WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and Louisiana came out second to last. According to the study, women of the Bayou State ranked near the bottom for metrics including life expectancy at birth, female homicides, and high school graduation rates. Analyst Cassie Happe say the number of Louisiana women voted in the 2020 presidential election ranked 46…
Cut 5 (08) “…low percentage.” 

Forty recent graduates from the LSU-A School of Nursing passed the NCLEX National Licensure Examination on their first try. It’s the second time in six years that LSUA has seen all its students in a cohort pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James…

Cut 14 (10) “…graduate.”

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Senate-approved legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers spoke against the bill, saying non-violent 17-year-olds should stay in the juvenile justice system because their parents can be more involved in the rehabilitation process…

Cut 9 (11)  “…their path.”

A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from those in favor and opposed to the measure. Brett Malone, whose mother was killed in Bossier Parish in 2000 spoke against the measure saying killing the man who killed his mother won’t help anyone and asked lawmakers how far they will go to carry out executions.

The Louisiana Legislature is moving closer to changing lowering the age at which a person charged with a felony can be charged as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Officials in Ouachita Parish have confirmed a body found in the Ouachita River is that of a missing young woman from Iberia Parish. 19 year old Sheryl Turner was reported missing in early January. Authorities say the case is still under investigation and so far, no suspects have been identified.

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Each year since 2014, WalletHub has released its annual report on the Best and Worst States for Women just in time for Women’s History Month. This year, Louisiana dropped from 49 to 50 followed only by Oklahoma. Analyst, Cassie Happe says the report highlights important issues.

Cut 6 (08) “…the focus.”

Forty recent graduates from the LSU-A School of Nursing passed the National Licensure Examination on their first try. Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James says half of these new nurses are staying in central Louisiana, but others got jobs in Baton Rouge and Lafayette….

Cut 15 (08) “…the nation.”

Legislation to expand methods to carry out the death penalty Senate Judiciary Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed Dr. Joseph Kanter has stepped down from his duties as state health officer. Kanter was with the department for five years and helped the state stay up to date during the Covid-19 Pandemic. According to the LDH website, Dr. Pete Croughan will serve as the interim state health officer.

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It’s already been approved by the state Senate and now legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton is pushing hard for this law because he says there are 17-years-olds committing crimes knowing they will only serve a few years at a juvenile facility.…

Cut 8 (09) “…fight back.” 

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Using 25 key metrics the survey ranked Louisiana 50 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana is second from the bottom for women living in poverty and 46^th for women suffering from depression. Analyst, Cassie Happe, believes they’re connected…

Cut 4 (09) “…mental state.”

Senate-approved legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana Sheriffs Association executive director Michael Ranatza says 17-year-olds offenders at juvenile justice facilities are causing serious problems…

Cut 7 (13) “…35 year old.”
A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved, like drug companies that provide the ingredients used for lethal injection, passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from those in favor, like Howard Vincent, whose brother, Steven Vincent a state trooper was killed in the line of duty in 2015.

Cut 10 (08) “…to death.”

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WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
Five people were arrested yesterday after a high-speed chase from St. Bernard to the New Orleans French Quarter ended in a crash. Saint Bernard Sheriff’s officials say a stolen gun and illegal drugs were recovered during the arrest of the suspects. Sheriff James Pohlman said deputies deployed spike strips at the parish line, but that didn’t stop the suspects, whose vehicle eventually collided with another vehicle near Bienville Street in New Orleans and crashed into two parked cars.

The Latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates expectations for higher sales among small business owners decreased in January. That same survey also found that 39 percent of owners reported that hard to fill job openings have had a significant impact on their business. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says it’s a battle for survival.

Cut 5 (10) “…for them.”

With a special session set to begin Monday, Louisiana lawmakers are looking to strengthen penalties. Louisiana has seen a rise in the number of fentanyl deaths in recent years. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her new legislation cracks down on people who make fentanyl appealing to minors.

Cut 10 (10) “…99 years.”

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Governor Jeff Landry has declared a State of Emergency due to a police officer shortage. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Landry” 
A man accused of killing a man on Canal Street in New Orleans has been arrested now in Miami. NOPD confirms the arrest of 38 year old Kendrick McGee. McGee is accused in the fatal shooting of Timothy Sames in November of last year. McGee is currently in the custody of Miami-Dade County Correctional officials awaiting extradition to the Crescent City.

With a special session set to begin Monday, Louisiana lawmakers are looking to strengthen penalties crime including carjackings. Author of House Bill Seven Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel’s measure would raise the minimum penalty for carjacking from two years to five.  The Jefferson Parish lawmaker says no one is immune….

Cut 9 (12) “…swift penalty.”

Last year Schlegel authored a law that removes probation from their sentence for juveniles convicted of carjacking.

A Baton Rouge man is wanted in connection to a shooting that happened in Baldwin on Mardi Gras. Police there say Kelvin Markeith Porter Junior is facing two counts of attempted second degree murder and one count of illegal discharging of a firearm. Anyone with information on Porter’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police.

