The Louisiana Legislature is debating a comprehensive nutrition bill that, among other things, would ban SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks. Governor Landry is not waiting for that bill to reach his desk as he’s signed an executive order banning soda and candy purchases from  Louisiana’s food stamps program…

Cut 15 (09) “…water over soda”

Democrats in the Louisiana Legislature oppose the idea of restricting SNAP recipients from using their cash assistance to purchase of soda.

There was enough opposition in the House Natural Resources Committee to kill a bill that would give parish governments the ability to permit carbon sequestration wells in their parish. Locals are concerned about the environmental impacts, but LSU law professor Keith Hall testified the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources should be the agency that permits these projects…

Cut 11 (12) “…House Bill 4.

Another hurricane season is right around the corner and one of the new things  the Hurricane Center will do this year…is provide forecast tracks earlier for unnamed storms that are expected to intensify rapidly….

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for all of north Louisiana, most of central Louisiana and a part of southwest Louisiana for this afternoon and into tonight. Forecasters say we could see damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes can not be ruled out.

As the legislature continues to debate a bill that, among other things, would ban SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks, Governor Landry is taking it one step further.

Cut 13 (06)  “…food stamp program.”

Landry says if SNAP recipients want to buy those products, they can do so with their own money and not with taxpayer money.

The House Natural Resources Committee has voted down a bill that would have allowed parishes to vote on whether to permit carbon sequestration wells in their areas. There was passionate testimony on both sides, including from 16-year-old Avery Williams, who expressed concerns about storing carbon dioxide below ground…

Cut 10 (13) “…in our future.”

Industry leaders expressed concern this bill would complicate permitting and hinder a growing industry where carbon dioxide emissions are captured from the air and stored underground.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not take in the biggest crawfish festival in the state. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The second weekend of Jazz Fest in New Orleans ramps up today. Luke Combs is one of the main headliners.

In Sulphur, the state high school softball tournament resumes with semifinal action.

And tomorrow is election day, voters in Lake Charles will decide whether to re-elect Nic Hunter. He’s being challenged by Democrat Marshall Simien.

As debate on a bill that would ban SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks works its way through the legislature, Governor Landry is taking it one step further. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

This week the state Senate approved a bill that would prohibit public water systems in Louisiana from adding fluoride to the water. Dentists oppose the effort, they say it will result in more cavities and tooth decay. But U-S Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior says there’s a link between fluoride and lower IQs in children.

Legislation that would have allowed parish government to vote on carbon sequestration well permits failed to pass the House Natural Resources Committee. Industry groups opposed the bill. Matt Coday, president of the Oil and Gas Workers Association, says environmental groups like the Sierra Club are using this bill to push their agenda…

Cut 12 (14) “…what powers Louisiana”

The bill failed on a ten to six vote.

The start of the hurricane season is about a month away and National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan says this year they will begin issuing official forecast tracks and watches and warnings earlier for tropical systems that have yet to form into a depression…

Cut 4 (08) “…coastal areas”

Brennan says it’s in response to unnamed storms rapidly intensifying into a hurricane in a short period of time.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has passed a comprehensive nutrition bill that would prohibit schools from serving lunches that contain ultra-processed foods. The measure would also prohibit SNAP recipients from using their SNAP benefits to purchase sugary drinks, like soft drinks. The bill’s author Covington Senator Patrick McMath…

Cut 14 (07) “…non nutrious”

Democrats believe its not a good idea to restrict SNAP recipients from purchasing sodas.

Congressman Troy Carter is announcing the relaunch of a bipartisan Men’s Health Caucus. The New Orleans Democrat says men need to take care of their bodies the same way as they meticulously care for their most prized possessions.

Cut 8 (13) “…in their bodies.”

The effort to ban unmanned traffic cameras that issue tickets is ongoing at the state capitol again. Sean Richardson reports Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh is supporting an effort to ban them outside of school zones…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

The Senate has approved an anti-traffic camera bill and the House will consider the bill soon.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer involved shooting in New Iberia last night. It happened at the intersection of Ann and Buckeye Streets. One person was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were harmed. No other details have been released.

Legislation giving the Insurance Commissioner the authority to reject rate increases deemed excessive has received approval from the Louisiana House. This proposal, backed by Governor Jeff Landry, was added to another insurance related bill and approved by the House on a 67-33 vote. Opponents say the Insurance Commissioner already has this authority, Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso disagrees…

Cut 9 (12) “….striking it down”

The amended bill heads to the Senate for more debate.

A bill that seeks to reduce the number of unmanned ticket writing traffic cameras continues to advance in the legislature. A bill to do just that was approved by the Senate this week and Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh added an amendment that says speed cameras that would issue citations will be allowed in school zones…

Cut 5 (04) “….the school zones”

The bill needs approval from the House before it heads to the governor’s desk.

Pediatric patients in New Orleans will soon have a hospital to call their own. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

The search for a new president is down to two finalists, Chris Broadwater and Carrie Castille. Castillie is a Louisiana native and is currently an Agriculture and Natural Resources Consultant for the USDA. Broadwater is an attorney and a former state representative and was previously the interim chancellor for Louisiana Delta Community College.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approves a bill that would ban schools that receive state funding from serving lunches containing ultra-processed foods. Covington Republican Patrick McMath says childhood obesity is a real problem, and this legislation is step towards a healthier Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…synthetic ingredients”

Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau says why single out school lunches; why not include sugary alcoholic drinks that adults consume?

Cut 16 (12) “…those things.”

The measure passed on a four-three vote and heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Congressman Troy Carter will be announcing the relaunch of a bipartisan Men’s Health Caucus for the 119th Congress this morning. The Democrat from New Orleans says it’s a way for Republicans and Democrats to come together to encourage men to pay attention to their health.

Cut 7 (10) “…more purposeful lives.”

Carter says men often ignore the warning signs that their body gives, but if the engine light comes on their vehicle, they are quick to bring it to a mechanic.

Ground has been broken on The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Ochsner Health says this will be Louisiana’s top hospital for kids. Chief medical officer for Ochsner Children’s Hospital, Doctor Butch Adolph…

Cut 11 (14) “…into one facility”

The new Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital is slated to open in early 2028.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has passed a comprehensive nutrition bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving lunches that contain certain artificial ingredients and additives.

Much of the discussion on the bill centered around a provision in the proposed law that would prohibit SNAP recipients from using their benefits to purchase drinks, with over five grams of added sugar or artificial sweetener, which means soft drinks. The bill’s author Covington Senator Patrick McMath…

Cut 14 (07) “…non nutrious”

Democrats on the Senate Health Committee have a problem with restricting what low-income individuals can purchase with their SNAP benefits. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews was the first one to speak out.

Cut 15 (06) “…for their children.”

The bill passed on a four to three vote and heads to the Senate floor.

The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that seeks to eliminate enforcement cameras that issue tickets. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s legislation would charge public officials with malfeasance in office if unmanned traffic cameras issue citations by mail. Before sending the bill to the House, Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh added an amendment that would allow mobile speed cameras in school zones, but signage needs to be posted notifying the public that red light cameras are in operation…

Cut 4 (09) “….not following the law”

TOPS acceptance rates have been on the decline since 2018. In 2023, only 81-percent of eligible students accepted their awards, a ten-year low. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says some high school grads are not able to pursue a college education right out of high school…

Cut 19 (12) “…to be eligible”

Reed says there’s an effort in the legislative session to increase the amount of TOPS awards.