Early Childhood Education Advocates are urging the Louisiana Senate to spend more dollars on the Child Care Assistance Program. Sean Richardson reports the Louisiana House’s proposed budget keeps funding at the same level as this year…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million-dollars, will be mailed next Friday. Sean Richardson has more

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Senate bill heading to the House floor would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving lunches with ultra-processed foods. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 139-million-dollars in funding, which means the state will have more available dollars to plug into next fiscal year’s budget.  Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier is urging legislators to use some of the additional revenue to increase funding for early childhood education…

Cut 4 (11) “…child care assistance.”

The Louisiana House approved a budget that contained nearly 78-million-dollars for the Child Care Assistance Program.  Sonnier says they would like to see funding return to the 2023-24 level, which was 87-million-dollars.

Cut 5 (08) “…young children thrive.”

Louisiana spends around one-percent of its state budget on early childhood education, and Sonnier says investing in early childhood education is a two generation approach with parents able to work and contribute to the state economy…

Cut 6 (12) “…learn and excel.”

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State Treasurer John Fleming announced that approximately 143-thousand unclaimed property checks, totaling over 34-million dollars, will be mailed next Friday. This follows a data match with the Louisiana Department of Revenue with updated addresses.

Cut 7 (09) “…land next month.”

This is the largest batch of checks mailed since 2018, reaching residents in every parish. Fleming says 25-hundred claims exceed the automatic check limit will receive claim forms with instructions on how to complete the process.

Cut 8 (11) “…verifying their identity.”

Fleming says the blue colored checks, featuring the Treasury’s logo, are legitimate and urged recipients to cash them and no one can cash these checks or deposit them but you…

Cut 9 (08)  “…will claim it.”

You can visit L-A-Cash-Claim-dot-org to see if you have any unclaimed property.

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A Senate bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving ultra-processed foods at lunch is now heading to the House floor after no one voted against the bill in House Health and Welfare. The bill’s author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath, says Louisiana is one of several states considering similar legislation and the goal is…

Cut 10 (10) “…alter the ingredients.”

The MAHA bill advanced to the House floor without objection. Committee member and Slidell Representative Stephanie Berault:

Cut 11 (11) “…have it now.”

McMath’s bill incentivizes food makers to eliminate toxins from school lunches. The legislation also requires a warning label on foods containing artificial colors, additives or banned chemicals. And it requires restaurants to notify customers if they cook or prepare foods using seed oils.

During testimony of the bill, opposition came from those who do not like that artificial sweeteners are banned from being served in school lunches. Lobbyist Alton Ashy represents the Calorie Control Council and he says artificial sweeteners can help with weight management

Cut 12 (13) “…in their diet.”

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Livingston Parish once again teamed up with former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen in an online sex sting. This time, nine men were arrested, including two registered sex offenders and one man who brought a loaded gun to the sting house. Sheriff Jason Ard says the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force set up the operation in March and April, creating a fake social media profile.

Cut 13 (11)  “…an undercover deputy.”

Sheriff Ard reiterates that it’s always the suspect who initiates the conversation, and not the other way around.

Cut 14 (06) “…right through that.”

The conversation escalates to the point that the suspect is given an address to a house to meet up with who he thought was a 12-year-old girl or a 14-year-old boy. Also among the suspects are two foreign nationals – one who’s been studying at LSU for several years and one with ties to a human trafficking gang. Ard says this underscores the importance of monitoring your kids’ online activities at all times.

Cut 15 (11) “…prey right then.”

Some of the cases will be featured on “Takedown With Chris Hansen,” which is streaming on the TruBlu streaming network.

The Revenue Estimating Conference recognizes an additional 139-million-dollars in funding. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libbie Sonnier is urging legislators to use some of that additional revenue to increase funding for early childhood education.

Cut 4 (12) “…child care assistance.”

A Senate bill that would prohibit schools that receive state funding from serving ultra-processed foods at lunch is now heading to the House floor after no one voted against it in House Health and Welfare. The bill’s author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath, says Louisiana is one of several states considering similar legislation and the goal is…

Cut 10 (10) “…alter the ingredients.”

Online sportsbooks could soon be paying additional state taxes if a certain bill makes it onto Governor Landry’s desk. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Marrero Representative Kyle Green is arrested following a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning. State Police Trooper Jacob Pucheu (POO-show):

Cut 11 (10) “…with him, though.”

