A school bus struck and killed a 6-year-old child in New Orleans this morning. Authorities say young Mason Richards was getting out of a car when the bus struck him. It happened on Desire Street around 8 a.m. He was transported to a hospital by EMS and later died as a result of his injuries. No one has been charged in the accident and NOPD says drugs or alcohol are not suspected to have been a factor in the accident.

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Passage of that amendment would have allowed the state to pay down high interest pension debt, freeing up money to make the two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed, the state currently does not have the money to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

Cut 6 (07) “…to that.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple unveiled the bills he supports for the upcoming legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is critically overcrowded so they are waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says all adopted animals are vaccinated and microchipped…

Cut 11 (07) “…in the first place.”

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. In a letter to teachers, Landry says it’s back to drawing board, because no alternative recurring resources exist to fund the permanent salary increase teachers deserve. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s hopeful.

Cut 8 (08) “…to do.”

Extreme overcrowding has St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter waving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Director Rob Bremer says more people have begun to adopt but he stressed the urgency, saying that overcrowding could lead to dog fights, disease, and compromised animal welfare.

Cut 10 (09) “…stressed out.”

Insurance reform will be by far the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his plan for lowering vehicle insurance premiums in the state. Temple announced his support for 20 bills aimed at addressing the biggest drivers of high premiums in the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…move the needle.”

A bill known as the Caleb Wilson Act has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. The Bill’s namesake, a Southern University student died earlier this year in a suspected hazing incident. House bill 279 Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd expands on the 2018 Max Gruver Law that increased criminal penalties for hazing; the Caleb Wilson Act requires anti-hazing education for anyone joining an organization.

Cut 5 (07) “…affects everybody.”

State Police say the woman who fatally struck a pedestrian on Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday afternoon was impaired. Twenty-six-year-old Mecca King has been charged with vehicular homicide and careless operation after hitting 38-year-old Eugenia Bates of Monroe. State Trooper Ryan Davis says this fatality did not have to happen…

Cut 5 (08) “..cab services”

House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland warns that budget cuts are coming because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass last month. Speaking at the Baton Rouge Press Club, McFarland says passage of the amendment would have provided Louisiana with additional dollars to spend this year…

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry said it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world..

Cut 9 (11)  “…blue ammonia.”

The project is expected to create about 100 direct new permanent jobs with an average salary of 110-thousand dollars.

Get ready to pay 5 dollars for your Mega Millions ticket. The price goes up today. Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better odds of winning the jackpot—improving from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million, and there will be more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”

A 73-year-old man from Cuba who was taken into custody by ICE agents in Lafayette as he was on his way to work is back with family. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If Constitutional Amendment 2 had passed last month, the temporary $2,000 stipend that is not being renewed would have been replaced by a permanent pay raise for Louisiana teachers. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says now finding the money to make the raise the possible is a priority.

Cut 13 (09)  “…role in that.”

Another large facility is coming to the River-Plex Mega-Park near Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish. CF industries is building a massive ammonia facility and Governor Landry says it will create over 100 direct jobs with average salaries of over $100,000 per year.

Cut 11 (11) “…innovation and sustainability.”

The project will also create more than 300 construction jobs. CF Industries is looking for the facility to be operational in 2029.

A Mega Millions ticket will now cost five dollars. Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better at winning the jackpot. They aim to distinguish Mega Millions from Powerball and raise the average jackpot from 450 million to 800 million dollars.

Cut 8 (12) “…grow a lot faster.”

Governor Landry makes another huge economic development announcement. Andrew Greenstein is at the Capitol with more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Beginning today a Mega Millions lottery ticket will cost you 5 dollars. But Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says odds of winning the jackpot improve slightly. She also says non-jackpot prizes will rise, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman who was walking on the shoulder of I-20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday. State Trooper Ryan Davis says Mecca King was traveling in the outer lane and gradually veered onto the shoulder and struck 38-year-old Eugenia Bates.

Cut 3 (12) “…her injuries.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

One economist says most sectors of Louisiana’s economy will suffer from President Trump’s global tariffs. Dr. Loren Scott says one possible exception is Hyundai, which recently announced a 5-billion-dollar investment in a new steel plant to supply its car factories in Alabama and Georgia.

Cut 4 (09) “…25-percent tariff on it.”

Scott says other potential exceptions are the seafood industry and the timber industry because of reduced competition from Canadian wood and Chinese plywood.

For the last two school years, teachers have received a two-thousand-dollar stipend on top of their regular pay, but that stipend and the one-thousand dollars for school support staff hasn’t been renewed. Senate President Cameron Henry says lawmakers have a goal is to give teachers a permanent pay raise, but finding the money in the upcoming legislative session will be difficult…

Cut 13 (12)  “…late May.”

A residential fire in Shreveport has killed three people and left a seven-year-old child in critical condition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A 34-year-old man wanted for killing his parents is captured in California. Police arrested Joshua Brocato in Los Angeles after he allegedly murdered Marc and Priscilla Brocato at their Amite area home last week. Tangipahoa Sheriff Gerald Sticker says their deaths have sparked a lot of sorrow throughout the community…

Cut 11 (11) “…several years.”

