Minden Police make two arrests from this past weekend’s mass shooting that was gang-related. Teiko Foxx has the latest.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says the state is receiving $156-million from the Department of Interior from energy produced in the Gulf of Mexico. The funds are from energy produced fiscal year 2020.  The state dedicates those revenues to pay for conservation, restoration, and environmental projects to preserve and restore the eroding coastline.

The FDA has approved over-the-counter use of Narcan, the nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses. Director of Addiction Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Lee Michals says the greater the availability the better but don’t be afraid to ask your physician for a prescription either.

Cut 8 (11)  “…as well.” 

With the widespread use of opioids, he says everyone should have Narcan on hand just in case.

Proposed legislation from Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon would force policyholders to pay their legal expenses even if they WIN in court against an insurance carrier. Real Reform Louisiana executive director Ben Riggs says the state needs to be on the taxpayers’ side.

Cut 10 (10) “…consumers and taxpayers” 

Minden Police have made two arrests in the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says his officers responded quickly.

Cut 3 (10) “…laying everywhere”

20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer have been arrested so far and more are anticipated.

Addiction specialists are praising the FDA’s approval of over-the-counter Narcan to help with the ongoing opioid crisis. Director of Addiction Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Lee Michals is hopeful with Narcan more widely available the number of overdose deaths will decrease.

Cut 6 (11)  “…when it’s needed.” 

Further efforts to make home and auto insurance more affordable for Louisiana consumers will be before the state legislature when they convene on April 10th. Kevin Gallagher reports a watchdog group hopes they’ll make real, substantial change…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

According to the website Family Destinations Guide, Cajuns traveling overseas have one of the hardest accents to understand by foreigners. The website that specializes in family travel conducted a survey of 3,000 participants to rate their level of understanding and Cajun English came in 5^th for being the most misunderstood abroad.

The Federal Aviation Administration has changed its initial findings from the early Sunday morning helicopter crash that killed two Baton Rouge police officers who were piloting the aircraft. The initial report stated the chopper’s tail rotor struck a tree but that’s been changed to unknown circumstances. The crash remains under investigation. A memorial service for the two officers will be held April 6^th.

Will public school teachers get a pay raise when legislators convene for the regular session next month? Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Minden Police has arrested 20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer for the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says three males and one female were injured and at least one was flown to a Shreveport hospital.

Cut 4 (11)  “…female back” 

More arrests are expected.

State Police has arrested the driver of a log truck that slammed into a state department of transportation vehicle in DeSoto Parish killing a DOTD worker. Trooper Jonathan Odom says 42-year-old Charles Barker of Florien (chlorine) was not attentive behind the wheel.

Cut 12 (09) “…DeSoto Parish Jail” 

The crash occurred on U-S Highway 171 on January 25th.

Minden Police have made two arrests in the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says his officers responded quickly.

Cut 3 (10) “…laying everywhere”

20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer have been arrested so far and more are anticipated.

The legislative session is right around the corner and with the state sitting on a large surplus of money, raising salaries will be a big topic. Governor Edwards proposes a three-thousand-dollar teacher salary increase. Republican Houma Representative Tanner Magee says legislators support raising teacher pay but by how much…:

Cut 7 (06) “…pay for it.”

Magee says federal pandemic monies that boosted state revenues are going away and pay raises need to be from sustainable funding.

A bill to create a Criminal Justice System Pilot Program providing free access to criminal court records and case information for the public and the press has been filed for the upcoming session. Attorney General Jeff Landry supports it.

Cut 6 (11)  “…the results.”

The bill gives the public more transparency in sentencing.

According to WalletHub, the Bayou State is ranked number two among the most stressed states in the country. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says a common stressor for all states is financial.

Cut 11 (09)  “…even more so.”

She says the sooner you address your money problems the better, ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. Mississippi topped the list as the most stressed state, followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Nevada.

Should victims, families of defendants, the public, and the press have the right to know our criminal court system is working on their behalf? If passed, a bill may provide that information at no cost. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Will public school teachers get a pay raise when legislators convene for the regular session next month? Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

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When you compare stress factors among states Louisiana isn’t at the top of the list but it sure is close. Brooke Thorington has more on WalletHub’s 2023 list of Most Stressed States.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A bill to create a Criminal Justice System Pilot Program providing free access to criminal court records and case information for the public and the press is on the table for the upcoming legislative session. The two-part legislation will offer transparency in adult court and relating to juvenile crime. Attorney Laura Rodrigue says with a rise in juvenile crime – the public has the right to know what is going on in the court system.

Cut 4 (12)  “…of violence.”

The legislation authored by Representative Debbie Villio will begin to immediately address the crisis in Orleans, Caddo, and East Baton Rouge Parishes. Rodrigue says the Attorney General’s office has agreed to setup an online data portal.

Cut 5 (11) “…as victims.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry – who established the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation within the Department of Justice – .says he’s standing with families who have been impacted by crime and supports this legislation.

