A bill to extend the state’s film tax credit for another 10 years from the current expiration of July 2025 goes before the full House today.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Mandina’s Restaurant on Canal Street in New Orleans will re-open today after one of their servers was killed on Friday night as he waited on customers outside of the restaurant. A customer dining inside the restaurant was injured by a stray bullet. Cops say two people got out of a vehicle and killed 23-year-old Hilbert Walker the Third and then drove off.

The House Transportation Committee will consider a bill that would prohibit a driver from handling their phone while driving…..
cut 8 (08) “….phone in-system”
That’s Don Redman with Triple-A. This bill has failed in the past over concerns of the government regulating what happens in a vehicle and there’s also been questions if the proposed law can be enforced.

We learned at a gubernatorial forum hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council that none of the seven major candidates for governor have plans to roll back the state’s expanded Medicaid Program that’s provided health insurance for 500-thousand Louisiana residents….
cut 15 (07) “….their campaign”
That’s PAR President Steven Procopio, who says the expansion of the Medicaid Program is one of Governor Edwards’ biggest achievements.

The seven major candidates for governor who attended the Public Affairs Research Council’s annual meeting were asked about their top priorities for the state. PAR President Steven Procopio says they were also asked if they would continue Medicaid expansion in Louisiana.
Cut 13 (05) “…said maybe.”
Procopio says attorney General Jeff Landry said it’s not the type of thing you can roll back. When Governor Edwards expanded the Medicaid program in his first year in office, it provided health insurance to 500-thousand Louisiana residents, despite concerns it would be too costly for Louisiana.

There’s a concern the state’s film tax credit program is also too costly. A bill to extend the program from 2025 to 2035 is up for debate on the House floor today. Jason Waggenspack with the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association says passage is vital to stabilizing the industry long-term…
cut 10 (10) “…year over year”

Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cellphone while driving is scheduled for review before the House Transportation Committee. The measure comes from St. Martin Parish representative Mike Huval. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says his organization supports Huval’s bill, as they have in the past…:
Cut 7 (11) “…behind the wheel.”
Opponents to the legislation say it’s too difficult to enforce and there’s already a state law against texting while driving.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has appointed its first female as head of its Enforcement Division. Rachel Zechenelly will oversee 257 game agents and support staff. Zechenelly says she’s ready to lead as the new Chief of Enforcement.
Cut 4 (09) “…and women.”
Zechenelly has worked with the agency for over two decades and has received several awards.

Week number four of the ten-week legislative session begins today. Early this afternoon, the House Transportation Committee will consider a bill that would prohibit the handling of a cell phone while driving. Don Redman with Triple-A says they support this bill and he says passing the legislation could lead to lower auto insurance costs, because the state has so many distracted driving crashes…
cut 9 (11) “….6 and a half”

Also this afternoon, the full House will consider a bill to extend the state’s film tax credit incentive program from 2025 to 2035. Jason Waggenspack with the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association says a Louisiana Economic Development study estimates a billion dollars was spent by the industry in the state last year and the industry also supports ten-thousand jobs…
cut 11 (08) “…to the state”
But there have been studies to show the film tax credit program does not provide a financial benefit to the state as the movie industry touts.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has named Rachel Zechenelly as its first female top game warden in the agency’s history. Cut 1 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Saints selected a quarterback in the NFL draft as they traded up in the fourth round to take Fresno State QB Jake Haener, who was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs. Coach Dennis Allen likes what he sees from Haener…
cut 16 (11) “….timing and accuracy”

Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cell phone while driving goes before state lawmakers today…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

On Saturday, voters in several parishes voted against property tax renewals. Alexandria voters objected to a renewal of a property tax that would go towards road, infrastructure and downtown projects. Natchitoches Parish voters said no to a ten-year-long property tax extension to fund public libraries, roads and bridges.

