The Louisiana Workforce Commission has set up a system to report job applicants who fail to show up for job interviews or refuse job offers. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen says this initiative will help identify unemployment recipients who abuse the system..
cut 6 (12) “….they’re calendar”
Schowen says employers can report a job applicant who no-shows an interview or refuses an offer by filling out a couple of online forms on the L-W-C website.

Governor Jeff Landry will hold a bill signing ceremony for the legislation approved in the crime special session today. One of the bills allows for permitless concealed carry. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says some firearm free zones needs to be extended
cut 11 (07) “…French Quarter

Congressman Garret Graves tells WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge that he plans to run for re-election in the district he currently serves, the sixth district. The new Congressional map approved by lawmakers in January radically changes his district, stretching it from Baton Rouge to Shreveport, but Graves says he’s confident the courts will reject that map

Some say life begins at 50. For St. John Parish Police Juror, Dixie Ramirez, her political life began at 90. Colleen Crain has the story…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Governor Jeff Landry will a sign a bill today that would allow non felon adults to conceal carry without a permit. The legislation would go into effect on July 4th. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry would like to see legislation approved in the regular session that clarifies where you can and cannot carry a firearm…
cut 12 (11) “…bring it”

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and colorectal cancer is on the rise among adults under 55. GI Alliance Gastroenterologist Doctor Charles Berggreen says more millennials develop abnormal growths called polyps in the ascending portion of the colon.
Cut 13 (11) “…left side of the colon.”
The American Cancer Society says cancer rates in people younger than 50 years of age have been increasing by one percent to two percent a year since the mid-1990s.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has set up a way for employers to report to the state individuals who are on unemployment, but fail to show up for interviews or refuse job offers. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen says employers want to know if potential job seekers are acting in good faith when they apply for positions.
Cut 4 (12) “…to them.”
Schowen says if a b applicant fails to show up for an interview or refuses a job offer, an employer can report the incident by filling out online forms at the L-W-C website.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, 91-year-old Dixie Ramirez is serving her first term as a parish councilwoman. It’s her first time in political office and the former business owner says she was encouraged to run and she encourages others to do so, especially females…
cut 9 (09) “…is thriving”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has a new process for employers to report unemployment recipients who are no-shows or decline a job offer. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana Lottery says no one has stepped up to claim a 50-thousand dollar powerball prize that was won October 9th, 2023. The winning ticket was purchased at Piggly Wiggly on Highway 182 in Opelousas and is set to expire on April 6th.

Governor Jeff Landry is set to sign a bill to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit in Louisiana. A New Orleans lawmaker wants to provide more clarification to the law. Democrat Mandie Landry says legislation needs to be approved in the regular session that would clearly define where one can and cannot conceal carry…
Cut 10 (10) “…the language.”
Current law prohibits firearms in a bar or near a school, and then another law bans guns at parades, but Landy says vague language doesn’t define what “near” means.

In Saint John the Baptist Parish, 91-year-old Dixie Ramirez is serving her first term as a parish council woman. Ramirez was elected last year and it’s her time in public office…
cut 8 (09) “….to be doing’

Louisiana Workforce Commission has a new process for employers to report people who receive unemployment benefits who are no-shows or decline a job offer. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

There was a saying that life begins at 50. For St. John Parish Police Juror, Dixie Ramirez, Political life began at 90. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

After debate over concealed carry without a permit that passed in the crime special session, a bill to clarify gun-free zones has a gun has been filed for the regular session. Brooke Thorington

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says employers can now report job candidates who do not show up for interviews or refuse job offers on its website. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen says employers want to know if potential job seekers are acting in good faith when they apply for positions.

Cut 4 (12) “…to them.”

Schowen says employers are required to submit job applicants’ information on two forms. She says it’s a simple process and once the report is filed LWC will investigate the claim within three business days.

Cut 5 (12) “…from there.” 

Typically, the maximum weekly unemployment benefits someone would be eligible for is around $275. Schowen says this initiative helps to identify unemployment recipients who are abusing the system.

