The Louisiana Department of Health reports a third person has died in Louisiana from complications related to vaping, while the total number of vaping-related cases has risen to 35. Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says these cases are being linked back to Vitamin E Acetate, which is used as a thickener in E-cigs.

Cut 6, 8 seconds, lungs

Symptoms of the Vitamin E Acetate illness include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, and more.

The Bayou Country Superfest is riding off into the Baton Rouge sunset as festival organizers have announced the annual Memorial Day weekend event will be on hiatus until further notice. President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge Paul Arrigo says looking back, it was a great event for the city.

Cut 3 (10)  “…as we had” 

Today is National Plan for a Vacation Day. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to use some of their vacation time by exploring Louisiana with a Staycation…

cut 8 (09) “…new to do”

Nungesser says to plan a trip within the state go to Louisiana-stay-cation-dot-com.

Louisiana is one of the most obese states in the nation and the state Department of Health may have found a fun, competitive way to help fix it. It’s called Own Your Own Health, and it allows you to compete with other residents to see who can log the most steps, or lose the most weight. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Director Rudy Macklin says it’s a great way to ease into exercise.

Cut 12 (08) “…have it”

Visit O-Y-O-H-Dot-com to sign up.

State Police issue a Level Two Endangered/Missing Children Welfare Concern as they need assistance in locating four children as well as their mother, 33-year-old Amanda Morgan of Jackson Parish.  The children, ages 4 to 11, were last seen with their mother in a blue 2015 Ford F-150 with a Texas license plate and is believed to be traveling to Alabama.  The family is concerned about the mental health of the mother and safety of the children.

Bo Pelini is back as LSU’s defensive coordinator. In 2007 he helped the Tigers win a national championship and in each of his three years with the Tigers, Pelini’s defenses ranked number three in the nation in yards allowed.  Safety Craig Steltz was an All-American on that 2007 team and says Pelini was always one step ahead of opposing offenses…

Cut 14 (11) “…big time sack.”

Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the state has been busy marketing itself to visitors from outside of Louisiana but also encourages residents to take a staycation in their home state. Nungesser says if you are looking for one of a kind culture, Louisiana has a massive selection of attractions and details on many of them can be found at LouisianaStaycation.com.

Cut 9 (07) “…for everybody’s taste.”

Nungesser says last year nearly nine million days of vacation went used in Louisiana.

Nicholls State University gets recognition from the National Council on Teacher Quality as the top teacher prep program for early reading instruction, receiving an A+ rating.  Nicholls head of teacher education Dr. Alyson Theriot says feedback received from those that have gone through the program is further verification of the program’s effectiveness.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the field.”

Two people were fatally shot in Natchitoches last night in the nine-hundred block of Short Seventh Street. 41-year-old Larry Batiste and 35-year-old Hiram Phillips were pronounced dead. A female was also shot and she’s listed in severe condition at a Shreveport hospital. Police have not released any other details.

LSU brings back Bo Pelini as its defensive coordinator. Jeff Palermo spoke with a former LSU all-American on what Pelini’s return means for the Tigers…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Nicholls State has received an A-Plus rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality for having one of the top programs in the country when it comes to training future teachers on how to teach early reading skills. Head of teacher education at Nicholls, Alyson Theriot, says teacher candidates practice what they learn in mentor teachers’ classrooms…
cut 5 (10) “…the success”

Louisianans are encouraged to participate in the state’s Own Your Own Health Fitness Challenge. It gives a chance for individuals or groups to participate against others to find out who can walk more steps or lose more weight. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Rudy Macklin, says different cities even compete against each other…
cut 11 (12) “…another”
To sign up, visit O-Y-O-H-L-A-dot-com.

The Own Your Own Health Challenge is underway, giving Louisianans a fun, competitive way to start living a healthier life. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Today is National Plan for a Vacation Day. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to use some of their vacation time by exploring Louisiana with a Staycation…
cut 8 (09) “…new to do”
Nungesser says to plan a trip within the state go to Louisiana-stay-cation-dot-com.

Nicholls State University gets recognition from the National Council on Teacher Quality as the top teacher prep program for early reading instruction, receiving an A+ rating. Nicholls head of teacher education Dr. Alyson Theriot…
Cut 4 (08) “…how to do.”
Theriot says this is a positive sign for the nationwide movement to bring down the high rates of illiteracy.

Bo Pelini is returning for a second stint as defensive coordinator at LSU. Pelini guided the Tigers defense from 2005 to 2007 and left to be the head coach at Nebraska after the Bayou Bengals won the BCS National Championship. Former Tigers safety Craig Steltz played for Pelini and expects Coach Bo will work well with Coach O….
cut 15 (12) “…I’m excited”
Pelini’s contract is reportedly three years at two-point-three million dollars a year.