The candidates running for governor say they have no plans to repeal Governor John Bel Edwards executive order that expanded the Medicaid program, providing an estimated 500-thousand Louisiana residents with health care. Six of the seven candidates made that comment at a gubernatorial forum hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council and PAR President Steven Propcopio says Attorney General Jeff Landry gave his answer after the forum….
cut 14 (07) “….undo it”

Pearl River native Rachel Zehenelly has made history as she’s been named the first female to lead the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Enforcement Division. Zechenelly has worked with the agency for over two decades and has received several awards including numerous Meritorious Service Awards…
cut 5 (11) “….and rescue”

The coroner in Jefferson Parish releases his preliminary cause of death findings for Bella Fontanelle, the 6-year-old girl whose body was found stuffed in a ten-gallon bucket this week. Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says Bella died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. 43-year-old Hannah Landon, the girlfriend of Bella’s father has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Cvitanovich says the case has been difficult on everyone involved including first responders and his staff…:

CUT 13(07)      “…young girl.”

Video footage from cams in the neighborhood show Landon pulling a wagon Tuesday night with that bucket inside.

Has your infant had its shots? This is National Infant Immunization Week, and Shreveport pediatrician Dr. Nikki Humphries says vaccines ARE safe and guard your baby from numerous illnesses…:

CUT 10(10)      “…pneumonia, polio…”

A New Orleans teen has set a record by receiving more than $9-million in scholarships and 180 college acceptance letters. 16-year-old Dennis Maliq Barnes holds the Guinness World Record title as the top senior accepted by the most colleges with the most scholarships. Barnes, a senior at the International High School of New Orleans, says his intent was just to get into college…:

CUT 06(12)      “…really fast.”

Barnes has a 4.98 GPA and was promoted early to 10^th and 11^th.

We have some chances of rain in the Louisiana forecast today, as a line of showers and thunderstorms moves across the state. Some of those could get intense at times. Some areas may see next to nothing. However, the rain is expected to move out to the east and northeast during the overnight hours. We should wake up Sunday to clearing skies and cool temperatures, with afternoon highs reaching into the mid-to-upper-70’s.

A Friday morning car crash in Grant Parish takes three lives. State Police say a Toyota sedan was trying to pass multiple vehicles on Highway 71, when it crashed head-on into a SUV. The victims are identified as 24-year-old Joseph Kirk of Boyce, 30-year-old Brittney Johnson of Colfax and an un-named 10-year-old child. The crash is under investigation.

The Jefferson Parish coroner release his preliminary findings in the murder of 6-year-old Bella Fontanelle this week in Harahan. Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. He says rumors she was dismembered are NOT true. He says dealing with death is routine for he and his staff, but it IS different when the victim is a child…:

CUT 14(11)      “…all of us.”

The girl’s father’s girlfriend, Hannah Landon, has been arrested for Bella’s murder.

Two Breaux Bridge men are under arrest in a major drug bust. St. Martin Parish deputies executing a search warrant found sizeable amounts of crystal meth, powder and crack cocaine, heroin, weed and numerous kinds of pills. Brothers Travis and Dwayne Calais are in custody facing a long list of charges.

A Shreveport pediatrician says National Infant Immunization Week is the perfect time to make sure your baby has his or her necessary shots. Dr. Nikki Humphries is a pediatrician at Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. She says an “anti-vaccine” sentiment has surfaced in recent years, after a now-discredited study linked them to autism and other childhood ailments. The COVID pandemic and pressure to get that vaccine added to public paranoia. As a result, diseases like measles and rubella and others are seeing an uptick in the U.S.  Humphries urges parents to disregard the hype and follow the science for their child’s sake…:

CUT 11(08)      “…decades and decades.”

The coroner in Jefferson Parish releases his preliminary cause of death findings for Bella Fontanelle, the 6-year-old girl whose body was found stuffed in a ten-gallon bucket this week. Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says Bella died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. 43-year-old Hannah Landon, the girlfriend of Bella’s father has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Cvitanovich says the case has been difficult on everyone involved including first responders and his staff…:

CUT 13(07)      “…young girl.”

Video footage from cams in the neighborhood show Landon pulling a wagon Tuesday night with that bucket inside.

