Former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack is the fifth Republican to join the governor’s race…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Crowley state Representative John Stefanski files a bill that would greatly increase penalties for distributing fentanyl, basically making the punishment the same as for murder. His bill would sentence dealers to life in prison without parole. Stefanski is also running for state Attorney General this fall.

Tragedy in Cameron Parish, as a young woman and her two small daughters drowned Sunday, while swimming in the Gulf. The victims’ names have not been released, but Cameron Sheriff Ron Johnson says the mom was 24. Her two daughters – ages 7 and 8. Her two boys – ages 2 and 9 – survived. Johnson says, sadly, this isn’t the first time this has happened…:

CUT 14(09)      “…heartbreaker for us.”

He says the kids got into trouble, mom went in to help them and all three perished.

Just a year after he was let go by LSU over alleged recruiting violations, Will Wade is named new basketball coach at McNeese State. Wade says he wants to bring excitement to McNeese basketball and do it in a way that southwest Louisiana can be proud of…:

CUT 11(12)      “…everything that we do.”

Wade says it’s time for a “rebirth” for McNeese and for his career.

Tragedy in Cameron Parish, as a young woman and her two small daughters drowned Sunday, while swimming in the Gulf. The victims’ names have not been released, but Cameron Sheriff Ron Johnson says rescuers managed to pull one of the kids – a 9 year-old boy – out of the water. Johnson says the water was rough Sunday and rocky conditions made swimming even more dangerous…:

CUT 13(12)      “…the help them.”

Johnson says, sadly, this kind of thing happens too often.

Now officially a candidate for governor, former LABI head Stephen Waguespack says he wants to make changes so more residents will choose to stay and thrive in Louisiana, versus outmigration…:

CUT 03(10)      “…why I’m running.”

49-year-old Waguespack also served as a top aide for former Governor Bobby Jindal. He says his knowledge of how government AND business work gives him an advantage.

A 24-year-old Marksville woman was arrested in Metairie after stealing a state trooper’s vehicle over the weekend. Louisiana State Police and Jefferson Parish deputies pursued and apprehended Bethany Holmes and charged her with a list of stuff. LSP’s Trooper Kate Stegall says the trooper was otherwise distracted…:

CUT 06(06)      “…parking lot.”

Holmes crashed into several vehicles during the chase, but no one was seriously hurt.

Fired by LSU just a year ago, Will Wade is now the new basketball coach at McNeese State. Wade takes over a program that went 11-and-23 this past season. The 23 losses were the most ever for a McNeese basketball team. Wade is predicting at least 23 wins next season…:

CUT 10(10)      “…ready to roll.”

McNeese State A.D. Heath Schroyer believes Wade is the best man to fix Cowboys basketball.

A 28-year-old woman and her two daughters – ages 7 and 8 – drowned Sunday on the Gulf Coast in Cameron Parish. Sheriff Ron Johnson says they received a call from campers in the area who saw a 3-year-old boy wandering alone…:

CUT 12(09)      “…called 9-1-1.”

Johnson reminds everyone – especially those with small kids – to be extremely cautious when swimming in moving waters because conditions can change quickly, and even trained swimmers can find themselves in peril.

Republican Stephen Waguespack leaves the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry to become the 5^th major republican candidate for governor. Is he concerned about joining a potentially very large field for the October election…?

CUT 05(10)      “…lead like that.”

Qualifying for the October 14th primary election is Aug. 8th through the 10th.

Police say two LSU students were arrested for burglary early Sunday for allegedly stealing an item from a rival fraternity as a prank. The item was a large composite photo collage of members. Campus cops actually spied the two men absconding with the artwork. They say these are fairly normal frat pranks, but are theft nevertheless.

Former LSU basketball coach Will Wade is back in coaching as he’s the new head coach at McNeese. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

Former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack is the fifth Republican to join the governor’s race. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Ascension Parish deputies are investigating a broad daylight double shooting Sunday in Darrow that left a teen boy dead and another seriously hurt. The victim is identified as 15-year-old Treylon Brown who was found dead at the scene. A second male victim is in critical condition. So far, no suspect nor motive.

