A total of nine people were injured, seven with gunshot wounds, during a block party in Thibodaux last night. Lafourche Parish Captain Brennan Matherne says authorities are asking for the public’s help.

Cut 4 (11)  “… this investigation.” 

The victims have non-life-threatening injuries.

In Jefferson Davis Parish two people were killed in a three-vehicle crash Saturday night. Trooper Derek Senegal says a motorcycle was struck from behind by a car, and cyclist 67-year-old Jacob Touchet of Iowa and passenger 60-year-old Susan Trahan of Lafayette were both killed after they were thrown into oncoming traffic. Investigators are looking at the vehicle’s black boxes.

Cut 10 (07) “…like that.”

The Ragin Cajuns softball team is heading to the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 after a dramatic day of softball in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A total of nine people were injured and seven people were shot in a mass shooting during a block party in Thibodaux last night. Lafourche Parish Captain Brennan Matherine says officers are actively investigating what happened last night.

Cut 3 (12) “…by gunfire.”

All of the victims are being treated at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Former LSU football coach Les Miles has been ordered to testify by a federal judge in the Sharon Lewis case. Lewis, a former associate AD who worked in the football operations building, is suing the LSU Board of Supervisors because she claims she endured a hostile work environment and was retaliated against after she tried to report Miles sexually harassed a student. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne is following the story…

Cut 15 (06) “…court setting”

Eight current and former LSU Board of Supervisor members have also been ordered to give depositions.

The Ragin Cajuns beat in-state rival LSU twice on Sunday during an epic day of softball in Baton Rouge. Sixth-year head coach Gerry Glasco is taking the U-L Lafayette to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2016

Cut 12 (12) “…one-by-one-by-one” 

The Cajuns lost to the Tigers in Regional play in 2021, 2018, and 2017.

A three-vehicle crash in Jefferson Davis Parish claimed two lives Saturday night. Trooper Derek Senegal says for unknown reasons a motorcycle was struck from behind by a Camaro. 67-year-old Jacob Touchet of Iowa (eye-oh-way) who was driving the Harley Davidson and passenger 60-year-old Susan Trahan (Trah-hun) of Lafayette were both killed.

Cut 9 (12) “…northbound vehicle.”

Toxicology samples were taken, and the incident remains under investigation.

In Washington, US Senator John Kennedy sent a strong message home to his counterparts in the Louisiana Senate to pass legislation to hold third graders back who are unable to read on grade level. The House Bill failed to pass in the Senate last year and pleaded with state senators to do so this year.

Cut 6 (08)  “…pass this bill.”

Students who are given intensive reading instruction and three opportunities to pass the exam.

And scheduled for debate today on the Senate floor in Baton Rouge is a bill supported by Real Reform Louisiana. Executive Director Ben Riggs…

Cut 8 (09) “…insurance rates.”
It’s a bill opposed by Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who argues passage of the legislation will not produce the results supporters claim.

State lawmakers have three weeks left to decide how they want to spend two-point-two billion dollars in surplus money. Republican House leaders would like to use 950 million dollars to pay down pension debt. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder…

Cut 10 (15) “…next legislature” 

But Governor Edwards says 296 million dollars is available to give teachers a three-thousand dollar pay raise. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state also has the opportunity also has to make a significant investment toward other priorities…

Cut 11 (07)  “…needed.”

The legislative session must conclude on June 8th at 6 PM.

The House and Senate have three weeks to reach an agreement on funding teacher pay raises. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

7 people were injured after gunfire erupted in the Marydale community in Thibodaux last night. The motive and suspects are unknown at this time. No fatalities were reported. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says the investigation is ongoing.

Legislation aimed at improving the state’s property insurance market for consumers has an advocacy group concerned. Executive Director of Real Reform LouisianaBenjamin Riggs says SB 96, from Jefferson Parish Senator Kirk Talbot, is one that seems intended to help the state-run insurer of last resort but could easily hurt the insured…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…insurance corporation.”

Riggs is concerned there may not be enough time remaining to get real beneficial insurance reforms to final passage, before the session ends June 8^th.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ordered former LSU football coach Les Miles will need to give a deposition in Sharon Lewis’ lawsuit against the LSU Board of Supervisors. Lewis is a former associate athletic director and claims LSU created a hostile work environment and retaliated against her after she tried to report Miles sexually harassed a student. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says the judge also ordered LSU to provide a bunch of documents that were previously withheld…

Cut 14 (06)  “…more information”

Eight current and former LSU Board of Supervisor members have also been ordered to give depositions.

With three weeks remaining in the legislative session, how are bills aimed at improving Louisiana’s property insurance environment for consumers coming along? Benjamin Riggs is Executive Director of Real Reform Louisiana; an insurance consumer advocacy group. Riggs says they like House Bill 252…:
Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana policyholders.”
The House is expected to vote on this bill tomorrow.

A vote is expected soon by the Louisiana Senate to raise the spending cap, which allows the state to spend a higher portion of the two-point-two billion dollars in surplus revenue. Senate President Page Cortez has already made the argument for it…
cut 12 (09) “….pay a toll”
But House conservatives are concerned about raising the spending cap, because of a possible decline in state revenues in a couple of years.

