10:30 LRN Newscast May 2

State lawmakers have convinced the Landy Administration to participate in the Summer EBT Program which helps feed children from needy families. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State Police are investigating an ATV crash in Natchitoches Parish that resulted in a 13-year-old being airlifted to a regional trauma center. The teen was driving the ATV near Derry that reportedly missed a curve on Cat Island Road and went down a steep embankment.

The House vote on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention was pushed to Tuesday and bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has amended the legislation so the K-through-12th grade public school financing formula cannot be touched. And Beaullieu has also removed the language that allows for private funding to pay for the convention…

Cut 14 (04)  “…(x2) for sale.”

Lawmakers were set to vote yesterday.

The Rolling Stones will play their only outdoor festival on their US tour tonight at Jazz Fest. They’ll take the stage at 5 pm. are just one of many great artists this weekend like the Foo Fighters, Neil Young, and Queen Latifa. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says the weather’s cooperating so this could be one of the best Jazz Fests’ ever…

Cut 6 (13) “…all time festivals.”

 

9:30 LRN Newscast

Senate President Cameron Henry says at the urging of state lawmakers the Landry administration has decided to participate in a federal summer feeding program that provides 40-dollars a month per child to needy families. Henry says the decision comes after a meeting with leaders of DCFS and the Department of Education…
Cut 10 (08) “…working together.”
In February, Governor Landry announced the state would not opt into the USDA Summer EBT program. But House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says this is a program that could serve as many as 450-thousand children, by only spending a few million dollars in state money.

Black Democrat Senator Cleo Fields still plans on running for Congress as he looks to represent the second majority black district. But we don’t know what that district will look like after a panel of three federal judges ruled the map approved by state lawmakers was racially gerrymandered. Fields is hoping the US Supreme Court will give the state some direction…
cut 8 (08) “….looks like”
The Secretary of State has set a deadline of May 15th for a new map to be approved that can be used for the November election.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the number of seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs increased by 500 from February to March and by 11-hundred between March of 2023 and this past March. Chief Economist for the L-W-C Emily Dipalma says that’s now 36 consecutive months of an over-the-year-gain in nonfarm employment…
cut 9 (08) “…March 2024”
Dipalma says New Orleans added 15-hundred jobs from February, while Baton Rouge added 19-hundred jobs.

The second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz Fest begins today with the Rolling Stones taking the stage at 5 PM. It’s the second stop for the Stones on their Hackney Diamonds Tour. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis their performance in Houston last weekend received electric reviews…
cut 5 (12) “…over two hours”

8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s homestead exemption will not be changed as part of the proposed rewrite of the state’s constitution. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has amended his constitutional convention bill so that the homestead exemption will remain untouched in the state constitution
Cut 13 (11) “…to protect.”
A House vote on the constitutional convention bill is now set for Tuesday.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says he still intends to run for Congress in a newly created second majority black district. But a three-judge panel of federal judges rejected the map approved by state lawmakers this year that creates a second majority Black district. Fields is among those asking the US Supreme Court to get involved..
cut 7 (11) “…map now”
And the Secretary of State’s office has set a May 15th deadline to have a map in place that can be used for the November election.

After initially opting out, the Landry administration is now planning to participate in a federal summer feeding program that provides low income families, 40-dollars a month per child, to help feed their children when out of school for the summer. Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland made the case on the House floor by saying an investment of three-point-six million dollars will lead to 71-million dollars in federal money…
cut 11 (07) “….money”
The Rolling Stones, kick off the second weekend of Jazz Fest with a special performance at the New Orleans Fairgrounds today. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says the legendary rock band was booked to play at Jazz Fest in 2019, but Mick Jagger had heart issues. It was rescheduled for 2020, but canceled because of Covid. He says it worked out this year…
Cut 4 (11) “…on Thursday”
The Stones will hit the stage at 5 PM.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The Landry administration has reversed course and will participate in a federal food program that provides 120-dollars per child for the summer to low income families. Appropriations Chairman Jack MacFarland was adamant on the House floor last week that the state should provide the three-point-six million dollars in order to bring down 71-million dollars in federal funds….
cut 12 (08) “…to do”
A DCFS spokesperson says more details should be released today.

