Sweeping reciprocal tariffs from President Trump of 10-percent on all imports and higher rates on key trade partners, such as China and the E-U, has sparked concern across Louisiana industries.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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ULM students have voted to put a 75-dollar per fee on themselves with the money going to the school’s athletic department. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Bossier, Caddo and Webster Parishes are under a tornado watch until 9:00 tonight and tomorrow the severe weather threat expands statewide. LSU Public health climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (15) “…severe weather.” 

Heavy rainfall is a possibility with this storm system. Kein says north Louisiana could see two to three inches, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast…

Cut 4 (12) “…rainfall amounts.”

Keim says once after the cold front passes through, Louisiana will experience a big drop in temperatures…

Cut 5 (11) “…low 70s.”

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President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs of 10 percent on all imports and higher rates on key trading partners, such as China (34%) and the European Union (20%), has sparked concerns across Louisiana industries.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says it could cost more to eat out…

Cut 6 (10) “…no question about it.”

Economists are concerned the tariffs could slow the U-S economy, and Harris says the restaurant industry is bracing for increased costs for essential goods.

Cut 7 (06) “…or replace equipment.”

Harris says with the potential of costs going up, low-margin profitable businesses like restaurants like will have to do some belt-tightening..

Cut 8 (11) “…period of time.”

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ULM students have approved a 75-dollar fee per semester that will generate 600-thousand dollars in its first year for the school’s athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says the fee goes into effect for the 2025 Fall Semester…

Cut 9 (11)  “…21 million dollars.”

Hartwell says they plan to use the money to install a new video board in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The A-D says the new revenues will also go towards improving the well-being of their student athletes .

Cut 10 (10) “…sports medicine program.”

The fee passed on a 711 to 650 vote. Hartwell says opponents to the athletic fee proposal said they do not attend athletics events or questioned the need to spend more money on sports. Hartwell says a successful athletic program improves the entire university…

Cut 11 (11) “…your diploma.”

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The family of a 73-year-old grandfather is pleading for his release after immigration enforcement agents took him into custody near his home in Lafayette while on his way to work. He’s at an ICE processing center in Evangeline Parish. The family says Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez has lived in the U.S. for 45 years since he fled Cuba. Rodriguez’s stepdaughter Christian Cooper Riggs posted this emotional plea on Facebook…

Cut 12 (15) “…our country.”

Riggs says Rodriguez tried to become an official citizen for the last ten years, but because he committed a crime in the first couple of years after he arrived in the U.S., he’s been unsuccessful. She says for the last 43 years her stepfather has been a modeled immigrant…

Cut 13 (14)  “…not the solution.”

Rodriguez cares for his wife who has dementia. Riggs says she understands the United States has an immigration problem, but a 73-year-old man, who works and cares for his family and has lived in the United States for 45-years is not part of the problem…

Cut 14 (05) “…a machete.”

Riggs is asking for your prayers and if the public wants to get involved, they can contact their elected officials and ask for her step father’s release.

New Office of Motor Vehicles leader Bryan Adams is optimistic OMV can run more efficiently despite outdated computer system. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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It is Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Louisiana and state officials are making the case again, when behind the wheel put the phone down. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana Democrats are hailing the failure of the four constitutional amendments last weekend. Andrew Greenstein has more from a press conference held by the Louisiana Democratic Party…

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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This week, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Bryan Adams as the new leader for the Office of Motor Vehicles  following Commissioner Dan Casey’s resignation. OMV is suffering from system outages due to outdated technology. Adams was serving as the State Fire Marshal and he’s optimistic OMV customers will start to see improvements as early as next week…

Cut 4 (10) “…citizens of Louisiana.”

The current mainframe system is 50 years old and it keeps crashing, causing delays at OMV field offices, forcing customers to leave and make another appointment for another day to get a driver’s license, renew vehicle tags or file paperwork.  Adams says enough is enough.

Cut 5 (11) “…really deserve.”

Adams described the effort as upgrading from “Band-Aids” to “duct tape” until a permanent solution is in place. Landry expressed confidence in Adams’s ability to lead the agency through this transition.

Cut 6 (12) “…ready to put it out.”