US Senator John Kennedy took to the floor in DC urging state senators in Baton Rouge to pass legislation to hold back third graders who are unable to read at grade level.
Cut 4 (11) “…that attention.”
It’s awaiting a hearing in Senate Education.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ordered former LSU football coach Les Miles and eight current and former LSU Board of Supervisors to testify in the civil lawsuit filed by Sharon Lewis. The former associate A-D says she faced retaliation for attempting to report sexual misconduct by Miles towards a student. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says U-S District Judge Susie Morgan has also pushed the trial date back from May to December….
cut 16 (13) “….three weeks”

Three weeks left in the legislative session and the House and Senate are at odds over whether to pay down debt or raise the spending cap which would result in hundreds of million dollars being spent on roads and improving buildings on college campuses. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the governor supports the Senate’s position…
cut 11 (07) “…needed”
But fiscal conservatives in the House do not want to raise the spending limit, because of an expected drop in state revenue in a couple of years.

Scheduled for debate today on the Senate floor is a bill supported by Real Reform Louisiana. Executive Director Ben Riggs…
cut 8 (09) “…insurance rates”
It’s a bill opposed by Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who argues passage of the legislation will not produce the results supporters claim.

US Senator John Kennedy urges Louisiana lawmakers to pass House Bill 12. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “Brooke Thorington.”

Two people on a motorcycle were killed on Saturday night in Jefferson Davis Parish. State Police say a vehicle struck the motorcycle from behind on LA Highway 101. L-S-P says 67-year-old Jacob Touchet of Iowa and Susan Trahan of Lafayette were ejected and then struck by a pickup truck. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

There’s a lot of bills filed in the Legislature this year aimed at improving the auto and home insurance market for the consumer. How are they coming along? Kevin Gallagher takes a look…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

What a day of softball in Baton Rouge yesterday as the Ragin Cajuns defeated LSU twice to advance to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, heart break in Seattle as McNeese allows seven runs in the seventh and lost to Washington seven to six in the championship round of the regional.

Three weeks left in the legislative session and the major storyline is will lawmakers vote to raise the spending limit, which would result in the appropriation of millions of dollars to fix roads, repair university buildings and put more money towards coastal restoration. Senate President Page Cortez urges the Legislature to raise the spending cap, fiscal conservatives in the House oppose, because of a possible fiscal cliff in a couple of years. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says there’s time to negotiate…
cut 13 (12) “…always done”

U-S Senator John Kennedy is keeping an eye on what’s happening at the state capitol. Kennedy is urging the state senate to approve a bill that would hold third graders back if they fail multiple literacy tests. Kennedy says similar programs are working in Mississippi and Florida…
cut 5 (09) “….it will”

A bill requiring Louisiana public schools to give students at least 15 minutes of  “supervised, unstructured free play” each day was approved by the House. Bill author, Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says 89 percent of schools in Louisiana currently have recess and 56 percent offer more than 15 minutes of recess for students, however…

Cut 4 (08)  “…of schools.” 

The bill was approved in a 66 to 28 vote.

Legislation that would establish mandatory minimum bail amounts of $50,000 for violent offenses and $100,000 for offenses committed with the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says the majority of the time Judges set bonds accordingly, but this is his attempt to make Louisiana safer.

Cut 8 (11)  “…the crime.” 

The bill passed favorably in committee heads to the House floor.

Legislation that would create age restrictions on social media platforms for children 15 and younger without parental consent was passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath says it appears some social media outlets are on board.

Cut 14 (08)  “…is going.”

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0 vote and it advances to the lower chamber.

Louisiana ranks the fourth least healthiest state for senior citizens according to the United Health Foundation’s 11^th America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says access to healthcare and social and economic factors play a vital role in the ranking but there’s still hope for improvement.

Cut 11 (12)  “…or exercise”

Louisiana falls below Mississippi which is the unhealthiest state in the nation.

Legislation to set minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and or the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former Kenner mayor and Founder of Krewe Endymion – New Orleans’ largest Carnival organization – Ed Muniz has died at age 83. Muniz founded the parade organization in 1966. The Gentilly native also served 10 years on Kenner’s city council from 1980 to 1990 and was elected the city’s mayor in 2006.

A recent report finds Louisiana ranks 49^th in overall health for adults 65 and older according to the United Health Foundation’s 11^th America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says poverty among seniors rose statewide from 12 percent to 14 percent but funding for seniors could help.

Cut 10 (10) “…stay healthy.”

Painter says access to healthcare, physical environment, social and economic factors, and healthy behaviors play a vital role in the ranking.

Legislation that would prohibit social media platforms from allowing children 15 and younger to have their own account without their parent’s permission passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath says if enacted, the Attorney General’s Office would be tasked with investigating and enforcing Senate Bill 162, and…

Cut 13 (12) “…this law” 

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0 vote and it advances to the lower chamber.

A bill that would require public schools statewide to schedule at least 15 minutes of supervised, unstructured free play time of recess for grades kindergarten through fifth was approved by the House in a 66 to 28 vote. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says under this legislation no special accommodations are required.

Cut 3 (12) “…funded mandate.”

The bill heads to the Senate.

Legislation to set minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and or the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill would set a minimum bail of $50,000 for a violent crime and $100,000 for one that involves the use of a firearm.

Cut 6 (10)  “…did that.” 

Stefanski says the majority of the time Judges set bonds accordingly, but this is his attempt to make Louisiana safer.

Louisiana ranks the fourth unhealthiest state for adults 65 and older for the second year according to the United Health Foundation’s 11^th America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says there are a number of challenges that weigh against seniors living in the Bayou State.

Cut 9 (12) “…should be”

Louisiana falls below Mississippi which is the unhealthiest state in the nation.

A bill to ban social media platforms from allowing minors to have their own account without parental consent passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath…

Cut 12 (11) “…health crisis.” 

Minors in the bill are defined as ages 15 and younger.