A Market Dynamic Research Group survey finds about half of recent visitors to Louisiana say it was a movie or TV show featuring Louisiana that inspired their trip to the Bayou State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says that translates to $2.5 billion in tourism revenue.
Cut 10 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

The Senate Finance committee is scheduled to hear Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt’s legislation today that would give St. Tammany Parish residents the opportunity to vote on whether they want a casino in Slidell. Peninsula Pacific Entertainment wants to build the 250-million dollar casino resort. Advocate Reporter Tyler Bridges says Slidell religious leaders are lobbying hard against the legislation…….
cut 5 (12) “…broken families”
The meeting begins at 9:30.

The FDA’s decision to ban menthol cigarettes in the U-S could have sweeping impacts on smoking rates and even a greater effect in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he would not have a problem if Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is removed as a committee chairman for his comments regarding slavery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Only one LSU Tiger was selected last night as wide receiver Terrace Marshall Junior was picked by the Panthers in the 2nd round and he’ll rejoin former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady, who is the offensive coordinator in Carolina.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says that this was to be expected.

Cut 9 (06) “..identified yet”

The first-ever Spring version of the State Fair is underway in Shreveport. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th fair they decided to host two this year.  And if all goes well, this could be the new norm.

Cut 8 (05) “…each year.”

In addition to the staple events and attractions, you find at the fall fair at the spring event visitors can also ice skate in the coliseum when the Mudbugs aren’t playing. The fair runs until May 9th

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana.  The CDC says the Brazilian COVID-19 variant is more transmissible and carries a higher risk of severe disease. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s likely there are other variants to be discovered.

Cut 11 (07) “more variants”

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to spend 230-million dollars from the American Rescue plan to repay loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt. The governor says he’s also proposing to use 400-million dollars to pay for road and bridge construction…

Cut 4 (09) “…has lagged.” 

The legislature must approve the governor’s spending plan.

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says their timing couldn’t have been better, the same week the governor partially lifted the mask mandate and capacity restrictions.

Cut 7 (09) “…exciting.”

Instead of canceling last fall due to the pandemic they moved the event to spring and will host two fairs this year.

The Saints continue to focus on defense in the NFL draft as they selected two more players on that side of the ball. In the 2nd round. New Orleans picked Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner, who was a first-team All-Big ten performer in 2020. He led the Buckeyes in tackles and forced two fumbles. The fourth round of the draft will begin today at 11 AM.

The Louisiana Health Department has confirmed two cases of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant in Louisiana.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Erik Picolli.”  

Lake Charles Police say it was 44-year old Kyner Gene Rollins of California who was responsible for shutting down the interstate for four hours Wednesday. Rollins was found dead in a hotel room at the Oasis Inn when a SWAT team was unable to make contact with the suspect. Police originally responded to shots being fired towards the I-10 around 5 am.

Governor John Bel Edwards has provided his input on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent.  Edwards says 400-million dollars should go towards refilling the unemployment trust fund, which is bankrupt, and the only other way to re-fill it is by taxing businesses.

Cut 3 (09)  “…a pandemic” 

All of this money comes from the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress earlier this year. The state legislature must approve Governor Edwards’ plan.

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th edition, they opted for both a spring and fall fair this year. So far feedback is positive.

Cut 6 (10) “…families”

The fair runs through May 9^th.

The state Health Department has confirmed two cases of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant in Louisiana. Eric Picolli has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Eric Picolli”

The Senate Select Committee on Women and Children, which has been critical of LSU over their failure to act on cases on sexual harassment and assault, will be on campus Saturday to hear from students.  The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in room 329, on the third floor of the LSU Student Union.

Governor John Bel Edwards has given his take on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent.  Edwards says 230-million dollars would go toward repaying loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt. The governor says he’s also proposing to use 400-million dollars to pay for road and bridge construction…

Cut 4 (09) “has lagged”

The Saints stayed put at 28 in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner, who played in 40 games for the Cougars, racking up 115 tackles and 10 sacks. Coach Sean Payton says Turner is a player they’ had their eye on.

Cut 12 (12) “was good”

Governor John Bel Edwards has provided his input on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent.  Edwards says 400-million dollars should go towards refilling the unemployment trust fund, which is bankrupt, and the only other way to re-fill it is by taxing businesses.