Cut 6 (12) “…they’re calendar.”

Anyone found avoiding job opportunities while collecting benefits could face disqualification from the program.

__________________________________________

It’s said that with age comes wisdom and if last year’s election of Police Juror Dixie Ramirez is any indication, the voters of St. John Parish must agree…

Cut 7 (10) “…the votes.”

Ramirez attended the 100^th Louisiana Police Jurors Convention in Lake Charles.

Ramirez, a former business owner and Notary Public previously worked in government in the Clerk of Court’s Office and for the parish heading the Jobs Training program. But when a group of people asked her to run for office, Ramirez wasn’t sure she wanted to…

Cut 8 (09) “…to be doing.” 

Ramirez says there’s much to be done and things are changing fast. And she has something to say to women about getting involved in local politics…

Cut 9 (09)  “…is thriving.”

________________________________________________________

After a bill to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit in Louisiana passed in the special session, a lawmaker wants to provide more clarification to the law. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says her bill would clearly define where one can and cannot carry instead of multiple laws she says can be conflicting.

Cut 10 (10) “…the language.”

Current law prohibits firearms in a bar or near a school, and then another law bans guns at parades, but Landy says vague language doesn’t define what “near” means and there are also concerns about one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations.

Cut 11 (11) “…French Quarter.” 

Landry says private businesses have always been allowed to prohibit employees and patrons from carrying firearms on their property.

But with the new concealed carry law, which doesn’t require training on how to use a gun nor education on state laws going into effect July 4^th, Landry wants to provide clarification on where you can and cannot carry a firearm before Independence Day.

Cut 12 (11) “…bring it.” 

House Bill 627 would define that a firearm is prohibited within 1,000 feet of a parade or a demonstration at a government entity, for example, a rally at the state capitol.

_______________________________________________________

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and colorectal cancer is on the rise among adults under 55. GI Alliance Gastroenterologist Doctor Charles Berggreen says more millennials develop abnormal growths called polyps in the ascending portion of the colon.

Cut 13 (11)  “…left side of the colon.”

Cancer rates in people younger than 50 years of age have been increasing by one percent to two percent a year since the mid-1990s, according to the American Cancer Society.

Berggreen says colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men under 55. While it’s unknown why there is an uptick in colorectal cancer in adults under 55, Berggreen says it could be a variation of factors.

Cut 14 (11) “…is changing.”

The ACS estimates nearly 153 thousand new cases of colorectal cancer in 2024. Men will account for more than 81 thousand cases, and women will account for more than 71 thousand.

Berggreen says colorectal cancer is a very treatable and beatable disease. He says there are mail-in tests available to detect colon cancers, but the most effective method is getting a colonoscopy.

Cut 15 (12) “…called ColoGuard.”

____________________________________________________________________

LSU returns to the football practice field today as Spring Practice kicks off. New defensive coordinator Blake Baker will begin installing his system and linebacker Harold Perkins will move back to inside linebacker. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says Baker probably wants Perkins to play a similar role that Ty’Ron Hopper played at Missouri last season…

Cut 16 (10) “…plays ou.t” 

LSU is thin at defensive tackle as Mekhi Wingo, Maason Smith, and Jordan Jefferson are preparing for the NFL draft. Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee are the only returning defensive tackles. JUCO transfer Shone Washington is expected to participate in spring football and Alexander says some offensive linemen are switching sides to provide added depth

Cut 17 (16) “…Ahmad Breaux.” 

Garrett Nussmeier enters spring as the starting quarterback. He’ll face competition from Vanderbilt transfer A.J. Swann and redshirt freshman Rickie Collins. Alexander says getting Nussmeier to be more accurate will be a focus during the spring…

Cut 18 (17)  “…passer.” 

