Baton Rouge Police officers have arrested a 17-year-old and searching for a second suspect in Thursday’s fatal shooting at the Louisiana Mall that claimed the life of 17-year-old Martha Odom from Ascension Episcopal High School in Youngsville.  Btoon Rouge Police Chief T-J Morse says they’re confident 17-year-old Markell Lee was one of the shooters…

Cut 13 (09) “…known residence.”

The Baton Rouge Soccer Club released a statement about one of its Unified Soccer Program players, who was also injured in Thursday’s Mall shooting. We’re told Donie Guillory is critical and facing a second surgery, but his prognosis is positive.

Shreveport police have confirmed the surviving child who escaped Sunday’s mass shooting by jumping off the roof is a 12-year-old girl, and she has been released from the hospital. Two of the three mothers injured in the shooting have also been discharged from the hospital. All this as the community continues to mourn the loss of the eight young children who were killed in that shooting.

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It’s another big weekend of festivals and Festival International is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Two of the state’s largest teacher unions are supporting Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16^th ballot. Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says the measure would provide a permanent salary increase for educators and school employees….

Cut 6 (10) “…permanent pay.”

A bill aiming to crack down on marijuana use near schools advances to the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The House Education Committee has approved a Senate-passed bill that looks to stop the trend of school districts moving to a four-day school week. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says adding hours to a school day so that everyone can have a three-day weekend does not mean better learning.

Cut 8 (05) “…in the afternoon.”

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A teenager is dead and five others are wounded following a shootout next to the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Sources say the person who died from his injuries was a 17-year-old. Three of the victims are seniors at Ascension Episcopal High School in Lafayette Parish. Authorities say they were innocent bystanders.  Baton Rouge police chief T.J. Morse says it all began yesterday afternoon when two groups of people got into an argument, and that’s when gunfire erupted.

Cut 12 (12) “…the cross fire.”

An arrest has been made in a 30 year old homicide in Lafayette Parish, the 1994 stabbing death of then 47 year old John Perry Meche. The break in the case happened as Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s detectives reviewed the case, working with the Acadiana Crime Lab which was able to make DNA from the cold case.  We’re told 60 year old Clinton Dronet is charged with Second Degree Murder in the case.

A teenager is dead and five others are wounded following a shootout next to the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Most of the victims were taken to Our Lady of the Lake. FMOL Health President Chuck Spicer:

Cut 11 (10) “…we lost one.”

Baton Rouge police chief T.J. Morse says five people were taken into custody.

A measure that would increase the penalty for smoking marijuana within two-thousand feet of a school facility to up to a year in prison and a one-thousand dollar fine has advanced to the Senate. The full House passed Pollack Representative Gabe Firment’s bill, but Marrero Representative Kyle Green says some people live within that zone.

Cut 5 (11) “…law enforcement officer.”

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House Education approves a Senate-passed bill that’s attempting to stop the growing number of school systems moving to a four-day school week. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re making plans for the weekend and thinking crawfish might be in your future, you should know the price of mudbugs dropped 25 cents per pound this week.  According to the Crawfish App, which tracks real-time pricing from more than one-thousand businesses, consumers can expect to pay amount @2.79 per pound for live crawfish and $5.46 per pound for boiled crawfish this weekend.

The second fatal mass shooting this week in Louisiana erupted at the Mall of Louisiana yesterday afternoon. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Federal prosecutors have charged the man whose home Shamar Elkins fled to Sunday after shooting and killing eight children in Shreveport.  The U-S Attorney’s Office has charged 54 year old Michael Mayence with illegally possessing a firearm while being subject to a domestic violence injunction.

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A measure to crack down on marijuana use near school facilities advances to the Senate. The full House passed Pollack Representative Gabe Firment’s bill on a vote of 59-to-34. It would increase the penalty for smoking marijuana within two-thousand feet of a school facility to up to a year in prison and a fine of up to one-thousand dollars. Firment said marijuana use near schools is getting out of control.

Cut 4 (11) “…little meaningful consequence.”

A bill seeking to put an end to the trend of rural school districts moving to a four-day school week continues to advance at the state capitol. The House Education Committee has approved the Senate-passed bill. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says it’s better for students and families if kids are at school five-days a week.

Cut 7 (05) “…back on Monday.”

The 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opens today. Michelle Southern reports.

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Huge news out of Florida regarding Jazz Fest. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested a man from Chapel Hill, North Carolina who was planning to carry out a mass shooting at the Jazz Fest. Christopher Gillum was arrested at a hotel in Destin, Florida. Authorities recovered a handgun and 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room.

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An effort to prevent someone from serving as governor for three or more terms failed to get enough votes in the House. But Chalmette Representative Michael  Bayham can bring the measure up again. If the proposed legislation can get two-thirds approval in both the House and the Senate, voters would decide if it should be added to the state’s constitution. Bayham believes the public would support it, based on how they already feel about term limits.

Cut 9 (11)  “…by the legislature.”

Tonight is the first round of the NFL Draft, and draft expert Mike Detillier of WWL Radio believes former LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane could go to the Saints who have the eighth overall selection…

Cut 15 (14) “…play out wide.”

