Police in Lake Charles arrest 11 people they say are connected to wild gunfire on March 20^th that led to the shooting death of a little girl – inside her home, as she watched TV.  Police Chief Shawn Caldwell hopes these arrests give the family of little 6-year-old Draya Guillory a sense of closure….:

CUT 09(12)      “…Northside Babies.”

Investigators found evidence of an ongoing argument via social media posts that led to the shooting. They say more arrests are coming.

Adults recruiting juveniles to commit carjackings would be illegal under legislation approved unanimously by the Louisiana House. Some members opposed the bill; saying there are already laws to punish those who lead kids into crime, but New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman supports the measure, calling it a serious problem for her city…:

CUT 05(11)      “grandchild in the car.”

The bill now heads over to the Senate.

The Senate Education Committee advances a bill that would ban persons born male from competing in women’s sports. The measure would define in statutes that boys’ teams are made of biological males, girls’ teams are made of biological females and prohibits person born one gender from competing with the other. Dubbed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act”, sponsor Beth Mizell says the bill is to protect that for which women have worked for generations…:

CUT 14(10)      “…with biological females.”

Opposing the bill SarahJane Guidry, with the Forum for Equality, who says the bill is (as Governor Edwards called it last year at his veto) a solution looking for a problem…:

CUT 15(11)      “…providing lip service.”

The committee passed the bill without objection, and it goes to the Senate floor for debate. Last year, lawmakers sought to override the governor’s veto of the same bill, but the override fell short of votes in the House.

Passed last year, but vetoed by the Governor, a Senate bill called a “trans athlete ban” clears its first legislative hurdle for this year. Jeff Palermo has that…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

State Police report a child died this morning in a crash on Interstate 12 in Tangipahoa Parish. Troopers say – at around 9 AM – a big rig lost control and jackknifed, causing a multi-car pileup. The child’s death is confirmed, but we have no other information on fatalities or injuries as yet.

Third Judicial District DA John Belton says he’ll convene a grand jury in Union Parish to look at charges against law officers in the 2019 death of Ronald Greene. The Associated Press reports six State Troopers were involved in the encounter, but Belton told a House investigative committee looking into Greene’s death he’s not a liberty to name names…:

CUT 08(07)      “…that’s about it.”

Belton does confirm both the former and current heads of State Police are NOT under investigation.

Cops in Lake Charles arrest 11 people in connection with the shooting death of a 6-year-old girl last month. Draya Guillory was shot through the wall of her home as she watched TV on March 20th. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says parent should show their kids a picture of Draya, and talk with them about the senseless tragedy…:

CUT 11(11)      “…gun violence.”

More arrests are expected.

Louisiana is receiving $40 million in federal grant funding for flood mitigation. It’s part of the “Swift Current” initiative that’s funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure law that’s allocating $60 million to four states impacted by Hurricane Ida. FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says the goal of the program is to help homeowners get protection for their structures…:

CUT 10(07)      “…come through.”

The bill that would ban public release of a person’s booking mug shots wins passage in the House. The sponsor, Democrat Representative Royce Duplessis says once folks see your mug shot in a public forum, they presume you are guilty. Bossier City Republican Raymond Crews worries the bill will have a negative effect on public safety…:”

CUT 04(10)      “…recognize their person.”

The bill passes by a 75-21 vote and moves over to the Senate.

5^th District Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she’ll do everything she can to keep the Veterans Administration from closing the VA Hospital in Pineville. Letlow says she’s been in touch with VA Secretary Denis McDonough and the dialog has been encouraging…:

CUT 07(06)      “…America’s heroes.”

A VA report suggests relocating some VA services to a new outpatient clinic in the vicinity of Alexandria would be wiser than investing the million needed to renovate the 70+ year old structure.

St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says he stands behind his deputy in the serious shooting of a passenger in a car that crashed Sunday near LaPlace. Tregre says he believes (quote) “the officer’s actions were justified and I stand by him and with him on his actions.” Body cam footage reportedly shows that Jacoby Williams did raise a gun at the officer before he was shot.