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It is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and state officials want to see an end to distracted driving on Louisiana’s roads. Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says preliminary data from 2024 shows that distracted driving crashes led to 180 fatalities and 1,295 serious injuries in Louisiana…

Cut 7 (12) “…fully recover”

Cell phones are believed to be a major contributor to distracted or inattentive crashes. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple urges parents to set an example of not using a phone while behind the wheel…

Cut 8 (09) “…your kids.”

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission executive director Lisa Freeman says in the upcoming legislative session, they will once again push lawmakers to approve a hands-free primary law, which would allow police officers to ticket drivers who use a hand held cell phone while driving…

Cut 9 (07)  “…tremendous results.”

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The Louisiana Democratic Party is hailing the defeat of all four constitutional amendments last weekend. Voters turned back amendments that would have rewritten Article 7 of the state constitution, created specialty courts, made it easier to send minors to adult prisons and change the way that judicial vacancies are filled. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the vote was a unified message.

Cut 10 (12) “…work collaboratively together.”

Another Baton Rouge representative, Edmond Jordan, says the vote was a rebuke of the Landry administration.

Cut 11 (11) “…gubernatorial election”

The rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 could result in a decrease in teacher pay, if state lawmakers can not find 200-million dollars in revenues. Randal Gaines, the chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, says he’s calling for a permanent pay raise for teachers with no strings attached.

Cut 12 (15) “…as  a whole.”

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Do you want to know how public school districts and charter schools are spending their money? You can find that information at treasury-dot-la-gov.  State Treasurer John Fleming says click the box that reads Louisiana K-12 School Transparency Project and you find out all kinds of information…

Cut 13 (11)  “…want to know”

Fleming says it’s the most comprehensive website of its kind in the country. He says taxpayers now have easy access to details regarding how public schools are spending public funds…

Cut 14 (12) “…spending practices.”

Fleming says they are still collecting data, so not every school’s financial information is published yet….

Cut 15 (11) “…data to come.”

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Lady Tigers basketball star Flau’Jae Johnson is reportedly returning for her senior season at LSU. Johnson has the option to enter the WNBA draft, but Reed Darcey of the Advocate says Johnson said after the team’s season-ending loss to UCLA, she wanted to get past the Elite Eight…

Cut 16 (19) “…own championship.”

Johnson was a freshman on LSU’s 2023 national championship team. But Angel Reese and Alexis Morris were the big leaders on that team. Darcey says Johnson seems motivated to win a national title as a senior leader…

Cut 17 (16) “…call it her own.”

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The battle for starting quarterback at U-L Lafayette is well underway as the team started spring break last week. Daniel Beale, Ole Miss transfer Walker Howard and former Lutcher star Lunch Winfield are in a three-way competition.  Coach Michael Desormeaux says all three are making strides…

Cut 18 (20) “…that competition.”

Most schools are doing away with their spring game. A few coaches have raised concerns that spring practices allow other schools to scout their players better and then the convince the kids they want to come to their school. Desormeaux is not concerned about tampering and believes the spring game is an important part of their offseason…

Cut 19 (23) “..let them play.” 

The Cajuns spring game is May 3rd.

There’s at least one group that’s applauding President Trump’s tariffs – at least on one specific import. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas jumped three-cents from yesterday to $2.82.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s imposing of tariffs on imported shrimp. Leann Bosard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says she hopes the tariffs will provide a boost to the U.S. shrimping industry.

Cut 3 (12) “…for decades now.” 

The six countries that account for 96-percent of all shrimp imports all have tariffs, ranging from ten-percent for Argentina and Ecuador to 46-percent for Vietnam. Bosard says shrimp from all of those countries are far inferior to the shrimp caught off the Louisiana coast, but up until now it’s been more cost-effective for restaurants to keep that imported shrimp in stock.

Cut 4 (13) “…of banned antibiotics.”

Bosard says the U.S. has been subsidizing the U.S. shrimping industry’s direct competitors for far too long.

Cut 5 (13) “…allow that anymore.”

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The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State University is calling for an above-average hurricane season. Lead researcher Phil Klotzbach says warm water in the Atlantic will help produce 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes and the chances of an El Nino are quite low…

Cut 6 (06) “…bad for the hurricane”

Researcher Lauren Beard says based on their research, there’s a 33-percent chance that a major hurricane will hit the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to Brownsville, Texas.

Cut 7 (06) “…from that.”

