Seven of the Orleans Parish jail escapees remain on the run. Four of them are accused of murder. Governor Jeff Landry has ordered an audit of the Orleans Parish facility blaming the New Orleans prosecutors and judges for not moving fast enough in prosecuting the cases of those accused violent criminals

Cut 14 (15) “…dangerous criminals.”

LSU President William Tate is heading to the Garden State. Announcing his departure from LSU on June 30th to become the new president at Rutgers University. That leaves LSU scrambling to find a new president. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says there could be a few names to potentially be included on the shortlist.

Cut 11 (11) “…the job again.”

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

More people are saying that Louisiana is headed in the right direction, with that number pulling even with that of the people who say the state is heading in the wrong direction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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. Louisiana had 12 deaths. Florida had the most with 79. Texas came in at number two with 36 deaths. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Florida and Texas have a lot more golf courses than Louisiana, which is one reason why they have a lot more lightning fatalities…

Cut 8 (12) “…hard to believe.”

LSU President William Tate is stepping down at the end of next month. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The number of people who say Louisiana is heading in the right direction is on the rise. LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey has found that the percentage of those who say the state is headed in the right direction but Survey Director Michael Henderson says while the number of people who believe the state is going in the right direction is up, that doesn’t mean they’re the majority.

Cut 4 (10) “…the wrong direction.”

More than one-thousand Louisiana residents were surveyed for this study and Henderson says a big driver of that is people’s views on the economy

The reward for information that leads to the arrest of the inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center has increased to 20-thousand dollars per fugitive. Seven of the prisoners that escaped during wee hours of Friday morning are still at large. Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Robert Hodges says anyone caught trying to help these escapees evade authorities will be arrested themselves….

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

Four of the inmates that are on the run are accused of murder.

The Centers for Disease Control study shows Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. Data highlights that 18% of fatalities are work-related, with farmers and ranchers most at risk.  LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says males are four times more likely to be struck than females, and the average age is 37.

Cut 7 (12) “…than females are.”

LSU President William Tate is leaving his post to become the new president at Rutgers University. Tate has been president of the LSU system and the head of the flagship Baton Rouge campus since 2021. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says Tate had a strained relationship with state government.

Cut 9 (16)  “…a specific way.”

LSU credits Tate for growing the state’s enrollment and increasing research dollars.

Seven of the Orleans Parish jail escapees remain on the run. They busted out of the jail during the middle of the night early Friday morning. Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Robert Hodges, believes it’s only a matter of time before these fugitives are back in custody…

Cut 12 (11) “…public’s help.”

The reward for information that leads to the arrest of the inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center has increased to 20-thousand dollar per fugitive.

It’s National Safe Boating Week as Louisiana’s boating season ramps up ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Addis native John Foster lost out to Mississippi’s Jamal Roberts, who won American Idol last night. Foster said on Instagram that it was  blessing to share the Idol stage with so many incredible performers and he’s looking forward to making music for his fans.

LSU baseball remains ranked number one heading into SEC Tournament week.

LSU President William Tate has found a new job and will leave as the president of the LSU system and chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus on June 30^th. Tate has been named the new president at Rutgers University. Tate has been at LSU since 2021. During his four years as president, LSU enrollment has grown and its research work has increased.

The number of people who say Louisiana is heading in the right direction is on the rise. That’s one of the findings in LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey. It shows that the percentage of those who say the state is headed in the right direction and that of those who say the state is headed in the wrong direction is now split 50-50. Two years ago, it was about two-to-one in favor of those who said the state is headed in the wrong direction. Survey Director Michael Henderson says that’s when the U-turn started.

Cut 3 (10) “…a record high.”

Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. That’s according to a new study from 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.”

Lightning struck twice for the Teurlings Catholic High School Baseball as they won their second consecutive state championship on Saturday and tenth overall in school history. Rebels head coach Brooks Badeaux says it was not easy to defend their Division Two select title…

Cut 17 (17) “…a credit to these guys”

Sam Houston, North DeSoto, Catholic High of New Iberia and Sterlington also won high school baseball titles on Saturday.

Seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail early Friday morning remain on the loose. The reward for information leading to the capture of any one of the seven is now up to 20-thousand dollars – ten-thousand from the FBI and five-thousand each from ATF and CrimeStoppers. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says they have intelligence on the seven escapees, but they are elusive.

