Louisiana’s only Osteopathic Medical School graduates it’s first class Friday. Many of the Graduating physicians from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe will continue their residency training in rural and underserved communities across the state. Louisiana is the 50^th state to recognize the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Edward Via’s mission is to alleviate the critical shortage of physicians in certain underserved areas.

LSU Shreveport is graduating a record number of students Friday. 1,355 graduates from 49 states and 29 countries earned their degrees. That tops the previous record of 1,344 graduates set in 2021.

Crawfish prices typically go up for Mother’s Day but Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says while they’re about a dollar more than Mother’s Day last year, prices have gone down.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sack of crawfish.” 

Expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana. You can download The Crawfish App for free on your smartphone.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says this might be the last weekend with ideal weather before the summer heat takes hold. He says the long-range forecast is calling for hotter than normal conditions and wetter than usual.

Cut  14 (11) “…right now.” 

A middle school student in Bossier City accidentally fired a gun inside of his classroom. The student brought the loaded gun to Cope Middle School Thursday to show another student. The gun went off while the child was trying to put it back into his backpack. Fortunately, it discharged into a cabinet, and no one was injured. The firearm was confiscated, and the student was taken into custody.

Mother Nature is gifting moms in Louisiana with ideal weather for the weekend. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold front moving in is probably the last one we’ll have this spring, and you’ll want to take advantage of it.

Cut 12 (13) “…lack of humidity.” 

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday and for Louisiana working moms, it will hopefully be a well-deserved break. Sean Richardson Has the story.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

High school baseball championship games are happening! The Quitman Wolverines just won the school’s first-ever state title beating Hicks 1-0 in the Non-Select Division V championship game. And Avoyelles Public Charter School won their 2^nd State Championship in the Divsion V Select Championship game beating Family Community 4 to 1

Wallet Hub’s 2024 Best and Worst States for Working Moms is out, and Louisiana didn’t fare very well.  Several factors were considered including the gender pay gap. WalletHub analyst, Cassandra Happe says the Bayou State ranked 48^th.

Cut 10 (08) “…for working moms.” 

His goal is to spread resources and help the fishing population grow so Tournament Fisherman, Cliff Crochet is giving away fish at Veterans Park in Pierre Part Saturday. He says it’s a family friend event.

Cut 7 (09) “…spreads conservation.”  

You will be able to release your fish in your favorite fishing spots and later catch them.

Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says this is the app’s seventh year and this season has been the most unpredictable.

Cut 4 (07) “…crawfish season.” 

The Crawfish App tracks more than 800 crawfish retailers in Louisiana and can direct you to the best in your area. King says, expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana.

Louisiana Moms will be getting lovely weather for Mother’s Day. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the dewpoint temperatures will be in the 50s to low 60s as opposed to the 70s, which he says is a huge difference in how it feels on your skin.

Cut 13 (08) “…outside.”

With Mother’s Day fast approaching this Sunday, Louisiana has some work to do for working moms. Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst with the 2024 Best and Worst States for Working Moms.

Cut 9 (11) “…professional opportunities.” 

One area the survey looked at for working moms is the gender pay gap in Louisiana. Happe says the Bayou State ranked 48th overall.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says this might be the last weekend with ideal weather before the summer heat takes hold. He says the long-range forecast is calling for hotter than normal conditions and wetter than usual.

Cut  14 (11) “…right now.” 

This crawfish season has been one of the most unpredictable ones on record and Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says typically prices go up for Mother’s Day.

Cut 3 (14) “…retail level.” 

Expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana.

Tournament Fisherman, Cliff Crochet is giving away fish in Veterans Park in Pierre Part Saturday.

Cut 6  (04) “…80,000 fish. ” 

His goal is to spread out resources and help the fishing population grow, you will be able to release your fish in your favorite fishing spots and down the road catch some fish. The event is from 6 am to noon.

Funeral arrangements for former Rosepine Senator James David Cain have been announced. Cain who served in the House from 1972 to 92 and the Senate from 92 to 2008 passed away Wednesday. His funeral will be held next Friday May 17^th at Grace Church in DeRidder.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and for Louisiana working moms, it will hopefully be a well-deserved break. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

Mother Nature is gifting moms in Louisiana with ideal weather for the weekend. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold front moving in is probably the last one we’ll have this spring, and you’ll want to take advantage of it.

Cut 12 (13) “…lack of humidity.” 

A middle school student in Bossier City accidentally fired a gun inside of his classroom. The student brought the loaded gun to Cope Middle School Thursday to show another student. The gun went off while the child was trying to put it back into his backpack. Fortunately, it discharged into a cabinet, and no one was injured. The firearm was confiscated, and the student was taken into custody.

Crawfish prices typically go up for Mother’s Day but Crawfish App co-founder, Laney King says while they’re about a dollar more than Mother’s Day last year, prices have gone down.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sack of crawfish.” 

Expect to pay about $5.15 a pound for boiled mudbugs and $2.92 a pound for live crawfish in Louisiana. You can download The Crawfish App for free on your smartphone.

