The Landry administration has reversed course and will participate in a federal food program that provides 120-dollars per child for the summer to low income families. Appropriations Chairman Jack MacFarland was adamant on the House floor last week that the state should provide the three-point-six million dollars in order to bring down 71-million dollars in federal funds….
cut 12 (08) “…to do”
A DCFS spokesperson says more details should be released today.

Meanwhile, the state remains in limbo over its Congressional district map after a three-judge panel ruled that the map approved by the Louisiana Legislature this year was racially gerrymandered. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is planning to run in a newly created second majority black district…
cut 9 (07) ‘…them decide”
The Secretary of State’s Office says it needs a finalized Congressional district map by May 15th.

Legendary rock Band, the Rolling Stones, make their long-awaited appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Fest today. Michelle Southern has more from Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis…
Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment grew in this state by 65-hundred from February to March. And the not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 24-hundred from March 2023 to March 2024.

Senate President Cameron Henry says at the urging of state lawmakers the Landry administration has decided to participate in a federal summer feeding program that provides 40-dollars a month per child to needy families. Henry says the decision comes after a meeting with leaders of DCFS and the Department of Education…
Cut 10 (08) “…working together.”
In February, Governor Landry announced the state would not opt into the USDA Summer EBT program. But House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says this is a program that could serve as many as 450-thousand children, by only spending a few million dollars in state money.

A vote in the House on a bill that calls for a constitutional convention has been pushed back until Tuesday. A vote was expected yesterday, but the bill’s author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu added a few amendments to the legislation instead…
cut 15 (10) “…2024”
One of the amendments says there will be no change to the homestead exemption and another amendment takes out the provision that would allow private groups to pay for the convention that’s scheduled to begin May 20th.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says he’s still running for the 6th congressional district even though the lines of that district are still to be determined.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The big buzz around the capitol on Wednesday was the decision by a panel of federal judges to toss out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year that created two majority Black districts. The map significantly changed Garret Graves district.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Democratic Senator Cleo Fields is planning to run to represent the second Black Majority District and that’s still in the cards…

Cut 8 look like :09

A House vote on whether the hold a Constitutional Convention was tabled Wednesday. What was going to be addressed at the convention concerned several lawmakers. Author of the convention bill New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu, amended it noting the convention will protect the homestead exemption in the state constitution and that private funds will not be used for the convention.

Cut 15 (11)  “…2024.”

Senate President Cameron Henry says at the urging of state lawmakers the Landry administration has decided to participate in a federal summer feeding program that provides 40-dollars a month per child to needy families. Henry says the decision comes after a meeting with leaders of DCFS and the Department of Education…

Cut 10 (08) “…working together.”

Summer EBT officially begins June 4th.

LSU baseball found their offensive footing last night when the Tigers beat Grambling 26 to 2. The Tigers combined for 17 hits and 5 home runs in the game. White, Ruddell, Brown, Neal, and Travinski all homered in the game and the Tiger’s pitching staff only gave up two runs on the night. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson hopes that the Tigers newfound success will translate into what he calls a ten game playoff stretch when the Tigers will face Texas A&M, Alabama, and Ole Miss to finish out the SEC regular season.

Cut 20 (13) “… right now.”

LSU will take on top ranked Texas A&M this weekend in the Box.

—

In other baseball news across the state, Louisiana Tech is now on a six game win streak after the Bulldogs defeated ULM yesterday 8 to 4. The win is the Bulldogs third straight over the Warhawks and the Bulldogs have won 8 out of the last 10 games between the two schools.

—

The Pelicans won 49 games in the regular season, but failed to win a single game in the Western Conference playoffs. Pelicans star power forward Zion Williamson was not available for the Pelicans playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he said that a key factor in his improvement this season was having fun on the court.

Cut 18 (13) “… it’s something.”

Williamson played in a career-high 70 games this season and led the Pels in scoring with an average of 23 points per game.

—

And LSU basketball lands Richmond graduate guard Dji Bailey. Bailey won the Atlantic 10 Conference’s Chris Daniels Award which is given to the conference’s Most Improved Player. During his four years at Richmond, Bailey averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Bailey will join Cam Carter from Kansas State and Jordan Sears from UT Martin in the LSU 2024 to 2025 transfer class.

Congressman Garret Graves, who was among the plantiffs in the congressional map suit that was overturned, is pleased with the ruling. His district was altered to be a majority-black one. A panel will convene May 6^th to decide the next step for the fall election map, in the meantime he wants to look at ways to improve infrastructure and reduce crime in his district.

Cut 10 (11) “…themselves.” 

Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green says she will call for a vote to remove Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Green says she voted for Johnson to lead the House because he was a conservative, but his views have changed…

Cut 11 (13) ” …us recognize.”

Johnson says the motion is not good for the Republican party or the country.

14 people who were part of a large Pro-Palestine encampment on Tulane’s campus were arrested as police broke up the protest. Some protesters complained of injuries and NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says they will review surveillance footage.

Cut 7 (12) “…the other.”  

The university says most of the protestors are not affiliated with the school.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is looking to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Peter Robins-Brown with Louisiana Progress on what that means for medicinal cannabis in Louisiana …

Cut 4 (08) “..medicine.” 

Currently, marijuana is in the same classification as heroin and LSD. If approved, it would change from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves was among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the state’s congressional map, which was overturned because race was deemed the predominant factor that changed his district into a majority-black one. As the map remains in limbo, Graves says he wants to concentrate on more pressing issues.

