If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s what Harahan Representative John Illg is doing with legislation to ban outdoor balloon releases. Last year, his bill to create a new law to ban the intentional release of balloons sailed through the legislature, only to have Governor Landry veto it, saying it would be unenforceable. At the Love The Boot Week kickoff event, Illg says that’s no reason not to have a law on the books.

Cut 6 (07) “…against the law.”

So this time, Illg’s bill adds intentional balloon releases to the state’s existing law against intentional littering. It’s currently one Senate vote away from landing on Landry’s desk. Illg says passing a law at the state level is all well and good, assuming it can gain Landry’s signature this time, but a state law doesn’t go far enough.

Cut 8 (10) “…end up here.”

A measure to crack down on marijuana use near school facilities advances to the Senate. The full House passed Pollack Representative Gabe Firment’s bill on a vote of 59-to-34. It would increase the penalty for smoking marijuana within two-thousand feet of a school facility to up to a year in prison and up to a one-thousand-dollar fine. Firment said marijuana use near schools is getting out of control.

Cut 4 (11) “…little meaningful consequence.”

Marrero Representative Kyle Green expressed concerns that some people’s homes are located within that two-thousand-foot zone and, thus people who live there may face serious criminal charges for something they do in their own homes.

Cut 5 (11) “…law enforcement officer.”

The Saints will look to make a splash in this year’s NFL Draft, much like they did last season. New Orleans holds eight picks this weekend, including the number-eight overall selection. One name that has appeared in several mock drafts is LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. General Manager Mickey Loomis, who attended Delane’s impressive pro day at LSU, says he is uber-talented.

Cut 16 (10) “…get taken high.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved a new contract for athletic director Verge Ausberry. Ausberry will receive one-point-five million dollars by the end of 2027 and his eight-million dollar deal runs through 2030. The former linebacker now A-D addressed the LSU Board of Supervisors before his new contract was approved…

Cut 9 (09)  “…athletic director”

At LSU’s 14th spring practice on Thursday, redshirt junior wide receiver Jackson Harris exited with an apparent injury after landing awkwardly on an incompletion. He was evaluated by trainers and walked off under his own power, but did not return.

UL Lafayette football will wrap up spring practice with a game Saturday. One position group coach Michael Desormeaux wants to see more production from is the wide receivers. With Shelton Sampson out with an injury, Desormeaux is looking for players to step up Saturday.

Cut 19 (16) “…a break for.”

Former LSU and Ole Miss forward Corey Chest is headed to Lake Charles to play for McNeese State. The 6-foot-8, 220 pound sophomore averaged 2.6 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Rebels this past season.

One person is dead and five others are injured after a shooting next to the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Police Chief TJ Morse says gun shots rang out at around 1:22 this afternoon…

Cut 14 (07) “…at each other”

Morse says five people are in custody.

Law enforcement foils a North Carolina man’s alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at Jazz Fest. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors approves a contract extension for Athletic Director Verge Ausberry. His new deal will pay him eight-million dollars through 2030. Ausberry says it’s an honor to lead the LSU athletics department.

Cut 10 (06) “…me than anything.”

Ausberry has been busy since he was promoted to athletics director. The former linebacker has hired a new football and men’s basketball coach.

Harahan Representative John Illg is pushing legislation again this year that would make it a crime to do an intentional balloon release. Illg says it’s bad for the environment and it produces litter. Illg says passing a law at the state level is all well and good, but a state law doesn’t go far enough.

Cut 8 (10) “…end up here.”

Illg’s bill has passed the House and it’s awaiting final passage on the Senate floor.

Gun fire erupted early this afternoon at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge as two groups of people got into an argument near the food court and started shooting at each other. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says multiple people were shot…

Cut 12 (06) “…private vehicle”

Morse could not provide any details on the conditions of the individuals wounded during the mass shooting. A law enforcement source has told LRN that two people are in critical condition.

This is the second mass shooting in Louisiana in the last week. Eight children were killed in Shreveport on Sunday when the father of seven of the children killed his kids and a nephew execution style.

And in Florida…authorities apprehended a North Carolina man who was traveling to Louisiana to carry out a mass shooting at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival got underway. Okaloosa County Sheriff deputies recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room in Destin, Florida.

Drought conditions continue to worsen in Louisiana…

Cut 3 (12) “….as extreme drought”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says most of north Louisiana and much of southeast Louisiana is in extreme drought.  There is the potential for severe weather in north Louisiana tomorrow night.

The LSU Board of Supervisors approved a contract for athletic director Verge Ausberry, who was promoted to the job in November after Scott Woodward was fired. Ausberry is from New Iberia. He played linebacker for LSU from 1986 to 1990, winning two SEC championships. He was also a two-year captain on defense. He says his best job at LSU was his first job, as he served as an academic advisor for student-athletes.

