State Police are investigating a foot pursuit that ended when a Lafayette Police officer shot a suspect who was armed with a rifle Late Sunday evening. Investigators say a foot pursuit began after police responded to a disturbance on Lilly Street. Authorities say the officer shot at the armed suspect as he neared a crowd in a public park. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No officers were injured.

The Louisiana House approves a bill to fine large businesses up to $50,000 for mandating COVID vaccines. Small businesses could be fined up to $10 thousand. Monroe Representative Michael Echols says his bill would empower the state Attorney General’s Office to investigate complaints against employers.

Cut 7 (11) “…mandate that.”  

The bill now goes to the Senate for discussion.

The Louisiana-based food delivery service ASAP has ceased operations. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Last week a $1.13 billion MegaMillions jackpot was won with a ticket purchased in New Jersey. And another huge jackpot is up for grabs as the Powerball tally reaches one billion dollars. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says it has a cash value of $484 million. Annison says if you want a chance at becoming a billionaire, be sure to purchase your tickets by 9pm…

Cut 11 (04) “…to win.”

A former Louisiana State Trooper was arrested Monday morning for malfeasance in office and filing false public records. 56- year-old Brett Dupre retired last August while on leave for an investigation into two crashes that occurred in April of 2023 in St. Tammany Parish. LSP says Dupre intentionally failed to properly investigate the crashes involving impaired drivers and did not take the drivers into custody. Troop L Supervisors re-examined the incidents and the alleged impaired drivers were charged. Dupre faces 2 counts of malfeasance in office and one count of filing false public records.

The Louisiana House approves a bill that could result in fines of up to $50,000 on hospitals, public agencies, and other employers for mandating the COVID-19 vaccine. Bill sponsor, Monroe Representative Michael Echols…

Cut 6  (12) “…the bill.” 

ASAP, the Louisiana-based food delivery company formally known as Waitr, is closing, making their announcement over the weekend. UNO business professor Mark Rosa says a combination of COVID, rising inflation, and interest rates is creating more failing businesses.

Cut 3 (11) “…out of business.”  

Waitr originated in Lake Charles, then moved operations to Lafayette in 2016. In 2022 Waitr changed its name to ASAP after a copyright infringement lawsuit.

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has blasted Los Angeles Times writer Ben Bolch for describing the Lady Tigers as villains and dirty debutantes. Coach Kim Mulkey called the column sexist.

Cut 12 (12) “…say that” 

Hospitals, public agencies, and other employers that mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for their employees could face fines of up to $50,000 if a bill that passed the Louisiana House becomes law. Sponsor, Monroe Representative Michael Echols says the bill’s provisions reflect ongoing debates among his constituents. He says opponents advocate for public health measures. But he believes it’s about individual freedom.

Cut 8 (09) “…do it.” 

The bill heads to the Senate for discussion.

ASAP, the Louisiana-based food delivery company formally known as Waitr, announced its closure over the weekend. UNO business professor Mark Rosa says in the business world there are winners and losers. He says you always cheer for the home team, but the odds are usually against a small company, especially in the early stages.

Cut 5 (12)  “…longer possible.”

LSU women’s basketball player Hailey Van Lith calls an L-A Times column racist after it describes her team as villains and dirty debutantes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Just last week a $1.13 billion MegaMillions jackpot was won and now the Powerball is up to a billion dollars. If you choose to play, Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery reminds you to sign the back of your ticket and always check your ticket after the drawing because…

Cut 10 (09) “…outlet. “

After passing the House, a measure that aims to ease the workload of educators heads to the Louisiana Senate. Vernon Parish Representative Charles Owen wants to leave topics like CPR, eating disorders, adoption and substance abuse to parents. He believes this is a step in retaining qualified educators in Louisiana and showing their profession is important.

Cut 11 (09) “…they matter.”

New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has filed legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so state lawmakers and delegates appointed by the governor can write a new state constitution. Beaullieu says the goal is to move certain items out of the constitution and put them into state law.

Cut 12 (08) “…this convention” 

Voters would decide on any new constitution at the polls in November.

A Bossier City woman’s ploy to fool her boyfriend that she’d birthed their child ends with attempted kidnapping charges in Baton Rouge.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The defending national champion LSU women’s basketball team is taking an underdog mentality into its Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Saturday. The Lady Tigers are the three-seed, while the Bruins are the two seed and led by six-foot-seven Lauren Betts. But LSU Coach Kim Mulkey says UCLA has more than just Betts…

Cut 3 (10) “…fight hard”  

A Bossier City woman faces attempted kidnapping charges after telling her estranged boyfriend she gave birth in Alexandria and that their premature child was being treated Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. BRPD spokesperson Darren Ahmed says 21-year-old Dinesty Selmon preyed on a child that had the least visitors. Her boyfriend became suspicious because the name she gave him didn’t match the one listed in the room. Ahmed says the child was never taken from the room by Selmon however…

Cut 8 (12) “…kidnapping.” 

The defending national champion LSU women’s basketball team is taking an underdog mentality into its Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Saturday. The last team to win back-to-back national championships in women’s basketball is UCONN. They won four in a row from 2013 to 2016. LSU All-American forward Angel Reese admits there are more expectations this year

Cut 4 (10) “…we’re wining, we’re winning.” 

