U-S District Judge Shelly Dick has put a halt to the scheduled execution of Jessie Hoffman, who was set to become the first death row inmate in Louisiana to be put to death with nitrogen gas. Dick halted the execution over concerns it’s cruel and unusual punishment. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says in a statement that the state disagrees with Judge Dick’s decision and will immediately appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Loyola University Law professor Dane Ciolino says it’s unclear when this execution will happen, if it does…

Cut 15 (10) “…perhaps months”

Judge Dick said in her ruling that a firing squad would be a quicker and a more humane method. Hoffman was sent to death row after he was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a woman in 1996. Hoffman testified he’s fine with being executed, but since he’s Buddhist he does not want to be put to death with nitrogen gas.

The National Federal of Independent Business says small business optimism has fallen as inflation remains a problem, along with labor quality. NFIB state director Leah Long says there’s also uncertainty over a 20-percent small business tax deduction that’s set to expire…

Cut 8 (07) “….massive tax hike”

Long says small businesses in Louisiana are also concerned about insurance rates.

New Orleans saw a huge decrease in crime this Carnival season. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick credits the cooperation between local, state and federal resources, in light of Mardi Gras being designated a SEAR-1 event by the Department of Homeland Security. Kirkpatrick says during the 12-days of Carnival, NOPD made 388 arrests – a huge drop from last year.

Cut 10 (06) “…in crime incidents”

The NOPD says it’s the fewest reported number of crimes since 2019.

A ruling from a federal judge in Baton Rouge has delayed the execution of death row inmate Jessie Hoffman. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A 39-year-old West Baton Rouge Parish woman has entered a not guilty plea to a felony charge for allegedly obtaining abortion inducing drugs from a doctor in New York and then providing them to her pregnant teenage daughter. The doctor, Margaret Carpenter, also faces charges, but New York’s laws prevent Louisiana from going into their state to arrest her for this type of activity.

The New Orleans Police Department says crime during the Mardi Gras carnival season was way down this year. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says this year, there were 493 crimes reported, compared to 951 last year. She says both violent crime and property crime saw huge decreases this year.

Cut 11 (07) “…crimes against property.”

18 firearms were confiscated during Carnival season.

For years, Southwest Airlines has allowed all passengers to check up to two bags free, but that’s changing as of May 28^th. The Dallas-based airline will start charging for bags after that date, unless you are in the upper tier of their Rapid Rewards loyalty program, have a business class ticket or use the airline’s credit card. UNO business professor Mark Rosa still expects Southwest Airlines to be a popular choice for travelers…

Cut 5 (05) “…the ticket”

Jessie Hoffman will not be executed next Tuesday. Federal Judge Shelly Dick ruled in favor of the death row inmate in his quest for the state not to use nitrogen hypoxia to execute him for kidnapping, raping and killing a woman in 1996. Loyola University New Orleans law professor Dane Ciolino says Hoffman gave compelling testimony that was likely the deciding factor in Judge Dick’s ruling.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the Eighth Amendment.”

During a daylong hearing on Friday, Hoffman told Judge Dick that he is a Buddhist and breathing techniques are a big part of the religion. Hoffman says  with nitrogen hypoxia he would not be able to practice his religion at the time of his death. The state is appealing Judge Dick’s ruling.

Funeral services are today in Franklin for former First Lady Alice Foster. She was the wife of former two-term governor Mike Foster. Alice Foster died last Thursday at the age of 84.

Crime in New Orleans during Carnival season saw a huge drop this year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A national survey of small businesses finds optimism is receding among small business owners. State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Leah Long, says there are concerns about what’s happening on the federal and state levels with pending legislation…

Cut 9 (09) “…on insurance rates”

U-S District Judge Shelly Dick has halted the March 18^th execution of death row inmate Jessie Hoffman. Hoffman was set to be the state’s first nitrogen gas execution. But Dick says the courts need more time to answer the question whether the nitrogen hypoxia method is cruel and unusual punishment and violates the Eighth Amendment of the U-S Constitution. The state is appealing. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says if Hoffman is executed, it will not happen for a while…

Cut 14 (10) “…. hypoxia at all”

In her ruling, Judge Dick said a firing squad would be a quicker and more humane method. Hoffman is on death row for the 1996 kidnapping, rape and murder of Molly Elliot who was walking to her car in New Orleans when Hoffman attacked her. Hoffman left Elliott’s body in the Middle Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish.

Many people fly Southwest Airlines because you can check two bags for free but that policy is changing on May 28^th…..

Cut 1 (33) “….I”m Sean Richardson”

A national survey finds small businesses are less optimistic than they were a month ago. Leah Long is the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business…

Cut 7 (08) “….doing business here”

Inflation and labor quality remain the two biggest problems for small businesses.

There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the department is looking to open up two additional bear areas along with Bear Area 4 in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 6 (11) “…Terrebonne, Iberia.”

Hanks says the number of tags would go up from 11 last year to 26 for the season that would run from December 6^th to the 21^st.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms in Louisiana are working. Temple says since the legislature passed his package of property insurance reform bills last year, rates are starting to trend in the right direction.

Cut 10 (09) “…overall reinsurance market.”

Temple says this year the state has approved seven rate decreases from residential insurers. That is more than what was approved between 2022 to 2024.

A third suspect involved in the hazing death investigation of Southern University student Caleb Wilson has surrendered to authorities. Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. Smith along with 23-year-old Caleb McCray and Kyle Thurman are facing felony charges for their role in Caleb Wilson’s death. Authorities say Wilson died after being punched in the stomach during a hazing ritual with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

One lucky crawfish will not go into the boiling pot this crawfish season.  Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms are working. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A second person has been arrested in the death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson of Kenner. Baton Rouge Police say the 20-year-old Wilson died from a hazing incident as he was punched in the chest while pledging Omega Psi Phi. Twenty-five-year-old Kyle Thurman was arrested yesterday in Port Allen. Twenty-three-year-old Caleb McCray was the first suspect arrested and a third suspect is still at large.

The lease for the temporary housing facility in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood that housed homeless people during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras expires today, but it will remain open for the time being. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says they will extend the lease of the facility on France Road as long as necessary in short chunks.

Cut 7 (06) “…week by week basis.”

Steele says at one point there were 183 people in the transitional center and it’s now down to 78.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is pardoning a crawfish today. For the last nine years, Nungesser has spared the life of one crawfish, keeping it from going into a boiling pot of mudbugs….

Cut 6 (09) “….beautiful state parks”

The pardoning of the crawfish will take place at Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in Henderson.