The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote on Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill was 71-to-28. Glorioso’s bill has the support of several Democrats, including Jason Hughes of New Orleans.

Cut 13 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Not all of Glorioso’s fellow Republicans are on board with his bill, however. Mike Bayham of Chalmette says a hand-held cell phone ban will disproportionately affect a certain group of people.

Cut 14 (12) “…don’t have Bluetooth.”

Last year, a similar bill failed by almost the exact same margin, 71-to-22. The bill now moves to the Senate

National Democrats are reportedly urging former Governor John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

South Louisiana is not out of the woods yet with heavy rains. A flood watch remains in effect for South Louisiana through tomorrow. Some areas got pummeled over the last 24 hours; parts of Beauregard Parish got upwards of nine inches of rain.

More and more people are getting scam text messages claiming that they have an unpaid toll road charges. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says the scammers are becoming more sophisticated in how they trick unsuspecting people into following a link and paying what seems to be a small amount of money.

Cut 7 (10) “…geauxpass-dot-com.”

Mallett adds, if DOTD contacts anyone about unpaid tolls or tickets, they will only do so by regular mail and the letter will include a photo of their license.

The Caddo Parish Coroner has released the names of the victims in Monday’s apparent murder suicide in Keithville. Police say 64-year-old Judy, 29-year-old James, and 2-year-old Adalynn Sadler are the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th homicide victims in Caddo Parish this year. They along with 60-year-old Leroy Sadler were found dead of gun shot wounds in the Keithville home of Leroy and Judy Sadler Monday morning just before 7:00 a.m. The deaths remain under investigation.

The House has advanced a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso wrote the bill; he says distracted driving is a huge problem in the state, and it’s one of the reasons that auto insurance rates in Louisiana are so high.

Cut 12 (11) “…distracted driving.”

Glorioso’s bill also has the support of several Democrats, including Jason Hughes of New Orleans.

National Democrats are encouraging former Gov. John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026 against Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, according to The New York Times. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has spoken with Edwards about the race, but Edwards has not confirmed his interest. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards could say he’s ready to get out of private practice and back into politics.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for doing that.”

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Rayne Police Lieutenant Allen “Noochie” Credeur who was shot by friendly fire and killed in the line of duty Monday. A public viewing will be held on Monday, May 12 beginning at 9:00 A.M. with a funeral following at 2:00 P.M. at the Rayne Civic Center followed by a burial service at Arceneaux Cemetery.  Prior to the public viewing, a private viewing for family and close friends is scheduled for Sunday.

Scammers have turned to text messaging, inundating Louisianans with fake warnings and demands for unpaid toll road charges. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there’s only one way DOTD will ever contact you over an unpaid toll charge.

Cut 8 (07) “…your license plate.”

Mallett says watch out for scams and if you go to a website make sure it’s not a scammer’s site which will have an often almost identical web address to legitimate sites.

Last month during Love the Boot week, Keep Louisiana Beautiful supported recycling efforts in 27 parishes, picking up over 16-thousand bottles and cans, a 23-percent increase from last year. It was part of a broader statewide effort involving nearly 27-thousand volunteers. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says recycling not only keeps waste out of landfills but also conserves resources, saves energy, reduces pollution, and supports the economy and job creation, and says the problem can’t be solved overnight.

Cut 5 (09) “…in our state.”

A train derailed in Avoyelles Parish just south of Moreauville this morning. Evacuations are underway for nearby schools, homes and businesses and Avoyelles Sheriff’s Deputies say State Police Haz-Mat is responding for public safety. The accident happened around 7:30 this morning and LA 1 is currently closed.

A bill that would make kratom illegal in Louisiana moves to the House after passing the Senate S-B 26-to-11, split right down party lines. The author, West Monroe Republican Jay Morris, says kratom – sometimes known as “gas station heroin” – has already been banned in several places. He says he has heard many horror stories stemming from the use of kratom.

