Louisiana volunteers removed 566 tons of litter during Love The Boot Week 2026. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

Is it possible that gasoline prices have peaked? Here’s Joe Gallinaro.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

____________________________________________

Love the Boot Week 2026 was the largest litter removal effort in state history. Over 28-thousand volunteers logged over 77-thousand hours cleaning up litter across the state. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the program’s success is a sign of culture change in the Bayou State.

Cut 3 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

Volunteers picked up a record 566 tons of litter, planted trees and plants, and refurbished gardens across Louisiana. Nungesser says the program this year was a 480-percent increase over events last year.

Cut 4 (08) “…four-thousand plants.”

In September, Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful will also launch Love Our Waterways, a Louisiana waterway and shoreline cleanup effort. He says efforts to beautify the Bayou State and protect wildlife won’t stop now that Love the Boot Week is over.

Cut 5 (11) “…litter in Lousiana.”

__________________________________________

Is it possible that gasoline prices have peaked? Over the last week, the average price of regular unleaded in Louisiana has dropped 13 cents to $3.89 a gallon. Patrick De Haan, a petroleum analyst with GasBuddy-dot-com, says this is due to the optimism in talks between the U.S. and Iran in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Cut 6 (09) “…deal with Iran.”

De Haan says whether a deal with Iran is reached will have a profound effect on whether gas prices will continue that downward trend.

Cut 7 (09) “…right back up.”

De Haan says diesel prices are also coming back down.

Cut 8 (11) “…five-dollar mark.”

_____________________________________________________________

Many New Orleans residents, including Mayor Helena Moreno, have vocally challenged the viral Tulane study that stated that people should move out before the city is submerged by the end of the next century. Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans Executive Director Jessica Dandridge-Smith says the study was offensive and premature.

Cut 9 (11)  “…decision amongst community.”

Dandridge-Smith says the study used is abrasive and may not be accurate. She argues researchers did not account for the existing flood mitigation infrastructure in the city or the ongoing innovation throughout the Louisiana coast, and the study’s publication hinders progress.

Cut 10 (12) “…across the world.”

Dandridge-Smith, like many others in the Crescent City, says she has no plans of leaving anytime soon. She says headlines like these do not scare the New Orleans community but instead inspire them to prepare for whatever the future holds.

Cut 11 (09) “…never going away.”

______________________________________________________

The Senate Friday afternoon gave final legislative passage to the new congressional map, sending it to Governor Landry’s desk. The new map effectively eliminates one majority Black district, likely resulting in Louisiana electing five Republicans and one Democrat in November. ULM Political Science professor Pearson Cross says this was as predictable an outcome as could ever be.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the majority.”

Cross says in light of the Supreme Court decision that ruled the state’s current congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, it’s as if Republicans in the legislature had to speak in code when debating the new map.

Cut 13 (15) “…part out loud.”

Cross says once Governor Landry signs the new map, the plaintiffs in the case that led to this last-minute re-draw will likely file another legal challenge, but he does not expect it to go anywhere – at least not before November.

Cut 14 (13) “…largely Democratic district.”

The Senate has given final passage to the new congressional map, sending it to Governor Landry’s desk. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says once he signs it, the plaintiffs in the case that led to this last-minute re-draw will likely file another legal challenge, but he does not expect it to go anywhere.

Cut 14 (13) “…largely Democratic district.”

Many New Orleans residents, including Mayor Helena Moreno, have vocally challenged the viral Tulane study that stated New Orleanians should begin relocation before the city is completely submerged by the end of the century. Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans Executive Director Jessica Dandridge-Smith says the study was offensive and premature.

Cut 9 (11)  “…amongst community.”

Is it possible that gasoline prices have peaked? Here’s Joe Gallinaro.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

One year after vetoing a similar bill, Governor Landry allows a bill to ban balloon releases to become law without his signature. What was different about Harahan Representative John Illg’s bill this year is that it added balloon releases to the state’s existing anti-littering law, whereas last year, it was a standalone law. In his veto last year, Landry stated that it would have been impossible to enforce.

The clock is ticking to get the new congressional map onto Governor Landry’s desk. Yesterday evening, the House passed the map with amendments on a vote of 66 to 35. Now it has to go back to the Senate, so that it can take up those changes. ULM Political Science professor Pearson Cross says there’s too much on the line for Republicans not to get a deal done before the Monday six p-m deadline.

Cut 12 (11) “…new attacks lately.” 

Is it possible that gasoline prices have peaked? Over the last week, the average price of regular unleaded in Louisiana has dropped 13 cents to $3.89 a gallon. Patrick De Haan, a petroleum analyst with GasBuddy-dot-com, says this is due to the optimism in talks between the U.S. and Iran in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Cut 6 (09) “…deal with Iran.”

Louisiana volunteers removed 566 tons of litter during Love The Boot Week 2026. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, this is the first weekend of the Great Louisiana Fair.  It returns to Louisiana Downs for its second year, beginning today.  The fairgrounds will be packed with more than 30 state fair-style amusement rides for all ages. Plus there’s free live entertainment. The Fair runs through June 14th.