As the search for the five remaining Orleans Parish Jail escapees continues, calls grow for the sheriff to step down. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Online sportsbooks could soon be paying additional state taxes if a certain bill makes it onto Governor Landry’s desk. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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It’s been one year since construction began on a new 360-million-dollar Jimmie Davis Bridge in Bossier and Caddo parishes.  State Transportation spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the new four-lane bridge will replace the existing two-lane structure….

Cut 3 (08) “…in those areas.”

Construction of the bridge’s foundations is advancing, aided by two temporary trestle bridges. Buchanan says significant work is also underway to realign and widen LA 511, including a raised median to enhance traffic flow.

Cut 4 (08) “…things like that.”

Buchanan says the project is set to open in early to mid 2027 and will serve over 30-thousand vehicles daily.

Cut 5 (09) “…two years from now.”

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Five down, five to go – Five inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center last Friday have been recaptured, and five remain on the loose. As the search for the remaining at-large escapees continues, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson continues to come under fire – so much so that she has temporarily suspended her re-election bid. Hutson told the New Orleans City Council that the jailbreak is very troubling.

Cut 6 (09) “…urgency and transparency.”

But Sheriff Hutson deflected some of the blame, saying that the city has not provided her office the necessary resources to properly operate the jail and prevent incidents like this.

Cut 7 (14) “…match our needs”

A pair of House Democrats who represent New Orleans are calling for Hutson not only to drop her re-election bid, but also to step down immediately. Among them is Jason Hughes.

Cut 8 (08) “…down to leadership.”

Another House member feeling the same way is Aimee Adatto Freeman.

Cut 9 (10)  “…from these criminals.”

The total reward money for each remaining fugitive is 20-thousand dollars – 10-thousand from the FBI and the rest from ATF and Crime Stoppers.

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A state representative is charged with DWI and child endangerment after he was involved in a single vehicle wreck early this morning. Three children in the vehicle. State Police Trooper Jacob Pucheu (POO-show) says troopers arrested Marrero Democrat Kyle Green.

Cut 10 (07) “…placed under arrest.”

Troopers transported Green, who was uninjured in the crash, to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, where he refused to provide a breath sample. Trooper Pucheu says the crash happened at around 2:30 this morning on  U.S. 90-B in Jefferson Parish and the crash was minor in nature.

Cut 11 (10) “…with him, though.”

Pucheu says troopers at the scene noticed signs of impairment and conducted a series of field sobriety tests…

Cut 12 (08) “…injury or death.”

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Online sportsbooks could soon be paying additional state taxes if a certain bill makes it onto Governor Landry’s desk. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says 25-percent of that added revenue would go to a new college sports fund.

Cut 13 (06)  “…One athletic programs.”

The legislature is betting on that added revenue adding about two-million dollars to each Division One college’s athletic program. While that may be a drop in the bucket for LSU, that would mean the world to smaller schools like ULM. Hutchinson says Columbia Republican Representative Neil Riser’s bill originally called for the tax rate to increase to 32.5-percent. But then, the sports betting lobbyists got involved.

Cut 14 (09) “…their lobbying efforts.”

Fiscal analysts had said that the state would have been able to parlay the original rate hike into almost 200-million dollars in annual sports betting tax collections. But with the scaled-back rate, the revenue estimate is less clear. Hutchinson says the state has nothing to lose by raising the online sports betting tax rate.

Cut 15 (11) “…not the same.”

The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate, where Hutchinson expects it to pass. Governor Landry has come out in favor of it. The tax rate for brick-and-mortar sports betting in Louisiana would remain unchanged at ten-percent.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson says she takes full responsibility for last Friday’s jailbreak, in which ten inmates escaped. However, she also deflected some of the blame, telling the New Orleans City Council that the city has not provided her office the necessary resources to properly operate the jail and prevent incidents like this.

Cut 7 (14) “…match our needs”

Hutson has temporarily suspended her re-election campaign. But a growing number of state lawmakers, including Aimee Freeman, want her to end her bid altogether and step down immediately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…from these criminals.”

State Police, meanwhile, have arrested two women for allegedly helping some of the escapees following the jailbreak.

If you like to hop on your cell phone and bet on your favorite team, it could soon cost you more money to do so. The legislature is poised to increase the tax rate for online sports betting from 15-percent to 21.5-percent. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says 25-percent of that added revenue would go to a new college sports fund.

Cut 13 (06)  “…One athletic programs.”

The legislature is betting on that added revenue adding about two-million dollars to each Division One college’s athletic program.

Construction on the new 360-million-dollar Jimmie Davis Bridge along L-A 511 in Bossier and Caddo parishes has entered its second year. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says work is also underway to realign and widen the roadway including a raised median to enhance traffic flow.

