A bill to reduce the number of hours required for cosmetology students passes in the full House. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Baton Rouge Tigerland bar that over-served an underage LSU student on the night she died has been ordered to close its doors for good. Kevin Gallagher has that story…:

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Legislation to reduce the number of required hours for cosmetology students to graduate passes in the House. Slidell Rep Mary DuBuisson says the bill will help hair salons that are struggling to find employees due to lack of hours, but students are still required to pass their exams.

Cut 3 (09) “….seven and a half months.”

Lafayette Representative Jean-Paul Coussan questioned how less instruction would help students pass the exam and that reducing hours could financially hurt smaller schools of cosmetology.

Cut 4 (10)  “…smaller communities.” 

When asked if less instruction time could compromise safety in the workforce DuBussion says the Cosmetology Board still dictates which courses are needed to pass the exam.

Cut 5 (05) “…with this bill.”

The bill also modernizes the Cosmetology Board’s website to accept renewals and payments online. The legislation passed on a 78 to 15 vote and advances to a Senate committee.

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A New Orleans teen has set a U.S. record by receiving more than $9 million in scholarships and 180 college acceptance letters to colleges. 16-year-old Dennis Maliq Barnes holds the Guinness Book of World Records title as the top senior accepted by the most colleges with the most scholarships. Barnes, a senior at the International High School of New Orleans, says his intent was just to get into college.

Cut 6 (12)  “…really fast” 

Barnes is dually enrolled at Southern University of New Orleans and has been pursuing college credits for the past two years. He is the Executive President of the National Honor Society and is fluent in Spanish.

Cut 7 (09)  “…in New Orleans.” 

Barnes has a 4.98 GPA and was promoted early to 10^th and 11^th. He says his goal is to reach $10 million in funding.

Cut 8 (04)  “…are interesting.” 

Barnes plans to pursue a dual degree in Computer Science and Criminal Justice. His graduation is set for May 24.

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A Shreveport pediatrician says National Infant Immunization Week is the perfect time to make sure your baby has his or her necessary shots. Dr. Nikki Humphries is a pediatrician at Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. She says it’s crucial to baby’s health to get them protected against common infections…:

Cut 9 (08) “….illness and injury.”

Dr. Humphries says early vaccinations are safe and guard your baby against numerous common illnesses…:

Cut 10 (10) “…pneumonia, polio.” 

An “anti-vaccine” sentiment has surfaced in recent years, after a now-discredited study linked them to autism and other childhood ailments. The COVID pandemic and pressure to get that vaccine added to public paranoia. As a result, diseases like measles and rubella and others are seeing an uptick in the U.S.  Humphries urges parents to disregard the hype and follow the science for their child’s sake…:

Cut 11 (08)  “…decades and decades.”

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The preliminary cause of death of a 6-year-old Harahan girl who was murdered Tuesday night has been released. Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says he wanted to stop rumors that are circulating about the shocking death of Bella Fontenelle.

Cut 12 (10) “…involved.” 

(Preliminary Cause of Death: Manual strangulation and multiple blunt force injuries to the head.)

43-year-old Hannah Landon, the girlfriend of Bella’s father has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Bella’s body was found Wednesday morning in a 10-gallon bucket left on her mother’s lawn.

Cvitanovich says the case has been difficult on everyone involved including first responders and his staff.

Cut 13 (07) “…young girl.” 

Even though police, EMS, and those who work in the coroner’s office deal with tragic deaths on a regular basis, Cvitanovich says it rings differently when it’s a child.

Cut 14 (11)  “…all of us.”

Investigators believe the child was murdered at her father’s home and neighborhood video footage shows Landon pulling a wagon Tuesday night with the bucket inside a block away

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The Baton Rouge Tigerland bar that over-served an underage LSU student on the night she died has been ordered to close its doors for good. Kevin Gallagher has that story…:

Cut 2 (34)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Legislations allowing schools to designate school protection officers with the authority to carry a concealed handgun on campus with proof of a valid permit was removed because the law already exist. Gonzales Representative Eddie Lambert decided to pull SB 158 after learning a current law has similar language.

A hairy measure that would reduce the required hours for cosmetology students to get a license in Louisiana from 1500 to 1200 hours passes in the House. The bill’s author, Slidell Rep Mary DuBuisson says the Cosmetology Board would continue to uphold state requirements.

Cut 5 (05) “…with this bill .”