The Louisiana House approves a congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s majority Black districts. After about eight hours of debate, the vote was 66-35. Democrats say race should still be a factor in the drawing of a new map, but House Governmental Affairs Chairman Beau Beaullieu says that would lead to more litigation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is too much?”

Love the Boot Week 2026 was the largest litter removal effort in state history. Over 28-thousand volunteers logged over 77-thousand hours cleaning up litter across the state. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the program’s success is a sign of culture change in the bayou state…

Cut 3 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

Kids who qualify for SUN Bucks are starting to receive their benefits. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

UL-Lafayette is the only Louisiana school represented in this year’s NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Ragin’ Cajuns are currently the 25th-ranked team in the nation and were named as the three seed in the Starkville Regional. They’ll take on two-seeded Cincinnati at 6:00 tonight. The Bearcats finished the season with a 37-20 record and are ranked 24^th by D1 Baseball.

A new congressional map that would eliminate one of the two majority Black districts is one step closer to final passage. After more than eight hours of debate, the House passed the so-called five-one map on a vote of 66-35. Every Black House member spoke out against the map, including Dustin Miller of Opelousas.

Cut 12 (10) “…mean we should.” 

Democrats have said since Blacks make up a third of the voting population, Blacks should represent two of the state’s six Congressional districts for it to be a fair Congressional map. The response from House Governmental Affairs Chairman Beau Beaullieu:

Cut 14 (13) “…have to apply?”

The bill goes back to the Senate because of amendments added by the House.

Children enrolled in the state’s SUN Bucks program are starting to receive their money. The program provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months when school is not in session. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, says each eligible child enrolled in the program will get a one-time payment of 120 dollars.

Cut 4 (08) “…66-million dollars.”

Julia Letlow and John Fleming are squaring off head to head for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Fleming says his supporters are more excited now, and a poll that his campaign did after the primary shows him tied with Letlow.

Cut 7 (14) “…at this point.”

We’ve repeatedly asked for an interview with Julia Letlow, but her campaign never replied to our requests.

The Louisiana House approves a congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two Black majority districts. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The mayor of New Orleans has some choice words for the scientists who urge people in the city to start relocating with rising sea levels poised to swallow the city. Helena Moreno calls it “shortsighted and foolish,” saying through engineering, infrastructure and technology, New Orleans has become one of the most important cultural hubs in America. 

SUN Bucks benefits started going out this week and will be completely distributed by Monday. The program provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer when school is not in session. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, says if you’re eligible and haven’t received your money yet, it will arrive – there’s nothing that you need to do.

Cut 6 (07) “…your SNAP card.” 

John Fleming says Republican voters have a clear choice between him and Julia Letlow for U.S. Senate. Fleming says while he opposes carbon capture and sequestration, Letlow is in bed with the industry – and not exactly figuratively.

Cut 8 (11) “…capture and sequestration.”

We’ve repeatedly asked for an interview with Julia Letlow, but her campaign never replied to our requests.

Hours of debate over Louisiana’s congressional map ended yesterday with one fewer majority black district.  The map is being redrawn after the US Supreme Court said race played too much of a factor in the current one which has two majority-minority districts.  Democrats allege the map drawn by the Republican-led Legislature is so solely based on party politics, but House Governental Affairs Chairman Beau Beaullieu disagrees.

Cut 11 (14) “…two Democrat districts.”

But the fight’s not over yet as it’s likely the Legislative Black Caucus or a voting rights group will file a lawsuit to prevent the new map from going into effect once it has the governor’s approval. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says they also have other tools, just like the grassroots effort that led to the voting down of the five constitutional amendments on the May 16th ballot.

Cut 13 (12)  “…it all up.”

—————–

Despite coming in a distant second in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, John Fleming is feeling good about his chances in the runoff. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Gonzales woman who previously ran for mayor is facing multiple felony charges this morning after a shooting on Perry Lane left a man hospitalized.  Hammond Police  identified the suspect as 58 year old Kemlyn Lomas of Gonzales. Lomas ran for mayor of Gonzales in 2024 and advanced to the runoff, where she was defeated. She currently serves on the Gonzales Planning and Zoning Commission.

After a debate that lasted about eight hours, the Louisiana House approved a Congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s existing majority Black districts. The vote was 66-35. The Republican-led legislature is drawing a new map because the U.S. Supreme Court says race played too much of a factor in the current map. Democrats say race should still be a factor in the drawing of a new map, but House Governmental Affairs Chairman Beau Beaullieu says that would lead to more litigation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is too much?”

Every Black member of the Louisiana House spoke in opposition to the legislation, including Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller.

Cut 12 (10) “…mean we should.”

———————
The Shreveport grandmother accused of starting a fire that led to the deaths of her two young granddaughters was in court yesterday.  Rita Montgomery pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and other charges.  The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 16.

