In Calcasieu Parish an early Sunday morning game of hide and seek ends with a gunshot wound to the back of a 14-year-old girl’s head. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 58-year-old David Doyle of Starks told deputies he saw shadows outside his home, went inside to retrieve a gun, then back outside and fired shots when he saw several people running away from his property. Among his charges are aggravated battery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. The girl has non-life-threatening injuries.

A parent would have to sign a consent form allowing school officials to use corporal punishment on their child under a bill approved by the Louisiana House. This is Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty’s third attempt in trying to pass such legislation….

Cut 3 (13) “….consent to it.”

The bill heads to the Senate after it passed the lower chamber on a 74-21 vote.

A Legislative Auditor’s report shows the state’s film tax credit is predominately beneficial to southeast Louisiana. Economist Ed Seyler says by providing more data to show which locations benefit from the tax incentive, it could possibly direct stakeholders to grow the industry in other sections of the state…

Cut 10 (06) “…the core.” 

The report indicates overall the tax credit appears to have a positive impact on household income, but the credit does not generate enough tax revenue to make up for what the state loses in revenue.

Researchers at LSU have developed a patent-pending bait to help control the state’s wild hog population. Researcher Glenn Gentry says the bait is part of a technological delivery system, which uses cellular communications and game camera technology to target only wild pigs…:

Cut 12 (12)    “…whole shell corn.” 

Legislation to require public school employees to use the name and pronoun on a student’s birth certificate passes in the House after emotional debate on the floor. Bill author Bossier City Republican Representative Raymond Crews said it’s a parent’s rights bill. The legislation, however, allows teachers to choose how they will refer to the student.

Cut 14 (06)  “…participate.”

Gretna Republican Representative Joe Marino said the legislation is anti-transgender and will only worsen the suicide rate among trans children. Marino said it’s a culture war bill and it’s designed to divide.

Cut  16 (12)  “…some parent’s rights.” 

The legislation passed on a 61 to 33 vote and advances to the Senate.

House Commerce is expected to vote on legislation to allow a person to break a lease if multiple violent or drug crimes are reported to police within a tenth of a mile of their rental. It’s in response to last year’s fatal shooting of three-year-old Devin Page Junior who was hit by a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting in Baton Rouge. The child’s grandmother Cathy Toliver pleaded with the panel to pass the bill…

Cut 4 (14)  “… feels like.”

House Commerce meets at 9:30 this morning.

A legislative auditor’s report indicates the state’s Motion Picture Income Tax Credit (MPITC) appears to have a positive impact on the economy. Economist Ed Seyler (Sigh-ler) says it does generate more household income than it costs the state…

Cut 8 (10) “… revenue perspective.”

Legislation that would mandate property owners to increase safety for rental property – in memory of three-year-old Devin Page, Jr. who was killed by a stray bullet as he was sleeping in his bed last year – will be voted on by the House Commerce Committee today. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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And while it remains to be seen what the Senate will do with the state’s film income tax credit program, a legislative auditor’s report looks at the numbers.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Researchers at LSU develop a new bait that may be the key to getting the state’s wild hog problem under control. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The House Commerce Committee is expected to vote today on legislation that would allow a person to break a lease if multiple violent or drug crimes are reported to police within a tenth of a mile of their rental. It’s in response to last year’s fatal shooting of three-year-old Devin Page Junior who was hit by a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting in Baton Rouge. The child’s grandmother Cathy Toliver pleaded with the panel to pass the bill…

Cut 4 (14)  “… feels like.”

The family complained to the landlord and tried to leave their house after hearing gunshots nearby several nights in a row before the incident occurred. The landlord threatened to make the mother pay thousands in fees to move. The last day she complained was the day her son was murdered.

Cut 5 (13)   “…by that.”

Last year, the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council passed an ordinance, called “Devin’s Law.” The ordinance was designed to make rental properties safer by imposing new regulations on rental properties. Apartment Association of Louisiana Attorney, Jim Rather says the bill will not resolve the real issue.

Cut 6 (12)  “…is crime.”

