46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months and state Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie (DAZE-WW-AH) says healthcare and construction drove much of the job gains. However, but Dejoie (DAZE-WW-AH) says one high paying sector is starting to show impressive growth.
Cut 11 (10) “particular careers.”
The Louisiana Workforce Commission encourages job seekers to visit www.laworks.net for employment and training opportunities.

A probation officer at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center was fired and arrested on Friday for sexual battery. 28 year old, Sirrena Martin of St. Gabriel was reportedly having sex with an inmate. According to the Department of Corrections, Martin was turned in by another corrections officer. Martin faces counts of sexual battery, malfeasance in office and introducing contraband into a penal institution.

Legislation that lets public school teachers pray with students cleared the Senate Education committee. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti introduced the law that he says will make it easier for the kids to do what they want to.
Cut 3 (:12)
The measure moves to the Senate floor.

And in Washington DC, U-S Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the U-S.

Cut 6 (:10) “is cheating.”

March Louisiana unemployment numbers had their biggest year to year drop in years. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Pelicans might just wrap up their playoff series with Portland when they square off with Trailblazers today. Super Star Center Anthony Davis is averaging nearly 28 points a game in the series. He says the key to moving on is to keep up the pressure on defense.
Cut 12 (06) “whole playoffs”
The Pelicans average margin of victory in the series has been 9.3 points a game. Today’s tip off time is 4 pm.

Super Bowl wining head coach of the Eagles, Doug Pederson, is back in bayou to help ULM kick off the new football season. ULM Director of Marketing and Communications Julia Letlow says the former Warhawk QB was glad to step up and give back.
Cut 15 (08) “our program.”
The “2018 Kickoff with Doug Pederson” is tonight at 7 pm in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

U.-S. Senator John Kennedy says he’s asked the Trump administration to give full consideration to the inclusion of Chinese crawfish and shrimp in additional tarrifs.
Cut 7 (07) “their product”
He added that a higher tariff on Chinese crawfish and shrimp would help our seafood industry, which has a 2.4 billion dollar impact on Louisiana’s economy. Earlier this month, President Trump asked the U.-S. Trade Representative to consider whether 100-billion dollars in additional tariffs would be appropriate.

The Senate Education committee approved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students, if the child’s parents sign a permission slip. Jim Shannon has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

U.-S. Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the U-S.
Cut 6 (:10) “is cheating”

Louisiana had three months run of good jobs numbers with unemployment down to 4.4 percent. According to March employment figures, 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months. Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie (DAZE-WW-AH) says that puts us number one in the nation for adding new jobs.
Cut 9 (08) “with Alabama “
Dejoie (DAZE-WW-AH) says Lafayette is starting to recover jobs lost from the recent oil bust.

And while the Federal tax deadline passed earlier this week, the Louisiana individual income tax deadline is May 15th. The Louisiana Department of Revenue has already issued over 400,000 individual income tax rebates to those who have sent in their returns. Filing state taxes electronically is faster with refunds typically being sent out within 60 days. Those filing paper forms should get their refund within 98 days.

Rough night for the LSU baseball team last night as they were blasted by South Carolina 11-0. Tigers starting pitcher Zack Hess gave up three runs in six innings, while the bullpen was torched for six runs in the eighth inning. LSU was held to just two hits.

Louisiana Tech thumped Marshall 15-2. Cajuns blanked Little Rock 1-0, McNeese over Northwestern 2-1 in 13 innings.

The Pelicans can wrap up their playoff series with Portland with a win today versus the Trail Blazers. New Orleans took a commanding three games to nothing lead on Thursday night with a 119 to 102 victory in front of a raucous crowd at the Smoothie King Center. Head Coach Alvin Gentry wants the fans to bring the noise again today….

Cut 14 (08) “….on Saturday’
The game tips off at 4 PM.

____________________________________________________________________

LSU fans will get a chance to see how the battle is shaping up to be Tigers starting quarterback next season when Myles Brennan, Justin McMillian and Lowell Narcisse (Low-el Nar-cease) take snaps in today’s spring game. Gordy Rush of the LSU Sports Radio Network says it’s also a chance to see how the offense will look under new O-C Steve Ensminger…

Cut 30 (20) “…wide receiver”

Spring game begins at 5 PM.

In NFL news, the Ravens have reportedly have signed Saints wide receiver Willie Snead to a two-year offer sheet worth seven million dollars. New Orleans has five days to match it.

Former Saints backup Luke McCown (Mick-cow-in) has announced his retirement. McCown spent four seasons as Drew Brees backup in New Orleans.

Unemployment is down to 4.4 percent in Louisiana, capping a three month run of strong jobs numbers. According to the March employment figures, 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months and state Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says that puts us number one in the nation for new jobs added.

Cut 9 (08) “with Alabama “

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel thinks the bill will only get the state sued and he voted against it.

