We go back on Daylight Saving Time Saturday night. Not only is the time change unpopular, but it can also impact your health. Brooke Thorington has more..:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Bastrop cop is on administrative leave after a video turned up online showing him dragging a half-naked woman across a street toward his patrol car. Her entire lower half is nude. The circumstances of the arrest are under investigation, but his use of force is also under question.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves proposes federal legislation to create a special postage stamp featuring the nutria; the money from which would go to helping combat the invasive species. Nutria are known for eating cypress saplings and generally damaging the marshes. Congressman Graves…:

CUT 09(03)      “…on a stamp, right?”

Graves says the bill would also help with other invasive species across Louisiana and elsewhere.

The coronavirus continues to diminish in Louisiana. The state Department of Health reports only 142 new cases today, with 239 in the hospital statewide. Over the two year course of the pandemic, 16,887 Louisianans have died with the virus.

Another quick COVID note: Grambling State University is the latest to lift coronavirus protocols. As of today, masks are no longer required at Grambling. If staff or students WANT to wear them, they may.

The state Legislature convenes its regular spring session this Monday, and lawmakers have around 1000 bills to consider; ranging from teacher pay to expanding medical marijuana. Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) president Barry Erwin says House & Senate members will have a lot of work to do – sorting through the various interests and initiatives proposed…:

CUT 12(14)      “…transgender athletes.”

He also expects an attempt to throttle back the Governor’s executive emergency powers to be debated. During testimony today at a legislative panel looking into the roadside death of Ronald Greene while in state Police custody, a trooper told lawmakers he recommended to his C.O. that a trooper be arrested for what happened, but that supervisor did nothing. Senator Katrina Jackson says complaints of wrongdoing by troopers should be reported to an authority outside the LSP.

The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated $2.5-billion in extra disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes in 2020 and 2021. Before the vote, Kennedy explained where the money would go…:

CUT 06(13)      “…Louisiana ports.”

The amendment failed, but Kennedy and Cassidy vow to keep working to get the additional aid needed.

A Calcasieu Parish man is in jail after allegedly breaking into another man’s home and stabbing his dog. The victim says 33-year-old Robert Willis, of Moss Bluff, demanded $40 the victim owed him then stabbed his German Shepherd in the head and slashed the animal with a knife. He then threatened to come back with gun. Willis is now charged with home invasion, assault and aggravated animal cruelty.

Before passing a $1.5-trillion government funding bill this week, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment adding over $2-billion for further recovery from Louisiana’s hurricanes in 2020 and ’21. It was brought by our two senators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy. Cassidy says despite federal help already sent, there’s still a big need. He says he’ll keep doing whatever he can to help with the recovery…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…less well off.”

Congressman Garret Graves introduces a bill to create a special postage stamp that will help raise money to combat Louisiana’s invasive species – like the nutria, the Asian Carp and more. He says his bill has bipartisan support in the U.S. House…:

CUT 11  (07)        “…would be great.”

Nutria are known to damage coastal marshes and feed on young cypress trees – weakening the marsh ecosystem.

The Louisiana Legislature starts its annual regular session Monday. Lawmakers will discuss the merits of about 1000 bills. Council for A Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says look for teacher pay raise bills, medical marijuana expansion, more term limits for public servants and more. He says partisan squabbles are to be expected, as some lawmakers seek to lessen the executive branch’s emergency powers – due to dissatisfaction over the Governor’s pandemic response…:

CUT 14(09)      “…politically charged session.”

The session must end by 6 pm on Monday, June 6^th.

Gasoline continues to rise. The statewide average price for regular gas is now $4.15; up 2-cents from just yesterday … up 50-cents from a week ago and up 92-cents from a month ago. Diesel fuel is at a statewide average of 5 bucks.

Expect another cold blast as a front moves through the state later tonight, making for a cold Saturday morning and even colder Sunday morning. You’ll wake up Sunday to lows in the upper 20’s over most of the state.

Not only is the time change unpopular, but it can also impact your health. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The state legislature starts its yearly regular session Monday. Kevin Gallagher looks at some of what’s to come…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

______________________________________

It’s that time again to move the clocks forward this weekend and not only is the time change not very popular it’s also proven to be a health issue. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says DayLight Saving puts a significant amount of stress on your body.

Cut 3 (11) “…really important.”

Smart says if you can try to adjust your schedule Saturday night, Sunday morning to keep yourself from losing an hour of sleep, by either going to bed earlier or sleeping in. Smart says you also might want to lay off the alcohol this weekend.

Cut 4 (12) “…more stressful.”