07:30 Newscast
The ten-year-old Bayou Country Superfest is no more. The two-day lineup of country music superstars began in 2010 in LSU’s Tiger Stadium. It briefly moved to New Orleans, but returned to Baton Rouge last year. Faced with declining ticket sales over the years, festival organizers yesterday announced it was on hiatus until further notice.
Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the state has been busy marketing itself to visitors from outside of Louisiana but also encourages residents to take a staycation in their home state. Nungesser says last year nearly nine million days of vacation went un-used in Louisiana.
Cut 7 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”
“LouisianaStaycation.com” to find out more.
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Shreveport Police arrest two of their own on charges related to off-duty activities. Officer Delandro Washington is accused of making violent threats to his estranged wife via text and telephone. Officer Jaquerus Turner is accused of domestic abuse battery. Both are on administrative leave pending investigations.
Bo Pelini is back as LSU’s defensive coordinator. In 2007 he helped the Tigers win a national championship and returns to Baton Rouge after heading coaching stops at Nebraska and Youngstown State. Safety Craig Steltz was an All-American on that 2007 team and says it’s great to have Coach Bo back…
Cut 13 (08) “…be successful.”
Some LSU fans wonder how he’ll mesh with Ed Orgeron’s coaching staff. Steltz expects Pelini will work well with Coach O.

Bo Pelini is returning for a second stint as defensive coordinator at LSU. Pelini guided the Tigers defense from 2005 to 2007 and left to be the head coach at Nebraska after the Bayou Bengals won the 2008 BCS National Championship. Pelini is known as a fiery coach and some LSU fans wonder how he’ll mesh with Ed Orgeron’s coaching staff. Former Tigers safety Craig Steltz played for Pelini at LSU and expects Coach Bo will work well with Coach O….
cut 15 (12) “…I’m excited”
Pelini’s contract is reportedly three years at two-point-three million dollars a year, which will make him the second highest paid assistant coach in college football.

The Pelicans are at Cleveland tonight. A good chance for the Pels to get a win as the Cavs have the third worst record in the NBA.

_______________________________________________________________________

LSU basketball’s eight game winning streak has caught the attention of voters. The Tigers are back in the A-P Top 25 poll y are ranked 22nd. LSU is 24th in the coaches poll. The Bayou Bengals put their undefeated SEC record on the line tomorrow night when they host Alabama, who has won 10 of its last 13. Also LSU’s Trendon Watford has been named SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 18 points a game in two victories last week.

Ragin Cajuns forward Jalen Johnson has been named Sun Belt men’s basketball player of the week. Johnson had a career-high 27 points in an 81-60 win over ULM on Saturday.

McNeese forward Sha’Markus Kennedy is the Southland Men’s basketball player of the week for a second straight week. Kennedy averaged 32 points and 10 rebounds a game last week. The Cowboys have won six in a row and host second-place Nicholls tomorrow and rival Lamar on Saturday.

And McNeese is searching for a new athletics director as Bruce Hemphill is transitioning to a new role.

06:30 News
Tragedy in our state as two three year old boys – in separate incidents – shot themselves with guns they found within their homes. One of the cases is fatal; a Baton Rouge 3-year-old shot himeself in the head with the weapon he’d found. Across the state, in Keithville, another three-year-old shot himself in the shoulder. He is expected to recover. Authorities are investigating both cases.
The Louisiana Department of Health kicks off the Own Your Own Health Challenge, a competition aimed at getting Louisianans more active, healthier, and ultimately lighter. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Director Rudy Macklin says you can compete against others around the state and country to see who can win a steps challenge, or who can lose the most weight.
Cut 10 (10) “…miles.”
OYOH has been going strong in Louisiana for nearly two decades.
***********
Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to plan a staycation instead.
Cut 01 (32) “Kevin Barnhart”
The Coast Guard says the search for three men who went missing on the Mississippi River when two barge towing vessels collided has been suspended. The two vessels collided Sunday morning near Luling, Louisiana, temporarily closing the river to vessel traffic.
Now here’s the morning commodities.

Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to plan a staycation instead.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________________________

The Own Your Own Health challenge is underway, giving Louisianans a fun, competitive way to start living a healthier life. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________________________

LSU brings back Bo Pelini as its defensive coordinator. Jeff Palermo spoke with a former LSU all-american on what Pelini’s return means for the Tigers…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

____________________________________________

Nicholls State University gets recognition from the National Council on Teacher Quality as the top teacher prep program for early reading instruction, receiving an A+ rating.  Nicholls head of teacher education Dr. Alyson Theriot says students who struggle with reading will struggle with just about every other subject.

Cut 4 (08) “…how to do.”

Theriot says the reason for success is covering the five essential components of reading including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, as well as the ability to work with local school districts and mentor teachers.

Cut 5 (10) “…in the success.”

Theriot says feedback received from those that have gone through the program is further verification of the program’s effectiveness.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the field.”

