The House Appropriations Committee has stopped an effort to increase the annual salaries of state lawmakers from $16,800 to around 39-thousand dollars. The panel rejected the proposal on a 16-5 vote. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes voted against the bill…

Cut 6 (09)  “…goes on.” 

Hughes believes an independent commission should be established to determine the salary of legislators.

When the pandemic disrupted life as we know it, many women fell behind or missed their annual mammograms. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says she, like other surgeons, is seeing the repercussions with more patients who have advanced or later stages of breast cancer.

Cut 3 (10) “…advanced disease.”

Last week U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed course and advises to begin screenings at 40 years of age instead of 50.

Louisiana lawmakers approved a state budget plan that erased a proposed $2,000 annual raise for public school teachers   – and instead put hundreds of millions of dollars towards paying down retirement debt. Representative Jack McFarland says this will allow schools to spend funds as they see fit which could include raises for educators.

Cut 10 (08) “…two for one.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards says he, along with the majority of those in the state, believes investments in education overall should be made while the funding is available.

Cut 13 (12) “…these investments.” 

Edwards says he will continue to work with the House on the budget acknowledging that if the Senate makes changes, then it will also have to be approved in the House.

If and how teachers will receive pay raises in Louisiana in the state’s budget remains to be seen after changes made by House Republicans. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LDWF enforcement agents are looking for information about a Louisiana Black Bear that was found fatally wounded in Lincoln Parish on May 12. Anyone with information should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 800-442-2511.

Ochsner Health’s announcement to lay off nearly 800 employees in Louisiana and Mississippi highlights the grim reality that the healthcare system is facing financial challenges. Louisiana Hospital Association President and CEO Paul Salles says inflation has impacted the healthcare industry nationwide.

Cut 4 (08)  “…of expenses.”

Salles says regionally labor expenses have increased by over 25 percent and the cost of drugs and other supplies have increased by about 20 percent.

A $2.3 million study by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center will determine if altitude plays a role in weight loss.  Participants of the ‘Low Oxygen and Weight Status” study will sleep 8 hours a night in oxygen tents for a period of four months. Lead Researcher Claire Berryman says the controlled effects of oxygen may benefit people struggling with obesity.

Cut 15 (13)  “…weight status.”

The 2.3 million grant was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

House Republicans approve a budget for next fiscal year that does not contain funding for a two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise but instead pays off teachers’ retirement debt.  Representative Jack McFarland says the issue can be resolved if needed on the ballot.

Cut 12 (12)    “…for them.” 

Edwards says he, along with the majority of those in the state, believes investments in education overall should be made while the funding is available.

Cut 13 (12) “…these investments.” 

Edwards says he will continue to work with the House on the budget acknowledging that if the Senate makes changes, then it will also have to be approved in the House.

Today is the deadline for Louisianans to file their state income taxes. Deputy Secretary of Revenue Luke Morris says if you have not filed and feel you need an extension, you no longer have to file with the state to get one…:

Cut 7 (09) “…to file that form.”

You can file your state return electronically or by mail, but it must be postmarked “May 15.” You can pay online at “revenue.louisiana.gov/LaTAP”

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center will conduct a $2.3 million study to determine if elevated oxygen levels help with weight loss. Lead Researcher Claire Berryman says the underlying goal of this study is to determine whether sleeping in a low-oxygen tent leads to increases in energy expenditure, decreases in appetite, and greater body weight loss.

Cut  16 (12)  “…more calories.” 

Participants will sleep in a tent with oxygen levels equivalent to 85 hundred feet. And will also follow a controlled diet for four months.

Legislation targeting the LGBTQ population is moving forward in the Louisiana Legislature. Governor John Bel Edwards says lawmakers are not focusing on topics to grow the state’s economy.

Cut 4 (06)  “…damaging.” 

Another bill prohibits public school teachers from discussing sexuality and gender identity,

Louisiana ranked the worst state to live in for working moms,, according to WalletHub’s 2023 Best & Worst States for Working Mom report.  WalletHub Analyst Jill Gonzales says The report looked at 17 metrics to generate rankings number of categories.