Cut 9 (12)  “…a legal substance.”

Morris says Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan (CROW-ghin) says he has treated more people for kratom overdose than those who have taken crack cocaine.

More and more people are getting scam text messages claiming that they have an unpaid toll road charge. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says that’s something that the department simply does not do.

Cut 6 (08) “…asking for fines”

Mallett says the scammers are becoming more sophisticated in how they trick unsuspecting people into following a link and paying what seems to be a small amount of money.

During Love the Boot Week in April, Keep Louisiana Beautiful supported recycling efforts in 27 parishes. The recycling program used a mix of pick-up and drop-off services, with 21 Louisiana Department of Transportation offices serving as collection sites. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says people want to live in clean communities and they deserve just that.

Cut 4 (10) “…they are proud of.”

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would make it a crime to possess and distribute kratom in Louisiana. Senator Jay Morris says while kratom can easily be purchased online or in many gas stations, the FDA has not approved it.

Cut 8 (11) “…substance abuse disorder.”

The bill passed on a 26-11 vote. There was testimony in committee from citizens who say kratom helped them treat their depression or helped with chronic pain.

At this time last year, John Foster was graduating from Brusly High School in West Baton Rouge Parish, now he is one of seven remaining contestants on American Idol. His high school principal Walt Lemoine…

Cut 5 (11) “…Addis, Louisiana”

SkyWest Airlines, the largest regional airline in the U.S, announces plans to build a maintenance base a the Shreveport Regional Airport. North Louisiana Economic Partnership CEO Justyn Dixon says the new facility is expected to create 150 direct jobs, averaging 70-thousand-dollars annually…

Cut 10 (07“…workforce base.”

The airline expects the base will be operational in the second half of 2025.

During Love the Boot Week in April, Keep Louisiana Beautiful supported recycling efforts in 27 parishes, picking up over 16-thousand bottles and cans, a 23-percent increase from last year. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says this initiative was part of a broader statewide effort involving nearly 27-thousand volunteers.

Cut 3 (12) “…was just amazing.”

The House Ways and Means Committee advances a proposed constitutional amendment that would give voters the opportunity to decide whether parishes should have the option to increase the homestead exemption by five-thousand dollars in assessed value. The bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Matthew Willard, says since the homestead exemption has not increased since 1980, people are getting priced out of their homes.

Cut 13 (10)  “…it’s not affordable.”

Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry spoke out against Willard’s bill. He says Louisiana already generates a disproportionately low amount of property tax revenue relative to other states.

Cut 16 (15) “…44-percent.”

A bill that would make kratom illegal in Louisiana moves to the House. The Senate passed S-B 154 yesterday on a vote of 26-to-11, split right down party lines. The author, West Monroe Republican Jay Morris, says kratom – sometimes known as “gas station heroin” – has already been banned in several places.

Cut 7 (09) “…grown in Asia.”

Addis native and Brusly High graduate John Foster is still in the running to be the next American Idol. He is now in the Top 7. Brusly High Principal Walt Lemoine says Foster is an unassuming star; and the first time he heard Foster perform, he says he never expected that voice from one of his students.

Cut 6 (10) “…out of him?”

Watch Foster perform this Sunday on ABC.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a proposed constitutional amendment that would give local parishes the option to increase the homestead exemption. New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says the homestead exemption has not changed since 1980 and since then property taxes and insurance costs have risen considerably and it’s forcing people to leave the state…

Cut 14 (11) “….their roots down”

The bill would need a two-thirds approval on the House floor to advance to the Senate.