Cut 11 (07) “…the proudest moment.”

We’re following breaking news out of Baton Rouge, as there’s been a mass shooting in the food court at the Mall of Louisiana. The latest information is at least six people were shot – two are in critical condition.

Law enforcement, meanwhile, teamed up to foil a mass shooting plot at Jazz Fest. Sheriff’s deputies in Destin, Florida, arrested 45-year-old Christopher Gillum, who police say was en route to New Orleans to shoot Black people at Jazz Fest before committing so-called “suicide by cop.” Investigators found a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition in his hotel room.

State Representative John Illg is trying again with a ban on balloon releases. Last year, Governor Landry vetoed his bill to create a standalone law. So this time, Illg’s bill adds intentional balloon releases to the state’s existing anti-littering law. Illg says it would also protect the state’s livestock.

Cut 7 (11) “…all these farmers.”

The drought in Louisiana is getting worse. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors approves a contract extension for Athletic Director Verge Ausberry. His new deal will pay him eight-million dollars through 2030. Ausberry says it’s an honor to lead the LSU athletics department.

Cut 10 (06) “…me than anything.”

Jazz Fest is underway at the Fair Grounds Race Track in New Orleans. Over in Florida, authorities arrested a North Carolina man who allegedly planned to carry out a mass shooting at Jazz Fest. His family claims he was seeking to harm Black People.

State and local officials are thankful law enforcement caught Christopher Gillum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Meanwhile spirits are high at Jazz Fest, where they are celebrating the island nation of Jamaica…

Cut 12 (11) “….arts and crafts”

That’s Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s what Harahan Representative John Illg is doing with legislation to ban outdoor balloon releases. Last year, his bill to create a new law to ban the intentional release of balloons sailed through the legislature, only to have Governor Landry veto it, saying it would be unenforceable. At the Love The Boot Week kickoff event, Illg says that’s no reason not to have a law on the books.

Cut 6 (07) “…against the law.”

So this time, Illg’s bill adds intentional balloon releases to the state’s existing law against intentional littering.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved a new contract for athletic director Verge Ausberry. Ausberry will receive one-point-five million dollars by the end of 2027 and his eight-million-dollar deal runs through 2030. The former linebacker now A-D addressed the LSU Board of Supervisors before his new contract was approved…

Cut 9 (09)  “…athletic director”

The Saints will look to make a splash in this year’s NFL Draft, much like they did last season. New Orleans has eight picks, including the number-eight overall selection in tonight’s first round. One name that has appeared in several mock drafts is LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. G-M Mickey Loomis, who attended Delane’s pro day at LSU, says the All-American is uber-talented.

Cut 16 (10) “…get taken high.”

Law enforcement foils a North Carolina man’s alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at Jazz Fest. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Pineville Police Department says they found evidence that a Chinese restaurant on Cottingham Expressway had a dead deer in their kitchen. Officers also found deer carcass in the restaurant’s freezer that was supposed to be served to customers. The Louisiana Department of Health and Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating.

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the latest update from the US drought monitor shows more than 90-percent of the state is in drought and better than half of the state is in extreme drought. Most of north Louisiana and much of southeast Louisiana is in extreme drought. Grymes says we need to see two to four weeks of steady wet weather, and that could start soon…

Cut 5 (12) “…drought gas pedal.”

Grymes says northern Louisiana should prepare for occasional strong-to-severe thunderstorms tomorrow night.

Tonight is the NFL draft. Former LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is expected to be a top ten pick. Mike Detillier of WWL Radio Mike Detillier expects former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to be drafted tomorrow night…

Cut 14 (14) “…in this draft class”

We’re learning new details about the man arrested for allegedly plotting a mass shooting at Jazz Fest. The Advocate is reporting that 45-year-old Christopher Gillum is a former law enforcement officer in North Carolina, and that his family reported that he was looking to shoot Black people and commit so-called “suicide by cop.”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would allow public universities to keep private how they spend revenue share dollars with their athletes. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham says he plans on bringing up his proposed constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms to another vote next week. It got 67 votes yesterday, three short of the requisite 70 needed to advance. Current law states that governors are only limited to two *consecutive* terms. Bayham says, though, eight years is enough.

Cut 8 (07) “…of this state.”

About 90-percent of the state is in a drought, with more than half now in extreme drought. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says everywhere you go, you can start to see the devastating effects.

Cut 4 (14) “…of Louisiana agriculture.”

Grymes says this is the worst drought the state has experienced since 2023.