The National Weather Service is facing serious staffing challenges with over 1000 employees leaving due to Trump budget cuts, which could affect forecast accuracy heading into hurricane season.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana residents might have a chance at voting for a lower state income tax. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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History was made at the Vatican as for the first time in the history of the Catholic church, the college of cardinals has elected a U.S.-born pope. Robert Prevost has taken the papal name Leo the 14th. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and professor of theology Dr. Tom Ryan says the election of the Chicago-born Prevost was a bit of a surprise for him.

Cut 3 (11) “…American pope.” 

Dr. Ryan says Pope Leo the 14th has spent a considerable amount of time away from the United States.

Cut 4 (11) “…he’s international himself.”

The college of cardinals reached a consensus on a new pope on the second day of conclave. Ryan says given recent history, that length of time was pretty much par for the course, and the cardinals gave a lot of thought into who the new leader of the Catholic church should be.

Cut 5 (09) “…out the field.”

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Hurricane season begins June 1, but the National Weather Service face serious staffing challenges. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, over 1000 employees have left, leaving key offices in cities like Lake Charles, Houston, and Tampa understaffed. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim warns that this could delay critical weather alerts or spread inaccurate information.

Cut 6 (12) “…inform those models.”

Keim warns that reduced staffing threatens accurate forecasting and the delivery of essential data. This could result in less accurate hurricane forecasts and increased danger for Americans.

Cut 7 (11) “…real impacts here.”

Keim warns that reduced staffing threatens accurate forecasting and the delivery of essential data. This could result in less accurate hurricane forecasts and increased danger for Americans.

Cut 8 (09) “…get turned around.”

Despite these concerns, the Trump administration continues its push to cut non-discretionary government spending.

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If you want to see how good we have it in Louisiana, go to another state and stop at a gas station. Gas prices in Louisiana are among the cheapest in the nation. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year. 

Cut 9 (07)  “…$3.20 a gallon.” (Statewide price for regular unleaded is $2.70 a gallon)

Redman says one big reason for the relatively low gas prices is a drop in the price of crude.

Cut 10 (05) “…barrel right now.”

Gas prices tend to be lower along the Gulf Coast, since we’re a lot closer to oil refineries than the rest of the country. Redman says gas prices are expected to remain stable through the Memorial Day holiday and well into the summer. If you’re planning to drive to the West Coast and you’re looking for cheap gas out there, forget it.

Cut 11 (07) “…$4.82 a gallon.”

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Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered to three percent at the beginning of the year and House Republicans would like to lower it again. The lower chamber has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax from 3-percent to 2.75 percent beginning January 1^st, 2027. The author of the bill is Carencro Representative Julie Emerson…

Cut 12 (10) “…some relief.”

The House approved the measure on an 86-13 vote. It will need two-thirds approval in the Senate and then it will go to the voters for approval.

The legislation would also double the standard deduction for residents 65 and older. Emerson says lowering the state’s income tax again would make Louisiana more competitive in attracting business and residents….

Cut 13 (11)  “…to grow.”

The “No” votes came from Democrats in the House. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard expressed concern about budget cuts because of a decline in state revenues especially since the state just lowered the state income tax five months ago…

Cut 14 (11) “…state’s revenue.”

But Emerson says she knows Louisiana residents are begging for more tax relief.

According to The New York Times, national Democrats are encouraging former Gov. John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026 against Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy.

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A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving moves to the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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During Love the Boot Week in April, Keep Louisiana Beautiful supported recycling efforts in 27 parishes, picking up over 16-thousand bottles and cans, a 23-percent increase from last year. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says this was part of a broader statewide effort involving nearly 27-thousand volunteers

Cut 3 (12) “…was just amazing.” 

The recycling program used a mix of pick-up and drop-off services, with 21 Louisiana Department of Transportation offices serving as collection sites.  Russell says people want to live in clean communities and they deserve just that.

Cut 4 (10) “…they are proud of.”

Love the Boot Week took place during the week of April 5th to the 13th. Bur Russell says the fight against littering is year round…

Cut 5 (09) “…in our state.”

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More and more people are getting scam text messages claiming that they have an unpaid toll road charge. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says that’s something that the department simply does not do. 

Cut 6 (08) “…asking for fines”

Mallett says the scammers are getting more and more sophisticated in how they trick unsuspecting people into following a link and paying what seems to be a small amount of money.

Cut 7 (10) “…geauxpass-dot-com.”

Also, watch out for subtle misspellings, such as dropping the “x” in “geaux.” Mallett says there’s only one way in which DOTD will ever contact you over an unpaid toll charge.

Cut 8 (07) “…your license plate.” (DOTD will only send notifications through snail mail)

Bottom line – if it seems suspicious, ignore it.

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National Democrats are encouraging former Gov. John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026 against Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, according to The New York Times. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has spoken with Edwards about the race, but Edwards has not confirmed his interest. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards could say he’s ready to get out of private practice and back into politics.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for doing that.”

The 2026 election will use closed primaries for the first time, with party winners advancing to the general election. Edwards would likely dominate the Democratic primary but face tough odds in the general election. Pinsonat says the big question will be how the closed primary will affect Cassidy

Cut 10 (12) “…especially the Republicans.”

Cassidy is considered vulnerable among Trump loyalists due to his vote to convict the current President in his 2021 impeachment trial. Pinsonat says there’s no guarantee Cassidy will be re-elected, even though he has a war chest of over seven million dollars…

Cut 11 (11) “…another Democrat.”

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The House has advanced a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso wrote the bill; he says distracted driving is a huge problem in the state, and it’s one of the reasons that auto insurance rates in Louisiana are so high.

Cut 12 (11) “…distracted driving.”

Glorioso’s bill also has the support of several Democrats, including Jason Hughes of New Orleans.

Cut 13 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Not all of Glorioso’s fellow Republicans are on board with his bill. Mike Bayham of Chalmette says a hand-held cell phone ban will disproportionately affect a certain group of people.

Cut 14 (12) “…don’t have Bluetooth.”

Bayham says a hand-held cell phone ban would not instantly make bad drivers better.

Cut 15 (06) “…car or not.”

A similar bill last year failed in the House, 71-to-22. It was almost the complete opposite this year, with the House passing it by a vote of 71-to-28. It now moves to the Senate.