Cut 3 (09) “a pandemic”

Edwards another 230-million dollars would go toward repaying loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana.  The CDC says the Brazilian COVID-19 variant is more transmissible and carries a higher risk of severe disease. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s likely there are other variants to be discovered.

Cut 11 (07) “more variants”

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th edition, they opted for both a spring and fall fair this year. So far feedback is positive.

Cut 6 (10) “families”

The Saints stayed put at 28 in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner, who played in 40 games for the Cougars, racking up 115 tackles and 10 sacks.  While the team still has holes to fill on the roster, Payton says they couldn’t pass up on Turner’s potential.

Cut 13 (11) “in our league”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he would not have a problem if Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is removed as a committee chairman for his comments regarding slavery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to United Cajun Navy members a report of a body found in the water has spurred an emergency search and rescue operation, they received a report of a body floating by a rig Friday morning. Seven passengers remain missing from the SEACOR Power lift boat that capsized April 13^th.

Former LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the fifth pick, reuniting him with college teammate Joe Burrow. The two won a championship together at LSU.  Chase says he’s ready to grow as a player with Burrow at quarterback.

Cut 14 (11) “…will be easy” 

The first-ever Spring version of the is underway in Shreveport. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th fair they decided to host two this year.  And if all goes well, this could be the new norm.

Cut 8 (05) “…each year.”

In addition to the staple events and attractions, you find at the fall fair at the spring event visitors can also ice skate in the coliseum when the Mudbugs aren’t playing.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants to use 125-million dollars in federal coronavirus aid and distribute the cash to Tourism and Convention and Visitors Bureaus. He’s also asking the state legislature to allocate 20-million in federal relief dollars to the state Tourism Department…
cut 5 (08) “….our businesses”
The money comes from the American Rescue Plan and Edwards has provided lawmakers with how to spend 1-point-6 billion dollars of that cash.

Ja’Marr Chase will be a rich man soon after the Bengals used the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft to take the former LSU wide receiver, who is reuniting with Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Chase says he was not sure which team would draft him, but he says Burrow gave him a hint…
cut 15 (10) “…ready bro”
Rounds two and three of the draft are tonight.

The state Health Department has confirmed two cases of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant in Louisiana. Eric Picolli has the story
Cut 2 (31) …I’m Erik Picolli.”

An overnight shooting in Ruston has claimed the life of a teenager and a 15-year-old has been charged in his murder. Ruston Police say they responded to a call about an unresponsive juvenile and when they arrived, they found a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the head. A short time later, the other teen was taken into custody. No other details have been announced. Details on what led to the shooting have not been released.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to spend 230-million dollars from the American Rescue plan to repay loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt. The governor says he’s also proposing to use 400-million dollars to pay for road and bridge construction…

Cut 4 (09) “…has lagged.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health confirms two Brazilian variants of the COVID in the state. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Brazilian variant is one of now three variants circulating in Louisiana and getting vaccinated can help prevent mutations and infections of the virus.

Cut 10 (08) “…the other variants” 

Visit ldh.la.gov for vaccine information.

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says their timing couldn’t have been better, the same week the governor partially lifted the mask mandate and capacity restrictions.

Cut 7 (09) “…exciting.”

Instead of canceling last fall due to the pandemic they moved the event to spring and will host two fairs this year.

The Saints stayed put at 28 in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner, who played in 40 games for the Cougars, racking up 115 tackles and 10 sacks. Coach Sean Payton says Turner is a player they’ had their eye on.

Cut 12 (12)   “…was good” 

Governor John Bel Edwards has provided his input on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent.  Edwards says 400-million dollars should go towards refilling the unemployment trust fund, which is bankrupt, and the only other way to re-fill it is by taxing businesses.

Cut 3 (09)  “…a pandemic” 

All of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress earlier this year.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (06) “..identified yet”

The Brazilian variant is one of now three variants circulating in Louisiana. Kanter says officials getting vaccinated can help prevent mutations and infections of COVID-19

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th edition they opted for a spring and fall fair this year. So far feedback is positive.

Cut 6 (10) “…families”

The fair runs through May 9^th.

A bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products in Louisiana from 18 to 21 passes in House Judiciary 8 to 2. Denham Springs High School Assistant Principal Justin Wax says vaping and cigarette use among teens is an ever-growing issue.

Cut 7 (10)  “…away from this.”

The bill now heads to the house for debate.