A state representative says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. State Representative Mike Johnson, who chairs the Pine Beetle Subcommittee, has led efforts to address the crisis and secure funding to help private citizens pay for tree removal.

Cut 4 (10) “…after a storm.”

Johnson says it’s not a matter of if, but when, those trees will topple.

Southeastern Louisiana University’s Spring semester marked historic enrollment growth, achieving its highest overall spring enrollment in 100 years. The university saw an increase of over seven-percent, reaching nearly 15-thousand students, with growth in nearly all categories.  University President Dr. William Wainwright says one is  preparatory enrollment which rose by nearly 19-percent.

Cut 9 (11)  “…incoming freshman class.”

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead. A ping of Jorlany Osario Beitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, and they found her vehicle burned out. They also found 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles of Lawtell walking in that area. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Arguelles eventually admitted to killing her, and deputies arrested him.

Cut 7 (07) “…what we gather.”

State Representative Mike Johnson from Pineville says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. Johnson says Cleco and the Louisiana Department of Transportation have started the process by removing dead trees along roads and highways, but more needs to done with trees on private property

Cut 3 (07) “…when those trees will fall.” 

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead, and her boyfriend is accused of killing her. A ping of Jorlany Osario Beitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, where they found her vehicle burned out. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says a deputy found a man walking in that area.

Cut 6 (07) “…he responded ‘no.’”

Guidroz says 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles eventually admitted to killing her.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Louisiana Department of Health is doing the wrong thing by ending mass vaccination clinics. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says these clinics make it much more convenient for busy parents and busy kids.

Cut 14 (16) “…have gotten otherwise.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly will stand trial July 7th for his alleged role in a shooting that injured two people in his hometown of Farmerville last February. Holly is facing one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Mike Small, says he and his client are happy that a trial date is established.

Cut 10 (08) “…and always maintained.”

The employees put out of work by the closure of International Paper in Campti are getting help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team. It will be in Natchitoches, supporting the nearly 500 workers through mobile centers. LWC Secretary Susanna Schowen says they will also plan other job fairs soon.

Cut 6 (14) “…an exact location.”

Governor Landry says his proposed budget for the next fiscal year reduces the amount of state funds by up to a billion dollars from the current fiscal year. Landry appointed a budget czar to review government expenditures, and he says efficiencies have already been discovered that’s reduced the total amount of dollars the state will spend…

Cut 9 (12)  “…administration.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health ending mass vaccination clinics. Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman say the reason is to put vaccine choice back in the hands of the patients and their doctors. Cassidy says in the event of an outbreak, these clinics would come in very handy.

Cut 13 (14)  “…a routine visit.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly now has a trial date for his alleged role in a shooting in his hometown of Farmerville last February – July 7th. Holly has not been able to participate in team-related activities since his arrest, but he is still going to school at LSU. His attorney, Mike Small, says if his client is found not guilty, he’s expected to be reinstated.

Cut 11 (08) “…pursuits as well.”

481 displaced employees impacted by the shutdown of International Paper in Campti are getting help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A trial date is set for a suspended LSU running back in connection with a shooting a year ago. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is criticizing the Louisiana Department of Health for ending mass vaccination clinics. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team will assist 481 workers affected by the closure of International Paper in Campti. LWC Secretary Susanna Schowen says the team will be in Natchitoches and Campti today and tomorrow, offering support through mobile centers.

Cut 4 (09) “…do some training.”

These centers will help employees register for work and connect them with resources for career transitions. Schowen says Services include application assistance, resume writing, training grants, and career counseling.

Cut 5 (09) “…what they choose.”

The mobile centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Natchitoches Council Chamber at 712 2nd Street and the Campti Resource Center at 201 Edenborn Street. Schowen says they do plan other job fairs soon.

Cut 6 (14) “…an exact location.”

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Governor Jeff Landry says his proposed budget for next fiscal reduces the amount of state funds by up to a billion dollars from the current fiscal year. Landry says the state spending plan continues to the trend of decreasing the overall amount of money the state spends…

Cut 7 (11) “…these goals.”