Cut 6 (11)  “…the results.”

New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport ranked 8^th, 10^th, and 19^th respectively as the most deadliest cities in the country according to Forbes.

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The legislative session is right around the corner and with the state sitting on a large surplus of money, raising salaries will be a big topic. Governor Edwards proposes a three-thousand-dollar teacher salary increase. Republican Houma Representative Tanner Magee says legislators support raising teacher pay but by how much…

Cut 7 (08) “…pay for it.”

Magee says federal pandemic relief money and hurricane recovery dollars have helped boost state revenues. But that money is going way. He also says a portion of the state sales tax will sunset in July of 2024, so the good financial times may not last.

There’s talk about increasing the supplemental pay for law enforcement, but Magee says there’s opposition to that proposal…

Cut 8 (09) “…local responsibility.”

And Gretna Representative Joe Marino has filed a bill that would give legislators a large pay raise from just 17-thousand dollars a year to 60-thousand dollars a year, starting in 2024. Magee says raising lawmakers’ pay in an election year is dicey

Cut 9 (10)  “…do that.”

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April is Stress Awareness Month and according to WalletHub the Bayou State ranks number two among the most stressed states. WalletHub analyst Jill -Gonzales says they compared several factors like work, financial, health, and crime-related stress among the 50 states.

Cut 10 (10)  “…interrelated.”

And it’s only appropriate that April is Stress Awareness Month with federal income taxes due. Gonzales says financial stress is a common theme across the country.

Cut 11 (09)  “…even more so.”

And to relieve your stress Gonzales suggests you do things like take a long walk, read a book, or visit a park, things that aren’t cost-related. When it comes to money problems, Gonzales says the worst thing you can do is ignore it.

Cut 12 (11)  “…people out.”

Mississippi topped the list as the most stressed state, followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Nevada.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy graduated their 35^th class of cadets into the LDWF Enforcement Division. Graduates spent the last six months training to enforce the state’s recreational boating and wildlife and fisheries laws and LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they’ll start work immediately…

Cut 13 (10) “…being followed.” 

The 19 graduates will help to fill vacancies in the Enforcement Division and spend the first six months assigned to a field-training officer. They’ll help govern the use of the Sportsman’s Paradise’s natural resources that Einck says a lot of people make use of…

Cut 14 (14)  “…helps a lot.”

The graduating agents come from all over the state to help protect their native resources and many are drawn to the job because of that opportunity. Einck says this has been a lifelong goal for many of them…

Cut 15 (10)  “…as we can.”

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LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes was the top transfer and pitching prospect in the nation this offseason, and he hasn’t disappointed in the Purple and Gold. Skenes is 5-and-0 to start the season with a 0.59 ERA and 59 strikeouts. Skenes says the key to his improvement and dominance is as simple as a good night’s sleep…

Cut  16 (17)  “…biggest thing.” 

The number one-ranked Tigers will host eleventh-ranked Tennessee this weekend. The Volunteers’ pitching staff has a 2.59 ERA, the best in the SEC, but they’ve started SEC play with a 3-3 record after being swept by Missouri the first weekend of conference play and haven’t won a road game all season. Skenes says he’s excited for a star-studded matchup in Alex Box…

Cut 17 (18) “…make it hard.” 

Tigers outfielder Josh Pearson was a significant piece in last year’s lineup but didn’t see the field much before conference play much this year. He’s made a return to the lineup in the first two series and he says it was just a matter of rebuilding his confidence after some offseason struggles…

Cut 18 (21) “…trust in me.”

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Cut 19 (17) “…to help us.”

Cut 20 (20)  “…that regard.”  

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation to significantly increases the punishment for those who produce or combine fentanyl with other drugs. The maximum penalty for manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance would increase from 15 to 40 years with a minimum sentence of ten years of hard labor.

Cut 10 (10) “…in our state” 

The state’s first Safety Corridor continues to phase in measures to reduce speeding and accidents on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the first phase of Act 426 called for increased signage along the 18-mile-long bridge.

Cut 6 (09)  “…feedback cameras.” 
A speed feedback camera is a digital sign that tells drivers how fast they are driving. The speed cameras that would issue citations are expected in 2024.

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine is hoping to help with the ongoing vet shortage by increasing enrollment. LSU Vet School Dean, Oliver Garden says class size will almost double at 220 next year. He says the combination of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging makes a great foundation for a thriving department.

Cut 4 (12)  “…and ambitions” 

Out of the school’s 15 hundred applicants, only 120 were admitted in the past.

ULM and Louisiana Tech are renewing their rivalry on the gridiron but fans will have to wait until 2030 for the two to play each other again. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says many longtime Bulldog fans have pushed back on the idea of playing ULM…

Cut 13 (09) “..do change.”

