12:30 LRN Newscast May 12

A Denham Springs Police Officer is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times during a shootout yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of a shopping center. Denham Springs Police Chief Rodney Walker says his officers responded to a call of a man and woman arguing….

Cut 11 (09)  “…officers down”

Corporal Shawn Kelly is in critical condition. The man who allegedly shot Kelly, 30-year-old Justin Roberts, was fatally shot by Livingston Sheriff Deputies.

Bills targeting the LGBTQ community are advancing in the Louisiana Legislature.  Governor John Bel Edwards says it worries him because of the increased likelihood of the trans population committing suicide.

Cut 3 (08) “…to be worse.”

Among the bills is forbidding gender-affirming health care for minors.

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest weekends of the crawfish season and it’s been six weeks since prices have dropped but retailers have decreased prices for mom. Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says this may be your last chance to get a bargain on mudbugs.

Cut 13 (13) “…you can.” 

You can expect to pay between $2.50 to $2.75 a bag for large crawfish and for boiled anywhere from $3.99 to $4.99 a pound this weekend.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The NFL schedule makers may have done the Saints a favor as the 17-game schedule was released last night and it doesn’t look too difficult. In fact Saints analyst Bobby Hebert on WWL radio last night made this bold statement…
cut 20 (16) “…week stretch”
The Saints play most of their games in domes and do not have any games on the schedule that could be impacted by winter weather. Also the quarterbacks of the teams they play are not among the upper tier. And New Orleans has a three-game homestand in December against the Lions, the Panthers and Giants. They open the season at home against the Titans on September 10th. Hebert says it would be disappointing if the Black and Gold didn’t win at least ten games next season.

Paul Skenes will go after his tenth win of the season tonight when the second ranked LSU Tigers begin a three-game series against Mississippi State. Skenes has an ERA of 1.73.

LSU is in the middle of the pack in the SEC with a team ERA of 4.49. Teddy Cahill of Baseball America says LSU is like a lot of schools, they do not have a ton of pitching depth….
cut 19 (25) “….this year”
Mississippi State enters the series ranked last in the SEC in pitching with a team ERA of 6.74. First pitch is at 7:30.

Also this weekend, the Cajuns host a good Texas State squad that’s won five in a row, Louisiana Tech faces Florida Atlantic in Ruston, Nicholls hosts A-and-M Corpus Christi. McNeese is at Northwestern State. The Demons have won the last three series against the Cowboys.

11:30 LRN Newscast May 12

The manager of an Arby’s in New Iberia was found dead in the fast-food restaurant’s freezer. New Iberia Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Daneisha Hughes says officers were called to the scene shortly before 6:30 last night…

Cut 9 (05) “…freezer.”

Hughes says the deceased individual was a female and they will know more about the circumstances of her death after an autopsy is conducted…

If you’re a working mom, Louisiana ranks as the worst state to live in, according to WalletHub’s 2023 Best & Worst States for Working Mom report.  WalletHub Analyst Jill Gonzales says Louisiana failed in a number of categories.

Cut 6 (12)  “…on yet.” 

West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina were also ranked among “the worst” in several categories for working moms.

A House-approved bill to extend $150-million in annual film tax credits another ten years clears a Senate committee but with a big change. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (34)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Fans of Louisiana’s own Duck Dynasty can see a trailer of the full-length feature film about Phil Robertson’s life before he became famous as the patriarch for the reality TV series.  The Blind, that was filmed entirely in Shreveport hits the big screen on September 28th.

10:30 LRN Newscast

An effort to add exceptions for rape and incest which would soften the state’s abortion ban is dead for this legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says victims in those cases shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health…
cut 12 (07) “…..exceptions”
Sarah Zagorski with the Louisiana Right to Life disagrees and says legislators are merely reflecting the belief of their constituents that life begins at conception no matter how a child is conceived.
Cut 13 (06) “…hard situation.”
Bills to reduce penalties for doctors who perform abortions and exempt women who have a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy from the abortion ban were pulled from consideration after exceptions for rape and incest bill was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee.

An effort by Democratic lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage is not done for this session.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee approved a bill to extend the state’s film tax credit program from 2025 to 2030. Monroe Senator Jay Morris is not a fan of the tax program, because he says it doesn’t benefit northeast Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “….issue with it”
But supporters say the program has created hundreds of jobs.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation that would add exceptions in cases of rape and incest to one of the strictest abortion bans in the country was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Governor John Bel Edwards says is a major setback for innocent victims.

Cut 10 (11) “…to term.” 

Sarah Zagorski, with Louisiana Right to Life, says Louisiana is a pro-life state and advocates are pleased with the results.

Cut 11 (13)  “…is conceived.”

Edwards, who’s a pro-life Democrat, says he does not understand how we as a state can tell any victim that she must be forced by law to carry her rapist’s baby to term, regardless of the impact on her own physical or mental health, the wishes of her parents, or the medical judgment of her physician.

New guidelines suggest women should begin their annual mammograms at the age of 40 instead of 50 according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says this could save lives.

Cut 14 (11)  “…at 40.”

