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If Constitutional Amendment 2 had passed last month, the temporary $2,000 stipend that is not being renewed would have been replaced by a permanent pay raise for Louisiana teachers.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.

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 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.

Economists are concerned President Donald Trump’s sweeping 10% and higher tariffs could slow the U-S economy, and Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the restaurant industry is bracing for increased costs for essential goods.

Cut 7 (06) “…or replace equipment.”

ULM students have voted to put a 75-dollar fee on themselves with the money going to the school’s athletic department. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A 73-year-old immigrant living in Lafayette was taken into custody by immigration authorities and his family is pleading for his release. Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez has lived in the U.S. for 45 years since he fled Cuba. His stepdaughter, Christian Cooper Riggs posted this emotional plea on Facebook…

Cut 13 (14)  “…not the solution.”

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…

Cut 3 (15) “…severe weather.”

Heavy rainfall is a possibility with this storm system. Kein says north Louisiana could see two to three inches, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast

Louisiana State Police say a man killed in a head-on crash on I-10 in Ascension Parish was traveling the wrong way. Officials identified the victim as 39-year-old James Burns of Amite. According to preliminary investigation around 1:30 Friday morning, a tractor-trailer traveling east was struck by Burns’ GMC Sierra. The Vehicles caught fire. Authorities say Burns died at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Sweeping 10-percent and higher tariffs on all imports has sparked concern across Louisiana industries.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The family of a 73-year-old immigrant who was taken into custody in Lafayette is pleading for his release. Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez’s stepdaughter Christian Cooper Riggs says Rodriguez tried to become an official citizen for the last ten years, but because he committed a crime in the first couple of years after he arrived in the U.S., he’s been unsuccessful. She says for the last 43 years her stepfather has been a model immigrant

Cut 12 (15) “…our country.”

With 10 percent tariffs on all imports now in effect and higher tariffs on imports from key trading partners like China (34%) and the European Union (20%), some Louisiana industries are expressing concern.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris believes costs will potentially go up and low profit margin businesses like restaurants will have to do some belt-tightening.

Cut 8 (11) “…period of time.”

ULM students approved a 75-dollar per semester fee in a 711 to 650 vote. The extra 600-thousand dollars the fee is expected to generate in its first year is going to the athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell…

Cut 10 (10) “…sports medicine program.”

The family of a 73-year-old man who cares for his wife who has dementia is pleading for his release after immigration enforcement agents took him into custody near his home in Lafayette. Cuba native, Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez has lived in the U.S. for 45 years. His stepdaughter Christian Cooper Riggs took to Facebook saying she understands the there’s an immigration problem, but a 45-year resident who works and cares for his family is not the problem…

Cut 14 (05) “…a machete.”

Riggs says, for 10 years, Rodriguez’s attempts to become an official citizen have been unsuccessful because he committed a crime when he first arrived in the U.S. but since then has been a model immigrant.

Do you want to know how public-school districts and charter schools are spending their money? You can find that information at treasury-dot-la-gov.  State Treasurer John Fleming says click the box that reads Louisiana K-12 School Transparency Project.

Cut 13 (11)  “…want to know”