51-year-old Leon Ruffin, from Algiers is still at large after he escaped while being transported back to jail from Ochsner Westbank Sunday. Ruffin was charged in November with second-degree murder in the death of a longtime friend. Sheriff Joe Lopinto believes Ruffin faked a seizure in order to be taken to the hospital and it was his plan the whole time to break free.

Cut 13 (09) “…original charge”  

Dr. Martin Lemelle is the choice to lead Grambling State University as its 11^th president. As a graduate of GSU, Lemelle says he’s looking forward to leading the university in its next chapter. He says he wants to the HBCU to continue to grow programs launched under former president Rick Gallot, like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and nursing.

Cut 7 (10) “…of history.”  

The National Safety Council says there was a ten-percent decline in 2023 in the number of people killed on Louisiana’s highways. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper announces he is not seeking a fourth term. He wants to spend more time with family. Harper farms sugarcane, rice, crawfish, and soybeans with his brother in Rapides Parish. Davidson says while Harper’s decision to not seek re-election was a difficult one, family comes first.

Cut 11 (08) “…well represented.”

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

A manhunt continues for a murder suspect who escaped custody by pepper spraying a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says a deputy was driving 51-year-old Leon Ruffin from the hospital back to the jail, when he complained from the back seat about a boot on one of his feet. Lopinto says the deputy stopped and attempted to help Ruffin…

Cut 12 (10)  “…the door”  

Lopinto says after Ruffin sprayed the deputy with the pepper spray and took off in the SUV. The vehicle has been recovered but Ruffin remains on the run.

According to the National Safety Council, Louisiana saw a ten-percent decline in the number of highway deaths in 2023.  Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says fewer drunk driving wrecks has led to the decrease…

Cut 3 (05) “…alcohol fatalities”  

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.” 

The Louisiana Farm Bureau announces President Jim Harper will not seek a fourth term instead he’s opting to spend more time with his family. Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says this ends Harper’s 25 years of service with the federation, having also served as first vice president and a board member.

Cut 9 (08) “…came on.” 

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.” 

In 2023, the national first-time pass rate for the National Licensure examination for registered nurses was 79-percent and LSU-Alexandria just had 100 of their 40 recent grads pass on the NCLEX on their 1^st attempt.  Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James says most of their students are working parents or individuals working on a second career…

Cut 16 (09) “…very doable.” 

Legislation to expand methods to carry out the death penalty Senate Judiciary Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 22 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who’s been in custody for second-degree murder in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s marked car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Ruffin was being treated for a seizure and other injuries they believe he was now faking.

Cut 9 (11) “…on her.” 

The stolen unit was later found abandoned in Algiers.

Legislation that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training continues to sail through the Legislature. The full Senate has already approved New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s measure and today it received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee…

Cut 12 (10)  “…our state”  

After several wildfires sparked over the weekend a statewide burn ban is expected

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump is with the family of Jerome Stevenson and says they deserve answers as to what happened Stevenson who died while in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s jail in Marksville last November. Inmate, 37-year-old John Williams of Mansura has been charged with second degree murder. Corrections deputies, Byron White Frank Overbey also face charges.

Cut 8 (10) “…that yet” 

Wildfire activity has been reported across the state and in DeRidder alone, within 10 minutes they had six fires says Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 5 (09) “…the parish.”

Strain says a statewide burn ban is planned

Officials from New Orleans oppose legislation that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training. City council president Helena Moreno says New Orleans police officers question individuals when they believe a person may be possessing a gun underneath their clothes. Moreno says it’s an important police tactic used during Mardi Gras and other big events…

Cut 13 (10) “…possible”  

Miguez says his legislation does not change current law, which prohibits guns near a parade route or in bars.

The family of Jerome Stevenson has hired nationally renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump as they are seeking justice and more information on Stevenson’s in-custody death in Marksville. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

State Police, NOPD, and the FBI are assisting in the search for a Jefferson Parish Correctional Center prisoner who escaped in the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday while being transported back to the correctional center. 51-year-old Leon Ruffin pepper-sprayed the deputy to gain control of the car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto…

Cut 11 (09) “…a firearm.”

New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s measure that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee today after passing the full senate Friday.  Miguez says his legislation does not change current law, which prohibits guns near a parade route or in bars. He also says there’s evidence his legislation will help deter shootings…

Cut 14 (09) “. took effect”

Wildfires cost Louisiana tens of millions of dollars last year and Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says a statewide burn ban is planned prompted by a weekend increase in fires.