Cut 6 (12)  “…on yet.” 

West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina were also ranked “the worst” in those categories.

A Denham Springs police officer is in critical condition after a gunfight erupted in the parking lot at a shopping center Thursday afternoon. Corporal Shawn Kelly was shot multiple times in the confrontation. Police Chief  Rodney Walker says Kelly says everyone in the community is affected by this unfortunate incident…

Cut 12 (11) “…to us” 

The suspect, Justin Roberts, was shot by officers and died from his injuries.

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest weekends of the crawfish season and retailers are dropping prices in an effort to get your business. That’s according to Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King who says this may be the last big weekend of the crawfish season

Cut 13 (13) “…you can.” 

According to crawfish pricing data compiled from over 1,650 vendors on The Crawfish App, crawfish prices are the same this Mother’s Day weekend in 2023 compared to Mother’s Day weekend last year. A sack of live medium crawfish will run between $2.00-$2.23 per pound. Laney says live crawfish are reasonably priced.

The deceased body of a female employee was found in a walk-in freezer at an Arby’s in New Iberia.  New Iberia Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Daneisha Hughes says they will know more about the circumstances of her death after an autopsy is conducted…

Cut 10 (06) “…this time.” 

 Another employee found the deceased woman’s body.

A Denham Springs Police Officer was critically wounded during a shootout yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of a shopping center. Corporal Shawn Kelly –who was shot multiple times – was hired by Denham Springs police in 2019.  Denham Springs Police Chief  Rodney Walker says Kelly can use your prayers…

Cut 12 (11) “…to us” 

There will be a prayer vigil in the parking lot where Kelly was shot tomorrow.

Crawfish prices are dropping just in time for Mother’s Day. According to crawfish pricing data compiled from over 1,650 vendors on The Crawfish App, crawfish prices are the same this Mother’s Day weekend in 2023 compared to Mother’s Day weekend last year. A sack of live medium crawfish will run between $2.00-$2.23 per pound. Laney says live crawfish are reasonably priced.

Cut 14 (12)  “…or so.”

The Crawfish App compares prices from more than 16 hundred vendors in Louisiana.

Legislation targeting the LGBTQ community is advancing in the Louisiana Legislature.  Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll address the bills when and if they cross his desk.

Cut 4 (07)  “…damaging.” 

Edwards says it’s not a problem and he’s frustrated lawmakers are not focusing on topics to grow the state’s economy and improve education instead.

Legislation that would add exceptions in cases of rape and incest to one of the strictest abortion bans in the country was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Governor John Bel Edwards says is a major setback for innocent victims.

Cut 10 (11) “…to term.” 

Sarah Zagorski, with Louisiana Right to Life, says Louisiana is a pro-life state and advocates are pleased with the results.

Cut 11 (13)  “…is conceived.”

Edwards, who’s a pro-life Democrat, says he does not understand how we as a state can tell any victim that she must be forced by law to carry her rapist’s baby to term, regardless of the impact on her own physical or mental health, the wishes of her parents, or the medical judgment of her physician.

New guidelines suggest women should begin their annual mammograms at the age of 40 instead of 50 according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says this could save lives.

Cut 14 (11)  “…at 40.”

Several organizations like the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the College of Radiology, and the American Cancer Society have recommended beginning mammograms at the age of 40.

A bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $10 per hour next year was approved in a 3-2 vote by Senate Labor Committee. Louisiana is one of 21 states that sets its minimum wage with the federal rate which is $7.25 an hour. LA Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says increasing minimum wage would make state more competitive .

Cut 8 (12) “…wage workers.”

SB149 will head to the Senate floor.

