The U.S. Supreme Court ruling Alabama’s congressional map unconstitutional, might pave the way for a second majority-black voting district in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The final hour of the legislative session was chaotic and filled with grumbling as lawmakers rushed to approve a budget. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser leaves tomorrow to visit the land down under for an international mission to promote Louisiana as a tourist destination. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (28)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Black voters in Alabama’s congressional districts map case has advocates in Louisiana hopeful the nation’s highest court will also rule that the Pelican State should have two Black-majority congressional districts. Urban League of Louisiana Vice President of Policy Tyrone Walker…

Cut 4 (12)  “…as well.’”

Thirty-three percent of Louisiana’s population is Black, advocacy groups argue that one majority-Black district out of six is not enough, there should be two.

As to when the high court will rule on Louisiana’s congressional maps, Walker says legal experts agree that the court’s decision in the Alabama case, gives a clear pathway for fair maps in Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06)   “…in Louisiana.”

Walker says the Urban League of Louisiana is urging Governor John Bel Edwards to immediately call a special session so the maps can be redrawn.

Cut 6 (09)  “…what’s right.”

Slidell Republican, and gubernatorial candidate, Senator Sharon Hewitt, who helped craft the GOP-drawn maps told The Advocate ” While she respects the ruling, it’s not a final ruling regarding the congressional maps in Louisiana.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries encourages you to grab a fishing pole and get hooked during its annual free fishing weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Everyone is allowed to fish without a license. LDWF Spokesperson Rene Lebreton says the goal is to introduce new people to the great sport of fishing…

Cut 7 (09) “…historical levels.”

Lebreton says LDWF has also stacked adult-sized catfish and rainbow trout at 17 pounds across the state as a part of the Get Out and Fish Program.

Cut 8 (12) “…their freezer.”

Gambling-dot-com just ranked Louisiana as the top state for fishing. The Bayou State earned the top spot because of its license cost, water area with 91-hundred square miles and over one-point-nine billion dollars in fishing retail sales.

Lebreton says you do not need a boat to go fishing. He says there are plenty of places you can walk to and drop a line…

Cut 9 (10)  “…interactive map.”

Fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect this weekend. Anyone who decides to continue fishing for the remainder of the year is required to purchase a state fishing license.

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The 2023 legislative session ended with a wild finish as state lawmakers scrambled to approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Even Governor John Bel Edwards does not have a complete command of the specifics. But he knows the spending plan approved contains a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health…

Cut 10 (09) “…down stairs”

The 100-million dollar cut to LDH could multiply if what’s cut is tied to federal matching dollars.

Edwards is also disappointed teachers received a two-thousand dollar pay raise, when he pushed for a three-thousand dollar raise. Also, the two-thousand dollar raise is just a one-time bump, not guaranteed for the following year. He says with a huge surplus of state dollars available, teachers deserve to be compensated well…

 Cut 11 (11)  “…in the south”

House and Senate leaders spent all day behind closed doors ironing out a final budget agreement before presenting it to the full House and Senate with less than a hour to go before a 6 PM deadline. Chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee Fred Mills also surprised with the cut to LDH…

Cut 12 (08)    “…for that.” 

Senate President Page Cortez says during the budget negotiations the House wanted reduce LDH funding to pay down more debt. Cortez says lawmakers will make sure health care services will not suffer.

Denham Springs Senator and former Livingston Parish School Superintendent Rogers Pope pleaded with his colleagues to reject the budget proposal because the teacher pay raise is not permanent and not enough…

Cut 13 (08) “…we need to do”  

Despite Pope’s argument, the main budget bill passed the Senate 35 to 3 and 95 to 9 in the House.

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser leaves tomorrow for a trip to Australia for an international mission to promote Louisiana as a tourist destination. Nungesser says he will not just market Louisiana as a destination for tourists.

Cut 14 (13)  “from Australia.”

