The state House approved a bill that would move Louisiana from an open primary system to closed party primaries for federal, state, legislative and certain judicial elections. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the sponsor of the bill..
cut 12 (10) “….general election ballot.
The House approved the bill on a 64 to 40 vote. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says there was a recent poll that showed the public favors the state’s unique jungle primary, where candidates from all parties are on the same primary ballot…
cut 13 (08) “….current primary system”
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to debate this bill some more this afternoon. Governor Jeff Landry is pushing for a closed party primary system. He says southern states with a closed primary system are succeeding.

The winter weather has pushed the state’s blood supply to a critical low level. Because of the cold and hazardous travel, blood donations have dropped this week. Spokesperson for the Blood Center, Paul Adams, says they like to have a supply of three to five days on hand, but at the moment it’s down to one day…
cut 4 (10) “…anybody”
Adams says reach out to your local hospital about donating blood.

Jazz Fest released its entire 2024 musical line-up today. It includes country music star Chris Stapleton, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt and iconic rock band the Foo Fighters. Nola-dot-com entertainment writher Keith Speara says there will also be tribute to the late Jimmy Buffet…
cut 7 (10) “…as well”
The dates this year are April 25th through the 28th and May 2nd through the 5th.

The Louisiana Senate approved a new Congressional district map that makes Republican Garret Graves’ sixth district a black majority voting district by having it stretch from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. Senator Glen Womack is the sponsor of this legislation…
cut 16 (10) “….the country”
It passed on a 27-11 vote and the House Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to vote on the map today.

Hunters interested hunting black bears in December can attend a public meeting at the West Monroe Convention Center tonight, hosted by LDWF. Humane Society of Louisiana president Jeff Dorson is pushing for a more humane approach when it comes to controlling the growing black bear population and encourages the state to follow Florida’s BearWise program…
Cut 10 (08) “…all about.”

The Louisiana Shrimp Association is suing the Biden Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service over their rule requiring skimmer trawl vessels to use Turtle Excluder Devices in Louisiana’s Inshore waters.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

The New Orleans JazzFest released its 2024 musical line-up today and your headliners are Chris Stapleton, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and the rock band Foo Fighters. Bonnie Raitt, Earth Wind and Fire and Jon Batiste are also performing at the New Orleans Fair Grounds during the last weekend of April and first weekend of May. Previously announced, the Rolling Stones on May 2nd.

The Louisiana House passes a bill that would shift the state from a jungle primary system to closed party primaries.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has reappointed Doctor Cade Brumley as the state’s superintendent of education. BESE president Doctor Ronnie Morris says Brumley’s leadership has led to improved academic outcomes.

The Louisiana Senate approves a redrawn Congressional map that creates a second majority-Black district currently held by Republican Garret Graves. The map makes it easy for Republicans Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise and Julia Letlow to win re-election. Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine on the importance of keeping Letlow in Washington D-C..
Cut 14 (11) “…our state”
A House committee will debate the bill this morning.

The first of three meetings seeking public input on the return of a proposed black bear hunting season in Louisiana will be held tonight. State Wildlife Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says potential hunters would enter a lottery for the ten tags and they must take a course.
Cut 7 (09) “…a male deer.”
The proposed season would be in December. Tonight’s meeting is in West Monroe.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would change congressional, statewide, legislative and certain judicial elections to closed primaries. If it becomes law, the Republican and Democratic Party can set up a rule that says only registered voters of their party can vote in the primaries. Harahan Representative John Illg says he’s hearing from Independents who do not like this…
Cut 11 (04) “…left out.”
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will discuss the bill today and could make changes to it.

The Pelican Institute’s Center for Justice has filed suit against the Biden Administration over a rule requiring shrimp boats from having to use turtle excluder devices while trawling in Louisiana’s inshore waters. Attorney James Baehr says it’s costly and unnecessary…
cut 5 (12) “…was harmed’

LDWF is holding the first of three meetings tonight to receive public input on the proposed return of a black bear hunting season…
cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Today is a big day for those who love going to Jazz Fest. The popular music festival in New Orleans will announce its lineup today. We already know the Rolling Stones will will play at the New Orleans Fairgrounds on May 2nd. There’s speculation Louisiana natives Lauren Daigle and Jon Batiste could also be part of the line-up.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a Congressional map that makes the state’s sixth Congressional distirct a black majority district and the House has approved a bill that moves Louisiana elections from open primaries to closed party primaries.

In our last newscast we heard from the proponents of these bills. Let’s now hear from the opponents. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley does not want a Congressional map that has the sixth district stretching from Baton Rouge to Shreveport…
cut 15 (15) “…northwest Louisiana”
And New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says there was a recent poll that showed the public favors open primaries….
cut 13 (13) “….primary system”

Louisiana shrimpers have filed suit against the Biden Administration over a rule that’s requiring skimmer trawl vessels to use turtle excluders devices while operating in Louisiana’s inshore waters. Attorney James Baehr says the cost of the rule will be disastrous to Louisiana shrimpers. He says the state had some success in the courts in delaying implementation of the rule…
cut 6 (09) “….individual shrimpers”

Hunters interested hunting black bears in December can attend a public meeting at the West Monroe Convention Center tonight, hosted by LDWF. Humane Society of Louisiana president Jeff Dorson is pushing for a more humane approach when it comes to controlling the growing black bear population and encourages the state to follow Florida’s BearWise program…
Cut 10 (08) “…all about.”

We’re close to the halfway point of the special legislative session and Governor Jeff Landry’s agenda is moving along as the House and Senate approved legislation he supports. The House approved a bill that would move Louisiana from an open primary system to closed party primaries for federal, state, legislative and certain judicial elections. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the sponsor of the bill..
cut 12 (10) “….general election ballot.
The House approved the bill 64 to 40 and it now goes to the Senate. The Senate approved a new Congressional district map that makes Republican Garret Graves’ sixth district a black majority voting district by having it stretch from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. Senator Glen Womack is the sponsor of this legislation…
cut 16 (10) “….the country”
It passed on a 27-11 vote and heads to the House for more discussion.

The Louisiana Shrimp Association has filed a suit against the Biden Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service over their rule requiring skimmer trawl vessels to use Turtle Excluder Devices in Louisiana’s Inshore waters. James Baehr, a Lawyer with the Pelican Institute’s Center for Justice says the rule is an unnecessary attack on shrimpers livelihoods and culture…
Cut 4 (09) “…sea turtles.”
Baehr says there are studies showing the devices can increase turtle mortality.

In West Monroe tonight, LDWF is holding the first of three public meetings to discuss a black bear hunting season that would run from December 7th to the 22nd. State Wildlife Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks estimates the state’ black population at around 15-hundred….
cut 9 (12) “…excess animals”
Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:00 at the West Monroe Convention Center.