Louisiana State Police are investigating the death of a New Iberia man, shot and killed when authorities in the New Iberia area were attempting to take him into Protective Custody. It happened Wednesday when the Iberia Sheriff’s Office assisted by New Iberia Police officers made contact with 30-year-old Justine Rhine and authorities say he produced a firearm. NIPD officers then discharged their service weapons striking Rhine. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Louisiana program designed for mothers wanting an alternative to abortion is getting underway. The program, called Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network, is administered by the Department of Children and Family Services and operated by Texas-based Human Coalition. Senator Rick Edmonds, whose act in the 2022 legislative session established the program, says it gives pregnant women full access to Human Coalition’s team of nurses and social workers through a chat line or toll free number.

Cut 4 (08) “…kind of format.”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation giving the Insurance Commissioner the authority to reject rate increases deemed excessive. This proposal is backed by Governor Jeff Landry but several Republican legislators are skeptical. Mandeville Representative Jay Galle says the legislation does not make it clear when the Insurance Commissioner can use their authority to block excessive rate increases…

Cut 11 (07) “…is that determined?”

Glorioso says a process will be in place to make sure any rate increase rejected would be done in an arbitrary manner.

Louisiana’s two Democratic congressmen send a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider cuts to the AmeriCorps program. Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE have reduced staff by 85-percent and eliminated more than one-thousand grants nationwide. Baton Rouge Congressman Cleo Fields says those grants go towards essential services.

Cut 6 (09) “…after-school funding.”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would give Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner more authority to reject large rate increases. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

After hearing concerns from Lieutenant Governor, Billy Nungesser, two Louisiana Congressmen, Troy Carter and Cleo Fields, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider cuts to the AmeriCorps program. Fields says there is no strategic logic behind these cuts.

Cut 7 (10) “…have on people.”

The Department of Government Efficiency has reduced AmeriCorps staff 85 percent and eliminated more than one thousand grants nationwide.

A state program for mothers looking for an alternative to abortion is launching soon. The program, called Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network, was born from an act in the 2022 session by Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds, who says Thrive provides pregnant women with life-affirming care to build long-term stability.

Cut 5 (10) “…and Medicare plans.”

The LHSAA Network has awarded Future LSU Tiger and former Alexandria Senior High star running back J-T Lindsey this year’s Warrick Dunn Award crowning him the best high school football player in the state. Lindsey rushed for just under 25-hundred yards and 33 touchdowns. ASH head coach Thomas Bachman says Lindsey was a pleasure to coach…

Cut 14 (07) “…that you have.”

3 people were taken to the hospital after being struck by a car near the entrance to Jazz Fest this morning. It happened a little before 10:30 this morning at Gentilly Boulevard and Lapeyrouse Street as people were gathering to enter the Fairgrounds for the start of the second weekend of Jazz Fest. The area has been cleared but the investigation into the crash is ongoing. The conditions of the those taken to the hospital have not been released.

A Louisiana program designed for mothers looking for an alternative to abortion is getting underway. The program, called Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network, was established by way of Act 561 of the 2022 regular legislative session, which was sponsored by Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds. He says it provides a telehealth service to help expectant mothers make decisions during pregnancy.

Cut 3 (08) “…a huge factor.”

The Thrive program is administered by the Department of Children and Family Services

Louisiana’s two Democratic congressmen send a letter to President Trump, urging him to reconsider massive cuts to AmeriCorps. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation giving the Insurance Commissioner the authority to reject rate increases deemed excessive. Opponents to the measure say the Insurance Commissioner already has this authority, Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso disagrees…

Cut 9 (10)  “…striking it down.”

The Louisiana House has approved bills regarding lawsuit payouts for car accident victims. One of those measures is a medical transparency bill by Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso that would make medical costs admissible in court, so the judge and jury know exactly how much a person injured in a wreck paid in medical costs…

Cut 14 (07) “…consider it.”

The other bill says if a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for a wreck, they are not entitled to damages. Both bills now head to a Senate committee for further consideration.

More than 30,000 residents in Bossier and Caddo parishes were left without power for six hours on Saturday, prompting Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell to demand answers from SWEPCO and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). About what happened and who is paying for it.

Cut 3 (11) “…whos gonna pay for that.”

Louisiana is once again participating in the federal SUN Bucks program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry announces yet another major economic development project for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (17) “…their other colleagues.”

Woodside Energy is an Australian based company and their 17-billion-dollar investment in this LNG export facility in Calcasieu Parish is the largest single foreign direct investment in Louisiana history.

A Suspected ISIS member has been arrested in Iraq for his alleged connection to the New Year’s morning terror attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 people and injured over 50 people. The FBI says they believe Shamsud-Din Jabbar who drove his truck into the crowd, acted alone. The suspect arrested in Iraq was arrested for inciting the Jan. 2025 truck attack in the United States according to Iraqi officials and they say he will be prosecuted in Iraq under their country’s anti-terrorism laws.

The Louisiana House has approved bills that seek to reduce the big payouts car accident victims receive after filing a lawsuit. One of those measures is Baton Rouge Representative Emily Chenevert’s (SHEN-UH-VAIR) bill, which says if a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for a wreck, they are not entitled to damages. She says states with lower insurance rates have this law…

Cut 12 (12) “…claim for damages.”

