The death penalty still has the support of most Louisianans, but could we see it put to rest anytime soon? David Grubb has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

A 13-year-old girl was killed Sunday in Shreveport in her home by a stray bullet as gunfire from three vehicles passed her Fairfield Avenue home. Police says Landry Anglin was transported to Ochsner LSU Health hospital and where she died of her injuries. It’s the 21^st homicide this year in Caddo Parish.

An East Feliciana Parish grand jury will hear the case against a Slaughter couple Clay and Shelia Fletcher, accused of extreme neglect in the death of their 36-year-old daughter. 20^th Judicial District D.A. Sam D’Aquilla (pronounced: duh-QUILL-uh) says the Lacey Fletcher developed a mental illness and became a shut-in and the coroner reports says she was found surrounded in her own bodily waste.

Cut 5 (07) “…room of the house.”

A bill requiring students to show they are reading on grade level before promotion to 4^th grade will be heard in the House this week. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says testing would be administered more than once along with intensive training for those who fail to pass the test.

Cut 9 (14)  “…in our state.”

Nelson says Mississippi has a similar law and their literacy rate went from 49^th to 29^th.

A high-ranking State Trooper tells a legislative panel looking into the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene, in Union Parish, that there WAS a cover-up. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren made the admission this morning. Another witness, retired LSP Captain Mark Richards, told them he was told to block the Greene crash report, which he says is NOT normal…:

Cut 13 (13) “…before”

According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey, 46 percent of respondents say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, with 49 percent opposed. In 2016, only 40-percent were pro-choice, while 55-percent said it should be illegal. Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says that compared to the rest of the nation, Louisiana stands out.

Cut 10 (09) “…on abortion.”

The former sheriff of East Carroll Parish has been arrested on trespassing and resisting officer charges. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says 84-year-old Dale Rinicker is accused of not leaving a store in West Monroe after allegedly making lewd comments to female employees and when deputies attempted to place Rinicker in handcuffs, he resisted arrest and threatened to physically harm the officers…

Cut 4  (08) “…and resisting.”
Former American Idol winner Laine Hardy was arrested Friday after LSU Police received a complaint, he allegedly put a listening device in a student’s room. Thursday night Hardy posted on social media, that he’d received a warrant from LSU Police. The 21-year-old turned himself in on charges of illegally intercepting communications. It’s been reported the victim is Hardy’s ex-girlfriend and she has text messages from Hardy admitting he planted a device in her room. The offense is punishable by a fine of up to $10-thousand and prison time of two to 10 years.

Former American Idol and Louisiana native Laine Hardy was arrested this morning after LSU Police received a complaint that Hardy allegedly tried to bug a student’s room with a listening device. A Baton Rouge TV station says Hardy’s ex-girlfriend filed the complaint on April 7^th. Hardy was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

A special House committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene hears from a high-ranking State Police Trooper who admits there was a cover-up. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Former East Carroll Parish Sheriff, 84-year-old Dale Rinicker was arrested Thursday in West Monroe after he was asked to leave a convenience store for allegedly making lewd comments to female employees. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says after multiple requests to leave the store deputies arrested Rinicker for trespassing.

Cut 3 (11) “…of uniform.”

Rinicker was taken to the Ouachita Correctional Center and charged with Criminal Trespass and two counts of Resisting an Officer.

The Pelicans saw their season come to an end last night with a loss to the Phoenix Suns in game six of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs. After the game, head coach Willie Green shed tears on the court as he congratulated the Suns and consoled his players.

Cut 7 (12) “…coming to a close.” 

American Idol winner Laine Hardy is expected to turn himself in LSU Police today. Hardy posted on social media he received a warrant but declined to say what for. Baton Rouge TV stations report a source that says the 21-year-old is accused of planting a listening device in a female’s on-campus residence.

A New Orleans grand jury has indicted four teenagers for their alleged roles in the carjacking and murder of Linda Frickey.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

A high-ranking State Police trooper confirms the L-S-P was involved in a cover-up to hide the facts surrounding the roadside death of Ronald Greene in 2019. Retired Captain Mark Richards told the legislative committee looking into Greene’s death he was ordered to block the crash report from being distributed, which he says is not normal protocol.

Cut 13 (13) “…before”

Greene’s family was originally told he died as a result of a car crash, but body camera footage of his arrest shows he was severely beaten by troopers.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opens at 11am today the first since 2019. JazzFest Producer Quint Davis says ticketholders aren’t the only ones excited.

Cut 6 (08)  “…live people.”

Headliners this weekend are Lionel Richie, The Who, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The House Labor Committee voted down proposals to increase the minimum wage. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews expressed concern that increasing the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour will result in job losses. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle disagreed and she believes raising the minimum wage will lead to more people entering the workforce, she had a proposal to increase the minimum wage to 12-dollars an hour…

PM Cut 15 (12) “…at your job” 

And as we’ve seen in years past, business groups lobbied against minimum wage hike proposals. Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry on why the state should not raise the minimum wage…

PM Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“

And the House Labor Committee voted down a bill to demand all employers in the state give equal pay regardless of gender. Speaking for his bill, Marrero Democrat Representative Kyle Green says his bill seeks to extend equal pay mandates for government workers – passed in 2013 – to include everyone…:

AM Cut 7 (13) “…for women of color.”

