Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin is calling for an overhaul of Louisiana’s AMBER Alert system after a delay in request for two missing Loranger girls. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin sent a letter to the governor saying the current system is tedious and overcomplicated.

Cut 3 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

Police records showed it took 3 hours to issue an alert after Erin and Jalie Brunett were reported missing last week

Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in public classrooms is receiving national attention and groups like the ACLU say they plan to fight it in court. Author of the legislation, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes it will withstand the challenge.

Cut 6 (09) “…the test.”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed House Bill 684, which re-establishes a black bear hunting season in Louisiana. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says the measure establishes how the money will be spent from black bear hunting license application fees and the black bear hunting license itself…

Cut 13 (11) “…species.”
The season will take place in December in a handful of parishes in northeast Louisiana.

Governor Landry also signed legislation giving the Louisiana Workforce Commission the responsibility of spearheading state workforce changes and solutions. They will empower the Department of Education to expand access to high school and university internships and apprenticeships. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen (sh-ow as in ouch-en)…

Cut 11 (08) ” …get better.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has ordered SWEPCO to issue 23-million dollars in refunds to its Louisiana customers. District 5 Commissioner Foster Campbell says the P-S-C will also conduct service quality investigation on SWEPCO, because of frequent outages from storms…

Cut 13 (11) “…service better.” 

When you know you know that’s the popular phrase District 2 Public Service Commissioner Craig Greene used as he announced his decision to make this his last term. He is not going to seek re-election saying while keeping a watchful eye on utility providers and keeping prices affordable, he’s had the chance to meet great people and engage in debates that will have generational impact. Greene will have served eight years when his term ends in January.

Legal challenges are already in the works, so we asked Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino what he thinks will happen to the Ten Commandments law requiring them to be displayed in public school classrooms.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A $1 million gift from the family of Clifford Smith to Nicholls State University will create the William Clifford Smith School of Engineering set to start in August. Dean of the College of Science and Technology Dr. John Doucet.

Cut 6 (09) “…jobs elsewhere.”

It’s unclear whether the new law requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments will survive a legal challenge. Loyola University Law professor Dane Ciolino expects the law to be deemed unconstitutional and then Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murril will appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is more conservative than in the past.

Cut 5 (08)  “…will do.”

A fourth person has been arrested in the murder investigation of 38-year-old Ashley Beauclair. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Morgan Lin Heims, 20, of Branson, Missouri, for criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice Thursday. The three arrested Tuesday are Sonny Ray Dauzat, 25, of Effie, for second-degree murder, criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Keion Joseph Roy, 29, of Moreauville, and Sophie Mae Badeaux, 24, of Marksville, were also arrested. Beauclair’s body was discovered last October but she wasn’t identified until February with the help of DNA and the LSU Faces Lab.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has ordered SWEPCO to issue 23-million dollars in refunds to its 240-thousand customers in 12 northwest Louisiana parishes. Commissioner Foster Campbell says SWEPCO customers deserve a credit

Cut 12 (08) “…to be.” 

Campbell says the credit will amount to 21-dollars per month for the average SWEPCO residential customer and it should appear on July, August and September bills.

UL-Lafayette Softball starts the search for a new head coach as head coach Gerry Glasco accepts an offer to become the next head coach at Texas Tech. Host of the Locked-on Sun Belt Podcast Dave Schultz was surprised by the move.

Cut 9 (09) “…Oklahoma City.”

Glasco finished his seventh season with a record of 302-88.

The new law requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments is already facing a legal challenge. Loyola University Law professor Dane Ciolino says In 1980 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar law in Kentucky was unconstitutional, but in 2022, the high court ruled in favor of a high school football coach in Washington who prayed with students on the field on the basis of history and tradition.

Cut 4 (12) “…Ten Commandments.”

The Louisiana National Guard has completed their third deployment at the Southern Border in Texas. Task force Lone Star praised the Soldiers for their service. Louisiana was one of 50 states participating and for 90 days maintained security at the border round the clock. Cpt. Zach Neely, commander of Task Force Lone Star said leadership was deliberate with sending soldiers with the correct skills for this type of mission.