The program that provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months has begun sending out the one-time payments of 120 dollors to recipients.  SUN BUCKS can be used on any SNAP-eligible food items, and that does not include hot prepared food, energy drinks, soda, candy or any other junk food.  And Economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, Tim Jenkins says there is a time limit to use the benefit.

Cut 5 (10) “…cannot be recovered.”

The Louisiana House approves a congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two Black majority districts. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, this is the first weekend of he Great Louisiana Fair.  It returns to Louisiana Downs for its second year, beginning today.  The fairgrounds will be packed with more than 30 state fair-style amusement rides for all ages. Plus there’s free live entertainment. The Fair runs through June 14^th.

——————

With the incumbent out of the race, Julia Letlow and John Fleming are now squaring off head to head for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Fleming says his supporters are more excited now with the results of a poll his campaign did after the primary.

Cut 7 (14) “…at this point.”

Louisiana Radio Network has repeatedly asked for an interview with Julia Letlow, but her campaign has not replied to our requests.

Children enrolled in the state’s SUN Bucks program are starting to receive their money. The program provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, says each eligible child enrolled in the program will get a one-time payment of 120 dollars.

Cut 4 (08) “…66-million dollars.”

Kids who qualify for SUN Bucks are starting to receive their benefits. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Despite coming in a distant second in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, John Fleming is feeling good about his chances in the runoff. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The Louisiana House approves a congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two Black majority districts. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________________________________________

Children enrolled in the state’s SUN Bucks program are starting to receive their money. The program provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months when school is not in session. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, says each eligible child enrolled in the program will get a one-time payment of 120 dollars.

Cut 4 (08) “…66-million dollars.”

That money can be used on any SNAP-eligible food items. They may not be used to buy hot prepared food, energy drinks, soda, candy or any other junk food. Jenkins says there is a time limit to use the benefit.

Cut 5 (10) “…cannot be recovered.”

Jenkins says most eligible children don’t need to do anything in order to receive SUN Bucks.

Cut 6 (10) “…a new one.”

The state expects to distribute all SUN Bucks benefits by Monday. There’s a link with more information on the Louisiana Department of Health’s webpage.

____________________________________________________

And then, there were two. With the incumbent out of the race, Julia Letlow and John Fleming are now squaring off head to head for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Fleming says his supporters are more excited now, and a poll that his campaign did after the primary shows him tied with Letlow.

Cut 7 (14) “…at this point.”

Fleming says while he opposes carbon capture and sequestration, Letlow is in bed with the industry – and not exactly figuratively.

Cut 8 (11) “…capture and sequestration.”

Fleming says while Letlow certainly has a well-financed campaign, his campaign finance strategy has not changed since he launched his Senate run a year and a half ago – and you will see and hear plenty of ads from his campaign between now and June 27th.

Cut 9 (09)  “…up as well.”

Louisiana Radio Network has repeatedly asked for an interview with Julia Letlow through her campaign, but her campaign never replied to our requests.

____________________________________________________

After a debate that lasted about eight hours, the Louisiana House approved a Congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s majority Black districts. The vote was 66-35. The Republican-led legislature is drawing a new map because the U.S. Supreme Court says race played too much of a factor in the current map, which resulted in two majority-minority districts. Democrats says race should still be a factor in the drawing of a new map, but House Governmental Affairs Chairman Beau Beaullieu says that would lead to more litigation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is too much?”

The proposal will most likely result in Republicans representing five of the state’s six Congressional districts.

Democrats allege the map drawn by the Republican-led Legislature is so solely based on party politics, but Beaullieu disagrees.

Cut 11 (14) “…two Democrat districts.”

Every Black member of the Louisiana House spoke in opposition to the legislation, including Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller.

Cut 12 (10) “…mean we should.”

Black lawmakers have opposed this map every step of the way, but they did not have the votes to stop it from going to the governor’s desk. It’s likely the Legislative Black Caucus or a voting rights group will file a lawsuit to prevent it from going into effect after Landry signs into the law.

New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says they also have other tools, just like the grassroots effort that led to the voting down of the five constitutional amendments on the May 16th ballot.

Cut 13 (12)  “…it all up.”

Democrats have said since Blacks make up a third of the Black voting population, Blacks should represent two of the state’s six Congressional districts for it to be a fair Congressional map. Beaullieu’s response:

Cut 14 (13) “…have to apply?”

____________________________________________________

The Saints have wrapped up their first two days of Organized Team Activities in Metairie. Head Coach Kellen Moore says he really likes what he sees in his receivers.

Cut 15 (22) “…find the matchups.”

Moore says rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson, who had battled injuries throughout his college career, was limited during rookie mini camp, and his volume is still being controlled during OTAs.

Cut 16 (11) “…lot of them.”

Moore says now that Tyler Shough is fully entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback without any quarterback competition to navigate through, he’s expecting big things out of him this season.

Cut 17 (24)  “…build it together.”

The Saints resume OTAs Monday.