This school year two new laws are in effect emphasizing a parent’s right to have their children opt out of vaccine requirements and prevent schools from requiring COVID vaccinations. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston, who authored the legislation, says if parents have any issues opting out, they should call the State Department of Education or her office…

Cut 8 (08)  “…correct it.”

A third case of measels has popped up in Louisiana this week, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. We’re told the person is an international visitor who was not fully vaccinated. Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among individuals who have not had the MMR vaccine. We’re told the individual who tested positive is hospitalized in isolation.

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May 7, 2025, is now the final deadline for U-S residents to obtain a REAL ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The Saints preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals is tonight.. Experts say it remains to be seen whether the Saints will play their starters like they did last preseason, but most will be watching to see if the race to see how the race for second string QB may play out. Kick off is tonight at seven.

Starting May 7, 2025, U.S. residents will need a REAL ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 attacks. Louisiana OMV Commissioner Dan Casey encourages travelers to check their current ID and, if necessary, visit the DMF for a REAL ID as early as possible to avoid travel disruptions.

Cut 11 (12) ” …one of our offices.”

Currently, only 25 percent of Louisiana residents have obtained a REAL ID.

This school year two new laws are in effect emphasizing a parent’s rights concerning their children and immunizations in public and private schools. One of them emphasizes an existing law that allows parents to have their child opt out of any vaccination required to attend school. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston

Cut 7 (08) “…child out.”

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In case you missed it, former LSU track and field great Sha’Carri Richardson won her first Olympic gold medal with the USA women’s 4×100 relay team in Parish late yesterday. Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas and Richardson finished with a time of 41.78, edging out Great Britain and Germany for the gold medal.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has partnered with the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA) to launch the “Put the Brakes on Litter” campaign. The hope is that by educating drivers and encouraging responsible disposal habits, they can make a significant impact on keeping Louisiana’s roads and communities clean. KLB Director Susan Russell.

Cut 5 (07)  “…intentional and unintentional littering.”

Each year local governments and other agencies spend more than $91 million cleaning up litter.

New laws pertaining to immunization requirements for students are in effect. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A 32 year old Lake Charles man is behind bars this morning after police say he killed his father’s fiancee’ Thursday night. Jesse lee First is charged with second degree murder in the death of 54 year old Sherron Delafose, who was found unresponsive. First is being held on a million dollar bond.

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has partnered with the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA) to launch the “Put the Brakes on Litter” campaign. The campaign, a result of a recent study that found there are 143.8 million pieces of litter on the roadways, emphasizes the role that individuals can play in reducing litter, particularly from vehicles. KLB Director Susan Russel

Cut 4 (10) “…expand it to other dealerships.”

The Saints preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals kicks off tonight at seven.  Ross Jackson, host of the Locked On Saints Podcast, says he’s not sure if the Saints will play their starters like they did last preseason. If they don’t, he says, the race is on for who gets to be second-string quarterback.

Cut 12 (15) “…preseason.”

This school year two new laws are in effect emphasizing a parent’s existing right to have their children opt out of vaccine requirements and prevent schools from requiring COVID vaccinations. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston authored the legislation…

Cut 6 (13) “…no mandate.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has partnered with the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA) to launch the “Put the Brakes on Litter” campaign. KLB Director Susan Russel says participating dealers will distribute litter kits to customers, aiming to raise awareness about the environmental impact of littering.

Cut 3 (11) “…all throughout Louisiana.”

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Starting May 7, 2025, U.S. residents will need a REAL ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 attacks, sets security standards for issuing driver’s licenses and other forms of identification. Louisiana OMV Commissioner Dan Casey says REAL ID is marked with a star at the top of the card, indicating that it meets these federal requirements.

Cut 9 (12) “…issued.”

A third case of measels has popped up in Louisiana this week, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. We’re told the person is an international visitor who was not fully vaccinated. Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among individuals who have not had the MMR vaccine. We’re told the individual who tested positive is hospitalized in isolation.

A new Louisiana Law allowing surgical castration of child rapists becomes active this month. Under it, males and females over the age of 17 convicted of sexual abuse of a child under 13 could face surgical castration. Some argue the punishment is cruel and unusual, but judges will have discretion. Still there are others who say the threat surgery won’t deter all offenders and  Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow-who authored the bill- says that may be true of some.

Cut 8 (12) “…(x2) them incarcerated.”
Shreveport police this morning are investigating a shooting that happened just before midnight last night. The incident happened on Fairfax Avenue. Officials say a juvenile was shot and taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. So far, there’s been no word on motive or suspect in the shooting.

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Unemployment claims are down once again in Louisiana. In fact, according to the latest numbers from WalletHub that seems to be becoming a trend in the Bayou State. Wallet Hub Analyst Cassandra Happe says says employees seem to be more engaged and she believes that’s a good sign.

Cut 6 (09) “…further down.”

