6:30 AM LRN Newscast

State lawmakers begin discussion of Louisiana’s new congressional map this morning. Jeff Palermo has details.

Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The city of Shreveport marked the National Day of Prayer yesterday, with a special ceremony to honor the eight children killed in the Cedar Grove mass shooting last month.  Church bells rang across the city in a synchronized tribute to the young victims. A formal ceremony was held at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to lead the community in reflection.

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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. Shreveport Senator Sam Jenkins is the author of the legislation…

Cut 4 (07) “…classroom.”

The measure heads to the House as it needs approval from the lower chamber too.

The U-S Mint is commemorating America’s 250th birthday with redesigned quarters, a half-dollar and a new dime. U-S Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says you should start seeing them in circulation soon…

Cut 11 (12) “…historic nature.”

In all, five different quarters are being released. Two of them are our already.

LRN AM Newscall May 8

Emotions will be running high this morning when the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee meets to discuss a new Congressional map. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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. Shreveport Senator Sam Jenkins is the author of the legislation…

Cut 4 (07) “…classroom.”

Jenkins is glad to see both Democrats and Republicans are behind this bill and teachers will appreciate it…

Cut 5 (09) “…new child.”

Currently teachers have to use sick days or take partially paid leave to spend time with a new child. Jenkins says that is not right…

Cut 6 (06) “…illness.”

The measure heads to the House as it needs approval from the lower chamber too. When John Bel Edwards was governor, the legislature approved a law that gave six weeks of paid family leave to state employees.

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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.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee meets at 9 AM to begin going over the different Congressional map proposals. The map struck down by the Supreme Court had two majority-minority districts. 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.”

Duplessis is a co-author of a map that will be presented in committee today that has two compact majority-minority districts…

Cut 10 (11) “…hasn’t changed.”

No votes are expected today. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to approve a map early next week.

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The U-S Mint is commemorating America’s 250th birthday with redesigned quarters, a half-dollar and a new dime. U-S Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says you should start seeing them in circulation soon…

Cut 11 (12) “…historic nature.”

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. 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.”

Hollis 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.”

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The National Retail Federation says spending this 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.”

Grgich says almost half of all Mother’s Day spending will fall into one of three categories.

Cut 15 (11) “…at 4.4 billion.”

Grgich says different people will have different priorities when shopping for Mother’s Day gifts.

Cut 16 (10) “…at 39-percent.”

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The LSU Tigers begin a three-game series at 5th ranked Georgia tonight. The Bulldogs are 18-6 in the SEC and they are likely a national seed in the NCAA Tournament. LSU is 9-15 in the league and considered a longshot to make an NCAA Regional. Coach Jay Johnson says his team has nothing to lose…

Cut 17 (24)  “…this team.”

One of the Tigers best hitters, Omar Serna, is dealing with a back issue. Johnson is optimistic his freshman designated hitter will be in the lineup…

Cut 18 (19)  “…he’s playing.” (chuckles)

After losing nine straight SEC games, LSU has won five in a row overall. Catcher Cade Arrambide says the Tigers have found their confidence…

Cut 19 (17) “…doing it.”

First pitch is at 5 PM.

5:30 LRN Newscast

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed four-dollars and if you have a vehicle that requires premium gasoline, you are paying around $4.85. Triple-A’s Don Redman says if your vehicle needs premium gasoline, stay with premium…

Cut 8 (06) “…your engine”

The LSU Tigers begin a three-game series at 5th ranked Georgia tomorrow. The Bulldogs are 18-6 in the SEC and they are likely a national seed in the NCAA Tournament. LSU is 9-15 in the league and considered a longshot to make an NCAA Regional. Coach Jay Johnson says his team has nothing to lose…

Cut 17 (24)  “…this team.”

 

 

A show that examines the challenges facing Louisiana’s struggling shrimping industry is now available to be streamed at Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Producer Oscar Tickle says the show is called Empty Boats, Foreign Shrimp…

Cut 3 (13) “…and regulations”

Tickle says an influx of imported shrimp has steadily driven down the value of the local catch.

