Louisiana lawmakers are looking to strengthen penalties for carjacking in the special session on crime that begins Monday. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her bill would change the minimum penalty for carjacking from two years to five years.

Cut 8 (12) “…harmed physically.” 

23-year-old Kayley Thibeaux (Tee-bow) of Carencro faces vehicular homicide charges after her vehicle crashed into a parked car following a Lafayette Mardi Gras parade. 40-year-old Jermaine Britton of Breaux Bridge was pinned underneath a car and later died. Lafayette Police detective Ken Handy says six children were in Thibeaux’s vehicle and none of them were buckled up…

Cut 7 (12) “…careless operation”  

They believe alcohol was involved.

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, now with the Kansas City Chiefs shielded a child during a shooting Wednesday after their Championship Parade. On social media, he’s talking about his own PTSD. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says how a person responds to trauma depends on one’s own experience before, during, and after the incident.

Cut 12 (09)  “…handle it.”  

Bailey says you can even experience PTSD by witnessing a traumatic event.

A new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates expectations for higher sales among small business owners decreased in January. State Director Dawn McVea says owners are frustrated with stagnant economic conditions.

Cut 3 (07) “…folks employed.”  

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, now with the Kansas City Chiefs shielded a child during a shooting Wednesday after their Championship Parade. On social media, he’s talking about his own PTSD. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says it’s important to recognize a person can mentally re-experience trauma when something reminds them of the event.

Cut 11 (09) “…they need.”

If you need help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or any other mental health condition call 2-1-1.

Governor Jeff Landry has declared a State of Emergency due to a police officer shortage. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (41)  “…I’m Jeff Landry” 

LSU running back Trey Holly and two others were arrested for a shooting that injured two innocent bystanders Friday night in Farmerville. Holly has been charged with attempted second-degree murder. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

And former LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Heliare, now with the Kansas City Chiefs shielded a child during the shooting after their Championship Parade Wednesday. And on social media, he is talking about his own PTSD experience and raising awareness of the illness.

A 23-year-old Carencro woman is facing vehicular homicide charges after crashing into a parked vehicle following a Lafayette Mardi Gras parade. That resulted in several cars banging into each other, killing 40-year-old Jermaine Britton of Breaux Bridge. Lafayette Police Detective Ken Handy says Britton was in between two parked vehicles…

Cut 6  (08) “…that vehicle.” 

Kayley Thibeaux (Tee-bow) is in the Lafayette Parish Correction Center, facing numerous charges.

Louisiana will not accept federal dollars that can be used to supply free breakfasts and lunches to thousands of kids when they are out of school for the summer. The governor’s office says the Summer EBT program is a pandemic-related program that costs the state seven million dollars. New Orleans Democrat Representative Matthew Willard is disappointed with the governor’s decision…

Cut 8 (07) “…it out.” 
The state would have received $70 million in federal match.

Today is the first Friday of Lent season but Crawfish supply remains low as thousands of Catholics are ditching red meat. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Governor Landry says the state will not accept Summer EBT funds because it’s pandemic-related and there are other programs available, however, one lawmaker says otherwise. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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LSU running back Trey Holly and two others were arrested for a shooting that injured two innocent bystanders Friday night in Farmerville. Holly has been charged with attempted second-degree murder. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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It’s the first Friday of Lent and LSU Ag Center Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley says crawfish availability continues to be in short supply for Catholics are avoiding red meat. He says there has been a bit of a rebound, but the overall crop of crawfish is still low.

Cut 4 (10) “…way short.”

Crawfish normally lay eggs in August but the state’s drought dried out those areas where they normally retreat to reproduce.  Some crawfish farmers have small immature mudbugs that are currently in a growing phase. 

Shirley says increased irrigation demands will continue to result in higher production prices for crawfish farmers. And while crawfish fishermen are seeing a drop in prices, he says they’re watching their cost very closely.

Cut 5 (09) “…those crawfish.” 

The going cost for a pound of crawfish in the Bayou State is around $13.99 per pound, compared to $6.35 per pound last year. While Louisiana Catholics can expect to pay more for the state crustacean, Shirley says there are other tasty options like oysters, shrimp, fish, and…

Cut 6 (09) “…sauce piquante.”