Cut 4 (08) “…things like that.”

The project is set to be completed in the middle of 2027.

Five down, five to go – Five inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center last Friday have been recaptured, and five remain on the loose. As the search for the remaining at-large escapees continues, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson continues to come under fire – so much so that she has temporarily suspended her re-election bid. Hutson told the New Orleans City Council that the jailbreak is very troubling.

Cut 6 (09) “…urgency and transparency.”

A pair of House Democrats who represent New Orleans are calling for Hutson not only to drop her re-election bid, but also to step down immediately. Among them is Jason Hughes.

Cut 8 (08) “…down to leadership.”

The total reward money for each remaining fugitive is 20-thousand dollars, including 10-thousand from the FBI.

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that’s intended to speed up the appeals process in capital murder cases. Attorney General Liz Murrill says convicts can still file numerous appeals, but they can’t wait three to four years between them.

Cut (12) “…in this system (2x).”

It appears that insurance commissioner will remain an elected position in Louisiana and will not become an appointed position. After spirited debate, Senator Royce Duplessis essentially withdrew his bill. The New Orleans Democrat said one of his main goals was to take politics out of that role.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the people.”

Currently, 39 states appoint their insurance commissioners.

It looks like insurance commissioner in Louisiana will remain an elected position. Following spirited debate yesterday, New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplesis effectively pulled it from consideration, sensing that he did not have the votes to pass it. Among those speaking out against it was River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot, who said making insurance commissioner an appointed position would do nothing to lower premiums.

Cut 15 (14) “…not this.”

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process. This, as Larry Roy – the Cheneyville slasher – continues to fight an execution date. He’s been on death row since 1997. Attorney General Liz Murrill says this is torture for the family members of the three people Roy killed…

Cut 11 (10) “…going to fix it.”

More than a quarter of households in Southwest Louisiana live paycheck to paycheck but make too much money to qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says those families are left to make difficult financial survival decisions.

Cut 5 (09) “…rent that month.”

That figure does not include the 15-percent of families in that part of the state that live below the poverty line.

With the recent news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the disease is on the minds of many Americans. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says the key in treating it is to lower testosterone levels.

Cut 9 (11)  “…three years.”

Another option is a new advanced treatment called Pluvicto, which is essentially a targeted form of radiation.

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that’s intended to speed up the appeals process in capital murder cases. Attorney General Liz Murrill says convicts can still file numerous appeals, but they can’t wait three to four years between them.

Cut 10 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

The Office of the State Public Defender’s office says it would need an additional four-million dollars, since it would need more lawyers to defend the additional cases. Attorney Robert Morris represents death row inmates and expressed his concerns about the legislation…

Cut 12 (10) “…by this bill.”

The debate comes at the same time that death row inmate Larry Roy, the Cheneyville slasher, continues to fight an execution date – he’s been on death row since 1997.

According to new research, 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana live paycheck to paycheck but their income is high enough that they do not qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says in addition, 87-percent of single-female-headed households with children in Louisiana are struggling – the highest rate in the nation.

Cut 6 (12) “…verge of losing it.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of many Americans in light of the news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says prostate cancer is a hormone-sensitive cancer.

Cut 8 (14) “…for prostate cancer.”

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote was 57-to-32, with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that is attempting to prevent speed cameras from operating outside of school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

Shreveport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark testified against it, saying the city does not have the physical ability to send officers to run radar. He says speed cameras are an effective tool to get drivers to slow down.

Cut 13 (10)  “…paying attention.”

The House Appropriations Committee advanced Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill that bars those who plead guilty from claiming innocence. Attorney General Liz Murrill says this will accelerate death-row case deadlines.

Cut 23 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

Opponents warn that it strains public defenders and risks errors, given the state’s high death row reversal rate.

One Senate bill that was not voted on was one that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Author Royce Duplessis, a Democrat from New Orleans, returned it to the calendar, but not before being confronted about it by Bossier City Republican Adam Bass.

Cut 24 (15) “…finding another solution.”

The House has advanced a bill, nearly along party lines, that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. Three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill. Edmond Jordan called Chenevert’s bill an anti-Black bill.

Cut 7 (13) “…the Japanese internment?”

A pair of Republicans offered a rebuttal to the Black Democrats’ arguments. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee took exception with the concept of equity.

Cut 8 (09) “…for is equality.”

The bill now moves to the Senate.

