Twenty-one individuals in Shreveport and Bossier City are under indictment in a federal bank fraud case. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Three LSU Tigers were selected in the first round of the NFL draft and the next Tiger that could be chosen is defensive tackle Maason Smith from Houma. W-W-L radio draft expert Mike Detillier says Smith had a disappointing season last year, but he has a lot of potential…

Cut 5 (11)  “…this league.” 

300,000 visitors from 42 different states and 10 different countries are expected to visit Lafayette for Festival International de Louisiane. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot…

Cut 7 (12) “…our community.”  

Berthelot says that the five-day event is not only the largest international music festival in the world but it’s also free.

With prices down another 50-cents this week, The Crawfish App co-founder Lanie King says it’s all about supply and demand, so you don’t want to miss the opportunity for what appears to be the lowest prices of the 2024 mudbug season.

Cut  14 (11) “…from consumers.” 

In addition to Louisiana, The Crawfish App also surveys the average prices in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle.

Twenty-one people from Shreveport and Bossier City, including several employees of the Teleperformance Call Center face federal bank fraud charges for allegedly stealing nearly seven million dollars from U-S-A-A customers. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says many military service members and elderly residents who did banking with U-S-A-A and did not check their accounts regularly had money taken from their account in 2021 and 2022…

Cut 10 (08) “…bank account balances.” 

Counterfeit checks were created and others were recruited to deposit checks into their bank accounts in exchange for money.

Crawfish prices are at season lows. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the average price for a pound of live mudbugs in the Bayou State is $2.99. King says this season, by far, has been the most unusual since the app was created 8 years ago.

Cut 13 (12) “…little bit more.”

Festival International de Louisiane is underway and President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says it’s a great way to celebrate the state’s French heritage. It was created in 1986 when the oil and gas industry was suffering.

Cut 8 (13) “…support it.” 

Berthelot says that the five-day event is not only the largest international music festival in the world but it’s also free.

With the 14th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, The Saints selected Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (Tall-ee-s-a   Foo-ah-gah). He is expected to get an opportunity to start at right tackle, especially if Ryan Ramczyk is not able to play because of his right knee. Coach Dennis Allen says Fuaga caught their eye at the NFL draft scouting combine…

Cut 4 (07) “..type personality.” 

Twenty-one people from Shreveport and Bossier City face federal bank fraud charges for allegedly stealing nearly seven million dollars from U-S-A-A customers. U-S Attorney Brandon Brown says several employees at the Teleperformance Call Center in Shreveport obtained account information and shared it with others..

Cut 9 (11) “…gain.” 

The Saints need offensive linemen and the Black and Gold believe they got a starter for years to come. With the 14th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, New Orleans selected Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (Tall-ee-s-a   Foo-ah-gah). Coach Dennis Allen says it’s not every time that a team’s need matches the best player available

Cut 3 (08) “…that time.” 

Crawfish prices have dropped another 50-cents and with an average price of live mudbugs at $2.99 a pound, this could be the lowest prices of the season. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

With 38 years under their belt, Festival International is still going strong. President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says the event is a great way to draw tourists from across the globe to the city for the first time.

Cut 6  (10) “…great music.” 

The full House has approved legislation that would remove the requirement that businesses must give minors at least a 20-minute break if they work five consecutive hours. Opponents are concerned about overworking 16 and 17-year-olds. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says Mississippi does not have a mandatory break for minors and there no major problems…
Cut 7 (05) “…so false.”  
The measure heads to the Senate for more consideration.

The LSU gymnastics program has been around for 50 years, and they became the 8th school in NCAA history to win a national championship in gymnastics. Clark believes more championships are in their future…

Cut 13 (10) “…Geaux Tigers. (cheers fade)”

Anthony Holland of West Monroe has been arrested in connection to the death of Sheryl Tuner of New Iberia, whose torso was found floating in the Ouachita River. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (37)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Governor Jeff Landry held a press conference today to explain the need for a constitutional convention. Any changes would need voter approval in November. Landry says a presidential election is a perfect time for voters to weigh in.

Cut 3 (11) “…have a say” 

Authorities have arrested 29-year-old Anthony Holland, Junior of West Monroe in the case where the torso of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was found floating the Ouachita River, on January 24^th. Catahoula Parish Sheriff Detective Dewain Littleton says Holland has no previous criminal record and he says that due to the nature of the crime, multiple agencies are investigating to see if others could be linked to the suspect.

Cut 11 (11) ” …for sure.”

Investigators say Holland met Turner on social media and the two planned to live together in West Monroe.

The full House has approved a bill that removes the requirement that businesses must provide minor workers a 20-minute break if they work for five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says the policy prevents teens from landing work with some businesses.

Cut 6  (09) “…hire the kids.” 

Opponents are concerned about overworking 16 and 17-year-olds.

Governor Jeff Landry says there are several reasons why his administration and Republican lawmakers are committed to a constitutional convention this year. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU honored its women’s gymnastics team with a parade and a celebration inside the PMAC last night. Coach Jay Clark led the program to its first ever national title

Cut 12 (06) “…(cheers)” 

A bill calling for a constitutional convention to begin May 20th is awaiting debate on the House floor. Democrats say they are uncomfortable rushing into a constitutional convention without more details on what could possibly be moved into state statue. There’s a concern the state’s popular 75-thousand dollars homestead exemption will be removed from the constitution. Governor Jeff Landry says that’s not his intent…

Cut 5 (13)  “…statue.” 

The full House has approved a bill that removes the requirement that businesses must provide minor workers a 20-minute break if they work for five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says there are minors who are eager to work and the state should not hold them back or prevent businesses from working them more than five consecutive hours…

Cut 8 (11) “…wanting to work.” 

