The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of three individuals in a fatal shooting that resulted in the deaths of three Bastrop teenagers. Details on what sparked the shooting have not been released. It occurred early Wednesday morning and callers told police they heard over a dozen gunshots.

A proposed option for the foreign language requirement for TOPS could mean a new career pathway for students. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A bill that’s made its way to the governor’s desk will allow trucks to pull two 20-foot containers to and from shipping ports. Now they still have to be under the state’s 37-thousand pounds per axle limit. But Norco Senator Gary Smith hopes his legislation can help with supply chain issues…
cut 6 (12) “….it needs to go”
The state transportation department will issue the annual permits and the new tandem load permit can only be used on designated roadways.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says that means in 12 years there will not be enough money to pay the full benefits promised to seniors and those who will be on retirement then.
Cut 13 (05) “…cliff.”
Cassidy says current law would require 24 to 36-percent automatic cuts if the federal government doesn’t act.

Now that the LSU baseball season is over, Tiger fans are looking forward to Brian Kelly’s first season as football coach. Kelly has a quarterback battle on his hands as veterans Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels are in competition to be Q-B-1. But LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio this week, says he’s impressed with the development of Garrett Nussemeier…
cut 17 (18) “…he can do”
Nussmeier threw for 136 yards and a touchdown in LSU’s spring game.

LSU players Dylan Crews and Tre Morgan have been invited to join the U-S Collegiate National Team this summer. Crews was the 2022 SEC co-player of the year and Morgan was a 2022 SEC All-Defensive team selection and hit .324.

Former LSU pitcher and SEC analyst Ben McDonald says he believes Tigers coach Jay Johnson changed the culture of LSU baseball this season and the future looks bright…
cut 19 (19) “….transfer portal”

LSU signee Ethan Frey from Rosepine has been named the Class Two-A player of the year. Frey hit .487 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIS. Notre Dame’s Corine Poncho who hit 32 home runs and drove in 71 runs was named the Class Two-A softball player of the year.

As a result of legislation approved in the legislative session, students can take two years of computer coding instead of a foreign language and still qualify for the TOPS scholarship. Some lawmakers say foreign languages are essential. But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she just wants to provide another option for students that could better serve their academic needs and give them a marketable skill at the same time.
Cut 12 (10) “…option for them.”

Big rigs pulling tandem trailers will be seen again on Louisiana roadways. Norco Senator Gary smith says his bill awaiting the governor’s signature creates a new tandem load permit; allowing trucks to haul two 20-foot trailers. He says it addresses a shortage of truck drivers and wear & tear on the highways…:
Cut 4 (11) “…weight per axle.”

The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office says three people have been charged in the fatal shooting of three teenagers in Bastrop. Jaquaurius Givens and Errigan Rainwater have been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and John Lee Rabun has been charged with obstruction of justice. The triple homicide occurred early Wednesday morning. Nearby residents told police they heard 15 to 20 gunshots.

Another COVID vaccine could be available soon if the FDA decides to follow the advice of its advisory panel.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Republican lawmakers are confident the Congressional District map they approved in February is compliant with federal and state laws, despite a federal judge ordering the Legislature to redraw the map because it does not have two majority-Black congressional districts. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 6  (10) “…about that” 

Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw a Congressional district map.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results. Cassidy says if you do receive a higher bill for services contact the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-985-3095…

Cut 13 (07) “…two-five-nine 53-hundred”

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill to ban hand-held cellphone use while driving was defeated once again but he plans to remain resilient. He says there’s enough evidence from other states that have similar laws and in addition to preventing accidents, it might decrease car insurance rates also.

Cut 11 (12)  “…much-needed legislation.” 

In addition to normal camp activities, nine-to-12-year old’s who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says it’s a growing concern that can’t be ignored.

Cut 3 (11) “…talk about.”

Resource officers are also teaching campers the proper way to respond to any threat of violence, not just an active shooter.

After a federal judge tosses the congressional district map passed by lawmakers in February, the governor calls a June 15^th Special Session to re-draw and re-submit that map. The issue is the lack of a second majority minority district, which would reflect the state’s one-third Black population. But, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who authored the rejected map, says federal law does not assure a minority the right to proportional representation…:

CUT 08(11)      “…Voting Rights Act”

The VRA says minority populations must be “compact and contiguous” with a proposed district. Hewitt hopes an appeal of the ruling comes before lawmakers have to go back to work.

The House committee investigating the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene while in State Police custody will have to wait to hear from Governor John Bel Edwards. His testimony was scheduled for June 16^th, but the special session to redraw that congressional map will mean his appearance will have to be postponed.

