The manhunt continues after an innocent woman is shot to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump, and two people jumped out with AR-style pistols.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.” 

Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was not the intended target of a targeted shooting.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith is arrested for allegedly attacking a man at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. The victim is 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon, who’s been one of Smith’s harshest critics. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says that’s no excuse, however – and getting out of this will be very hard for Smith to do.

Cut 5 (12) “…of what occurred.”

While Governor Landry continues to consider whether to sign the “Streets to Success Act,” advocates for the homeless are speaking out against it. Along with making public camping a misdemeanor, it provides court-supervised programs to connect them to housing, treatment and job services. Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says it’s an empty solution.

Cut 8 (08) “…it will provide.”

The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 60 years. It’s a flesh-easting parasite that can kill animals including livestock. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deadly bug was found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of the Mexican border. Strain says its discovery in the United States has already led to an increase in beef prices.

Cut 10 (08) “…affordability of beef.”

One man who took an oath to serve and protect is accused of doing the exact opposite. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The “Streets to Success Act” would make camping on public property a crime punishable by six months of jail time and a 500-dollar fine. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

The New World screwworm has been found in Texas, so what does that mean? Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________________________________________

The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is discovering what it’s like on the other side of the law. Sheriff Randy Smith is arrested on three charges, including second-degree battery, in connection with an attack at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. Investigators say while in the bar area at Keith Young’s Steakhouse, Smith went up to 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon and, without provocation, attacked him. Couvillon told police Smith reeked of alcohol, and Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says Smith’s conduct would corroborate that.

Cut 4 (07) “…least three terms.”

Couvillon has been one of Sheriff Smith’s harshest critics. Goyeneche says that’s no excuse, however, for Smith to do what he allegedly did – and getting out of this will be very hard for Smith to do.

Cut 5 (12) “…of what occurred.”

Smith’s bond was set at ten-thousand dollars. For now, he remains on the job – and Goyeneche says he will remain on the job until either his term expires or he’s proven guilty in a court of law, whichever comes first.

Cut 6 (10) “…for a felony.”

Sheriff Smith has released a statement, in which he apologized to his family, the diners and staff at the restaurant and the people of St. Tammany Parish. He also referenced what he called ten years of personal attacks against him and his family by a man hiding behind a computer screen, presumably referring to Couvillon. Smith said he will address his actions through the legal process and will continue serving the people of St. Tammany Parish in the meantime.

____________________________________________________

A bill known as the “Streets to Success Act” is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation attempts to address homelessness in the state, but Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark. It establishes a new crime of unauthorized public camping.

Cut 7 (09) “…fined 500 dollars.”

The bill provides court-supervised programs to connect arrested homeless people to housing, treatment and job services, but those programs are optional and dependent on location. It also allows for the creation of designated public camping areas, which are also optional. Heeren-Mueller says the solution is empty.

Cut 8 (08) “…it will provide.”

Other states that have passed similar legislation have seen homelessness rates increase. Heeren-Meuller says it is not based on evidence and does not consider the reality of living through homelessness. He says it imagines there are people who would refuse assistance if not for the threat of jail time.

Cut 9 (11)  “…low-income people.”

____________________________________________________

The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 60 years. It’s a flesh-easting parasite that can kill animals including livestock. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deadly bug was found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of Mexican border. Strain says its discovery in the United States has already led to an increase in beef prices.

Cut 10 (08) “…affordability of beef.”

The New World screwworm had been eradicated from the United States since 1960s, but it has been moving closer to the U.S. through transmission between cattle in Mexico. Strain says they can stop the spread by unleashing sterile flies.

Cut 11 (11) “…and other protein.”

Strain says sterilized male flies are used, because they mate with the female screwworms and no offspring is produced.

Cut 12 (05) “…having viable reproduction.”

Strain says the New World screwworm is a low risk to humans.

___________________________________________________

A manhunt is underway for at least two people who shot an innocent woman to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.”

(Two masked men fired between 70 and 80 shots into the car with AR-style pistols.) Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was sitting in the passenger seat. Chief Bergeron says this was a targeted shooting, but Sheppard was not the target – she was catching a ride home and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Cut 14 (07) “…involved in it.”

Bergeron stresses to the public that there is no imminent threat.

Cut 15 (09) “…a targeted incident.”