After seven successful seasons in Lafayette, Gerry Glasco is leaving the Ragin Cajuns to be the new head coach at Texas Tech. has Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

A $1 million gift from the family of Clifford Smith to Nicholls State University will create the William Clifford Smith School of Engineering set to start in August. Dean of the College of Science and Technology Dr. John Doucet says Programs will include geomatics, energy engineering technology, and mechanical engineering which is also being offered in partnership with UNO.

Cut 8 (06)  “…University.”

Clifford Smith was an engineer, land surveyor and owner of the consulting firm T. Baker Smith.

A federal judge has ruled that details will remain sealed in the federal criminal case against Daniel Callihan, the man who has confessed to killing Callie Brunett and her three-year-old daughter. A bond hearing will be held on June 25 in federal court. Callihan is also facing state charges in Mississippi and Louisiana in Tangipahoa Parish. Victoria Cox is also charged in this case.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s temporary restraining order against a woman who photographed Cantrell and her then-bodyguard sharing dinner on a balcony of a French Quarter restaurant has been thrown out. Justin Schmidt, who represented Anne Breaud in court, says the case sparks a bigger question concerning Breaud’s privacy.

Cut 7 (07) “…information.”  

The information included Breaud’s social security number, date of birth and photograph, all of which appeared on Cantrell’s petition.

The PSC will vote tomorrow on a proposal to refund SWEPCO customers $23 million. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Louisiana Tech student Olivia Grace George has been crowned Miss Louisiana 2024. George plans to pursue a career as an educator and during her time as Miss Louisiana she wants to help students grow their love for learning…

Cut 13 (08) “…take care of us.”

SWEPCO overcharged customers $23 million, so Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says he is proposing a plan for the utility provider to issue refunds. He says the average customer would receive a credit of $62, to be divided over three billing periods July, August, and September.

Cut 9 (06) “…to do.” 

Republican U-S House of Representative Garret Graves of Baton Rouge publicly spoke for the first time today since announcing he will not seek a sixth term in Congress after a new map dramatically changes the sixth district that he currently represents. Graves says he was thinking about running for either district six or district two, but ultimately…

Cut 3 (12) “…try that.” 

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s temporary restraining order against a woman who photographed Cantrell and her then-bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie (rhymes with happy) sharing dinner and wine while on duty at a French Quarter restaurant has been thrown out. Anne Breaud (Brohd) says she snapped the pictures of the two from her own balcony due to safety concerns.

Cut 6 (09) “…at me.” 

Breaud shared the photos with media outlets and watchdog groups, one of which filed a complaint with NOPD against Vappie. Vappie was then investigated and taken off the mayor’s security detail.

Louisiana Tech student Olivia Grace George has been crowned as Miss Louisiana 2024. George beat out 32 other women to win the award

Cut 12 (09) “…is key.” 

Representative Garret Graves of Baton Rouge announced Friday that he wouldn’t seek reelection in the Sixth District saying he doesn’t think any representative will be able to fairly represent the needs of all the different areas in the new district 6. He spoke today and says he plans to take a break from politics altogether.

Cut 5 (07)  “…level set.”

A federal case brought on behalf of a group of prisoners at Angola is being heard in Baton Rouge today. A New Orleans-based advocacy group along with a group of incarcerated men at Angola asking Judge Brian Jackson to grant an injunction barring the Louisiana State Penitentiary from outdoor farm operations performed by prisoners when the heat index reaches 88 degrees or higher. Angola is among several prisons whose inmates provide products used in many popular American food items.

The PSC will vote tomorrow on a proposal to refund SWEPCO customers $23 million. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s temporary restraining order against a woman who photographed her and her then-bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie (rhymes with happy) eating and drinking wine while on duty has been thrown out. The judge dismissed Cantrell’s temporary restraining order against Anne Breaud (Brohd). Justin Schmidt, who represented Breaud…

Cut 8 (03)  “…morning.” 

