The “Click It or Ticket” campaign ramps up seat belt law enforcement, increasing the likelihood of tickets for unbuckled drivers and passengers. The initiative stresses buckling up to avoid a 50-dollar fine and reminds driver’s seat belt safety to reduce crash fatalities. LHSC spokesperson Mark Lambert Lambert says data shows more than 88-percent of Louisiana drivers wear a seat belt, and nearly half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unbelted.

Cut 7 (12) “…getting seriously injured”

Monday is Memorial Day, the day many consider the unofficial start of Summer. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says in his view, this is the most important holiday of the year as this country owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Cut 14 (12) “…we enjoy today.”

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In St. Martin Parish, sheriff’s investigators are looking for an LSU SEC championship ring that was stolen earlier this month. Major Ginny Higgins says the ring was among many items stolen from a home on May 13th. Higgins says investigators have made arrests in this case.

Cut 11 (06) “…with anything else.” (suspects are juveniles)

The season is over for the Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech. U-L Lafayette lost in a slugfest, 17-13 to Marshall. The Bulldogs left 14 runners on base in a seven to six defeat to Jacksonville State.  Houston Christian outscored UNO 16-11 to win the Southland Conference Tournament Championship game. Tulane will take on UTSA in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament.  Grambling beat Southern and Florida A&M the two teams play again today in the SWAC Tournament. The LSU Tigers are set to play Ole Miss in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.

LSU baseball has advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament after holding off Texas A&M four to three.  Kade Anderson started last night’s game and struck out 12 over six innings for the win. Anthony Eyanson threw three shutout innings for the save. Coach Jay Johnson says the plan was to pitch their two best starting pitchers on Friday night and now others will have to step up today against Ole Miss…

Cut 19 (11) “…move forward”

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after ESPN scheduled LSU’s September 21st home game against UCLA for 2:30 in the afternoon. The temperature at kickoff was 94 degrees with a heat index of 100, and Illg says that was too much for many fans to overcome.

Cut 4 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

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Memorial Day is the day many people consider to be the start of summer – although the solstice is still a few weeks away. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says in his view, this is the most important holiday of the year.

Cut 13 (09)  “…throughout the world.”

Meginley says there will be several events throughout the state paying tribute to America’s fallen heroes.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign ramps up seat belt law enforcement, increasing the likelihood of tickets for unbuckled drivers and passengers. LHSC spokesperson Mark Lambert says this high-visibility initiative stresses buckling up to avoid a 50-dollar fine and reminds driver’s seat belt safety to reduce crash fatalities.

Cut 6 (06) “…event of a crash.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is holding another Click It or Ticket it campaign.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after ESPN scheduled LSU’s September 21st home game against UCLA for 2:30 in the afternoon.

Cut 3 (05) “…factor into it.”

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In St. Martin Parish, sheriff’s investigators are looking for an LSU SEC championship ring that was stolen earlier this month. Major Ginny Higgins says the ring was among many items stolen from a home on May 13th.

Cut 9 (06)  “…of this ring.”

If you have any information on the whereabouts of this ring, call St. Martin Parish Crime Stoppers.

LSU baseball has advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament after holding off Texas A&M four to three. Ethan Frey homered and drove in three runs as the Tigers built a four to nothing lead. The Aggies nearly tied it in the seventh inning, but Anthony Eyanson got out of jam, stranding a runner at third base. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 17 (12)  “…he’s the mane”

New research finds that 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana are ALICE households, which means they live paycheck to paycheck but their income is high enough to them from qualifying for government assistance.  That number does not include the 15-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana that live in poverty. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says residents that live below the ALICE Threshold are having to make difficult financial survival decisions.

Cut 5 (09) “…rent that month.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of many Americans in light of the news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men; and as such, they need to stay on top of their prostate health.

Cut 7 (13) “…around age 45.”

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There was spirited debate on the Senate Floor but no vote was taken on a bill that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana State Police have recaptured the fifth of 10 escapees from the Orleans Justice Center jail. The latest fugitive caught is Corey Boyd, an escapee who had briefly been spotted last Friday on a French Quarter surveillance camera just hours after the jailbreak. Boyd is accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process. Sean Richardson reports Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says death penalty cases in particular are taking too long, because defense attorneys are dragging out the appeals process…

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The state Supreme Court decided yesterday it will NOT hear the case of an LSU law professor who sued after being removed from his teaching duties after saying using profanity in referring to Governor Jeff Landry in a criminal law class.  The University removed Ken Levy from teaching class but did not change his employment status as he has tenure.

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It was debated yesterday, but in the end a bill that would make the position of insurance commissioner an appointed instead of elected one, did not make it to a vote.  Insurance Commissioners are appointed in 39 other states right now and proponents of this bill say it doing so would take politics out of the role.  But River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot spoke out against the bill saying the move would do nothing to lower insurance premiums.

Cut 15 (14) “…not this.”