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A new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates expectations for higher sales among small business owners decreased in January. State Director Dawn McVea says owners are frustrated with stagnant economic conditions starting the New Year.

Cut 3 (07) “…folks employed.”  

Optimism fell by two points in January to 89.9, marking the 25th consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98.

A 23-year-old Carencro woman is facing vehicular homicide charges after crashing into a parked vehicle following a Lafayette Mardi Gras parade. Lafayette Police say 40-year-old Jermaine Britton of Breaux Bridge was pinned under a car and later died of his injuries at a local hospital. Kayley Thibeaux is facing numerous charges. Lafayette Police detective Ken Handy says six children were in her vehicle at the time of the crash and none were buckled up.

Cut 7 (12) “…careless operation”  

LSU running back Trey Holly remains in a Union Parish jail charged with attempted murder from a shooting last week in Farmerville that left two people injured. Holly is a freshman at LSU after a stellar career at Union Parish where he set the state’s rushing record for most rushing yards in a high school career. KNOE TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Holly is known as a great athlete and person…

Cut 15 (11) “…floored.”
Former LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, now with the Kansas City Chiefs shielded a child during a shooting Wednesday after their Championship Parade. On social media, he’s talking about his own Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says a person can mentally re-experience trauma when something reminds them of the event.

Cut 11 (09) “…they need.”

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Louisiana’s special session on crime begins next week and a New Orleans area lawmaker wants legislators to pass stronger penalties against carjackers and those who deal fentanyl. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

A 34 year old Vidalia man is facing a charge of second degree murder this morning. Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s officials say the shooting happened February 11^th leaving 29 year old Devin Cole Hines of Olla dead. CPSO deputies and Louisiana Probation and Parole arrested Norris during a traffic stop yesterday.

Governor Jeff Landry has declared a State of Emergency due to a police officer shortage. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Landry” 
A 23-year-old Carencro woman is facing vehicular homicide charges after crashing into a parked vehicle, sending 40 year old Jermaine Britton of Breaux Bridge to the hospital where he later died. It happened after a Mardi Gras Parade. Lafayette Police detective Ken Handy…

Cut 6  (07) “…that vehicle.” 

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With a special session set to begin Monday, Louisiana lawmakers are looking to strengthen penalties on the crime of carjacking and fentanyl distribution to minors. Author of House Bill Seven Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her measure would change the minimum penalty for carjacking from two years to five years.

Cut 8 (12) “…harmed physically.” 
LSU running back Trey Holly remains in a Union Parish jail charged with attempted murder from a shooting that took place last Friday in Farmerville. Two people were wounded in the gunfight that involved multiple individuals. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron

Cut  14 (10) “..this happen.”

Holy’s attorney has said the star running back was not involved in the shooting.

As revelers get set for the biggest weekend of Carnival Season, there’s been a fatal shooting in New Orleans French Quarter. That’s despite a heavy police presence.  It happened just before two this morning. The man was found dead at the intersection of Chartres and Dumaine, just a block from Jackson Square and two blocks from Cafe’ Dumonde. New Orleans Police describe the deceased as an adult man, but so far have not released his age or name.

Meanwhile, thousands of people from around the world are in Louisiana to let the good times roll this Mardi Gras weekend. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there are big parades in all parts of the state where revelers can enjoy elaborate floats. He says there’s a Mardi Gras celebration for everyone, no matter what you’re looking for.

Cut 7 (12) “…over Louisiana.”  
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Governor Jeff Landry’s proposed 44 million dollar budget is now in the hands of state lawmakers. There is 198-million dollars in the budget to maintain the temporary $2,000 pay raise teachers received last year. And Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras says the governor would like to give more money to fill hard to find math and science teaching jobs or teachers in rural areas.

Cut 5 (12) “..type of qualifications”
It’s Super Bowl Weekend and millions of people are expected to place a bet on the big game, many of those in Louisiana. Remember, you must be 21 years old to bet in our state and only in parishes with legalized gambling. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns reminding us all that while it’s fun to place a bet, do so within your means.

Cut  14 (07) “…our message.”

It’s the last weekend of Carnival season in New Orleans and Louisiana state troopers will be out in force assisting New Orleans Police. If you’re bringing children with you, Lieutenant Melissa Matey suggests taking a photo of them in what they’re wearing and be sure to text MARDIGRAS, all caps, all together to 77295.

Cut 11 (13) “…the crowd.”

The Crescent City isn’t the only place for Mardi Gras of course. There are big parades happening in Lake Charles, Houma-Thibodaux, Alexandria, and Shreveport this weekend. And while there’s a chance of heavy rain on Sunday, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says revelers know how to adjust.

Cut 8 (11) “…this year.” 

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The governor’s proposed budget maintains the pay increase teachers received last year, but it continues to be not permanent. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A 67 year old Shreveport man has been arrested, after he reportedly hit a person with his vehicle intentionally.  Shreveport Police responded to the alleged assault in the 200 block of East Slattery Boulevard. Charles Meighen is charged with aggravated battery. The victim is expected to make a full recovery.