The closed party U.S. Senate runoff elections aren’t until June 27th, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says there’s an important deadline tomorrow.

Cut 3 (12) “…June 27th election.”

Those changes could potentially include party affiliation, which is the only way one could cast the opposite party’s ballot in the runoff than the one cast in the May 16th primary.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith is arrested for allegedly attacking a man at a Madisonville restaurant without provocation. Police say Smith had been drinking, and Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says Smith’s conduct would corroborate that.

Cut 23 (07) “…least three terms.”

Smith issued an apology in a statement, saying he will address his actions through the legal process.

A bill known as the “Streets to Success Act” is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation attempts to address homelessness in the state, but Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark. It establishes a new crime of unauthorized public camping.

Cut 7 (09) “…fined 500 dollars.”

The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says festivities have already started throughout the week, and the peach parade kicks off the weekend tonight at 6:00. The real spectacle, though, begins tomorrow.

Cut 9 (13)  “…downtown Ruston.”

The manhunt continues after an innocent woman is shot to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump, and two people jumped out with AR-style pistols.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.” 

Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was not the intended target of a targeted shooting.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith is arrested for allegedly attacking a man at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. The victim is 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon, who’s been one of Smith’s harshest critics. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says that’s no excuse, however – and getting out of this will be very hard for Smith to do.

Cut 5 (12) “…of what occurred.”

While Governor Landry continues to consider whether to sign the “Streets to Success Act,” advocates for the homeless are speaking out against it. Along with making public camping a misdemeanor, it provides court-supervised programs to connect them to housing, treatment and job services. Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says it’s an empty solution.

Cut 8 (08) “…it will provide.”

The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 60 years. It’s a flesh-easting parasite that can kill animals including livestock. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deadly bug was found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of the Mexican border. Strain says its discovery in the United States has already led to an increase in beef prices.

Cut 10 (08) “…affordability of beef.”

The “Streets to Success Act” would make camping on public property a crime punishable by six months of jail time and a 500-dollar fine. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

For the first time in nearly 60 years, a flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm has been found in the U-s, just 30 miles north of Mexico.  But Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says they can be eradicated using male sterile flies mate with female screwworms and no offspring is produced.

Cut 12 (05) “…having viable reproduction.”

Strain says the New World screwworm is a low risk to humans.

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The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is facing charges this morning in connection with an attack on one of his vocal critics at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. Smith was arrested, his bond set at ten-thousand dollars. Metropolitin Crime Commission President Rafale Goyeneche says Smith will remain on the job until either his term expires or he’s proven guilty in a court of law, whichever comes first.

Cut 6 (10) “…for a felony.”

Meanwhile in Hammond the search for two masked gunman who fired 70-80 shots into a vehicle at a gas station, killing an innocent woman, continues this morning.  Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. says 50-year-old Patricia Sheppart was killed by mistake in what was a targeted attack.
Cut 15 (09) “…a targeted incident.”

Bergeron says the vehicle the shooters were in was carjacked in Macomb, Mississippi, Tuesday night.

One man who took an oath to serve and protect is accused of doing the exact opposite. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A manhunt is underway for at two masked suspects who fired 70 to 80 shots into another  vehicle at  a Hammond gas station yesterday morning, killing an innocent woman.  Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. believes it was a targeted shooting, but 50 year old Patricia Sheppart was not the target…

Cut 14 (07) “…involved in it.”

A bill known as the “Streets to Success Act” is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation attempts to address homelessness in the state, by making unauthorized public camping a crime. Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark,  as it implies there are people who would refuse assistance if not for the threat of jail time.

Cut 9 (11)  “…low-income people.”

The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 6 decaates. The flesh-easting parasite had been eradicated from the United States since 1960s, but was recently found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of Mexican border. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the good news is  they can stop the spread by unleashing sterile flies.

Cut 11 (11) “…and other protein.”

A manhunt is underway for at least two people who shot an innocent woman to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.”

Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is facing charges this morning, including second-degree battery. Investigators say while in the bar area at Keith Young’s Steakhouse in Madisonville late last month, Sheriff Randy Smith went up to 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon and, without provocation, attacked him. Couvillon told police Smith reeked of alcohol, and Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says Smith’s conduct would corroborate that.

Cut 4 (07) “…least three terms.”

Sheriff Smith has released a statement, in which he apologized to his family, the diners and staff at the restaurant and the people of St. Tammany Parish.

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The New World screwworm has been found in Texas, so what does that mean? Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A bill that establishes a new crime of unauthorized public camping is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature.  The legislation known as the “Streets to Success” bill is an attempt to address homelessness in the state, but Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark.

Cut 7 (09) “…fined 500 dollars.”

Other states that have passed similar legislation have seen homelessness rates increase.

One man who took an oath to serve and protect is accused of doing the exact opposite. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The “Streets to Success Act” would make camping on public property a crime punishable by six months of jail time and a 500-dollar fine. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The New World screwworm has been found in Texas, so what does that mean? Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is discovering what it’s like on the other side of the law. Sheriff Randy Smith is arrested on three charges, including second-degree battery, in connection with an attack at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. Investigators say while in the bar area at Keith Young’s Steakhouse, Smith went up to 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon and, without provocation, attacked him. Couvillon told police Smith reeked of alcohol, and Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says Smith’s conduct would corroborate that.

Cut 4 (07) “…least three terms.”

Couvillon has been one of Sheriff Smith’s harshest critics. Goyeneche says that’s no excuse, however, for Smith to do what he allegedly did – and getting out of this will be very hard for Smith to do.

Cut 5 (12) “…of what occurred.”