The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

An arrest has been made in the case where the torso of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was found floating the Ouachita River, on January 24^th. Catahoula Parish Sheriff Detective Dewain Littleton says 29-year-old Anthony Holland, Junior of West Monroe confessed that he dismembered and disposed of her body.

Cut 10 (08) “…how to do.” 

Littleton says Holland was unemployed but had been a cross-country truck driver, and there could possibly be more arrests.

Cardell Hayes is sentenced to 25 years in prison today. It’s his second sentencing in the 2016 fatal shooting of retired NFL star Will Smith after a road rage incident. A jury voted 10 to 2 to convict Hayes in December of 2016 but that verdict was thrown out when non-unanimous jury decisions were ruled unconstitutional in Louisiana.

Anthony Holland of West Monroe has been arrested in connection to the death of Sheryl Tuner of New Iberia, whose torso was found floating in the Ouachita River. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (38)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Cardell Hayes, who fatally shot retired NFL star Will Smith in a 2016 road rage incident was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the second time today. His earlier conviction had been thrown out because the Supreme Court outlawed non-unanimous verdicts and the jury in his first trial voted 10-2 to convict.

Governor Jeff Landry explained the need for a constitutional convention in a press conference today. The goal is to move certain sections of the constitution into state law. Landry says these changes will hopefully result in more budget flexibility when the state is facing a deficit. He says right now the Legislature’s hands are tied during tough budget times, resulting in big cuts to health care and education…

Cut 4 (10) “…those things ” 

LSU gymnastics program has been around for 50 years and has become the 8th school in NCAA history to win a national championship in gymnastics. They were honored with a parade and a celebration last night. Coach Jay Clark believes more championships are in their future…

Cut 13 (10) “…Geaux Tigers. (cheers fade)”

Close to 800 Fentanyl pills were seized after a traffic stop uncovered 273 counterfeit pressed pills suspected to contain the drug in St. Tammany Parish. Authorities had word that 24-year-old Derrick McDowell of Covington was regularly distributing narcotics, so after the discovery during the stop. Authorities executed a search warrant at McDowell’s Vintage Dr. residence where over 500 more pills were found along with other narcotics and paraphernalia. McDowell admitted to regularly distributing the pills.

54-year-old Glenn Sullivan of Springfield has been sentenced to 50 years and physical castration for raping and impregnating a 14-year-old. Livingston Parish Assistant DA Brad Cascio is pleased with the sentencing after Sullivan plead guilty to four counts of second-degree rape.

Cut 3 (11) “…her life.” 

A DNA test confirmed he was the father.

Louisiana has received 156 million dollars in federal grant money that will lead to the installation of more solar energy panels. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Legislation to require public colleges and universities in the state to accept cash at sporting events passes in the House on a 70 to 24 vote. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham questioned bill author Rosepine Representative Charles Owen about the purpose of his bill.

Cut 9 (12) “…and water” 

One man is dead after an apparent road rage shooting in Greenwood Tuesday morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Investigators say witnesses saw two men arguing outside their vehicles on the I-20 westbound on ramp. The driver of an 18-wheeler reportedly attempted to escape on foot when the driver of a dark colored Acura SUV shot him. Authorities are looking for the driver of the SUV who fled the scene heading toward Texas. Earlier reports said witnesses with dash cam footage had come forward. Caddo detectives ask anyone with information to contact Detective Vincent Jackson.

54-year-old Glenn Sullivan of Springfield has been sentenced to 50 years and physical castration for raping and impregnating a 14-year-old. Livingston Parish Assistant DA Brad Cascio says sadly so many of these types of cases go unreported and he admires the bravery it took for the victim to come forward despite being threatened not to.

Cut 5 (11)  “…the end.”

Legislation to remove nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution passes in the Senate after two votes. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson-Andrews says members of the Jewish community asked her to sponsor the bill because of its tragic history with the Holocaust.

Cut 11 (12) “…by mistake.”

The state Department of Energy and Natural Resources announces Louisiana a 156-million-dollar federal grant to initiate a statewide program called “Solar for Y’all.” D-N-R is looking to provide dollars to pay for upgrades on single-family and multi-family homes to prepare them for solar energy equipment and they are also looking at creating solar hubs. Spokesperson Patrick Courreges says they still must get approval from the federal government on how they plan to spend the money.

Cut 8 (08) “..buckle down” 

Legislation to remove nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution passes in the Senate after two votes. The first vote was 19-19 and Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson-Andrews asked for a suspension of the rules because she believed some members mistakenly voted against the bill. She reminded Senate members the bill does not repeal the death penalty, only the use of gas for execution.

Cut 12 (12) “…State of Louisiana.” 

The bill passed on a 22-16 vote and advances to the House.

Legislation to require public colleges and universities in the state to accept cash at sporting events passes in the House. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham recalled the Auburn-LSU football game, which was extremely hot, and some fans suffered heat exhaustion.

Cut 10 (13) “…bill up.”

In a fiscal note, LSU reported the bill could lead to a $75,000 annual loss for third-party vendors and slow concession lines.

A 54-year-old Springfield man has been sentenced to 50 years and physical castration for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana is one of 60 government bodies that received funds from the federal Inflation Reduction Act. The state Department of Energy and Natural Resources announces the 156-million-dollar federal grant to initiate a statewide program called “Solar for Y’all.” D-N-R spokesperson Patrick Courreges says the state will benefit, with so much of the population at risk of losing power for several days because of devastating storms.

Cut 7 (07) “…power lines”