Cut 5  (09) “nobody prayed”

The measure moves to the Senate floor.

Super Bowl wining head coach of the Eagles, Doug Pederson, is back in bayou to help ULM kick off the new football season. ULM Director of Marketing and Communications Julia Letlow says it’s a chance for fans to get to know the highly regarded NFL coach.

Cut 16  (09) “along the way”

The “2018 Kickoff with Doug Pederson” is Saturday night in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

And three alleged crawfish bandits have been arrested in connection with the theft of 756 dollars’ worth of mudbugs from Lafayette farmers. Allan Turner was arrested by deputies, and warrants are out for Haley Briscoe and Chirstopher Prejean, who are suspected of stealing from local farmers on a nightly basis. The trio is suspected of lifting over 165 pounds throughout their spree.

Unemployment is down to 4.4 percent in Louisiana, capping a three month run of strong jobs numbers. According to the March employment figures, 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months and state Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says one high paying sector in particular is starting to show some explosive growth.

Cut 11 (10) “particular careers.”

The Pelicans are on the verge of a series sweep after crushing the Trailblazers in game three 119-102. The Pels have been prolific, with an average margin of victory in the series of 9.3 points a game. Head coach Alvin Gentry says a bit reason for the blowout win was a raucous fan base that was locked in.

Cut 14 (08)  “on Saturday”

Saturday’s game tips off at 4pm.

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says the improved legislation will give children more freedom.

Cut 4 (:08) “law suits”

United States Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. Earlier this month, President Trump instructed the United States Trade Representative to consider whether 100-billion dollars in additional tariffs would be appropriate. Kennedy says he’s asked the Trump administration to give full consideration to the inclusion of Chinese crawfish and shrimp.

Cut 7 (07)  “their product”

United States Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the U-S. He says a higher tariff on Chinese crawfish and shrimp would help our seafood industry, which has a 2.4 billion dollar impact on Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 8 (:10) “cut rate prices”

The Pelicans are on the verge of a series sweep after crushing the Trailblazers in game three 119-102. The Pels have been prolific, with an average margin of victory in the series of 9.3 points a game. Power Forward Nicola Mirotic says last night’s big win gives the team the momentum it needs to close out game four.

Cut 13 (10) “better job too.”

Mirotic dropped 30 on Portland last night.

The Senate Education committee approved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students, if the child’s parents sign a permission slip. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

And the volunteer firefighter who stands accused of setting a house fire that killed his wife and her service dog has had his charges upgraded to First Degree Murder, along with his existing charges of Aggravated Arson, Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, and Aggravated Cruelty to Persons with Infirmities. Police say Richland Parish volunteer Kenneth Fulford set his house alight, to “end his ailing wife’s suffering” early Monday morning.

Louisiana’s jobless rate is down to 4.4 percent as shown in the March employment data. Over the past 12 months, 46-thousand people in the state got jobs. State Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie (DAY-ZZ-WW-AH) says Lafayette, is recovering jobs lost from the oil bust. Dejoie (DAY-ZZ-WW-AH) says rising prices at the pump are paying dividends in Acadiana’s job gains.

Cut 10 (07) “more stable.”
Dejoie (DAY-ZZ-WAH) encourages job seekers to visit www.LaWorks.Net for opportunities.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to increase tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the United States.

Cut 6 (:10) “is cheating”

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, and student-led prayer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti.

Cut 3 (:12) “get sued”
The measure will now move to the Senate floor.

Super Bowl wining head coach of the Eagles, Doug Pederson, is back in bayou state to help kick off ULM’s new football season. ULM Director of Marketing and Communications Julia Letlow says the former War Hawk Quarterback is ready to help improve season-ticket sales and raise money.

Cut 15 (08) “our program.”
Tickets to this Saturday night’s event with Pederson are still available.

March Louisiana unemployment numbers had their biggest year to year drop in years. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A 41-year-old Slidell woman faces up to ten years in prison after she was found guility of using another woman’s I-D to get a job as a human resources manager, a job that paid her six figures. Diversified Food and Seasonings knew something wasn’t right when Cindy White wasn’t able to do the jobs she claimed to do on her resume, which she stole from LinkedIN and got the rest of the victim’s identity from another website.

Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy is pushing the Trump administration to place higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. Kennedy says it would be a boost to our seafood industry, which he says has a 2.4 billion dollar impact on Louisiana’s economy…
cut 8 (10) “…cut rate prices”
The Trump administration is looking at adding million dollars of in additional tariffs on Chinese products shipped into the United States.

Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson is back in Louisiana, as he’s the headliner for a ULM fundraising event on Saturday night in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Pederson was a three-year starter at ULM and just helped the Philadelphia Eagles win their first Super Bowl. School spokesperson Julia Letlow says Pederson will speak about his time in Monroe, which helped shape him into a successful football coach…
cut 16 (09) “…along the way”
Tickets for the event are still on sale.