An effort to prevent someone from serving as governor for three or more terms failed to get enough votes in the House. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham’s proposed constitutional amendment needed 70 votes, but it only got 67. There were 22 no votes, and 16 members did not vote. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry likes the proposal.

Cut 7 (05) “…good bill, thanks.”

The constitution currently only allows a person to serve two *consecutive* terms. But if former governors Bobby Jindal or John Bel Edwards wanted to run for governor next year, they could. But Bayham says they’ve already had their chance, and eight years is enough for future governors.

Cut 8 (07) “…of this state.”

If the proposed legislation can get two-thirds approval in both the House and the Senate, voters would decide if it should be added to the state’s constitution.

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Several former LSU football standouts are set to hear their names called as the NFL Draft begins tonight. Andre Champagne takes a look at who could come off the board early….

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed one case of measles in a child, who just returned home from international travel.  Officials are warning that anyone at the Kenner Target on West Esplanade and the Walmart Supercenter on Esplanade last Friday may have been exposed to the measles.  This is the first measles case reported in Louisiana this year.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would allow public universities to keep private how they spend revenue share dollars with their athletes. Jeff Palermo has the story.

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In other news from the capitol, Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps took time to address the horrific events from this past Sunday, when a man shot seven of his kids and a nephew to death. Phelps thanked those from across Louisiana and the country for the outpouring of support.

Cut 4 (05) “…take a while.”

The House observed a moment of silence following Phelps’ remarks.

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The 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opens today. It consists of essentially two four-day weekends – Thursday through Sunday at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Despite the name, jazz is by no means the only music featured during the festival; Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis says this is a celebration of Louisiana artistry.

Cut 10 (08) “…to become now.”

The NFL Draft begins tonight at seven p.m. in Pittsburgh, and several LSU Tigers will be waiting to hear their names called this weekend. One of them is Garrett Nussmeier. NFL Draft expert Mike Detillier of WWL Radio believes Nussmeier will be highly coveted by teams for his rare set of abilities.

Cut 13 (15)  “…he’s got that.”

A new report franks Louisiana’s job growth rate for 2025 the third fastest in the South.  Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says based on state and federal data, Louisiana added nearly 23-thousand jobs last year, surpassing job growth in Texas and Florida.  Knapp says health and social assistance is leading the growth in new jobs, and employment in construction has been steadily growing since last August.

Cut 5 (09) “…over the place.”

Amtrak’s Mardi Gras line hits a big milestone…and much sooner than expected. When the service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, started last August, officials were hoping they’d reach 75-thousand riders within the first year.  Now, just eight months later they’re already at 100-thousand. Walt Leger, the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says stops in other walkable destinations like Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi has ridership.

Cut 8 (07) “…access our community.”

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A program allowing library card holders to obtain a free pass to visit a state park or historic site expands statewide. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Baton Rouge Police have charged 22-year-old Jayden Davis and a juvenile for first degree murder in the killing of 3 year old Devin Page Jr., who was fatally shot while sleeping in his home in April of 2022. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore commended the work of everyone involved in the case.

Cut 15 (08) “…come to today.”

A report from Leaders for a Better Louisiana finds that Louisiana is doing well in creating jobs and lowering crime. Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says based on state and federal data, Louisiana ranks third among Southern states for job growth, adding nearly 23-thousand jobs last year. Knapp says all large Louisiana metros and two smaller metros saw year-over-year growth.

Cut 4 (06) “…all seeing growth.”

In the capital city, two people have been arrested for killing a three-year-old four years ago this month. A shooting in the street resulted in 30 bullet holes in the house where Devin Page, Jr. was sleeping. East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards says the arrests send a signal to anyone who is thinking about committing violent crime in the state’s capital city.

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A major milestone for the Amtrak Mardi Gras line, and it’s happened earlier than expected. Here’s Andre Champagne.

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The Check Out Louisiana program has expanded statewide. That’s the program that allows library card holders to get a free “day pass”  to any of Louisiana’s state parks and 14 historic sites. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee).

Cut 10 (11) “…across the state.”

For more information, go to Check Out Louisiana-dot-org.

A new report out ranked Louisiana’s job growth rate third fasted in the South for last year.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

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Those with library cards can now get a free day pass to any of Louisiana’s 21 state parks and 14 historic sites. There are a limited number of Check Out Louisiana passes and State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says each library system is deciding how they’ll be distributed.

Cut 11 (08) “…to your library.”

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When Amtrak’s Mardi Gras service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, started last August, officials were anticipating that 75-thousand people would climb on board in the first year. We’re eight months in, and it has already welcomed its 100-thousandth passenger! Walt Leger, the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says it’s a milestone beyond anyone’s expectations.

Cut 7 (09) “…a tremendous feat.”

Two people have been arrested for killing a three-year-old four years ago. Baton Rouge Police have charged 22-year-old Jayden Davis and a juvenile for first degree murder in the killing of little Devin Page Jr., . His grandmother, Cathy Toliver, is overcome with emotion that justice is finally being served.

Cut 13 (12)  “…process of healing.”