10:30 LRN Newscast April 1

Legislation that would require seafood dealers to pay higher fees for importing foreign catch into the state has passed the House Natural Resources Committee with unanimous support. Bill sponsor, Houma Representative Jessica Domangue…

 Cut 7 (09) “…increase testing.”

The bill would increase the annual flat fee of $100 currently collected from processors and distributors of foreign seafood to 0.1% of their annual gross revenue.

Louisiana could hold its first constitutional convention in half a century. The plan calls for 171 delegates, 144 state lawmakers and Governor Jeff Landry would handpick the other 27 delegates. LaPolictics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says private dollars would pay for the convention.

Cut 6 (12) “…find out.”

New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu proposes the convention begins May 20th and ends July 15th.

Folks across Louisiana and elsewhere will be entertained by a total lunar eclipse Monday, April 8th. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says Louisianans can view the eclipse around 12:30, with the best view around 1:45, and it will end by 3:10.She warns you not to look directly at the sun unless you have specialized eyewear, not your average sunglasses.

Cut 11 (12) “…eclipse glasses.”

Mansfield Mayor Thomas Jones says 12-year-old “DJ” Daniel of Houston as an honorary officer last week. Daniel has a rare form of terminal brain and spine cancer. The reason DJ’s father, Theodis Daniel, chose Mansfield is that his family, who had been there since the early 1900s, left after his great-uncle was lynched. Jones says the visit was an emotional and significant one.

Cut 14 (05)  “…to know.”

9:30 LRN Newscast April 1

New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu’s has filed legislation that would result in lawmakers rewriting the state’s constitution by removing certain items and putting them in state law. LaPolictics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Louisiana could hold its first constitutional convention in half a century, but there are concerns about completing the work that needs to be done in the regular session.

Cut 4 (11) “…session early.”

The House Natural Resources Committee passed legislation to increase fees on processors and distributors importing seafood from foreign countries. Bill’s author, Houma Representative Jessica Domangue is the bill’s author. The daughter of a commercial fisherman says it’s important the state does supplemental testing because the feds do not do enough.

Cut 8 (08) “…human health.” 

Domangue says the fees currently collected by the Louisiana Department of Health only partially fund needed screening. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.

If you would like to view the total eclipse next week, LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says the northwest corner of Louisiana will have the best view. Followed by the Lake Charles and Alexandria areas at 90% view. The Baton Rouge and Lafayette regions will have an 85% view. And if you haven’t purchased your certified eclipse glasses yet, Hinkel suggests visiting Eclipse.aas.org.

Cut 12 (08) “…eclipse glasses.” 

You can also find a link and map at LouisianaRadioNetwork.com. The next solar eclipse for continental U.S. will be 2044.

Mansfield, Louisiana Mayor Thomas Jones says he will never forget last week’s council meeting as the small town deputized 12-year-old “DJ” Daniel of Houston.  Jones says meeting DJ and the magnitude of his family’s return to the small DeSoto Parish city, was better than any church service he’s ever attended.

Cut 15 (07)  “…days ahead.”

It was the 821st time the young man with a rare form of terminal brain and spine cancer had been sworn in as an honorary officer.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A bill that would result in the state’s first constitutional convention in 50 years has been filed. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s an effort to rewrite the state’s constitution by removing certain items out of it and putting them in state law…
cut 5 (13) “….for now”
The goal is to give legislators more flexibility when facing budget deficits. There are many items that can not be cut as they are protected by the constitution and this results in higher ed and health care taking a brunt of the cuts.

LSU and Iowa meet tonight for a trip to the Women’s Basketball Final Four. A Los Angeles Times columnist referred to LSU as “basketball villains” and dirty debutantes because they like to trash talk. LSU’s Hailey Van Vith, who is white, called the column racist…
cut 29 (06) “…on our team”

The full House will likely hear a bill this week that would raise the fees on processors and distributors who work with seafood from other countries. Houma Representative Jessica Domangue is the author of the legislation…
cut 9 (07) “….functions”
Domestic seafood producers have raised concerns about the safety of imported seafood.

