Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill earlier today reorganizing Louisiana Economic Development. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill was in Eagle Pass Texas Monday visiting the southern border. She’s the latest elected Louisiana official to make the visit where Louisiana National Guard troops are assisting Texas Law enforcement and other National Guardsmen in Operation Lone Star as they look to get a handle on illegal immigration. While there, Murrill thanked the Louisiana Guardsman and told them she prayed for their safe return home.

In Louisiana drowning is the third cause of death for children ages one to 14 and the tragic drowning of a 12-year-old in Ascension Parish Monday serves as a reminder of the dangers of water. In Baton Rouge, BREC Aquatics Instructor Daniel Burg says through a partnership with the Red Cross they offer free swimming lessons. They also offer adult swimming classes.

Cut 10 (11) “…we are.”

Bacteria that cause strep throat and some hospital-acquired infections may save lives. LSU Biological Sciences Professor, Roger Laine is working on cancer treatments using polysaccharides isolated from two different bacteria to destroy tumors. He says treatment with the polysaccharides, CM101 and PS1 will have minimal side effects because they target the blood supply and not the tumor itself which also prevents the tumor from becoming resistant to treatment.

Cut 27 (06) “…blood vessels.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed the Positioning Louisiana to Win bill Tuesday which reorganizes Louisiana Economic Development and establishes a private sector-led board to advise LED. Landry stressed the reorganized LED intends to focus on small and existing Louisiana businesses as much as attracting new ones to the state.

Cut 8 (08)  “…will happen.” 

The LED senior leadership team was also announced at the signing.

Another bill recently signed by Governor Landry aims to curb the state’s pet overpopulation. The bill allows the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council to sell commemorative pet stamps with the proceeds supporting spay and neuter programs around the state. The stamps cost a minimum of $15 and will be decorative, not used for postage. The Humane Society of Louisiana says the obvious selling point is that the proceeds go to programs that reduce the burgeoning pet overpopulation.

The tragic drowning of a child in Ascension Parish serves as a reminder of knowing how to swim. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Former LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri will apparently be returning to an SEC dugout, but this time it’s at the University of South Carolina. After retiring from LSU in 2021 for health reason Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says Mainieri was on the radar for other schools…

Cut 5 (06)  “… of that.”

The tragic drowning of a 12-year-old in Ascension Parish Monday serves as a reminder of the dangers of water. In Louisiana drowning is the third cause of death for children ages one to 14. In Baton Rouge, BREC Aquatics Instructor Daniel Burg says through a partnership with the Red Cross they offer free swimming lessons…

Cut 9 (12) “…that life.” 

For a list of classes in your area visit RedCross.org and search swimming.

Attorney General Liz Murrill was in Eagle Pass Texas Monday visiting the southern border. She’s the latest elected Louisiana official to make the visit where Louisiana National Guard troops are assisting Texas Law enforcement and other National Guardsmen in Operation Lone Star as they look to get a handle on illegal immigration. While there, Murrill thanked the Louisiana Guardsman and told them she prayed for their safe return home.

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill earlier today reorganizing Louisiana Economic Development. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Former LSU Baseball Head Coach, Paul Mainieri is coming out of retirement to be the University of South Carolina’s next baseball head coach. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne says the game of baseball has changed tremendously since Mainieri in retired 2021.

Cut 4 (08) “… of that.” 

Governor Jeff Landry signed the Positioning Louisiana to Win bill earlier today reorganizing Louisiana Economic Development, which House Commerce Committee Chairman Representative Daryl Deshotel of Marksville says makes sure every business is fairly represented in state government by establishing a private sector-led board to advise LED.

Cut 7 (05) “…table.”  

Bacteria that cause strep throat and some hospital-acquired infections may save millions of lives. LSU Biological Sciences Professor, Roger Laine is working on cancer treatments using polysaccharides isolated from two different bacteria to destroy tumors. They work by attaching to receptors in the capillaries that feed the tumors…

Cut 10 (09) “…the tumor.”