Grambling State’s new head volleyball coach, Chelsey Lucas, has cut her entire 19-person team. So far she has not said why, but a GSU spokesman says the university stands by her call.

Legislation to limit the number of insurance adjusters for a single claim to three, produces more questions than answers in the Senate Insurance Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Police in New Orleans make an arrest in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy last week. Their suspect is a THIRTEEN-year-old boy. He’s now in juvenile detention.

Sometimes we all enjoy looking at booking mug shots on websites, but that may end if a New Orleans lawmaker’s bill passes. Democrat Royce Duplessis proposes banning public release until a person is found guilty; not merely arrested. Duplessis says publishing mugs is prejudicial…:

CUT 03(07)      “…undermines that.”

He says people remember seeing you got arrested but never remember you being exonerated. The bill passed in the House by a vote of 75 for aand 21 against. It moves now to the Senate.

After the Department of Veterans Affairs recommended the closure of the Alexandria VA Medical Center in Pineville last month, Congresswoman Julia Letlow reached out to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. Letlow says she told him closing the hospital is unacceptable…:

CUT 06(11)      “…hospital open.”

At the state Capitol, a bill that would ban the public release of most mug shots passes the Louisiana House. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Cops in the towns of Rayne, in Acadia Parish, and Scott, in Lafayette Parish, worked together to bust three men on numerous illegal drug and weapons charges. Officers with a warrant raided a house in Scott; finding over 21 pounds of marijuana and a bunch of pills. Street value there nearly a quarter-million dollars. They also found an AK-47 style rifle and some pistols.

Back to the State Capitol where the Senate Insurance Committee discussed whether there should be a law on the number of adjusters an insurance company use for a single claim. Executive Director for Real Reform Louisiana Eric Holl says after the recent hurricanes some policyholders have dealt with over a dozen adjusters..:

CUT 12(09)      “…south Louisiana”

New Orleans Senator Joseph Bouie has the bill that would limit the number of adjusters for a single claim to three. But Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says an adjuster can be anyone that touches a case and limiting the number of adjusters could end up hurting the consumer..:

CUT 13(13)      “…whatever number.”

After hearing concerns about his bill, Bouie says he’ll tighten up the language and bring it back before the committee at a later date.

The National Hurricane Center issues its final report on Hurricane Ida. The Category 4 storm packed 150 miles-an-hour winds. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it did over $18-billion in damage, but the loss of lives during and after was the real tragedy…:

CUT 11(12)      “…kind of numbers.”

The report confirms Ida as one of the worst storms to ever hit our state.

A bill to forbid charging tolls on any part of Louisiana’s Interstate system was voted down in a House committee today. Its sponsor is Sulphur Representative Les Farnum, who’s concerned the state will use tolls to pay for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…:

CUT 12(06)      “…could be next.”

But DOTD says tolls MAY be needed. The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.

Legendary Bourbon Street performer Chris Owens has passed away. Owens opened her first club in 1957 and entertained audiences ever since. She was also known for leading the annual New Orleans Easter Parade and for her hourglass figure right up until the end. Chris Owens was 89.

After record crowds for Mardi Gras, followed by the Final Four, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hopeful as festival season kicks off the tourism industry will rebound. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

At the Capitol today, the House Transportation committee put the brakes on a bill that sought to prohibit tolls being charged on any existing interstate highway system. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says it’s not the right way to fund a new I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles, but DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says tolls may well be necessary…:

CUT 13 (06)      “…additional revenue.”

The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.”

A Senate committee approves a bill adding extra years to prison sentences for those convicted of knowingly lacing drugs with fentanyl, but selling it as something else. Testifying for the bill, Lily Harvey, who lost her daughter to a drug overdose. She says OD’s increased 53-percent last year…:

CUT 03 (10)      “…a rise.”

Harrisonburg Senator Glen Womack’s bill would add five extra years if convicted of that offense. It now goes to the Senate floor.