_____________________________

Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the state has been busy marketing itself to visitors from outside of Louisiana but also encourages residents to take a staycation in their home state. Nungesser says last year nearly nine million days of vacation went used in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”

Nationally, 768 million vacation days went unused. Nungesser says the most effective remedy is better planning as 47% of planners used all of their vacation days. 23% of non-planners haven’t taken a vacation or trip in the last two years.

Nungesser says there is no shortage of different ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in different parts of the state.  Plus, there is festival season.

Cut 8 (09) “…new to do.”

Nungesser says if you are looking for one of a kind culture, Louisiana has a massive selection of attractions and details on many of them can be found at LouisianaStaycation.com.

Cut 9 (07) “…for everybody’s taste.”

____________________

The Louisiana Department of Health kicks off the Own Your Own Health Challenge, a competition aimed at getting Louisianans more active, healthier, and ultimately lighter.

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Director Rudy Macklin says you can compete against others around the state and country to see who can win a steps challenge, or who can lose the most weight.

Cut 10 (10) “…miles.”

OYOH has been going strong in Louisiana for nearly two decades in one form or another, and over 100,000 people have participated in it.

The competition comes with drawings for prizes every Friday, and even features a little regional competition…

Cut 11 (12) “…another.”

Macklin adds the service also allows for private organizations like churches or businesses to challenge each other.

Even if you don’t end up taking home any trophies in the competition, Macklin says it’s still a great way to introduce people to exercise.

Cut 12 (08) “…have it”

Visit O-Y-O-H-Dot-com to sign up.

_____________________________________

Bo Pelini is back as LSU’s defensive coordinator. In 2007 he helped the Tigers win a national championship and returns to Baton Rouge after heading coaching stops at Nebraska and Youngstown State. Safety Craig Steltz was an All-American on that 2007 team and it’s great to have Coach Bo back

Cut 13 (08) “…be successful.”

Pelini was defensive coordinator for the Tigers from 2005 to 2007. In each of his three years with the Tigers, Pelini’s defenses ranked number three in the nation in yards allowed. Steltz says Pelini was always one step ahead of opposing offenses…

Cut 14 (11) “…big time sack.”

Pelini is known as a fiery coach and some LSU fans wonder how he’ll mesh with Ed Orgeron’s coaching staff. Steltz expects Pelini will work well with Coach O…

Cut 15 (12) “…I’m excited”

The nation is mourning the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed along with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash.  Despite the terrible news the Pelicans played and defeated the Celtics yesterday. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says it was tough for the team to prepare mentally for the game, and even after blowing out one of the best teams in the league, it was hard to really enjoy it.
Cut 5 (08) “…life.”
Both the Celtics and Pelicans began the game with 24-second shot clock violations in honor of Kobe, who wore 24.
Two people are dead following a drag race that happened on a Baton Rouge street. Sergeant Don Coppola says the two cars bumped each other, sending them off the roadway, killing a bicyclist and one of the drivers. Coppola says the driver who survived, 57-year-old Lattimore Brock of Baton Rouge faces multiple charges…
Cut 10 (06) “…reckless driving” 
The bicyclist who died has been identified as 24-year-old Deondrick Rudd of Jeanerette.
Two people not wearing a seatbelt were killed in a head-on crash in Vermilion Parish this morning on Highway 14. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell drifted into the other lane on the curvy highway…
Cut 8 (09) “…pending.”
Mithcell died and the other driver was pronounced dead too, 18-year-old Kalix Broussard, a former star running back at Vermilion Catholic.
Juries may soon get to know if someone injured in a car crash was wearing a seatbelt, something not allowed under current law.  Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has pre-filed a bill for the change and says the juries should be aware if someone is negligent in mitigating damages from not being properly restrained.
Cut 12 (10) “…wearing your seatbelt.”
Hewitt says there is hope this bill could result in lower claims and lower settlements with insurance companies, with that savings being passed along to consumers.

A bill pre-filed by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt aims to reduce auto insurance premiums by disclosing if someone injured in a car crash was wearing a seatbelt. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell and 18-year-old Kalix Broussard died this morning in a head-on crash in Vermilion Parish on Highway 14. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the victims were not buckled up…
Cut 7 (08) “…get the message.”
Broussard was a star running back at Vermilion Catholic High School and graduated in 2019.

A drag race in Baton Rouge killed two over the weekend, one of the victims was a bicyclist, who was an innocent bystander. 56-year-old Christopher Brock of Baker, one of the alleged racers, died at the scene. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says 24-year-old Deondrick Rudd of Jeanerette is the bicyclist who also died at the scene…
Cut 11 (10) “…unfortunate situation.”
57-year-old Lattimore Brock survived and faces numerous charges.

Several members of the Pelicans organization are taking the sudden death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant hard. Brandon Ingram is a former member of the Lakers and was given Bryant’s locker as the heir apparent to the 18-time All-Star and was visibly upset after last night’s game…
cut 4 (10) “…around”
The Pelicans beat the Celtics last night.