Meanwhile, the state remains in limbo over its Congressional district map after a three-judge panel ruled that the map approved by the Louisiana Legislature this year was racially gerrymandered. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is planning to run in a newly created second majority black district…
cut 9 (07) ‘…them decide”
The Secretary of State’s Office says it needs a finalized Congressional district map by May 15th.

Legendary rock Band, the Rolling Stones, make their long-awaited appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Fest today. Michelle Southern has more from Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis…
Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment grew in this state by 65-hundred from February to March. And the not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 24-hundred from March 2023 to March 2024.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Baseball will host the number one ranked team in the country this weekend. Texas A-and-M is 39-6 overall, 15-and-6 in the Southeastern Conference. LSU is 7-and-14 and fighting to make it into the NCAA Tournament and the SEC Tournament. Former LSU baseball great Todd Walker says one of the reasons why LSU has struggled at times on offense is because they strike out a lot…
cut 29 (16) “…swing and miss a lot”
Texas A-and-M has the second best pitching staff in the Southeastern Conference with a team ERA of 3.87.

ULM beat up on a bad Alcorn State team 17 to 2 and McNeese lost a heart breaker to Houston nine to eight in ten innings.

The Saints have signed former Lions cornerback Will Harris. to a one year deal. Harris is a former third round pick in 2019 and spent five seasons in Detroit, playing outside corner, slot corner and some safety. In 81 career games, he has two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 14 passes defensed.

LSU men’s basketball has added Richmond graduate guard Dji “jai” Bailey to its roster. Bailey won the Atlantic 10 Conference’s Most Improved Player of the year award. During his four years at Richmond, Bailey averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and nearly two steals per game. Bailey will join Cam Carter from Kansas State and Jordan Sears from UT Martin in the 2024 transfer class.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will travel to take on the New Mexico State Aggies this weekend. The Bulldogs lead Conference USA with an 11-4 record. Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs says going to New Mexico is a new experience for many of his coaches and players, but they are excited to play in Las Cruces
Cut 18 (16) “…Coach Fouts.”
New Mexico State leads Conference USA with a .301 batting average. Louisiana Tech is second at .298.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Senate President Cameron Henry says at the urging of state lawmakers the Landry administration has decided to participate in a federal summer feeding program that provides 40-dollars a month per child to needy families. Henry says the decision comes after a meeting with leaders of DCFS and the Department of Education…
Cut 10 (08) “…working together.”
In February, Governor Landry announced the state would not opt into the USDA Summer EBT program. But House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says this is a program that could serve as many as 450-thousand children, by only spending a few million dollars in state money.

A vote in the House on a bill that calls for a constitutional convention has been pushed back until Tuesday. A vote was expected yesterday, but the bill’s author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu added a few amendments to the legislation instead…
cut 15 (10) “…2024”
One of the amendments says there will be no change to the homestead exemption and another amendment takes out the provision that would allow private groups to pay for the convention that’s scheduled to begin May 20th.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says he’s still running for the 6th congressional district even though the lines of that district are still to be determined.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LRN AM Newscall May 2

Legendary rock Band, the Rolling Stones, make their long-awaited appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Fest today. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

_______________________________________________

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says he’s still running for the 6th congressional district even though the lines of that district are still to be determined.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________________

State lawmakers have convinced the Landy Administration to participate in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program which helps feed children from needy families. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

____________________________________________

The Rolling Stones, kick off the second weekend of Jazz Fest with a special performance at the New Orleans Fairgrounds at 5 PM today. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says the legendary rock band was booked to play at Jazz Fest in 2019, but Mick Jagger had heart issues. It was rescheduled for 2020, but canceled because of Covid.  He says it worked out this year as the Stones just started a new tour across the U-S and Canada…

Cut 4 (11) “…on Thursday”

The Stones play Jazz Fest as their second stop in the “Hackney Diamonds” tour, and sometimes with older acts and busy festivals, you can’t always get what you want, but Davis says that they haven’t missed a beat as their Houston performance was given electric reviews.