Baton Rouge Rep. Edmond Jordan authored HB606, which proposes requiring “any owner, property manager, or property management company shall provide proper security cameras and lighting on their residential properties.” Rather says the bill would result in more lawsuits and it would be costly for property owners.

Cut 7 (12) “… thousand dollars.”

House Commerce meets at 9:30 this morning.

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A legislative auditor’s report indicates the state’s Motion Picture Income Tax Credit (MPITC) appears to have a positive impact on the economy. Economist Ed Seyler (Sigh-ler) says it does generate more household income than it costs the state…

Cut 8 (10) “… revenue perspective.”

The report also looked at what areas of the state benefit the most from the MPITC and its overwhelmingly southeast Louisiana.  Seventy-two percent of the jobs and 78 percent of the productions are in the New Orleans area.  But Seyler says it may be possible for other areas, especially Shreveport and Lafayette, to grow their motion picture industries.

Cut 9 (10)  “…year-to-year.”

Legislation to renew the state’s MPITC for 10 years when it expires in 2025 passed in the House but still has to be approved in the Senate.

Seyler says if providing more data to show which locations benefit from the MPITC and possibly direct stakeholders to grow the industry in other sections of the state…

Cut 10 (06) “…the core.” 

And while the report indicates overall the tax credit appears to have a positive impact because it generates more household income than it costs the state, the credit does not generate enough tax revenue to make up for what the state loses in revenue.

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Researchers at LSU have developed a patent-pending bait that could become a big weapon in the state’s war on wild hogs. LSU animal scientist and researcher Glenn Gentry says they have developed an effective poison bait; made of fish, potatoes, and sodium nitrite; a chief ingredient in bacon. He says sodium nitrite impedes the body’s ability to send oxygen to the organs…:

Cut 11 (07)  “…a lethal dose.”

Wild pigs cause an estimated $ 75 million in annual crop losses and crop damage in Louisiana. Plus their presence creates an E. coli problem. Gentry says the bait makes them fall asleep, then die…and there is no risk to humans or other animals from eating their remains. He says the bait is part of a technological delivery system, which uses cellular communications and game camera technology to target only wild pigs…:

Cut 12 (12)    “…whole shell corn.” 

Gentry says federally-monitored testing and eventual permitting for public use is still a few years away, but farmers are excited at the prospect of taking control of the wild hog population. Some sportsmen are concerned that the bait will virtually eradicate the animals, which they still enjoy hunting. Gentry says hog hunters have nothing to worry about…:

Cut 13 (09) “…manage their numbers.” 

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Legislation to require public school employees to use the name and pronoun on a student’s birth certificate passes in the House after emotional debate on the floor. Bill author Bossier City Republican Representative Raymond Crews said it’s a parent’s rights bill. The legislation, however, allows teachers to choose how they will refer to the student.

Cut 14 (06)  “…participate.”

Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson asked Crews what happens if a parent wants the employee to call their child by a name or pronoun that differs from their birth certificate…

Cut 15 (12)  “…that’s correct.”

Crews was questioned if any teacher organizations support House Bill 81. He said he’s received positive feedback from teachers individually, but the bill does not have the official backing of any specific educator association.

Gretna Republican Representative Joe Marino said the legislation is anti-transgender and will only worsen the suicide rate among trans children. Marino said it’s a culture war bill and it’s designed to divide.

Cut  16 (12)  “…some parent’s rights.” 

The legislation passed on a 61 to 33 vote and advances to the Senate.

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The LSU baseball team is no longer the top-ranked team in the country and they have the Tigers have their first two-game losing streak of the season after dropping a series to Auburn. D-1 Baseball-dot-com, Baseball America, and Perfect Game dropped LSU from the top spot in their polls to number two behind Wake Forest. But Tigers Coach Jay Johnson is not panicking

Cut 17 (20) “..is a plan”

LSU’s powerful offense was held to eleven runs in the three-game series to Auburn. And several pitchers had a rough outing, Ty Floyd, Javen Coleman, Bryce Collins, Christian Little, and Griffin Herring. But Johnson says the guys who struggled on the mound are more than capable

Cut 18 (24) “..as possible”

But Paul Skenes was spectacular again on Friday as he was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week. Skenes struck out a career-high 15 hitters in a season-high 7.1 innings. Johnson says Skenes preparation between starts is second to none

Cut 19 (18) “…not out there.“

Cut 20 (15)  “… you stop.”  