Jackson, Mississippi Police have not yet confirmed the cause of death of four-year-old Erin Brunett of Loranger who was kidnapped with her sister 6-year-old Jalie after their mother was murdered in Loranger. Chief Joseph Wade was asked about Jalie…

Cut 13 (15) “…her injuries.” 

Wade says Daniel Callihan has confessed, and Victoria Cox has been implicated in the crimes. He says they do not believe anyone else was involved in the heinous murders of Callie Brunett in Loranger or her daughter in Mississippi. Wade says they have thoroughly processed the crime scene and they have more questions than answers and they want to know why Callihan and Cox brought the two girls to Mississippi.

Cut  14 (07) “…be it.” 

Former LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles is suing LSU for their decision to vacate 37 wins while he coached claiming it cost him the chance for a College Football Hall of Fame qualification. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says to be considered you must have a 600 winning percentage. Even without the penalties, if Miles did reach that threshold, considering his allegations of sexual misconduct the former coach wouldn’t necessarily have been admitted.

Cut 4 (02) “…voting no.” 

The NCAA is also named in the lawsuit.

There’s a storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Though it isn’t going to hit Louisiana directly, we’ll still be slammed with residual rain and wind throughout this week. Meteorologist Marti Calhoun with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the rain will likely get heavier during the first half of this week.

Cut 9 (12) “…totals.” 

Jackson, Mississippi Police Chief Joseph Wade says he’s still waiting on the medical examiner to confirm the cause of death of four-year-old Erin Brunett of Loranger.

Cut 12 (11) “…that information.” 

He says both Daniel Callihan and Victoria Cox have been charged with Erin’s murder along with sexual battery. In addition to charges in Mississippi, the two face charges in Tangipahoa Parish and Wade says they anticipate federal charges will be issued in the next few days. 

The US Surgeon General is pushing to require social media to display a warning. Haggai Davis with General Informatics says he doesn’t expect the warning to pass Congress. Even if it does pass, he encourages parents of social media addicted children to do more than just hope the warning works.

Cut 8 (09)  “…information.” 

Former LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles is suing LSU saying their decision to vacate 37 of his wins is costing him the chance for a College Football Hall of Fame qualification. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says it’s embarrassing, and the violations happened under Miles’s watch…

Cut 3 (14) “…embarrassing.” 

A news release from Miles said it’s quote “an irrational and unfair self-inflicted punishment.”

Though the storm in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t expected to hit Louisiana directly, rain and wind are expected throughout this week. Meteorologist Marti Calhoun with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles reminds everyone forecasts can change and no one should be caught preparing for a storm while the storm is happening.

Cut 11 (07) ” …nature.”

Former LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles has filed a lawsuit against LSU for their decision to vacate the wins while he coached claiming it cost him the chance for a College Football Hall of Fame qualification. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says it’s embarrassing, and the violations happened under Miles’s watch but Miles is claiming the penalties were an irrational and unfair self-inflicted punishment.

Cut 5 (09)  “…program.”

The NCAA is also listed as a defendant.

The cause of death for Callie Brunett, the Loranger mother who was murdered last week along with one of her two daughters who was kidnapped has been released. Tangipahoa Parish Coroner Rick Foster tells The Advocate that 35-year-old mother died of multiple sharp force injuries. Police in Jackson Mississippi are currently holding a press conference and are expected to release the cause of death for the younger daughter, Erin.

The US Surgeon General says he wants warning labels on social media. In his op-ed letter to the New York Times, he cited studies finding young people who spend three hours on social media have double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. While Haggai Davis with General Informatics agrees social media is harmful, he’s not sure if a simple warning will do all that much.

Cut 7 (07) “…whole ‘nother thing.”  

There’s a storm in the Gulf of Mexico and Meteorologist Marti Calhoun with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says it’s likely to get progressively windier until Thursday, though the strongest winds should remain in Texas. Still, she cautions that the wind that does hit Louisiana could lead to coastal flooding in areas of the state that have already seen significant rainfall.

Cut 10 (12) “…values.”