Today, Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras will provide state lawmakers with more specifics of the budget proposal. The Legislature will spend the next several months making changes to the spending plan and the goal is to approve a budget before the legislative session ends on June 12^th.

Landry says despite a reduction in state spending, Louisiana will still benefit from new revenue that will be used on non-recurring expenses…

Cut 8 (11) “…sewer systems.”

Landry says he has created a fiscal responsibility program and appointed a budget czar to review government expenditures. He says efficiencies have already been discovered that’s reduced the total amount of dollars the state will spend…

Cut 9 (12)  “…administration.”

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Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly will stand trial July 7th for his alleged role in a shooting that injured two people in his hometown of Farmerville last February. Holly is facing one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Mike Small, says he and his client are happy that a trial date is established.

Cut 10 (08) “…and always maintained.”

Holly has not been able to participate in team-related activities since his arrest, but he is still going to school at LSU. Small says if his client is found not guilty, he’s expected to be reinstated.

Cut 11 (08) “…pursuits as well.”

Small says he and his client are grateful that they can go to trial relatively quickly.

Cut 12 (10) “…in this case.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health ending mass vaccination clinics. Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman say the reason is to put vaccine choice back in the hands of the patients and their doctors. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says in the event of an outbreak, like the current measles outbreak in west Texas, mass vaccination clinics would be very beneficial.

Cut 13 (14)  “…a routine visit.”

Cassidy says vaccination clinics make it much more convenient for busy parents and busy kids.

Cut 14 (16) “…have gotten otherwise.”

Cassidy says ending mass vaccination clinics is counterproductive.

Cut 15 (08) “…they’re very busy.”

Old Man Winter makes an unwelcome return visit to Louisiana tonight. While it will be coldest in North Louisiana, it will also dip below freezing across much of South Louisiana as well. However, State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we should not see a string of days on end of subfreezing temperatures.

Cut 8 (08) “…during the daytime.”

You will once again have an opportunity to adopt horses used in Mardi Gras parades. This is the seventh year that the Humane Society of Louisiana is running this program. H-S-L board member Rena Sweeney says photos of the horses up for adoption are available at Mardi-gras-horses-dot-com.

Cut 11 (12) “…for their family.”

The adoption program keeps the horses from possibly being slaughtered after carnival season.

Democrat Davante Lewis is no longer the vice chairman of the Public Service Commission after using a vulgar insult on social media towards Governor Landry.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

AirBnB is suing the City of New Orleans over upcoming regulations that will require it to obtain city permits. AirBnB says it should not be responsible for implementing the policy that’s set to go into effect in June. The city has tried cracking down on short-term rentals for years.

Davante Lewis is out as vice chairman of the Public Service Commission, and Eric Skrmetta is in. The commission voted 3-to-2, down party lines, to strip Lewis of his leadership role after he directed a vulgar insult towards Governor Landry on social media. Prior to the vote, Lewis defended himself, saying he was not going to apologize for his remarks.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sand to me.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is once again running a program that allows people to adopt horses used in Mardi Gras parades. H-S-L board member Rena Sweeney says adoption fees range from $650 to $1,500, and the horses will likely need training.

Cut 10 (08) “…take into consideration.”

As of now there are 19 horses available for adoption, and interest is already high. 

Spring may be right around the corner, but not before Louisiana gets one more blast of arctic weather. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin”

St. Tammany Parish deputies arrest three suspected meth dealers in two days. On February 11th, K-9 units found 30-year-old Henry Gaines with half a pound of meth during a traffic stop. The next day, a search at the home of Gary Armond Jr. and Paula Jacobson uncovered more than a pound of meth, along with pills and paraphernalia.

Brace yourself – brutally cold weather is back tonight. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says that will especially be the case in North Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…across northern Louisiana.”

In fact, Grymes says it will dip below freezing across the entire state tonight.

Cut 7 (09) “…to the coast.”

With temperatures taking a frigid turn tonight, some communities are opening up warming shelters. In Lafayette, the Dupuis Recreation Center is opening for homeless people and people who lack adequate heat inside their homes. The warming center will remain open until Friday, when temperatures will rise back above freezing.