A 34-year-old man suspected of killing his parents was apprehended in California. Authorities arrested Joshua Brocato in Los Angeles after he allegedly murdered Marc and Priscilla Brocato, at their Amite area home last week. Tangipahoa Sheriff Gerald Sticker says they were tracking Brocato and when he was arrested on Friday, he had three guns, and he was wearing military style attire.

Cut 10 (10) “…track it.”

Brocato is facing two counts of first-degree murder.

The three people killed in the Shreveport house fire Sunday have been identified as 84-year-old Mildred Carter, 56-year-old Eureka Garner and five-year-old Ne-Vaeh Gardner. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says the mother of NeVaeh and a seven-year-old who is in the hospital in critical condition after the fire, told them all the occupants were awake when she left for work. She’s heartbroken….

Cut 7 (08) “…prayed with them.”

A bill filed for the upcoming session provides an incentive for students to attend a Louisiana public university if they achieve a score of 31 or higher on the ACT. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner is proposing that high school students who score that high can receive up to 12-thousand dollars yearly in TOPS scholarship money to attend a public university in Louisiana…

Cut 10 (14) “…in Louisiana.”

Louisiana economist, Dr. Loren Scott believes most sectors of Louisiana’s economy are will suffer as a consequence of the recently imposed tariffs on foreign goods.  But Scott says not every industry will suffer.  He says the timber, steel and seafood industries in Louisiana could benefit from President Trump’s tariffs due to decreased competition.

Cut 5 (18) “…certainly those will.”

One Louisiana economist says steep taxes on imports will negatively impact most sectors of Louisiana’s economy. Dr. Loren Scott says economists generally believe tariffs are a really bad plan. But even he admits some industries will benefit, namely the recently announced 5-billion-dollar steel plant being built in Donaldsonville, Louisiana seafood producers, and the Louisiana timber industry

Cut 3 (09) “…the amount of competition.”

A fiscal legislative session starts next Monday. Senate President Cameron Henry expects portions of proposed Constitutional Amendment Two that was recently rejected by voters will be discussed again…

Cut 15 (11) “…of that”

The man suspected of killing his parents at their Amite-area home is in custody in California. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Three people are dead, including a five-year-old child, and a fourth person, a seven-year-old is in critical condition from a house fire in Shreveport on Sunday morning. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says his firefighters rushed into the burning home and found the four victims unconscious and not breathing…

Cut 6 (10) “…their shift.”

Statewide Severe weather is expected Saturday. LSU Public health climatologist Barry Keim says North Louisiana could see two to three inches of rain, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast but once the cold front passes through, Louisiana will experience a big drop in temperatures…

Cut 5 (11) “…low 70s.”

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Deputies found a couple dead in their home near Amite Thursday afternoon, and they are searching for the couple’s son in connection with a double homicide investigation. During a welfare check, deputies first found 66-year-old Priscilla Brocato deceased and later found 75-year-old Marc Brocato deceased on the property. 34-year-old Joshua Brocato has been named as a person of interest He is 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs 200 pounds with brown hair and eyes believed to be driving a white 2014 Ford utility van with a last known to be in Lafayette. Sheriff Gerald Sticker asks anyone with information to call TPSO, State Police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-554-5245.

Sweeping tariffs on all imports has sparked concern across Louisiana industries.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

ULM students have approved a 75-dollar fee per semester that will generate 600-thousand dollars in its first year for the school’s athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says the fee goes into effect for the 2025 Fall Semester…

Cut 9 (11)  “…21 million dollars.”

Hartwell says there are plans to spend money on improving the nutrition program, mental health services and strength and training programs for the school’s 17 athletic teams. They also plan to install a new video board in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Bossier, Caddo and Webster Parishes are under a tornado watch until 9:00 tonight and tomorrow the severe weather threat will expand statewide. LSU Public health climatologist Barry Keim says heavy rainfall is a possibility with this storm system. North Louisiana could see two to three inches, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast…

Cut 4 (12) “…rainfall amounts.”

Sweeping tariffs of 10 percent on all imports are now in effect along with higher rates on key trading partners, such as China (34%) and the European Union (20%), and that has sparked concerns across Louisiana industries.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says it could cost more to eat out…

Cut 6 (10) “…no question about it.”

In a 711 to 650 vote, ULM students approved a 75-dollar per semester fee expected to bring in 600-thousand dollars in the first year for the school’s athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says opponents of the fee said they do not attend athletics events or questioned the need to spend more money on sports but he says a successful athletic program improves the entire university…

Cut 11 (11) “…your diploma.”

A Rayville High School Student was arrested Thursday evening for Terrorizing. Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says the student posted a about potential violence at Friday’s RHS track meet. The student said she meant no harm, but extra deputies were assigned to the track meet. RPSO says they want to remind parents to monitor their children’s social media and make sure they know charges are serious and could potentially have long lasting consequences.