Starting in 2025, there would be less time for unemployed workers to find a job before their benefits run out, as a result of a bill approved by the House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Ocshner Health, the state’s largest hospital, plans to lay off more than 700 employees across the state and Mississippi – the largest in the system’s history. The cuts will spread across Ochsner’s 42 hospitals and 200-plus care centers. Ochsner CEO Pete November made the announcement via email. No physicians are impacted by this reduction.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain urges property owners to stay vigilant during termite season beginning late spring through summer months. Strain says doing basic things around your home can be helpful in protecting your property.

Cut 3 (11) “….find moisture.”

Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage across the U.S. annually, according to Orkin, and property owners spend over $2 billion to treat them.

The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day – and maybe the busiest day for restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association spokesperson Wendy Waren says restaurants are prepared to take in additional customers on this special day every day.

Cut 10 (08) “…our industry.” 

80 million people will take their mom’s out to dine for Mother’s day in the US this year.

State Police released video of the fatal shooting of a driver involving a Shreveport officer last month. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

LSU has issued an apology on behalf of their superstar guard, Flau ‘Jae Johnson who removed a song off of social media after her lyrics referenced 9-11 and “blowing smoke just like them towers.” The university said it was not Johnson’s intent to offend or upset anyone with her lyrics and she is sorry for any misunderstanding.

A bill that would create safe zones for children near carpool and bus lines was approved by House Education Committee. The bill’s author – Slidell Representative Robert Owen says 60 children are hit by a car each week in the U.S. Supporting the bill,  Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says children’s lives are on the line.

Cut 9 (13)  “…dangerous situation.”

The bill heads to the House floor.

Labor quality surpassed inflation as the top concern in the most recent Small Business Optimism Survey. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says 24 percent of ‘Mom and Pops’ say hiring qualified workers is an issue followed by inflation. Overall optimism decreased one point in April to 89, the 16^th month in a row below the survey’s history of 98.

Cut 15 (07)  “…Main Street.”

A bill prohibiting ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 1 (45)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In college baseball last night, second-ranked LSU pounded Northwestern State 14-4, LA Tech scored five in the seventh inning to beat the Cajuns 12 to 8 and McNeese defeated Nicholls seven to three.

The Louisiana House passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that would ban classroom discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools. The bill would also require transgender students to get parental consent for teachers to use pronouns matching their gender identity. Bill author Houghton Representative Dodie Horton…

Cut 14 (12)  “…this is.”

The bill advances to the upper chamber.

Former State Representative and top assistant to current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, Nancy Landry, announces her candidacy for Secretary of State. Landry says her goal is to place Louisiana at the top of the list for election integrity and replace outdated voting machines that have paper components in addition to electronic.

Cut 5 (09)   “…right now.”

Current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced last month that he will not seek re-election.

The House Commerce Committee will vote today on a bill that would allow a person to break a lease if multiple criminal activities are reported to police within a tenth of a mile of their rental. The bill is in response to the death of three-year-old, Devin Page Junior, who was hit by a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting. The child’s grandmother Cathy Toliver says her daughter pleaded with the landlord to let her out of her lease the day her grandson was fatally shot…

Cut 5 (13)   “…by that.”

An ordinance called “Devin’s Law” designed to make rental properties safer by imposing new regulations was passed last year by The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council. Opponents of the legislation say the bill is too excessive for property owners.

Cut 6 (12)  “…is crime.”

House Commerce is scheduled to meet this morning.

LSU researchers have developed A new patent-pending bait that would help fight the state’s issue with wild hogs. LSU animal scientist and researcher Glenn Gentry says sodium nitrite impedes the body’s ability to send oxygen to the organs…:

Cut 11 (07)  “…a lethal dose.”

The bait is made of fish, potatoes, and sodium nitrite; a chief ingredient in bacon. Wild pigs cause an estimated $ 75 million in annual crop losses and crop damage in Louisiana.

A bill that would require public school employees to use the name and pronoun on a student’s birth certificate passed in the House. Bill author Bossier City Republican Representative Raymond Crews said it’s a parent’s rights bill. The legislation, however, allows teachers to choose how they will refer to the student.

Cut 14 (06)  “…participate.”

The legislation passed on a 61 to 33 vote and advances to the Senate.