Mother’s Day is Sunday, and a state Senate candidate wants to fly one lucky mother anywhere in the US to visit her kids. Brooke Thorington tells us why.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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An Arkansas man in Louisiana for a birthday celebration was killed by an 18-year-old during a carjacking incident in Hammond. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened Saturday morning when 62-year-old Paul Holt and his wife were trying to leave for a cruise.

Cut 3 (09) “….to the ground.”

Holt died from his injuries at a local hospital. Travis says Holt and his wife were on their way to New Orleans to celebrate his birthday, he would have turned 63 on Sunday.

Travis says surveillance footage from the hotel aided in their search for the suspect, Ladarrius Evans of Hammond, who was arrested at his home where they found stolen items from the couple along with the murder weapon.

Cut 4 (08)  “…in Hammond.” 

Travis says Holt was checking out of the hotel when he saw his wife being thrown from the car and he attempted to stop Evans from stealing the car. He calls it a tragic incident

Cut 5 (10) “…his victim.”

Evans is charged with first-degree murder, carjacking, possession of n unidentifiable firearm, armed robbery with a firearm, and possession of a machine gun (a Glock Switch).

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Senate District 21 candidate Stephen Swiber knows there’s no one like your mother to persuade you, so he’s going to fly one lucky mother to anywhere in the US to visit their child and convince them to move home with his BackToTheBayou.com campaign.

Cut 6 (09)  “…have moved.” 

Because so many residents are leaving the state for better opportunities he says he’s running for Senate to change that and improve Louisiana’s outmigration problem. And the contest isn’t limited to District 21 which includes St. Mary and parts of other coastal parishes.

Cut 7 (05)  “…Mother’s Day.” 

According to a recent US News and World Report, Swiber says Louisiana ranks 50^th and is even being eclipsed by Mississippi at 48^th. He says the state can no longer ignore outmigration.

Cut 8 (10)  “…Rouge at all.” 

To enter visit BackToTheBayou.com

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Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the governor’s race. U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is a significant development in the governor’s race as Trump is well-liked by Republican voters in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08) “….for President.”

Trump says in his endorsement message that Landry has been a fantastic A-G and he wants to stop crime. The former president also says Landry loves the people of Louisiana just like he does.

Landry is one of five major Republicans running for governor and is considered a front-runner to make a run-off, because of the financial backing he’s already received. Cross says a high-profile endorsement from a former president is also extremely helpful…

Cut 10 (11) “…foregone conclusion” 

Cross says Republican candidate Stephen Waguespack could have used an endorsement from Trump. He says not having it, makes it difficult for his campaign to be successful…

Cut 11 (10)  “… much harder.”

In the last Louisiana governor’s race, Trump endorsed businessman Eddie Rispone and made several trips to Louisiana on his behalf, but Governor John Bel Edwards was still re-elected.

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Louisiana schools showed improvement on the latest state rankings for Pre-K through 12 education in 2023 based on data by U.S. News and World Report. The statistics show Louisiana moved up five places jumping from 46th to 41^st in 2023. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the positive gains reflect the commitment of educators…

Cut 12 (08) “…to go.” 

The report shows from 2019-2023 the state’s high school graduation rank improved jumping 8 spots from 45^th to 37^th.  The state also moved forward six places in math ranks from 50^th to 44^th. Brumley says reading scores improved drastically.

Cut 13 (08) “…of years.” 

The improvement is similar to data released earlier this year in The Nation’s Report Card which showed similar improvement in the state’s education outcomes. NAEP’s data shows where Louisiana 4^th graders ranked #1 in the country in reading growth.

Cut 14 (12)  “…we are.”

Louisiana’s students earned the most significant year-over-year increase on state assessments since 2016, as students increased three points in both ELA and math. The state’s overall School Performance Score returned to its pre-pandemic level.

