Louisiana is now on a six year run of record breaking tourism numbers as the state saw 500,000 more visitors in 2017 than it saw in 2016, for a total of 46.7 million visitors. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the fact that Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans now offers direct flights into London and Germany is huge for tourism.

Cut 11 (10) “the state”

Starting today business with over 20 locations that sell food, including groceries and movie theaters, must display calorie counts. Along with calorie counts, business will be required to provide detailed nutritional information about their food products as well, Assistant Professor at the LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Center Dr. Henry Nuss says that’s a big help for people on strict diets.

Cut 14 (11)  “follow”

Dramatic testimony in Senate Finance today as disability advocates spoke out against a proposed budget that would slash healthcare services. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

And a Shreveport officer has been placed on paid leave after a profanity laced video emerged of Gary Thomas screaming at a male after responding to a noise complaint.

cut 23

Thomas was arrested in 2017 for domestic violence against his wife, which led to his firing. He was later reinstated by the municipal fire and police civil service board.

The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony today from disability advocates who are raising the alarm over the House passed budget that would place deep cuts in healthcare starting July 1st, including the slashing of programs for the disabled. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFluer says the cuts would eliminate services for over 45 thousand developmentally disabled patients.

Cut 3 (11) “81 percent”

Starting today business with over 20 locations that sell food, including groceries and movie theaters, must display calorie counts. Along with calorie counts, business will be required to provide detailed nutritional information about their food products as well. Assistant Professor at the LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Center Dr. Henry Nuss says you could be in store for some big surprises about your favorite “healthy” foods.

Cut 13 (09) “healthy option”

A two vehicle crash near Sorrento on Interstate 10 killed two children last night. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says the driver of the vehicle who struck the victim’s car ,47 year old Stephen Daigle of Gonzales, was arrested and charged with negligent homicide, negligent injuring and reckless operations.

 All passengers involved in the crash were not restrained. Lee says proper restraints save lives…

cut 8 (09) “too often”

Louisiana is now on a six year run of record breaking tourism numbers as the state saw 500,000 more visitors in 2017 than it saw in 2016, for a total of 46.7 million visitors.. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says a lot of these great results come down to a big push to bring in more folks from outside the states.

Cut 10 (09) “more money”

15 thousand pounds of crawfish will be devoured starting today and running through the weekend at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Jeff Palermo the scoop.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”

Anthony Davis was massive in last night’s 119-100 win over the Warriors, with 33 points and 18 rebounds, leading the team in both categories, and it wasn’t just his play on the court that led the team, it was his message off the court before the game.

Cut 15 (12) “tonight”

Sunday’s game 4 tips off at 2:30.

The state posted the slowest gross domestic product growth in the nation in 2017 at minus-point-two-percent. It’s the second straight year Louisiana had a decline in the real G-D-P, but Louisiana’s Gross Domestic Product Growth for the fourth quarter of 2017 was two-point-two-percent, which could be a positive sign.  LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott credits the industrial expansion boom that’s ongoing in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge

Cut 14 (08)  “fourth quarter”

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, but Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says you might not want to try your luck in federal waters this year.

Cut 5  (08) “this year”

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says that’s great news for bayou sportsmen.

Cut 3 (07) “offshore”

This year’s season will kick off Friday, May 25^th

The Pelicans prevailed over the Warriors in a huge 119-100 victory, bringing the series to 2-1 and guaranteeing they’ll have another crack at the champs in Oakland next week. There were questions heading into the game about whether or not New Orleans should keep playing at their same break neck pace. Many fans argued that you can’t beat Golden State at their own game, but Point Guard Jrue Holiday says grit and grind just isn’t their style.

Cut 17 (8) “to thirty”

Game four tips off at the smoothie king at 2:30 Sunday.

The state posted the slowest gross domestic product growth in the nation in 2017 at minus-point-two-percent. It’s the second straight year Louisiana had a decline in the real G-D-P. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says  the downturn in the oil and gas industry has bottomed out, which is good for Louisiana’s economy. He says the next big threat is the potential of higher taxes on businesses as legislators scramble to fix a 648-million dollar budget hole

Cut 13 (07) “that’s Texas”

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting over 30-thousand people at this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. But it’s not just the usual boiled affair. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says its so much more.

Cut 7 (08)  “crawfish jambalaya”

30 Cajun zydeco bands will be playing on three different stages.

Good news for Louisiana Anglers, the feds have given control of Red Snapper waters to the state for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Pelicans take one from the reigning champions winning last night’s game against the Warriors three 119-100, bringing the series to 2-1. The Pels kept Golden State under 30 percent from 3, and under 40 percent as a whole in a dominating defensive showing. Davis says a change in mindset did wonders for the underdogs.

Cut 16  (12) “us tonight”

The state posted the slowest gross domestic product growth in the nation in 2017 at minus-point-two-percent. It’s the second straight year Louisiana had a decline in the real G-D-P. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says Louisiana is coming off a 28-month recession that ended in the final quarter of 2017

Cut 12 (10)   “New Orleans”

Scott says the downturn in the oil and gas industry has bottomed out, which is good for Louisiana’s economy.

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting over 30-thousand people at this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says an unbelievable amount of mudbugs will be consumed.

Cut 6 (05)  “peeled crawfish”

Bernard says over Cajun and zydeco 30 bands will be in attendance.

