Debate got underway today in Senate Governmental Affairs on drawing up a new Congressional map.

Four past and present Black Louisiana Congressman testified in support of a map with two majority minority districts. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says it’s simple math, one third of the state is black, therefore Blacks should represent one-third of Louisiana’s House delegation…

Cut 13 (13) “…very basic.”

But the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is also considering map proposals with just one majority minority district or zero. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris is the author of these proposals and was questioned on how he can support a map where districts are set up so a Republican can represent every district in the state…

Cut 14 (11) “…six conservative districts .”

Two people connected with last month’s mass shooting in Shreveport where a gunman killed eight children has been indicted by a federal grand jury. U-S Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Zachary Keller, says one of men indicted is Charles Ford. It’s believed the gun Shamar Elkins used on April 19^th belonged to Ford…

Cut 9 (06)  “…shooting”

Ford was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents because he allegedly lied to investigators during questioning.

Michael Mayence has also been indicted

When it comes to being a state that’s friendly to working moms, Louisiana has its work cut out for it. A new study by WalletHub ranks Louisiana dead last for working mothers. Analyst Chip Lupo says the study ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions

Cut 6 (14) “…female unemployment rate.”

In the other two key dimensions, Louisiana ranked 50th in child care and 40th in work-life balance.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee held a lengthy and sometimes contentious meeting on Friday over proposed Congressional maps to replace the current one struck down by the U-S Supreme Court. The nation’s highest court called it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis urged the panel to approve another Congressional map that has two majority Black Districts, one in the Baton Rouge area and the other in New Orleans…

Cut 12 (09) “…principals

But West Monroe Republican Senator Jay Morris says the U-S Supreme Court decision said race can not be the primary factor in drawing up political boundaries, but partisan politics can be used…

Cut 15 (10) ‘…Callais decision”

Morris has map proposals that give Republicans a 6-0 or 5-1 advantage over Democrats. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will vote on Wednesday on map proposals.

WalletHub is out with its rankings of the best and worst states for working mothers. Andrew Greenstein reports to find Louisiana on the list, look to the very bottom.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU baseball will be taking on one of the best teams in the country tonight as they visit 5^th ranked Georgia, who leads the nation in home runs with 131. Coach Jay Johnson is asking his team to play fearless…

Cut 16 (05) “…afraid of”

First pitch is at 5 PM.

We are seeing heavy rainfall at this hour north of I-10 stretching from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge. In northeast Louisiana, the rain is coming down pretty good in the Winnsboro area. LSU health climatologist Barry Keim says heavy rainfall is possible throughout the weekend, but the chances of severe weather are low…

Cut 4 (12) “…the state

New coins are in circulation that commemorate America’s 250^th birthday. There are five different quarters that will be released. Two of them are out right now that feature designs of the Mayflower Compact and one that recognizes the Revolutionary War. US Mint director Paul Hollis says the half-dollar features a close-up of the Statue of Liberty and the dime is called the Emerging Liberty…

Cut 12 (11) “…nation’s story.”

The National Retail Federation says spending this Mother’s Day weekend is expected to reach 38-billion dollars, which would be a new record. Research Analyst Lea Grgich says Mother’s Day remains a priority for many sons and daughters…

Cut 14 (10) “…three years ago.”

Jewelry leads Mother’s Day spending at seven point five billion dollars, followed by special outings at six billion and electronics at four billion. Three-billion will be spent on flowers.

According to the personal finance website Wallethub, Louisiana is the worst state for a working mother. Analyst Chip Lupo says the gender pay gap is one thing that really stands out in this study…

Cut 7 (09) “…extremely difficult”

Lupo says Louisiana also ranked 50th in child care and 40th in work-life balance.

Public discussion began this morning in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on approving a new Congressional district map. So far much of the discussion has been on a redrawn map that has two Majority-minority districts. But Jeremy Alford with La-politics-dot-com says there’s a possibility lawmakers approve a six district map where Democrats are unable to represent any of the districts…

Cut 8 (09) “….favor a Republican”

A map is not expected to approved today by Senate Governmental Affairs. That’s expected to happen on Wednesday.

The National Retail Federation expects sons and daughters to spend a record 38-billion dollars on Mother’s Day gifts. Research analyst Lea Grgich says flowers remain the most popular gift and another popular one is jewelry…

Cut 15 (11) “…4.4 billion”

Be on the lookout for special coins that commemorate America’s 250th birthday. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Crawfish prices are up 50-cents a pound for Mother’s Day weekend. According to the Crawfish App, consumers can expect to pay $3.14 per pound for live crawfish and $5.52 per pound for boiled crawfish.

