Doctor Ralph Abraham has been named as the state’s first Surgeon General. Abraham was serving as Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health. Governor Jeff Landry says this will put a doctor in charge of health policy. Abraham says he wants to change policies that have been holding the state back in providing better healthcare…

Cut 11 (11) ” …patient.”

Three Mandeville teenagers are facing charges after allegedly stealing a woman’s LGBTQ flag from her home and burning it. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Lt. Suzanne Carboni says detectives have been investigating the hate crime since Memorial Day weekend

Cut 12 (07) “… remarks.” 

That video led to the arrest of two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old.

Wayne Warner, the principal at Chalmette High School will have to have surgery after being attacked by a man in a wheelchair. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former Baton Rouge Representative Scott McKnight is running for the Public Service Commission. McKnight will seek to replace District 2 PSC Commissioner Craig Greene, who is not seeking re-election.

Cut 3 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”

Cleco customers will see a rate increase next month of around five dollars jumping to 13 dollars in October. The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted four to one to allow the increase. PSC Davante Lewis, who voted against the increase, says the way Cleco is framing the price jump is misleading at best and predatory at worst.

Cut 9 (10) “…acquiring them.”

Their last rate hike was in 2021.

Former President Donald Trump is in New Orleans today for a fundraiser hosted by two of Louisiana’s biggest Republican donors, Boysie Bollinger and Joe Canizaro. Bollinger says Trump is confident he will win Louisiana like he did in 2020, so he’s stopping by to raise campaign funds, not to campaign.

Cut 13 (08) “…doing that.” 

Beginning next year, to receive their certification, teachers will have to pass a criminal background check. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU sprinter Sha’Carri Richarson is heading to the Paris Olympics as a favorite to win a Gold Medal after a 10.71 second sprint in the 100-meters at the U.S. track trials in Oregon. Richardson, who was banned from competing in the 2021 Tokyo Games because of a positive marijuana test, was emotional when she crossed the finish line on Saturday

Cut 10 (10) “…today.”

Beginning January 1^st teachers seeking certification in Louisiana will have to undergo a criminal background check with the state. Such requirements had previously been left to local school systems. Louisiana State Police will conduct the checks and teachers that are currently certified will also have to under got the background check says Arthur Joffrion (Joe-free-on) with the Louisiana Department of Education.

Cut 5 (03)  “…securing those.”

Crimes of violence and crimes against children will automatically keep a certified teacher out of the classroom.

Former President Donald Trump is in New Orleans for a fundraising event today hosted by Boysie Bollinger and Joe Canizaro. Bollinger believes Louisiana voters are frustrated with the way Trump has been treated as he navigates several legal challenges and want to support his campaign financially. He says, this fundraiser alone has raised millions of dollars.

Cut 15 (09) “…financially.”

Cleco customers will see a rate increase next month, but the reason why depends on who you ask. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

New Roads native, Christoper Hebert has been named Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. He is the first African American to serve as Chairman. Governor Jeff Landry made the appointment saying Hebert has the experience and background needed to properly regulate such a large industry. During Hebert’s time as Assistant Attorney General, he was instrumental in creating the Problem Gambling Resource Services Program.

Former President Donald Trump is raising campaign funds in New Orleans today. The event hosted by two of Louisiana’s biggest Republican donors, Boysie Bollinger and Joe Canizaro features three tiers of entry: thirty-three hundred dollars for a basic ticket, twenty-five thousand for a picture and one hundred thousand dollars to eat with Trump at dinner. Bollinger says every ticket has been sold.

Cut  14 (10) “…expect to have.” 

A rate increase is coming for Cleco customers next month. Spokesperson Fran Phoenix says bills will increase around five dollars next month and by October they will increase by thirteen dollars. Cleco’s last price raise was in 2021…

Cut 7 (09) “…adjustment.”  

Beginning next year, to receive their certification, teachers will have to pass a criminal background check. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU sprinter Sha’Carri Richarson is heading to the Paris Olympics as a favorite to win a Gold Medal after a 10.71 second sprint in the 100-meters at the U.S. track trials in Oregon thats the fastest time from any woman in the world.

Cut 12 (11) “…well executed race.” 

Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin is calling for an overhaul of Louisiana’s AMBER Alert system after a delay in request for two missing Loranger girls. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin sent a letter to the governor saying the current system is tedious and overcomplicated.

Cut 3 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

Police records showed it took 3 hours to issue an alert after Erin and Jalie Brunett were reported missing last week

Governor Landry has signed legislation giving the Louisiana Workforce Commission the responsibility of spearheading workforce changes and solutions. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen (sh-auh-on) says these changes can only result in good things.

Cut 10 (12) “…workers are.”

Saturday night’s induction of the 2024 class to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame featuring former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and LSU women’s basketball star Seimone Augustus will also feature great coaches. Among them, Tulane men’s basketball coach Perry Clark, former high school football coach Frank Monica and legendary Grambling Coach Wilbert Ellis, who won 701 games in 26 seasons as a head coach…

Cut  14 (11) “…win games.” 

Shoppers may soon be able to buy alcohol on Sundays in Bossier City. Currently, the city only allows the sale of lower alcohol content — wine and beer. This week the Bossier City Council voted six to one this week to allow grocery and liquor retailers to sell alcohol on Sundays during designated hours. Councilman Brian Hammonds proposed the bill siting an economic advantage for the city. Retailers in Shreveport already sell alcohol on Sundays.

Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin is calling for an overhaul of Louisiana’s AMBER Alert system after Police records showed it took 3 hours to issue an alert after Erin and Jalie Brunett were reported missing last week. McMakin says part of the rework would make sure alert requests always go through to a real person.

cut 4 (12) “…hour or two.”

Tips from the public helped investigators determine a November fire that destroyed the Benoit Ford dealership on Johnnie B Hall Memorial Highway in Deridder was intentionally set. Now the State Fire Marshall’s office is asking the public’s help in identifying the person responsible. Deputies have photos of a young, 6 foot tall, male wearing a dark-colored hoodie and skinny jeans walking around the dealership property at 4:00 am on November 18^th, 30 minutes before the fire was reported. If you have any information, call the Arson Hotline at 844-954-1221.

As Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is making national headlines it also faces litigation. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is not the only former Q-B being honored in the 2024 Class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night. Former McNeese star Kerry Joseph will also be enshrined. The New Iberia native led the Cowboys to the 1995 Division One-Double-A semifinals and turned into an M-V-P performer in the Canadian Football League

Cut 13 (05) “…home.” 

Alanah Odoms with the ACLU of Louisiana says Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in public classrooms clearly violates the First Amendment and the law calls for a government-mandated version of the Ten Commandments. Author of the legislation, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes it will withstand an expected U.S. Supreme Court challenge and, in the meantime, …

Cut 8 (09)  “…in schools.”

Governor Landry has signed legislation giving the Louisiana Workforce Commission the responsibility of spearheading state workforce changes and solutions. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen (sh-ow as in ouch-en) says Senate Bill 293…

Cut 9 (12) “…employers.”

After a delay in issuing an AMBER Alert for two missing Loranger girls, a lawmaker is calling for an overhaul of Louisiana’s AMBER Alert system. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class on Saturday night. Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and LSU women’s basketball star Seimone Augustus are the headliners. Augustus was special even as a youngster

Cut 12 (10) “…amazing people.” 

Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin is calling for an overhaul of Louisiana’s AMBER Alert system after a delay in request for two missing Loranger girls. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin sent a letter to the governor saying the current system is tedious and overcomplicated.

Cut 3 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

Police records showed it took 3 hours to issue an alert after Erin and Jalie Brunett were reported missing last week

Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in public classrooms is receiving national attention and groups like the ACLU say they plan to fight it in court. Author of the legislation, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes it will withstand the challenge.

Cut 6 (09) “…the test.”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed House Bill 684, which re-establishes a black bear hunting season in Louisiana. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says the measure establishes how the money will be spent from black bear hunting license application fees and the black bear hunting license itself…

Cut 13 (11) “…species.”
The season will take place in December in a handful of parishes in northeast Louisiana.

Governor Landry also signed legislation giving the Louisiana Workforce Commission the responsibility of spearheading state workforce changes and solutions. They will empower the Department of Education to expand access to high school and university internships and apprenticeships. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen (sh-ow as in ouch-en)…

Cut 11 (08) ” …get better.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has ordered SWEPCO to issue 23-million dollars in refunds to its Louisiana customers. District 5 Commissioner Foster Campbell says the P-S-C will also conduct service quality investigation on SWEPCO, because of frequent outages from storms…

Cut 13 (11) “…service better.” 

When you know you know that’s the popular phrase District 2 Public Service Commissioner Craig Greene used as he announced his decision to make this his last term. He is not going to seek re-election saying while keeping a watchful eye on utility providers and keeping prices affordable, he’s had the chance to meet great people and engage in debates that will have generational impact. Greene will have served eight years when his term ends in January.

Legal challenges are already in the works, so we asked Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino what he thinks will happen to the Ten Commandments law requiring them to be displayed in public school classrooms.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A $1 million gift from the family of Clifford Smith to Nicholls State University will create the William Clifford Smith School of Engineering set to start in August. Dean of the College of Science and Technology Dr. John Doucet.

Cut 6 (09) “…jobs elsewhere.”

It’s unclear whether the new law requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments will survive a legal challenge. Loyola University Law professor Dane Ciolino expects the law to be deemed unconstitutional and then Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murril will appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is more conservative than in the past.

Cut 5 (08)  “…will do.”

A fourth person has been arrested in the murder investigation of 38-year-old Ashley Beauclair. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Morgan Lin Heims, 20, of Branson, Missouri, for criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice Thursday. The three arrested Tuesday are Sonny Ray Dauzat, 25, of Effie, for second-degree murder, criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Keion Joseph Roy, 29, of Moreauville, and Sophie Mae Badeaux, 24, of Marksville, were also arrested. Beauclair’s body was discovered last October but she wasn’t identified until February with the help of DNA and the LSU Faces Lab.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has ordered SWEPCO to issue 23-million dollars in refunds to its 240-thousand customers in 12 northwest Louisiana parishes. Commissioner Foster Campbell says SWEPCO customers deserve a credit

Cut 12 (08) “…to be.” 

Campbell says the credit will amount to 21-dollars per month for the average SWEPCO residential customer and it should appear on July, August and September bills.

UL-Lafayette Softball starts the search for a new head coach as head coach Gerry Glasco accepts an offer to become the next head coach at Texas Tech. Host of the Locked-on Sun Belt Podcast Dave Schultz was surprised by the move.

Cut 9 (09) “…Oklahoma City.”

Glasco finished his seventh season with a record of 302-88.