A report by the National Center for Health Statistics finds the suicide rate in the US has increased by 24% from 1999 to 2014 and experts say Louisiana is being effected too. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Michelle Moore says there isn’t a specific reason for why the number has gone up but it’s possible people could be feeling the impact of all the violence going on in the world…:
cut 12 (07) “a roll”
In the past week, two male students at Mandeville High School killed themselves within 48 hours of each other.

There is more bad news when it comes to job loss in the oil and gas sector. LSU economist Loren Scott says a lot of big companies are planning to stop drilling in the Gulf…:
CUT 8 (08) “very heavily”
Scott says the state is losing jobs at the rate of about 21-thousand a year.

A campaign begins today in Louisiana that aims to get more pickup truck drivers to wear their seat belts. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Cardell Hayes, the man accused of shooting and killing former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith, appeared in court today, according to reports. Hayes’ lawyer wants his client to appear before the grand jury to answer their questions. Friday in court, Hayes’ attorney argued that a preliminary hearing should take place before a magistrate judge and not a bond commissioner. That hearing is scheduled for April 28.

There are more layoffs coming to the oil and gas industry and it’s hitting Louisiana in a big way. Gulf Island LLC based in Houma and Carbo Ceramics in New Iberia plan to lay off nearly 300 workers in June. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says there is some opportunity for those laid off to find other work, but not enough for everyone who lost their job…:
CUT 7 (09) “and Lafayette”
He says it’s likely going to get worse before it gets better, as more big oil companies plan to drop drilling in the Gulf.

The Buckle Up in Your Truck campaign begins today in Louisiana to bring awareness to the importance of wearing a seat belt in your truck — which many here don’t do. That’s according to Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, John Leblanc who says buckling up in a truck saves lives…:
CUT 4 (07) “a crash”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is holding seminars for law enforcement throughout the state to address animal cruelty. The first seminar was held yesterday in New Iberia, and Jeff Dorson, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, says they hope to assist cops in being better prepared for handling cases of animal cruelty…:
CUT 9 (10) “being mistreated”
The organization plans to host more seminars across the state, once a month.

As an Orleans Parish grand jury considers the evidence to charge Cardell Hayes in the fatal shooting of former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith, Hayes’ lawyer wants his client to appear before the panel to answer their questions.

There is more bad news when it comes to job loss in the oil and gas sector. LSU economist Loren Scott says the low gas prices we’ve seen since August of 2014 have hammered the industry, and major companies continue to cut back drilling budgets as a result…:
CUT 6 (10) “like this”
Gulf Island LLC based in Houma and Carbo Ceramics in New Iberia plan to lay off about 227 workers in June.

The man accused of shooting and killing former Saints defensive end Will Smith wants to testify before the grand jury that will decide the indictment on the second degree murder charges, according to sources. Experts say this is a highly irregular move on the part of Cardell Hayes’ defensive team, and it’s the DA who gets to decide who serves as a witness before a grand jury.

The Buckle Up in Your Truck campaign begins today in Louisiana. Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, John Leblanc says drivers of pickup trucks use their seat belts less often than drivers of other vehicles. He says this campaign is important to get more truck drivers to wear their seat belts, because it could save their lives…:
CUT 3 (10) “trucks there”
The campaign runs through April 28.

A woman accused of shooting at an employee of a tax preparation company in Baton Rouge has been arrested and charged with attempted second degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says 26-year-old Reven Compton allegedly got into an argument with the victim over the way her taxes were being prepared, when she pulled out a gun and fired. Compton posted $25,000 bond.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs an executive order that requires able-bodied adults without children to participate in job training and work assistance programs in order to receive food stamp benefits….:
Cut 15 (09) “federal government”
Starting July first, unemployed able-bodied adults will have to visit one of the 59 Louisiana Workforce Commission Centers in order to retain their food stamps.

Legislative leaders want to end the regular session early, so they could prepare for a special session that Governor Edwards plans to call to address the 750-million dollar revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. Senate President John Alario says this would also allow legislators to meet with constituents…:
cut 12 (06) “a discussion”
Governor Edwards has said he wants to hold the next special session before July 1st.

Several anti-abortion bills are making their way through the legislative process in the regular session. Planned Parenthood held a rally on the state Capitol steps demanding that Governor John Bel Edwards veto legislation that would be harmful to women’s health needs…
cut 8 (10) “….of legislation”
A bill that’s waiting for a vote on the House floor would prohibit state funding going to Planned Parenthood.

It’s Earth Day and Louisiana’s First Lady Donna Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to get in the habit of recycling. She says it’s easy to start in your home and workplace…
cut 5 (09) “….a habit”
Edwards says plastic bottles, aluminum cans, most paper and even ink cartridges are recyclable.

Able-bodied adults without children would have to find work or enroll in job training in order to receive SNAP benefits beginning July 1st. Governor John Bel Edwards signed the executive order Thursday. He says the Louisiana Workforce Commission operates 59 Career Solutions Centers where many people were able to find work in 2015…:
CUT 14 (06) “jobs”
Republican lawmakers have been pushing for the governor to add work requirements to food stamp recipients.