Bergeron says the vehicle the shooters were in was carjacked in Macomb, Mississippi, Tuesday night.

____________________________________________________

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson is sure to revamp his roster in the transfer portal this summer after a disappointing 30-and-28 season this year. Johnson brought in a trio of sluggers with 67 career homers last offseason. That group hit just 13 this year. ESPN 104.5’s Hunt Palmer says Johnson won’t rely on the portal for slugging again.

Cut 16 (16) “…huge power bat.”

Palmer says the Tigers have a lot of holes to fill, and they’ll look to target young guys from proven power conference programs. Johnson has had success bringing in mid-major stars like Luis Hernandez and Hunter Dickinson, but Palmer says they’ll need to be versatile talents.

Cut 17 (16)  “…in the portal.”

As for pitching, the Tigers have four arms who saw real SEC starting action in Casan Evans, William Schmidt, Cooper Moore, and Marcos Paz returning. Palmer says he’d like to see more talent added to he bullpen. LSU brought in Northwestern State lefty Brody Trosclair for a visit earlier this week.

Cut 18 (18) “…of this season.”

Even though the new law doesn’t take effect until January 1st, the author of the bill that eliminates vehicle inspection stickers says you no longer have to get your inspection renewed, even if you’re currently past-due for renewal. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says if you recently paid for your two-year renewal, however, you’re out of luck.

Cut 7 (09) “…get a refund.”

Governor Landry signed a bill increasing the penalties for marijuana use on college campuses and near schools. Violators now face up to a year in jail and a one-thousand-dollar fine. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment says smoking marijuana within two-thousand feet of campuses and schools was already illegal in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…the penalties.”

Biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries believe they’re making progress in restoring critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend. LDWF Biologist Manager Villis Dowden says over the past two weeks, crews have stocked 110 containers of native eelgrass which can provide critical habitat for juvenile fish.

Cut 12 (07) “…wildlife species.” 

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a new Drone as First Responder program. Sheriff Marc Mashaw says drones can drop off life jackets, tourniquets and other emergency equipment while deputies are on the way.

Cut 11 (13) “…we’re responding.”

The drones can even help first responders speak directly to the public during emergencies or take life-saving action.

The elimination of state inspection stickers doesn’t officially happen until January 1st; but for all intents and purposes, your days of schlepping to get your vehicle inspected are over. Governor Landry has told State Police not to issue citations for expired inspection stickers. And Larry Bagley, who authored House Bill 1085, says even if your inspection is due for renewal this month, just let it go.

Cut 6 (08) “…on all that.”

LDWF biologists say they’re making progress in restoring critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend by stocking 110 containers of native eelgrass. Biologist Manager Villis Dowden says the methods they’re doing now have worked in reservoirs in other southern states.

Cut 14 (11) “…goes on.”

A new law signed by Governor Landry looks to create a more family-friendly gameday atmosphere on college campuses in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

An inmate at the state penitentiary in Angola has died. The Department of Corrections says 33-year-old Patrick Jones died Tuesday. His cause of death is unclear at this time. Jones was nearly ten years into a 165-year sentence for armed robbery. He’s the second Angola inmate to die in less than a week, following last Thursday’s death of 57-year-old Ronald Williams.

Even though the new law doesn’t take effect until January 1st, the author of the bill that eliminates vehicle inspection stickers says you no longer have to get your inspection renewed, even if you’re currently past-due for renewal. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says if you recently paid for your two-year renewal, however, you’re out of luck.

Cut 7 (09) “…get a refund.”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a new Drone as First Responder program. The drones are operated by a real-time crime center that monitors drone video and live body camera feeds to quickly respond to emergencies. Sheriff Marc Mashaw says drones can cover a wide area and arrive on scene in as little as 70 seconds.

Cut 9 (08)  “…speed matters.”

A new law signed by Governor Landry looks to create a more family-friendly gameday atmosphere on college campuses in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is discovering what it’s like on the other side of the law. Sheriff Randy Smith has turned himself in to face charges stemming from an altercation at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. Investigators say he violently confronted a man who’s been one of his harshest critics; the victim says the assault was unprovoked.

