1:30 PM Newscast May 13

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is seeking guidance from the U-S Supreme Court over the recent decision by a three-judge panel that threw out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year. The Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry has said they need an answer on what congressional map will be used for the 2024 election by Wednesday. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says doesn’t expect the nation’s highest court to act that quickly…

Cut 10 (12) “…resoluation.” 

 

Most of the state, south of Interstate 20 is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the heaviest rainfall is expected tonight…

Cut 7 (12) “…those hours.”  

 

US News and World Report Best States has Louisiana at 40th in Pre-k throught 12th Education. That is the highest the state has ever ranked. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

 

The political action committee, Protect Louisiana Values, has a television commercial running urging the Louisiana Senate to approve the Education Savings Account bill. This would allow families of all income levels to receive state dollars to pay for education expenses, including private school tuition. Some lawmakers are concerned about the cost of the E-S-A legislation. But Landry says in this commercial paid for by Protect Louisiana Values, it’s time for parents to have more control of their child’s education…

Cut 13 (08) “….today”

School choice was one of Governor Landry’s campaign promises.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The political action committee, Protech Louisiana Values, has a television commercial running urging the Louisiana Senate to approve the Education Savings Account bill. This would allow families of all income levels to receive state dollars to pay for education expenses, including private school tuition. Governor Jeff Landry explains the situation…
cut 12 (07) get parents to control”
Some lawmakers are concerned about the cost of the E-S-A legislation.

Louisiana Pre-k through 12 education ranked 40th this year in US News and World Report Best States rankings. That is up from 41st in 2023 and jumped up from 46th in 2019. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley setting Louisiana on board with the “Back to the Basics” model for reading and math is key for the state to continue to improve in the years to come.
Cut 5 (03) “…near future.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is seeking guidance from the U-S Supreme Court over the recent decision by a three-judge panel that threw out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a federal judge in Baton Rouge also dismissed a map approved in 2021…
cut 9 (07) “…U-S Supreme Court”
All of the parties involved are expected to turn their written briefs into the U-S Supreme Court today.

Much of the state south of I-20 is under flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the heaviest rainfall is expected tonight…
cut 7 (12) “….those hours”
For southeast Louisiana, the heaviest downpours will come after 8 PM tonight.

11:30 LRN Newscast

There is three weeks to go in the legislative session and legislation that calls for a constitutional convention still has to pass the Senate…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Most of the state, south of Interstate 20 is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says some areas have already received two to four inches…
cut 6 (11) “…flooding”

The Louisiana House’s proposed budget reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. But that could change. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says when the House received the budget, they were given X amount of dollars and had to make cuts accordingly. But late last week the Revenue Estimating Conference has provided additional dollars to spend
Cut 5 (12) “…at all.”
The Senate Finance Committee is going over the budget and could pass the budget so teachers will receive their two-thousand dollar stipend.

It’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and safety officials are reminding all drivers to obey the speed limit and drive responsibly especially around motorcycles because…
Cut 14 (05) “…hotdogging on motorcycles.”
That’s Gregory Fischer, spokesperson for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Three weeks left in the legislative session and the Louisiana Senate has yet to take up one of the session’s marquee bills. A measure that would result in a constitutional convention held in August. Senate President Cameron Henry says the House amended the bill so that there will be convention committee hearings in June and July….
Cut 7 (10) “…August 1st.”
Senate Governmental Affairs Committee has yet to schedule debate on this bill.

Meanwhile, there’s some good news for Louisiana Crawfish farmers who will now be covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program which means the USDA Farm Service Agency will offer them disaster grants because of the low production they’ve endured as a result of last summer’s drought. Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board Chairman David Savoy…
Cut 11 (12) “…already.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional $88 million for the next fiscal year budget which is good news for teachers. Colleen Crain explains.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Most of the southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service says two of five inches has already fallen over parts of central Louisiana and another two to four inches could fall over the next 24 hours.

9:30 am Newscast

Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. But that could change. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says when the House received the budget, they were given X amount of dollars and had to make cuts accordingly. But he points out that they did that believing Revenue Estimating Conference would find extra monies to restore those cuts which they did.

Cut 5 (12) “…at all.” 
A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August instead of May still needs approval from the Senate. Senate President Cameron Henry says there are still too many unknowns about the convention…things he says will have to be answered before the upper chamber will approve it.

Cut 9 (07)  “…the Senate.”

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Good news for Louisiana crawfish farmers as the USDA has announces they are now covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, which allows them to apply for federal disaster grants. Last year’s historic drought and a late-season freeze reduced production by about 200 million pounds. Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board Chairman David Savoy says supply has improved in April and May, but prices are still about a dollar more this year for boiled crawfish…

Cut 12 (05) “…come back.” 

Savoy says crawfish the money will help crawfish farmers with re-seeding which will go a long way in getting them back on track.

 It’s Motorcycle Awareness Month and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has some advice for Louisiana drivers.

Cut 13 (10)  “…difficult to see.”

 

8:30 am Newscast

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention in August instead of May still needs approval from the Louisiana Senate. Even if that happens and the convention accomplishes its goals, Senate President Cameron Henry any changes made at the convention would still have to go before voters to take effect.