Sheriff’s deputies in Morehouse Parish are investigating the murders of three teenage boys late last night in Bastrop. Chief Deputy James Mardis says it happened around 12:30 AM. Two boys were pronounced dead at the scene and one died later in a hospital. Mardis says they have little to go on at this time, and he asks anyone who saw anything to please come forward.

Kids attending city-sponsored summer camps in Lafayette this week are also learning how to respond to active shooters. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cellphone while driving failed to win final passage among lawmakers. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says he’s disappointed with his bill’s fate, because he worked hard to address concerns voiced by others; like oversight of LEO’s to assure they don’t use the law just to pull people over and search their vehicle…”

CUT 10(10)      “…a phone in their hands.”

Huval says he will try again next year.

While Americans are watching their pennies due to inflation, Senator Bill Cassidy has some positive news to report. Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills, is showing results…:

CUT 12(11)      “…solution is working.”

He says over $12-million in surprise medical bills should be avoided this year alone.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls for a special session to begin on June 15th to redraw a Congressional district map, but a Republican legislator says it may not happen. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans musician Vince Vance is suing Mariah Carey and Sony Entertainment over the holiday song “All I Want for Christmas is You”; seeking $60-million damages from copyright infringement. Carey’s song came out fully five years after Vance’s song, and – other than their identical titles – the two songs bear little resemblance to one another.

GOP lawmakers at the State Capitol feel the Congressional district map they approved in February DOES comply with federal and state law; despite a Monroe are federal judge tossing it out. Senator Sharon Hewitt chairs the Senate and Governmental affairs committee. She says time to resolve this is short, because fall mid-terms are coming up fast and other states are in similar situations…:

CUT 07  (12)        “…congressional election.”

Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw a Congressional district map. Hewitt says Louisiana is about one-third black voters, but they are not concentrated enough geographically to create two districts. An appeal of the riling is scheduled.

Morehouse Parish deputies are seeking the person or persons who shot and killed three teen boys last night in Bastrop. The sheriff’s office asks anyone who may have seen anything to contact them.

In addition to normal camp activities, children who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says it’s a growing concern that can’t be ignored. He says the training will cover how to respond in a variety of situations…:

CUT 05(09)      “…dangerous event.”

Resource officers are also teaching campers the proper way to respond to any threat of violence not just an active shooter.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval, who watched his handheld cellphone ban go down to defeat in the Senate, says he will bring the bill back again. Huval says he believes in the safety intent of the legislation.

After only one season as an NBC sports commentator, former Saints Quarterback Drew Brees in officially out. An NBC honcho says Brees will not be back this season. His in-studio replacement has not been announced as yet.

Children who attend city-sponsored summer camps in Lafayette this week are also learning how to respond to active shooters. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

—

Senator Bill Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results. Cassidy says if you do receive a higher bill for services contact the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-985-3095…

Cut 13 (07) “…two-five-nine 53-hundred”

—

Republican lawmakers are confident the Congressional District map they approved in February is compliant with federal and state laws, despite a federal judge ordering the Legislature to redraw the map because it does not have two majority-Black congressional districts. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 6 (10) “…about that.”

Hewitt says the Black population is not concentrated enough to create two majority-Black districts. Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw the Congressional district map.

—

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval watched his bill that would have banned hand-held communication while operating a motor vehicle go down to defeat in the Senate. Huval has been relentless in his effort to make the state’s highways safer and says this push isn’t about taking away rights, it’s about saving lives.

Cut 9 (12) “…you’re speaking.”

In addition to normal camp activities, children who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says two school resource officers who already have a working relationship with students are presenting the program to children ages 9 to 12, and they are able to…

Cut 4  (09) “…more of a game.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has some positive news to report. Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results.

Cut 12 (11) “…is working.”  

If you do receive a surprise bill, Cassidy says to contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called for a special session to begin on June 15th to redraw a Congressional district map, but a Republican legislator says it may not happen. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Republican lawmakers are confident the Congressional District map they approved in February is compliant with federal and state laws, despite a federal judge ordering the Legislature to redraw the map because it does not have two majority-Black congressional districts. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 6  (10) “…about that” 

Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw a Congressional district map.

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’ bill that limits the release of mugshots of those accused, but not convicted, of certain nonviolent crimes is headed to the governor’s desk. Duplessis says booking photos are highly prejudicial and once out in public, can’t be taken back. He says in most cases they serve no purpose.

Cut 13 (07) “…should do better.”
After the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas, State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says there have been talks between him and about 100 education leaders from school systems statewide. Brumley says an important step is for faculty and staff is to harbor trust between themselves and the student body…:

Cut 10 (10) “…to report that.”
In addition to normal camp activities, nine-to-12-year old’s who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says it’s a growing concern that can’t be ignored.

Cut 3 (11) “…talk about.”

The presentation covers topics like what to do if you come across a gun and what to do in any violent situation.