The manhunt continues for six of the ten inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Jail last Friday – and now we’re getting word that a maintenance worker has been arrested for allegedly aiding in the escape. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Tragedy in Sabine Parish as a six-year-old special needs girl drowns in Toledo Bend Lake. The sheriff’s office says the girl was left unattended inside her house and walked a very short distance to the lake. The girl’s mother, 27-year-old Bethany Stocking, is charged with felony cruelty to juveniles for allegedly leaving her daughter unattended.

Former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Sean Richardson spoke with a local expert on the disease.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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ULM has its new president. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Saints are not looking to bring in a veteran quarterback as the team begins organized team activities today. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Dr. Kevin Hebert says the cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9, has metastasized to his bones, indicating a high-risk, advanced stage.

Cut 4 (09) “…see and treat.”

The diagnosis followed increasing urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule last week. While the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management, Hebert notes it is not curable once spread to the bones.

Cut 5 (11) “…is life significantly.”

The 82-year-old Biden is reviewing treatment options, which may include hormone therapy or radiation.  Hebert says its possible that Biden won’t die from prostate cancer despite it being a metastatic disease at this point.

Cut 6 (07) “…from prostrate cancer.”

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Nearly everyone in Louisiana agrees on the notion that income taxes and sales taxes in the state are too high. Dr. Michael Henderson, the survey director of LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey, says the percentage of residents who feel that way is going up.

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax.”

Dr. Henderson says what’s interesting in this finding is the fact that even though sales taxes ticked up at the outset of this year, state income taxes actually fell for all Louisianans, thanks to the tax reform package that the legislature passed in the special session last fall.

Cut 8 (09) “…much about it.”

But what about the essential services that those tax dollars fund? Dr. Henderson says there are certain things that people would be willing to pay higher taxes for.

Cut 9 (10)  “…teacher pay raises.”

More than one-thousand Louisiana residents were surveyed for this study.

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Four days after a mass jailbreak from Orleans Parish Jail, multiple escaped inmates remain at large, prompting a widespread manhunt involving the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and U.S. Marshals. The escape occurred early Friday when inmates exploited defective cell locks and a breached wall, exiting via a supply dock and scaling a perimeter wall. Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams condemned the jail’s conditions.

Cut 10 (12) “…on higher floors.”

Governor Jeff Landry criticized the DA’s office, questioning why additional charges have yet to be filed.  Williams says its simply because the sheriff’s office never submitted evidence.

Cut 11 (12) “…can’t go forward.”

Williams says taking politics out of the equation, there are multiple failures that need to be addresses from the lapse in monitoring during a lunch break to not alerting victims and witnesses of the escape. Williams says it’s a miracle no one’s hurt by these inmates.

Cut 12 (11) “…grace of God.”

The FBI is offering a reward of ten-thousand dollars per fugitive, with additional rewards from ATF and Crime Stoppers.

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ULM has its new president. The school has hired Dr. Carrie Castille as its 10th president in school history. Dr. Castille begins her new role on July 1st, taking over for interim president Dr. Nick Bruno, the retired president who’s serving in an interim role following the resignation of Ron Berry, who went back to teaching. Castille is excited for the opportunity.

Cut 13 (09)  “…for the university.”

Castille is an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition. She also has ten years experience in higher education, most recently as senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Castille says one of the first things she will do once she takes over as university president is to go on a listening tour.

Cut 14 (12) “…those opportunities are.”

Castille says her number-one priority is the students.

Cut 15 (14) “…and it’s paramount.”

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The battle to be the Saints starting quarterback in 2025 begins today as the Black and Gold will be on the practice field for OTAs. New Orleans will try to win with a young quarterback as Jake Haener is the only Q-B on the roster that has been in the NFL for two years. First year Saints head coach Kellen Moore says he was in Dallas when Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to 13 wins and an NFC East title.

Cut 16 (16) “…ready to roll.”

Haener is entering his third season, Spencer Ratter his second and Tyler Shough and Hunter Dekkers are both rookies. Moore is eager to see these guys perform during OTAS, even if it’s just seven on seven practice sessions.

Cut 17 (09)  “…about.”

Since Shough was drafted by this coaching staff, he’s considered the front-runner to win the starting job. Rattler says he will not put too much pressure on himself to win the job and is looking forward to operating in Moore’s offense.

Cut 18 (12)  “…in it now.”

The Saints unsettled quarterback position is one of the reasons why New Orleans will not have any of its games during primetime. General Manager Mickey Loomis thought they would get at least one game in primetime, but he understands why all of their games will be on Sunday afternoon.

Cut 19 (12) “…those opportunities.”