Cut 8 (11) “…square one.” 

Meanwhile, there’s some good news for Louisiana Crawfish farmers who will now be covered unde the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program which means the USDA Farm Service Agency will offer them relief from losses they suffered during last year’s drought. Chairman of the Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board David Savoy…

Cut 11 (12) “…already.”

______________________

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional $88 million for the next fiscal year budget which is good news for teachers. Colleen Crain explains.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and officials are reminding all of us to be aware. Even with advances in technology like lane and driver assist, Greg Fisher with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says it’s still important to slow down and look before you go.

Cut 15 (07)  “…motorcycle safety awareness month.”

 

7:30 am Newscast

The USDA has announced Louisiana crawfish farmers are now covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, allowing producers to apply for federal disaster grants. Last year’s historic drought and a late-season freeze reduced production by about 200 million pounds at 45 thousand ponds. Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board Chairman David Savoy says it will take money to get production back to normal levels….

Cut 10 (05) “…in there. .”
We’re already more than a week into Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and safety officials are reminding all drivers to obey the spee limit and drive responsibly especially around motorcycles because…

Cut 14 (05)  “…hotdogging on motorcycles.”

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Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention in August still has to clear the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

It looks like a three hundred dollar cut to teacher stipends in Louisiana could end up being restored. That’s based on figures from the Revenue Estimating Conference. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland…
Cut 6 (08) “…executive budget.”

 

 

 

 

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers chances of making the NCAA Tournament took a major hit this past weekend as they dropped a series to Alabama. It started with a bad loss on Friday, blowing a late four-run lead and losing to the Crimson Tide eight to seven. LSU won Saturday, but dropped Sunday’s rubber game four to three. The Tigers are 10-and-17 and will likely need to sweep Ole Miss this week to give them a chance at a Regional berth.

The 22nd ranked Ragin Cajuns have clinched at least a share of the Sun Belt regular season title after beating Georgia Southern nine to two yesterday. Carson Fluno pitched six strong innings on the mound. U-L Lafayette wraps up the regular season by hosting South Alabama starting on Thursday.

La Tech swept Western Kentucky to move into a tie with Dallas Baptist for first place in Conference USA. The Bulldogs completed the sweep with a seven to one victory yesterday. Ethan Bates hit his 15th homer.
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At Saints rookie mini-camp, first round pick Taliese Fuaga (Tall-ee-s-a Foo-ah-gah) was working at left tackle. While at Oregon State, Fuaga played mostly right tackle. Former first round pick Trevor Penning will also get a chance to be the starter at left tackle.

The Saints have also reportedly signed veteran offensive lineman Lucas Patrick. The 30-year-old started 15 games for the Chicago Bears last season. He spent two seasons in Chicago and his first five years in the NFL were with the Green Bay Packers. He can play center and both guard positions.

Both LSU and U-L Lafayette softball will host regionals. The Tigers are a nine national seed and will host Cal, Southern Illinois and Jackson State. The Cajuns are a 13 seed and hosting for the first time since 2016. They will host Baylor, Ole Miss and Princeton.

Southeastern Louisiana, who is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever, is heading to the Tuscaloosa Regional.

6:30 am Newscast

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August as opposed to May, still must pass in the Senate. While Senate President Cameron Henry says a new start date is more realistic, he says there are still several unknowns about the process that will be used in June and July before the convention.

Cut 7 (10) “…August 1st.”
Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. And while the budget has yet to be heard in Senate Finance, House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says the Revenue Estimating Conference figures could allow for those cuts to be restored.

Cut 4 (10) “…backfill.”

The REC found an additional $88 million that can be added to the next budget year which begins July 1st.

————————————————–

The USDA has changed the rules so crawfisherman impacted by low production this year because of last year’s summer heat can apply for federal disaster grants. Sean Richardson has more from a local producer

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 
It’s Motorcycle Awareness Month and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has some advice for Louisiana drivers.

Cut 13 (10)  “…difficult to see.”

 

 

LRN Legialative Report

Louisiana lawmakers in the House reduced teacher stipends from $2,000 to $1,700 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. And while the budget has yet to be heard in Senate Finance, House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says the Revenue Estimating Conference figures could allow for those cuts to be restored.

Cut 4 (10) “…backfill.”

The REC found an additional $88 million that can be added to the next budget year which begins July 1st.

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention, in August as opposed to May, still must pass in the Senate. While Senate President Cameron Henry says a new start date is more realistic, he says there are still several unknowns about the process that will be used in June and July before the convention.

Cut 7 (10) “…August 1st.”

Henry says proposed changes made at the convention will still have to go before voters in either the November or December elections.

Cut 8 (11) “…square one.” 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow says Louisiana crawfish farmers will be covered under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program and the USDA Farm Service Agency will offer relief from losses they experienced brought on by the drought.

Chair of the Louisiana Crawfish Processors Board, David Savoy says there’s only one way to fix the issue.

Cut 10 (05) “…in there. .”

Savoy said the funding will make a major difference and help farmers with reseeding.