Cut 4 (07) “…more challenging.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is appealing a ruling that effectively throws her off the Antoinette Frank case. Frank is the former New Orleans police officer sentenced to death for killing her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ ruling that says her office cannot assist the D-A’s office in this case.

Cut 13 (12)  “…think is wrong.”

John Foster played his first gig last October; and in just seven short months, the 18-year-old Addis native won the hearts of everyone in Louisiana and all across the country. Foster made it all the way to the final two of American Idol, before finishing second behind Jamal Roberts. There was a watch party at the Walk-On’s in Brusly, and people there said no matter the final outcome, Foster is a winner in their books.

Cut 11 (11) “…really good also.”

It’s National Safe Boating Week. Lieutenant Garrett Kimble, the boating education coordinator with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says between 2020 and 2024, there were 96 boating fatalities – 78 of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.

Cut 7 (06) “…wear it.”

Seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday remain on the loose. Governor Jeff Landry is not happy about what he says is the largest jail break in the state’s history. Landry says there is no excuse for what happened…

Cut 5 (09) “…Attorney General”

Landry is also calling for an audit of the Orleans Parish Jail, which the Louisiana Department of Corrections will conduct.

A New Orleans judge has ruled that Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill cannot assist the Orleans District Attorney as that office seeks to carry out the death sentence for former New Orleans police officer Antoinette Frank…

Cut 15 (09) “…in and assist”

Criminal District Judge Kimya Holmes said in her ruling that no provision in the law and Louisiana Constitution allows for the A-G’s participation. Frank is still fighting her conviction and the next hearing in her post-conviction process is in December.

He may have come up short in his quest to be the next American Idol, but people in his hometown are still proud of their local hero. Andrew Greenstein has more from an American Idol watch party in Brusly last night.

Cut 10 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU remains the number one ranked team in the Baseball America and D1 Baseball Top 25 rankings. The Tigers are 42-13 overall and they are the three seed in this week’s SEC Tournament and will play on Friday night in Hoover, Alabama.

As the search continues for seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday, Governor Jeff Landry has ordered an audit on the jail that will be conducted by the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Landry also wants the state’s Inspector General to get an inventory of the inmates in the Orleans Parish jail who have been convicted of crimes, but are still awaiting sentencing. He says one of the escapees has been awaiting sentencing for eight months…

Cut 6 (14) “…to escape.”

Orleans Sheriff Susan Hutson says defective locks, a breached wall, and possible assistance from the inside led to what is believed to be the largest jail break in the state’s history.

Not the result everyone in West Baton Rouge Parish wanted last night, but 18-year-old John Foster of Addis  won the hearts of everyone in Louisiana and across the country. Foster made it all the way to the final two of American Idol, before finishing second behind Jamal Roberts of Mississippi. There was a watch party at the Walk-On’s in Brusly, and people there said no matter the final outcome, Foster is a winner in their books.

Cut 11 (11) “…really good also.”

A New Orleans Judge has ruled that Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and the private attorneys her office has hired can not assist the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office in an effort to carry out the death sentence against former New Orleans Police officer Antoinette Frank, who killed her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ judgement that this is neither a criminal nor a civil proceeding…

cut 14 (11) “…a civil proceeding”

He may have come up just short in his quest to be the next American Idol, but people in his hometown are still proud of their local hero. Andrew Greenstein has more from an American Idol watch party in Brusly last night.

Cut 10 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Education has announced its students of the year for 2025, Mary Thornton from Caddo Parish, Rylann Viator from Erath Middle School, and Neal Tandon from Haynes Academy in Jefferson Parish.

Seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail on Friday remain on the run. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says they are urging the public to provide tips. The reward money for information leading to their capture has increased to 20-thousand dollars per fugitive. Hodges says they have good intelligence, but…

Cut 4 (07) “…more challenging.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is planning to appeal a decision by a New Orleans judge that effectively throws her off the Antoinette Frank case. She’s the former New Orleans police officer who was sentenced to death for killing her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Frank is seeking post-conviction relief as she fights her death sentence. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ ruling that says her office cannot assist the district attorney’s office in this case.

`Cut 13 (12)  “…think is wrong.”