Woodside Energy Group an Australian-based company announces a huge investment in Calcasieu Parish. The liquefied natural gas export facility is the first greenfield LNG export facility to advance since President Trump rolled back the Biden administration’s pause on LNG export permits. Woodside Executive Vice President Daniel Kalms

Cut 7 (13) “…sector this year.”

Louisiana is participating in the federal SUN Bucks program to provide eligible school age children, 120-dollars to use on food during the summer months when they’re out of school. Tim Jenkins with the Department of Children and Family Services, says those participating in certain programs will get a new SUN Bucks card sent to them.

Cut 10 (13) “…the child’s name.”

Australian-based Woodside Energy Group is investing over $17 billion to build a new Liquefied Natural Gas facility in Calcasieu Parish It’s the first greenfield LNG export facility to advance since President Trump rolled back the Biden administration’s pause on LNG export permits. Governor Landry says the project will create about 15-thousand jobs during construction and thousands more once the facility is up and running.

Cut 8 (10) “…their incomes raised.”

Louisiana is once again participating in the federal SUN Bucks program providing eligible 120-dollars to use on food during the summer months. Tim Jenkins with the Department of Children and Family Services, says

families have 122 days – about four months – to use the money and it may only be used for certain food items.

Cut 11 (09) “…nothing like that.”

The House has approved measures that seek to lower the payouts car accident victims receive in court. Jeff Palermo reports that supporters say the legal reforms will help drive down auto insurance rates…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

More than 30,000 SWEPCO customers in Bossier and Caddo parishes were left without power for six hours on Saturday. The outage, ordered by Southwest Power Pool to prevent a broader grid failure, came without warning and has raised serious concerns from residents and business owners. SPP President Lanny Nickell…

Cut 4 (13) “…from reoccurring.”

Over 30-thousand Caddo and Bossier Parish SWEPCO customers were without power Saturday after the Southwest Power Pool gave an emergency directive to SWEPCO when they identified grid instability. Spokesperson Michael Corbin expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the sudden outages, noting that the emergency nature did not allow for advance notice to customers.

Cut 5 (08) “…in the future.”

For the first time, Saints quarterback Derek Carr is speaking out about his injury to his right shoulder. Carr opened up about his injury while leading a service as a guest pastor in Las Vegas, saying he has an MRI to prove that he has an injured shoulder.

Cut 9 (05)  “…forward with that.”

Carr’s comments come as NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport reports that Carr’s shoulder injury may sideline him for the entire 2025 season. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is not ready to write off Carr’s season just yet.

The House Transportation Committee approves legislation prohibiting the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is ordering state workers back to the office.  State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (05) “…are more productive.”

The House Transportation Committee approved a bill to prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while driving. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the bigger problem is not the talking. The real distractions are texting while driving, the use of social media, and streaming video.

Cut 13 (14)  “…in a crash.”

Alexandria defense attorney Ed Tarpley questions how the proposed law would be enforced and believes it’s an overreach of government regulation.

The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced a bill to amend the constitution giving teachers a pay raise.

Like the recently rejected Amendment 2, the plan would be to transform a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand-dollar stipend for other school staff into permanent pay increases. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter…

Cut 16 (10) “…paychecks have not.”

H-B 573 now goes to the House Civil Law Committee.

Over 30-thousand Caddo and Bossier Parish SWEPCO customers lost power Saturday. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry is ordering state workers back to the office. State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic.

Cut 6 (06) “…their other colleagues.”

Landry says state workers will be required to return to the office July 1st.

Cut 8 (09) “…back to work.”

Governor Jeff Landry says state workers will be required to return to the office July 1st.

State employees were sent home to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and Landry said remote work was one of the biggest negative effects of the pandemic. He is also encouraging employees of agencies outside of his authority to return to their previous office.

PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell wants to know why there was a six-hour unplanned power outage impacting over 30-thousand SWEPCO customers in Bossier and Caddo parishes Saturday. SWEPCO spokesman Michael Corbin says the Southwest Power Pool identified grid instability and required SWEPCO to implement emergency outages Power was restored by the end of the night. ​Corbin says whatever caused the problem wasn’t a SWEPCO issue and a much larger issue possibly in another state.

Cut 4 (06) “…updates to it.”

SWEPCO expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the sudden outages, noting that the emergency nature did not allow for advance notice to customers.

The legislature is still working to give teachers and school staff a permanent pay raise. The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced House Bill 573, which would eliminate three education trust funds and divert two-billion dollars to pay down retirement debt, using the savings for teacher pay. Larry Carter, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, supports it, but he says passage of the amendment would come too late for the 2025-26 school year.

Cut 15 (07) “…amendment ultimately passed.”

Saints quarterback Derek Carr is speaking out about his shoulder injury. While leading a service as a guest pastor at ChurchLV in Las Vegas, Carr expressed frustration over social media speculation that he is faking the injury in an effort to get traded or to be released from the Saints.

Cut 10 (09) “…with this nonsense?”

Carr’s comments come as NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport has reported that Carr’s shoulder injury may sideline him for the entire 2025 season. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, however, is not ready to write off Carr’s season.

The House unanimously passed a bill that could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through third party apps. Rep. Troy Hebert says the bill would protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices like an Antoine’s reservation that sold for over $2000 during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says both deployments are to contribute to a safe and secure environment in those areas.

Cut 7 (11) “…and peaceful area.”

Saturday is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sites throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The first draft pick of Kellen Moore’s head coaching career is in the books, as the Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. Moore says it feels great to get the first one nailed down.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

As for the selection of Banks, Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line.