SkyWest Airlines, the nation’s largest regional airline carrier has selected the Shreveport Regional Airport as its newest maintenance base and facility. This means at least 150 new jobs for the area. North Louisiana Economic Partnership CEO Justyn Dixon says SkyWest Airlines chose Shreveport as its new maintenance base out of 30 locations across the U-S…

Cut 11 (09) “…make their money”

Brusly High graduate, and now LSU freshman John Foster, is in the Top 7 on American Idol and continues to make Louisiana proud. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick has joined the Monroe Moccasins organization as an investor and partner. ULM’s Molly Fichtner is the Sun Belt Softball Coach of the Year. And the NFL Network’s Jane Slater says a decision is coming sooner rather than later for Saints quarterback Derek Carr on whether he’ll have surgery on his injured shoulder. Carr wants to avoid surgery, because he’s already had surgery on his right arm.

A substance sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin” is one step closer to being banned in Louisiana…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

At this time last year, John Foster was graduating from Brusly High School in West Baton Rouge Parish, now he is one of seven remaining contestants on American Idol. His high school principal Walt Lemoine…

Cut 5 (12) “…Addis, Louisiana”

Foster’s last performance was George Strait’s I Cross My Heart. Judge Carrie Underwood said it was a perfect performance.

SkyWest Airlines, the nation’s largest regional airline carrier, has selected Shreveport Regional Airport as its new maintenance base. The Skywest facility is expected to create 150 direct new jobs. North Louisiana Economic Partnership CEO Justyn Dixon says a project like this will keep skilled workers in the state and attract out of state residents looking for work…

Cut 12 (10) “..great opportunities”

SkyWest expects the base in Shreveport will be operational in the second half of 2025.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a proposed constitutional amendment that if approved by voters, parishes would have the option to raise the homestead exemption. Jim Patterson with LABI says while this legislation would lower your property taxes, other taxes would likely rise…

Cut 15 (09) “..taxes to others”

The bill’s author is New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says the Homestead Exemption in Louisiana has not increased since 1980, despite sizable increases in home values.

Legislation that would give parishes the option to increase the homestead exemption for property owners clears its first legislative hurdle. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

In other legislative action, the Louisiana Senate rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed voters to decide if the state should remove the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges. And the House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban handheld cell phone use while driving. The measure heads to the Senate.

SkyWest Airlines, the largest regional airline in the U.S., has chosen Shreveport Regional Airport as its 13th maintenance base, supporting its fleet of nearly 500 aircraft.  Louisiana Economic Partnership CEO Justyn Dixon says the new facility is expected to create 150 direct jobs, averaging 70-thousand-dollars annually

Cut 10 (12) “…power plant.”

The airline expects the base will be operational in the second half of 2025.

Addis native and Brusly High graduate John Foster has made it to the Top 7 of American Idol. Brusly High Principal Walt Lemoine says the world is seeing the real John Foster.

Cut 4 (08) “…model human being.”

Foster, now a freshman at LSU, has impressed the judges with his growth during the show..

One of the bills in the legislature getting the most attention is the one that would give the insurance commissioner the authority to reject rates he or she deems to be excessive, regardless of market conditions. It has passed in the full House and is now awaiting debate in a Senate committee. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple opposes it, saying he has already rejected insurance rates that he has deemed to be too high – several times, in fact.

Cut 10 (09) “…I exercise it.”

A bill that would make kratom illegal in Louisiana moves to the House. The Senate passed S-B 154 on a vote of 26-to-11, split right down party lines. The author, West Monroe Republican Jay Morris, says kratom – sometimes known as “gas station heroin” – has already been banned in several places.

Cut 7 (09) “…grown in Asia.”

Voters are one step closer to deciding whether to increase the homestead exemption. The House Ways and Means Committee Approved House Bill 271, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters to decide whether to increase the homestead exemption from 75-hundred dollars to 12-thousand-500 dollars in assessed value. The vote was 9-to-5. The bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Matthew Willard, says since the homestead exemption has not increased since 1980, people are getting priced out of their homes.

Cut 13 (10)  “…it’s not affordable.”

Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry spoke out against Willard’s bill. He says if you increase the homestead exemption to lower property taxes, the government will need to make up that tax revenue somehow.

Cut 15 (09) “…taxes to others.”