A 24-year-old female was arrested in Metairie after stealing a state trooper’s vehicle over the weekend. Louisiana State Police and Jefferson Parish deputies chased and safely caught Bethany Holmes of Marksville. Trooper Kate Stegall…:

CUT 08(08)      “…were injured.”

Holmes was charged with hit & run, aggravated flight from an officer, car theft, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and more.

Former LSU head basketball coach will Wade will take over the hoops program at McNeese State. He’ll replace John Aiken, who was let go last Wednesday after two seasons. Wade is excited for the chance to turn around a program in an area of the state still in hurricane recovery…

CUT 09  (08)        “…needs a rebirth.”

Wade was fired from LSU after 5 seasons, due to alleged recruiting violations.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting a week ago in Bossier City. The incident started with the suspect fleeing Haughton Police, who tried to stop the GMS pickup for outstanding warrants. The chase led to Bossier, and was joined by parish deputies. After crashing into several parked cars, the pickup then overturned on U.S. Highway 80, and the suspect got out with a gun, and was shot by Bossier deputies, Bossier City cops and Haughton P.D. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The gun proved to be an AR15-STYLE BB rifle. The matter is under investigation.

LSP has made an arrest in a 30-year-old child homicide cold case. Trooper Kate Stegall says the crime was solved using tech not available three decades ago, to collect DNA and fingerprints of the alleged killers, the baby girl’s parents…:

CUT 10(05)      “…nearly 30 years.”

Now facing murder charges, Andrew and Inga Carriere…who were arrested separately over the past week.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will end its Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program on May 31st. Following the destructive Category four storm, the state supplied thousands of displaced families with travel trailers. GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle says the trailers were always viewed as a temporary living arrangement..:

CUT 12(08)      “…recovery process.”

About 2300 people are still living in the trailers as of this week. Some have no place to move TO, when the program ends.

It’s a good weekend for a crawfish boil. Especially with mudbug costs falling. Laney King co-founded the Crawfish app, where you can quickly shop the best prices. She says the average cost is $2.84-a-pound, but they should be going even lower…:

CUT 08(04)      “…are farmed.”

The Crawfish App is a free download for your android or iPhone.

A 30-year-old cold case solved. State Police investigators have arrested the parents of an infant female found inside a garbage bag in Picayune, Mississippi back in 1992. Inga Johansen Carriere was arrested in Avondale, LA on Feb. 28^th and Andrew Carriere was arrested in Galliano, LA on March 9. State Trooper Kate Stegall says the two were booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on first-degree murder…:

CUT 09(05)      “…due to smothering.”

Stegall says the breakthrough in the case is a testament to the advancements in forensic technology with DNA and fingerprints. She says their investigation is not over yet.

Having a crawfish boil this weekend? You’ll be happy to know the average price has dropped 50-cents a pound, to $2.84-a-pound for live mudbugs. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says that’s on top of the drop in prices last weekend…:

CUT 06(10)      “…this weekend.”

Buying them already boiled? Expect to pay around $5.20-a-pound.

Two bills filed for the legislative session that starts next month would double the amount of time prosecutors have to decide if a juvenile offender should be tried in adult court. Recently an Orleans judge released a carjacking and shooting suspect because the DA took longer than the allowed 30 days to make that decision. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her bill will help in similar situations…:

CUT 03(07)      “…as adult offenders.”

Another lawmaker, Stephanie Hilferty, of Jefferson Parish, has filed a very similar bill.

A jury in Pineville finds a local man guilty of 3^rd degree rape, for an assault that occurred a year ago in the ladies room of a daiquiri bar. Aaron Stewart could face up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced later this month. Stewart and his lawyer insist the sex with the alleged victim was consensual.

Daylight Saving Time returns overnight tonight. Set your clocks ahead one hour before you turn in.

Police make an arrest in a 30-year-old child murder cold case. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Foxx.”

Another reminder for you: we set our clocks ahead one hour tonight, as we go to Daylight Saving Time. The State Fire Marshal’s office says today would be the perfect day to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to assure the batteries are good. Perhaps a trip to the hardware store for batteries or even brand new alarms is warranted.

