A Rapides Parish man is under arrest for stealing hundreds of pounds of crawfish from a farmer’s traps. Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says a crawfish farmer told investigators late last month that someone had emptied his traps, and it happened again a few days later.

Cut 13 (05)  “…and 500 pounds.”

He says deputies launched “Operation Tail Chaser,” and on May 10^th they caught the suspect, 47-year-old Tony Hicks, red-handed in the pond.

St. Tammany Parish deputies arrested a 23-year-old Folsom man and his 45-year-old mother yesterday after a concerned resident reported them for a possible dog-fighting operation on their property. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says STP Animal Control investigated and seized 28 pit bulls.

Cut 9 (08)  “…dog fighting.”

Austin Alexander faces 28 counts of dogfighting, while Natia Alexander faces 28 counts as a principal to dogfighting.

State Police is putting an emphasis this week on enforcing the state’s Move Over Law. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

a pair of bills aimed at lowering homeowners insurance premiums by strengthening the state’s fortified roof program advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee advanced One of them is House Bill 145 has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. House Bill 663 would create the Fortify Coastal Homes Fund. Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, says it would direct a portion of sales and use taxes in coastal areas following a natural disaster to the fund.

Cut 8 (11) “…into the fund.”

Firment says that amount would be capped at 60-million dollars. Both bills advanced to the full House without objection.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would create a new TOPS award called the TOPS Excellence Award, and it would go to high-performing students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Police is putting an emphasis on enforcing the state’s Move Over Law this week. That law requires motorists to slow down and change lanes, if safe, when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road with flashing lights. Trooper Ryan Davis says reminds drivers to stay alert, avoid distractions, and respect roadside responders’ safety.

Cut 5 (07) “…if the need arises.”

A Rapides Parish man is under arrest for stealing hundreds of pounds of crawfish from a farmer’s traps. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says a crawfish farmer told investigators late last month that someone had emptied his traps, and it happened again a few days later. He says deputies launched what they dubbed “Operation Tail Chaser,” and they caught the suspect, 47-year-old Tony Hicks, red-handed.

Cut 12 (11) “…on May 10th.”

Hicks is facing several charges, including theft and criminal trespass.

A mother and son were arrested in St. Tammany Parish yesterday after a neighbor reported them for suspected dog fighting. 23-year-old Austin Alexander faces 28 counts of dog fighting, and his 45-year-old mother Natia Alexander faces 28 counts as a principal to dog fighting. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says STP Animal Control seized 28 pit bulls.

Cut 11 (06) “…will be arrested.”

Both suspects were booked into the parish correctional center.

A neighbor reported a suspected Dog fighting operation leading St. Tammany Parish deputies to arrest a 23-year-old Folsom man and his 45-year-old mother yesterday. Austin Alexander faces 28 counts of dogfighting, while Natia Alexander faces 28 counts as a principal to dogfighting. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says STP Animal Control seized 28 pit bulls and deputies discovered items associated with dog fighting.

Cut 10 (11) “…machine pistol.”

Both suspects were booked into the parish correctional center.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a pair of bills aimed at lowering homeowners insurance premiums by strengthening the state’s fortified roof program. One of them is House Bill 145, proposed by Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder

Cut 6 (08) “…a fortified roof.” (Doubles deduction from $5,000 to $10,000)

The bill has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple

Addis’ very own John Foster has made it to the season finale of American Idol. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 30 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Several L-S-P Troops will participate in a special enforcement of the Move Over Law tomorrow. The law requires motorists to slow down and change lanes, if safe, when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road with their lights flashing. Trooper Ryan Davis…

Cut 4 (11) “…from the roadside”

The Associated Press is reporting that President Trump and Governor Jeff Landry have discussed Congresswoman Julia Letlow challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy’s vote in 2021 to convict Trump in his impeachment trial still has many Republicans upset…

Cut 12 (11) “…for this state.”

A spokesperson for the Cassidy’s campaign says the Senator delivers conservative results for Louisiana and works hard to support the President’s agenda.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement over the weekend, saying his right shoulder developed a degenerative condition that will prevent him from continuing his NFL career. Luke Jackson, who covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and The Advocate, says it’s a crushing blow for Carr.

Cut 9 (12)  “…it a career.”

Louisiana’s education comeback continues with another increase in a national ranking. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a budget that keeps teacher salaries at their current level though teacher stipend money received over the last few years was not included in the governor’s proposed budget. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the committee amended the budget proposal so teachers will not receive a pay cut.

Cut 4 (12) “…support staff”

Teachers may continue to receive that two-thousand-dollar stipend they’ve received in the last couple of years. The House Appropriations Committee sent a budget bill to the House floor that contains money to keep paying teachers. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says the proposed budget for next fiscal year is also balanced and contains no new taxes…

Cut 5 (06) “…pledged to do.”

It’s possible the House could approve the budget and send it to the Senate by the end of the week.

In two years, Louisiana has moved up 9 spots to 37th in U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of state’s K-through-12 education Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says teachers are focusing on the basics, reading and math and providing additional tutoring and support to students who need more help. And He says he’s proud of the rankings…

Cut 8 (07) “…left to do.”

Could US Representative Julia Letlow run for U-S Senate next year? Jeff Palermo reports President Trump and Governor Landry have reportedly discussed it…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints need to name a new starting quarterback now that Derek Carr has announced his retirement. New Orleans has taken quarterbacks in the last two drafts – Rattler in the fifth-round last year and Shough in the second round this year. Luke Jackson, who covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and The Advocate, says depending on what happens this season, they may do so again next year.

Cut 11 (08) “…next year’s draft.”