It was a tragic weekend for an Arkansas couple as they tried to leave a Hammond hotel in route to a birthday cruise. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 18-year-old Ladarrius Evans allegedly carjacked their car, and in the process fatally shot 62-year-old Paul Holt.

Cut 4 (08)  “…in Hammond.” 

The couple were on their way to celebrate Holt’s 63^rd birthday which would have been Sunday. Evans is in custody.

Louisiana schools showed improvement on the latest state rankings for Pre-K through 12 education U.S. News and World Report. The statistics show Louisiana moved up five places jumping from 46th to 41^st. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the positive gains reflect the commitment of educators…

Cut 12 (08) “…to go.” 

To kick off his campaign for Senate District 21 Stephen Swiber is holding a Monday’s Day drawing for two free plane tickets to visit their children, or grandchildren anywhere in the US. Swiber says he’s running for office to create better opportunities to keep residents in the state so mom can stay home.

Cut 7 (05)  “…Mother’s Day.” 

You can register to win at BackToTheBayou.com

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the governor’s race. U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is significant for Landry, considering Trump’s popularity in Louisiana. But it could make fundraising difficult for Republican Stephen Waguespack…

Cut 11 (10)  “…much harder.”

But in the last governor’s race, Trump endorsed and campaigned for Eddie Rispone who lost to Governor Edwards.

The World Health Organization says COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, which marks a historic end to the pandemic. But LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez says those who are 65 and older or immunocompromised they should remain diligent about their COVID vaccines.

Cut 5 (09) “…complications.”

He says the country averages 200 COVID deaths daily.

New Iberia Police are investigating a shooting incident that left a 5-year old injured at a Raceway on LA-14 Thursday morning. Sergeant Daesh Hughes says officers received a call of a child shot in a vehicle.

Cut 6 (06)

The shooting happened when the mother went in the gas station and left the kids in the car.

Dennis Maliq Barnes, a 16-year-old senior who holds the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving $9 million in scholarship offers from 125 colleges, has decided to attend Cornell University. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (32)

Attorney General Jeff Landry says consumers tricked into paying for free their federal tax return on TurboTax will begin receiving checks this month. Landry says it impacts just over 60,000 customers in Louisiana. Most consumers can expect to receive around $30.

New Iberia Police are investigating a shooting incident that left a 5-year-old injured at a Raceway on LA-14 Thursday morning. Sergeant Daesha Hughes says officers received a call of a 4-year-old shot in a vehicle.

Cut 6 (06)  “…the leg.” 

Investigators say the shooting happened at the gas station after the mother left her four kids in the car while she went inside. The child was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

And in Bastrop, two juveniles are dead, and two others are injured from a shooting that took place around midnight. Morehouse Parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs says one of the injured victims showed up at a local hospital and told authorities about the shooting. They believe there was only one gunman and some sort of a dispute between those involved.

Cut 13 (07) “…the week.” 

A fire broke out at The Hotel Bentley in Alexandria this morning. The fire was extinguished by 10 am. According to KALB-TV the fire was on the lower-level exterior roof elevation of the hotel. It was in the midst of being replaced. The building was evacuated, and a contractor receive burns from the blaze.

The 16-year-old from New Orleans who holds The Guinness Book of World Records for receiving $9 million in scholarship offers from 125 colleges, makes a big announcement. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx” 

There was a fire at the historic Hotel Bentley in downtown Alexandria this morning. Smoke appears to be coming from the roof. The hotel manager says there are no injuries, and the building has been evacuated. Hotel Bentley was constructed in 1907 and has the distinction of hosting John Wayne, President Eisenhower, and General George Patton.

The Louisiana House has approved a budget that does not contain money for Governor Edwards’ proposed two-thousand-dollar teacher pay raise.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The experimental drug – donanemab – developed by Eli Lilly appears to slow cognitive decline by 35% in people with Alzheimer’s disease. LSU Pennington BioMedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael says the study also showed a 40% decrease in the inability to perform activities of daily living.

Cut 5 (13)   “…their physician.”

