We’re hearing a lot about the Republican in the run-off for U-S Senate, but the Democrats who are vying for a shot in the to take who Jula Letlow or John Fleming in the November general election. Jamie Davis, who had 47 percent of the vote in the primary, is a former police juror in Tensas Parish and says his experience there, and as a farmer, have prepared for the rigors in the U.S. Senate.

Cut 6 (10) “…is all about.”

Gary Crockett, on the other hand, made the run off, beating out Nick Albares by just 284 votes.  Crockett says while he’s a political newcomer, he has what it takes to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Cut 7 (12) “…what is important.”

The run-off election is set for June 27^th.

—————————

U-N-O is just one month away from becoming LSU New Orleans, and the transition is a game-changer, Kace Kieschnick Reports

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has approved new chronic wasting disease management zones as a result of legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session. LDWF’s deer program manager Jonathan Bordelon says the size of the four zones has been reduced…

Cut 14 (09) “…were used prior.”

The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has lots of room for improvement in child well-being. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The University of New Orleans will  transition to the LSU system July 1st. Interim Chancellor Jeanette Weiland says as part of the LSU system, UNO will can aggressively target the thousands of qualified applicants denied by LSU’s main campus .

Cut 12 (12) “…give them tours.”

———————-

While the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate are dominating the airwaves in the run-up to the runoff, both in terms of advertising and in headlines, there’s also a runoff for the Democratic nomination as well. Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett will square off on June 27th for the right to take on Julia Letlow or John Fleming in the November general election. Davis was the runaway top vote-getter in the primary, garnering 47-percent of the vote. He’s urging his supporters to get out the vote once again.

Cut 4 (12) “…once more again.”

Gary Crockett, on the other hand, barely eked out second place, besting Nick Albares by just 284 votes to advance to the runoff. Crockett says his strategy is to get Albares’ supporters on his side.

Cut 5 (07) “…voters as well.”

While the Republicans are dominating the airwaves in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race, there’s also a runoff on the Democratic side. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After hours of scanning the New Orleans Lakeshore area on Sunday for a 30-40 year old Hispanic man who was reported missing yesterday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard said most crews suspended their search for the night around eleven last night.  New Orleans police received the report of a drowning near the 1800 block of Lakeshore Drive just after three yesterday afternoon. We’re told the search will resume this morning.

———————–

The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to the well-being of its children. The 2026 report ranks Louisiana 48th overall. Theresa Falgoust (FAAL-goo), the chief data and impact officer for the Agenda for Children, says that includes an economic well-being ranking that’s dead last in the country.

Cut 8 (06) “…full-time year-round.”

The University of New Orleans is switching gears as it prepares to transition to the LSU system on July 1st. Interim Chancellor Jeanette Weiland says the university wouldn’t have survived without the 20-million-dollar cash infusion from the state of Louisiana, but now they’re back in the black and looking ahead.

Cut 11 (11) “…is enrollment growth.”

Weiland is setting the institution’s fall enrollment goal at six thousand students.

Today’s the last day you can register to vote for the first time or make changes to your voter registration ahead of the June 27^th U.S. Senate runoff. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

Governor Landry’s first veto of this year’s session is on a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. The bill’s author, Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse.

———————–

You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The mayor of Pollock has been arrested on a “Peeping Tom” charge.  The Olla police chief issued a warrant for Douglas Beavers’ arrest after an incident involving a juvenile in Olla, stemming from when he was employed as a school coach and allegedly peeped on an underage child in the gymnasium bathroom. We’re told Beavers turned himself in yesterday.

The closed party U.S. Senate runoff elections aren’t until June 27th, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says today’s an important deadline.

Cut 3 (12) “…June 27th election.”

Those changes could potentially include party affiliation, which is the only way one could cast the opposite party’s ballot in the runoff than the one cast in the May 16th primary. Landry says otherwise, voters will cast the same party’s ballot on June 27th.

Cut 4 (10) “…party primary races.”

Early voting begins next Friday, June 12^th and runs through Saturday, June 20^th, not including Friday, June 19^th as Juneteenth is a state holiday.

————————
This weekend is free fishing weekend in Louisiana. Today and tomorrow,  the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family, but…

Cut 7 (09) “…still all apply.”

You can find all the details on the ldwf website.

