As of noon Sunday, the Coast Guard says it has gained the upper hand on the oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Coast Guard Lieutenant Phillip VanderWeit says Well 59 near Garden Island Bay began leaking more than a week ago, spewing tens of thousands of gallons of oil into gulf waters. He says so far, crews have collected almost 80-thousand gallons of oily water.

Cut 7 (12) “…safely as possible.”

Environmentalists fear the oil that seeped into the water could threaten marine wildlife and further erode Louisiana’s coastline. So far only one oiled bird has been observed.

Funds from the Lottery slipped in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. The Louisiana Lottery transferred close to $45.1 million to the state treasury but that’s down $1.4 million from last quarter and down $35.8 million when compared to the first three quarters of last fiscal year. Lottery President, Rose Hudson said, “Strong inflationary pressures and jackpot fatigue continue to have an adverse effect on sales this quarter.”   The Lottery Corporation is looking to add value with second-chance promotions and partnerships with popular brands like NASCAR.

A flood watch will be in effect for the majority of the state by the National Weather Service starting tomorrow.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there’s been 13% increase in motorcycle deaths from 2021 to 2023. He says it’s up to all drivers to make every effort to watch for motorcycles, and Fischer says motorcyclists also need to do their part: obey the same traffic laws as motorists, and always wear a helmet and always opt for a full-face helmet.

Cut 5 (09) “…my tooth out.”

The Coast Guard gains the upper hand on an oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state has already surpassed last year’s total number for whooping cough cases. L-D-H has identified 164 cases in the first four months of 2025, last year there was a total of 153 cases. Two infants have also died from pertussis, the first reported deaths in Louisiana since 2018.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for most of the state starting tomorrow and lasting through Thursday night. The watch area covers all of south Louisiana, northeast Louisiana and most of central Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Weather Service in Lake Charles is reporting slow moving thunderstorms will produce three to eight inches of rain and some areas could get 12-inches…

Cut 9 (10)  “…pumped into Louisiana.”

The state softball championships concluded yesterday and North Desoto had a walk off victory over Assumption to claim its seventh state title. Griffins head coach Tim Whitman called for a suicide squeeze to drive in the winning run, but he gives the credit to his seniors…

Cut 13 (08) “…they fought”

That sound is courtesy of the LHSAA Network.

The Louisiana Department of Health says it’s only May, but the number of whooping cough cases has already surpassed all of 2024. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there are vaccines to protect people from whooping cough…

Cut 15 (16) “…during each pregnancy.”

It’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness month and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there’s a 13-percent increase in the number of motorcyclists killed from 2021 to 2023. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Greg Fischer has this message for the other motorists…

Cut 4 (11) “…do this”

The Coast Guard says it has gained the upper hand on a major oil spill off Plaquemines Parish. Coast Guard Lieutenant Phillip VanderWeit says the well intervention team did so at around noon yesterday.

Cut 6 (15) “…source of discharge”

So far, crews have collected almost 80-thousand gallons of oily water, with an untold amount still to be collected.

Vandebilt Catholic won a Louisiana record 16^th state championship in softball on Sunday in Sulphur with a seven to five win over St. Charles Catholic. Terriers Coach James Spearman says his girls have been resilient all year and it was on display after falling behind two to nothing in the first inning…

Cut 12 (12) “…good job”

The sound is courtesy of the LHSAA Network.

When you’re out on the roadways this month, make a special effort to look out for motorcycles. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says while overall deaths on Louisiana roadways are down, the same cannot be said for motorcycle deaths.

Cut 3 (12) “…in motorcycle fatalities.”

Small businesses are finding it harder to find quality workers to fill their job openings. The National Federation of Independent Business’ April jobs report showed that 34-percent of small businesses reported job openings that they could not fill. State Director Leah Long says this has been an issue that’s been going on for about a year.

Cut 10 (13) “…skilled work set.”

Whooping cough cases continue their upward trend in Louisiana. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there have been 164 cases of whooping cough so far this year, already eclipsing 2024’s total of 153.

Cut 13 (13)  “…one year old.”

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has made significant progress in helping residents prepare for the May 7th REAL ID enforcement date. Acting Deputy Commissioner Matthew Boudreaux encourages all residents to visit express-lane-dog-org to schedule an appointment and has a REAL ID checklist.

Cut 6 (09) “…express-lane-dot-org.”

Small businesses in Louisiana and across the country are having trouble filling job openings. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

Aurelia Giacometto is out as Secretary for the Department of Environmental Quality. Giacometto has been a controversial figure as DEQ secretary as an audit released in March found that 78-percent DEQ employees said morale was down with her as Secretary and 33-percent said it was toxic work environment.

