Louisiana’s new Workforce Pell program will make workforce training more accessible for Louisianians. Kace Kieschnick has the story.
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Ten years ago today, one of the darkest days in Louisiana history occurred as six police officers were shot in an ambush, four of them fatally. Jeff Palermo has more.
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The City of New Orleans is issuing an urgent warning to e-bike riders after four people have been killed in e-bike-related crashes in the city this year. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The state is launching a new Workforce Pell initiative to provide Pell Grants to short-term workforce training programs. Most grants will be for 22-hundred dollars per program, but up to 43-hundred dollars may be awarded depending on program duration. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen (SHAU-in) says the Workforce Pell Grants work the same as traditional ones, but not every short-term program is eligible.
Cut 4 (09) “…primarily skilled trades.”
For the full list of eligible programs, visit the Louisiana Works website or search Louisiana Workforce Pell.
Many of the eligible programs deal with skilled A-I and energy infrastructure job training, which Schowen says have been a major driver in Louisiana job growth. She says this is a magic moment in the Louisiana economy.
Cut 5 (11) “…these great jobs.”
She says even if you are not planning on seeking a Workforce Pell Grant, the list of eligible programs is a fantastic resource to find training for a skilled, high-quality job. Many of the available programs are offered at Louisiana community and technical colleges. Schowen says Workforce Pell can help people struggling to keep their heads above water.
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Ten years ago today, Louisiana experienced one of its darkest days when a lone gunman ambushed law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge. Six officers were shot. Four later died from their injuries: Baton Rouge Police officers Matthew Gerald and Montrell Jackson, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies Brad Garafola and Nicholas Tullier. East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says officers continue to honor their sacrifice.
Cut 7 (07) “…stand behind them.”
Gautreaux was attending a Sheriff’s Association conference in Lake Charles when Gavin Long opened fire outside the Benny’s B-Quick convenience store and car wash on Airline Highway. Gautreaux and then-State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson flew back to Baton Rouge by helicopter and met with the victims’ families at a local hospital. Edmonson says it was heartbreaking.
State Police determined Long traveled from Kansas City to Baton Rouge with the intent of targeting law enforcement. Investigators say he was motivated by anger over recent police shootings of Black men, including the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge 12 days earlier.
Gerald, Jackson and Garafola died the day of the attack. Tullier survived for nearly six years before dying in 2022 from complications related to his injuries. Gautreaux says Tullier’s determination inspired everyone around him.
The attack began just after 8:40 on the morning of July 17th, 2016, and lasted less than 10 minutes. Investigators say Long fired 43 rounds before a Baton Rouge SWAT officer shot and killed him. Edmonson says ending the attack required extraordinary courage.
The site of the ambush is just down the street from Baton Rouge Police headquarters. Gautreaux says law enforcement agencies are better prepared for similar threats today, thanks in part to intelligence shared through Louisiana’s fusion center.
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After weeks of declines, gasoline prices are on their way back up. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is now back over $3.50 a gallon.
Redman says it’s not typical for gas prices to be on the rise this time of year.
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One year ago at this time, regular unleaded was averaging just under $2.80 a gallon.
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New Orleans Police and cycling enthusiasts and advocates are putting out an urgent warning to those who ride e-bikes to use extra care when riding them. It comes as four people have been killed in crashes involving e-bikes in the city so far this year. Buddy Micheu (MEE-shoo), the captain of the NOPD’s traffic unit, says riding an e-bike requires a lot more skill than riding a regular bike.
Cut 13 (14) “…even more substantial.”
Captain Micheu says when e-bikes aren’t ridden properly, it can lead to disastrous results.
Cut 14 (13) “…his injuries later.”
All e-bikes sold in the U.S. are pedal-assist bikes, and those whose motors work up to 20 miles an hour before cutting out can also come with a throttle. Under federal law, pedal assistance with e-bikes may only work up to 28 miles an hour before cutting out. Any assistance beyond 28 miles an hour would make them e-motorcycles, requiring them to be insured and registered as such with the OMV.
Adam Watts with Bicycle World of New Orleans says all bicyclists, whether they’re riding e-bikes or not, need to follow the rules of the road, and there are two in particular that he sees violated regularly are riding on the sidewalk and riding against traffic – that is, on the left side of the road.
Cut 15 (07) “…are super dangerous.”
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UL Lafayette is coming off a 6-and-7 season last year. Head coach Michael Desormeaux returns a lot of production from last year but will depend on some young talents who flashed at times last year to continue developing. He likes what he has in Lafayette.
Cut 16 (16) “…fast as possible.”
Redshirt junior quarterback Lunch Winfield took over as the starter last year and helped lead a four-game win streak to salvage bowl eligibility. His top target, wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr., is also back. He says he and his receivers have put in work this offseason.
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Louisiana Tech enjoyed its first winning season under coach Sonny Cumbie in its final season in Conference USA. The Bulldogs have the most returning production of any Sun Belt school. Cumbie was able to retain defensive coordinator Luke Olsen and a lot of his dominant group.
Cut 18 (17) “…ready to emerge.”
LA Tech fielded C-USA’s best scoring and total defense last year and led the nation in interceptions and defensive touchdowns.
Tech offensive coordinator Tony Franklin retired, so it’s up to offensive line coach and former co-coordinator Nathan Young. Young inherits redshirt junior starting quarterback Blake Baker, who led the Dogs to a 4-and-1 record in games he stayed healthy in. Baker was sidelined with a torn ACL last season, but Cumbie expects him to be back like he never left.
Cut 19 (13) “…before the injury.”
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ULM lost eight straight games to close out the 2025 season. The Warhawks retained starting quarterback Aidan Armenta and four starting offensive linemen. Head coach Bryant Vincent says he has great talent in the trenches.
Cut 20 (18) “…just become infectious.”