Ochsner is expanding Eat Fit food options across its hospitals and clinics. So if you are at an Ochsner facility and looking for something healthy and affordable to eat, look for the Eat Fit seal at their cafes and micro-markets…

Cut 10 (09) “…will be discounted

You can find more information by downloading the Eat Fit app.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against the Georgia Bulldogs tomorrow. Sophomore right hander William Schmidt will get the start on the mound for the Tigers. Schmidt has had his struggles this season, but last time out, he allowed just one run on five hits in six innings. Tigers Pitching coach Nate Yeskie…

Cut 17 (21) “…of the stretch”

Schmidt and the rest of LSU’s pitchers will face a dangerous line-up in Athens this weekend. The Bulldogs team batting average is fourth best in the nation and they lead the country in home runs with 131. A series win for the Tigers and it puts them back on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament.

 

Michigan State guard Divine Ugochukwu (OO-goh-CHOO-koo) publicly committed to the LSU Tigers today. He’s six-foot-three, 195 pounds and averaged five points a game last season for the Spartans. Ugochukwu started 12 games for Michigan State and the Spartans went 11-1. He suffered a foot injury in early February that ended his season.

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament is expanding from 68 teams to 76 teams. That means Tuesday and Wednesday of men’s tournament will feature 12 games played by 24 teams in two different cities.

McNeese softball is two wins away from reaching the NCAA Tournament. The Cowgirls begin a best out of three Southland Championship series against Lamar tonight.

On the baseball side, The Southland Conference will begin the final weekend of its regular season tonight. First place Southeastern hosts Nicholls at 6 PM and Northwestern State visits McNeese State.

4:30 LRN Newscast

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed four dollars for the first time since 2022 in Louisiana. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the statewide average is up to $4.02, a 22-cent increase, from a week ago. Redman says the reopening of the strait of Hormuz in the Middle East is what needs to happen for gas prices to fall…

Cut 6 (09) “…the system.”

 

The Louisiana Public Broadcasting series, Louisiana Spotlight, explores the challenges facing Louisiana’s struggling shrimping industry. The episode is called Empty Boats, Foreign shrimp. Producer Oscar Tickle says it’s unfortunately an industry that does not have a bright future…

Cut 5 (08) “…non-viable”

Louisiana provides 40-percent of U-S Shrimp production, but the there are only about 15-hundred licensed commercial shrimpers.

 

Special coins are coming out this year in celebration of America’s 250th 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. U-S Mint Director Paul Hollis of Mandeville 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.”

Ochsner Health is expanding its Eat Fit program systemwide. The program is now available at all of Ochsner’s 31 cafeterias and at all vending machines throughout the system. Dietician Marie Page says the Eat Fit program encourages healthy eating.

Cut 9 (07)  “…at a discount”

3:30 LRN Newscast

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed four-dollars. It’s up to $4.02, a 22-cent increase from a week ago. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says when gas prices go above four-dollars a gallon, many families are forced to curtail their spending…

Cut 7 (07) “….economy”

Redman says if gas prices remain at or above four-dollars a gallon, a lot of families will choose to stay home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Ochsner Health is increasing the visibility and availability of Eat Fit menu items…

Cut 11 (10) “..which is great”

That’s Dietician Mari Page who says Eat Fit food items are now available at all of Ochsner’s 31 cafeterias and at all vending machines throughout the system.

 

It’s no secret Louisiana’s shrimping industry is struggling. The L-P-B Show Louisiana Spotlight explores the challenges facing the industry. Joe Gallinaro has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The University of Louisiana System has named three semifinalists to be the next president at McNeese State University. The three semifinalists are Doctor Dee Anderson, who is the Vice Chancellor of Student live at the University of Nebraska, Doctor Wayne Brumfield, who has worked at several Louisiana universities and state senator Mike Reese

LRN PM Newscall May 7

It’s no secret Louisiana’s shrimping industry is struggling. The L-P-B Show Louisiana Spotlight explores the challenges facing the industry. Joe Gallinaro has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed four-dollars for the first time since 2022. Joe Gallinaro has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

____________________________________________

A show that examines the challenges facing Louisiana’s struggling shrimping industry is now available to be streamed at Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Producer Oscar Tickle says the show is called Empty Boats, Foreign Shrimp…

Cut 3 (12) “…regulations.”

Tickle says an influx of imported shrimp has steadily driven down the value of the local catch, making it difficult for shrimpers to stay in business…

Cut 4 (12) “…they are catching.”