This year, Louisiana’s honeybee population is experiencing its worst decline on record, with beekeepers reporting a staggering 60-percent loss in colonies. Louisiana Beekeepers Association VP Kevin Langley says this collapse threatens not only local ecosystems but also national food supplies, as bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops.

Cut 7 (12) “…in California.”

Langley attributes the decline in the honeybee population to pesticide use, habitat loss, and disease.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state has already surpassed last year’s total number for whooping cough cases. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness…

Cut 14 (12) “….getting the disease”

Two infants have also died from whooping cough. Sokol is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated.

The Louisiana Department of Health says it’s only May, but the number of whooping cough cases has already surpassed all of 2024. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there are vaccines to protect people from whooping cough, and she especially urges certain women to get vaccinated.

Cut 15 (16) “…during each pregnancy.”

Sokol says to take extra cautions when around newborns, because they cannot get a whooping cough vaccine until they’re two months old.

Wednesday is the enforcement deadline for the REAL ID, which means you’ll need the REAL ID to fly domestically without a passport and a REAL ID is needed to enter federal buildings. Matthew Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you can visit express-lane-dot-org to schedule an appointment if you don’t have a REAL ID and there’s also a checklist of items needed to get a REAL ID…

Cut 6 (09) “…express lane-dot-org.

Small businesses continue to find it hard to fill their job openings. The National Federation of Independent Business’ April jobs report showed that 34-percent of small businesses reported job openings that they could not fill. NFIB State Director Leah Long.

Cut 10 (13) “…skilled work set.”

Job openings were the highest in the construction, transportation and manufacturing sectors.

The Louisiana Bookeepers Association says its seeing a dramatic decline in the honeybee population.  Vice President Kevin Langley says there is hope. Farmers, researchers, and environmentalists are raising awareness and promoting bee-friendly practices such as pollinator gardens, limiting pesticide use during blooms…

Cut 9 (12)  “…to the bees.”

Langley says pesticide use is one of the main reasons for honeybee population decline.

Whooping cough cases continue their upward trend in Louisiana. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there have been 164 cases of whooping cough this year, already eclipsing 2024’s total of 153.

Cut 13 (13)  “…one year old.”

Sokol says the best way to protect newborns from whooping cough is for pregnant women to receive a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy.

The latest NFIB jobs report finds that labor shortages continue to constrain small business job growth. NFIB state director Leah Long says the lack of qualified applicants is a real issue in Louisiana, which is why they support two House bills at the state capitol that would create the One Door workforce policy…

Cut 12 (12) “…one-door policy”

Louisiana’s honeybee population is experiencing a sharp decline. Louisiana Beekeepers Association VP Kevin Langley attributes the decline to pesticide use, habitat loss and disease, all of which weakens bee immune systems…

Cut 8 (06) “….pesticides”

Langley says there is hope. Farmers, researchers, and environmentalists are raising awareness and promoting bee-friendly practices such as pollinator gardens, and limiting pesticide use during blooms.

Starting Wednesday Americans will need an enhanced form of identification to fly domestically. It’s called the REAL ID and the state Office of Motor Vehicles has been pushing Louisianas to get a REAL ID before Wednesday’s enforcement date. OMV’s Acting Deputy Commissioner Matthew Boudreaux you’ll still be able to get a REAL ID after Wednesday…

Cut 5 (15) “….process those transactions”

The NFIB’s jobs report has found that 34-percent of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in April, down six points from March, the lowest since January 2021. NFIB state director Leah Long says it’s not just skilled workers that small businesses are having trouble finding…

Cut 11 (07) “….unskilled labor”

Job openings were the highest in construction, transportation and manufacturing sectors.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state has already surpassed last year’s total number for whooping cough cases. L-D-H has identified 164 cases in the first four months of 2025, last year there was a total of 153 cases. Two infants have also died from pertussis, the first reported deaths in Louisiana since 2018. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness…

Cut 14 (12) “….getting the disease”

Louisiana’s honeybee populations is experiencing its worst decline on record, with beekeepers reporting a staggering 60-percent loss in colonies. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The U-S Coast Guard says crews have successfully stopped the flow of oil and natural gas from an old well off the coast in lower Plaquemines Parish. The leak was first reported on April 26^th and it’s unknown how much oil discharged from the Spectrum OpCo well at the Garden Island Bay Production facility. Cleanup efforts are ongoing.