Beard says ocean temperatures are not as warm as last year but it is above average, and says to stay updated on sever weather in your area.

Cut 8 (03) “…for your area.”

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The price at the pump has jumped three-cents from yesterday, bringing the statewide average price for regular gasoline to $2.82 per gallon. Don Redman with AAA says gas prices rise at this time of the year as refineries shut down operations to switch from a winter blend to a summer blend gasoline.

Cut 9 (10)  “…closing of refineries.”

Redman says while gas prices are up from last month’s average, compared to this time last year, prices are down, but prepared for gas prices to keep rising…

Cut 10 (10) “…get into May.”

Even though we can expect prices to continue to rise heading into the summer driving season, Redman says gas prices are much higher in other states…

Cut 11 (12) “…gallon in Louisiana.”

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A man and a woman are dead following a plane crash near Raceland. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the 1976 Cessna 2010 L owned by Southern Seaplanes went down last night in a remote marsh area and it was located two miles north of Highway 182 near the intersection of Highway 90….

Cut 12 (11) “…wreckage site.”

Authorities have identified the victims as Lyle Pannepinto and Lauren Menkemeller. Chaisson says Pannepinto is the owner of Southern Seaplanes and Menkemeller was training as a pilot for the company…

Cut 13 (09)  “…went down.”

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

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The defending national champion LSU gymnastics squad begins its NCAA postseason journey tonight as they will compete in the Penn State Regional. LSU won the SEC regular season championship, and they won the SEC Gymnastics meet. Mike Smith who is the announcer at LSU gym meets says the Tigers are the favorites to repeat as national champs…

Cut 14 (10) “…convincingly.”

LSU is the number one seed for the first time in program history. The Tigers are once again led by All-Americans Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan. Kailin Chio is the SEC Freshman of the Year and Smith says they’ll have to count on a couple of other freshmen during this postseason run…

Cut 15 (11) “…they did just fine”

Tonight’s meet begins at 6 PM and if the Tigers finish in the top two of tonight’s session, they advance to the regional final on Saturday.

The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Governor Landry has ordered a hiring freeze within the state’s executive branch. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says while countries will pay a tax on the goods they export to the United States, those extra costs will end up being passed along to the consumer.

Cut 3 (10) “…be U.S. citizens.” 

Lane says there’s a reason that many goods are manufactured overseas in the first place.

Cut 4 (09) “…be more expensive.”

President Trump says one purpose of the tariffs is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Lane says if China loses jobs because of the tariffs, those jobs would most likely go to Vietnam or Bangladesh and not the U.S.

Cut 5 (12) “…over other people.”

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A warrant has been issued for a Slidell man after investigators say he forced his way into a home and assaulted a woman. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home U-S Highway 190 East, learning that 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel (MERK-a-dell) had kicked in the door and attacked the woman.

Cut 6 (08) “…actively fighting them.”

Carboni says in self-defense, the woman fired two shots, hitting Mercadel in the leg.

Cut 7 (12) “…shoot out his tires.”

Authorities later located Tyrone Mercadel and transported him to a hospital. Carboni says once released, he will be arrested for aggravated battery.

Cut 8 (12) “…fired upon the vehicle.”

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Governor Landry has ordered a temporary hiring freeze for the executive branch of state government. In a statement, Landry’s office says the goal is to save 20-million dollars in the general fund. In a statement, Landry’s office says the upcoming fiscal year’s budget was prepared using a standstill approach, removing one-time items and incorporating cost-saving measures. While the statement puts some of the blame on the prior administration that’s now been out of office for more than a year, political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says changes to the tax law may have had something to do with it.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the entire budget.”

Pinsonat says work had already been underway on how to shave money off the state budget.

Cut 10 (09) “…to do that.”

Landry says part of the reason for the hiring freeze is the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box. Pinsonat says that has an indirect effect on state revenues.

Cut 11 (12) “…have no choice.”

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Experian has teamed up with LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson to help relieve five-million dollars of consumer debt for five-thousand families in Louisiana. Christina Roman with Experian says the partnership is perfect since Experian and Johnson both promote financial literacy…

Cut 12 (09) “…tangible difference.”

Roman says Experian originally committed five-million dollars to this initiative and they tacked on an additional 100-thousand dollars for every game LSU won in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which was three.

