Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced the arrest of a jail employee in connection with the inmate escape at the Orleans Justice Center. The A-G’s office says 33-year-old Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the sheriff’s office, turned the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped. A-G Liz Murrill says Instead of reporting the inmate, Williams turned the water off as directed, allowing the inmates to carry out their scheme to successfully escape.

The 2025 Louisiana Survey, which is conducted by LSU, finds that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats say the state income and sales taxes are too high. Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered at the start of the year, while the state sales tax rose to five percent. Louisiana Survey Director Michael Henderson….

Cut 8 (08) “…. much about it”

The survey shows that while citizens want lower taxes, they would like to see more money spent on roads and they support funding for educational expenses for families and higher pay for school teachers.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has named Carrie Castille as the tenth president of the University of Louisiana Monroe. She is the first female president in the university’s nearly 94-year history. Castille says she will work hard to provide the best education experience and opportunity for ULM students…

Cut 15 (14) “….and it’s paramount”

It’s been announced Former President Joe Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer and it has spread to his bones. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology, Doctor Kevin Hebert says the 82-year-old’s doctors say the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management, but it’s not curable once it spreads to the bones…

Cut 5 (11) “…is life significantly”

There are now six escapees from the Orleans Jail that remain on the run, after authorities caught a fourth escapee last night. State Police arrested 21-year-old Gary Price in New Orleans east last night and he was flown to a state prison. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams…

Cut 12 (11) “…grace of god”

There are reports that a maintenance worker with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has been arrested in connection with the escape of the ten inmates.

A survey out of LSU, called the 2025 Louisiana Survey, finds an increase in residents who believe the state is headed in the right direction. It’s now 50-50 on the percentage, two years ago, two-thirds of the residents said the state was headed in the wrong direction. Survey director Michael Henderson says the survey also revealed that Louisiana citizens believe they are taxed too much…

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax”

The state sales tax went up to five percent on January 1^st because of a tax reform package approved by the legislature last year.

LSU will conduct a nationwide search to replace William Tate as he’s leaving as LSU’s president to take on the same role at Rutgers University in New Jersey. LSU’s Vice President for Agriculture Matt Lee will serve as interim president. Tate has been at LSU since 2021 and during his tenure the school set enrollment records and increased research spending.

ULM has a new president. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Authorities have recaptured a fourth inmate that escaped from the Orleans jail. Twenty-one-year-old Gary Price was taken into custody last night. He was in jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder. Price is now being held in a state prison and the manhunt for the six other escapees continues.

Former President Joe Biden is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Sean Richardson spoke with a local expert on the disease.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A survey out of LSU, called the Louisiana Survey, finds that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats agree the state income and sales taxes are too high, but respondents want to see more spending in specific areas…

Cut 9 (10) “…teacher pay raises”

That’s Doctor Michael Henderson, head of the Louisiana Survey.

LSU’s Agriculture Vice President, Doctor Matt Lee, is taking over as interim president of LSU as William Tate is leaving to take on the role of president at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Meanwhile, ULM has named Doctor Carrie Castille has its new president…

Cut 13 (08) “…for the university”

Castille is the school’s first female president. She is an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition.

State Police have apprehended a fourth escapee from the Orleans Parish jail break. Authorities arrested 21-year-old Gary Price in New Orleans east. Six fugitives remain on the run.

LSU President William Tate has resigned to be the next president at Rutgers University. LSU’s Vice President for Agriculture Matt Lee will serve as interim president while a nationwide search takes place to find Tate’s replacement.

A survey out of LSU, called the 2025 Louisiana Survey, finds an increase in residents who believe the state is headed in the right direction. It’s now 50-50 on the percentage of residents who say the state is headed in the right direction. Survey director Michael Henderson says with that being said, respondents to the survey believe they are taxed too much…

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax”

The state sales tax increased to five-percent on January 1^st as a result of a tax reform package approved by the legislature last year.

The Saints are not looking to bring in a veteran quarterback as the team begins OTAs…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Former President Joe Biden’s office says the 82-year-old is reviewing treatment options after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Doctor Kevin Hebert says according to the statement the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management…

Cut 6 (07) “…from prostate cancer”

A fourth escapee from Friday’s jail break at the Orleans Parish jail has been captured. State Police say 21-year-old Gary Price was taken into custody in New Orleans east last night and Price will now be transferred to a secure facility outside of New Orleans. A lot of attention is on the protocols at the New Orleans jail. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams…

Cut 10 (12) “…on higher floors”

The 2025 Louisiana Survey, which is conducted by LSU, finds that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats say the state income and sales taxes are too high. Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered at the start of the year, while the state sales tax rose to five percent. Louisiana Survey Director Michael Henderson….

