Former State Representative Billy Montgomery of Haughton has died. Montgomery represented district 9 from 1988 to 2008. He was an educator, a principal, and a coach who was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He led Haughton High School’s basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 1968 and 1969. The gym at Bossier Parish Community College and the basketball court at Haughton High School are named in his honor. He was 87 years old.

Despite rising egg prices across the United States, families will still practice the beloved Easter tradition of dyeing eggs. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says at the start of April the average wholesale price in Louisiana was $3.75 per dozen and in other markets $6.23 per dozen.

Cut 9 (09)  “…before you buy them.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has faced difficulty arranging a meeting with Governor Jeff Landry, even as Landry emphasizes tackling Louisiana’s soaring auto insurance rates, the highest in the country.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry says wants to address at least one more item to address rates and that is cracking down on handheld cell phone use while driving

Cut 8 (11) “…their insurance premiums.”

A bill by Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso and Covington Senator Patrick McMath would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving illegal.  Hand-held cell phone usage is already a primary violation in school zones and construction zones.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke today about the life of Kyren Lacy, who died in an apparent suicide on Saturday night in Houston. Lacy was one of Kelly’s first signees out of the transfer portal after he arrived in Baton Rouge in November of 2021 and he chooses not to dwell on the tragic ending to Lacy’s life, instead remember his happy times…

Cut 5 (10) “…great emotion.”

Funeral services for Lacy are still pending.

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting that sixteen international students attending Louisiana universities have had their visa’s revoked by the Trump administration. The schools include Southern University, Southern New Orleans, UL Lafayette, UNO, and Tulane. A Southern spokesperson told the Illuminator that no reason for the revocation was given. A Tulane spokesperson said two students had their visas revoked based on prior criminal arrests.

The legislature is taking aim at distracted driving this session. Andrew Greenstein has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry is working to address the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates but he has yet to meet with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple with regards to this legislative session and while Temple agrees with the Governor that excessive claims and litigation drive up insurance costs, he disagrees with Landry’s focus on curbing legal advertising by injury attorneys arguing that advertising costs only account for a small fraction of rate calculations.

Cut 13 (10)  “…cost of the claim down.”

Former star LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy is dead at the age of 24 and for those who know him personally, today is a difficult day. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Casino employee and a patron have been arrested, and both have been charged with one count each of Theft between $5,000 and $25,000.  The Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division says 49-year-old Margaret Lake allegedly helped 23-year-old Ahmond Junius place several late wagers while she was working as a Roulette Dealer at Caesars in New Orleans. The case remains active. The two are accused of stealing more than $10,000.

The deadline to file your federal taxes is midnight tomorrow night. If you’re among those waiting until the last minute to get your taxes done, CPA Jerry Schreiber with the accounting firm Schreiber and Schreiber says, get organized.

Cut 5 (11) “…the return.”

David Griffin is out as the New Orleans Pelicans’ executive director of basketball operations. Griffin’s firing comes one day after the Pels wrapped up an injury-riddled 21-and-61 season. Jake Madison, the host of the Locked On Pelicans podcast, says his firing is a clear message from Pelicans’ ownership.

Cut 9 (11)  “…needed to happen.”

We’re learning details of the final moments of former LSU star wide receiver Kyren Lacy from law enforcement in the Houston area. Deputy Thomas Gilliland with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office says it started when Lacy’s sister called 911 late Saturday night.

Cut 14 (10) “…into the ground.”

He says Lacy drove off and later deputies tried to pull him over but after several miles Lacy crashed into a curb. Officers found him deceased of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In his hometown of Thibodaux there is mourning. Lacy’s former high school football coach at Thibodeaux High School Chris Dugas (Doo-gah)…

Cut 13 (09)  “…part of your family.”

Lacy spent his first two years of college football at U-L Lafayette. He led the Cajuns in receiving his freshman season and helped them win a Sun Belt title in 2021. He transferred to LSU after 2021 and in his senior season he caught 58 passes for 866 yards and an SEC high nine touchdown passes. He was preparing for the NFL draft, but he was also facing negligent homicide charge for a fatal wreck that State Police say he caused in December in Lafourche Parish on Highway 20.

Weekend Festivals were rocked by two shootings. In New Orleans, shots rang out as crowds were leaving the French Quarter Festival.

Cut 3 (12) “…this subject.”

NOPD Captain Samuel Palumbo says four people were injured. Police have not identified the person arrested. The shooting victims were transported to the hospital, and they are expected to be okay.

Saturday night in Ponchatoula, two people were hurt in a shooting at the Strawberry Festival. Neither of those injuries are life-threatening. Police in Ponchatoula say they hope to make arrests soon.

An improperly restrained toddler died in a vehicle crash in Richland Parish Sunday afternoon. Troopers with Louisiana State Police say 1-year-old Amella Kyles who was in the back seat died as a result of injuries sustained when a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Shanice Kyles went off the Hwy 80 and struck a tree. Shanice, who was properly restrained and another child also improperly restrained in the back seat sustained minor injuries. Driver impairment is not suspected. The accident remains under investigation.

In his hometown of Thibodaux, there is morning as Kyren Lacy is remembered. Authorities in the Houston area say Lacy took his own life on Saturday night during a police chase. He became an All-SEC performer at LSU and Lacy’s former high school football coach at Thibodaux High, Chris Dugas (Doo-gah) says Lacy played football and basketball and helped Thibodaux win a state championship in boys basketball in 2019…

Cut 12 (09) “…leader on the team.”

