.”

The bill has already received Senate approval, and SB 235 is expected to go before House Appropriations before floor debate.

But Republicans on the panel opposed the measure, because only households with less than 200-percent of the poverty level would be eligible. Sulphur Republican Les Farnum questioned Duplessis about the income limit…

Cut 15 (12) “…it the most.”

According to the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance, 193-thousand households would be eligible for the tax credit. The group says the tax credit would help those homeowners who make about 12 dollars an hour or retirees, who receive a little over two-thousand dollars in social security and retirement benefits a month.

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The LSU baseball team is headed to the Super Regionals but it was not easy as the Tigers had to rally back from a four run deficit against a hot hitting Little Rock team. But LSU got the bats going and freshman right-hander Casan Evans delivered a special performance in a 10-6 win. Evans struck out 12 over six innings, including nine in a row at one point…

Cut 16 (16) “…get themselves out.”

Little Rock could not get Ethan Frey out. The designated hitter from Rosepine went four-for-four with four runs driven in. His three-run double got LSU back in the game and it got the crowd at Alex Box Stadium believing again…

Cut 17 (17)  “…unbelieveable”

It was Jay Johnson’s 500th career as he leads the Tigers to the Super Regionals for the second time in three years. He gives a lot of credit to Little Rock for battling, but also he’s proud of the performances by Evans, Frey and Luis Hernandez who hit two home runs…

Cut 18 (16)  “…of characther.”

LSU will host West Virginia in a best out of three Super Regional series. Dates and times will be announced at 9 AM.

It was another great year for turkey hunters in Louisiana.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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LSU Shreveport celebrated a perfect 59-and-0 season and a NAIA World Series championship in downtown Shreveport today. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kiechnick.”

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Louisiana turkey hunters had another successful season in 2025, harvesting 3,576 birds, the second-highest total since harvest reporting began in 2009, just behind 2024’s 3,695. LDWF Small Game and Wild Turkey Program Manager Cody Cedotal says the past four years have seen the highest reported harvests.

Cut 3 (12) “…jumped up pretty good.”

Cedotal says the 2018 decision to delay the season’s start appears to be supporting turkey population growth. Adult male harvest in 2025 exceeded 2024 by 204.

Cut 4 (07) “…areas of the state.”

Survey data and hunter feedback will help assess the season, and Cedotal says will help prepare for next year’s sprin season.

Cut 5 (10) “…to the hunt.”

Next year wild turkey season will open on Good Friday, April 3 and run through May 3, 2026

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Applications for the M.J. Foster Promise Program opened yesterday with a newly lowered age requirement of 19. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) Scholarship and Grant Director Deborah (Deb-OH-ruh) Paul says the program allows adult students…

Cut 6 (12) “…workforce priorities.”

Recipients are awarded $3,200 per year or up to $6,400 over a three-year period. Full-time students pursuing an associate’s degree typically receive $1,600 per semester, and Paul says funding is differs depending on the program…

Cut 7 (13) “…one disbursement.”

Credentials in industry sectors such as construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and training and logistics could be eligible. Paul says the program has a budget of up to $10.5 million each year…

Cut 8 (10) “…enrolling in.”

Students interested in applying should complete the 2025-2026 free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®).

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The Senate Finance Committee has restored 30-million dollars in high-dose tutoring for K-12 students in the proposed budget for next fiscal year. Senate President Cameron Henry says Senate Finance was able to add the money, because the Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 60-million dollars in state general funds that can be spent next fiscal year. Henry says the high-dose tutoring program is showing results…

Cut 9 (08)  “…utilization rate.”

The budget heading to the Senate floor also includes the 199-million dollars for teacher stipends, which means teachers will not receive a drop in pay.

But the Senate Finance Chairman has reduced the amount of funding for the state’s new voucher program, L-A Gator. Governor Jeff Landry had sought 93.5 million for L-A Gator, but Senate Finance decided to dedicate only 43-million dollars. Henry says most of the students who are applying for L-A Gator already attend a private or parochial school…

Cut 10 (10) “…support this.”

L-A Gator in its initial stages is supposed to help those students at a struggling public school attend a private school.

Senate Finance Chairman Greg Womack went over the amendments during a committee hearing yesterday and they include money to transfer UNO from the U-L System to the LSU System and an increase in dollars for sheriffs to house state inmates

Cut 11 (11) “…offered up.”

The legislative session must conclude June 12th.

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The LSU Shreveport baseball team capped off their perfect season with a celebration in downtown Shreveport today. The Pilots went 59-and-0 on their way to an NAIA World Series title, a first in the history of college baseball. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says this team is in a league of their own…

Cut 12 (13) “…college baseball” 

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson interrupted the Pilots’ celebration to invite the champions to visit President Trump at the White House. Neffendorf says this is the most impressive thing he’ll ever be apart of and its much bigger than just his team…

Cut 13 (11)  “…(applause).”

Neffendorf credited the alumni of LSU Shreveport’s baseball program over the last 35 years for paving the way and continuing to support LSU-S baseball…

Cut 14 (17) “…are today.”