Crawfish is becoming more affordable as Mardi Gras approaches. The average price for live crawfish is currently $4.10 a pound, with boiled crawfish averaging $6.49 a pound. Laney King, the co-founder of the Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are on track to be under three dollars a pound during the heart of the season….

Cut 5 (09) “…normal crawfish season.”

At this time last year, live crawfish were averaging $7.49 a pound.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against at least four girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) has been doing this for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

Murders have especially seen a huge drop. Two years ago, New Orleans saw 265 murders. That number dropped to 192 in 2023 and 124 last year.

The Saints have reportedly hired former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as their new defensive coordinator. Staley was the head coach for the Chargers for three seasons, leading L-A to one playoff appearance. NFL analyst Mike Detillier with W-W-L Radio says it was that one playoff game that proved to be the start of Staley’s downfall in L-A.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the game.”

A 60-year-old Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) is accused of assaulting at least four girls, ranging in age between seven and 16, over the course of several years.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars.

As Mardi Gras approaches, crawfish prices are on the way down. The average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says more crawfish are moving around, making them easier to catch and increasing supply for retailers.

Cut 4 (12) “…down this week.”

The former murder capital of America is shedding that dubious distinction. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says murders in the city have dropped by more than 50-percent in the last two years, from 265 in 2022 to 124 last year. She says the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime in the city.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Those of you traveling on I-49 approaching Alexandria, a heads-up – the freeway is closed in both directions due to a tanker truck that spilled oil onto the roadway. In all, a 14-mile stretch is closed between exits 80 and 94 – U.S. 71 and Rapides Station Road. You can use U.S. 71 to get around the closure for the time being.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against at least four girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) has been doing this for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

Matherne says Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars. He says investigators believe there are additional victims.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said year-over-year, murders were down 35-percent, non-fatal shootings are down 44-percent and carjackings are down 49-percent.

As Mardi Gras ramps up, crawfish prices go down and are expected to keep falling. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

King said current crawfish prices are largely in line with what they usually are this time of year.

Crawfish prices continue to decline this Mardi Gras season. The average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. According to Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, this week saw a big price dip..

Cut 3 (05) “…drop in price.” 

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims.

Cut 6 (08) “…reported by DCFS.”

Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars. If anyone has come into contact with Dupre, contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll shows parents are struggling with cost and availability to child care. Mattilyn Batson, the director of policy and research at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, highlights the struggles parents face balancing work with childcare access and affordability.

Cut 13 (11)  “…not work at all.”

Could NHL hockey be coming to New Orleans? NHL Network analyst – and former NHL goalie – Kevin Weekes says a potential New Orleans ownership group had a productive meeting with Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly this week. Weekes says while the identity of this ownership group is currently unknown, they are hockey people from top to bottom.

Cut 10 (09) “…hockey fans themselves.”

New Orleans joins a long list of cities pursuing NHL expansion teams.

After a 15-year pause, executions in Louisiana are scheduled to start up again next month. Among the first slated to be executed is Jessie Hoffman, who raped Molly Elliott and killed her execution-style in 1996. Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, requested the death warrant.

Cut 4 (07) “…and heinous offenders.”

You can add New Orleans to the growing list of cities lobbying for an NHL franchise. NHL Network analyst – and former NHL goalie – Kevin Weekes says even though there’s only one U.S. NHL market smaller than New Orleans – that being Buffalo – New Orleans would be a great NHL city, as evidenced by how well it hosted the biggest event of any kind in the U.S., the Super Bowl.

Cut 12 (09) “…amazing entertainment experience.”

Houston and Atlanta are among other cities seeking NHL franchises.

Results from the 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll, conducted by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, show parents are struggling with childcare cost and accessibility. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

During Carnival season, while parade-goers collect festive beads, impaired drivers will receive handcuffs as part of Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says more alcohol-related fatalities and injuries occur during Carnival than any other holiday.

Executions in Louisiana are scheduled to resume next month following a 15-year pause. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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New Orleans has emerged as a potential home for an NHL expansion team. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Results from the 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll, conducted by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, show parents are struggling with childcare cost and accessibility. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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After a 15-year pause, executions in Louisiana are scheduled to start up again next month. Among the first slated to be executed is Jessie Hoffman, who raped and killed Molly Elliott execution-style in 1996. Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, requested the death warrant.