Roman says Louisiana has one of the highest poverty rates in the country and relieving five-million dollars in consumer debt could be life changing…

Cut 13 (13)  “…in Louisiana.”

Johnson says money management is extremely important and she’s learning firsthand as she is one of the biggest NIL earners in college athletics.

Roman says the five-thousand families who will have their debt relieved were chosen by ForgiveCo…

Cut 14 (10) “…debt payoff.”

Two death row inmates in Caddo Parish have learned their execution dates this week. Andrew Greenstein reports Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of death row inmates in the state – despite it having a Democratic district attorney.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Baton Rouge prosecutors reach a plea deal with a man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son three years ago. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana tax filers can use United Way Southwest Louisiana’s My Free Taxes app, a free online tax filing service. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Despite having a Democratic district attorney, Caddo Parish, which includes Shreveport, has a disproportionate number of inmates on death row. In general terms, Republicans tend to support capital punishment much more than Democrats. So why the anomaly? LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow (SAD-ow) says many of those death row inmates were sentenced years ago.

Cut 4 (09) “…anti-death penalty.”

In fact, those district attorneys employed prosecutors who were very aggressive in seeking the death penalty. Sadow says the current district attorney, James Stewart, fully supports the judgement of his predecessors.

Cut 5 (08) “…to capital sentences.”

Sadow says Stewart will not stand in the way of judges signing death warrants, like what Judge Donald Hathaway did this week in setting execution dates for Darrell Draughn and Marcus Reed.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the past”

The 53-year-old Draughn is scheduled to be executed May 28th for stabbing his neighbor, 64-year-old Lauretta White, to death in 2000.  The 47-year-old Reed will be put to death June 4th for killing three young men who he had erroneously thought had stolen his ex-girlfriend’s X-Box.

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A Baton Rouge man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son reaches a plea deal with prosecutors. Three years ago, 23-year-old Brynnen (BRIN-in) Murphy shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend, 24-year-old Kaylen Johnson, and he threw her two-year-old son, Kaden, off a bridge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore says Johnson’s family wanted to avoid a trial.

Cut 7 (15) “…for some time.”

Murphy pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of first-degree feticide. Moore says he would have had no trouble convicting Murphy of the second-degree murder charges he was originally facing.

Cut 8 (11) “…and their future.”

Despite the lesser charges that Murphy pleaded guilty to, Moore says he will never see the light of day again from outside a prison setting.

Cut 9 (14)  “…a life sentence.”

Murphy will be formally sentenced June 10th.

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United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. The platform helps users file federal and state taxes quickly, with most completing their returns in under an hour. United Way Southwest Louisiana Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard says it includes guides for small business owners, gig workers, and those affected by federally declared disasters.

Cut 10 (11) “…My-Free-Taxes-dot-com website.”

Heckard says since 2020, the program has saved nearly 30-thousand people over three-million-dollars in tax prep fees while ensuring they claim eligible deductions and credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Cut 11 (12) “…forms that you get”

Heckard says the program guarantees secure and accurate tax filing.

Cut 12 (14) “…the tax client.”

Free services cover W-2 income, self-employment, education expenses, and more. Taxpayers can file online at MyFreeTaxes.com, or they can schedule an appointment with a volunteer at unitedwayswla.org/vita or by dialing 211.

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Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”

Cut 13 (16)  “…to chest-feed.”

Senator Cassidy says the legislation he introduced last week with Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, who like him is also a doctor, would codify one of President Trump’s executive orders.

Cut 14 (10) “…identity or sex.”

Cassidy says his legislation would make accommodations for people born with chromosome variations.

Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”

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Derek Carr is set to return for his third season as the Saints starting Q-B but that hasn’t stopped first-year head coach Kellen Moore from doing his homework on the quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. Moore traveled to see Miami’s Cam Ward and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart perform at their pro days. Moore on what he looks for when he’s evaluating a quarterback…

Cut 16 (14) “…you can.”

Moore spoke with reporters at the NFL Owners’ meetings. Moore says the team added real value during free agency, highlighted by the signing of safety Justin Reid, who just won a Super Bowl with Kansas City….

Cut 17 (22) “…up with him.”

The Saints also re-signed tight end Juwan Johnson to a three-year, 30.8 million dollar deal. The 28-year-old Johnson had a career-high 50 receptions last season, but Moore believes he can make Johnson an even bigger threat in the passing game.