The elimination of state inspection stickers doesn’t officially happen until January 1st; but for all intents and purposes, your days of schlepping to get your vehicle inspected are over. Governor Landry has told State Police not to issue citations for expired inspection stickers starting July 1st. Larry Bagley, who authored House Bill 1085, says even if your inspection is due for renewal this month, just let it go.

Cut 6 (08) “…on all that.”

Landry also signed a bill increasing the penalties for marijuana use on college campuses and near schools. While the new law affects all school zones across the state, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says, to put it bluntly, it specifically aims to create a more family-friendly environment at on-campus tailgates on gamedays.

Cut 3 (09) “…good time.”

Louisiana voters keep rejecting constitutional amendments, but lawmakers keep putting them on the ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 19 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

A Prairieville woman is arrested in connection with the drowning death of a three-year-old boy. Investigators with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office say 37-year-old Joann Johnson was operating an in-home daycare, when two kids were playing near the backyard swimming pool without wearing any flotation gear. The boy fell into the water and remained in the water unconscious for 20 minutes before Johnson acted.

Houma Representative Jessica Domangue helped pass legislation supporting local shrimpers against the threat of foreign seafood in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Police in Hammond are investigating a murder at a gas station. Security video footage shows two people getting out of a car at one of the pumps, going to a vehicle at a neighboring pump and, seemingly unprovoked, firing several shots into the rear passenger side of that vehicle with AR-style pistols. The woman in the rear passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooters drove off towards I-55.

In the last two constitutional amendment elections, Louisiana voters rejected all nine proposed amendments. On November 3rd, voters will weigh in on nine more. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says voters are suffering from constitutional amendment fatigue.

Cut 5 (07) “…were horribly mistaken.”

Louisiana’s constitution was approved in 1974; and since then, voters have been asked to amend the constitution 330 times, approving 221 changes.

Saints star running back Alvin Kamara made a surprise return to the facility for voluntary OTAs yesterday. Kamara typically opts to prep for the season away from New Orleans, but he arrived amidst questions about his future with the team. He says he came back this year because teammates kept reaching out to him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…I’m good.”

A new poll shows Julia Letlow with a significant lead in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate. The poll by Kaplan Strategies shows Letlow with a 15-point lead over John Fleming, 52 to 37-percent, with ten-percent undecided. Pollster Doug Kaplan says two questions in particular separated Letlow from Fleming.

Cut 11 (08) “…and hurt Fleming.”

Lawmakers passed several bills this session cracking down on imported seafood. It comes as genetic testing continues to uncover the presence of imported shrimp at restaurants, including restaurants which claim that their shrimp originates from Louisiana waters. Houma Representative Jessica Domangue, who authored many of these bills, says that doesn’t necessarily mean those restaurants are being deceitful.

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s Louisiana seafood.”

One bill Governor Landry is considering whether to sign is one that makes camping on public property a misdemeanor. House Bill 211 would make it punishable by up to six months in jail and a 500-dollar fine. Advocates for the homeless say it would essentially make being homeless a crime and does not solve the issue.

Louisiana voters keep rejecting constitutional amendments, but lawmakers keep putting them on the ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana voters keep rejecting constitutional amendments, but lawmakers keep putting them on the ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Houma Representative Jessica Domangue helped pass legislation supporting local shrimpers against the threat of foreign seafood in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

A new poll paints a very clear picture of where things stand in the race for the Republican nomination the U.S. Senate race. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_________________________________________________________

Since March of 2025, Louisiana voters have rejected nine constitutional amendment proposals that appeared on two different ballots and nine more will be on the ballot in November. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says state lawmakers are not fazed by the voters’ recent lack of support for the amendments.

Cut 4 (11) “…new constitutional amendments.”

Louisiana’s constitution was approved in 1974; and since then, voters have been asked to amend the constitution 330 times. Voters have approved 221 changes. There was a grassroots effort to vote down all five constitutional amendments on the May 16th ballot. Deslatte says voters are suffering from constitutional amendment fatigue.

Cut 5 (07) “…were horribly mistaken.”

The most high-profile constitutional amendment on the November 3rd ballot is the proposal to limit governors to two elected terms as governor during their lifetimes. Deslatte says the other amendments run the gamut.

Cut 6 (10) “…over the place.”

