First Lady Jill Biden will be in New Orleans visiting the Louisiana Cancer Research Center. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The La Nina streak of hurricanes has ended as spring season moves in. What does that mean for Louisiana weather? Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Stephen Waguespack has stepped down as the leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry to run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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First Lady Jill Biden is making her first trip to the Bayou State today and visiting the Louisiana Cancer Research Center in New Orleans. Her visit underscores Cancer Moonshot, the initiative to cut the cancer death rate in half over the next 25 years. Dr. Prescott Deininger (dinning-grr) is the Director of the Tulane Cancer Center

Cut 4 (09)  “…happen faster.”

Biden will be joined by Senator Bill Cassidy and his wife Dr. Laura Cassidy, who will highlight the importance of colorectal cancer screenings and investing in cancer research.

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center is a consortium of LSU Health New Orleans, Tulane Health Center, Ochsner Health, and Xavier University. Deininger says the LCRC was funded by the state more than two decades ago.

Cut 5 (09) “…about 20 years ago.”

President Biden will ask congress to allocate more than $2.8 billion to fund Cancer Moonshot.

Deininger says one of their top scientists will talk with the First Lady about vaccines that are helping eradicate some forms of cancer like cervical cancer.

Cut 6 (09)  “…on clinical trials.” 

Deininger says the key to Cancer Moonshot is that it’s a big ambitious push to unite conglomerates like the LCRC together with other consortiums to make even bigger strides in cancer research.

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No La Nina or El Nino means neutral weather conditions for Louisiana. The La Nina weather phenomenon that increases Atlantic hurricane activity is no longer a threat to the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says an El Nino is less threatening than its counterpart.

Cut 7 (08) “…coming season.”

El Nino is warmer in the northern U.S. and cooler than normal in the south. A trend in weather forecasts suggests a 60% chance of an El Nino taking charge this fall.

Cut 8 (04) “…or two.”

Over the last three years, the U.S. has been hit by 14 hurricanes and tropical storms that caused a billion dollars or more in damage, totaling $252 billion in costs.

Cut 9 (09)  “…here in Louisiana.”

Neutral weather conditions are expected to continue through spring and early summer.

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Stephen Waguespack stepped down as the leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry on Thursday and launched his gubernatorial campaign, becoming the fifth major Republican to enter the race.  J-M-C analytics pollster John Couvillon says Waguespack lacks name recognition among voters, but he should be able to raise campaign funds…

Cut 10 (09)  “…who he is”

Waguespack served as the L-A-B-I president since 2013 and he was also a key figure within former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration. The way Jindal governed has drawn criticism from even members of the Republican Party, but Couvillon doesn’t think that will hurt Waguespack…

Cut 11 (10)  “…eight years ago.”

Waguespack’s entrance means there are now seven major candidates running for governor. Five Republicans, Democrat Shawn Wilson, and independent Hunter Lundy. Couvillon expects the candidates will stay in the race for at least a few months. But he says the next campaign finance report will be telling,…

Cut 12 (10) “…that person.”

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When you set your clocks ahead this weekend, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public to change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in their home. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it only takes a couple of minutes to make life-saving changes.

Cut 13 (10) “… it’s working.” 

In 2022, nearly 80 Louisianans lost their lives in residential fires. Rodrigue recommends upgrading smoke or CO alarms older than 10 years to 10-year sealed battery alarms.

Cut 14 (08)  “…it most.”

Operation Save-A-Life, a statewide initiative, was created to increase awareness and educate households about the dangers of fire.

Cut 15 (10)  “…fire department.”

To register for a free smoke alarm, visit lasfm.org.

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LSU began spring football practice yesterday as Coach Brian Kelly and the staff got some of their first looks at what his second year in Baton Rouge will look like. The Tigers have many key players from last year’s offense returning but had to resort to the transfer portal to fill some holes on the defensive side of the ball. Kelly praised the cornerback room after their first day…

Cut  16 (20)  “…of the ball.” 

The Tigers are thin at running back to start spring practice with John Emery out to focus on academics and Josh Williams and Armoni Goodwin out with injuries. Kelly said freshman four-star back out of Union Parish Trey Holly saw a lot of touches. Holly set the state record for career rushing yards this past season, but even he isn’t immune from freshman mistakes. Kelly says he has a promising future at LSU…

Cut 17 (17) “…you want.” 