Cut 4 (08) “…massive wildfires.”

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was in Avoyelles Parish today as he’s representing Jerome Stevenson. He died while in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s jail in Marksville last November. An inmate and two correction officers have been charged in his murder. Crump says he will fight for justice for the Stevenson family

Cut 6  (11) “…were fighting” 

Heartbreaking news for a New Iberia family as the body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia who had been missing since early January has been identified as the body found in Catahoula Parish in the Ouachita River on January 24^th. A fisherman spotted her body about three miles north of Jonesville. The case is being treated as an active homicide investigation and a GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for Turner’s funeral expenses.

A Jefferson Parish Correctional Center prisoner escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s marked car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who’s been in custody for second-degree murder, was being transported back to the correctional center from the hospital when he escaped. Lopinto says Ruffin pepper-sprayed the deputy to gain control of the car.

Cut 10 (08) “…point and time.”

he Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has not released many details about the November in-custody death of Jerome Stevenson. The Stevenson’s Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump says an autopsy report shows the 26-year-old died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and stomach…

Cut 7 (13) “…to death”  

An inmate at the time, 37-year-old John Williams of Mansura, has been charged with second degree murder. Corrections deputies, 60-year-old Byron White and 61-year-old Frank Overbey also face charges.

After several wildfires sparked over the weekend a statewide burn ban will be issued. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training continues to sail through the Legislature. The full Senate has already approved New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s measure and today it received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee…

Cut 12 (10)  “…our safety”  

The full House approves legislation that increases the penalties for convicted carjackers. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The senate passed legislation that would lower the age from 18 to 17 at which a person charged with a felony could be charged as an adult. The bill would Repeal the Raise the Age Act approved in 2017. It’s resulted in many 17-year-old offenders being charged as juveniles for crime. West Monroe Republican Senator Jay Morris says having 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice facilities is not working.

Cut 4 (10) “…corrections officer.”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that expands the methods the state can carry out an execution. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello’s measure would give the state the option to use the electric chair or nitrogen to end the life of a death row inmate…

Cut 13 (12) “…ultimate decision.”  

The House voted 71 to 29 in favor of the legislation and heads to the Senate for further debate.

Early Literacy Matters ranks Louisiana for its comprehensive literacy policy for kindergarten through third grade students. Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says the state was recognized for implementing a universal reading screener for students having trouble reading.

Cut 10 (13) “…reading plan.”

Legislation that would lower the age from 18 to 17 at which a person charged with a felony could be charged as an adult successfully cleared the Senate in a 30-9 vote. Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says an increase in crime including deadly shootings, home invasions and carjackings was the motivation behind the bill. She says the state has suffered from high crime rate and the current system for juvenile offenders is broken.

Cut 5 (12) “…not working.”

New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis says from 2017-2020 the number of under 18 crimes decreased from 6400 to 3700. He says putting juveniles in adult jails isn’t going to solve the problem.

Cut 6  (10) “…begin with.” 

The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that expands the methods by which the state can carry out an execution. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello’s bill provides penalties for anyone that would publicize where the state obtained the drugs for an execution….

Cut 15 (10) “…novel concept”

Early Literacy Matters ranks Louisiana for its comprehensive literacy policy for kindergarten through third grade students. Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says the most impactful policy requires kindergarten through third grade teachers and school leaders to undergo a science of reading training. She says getting rid of the three-cuing systems has also provided positive results.

Cut 11 (11) “…been eliminated.”

The Louisiana House has approved a measure that expands the methods to carry out a death penalty and also puts penalties in place for releasing information on drugs used for a lethal injection. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Legislation that would lower the age from 18 to 17 at which a person charged with a felony could be charged as an adult successfully cleared the Senate. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis says putting juveniles in adult court and correctional systems is not the answer.

Cut 3 (13) “…these facilities.”  

A bill that would raise the minimum prison sentence from two to five years for carjackings and from 10 to 20 years for carjackings that result in serious injury is headed to a senate committee for debate after passing the full house. New Orleans Democrat Matthew Williard asked bill sponsor Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel if doubling the sentences would reduce the number of carjackings.

Cut 8 (12) “…our laws.” 

Louisiana is leading the way with common sense reading reforms says Department of Education says Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson. Reforms include parental notification of students with reading difficulties. She says kindergarten through third grade students are at critical ages when it comes to learning how to read.

Cut 12 (13)  “…a difference.”