____________________________________________________

The legislature continued its crackdown on imported seafood in this session, passing several bills aimed at protecting Louisiana shrimpers. Houma Representative Jessica Domangue carried a bill by Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, giving the agency the authority to seize and destroy seafood at ports that fail to meet the state’s testing requirements.

Cut 7 (07) “…to do that.”

In all, Domangue authored six seafood bills which gained Landry’s signature. In addition, a bill by Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner to crack down on mixing imported shrimp with domestic shrimp was signed into law last month. Domangue says these news laws go far beyond protecting local shrimpers.

Cut 8 (07) “…piece of legislation.”

All these bills come as genetic testing continues to uncover the presence of imported shrimp at restaurants, including restaurants which claim that their shrimp originates from Louisiana waters. Domangue says that doesn’t necessarily mean those restaurants are intentionally being deceitful.

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s Louisiana seafood.”

____________________________________________________

A new poll shows Julia Letlow with a very clear path to the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. The poll by Kaplan Strategies shows Letlow with a 15-point lead over John Fleming, 52 to 37-percent, with ten-percent undecided. Pollster Doug Kaplan says Letlow has consolidated support among all factions of the Republican coalition.

Cut 10 (05) “…more moderate Republicans.”

Kaplan says two questions in particular separated Letlow from Fleming.

Cut 11 (08) “…and hurt Fleming.”

Kaplan says with this margin closely mirroring Letlow’s margin over Fleming in last month’s primary, Fleming has a very tall task ahead of him if he expects to close the gap between now and June 27th.

Cut 12 (05) “…a runoff election.”

___________________________________________________

Saints star running back Alvin Kamara made a surprise return to the facility for voluntary OTAs yesterday. Kamara typically opts to prep for the season away from New Orleans, but he arrived amidst questions about his future with the team. He says he came back this year because teammates kept reaching out to him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…I’m good.”

New Orleans made a splash in free agency, signing veteran running back Travis Etienne to revamp a run game that struggled to find its footing last season. Head coach Kellen Moore and GM Mickey Loomis have repeatedly said they are still evaluating the roster, and Kamara says he’s not a part of those decisions.

Cut 14 (12) “…to be here.”

The Saints are second in the NFL, spending over 21-million-dollars on the running back room after finishing bottom five in the league in both rushing yards and touchdowns last season. Kamara says he shared carries with Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray and thinks a two-back system can be beneficial.

Cut 15 (11) “…I know.”

____________________________________________________

LSU made headway with some of the nation’s top recruits over the weekend. Brother Martin five-star Easton Royal is the number one receiver prospect in the country. He’s committed to Texas, but Andre Champagne of 247Sports told Tiger Rag Radio LSU is all in on flipping him, and it won’t just come down to money.

Cut 16 (18) “…in his heart.”

Top national prospect Jalen Brewster is a dominant edge rusher out of Cedar Hill, Texas. He’s been committed to Texas Tech since October, but Champagne says his visit to campus is a sign it might not be a done deal.

Cut 17 (17)  “…away this weekend.”

LSU also hosted five-star athlete Xavier Sabb, four-star edge Abraham Sesay, and three-stars Adryan Cole and Markez Davis. While Lane Kiffin’s staff certainly has the money to compete for the nation’s top recruits, Champagne says it’s the culture at LSU and the connection with the staff recruits have raved about.

Cut 18 (15) “…him this weekend.”

Drivers are starting to feel some relief at the gas pumps. The big question is, how long will this downward trend continue? Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gasoline prices have dropped about 17 cents over the last week.

Cut 12 (06) “…$3.81 a gallon.” 

Redman says that trend could be short-lived, however, with the price of oil on the rise, a lack of deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and any potential tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico.

Changes are coming to DCFS as a result of the legislative session. A bill by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow awaiting Governor Landry’s signature adds a law enforcement liaison to the department. Barrow says the end goal of her bill is to improve communication within the stakeholders of the agency to better protect children.

Cut 5 (08) “…definitely be narrowed.”

The U.S. Senate held a hearing today on the Protect College Sports Act. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Later this month, a three-judge federal panel from the Western District of Louisiana will review the state’s newly-enacted congressional map. A group contesting the map is taking exception to District 2, which stretches from New Orleans into North Baton Rouge, potentially creating a racial gerrymander similar to the last map that the Supreme Court struck down.