Louisiana ranks 37th in K-through-12 education in U.S. News and World Report’s latest rankings – that’s 9 places up from just two years ago. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade says innovation in education is important, but what the state needed was to get back to the basics.

Cut 7 (11) “…little extra help.”

He says the state should be proud, but we still have a way to go.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget for next fiscal year that keeps teacher salaries at their current level. There’s been a concern that a two-thousand dollar stipend that teachers have received the last couple of school years would go away, but House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland announced today they have moved money around to make sure teachers do not see a drop in pay…

Cut 3 (10) “…charter school systems.”

The full House is expected to debate the budget bill on Thursday.

The Associated Press is reporting that President Trump and Governor Jeff Landry have discussed Congresswoman Julia Letlow challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says he’s not surprised Trump is getting involved in Louisiana’s Senate race, especially since Cassidy voted to convict Trump in 2021.

Cut 14 (14) “…to him.”

Saints quarterback Derek Carr has announced his retirement due to the development of a degenerative condition in his right shoulder and that leaves a trio of young men in the Saints’ quarterback room – Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough (“shuck”). Shough is a rookie, and Haener and Rattler have a combined total of zero wins as starting quarterback. Luke Jackson, who covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and The Advocate, says the quarterback competition is on.

Cut 10 (08) “…leg up already.”

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a budget that keeps teacher salaries at their current level though teacher stipend money received over the last few years was not included in the governor’s proposed budget. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the committee amended the budget proposal so teachers will not receive a pay cut.

Cut 4 (12) “…support staff”

Louisiana continues moving up the national rankings in education. U.S. News and World Report now ranks Louisiana 37th in K-through-12 education – that’s up from number 40 last year and 46 two years ago. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says there are two main catalysts behind the increase in ranking.

Cut 6 (08) “…additional support.”

Brumley is proud of moving up nine places but says that the job is nowhere close to being done.

Senator Bill Cassidy may see another challenger for one of Louisiana’s Senate seats next year. The Associated Press is reporting that President Trump and Governor Jeff Landry have discussed Congresswoman Julia Letlow challenging Cassidy in next year’s primary. Letlow is well respected among Republicans and the Louisiana Congressional delegation, but ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says it’s not easy to defeat an incumbent U-S Senator…

Cut 13 (11)  “…chooses to do.”

The brief Derek Carr era in New Orleans is over. The Saints quarterback announced his retirement over the weekend, saying his right shoulder developed a degenerative condition that will prevent him from continuing his NFL career. Luke Jackson, who covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and The Advocate, says it’s a crushing blow for Carr.

Cut 9 (12)  “…it a career.”

A study reveals that Louisiana’s civil court system is significantly harming the state’s economy. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Lana Venable says excessive litigation has led to nearly 40-thousand lost jobs, 2.9-billion-dollars in lost personal income, and over 240-million dollars in annual state revenue losses.

Cut 4 (11) “…retail establishments.”

Louisiana lawmakers in the legislative session are taking another stab at tort reform for car crashes that go to court.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit says it made its largest drug bust when they apprehended 31-year-old Dequavious Wagner of Alexandria. Major Tommy Carnline says not only did they arrest a major drug trafficker, but they also confiscated 65 pounds of powder cocaine, nearly 100 pounds of meth, six pounds of fentanyl and several other types of drugs in large quantities…

Cut 5 (11) “…prosecuting this gentleman.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but it turns out he has roots in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year. In her acceptance speech, the Franklin Parish native expressed gratitude to her fans and reflected on her dreams of entertaining, despite feeling impostor syndrome.

Cut 9 (07)  “…I just appreciate it.”

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit makes a huge drug bust. Major Tommy Carnline (KARN-line) says over the past few months, the RADE Unit investigated 31-year old Dequavious Wagner.

Cut 3 (11) “…subsequent arrest.”

Carnline says the confiscated items included 65 pounds of powder cocaine, 96 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of fentanyl, more than a pound of heroin, more than a pound of synthetic marijuana, 252 grams of marijuana, and 87 grams of crack cocaine.

Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car has been elected president of the National Youth Program Austin Small says he didn’t let being homeless define who he was and knew he was meant for something great. He says the Jobs for American Graduates has taught him patience, responsibility and leadership.

Cut 12 (08) “…different walks of life.”

The first American Pope, Leo the 14^th was born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection,

the pope’s mother is the only one among her siblings who was born outside of New Orleans.

Cut 7 (13) “…in New Orleans.”

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson has done it again winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time at the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. She also took home female artist and album of the year. The Franklin Parish native says ever since she was a kid in Louisiana, playing with her sister that she has always dreamed about entertaining people.

Cut 10 (09) “…make you cry.”

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit displayed the results of a major drug bust Thursday. Major Tommy Carnline says after a months long investigation the RADE Unit arrested an alleged major narcotics trafficker, 31-year old Dequavious Wagner of Alexandria. Carnline says they confiscated cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and crack cocaine all valued as high as one point 5 million dollars.

Cut 4 (12) “…has a handgun.”

Carline says the investigation is ongoing and additional suspects have been identified, and more arrest are probable.

Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mothers car was elected president of the National Youth Program representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he’s proud to represent Louisiana and being the first in may categories for this role.

Cut 11 (11) “…from Shreveport, Louisiana.”

Crawfish prices have hit their lowest price point for the year. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The LSU baseball team will host Arkansas this weekend in the final regular season series at Alex Box Stadium this season. The Tigers are 15-and-9 in the SEC, but they have struggled to score runs in their recent losses. Coach Jay Johnson is not overly concerned.

Cut 16 (12) “…into.”