Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order allowing Louisiana universities to pay their athletes. Jeanne Burns explains why the governor issued the order….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”

The 2025 NFL Schedule will be released tonight and the Saints will reportedly open the season at home by hosting the Arizona Cardinals. The entire schedule will be unveiled at 7 PM. On paper, New Orleans has one of the easiest schedules, facing just three playoff teams. Tampa Bay twice, the Rams and the Bills.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that would make the Insurance Commissioner an appointed position rather than an elected position.  Tim Temple, who was elected as insurance commissioner in 2023, testified in opposition to the bill…

Cut 11 (08) “…one person.”

The bill advances after no one on Senate and Governmental Affairs objected to advancing the measure to the Senate floor.

New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s bill to ban schools from serving “ultra-processed” foods, targeting items containing ingredients such as food dyes and seed oils, passed the House Education Committee on an 8 to 1 vote.  Miguez says this is sending a message to D.C and the MAHA movement.

Cut 13 (12)  “…message here today.”

When you’re out on the roadways this month, make a special effort to look out for motorcycles. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says while overall deaths on Louisiana roadways are down, the same cannot be said for motorcycle deaths.

Cut 3 (12) “…in motorcycle fatalities.”

Small businesses are finding it harder to find quality workers to fill their job openings. The National Federation of Independent Business’ April jobs report showed that 34-percent of small businesses reported job openings that they could not fill. State Director Leah Long says this has been an issue that’s been going on for about a year.

Cut 10 (13) “…skilled work set.”

Whooping cough cases continue their upward trend in Louisiana. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there have been 164 cases of whooping cough so far this year, already eclipsing 2024’s total of 153.

Cut 13 (13)  “…one year old.”

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has made significant progress in helping residents prepare for the May 7th REAL ID enforcement date. Acting Deputy Commissioner Matthew Boudreaux encourages all residents to visit express-lane-dog-org to schedule an appointment and has a REAL ID checklist.

Cut 6 (09) “…express-lane-dot-org.”

Two children were found locked in car seats inside a house in Webster Parish with no adult supervision, and one of them has died. Minden Police were called to the house mid-morning Thursday on a report of a two-year-old child being found unresponsive inside the house. The girl could not be resuscitated. Minden Police Chief Jared McIver says investigators are trying to determine exactly how the little girl died.

Cut 3 (12) “…off the airway.”

Advocates gathered outside the State Capitol this week to draw attention to food insecurity. Pat VanBurkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says one thing that doesn’t nearly get enough attention is hunger on college campuses.

Cut 10 (07) “…having more food.”

Voters in about half of Louisiana’s parishes will head to the polls Saturday to elect local officials and decide on various ballot proposals. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says Voters in Lake Charles will decide whether to re-elect Nic Hunter as mayor. He’s being challenged by Democrat Marshall Simien. In East Baton Rouge Parish, voters will decide a special primary for House District 67, tax propositions, and runoff races, including two council seats in the new city of St. George.

Cut 7 (03) “…all over the state.”

Crawfish prices held steady this week after a recent drop, with live crawfish averaging $2.60/lb—season lows. Some spots offer sacks under $100, even as low as $50. Boiled crawfish dropped to $4.89/lb. May offers peak supply and lowest prices, making it the ideal time to buy.

Oil and gas has long been a major driver in the state’s economy, and now we know exactly to what extent. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Australian-based Woodside Energy announced today a 17-point-5 billion dollar investment on a new liquified natural gas production and export facility in Calcasieu Parish. It’s the largest foreign investment in state history.

More than 30,000 residents in Bossier and Caddo parishes were left without power for six hours on Saturday, prompting Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell to demand answers from SWEPCO and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). About what happened and who is paying for it.

Cut 3 (11) “…whos gonna pay for that.”

Balloon releases in Louisiana are one step closer to being illegal. The House passed HB581 by Harahan Republican John Illg, sending it to the Senate. Illg says what goes up must come down; and when those balloons released into the air come down, they could have serious consequences for the environment and wildlife.

Cut 15 (06) “…into the air.”

PC Commissioner Foster Campbell wants to know why there was a six-hour unplanned power outage on Saturday, with over 30-thousand SWEPCO customers in Bossier and Caddo Parishes. SWEPCO Spokesperson Michael Corbin says that due to a directive from the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the regional transmission organization. SPP identified grid instability and required SWEPCO to implement emergency outages to prevent widespread damage to power lines and equipment.

Cut 3 (12) “…their homes or businesses.”

Governor Landry is ordering state workers back to the office.  State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (05) “…are more productive.”

The House Transportation Committee approves legislation prohibiting the use of hand held cell phones while driving. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

And again, in the Transportation Committee hearing, Rep. Larry Bagley presented a bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers..   Bagley says Louisiana is the only red state that still requires inspection stickers and has support from State Police, OMV and the governors’ office. Despite that the bill failed with a 5-6 vote against.