Students will still be required to pass a national exam to become licensed in Louisiana. The bill advances to a Senate committee.

The preliminary cause of death of a 6-year-old Harahan girl who was murdered Tuesday night has been released. Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says he wanted to stop rumors that are circulating about the shocking death of Bella Fontenelle.

Cut 12 (10) “…involved.” 

43-year-old Hannah Landon, the girlfriend of Bella’s father has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Legislation to reduce the number of required hours for cosmetology students to graduate passes in the House. Slidell Rep Mary DuBuisson says the bill will help hair salons that are struggling to find employees due to lack of hours, but students are still required to pass their exams.

Cut 3 (10) “…seven and a half months.”

Opponents say the bill would hurt smaller cosmetology schools and compromise worker safety will less hours. The bill passed 78 to 15 and advances to a Senate committee.

It’s National Infant Immunization Week and Willis-Knighten pediatrician Dr. Nikki Humphries says it’s crucial to baby’s health to get them protected against common infections…:

Cut 9 (09) “…illness and injury.”

She says to always ask your healthcare provider about immunizations and not the internet.

A New Orleans teen has set a U.S. record by receiving more than $9 million in scholarships and 180 college acceptances. 16-year-old Dennis Maliq Barnes holds the Guinness Book of World Records for his accomplishments and the International High School senior says he just wants to get into college.

Cut 6 (12)  “…really fast” 

Barnes has a 4.98 GPA and where he’ll attend college has yet to be decided but he plans to pursue a dual degree in Computer Science and Criminal Justice. He graduates from high school on May 24.

The Saints held steady with the 29th NFL Draft pick and chose Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (bruh-ZEE). The six-foot-five, 298 pounder had 51 tackles and nine sacks in 26 games in three seasons at Clemson. Saints coach Dennis Allen says Bresee was a good get…:

CUT 30(08)       “…a position in need.”

Bresse’s 2021 season ended early because of a torn ACL and last year he only played in ten games because of a severe case of strep throat. Plus he lost his baby-sister last September to brain cancer.

No LSU Tigers were selected in the first round, but defensive end B-J Ojulari (O-juh-lar-e) is expected to be selected in today’s second round. New Orleans has two picks today, one in the second round and in the third round.

Top-ranked LSU begins a three-game SEC series tonight at home against the Crimson Tide. Alabama enters the game with a 9-9 SEC record, 30-12 overall. The Tigers are 12-5 and in first place in the SEC West and they are 32-8 overall. LSU leads the SEC in hitting and they’ve scored a league-high 397 runs. Coach Jay Johnson points out that Bama has won six of its last seven…:

CUT 16(20)      “…a lot of fun.”

Also this weekend, the Ragin Cajuns host sixth ranked Coastal Carolina, Louisiana Tech is at Middle Tennessee, ULM visits Georgia Southern, Northwestern State hosts Southland leader Nicholls and Grambling hosts Prairie View.

A skull fragment found near Lake Pontchartrain in 1985 is found to be 35 hundred years old.  ST. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Cold Case Investigator Chris Knoblauch says testing shows the female fragment is dated back to 1634 to 1504 B.C.

Cut 7 (09) “… it was.”

The woman’s skull is estimated to be between 25 to 35 years of age the LSU FACES lab has possession of the fragment.

Legislation to keep reading material with adult content away from minors in public libraries was advanced by Senate Education Committee. Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says formulating the measure was quite intricate…:

Cut 12 (12)    “…for this content.” 

Libraries in violation could face loss of funding. The bill moves to the Senate floor.

Legislation to provide $8.5 million in funding for bulletproof vests for peace officers across Louisiana was passed by a full House with a 98-0 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds – author of the bill – says it’s about protecting those who protect us.

Cut 13 (13) “…covers them.” 

The bill was drafted due to the killing of three Baton Rouge officers in 2016.

Celebrating rich culture and heritage, art and lots of music, The New Orleans Jazz and Hertiage Festival returns – beginning today through May 7th. Festival Producer, Quint Davis says there will be 16 musical stages featuring over 580 bands covering everything from jazz, blues, Cajun, zydeco, hip-hop, funk, and more.

Cut 5 (09)   “…for everybody.”

This year’s headliners include Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, The Steve Miller Band, HER, Dead & Company, Wu-Tang Clan, and Kane Brown, and many more. Visit nojazzfest.com for the full lineup.

