Federal Judge Shelly Dick has ordered the state’s legislative district maps to be redrawn on the grounds it violated the Voting Rights Act and dilutes the black vote. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Walk Ons restaurant will move its main office to Atlanta to support brand growth. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Beginning in August, The National Hurricane Center will have a new experimental cone graphic that will provide more information especially for at-risk inland communities. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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Governor Jeff Landry’s special session to address crime in Louisiana will begin next Monday and wrap on March 6^th. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey believes the legislation Landry is calling for will make a difference in deterring crime.

Cut 4 (12) “…the state.”

Cathey believes the growth of juvenile crime is among the priorities that need to be addressed. He says if 17-year-olds who are committing an overwhelming majority of juvenile crimes can be tried and held as adults it will be impactful.

Cut 5 (10) “…crime issues.” 

And while most 17-year-olds who are charged with murder are typically charged as adults, Cathey says it’s still at the discretion of the local district attorney.

Cut 6 (11) “…for Louisiana.”

Cathey says he’s also in favor of allowing the Attorney General to have an expanded role in prosecuting crimes when local District Attorneys refuse to and he’s also in favor of expanding legal and humane methods for the use of the death penalty as punishment.

The ACLU of Louisiana stated that they are deeply concerned with the “tough on crime” sweeping policy proposals Governor Landry has issued for the special session from the restriction of parole eligibility and lowering the age of majority for juveniles.

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A federal judge has ordered the state’s legislative maps to be redrawn because it violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the black vote. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s a momentous ruling from Judge Shelly Dick.

Cut 7 (12) “…in Louisiana.”

Cross believes Governor Jeff Landry will have lawmakers address the legislative maps during a regular session because a timeline was not outlined in the ruling.

Cut 8 (09) “…few years.” 

Because litigation has been filed against the most recent congressional map, Cross believes the Republican-controlled legislature would ideally like to avoid redrawing the legislative maps as long as possible.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to do so.”

Cross says once the legislative districts are redrawn, he expects it will have lasting effects on how power is allocated at the state capitol.

Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier says because no timeline was given for redrawing the state’s legislative districts the priority of the House is to address the serious crime issues outlined in the special session called by Governor Landry.

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Walk Ons Sports Bistreaux, a Baton Rouge based franchise, is packing up and moving its corporate headquarters from Baton Rouge to Atlanta to continue its growth trajectory. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says the state is losing population and businesses as a result of the existing tax burden.

Cut 10 (11) “…winning areas.”

The first Walk Ons restaurant opened a short distance from LSU’s Tiger Stadium in 2003. And the brand continued to grow in the Bayou State with 19 franchise locations.

Rosa says we’ve seen this tax story before as companies relocate to other states from Louisiana. He says the state needs a better tax system to keep businesses and compete with other states.

Cut 11 (11) “…eliminating it.” 

In 2022, the company opened a satellite office in Atlanta. As a restaurant industry hub, Atlanta will allow the company to continue better serve franchisees and guests.

Compared to other states, Rosa says businesses in Louisiana pay a higher share of taxes. He says we must actively seek real tax solutions to retain businesses to grow the economy, not shrink the economy…

Cut 12 (12) “…for them.” 

Walk Ons currently has 75 franchise stores in 15 states.

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Beginning in August, look for more information on The National Hurricane Center’s cone graphic that will extend inland and describe more than landfall. The familiar Cone of Uncertainty will still be available, but Dept Director Jamie Rhone says a new experimental graphic will be available.

Cut 13 (12)  “…particular forecast.”

The maps will not be overly complicated and will include different colors to show where a storm is expected on a certain day and time.

Rhone says the current cone graphic does not provide a ton of information and is focused on coastal areas. The danger, he says, is that most people infer the impact and their risks with too little information…

Cut 14 (10) “…step forward.”

Destructive winds associated with hurricanes stretch beyond coastal areas and far inland causing downed trees, damage to homes, weeks long power outages and Rhone says, inland residents need to know their risks…

Cut 15 (12) “…that community.”

The new experimental cone graphics will be available within 30 minutes of an advisory release.

