State lawmakers are back in their districts today after a historic day at the State Capitol yesterday. The Republican-led legislature overrode Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of the Congressional map approved by legislators in the redistricting session. Edwards believes two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority Black since nearly a third of the state’s voting population is African-American…
cut 5 (10) “….what is fair”
But Chairwoman of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Republican Sharon Hewitt says the map approved by the Legislature complies with the law…
cut 7 (11) “…as minority districts”
The NAACP filed a lawsuit yesterday claiming the map dilutes Black voting strength.

If you are 50 and older or immunocompromised you are eligible for a second COVID vaccine booster shot. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter welcomes the news. He says we do not know what the future holds and they continue to monitor circulating variants…
cut 12 (12) “…does happen”
Kanter says it’s best for those who are eligible for a second booster shot, to get one sooner than later

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a fungus that can kill bats has been detected in Louisiana. Hibernating bats are susceptible to white-nose syndrome which was found in Natchitoches Parish. Many people may not like bats, but LDWF biologist Nikki Anderson says they help control the insect population…
cut 9 (12) “…mayflies”

There is some clean-up to do around the state from yesterday’s powerful line of thunderstorms that caused scattered damage. Severe damage was done to Tallulah Academy in Madison Parish and in Natchitoches Parish, a baby survived after a tree fell on the home where she was sleeping. The tree missed the toddler by inches.

If you are 50 or older or even 12 and older but immunocompromised you are now eligible for a second COVID booster shot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This year’s U-S Senate race still has time to heat up, but right now Republican John Kennedy is a clear favorite to retain his seat as 53-percent of voters plan to vote for the state’s junior U-S Senator this fall. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy may not need a runoff to win…
Cut 14 (12) “…settled in November”
Democratic challengers Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon are getting 14 and seven percent of the vote respectively based on this JMC Analytics poll.

A bat-killing fungus has been found in Louisiana. The state department of wildlife and fisheries says the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has been found on Brazilian free-tailed bats in Natchitoches Parish. LDWF disease biologist Nikki Anderson says there’s no treatment for white-nose syndrome. Andreson describes what to look for to spot a diseased bat…
cut 10 (09) “…call me”
The phone number is 1-800-256-2749.

Wednesday’s severe weather caused scattered damage throughout the state. In Natchitoches Parish, strong winds knocked two trees on a home, but a baby sleeping inside was not injured. Storm damage is also being reported in Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Richland, Madison, and Tangipahoa Parishes.

For the first time since the Buddy Roemer years, the state legislature has overridden a governor’s veto. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The FDA and CDC expand eligibility for a second COVID booster shot for older adults and those who are immunocompromised. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says a second booster should be given at least four months after the first one for those 50 and older and to those ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
Cut 11 (12) “…work properly.”

A JMC Analytics Poll shows Senator John Kennedy can be re-elected this fall without the need of a run-off. Pollster John Couvillon says 53-percent of the respondents in the survey voted for Kennedy, while Democratic challengers Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon received 14 and seven percent of the vote respectively…
cut 15 (09) “…Mixon does”
Qualifying for the race is in July.

A strong line of thunderstorms is moving through northwest Louisiana and a tornado warning is in effect until 11:45 for areas southeast of Bossier City and that includes the city of Minden. Meanwhile, in south Louisiana, strong winds are ahead of this front. Wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour have been reported in New Iberia.

After Hurricane Ida, many tenants were evicted in a matter of days. House Bill 160 would give lessees at least 30 days before they are kicked out of their homes…
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy tells Politico.com he’s considering a run for Louisiana Governor in 2023. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says if Cassidy ran, he would not be the front-runner, because a recent JMC Analytics poll had his approval rating at 38-percent…
Cut 3 (11) “…problematic.”
Cassidy has been in the Republican Party’s doghouse since his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued an open burning safety warning as four people have been killed this year from burn piles. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says spring cleaning tends to prompt open burns but the flames can erupt into large grass fires
Cut 6 (09) “…the public.”
Three people have died in the last week from burn piles that got out of control.

Eight days after a deadly tornado tore through St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana is once again under the threat of tornadoes. Much of the northern half of the state is under a tornado watch until 1 PM and meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible in south Louisiana later today…
cut 6 (12) “….pay attention”

After Hurricane Ida, many tenants were evicted in a matter of days. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry’s bill will give lessees at least a month, after a Federally declared disaster, before property owners can file legal proceedings. Ben Toups had to leave his Houma apartment.

Cut 7 (11) “…your space.”
Toups re-located to Denham Springs. A bill addressing this issue heads to the House floor.

Marijuana has been a burning topic during the legislative session, and a lawmaker takes the discussion to the state’s roadways. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning has issued an open burning safety warning following multiple deaths stemming from out-of-control burn piles. Browning says there have been four deaths since January attributed to open burning accidents. The latest incident happened Monday in Webster Parish, killing an 80-year-old man.

A strong storm system that has the potential to produce damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes will cross the state from the west to the east today. A tornado watch has already been posted for most of the northern half of the state until 1 PM today.

The state legislature starts a Veto Override session at noon today, to debate whether to override Governor Edwards’ veto of congressional district maps approved in the redistricting session.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
The House Civil Law Committee heard emotional testimony from a man who says his landlord forced him to leave his apartment in Houma during the aftermath of Hurricane Ida…
cut 9 (07) “….the law”
Ben Toups says he’s now living in Denham Springs and paying more for rent. State lawmakers are looking to pass a bill that would prevent evictions for 30 days following the declaration of a federal disaster.

The House Transportation Committee has approved a bill that says you can not smoke or vape marijuana in motor vehicles. The bill does not provide guidelines for enforcement, but Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says it does send a message…
cut 11 (11) “…in a car”
Violators would face a 100-dollar fine.

Another round of severe weather is set to hit the state today. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says northeast Louisiana, much of central Louisiana, the Northshore and the Baton Rouge area are at the greatest risk for severe weather…
cut 4 (11) “…state of Louisiana”
Most of north Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 1 PM today.

At noon today, lawmakers will begin a veto session as the Republican-led Legislature will attempt to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional District map approved by legislators last month. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will take a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate to override the veto…
cut 13 (12) “…this is life and death”

After Hurricane Ida, many tenants were evicted in a matter of days. House Bill 160 would give lessees at least 30 days before they are kicked out of their homes…
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”