Cut 18 (20) “…add to his game.”

Louisiana voters voted “NO” on a constitutional amendment that would have funded permanent teacher pay raises, leaving the future of educator salaries uncertain.   Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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For those of you who cross North Louisiana on I-20, get ready for some delays. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 by voters leaves the future of educator salaries uncertain. Passage of Amendment 2 would have made a temporary $2,000 pay increase for teachers and $1,000 increase for support staff permanent. Without its passage, these stipends will expire after this school year, potentially lowering pay unless new funding is secured. Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees President Larry Carter…

Cut 3 (12) “…local school districts.” 

Landry warned before the vote that no alternative plan existed, and his administration has not confirmed whether it will support additional stipends. The amendment would have dissolved education trust funds to pay down teacher retirement debt, freeing up about $200 million annually for raises. Carter says the complexity of the amendment led to its defeat.

Cut 4 (09) “…that was needed.” 

With a budget shortfall and no current funding allocated, securing teacher pay hike is a challenge. Carter says the Louisiana Federation of Teachers is working with legislators to explore solutions, but funding is uncertain.

Cut 5 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

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Construction is underway in Lincoln Parish on a nine-mile stretch of I-20. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews will be replacing the asphalt.

Cut 6 (11) “…of course with new.”

Buchanan says the work stretches between the Bienville Parish line to the Highway 149 overpass near Grambling. Buchanan says since this is a heavily-traveled section, they will be implementing a queue-detection system to give motorists real-time traffic conditions.

Cut 7 (14) “…another route.”

Buchanan says if you’re traveling in that area, be prepared for delays for the foreseeable future.

Cut 8 (05) “…hopefully early summer.”

The asphalt on the ramps at highways 507 and 563 will also need to be replaced as part of the nearly 18-million-dollar project.

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LSU men’s basketball team suffered through a losing season this year, but Coach Matt McMahon is trying to bring a winner to the Boot and has much bigger NIL budget to bring in better players…

Cut 9 (13)  “…impacting winning.”

LSU signed two players on Monday. UNLV point guard Dedan Thomas, who chose the Tigers over Kentucky and Florida. He led the Runnin’ Rebels in scoring and assists, averaging 15 points and four assists a game this season. The Tigers have also signed six-foot-ten Michael Nwoko (nuh-WOE-koe), who started at Mississippi State and averaged six points a game. McMahon says they are type of players they wanted to add

Cut 10 (11) “ locked in on.”

LSU went 3-15 in the SEC and finished in 15^th place. But McMahon says Vanderbilt and Missouri were in the NCAA Tournament this season after finishing at the bottom of the conference standings a year ago…

Cut 11 (12) “…leadership standpoint.”

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Following the rejection of Constitutional Amendment Two, Governor Jeff Landry released a statement and there’s one sentence from the statement that drew the ire from voters. Landry said positive change can be hard to implement in a state conditioned to fail. The statement quickly went viral, generating thousands of reactions on social media, with many accusing him of insulting the state and its people. Political analyst Clancy Dubos…

Cut 12 (09) “…work on that.”

Users expressed anger and disbelief, questioning his leadership and tone. Some criticized the amendments themselves, arguing they were overly complex and bundled too many issues together. ubos says its not a fatal loss but could become one if Landry keeps going down this road.

Cut 13 (07)  “…on any governor.”

The overwhelming negative response highlighted public frustration, both with the governor’s remarks and the amendment process itself, showing a strong disconnect between Landry’s perspective and voter sentiment. Dubos says Landry needs to learn from this defeat and apologize for his comments.

Cut 14 (11) “…everything he wants.”

Governor Jeff Landry blames far left liberals for the defeat of Constitutional Amendment two. Sean Richardson reports voters overwhelming rejected it and Republicans were a large percentage of the no votes…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The shocking outcome of Saturday’s constitutional amendment election continues to reverberate around the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana voters overwhelmingly rejected four constitutional amendments, a political setback for Governor Jeff Landry and the Republican-led Legislature. Landry promoted Amendment 2, a tax reform measure, as part of his broader economic strategy, but 65-percent of voters voted against it. Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan Moeller says it was a decisive and appropriate verdict by the voters.

Cut 3 (09) “…bad policy outcomes.” 