State lawmakers file legislation that would give prosecutors twice the time to screen cases wherein a juvenile offender may be charged as an adult. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her House Bill 54 was inspired by the case of two New Orleans youths arrested for carjacking and attempted murder. The D.A. missed a 30-day deadline to charge them as adults for nearly killing their victim. Schlegel says the bill would give Dos 60 days to decide how to try youths, and see that they receive the punishment they deserve if guilty..:

CUT 04(08)      “…held accountable.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will end its Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program on May 31st. GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle says the help is still there another two months if one’s Ida-related repairs are not complete..:

CUT 13(11)      “…long term.”

Contact the program before May 31^st at 844-268-0301.

The head of the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry is stepping down, after ten years, to make a run for Governor. Stephen Waguespack made his announcement yesterday. Before LABI, He was a key member of Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration. Pollster John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics, says a hindsight negative impression of Jindal’s leadership shouldn’t hurt Waguespack…:

CUT 11  (10)        “…eight years ago.”

Waguespack’s entrance means there are now seven major candidates running for governor. Five Republicans, Democrat Shawn Wilson and independent Hunter Lundy.

Farewell La Nina. Experts says the Pacific Ocean cooling weather phenomenon – which usually creates more severe Gulf storms for us – has petered out. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is now a good chance that an El Nino could develop by this fall…:

CUT 08(04)      “…or two.”

During this three-year-long LA Nina, the U.S. has been hit by 14 hurricanes and/or tropical storms.

First Lady Jill Biden will be in New Orleans visiting the Louisiana Cancer Research Center. Brooke Thorington has more…:

Cut 01  (33)      “…Thorington.”

Go ahead and plan that crawfish boil. Mudbug prices have dropped an average 50-cents a pound since last week. Louisiana consumers can now expect to pay on average $2.84 a pound for live crawfish, and can find a sack of crawfish priced well below $100.

Stephen Waguespack stepped down as the leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry on Thursday and launched his gubernatorial campaign, becoming the fifth major Republican to enter the race.  J-M-C analytics pollster John Couvillon says Waguespack lacks name recognition among voters, but he should be able to raise campaign funds…:

CUT 10(09)      “…who he is.”

Waguespack spent ten years as head of the LABI, and he was also a key figure in former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration.

When you set your clocks ahead this weekend, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public to change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in their home. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it only takes a couple of minutes to make life-saving changes…:

CUT 13(10)      “…it’s working.”

To register for a free smoke alarm, visit lasfm.org.

The La Nina streak of hurricanes has ended as spring season moves in. What does that mean for Louisiana weather? Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Foxx.”

The New Orleans City Council is holding adults accountable for kids who get their hands on guns. The council approved an ordinance that would allow adults to be arrested and charged with careless storage of a firearm. Adults could face fines of $500 or more and six months or more in jail.

Stephen Waguespack steps down as the leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry to run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Palermo”

Police in Baton Rouge say a local man was killed when he encountered a high speed police chase. Cops were chasing a sedan that fled a traffic stop, when it crashed into 56-year-old Victor Duncan’s pickup in an intersection. Duncan died from his injuries. The fleeing suspect is in serious condition.

First Lady Jill Biden is making her first trip to the Bayou State today and visiting the Louisiana Cancer Research Center in New Orleans. Her visit is to support a nationwide effort to reduce cancer deaths by 50-percent within 25 years. Dr. Prescott Deininger (dinning-grr) is the Director of the Tulane Cancer Center…:

CUT 04(09)      “…happen faster.”

Biden will be joined by Senator Bill Cassidy and his wife Dr. Laura Cassidy, who will highlight the importance of colorectal cancer screenings and investing in cancer research.

The Pacific La Nina weather phenomenon has officially ended. What that means to Louisiana is less chance of severe hurricanes and tropical storms for the Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the counterpart, the El Nino, is less threatening…:

Cut 07  (08)      “…coming season.”

Keim says there’s no assurance of a quieter storm season this year, but it is more likely to happen.