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”

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.