Cut 5 (12) “…over two hours.” 

The Rolling Stones are just one of many great artists scheduled to play this weekend. Foo Fighters, Neil Young, and Queen Latifa are also on the schedule. Davis says the weather is also cooperating so this could be one of the best Jazz Fests’ ever…

Cut 6 (13) “…all time festivals.”

___________________________________________________________

Louisiana is the only state without a finalized congressional map and Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields announced that he would run for the 6th district from the map state lawmakers approved in January with two majority-black congressional districts After three years of back and forth, Fields says it’s time for the Supreme Court to settle the matter…

Cut 7 (11) “…at all now.”

A meeting is set for Monday for all interested parties in Shreveport. But in the meantime, Fields says it’s in the cards that he’s running…

Cut 8 (09) “…look like.” 

The Secretary of State’s Office has stood firm on a May 15th deadline for a map to be finalized for the fall election. As far as Fields is concerned after multiple court cases and legislative sessions to draw the map, it’s time to go to the highest court.

Cut 9 (07)  “…them decide.”

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s running for re-election to the 6th congressional district.

____________________________________________________

Senate President Cameron Henry says at the urging of state lawmakers the Landry administration has decided to participate in a federal summer feeding program that provides 40-dollars a month per child to needy families. Henry says the decision comes after a meeting with leaders of DCFS and the Department of Education…

Cut 10 (08) “…working together.”

In February, Governor Landry announced the state would not opt into the Summer EBT program. A spokesperson for the governor said it was a pandemic era related program that costs seven million dollars and the pandemic is over. DCFS Secretary David Matlock says the state should be more focused on a pathway to self-suffiency.

But House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says this is a program that could serve as many as 450-thousand children. He says an investment of three-point-six million dollars will lead to 71-million dollars in federal money

Cut 11 (07) “…,money”

McFarland says he’s heard from constituents who relied on the summer EBT program the last two summers and the Landry administration should make it available this summer…

Cut 12 (08) “…to do.” 

Summer EBT officially begins June 4th. Congress passed a law which was signed by President Biden that made the program permanent.

__________________________________________________________

Louisiana’s homestead exemption will not be changed as part of the proposed rewrite of the state’s constitution. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has amended his constitutional convention bill to protect the homestead exemption in the state constitution

Cut 13 (11)  “…to protect.”

Beaullieu also amended the legislation so the K-through-12th grade public school financing formula can not be touched. And Beaullieu has also removed the language that allows for private funding to pay for the convention…

Cut 14 (04)  “…(x2) for sale.”

A vote on Beaullieu’s bill that calls for a constitutional convention to begin later this month was scheduled for a vote on Wednesday. But after the amendments were added, the bill was put back on the calendar…

Cut 15 (10)  “…2024.”

_________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team is heading into what could be their toughest series yet when they face Troy this weekend. UL-Lafayette is currently on top of the Sun Belt Conference standings at 17 and 4 while Troy is at 14 and 7. Cajuns Coach Matt Deggs has a healthy respect for the Trojans.

Cut 16 (17)  “…their ballpark.”

The Ragin Cajuns have only lost one series this season in Sun Belt play. The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers took advantage of the Cajuns mistakes and took two out of three games at their home park. Deggs says that keeping “freebies” under control will significantly help the Cajuns win their tough road series against Troy.

Cut 17 (20) “…of them.”

The Cajuns and Trojans will face off Friday with first pitch at 6 pm and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

________________________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will travel to take on the New Mexico State Aggies this weekend. The Bulldogs lead Conference USA with an 11-4 record. Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs says going to New Mexico is a new experience for many of his coaches and players, but they are excited to play in Las Cruces

Cut 18 (16)  “…Coach Fouts.”

The Bulldogs pitching staff will have their hands full this weekend as New Mexico State leads Conference USA in batting percentage with an average of .304 this season. Their ball park in Las Cruces, New Mexico slightly favors hitters and Burroughs has taken note of this important information.

