Governor Jeff Landry’s new budget will look to double funding for the state’s new voucher program known as the LA Gator scholarship program. 55-hundred students are currently able to attend private schools thanks to 46-million dollars in funding. Public Affairs Research Council President Stephen Procopio says Landry is proposing to increase that funding to 100-million dollars, after he me made a nine-million dollar cut to early childhood education last year….

Cut 15 (12) “…test scores.”

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says an investigation of one complaint against 60 year old Herman Dupre led them to several additional victims. Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

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Louisiana State Troopers are partnering with NOPD and the National Guard as they get set for the busy Carnival Season.  As usual, large crowds are expected in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Governor Jeff Landry has committed more than 150 Troopers from across the state to help the City of New Orleans in the Quarter, Central Business District, along parade routes and local roadways to enhance public safety.

As Mardi Gras season ramps up, crawfish prices are going down and expected to keep falling.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana Lawmakers will start making changes to the governor’s proposed budget when the regular session begins April 14^th. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says there are unanswered questions about state and federal financing sources which brings murkiness to this budget cycle…

Cut 14 (14) “…disrupted.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline as Mardi Gras approaches. Co-founder of the Crawfish App, Laney King, says the average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound almost half the price it was this time last year.  And King says crawfish prices are on track to be under three-dollars a pound during the heart of the season….

Cut 5 (09) “…normal crawfish season.”

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A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims. And Matherne says these assaults had been going on for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer. During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.  The overall murder numbers are down 141 since 2022.  Kirkpatrick said the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Louisiana State Troopers are partnering with NOPD and the National Guard as they get set for the busy Carnival Season.  As usual, large crowds are expected in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Governor Jeff Landry has committed more than 150 Troopers from across the state to help the City of New Orleans in the Quarter, Central Business District, along parade routes and local roadways to enhance public safety.

There is some good news when it comes to crime in the Crescent City.  New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer. During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.

Cut 10 (08) “…decrease in murders.”

In 2022, when New Orleans was known as the murder capital of America, there were 265 murders. In 2023, that number dropped to 192; and last year, it dropped even further to 124

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A Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline as Mardi Gras approaches. Co-founder of the Crawfish App, Laney King, says the average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. ..

Cut 3 (05) “…drop in price.”

As Mardi Gras season ramps up, crawfish prices are going down and expected to keep falling.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year does not contain the two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend educators received a couple of years ago. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says funding will become available to make that pay increase permanent if voters approve Constitutional Amendment two on March 29^th

Cut 13 (11)  “…passing.”

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New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims.

Cut 6 (08) “…reported by DCFS.”

Natchitoches Parish is reeling over Thursday’s announcement that International Paper is closing its Red River containerboard mill in Campti. 300 permanent jobs will go away when the facility ceases operations in April. Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says closure of the mill will increase unemployment and reduce local spending…

Cut 12 (13) “…people themselves.”

The Louisiana Family Forum has named Mr. Ira Milan and Mrs. Margery Milan of New Orleans as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple for the third straight year, celebrating 83 years of marriage. LFF President Gene Mills says it’s tough staying at the top of the leaderboard.

Cut 3 (14) “…on a daily basis.”

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No matter where you’re at in the state, you will want to be weather aware. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the northern half of the state could see thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. He says the southern half of the state could also see some severe weather.

Cut 8 (11) “…to the coast.”

An advocacy group is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health over its ending of mass vaccination clinics and its directive that staffers not promote seasonal vaccines. Dr. Jennifer Herricks with the group Louisiana Families for Vaccines, says the department is taking a dangerous approach.

Cut 9 (12)  “…misrepresent basic facts.”

A local advocacy group is speaking out against the Department of Health’s new approach to vaccines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana saw a round severe weather earlier in the week. But hold onto your hats.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says what Mother Nature has in store this weekend could top that.

Cut 7 (13) “…fuel the storms.”

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The Louisiana Family Forum has named Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple for the third straight year, celebrating 83 years of marriage. LFF President Gene Mills praised the couple’s dedication, emphasizing that lifelong marriage remains a source of joy, health, and community strength.

Cut 5 (10) “…and a successful marriage.”

