History was made at the Vatican. The college of cardinals has elected the first U.S.-born pope. Robert Prevost has taken the papal name, Leo the 14th. Loyola University Chaplain and professor of theology Dr. Tom Ryan says the election of Chicago-born Leo the 14^th was a surprise to him.

Cut 3 (11) “…American pope.”

The house approves a proposed constitutional amendment to lower state income tax from 3-percent to 2.75 percent. It would also double the standard deduction for those 65 and older. Bill author Julie Emerson says lowering the tax would make Louisiana more competitive in attracting business and residents while Representative Matthew Willard expressed concern about a decline in state revenues as state income taxes were lowered five months ago.

Cut 14 (11) “…state’s revenue.”

But Emerson says she knows Louisiana residents are begging for more tax relief.

The National Weather Service is facing serious staffing challenges with over 1000 employees leaving due to Trump budget cuts, which could affect forecast accuracy heading into hurricane season.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Road trips in Louisiana will cost less than in most states. Gas prices in the Bayou State are among the cheapest in the nation. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year.

Cut 9 (07)  “…$3.20 a gallon.” (Statewide price for regular unleaded is $2.70 a gallon)

In Louisiana, the average for a gallon of regular gasoline here is $2.70.

Authorities in Webster Parish discovered the bodies of former Registrar of Voters and her husband inside their home Wednesday evening.  Deputies were responding to a call for a welfare check when Melanie Smith and her husband Kenny were found deceased. Smith retired in December of 2020 after serving 29 years. Her husband Kenny was a retired local businessman. Little information is available, and autopsies are being arranged.

The National Weather Service has lost over 1000 employees since President Trump took office and many are concerned cities like Lake Charles, Houston, and Tampa are understaffed. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim warns that reduced staffing threatens accurate forecasting and the delivery of essential data which could result in less accurate hurricane forecasts and increased danger for Americans.

Cut 7 (11) “…real impacts here.”

Hurricane season begins June 1^st.

Louisiana residents might have a chance at voting for a lower state income tax. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Gas prices in Louisiana are among the cheapest in the nation. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year.

one reason is a drop in the price of crude.

Cut 10 (05) “…barrel right now.”

Statewide the price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.70. Redman says gas prices are expected to remain stable through the Memorial Day holiday and well into the summer.

House Republicans are looking to lower the state income tax even lower than the flat three-percent they did during the special session last fall. The House has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax to 2.75 percent beginning January 1st, 2027. Author Julie Emerson says lowering the state’s income tax again would make Louisiana more competitive in attracting business and residents.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to grow.”

Getting the gas gauge to “full” is leaving bank accounts less “empty” in Louisiana. Regular unleaded in the state is averaging $2.70 a gallon. That’s down 50 cents from this time last year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says for the sake of comparison, you can forget about finding cheap gas on the West Coast.

Cut 11 (11) “…$4.82 a gallon.”

The National Weather Service is facing serious staffing challenges with over 1000 employees leaving due to Trump budget cuts, which could affect forecast accuracy heading into hurricane season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Catholics in Louisiana and all across the country are hailing the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Late this morning Central Time, the college of cardinals elected Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago. He has taken the papal name Leo the 14th.

Cheers erupt in St. Peter’s Square as white smoke starts billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope – and for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, the pope is an American. The cardinals elected Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, and he has taken the papal name Pope Leo the 14th. His election happened shortly before 11:30 local time this morning on the second day of voting and the third ballot overall. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and theology professor Thomas Ryan says the timing is pretty much par for the course.

Cut 4 (04) “…to be elected.”

Gas prices in Louisiana are about 50 cents cheaper today than they were at this time last year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says one big reason is a drop in the price of crude.

Cut 10 (05) “…barrel right now.”

Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered to three percent at the beginning of the year, and House Republicans would like to lower it again. The lower chamber has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax from 3-percent to 2.75 percent beginning January 1st, 2027. The author of the bill is Carencro Republican Julie Emerson…

Cut 12 (10) “…some relief.”

The House approved the measure on an 86-13 vote. It will need two-thirds approval in the Senate and then it will go to the voters for approval.

“Habemus Papam” – “we have a pope.” Within the last hour, white smoke started billowing from the chimney atop the sistine chapel, which means the College of Cardinals has reached a two-thirds consensus on a new pope. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and theology professor Thomas Ryan says the process is very secretive to the point that the Cardinals tune the world out.

Cut 3 (11) “…praying with each other.” 