The SEC has debated a new scheduling format with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma in 2024. The most recent conversations have been around a nine-game conference schedule with three permanent opponents. The Tiger’s projected opponents are Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M who they play every year already. Kelly says he’s in favor of more conference games…

Cut 18 (15) “… a good thing.”

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The Louisiana Tech Baseball team heads to Fayetteville this weekend to take on eighth-ranked Arkansas in the final weekend series before conference play. The Razorbacks bullpen has struggled this year after losing projected ace Jaxon Wiggins just a week before opening day. Arkansas has lost to more pitchers in recent weeks but Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says Arkansas is still Arkansas…

Cut 19 (15) “…for us”

The Bulldogs are coming off a weekend sweep of Big 10 opponent Northwestern which featured a 16-9 comeback win Sunday. Starting pitcher Reed Smith left the game in the first inning after being hit on the hand by a batted ball, but Burroughs says he should be good to go against the Razorbacks…

Cut 20 (16)  “…on Sunday.” 

Today, Stephen Waguespack stepped down as the President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and entered the governor’s race. Waguespack is the fifth major Republican to enter the race. Waguespack has led L-A-B-I since 2013. Prior to that he served in former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration.

DCFS has hired more than 300 employees for their child welfare division after they were plagued with several child death cases that fell through the cracks.
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was two weeks ago, Southeastern Louisiana was hit with a suspected cybersecurity attack and much of their computer system network remains down. S-L-U Professor Dayne Sherman says AT&T should have been brought on campus to help…
cut 8 (07) “…to use”
Sherman blames Southeastern President John Crain for not doing enough. Crain says good progress is being made to recover from a significant disruption caused by a network security incident.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking the state legislature to appropriate three million dollars to build new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director Jeff Dorson says about half of the state’s parishes lack a facility to take in strays, missing and hurt animals….
cut 10 (09) “….huge problem”
Dorson they’ll make an official request when lawmakers convene the regular session next month.

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says while she’s pleased, they still need more case workers.
Cut 12 (07) “…the solution.”
Ricks the number of cases they take on continues to increase.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director Jeff Dorson says lawmakers can approve the much needed funding in the upcoming legislative session
Cut 9 (05) “…rural areas.”
Dorson says they are urging legislators to spend three-million dollars towards the effort.

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack entered the governor’s race today.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and her 7-year-old passenger, Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says at this time they don’t know why Granger failed to break before hitting a stopped school bus on Highway 167.
Cut 5 (08) “…to the crash.”
None of the children on the school bus were seriously injured.

It was two weeks ago when a suspected cybersecurity attack shutdown Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system. The network still has not been fully restored and S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says students are worried about their classwork and their credit scores…
Cut 6 (08) “..etcetera, etcetera”
Wi-fi has returned to some parts of the campus.

Former President and CEO of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack recently announced his candidacy for Louisiana Governor today. He served as president of L-A-B-I since 2013 and resigned from his position earlier today. Waguespack also served as a former aide to Governor Bobby Jindal. The 49-year-old is the 5^th major Republican to enter the race, joining Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Richard Nelson, and Sharon Hewitt. Also running, Democrat Shawn Wilson and independent hunter Lundy.

 The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been plagued with staffing shortages at a time when child welfare cases continue to increase.  DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says welfare caseloads are up and households are being affected.

Cut 14 (10)  “…by that”

It has been nearly two weeks since Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system shut down due to a suspected cyberattack. WiFi usage has been restored to some parts of campus but students are still concerned about classwork and whether their personal information was compromised. S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says outgoing S-L-U President John Crain could have done more during this difficult time…

Cut 7 (10)  “…they’re doing” 

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says lawmakers are asked to set aside $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

DCFS has hired more than 300 employees for their child welfare division after they were plagued with several child death cases that fell through the cracks.
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was two weeks ago, Southeastern Louisiana was hit with a suspected cybersecurity attack and much of their computer system network remains down. S-L-U Professor Dayne Sherman says AT&T should have been brought on campus to help…
cut 8 (07) “…to use”

A woman and a seven-year-old child were killed yesterday in a crash involving a school bus in Jackson Parish. State Police Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, when 29-year-old Katelyn Granger slammed into the back of a school bus…:
Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.”
Granger died and so did seven-year-old Anna Rivers. Only minor injuries reported from the children on the bus.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking the state legislature to appropriate three million dollars to build new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director Jeff Dorson says about half of the state’s parishes lack a facility to take in strays, missing and hurt animals….
cut 10 (09) “….huge problem”
Dorson they’ll make an official request when lawmakers convene the regular session next month.