Natchitoches Parish will be losing 300 permanent jobs when International Paper’s Red River Containerboard mill in Campti clososes it’s doors for good and local residents are worried it could spell doom for the local economy.  Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says in order for Natchitoches to reverse a downward trent, it’ll have to embrace being a college town and attract more students…
Cut 14 (13) “…or another”

The Louisiana Department of Health is getting some backlash over its ending of mass vaccination clinics and its directive that staffers not promote seasonal vaccines. In a letter posted onto the department’s website, Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman took aim at the rollout of COVID vaccines, saying they were mandated despite having no third-party benefit in terms of reduced transmission. Dr. . Dr. Jennifer Herricks with the group Louisiana Families for Vaccines says that’s misleading.

Cut 10 (10) “…risk of transmission.”

People in Natchitoches Parish are still in shock over the news that International Paper is closing its Red River containerboard mill in Campti, meanng the loss of 300 jobs. Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says it’ll be a big blow to an already suffering parish economy.

Cut 13 (11)  “…high poverty levels.”

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For the third straight Valentine’s Day, the Louisiana Family Forum is recognizing a New Orleans husband and wife as the state’s longest known married couple. Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana  could be in for some severe weather today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says most of the state will be at an enhanced risk for severe weather.

Cut 6 (11) “…of itself.”

Another encouraging report about the state of Louisiana education. Louisiana students performed quite well on the Education Recovery Scorecard, leading the country in reading growth  since the pandemic and coming in a close second in math.   State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says it’s a testament to the hard work that teachers are putting in, but the job’s not done.

Cut 9 (10)  “…work to do.”

The Recovery Scorecard is a prominent national study by both Harvard and Stanford.

Embattled law professor Ken Levy says he’ll be back in an LSU classroom tomorrow. That after state court Judge Tarvald Smith ruled yesterday that university must allow it, saying LSU had not followed its own policies in handling a complaint about comments Levy made about Governor Jeff Landry in class.

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Governor Jeff Landry has announced the state will resume executions using nitrogen gas suffocation after the corrections agency updated its protocol. State Representative Nicholas Muscarello, who crafted the legislation, there are no constitutional issues and believes the governor is  honoring his commitment to the victims of these crimes.

Cut 12 (13) “…was going to do.”

The director of the Loyola Center for Social Justice, Cecilla Kappel (CAP-ill), says bringing back the death penalty is only political, and it’s a practice that is not needed in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…days of executions.”

We’re told officials in Rapides Parish are obtaining Death Warrants for Larry Roy, known as the “Cheneyville Slasher.” He killed two people in 1993, and will be the first to be put to death under the new protocol on March 19th if courts don’t step in.

On the heels of encouraging news from the Nations’ Report Card, Louisiana students are doing quite well on the Education Recovery Scorecard too. State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley on the study that measures student achievement since the end of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (08) “…second in math.”

The Recovery Scorecard is a prominent national study by Harvard and Stanford.

Meta has partnered with Childhelp to launch a free, expert-backed curriculum to educate middle schoolers about online safety.  Ravi Sinha, the head of Meta’s Child Safety Policy, says the curriculum is part of Childhelp’s “Speak Up Be Safe” program and is available to educators, parents, and community organizations. It is completely free.

Cut 15 (12) “…to middle schoolers.”

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Governor Landry announced that state executions will resume and can use nitrogen gas after the corrections agency updated the protocol. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

DOTD is updating its Statewide Transportation Plan and it’s launching a survey to get your input. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says the survey, which they do every ten years, will go a long way in helping DOTD develop its plan to address all forms of transportation – not just motor vehicles.

Cut 5 (14) “…need to go.”

DOTD has posted a link to its survey on its social media channels.

DOTD is updating its Statewide Transportation Plan as it does every ten years, and it’s launching a survey to get your input. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Embattled law professor Ken Levy says he’ll be back in an LSU classroom tomorrow. That after state court judge Tarvald Smith ruled yesterday that university must allow it, saying LSU had not followed its own policies in handling a complaint about comments Levy made about Governor Jeff Landry in class.

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On the heels of encouraging news from the Nations’ Report Card, Louisiana students are doing quite well in the Education Recovery Scorecard, leading the country in reading growth over the last five years and coming in a close second in math.   State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says the Recovery Scorecard measures student achievement since the end of the pandemic.

Cut 8 (10) “…in several areas.”

Meta has partnered with Childhelp to launch a free, expert-backed curriculum to educate middle schoolers about online safety, including how to recognize grooming and exploitation. Ravi Sinha, the head of Meta’s Child Safety Policy,  says the curriculum provides detailed lesson plans, interactive activities and videos.

Cut 14 (16) “…ask for help.”

Visit Childhelp-dot-org to download the curriculum.