Governor Landry says people can expect a bigger refund when they file their state income tax returns this year, thanks to the legislation approved during the 2024 Tax Reform Special Session. Landry says among other things, the reform doubled the retirement income exemption to 12-thousand dollars, allowing a married couple over 65 to earn nearly 49-thousand dollars tax free

Cut 7 (09) “…every single year.”

A 14-year-old girl is shot and killed in Hammond last night. Investigators say as the girl was sitting in the back seat of a car, 18-year-old Trey Robinson was in the front seat playing with a gun; and when he dropped it, it discharged, striking the girl. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. says people – especially teens – need to know that guns are not toys.

Cut 4 (07) “…situations like this.”

Today is another no-burn day throughout the State of Louisiana. This, as dry conditions continue to persist throughout the state. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says within fires where there’s a lot of debris on the ground, especially in areas of large acreage, don’t think that you’re out of danger when you don’t see flames emerging – you could have a rekindle.

Cut 11 (10) “…burn for months.”

A West Monroe state senator is proposing a constitutional amendment that he says would restore accountability for judges and district attorneys who fail to prevent violent crime. Republican Jay Morris’ bill would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor. He says the governor would first suspend the district attorney or judge for up to six months.

Cut 13 (11)  “…two-thirds vote.”

Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana taxpayers should see higher refunds after they file their state income taxes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It looks like Ramesh Kolluru is the sole finalist to be the next president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The University of Louisiana System board will interview Kolluru on Friday and will likely announce he’s the next president. Kolluru has served interim president since November.

Wildfires continue to be a problem in Louisiana. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Doctor Mike Strain says the relative humidity is improving, so the air is not as dry, but strong winds continue to be a factor in fueling the fires…

Cut 10 (12) “….long ways away”

Strain says that means do not do any outdoor burning today.

Louisiana has officially kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky mudbug. Barry Toups, the owner of Crawfish Haven, caught and selected the lucky crawfish, who was named Tony after the legendary Tony Chachere, and Samantha Carroll with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board read the proclamation.

Cut 14 (11) “…onions and garlic.”

Crawfish producers are predicting a good crop of mudbugs this year.

Governor Landry says when people file their state income taxes this year, they will get a bigger refund. Landry says it’s the result of the legislation approved during the 2024 Tax Reform Special Session. The governor says the typical middle-class working family will save nearly 500 dollars…

Cut 6 (09) “…grocery.”

A 14-year-old girl is shot and killed in Hammond last night. Investigators say as the girl was sitting in the back seat of a car, 18-year-old Trey Robinson was in the front seat playing with a gun; and when he dropped it, it discharged, striking the girl. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. says Robinson is charged with one count of negligent homicide and should never have been handling a gun in the first place.

Cut 3 (10) “…on that responsibility.”

Today is another no-burn day throughout the State of Louisiana. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says as wildfires continue to burn, what the state really needs is rain. He says while no rain is in the forecast for the foreseeable future, there has been some improvement in conditions.

Cut 9 (12)  “…above the waterline.”

If a New Orleans-area lawmaker has his way, governors would be limited to two terms, period. Currently, two-term governors can seek re-election after sitting out for at least a term. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s bill would eliminate any re-election chance after two terms. He says Louisiana should not have to “recycle” its governors.

Cut 12 (07) “…a former governor.”

A 14-year-old girl is shot and killed in Hammond. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A scary moment occurred in a Baton Rouge classroom today as a gun went off at Istrouma High School. No injuries reported as the East Baton Rouge school system says the gun was accidentally discharged and the bullet went through the ceiling. Local TV stations report the student has been detained.

A New Orleans-area lawmaker has offered up a proposed constitutional amendment for the upcoming legislative session that would place a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again.

Cut 10 (08) “…across the board.”

Bayham says Louisiana should not have to “recycle” its governors.

The debate over whether the state should raise the minimum wage which has stood at $7.25 since 2009 will also occur in the upcoming session. State Representative Delisha Boyd says with no increases to the minimum wage in almost 17 years, some people can no longer afford to live in the state, especially in her New Orleans district.

Cut 6 (08) “…to be here.”

Pro business groups argue a higher minimum wage will lead to job losses and higher costs for consumers.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s the approach one New Orleans lawmaker is taking in proposing a minimum wage increase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Republicans and pro-business lobbyist groups have been successful in defeating minimum wage hike proposals in previous years. They argue a higher minimum wage will result in job losses and higher costs for consumers.

