Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says he doesn’t plan to arrest a Lake Charles homeowner who shot and killed a man that was trying to force entry into his home. He says the un-named homeowner was alarmed when the man tried to get in the front door, then the back. He met the man at the door, fired one shot into the ground as a warning, then – when the man advanced – fired twice; killing him. Mancuso says security and doorbell camera footage backs the homeowner’s story…:

CUT 14  (08)        “…it’s just unfortunate.”

21-year-old Joe Tezeno, of Lake Arthur, was apparently VERY impaired at the time. Mancuso says he has no criminal record at all.

The state Department of Health reports 2753 new cases of COVID-19, with 539 people in the hospital statewide with virus symptoms. They also report another three COVID-related deaths. 1.3-million Louisianans have been diagnosed with coronavirus since the pandemic began over 2 years ago.

The economy is hitting everyone hard, and the state Department of Transportation is no exception. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01  (35)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state legislature’s attempt at a so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill may have failed, but will school systems enact policy to do that anyway? Rapides Parish Schools are now prohibiting staff from discussing gender identity or sexuality with any student in the classroom, K through 12.

A Calcasieu Parish man is dead, after being shot late Monday night by a homeowner as he tried to force his way into a house. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the Lake Charles homeowner, who has not been identified, became alarmed when 21-year-old Joseph Tezeno, of Lake Arthur, tried to get in through his front door, then the back door too. Fearing for the safety of he and his wife, the homeowner got a gun and met Tezeno at the door, to warn him away…:

CUT 13(12)      “…coming at him.”

Mancuso says Tezeno seemed to be very drunk at the time, and perhaps unaware of where he was. No charges are planned against the homeowner.

A Baton Rouge area man is lucky to be alive, after his pickup went over the guardrail of the elevated I-110 and fell nearly 50 feet to the ground below. The man had to be cut from the mangled truck. He was taken to a local hospital. His injuries are reported to be serious, but he is expected to live.

While visiting his home district this week, Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he’s met with local businesses and leaders to discuss how the current economy and worker shortage is impacting their bottom line. Graves blames government programs for keeping people from reentering the work force and that we continue to suffer the consequences. Graves says small businesses are the ones most affected by the worker shortage. He says larger companies have more flexibility to bring workers in from other states or shift work to other areas…:

CUT 11(09)      “…big difference.”

Bomb threats made this morning to several community college campuses across the state are under investigation. So far, no explosive devices have been found.

Gas prices still slowly dropping. The statewide average for regular is now $4.35-a-gallon; down 8-cents from a week ago. Lowered demand for gas is reportedly behind the price declines.

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A Calcasieu Parish man is dead, after being shot late Monday night by a homeowner as he tried to force his way into a house. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the Lake Charles homeowner, who has not been identified, became alarmed when 21-year-old Joseph Tezeno tried to get in through his front door, then the back door too…:

Cut 12 (12) “…chain of events.”  

Mancuso believes alcohol played a factor.

While visiting his home district this week, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s met with local businesses and leaders to discuss how the current economy and worker shortage is impacting their bottom line. He blames government programs from keeping some from reentering the workforce, and for those who are working…

Cut 10 (09) “…other impacts.” 

The US Army Corps of Engineers approves $1.3 billion plan to floodproof more than two-thousand homes and businesses in Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes. The reported financial benefits for the three parishes could reduce flood damages of more than $14 million a year.

The recently hired Grambling State University volleyball coach who famously cut the entire team has been fired and the students are reinstated. Michelle Southern reports:

Cut 2 (33) “Michelle Southern”  

Even the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is feeling the effects of the economy. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says bids for some projects are coming in 30, 40 and even 50 percent above estimate. For example, he says the current work on I-10 that are preservation projects…

Cut 5  (13) “…project today.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s met with local businesses and leaders to discuss how the current economy and worker shortage is impacting their bottom line. Graves blames government programs for keeping people from reentering the work force.

Cut 9 (08) “…to work.”

The state’s unemployment rate hovers around four percent.

Governor Edwards signs Senate Bill 143 into law which allows honorably discharged veterans to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. They must meet the current requirements to carry concealed with a permit in Louisiana. Bill author West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says the law is meant to protect veterans’ rights to bear arms and show support for their service.

Grambling State University volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas who famously cut the entire team when she was hired has been fired. Kyle Mosley is the Managing Editor for Sports Illustrated’s HBCU Legends says Lucas didn’t give the players a chance from the get-go…:

Cut 7 (16) “keeping their scholarships” 

Lucas is reportedly working with her attorney to prepare a response.