Cut 19 (20) “…at home.” 

The Bulldogs are on a 6 game winning streak dating back to their series clinching win over Dallas Baptist University on April 21st. Bulldogs Coach Burroughs says that he is proud of how his team has performed this season and that LA Tech has put themselves in a really good position to make a run in the postseason.

Cut 20 (20) “…. can ask.”

The Bulldogs and Aggies face off Friday with first pitch at 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

5:30 LRN Newscast May 1

The big buzz around the capitol on Wednesday was the decision by a panel of federal judges to toss out the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year that created two majority Black districts. The map significantly changed Garret Graves district.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Democratic Senator Cleo Fields is planning to run to represent the second Black Majority District and that’s still in the cards…

Cut 8 look like :09

A House vote on whether the hold a Constitutional Convention was tabled Wednesday. What was going to be addressed at the convention concerned several lawmakers. Author of the convention bill New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu, amended it noting the convention will protect the homestead exemption in the state constitution and that private funds will not be used for the convention.

Cut 15 (11)  “…2024.”

Senate President Cameron Henry says at the urging of state lawmakers the Landry administration has decided to participate in a federal summer feeding program that provides 40-dollars a month per child to needy families. Henry says the decision comes after a meeting with leaders of DCFS and the Department of Education…

Cut 10 (08) “…working together.”

Summer EBT officially begins June 4th.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball found their offensive footing last night when the Tigers beat Grambling 26 to 2. The Tigers combined for 17 hits and 5 home runs in the game. White, Ruddell, Brown, Neal, and Travinski all homered in the game and the Tiger’s pitching staff only gave up two runs on the night. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson hopes that the Tigers newfound success will translate into what he calls a ten game playoff stretch when the Tigers will face Texas A&M, Alabama, and Ole Miss to finish out the SEC regular season.

Cut 20 (13) “… right now.”

LSU will take on top ranked Texas A&M this weekend in the Box.

In other baseball news across the state, Louisiana Tech is now on a six game win streak after the Bulldogs defeated ULM yesterday 8 to 4. The win is the Bulldogs third straight over the Warhawks and the Bulldogs have won 8 out of the last 10 games between the two schools.

The Pelicans won 49 games in the regular season, but failed to win a single game in the Western Conference playoffs. Pelicans star power forward Zion Williamson was not available for the Pelicans playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he said that a key factor in his improvement this season was having fun on the court.

Cut 18 (13) “… it’s something.”

Williamson played in a career-high 70 games this season and led the Pels in scoring with an average of 23 points per game.

And LSU basketball lands Richmond graduate guard Dji Bailey. Bailey won the Atlantic 10 Conference’s Chris Daniels Award which is given to the conference’s Most Improved Player. During his four years at Richmond, Bailey averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Bailey will join Cam Carter from Kansas State and Jordan Sears from UT Martin in the LSU 2024 to 2025 transfer class.

 

4:30 LRN Newscast May 1

Congressman Garret Graves, who was among the plantiffs in the congressional map suit that was overturned, is pleased with the ruling. His district was altered to be a majority-black one. A panel will convene May 6th to decide the next step for the fall election map, in the meantime he wants to look at ways to improve infrastructure and reduce crime in his district.

Cut 10 (11) “…themselves.” 

Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green says she will call for a vote to remove Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Green says she voted for Johnson to lead the House because he was a conservative, but his views have changed…

Cut 11 (13) ” …us recognize.”

Johnson says the motion is not good for the Republican party or the country.

14 people who were part of a large Pro-Palestine encampment on Tulane’s campus were arrested as police broke up the protest. Some protesters complained of injuries and NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says they will review surveillance footage.

Cut 7 (12) “…the other.”  

The university says most of the protestors are not affiliated with the school.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is looking to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Peter Robins-Brown with Louisiana Progress on what that means for medicinal cannabis in Louisiana …

Cut 4 (08) “..medicine.” 

Currently, marijuana is in the same classification as heroin and LSD. If approved, it would change from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III.