He also plans to visit  New Zealand. Nungesser says he plans to visit other countries in the future He says Louisiana is one of three states to receive a grant for $300,000 for the next three years from the International Commerce Department to market international travel to the U-S.

Cut 15 (09)  “…more money.”

Nungesser says there are several reasons why Aussies would like to visit Louisiana.

Cut  16 (12) “…with us.”

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LSU is two wins away from getting back to the College World Series in Omaha. Standing in the Tigers way is Kentucky, who battled back from the loser’s bracket to win the Lexington Regional. The Wildcats are not a home run hitting team, instead they like to put the ball in play and steal bases. LSU second baseman Gavin Dugas they’ll be ready….

Cut 17 (11) “…keep it simple.” 

LSU has not been to the College World Series since 2017. Dugas says they know how important playing in the C-W-S is for the fanbase…

Cut 18 (14) “…want to go”

LSU took two of three from Kentucky in a series in Baton Rouge in mid-April. Tigers designated hitter Cade Beloso drove in four runs that weekend…

 Cut 19 (15) “…this weekend” 

First pitch on Saturday is at 2 PM. There’s a 30-percent chance for an isolated thunderstorm.

DEQ issues an advisory for people who are in sensitive health groups to limit outdoor activities today in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe due to ozone air quality.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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State lawmakers approved legislation requiring public schools to have “In God, We Trust” displayed in the classroom. Brooke Thorington reports an activist is ready to donate signs

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington. ”  

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LDWF has confirmed that two Northern Snakehead fish, native to Asia, were observed in a video that was taken in Old River in Concordia Parish. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois says they could impact our native fisheries.

Cut 3 (10) “…the concern.”

Northern Snakeheads closely resemble Louisiana’s native Bowfin species. They were originally released into the wild through fish markets and aquarium trade. Bourgeois says they likely migrated from Mississippi or Arkansas.

Cut 4 (12)  “…were at.” 

The name comes from the enlarged scales that cover the head and they can grow up to 3 feet in length. Bourgeois says they are safe to eat.

Cut 5 (07)  “…there too.

Bourgeois urges fishers not to return the species to the water. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport live snakeheads in Louisiana. To showcase your catch, call 225-765-3977.

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DEQ declares an ozone air quality action day for people sensitive to health effects of air pollutants in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. Air Planning and Assessment Division Administrator Jason Meyers says elevated ozone and smoke from wildfires in Canada causing hazardous air quality.

Cut 6 (11)  “…activities outdoors.” 

When air quality is in this range, people who are in sensitive groups may experience health effects when engaged in outdoor activities. Meyers says some activities should be limited to after-daylight hours…

Cut 7 (13)  “…small engine.” 

Monroe’s warning is related to smoke reaching the northeastern part of the state from the Canada fires while Baton Rouge and the rest of the state are just seeing a standard ozone action day alert. There’s no clear end to when levels will stabilize but Meyers urges everyone to pay attention to your body.

Cut 8 (09)  “… their activities.” 

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Upon the final passage of legislation requiring “In God, We Trust” signs in Louisiana classrooms, a political activist who donated signs in Texas is making the same offer in Louisiana. Signs from Artist Activist Chaz Stevens have a variety of options, they can be in Arabic, Spanish, and even have rainbow-colored backgrounds.

Cut 9 (09) “…come through.”

The bill authored by Representatives Dodie Horton and Jack McFarland expanded the original legislation that required the “In God We Trust” motto in schools to each classroom.  Stevens believes it crosses the line of the separation of church and state so he’s pushing the envelope.

And because the Bayou State has several foreign language immersion schools, Stevens is offering options in French, Mandarin, and more.

Cut 10 (10) “…with them.”

To donate to help defer the cost of the signs or to view them visit chazstevens-dot-store.

Cut 11 (10)  “…in this case.”

Stevens says he will focus on getting signs to colleges and universities first and work down to K-12 schools.

