This run of dry weather we’ve had lately has pushed the state into drought conditions. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says currently, about three-fourths of the state is in a drought, with half of the state rated as severe to extreme drought.

Cut 3 (13) “…coast in Terrebonne.”

Grymes says farmers and ranchers are starting to get nervous as we get ready to roll into production season.

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly childcare is in Louisiana. More than 10-thousand dollars per year for one child, nearly 21-thousand dollars for two children. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for childcare and in some cases decided to quit their job.

Cut 5 (07) “…they’re forced too.”

A West Monroe state senator, Jay Morris has filed a bill that would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor. He says he filed the bill because of what he calls a disturbing and repeated pattern of breakdowns within Louisiana’s juvenile justice system.

Cut 14 (10) “…up with it.”

Morris says this process is not to be used if, for example, the governor simply disagrees with a judge’s ruling; instead, it’s intended to be used if that judge sentences the convict outside of the sentencing guidelines.

The Superbowl of rodeo, the Hondo Rodeo Fest is coming to the Ceaser’s Superdome in April. World champion cowboys and cowgirls have been invited to compete in eight categories, for a one-million-dollar prize.  Former Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs calls it adrenaline-pumping.

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s action packed.”

Special discounted tickets are on sale through tomorrow.

A state senator is proposing a constitutional amendment that he says would restore accountability in Louisiana’s justice system. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Northwestern State has announced the removal of Amy Step and Trey Jackson as coaches of the Northwestern State cheerleading team after an investigation looking into hazing allegations. Northwestern says the school identified areas reflecting lack of appropriate oversight and control of the program. Coach Step disagrees with the findings and there are former and current cheerleaders are calling the firing unjust.

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly child care is in Louisiana. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says parents reported spending an average of 870 dollars per child per month, or more than ten-thousand dollars a year.

Cut 4 (11) “…parents in Louisiana” 

Batson says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for child care and in some cases decided to quit their job, because it made more financial sense to stay home.

Looking for a family fun event. The Hondo Rodeo event is coming the Caesars Superdome April 10^th and 12^th. It’s a rodeo competition, a music concert and there’s also a street fest at champions square. James Trawick is the CEO of the Hondo Rodeo Fest and says they chose Louisiana because the state has some of the best rodeo competitors in the U.S.

Cut 11 (06) “…Louisiana than Wyoming.”

Governor Landry says people can expect a bigger refund when they file their state income tax returns this year, thanks to the legislation approved during the 2024 Tax Reform Special Session. Landry says among other things, the reform doubled the retirement income exemption to 12-thousand dollars, allowing a married couple over 65 to earn nearly 49-thousand dollars tax free

Cut 7 (09) “…every single year.”

He says the typical middle class working family will save nearly 500-dollars as a result of tripling the standard deduction.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Foestry has tracked more than 170 wildfires across Louisiana this month. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Doctor Mike Strain says it’s dry and windy…

Cut 10 (12) “….long ways away”

Most of the state is classified as either high to extreme risk for wildfires.

A 14-year-old girl is shot and killed in Hammond. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It looks like Ramesh Kolluru is the sole finalist to be the next president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The University of Louisiana System board will interview Kolluru on Friday and will likely announce he’s the next president. Kolluru has served as interim president since November.

Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana taxpayers should see higher refunds after they file their state income taxes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It looks like Ramesh Kolluru is the sole finalist to be the next president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The University of Louisiana System board will interview Kolluru on Friday and will likely announce he’s the next president. Kolluru has served interim president since November.

Wildfires continue to be a problem in Louisiana. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Doctor Mike Strain says the relative humidity is improving, so the air is not as dry, but strong winds continue to be a factor in fueling the fires…

Cut 10 (12) “….long ways away”

Strain says that means do not do any outdoor burning today.

Louisiana has officially kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky mudbug. Barry Toups, the owner of Crawfish Haven, caught and selected the lucky crawfish, who was named Tony after the legendary Tony Chachere, and Samantha Carroll with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board read the proclamation.

Cut 14 (11) “…onions and garlic.”

Crawfish producers are predicting a good crop of mudbugs this year.

A 14-year-old girl is shot and killed in Hammond. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A scary moment occurred in a Baton Rouge classroom today as a gun went off at Istrouma High School. No injuries reported as the East Baton Rouge school system says the gun was accidentally discharged and the bullet went through the ceiling. Local TV stations report the student has been detained.

A New Orleans-area lawmaker has offered up a proposed constitutional amendment for the upcoming legislative session that would place a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again.

Cut 10 (08) “…across the board.”

Bayham says Louisiana should not have to “recycle” its governors.

The debate over whether the state should raise the minimum wage which has stood at $7.25 since 2009 will also occur in the upcoming session. State Representative Delisha Boyd says with no increases to the minimum wage in almost 17 years, some people can no longer afford to live in the state, especially in her New Orleans district.

Cut 6 (08) “…to be here.”

Pro business groups argue a higher minimum wage will lead to job losses and higher costs for consumers.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s the approach one New Orleans lawmaker is taking in proposing a minimum wage increase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Republicans and pro-business lobbyist groups have been successful in defeating minimum wage hike proposals in previous years. They argue a higher minimum wage will result in job losses and higher costs for consumers.

A Saint Bernard Parish lawmaker has filed a bill for the upcoming session that says once a governor serves two terms, he or she can not run for a third term. The legislation would mean Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not run for governor again. Republican Mike Bayham says Louisiana should not have to recycle its governors…

Cut 12 (07) “.,.a former governor”

Edwin Edwards and Earl Long served more than two terms as governor in the state’s history. It’s already against state law to serve more than two consecutive terms as governor.

After a chilly night last night, high temperatures will be returning to around the 80-degree mark for the foreseeable future. Todd Fontenot with the LSU Ag Center says that means the supply of crawfish will go up, and prices will go down…

Cut 15 (11) “…to grow more’