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Governor Landry says the state will not opt-in for Summer EBT because it’s pandemic-related and there are other programs available. But New Orleans Democrat Representative Matthew Willard disagrees and says the federal program is vital for children to receive proper nutrition when they aren’t in school.

Cut 7 (12) “…narrative.”

A statement from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says every family deserves a path to self-sufficiency and the piecemeal program comes with strings attached. Williard is concerned this won’t be the only assistance program Landry will cut.

Cut 8 (07) “…it out.” 

Willard says it costs the state $7 million and the federal match equates to more than $70 million in benefits.

Cut 9 (12)  “…households.”

The deadline to participate in the program was Thursday and Louisiana is one of 15 other states with Republican governors that are forgoing the Summer EBT.

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LSU running back Trey Holly and two others have been arrested for a shooting that injured two innocent bystanders in Farmerville Friday night. Holly has been charged with attempted second-degree murder. Sports Director at Sports Talk 97-7 Sean Fox called all of Holly’s High School games…

Cut 10 (11) “…I knew.”

Holly has been suspended from the LSU football team indefinitely.

Detectives say multiple people fired weapons following an argument between two groups of individuals at the Union Village apartments. Tiger Rag Editor, Todd Horne got an update from Sheriff Dusty Gates…

Cut 11 (09) “…her surgery.” 

Horne says, if convicted Holly could face life in prison. He says it’s sad for everyone. The LSU Freshman was one of the most accomplished running backs while at Union Parish High School and showed great promise at LSU…

Cut 12 (11) “…moving forward.” 

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Nicholls State Graduate Nursing Program has been ranked as one of the top 50 nursing programs in the nation, according to Money Magazine. Public Relations Coordinator Payton Suire (sw-ear) says the program received fa our and a half star ranking based on a five-star scale.

Cut 13 (07)  “…graduate salaries.”

Average tuition at the university is just shy of 25 thousand dollars per year.

Suire says the investment provides nursing students with better job opportunities and potentially higher salaries. She says the curriculum prepares students to participate in several specialty concentrations.

Cut 14 (09) “…education route.”

The rankings surveyed nursing programs nationwide and Nicholls program is the only ranked nursing program in Louisiana.

Suire says it’s a great honor for the school and they are fortunate to have such qualified instructors who are making a difference in the profession.

Cut 15 (10) “…faculty members.”

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The college baseball season gets underway today and last year’s champions, the LSU Tigers will face VMI at 2 PM today. Coach Jay Johnson says his team is not defending anything, they are attacking a new opportunity. Catcher Alex Milazzo says the players have bought into that philosophy

Cut 16 (17) “…the books.” 

Thatcher Hurd will start on the mound for the Tigers this afternoon. Milazzo says the team loves playing behind Hurd…

Cut 17 (12) “…for you.” 

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ULM begins its season by hosting Missouri State at 4 PM. The Warhawks were 17-37 last season, but head coach Mike Federico is expecting bigger things this year as he enters his seventh season. Federico says his team is healthy this year and it’s a veteran group, especially on the mound…

Cut 18 (14)  “.. standpoint.”

Federico says he’s really excited to see what first baseman Michelle Artzberger can do after missing most of last season with an injury…

Cut 19 (19) “…from him.” 

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Cut 20 (24) “…on that.”

10:30

The Louisiana Department of Education announces the launch of a new teacher’s workgroup to develop solutions to classroom disruptions. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says teachers feel an increased number of interruptions are taking time away from classroom instruction.

Cut 6  (10) “…teach kids.” 

Governor Landry’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year includes $198 million for a second round of stipends for teachers, but no permanent salary increase. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says educators thought the stipend pay hike would last more than one year.

Cut 4 (13) “…be kept.”

The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says he understands the larger pool of people from Elevance may get the company better prices on technology and information, but Blue Cross is currently in good shape and has the vast majority of the market in Louisiana…

Cut 12 (06) “…financial health.” 

Among the legislation filed for the special session to address crime would expand the methods used to carry out the death penalty. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says there’s an ongoing shortage of the drugs used for lethal injections so House Bill 6 would offer alternatives…

Cut 7 (10) “…the bill.”

That session begins on Monday.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has decided not to move forward with a proposed sale to Elevance Health. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

In Simmesport a 60-year-old woman and 16-year-old girl were killed in a house fire Sunday. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says they still don’t know the cause of the blaze in Avoyelles Parish and the victim identities have not been released, they were found in separate bedrooms of the home.