Landry blamed liberal billionaire George Soros for the defeat, accusing Soros and far left liberals for pouring million dollars into the state with propaganda and lies about Amendment 2 , though he provided no evidence. Moeller says Republicans also voted against Amendment Two….

Cut 4 (14) “…in the first place.” 

Moeller says the rejection reflects voter frustration and skepticism toward sweeping constitutional changes…

Cut 5 (10) “…State Constitution.”

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The failure of the four constitutional amendments over the weekend continues to send shockwaves across the entire state. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Constitutional Amendment 2, which was the one that got by far the most attention, likely failed because it was way too much to unpack in a single election.

Cut 6 (09) “…people to digest.”

While it didn’t get quite the attention of Amendment 2, Procopio says Amendment 3 which would have allowed lawmakers to more easily expand the list of crimes juveniles can be charged as adults

Cut 7 (13) “…lot of people.”

Procopio says those organizing opposition to Amendment 3 also motivated voters to vote no on all other amendments on the ballot, leading to each one failing by a two to one split.

Cut 8 (08) “…way or another.”

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Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it was just not Democrats who voted down Constitutional Amendment Two. Pinsonat says conservatives were concerned that the passage of Amendment Two would make changes to property tax exemptions for churches…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to kill it.”

Landry told voters that the passage of Amendment Two could result in the state eliminating state income taxes one day. But Pinsonat says that didn’t motivate potential supporters of the amendment to vote

Cut 10 (10) “…just stayed home.”

A two-month long fiscal session begins in two weeks and Pinsonat says more tax reform items will likely be introduced. But he says the voters are more concerned about high insurance rates…

Cut 11 (09) “…public is.”

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The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended Sunday with a loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight and now All-American guard Flau’jae Johnson has a decision to make. She’s eligible for next month’s WNBA draft and could forgo her senior season and turn pro. Johnson won a national championship at LSU her freshman season and averaged 18 points this season, her junior campaign. Coach Kim Mulkey would be sad to see Johnson go…

Cut 12 (13) “…our program.”

Johnson said she plans to talk over her decision with her family and Mulkey, before making an announcement on her future plans. Mulkey was Johnson’s first big recruit out of high school after she was hired at LSU…

Cut 13 (10)  “…Johnson.”

All-American forward Aneesah Morrow is not coming back next season as she’s used up her college eligibility. Morrow after transferred to LSU after two seasons at DePaul. She leaves LSU as one of the greatest rebounders in women’s college basketball history and gives a lot of credit to Mulkey…

Cut 14 (13) “…for that” .”

Mulkey finished with 1,714 rebounds, the third most in NCAA DI history.

There’s the potential for heavy rainfall for southwest Louisiana and the Alexandria area today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has the latest…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin.”

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The head of the Office of Motor Vehicles has resigned. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Central and southwest Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until one o’ clock Saturday afternoon. National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Escude says it will be wet…

Cut 3 (12) “…or so.” 

Escude says the heavy rainfall is the result of a storm system moving in from southern Texas…

Cut 4 (10) “…begin falling” 

A slight risk for severe weather is expected Sunday for most of the state, north of I-10. Escude says areas north of I-20 are under the greatest threat….

Cut 5 (04) “…or two.”

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Crawfish prices have dropped 25 cents, hitting a new low for 2025. According to the Crawfish App, live crawfish are averaging $3.64 a pound, when it comes to boiled crawfish, you can expect to pay a little more than six-dollars a pound. Prices are dropping, because supply is up. Evangeline Parish crawfish farmer Jonathan Fontenot…

Cut 6 (06) “…more promising.”

Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the start of April marks the historical true start of the heart of crawfish season, and she expects prices will continue to decline as we approach Easter weekend. Fontenot says 2025 looks like a good crawfish season…

Cut 7 (12) “…the road.”

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President Trump’s rhetoric targeting Canada, including the tariffs he’s imposed and his desire to make Canada a U.S. state, is having a profound effect on an event in Lafayette that’s intended to celebrate Canada’s influence on the Acadian people. More than half of the Canadians who had been scheduled to appear at the Great Acadian Awakening in October have cancelled their plans as a result. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that he’s very concerned.

Cut 8 (06) “…on that celebration.”

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says the impacts on the Great Acadian Awakening could be just the start if relations between the two countries continue to go south.

