The NFIB’s jobs report has found that 34-percent of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in April, down six points from March, the lowest since January 2021. NFIB state director Leah Long says it’s not just skilled workers that small businesses are having trouble finding…

Cut 11 (07) “….unskilled labor”

Job openings were the highest in construction, transportation and manufacturing sectors.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state has already surpassed last year’s total number for whooping cough cases. L-D-H has identified 164 cases in the first four months of 2025, last year there was a total of 153 cases. Two infants have also died from pertussis, the first reported deaths in Louisiana since 2018. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness…

Cut 14 (12) “….getting the disease”

Louisiana’s honeybee populations is experiencing its worst decline on record, with beekeepers reporting a staggering 60-percent loss in colonies. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The U-S Coast Guard says crews have successfully stopped the flow of oil and natural gas from an old well off the coast in lower Plaquemines Parish. The leak was first reported on April 26^th and it’s unknown how much oil discharged from the Spectrum OpCo well at the Garden Island Bay Production facility. Cleanup efforts are ongoing.

Whooping cough cases are on the rise in Louisiana. Jeanne (ZHAHN) Burns reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

The city of Lake Charles will have a new mayor as former city council member Marshall Simien, an independent defeated incumbent and Republican Nic Hunter. Bastrop will also have a new mayor as Democrat Mark Moore easily defeated the Democratic incumbent Betty Olive. And Independent Michael Harris defeated Republican Danny Reynolds by ten votes to be the new mayor in DeRidder.

This year, Louisiana’s honeybee populations are experiencing their worst decline on record, with beekeepers reporting a staggering 60-percent loss in colonies. Louisiana Beekeepers Association VP Kevin Langley says this collapse threatens not only local ecosystems but also national food supplies, as bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops.

Cut 7 (12) “…in California.”

Langley attributes the decline in the honeybee population to pesticide use, habitat loss, and disease.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles says it has made significant progress in helping residents prepare for the May 7th REAL ID enforcement date. Acting Deputy Commissioner Matthew Boudreaux says over 1.2 million Louisianans have received a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card through outreach efforts, expanded services, and public engagement.

Cut 4 (09) “…REAL ID credentials.”

Starting on Wednesday, a REAL ID is needed to enter a federal building or to fly domestically.

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Jeanne Burns.

The Make America Healthy Again legislation is moving through the Legislature. Last week, we told you about Covington Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to ban schools from serving ultra processed foods at lunch. The legislation would also prohibit SNAP recipients from using their food stamps to purchase soda. That legislation received approval from the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on a four to three vote.

The Senate has already passed a bill that would ban fluoride in public water systems. Houma Republican Senator Mike Fesi says informed consent is his major issue with fluoride in the drinking water. He says you’re forced to take something you may not want…

Cut 30 (14) “…you drink”

Dentists oppose Fesi’s bill as they say fluoride in the water can reduce tooth decay. Baton Rouge pediatric dentist Robert Delarosa…

Cut 18 (18) “…with special needs”

But Fesi says studies have shown that fluoride causes other health problems…

Cut 20 (21) “…for your brain”

Fesi’s bill awaits debate in the House. If it receives approval from the lower chamber, it will head to the governor’s desk and Jeff Landry is expected to sign it. Louisiana’s fluoride ban would go into effect January 1^st.

One child is dead after being found locked in car seats inside a Webster Parish home with no adult supervision. Minden Police were called to the house Thursday morning after someone found two children alone, one of them unresponsive.  Minden Police Chief Jared McIver says investigators also want to know who was supposed to be home supervising the children.

Cut 4 (10) “…that’s just negligence.”

We’re told the other child, a ten month old, was uninjured.

Advocates gathered outside the State Capitol this week to draw attention to food insecurity. Pat VanBurkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says they especially wanted to let state lawmakers know that many things affect hunger like wages and cuts to Medicaid. He says one thing that doesn’t nearly get enough attention is hunger on college campuses.

Cut 10 (07) “…having more food.”

——————————-

The Coast Guard has been brought in to help control an oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Tens of thousands of gallons of oil have uncontrollably gushed out of an old well off the coast. Coast Guard Lieutenant Phillip VanderWeit says crews are working non-stop to get the leak under control, acknowledging this is a serious spill.

Cut 15 (16) “…from the environment.”

And don’t forget it’s election day for about half of Louisiana. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says several areas will hold runoff elections from earlier primaries, while others will vote on sales taxes, millages, bonds, and charter amendments.

Cut 6 (13) “…in your area.”

Two children were found locked in car seats inside a house in Webster Parish with no adult supervision, and one of them has died. Minden Police were called to the house mid-morning Thursday on a report of a two-year-old child being found unresponsive inside the house. The girl could not be resuscitated. Minden Police Chief Jared McIver…

Cut 3 (12) “…off the airway.” 

The second child who’s ten months old was uninjured.

Advocates gathered outside the State Capitol this week to draw attention to food insecurity. Pat VanBurkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says they especially wanted to let state lawmakers know that many things affect hunger

Cut 9 (10)  “…their hunger issues.”

—————————-

Voters in about half of Louisiana’s parishes will head to the polls today to elect local officials and decide on various ballot proposals. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says several areas will hold runoff elections from earlier primaries, while others will vote on sales taxes, millages, bonds, and charter amendments.

Cut 8 (08) “…gonna be on there.”

Polls close tonight at eight.

Crawfish prices are at their lowest level of the season. That’s according to the Crawfish-App. Co-founder Laney King. She says prices dropped 50-cents per pound after Easter and they’ve held steady entering the first weekend of May. She says consumers can purchase a sack of crawfish for under 100-dollars…

Cut 13 (09)  “…$4.89 a pound” 

Police in Minden are investigating the death of a toddler inside a home. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Voters in about half of Louisiana’s parishes will head to the polls today to cast their ballots. In Lake Charles and DeRidder, there are mayoral races today. And Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says New Orleans area voters also have items on their ballot..

Cut 7 (09) “…all over the state.”

—————————-

The Coast Guard has been brought in to help control an oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Tens of thousands of gallons of oil have uncontrollably gushed out of an old well off the coast. Coast Guard Lieutenant Phillip VanderWeit says crews are working non-stop to get the leak under control.

Cut 14 (09) “…to the environment.”

Crawfish prices are at their lowest level of the season, according to the Crawfish-App. Co-founder of the Crawfish App, Laney King, says May is usually when we see the lowest prices…

Cut 12 (10) “…Mother’s Day.”

King says in the days following Easter, crawfish prices dropped 50-cents per pound and they’ve held steady entering the first weekend of May.

Voters in about half of Louisiana’s parishes will head to the polls Saturday to elect local officials and decide on various ballot proposals. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says several areas will hold runoff elections from earlier primaries, while others will vote on sales taxes, millages, bonds, and charter amendments.

Cut 6 (13) “…in your area.”

The Coast Guard is helping to control an oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Tens of thousands of gallons of oil have gushed out of an old well off the coast. Coast Guard Lieutenant Phillip VanderWeit acknowledges that this is a serious spill and says crews have collected 50,000 gallons of an oily water mixture

Cut 16 (07) “…feet on standby.”

———————————

Crawfish prices are the lowest they’ve been all season. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Advocates gathered outside the State Capitol this week to draw attention to food insecurity. Pat VanBurkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says they wanted to let state lawmakers know that many things affect hunger and federal budget cuts are not helping matters.

Cut 11 (10) “…a regular basis.”