Willis Knighton Health is celebrating its 100th birthday and marking the occasion with a renewed commitment to northwest Louisiana. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says the facility was originally known as the Tri-State Sanitarium in 1924. It was a small suburban hospital on the outskirts of Shreveport.

Cut 6 (12) “…the state.”
Last year, Willis Knighton Health was ranked the number-one hospital in the state by Newsweek magazine.

A New Orleans couple is being recognized for the second year in a row, as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple by the Louisiana Family Forum. Ira and Margery Milan have been married for 82 years. Forum President Gene Mills says their story is one of love, faith, and joy.

Cut 3 (13) “…more children.”

The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health is off. State Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office received word last night from Blue Cross that they decided to withdraw its plan to merge. Temple’s approval was needed for the sale to go through. The commissioner says he received a lot of public input on the proposed transaction.

Cut 10 (09) “…their backs.”

Willis Knighton Health System is celebrating its 100^th birthday and marking the occasion with a new name. Louisiana. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says their logo will get a slight makeover, with a modern and sleek font.

Cut 8 (07) “…health system.” 

They will now be known as Willis Knighton Health.

For the second year in a row, Ira and Margery Milan, married for 82 years, are recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

If you have an ex with an outstanding warrant, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says why not turn them in and let them celebrate Valentine’s at the Livingston Parish Detention Center. He says quote “Nothing says I love you more than three hots and a cot,” meaning three hot meals and a night in jail.

The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health is off. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office received word last night from Blue Cross that it decided to withdraw its plan to merge with Elevance.

Cut 9 (04) “…of this matter”

This is the second time Blue Cross has decided not to move forward with a merger with Elevance. Blue Cross CEO Steve Udvarheyli (Ood-ver-high) told lawmakers he’s concerned about the future of Blue Cross, because healthcare costs are rising faster than the premiums it charges. UNO Department of Economic and Finances Chair Walter Lane says it’s a legitimate concern and it’s why they need a partner.

Cut 12 (07)  “… changing marketplace.”  

A two-day public hearing about the merger was canceled this morning.

Shreveport Police have arrested 27-year-old Deanthony Griffin in connection with the fatal shooting of a one-year-old Sunday. Griffin is charged with one count of second-degree murder. Chief Wayne Smith says through the help of the community and dedicated detectives they were able to make a quick arrest. They are asking anyone else with information about the shooting that happened in the 500 block of East Stoner Avenue to come forward, the investigation is ongoing.

Willis Knighton Health System is celebrating its 100^th birthday and marking the occasion with a new name, and logo. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says the word system implies a building and he says they are much more than a facility, so their new name is Willis-Knighton Health.

Cut 7 (07) “…our logo.”  

Last year, Willis Knighton Health was ranked the number-one hospital in the state by Newsweek magazine.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has decided not to move forward with a proposed sale to Elevance Health. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

If you have an ex with an outstanding warrant, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says why not turn them in and let them celebrate Valentine’s at the Livington Parish Detention Center. He says quote “Nothing says I love you more than three hots and a cot,” meaning three hot meals and a night in jail. They are also willing to chauffeur your ex free of charge.

Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans who have been married for 82 years are Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple this Valentine’s Day, Family Forum President Gene Mills says they also want to recognize Burl and Mary Clark of Jena, Lloyd and Audrey Schroeder of Jefferson, and Leland and Gussie Lacaze of Robeline who’ve all been married for 77 years.

Cut 5 (12) “…to tell.”

Willis Knighton Health System is celebrating its 100^th birthday and marking the occasion with a new name. Louisiana. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says their logo will get a slight makeover, with a modern and sleek font.

Cut 8 (07) “…health system.” 

They will now be known as Willis Knighton Health.

The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health is off. State Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office received word last night from Blue Cross that they decided to withdraw its plan to merge. Temple’s approval was needed for the sale to go through. The commissioner says he received a lot of public input on the proposed transaction.

Cut 10 (09) “…their backs.”

Willis Knighton Health System is celebrating its 100^th birthday and marking the occasion with a new name, and logo. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says the word system implies a building and he says they are much more than a facility, so their new name is Willis-Knighton Health.

Cut 7 (07) “…our logo.”  

For the second year in a row, Ira and Margery Milan are recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple. Teiko Foxx has more on the loving couple.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”