The Saints have signed their first-round draft pick. Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has agreed to a four-year, 32-million dollar contract according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would give teachers and other public-school employees six weeks of paid parental leave after giving birth, adopting or fostering a child. Right now, they have to use sick days or take partially paid leave.  The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Sam Jenkins, says that is not right…

Cut 6 (06) “…illness.”

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Special coins commemorating America’s 250^th birthday are already in circulation and more will come out as we get closer to July 4^th. U-S Mint Director Paul Hollis of Mandeville will be at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, also known as the old U-S Mint, from 4 to 6 PM today. He says the public will have the opportunity to purchase the circulating 2026 Emerging Liberty Dime and 2026 Revolutionary War Quarter.

Cut 13 (13) “…seeing them.”

It’s Mother’s Day weekend and have you gotten your mom that special gift. Jewely leads Mother’s Day spending and spending on flowers is projected to reach three-point-two billion dollars according to the National Retail Federation. Research analyst Lea Grgich says gifts of experience are also popular…

Cut 16 (10) “…at 39-percent”

We’ll see multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms this Mother’s Day weekend as a weak front has stalled near the coast and it’s interacting with a very moist air mass. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says multiple inches of rain is possible…

Cut 3 (11) “…welcome the rain”

Public debate on a new Congressional map is underway at the state capitol this morning. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says last week’s Supreme Court ruling that strikes down the current Congressional map opens the door for the Republican-led Legislature to approve a map that would give the G-O-P an additional seat or two in the U-S House of Representatives…

Cut 7 (11) “…Senate side.”

But Black lawmakers believe despite last week’s Supreme Court ruling that called the current congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, a new Congressional map could be approved that has two majority minority districts. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis…

Cut 10 (11) “…hasn’t changed”

No votes are expected to be taken in today’s Senate Governmental Affairs Committee meeting.

Legislation that would give teachers and other public school employees six weeks of paid parental leave after giving birth, adopting, or fostering a child has been unanimously approved by the Louisiana Senate.  Author of the bill, Shreveport Senator Sam Jenkins says this legislation strikes the life-work balance that teachers are seeking.

Cut 5 (09) “…new child.”

The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

The National Retail Federation says spending for Mother’s Day is expected to reach 38-billion dollars, which would be a new record. Research Analyst Lea Grgich says Mother’s Day remains a priority for many sons and daughters and retailers are ready to make Mother’s Day extra special…

Cut 14 (10) “…three years ago.”

Public debate on a new Congressional map for Louisiana begins this morning at nine. The congressional map the Supreme Court struck down last week gave Louisiana two majority-minority districts.  La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s a possibility lawmakers approve a six district map where Democrats are unable to represent any of the districts…

Cut 8 (09) “…favor a Republican.”

The Black Legislative Caucus believes that since one-third of the state’s voting population is Black, two of the districts in the state should be represented by a minority. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis believes that’s still possible despite last week’s Supreme Court ruling…

Cut 9 (09)  “…their choosing.”

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Be on the lookout for special coins that commemorate America’s 250th birthday. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would give teachers and other public school employees six weeks of paid parental leave after giving birth, adopting or fostering a child. Right now, they have to use sick days or take partially paid leave.  The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Sam Jenkins, says that is not right…

Cut 6 (06) “…illness.”

Public debate on a new Congressional map begins today at the state capitol. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says last week’s Supreme Court ruling that strikes down the current Congressional map opens the door for the Republican-led Legislature to approve a map that would give the G-O-P an additional seat or two in the U-S House of Representatives…

Cut 7 (11) “…Senate side.”

Legislation that would give teachers and other public school employees six weeks of paid parental leave after giving birth, adopting, or fostering a child has been unanimously approved by the Louisiana Senate.  Author of the bill, Shreveport Senator Sam Jenkins says he’s happy to see Democrats and Republicans behind the bill he believes will be appreciated.

Cut 5 (09) “…new child.”

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The National Retail Federation says more money will be spent for Mother’s Day this year than ever before. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If crawfish are what Mom wants this Mother’s Day weekend, be prepared to pay a little more for them.  Crawfish prices went up fifty cents per pound this week.  According to the Crawfish App, you can expect to pay $3.14 per pound for live crawfish and about 5>52 for boiled.