Hurricane season begins June 1st, but the National Weather Service faces serious staffing challenges. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, nearly one-thousand employees have left, leaving key offices in cities like Lake Charles understaffed. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim warns that this could delay critical weather alerts or spread inaccurate information.

Cut 6 (12) “…inform those models.”

If you want to see how good we have it in Louisiana, go to another part of the country and stop at a gas station. Gas prices in Louisiana are among the cheapest in the nation. In fact, Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year. 

Cut 9 (07)  “…$3.20 a gallon.”

A bill that would have prohibited insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. Committee Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Louisiana Progress Executive Director Peter Robins-Brown.

The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote was 71-to-28 in favor. Jason Hughes of New Orleans voted for it

Cut 16 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

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

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow students to provide contact information of a parent or guardian to universities and colleges so the school can call that contact if the student is going through a mental health crisis. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says there’s a need for this measure, citing a recent suicide at Xavier University…

Cut 5 (07) “….a different way”

The bill moves to the House for more consideration.

The House Education Committee approves a resolution that urges the SEC not to schedule any LSU home football games before 6 PM in September. Harahan Representative John Ilg authored the measure in response to last September’s LSU-UCLA game, which featured a gametime temperature of 90-degrees, plus high humidity, which made it difficult for fans to watch the Tigers 34-17 win over the Bruins…

Cut 8 (06) “….it to halftime”

ESPN has control of the game times and they have that control because of a three-billion dollar TV contract with the SEC.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

The committee also passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last September 21st, LSU was forced to play a home game at 2:30 p-m with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

Illg says he went to the game with a group of friends; only two made it to halftime.

The House Insurance Committee fails to advance a bill that would have prohibited auto insurance companies from using credit scores as a factor in determining insurance rates. Committee Chairman Gabe Firment asked the author, Baton Rouge Democrat Edmond Jordan, whether drivers with poor credit would actually see lower rates.

Cut 12 (07) “…40 years.”

The vote was 9-to-0; a tie vote means the bill does not advance. It’s unlikely that the committee will take it up again this session.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says REAL IDs are also required to enter certain federal offices.

Cut 15 (12) “…before you visit.”

Boudreaux says non REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses will work for everything else.

A proposal to prohibit credit scores from factoring into the cost of a driver’s auto insurance failed to get out of the House Insurance Committee, because the vote ended in a nine-nine tie. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of  Louisiana Progress.

REAL ID is now the preferred form of identification to fly domestically in the United States, so does that mean your driver’s license without the gold star in the upper right-hand corner is invalid? No says Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles…

Cut 14 (06) “…changes on that”

The House Education Committee advances a resolution discouraging LSU home football games in September before six p-m. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump is starting up a commission on college sports and former Alabama and LSU head football coach Nick Saban is expected to be named the co-chair. Saban has been a vocal critic of NIL’s impact on college sports and Saban has reportedly urged Trump to get involved in the reforming of NIL.

A proposal to prohibit insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to determine their auto insurance rate fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gas prices are down 12 cents from a month ago to a statewide average of $2.70 a gallon. That’s according to Triple-A. And the price at the pump is down 50-cents from a year ago. Louisiana has the second lowest gas prices in the country, trailing only Mississippi.

The House Education Committee started its meeting yesterday by passing a resolution that asks the Southeastern Conference not to schedule any LSU home football games in September before 6 PM. It’s in response to last September’s UCLA game, which started at 2:30 and it was 90-degrees. Harahan Representative John Illg believes all of Louisiana’s college football teams should play their games at night in September…

Cut 9 (10) “….month of September”

But ESPN is the one who schedules game times for LSU and they have that authority because of the three-billion-dollar television deal they signed with the SEC.

The House Education Committee also approved a measure that would give Louisiana college students the opportunity to provide their school with the phone number of a parent or guardian and that person can be contacted if the student is experiencing a mental health crisis. The bill’s author is New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd

Cut 6 (12) “…too late”

The measure heads to the House floor for another vote.

The House Education Committee passes a bill that would require universities to offer a privacy waiver to students that would allow schools to contact their parents during a mental health crisis. Sean Richardson has testimony from the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Louisiana Healthcare Connections says research shows one in five women experience a mental health condition and many go untreated due to stigma, lack of time or difficulty accessing care. Louisiana Healthcare Connections encourages moms to take breaks and practice self-care and there are telehealth services available for convenient, private mental health support.

A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. In Louisiana, drivers who have poor or fair credit scores pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad credit.”

The vote on Jordan’s bill was nine to nine, which means it does not advance to the House floor, unless another vote is taken, which is unlikely.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”