A 12-year-old with a rare form of terminal cancer’s visit to Mansfield, Louisiana last week was both memorable and heart-touching. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation calling for a constitutional convention has been filed. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu’s legislation calls for the convention to begin May 20th, which means the regular session would have to end two weeks early. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says private dollars would pay for the convention…
cut 6 (12) “….find out”
Governor Landry is pushing for a streamlined state constitution.

A week from today a total solar eclipse will darken the skies. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says the northwest corner of Louisiana will have the best view
Cut 10 (09) “…the earth.”
For Louisiana, the eclipse will begin around 12:30, with the best view around 1:45, and it will end by 3:10.

House Natural Resources approves a bill to raise fees on Louisiana processors and distributors who import foreign seafood. Colleen Crain reports the additional dollars will help fund a state program that tests imported seafood…
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Colleen Crain.”

LSU fans will be rushing home from work today to get in front of the TV tonight for the rematch of last year’s national championship game, LSU versus Iowa. The winner advances to the Final Four. A record for women’s college basketball nine point nine million people watched this game last year.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s LSU and Iowa tonight in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. It’s a rematch of last year’s national championship won by the Lady Tigers. It’s another chance to see the two biggest stars in women’s basketball go head to head, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Coach Kim Mulkey sees a lot of similarities in there playing styles…
cut 17 (22) “…basketball before”
Tip-off is at 6:15. The winner of this game gets USC or UCONN. South Carolina and North Carolina State is the other semifinal matchup.

The LSU baseball team will host Southern tonight at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers are on a five-game SEC losing streak after getting swept by top-ranked Arkansas. Free passes have hurt the Tigers. LSU pitching leads the SEC in walks with 53.

The Ragin Cajuns have won eleven in a row after sweeping Texas State. U-L Lafayette is off to an 8-1 start, which equals the best nine-game league start since 2014. The Cajuns will open a nine-game homestand tomorrow when they host Nicholls.

ULM lost two of three to 19th-ranked Coastal Carolina to fall to 14-and-14 on the season. Louisiana Tech also dropped two of three to FIU.

Grambling and Southern are at the top of the SWAC western division after taking two of three from Texas Southern. Southern swept Prairie View A-and-M. The Jaguars won yesterday 22 to 12.

The Pelicans host the Phoenix Suns tonight, New Orleans lost to the Celtics 104 to 92.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation that would allow lawmakers to rewrite the state’s constitution has been filed. Teiko Foxx spoke with LaPolictics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford who explains the process.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

It’s LSU and Iowa tonight in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament. The Lady Tigers beat the Hawkeyes in last year’s national championship game. A women’s basketball record nine point nine million people watched and another huge TV audience is expected tonight. Ti[p off is at 6:15.

A week from today there will be a total solar eclipse. Texas and Arkansas will get the full effect of the total solar eclipse and in Louisiana, the Shreveport area will have a 95-percent view and in southeast Louisiana 80-percent. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Doctor Natalie Hinkel encourages people to get their eclipse glasses now…
cut 11 (12) “…eclipse glasses”

Mansfield, Louisiana Mayor Thomas Jones says he will never forget last week’s council meeting as the small town deputized 12-year-old Davarjaye “DJ” Daniel of Houston. It was the 821st time the young man with a rare form of terminal brain and spine cancer had been sworn in as an honorary officer. Jones says DJ is an inspiration.
Cut 13 (07) “…help somebody.”
The city had a uniform and badge specially made for DJ whose goal is to be sworn in to as many law enforcement agencies as possible.

Legislative report April 1

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative report, I”m Jeanne Burns…

New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu files legislation for a constitutional convention so state lawmakers and delegates appointed by the governor can write a new state constitution.

The goal is to streamline the state constitution which has been amended more than 200 times and they want to remove certain sections and put it into state law.

Beaullieu says the main goal is to give state lawmakers more flexibility in tough budget times.

