Cheers erupt in St. Peter’s Square as white smoke starts billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope – and for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, the pope is an American. The cardinals elected Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, and he has taken the papal name Pope Leo the 14th. His election happened shortly before 11:30 local time this morning on the second day of voting and the third ballot overall. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and theology professor Thomas Ryan says the timing is pretty much par for the course.

Cut 4 (04) “…to be elected.”

Gas prices in Louisiana are about 50 cents cheaper today than they were at this time last year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says one big reason is a drop in the price of crude.

Cut 10 (05) “…barrel right now.”

Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered to three percent at the beginning of the year, and House Republicans would like to lower it again. The lower chamber has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax from 3-percent to 2.75 percent beginning January 1st, 2027. The author of the bill is Carencro Republican Julie Emerson…

Cut 12 (10) “…some relief.”

The House approved the measure on an 86-13 vote. It will need two-thirds approval in the Senate and then it will go to the voters for approval.

“Habemus Papam” – “we have a pope.” Within the last hour, white smoke started billowing from the chimney atop the sistine chapel, which means the College of Cardinals has reached a two-thirds consensus on a new pope. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and theology professor Thomas Ryan says the process is very secretive to the point that the Cardinals tune the world out.

Cut 3 (11) “…praying with each other.” 

Hurricane season begins June 1st, but the National Weather Service faces serious staffing challenges. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, nearly one-thousand employees have left, leaving key offices in cities like Lake Charles understaffed. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim warns that this could delay critical weather alerts or spread inaccurate information.

Cut 6 (12) “…inform those models.”

If you want to see how good we have it in Louisiana, go to another part of the country and stop at a gas station. Gas prices in Louisiana are among the cheapest in the nation. In fact, Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year. 

Cut 9 (07)  “…$3.20 a gallon.”

A bill that would have prohibited insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. Committee Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Louisiana Progress Executive Director Peter Robins-Brown.

The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote was 71-to-28 in favor. Jason Hughes of New Orleans voted for it

Cut 16 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Last year, a similar bill failed by almost the exact same margin, 71-to-22. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow students to provide contact information of a parent or guardian to universities and colleges so the school can call that contact if the student is going through a mental health crisis. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says there’s a need for this measure, citing a recent suicide at Xavier University…

Cut 5 (07) “….a different way”

The bill moves to the House for more consideration.

The House Education Committee approves a resolution that urges the SEC not to schedule any LSU home football games before 6 PM in September. Harahan Representative John Ilg authored the measure in response to last September’s LSU-UCLA game, which featured a gametime temperature of 90-degrees, plus high humidity, which made it difficult for fans to watch the Tigers 34-17 win over the Bruins…

Cut 8 (06) “….it to halftime”

ESPN has control of the game times and they have that control because of a three-billion dollar TV contract with the SEC.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

The committee also passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last September 21st, LSU was forced to play a home game at 2:30 p-m with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

Illg says he went to the game with a group of friends; only two made it to halftime.

The House Insurance Committee fails to advance a bill that would have prohibited auto insurance companies from using credit scores as a factor in determining insurance rates. Committee Chairman Gabe Firment asked the author, Baton Rouge Democrat Edmond Jordan, whether drivers with poor credit would actually see lower rates.

Cut 12 (07) “…40 years.”

The vote was 9-to-0; a tie vote means the bill does not advance. It’s unlikely that the committee will take it up again this session.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says REAL IDs are also required to enter certain federal offices.

Cut 15 (12) “…before you visit.”

Boudreaux says non REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses will work for everything else.

A proposal to prohibit credit scores from factoring into the cost of a driver’s auto insurance failed to get out of the House Insurance Committee, because the vote ended in a nine-nine tie. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of  Louisiana Progress.

REAL ID is now the preferred form of identification to fly domestically in the United States, so does that mean your driver’s license without the gold star in the upper right-hand corner is invalid? No says Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles…

Cut 14 (06) “…changes on that”

The House Education Committee advances a resolution discouraging LSU home football games in September before six p-m. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump is starting up a commission on college sports and former Alabama and LSU head football coach Nick Saban is expected to be named the co-chair. Saban has been a vocal critic of NIL’s impact on college sports and Saban has reportedly urged Trump to get involved in the reforming of NIL.