Has your infant had its shots? This is National Infant Immunization Week, and Shreveport pediatrician Dr. Nikki Humphries says vaccines ARE safe and guard your baby from numerous illnesses…:

CUT 10(10)      “…pneumonia, polio…”

A New Orleans teen has set a record by receiving more than $9-million in scholarships and 180 college acceptance letters. 16-year-old Dennis Maliq Barnes holds the Guinness World Record title as the top senior accepted by the most colleges with the most scholarships. Barnes, a senior at the International High School of New Orleans, says his intent was just to get into college…:

CUT 06(12)      “…really fast.”

Barnes has a 4.98 GPA and was promoted early to 10^th and 11^th.

We have some chances of rain in the Louisiana forecast today, as a line of showers and thunderstorms moves across the state. Some of those could get intense at times. Some areas may see next to nothing. However, the rain is expected to move out to the east and northeast during the overnight hours. We should wake up Sunday to clearing skies and cool temperatures, with afternoon highs reaching into the mid-to-upper-70’s.

The preliminary cause of death of a 6-year-old Harahan girl who was murdered Tuesday night has been released. Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says he wanted to stop rumors that are circulating about the shocking death of Bella Fontenelle….:

CUT 12(10)      “…involved.”

Jazz festival is now underway in New Orleans, and coinciding with that major event is a walk-out of ride share drivers; just when they’re needed most. Dozens of Uber & Lyft drivers are refusing to work until they get a bigger share of the money made from fares. One driver said a trip from Armstrong Airport to downtown costs almost $150…of which they make less than $30. Drivers say it costs more to gas up and maintain a vehicle and they need a pay increase to offset that.

At the state Capitol, a bill to reduce the number of hours required for cosmetology students passes in the full House…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

It’s National Infant Immunization Week, and Shreveport pediatrician Dr. Nikki Humphries says getting those shots for baby is crucial…:

CUT 09(08)      “…illness and injury.”

The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office released the results of the autopsy of a 6-year-old Harahan girl murdered Tuesday night.  Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says speculations on the case are not true.

cut 12 (10) “…involved.” 

The girlfriend of Bella’s father, 43-year-old hannah landon, was seen pulling a wagon Tuesday night with a bucket inside. She was been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

A New Orleans senior with a 4.98 GPA broke the national record after receiving 125 college acceptances and over $9 million in scholarships. 16-year-old Dennis Maliq Barnes began applying for colleges last summer.

cut 6 (12)  “…really fast” 

Barnes plans on breaking his own record by crossing the $10 million threshold in scholarships.  He will pursue a dual degree in computer science and criminal justice.

A bill to reduce the number of hours required for cosmetology students passes in the full House. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The LSU Tigers football team is expected to hire South Carolina defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey for the same position. Lindsey has been the defensive line coach at South Carolina for two seasons. He previously coached defensive ends at Illinois and Western Kentucky. LSU had an opening after former defensive line coach Jamar Cain left for the position of pass rush specialist with the Denver Broncos.

The Baton Rouge Tigerland bar that over-served an underage LSU student on the night she died has been ordered to close its doors for good. Kevin Gallagher has that story…:

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Legislation allowing schools to designate school protection officers with the authority to carry a concealed handgun on campus with proof of a valid permit was removed because the law already exists. Gonzales Representative Eddie Lambert decided to pull SB 158 after learning a current law that has similar language.

Hairy legislation to reduce the required class hours for cosmetology students to be licensed in Louisiana passes in the House. Bill author, Slidell Rep Mary DuBuisson says the Cosmetology Board would continue to uphold state requirements.

Cut 5 (05) “…with this bill .”

Students will still be required to pass a national exam to become licensed in Louisiana. The bill advances to a Senate committee.

A New Orleans teen has set a U.S. record by receiving more than $9 million in scholarships and 180 college acceptances. 16-year-old Dennis Maliq Barnes, a senior at International High School, has a 4.98 GPA and was promoted early to 10^th and 11^th. He says his goal is to reach $10 million in funding.

Cut 8 (04)  “…are interesting.” 

Where he’ll attend college has yet to be decided but he plans to pursue a dual degree in Computer Science and Criminal Justice. He graduates from high school on May 24.