A Saint Bernard Parish lawmaker has filed a bill for the upcoming session that says once a governor serves two terms, he or she can not run for a third term. The legislation would mean Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not run for governor again. Republican Mike Bayham says Louisiana should not have to recycle its governors…

Cut 12 (07) “.,.a former governor”

Edwin Edwards and Earl Long served more than two terms as governor in the state’s history. It’s already against state law to serve more than two consecutive terms as governor.

After a chilly night last night, high temperatures will be returning to around the 80-degree mark for the foreseeable future. Todd Fontenot with the LSU Ag Center says that means the supply of crawfish will go up, and prices will go down…

Cut 15 (11) “…to grow more’

Still plenty of buzz in north Louisiana over Amazon’s announcement that it’s investing 12-billion dollars on a new data center complex. North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon says as a way to solidify its commitment to the economic stability of the region and its residents, Amazon is paying for all the upgrades to the utility system needed to power the data center.

Cut 9 (05)  “…stabilize our utilities.”

For the 10th year on the Tuesday after Mardi Gras, Louisiana officially kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky mudbug. Barry Toups, the owner of Crawfish Haven, caught and selected the lucky crawfish, who was named Tony after the legendary Tony Chachere, and Samantha Carroll with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board read the proclamation.

Cut 14 (11) “…onions and garlic.”

A south Louisiana lawmaker believes Louisiana’s governor should serve two terms and that’s it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The defending national champions suffered their first loss of the season. LSU lost to McNeese, 7-6, at Alex Box Stadium, snapping its 16-game winning streak, dating back to last season. Free passes did the Tigers in, walking six batters and hitting five more. LSU will try to get back into the win column Friday at home against Dartmouth.

One Louisiana lawmaker is making another run at raising the minimum wage in our state.  Democrat Delisha Boyd tried two years ago to raise it to 15 dollars an hour, but now she’s proposing raising it gradually up to ten dollars next year, then 12 in 2028, then 14 an hour an hour in 2031.

Cut 5 (07) “…the minimum wage.”

Right now, Louisiana’s minimum wage follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has remained the same for seventeen years.

If one New Orleans-area lawmaker has his way, state lawmakers will come out of the upcoming legislative session with a proposed constitutional amendment that would put a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again, but…

Cut 11 (11) “…set going forward.”

—————————
Crawfish season officially opened yesterday with one lucky mudbug. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

In an effort to reduce its ongoing budget deficit, the City of New Orleans is selling city-owned cars. New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso has said the selling of the vehicles was part of a campaign promise from Mayor Helena Moreno. So far, the city has reportedly sold 46 cars, at a profit of $64- thousand dollars.

One New Orleans lawmaker is taking another run at trying to get a minimum wage increase in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Wind Advisories remain in effect in many parts of Louisiana today and the threat of fires remains high. Ag and Forestry Commissioner, Mike Strain, says crews have battled more than 40 wildfires in Southeast and Northwest Louisiana since the weekend.  Two more forest fires broke out in Beauregard Parish just yesterday. Burn bans are in effect in many parts of the state.

——————————————-

A New Orleans-area lawmaker has offered up a proposed constitutional amendment for the upcoming legislative session that would place a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again.

Cut 10 (08) “…across the board.”

The help wanted sign is already out for Amazon’s new 12-billion dollar data center campus in the Shreveport-Bossier City Area.  North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon says there will be hundreds, many paying above 80-thousand a year…and he doesn’t expect Amazon to have to look far to fill those positions.

Cut 8 (08) “…taken up here.”

A south Louisiana lawmaker believes Louisiana’s governor should serve two terms and that’s it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A state representative from New Orleans is trying again to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana. Democrat Delisha Boyd tried two years ago to raise it to 15 dollars an hour, but that failed. This time, she’s trying a different approach.

Cut 4 (10) “…14 an hour.”

————————

The announcement of Amazon investing 12-billion dollars on a data center campus in the Shreveport-Bossier City area is still the buzz of the region – and now, the help wanted sign is already out. Amazon has already started posting positions at the data center on its website. North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon says there will be hundreds of jobs at very attractive salaries.

Cut 7 (09) “…two-year certifications.”