Several organizations like the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the College of Radiology, and the American Cancer Society have recommended beginning mammograms at the age of 40.

A bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $10 per hour next year was approved in a 3-2 vote by Senate Labor Committee. Louisiana is one of 21 states that sets its minimum wage with the federal rate which is $7.25 an hour. LA Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says increasing minimum wage would make state more competitive .

Cut 8 (12) “…wage workers.”

SB149 will head to the Senate floor.

 

8:30 LRN Newscast

The state department of transportation says I-10 eastbound at the Atchafalya Basin Bridge has been re-opened after a vehicle fire on the bridge had the bridge shutdown for most of the night. There are reports of a fatality.

An effort by Democratic lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage is not done for this session. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The NFL schedule came out last night, the Saints kick-off the regular season at home against Tennessee on September 10th.

A House bill to extend Louisiana’s film & TV tax incentives program is approved by Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, but not without some changes. The bill originally sought to extend the movie tax credit program to 2035. It was amended to make the end date 2030. Supporting the bill is producer and studio owner Trey Burvant, who says the credits mean productions will come, which means hundreds of millions in revenue changing hands…:
cut 4 (12) “….through schools”
Several lawmakers are skeptical that the film tax credit program produces for the state.

The U-S Preventive Services Task Force is urging women to begin their annual breast cancer screenings at age 40, instead of 50. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Doctor Shawn McKinney….
cut 15 (11) “…at least 40”

7:30 LRN Newscast

A Denham Springs police officer is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times during a shootout in the parking lot of a strip mall yesterday afternoon. Corporal Shawn Kelly is in critical condition. The man, who shot the officer, Justin Roberts of Denham Springs, is dead. He was shot by Livingston Parish Sheriff Deputies. Officers encountered Roberts as they investigated a report of a man and woman arguing.

During a press conference on the fourth floor of the state capitol, Governor Edwards conveyed his displeasure with the legislature for not adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.
cut 3 (31) “…..I’m Brooke Thorington”

A bill that seeks to set the state’s minimum wage at 10-dollars an hour next year and raise the wage to 14-dollars by 2028 was approved by the Senate Labor committee on a three to two vote. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s Lauren Hadden argues a higher minimum wage would hurt businesses financially…
cut 9 (10) “….consumers”
It’s still a long shot that the bill makes it to the governor’s desk. The House Labor committee voted down the House version of this bill.

The U-S Preventive Services Task Force is now recommending women should begin annual mammograms at age 40 instead of 50. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Doctor Shawn McKinney says if your family has a history of breast cancer, you should get screened earlier…
cut 16 (11) “….at 35”
McKinney says if finances are an issue in being screened annually for breast cancer, there are programs available to help pay for services.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints 2023 schedule came out last night and it looks very manageable. New Orleans will kick off the regular season at home hosting the Tennessee Titans. None of their games in November, December and January will be impacted by winter weather. The Black and Gold have three primetime games, two of them on Thursday night. Week two they are at Carolina for a Monday night game and they’ll host Jacksonville on a Thursday in Week 7 and the Week 16 matchup with the Rams in L-A is also on a Thursday.

At the high school baseball tournament in Sulphur, In Division One non-select, top seeded West Monroe got past Sam Houston four to three, while second seeded Barbe knocked off third seeded Sulphur five to one.

In Division One select, 13th seeded Rummel upset top seeded Catholic eight to two, Jesuit defeated Pineville six to four. In Division Three select, Menard and St. Charles Catholic advanced to the championship game.

The second-ranked LSU baseball team will host Mississippi State tonight to begin a three-game SEC series. The Bulldogs are going through their second consecutive down season after winning a national championship in 2021. They are 6-18 in SEC play and they were swept in their last two series. But Coach Jay Johnson is not taking them lightly…
Cut 17 (19) “…some power.”
First pitch is at 7:30.

Also, the Cajuns host Texas State, Louisiana Tech hosts Florida Atlantic, Nicholls hosts A-and-M Corpus Christi.

In the Sun Belt softball tournament, the Cajuns eliminated ULM three to one, McNeese beat Southeastern six to two to advance to Saturday’s championship game.

6:30 LRN Newscast

An effort to raise the state’s minimum wage is still alive at the state capitol as the Senate Labor Committee approved a bill to raise the minimum wage to 10-dollars an hour next year, 12-dollars in 2026 and 14-dollars in 2028. Louisiana AFL-CIO’s Matt Wood spoke on behalf of the bill…
cut 7 (09) “…minimum wage”
Raising the minimum wage in Governor Edwards’ last year in office remains a longshot. A similar bill was defeated in the House Labor Committee.

An effort to add exceptions for rape and incest which would soften the state’s abortion ban is dead for this legislative session. Edwards says victims in those cases shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health…
cut 12 (07) “…..exceptions”
During committee debate, Heather Hobbs told lawmakers her daughter was conceived in a rape and says she’s not a child of a rapist, but a child of rape survivor.