Cut 8 (08) “…. much about it”

The survey shows that while citizens want lower taxes, they would like to see more money spent on roads and they support funding for educational expenses for families and higher pay for school teachers.

Carrie Castille has been named the new president at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Castille is an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition. She also has ten years’ experience in higher education, most recently as senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Castille says one of the first things she will do once she takes over as university president is to go on a listening tour.

Cut 14 (11) “…those opportunities are.”

Doctor Castille will assume the presidency following U-L System Board approval of her appointment and contract.

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Dr. Kevin Hebert…

Cut 4 (09) “…see and treat”

It’s unknown if the former president, who is 82 years old, has been screened for prostate cancer in recent years.  Most doctors do not screen men in their late 70s or 80s.

Former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Sean Richardson spoke with a local expert on the disease.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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ULM has its new president. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Saints are not looking to bring in a veteran quarterback as the team begins organized team activities today. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Dr. Kevin Hebert says the cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9, has metastasized to his bones, indicating a high-risk, advanced stage.

Cut 4 (09) “…see and treat.”

The diagnosis followed increasing urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule last week. While the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management, Hebert notes it is not curable once spread to the bones.

Cut 5 (11) “…is life significantly.”

The 82-year-old Biden is reviewing treatment options, which may include hormone therapy or radiation.  Hebert says its possible that Biden won’t die from prostate cancer despite it being a metastatic disease at this point.

Cut 6 (07) “…from prostrate cancer.”

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Nearly everyone in Louisiana agrees on the notion that income taxes and sales taxes in the state are too high. Dr. Michael Henderson, the survey director of LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey, says the percentage of residents who feel that way is going up.

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax.”

Dr. Henderson says what’s interesting in this finding is the fact that even though sales taxes ticked up at the outset of this year, state income taxes actually fell for all Louisianans, thanks to the tax reform package that the legislature passed in the special session last fall.

Cut 8 (09) “…much about it.”

But what about the essential services that those tax dollars fund? Dr. Henderson says there are certain things that people would be willing to pay higher taxes for.

Cut 9 (10)  “…teacher pay raises.”

More than one-thousand Louisiana residents were surveyed for this study.

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Four days after a mass jailbreak from Orleans Parish Jail, multiple escaped inmates remain at large, prompting a widespread manhunt involving the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and U.S. Marshals. The escape occurred early Friday when inmates exploited defective cell locks and a breached wall, exiting via a supply dock and scaling a perimeter wall. Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams condemned the jail’s conditions.

Cut 10 (12) “…on higher floors.”

Governor Jeff Landry criticized the DA’s office, questioning why additional charges have yet to be filed.  Williams says its simply because the sheriff’s office never submitted evidence.

Cut 11 (12) “…can’t go forward.”

Williams says taking politics out of the equation, there are multiple failures that need to be addresses from the lapse in monitoring during a lunch break to not alerting victims and witnesses of the escape. Williams says it’s a miracle no one’s hurt by these inmates.

Cut 12 (11) “…grace of God.”

The FBI is offering a reward of ten-thousand dollars per fugitive, with additional rewards from ATF and Crime Stoppers.

______________________________________________________

ULM has its new president. The school has hired Dr. Carrie Castille as its 10th president in school history. Dr. Castille begins her new role on July 1st, taking over for interim president Dr. Nick Bruno, the retired president who’s serving in an interim role following the resignation of Ron Berry, who went back to teaching. Castille is excited for the opportunity.

Cut 13 (09)  “…for the university.”

Castille is an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition. She also has ten years experience in higher education, most recently as senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Castille says one of the first things she will do once she takes over as university president is to go on a listening tour.

Cut 14 (12) “…those opportunities are.”

Castille says her number-one priority is the students.

Cut 15 (14) “…and it’s paramount.”

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The battle to be the Saints starting quarterback in 2025 begins today as the Black and Gold will be on the practice field for OTAs. New Orleans will try to win with a young quarterback as Jake Haener is the only Q-B on the roster that has been in the NFL for two years. First year Saints head coach Kellen Moore says he was in Dallas when Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to 13 wins and an NFC East title.