He says when the state faces a budget deficit, higher education and health care take the brunt of the cuts because certain areas are constitutionally protected…
Cut 13 (09) “…health care”

Beaullieu’s bill calls for the constitutional convention to begin May 20th and run until July 15th, but he believes it will not take that long…
Cut 14 (11) “…we can do that”

The plan calls for 171 delegates to write a new constitution. All 144 state lawmakers and Governor Jeff Landry will handpick the other 27 delegates.

Jeremy Alford of La-politics-dot-com says private dollars would pay for the convention….
cut 6 (11) “…find out” (AM Newscall)
Senate President Cameron Henry has said it would be difficult to end the regular session two weeks early to start a constitutional convention. Henry says legislators are also not crazy about being in Baton Rouge in June and July after already going through two special sessions this year. He says many of them need to get back to their full-time job.

Beauilleau expects a committee hearing on his bill in the next couple of weeks.

LRN AM Newscall April 1

Legislation that would allow lawmakers to rewrite the state’s constitution has been filed. Teiko Foxx spoke with LaPolictics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford who explains the process.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

House Natural Resources approves a bill to raise fees on Louisiana processors and distributors who import foreign seafood. Colleen Crain reports the additional dollars will help fund a state program that tests imported seafood…

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

____________________________________________

A 12-year-old with a rare form of terminal cancer’s visit to Mansfield, Louisiana last week was both memorable and heart-touching. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana could hold its first constitutional convention in half a century. Legislation defining the framework has been filed by New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu. LaPolictics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it is not a done deal, as there are concerns about the timing of the convention…

Cut 4 (11) “…session early.”

Beaullieu proposes the convention begins May 20th and ends July 15th. That means the ongoing legislative session would have to end two weeks early and there are concerns about completing the work that needs to be done in the regular session.

Alford says Governor Landry and several state lawmakers are pushing for a constitutional convention so they can streamline the state’s constitution by moving certain items out and putting them into state law.

Cut 5 (13) “…for now.” 

The plan calls for 171 delegates to write the new constitution. That would consist of all 144 state lawmakers and Governor Jeff Landry would handpick the other 27 delegates.

Alford says private dollars would pay for the convention.

Cut 6 (12) “…find out.”

Louisiana voters would vote in November to approve a new constitution.

__________________________________________________

A bill raising fees on processors and distributors importing seafood from foreign countries has passed the House Natural Resources Committee with unanimous support Bill sponsor, Houma Representative Jessica Domangue…

 Cut 7 (09) “…increase testing.”

The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.

Domangue, the daughter of a commercial fisherman, is concerned about the lack of resources to test foreign seafood for harmful contaminants. She says it’s important the state does supplemental testing because the feds do not do enough

Cut 8 (08) “…human health.” 

Domangue says the fees currently collected by the Louisiana Department of Health only partially fund needed screening. Her bill would increase the annual flat fee of $100 currently collected from processors and distributors of foreign seafood to 0.1% of their annual gross revenue.

Cut 9 (07)  “…functions.”

________________________________________________________

A week from today a total solar eclipse will darken the skies for those lucky enough to be in the narrow band of land stretching from Texas to Maine. But LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says the northwest corner of Louisiana will have the best view of the celestial marvel.

Cut 10 (09) “…the earth.”

For Louisiana, the eclipse will begin around 12:30, with the best view around 1:45, and it will end by 3:10.

If you can’t make it to the closest locations in Texas or Arkansas that will have a 100% view of the total eclipse, Hinkel says you’ll still want to step outside and check it out. But she warns you not to look directly at the sun unless you have specialized eyewear, not your average sunglasses.

Cut 11 (12) “…eclipse glasses.”

Doing so without appropriate eyewear can cause permanent damage to your retina.

Northwest Louisiana will have a 95% view of the total eclipse, followed by the Lake Charles and Alexandria areas at 90%, the Baton Rouge and Lafayette regions at 85%, and southeast Louisiana with an 80% view.