A House-approved bill to extend the state’s $150-million annual film tax credit program clears a Senate committee, but with a big change.
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

AM LRN Newscall May 12

A House-approved bill to extend $150-million in annual film tax credits another ten years clears a Senate committee, but with a big change. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (34)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

An effort by Democratic lawmakers to raise the state’s minimum wage is not done for this session. Teiko Foxx has more…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards conveyed his displeasure with the legislature for not adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_____________________________________________

A House bill to extend Louisiana’s often-debated film & TV tax incentives is approved by the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, but not without some changes. The bill originally sought to extend the tax credits to entertainment productions through 2035. It was amended to make the end date 2030. Supporting the bill is producer and studio owner Trey Burvant, who says the credits mean productions will come, which means hundreds of millions in revenue changing hands…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…kids through schools.”

Monroe area Senator Jay Morris is among those who oppose continuing the $150-million-a-year in film production tax incentives. He says the return on investment to the state is far too low; with only about a $10 benefit for every $100 invested. Morris also says the jobs created only benefit certain parts of the state where studios choose to film…:

Cut 5 (07)   “…issue with it.”

Burvant says film tax breaks stimulate local economies, and often better-known film locations go on to be tourism destinations. Case-in-point, the “Steel Magnolias” house in Natchitoches which still attracts tourists over 30 years after the movie’s release…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…state of Louisiana.”

Approved by the committee, the bill moves now to the full Senate for debate and what could be final passage.

_______________________________________________

Legislation that would raise Louisiana’s minimum wage to $10 per hour next year and up to $14 per hour in 2028 was approved by Senate Labor Committee in a 3-2 vote. Louisiana is one of 21 states that sets its minimum wage with the federal rate which is $7.25 an hour. LA AFL-CIO – Matt Wood says increasing the state minimum wage benefits working families.

Cut 7 (09) “…minimum wage.”

Louisiana has the second-highest poverty rate in the country, with nearly 19% of the population impoverished, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. A proponent of raising the minimum wage, LA Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says that doing so would make Louisiana more competitive with other states.

Cut 8 (12) “…wage workers.”

A bill to increase Louisiana’s minimum wage was rejected by the House Labor Committee last week — a day after lawmakers advanced a bill that would double their own salaries. LABI’s Lauren Hadden argues the bill is unnecessary and would economically hurt small businesses.

Cut 9 (10)  “…consumers.”

SB149 will head to the Senate floor.

____________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards expressed his disappointment that lawmakers failed to advance legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban. Edwards says it’s extremely unfortunate that the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against legislation that protects crime victims.

Cut 10 (11) “…to term.” 

Sarah Zagorski, with Louisiana Right to Life, says it’s a victory for pro-life advocates and they are pleased the committee voted against adding exceptions.

Cut 11 (13)  “…is conceived.”

Edwards, who’s a pro-life Democrat, says a large majority like himself believe exceptions should be added and that in some cases children, victims shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health.

Cut 12 (07)    “…exceptions.” 

Zagorski disagrees and says legislators are merely reflecting the belief of their constituents that life begins at conception no matter how a child is conceived.

Cut 13 (06) “…hard situation. 

Bills to reduce penalties for doctors who perform abortions and exempt women who have a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy from the abortion ban were pulled from consideration after exceptions for rape and incest were rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee.

________________________________________

Guidance on when women should begin their annual mammograms has changed according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Instead of beginning screenings are age 50, it’s 40 years of age. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says it’s welcome news.

Cut 14 (11)  “…at 40.”

Several organizations like the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the College of Radiology, and the American Cancer Society have recommended beginning mammograms at the age of 40.

McKinney says she believes after reviewing data and that more and more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age prompted the change.

Cut 15 (11)  “…at least 40.”

USPSTF still advises women to have mammograms every other year, however, McKinney and other health organizations recommend annual mammograms.

If you have a family history of breast cancer, McKinney says you should be screened earlier, depending on the age that your family member was diagnosed.

Cut  16 (11)  “…at 35.” 

McKinney says if finances are an issue in being screened annually for breast cancer, know that there are programs available to help pay for services and to be diligent about screenings.

_______________________________________________________

The second-ranked LSU baseball team will host Mississippi State tonight to begin a three-game SEC series. The Bulldogs are going through their second consecutive down season after winning a national championship in 2021. They are 6-18 in SEC play and they’ve lost eight and they were swept in their last two series. But Coach Jay Johnson is not taking them lightly…

Cut 17 (19) “…some power.”

State has hit 81 home runs this season and they are third in the SEC with 69 stolen bases. LSU center fielder Dylan Crews entering the game with a .457 batting average, which is the second-best in the nation. Last year Crews posted a .349 average. Johnson maintains Crews is the best college hitter he’s ever seen…

Cut 18 (18) “…plate discipline.”

Mississippi State ranks last in the SEC with a team ERA of 6.74. LSU is in the middle of the pack in the SEC with a team ERA of 4.49. Teddy Cahill of Baseball America says LSU is like a lot of schools, they do not have a ton of pitching depth…

Cut 19 (25) “…this year.

____________________________________________________________

Cut 20 (15)  “… you stop.”