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says she’s pleased because while’s it’s a difficult job people feel called to be part of the solution.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the past.” 

Ricks says they want to hire even more child welfare employees due to an increase in caseloads.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging lawmakers to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. Director, Jeff Dorson says they are asking for $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to shelters in eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

The session begins a month from tomorrow.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and passenger 7-year-old Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says at this time they don’t know why Granger failed to break before hitting a stopped bus on Highway 167.

Cut 5 (08) “…to the crash.”

It was two weeks ago that a suspected cybersecurity attack resulted in the shutdown of Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system. The network still has not been restored and S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says students are worried about their classwork and their credit scores…

Cut 6 (08)  “..etcetera, etcetera” 

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says while she’s pleased, they still want and need more employees.

Cut 12 (07) “…the solution.” 

State Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of 29-year-old Katelyn Granger and 7-year-old Anna Rivers. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says Granger’s vehicle rear-ended a stopped school bus on Highway 167 and the two died as a result.

Cut  4 (08)  “…when driving.” 

He says the seven-year-old girl was not properly restrained and that as the driver Granger was responsible for the child passengers’ safety.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says the lack of services compounds pet overpopulation issues across the state. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

BESE approves a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 2023-24 school year.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge jury awards over $ 6 million to the family of Max Gruver, the 18-year-old LSU freshman who died of alcohol poisoning shortly after a fraternity hazing incident in 2017. The jury found that Ryan Matthew Isto, one of the frat members, was two-percent at fault for Gruver’s death. The Gruvers previously settled civil cases with LSU and other frat members involved in the hazing death.

State Police are investigating a Wednesday crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of a woman and young girl. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, and involved a Honda CRV driven by 29-year-old Katelyn Granger…:

Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.” 

 The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones during the upcoming legislative session. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says the funding is greatly needed.

Cut 9 (05) “…rural areas.”

BESE approved a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 23-24 school year. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says how schools use the additional funding to either attract, retain, or reward teachers is historic.

Cut 6 (07)  “…for our teachers.” 

A bacterial infection commonly known as shigella is becoming harder to treat according to Chief of LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Vanchiere. He says the majority of cases are among international travelers, homeless people, individuals with weakened immune systems, and gay men.

Cut 14 (09)  “…from CDC.”

Shigella causes prolonged diarrhea and stomach pain and most people infected will recover in 7 to 10 days.

Will LABI President Stephen Waguespack join in the race to be Louisiana’s next Governor? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Department of Children and Family Services informed lawmakers Wednesday that they’ve hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increased the staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire and their former sectary resigned last year after a number of high-profile child death cases. The Child Welfare Division has 55 vacancies left to fill.

BESE approved a funding formula to give schools additional funding to use as they see fit for teachers along with the proposed raises for the 2023-24 school year. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says allowing schools to direct additional funds as they see fit, could give select teachers a much-needed raise.

Cut 5 (08) “…moving forward.”

President and CEO of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) Stephen Waguespack is expected to announce his candidacy for governor as soon as today.  U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says Waguespack could be a strong contender in the race.

Cut 7 (08) “…on several levels.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Conference Center at Black Bear Golf Club in Delhi today. He says the new facility can welcome even more visitors to Northeast Louisiana and allows the area to host small conventions, corporate events, family reunions, and other events.

Cut 12 (12) “…year after year.”

The bacterial infection commonly known as shigella is becoming harder to treat with traditional medicine according to the CDC. People infected may experience severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Chief of LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Vanchiere says the infection can be easily transmitted from person to person but the best prevention is good hygiene.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the time.”