Smith’s bond was set at ten-thousand dollars. For now, he remains on the job – and Goyeneche says he will remain on the job until either his term expires or he’s proven guilty in a court of law, whichever comes first.

Cut 6 (10) “…for a felony.”

Sheriff Smith has released a statement, in which he apologized to his family, the diners and staff at the restaurant and the people of St. Tammany Parish. He also referenced what he called ten years of personal attacks against him and his family by a man hiding behind a computer screen, presumably referring to Couvillon. Smith said he will address his actions through the legal process and will continue serving the people of St. Tammany Parish in the meantime.

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A bill known as the “Streets to Success Act” is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation attempts to address homelessness in the state, but Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark. It establishes a new crime of unauthorized public camping.

Cut 7 (09) “…fined 500 dollars.”

The bill provides court-supervised programs to connect arrested homeless people to housing, treatment and job services, but those programs are optional and dependent on location. It also allows for the creation of designated public camping areas, which are also optional. Heeren-Mueller says the solution is empty.

Cut 8 (08) “…it will provide.”

Other states that have passed similar legislation have seen homelessness rates increase. Heeren-Meuller says it is not based on evidence and does not consider the reality of living through homelessness. He says it imagines there are people who would refuse assistance if not for the threat of jail time.

Cut 9 (11)  “…low-income people.”

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The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 60 years. It’s a flesh-easting parasite that can kill animals including livestock. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deadly bug was found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of Mexican border. Strain says its discovery in the United States has already led to an increase in beef prices.

Cut 10 (08) “…affordability of beef.”

The New World screwworm had been eradicated from the United States since 1960s, but it has been moving closer to the U.S. through transmission between cattle in Mexico. Strain says they can stop the spread by unleashing sterile flies.

Cut 11 (11) “…and other protein.”

Strain says sterilized male flies are used, because they mate with the female screwworms and no offspring is produced.

Cut 12 (05) “…having viable reproduction.”

Strain says the New World screwworm is a low risk to humans.

___________________________________________________

A manhunt is underway for at least two people who shot an innocent woman to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.”

(Two masked men fired between 70 and 80 shots into the car with AR-style pistols.) Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was sitting in the passenger seat. Chief Bergeron says this was a targeted shooting, but Sheppard was not the target – she was catching a ride home and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Cut 14 (07) “…involved in it.”

Bergeron stresses to the public that there is no imminent threat.

Cut 15 (09) “…a targeted incident.”

Bergeron says the vehicle the shooters were in was carjacked in Macomb, Mississippi, Tuesday night.

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LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson is sure to revamp his roster in the transfer portal this summer after a disappointing 30-and-28 season this year. Johnson brought in a trio of sluggers with 67 career homers last offseason. That group hit just 13 this year. ESPN 104.5’s Hunt Palmer says Johnson won’t rely on the portal for slugging again.

Cut 16 (16) “…huge power bat.”

Palmer says the Tigers have a lot of holes to fill, and they’ll look to target young guys from proven power conference programs. Johnson has had success bringing in mid-major stars like Luis Hernandez and Hunter Dickinson, but Palmer says they’ll need to be versatile talents.

Cut 17 (16)  “…in the portal.”

As for pitching, the Tigers have four arms who saw real SEC starting action in Casan Evans, William Schmidt, Cooper Moore, and Marcos Paz returning. Palmer says he’d like to see more talent added to he bullpen. LSU brought in Northwestern State lefty Brody Trosclair for a visit earlier this week.

Cut 18 (18) “…of this season.”

Even though the new law doesn’t take effect until January 1st, the author of the bill that eliminates vehicle inspection stickers says you no longer have to get your inspection renewed, even if you’re currently past-due for renewal. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says if you recently paid for your two-year renewal, however, you’re out of luck.

Cut 7 (09) “…get a refund.”

Governor Landry signed a bill increasing the penalties for marijuana use on college campuses and near schools. Violators now face up to a year in jail and a one-thousand-dollar fine. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment says smoking marijuana within two-thousand feet of campuses and schools was already illegal in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…the penalties.”

Biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries believe they’re making progress in restoring critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend. LDWF Biologist Manager Villis Dowden says over the past two weeks, crews have stocked 110 containers of native eelgrass which can provide critical habitat for juvenile fish.

Cut 12 (07) “…wildlife species.” 

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a new Drone as First Responder program. Sheriff Marc Mashaw says drones can drop off life jackets, tourniquets and other emergency equipment while deputies are on the way.

Cut 11 (13) “…we’re responding.”

The drones can even help first responders speak directly to the public during emergencies or take life-saving action.

The elimination of state inspection stickers doesn’t officially happen until January 1st; but for all intents and purposes, your days of schlepping to get your vehicle inspected are over. Governor Landry has told State Police not to issue citations for expired inspection stickers. And Larry Bagley, who authored House Bill 1085, says even if your inspection is due for renewal this month, just let it go.

Cut 6 (08) “…on all that.”

LDWF biologists say they’re making progress in restoring critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend by stocking 110 containers of native eelgrass. Biologist Manager Villis Dowden says the methods they’re doing now have worked in reservoirs in other southern states.

Cut 14 (11) “…goes on.”

A new law signed by Governor Landry looks to create a more family-friendly gameday atmosphere on college campuses in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

An inmate at the state penitentiary in Angola has died. The Department of Corrections says 33-year-old Patrick Jones died Tuesday. His cause of death is unclear at this time. Jones was nearly ten years into a 165-year sentence for armed robbery. He’s the second Angola inmate to die in less than a week, following last Thursday’s death of 57-year-old Ronald Williams.