The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation at UL-Lafayette have teamed up for a comprehensive survey on the challenges facing veterans. Director of the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation Gabriella Wilson says the goal of the survey which is open till June 15^th, is to improve services and support systems for veterans and their families.

Cut 9 (12)  “…by the end of November.”

The survey can be found at lchi.louisiana.edu.

Major announcement over the weekend as Saints QB Derek Carr announced his retirement, due to degenerative damage to his right shoulder.  Carr’s retirement leaves three quarterbacks in the Saints’ room – 26-year-old Jake Haener, 24-year-old Spencer Rattler and 25-year-old rookie Tyler Shough (“shuck”). New head Coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 16 (10) “…awareness to it.”

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It’s National Foster Care Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is looking for more foster families. Here’s Colleen Crain.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

All eyes will be on Louisiana’s own John Foster tonight as he competes for a spot in American Idol’s top three.  The Addis native performed twice last night earning him a spot in tonight’s top five found.  18 year old Foster is a pre-med student at LSU.

Shocking news out of the Saints’ rookie camp this weekend as quarterback Derek Carr has retired. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

May is National Foster Care Month, and the Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion to spotlight the need for foster caregivers. Secretary David Matlock says the number of foster families in Louisiana has gone up in recent years, but they could always use more.

Cut 6 (07) “…and so forth.”

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AARP is urging the House to reject a Senate bill that has advanced to the lower chamber. Andrew Muhl with the AARP of Louisiana says Senate Bill would effectively let nursing homes off the hook for damages caused by abuse and neglect. Muhl points to the incident involving Bob Dean, who evacuated residents in nursing homes he owned to an unsanitary warehouse during Hurricane Ida, in which seven people died.

Cut 10 (12) “…100-thousand dollars total.”

The bill was written by Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, co-authored by Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh. Seabaugh says the bill is not intended to rewrite law, but to clarify existing law he says was always intended to include nursing homes in the Medical Malpractice Act.

Cut 12 (08) “…nursing home industry.”

May is National Foster Care Month, and the Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion to spotlight the need for foster caregivers. Secretary David Matlock says thousands of kids need good, caring foster families.

Cut 4 (11) “…amazing foster homes.”

The state does provide training to those approved to be foster parents.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation at UL-Lafayette have teamed up to do a comprehensive survey to learn more about the challenges veterans face. Louisiana Center for Health Innovation Director Gabriella Wilson says they want to assess the needs of veterans…

Cut 7 (12) “…needs of everybody.”

The survey can be found at lchi.louisiana.edu. It will be open till June 15.

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AARP is speaking out against a bill that it says would let nursing home companies off the hook for abuse and negligence. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Saints rookie minicamp this weekend got rocked with shocking news that quarterback Derek Carr has retired. The Saints Carr had developed degenerative damage to his right shoulder, which he determined would prevent him from continuing his playing career. New Head Coach Kellen Moore says Carr will be missed.

Cut 14 (10) “…really, really special.”

Derek Carr has announced he’s retiring from the NFL. The Saints Organization announced the news on X this morning.  Carr had was diagnosed with a labral tear in his right shoulder and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff in late March not long after beginning to throw again after the left hand injury he sustained in December.  The report says after consulting with his wife Heather, Carr has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the League.

A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he didn’t let being homeless define who he was and knew he was meant for something great. He says the Jobs for American Graduates program has taught him patience, responsibility and leadership.

Cut 12 (08) “…different walks of life.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, started digging into the former Robert Prevost’s family after hearing his last name, and he was amazed at what he found.

Cut 6 (12) “…of New Orleans.”

Honora says the pope’s mother is the only one among her siblings who was born outside of New Orleans.

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Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year.  The Franklin Parish native says ever since she was a kid in Louisiana, playing with her sister that she has always dreamed about entertaining people.

Cut 10 (09) “…make you cry.”

Speaking of wins, the LSU baseball Tiers won a baseball game after one o’ clock in the morning for the second time this season as they outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks five to four in ten innings. Jared Jones scored the winning run on a headfirst slide into home. Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher.

Derek Carr has announced his retirement. The Saints Organization announced the news on X this morning.  Carr had was diagnosed with a labral tear in his right shoulder and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff in late March not long after beginning to throw again after the left hand injury he sustained in December.  The report says after consulting with his wife Heather, Carr has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the League.

A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he didn’t let being homeless define who he was and knew he was meant for something great. He says the Jobs for American Graduates program has taught him patience, responsibility and leadership.

Cut 12 (08) “…different walks of life.”

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If you’re considering crawfish for Mother’s Day, there’s good news!  Crawfish prices have hit their lowest price point for the year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Pope Leo the 14th may be from Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, says the Pope’s mother’s family is from the Crescent City…in fact his mother was the only one of her siblings born outside New Orleans.

Cut 7 (13) “…in New Orleans.”