Louisiana provides 40-percent of U-S Shrimp production, but the there are only about 15-hundred licensed commercial shrimpers. Tickle says it’s an industry that does not have a bright future…

Cut 5 (08) “…non-viable.”

__________________________________________

The statewide average price for a regular gallon of gasoline has surpassed four dollars for the first time since 2022 in Louisiana. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the statewide average is up to $4.02, a 22-cent increase, from a week ago. Redman says the reopening of the strait of Hormuz in the Middle East is what needs to happen for gas prices to fall…

Cut 6 (09) “…the system.”

Redman says when gas prices go above four-dollars a gallon, many families are forced to curtail their spending……

Cut 7 (07) “…economy.”

Motorists who drive vehicles that require premium gasoline are paying$4.85 a gallon of regular gasoline. Redman urges those drivers do not use regular or mid-grade gas instead…

Cut 8 (06) “…your engine.”

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Ochsner Health is expanding its Eat Fit program systemwide. The program is now available at all of Ochsner’s 31 cafeterias and at all vending machines throughout the system. Dietician Marie Page says the Eat Fit program encourages healthy eating.

Cut 9 (07)  “…at a discount”

Page says it’s easy to spot an item that’s Eat Fit approved.

Cut 10 (09) “…will be discounted.”

Page says they expanded the program following a very successful pilot program last year.

Cut 11 (10) “…which is great.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed four-dollars for the first time since 2022.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

An unprecedented 11 lottery players won either one or two million dollars by playing the Powerball on April 29th. The Louisiana Lottery says four of the winners have come forward…Larry Sheffield of Marrero, Antonio Bradford of Shreveport and Richard Boudreau of Denham Springs.

 

Ochsner is expanding Eat Fit food options across its hospitals and clinics. So if you are at an Ochsner facility and looking for something healthy and affordable to eat, look for the Eat Fit seal at their cafes and micro-markets…

Cut 10 (09) “…will be discounted

You can find more information by downloading the Eat Fit app.

The Louisiana Department of Health has released its annual report card on drinking water. L-D-H  Chief Engineer Steven Joubert says the water system grades can be found on L-D-H’s website…

Cut 14 (07) “…that report”

Sixty-seven percent of the state’s 909 community public water systems have earned an A letter grade, while 58 received an “F” grade.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Tomorrow, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will begin public hearings on a new legislative map, which is necessary after the Supreme Court declared the current map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says when all is said and done, Louisiana will likely send an additional Republican to Washington next year.

Cut 28 (09) “…safe Democratic district.”

Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Democrats believe the map should still have two districts that favor a Democrat winning.

Motorists are not winning at the gas pump. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has surpassed four-dollars and if you have a vehicle that requires premium gasoline, you are paying around $4.85. Triple-A’s Don Redman says if your vehicle needs premium gasoline, stay with premium…

Cut 8 (06) “…your engine”

 

The legislation that provides for easy cancellation of automatic renewal subscriptions continues to move through the legislative process. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 24 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Today in the Senate, the upper chamber 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. Currently teachers have to use sick days or take partially paid leave to spend time with a new child.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate has responded to last month’s fatal mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana–passing legislation that would result in a death penalty charge the next time a gunman fires shots into a crowd and kills someone. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh added an amendment to a House-approved bill that expands the definition of first-degree murder to such a situation.

Cut 10 (10) “…upon that person.”

The measure needs approval from the House before it’s sent to the governor’s desk for his signature.

The Louisiana Department of Health has released its annual report card on drinking water. L-D-H Chief Engineer Steven Joubert says there are fewer “D” and “F” graded systems — it went down from 105 in 2024 to 90 in 2025.

Cut 13 (10) “…seek to improve.”

Sixty-seven-percent, or 608, of the state’s 909 community public water systems received “A” grade.

 

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing tomorrow to discuss a new Congressional district map. Democrats are calling for the Republican led legislature to pass a map that contains two majority-minority districts, but ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says that will be difficult to do…

Cut 9 (09) “…thing in mind”

Streaming on Louisiana Public Broadcasting is an episode of Louisiana Spotlight that explores the challenges facing Louisiana’s struggling shrimping industry. Producer Oscar Tickle…

Cut 4 (12) “…they are catching.”

The show is called Empty Boats, Foreign Shrimp and it is the latest episode of Louisiana Spotlight.