New research finds 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana are ALICE households, which means they live paycheck to paycheck but do not qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says these workers are the backbone of the community;

Cut 4 (09) “…things like that.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of millions of Americans in light of former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana State Police have recaptured the fifth of 10 escapees from the Orleans Justice Center jail. The latest fugitive caught is Corey Boyd, an escapee who had briefly been spotted last Friday on a French Quarter surveillance camera just hours after the jailbreak. Boyd is accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.

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After almost 25 minutes of spirited debate, the Senate did not vote on a bill that would make the position of insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. That’s something that 39 other states currently do. It was written by New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis, who wants to take politics out of the role.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the people.”

The notion of removing citizens’ ability to choose their insurance commissioner did not sit well with Bossier City Republican Adam Bass, and he confronted Duplessis about it.

Cut 14 (15) “…finding another solution.”

When Duplessis closed on his bill, he acknowledged that the votes to pass it likely were not there, so he returned it to the calendar.

We’ll find out if Addis native John Foster becomes the next American Idol on Sunday, but his musical journey started last October at a marina in Brusly. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Southeastern Louisiana University will break ground on the North Oaks Health System Academic and Athletic Complex today. SLU President William Wainwright says it’s a 30-thousand-square-foot facility designed to enhance both academic and athletic programs.

Cut 13 (12)  “…athletic training.”

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Immigration raids that have been sweeping the country seem to be headed to Louisiana. Governor Landry has issued an executive order launching Operation GEAUX, which will team local law enforcement with federal partners to remove, in Landry’s words, “dangerous illegal criminals” from the streets. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office says it does not have enough room for immigration violators in its jails. But, Attorney General Liz Murrill says where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Cut 11 (10) “…should do that.”

The State House has unanimously passed the state’s budget, which renews stipends for teachers and support staff – two-thousand dollars and one-thousand dollars, respectively at a price tag of 200-million dollars. The House also devoted all 93-million dollars to the L-A GATOR Program that Governor Landry had sought. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says that might be a hard sell in the Senate.

Cut 5 (12) “…Senate Finance Committee.”

The State House of Representatives has unanimously passed the state budget. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Flames tore through the second floor of the historic Nottoway Plantation in Iberville Parish on Thursday. The blaze began around two yesterday afternoon around two on the second floor of the causing extensive damage. According to reports, no guests were present at the time of the fire, and no injuries have been reported.

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Immigration raids could be coming to Louisiana. Governor Landry has issued an executive order launching Operation GEAUX, which partners  local law enforcement with federal agencies to pick up what Landry calls “dangerous illegal criminals”.  The plan has the full support of Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Cut 10 (09) “…should be removed.”

Did you know American Idol finalist John Foster played his first gig at Floyd’s Morley Marina in Brusly last October?  Though the initial crowd was small compared to now, seeing how far Foster has come in so little time is remarkable.

Cut 8 (09) “…for sure.”

Immigration raids may be coming to Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The State House of unanimously passed the state’s budget which includes 200 million dollars to renew stipends for teachers and support staff. Lawmakers made cuts to equipment purchases, the Health Department’s budget and intensive tutoring. That last part was a difficult decision according to Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio,

Cut 4 (10) “…its funding restored.”

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Southeastern Louisiana University will break ground on the North Oaks Health System Academic and Athletic Complex today. SLU President William Wainwright says the  state-of-the-art complex will serve as the new home for the university’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program and will provide advanced training spaces for student-athletes.

Cut 14 (10) “…supporting the curriculum.”

Before taking his talents to Hollywood and the American Idol stage, John Foster played his first gig at Floyd’s Morley Marina in Brusly last October. Though the initial crowd was small compared to now, Foster’s music career has rapidly gained momentum. Owner Jeremy Prejean says watching Foster for the first time was impressive.

Cut 7 (12) “…rolling after that.”

John Foster’s hometown is ready to roll out the welcome mat for the American Idol finalist.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order yesterday that supports student-athletes in Louisiana receiving fair compensation when it comes to the use of their name, image, and likeness that as national legal proceedings continue around the issue. The NCAA and several athletic conferences have entered into a proposed settlement agreement that would permit colleges to pay student-athletes directly for NIL use.

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Senator Bill Cassidy could face a new challenger in his bid for reelection as news spreads that Governor Landry may be working to recruit Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for that senate seat,  joining State Treasurer John Fleming. Cassidy is believed to be vulnerable due to his vote in 2021 to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th riot at the Capitol. And though Cassidy says he stands by his vote, he says he’spatched things up with the now-current President.

Cut 5 (08) “…working with him.”

A Senate committee approves two tort reform bills that supporters say will help in the effort to lower auto insurance rates…reducing the payouts for injured drivers in and limiting payouts for drivers found to be majority at fault in an accident. The legislation has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.

Cut 14 (07) “…injury claims.”

Both tort reform bills approved by Senate Judiciary A have already passed the House.