New special needs playgrounds are coming to two of Louisiana’s State Parks. Bogue Chitto and Fontainebleau state parks are the ones getting the upgrades, including amenities for special needs in cabins. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the goal is to make sure everyone can enjoy Louisiana state parks.

Cut 12 (12) “…special need.”

The playgrounds are expected to be completed in October.

There’s encouraging news for Louisiana job seekers and employers. Colleen Crain has more on the latest from Wallet Hub.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A female pedestrian struck by a vehicle driven by New Orleans Police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has been released from a hospital. NOPD says the woman sustained minor injuries when she and a man were hit near Decatur and Iberville streets on Saturday. NOPD officials say their Traffic detectives will be turning over the crash investigation to Louisiana State Police.

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Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks, including special play equipment, shaded areas, benches, and picnic tables. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the playgrounds at Bogue Chitto and Fountainbleau state parks are just the beginning, as he envisions special needs-friendly structures beyond playgrounds in all 19 state parks.

Cut 11 (12) “…out in the water.”

The school bell is about to ring but cellphones will no longer be ringing in classrooms. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored the bill that bans them and award-winning educators testified that cell phones were among the biggest issues when trying to keep a student’s attention.

Cut 14 (08)  “…value in it,”

Mizell says she’s interested to see if the cellphone ban will impact future LEAP scores.

A new Louisiana Law allowing surgical castration of child rapists becomes active this month. Author of the legislation, Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, says in her work, that she’s received countless devastating reports of child sexual abuse, some cases resulting in a child’s death or life-altering damage, and something more had to be done to stop it.

Cut 7 (10) “…more children.”

Some good news for both Louisiana Job Seekers and Employers as weekly unemployment claims drop. According to WalletHub Analyst, Cassandra Happe (Happy) The Bayou State stood out as one of the states that had the lowest increase in the number of people seeking unemployment benefits.

Cut 4 (12) “…the last week.”

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School is about to start, but one thing that won’t be happening anymore in the classrooms is the use of cellphones. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored the bill that bans the devices. Mizell says psychologists reported that cellphone use, instead of interpersonal interaction, was having detrimental effects on how students interact with other people.

Cut 15 (11)  “…the phone.

Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks, including special play equipment, shaded areas, benches, and picnic tables. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser …

Cut 10 (09) “…inviting and welcoming.”

Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

A female pedestrian struck by a vehicle driven by New Orleans Police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has been released from a hospital, that’s according to NOPD. We’re told the woman sustained minor injuries when she and a man were hit near Decatur and Iberville streets on Saturday. NOPD officials say their Traffic detectives will be turning over the crash investigation to Louisiana State Police.

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Some good news regarding jobs in Louisiana as weekly unemployment claims drop and that’s not all. According to WalletHub Analyst, Cassandra Happe (Happy) ,WalletHub compares week-to-week data as well as year-to-year data and it appears Louisiana is seeing a long-term shift.

Cut 5 (10) “…last year.”

The school bell is about to ring but one thing that won’t be ringing is a cellphone.  Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored a bill to keep phones from becoming a distraction for both teachers and students.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the classroom”

There’s encouraging news for Louisiana job seekers and employers. Colleen Crain has more on the latest from Wallet Hub.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The school bell is about to ring but one thing that won’t be ringing is a cellphone.  Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored a bill to keep phones from becoming a distraction for both teachers and students.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the classroom”

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A new Louisiana Law allowing surgical castration of child rapists becomes active this month. Author of the legislation, Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, says in her work, that she’s received countless devastating reports of child sexual abuse, some cases resulting in a child’s death or life-altering damage, and something more had to be done to stop it.

Cut 7 (10) “…more children.”

Two new special needs playgrounds are coming to Louisiana State Parks, including special play equipment, shaded areas, benches, and picnic tables. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says when he took office, he realized a lot of parks weren’t special needs friendly…

Cut 10 (09) “…inviting and welcoming.”

The latest poll averages show Kamala Harris is gaining on Donald Trump in the race for president, with Trump’s lead going down at least one point for the third straight week.  Though we’re months away from the election, John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says the actual deadline to reverse poll sliding is much closer.

Cut 10 (11) “…in October.”

The start of school is almost here and with that comes challenges for educators and administrators including ataffing shortages. Experts say many schools are still trying to fill open position with certified teachers and administrators. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says finding teachers now is difficult, but when principals are retiring, and that position is filled with a teacher…

Cut  13 (05) “…all the way down.” 

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Parts of Florida remain under a hurricane watch and forecasters say Tropical Storm Four, expected to become Tropical Storm Deby could increase to hurricane strength by the time it makes landfall. The hurricane watch was issued for parts of Florida’s Big Bend region, where the National Hurricane Center now forecasts a landfall as a strong tropical storm by Monday morning.

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. The new stadium will be a state-of-the-art facility that Sorenson says the 8-time National Champion team deserves. But, it’s also designed to be a multi-purpose facility that Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says will help draw events to Acadiana.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sporting tournaments.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.