The last drug to be approved for Alzheimer’s was in 2004.

King Charles III will be crowned tomorrow morning. The last coronation was almost 70 years ago. Historian and LSU Professor Meredith Veldman says the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II’s has the distinction of being the first televised coronation.

Cut 24 in black and white. :11

You’ll have to set the alarm to watch the coronation live tomorrow morning, it begins at 5 AM central standard time, and this one will be in color.

The Louisiana House has approved a proposed budget for next fiscal year that does not contain Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed two-thousand-dollar annual teacher pay raise. Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says teachers can still receive a raise from their local school systems because there’s money in the budget to pay down teacher retirement debt. But it’s a plan Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps doesn’t like…

Cut 11 (09)  “…this way.”
The state Senate will begin discussions on its budget plan next week.

An experimental drug developed by Eli Lilly appears to slow cognitive decline by 35% in people with Alzheimer’s disease. LSU Pennington BioMedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael…

Cut 6 (06)  “…promising therapies.”

The coronation of King Charles III will take place Saturday morning, almost 70 years after his mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. Historian and LSU Professor Meredith Veldman says during the last coronation when the Archbishop of Canterbury anointed the Queen, that part of the ceremony was not visible. A tent was placed around her to hide the sacrament.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on Saturday.”

The coronation begins at 5 AM central standard time.

It’s another big weekend for festivals. You have Jazz Fest in New Orleans, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, to name a few and Alexandria has its biggest down event, Alex River Fete. Special Events Coordinator Angella Guillote…

Cut 13 (07) “…art fete.” 
The weekend lineup can be found at alex-river-fete-dot-com.

An experimental medication called donanemab has shown promising results in slowing the decline of cognitive abilities for Alzheimer according to Eli Lily. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The coronation of King Charles III is Saturday and Anglophiles will have to get up early to watch it live. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana House has approved a budget that does not contain money for Governor John Bel Edwards proposed two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The experimental drug – donanemab – developed by Eli Lilly appears to slow cognitive decline by 35% in people with Alzheimer’s disease and was more effective than a placebo. LSU Pennington BioMedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael says the medication breaks up the sticky amyloid plaques that increase cognitive decline in the brain.

Cut 4 (12)  “…the stuff.”

The last drug to be approved for Alzheimer’s was in 2004. The study evaluated the drug in 552 patients with high levels of tau and found that when both groups were combined, donanemab slowed progression by 29% based on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. Carmichael says the study also showed a 40% less decline to perform activities of daily living.

Cut 5 (13)   “…their physician.”

Experts say this is the strongest evidence yet – that removing sticky amyloid plaques from the brain benefits with the fatal disease.

Cut 6 (06)  “…promising therapies.”

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The coronation of King Charles III will take place Saturday morning, almost 70 years after his mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. Historian and LSU Professor Meredith Veldman says this will be the second coronation to ever be televised and it’s an opportunity for the United Kingdom to celebrate.

Cut 7 (06) “…would say.”

When Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953, Veldman says there was a boon in TV sales.

And while many Americans still think unfavorably of the affair, then Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles had while he was married to Princess Diana, Veldman says in the UK there’s been a huge PR campaign to change the narrative of the Royal couple who married in 2005.

Cut 8 (07) “…endured.”

And with the fallout of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exiting the Royal Family, Veldman says she expects Harry will participate in the coronation and that his wife remaining in the US will decrease the intensity of possible distractions during the event.

During the last coronation when the Archbishop of Canterbury anointed the Queen, Veldman says that part of the ceremony was not visible. A tent was placed around her to hide the sacrament.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on Saturday.”

It remains to be seen if Camilla will be anointed Queen during the coronation. Her official title is Queen Consort of the United Kingdom.

The Coronation begins at 5 AM Central Standard Time, which is 11 AM in Britain.

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House Republicans approve a budget for next fiscal year that does not contain funding for a two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise. Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue, a Republican from Houma, says their funding plan calls for the paying down of debt of the state retirement system, which would free up dollars for local school systems to give out the raise

Cut 10 (10) “… institutions.” 