But Caddo Parish Republican Representative Dodie Horton wondered if Green was aware the state already has a 2013 non-discrimination law that achieves the same thing…:

AM Cut 8 (13)  “…national origin, disability…”

By a vote of 3 “yeas” to 7 “nays”, the bill fails to pass and is dead for the session.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers, PSC Chair Lambert Boissiere says it’s historic…

Cut 3 (09) “…internet existed.”

A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields argued customers should never be forced to pay for a service they do not receive. But River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says just because your cable is out on your television, some providers offer other ways to watch…

Cut 8 (08) “…this service.” 

The bill was voted down on a 23-15 vote.

Meeting up with a snake is among many people’s greatest fears but LDWF says even though snakes may not be man’s best friend, most aren’t your enemy either. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

In Opelousas, a shooting at an apartment resulted in two deaths, a 46-year-old man and a four-year-old, and injured three children, with two of them sent to the hospital. Police Chief Martin McLendon…

Cut 9 (05)  “…gone to.”
McClendon says they have a warrant out for the shooter and he expects an arrest soon.

At the state capitol, House Labor will hear five bills seeking to raise the minimum wage. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects they’ll meet defeat in committee because Republican lawmakers feel raising the minimum will hurt small businesses, and actually reduce the number of minimum wage employees they can hire…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…are republicans.”

Pinsonat says in the past minimum wage bills have failed at the Louisiana legislature and he expects the trend to continue.

There are 47 different species of snakes native to the state but only seven are venomous. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries herpetologist Keri Lejuene says there’s a very slim chance you’ll see a poisonous snake in your yard and has some simple advice to lower your chances of being bitten…

Cut  11 (11)  “…at all.”  

Garth Brooks is expected to play Saturday night before a crowd of more than 102-thousand in Tiger Stadium. But unlike a game Visit Baton Rouge President and CEO Paul Arrigo expects they’ll stay for the entire concert to hear Calling Baton Rouge live and in person as opposed to a pre-game recording during football season.

Cut 6 (11)  “…Baton Rouge time.”

The last time Brooks made a local call in Baton Rouge was April 1998.

An eighty-year-old man was killed in a crash involving with a school bus in Lafayette Parish Wednesday afternoon. State Police says the pickup truck Joseph Carriere of Scott was driving crossed the center line on Highway 98 and hit the bus head-on. The bus driver and four students were transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.

Some people have a phobia of snakes, but LDWF says while they may not be man’s best friend, most aren’t an enemy either.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

An early morning shooting Wednesday in Opelousas kills a 46-year-old man and a four-year-old and injures three children. Opelousas Police Chief Martin McLendon says three children in the home were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. A four-year little girl died at the hospital and her seven-year-old and 17-month-old siblings remain in the hospital.

Cut 8 (11)  “…medical attention.”

Police say they have a suspect and a warrant has been issued.

The House Labor Committee will hear a number of bills today seeking to increase the minimum wage in Louisiana, but passage of any is far from assured. And while Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the bills won’t advance, members will at least let those in favor have their say…before down-voting the bills…:

Cut 15 (12)  “…sides of an argument.”

The highly anticipated return of Garth Brooks to Baton Rouge could make a call for the record books. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Meeting up with a snake is many people’s greatest fear, but LDWF says though snakes may not be man’s best friend, most aren’t your enemy either. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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Several bills seeking to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana go before the House Committee on Labor today. Kevin Gallagher looks at their chances of advancing…:

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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The capital city is gearing up for a huge influx of visitors with Garth Brooks set to take the stage in Tiger Stadium before an anticipated crowd of more than 102,000 Saturday night. President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, Paul Arrigo believes it will be the largest outdoor attended concert in the US.

Cut 4 (08)  “…says a lot.”

Arrigo anticipates for at least half the crowd it will be their first time in Death Valley. And when you look at hotel bookings this weekend a large percentage of attendees will be out-of-town visitors who are paying top dollar for their accommodations.

Cut 5 (11) “…revenue.”

And unlike a game at Death Valley, Arrigo imagines the huge crowd will stay for the entire concert just to hear that call live and in person as opposed to a pre-game recording.

Cut 6 (11)  “…Baton Rouge time.”

The last time Brooks made a local call in Baton Rouge was April of 1998 at the PMAC.

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An early morning shooting in Opelousas kills a 46-year-old man and a four-year-old and injures three children. Opelousas Police Chief Martin McLendon says officers had already visited the Mia Street address Tuesday night after reports of fighting, but when they arrived all was calm, but at 1 AM they received a frantic 9-1-1 call.

