Another above-average hurricane season is in the forecast for 2022. Colorado State University Ph.D. candidate Alex DesRosiers (Dee-rose-ee-ay) says they predict at least 19 named storms and nine hurricanes – four of which could be major…:
Cut 4 (10) “likes to see”
Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.

The LHSAA says it will allow student-athletes to receive NIL benefits. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they’ve also entered a partnership with Eccker sports to provide educational NIL services, so everyone understands the name, image, likeness process…
CUT 14 (07) “see the money”
He says NIL deals are already happening in the state and the partnership with Eccker is just about explaining how it all works.

A truck driver from out of state was arrested after his big rig slammed into the back of another vehicle on I-12 Thursday morning, leaving an 18-month-old dead. The wreck happened near the Livingston/Tangipahoa parish line. State Police say 60-year-old Predrag Bisevac of Illinois failed to stop as he approached standstill traffic. He was booked on charges of negligent homicide and reckless operation.

Researchers in Baton Rouge discover a natural substance that COULD be an anti-aging breakthrough. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Colorado State University releases its predictions for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season with 19 named storms. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The legislative committee looking into the death of motorist Ronald Greene was told Thursday to expect charges will be handed down soon to State Troopers involved in the deadly 2019 arrest of Greene. Union Parish District Attorney John Belton also hinted that federal indictments will also be forthcoming.

Researchers at Baton Rouge’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center identify a chemical compound that COULD be an anti-aging breakthrough. Pennington Center’s Christopher Axelrod says it cannot reverse aging, but their research on geriatric mice indicates it could be useful in helping us live better lives as we grow old…:
Cut 8 (08) “made them age healthier”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off today and organizers predict 2022 will see a record-breaking crowd head to Tangipahoa Parish this weekend. 32-year festival board member Donald Lanier says they haven’t been able to have the berry big festival for two years, so they are elated to be back…:
Cut 10 (09) “everything going on”
Visit LAstrawberryfestival.com to learn more.

Researchers at Colorado State University are predicting another active Atlantic hurricane season for 2022, with 19 named storms. CSU Ph.D. candidate Alex DesRosiers (Dee-rose-ee-ay) says we are still currently in a weak La Nina pattern:
Cut 5 (06) “and intensify”
This is the third year in a row forecasters have called for an “above average” season.

The LHSAA executive committee approved a positioning statement to allow high school student-athletes to profit from name, image, and likeness deals. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the association has also entered a partnership with Eccker sports to provide educational NIL services…:
Cut 13 (10) “learning tool”
He says these NIL deals are already happening this approval is all about making sure folks are educated on the process.

After a two-year absence organizers are chomping at the berry for things to get underway at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Police in Slidell have arrested a headmaster at a local Christian School for allegedly taping three students’ mouths shut last month. 60 year old Pastor John Raymond is charged with three counts of child cruelty.

Most of the state is under a red flag warning which means weather conditions are ripe for small fires to be easily spread so it’s a good idea to avoid outdoor burning today.

A bill heading to the House floor would remove party affiliation from the ballot for judicial candidates. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

If you enjoy smoking your medical marijuana in the car you would face a fine of $100 if a bill that advanced in the House Wednesday ends up passing as law. Some lawmakers questioned Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel about how this would actually be enforced…:
Cut 16 (12) “…hold them accountable.”
The Senate will take this up next.

Testimony will begin today in the trial of a Baker man accused in the September 2018 slaying of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. A jury was chosen Wednesday. 23-year-old Dyteon (Die-Tee-On) Simpson is charged with second degree murder and faces a mandatory life sentence if found guilty. Authorities say Simpson shot Sims in the face when Sims was trying to defend a friend at a frat party just off Southern University’s Campus.

Research continues to point to us blocking out memories of the pandemic and the stressful situation of the past couple of years. Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey says they are working on ways to help folks who are struggling with some cognitive impairment…:
Cut 9 (10) “helpful”
You can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-866-310-7977.

Republican lawmakers are trying again to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports. The measure is set to be heard in Senate Education today. It passed in both chambers last year but failed in a veto override attempt. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says GOP majorities in both chambers are anxious to send the bill to the Governor’s desk:
Cut 5 (08) “for quite a while”
The bill seeks to assure female athletes do not have to face competition from athletes who were born men.

A House committee approves a bill that would remove the party affiliation of a judge on a voting ballot. The vote was 9-3 with a few GOP lawmakers opposing like Haughton Representative Dodie Horton…:
Cut 11 (07) “adheres to”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Recent research points to memory loss being one of the side effects of the pandemic. Brooke Thorington has that report…:
CUT 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Police in Shreveport are investigating a Wednesday night shooting at a local gas station which left the clerk hospitalized after being hit 3 times. They say a customer called the cops after entering the Circle K to find the employee on the floor suffering gunshot wounds. The victim is at a local hospital with life threatening injuries, and no arrests have been made at this time. More on this as it develops.

A House Committee approves a bill that would remove from a voting ballot the party affiliation of a candidate running for judge. Marrero Representative Kyle Green:
Cut 10 (12) “on the ballot”
The bill was approved by the committee on a nine to three vote with some GOP members in opposition arguing voters deserve to know the politics of judges on a ballot.

A bill that would prohibit smoking weed while driving or riding in a car advances out of the House Wednesday. The measure is by Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel…:
CUT 15 (11) our roads safe”
The proposal passed the House 66-31 and now heads to the Senate.

A Senate committee is scheduled today to take up a second attempt to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports..:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

There’s growing evidence that one side effect of the pandemic is memory loss. That’s due to anxiety according to Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey:
Cut 7 (10) “…forward with them”
If you need counseling, you can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-866-310-7977.

Today, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to discuss a transgender athlete ban. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell brings the bill again after it was vetoed by Governor Edwards last year. An attempt to override that veto failed. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards nixed the bill because he saw it as a “solution looking for a problem”, however…:
Cut 4 (15) “in Louisiana”
He says GOP majorities in both chambers are anxious to send the bill to the Governor’s desk again.

Officials in Lake Charles are slated to hold a news conference this morning to discuss a rise in crime in the area, including the shooting of 6-year-old Draya Michelle Guillory who was killed during a drive by. Police have confirmed one arrest in connection with Guillory’s death.

On the House Floor Wednesday, Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel continued to make her case for HB 234, which would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana while driving or riding in a motor vehicle on public highways…:
Cut 14 (10) “while it’s operating”
The bill passed the House on a 66-31 vote and now heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Gas prices continue their slow but steady decline. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is 3.93, down from $4 a week ago.

With COVID cases in a lull, the Department of Corrections is bringing back visitation; and a beloved Louisiana rodeo…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Louisiana now as its own version of the controversial Florida bill called “Don’t Say Gay,” which seeks to prevent school workers from discussing sexual orientation in classrooms. Republican State Representative Dodie (“Doe-Dee”) Horton of Haughton’s measure filed Thursday would also keep teachers from talking about their own sexual orientation to students through grade 12.

New Orleans Representative Kyle Green says he’s not moving forward with his bill to rename the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans after late former Governor Edwin Edwards. According to the Advocate Newspaper, the bridge is named the Crescent City Connection as a result of a publicly-voted contest and the person who proposed the name objected to naming it after Edwards.

LSU takes to the court tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, its third appearance in the last four years. It will do so without its head coach and with a very young roster. Senior Darius Days says they just have to get back to doing the things that helped them start the season 15-1…:
Cut 14 (16) “early in the game”
Tipoff is 6:20pm.