But Democrats are skeptical of the plan. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says teachers would rather see the state’s budget fund a teacher pay raise, but Zeringue says lower retirement debt should result in higher pay for working teachers…

Cut 11 (09)  “…this way.”

Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews made the argument that paying down teacher retirement debt would help local school systems give teachers an appropriate raise…

Cut 12 (13)    “…13-50 for staff” 

Governor Edwards and Democratic lawmakers also believe The House’s proposed budget does not contain enough money for higher education and early childhood education. The Senate will now comb through the budget and they could offer a different solution to funding teacher pay raises.

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The City of Alexandria will explode with culture, music, and fun during its annual Alex River Fete today through May 6. Special Events CoordinatorAngella Guillote says this weekend is about culture and a great time along the river.

Cut 13 (07) “…art fete.” 

The festival draws hundreds in attendance to Central Louisiana. There will be a car show, food trucks, a zoo safari, and more. Guillote says Que’in on the red returns this year.

Cut 14 (13)  “…the amphitheater.”

There will be different genres of music and artists will perform at different locations around the downtown area.

Cut 15 (07)  “…street stage.”

The weekend lineup can be found at alexriverfete.com.

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The LSU baseball team will play the first game of a three game series against Auburn tonight. The top-ranked Tigers have won their last seven straight SEC games and will look to tie their longest SEC win streak since 2017 with a win tonight. Coach Jay Johnson says Auburn, who reached the College World Series last year, will provide a tough challenge for the Bayou Bengals…

Cut  16 (19)  “…good opponent.” 

Auburn is currently tied for third in the Sec West with a 9-12 record and 7^th in the conference with a .289 team batting average. They’re fifth in the conference with 36 SEC homeruns but also have the third most strikeouts on the season. Johnson says he doesn’t want his bullpen to focus on what their opponent does…

Cut 17 (17) “…great challenge.”

Paul Skenes has of course been the dominant Friday night starter for the Tigers and one of the best pitchers in the country, but LSU will need depth in the bullpen if they want to make a deep postseason run. Ty Floyd got the Saturday start last weekend but struggled with a 4-run third inning with 2 outs. Johnson says he hasn’t lost any faith…

Cut 18 (18) “..pitches in”

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The UL-Lafayette baseball team will begin a three game series against ULM tonight in Monroe. The 29-17 Ragin Cajuns have shown flashes of potential this year including a midweek win over top-ranked LSU but have struggled with inconsistency. Head Coach Matt Deggs says there isn’t a team that works harder than his squad…

Cut 19 (12) “…the end.“

The Cajuns are coming off a disappointing series loss to 6^th-ranked Coastal Carolina last weekend including a 13-5 blowout and 3-2 heartbreaker that went 11 innings. Deggs says it’s been a tough time for the team but the best is yet to come…

Cut 20 (15)  “… you stop.”  

House Republicans approve a budget for next fiscal year that does not contain funding for a two-thousand-dollar teacher pay raise. Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue, a Republican from Houma, says their funding plan calls for the paying down of debt of the state retirement system, which would free up dollars for local school systems to give out the raise.

Cut 10 (11) “… institutions.” 

But Democrats are skeptical of the plan. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says teachers would rather see the state’s budget fund a teacher pay raise, but Zeringue says lower retirement debt should result in higher pay for working teachers…

Cut 11 (09)  “…this way.”

The Senate will now comb through the budget, and they could offer a different solution to funding teacher pay raises.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has levied a two-million dollar fine against the attorneys with a Texas law firm known as McClenny, Mosely, and Associates. Donelon says they orchestrated a scheme involving a roofing company going door-to-door in areas of suspected damage, filing claims, and collecting money from insurers on a homeowner’s policy with the policyholder’s authority…

Cut 5 (12) “…heard of.”

Louisiana’s Western District federal court has also suspended the law firm for fraudulent Hurricane Laura suits. If you believe you might have been misrepresented fraudulently by MMA, call the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Trina Edwards, the widow of former Governor Edwin Edwards, will marry John Alario, former Speaker of the House in New Orleans on June 1^st.  The wedding ceremony will be a private affair at the State Supreme Court building with a celebratory lunch to follow.  The couple plans to take a cruise for their Honeymoon.