The National Hurricane Center releases its final report on Hurricane Ida today, and the major storm that hit southeast Louisiana last August will go down in the record brooks. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02 (31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Spring turkey hunting season is underway, and state Wildlife & Fisheries agents say they cited nineteen persons over the weekend for violations ranging from hunting a baited field, to hunting during a lottery hunt without a lottery tag, to using an improper weapon. Well, Louisiana is gonna Louisiana….

A Senate committee unanimously approves a bill that enhances the penalties for those convicted of knowingly lacing drugs with fentanyl but marketing it as another substance. Harrisonburg Senator Glen Womack’s legislation would add another five years to a prison sentence for that. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White offers his support, having seen what the drug has done to the Capital Area…:

CUT 05(07)      “…overdose on fentanyl.”

The bill moves to the Senate floor for debate.

The National Hurricane Center issued its final report on Hurricane Ida. The biggest finding of the report? It WAS a Category 4 storm with maximum winds at 150 miles-an-hour; making it one of the strongest to ever hit Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says – given that – the damage could have been much worse…:

CUT 10(10)      “…associated with it.”

An Opelousas mom is angry and upset, after a St. Landry Schools bus driver closed her kid’s head in the bus door and started to drive away. It happened as the child was getting off the bus and was captured by a neighbor’s home security camera. The child received minor injuries but it could have been worse. The driver says she closed the door too soon, because she was distracted by kids still on the bus. The mom says the kids were trying to tell her there was a child stuck in the door. No comment yet from school officials.

After almost two full years of pandemic-related cancellations, spring & summer festivals are back for Louisiana. Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser says nearly 400 events will happen statewide between now and Labor Day. Then, he says, LSU football is back..:

CUT 07(10)      “…to Louisiana.”

Louisiana will see another round of severe weather tonight and during the overnight hours. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says strong storms will move into the Shreveport area after 7 PM and move eastward as the night wears on, which a big problem…:

CUT 05(12)      “…of the night.”

The entire I-20 corridor, Alexandria, and areas north of Hammond are all under an enhanced threat of severe weather.

A St. John the Baptist Parish deputy-involved shooting is now under State Police investigation. Trooper Kate Stegall says the deputy responded to a car crashed into the swamp on I-10 near LaPlace and the circumstances under which the shooting took place are still at question, however two weapons were retrieved from the car…:

CUT 08(05)      “…9mm handgun.”

The man shot is in critical condition.

Monroe Police are investigating a weekend double murder. Two victims were found Sunday night at a mobile home park near Bayou Desiard. A large amount of crystal meth and injectable illegal drugs were also found. MPD will gladly accept tips from the public and a $200 reward is offered.

Louisiana’s U.S. Senators will vote against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. John Kennedy says a reason for his ‘no’ vote stems from a ruling Judge Jackson made against an immigration policy put in place by former President Donald Trump that was reversed by a federal appeals court. Kennedy says he finds Judge Jackson smart, well-versed in the law, but failed to say anything of substance when it came to critical questions…:

CUT 16(07)      “…judicial restraint.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says he is also a “no” vote for Jackson.

An elderly New Orleans man was killed Sunday morning in head-on crash in Terrebonne Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says 77-year-old Joseph Sias was hit by a vehicle driven by Houma resident Katelynn Scott, who was deemed impaired at the crash scene…:

CUT 09(11)      “…dead at the scene.”

A passenger riding with Sias was severely injured. Trooper Brennan says faces DUI and vehicular homicide charges

U.S. Senator John Kennedy says he’s a “no” vote for confirming federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. Kennedy today in the Senate Judiciary Committee…:

CUT 15(12)      “…be voting no.”

UL-Monroe’s new strategic plan takes aim at poverty in northeastern Louisiana. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

Jefferson Parish native and St. Augustine high school alum Jon Batiste took home 5 Grammy Awards last night; including the coveted Album of the Year for “We Are.” Batiste won Best Music Video for “Freedom,” Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for “Cry,” and Best Score Soundtrack for Disney/Pixar’s animated hit “Soul.”