Cut 9 (11)  “…country to celebrate.”

Nungesser says the souring relations between the two countries are also impacting Louisiana leaders’ travels to Canada.

Cut 10 (13) “…this thing closely.”

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Four constitutional amendments are on Saturday’s ballot. The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana has a nonpartisan guide available for voters. PAR president Steven Procopio says Amendment one gives the Louisiana Supreme Court the authority to discipline out of state -lawyers and it gives the Louisiana legislature the authority to create specialty courts not limited to parish and judicial district boundaries…

Cut 11 (11) “…specialized cases.”

Amendment two is the big one. It would enact new tax rules like caping the state income tax rate that lawmakers can charge and double the standard deduction for anyone 65 and older. Procopio says the measure would also dissolve three education trust funds and use the money to pay down retirement debt which would provide a permanent two-thousand-dollar teacher pay raise…

Cut 12 (11) “…pay raise.”

Teachers have already received the two-thousand dollar pay raise, but if Amendment Two doesn’t pass, the two thousand dollars could go away.

Procopio says Amendment three removes the list of 16 crimes for which people under the age of 17 can be charged as an adult and puts it into state law, so lawmakers can more easily expand the list of felony laws that could result in a person under the age of being charged as an adult…

Cut 13 (12)  “…issue.”

Amendment 4 would change the timing requirements for filling a judicial vacancy or newly created judgeship, so the special election coincides with the regular elections calendar.

Go to parlouisiana.org to read up about the amendments.

AccuWeather is predicting an active 2025 Hurricane Season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A major drug bust in North Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana’s higher education board recommends that the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. UNO’s enrollment has dropped significantly since 2003, which has resulted in a financial crisis at the school. Board of Regents member Darren Mire (Mear) says last month legislative leaders asked the board to examine a proposed system change, but they didn’t need a year to study it…

Cut 3 (07) “…April.” 

The Louisiana Legislature will have to approve a change in management for UNO from UL System to the LSU System. A bill will likely be filled in the legislative session that begins next month. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges must also approve the move.

UNO has attempted to resize the university by cutting its budget, which has resulted in lay-offs of administrators and the consolidation of some colleges. But the school is still facing a 30-million dollar shortfall.

Mire says they are also recommending that the Legislature hires a third-party to perform a financial audit…

Cut 4 (05) “…accounting firm”

Mire says a third-party also needs to be hired to do an academic programs assessment…

Cut 5 (09) “…so forth.”

UNO was previously in the LSU system, but moved to the UL System in 2011. Alumni and supporters of UNO said the school was not getting enough attention within the LSU System. Senate President Cameron Henry told the Louisiana Illuminator that the LSU System is better equipped at addressing UNO’s financial troubles.

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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is approaching, with forecasters warning of another volatile year similar to 2024, one of the most destructive seasons on record.  AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva predicts 13-18 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes…

Cut 6 (07) “…this year.”

DeSilva says warm ocean temperatures across the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean will fuel storm development, leading to rapid intensification.

Cut 7 (11) “…to the forecast.”

DeSilva anticipates a possible early-season storm before June 1, a midseason lull, and an active end to the season, and says a developing La Niña could further enhance late-season storm activity.

Cut 8 (10) “…month of November”

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14 people are indicted in Lincoln Parish for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. It took place from January of 2022 through November of last year. The acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander Van Hook, says while the drug trafficking took place mainly in Ruston, the methamphetamine came from out of state.

Cut 9 (13)  “…Kansas and Louisiana.”

Van Hook says these arrests are part of “Take Back America.”

Cut 10 (17) “…and drug trafficking.”

Van Hook says this is a major bust for North Louisiana.

Cut 11 (12) “…safer and flourish.”

If convicted, all 14 defendants face between ten years and life in prison. Out of the 14 people indicted, 12 are from Louisiana and eight are from Ruston.

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Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now charged with kidnapping. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit.

Cut 12 (09) “…and Waughtal refused.”

17-year-old Michael Lanier is the third suspect charged with first-degree murder, but Lieutenant Carboni says he’s not being charged with kidnapping.

Cut 13 (05)  “…in the vehicle.”

Carboni stresses, however, that while the girls were being held in the vehicle against their will during the pursuit, they were not forced into it by the suspects.