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Waiting for the governor’s signature is a bill that would phase out the corporate franchise tax. Tax expert Jason Decuir says it’s a tax that business lobbyists have tried to do away with for years…

Cut 12 (10) “…being taxed” 

According to the Advocate newspaper, petrochemical companies who have headquarters outside of Louisiana would be the biggest beneficiaries because of the amount of equipment and assets that are subject to tax.

The bill’s author, Franklin Senator Bret Allain, has said the corporate franchise tax is the worst tax on Louisiana’s books.

Decuir says the phase out only happens if certain conditions are met

Cut 13 (12) “…25 percent.” 

The Legislative Fiscal Office says phasing out the tax would cost the state up to 163 million dollars per year over the four-year phase out. In order to reduce the revenue hit to the state’s coffers, Decuir says a tax break known as the Quality Jobs Program will also be reduced by 50-percent

Cut 14 (10)  “…that out”

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville has an all-terrain wheelchair available for people with limited mobility, to explore nature trails. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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The state’s film tax incentive of $150 million annually has been extended to 2031. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington. ”  

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The M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides financial assistance to adults who would like to earn credentials to get a job in a high-demand area is once again accepting applications. Special Program Specialist Brittany Theriot says the program provides multiple training options.

Cut 3 (12) “…workforce priority.”

Applicants must be adults 21 and older and possess at least a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Theriot points out that applicants will attend two-year schools.

Cut 4 (10)  “…as well” 

A full-time student will be awarded $3,200 per award year and can receive the maximum of $6,400 in one year for certain high-cost programs. During its initial year, more than 6,000 people applied. Theriot says anyone who is interested should apply now.

Cut 5 (06)  “…the program.

Interested applicants should apply at mjfosterpromise.com.

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People with limited mobility can now get out on hiking trails and explore the beach in an all-terrain track wheelchair at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says this will enhance the park’s accessibility for people with disabilities.

Cut 6 (13)  “…great outdoors.” 

The all-terrain electric-powered chair provides users with the ability to navigate areas of the park not suitable for conventional wheelchairs. Individuals who are unable to operate the chair can have someone else control it. Nungesser says it complements the state’s mission to create more accessibility options for people with disabilities.

Cut 7 (13)  “…special needs.” 

Fontainebleau is the first state park in Louisiana to get this all-terrain wheelchair. A playground and cabins are also coming to Fontainebleau and Nungesser hopes to eventually add them to every state park.

Cut 8 (13)  “… a wheelchair” 

 There is no fee to use the chair for anyone at least 16 years old with limited mobility; however, it must be reserved 48 hours in advance.

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The state’s film tax credit will officially be extended to 2031, once Governor Edwards signs House Bill 562. The original bill sought to extend the incentive set to expire in 2025, to 2035. But Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says it’s still a great victory for Louisiana, its residents, and workers in the film industry.

Cut 9 (09) “…did that.”

The film tax credit is capped to cost taxpayers no more than $150-million annually.  Burvant says the six-year extension gives a big boost of confidence for productions that are looking to film in Hollywood on the Bayou…

Cut 10 (13) “…very positive.”

Among the changes to the legislation is the requirement for a larger logo in the ending credits to notate the production was filmed in Louisiana. Another change is the ability to track regional spending from productions going forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…our industry.”

In addition to paying Louisiana salaries, Burvant says a number of local businesses also benefit; for example, antique stores, hardware stores, dry cleaners, steel manufacturers, and lumber yards when a crew is filming.

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This is the first week on the job for new Southeastern Louisiana University president Doctor William Wainwright. He comes to Southeastern after spending the last 12 years as chancellor of Northshore Technical Community College, so he’s familiar with the S-L-U mission

Cut 12 (13) “…greatness of Southeastern” 

Wainwright says the Northshore is one of the fastest-growing areas of Louisiana so he’s hopeful that many of the students attending high schools in the area will give S-L-U a serious look when they make a decision on their college of choice…

Cut 13 (10) “…at Southeastern.” 

Wainwright also wants to promote S-L-U as a place for working adults to expand their education

Cut 14 (09)  “…for them”