A Casino employee and patron have been arrested and both have been charged with one count each of Theft between $5,000 and $25,000.  Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division says 49-year-old Margaret Lake allegedly helped 23-year-old Ahmond Junius place several late wagers while she was working as a Roulette Dealer at Caesars in New Orleans. The case remains active. The two are accused of stealing more than $10,000.

The tax deadline is approaching fast, and here is some tips for those who haven’t filed their returns yet.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Violence interrupted weekend festivals. Two people were shot Saturday at the Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula and Four people were shot last night near the closing of French Quarter Fest in New Orleans. NOPD Captain Samuel Palumbo says there was plenty of law enforcement in the area…

Cut 4 (12) “…chooses to do this” 

Victims in both shooting were transported to hospitals and fortunately, all are expected to be okay.

As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are fighting one another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says the man they pulled from a fire at a Minden Business last month set that fire targeting his ex-girlfriend’s business.  State Fire Marshal Deputies say Jordan Tomlinson allegedly intentionally set fire to Pro-Tint after a domestic dispute. Tomlinson was arrested and charged with aggravated arson, simple arson, and simple burglary. He faces further charges of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment after a joint investigation with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian have strong partnerships with the Port of New Orleans and offer year-round sailings. River cruises also thrive, including American Cruise Lines and Viking. Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth emphasized that the increased number of port calls highlights New Orleans’ appeal.

Cut 11 (12) “…Big Easy hospitality.”

Last month, the Port of New Orleans set a new monthly record with over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements.

Crawfish prices are dropping as Easter approaches. According to The Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King live crawfish average $3.14 per pound, and boiled crawfish about $5.55. Some live crawfish sacks are now under $3 per pound.

Cut 14 (12) “…anticipation of Easter.”

When it comes to the high price of auto insurance, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are pointing their fingers – not at the insurance companies or trial lawyers, but at one another. When he announced the 20 insurance reform bills he’s supporting, Temple noted that he has not had a conversation with Landry about the issue in a long time.

Cut 3 (11) “…for property reform.”

Governor Landry names a new Secretary of the Department of Health. Soon to be secretary, Bruce Greenstein is not new to the position having served as former Governor Bobby Jindal’s LDH Secretary from 2010 until in 2013 Jindal learned Greenstein was under federal investigation for his role in the award of a multimillion-dollar Medicaid contract. Though he was never charged. There are many in office who laud this appointment saying there is no one better for the position because of Greenstein’s experience.

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record Port Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth says as the 6th largest U.S. cruise port and the only one offering both ocean and river cruises, the Port benefits from its prime location near the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (07) “…one of a kind.”

Major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian continue strong partnerships, offering year-round sailings.

And Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush says tourists come for leisure, events, business, and sports, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Cut 7 (10) “…southwest Louisiana.”

As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are at odds. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Long time employees of the International Paper Mill in Campti say goodbye as the doors of the mill close today. Many have reported for duty there for decades. International has been a constant in the lives of many of the people in the small North Natchitoches Parish town.

It Festival season and the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Since 1972, Tangipahoa Parish has hosted this festival to celebrate the strawberry industry. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s from nearby St Tammany Parish, says the Strawberry Festival is the largest free harvest festival in the state…

Cut 13 (09)  “…and jellies.”

The three-day festival attracts an estimated 300-thousand visitors every year.

As we near Easter weekend, crawfish prices are $1.50 cheaper than they were last Easter says Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King. And she says this year the weather is going to be perfect, and the crawfish supply will be plentiful.

Cut 15 (08) “…sooner than later”

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at the current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Governor Jeff Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022 permanent…

Cut 07 (13) “…to accomplish”

Governor Landry also unveiled his insurance reform plan yesterday and today Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support of 20 bills for the upcoming legislative session and he says a couple of the things the governor pointed out were not true including the claim that Temple has no authority to deny a rate increase…

Cut 14 (08) “…exercise it.”

Temple also said Landry’s claim that insurers can conceal information that he needs to regulate them is also wrong.

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent more than it was designed to house. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

Information about the shelter and adoptable pets is available at St-Tammany-dot-gov-slash-pets

An Alum of ULM back when it was Northeast Louisiana Junior College, has donated two million dollars to the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts to create an endowed chair. Sharon Turrentine says she’s been singing all her life and wanted to give something back to the music department. The donation will help fund scholarships for visual and performing arts students.

Insurance reform is expected to be the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support for 20 bills saying several of the bills deal with frivolous lawsuits that he says are forcing insurance companies to charge high premiums

Cut 13 (08)  “…twice to litigate.”

A Department of Child and Family Services employee was arrested on drug charges Wednesday. Troopers with Troop NOLA say they found marijuana and items consistent with distribution of illegal narcotics in the back seat of 27-year-old Anthony Reed’s car during a traffic stop. Reed was booked in to the Orleans Parish Prison for Possession with Intent to distribute schedule I (marijuana) and traffic related offenses.

In a statement, DCFS Secretary David Matlock expressed gratitude for law enforcement and said the safety and well-being of children and families is their highest priority.

A “mayday” has been called at the St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter due to extreme overcrowding, Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college students joining an organization to complete one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organizations”