Cut 14 (07) “…we want out.”

At this time  the two girls are not being charged with any crimes, but Carboni says the investigation is ongoing. As for Waughtal and Fischer, both were rebooked. While Fischer had previously bonded out, he is now back behind bars.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would prohibit state-funded schools from serving foods that contain additives. Sean Richardson has more.

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A national organization gives Louisiana high marks in election integrity. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new study shows that the stress level in Louisiana is one of the highest in the country. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Covington Senator Patrick McMath has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit state funded schools from serving lunches that contain potentially harmful additives, including dyes and preservatives.

Cut 4 (09) “…straight up toxic.”

Senate Bill 14 also requires restaurants to display on the menu if the food contains seed oils. The legislation would also require food manufacturers to label products with a warning label if the product contains specific artificial colors, additives, or chemicals. He says that stuff doesn’t need to be in our food….

Cut 5 (11) “…same company.”

McMath says U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.wants to remove artificial dyes from the nation’s food supply…

Cut 6 (12) “…food safety program.”

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Louisiana is celebrating a new ranking by the Heritage Foundation that gives the state high marks for election integrity. Secretary of State Nancy Landry:

Cut 7 (09) “…to number two.”

Secretary Landry says those efforts include new laws passed by the legislature last year that, according to her, makes it harder to cheat in elections while making it easier for people to vote.

Cut 8 (13) “…for other people.”

Landry says those efforts are continuing with new voting equipment coming. She says the new machines will have a paper component to them, printing out a voter’s ballot so that the voter can confirm his or her selections before casting that ballot.

Cut 9 (11)  “…after every election.”

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A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the third most stressed state in the country. Analyst Chip Lupo:

Cut 10 (09) “…the high costs.”

Lupo says another reason is that Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country.

Cut 11 (08) “…above fair credit.”

With credit scores at that level, that means the majority of Louisiana residents may experience trouble getting credit; and those who do end up paying more in interest rates. And Lupo says those financial burdens oftentimes lead to other stress factors.

Cut 12 (09) “…diagnosed with depression.”

The two most stressed states according to the study are, in order, New Mexico and Nevada. At the other end of the spectrum, the least stressed state in the country is Nebraska.

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A new batch of newly declassified files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy were recently released. What new revelations were contained in those documents? LSU Honors College Dean Jonathan Earle, an expert in U.S. political history and on conspiracy theories, says those newly released files likely do not change anything.

Cut 13 (08)  “…these 60 years.”

Earle says one reason why these files have remained under lock and key for so long is because the intelligence agencies have been trying to save face.

Cut 14 (14) “…the Cold War.”

Earle says one thing that the documents did not show was any connection that Jack Ruby had with the assassination of President Kennedy.

Cut 15 (12) “…of the assassination.”

Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald on live national television two days after Kennedy was killed. Numerous investigations have concluded that Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy to death from the sixth floor of what was then known as the Texas Schoolbook Depository in Dallas.

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Bill Armstrong is the new head men’s basketball coach at McNeese. Armstrong was an assistant at Baylor last season and he was the associate head coach for Will Wade when the two were at LSU. It’s the first head coaching job for Armstrong and he says it’s the perfect place to start his head coaching career…

Cut 16 (17) “…getting that third.”

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Offensive tackle Will Campbell’s arms measured 33 inches at LSU Pro Day, which was a little longer than the measurements taken at the NFL draft combine last month. Campbell says his arms did not grow over the last month. He says the measurements were messed up at the combine. A minimum of 34 inches is standard for offensive tackles in the NFL, but Campbell doesn’t think it matters…

Cut 17 (19)  “…for a reason.”

Campbell could fall out of the Top ten because of his 33-inch arms or a team might move him to guard. The former Neville star says he just wants to get on the field, but offensive tackle is his preferred spot…

Cut 18 (20)  “…play tackle”

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The eight-ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against Mississippi State tonight at Alex Box Stadium. After dropping last weekend’s series at Texas, first baseman Jared Jones is eager to snap a two-game SEC losing streak…

Cut 19 (16) “…yeah” 

LSU is 4-2 in league play, while Mississippi State is 1-5 in the SEC. But Coach Jay Johnson says the Bulldogs have enough talent to end up at the College World Series…

Cut 20 (16) “…great weekend.”

First pitch is at 7 PM.