If you haven’t purchased your certified eclipse glasses yet, Hinkel suggests visiting Eclipse.aas.org.

Cut 12 (08) “…eclipse glasses.” 

You can also find a link and map at LouisianaRadioNetwork.com. The next solar eclipse for continental U.S. will be 2044.

_____________________________________________________________

Mansfield, Louisiana Mayor Thomas Jones says he will never forget last week’s council meeting as the small town deputized 12-year-old Davarjaye “DJ” Daniel of Houston. It was the 821st time the young man with a rare form of terminal brain and spine cancer had been sworn in as an honorary officer. Jones says DJ is an inspiration.

Cut 13 (07)  “…help somebody.”

The reason DJ’s father, Theodis Daniel, chose Mansfield is that his family, who had been there since the early 1900s, left after his great-uncle was lynched. Jones says the visit was an emotional and significant one.

Cut 14 (05)  “…to know.”

Jones says meeting DJ and the magnitude of his family’s return to the small DeSoto Parish city, was better than any church service he’s ever attended.

Cut 15 (07)  “…days ahead.”

The city had a uniform and badge specially made for DJ whose goal is to be sworn in to as many law enforcement agencies as possible.

______________________________________________

LSU and Iowa meet again tonight, a rematch of last year’s national championship game won by the Lady Tigers. This time the setting is the Elite Eight, the winner advances to the Final Four. Both teams feature superstar players. Angel Reese for LSU and Caitlin Clark for Iowa. Some believe there’s a heated rivalry between the two, Reese says that’s not the case…

Cut 16 (16)  “…friends” 

Mulkey says she sees a lot of similarities between Reese and Clark…

Cut 17 (22) “…basketball before” 

Both teams do like the trash talk and some fans get offended. But Hailey Van Lith says the smack-talking has been good for the game and it’s malicious…

Cut 18 (20)  “…ever done.”  

11:30 am Newscast

New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has filed legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so state lawmakers and delegates appointed by the governor can write a new state constitution. Under the bill, the convention would begin May 20th and run through July 15th, but Beaullieu says he doesn’t think streamlining Louisiana’s constitution would take that long.

Cut  14 (11) “…we can do that”
According to the Council of State Governments Louisiana’s constitution is one of the longest in the country. It’s been amended over 200 times since adopted in 1974.
If a constitutional convention were to take place, Louisiana residents would vote in November to ratify the new document.

————————————————

The defending national champion LSU women’s basketball Tigers are set to take on UCLA at Noon today. In case you’re wondering, the last team to win back-to-back national championships in women’s basketball is UCONN. They won four in a row from 2013 to 2016. LSU All-American forward Angel Reese admits there are more expectations this year…

Cut 4 (10) “…we’re wining, we’re winning.” 

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson says they are not ready to go home yet…

Cut 5 (11)  “…on that.”
In baseball action, Coastal Carolina defeated ULM four to one, and Louisiana Tech held on to beat F-I-U seven to six and Northwestern beat McNeese six to two.

 

10:30 am Newscast

The LSU Lady Tigers are gearing up for their Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Saturday at noon. Jeff Palermo has a preview…
Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The New Orleans Pelicans will face Boston this afternoon. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA at 57-16, but they’ve lost two in a row. Tip-off is at four at the Smoothie King Center.

————————-

Proposed legislation introduced during the regular session aims to ease the workload of educators. But some concerns loom regarding its potential repercussions on school curriculums. Vernon Parish Representative Charles Owen wants to limit disruptions so teachers can focus on classroom instruction, so we can keep qualified teachers from leaving Louisiana classrooms.

Cut 11 (09) “…they matter.”

A Bossier City woman faces attempted kidnapping charges after telling her estranged boyfriend that she’d given birth to their child who was premature and now being treated in Baton Rouge. Authorities say Dinesty Selmon managed to get an access badge, making several visits to a child that didn’t have a lot of visitors. BRPD Spokesperson Darren Ahmed says the child was never taken from the room by Selmon. As for her intentions…

Cut 8 (12) “…kidnapping.”