A manhunt continues for a murder suspect who escaped custody by pepper spraying a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says a deputy was driving 51-year-old Leon Ruffin from the hospital back to the jail, when he complained from the back seat about a boot on one of his feet. Lopinto says the deputy stopped and attempted to help Ruffin…

Cut 12 (10)  “…the door”  

Lopinto says after Ruffin sprayed the deputy with the pepper spray and took off in the SUV. The vehicle has been recovered but Ruffin remains on the run.

According to the National Safety Council, Louisiana saw a ten-percent decline in the number of highway deaths in 2023.  Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says fewer drunk driving wrecks has led to the decrease…

Cut 3 (05) “…alcohol fatalities”  

State Health Officer Dr Joe Kanter has resigned. Brooke Thorington has more on the physician who led the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

The Louisiana Farm Bureau announces President Jim Harper will not seek a fourth term instead he’s opting to spend more time with his family. Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says this ends Harper’s 25 years of service with the federation, having also served as first vice president and a board member.

Cut 9 (08) “…came on.” 

Grambling State University has chosen Dr. Martin Lemelle to serve as its 11^th president. Lemelle is a 2006 graduate and served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer at GSU from 2016 to 2021. He says the appointment is a lifelong dream come true.

Cut 6  (08) “…to serve.” 

In 2023, the national first-time pass rate for the National Licensure examination for registered nurses was 79-percent and LSU-Alexandria just had 100 of their 40 recent grads pass on the NCLEX on their 1^st attempt.  Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James says most of their students are working parents or individuals working on a second career…

Cut 16 (09) “…very doable.” 

Legislation to expand methods to carry out the death penalty Senate Judiciary Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 22 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Senate-approved legislation to lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 advances from House Criminal Justice. Louisiana Sheriffs Association executive director Michael Ranatza says 17-year-olds offenders at juvenile facilities are causing serious problems…

Cut 7 (13) “…35 year old.”

A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from individuals on both sides of the issue. Speaking against House Bill 6 was Brett Malone, whose mother was murdered December 2000. He says killing the man who killed his mother won’t help anyone and he asked just how far they will go to carry out executions.

Cut 11 (11) “…to the lions.” 

The amended bill advances to the Senate.

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Funeral arrangements have been announced for St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith. He passed away Saturday after a long illness. There will be a procession beginning in Franklin Thursday morning with visitation at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium at 11am and the funeral will begin at 3pm. Smith was 75.

A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty, passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from Howard Vincent, whose brother, Steven Vincent a state trooper was killed in 2015. He says it’s difficult to listen to those who are against the death penalty and opposed to expanding methods of execution like the electric chair and Nitrogen Hypoxia.

Cut 12 (12) “…his head.” 

Terry Landry Junior with the Southern Poverty Law Center spoke against adding nitrogen gas as a means of execution. He says several veterinarian associations say it’s a cruel way to euthanize animals.

Cut 13 (07)  “…human beings.”

The bill received full passage in the House last week.

It’s already been approved by the state Senate and now legislation to lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice. 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton is pushing hard for the bill because he says there are 17-years-olds committing crimes knowing they will only serve a few years at a juvenile facility.…

Cut 8 (09) “…fight back.” 

According to WalletHub 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Using 25 key metrics the survey ranked the Pelican State 50 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana is second from the bottom for women living in poverty and 46^th for women suffering from depression. Analyst, Cassie Happe, believes they’re connected…

Cut 4 (09) “…mental state.”

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and Louisiana came out second to last. According to the study, women of the Bayou State ranked near the bottom for metrics including life expectancy at birth, female homicides, and high school graduation rates. Analyst Cassie Happe say the number of Louisiana women voted in the 2020 presidential election ranked 46…
Cut 5 (08) “…low percentage.” 

Forty recent graduates from the LSU-A School of Nursing passed the NCLEX National Licensure Examination on their first try. It’s the second time in six years that LSUA has seen all its students in a cohort pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James…

Cut 14 (10) “…graduate.”

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Senate-approved legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers spoke against the bill, saying non-violent 17-year-olds should stay in the juvenile justice system because their parents can be more involved in the rehabilitation process…

Cut 9 (11)  “…their path.”

A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from those in favor and opposed to the measure. Brett Malone, whose mother was killed in Bossier Parish in 2000 spoke against the measure saying killing the man who killed his mother won’t help anyone and asked lawmakers how far they will go to carry out executions.

The Louisiana Legislature is moving closer to changing lowering the age at which a person charged with a felony can be charged as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Officials in Ouachita Parish have confirmed a body found in the Ouachita River is that of a missing young woman from Iberia Parish. 19 year old Sheryl Turner was reported missing in early January. Authorities say the case is still under investigation and so far, no suspects have been identified.

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Each year since 2014, WalletHub has released its annual report on the Best and Worst States for Women just in time for Women’s History Month. This year, Louisiana dropped from 49 to 50 followed only by Oklahoma. Analyst, Cassie Happe says the report highlights important issues.

Cut 6 (08) “…the focus.”

Forty recent graduates from the LSU-A School of Nursing passed the National Licensure Examination on their first try. Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James says half of these new nurses are staying in central Louisiana, but others got jobs in Baton Rouge and Lafayette….