Cut 7 (10) “…gunshots.”

McLendon says three children in the home were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. A four-year little girl died at the hospital and her seven-year-old and 17-month-old siblings remain in the hospital.

Cut 8 (11)  “…medical attention.”

Investigators say as a result of the fight earlier in the evening, others joined in and invaded the home hours later. McClendon says the shooter was a person inside and a warrant for their arrest has been issued and an arrest is imminent.

Cut 9 (05)  “…gone to.”

McClendon says the tragic shooting has been extremely hard on the community and those who responded to the scene.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reaching out to the public to educate them about what to do when they come face to face with a snake. Spring and summer are when snake encounters are typically at their peak. State herpetologist Keri Lejuene says, most times there’s no need for worry, especially if you know exactly what type of snake you’ve encountered.

Cut 10 (12) “…and non-venomous.”

There are 47 different species of snakes native to the state, though only seven are venomous. Lejuene says there’s a very slim chance that you’ll see a venomous snake in your yard or around your neighborhood, and gives some simple advice to keep your chances of being bitten low…

Cut  11 (11)  “…at all.”  

Lejuene says one of the biggest problems is people killing snakes, either out of fear or just not knowing what they’re dealing with. These reptiles serve a very important role in the state’s ecosystem, and she says they do far more good than harm.

Cut 12 (08) “…rodent species.” 

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The House Labor Committee is set to hear a number of bills seeking to increase the minimum wage in Louisiana, but the passage of any of the bills is far from assured. Three bills to be considered would raise the minimum for all workers, a 4^th would increase the minimum for state employees and a 5^th is a minimum wage hike for tipped employees; like waiters and waitresses. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the GOP majority on that committee won’t be friendly to the idea…:

Cut 13 (10) “…Kathleen Blanco.”

One bill would simply raise the minimum wage to $11.65 an hour. Another would make two increases to eventually reach $12, while a third would make four incremental increases to an eventual $15 an hour. Pinsonat says Republican lawmakers feel raising the minimum will hurt small businesses, and actually reduce the number of minimum wage employees they can hire…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…are republicans.”

Pinsonat says he expects the bills to meet defeat in House Labor, as they have for years before this. He says committee members will at least let those in favor have their say…before down-voting the bills…:

Cut 15 (12)  “…sides of an argument.”

Those bills are all due today in the House labor committee.

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Saints general manager Mickey Loomis enters this year’s NFL Draft with a new coach and several needs to address, including along the offensive line and a wide receiver. Earlier this month the Saints acquired a second first-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles, and Loomis says he liked the value of what he got in comparison to what the team gave up.

Cut 16 (15)  “…you have the draft.”

The Saints have the 16^th and 19^th picks in the first round, and Loomis says there are definite targets with those picks. However, he added that with the draft there are no guarantees that things will go according to plan.

Cut 17 (12) “ …it’s never foolproof.” 

Loomis would love to grab a couple of starters in the first round, but that depends on how the first round plays out. He says the draft is a constant balancing act to try to find the right player in the right spot.

Cut 18 (20) “ …risk/reward.” 

The draft begins at 7 pm.

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The New Orleans Pelicans face elimination Thursday night when they host the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of their playoff series. One storyline to watch is the health of Brandon Ingram. Ingram injured two fingers on his right hand in the second half and in the fourth quarter shot 0-for-4 from the floor and 1-of-3 from the line. He says he’ll be good to go with the season on the line.

Cut 19 (15) _“…by next game.” 

Turnovers killed the Pelicans in Game 5, as their 15 giveaways led to 23 points for the Suns. Phoenix had scored just over 10 points per game off of turnovers in the first four games. Coach Willie Green says taking care of the basketball has to be a priority.

Cut 20 (17) “ …to be better.” 

Game 6 tips off at the Smoothie King Center at 6:30 pm.

The House Labor Committee will hear a number of bills Thursday seeking to increase the minimum wage in Louisiana, but passage of any is far from assured. Three bills would raise the minimum for all workers, another for state employees and a fifth for tipped employees. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the majority GOP committee won’t be friendly to the idea…:

Cut 13 (10) “…Kathleen Blanco.”

The House Education Committee approves a bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says children should not be physically punished by their principal or teacher…

Cut 9 (13) “…in school”

The same bill failed a full House vote last year.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would require convicted drunk drivers who had a blood alcohol content of .15 to have an interlock device system installed on their vehicle for two years. An interlock prevents individuals from starting a vehicle if they have been drinking. Bill author and recovering alcoholic Covington Representative Mark Wright knows individuals with a problem are chronic drunk drivers…

Cut 13 (08) “…of it.”

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre owns a company that sells interlock devices and there are concerns his business could profit from the legislation. The Ethics Board has ruled that Webre cannot sell his interlock devices in LaFourche and Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says if lawmakers have questions they should ask Webre directly…

Cut 14 (11)  “…about Craig Webre.”