A second inmate has died this month at the medium security federal prison in Pollock. 26-year-old Artavius Burnett was found unresponsive yesterday morning. This is the fourth death at the facility in Grant Parish since last fall.

The Public Service Commission votes to strip Davante Lewis of his vice chairmanship and install Eric Skrmetta into that role. The vote was three to two, right down party lines. The move comes after Lewis directed vulgar language towards Governor Landry on social media. During public comment prior to the vote, liberal activist Melissa Flournoy says Lewis’ social media post was no reason to strip him of his leadership role.

Cut 12 (12) “…the vice chair.”

For the seventh consecutive year, the Humane Society of Louisiana is running a program that allows the public to adopt horses used in Mardi Gras parades. H-S-L board member Rena Sweeney says the adoption program keeps the horses from possibly being slaughtered after the carnival season….

Cut 9 (10)  “…just over 120 horses.”

Davante Lewis is out as vice chairman of the Public Service Commission, and Eric Skrmetta is in. The commission voted 3-to-2, down party lines, to strip Lewis of his leadership role after he directed a vulgar insult towards Governor Landry on social media. Prior to the vote, Lewis defended himself, saying he was not going to apologize for his remarks.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sand to me.”

CBS News contributor and Louisiana native David Begnaud is launching a storytelling initiative highlighting college students who exemplify kindness, resilience, and community impact. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed praised the project, emphasizing the opportunity to showcase students’ impactful work.

Cut 4 (12) “…first in this project.”

Spring is right around the corner, but Louisiana is getting one more blast of arctic weather. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin”

Brace yourself – brutally cold weather is coming back tonight. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says that will especially be the case in North Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…across northern Louisiana.”

Grymes says it will dip below freezing across the entire state tonight. The good news, however, is that daytime highs will rise above freezing both tomorrow and Friday.

The Public Service Commission votes to strip Davante Lewis of his vice chairmanship and install Eric Skrmetta into that role. The vote was three to two, right down party lines. The move comes after Lewis directed vulgar language towards Governor Landry on social media. During public comment prior to the vote, Melissa Flournoy with Progress Louisiana says Lewis’ social media post was no reason to strip him of his leadership role.

Cut 12 (12) “…the vice chair.”

Chairman Mike Francis says the call to vote on the issue was his alone.

CBS News contributor and Louisiana native David Begnaud is launching a storytelling initiative highlighting college students who exemplify kindness, resilience, and community impact. Begnaud introduced his vision to representatives from Louisiana’s public and private colleges.

Cut 3 (12) “…for someone else.” 

In the coming years, several new facilities will be opening at Northwestern State University. Jennifer Kelly, the school’s executive director of university affairs, says the biggest project is Alost Hall, the new main academic building.

Cut 10 (17) “…nurse anesthesia program.”

Davante Lewis is out as vice chairman of the Public Service Commission. This morning, the commission voted to strip the Democrat of his leadership role after he used language on X to criticize Governor Landry that I cannot repeat on the radio without putting our affiliates’ FCC licenses in jeopardy. The commission voted to install Republican Eric Skrmetta as vice chairman. Chairman Mike Francis is a former head of the Louisiana Republican Party. I asked him whether he would have taken the same action if a Republican commissioner used vulgar language towards a Democratic official, he couldn’t definitively say yes or no.

Cut 6 (09) “…statement like that.”

A second inmate has died this month at the medium security federal prison in Pollock. The Federal Bureau of Prisons says 26-year-old Artavius Burnett was found unresponsive yesterday morning. This is the fourth death at the facility in Grant Parish since last fall. Burnett was convicted in Tennessee for armed robbery.

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly is expected to get a trial date today. Colleen Crain reports it was about a year ago law enforcement say he was involved in a shooting in Union Parish….

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

With temperatures taking a frigid turn tonight, some communities are opening up warming shelters. In Lafayette, the Dupuis Recreation Center will open at five this evening for homeless people and people who lack adequate heat inside their homes. The warming center will remain open until Friday, when temperatures will rise back above freezing.