State Police in Grant Parish are investigating a fatal crash that happened early this morning on Highway 71. Two adults and one child are reported killed. Another adult and a child were injured and have been taken to a hospital. We have little other details at this time.

The Department of wildlife & Fisheries has appointed Col. Rachel Zechenelly as its new head of enforcement. She is the first female to ever head up a major branch of DWF.

A skull fragment found some 40 years ago near Lake Ponchartrain has been determined to date back over three-thousand years. St. Tammany sheriff’s Office investigator Chris Knoblauch says the skull comes from a young woman – on older than 35 years of age – and Carbon 14 testing was able to even determine her basic diet…:

CUT 08(11)      “…as well.”

Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, The Steve Miller, and Kane Brown are some of this year’s headliners at the 38^th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival that kicks off today…:

CUT 01(31)      “….Teiko Foxx.”

A bill to limit what adult materials kids can see at the library moves out of a Senate Committee. Bill sponsor Heather Cloud, of Turkey Creek, says her bill will not BAN any book…:

CUT 11(06)      “…by a patron.”

It moves to the Senate floor.

Get ready for two weekends full of culture, crafts, and music at the 38^th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival beginning today through May 7th. Festival Producer, Quint Davis says this year’s headliners include Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, The Steve Miller Band, HER, Dead & Company, Wu-Tang Clan, Kane Brown, and many more.

Cut 6 (07)  “…whose playing.”

This year’s festival will be ‘cashless’ but if there’s a need, there will be Cash Exchange booths where attendees can use cash to get a prepaid card for no fee.  Visit nojazzfest.com for the full lineup.

A bill providing funding for bulletproof vests costing nearly $8.5 million for peace officers across Louisiana was passed by a full House. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the cost per vest is around $2,500 and guidelines would be monitored by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement.

Cut 15 (08)  “…be proper.”

The bill passed with a 98-0 vote.

A Senate bill to restrict minors’ access to adult reading material in public libraries passed its first legislative hurdle. More from Brooke Thorington…:

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU gymnast and social media icon, Olivia Dunne will appear in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Dunne is the top-paid female NCAA athlete in the country earning over $4 million with NIL deals. The Sports Illustrated spread makes Dunne one of the first college athletes to be featured in print for the issue.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival returns to the New Orleans Fairgrounds starting today, and running through May 7^th. Festival organizer Quint Davis says there are 16 musical stages with over 580 acts; covering everything from jazz, blues, and gospel to Cajun, zydeco, hip-hop, and more…:

CUT 05(09)      “…for everybody.”

Today’s weather should be great for the festival. However there is a chance of some Saturday rain. Sunday should start put pretty cool, but be sunny and 78 by mid-afternoon.

The state House unanimously approves a bill spending over $8-million to provide all law officers with bulletproof vests. It comes from Baton Rouge Rep. Rick Edmonds, who recalls officers shot and killed or badly hurt in a 2016 ambush attack…:

CUT 14(13)      “…of vest.”

That bill moves now to the Senate.

Almost 40 years after a skull fragment was found in the Lake Pontchartrain area, testing shows it’s thousands of years old. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

LSU gymnast and current “it girl” Olivia Dunne will be one of the toned bodies featured in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Dunne leads LSU athletes in the dollar value of her Name Image & Likeness deals, and at the age of just 20, is reportedly worth over $4-million.

A Senate bill aimed at keeping adult reading materials in public libraries away from impressionable young eyes passes its first legislative hurdle. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(29)      “…Thorington.”

If you’re traveling on I-10 eastbound between Lafayette and Baton Rouge, be warned. Road work is underway today, meaning the right lane and shoulder will be closed right around Lake Pelba, as you cross the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Expect delays in that area, or take Highway 190 east as an alternate route.

A skull fragment discovered almost 40 years ago near Lake Pontchartrain is found to be 35-hundred years old.  In 2009 because of its degraded condition DNA testing could only tell them it was female. In January, Cold Case Investigator Chris Knoblauch with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, says Carbon-14 testing was performed…:

CUT 07(09)      “…it was.”

The skull dates to about 1600 BC.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival returns to the New Orleans Fairgrounds this weekend with a jam-packed two-weekend full of culture, crafts, and music. Festival Producer, Quint Davis says this is the second post-COVID event and people are excited…:

CUT 04(09)      “…that one.”

Jazz Fest ends next weekend, on Sunday May 7^th.