The economy is hitting us all hard. Even the state Department of Transportation & Development is feeling the effects. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state Workforce Commission’s unemployment website, called, “HiRE”, is back online after an attempted malware attack took it down. 40 other states had websites attacked as well. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says unemployment payments in Louisiana will start processing soon. Because of new vender security features, payments could take up to 36 hours to process.

A Baton Rouge area man is lucky to be alive, after his pickup went over the guardrail of the elevated I-110 and fell nearly 50 feet to the ground below. The man gad to be cut from the mangled truck. He was taken to a local hospital. His injuries are reported to be serious, but he is expected to live. That crash is under investigation.

The Grambling State University volleyball coach who famously cut the entire team when she was hired has been fired from her job and all student athletes have been reinstated. Chelsey Lucas was under heavy scrutiny from parents and alumni as the players held scholarships with the institution. Kyle Mosley is the Managing Editor for Sports Illustrated’s HBCU Legends…:

CUT 06(12)      “…proper notice.”

Grambling says a national search for a new coach is already underway.

Even the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is feeling the effects of the economy. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says inflation, supply chain issues and the worker shortage are all impacting road construction projects. Wilson says the skilled labor shortage is also a factor for the department. He says it’s hard for the department to compete against jobs that are paying significantly more…:

CUT 04(10)      “…in air conditioning.”

Wilson says bids for some projects are coming in 30, 40 and even 50 percent above estimate.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to accusations she is downplaying burgeoning crime in the Crescent City. Several council members say talking with her about it is (quote) like talking to a wall.” In a statement to WWL-TV, Cantrell says, (quote) ”to say that we don’t take crime and public safety seriously, is…is not paying attention to the prevention, intervention and community transformation strategies that this administration has put forward. The city has seen over 250 murders in the past 12 months.

The recently hired Grambling State University Volleyball Coach who famously cut the entire team has been fired and the students are reinstated. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Michelle Southern,”

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish say a Lake Charles resident shot and killed a college student who was trying to break into his home late Monday night. The homeowner says the young man made multiple attempts to get in, when the man shot him. 21-year-old Joe Tezeno, of Lake Arthur, was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is underway.

Even the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is feeling the effects of the economy. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says inflation, supply chain issues and the worker shortage are all impacting road construction projects.

Cut 3 (12) “…impacting projects.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is petitioning the state supreme court to remove the temporary restraining order that was issued against the state’s trigger abortion laws. Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino says this is most unusual because a hearing is scheduled for Friday in a civil court on the restraining order.

Cut 10 (10) “…appellate court.”

That hearing is Friday in New Orleans.

The Bureau of Labor Statistic says around 244-thousand Louisiana workers quit their jobs in the first four months this year, but the unemployment rate is at record low of four percent. Economist Loren Scott says the majority of those are leaving their jobs for other jobs, they aren’t leaving the workforce completely. He says if that many were leaving, sales tax collections and retail sales would be tanking.

Cut 6 (10)  “…right now.”

In an effort to get a better idea of the state’s turkey population, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the public to respond online with they see them throughout the year. Wild Turkey Program Manager Cody Cedotal…

Cut 13 (10) “…record that sighting.”

The website can be found on LDWF’s website just search for the LA Turkey Survey.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is petitioning the state supreme court to remove the temporary restraining order that was issued against the state’s trigger abortion laws. Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino says this is most unusual because a hearing is scheduled for Friday in a civil court on the restraining order…:
Cut 10 (10) “appellate court”
The TRO was filed by The Center for Reproductive Rights claiming the trigger laws were vague and unconstitutional.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says almost a quarter of a million Louisiana workers quit their jobs in the first four months this year. But Economist Loren Scott says most of those workers went out and got new jobs which they know because the state’s unemployment rate is 4%…:
CUT 5 (05) “by sixty give hundred”
Scott says if all these people were leaving the workforce, sales tax collections and retail sales would be tanking which they aren’t.

New laws signed by the Governor seek to improve Louisiana’s property insurance environment for homeowners…:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says a high school janitor in Ponchatoula is under arrest for allegedly groping a student attending summer school. They say 40 year old Levon Harris is accused of offering the victim cash for help moving furniture but when she refused he allegedly slid his hand under her shirt. He is booked on a count of sexual battery and fired by the school.