2:30 PM Newscast April 26

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.” 

4:30 PM Newscast April 25

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” 

3:30 PM Newscast April 25

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 24th. 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)” 

2:30 PM Newscast April 25

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 24th. 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.

1:30 PM Newscast April 25

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)”

4:30 PM Newscast April 23

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” 

3:30 PM Newscast April 23

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” 

2:30 PM Newscast April 23

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”  

1:30 PM Newscast April 23

One man is dead after an apparent road rage shooting near I-20 and Hwy 80 in Caddo Parish Tuesday morning. The victim was a truck driver, and sheriff’s investigators say witnesses report, he and the driver of a dark colored Acura SUV pulled onto an exit ramp and got out of their vehicles. Witnesses told authorities the truck driver tried to get away when the SUV driver shot him. Authorities are looking for the driver of the SUV who fled the scene. It’s believed he was heading toward Texas. Witnesses with dash cam footage have come forward.

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” 

4:30 PM Newscast April 22

A Hamond High School Student is in custody after a stabbing at the school this morning. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards says two female students were fighting in the bathroom when one stabbed the other with a foldable key-knife resulting in three non-life-threatening wounds to the upper extremities. That student is in stable condition. The student found to be in possession of the knife has been booked into Florida Juvenile Detention Center facing a charge of Aggravated Second Degree Battery.

The U-S House has sent to the Senate a 95-billion-dollar foreign aid package that includes aid for Ukraine. Speaker Mike Johnson of Benton needed help from Democrats to pass the aid bill for Ukraine and that puts his job as speaker in jeopardy.

Cut 6  (12) “..where they may.” 

A bill to ban touching your cell phone while driving advances from House Transportation. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU will hold a parade for the newly crowned national champion gymnastics team at 6:30 on Wednesday night. Former LSU gymnastics Coach DD Breaux led the team for 43 years before retiring in 2020. She hired current head coach Jay Clark in 2012 to serve as Associate Head Coach.

Cut 11 (06) “…incredible feat.”