_________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns softball team pulled off a stunning victory on Sunday, ending Oklahoma’s NCAA record 71-game winning streak. U-L Lafayette won seven to five in eight innings. Despite the big victory, the Cajuns have a losing record at 10-12. Coach Gerry Glasco says a losing record is unacceptable…

Cut 19 (14) “…my responsibility.”

Glasco says the historic win over Oklahoma shows how much talent they have, but consistency is lacking…

Cut 20 (16) “…work to do.”

The Cajuns will be in Conway, Arkansas this weekend to take on Stephen F Austin and Central Arkansas.

18-year-old Jaylon Joiner, a student at Carencro High School, was fatally shot while getting off at a bus stop in Lafayette Parish Friday. Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Valerie Ponseti (pon-set-tee) says Joiner was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the Carencro city limits.

Cut 9 (06) “…Bradford Drive.” 

Ponseti says 19-year-old Malikai Doucet was arrested and charged with second-degree murder of Joiner.

Among the bills filed for the regular session that gets underway next week, is one to codify the right to contraception. Public Policy Professional Mary Patricia Wray says because Louisiana has a very high rate of domestic abuse and other sex-related crimes that can lead to pregnancy and disease…

Cut 7 (10) “…not wanted.”  

The bills also define what methods of birth control are included.

LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon announced today that Jalen Cook is suspended from the team for failure to meet the standards of the program. Cook is averaging 16 points a game but has not played since February 13th because of a hamstring injury. The Tigers are 8-8 in the SEC and at Arkansas Wednesday.

The U-L Lafayette softball team ended Oklahoma’s NCAA record 71-game winning streak on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (24)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State Police are searching for a White Castle man who is still missing following a single vehicle crash after the vehicle went into Bayou Lafourche in Assumption Parish on Saturday. Trooper Ross Brennan says a Grand Marquis driven by 64 year old Gilbert Bunch Junior traveled off the roadway after failing to stop for a stop sign. He says multiple agencies have searched for Bunch in Bayou Lafourche.

Cut 4 (10) “…for him.” 

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman fatally stabbed a twice convicted sex offender at a Lacombe are laundromat on Sunday afternoon. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says 40-year Nicholas Tranchat tried to attack the woman with a sharp weapon

Cut 11 (12) “…safety.”

Legislation that would prevent the state from interfering with the right to contraception has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A 65-year-old woman was killed in a drive-by shooting in Calcasieu Parish Saturday night when a bullet traveled through her home striking her inside. Annette Touvell of Lake Charles was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead. Authorities do not believe Touvell, or her family were specifically targeted. Authorities have developed a car of interest. If you have any information related to the shooting or any security camera footage from the area, please call CPSO  at 337-491-3605. You can give an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers 337-439-2222.

A woman was able to fight off an alleged attack by a twice convicted sex offender at a laundromat near Lacombe Sunday. St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Suzanne Carboni says the woman fatally stabbed her alleged attacker, 40-year-old Nicholas Tranchet. She says the woman fled to a family member’s home and called police. Tranchet was unresponsive when authorities arrived and later died from his injuries at a local hospital. Carboni praised the female victim’s actions.

Cut 13 (02) “…woman.”  

Bills to codify the right to contraception in Louisiana have been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Public Policy Professional Mary Patricia Wray says House Bill 395 and Senate Bill 225 seek to secure the right to birth control for Louisianans.

Cut 6  (10) “…the United States.” 

In Calcasieu Parish, a 65-year-old woman was killed in a drive-by shooting Saturday night when a bullet traveled through her home striking her inside. Annette Touvell of Lake Charles was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead. Authorities do not believe Touvell, or her family were specifically targeted. Authorities have developed a car of interest. If you have any information related to the shooting or any security camera footage from the area, please call CPSO  at 337-491-3605. You can give an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers 337-439-2222.

A Carencro High School Student was killed Friday. 18-year-old Jaylon Joiner was shot while getting off the bus. Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson, Valerie Ponseti says 19-year-old Malikai Doucet has been arrested and charged with second degree murder.

Cut 10 (06) “…this investigation.”