Cut 9 (12) “…facing.” 

A panel will convene on May 6^th to decide the next step in drawing a map for the fall election

Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green says she will call for a vote to remove Mike Johnson from Speaker of the House. She’s upset over support to Ukraine and his relationship with Democrats.

Cut 13 (11) “…they want”

Johnson says the motion is wrong for the Republican party, and the country.

Louisiana is expected to see heavy rainfall during overnight hours. Bill Jacquemin has more on a flash flood watch for a large portion of the state….

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Bill Jacquemin”

State Police are investigating a prison transport shooting that happened in West Felician Parish around 7:30 this morning. A Catahoula Correctional Center inmate headed to Baton Rouge for court complained of a medical issue, and when they stopped the help, he struck deputies and reached for their guns. He was then shot by a deputy and taken to the hospital for treatment. Both deputies suffered minor injuries.

Congressman Garret Graves, whose district was heavily altered in the most recent congressional map, was among the plaintiffs who filed suit against that map that was overturned Tuesday.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

In a press conference Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green says will call for a vote to remove Mike Johnson from Bossier Parish as Speaker of the House next week. But Democrats plan to table the motion. House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar from California

Cut 12 (11) “…pressing issues” 

A motion to table Greene’s resolution would be a procedural move to keep it from ever reaching the floor.

14 people that were part of a large Pro-Palestine protester encampment on Tulane’ campus were arrested as over 100 police officers moved in to break up the protest up. The group set up an encampment on Monday after a march in support of Palenstine. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says after two nights of letting them demonstrate, it was time to go

Cut 6  (10) “…them room.” 

In a historic move, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is looking to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Peter Robins-Brown with Louisiana Progress says with close to 40 states having medical marijuana and two dozen with legalized recreational use….

Cut 3 (12) “…their ways.” 

Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green says will call for a vote to remove Mike Johnson from Bossier Parish as Speaker of the House. Green says she voted for Johnson to lead the House because he was a conservative, but his views have changed…

Cut 11 (13) ” …us recognize.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves was among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the state’s congressional map, which was overturned by Tuesday’s two-to-one court decision. They agreed that race was the predominant factor for the map that changed his district into a majority-black one. As for what’s next…

Cut 8 (12) “…new maps” 

State Attorney General Liz Murrill says the state will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court so the map lawmakers passed in January will stand.

Louisiana is expected to see heavy rainfall during overnight hours. Bill Jacquemin has information on a flash flood watch that’s been posted for a large portion of the state….

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Bill Jacquemin”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is planning to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug but that will have to be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget.  Peter Robins-Brown with Louisiana Progress says if approved it acknowledges the medicinal use of marijuana and at the same time recognizes that cannabis has lesser potential for abuse. The proposal, however, does not legalize recreational use.

Cut 5 (08)  “…the state.” 

The fate of Louisiana’s congressional map is up in the air again after a two-to-one ruling throws out the map lawmakers approved in January with a second majority-black district. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat describes the ruling as stunning and incredible…

Cut 13 (08)  “…this fall.”

14 people that were part of a large Pro-Palestine protester encampment set up Monday on Tulane’s campus were arrested as police broke up the protest. Witnesses say police outnumbered protestors two to one as they removed protestors in front of Gibson Hall along St. Charles Avenue. Some protesters complained they were injured. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says they will review video from surveillance cameras.

Cut 7 (12) “…the other.”  

The university says the majority of the protestors are not affiliated with the school.

After a closed-door meeting with legislators Tuesday, Governor Jeff Landry’s administration will be participating in the federal summer feeding program for needy children, reversing his earlier position. The administration initially said the state lacked funds needed to cover administrative costs of the program but last week, the House voted to include $3.6 million to cover it. At least 250,000 children will be served by the 71 million dollars in federal dollars and beginning June 4^th eligible families will receive extra $40 per month per child in EBT during the summer months.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is looking to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Peter Robins-Brown with Louisiana Progress on what that means for medicinal cannabis in Louisiana …

Cut 4 (08) “..medicine.” 

Currently, marijuana is in the same classification as heroin and LSD. If approved, it would change from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III.

The Pelicans won 49 games in the regular season, but failed to win a single game in the Western Conference playoffs. After being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, Pelicans executive president of basketball operations David Griffin says that there are still positive takeaways from this season like the play of Pelicans star Zion Williamson.

Cut 17 (23) “… intends to go.”

Williamson played in a career-high 70 games last season and led the Pels in scoring this season.

—

And LSU gymnastics star Haleigh Bryant is returning to LSU for a fifth season. Bryant led the Tigers to its first ever national championship last season, won the national all-around title, and owns the record for the most 10’s in LSU gymnastics history.

—

LSU baseball found their offensive footing last night when the Tigers beat Grambling 26 to 2. The Tigers combined for 17 hits and 5 home runs in the game. Tommy White went 2 for 3 scoring 5 RBI’s and Michael Braswell III stole home in the bottom of the first inning. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says that he likes his team’s offensive progress from last weekend against Auburn.

Cut 20 (22) “… consistent basis.”

LSU will take on top ranked Texas A&M this weekend in the Box

—

In other baseball news across the state, Louisiana Tech is now on a six game win streak after the Bulldogs defeated ULM yesterday 8 to 4. The win is the Bulldogs third straight over the Warhawks and the Bulldogs have won 8 out of the last 10 games between the two schools.