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is urging lawmakers to pour dollars into domestic violence shelters. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The absence of any teacher pay raises, and big cuts to Early Childhood Education programs in the state’s next budget bill has some up-in-arms. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Even though qualifying is three months away, campaign ads for the gubernatorial election are kicking off. Brooke Thorington.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Domestic violence advocates are encouraging legislators to support funding for domestic violence shelters in the state budget. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says HB1 that passed the House last week did not contain any funding ….

Cut 4 (13)  “… necessary funding.”

Louisiana ranked 5th in the nation for femicide and 81% of female homicides in Louisiana are committed by a partner or ex-partner. Unlike other states, only 10% of domestic violence funding comes from state sources. Wineski believes funding is needed to address the obvious needs.

Cut 5 (12)   “…were full.”

Wineski says a 2021 audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor highlighted multiple issues when it comes to helping domestic violence victims — including gaps in service, insufficient funding, lack of oversight for intervention programs, and more.

Cut 6 (09)  “…budget bill.”

The coalition is requesting $15 million be added to the family violence program housed at the Department of Children and Family Services – the main oversight and funding source for domestic violence shelters.

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The state’s $45.7-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts this summer has passed the House, but not without some anger and controversy. One issue is the cuts made to Early Childhood Education programs for the next year. Libby Sonnier is executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. She says the House Bill 1 that passed the house cuts funding by about $51-million…:

Cut 7 (12) “…thoughout the state.”

The Governor’s proposed budget added $51-million for Early Childhood, but that was NOT included in the House budget bill. Early Childhood program in Louisiana provide pre-kindergarten education, Head Start programs and privately contracted childcare. Sonnier says, under the House cuts, there will be nearly 8-thousand fewer available slots within the Early Childhood system…:

Cut 8 (06) “…or go to school.”

The budget also came out of the House with NO funding for teacher pay raises, when Governor Edwards asked for at least $2000 per teacher. Members said the raises were “unsustainable.” Cynthia Posey with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, says they budgeted their own pay raises, $150-million in film tax incentives, plus numerous other tax breaks and expenditures that cut into the bottom line…:

Cut 9 (13)  “…choices we’re making.”

The House chose instead to put surplus money toward paying down the teachers’ retirement system’s debt; freeing up money for local school districts to affect teacher raises. Posey says LFT finds the House budget bill – in its current posture – to be very disappointing. She does not expect good outcomes from the House plan…:

Cut 10 (09) “… our students.” 

HB1 is now in the Senate for committee review.

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Legislation to require parental consent for the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana elementary and secondary schools is scheduled for debate on the House floor today. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says her bill will clarify language in the current law.

Cut 11 (10)  “…that purpose.”

In the past, Hilferty has filed legislation to prohibit the use of corporal punishment altogether and her bill fell short only a few votes from passing. For this session, she changed the language in her bill.

Cut 12 (07)    “…of legislation.” 

While some school systems allow corporal punishment, others do not, Hilferty says there’s no rhyme or reason why one parish allows it, and another doesn’t it.

Cut 13 (06) “…state level.” 

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Gubernatorial candidates are already taking to the airwaves.  Treasurer John Schroder and AG Jeff Landry have TV ads running and this week ads from the political action committee known as Reboot Louisiana, supporting Stephen Waguespack begin today. La-Politics.com Publisher, Jeremy Alford…

Cut 14 (04)  “…on TV.”

And in the next four weeks, Alford says you can expect to see ads for Independent Hunter Lundy begin. Alford says the Lafayette attorney has the support from two groups you wouldn’t necessarily see paired together.

Cut 15 (10)  “…pulling it off.”

Alford says Landry, who leads the pack as far as campaign funding goes, even has tailored ads running. He says will several Republicans in the race, their supporters are eager to have ads airing sooner than later to build name recognition.

Cut  16 (10)  “…Jeff Landry.” 

As for the lone Democrat, and former Transportation Secretary, Shawn Wilson, Alford says it’s not as critical to have ads running at this point and he believes Wilson will make the runoff due to his strong base. Qualifying is in August and the primary is on October 14^th.