A proposal to prohibit insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to determine their auto insurance rate fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gas prices are down 12 cents from a month ago to a statewide average of $2.70 a gallon. That’s according to Triple-A. And the price at the pump is down 50-cents from a year ago. Louisiana has the second lowest gas prices in the country, trailing only Mississippi.

The House Education Committee started its meeting yesterday by passing a resolution that asks the Southeastern Conference not to schedule any LSU home football games in September before 6 PM. It’s in response to last September’s UCLA game, which started at 2:30 and it was 90-degrees. Harahan Representative John Illg believes all of Louisiana’s college football teams should play their games at night in September…

Cut 9 (10) “….month of September”

But ESPN is the one who schedules game times for LSU and they have that authority because of the three-billion-dollar television deal they signed with the SEC.

The House Education Committee also approved a measure that would give Louisiana college students the opportunity to provide their school with the phone number of a parent or guardian and that person can be contacted if the student is experiencing a mental health crisis. The bill’s author is New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd

Cut 6 (12) “…too late”

The measure heads to the House floor for another vote.

The House Education Committee passes a bill that would require universities to offer a privacy waiver to students that would allow schools to contact their parents during a mental health crisis. Sean Richardson has testimony from the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Louisiana Healthcare Connections says research shows one in five women experience a mental health condition and many go untreated due to stigma, lack of time or difficulty accessing care. Louisiana Healthcare Connections encourages moms to take breaks and practice self-care and there are telehealth services available for convenient, private mental health support.

A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. In Louisiana, drivers who have poor or fair credit scores pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad credit.”

The vote on Jordan’s bill was nine to nine, which means it does not advance to the House floor, unless another vote is taken, which is unlikely.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

The House Education Committee passes a bill that would require universities to offer a privacy waiver to students that would allow the schools to contact their parents during a mental health crisis. Sean Richardson has testimony from the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

_____________________________________________

The House Education Committee advances a resolution discouraging LSU home football games in September before six p-m. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A proposal to prohibit insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to determine their auto insurance rate fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

The bill requires schools to offer students an optional privacy waiver, enabling communication with a trusted contact in emergencies. Boyd says there’s a need for this measure, citing a recent suicide at Xavier University.

Cut 5 (07) “…a different way.”

Legislators on the committee supported the bill as a “fail safe.” Boyd noted that early intervention, prompted by behavioral changes, might prevent tragic outcomes.

Cut 6 (12) “…it’s too late.”

The bill advances to the full House.

______________________________________________________

The House Education Committee advances a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last season, they made LSU play a game at 2:30 in the afternoon last September 21st, with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

Illg noted that many fans in the east stands, which get the most direct sunlight that time of day, were not around to see LSU pull away for the 34-to-17 win.

Cut 8 (06) “…it to halftime.”

While Illg’s resolution singles out LSU, he would hope that other schools in Louisiana would follow suit in asking that their home games in September not be scheduled for afternoons.

Cut 9 (10)  “…month of September.”

Last year, a new TV contract began between the SEC and ESPN that’s worth three-billion dollars. Ultimately, it’s up to ESPN to decide when kickoff times are scheduled.

______________________________________________________

A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. In Louisiana, drivers who have a poor or fair credit score pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad credit.”

The vote on Jordan’s bill was nine to nine, which means it does not advance to the House floor, unless another vote is taken, which is unlikely. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of the Louisiana Progress.

Firment asked Jordan if his bill passed, when would drivers with poor credit actually see lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 12 (07) “…40 years.”

Opponents of the legislation also say drivers with low credit scores are more likely to sue in the hopes of getting a big settlement because of their financial situation.

_____________________________________________

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

Boudreaux says while a driver’s license without the gold star in the upper right-hand corner will no longer be enough to seamlessly get through TSA, you can use it for just about everything else.

Cut 14 (06) “…changes on that.”

Boudreaux says certain federal offices will also require REAL IDs.

Cut 15 (12) “…before you visit.”

Boudreaux says for the time being, you can actually still get through TSA with a driver’s license that’s not REAL ID compliant; you’ll be subjected to a lot more scrutiny.