Louisiana lawmakers are looking to cut taxes for oil producers with a package of bills that would bring the state’s tax code in line with those of neighboring states.  It passed through the house easily on Thursday but could face opposition in the Senate as some are questioning the long-term financial impact to the state.  One bill would cut the severance tax rate on crude oil taken from new wells nearly in half. Louisiana’s severance tax is the highest in the country and hasn’t changed since 1973.

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, started digging into the former Robert Prevost’s family after hearing his last name, and he was amazed at what he found.

Cut 6 (12) “…of New Orleans.”

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A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he’s proud to represent Louisiana and being the first in may categories for this role.

Cut 11 (11) “…from Shreveport, Louisiana.”

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year. In her acceptance speech, the Franklin Parish native expressed gratitude to her fans and reflected on her dreams of entertaining, despite feeling impostor syndrome.

Cut 9 (07)  “…I just appreciate it.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but it turns out he has roots in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit makes a huge drug bust. Major Tommy Carnline

Cut 3 (11) “…subsequent arrest.”

31-year old Dequavious Wagner is facing multiple charges. The street value of the drugs confiscated is estimated at up to one and a half million dollars.

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year.  The Franklin Parish native says ever since she was a kid in Louisiana, playing with her sister that she has always dreamed about entertaining people.

Cut 10 (09) “…make you cry.”

Speaking of wins, the LSU baseball Tiers won a baseball game after one o’ clock in the morning for the second time this season as they outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks five to four in ten innings. Jared Jones scored the winning run on a headfirst slide into home. Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher.

The Saints have signed six of their nine draft picks, including offensive lineman Kelvin Banks who’s reportedly inked a four-year deal, worth almost 28 million dollars. New Orleans is holding a rookie minicamp this weekend.

The FBI said Tuesday that it continues to believe that the man who slammed a truck into revelers on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day acted alone.  That’s despite new reports that Iraqi officials arrested an alleged ISIS member for inciting the attack. In a statement, the agency said yesterday though the investigation is ongoing, they believe Shamsud Din-Jabbar acted alone in carrying out the attack that left 14 people dead and injured dozens.

A man who has spent more than a quarter century on death row in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s nearly two-year-old daughter has had his first-degree murder conviction thrown out.  Jimmie Duncan was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1993 death of little Haley Oliveaux. Richard Webster, who’s been covering the story for ProPublica, says Duncan’s conviction was due in large part to testimony experts now say is junk science.

Cut 8 (14) “…to Jimmie Duncan.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is hailing the 17-and-a-half-billion-dollar investment that Woodside Energy Group is making in Louisiana. The Australian-based company announced yesterday that it is putting up a greenfield liquified natural gas export facility in Calcasieu Parish. Cassidy says this is the first greenfield LNG export facility to advance since President Trump rolled back the Biden administration’s pause on LNG export permits.

Cut 13 (14)  “…celebrate 100 days.”

Amtrak will launch a new intercity train service, the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, this summer, running twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. The trains will offer scenic travel with morning and evening departures. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the service aims to boost tourism, improve regional connectivity, and support local economies.

Cut 15 (12) “…from Baton Rouge.”

Amtrak is getting set to launch the Mardi Gras Service running twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is hailing the 17-and-a-half-billion-dollar investment that Woodside Energy Group is making in Louisiana saying it will bring thousands of new jobs to Calcasieu Parish.

Cut 11 (11) “…year once operational.”

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A bill that would ban the sale of kratom has been approved and moves to the Senate floor. David Lebrano supports the bill and spoke to the dangers of the drug.  Lebrano’s son died from an apparent kratom overdose, and he hopes to prevent others from experiencing this pain.

Cut 5 (11) “…gas station, headshops, anywhere.”

But some critics say the ban will hurt those who use the product medicinally to help manage pain.  Adam Peak who owns Bella Sunrise Smoke Shop, says kratom has been a net positive, helping with overcoming addiction to other drugs and alcohol.

Cut 7 (11) “…an issue of kratom.”

A first-degree murder conviction against a death-row inmate has been thrown out. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The FBI said Tuesday that it continues to believe that the man who slammed a truck into revelers on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day acted alone.  That’s despite new reports that Iraqi officials arrested an alleged ISIS member for inciting the attack. In a statement, the agency said yesterday though the investigation is ongoing, they believe Shamsud Din-Jabbar acted alone in carrying out the attack that left 14 people dead and injured dozens.

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A bill that would ban the sale of kratom was approved and moves to the Senate floor. Senate Bill 154 is authored by Monroe Republican Jay Morris.

Cut 4 (12) “…and to individuals.”

Proponents of the bill say kratom is dangerous and deadly but others say a ban on the drug would hurt others who use the product medicinally and help manage pain.

Australian-based Woodside Energy Group has announced a 17-and-a-half-billion-dollar investment building a greenfield liquified natural gas export facility in Calcasieu Parish. The news comes as several other major companies have committed to huge Louisiana investments. Senator Bill Cassidy

Cut 12 (11) “…can be brighter.”