Good news for Louisiana Anglers, the feds have given control of Red Snapper waters to the state for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting over 30-thousand people at this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says an unbelievable amount of mudbugs will be consumed.

Cut 6 (05)  “peeled crawfish”

The festival started today.

The chemical fire has been distinguished at Flowchem in Duson and evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes Friday morning. The massive blaze shutdown I-10 on Thursday, but it’s has since re-opened. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says investigators still don’t know what caused the blaze

.Cut 9 (10) “go from there”

David says given the size of the fire, it’s amazing no one was injured.

The state posted the slowest gross domestic product growth in the nation in 2017 at minus-point-two-percent. It’s the second straight year Louisiana had a decline in the real G-D-P. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says Louisiana is coming off a 28-month recession that ended in the final quarter of 2017

Cut 12 (10)   “New Orleans”

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting 30 to 35 thousand people to attend this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says it’s not just food, festival goers will be treated to an Acadiana specialty.

cut 8 (06) “stages”

The festival starts today with a celebrity crawfish eating contest.

The chemical fire has been distinguished at Flowchem in Duson and evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes Friday morning. The massive blaze shutdown I-10 on Thursday, but it’s has since re-opened. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says investigators still don’t know what caused the blaze, and says given the size of the fire, it’s amazing no one was injured…

Cut 11 (11) “that blaze”

Flowchem Technologies is a chemical blending facility that provices products and services to the oil and gas industry.

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says Blanchet says part of the reason the state has been given authority over both waters is that early projections indicate that anglers won’t have a lot of success fishing in the federal waters this season.

Cut 5  (08) “this year”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that prohibits the use of your hand-held cell phone while driving. Supporters say it will minimize distractions while behind the wheel and Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says it’s about a driving culture change.

cut 14 (10) “…done it”

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says that’s great news for bayou sportsmen. Not only will it be easier to keep track of where you are allowed to fish, Blanchet says you’ll be allowed to head out all week long.

Cut 4 (12) “to quickly”

This year’s season will kick off Friday, May 25^th, with a total allocation of 743,000 pounds allowed to be harvested

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting 30 to 35 thousand people to attend this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says there’s a little something for everyone.

Cut 7 (08)  “crawfish jambalaya”

The festival starts today with a celebrity crawfish eating contest.

The chemical fire has been distinguished at Flowchem in Duson and evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes Friday morning. The massive blaze shutdown I-10 on Thursday, but it’s has since re-opened. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says investigators still don’t know what caused the blaze. Flowchem Technologies is a chemical blending facility that provices products and services to the oil and gas industry. David says which chemicals sparked the blaze is part of the investigation….

Cut 10 (08) “release it”

The state is still testing negative for cronic wasting disease in northeast Louisiana deer. Concerns were raised after nearby counties in Mississippi tested positive for the incurable ailment that wrecks local populations. LDWF has a 95 percent confidence in the results.

And now, heres commodity prices.

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is expecting 30 to 35 thousand people to attend this weekend’s massive festival just outside Lafayette. Festival Spokesperson Angelique Bernard says an unbelievable amount of mudbugs will be consumed over the three days.

Cut 6 (05)  “peeled crawfish”

The food options are extensive, with everything from crawfish burritos to spinach bread bowls, and over 30 zydeco bands are expected to play throughout the festival that starts today.

The chemical fire has been distinguished at Flowchem in Duson and evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes Friday morning. The massive blaze shutdown I-10 on Thursday, but it’s has since re-opened. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says investigators still don’t know what caused the blaze

.Cut 9 (10) “go from there”

A bill barring drivers from touching their cellphones while on the road narrowly escaped the House and is on its way to the Senate. The anti-distracted driving legislation was inspired by the uptick in distracted driving road deaths in recent years. Bill sponsor Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the legislation is about protecting the next generation of drivers.

Cut 13 (06)  “distracted drivers” 

Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says the legislation is about a driving culture change. Now-a-days he doesn’t fire up his car without buckling up, but that didn’t always used to be the case.

But the bill wasn’t without opposition. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says living 250 miles away from the capital means she has to spend hours of her day on the road getting work done.

Cut 15 (12) “on me”

The bill passed with 53 votes.

Louisiana has been given full control of Red Snapper waters from the feds for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Harry Blanchet says that’s great news for bayou sportsmen.

Cut 3, 7 seconds, offshore waters

This year’s season will kick off Friday, May 25^th, with a total allocation of 743,000 pounds allowed to be harvested

The “Adoption Option” bill that would require abortion clinics to provide information about the adoption process to women seeking abortions is nearing final passage. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says too many women are choosing abortion

Cut 6 (10) “of adoption”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is set to end his second term Monday after 8 years in charge of the Crescent City. Landrieu guided the city through a tumultuous post Katrina recovery period, but political analyst Clancy DuBos says nationally he’ll be most remembered for his part in the removal of the confederate monuments to Robert E Lee, Jefferson Davis, and PT Beauregard.

Cut 7 (08)  “for that”

A bill barring drivers from touching their cellphones while on the road narrowly escaped the House and is on its way to the Senate. The anti-distracted driving legislation was inspired by the uptick in distracted driving road deaths in recent years. Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson says the legislation is about a driving culture change. Now-a-days he doesn’t fire up his car without buckling up, but that didn’t always used to be the case.

Cut 14 (10) “done it”