Smart says studies show it take generally 24 to 48 hours for one’s hormone levels to stabilize thus reducing the risk of a cardiac event.

Cut 5 (10) “…time frame.”

Smart says emergency rooms tend to see a slight increase in cardiac patients surrounding the time change so if you have a heart condition do what you can to mitigate your chances of a heart attack.

__________________________________________________

The U-S Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated two-point-five billion dollars in disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes that hit the state in 2020 and 2021. Before the vote, Kennedy explained where the money will go

 Cut 6  (13) “… Louisiana ports” 

Kennedy tried to attach the amendment to a one-point-five trillion-dollar government funding bill.

Cassidy says he’s frustrated the amendment did not pass because there are hurricane victims who are desperate for money to rebuild…

Cut 7 (09) “…blighted neighborhoods” 

This could be the last chance for southwest Louisiana to receive disaster aid for Hurricanes Delta and Laura. Congress has appropriated 600-million in hurricane relief, but the money has yet to be released to the state. Cassidy says he’ll continue to do whatever he can to complete the process of recovery

 Cut 8 (11) “  less well off.” 

_______________________________________________________

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves wants to help Stamp Out nutria with help from the U-S Postal Service. Graves has introduced legislation that would create the “Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp” which would help produce funds to combat invasive species like nutria…

Cut 9 (03) “…stamp right.”

Nutria is known to damage coastal marshes and some nutria feed on seedling bald cypress. Graves says he’s looking at any way to eradicate nutria…

Cut 10 (11)  “..the state.”

Graves says his legislation has bipartisan support…

Cut 11 (07)  “…be great.”  

__________________________________________

The Louisiana Legislature convenes its regular spring session this Monday, and lawmakers have around 1000 bills to consider; ranging from teacher pay to expanding medical marijuana. Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) president Barry Erwin says House & Senate members will have a lot of work to do – sorting through the various interests and initiatives proposed…:

Cut 12 (14) “…transgender athletes.” 

Erwin says there are bills filed to give public school teachers a pay raise of up to $2000 a year, but there are a good number of other educations bills on the schedule as well…:

Cut 13 (09) “…in high school.”

Erwin says look for second attempts to pass bills vetoed by the Governor last year; like “constitutional carry” of concealed weapons, a transgender athlete ban and others. Erwin says partisan squabbles are to be expected, as some lawmakers seek to lessen the executive branch’s emergency powers – due to dissatisfaction over the Governor’s pandemic response…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…politically charged session.”  

The legislative starts Monday afternoon, with an address by Governor Edwards, then lawmakers get to work in earnest Tuesday. The session must end by 6pm on Monday, June 6th.

The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated $2.5-billion in disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes that hit the state in 2020 and 2021. Kennedy tried to attach the amendment to a $1.5- trillion government funding bill. Senator Cassidy says he’s frustrated the amendment did not pass, because there are hurricane victims who are desperate for money to rebuild…:

CUT 07(09)      “…blighted neighborhoods.”

Cassidy says he’ll continue to do whatever he can to aid in the recovery.

Daylight Saving Time returns this weekend and not everyone is happy about it. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says the change can lead to stress on your body. He suggests going to bed earlier Saturday or sleeping in Sunday, and you also may also want to lay off the alcohol…:

CUT 04(12)      “…more stressful.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves wants to help Stamp Out nutria with help from the U-S Postal Service. Graves has introduced legislation that would create the “Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp” which would help produce funds to combat invasive species like nutria; known to damage coastal marshes and feed on seedling bald cypress…:

CUT 10(11)      “…across the state.”

The fire chief in the East Baton Rouge Parish city of Baker is accused of stealing over $22-thousand in public money via a payroll manipulation plot. State Police say 49-year-old Chief Chris Hunt claimed and was paid for over 370 hours of overtime that he never actually worked – at a rate of over $60 per hour. He was arrested by LSP earlier this week and he has resigned.

The Louisiana Legislature convenes its spring Regular Session Monday. Lawmakers will have about a thousand bills to consider; ranging from teacher pay to expanding medical marijuana. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says House & Senate members will have a lot of work to do – sorting through the various interests and initiatives proposed…:

CUT 12  (14)        transgender athletes

Erwin says we can expect a second attempt to pass constitutional carry, teacher pay raises, a ban on pornography of college campuses and more.

Grambling State University is the latest Louisiana college to lift its COVID 19 protocols; particularly the mask mandate. Students and faculty may still wear a mask if they choose, but it is no longer required.