The Louisiana House passed a measure that aims to ease the workload of educators. Vernon Parish Representative Charles Owen believes topics like CPR, eating disorders, adoption and substance abuse should be taught by parents. And teachers should spend more time teaching core subjects like English, math, and science to students in the classroom. He recalls Amanda Bealer, an educator in Leesville, who walked away from teaching because of heavy classroom demands.

Cut 10 (13) “…they’re profession. “

New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has filed legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so state lawmakers and delegates appointed by the governor can write a new state constitution. Beaullieu’s bill calls for the constitutional convention to begin May 20th and run until July 15th, but he believes it will not take that long…

Cut  14 (11) “…we can do that”

A 76-year-old pedestrian was killed while walking on Hwy 371 just south of Ringgold Wednesday night around 10:00 PM. Louisiana State Police says Major Love of Ringgold was walking in the northbound lane when a 2014 Ford Fusion traveling in the same direction, struck Love. The driver of the Fusion was not injured. Ford was pronounced deceased at the scene. Toxicology samples were collected and impairment on the part of Love is suspected. State police remind pedestrians to always walk against traffic in well-lit designated areas and wear reflective or light clothing.

After her daughter was tragically killed on a busy highway while trying to save a dog, Kristen Perkins chose to honor her memory by starting “Leedle’s Dirty Paws Rescue.” (pronounced Leal-dell) The Rapides parish rescue in Glenmora might be small but Perkins’ heart for animals is huge.

Cut 6  (10) “…be thrilled.” 

The Louisiana House approves legislation that repeals the three-year rule, which prohibits homeowners insurance companies from dropping policyholders that have been a customer for more than years. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Expect higher prices for Louisiana honey. Supply is down because of Last year’s historic drought State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain felt the reduction in honey production firsthand as he’s also a licensed beekeeper…

Cut  14 (07) “…impact”

The Louisiana House has approved an insurance reform measure that repeals the three-year rule which bars homeowners’ insurance companies from dropping policyholders who have been insured with them for at least three years. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says his legislation will help attract more insurers to Louisiana, but Critics says there is no guarantee and Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says you’re getting rid of a great for consumer protection policy for a hope that it will result in lower premiums…

Cut 4 (06) “…than others.” 

Crawfish wasn’t the only crop that suffered from Last year’s historic drought. Louisiana’s honey supply is down, and State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says a lower supply, means the price has gone up….

Cut 13 (12) “…26-percent”   

After her daughter was tragically killed while trying to save a dog two years ago, her mother is keeping her legacy alive in a unique way. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

The Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center in Crowley today. The center provides resources and assistance to small businesses impacted by last year’s extreme drought. Spokesperson Corey Williams says small businesses are eligible for loans to help with financial loss.

Cut 9 (10) “…lost revenues” 

After the horrific collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday, many in Louisiana are concerned if it could happen in the Bayou State. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet says until the investigation of the bridge collapse in Baltimore is completed it’s hard to answer if what happened there could happen here. But Mallet points out that the new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge, that’s been there since the 60s…

Cut 5 (09)  “…occurence.”

Mallet also says if a bridge is open in Louisiana, it’s safe to drive over. DOTD is required to inspect all bridges every two years, but Mallet says those with high-traffic, are inspected every six months.

AccuWeather has released their early forecast for the 2024 hurricane season and to sum it up, climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not good. They are forecasting between 20 and 25 named storms; they expect 8-12 of them to become hurricanes and of those 4 to 7 to be major hurricanes.

Cut 10 (10) “…around that. “

In 2020 there were 30 named storms and Keim says the forecast is in line with what we’ve seen in recent years.

A Senate committee has given approval to a bill that would give Louisiana police officers the ability to arrest people living in Louisiana that are not legal citizens. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says the team is confident defensive end Chase Young will be 100-percent once he goes through the rehabilitation process following surgery on his neck last week. Allen says everyone was aware of the procedure when he signed a one-year 13-million-dollar contract

Cut 18 (20)  “…as possible.”  

A Senate committee approves legislation that gives Louisiana police officers the power to arrest people who are in the United States illegally. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says the federal government is doing a poor job of keeping migrants from coming over the southern border, the U-S constitution gives states the ability to protect themselves…

Cut 6  (13) “…an invasion.” 

Huey Fischer Garcia, a staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center, says this law would clog up the state’s legal system as state judges are not up to speed on immigration law.

Cut 8 (07) “…that system.” 

Because Louisiana has multiple bridges and major ports, many worry that what happened in Baltimore could happen here. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A FedEx driver was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after crashing his delivery truck into a house in Houma. The homeowners were inside at the time, but authorities say no one was injured. Houma police say 31-year-old Michael Smith failed a field sobriety test, and an open alcoholic beverage, marijuana, and a schedule IV narcotic were found in Smith’s possession.

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better.”

LaPlace Representative Slyvia Elanie Taylor is concerned about state dollars going to a school that doesn’t have to be held to the same standards as a public school

Cut 15 (10)  “..accountability.”

Because of its cost this bill now heads to House Appropriations.

After the horrific collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday, many in Louisiana are concerned if it could happen in the Bayou State. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet says bridges that have large vessel traffic the support beams are protected by a fender system.

Cut 3 (11) “…head-on.”  

And while not every bridge has a fender system in Louisiana, Mallet says for those waterways where cargo ships and other large vessels travel, a fender system is in place. Mallet also says if a bridge is open in Louisiana, it’s safe to drive over.