Governor Jeff Landry is calling the crime special session a great success, Democrats says it failed to address the root causes of crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor Landry is expected to sign the bill allowing non-felon adults to carry a concealed firearm without a permit which means training required to receive those permits will no longer be required. Owner of Concealed Carry NOLA, Dave Newman says that training is important to keep yourself and others safe and he says it needs to happen under pressure.

Cut 14 (11) “..your chest.”

Iowa women’s basketball player Cailtin Clark is 18 points away from surpassing LSU legend Pete Marvaich’s Division one career scoring record of 3,667 points. Though he says the comparison to his father’s record is apples to oranges, Jaeson Maravich is also very complimentary of Caitlin’s game and her style reminds him a lot of his Dad’s…

Cut 8 …closest

The first U.S. manufacturing plant for Japanese Chemical Company UBE, which makes electric vehicle batteries, will be in Jefferson Parish.  President of Jefferson Parish Economic Development Jerry Bologna says it’s a significant foreign direct investment of $500 million to the community.

Cut 3 (12) “…supply chain.”  

Governor Jeff Landry says the crime special session produced legislation that will make the state safer

Cut 9 (07) “…right direction” 

The Legislature approved measures to expand methods used to carry out executions, lowering the age one can be charged with a felony from 18 to 17 years old, restrictions on parole and probation and permit-less conceal carry. Landry says he appreciates the legislators who passed these bills

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard says the bills passed will explode Louisiana’s prison population and produce higher costs for taxpayers

Cut 12 (11)  “..costs”  

Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign these bills next week.

The first U.S. manufacturing plant for Japanese Chemical Company UBE, which makes components for electric vehicle batteries, will be in Jefferson Parish. The project intends to bolster the domestic battery components supply chain and reduce the current reliance on Asian imports. President of Jefferson Parish Economic Development Jerry Bologna says the plant in Jefferson Parish will manufacture key elements for EV batteries.

Cut 5 (12) “…those batteries.”

To secure the project Louisiana offered a competitive incentives package that includes workforce development.

Iowa women’s basketball player Cailtin Clark is 18 points away from surpassing LSU legend Pete Marvaich’s Division one career scoring record of 3,667 points. Clark could pass Pistol Pete when the Hawkeyes host Ohio State on Sunday. Maravich’ s eldest son, Jaeson Maravich, doesn’t see it as Clark breaking his dad’s record….

Cut 6  (07) “…5,000 points” 

Governor Landry’s special session on crime came to a close Thursday and The Legislature approved measures to expand methods used to carry out executions, lowering the age one can be charged with a felony from 18 to 17 years old, restrictions on parole and probation and permit-less conceal carry. Landry says he appreciates the legislators who passed these bills.

Cut 10 (11) “…that process.”

But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard says the special session failed to address the root causes of crime. He says the lock them up and throw away the key approach does not work…

Cut 11 (11) “…special session”

Landry is expected to sign the bills early next week.

Big news for Jefferson Parish, Japanese Chemical Company UBE to construct the first US facility to manufacture key components for electrical vehicle car batteries there. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (26)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

And in Rapids parish, a new Amazon distribution center will be constructed in the town of Boyce. President and CEO of Central Louisiana Jim Clinton says while many companies tend to set up distribution hubs along Interstates 10 and 20, they are beginning to see breakthroughs in the past year with Lowes and now Amazon for Central Louisiana. Clinton says site prep for the 65,000-square-foot facility located along Highway 1 off Rapides Station Road is already underway. Louisiana Central along with the Boyce Chamber of Commerce will share hiring information for Amazon on their website and social media pages when it becomes available.

Governor Jeff Landry is calling the crime special session a great success, Democrats says it failed to address the root causes of crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor Landry is expected to sign the bill allowing non-felon adults to carry a concealed firearm without a permit which means training required to receive those permits will no longer be required. Owner of Concealed Carry NOLA, Dave Newman says that training is important to keep yourself and others safe and he says it needs to happen under pressure.

Cut 14 (11) “..your chest.”

Iowa women’s basketball player Cailtin Clark is 18 points away from surpassing LSU legend Pete Marvaich’s Division one career scoring record of 3,667 points. Though he says the comparison to his father’s record is apples to oranges, Jaeson Maravich is also very complimentary of Caitlin’s game and her style reminds him a lot of his Dad’s…

Cut 8 (07) “…closest” 

The first U.S. manufacturing plant for Japanese Chemical Company UBE, which makes components for electric vehicle batteries, will be in Jefferson Parish.  President of Jefferson Parish Economic Development Jerry Bologna says Synergy from Cornerstone Energy Park played a vital role in UBE’s decision to choose Jefferson Parish. He says they also liked the logistics the area provides…

Cut 4 (10) “…their capital.” 

Governor Jeff Landry says the crime special session produced legislation that will make the state safer

Cut 9 (07) “…right direction” 

The Legislature approved measures to expand methods used to carry out executions, lowering the age one can be charged with a felony from 18 to 17 years old, restrictions on parole and probation and permit-less conceal carry. Landry says he appreciates the legislators who passed these bills

Cut 10 (11) “…that process.”

Pistol Pete Maravich scored 3,667 points from 1967 to 1970 at LSU, without a three-point line and averaged 44 points a game. Iowa women’s basketball player Cailtin Clark is 18 points away from surpassing LSU legend. She is in her fourth season at Iowa and averages 28 points a game. Jaeson Maravich says it’s an apples to oranges comparison….