Advocates for Planned Parenthood rallied on the steps of the state capitol in opposition to bills moving through the legislature aimed at defunding the organization. New Orleans Dr. Julie Finger says Planned Parenthood is committed to providing women safe and reliable healthcare. She says many legislators try over and over to limit access to reproductive health…:
Cut 9 (10) “legal abortion”

Legislative leaders seek to end the regular session early, so they could prepare for a special session that Governor John Bel Edwards plans to call. Lawmakers must find a way to fill the $750 million dollar budget shortfall for next fiscal year before it begins on July 1st. Senate President John Alario says this doesn’t necessarily mean more taxes…:
CUT 11 (10) “a whole”
Alario feels they will be more productive in the special session if they leave this session early and get some rest, and get feedback from their constituents at home.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival gets underway today, and many artists have said they plan to honor the musician Prince during their performances. The 57-year-old singer died Thursday. The Mercedes Benz Superdome was lit up in purple last night in tribute to Prince.

Healthy adults without children will soon have to participate in job training programs in order to receive SNAP benefits. It’s an Executive Order from Governor John Bel Edwards. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 67-year-old woman perished in a house fire in Caddo Parish, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. They say the body of Helen Diane Webb was located in her Shreveport home following the residential structure fire. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Legislative leaders seek to end the regular session early, so they could prepare for a special session that Governor John Bel Edwards plans to call to address the 750-million dollar revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. Senate President John Alario says the next special session needs to be held before the start of the next fiscal year…:
Cut 10 (09) “operate on”
Alario says ending the regular session early will give lawmakers a break, as they have been in one session after another since February.

First Lady Donna Edwards has announced a new recycling initiative at the Governor’s Mansion in honor of Earth Day, which is today. Mrs. Edwards says she and the governor have been recycling ever since they lived in Hawaii many years ago…:
cut 4 (09) “the military”
The first lady is encouraging Louisiana residents to do their part in recycling as much trash as they can.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs a historic order that would require able bodied adults with no children to take steps towards finding work in order to receive SNAP benefits…:
Cut 13 (10) “job training”
Starting July 1st.

There’s talk of ending the regular legislative session early, so lawmakers have time to get ready for a second special session. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Planned Parenthood advocates rallied on state Capitol steps after a House committee approved a bill to defund Planned Parenthood. Unitarian Minister Rev. Darcy Roake says nearly 20 pieces of anti-women’s health legislation has been filed, three of those bills aimed directly at defunding Planned Parenthood. She says the organization provides preventive health care and accurate sexual health information.:
CUT 7 (10) “religious values”
The House passed a bill this week that would ban the most common procedure used in second-trimester abortions.

Today is Earth Day and Louisiana’s First Lady, Donna Edwards, has launched a new recycling imitative to commemorate the annual event which demonstrates support for environmental protection. She reminds folks that plastic bottles, aluminum cans, most paper, and even ink cartridges are recyclable…:
CUT 6 (10) “their part”

The LSU baseball team brings a five game winning streak into its SEC showdown series with Mississippi State, which begins tonight at 7 PM at Alex Box Stadium. The Bulldogs will start Dakota Hudson on the mound in game one. He could be a top ten pick in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft. Coach Paul Mainieri says his team won’t be intimidated…:
Cut 16 (25) “kind of challenges”
LSU enters the series ranked fifth in the country by Baseball America, while Mississippi State is seventh.

The 20th ranked Ragin Cajuns will host Texas State for three games at the Tigue. UL Lafayette has won 13 of its last 16 and they are in second place in the Sun Belt.

ULM returns to Sun Belt play today as they begin a three-game series in Jonesboro against Arkansas State. The Warhawks are six and nine in league play, while A-S-U is 5-and-13.

Tulane will face Central Florida this weekend in AAC action.

Louisiana Tech faces a tough test in league play this weekend when Old Dominion comes to Ruston for a three game Conference USA series.

Two of the top teams in the Southland square off this weekend as McNeese State hosts Southeastern for a three game series in Lake Charles.

Northwestern State makes their first regular-season trip to Central Arkansas since 2012.

As an Orleans Parish grand jury considers the evidence to charge Cardell Hayes in the fatal shooting of former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith, Hayes’ lawyer wants his client to appear before the panel to answer their questions.

Saints guard Tim Lelito has announced on Instagram that he’s signed his restricted free agent tender, which keeps him in Black and Gold for another season.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs an executive order that requires able-bodied adults without children to participate in job training and work assistance programs in order to receive food stamp benefits….:
Cut 15 (09) “federal government”
Starting July first, unemployed able-bodied adults will have to visit one of the 59 Louisiana Workforce Commission Centers.

Legislative leaders want to end the regular session early, so they could prepare for a special session that Governor Edwards plans to call to address the 750-million dollar revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. Senate President John Alario says this would also allow legislators to meet with constituents to discuss what they would like to see done at the Capitol…:
cut 12 (06) “a discussion”
The next special session needs to be held before the start of the next fiscal year.

Planned Parenthood supporters rallied on the state Capitol steps to advocate for women’s health. Emelie Gunn was there…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome was lit up in purple last night in a tribute to the legendary musician Prince who died Thursday at the age of 57.