Cut 4 (07) “…and heinous offenders.”

Sims says seeking the death penalty and carrying one out are not moves to be taken lightly.

Cut 5 (07) “…that it is.”

Sims says while the execution of a death row inmate may bring justice and closure, it is not something to be celebrated.

Cut 6 (08) “…and it’s horrible.”

Barring any delays or court orders, Hoffman will be executed by way of lethal gas.

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During Carnival season, while parade-goers collect festive beads, impaired drivers will receive handcuffs as part of Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Greg Fischer says police will be out in force.

Cut 7 (10) “…the absolute truth.”

Fischer highlighted the urgency, noting that since 2020, more alcohol-related fatalities and injuries occurred during Carnival than any other holiday.

Cut 8 (11) “…a serious injury.”

To enhance enforcement, National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration funds additional patrols. Officers statewide will arrest impaired drivers and Fischer warning that drinking and driving could turn Carnival celebrations into an early end in handcuffs.

Cut 9 (06)  “…that’s the truth.”

The campaign runs through Mardi Gras, aiming to curb alcohol-related crashes.

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A new city has emerged as a candidate for an NHL expansion team – New Orleans. NHL Network analyst – and former NHL goalie – Kevin Weekes says an ownership group had a productive meeting with Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly. Weekes says while the identity of this ownership group is currently unknown, they are hockey people from top to bottom.

Cut 10 (09) “…hockey fans themselves.”

New Orleans joins a long list of cities pursuing NHL expansion teams, including Houston, Atlanta, Quebec City and Phoenix, which just lost its team last year. Weekes says the fact that the ownership group met with league brass is big.

Cut 11 (13) “…deputy commissioner’s calendar.”

Weekes says even though there’s only one U.S. NHL market smaller than New Orleans – that being Buffalo – New Orleans would be a great NHL city, as evidenced by how well it hosted the biggest event of any kind in the U.S., the Super Bowl.

Cut 12 (09) “…amazing entertainment experience.”

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The 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll shows parents are struggling with cost and availability to child care. Mattilyn Batson, the director of policy and research at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, highlights the struggles parents face balancing work with childcare access and affordability.

Cut 13 (11)  “…not work at all.”

The survey found that over half of parents worry about affording childcare, with costs averaging 633 dollars a month per child. Batson says for those without subsidies, expenses rise to nearly 12-hundred-dollars  monthly.

Cut 14 (08) “…dollars a year.”

Childcare disruptions impacted employment, with 70-percent of parents missing work in the past three months. Batson emphasized the need for investment, warning that without action, families will face financial strain, and Louisiana’s workforce will suffer from lost economic potential.

Cut 15 (13) “…early learning centers.”

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Louisiana Tech baseball is in Hattiesburg this weekend for a three-game series against former Conference USA rival Southern Miss. The Bulldogs opened the season by sweeping a four-game series from Maine. Tech Coach Lane Burroughs like how well his team played defensively

Cut 16 (16) “…moments”

Burroughs came into the season liking his starting pitching, but the bullpen will be a work in progress…

Cut 17 (17)  “…on ’em”

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LSU is 4-and-0 as they open a series against Omaha at Alex Box Stadium today. The Tigers showed off their depth in their four games, playing a bunch of guys and Coach Jay Johnson says it’s been fun to watch…

Cut 18 (17)  “…this team.”

LSU has won all four of its games in comfortable fashion, which has allowed Johnson to get a lot of players into the game. Multiple players have played right field, catcher or had a chance to play in the designated hitter role. Johnson says the players have been mature about sharing playing time…

Cut 19 (19) “…good.”

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. 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.

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, where they found her vehicle burned out. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they also found 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles walking in that area.

Cut 7 (07) “…what we gather.”

Southeastern Louisiana University has achieved its highest overall spring enrollment in 100 years. The university is reporting a seven-percent increase, pushing total overall enrollment to nearly 15-thousand students.  University President Dr. William Wainwright emphasized that beyond record numbers, Southeastern remains dedicated to academic innovation and economic impact.

Cut 11 (09) “…modify curriculum.”

Saints head coach Kellen Moore has reportedly hired 54-year-old Doug Nussmeier as his offensive coordinator.  Locked on Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says the hire makes complete sense, because of the relationship Moore and Nussmeier have already built…

Cut 12 (14) “…Philadelphia Eagles.”

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.”