The secretary of the department of public safety and corrections is addressing the string of unexpected deaths at a prison facility in Iberville Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Another budget battle is brewing over the funding for the LA GATOR program. Andre Champagne reports.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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The gloves are already off in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The department of public safety and corrections is addressing a series of unexpected deaths at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in Iberville Parish. Chief of Operations Seth Smith says of the 47 deaths at Elayn Hunt in 2025, 18 were unexpected.
Cut 4 (06) “…currently pending autopsy.”
Secretary Gary Westcott says the issues that the people inside the prison are going through are not much different than those of the general public outside the prison.
Cut 5 (14) “…and our nation.”
Secretary Westcott announced that earlier this month, Travis Day took over as warden of the facility, taking over for Keithe Turner, who stepped down after only eight months on the job. Westcott says the health and safety of the inmates is of utmost importance to all prison staff.
Cut 6 (09) “…this responsibility serious.”
Westcott also announced the appointments of Jamie Lee as deputy secretary and Tammy Grant as undersecretary of the department of public safety and corrections.
(Note: the spelling of “Keithe” is correct.)
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Governor Jeff Landry’s proposal to double neat year’s funding for the LA GATOR program is receiving pushback from legislative leaders, particularly in the Senate. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says Senate President Cameron Henry has expressed concerns about expanding the voucher program and guidelines for how parents can use the money.
Cut 7 (13) “…failing public schools.”
About 57-hundred students are receiving assistance through the LA GATOR program, which provides parents with state tax dollars to pay for private school tuition, homeschool materials and other education expenses.
While it’s currently funded at 44-million dollars, Landry’s budget proposal calls for 88-million dollars in funding. Deslatte says LA GATOR’s rising price tag has some lawmakers concerned.
Cut 8 (09) “…those other states.”
Landry wants to expand LA GATOR so more families can use state dollars to attend a school that fits them best. But Deslatte says the state is projected to see a drop in state revenue because of recent tax changes.
Cut 9 (09) “…GATOR program quickly.”
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The first attack ad is out in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary. A super PAC supporting incumbent Bill Cassidy has labeled Congresswoman Julia Letlow, in its words, a “liberal,” accusing her of voting with former President Joe Biden more than any of the other Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM.
Cut 10 (08) “…to do so.”
The pro-Cassidy super PAC, Louisiana Freedom Fund, took aim at Letlow, who entered the race on January 20th. Letlow responded by saying it did not take long for Cassidy and his never-Trumper, pro-impeachment allies to begin attacking her.
Cross says Letlow’s campaign team is ready to respond to these attacks, and she will go on the offensive as well.
Cut 11 (08) “…with Julia Letlow?”
Cassidy’s campaign also released a statement yesterday that says between the Senate and a pro-Cassidy Super PAC, 1.4-million dollars were raised at a Washington Mardi Gras fundraiser. Cross says how much Letlow will have remains a question mark.
Cut 12 (10) “…sure to come.”
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The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. United Way of Northeast Louisiana President Kim Lowery says 56-percent of households in this part of the state already struggle to pay their bills.
Cut 13 (12) “…of the time.”
Marketing and Communications Director Meghan Jones says they began accepting applications for financial assistance Saturday morning; and within two hours, they received two-thousand applications.
Cut 14 (07) “…an overwhelming need.”
Jones says to apply for assistance, go to the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s website. She says they’re also accepting donations to help the many families who need financial support.
Cut 15 (08) “…in our region.”
You can donate on the same website, or you can text FAMILYRELIEF to 91999.
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Depth is one of the major strengths of this year’s LSU baseball team. Fifth-year senior infielder Tanner Reaves says the Tigers’ depth will benefit them in multiple ways this season.
Cut 16 (16) “…play really good.”
Senior Zach Yorke, who transferred from Grand Canyon University, is expected to start at first base for the Tigers. Yorke is known for being a power hitter, having hit .328 with over 30 home runs in three seasons with the Antelopes, but he also takes pride in playing exceptional defense.
Cut 17 (19) “…ability this year.”
Like many, Yorke dreamed of playing for a College World Series in Omaha since he was a kid.
Cut 18 (18) “…national championship here.”