Laine says treatment with the polysaccharides, CM101 and PS1, shows promise with minimal side effects because they target the blood supply and not the tumor itself which also prevents the tumor from becoming resistant to treatment.

The University of South Carolina shocked the baseball world by selecting Paul Mainieri to be the Gamecocks next baseball head coach. The move comes after South Carolina fired their head coach Mark Kingston after his seventh season with the program. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne…

Cut 3 (16) “… little shocking.” 

This year’s edition of the KIDS COUNT Data Book shows the pandemic had an unprecedentedly harmful effect on student learning. Annie E. Casey Foundation President Lisa Hamilton says this report shows a higher percentage of Louisiana students suffered from trauma than students nationwide.

Cut 3 (10) “…nationally.” 

A bill that would lift licensing requirements to braid hair did not make it through this year’s legislative session, but bill sponsor Mike Bayham of Chalmette intends to bring the bill back next year, when he says the conditions are more favorable.

Cut 8 (08)  “…push this.” 

In addition to this legislation, a separate lawsuit against the licensing process is going through appeals.

College athletic departments are preparing for the likelihood of paying their athletes a total of 22 million dollars as a result of a historic antitrust case between the NCAA and two former college athletes. LSU Executive Deputy Athletics Director Verge Ausberry says they are just waiting for terms to be finalized

Cut 13 (11)  “…year to year.”

Ausberry expects LSU will remain competitive once revenue sharing between athletic departments and athletes becomes a reality…

Louisiana may have among the country’s highest property and automobile insurance rates, pet insurance here is the most affordable. Dayna Drake with MarketWatch Guides says among the things pet insurance will pay for, depending on your coverage are…

Cut 11 (10) ” …vet visit.”

This year’s edition of the KIDS COUNT Data Book shows the unprecedentedly harmful effect the pandemic had on student learning. Annie E. Casey Foundation President Lisa Hamilton says this report shows a higher percentage of Louisiana students suffered from trauma than students nationwide, Louisiana did not see as many students chronically absent as the rest of the country says Louisiana students are staying in school, and that counts.

Cut 5 (09)  “… on time.”

Hamilton says there are still pandemic funds out there that could help schools catch students up.

Currently Louisiana requires hair braiders to be licensed and have at least 500 hours of education, which can cost as much as 20 thousand dollars. A bill that would have lifted requirements did not make it through this year’s legislative session. Critics of the bill say the hours are essential for education and safety. Bill sponsor Mike Bayham of Chalmette says they are cost-prohibitive and unnecessary.

Cut 7 (06) “…job.”  

Considering Louisiana has among the highest property and auto insurance rates in the country, insurance coverage for your pet here is the most affordable. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The 2024 Olympic Beach Volleyball Team will have a little Louisiana flavor in Paris this summer. Two LSU Beach Volleyball Alums have qualified for Team USA. Both Tary Kloth and Kristen Nuss have been officially selected to compete. They are the first from LSU. Beginning July 27, Nuss from New Orleans and Koth from Sioux Falls, South Dakota will be part of the excitement when the Women’s Olympic Beach Volley ball competition kicks off.

Governor Landry has signed legislation that prohibits transgender individuals from using restrooms, locker rooms and sleeping quarters at public schools and jails that do not match their biological sex. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Could there be a second Bucee’s location in Louisiana? There is currently preparation and construction underway for one in Ruston. It’s expected to open next year. Now Lafayette could soon be able to add the toothy beaver. According to The Advocate, the construction company that has built other Bucee’s has requested a variance with the zoning board in Lafayette.

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office has been featured on the A&E show “Murder at the Motel”. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton describes the scene.

Cut 3 (11) “…all over the walls.” 

This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. And of course, fishing is a lot more fun when you don’t have to talk about the one that got away. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says chances are there’s a recently stocked pond near you.