For the 10th year on the Tuesday after Mardi Gras, Louisiana officially kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky mudbug. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser granted the reprieve yesterday.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Tony the crawfish.” (applause fades)

Tony the crawfish, named for the legendary Tony Chachere (SASH-uh-ree), will live out his time at Chicot (“chico”) State Park in Ville Platte.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s the approach one New Orleans lawmaker is taking in proposing a minimum wage increase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A south Louisiana lawmaker believes Louisiana’s governor should serve two terms and that’s it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Crawfish season officially opened yesterday with one lucky mudbug. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

______________________________________________

A state representative from New Orleans is trying again to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana. Democrat Delisha Boyd tried two years ago to raise it to 15 dollars an hour, but that failed. This time, she’s trying a different approach.

Cut 4 (10) “…14 an hour.”

Boyd points out that currently, Louisiana’s minimum wage follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has gone unchanged since July of 2009.

Cut 5 (07) “…the minimum wage.”

Boyd says with no increases to the minimum wage in almost 17 years, some people can no longer afford to live in the state, especially in her New Orleans district.

Cut 6 (08) “…to be here.”

____________________________________________________

The announcement of Amazon investing 12-billion dollars on a data center campus in the Shreveport-Bossier City area is still the buzz of the region – and now, the help wanted sign is already out. Amazon has already started posting positions at the data center on its website. North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon says there will be hundreds of jobs at very attractive salaries.

Cut 7 (09) “…two-year certifications.”

Dixon says he does not expect Amazon to search very far to fill most of these openings.

Cut 8 (08) “…taken up here.”

Dixon says as a way to solidify its commitment to the economic stability of the region and its residents, Amazon is paying for all the upgrades to the utility system needed to power the data center.

Cut 9 (05)  “…stabilize our utilities.”

Construction of the data center campus is getting underway immediately, and it will open in phases.

______________________________________________________

A New Orleans-area lawmaker has offered up a proposed constitutional amendment for the upcoming legislative session that would place a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again.

Cut 10 (08) “…across the board.”

Bayham says this legislation is not targeting Jindal or Edwards — or possibly current Governor Jeff Landry, if he’s re-elected to a second term.

Cut 11 (11) “…set going forward.”

Bayham says Louisiana should not have to “recycle” its governors.

Cut 12 (07) “…a former governor.”

The late Edwin Edwards served four terms — the Cajun Prince served two terms in the 1970s and was subsequently re-elected two more times after leaving office following his first two terms. Earl Long served three terms in the mid-1900s.

______________________________________________________

For the 10th year on the Tuesday after Mardi Gras, Louisiana officially kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky mudbug. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser granted the reprieve yesterday.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Tony the crawfish.” (applause fades)

Tony the crawfish, named for the legendary Tony Chachere (SASH-uh-ree), will live out his time at Chicot (“chico”) State Park in Ville Platte.

Barry Toups, the owner of Crawfish Haven, caught and selected the lucky crawfish, and Samantha Carroll with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board read the proclamation.

Cut 14 (11) “…onions and garlic.”

Many people have been enjoying crawfish for several weeks, but the season officially got underway this week. And as the weather warms up, Todd Fontenot with the LSU Ag Center says supply will go up, and prices will go down.

Cut 15 (11) “…to grow more.”

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The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team clinched at least a share of the regular season Conference USA title with its win over Kennesaw State Saturday. Head coach Brooke Stoehr (“store”) said winning the team’s 38th conference title is a huge accomplishment.

Cut 16 (15) “…for our team.”

Stoehr said winning the program’s 38th conference title was not easy. She credits her team’s resilience throughout the long season.

Cut 17 (13)  “…four of them.”

With a win at Sam Houston this Saturday, the Lady Techsters would claim the Conference USA regular-season championship outright.

_____________________________________________________

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs men’s basketball team is coming off a tough 58-55 loss to Kennesaw State Saturday. Head coach Talvin Hester says despite the defeat, he was impressed with freshman guard Jaylen Fenner, who stepped in for the injured graduate student Scooter Williams.

Cut 18 (19)  “…the same time.”

Tech will play its last two home games of the year this week, as the Bulldogs host Missouri State Thursday and F-I-U Saturday. Hester says no game comes easy in the conference.

Cut 19  (17) “…first one’s over.”