Cut 16 (16) “…ready to roll.”

Haener is entering his third season, Spencer Ratter his second and Tyler Shough and Hunter Dekkers are both rookies. Moore is eager to see these guys perform during OTAS, even if it’s just seven on seven practice sessions.

Cut 17 (09)  “…about.”

Since Shough was drafted by this coaching staff, he’s considered the front-runner to win the starting job. Rattler says he will not put too much pressure on himself to win the job and is looking forward to operating in Moore’s offense.

Cut 18 (12)  “…in it now.”

The Saints unsettled quarterback position is one of the reasons why New Orleans will not have any of its games during primetime. General Manager Mickey Loomis thought they would get at least one game in primetime, but he understands why all of their games will be on Sunday afternoon.

Cut 19 (12) “…those opportunities.”

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report for Tuesday, May 20th. I’m Andrew Greenstein.

Whether you’re an elected official or a private citizen; a Republican or a Democrat; or an adult or a child – nearly everyone will tell you that taxes in Louisiana are too high. In fact, according to LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey, the percentage of residents who feel that way is going up.

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax.”

Survey Director Dr. Michael Henderson says what’s interesting in this finding is the fact that even though sales taxes ticked up at the outset of this year, state income taxes actually fell for all Louisianans, thanks to the tax reform package that the legislature passed in the special session last fall.

Cut 8 (09) “…much about it.”

But what about the essential services that those tax dollars fund? Dr. Henderson says there are certain things that people would be willing to pay higher taxes for.

Cut 9 (10)  “…teacher pay raises.”

The number-one issue that people in Louisiana are concerned about – the economy. More than one-thousand people were surveyed both over the phone and online.

Much of the chatter at the Capitol lately has been about the 10 inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail late last week. And the fingerpointing is underway. Governor Landry is slamming the criminal justice system in New Orleans for acting slowly on the inmates’ cases, and State Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman, a Democrat who represents New Orleans, is calling on Sheriff Susan Hutson to resign, saying she has failed in her most fundamental responsibility in keeping inmates in custody.

As of late this afternoon, seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail are still on the loose. Governor Landry has ordered an audit of the jail facility. During a press conference, he blamed prosecutors and judges for not moving fast enough in prosecuting the cases of accused violent criminals.

Cut 14 (15) “…dangerous criminals.”

The number of people who say Louisiana is heading in the right direction is on the rise – it’s now up to 50-percent. Dr. Michael Henderson, the survey director of LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey, says while that’s the break-even point, it’s a huge step up from not too long ago.

Cut 3 (10) “…a record high.” 

LSU President William Tate has announced that he is leaving his post to take an identical role at Rutgers University. Tate has been president of the LSU system and the head of the flagship Baton Rouge campus since July 1st, 2021. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says Tate’s relationship with state government took a turn for the worse with the change in gubernatorial administrations.

Cut 9 (16)  “…a specific way.”

Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. That’s according to a new study from the CDC which looked at data from 2006 through 2021. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says males are four times more likely to be struck than females.

Cut 7 (12) “…than females are.”

LSU is looking for a new President as President Dr. William Tate has announced he is leaving for Rutgers University. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says there’ a rumored list of administrators people wanted out, and Tate’s name was allegedly on it. She says there may also be a troubling trend in play.

Cut 10 (11) “…in the SEC.”

During Tate’s four years, campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport achieved a record-breaking 543-million dollars in combined research activity. One of Tate’s goals was to make LSU a top 50 research university.

Seven of the Orleans Parish jail escapees are still at large and four of them are accused of murder. The reward for information that leads to their arrest is now 20-thousand dollars per fugitive. Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Robert Hodges says anyone caught trying to help these escapees evade authorities will be arrested….

Cut 13 (09)  “…someone else helps them.”

Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. That’s according to a new study from the CDC which looked at data from 2006 through 2021. During that time, Louisiana had 12 deaths. Florida had the most with 79. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim on why so many more lightning deaths in the Sunshine State…

Cut 6 (08) “…in the world.”

LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey shows the number of people who believe the state is heading in the right direction equals those who believe it’s heading in the wrong direction. Two years ago, it was about two-to-one who said the state was headed in the wrong direction. Survey Director Michael Henderson says the trend started reversing itself from rock-bottom during John Bel Edwards administration.

Cut 5 (09) “…he took office.”

More than one-thousand Louisiana residents were surveyed for this study.