Cut 15 (08) “…the nation.”

Legislation to expand methods to carry out the death penalty Senate Judiciary Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed Dr. Joseph Kanter has stepped down from his duties as state health officer. Kanter was with the department for five years and helped the state stay up to date during the Covid-19 Pandemic. According to the LDH website, Dr. Pete Croughan will serve as the interim state health officer.

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It’s already been approved by the state Senate and now legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton is pushing hard for this law because he says there are 17-years-olds committing crimes knowing they will only serve a few years at a juvenile facility.…

Cut 8 (09) “…fight back.” 

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Using 25 key metrics the survey ranked Louisiana 50 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana is second from the bottom for women living in poverty and 46^th for women suffering from depression. Analyst, Cassie Happe, believes they’re connected…

Cut 4 (09) “…mental state.”

Senate-approved legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana Sheriffs Association executive director Michael Ranatza says 17-year-olds offenders at juvenile justice facilities are causing serious problems…

Cut 7 (13) “…35 year old.”
A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved, like drug companies that provide the ingredients used for lethal injection, passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from those in favor, like Howard Vincent, whose brother, Steven Vincent a state trooper was killed in the line of duty in 2015.

Cut 10 (08) “…to death.”

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WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
Five people were arrested yesterday after a high-speed chase from St. Bernard to the New Orleans French Quarter ended in a crash. Saint Bernard Sheriff’s officials say a stolen gun and illegal drugs were recovered during the arrest of the suspects. Sheriff James Pohlman said deputies deployed spike strips at the parish line, but that didn’t stop the suspects, whose vehicle eventually collided with another vehicle near Bienville Street in New Orleans and crashed into two parked cars.

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The Louisiana Legislature is moving closer to changing a law that would lower the age a person charged with a felony can be charged as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Legislation to expand methods to carry out the death penalty Senate Judiciary Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________________

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Using 25 key metrics the survey ranked Louisiana 50 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana is second from the bottom for women living in poverty and 46^th for women suffering from depression. Analyst, Cassie Happe, believes they’re connected…

Cut 4 (09) “…mental state.”

Women of the Bayou State also ranked near the bottom for metrics including life expectancy at birth, female homicides, and high school graduation rates. The number of Louisiana women influencing policy is disappointing says Happe as the share of women who voted in the 2020 presidential election ranked 46…

Cut 5 (08) “…low percentage.” 

Since 2015 WalletHub has released their report on the Best and Worst States for Women annually, just before Women’s History Month begins in March. This year, Louisiana dropped from 49 to 50 followed only by Oklahoma. Happe says, the report highlights important issues.

Cut 6 (08) “…the focus.”

__________________________________________

Senate-approved legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana Sheriffs Association executive director Michael Ranatza says 17-year-olds offenders at juvenile justice facilities are causing serious problems…

Cut 7 (13) “…35 year old.”

18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton is pushing hard for this law because he says there are 17-years-olds committing crimes knowing they will only serve a few years at a juvenile facility and then they are free. Clayton says some 17-year-olds need to remain behind bars after they turn 21…

Cut 8 (09) “…fight back.” 

Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers spoke against the bill. Garvey argues non-violent 17-year-olds should stay in the juvenile justice system because the offender’s parents are more involved in the rehabilitation process…

Cut 9 (11)  “…their path.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

________________________________________________________

A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved, like drug companies that provide the ingredients used for lethal injection, passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from those in favor, like Howard Vincent, whose brother, Steven Vincent a state trooper was killed in the line of duty in 2015.

Cut 10 (08) “…to death.”

Speaking against House Bill 6 was Brett Malone, whose mother, Mary Ann Shaver Malone was killed in Bossier Parish in December of 2000. He told lawmakers killing the man who killed his mother won’t help anyone and he asked just how far they will go to carry out executions.

Cut 11 (10) “…to the lions.” 

Vincent says there’s no reasonable doubt about his brother’s killer, he says Kevin Daigle confessed and there’s both video and DNA evidence. Vincent says it’s difficult to listen to those who are against the death penalty and opposed to expanding methods of execution like the electric chair and Nitrogen Hypoxia.

Cut 12 (12) “…his head.” 

Terry Landry Junior with the Southern Poverty Law Center spoke in opposition to adding the use of nitrogen as a means of execution. He says several veterinarian associations are against the use of nitrogen because it is cruel and harmful to animals.

Cut 13 (06)  “…human beings.”

HB6, which received full passage in the House last week was amended in Senate Judiciary C to take effect July 1, 2024.

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Forty recent graduates from the LSU-A School of Nursing passed the NCLEX National Licensure Examination on their first try. It’s the second time in six years that LSUA has seen all its students in a cohort pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James…

Cut 14 (10) “…graduate.”

James says half of these new nurses are staying in central Louisiana, but others got jobs in Baton Rouge and Lafayette….

Cut 15 (08) “…the nation.”

In 2023, the national first-time pass rate was 79-percent. James says most of their students are working parents or individuals working on a second career…

Cut 16 (09) “…very doable.” 

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Cut 17 (13) “…with that.” 

Cut 18 (18)  “…come Georgia.” 

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Cut 19 (12) “…third shots.”

Cut 20 (14) “…make us better.”