Today, the state Health Department reports only 142 new cases of coronavirus, with 239 people in the hospital with virus symptoms.

Daylight Saving Time return this weekend. Not only is the time change unpopular, but it can also impact your health. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01  (34)        “…Thorington.”

…and now today’s markets …

The U-S Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated two-point-five billion dollars in disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes that hit the state in 2020 and 2021. Before the vote, Kennedy explained where the money will go

 Cut 6  (13) “… Louisiana ports” 

Kennedy tried to attach the amendment to a one-point-five trillion-dollar government funding bill.

As motorists are trying to get the most out of a gallon of gas a possible with record prices at the pump. Triple AAA fuel analyst Don Redman has a tip for being more fuel efficient he says don’t let the gas light come on…and fill up that before you get below a quarter of a tank.

Cut 12 (12) “…tank is time.”

Triple-A says also says early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fill up, especially during the summer months.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves wants to help Stamp Out nutria with help from the U-S Postal Service. Graves has introduced legislation that would create the “Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp” which would help produce funds to combat invasive species like nutria…

Cut 9 (04) “…stamp right.”

Nutria is known to damage coastal marshes

It’s that time again to move the clocks forward this weekend and not only is the time change not very popular it’s also proven to be a health issue. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says DayLight Saving puts a significant amount of stress on your body.

Cut 3 (11) “…really important.”

Smart says studies show it take generally 24 to 48 hours after a time change for one’s hormone levels to stabilize thus reducing the risk of a cardiac event.

So, what happens next now that Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the U.S. House district map passed by the Legislature. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Option One for lawmakers, drawing up a new map – is unlikely, because the matter is about voter numbers AND where they reside…:

Cut 5 (14) “…as an alternative.”

Option two is to override the veto.

Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue files legislation to set up the legal framework for offshore wind farms, and he says we already have a skilled workforce, offshore wind energy development makes just makes sense for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (10)  “…to do that.”

A new survey by Triple-A says since we’ve reached the tipping point with gas prices, and motorists are prepared to make some changes. Triple -A spokesman Don Redman says the trend of carpooling will return and if that isn’t an option, there are ways to get the most for your gallon.

Cut  11 (12)  “…fuel efficiency.”  

And while prices are up at the pump the temps will take a significant dip after rain moves through Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says highs today will be in the low 60s in northern parishes and in the upper 70s as you move south and tonight the mercury will take a dip.

Cut 15 (11)  “…afternoon.”

Northwest and North central parishes could see up to an inch of snow today with the cold front.

The statewide average price for regular gasoline is up another two cents from yesterday to $4.15 a gallon. That daily increase is not as big as we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks. Triple-A says the statewide average for a gallon of diesel is now five dollars.

A new survey by Triple-A finds that 59-percent of Americans will make lifestyle changes with gas prices at a record high. David Grubb has more:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Temperatures are in the low 50s across north Louisiana this morning, but there’s the chance for a light snowfall later today across the state’s northern parishes. National Weather Service Meteorologist Armani Cassel says up to an inch of snow is possible…
cut 16 (10) “….the threat”
The rest of the state will see rain today and colder temperatures after the front moves through.

Will lawmakers attempt to override the veto by Governor John Bel Edwards of their Congressional District map, which has one majority-minority district? La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt is pushing for one…
cut 6 (12) “….in the Senate”
It will take a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate in order to override the governor’s veto.

With gas prices over 4-dollars a gallon, 59-percent of Americans say they will make lifestyle changes. That’s according to Triple-A. Spokesperson Don Redman …
cut 10 (08) “…carpooling”
Redman says 18 to 34 year-olds are almost three times as likely as those 35 and over to consider carpooling. Those 35 and older are more likely to reduce shopping or dining out.

After beating Missouri 76-68 in the SEC Tournament yesterday, Coach Will Wade was asked about the Notice of Allegations the school has received involving the men’s basketball program. Wade says they are focused on playing basketball…
cut 18 (14) “…with the investigation”
LSU faces Arkansas at 1:30 in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tourney.

Now that Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the U.S. House district map passed by the Legislature, what is the next step for lawmakers? Especially the Republican majority? “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says House & Senate members have two options: draw up a new map or override the Governor…:
Cut 4 (12) “…veto override vote.”
If a majority of both chambers vote for a veto override session, the regular session which starts on, Monday would likely be suspended in order to hold an override session.

A strong cold front moves through the state today bringing the state much-needed rain and the possibility of light snow in the northern parishes. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 14 (08) “…folks”
High temperatures tomorrow will be in the 50s, morning lows on Sunday will get below freezing.