It’s a big weekend in Ruston as the Louisiana Peach Festival is happening.  And making it happen was more difficult this year after a mid-march freeze dropped lows to 22 degrees, killing a significant amount of local farmers’ peach crops. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says the vendors worked to bring in extra peaches from South Carolina to make sure there would be enough for the festivities.

Cut 11 (11) “…our local farmers.”

The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and today’s the last day to register to vote in that election or make changes to your voter registration.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s free fishing weekend in Louisiana. This Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family.

Cut 6 (07) “…a fishing license.”

———————

The first bill Governor Jeff Landry has vetoed this year is Senate Bill 125 by Lafayette Democrat Gerald Boudreaux. It’s a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation to those who had been wrongfully incarcerated.

Cut 12 (11) “…to 600-thousand.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated, among other things, that the bill fails to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse, especially in light of rising costs and fewer dollars in the state budget.

The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says festivities began earlier in the week.  Today’s a big day though as Davis says there’s something for everyone.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in downtown Ruston.”

Today’s the last day you can register to vote for the first time or make changes to your voter registration ahead of the June 27^th U.S. Senate runoff. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

Governor Landry’s first veto of this year’s session is on a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. The bill’s author, Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse.

———————–

You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The mayor of Pollock has been arrested on a “Peeping Tom” charge.  The Olla police chief issued a warrant for Douglas Beavers’ arrest after an incident involving a juvenile in Olla, stemming from when he was employed as a school coach and allegedly peeped on an underage child in the gymnasium bathroom. We’re told Beavers turned himself in yesterday.

The “Streets to Success Act” would make camping on public property a crime punishable by six months of jail time and a 500-dollar fine. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

For the first time in nearly 60 years, a flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm has been found in the U-s, just 30 miles north of Mexico.  But Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says they can be eradicated using male sterile flies mate with female screwworms and no offspring is produced.

Cut 12 (05) “…having viable reproduction.”

Strain says the New World screwworm is a low risk to humans.

————————-

The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is facing charges this morning in connection with an attack on one of his vocal critics at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. Smith was arrested, his bond set at ten-thousand dollars. Metropolitin Crime Commission President Rafale Goyeneche says Smith will remain on the job until either his term expires or he’s proven guilty in a court of law, whichever comes first.

Cut 6 (10) “…for a felony.”

Meanwhile in Hammond the search for two masked gunman who fired 70-80 shots into a vehicle at a gas station, killing an innocent woman, continues this morning.  Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. says 50-year-old Patricia Sheppart was killed by mistake in what was a targeted attack.
Cut 15 (09) “…a targeted incident.”

Bergeron says the vehicle the shooters were in was carjacked in Macomb, Mississippi, Tuesday night.

One man who took an oath to serve and protect is accused of doing the exact opposite. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A manhunt is underway for at two masked suspects who fired 70 to 80 shots into another  vehicle at  a Hammond gas station yesterday morning, killing an innocent woman.  Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. believes it was a targeted shooting, but 50 year old Patricia Sheppart was not the target…

Cut 14 (07) “…involved in it.”

A bill known as the “Streets to Success Act” is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation attempts to address homelessness in the state, by making unauthorized public camping a crime. Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark,  as it implies there are people who would refuse assistance if not for the threat of jail time.

Cut 9 (11)  “…low-income people.”

The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 6 decaates. The flesh-easting parasite had been eradicated from the United States since 1960s, but was recently found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of Mexican border. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the good news is  they can stop the spread by unleashing sterile flies.

Cut 11 (11) “…and other protein.”

A manhunt is underway for at least two people who shot an innocent woman to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.”

Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is facing charges this morning, including second-degree battery. Investigators say while in the bar area at Keith Young’s Steakhouse in Madisonville late last month, Sheriff Randy Smith went up to 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon and, without provocation, attacked him. Couvillon told police Smith reeked of alcohol, and Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says Smith’s conduct would corroborate that.

Cut 4 (07) “…least three terms.”

Sheriff Smith has released a statement, in which he apologized to his family, the diners and staff at the restaurant and the people of St. Tammany Parish.

—————————–

The New World screwworm has been found in Texas, so what does that mean? Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A bill that establishes a new crime of unauthorized public camping is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature.  The legislation known as the “Streets to Success” bill is an attempt to address homelessness in the state, but Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark.

Cut 7 (09) “…fined 500 dollars.”

Other states that have passed similar legislation have seen homelessness rates increase.