Heads up Fishing enthusiasts “Every Fish Matters” 2nd annual release is Saturday. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns is stepping down as Chairman effective June 30th. During his time as chair, he’s seen two riverboat properties become first-class land-based properties with another three under construction, as well as bringing sports betting to the state. Those are only a few of the milestones of Johns’s time as Chairman. He says that wasn’t a small task.

Cut 7 (11) “…was done properly .”  

Steward Health Care has announced its selling Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe. Steward has filed for bankruptcy and is looking to sell several of its 31 hospitals in eight states. The Glenwood hospital has been struggling with staffing and supply issues and State Representative Mike Echols says it’s time for Glenwood to have a new owner…

cut 7 (11) “…Steward Health Group”
A Federal three-judge panel told Louisiana Lawmakers they have until June 3^rd to create a new congressional map, or the panel will create one. But multiple attempts to draw maps have all been rejected by federal judges in different districts. Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s all part of the legal process…

Cut 5 (12)  “…outcome is.” 

According to the Violence Policy Center, Louisiana ranks second in the nation for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says states with weak firearm laws and higher gun ownership consistently have higher gun death rates.
Cut 13 (12) “…of gun deaths.”
Mississippi ranks first for the highest gun death rate followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, Alabama, and Missouri.

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, but his yearly attempt failed in the House overwhelming by a 21-72 vote. Denham Springs Representative, Roger Wilder, is concerned about court issues that would come with the violation.

Cut 11 (11) ” …concerned about the bill, thank you.”

A panel of 3 federal judges has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. While the legislature is in session Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed. He says it’s time to let State Attorney General Liz Murrill handle the congressional map with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cut 4 (08) “…this time.” 

The NAACP has also filed an appeal for the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the congressional map for the fall election.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns is set to retire June 30th of this year. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

For the second year in a row, U-S News and World Report ranks Louisiana as the worst state in the country. The ranking is based on several categories that Louisiana did not perform well in, like crime, the economy and its roads. Are there any positives? U-S News and World Report’s Gary Emerling says Louisiana ranked 21st for healthcare access and more children under the age of five are spending time in an education setting…

cut 6 (03) “…pre-school enrollment.”

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns is set to retire June 30th of this year. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

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A bill to make holding  a cellphone while driving a crime failed to pass in the House with a 21-72. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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The three-panel court has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. The legislature is in session, and they are scheduled to end June 3rd as well. But with the budget yet to be heard in Senate Finance, Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for them to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed.

Cut 3 (08) “…to do it.” 

Henry says it’s time to let State Attorney General Liz Murrill handle the congressional map at this point with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in the works.

Cut 4 (08) “…this time.” 

After multiple attempts to draw maps, that have been rejected by federal judges in different districts, Henry says it’s all part of the legal process…

Cut 5 (11)  “…outcome is.” 

The NAACP has also filed an appeal for the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the congressional map for the fall election.

____________________________________________________________________

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns told Governor Jeff Landry that he will be stepping down as Chairman effective June 30th.

Cut 6  (09) “…gaming control board.” 

During his time as chair, he’s seen two riverboat properties become first-class land-based properties with another three under construction, as well as bringing sports betting to the state. Those are only a few of the milestones of Johns’s time as Chairman. He says that wasn’t a small task.

Cut 7 (11) “…was done properly .”  

Johns says “It’s been an incredible honor to serve in this very important position to regulate such a large industry in our state,” and the future looks bright.

Cut 8 (10  “…the next chairman.” 

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Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, but his yearly attempt failed in the House overwhelming by a 21-72 vote. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick questions what else would be considered a crime in McMath’s bill.

Cut 9 (11) “…still out there, yes.” 

Bossier City Representative, Raymond Crews asked are they chasing an issue that will solve itself in the near future.

Cut 10 (10) “…getting fines for it.” 

Denham Springs Representative, Roger Wilder is concerned about court issues that would come with the violation.

Cut 11 (11) ” …concerned about the bill, thank you.”

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Johns told Governor Jeff Landry that he will be stepping down as Chairman effective June 30th.

Cut 6  (09) “…gaming control board.” 

During his time as the chair he’s seen two riverboat properties become first-class land based properties with another three under construction, as well as bringing sports betting to the state.

Senator Patrick McMath’s bill to make using a handheld cellphone while driving in Louisiana a criminal offense passed overwhelmingly in the Senate but failed in the House. Bossier City Representative, Raymond Crews fears chasing an issue that he says will solve itself soon.

Cut 10 (10) “…getting fines for it” 

The fate of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe is unclear as the hospital’s owner Steward Health Care has filed for bankruptcy. Brooke Thorington has more from State Representative Michael Echols.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Federal three-judge-panel has given the state a June 3^rd deadline to draw a new congressional map. The current legislative session is scheduled to end June 3rd. But with the budget yet to be heard in Senate Finance, Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s impossible for them to even file a bill for a new map because the deadline has already passed.

Cut 3 (08) “…to do it.”