For the first time in LSU baseball history, the seventh ranked Tigers were run-ruled by a non-conference opponent at Alex Box Stadium last night. LSU played a sloppy game in a 13-3 loss to Northwestern State. Demons head coach Chris Bertrand says they got some breaks, but took advantage of them…

Cut 3 (14) “…applying.”

Grand Isle has launched the “Jewel” oyster brand to revitalize its seafood industry through sustainable off-bottom farming. Backed by a 140-thousand-dollar grant from Louisiana Economic Development to JEDCO, the campaign promotes boutique oysters cultivated near the water’s surface.  JEDCO CEO Jerry Bologna says the Grand Isle Jewel campaign is aiming to bolster Louisiana’s $2.4 billion seafood industry and counter competition from imports.

Cut 7 (12) “…throughout the country.”

The Louisiana Department of Health launches a new initiative aimed at reducing maternal deaths from accidental drug overdoses. It’s called Project MOM – Maternal Overdose Mortality. LDH Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan (CROW-ghin) says Lake Charles was the only region in the state that saw a decrease in overdose deaths through the Bridge Initiative – part of which may involve issuing the prescription drug naloxone to help rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

Cut 10 (12) “…within 48 hours”

Ruston police issued a warrant for Zyheim T. Butcher, 23, in connection with an Easter Sunday shooting that killed Deontrell Marquis Hunter and injured four others. Butcher faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder and illegal firearm possession. He was previously charged in a 2021 Grambling State University shooting.

Meta is getting the word out to parents about Teen Accounts for Instagram that puts safeguards on accounts of teens under the age of 16 years old that notify parents on how they can check their teens account. Meta Spokesperson Stephanie Otway says over 54 million Teen Accounts are active, offering features like private profiles and limited messaging.

Cut 3 (08) “…Parents’ involvement.”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee approves legislation that would result in homeowners receiving a individual income tax credit of up to ten-thousand dollars, if they voluntarily pay to install a fortified roof on their home. Bill author, River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot saysthe Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office recently found that homeowners who had a foritified roof installed saw a decline in their insurance premiums…

Cut 11 (12) “…their premium.”

The Louisiana Department of Health launches a task force to fight waste, fraud and abuse. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

An auto insurance reform bill advances to the full House, with the support of the governor and despite the opposition of the insurance commissioner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Office of Juvenile Justice confirmed today that a 17-year-old male in custory briefly escaped during an on campus transport.  .  The juvenile was beign transported by vehicle between the north and sound campuses when the escape occurred.  OJJ security protocols were activated immediately after notified, and on site staff initiated a search, and the juvenile was apprehended without incident.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors, fining violators up to 150-dollars for a first offense. The bill’s author Harahan Representative John Illg says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser supports the bill and admitted that the law would be difficult to enforce, but they are hoping that having the law will encourage people not to release balloons into the air.

Cut 11 (12) “…won’t release them.”

LSU pitcher Gavin Guidry will not pitch this season as he’ll undergo back surgery on Friday. Guidry has the most experience on LSU’s staff pitching in SEC games, so he was an important piece to this season. But the Lake Charles native never pitched this season after sustaining an back injury in February. Johnson says despite treatments and medicine, they could not get him healthy enough to pitch…

Cut 13 (09)  “…can’t do it.”

LSU will begin an SEC series tomorrow night against Alabama.

Governor Jeff Landry released an insurance reform plan that if approved by lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session would put new regulations on both insurance companies and trial lawyers. The governor says one of the bills he’s pushing would require attorneys to prove injuries in a claim are the result of the accident…

Cut 12 (15) “…after the accident.”

Landry says he’s poured over the data on why Louisiana’s auto insurance rates are among the highest in the country and found minor injury claims in Louisiana double the national average.

Lauren Daigle, who was born in Lake Charles and grew up in Lafayette, will perform at the Youngsville Amphitheater on Sept. 13, the city has announced. Daigle is a two-time Grammy, eight-time Billboard Music, four-time American Music, and twelve-time GMA Dove Music Award winner.

The seven-year-old girl injured in the house fire in Shreveport over the weekend has died. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says this is the worst outcome possible.

Cut 5 (05) “…a long time.”

The University of Louisiana at Monroe plans to request approval from the University of Louisiana System Board to implement staff furloughs to address up to a 6-million-dollar budget shortfall before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. Acting President Nick Bruno, who returned temporarily after retiring in 2020, emphasized that the financial position of the University is fragile.

Cut 9 (09)  “…correcting that problem.”

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry says the new facility will create many high-paying jobs…

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland warns that budget cuts are coming because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass last month. McFarland says passage of the amendment would have provided Louisiana with additional dollars to spend this year…

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

McFarland made the comments to the Baton Rouge Press Club.

State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman on I-20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday. State Trooper Ryan Davis says Mecca King was found to have an odor of alcohol on her breath. Upon questioning, King admitted to consuming two alcoholic beverages.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

Mega Millions players will face a price hike as tickets increase from 2 to 5 dollars, starting with today’s drawing. Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better odds of winning the jackpot—improving from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million—and more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”