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The second-ranked LSU Tigers will open the season on Friday by hosting Virginia Military Institute on Friday at 2 PM. Coach Jay Johnson says he’s yet to settle on a game-one starter, but he’s not concerned because he has plenty of options…

Cut 16 (20) “…that’s an exaggeration” 

Johnson didn’t list those five candidates. But Thatcher Hurd, Luke Holman, Gage Jump, Griffin Herring and Javen Coleman are likely options. Three of those pitchers are left-handers. LSU has 10 southpaws on its roster and Herring, who is one of those left-handers, says it’s an impressive collection of talent…

Cut 17 (16) “…well” 

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The 13th ranked LSU Lady Tigers rallied back from a ten-point halftime deficit to beat Alabama 85-66. Angel Reese had 27 points and 19 rebounds. But it was the defense that sparked the rally as LSU outscored the Crimson Tide 30-9 in the third quarter. Coach Kim Mulkey decided to press the Tide after halftime…

Cut 18 (16)  “..desperation mode.”

LSU does not play again until next Monday at Texas A&M.

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For the second time this season, the LSU men’s basketball team gave up 109 points to 16th-ranked Alabama and lost to the Crimson Tide 109-92 on Saturday in the Maravich Center. This was a game for 32 minutes, but Bama pulled away with 33-17 run. Coach Matt McMahon did not like his team’s shot selection in the second half…

Cut 19 (16) “…for us” 

The Tigers are at Florida on Tuesday.

The governor’s proposed budget maintains the pay increase teachers received last year, but it continues to be not permanent. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Revelers will be screaming “throw me something mister” this Mardi Gras weekend in all corners of the Bayou State. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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The Landry Administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 44-billion dollar budget. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras says the amount of state spending is about the same for next fiscal year as it is this year. He says they didn’t want to increase spending with a temporary sales tax expiring in July 2025…

Cut 3 (10) “…possibly could”  

Barras says the proposed budget has more dollars for State Police as the governor wants to add more troopers and form a specific troop to work with the New Orleans Police Department in fighting crime…

Cut 4 (10) “…would be.”

There is also 198-million dollars in the budget to maintain the temporary $2,000 pay raise teachers received last year. But some teachers might see a reduction in pay from that $2,000. Barras says the governor would like to give more money to fill hard to find math and science teaching jobs or teachers in rural areas.

Cut 5 (12) “..type of qualifications”

This is just the starting point for budget discussions. Lawmakers will spend the next few months making changes to the governor’s proposal before agreeing on a spending plan in late May or early June.

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Thousands of people from around the world will flock to the Bayou State to let the good times roll this Mardi Gras weekend. And Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans isn’t the only city that does it big…

Cut 6  (12) “..north Louisiana.” 

Nungesser says revelers can enjoy elaborate floats and entertainment at carnival celebrations throughout Louisiana. He points out there’s a Mardi Gras celebration for everyone – no matter what you’re looking for…

Cut 7 (12) “…over Louisiana.”  

More than 225,000 people attended Mardi Gras in Shreveport last year, according to a study conducted by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.

Big Mardi Gras parades will take place in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Houma-Thibodaux, Alexandria, and Shreveport. There is a chance for heavy rain on Sunday but Nungesser says revelers know how to adjust…

Cut 8 (11) “…this year.” 

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130 Louisiana State Troopers are in New Orleans assisting NOPD for the last weekend of Carnival. Lt Melissa Matey says troopers will be in and around the French Quarter, the Central Business District and parade routes.

Cut 9 (10) “…people safe.”

Matey reminds revelers to use common sense to avoid being a victim of crime, for example, do not carry large amounts of cash, avoid walking in dark areas, and remember there’s safety in numbers so never walk alone.

Cut 10 (10) “…(x2) that point.”

And if you’re bringing children with you, Matey suggests taking a photo of them, so you’ll have a recent picture and one with that they are wearing so they are easier to identify if they get separated from your group.

Matey also encourages paradegoers to text MARDIGRAS, all caps, all together to 77295.

Cut 11 (13) “…the crowd.”

And she reminds you to never drink and drive and that troopers will be on the lookout for impaired drivers.

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It’s Super Bowl Weekend and according to the American Gaming Association, 68 million people are expected to place a bet on the big game. And Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says AGA is predicting more than $23 billion will be legally wagered in the US.

Cut 12 (11)  “…huge weekend”  

As for the Pelican State, Johns says it’s hard to predict how much will be wagered on Super Bowl 58, but he says since sports betting went live at casinos it’s grown every month and boomed even more with mobile wagering.

Cut 13 (12) “…a month.” 

And Johns reminds you while it’s fun to place a bet, do so within your means…

Cut  14 (07) “…our message.”

You must be 21 years old to bet in Louisiana and only in parishes with legalized gambling. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-877-770-STOP (7867)