Speeding cameras won’t be added to the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge until 2024. The 18-mile-long bridge between Lafayette and Baton Rouge is highly traveled and DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says even a small accident on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge can cause major repercussions.

Cut 8 (08)  “…over water.” 

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation to significantly increase the punishment for those who produce or combine fentanyl with other drugs. The maximum penalty would be raised from 15 to 40 years and a $ 500 thousand fine. Hewitt says similar penalties were successful in reducing heroin on our streets…

Cut 11 (12)  “…fentanyl.”

Billy Ellerbe Junior of Natchitoches was apprehended in New Orleans by U.S. Marshals for alleged arson in Natchitoches Parish earlier this year. In January multiple roadside and forest fires were set in the parish, threatening timberland, homes, and a cemetery and obstructing the flow of traffic. He faces multiple arson charges.

Pet ownership has increased and there’s a growing demand for veterinarians across the country. LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine hopes to increase admissions to help.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

Speeding cameras along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge are expected to be installed by the end of 2024. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says speeding fines are double along the 18-mile bridge and it’s the speed differential of vehicles, anywhere from ten miles an hour or more over 60 miles an hour that increases the chance of an accident on the narrow bridge.

Cut 7 (09)  “…the number of crashes.” 

A crash on the bridge can stop traffic along I-10 for hours.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation to significantly increase the punishment for those who produce or combine fentanyl with other drugs. Hewitt says she’s going after those who operate clandestine drug labs…

Cut 9 (11) “…prescription drugs”

The maximum penalty would increase from 15 to 40 years.

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine will increase enrollment and graduation rates to help with the shortage of veterinarians across the country. Vet School Dean, Oliver Garden says they will enlarge the class size from 120 to 220 – almost double the size next year.

Cut 3 (09) “…this happens”

With the LSU Lady Tigers basketball team in Dallas preparing to play Virginia Tech Friday night, the school announced this morning they’ve purchased billboard space in the Lone Star state to highlight their first appearance since 2008 to the Final Four. And a billboard featuring head coach Kim Mulkey is up in Waco, the home of Baylor University. Mulkey coached the Bears for 21 seasons and won three national titles there. Some Baylor fans are bitter about the billboard and Mulkey’s decision to leave the Big 12 school to return to her home state.

The autopsy is in for the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge and was located almost two weeks later. East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says Nathan Millard died from a combination of cocaine, alcohol, and fentanyl. Dr. Clark says fentanyl is lucrative to drug dealers even though it’s responsible for the majority of overdoses…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…addiction disorders.”

He says there is a high possibility that any illicit drugs on the streets are dangerously laced with fentanyl.

A measure to decide whether to ban the death penalty in Louisiana will be heard in the upcoming legislative session. Marrero Representative Kyle Green says the legislation is based on morality, not to mention it’s extremely costly to house prisoners on death row…:
Cut 14 (11)  “…of legislation.”

The proposal is not retroactive.

The state department of transportation says there are now just three proposed locations for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge – all connecting the East and West Banks of Iberville Parish. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the $1.5 billion dollar project has received $300 million in state funding, which is a good starting point:

Cut 8 (11) “…gets built.”
He says they hope to narrow down the location of the new bridge when environmental evaluations are completed in the summer of 2024.

Minden Representative Wayne McMahan is once again trying to make it legal for pet owners to have the cremated remains of their pet buried with them. He says the measure still allows a cemetery to decide if they’ll allow it…:

Cut 11 (05)  “…to do.”
He says this would just make it legal. The regular session begins April 10th.

The autopsy report for Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge, indicates he died from a combination of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol.  The autopsy findings did not indicate any evidence of internal or external trauma. East Baton Rouge Coroner Doctor Beau Clark says it’s not a surprise for fentanyl to be involved in an overdose death.

Cut 14 (06)  “…fentanyl”

Louisiana’s current Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon recently announced he is not running for re-election. He’s held the position since 2006. Donelon opposes Sen Kirk Talbot’s legislation to have the position be an appointed one because he believes voters should have a say in who represents them….

Cut 3 (06) “…much less”
Donelon also says other states who have appointed insurance commissioners, usually have them in place for about three years and the learning curve is high for this job.

If you suffer from allergies, it’s probably not surprising that Baton Rouge and New Orleans rank in the top 30 Allergy Capitals in the U.S. Hannah Jaffee with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation says they rank cities by tree, grass, and weed pollen counts.

Cut 10 (09) “…in the area.” 

You can also find a list of certified products like air filters and more at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s website at aafa.org.

The LSU Women’s Basketball Team is off to Dallas to play in the NCAA Final Four. Fans gave the team a proper send-off in front of the PMAC this afternoon. They’ll play Virginia Tech Friday night at 6 PM and you can watch the game on ESPN. It’s the first final-four appearance for the Lady Tigers since 2008 and the first with Coach Kim Mulkey at the helm. It will be the fifth time Mulkey has made it to the Final Four.