Cut 14 (12)  “…those ponds.”

Check their website for a listing of those ponds or their Facebook page.

Two Deputies in Richland Parish were stabbed multiple times after catching up to a fleeing suspect Thursday. 23-year-old Colby Bazan answered RPSO’s request to appear at the sheriff’s office regarding a simple assault and criminal trespass warrant for him involving alleged threats against his family members. When Bazan realized he was under arrest authorities say he fled and when deputies caught up to him, he stabbed two of them with a knife in his possession. Both Deputies were treated and released from the hospital. Bazan is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer and is being held on a one-million-dollar bond.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed legislation that bars transgender individuals from entering certain spaces marked for a gender that does not match their biological gender. Spaces include bathrooms, locker rooms and sleeping areas at schools, prisons, and domestic violence shelters. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says there was strong support for his legislation.

Cut 11 (04) ” …guidelines.”

After signing the bill, Governor Landry said in a statement that he’s proud to sign House Bill 608 which protects women’s safety and reinforces the very definition of what it means to be a woman.

The M-J Foster Promise Program provides grant dollars to adults who want to go to a two-year school and earn the necessary crendtials to get a job in a high demand field. The program is currently taking applications. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says last year they had more than ten-thousand applicants…
cut 12 (12) “….M-J Foster Promise-dot-com”

Crawfish season is winding down, and to say it was unpredictable is an understatement.  LSU Ag Center Crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says at the start of the season, things looked dire due to the previous summer drought and extreme heat, and while supply increased in May, it was still around half a typical year. As for the next mudbug season, Shirley says farmers are cautiously optimistic.

Cut 8 (11)  “… next year.” 

Governor Jeff Landry has signed legislation that prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom or locker room at a school that does not match their biological gender. what has been called the bathroom bill. Bill author, Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says women should not have to worry about a biological man, who is now a transgender woman entering a bathroom

Cut 10 (05) “…their gender.”

The A&E series “Murder at the Motel” will feature the 2016 murder of 28-year-old Sonya Ortego. Chief Jared Morton of the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office says Jackie Pruitt was traveling through town for a court date the following day and rented a room in the DeRidder where Ortego was staying.

Cut 5 (11)  “… at the hotel.”

Pruitt was convicted of first-degree murder in 2017.

As the crawfish season is coming to an end, just how bad was it? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s time to grab those fishing poles and cast a line. This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says you don’t have to have a fishing license this weekend.

Cut 13 (09)  “…get hooked.”

Two East Baton Parish deputies were shot, and a suspect was shot and killed when authorities were conducting a “knock and announce” search warrant in an ongoing narcotics investigation this morning. One of the deputies was transported to Our Lady of the Lake hospital and is reported in serious but stable condition. Another deputy was shot but the bullet struck his bullet proof vest, and he was not injured. The name of the male suspect killed in the incident that occurred near Hollywood Street and North Foster Drive has not been released.

A bill to repeal a law that would have put speed cameras on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is welcome news to St. Martin Parish Sheriff Becket Breaux.  In 2022 when lawmakers were discussing the option of speed cameras to reduce speeding and prevent crashes, he responded by…

Cut 3 (07) “…by 25-percent.” 

Lake Charles has secured hosting rights for boys basketball, swimming, softball and baseball high school championships for an additional two years and the 2025 state high school baseball tournament will have a new format as the top three divisions in select and non-select will move to a best out of three championship series. Senior Vice President of Sports at Visit Lake Charles Erick Zartler

Cut 7 (12) “…Lake Charles.”  

Today is “Secure Your Load for Road Safety Day.” Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Greg Fischer says it’s important for motorists to properly secure items to prevent them from becoming traffic hazards. Objects as common as two-by-four pieces of wood or a suitcase can create a lethal problem on the road. And Fischer says you might not think a suitcase can do a lot of damage if falls from your car while you’re driving on the interstate, but…

Cut 11 (11) ” …on impact.”