Cut 7 (09) “…true record”  

The first U.S. manufacturing plant for Japanese Chemical Company UBE, which makes electric vehicle batteries, will be in Jefferson Parish.  President of Jefferson Parish Economic Development Jerry Bologna says it’s a significant foreign direct investment of $500 million to the community.

Cut 3 (12) “…supply chain.”  

Governor Landry’s Special Session on Crime as come to an end with several bills passed. Headed the Governor’s desk… Legislation that would expand the methods Louisiana can use to carry out a death sentence is headed to Governor Landry after final passage Thursday. The bill allows the state to use the electric chair or nitrogen gas to end a death row inmate’s life. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis voted against the proposal…

Cut 9 (05) “…simply unacceptable.” 

Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says the death penalty is already legal and this legislation gives the state the tools to resume executions…

Cut 11 (05) “…worst crime”

Also headed to the Governor, a bill that lengthens the time from 3 months to 6 months a first-offense DWI offender must have an ignition interlock device in order to drive. Several lawmakers raised concerns about the installation and maintenance of the interlock ignition device, which Covington Representative Mark Wright estimated was 500-dollars. He says financial assistance is available for low-income individuals…

Cut  14 (08) “..drink or drive.”

19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia whose body was found January 24^th in the Ouachita River. was last seen by family members and left with a friend headed to north Louisiana around New Years. Catahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards says they are following up on leads as to that person’s identity and multiple law enforcement agencies are assisting in the investigation.

Cut 5 (10) “..work with.”

If you have any information about the case, you are asked to contact the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Department.

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is requesting federal assistance for crawfish farmers after last year’s drought and devastating losses. He was in Washington D.C. earlier this month and met with Louisiana’s congressional delegation to discuss those struggles. He’s also meeting with state legislators.

Cut 8 (09) “…the drought.” 

Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill that will lengthen the amount of time a first-offense DWI offender must have an ignition interlock device in order to drive. Current law is three months, this bill extends it to six months. Covington Representative Mark Wright says the longer time period will help create the habit of not drinking and driving…

Cut 13 (09) “…long enough”  

Last year’s drought was unprecedented and losses to several of Louisiana’s industries reached around one point seven billion dollars. Commissioner Mike Strain has written 2 letters this month to the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting federal assistance for struggling crawfish farmers under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program. He says ELAP needs to expand to help struggling crawfish farmers.

Cut 7 (10) “…main problem.”  

After the body of missing 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was found in Catahoula Parish, authorities say they are following up on multiple leads. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Jefferson parish will be home the first us manufacturing facility for two key lithium ion battery ingredients. Dimethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate. The Japanise chemical company UBE is investing 500 million dollars and is expected to result in 47 direct new jobs and 300 construction jobs during building. The place will be located in Energy Park in Jefferson parish

The body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was positively identified as the one found on January 24^th in the Ouachita River. She was last seen alive around New Year’s. Catahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards says they are following up on leads which includes Turner’s social media activity and friends.

Cut 3 (09) “…particular area.”  

Preliminary estimates show Louisiana’s crawfish crop loss approaches 140 million dollars and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain has written 2 letters this month to the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting federal assistance under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program. His second letter sent Wednesday requested expansion or clarification…

Cut 6  (10) “…for crawfish.” 

Legislation that would restart executions of death row inmates in Louisiana is nearing final legislative approval after an emotional vote on the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Senate has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would increase the penalties for a drug dealer convicted of packaging fentanyl so it would appeal to children. A person convicted would face to 25 to 99 years in prison. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris

Cut 14 (07) “..from fentanyl.”

Authorities have recaptured Leon Ruffin, the murder suspect who escaped custody by pepper spraying a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy while being transported back to jail from the hospital Sunday. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Ruffin was found locked up in a New Orleans East Hotel

Cut 26 (08)…most of the time

He was taken into custody and transported to the Orleans Parish Correctional Center.

Louisiana saw a ten-percent decline in the number of highway deaths in 2023 According to the National Safety Council. There was a rise in fatal wrecks at the end of the pandemic. But Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement agencies have brought back strategies that can reduce crashes, like the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It Or Ticket campaigns.

Cut 4 (09) “…2023”

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has resigned. Brooke Thorington has more on the physician who led the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Grambling State University has chosen Dr. Martin Lemelle to serve as its 11^th president. Lemelle is a 2006 graduate and served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer at GSU from 2016 to 2021. He says the appointment is a lifelong dream come true.

Cut 6  (08) “…to serve.” 

The 11^th President Grambling State University has been chosen Dr. Martin Lemelle a graduate of Grambling will serve. As an undergraduate Lemelle served as president of the student government association and since being named the next president of the university, he hopes it serves as an inspiration for students.

Cut 8 (11) “…their education.” 

Lemelle most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In October former President Rick Gallot was named UL System President.

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper is not seeking a fourth term Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says Harper, who’s 71 years old, began his first term as president in 2020, which was a difficult year at the height of the pandemic.

Cut 10 (07) “…this organization.”

Delegates will elect a new president at their annual convention in June.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office has received criticism for using only one deputy to transport escaped murder suspect Leon Ruffin from the hospital to the jail. But Sheriff Joe Lopinto says single-deputy cars are used almost every single day and if the critics want to help, they can become a deputy…

Cut  14 (15) “..in real life.”

The National Safety Council says Louisiana was one of 12 states that saw a decrease in car accident deaths. Lambert says while people dying in vehicles is on the decline, they are seeing an increase in fatal wrecks involving people outside of the vehicle…

Cut 5 (06) “..has been up”