The world’s first vaccine that would lower the risk of adults 60 and older from getting RSV has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The full House is scheduled to debate the proposed $46-billion state budget bill today. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A Bossier City Police officer continues to recover from a mass shooting at a gas station off of Interstate 20. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first respiratory syncytial virus vaccine by pharmaceutical giant GSK. RSV causes lower respiratory illness and the vaccine would target adults who are 60 and older. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says having this before the next RSV season coming in late fall and winter is significant.

Cut 4 (12)  “…important advancement.”

For older adults with underlying medical conditions like asthma, emphysema, and heart failure, complications from RSV infection can potentially be life-threatening. RSV hospitalizations for the current season were around 51 per 100,000 people, according to the CDC. Lopez says the vaccine looks promising to lower the risk of symptomatic illness.

Cut 5 (12)   “…94 percent.”

Lopez says the CDC must still recommend the vaccine before it becomes available to the public.

Cut 6 (09)  “…approve it.”

RSV kills up to 10,000 people ages 65 or older and up to 300 children under 5 every year in the U.S. The CDC’s final recommendation on who will get the vaccine will come in June.

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The state House is scheduled to begin debate of House Bill 1, the proposed $45.7-billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerome Zeringue says it may not be everything Governor Edwards asked for, but the spending plan is a good one…:

Cut 7 (10) “…expenditure limit.”

The governor wanted teacher pay raises of $2000 to $3000 a year. Zeringue says the raises in HB 1 are less than that, because they chose instead to put more surplus dollars into lowering the state’s teacher retirement system debt; the so-called Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL). He says this will enable school districts to give their own raises…:

Cut 8 (06) “…and institutions.”

Early childhood education will also have less dedicated funding than the governor hoped for. Zeringue says federal money for these programs is falling off and the state cannot afford to sustain funding at that level; not with another fiscal cliff coming in 2025…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…as they are.”

House floor debate on the budget bill, plus dozens of proposed member amendments should begin today at the Capitol.

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To address the critical need for registered nurses, UL Lafayette and Ochsner Lafayette General have formed a partnership for students to earn an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Interim Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Lisa Broussard, says it’s ideal for those who have a bachelor’s degree in any field and desire a career in nursing.

Cut 10 (08) “… in 15 months.” 

And not only is the degree accelerated, but Broussard says the hospital will also cover the cost of tuition and provide clinical sites for students.

Cut 11 (08)  “…upon graduation.”

Any general education courses will be paid for by the student, but any of the 17 required nursing credits will be paid for by the hospital.

Broussard says the nursing shortage is predicted to grow considerably and the partnership is ideal for those who want a career in nursing but both time and costs are obstacles to earning a degree.

Cut 12 (07)    “…to come back.” 

The program begins in May of 2024 and students will graduate in August of 2025. For more information visit LouisianaRadioNetwork.com.

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Bossier City authorities credit a hotel manger for helping them apprehend a man who was on a killing spree. B-C-P-D spokesperson Louis Johnson says 50-year-old Cortrell Burks fled to a nearby hotel after fatally shooting two people during an armed robbery Tuesday morning at a gas station off of I-20…

Cut 13 (12) “…further harm.” 

Authorities arrested Burks outside of the LeBossier Hotel and Event Center. He’s also wanted in the stabbing death of a 40-year-old woman in Birmingham.

Johnson says officers arrived in about 90 seconds after getting word of a shooting at the Valero gas station on Industrial Drive. He says a responding officer was shot four times.

Cut 14 (11)  “…keep him protected.”

The wounded officer has been identified as Kenny Gallon. He’s been on the force for seven years and is married with two children. Bossier City police chief Daniel Haugen says Officer Gallon is in good spirits. McWilliams says it appears Burks was traveling on I-20 and happened to stop in Bossier City…

Cut 15 (09)  “…into that.”

Johnson says the two people killed are a 36-year-old man, who was a clerk, and a 47-year-old, male who was an employee.

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LSU pitcher Paul Skenes will go for his ninth win of the season tomorrow when the Tigers visit Auburn to begin a three-game series. Former LSU baseball star and now analyst on the SEC Network, Todd Walker, says Skenes was a good pitcher at Air Force last season, now he’s one of the best in the country…

Cut  16 (15)  “…walk anybody”  (2x)

Skenes’ dominance is why LSU is a favorite to win the College World Series. Walker says the Tigers will need a couple of other pitchers to excel in the postseason for the Bayou Bengals to win a seventh national title in program history…

Cut 17 (11) “…a little bit.”

LSU has been the consensus number one ranked team in the country all season, but Walker says it’s baseball and the best team doesn’t always win a national championship…

Cut 18 (12) “..on there”

The man who fatally shot two people and wounded a Bossier City police officer during a shootout at a gas station off of I-20 is reportedly a suspect in a fatal stabbing that took place in Alabama. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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On a nine to five vote, the House Labor Committee rejects a proposal to raise the minimum wage above the current $7.25 an hour. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The armed gunman who murdered two people and injured two more including a police officer at a Valero gas station in Bossier City is reportedly connected to a deadly stabbing and shooting in Alabama.  Spokesperson Louis Johnson says he is familiar with the reports but their agency has not released any information.

Cut 3 (08) “….this moment.”

Booking records show 50-year-old Cortrell Burks is also a fugitive from Birmingham, Alabama in Jefferson County where authorities say Burks is suspected of stabbing a woman to death and shooting four other people before the tragic incident in Bossier City. Bossier City Police have not released the names of the suspect or victims. Johnson says the initial call came in as an armed robbery and they received a “shots fired” call.

Cut 4 (07)  “…a clerk.” 

The wounded officer who was shot multiple times is listed in stable condition and the fourth victim is in critical condition.

Cut 5 (12) “…that situation.”

A press conference releasing more details is scheduled for today.

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the Louisiana Department of Health is promoting the use of 988, a 24/7 suicide and crisis call line. Karen Stubbs, Assistant Secretary in the Office of Behavioral Health, says 988 launched in July and they want more people to know help is available and it’s only three digits away.

Cut 6 (10)  “…anniversary.” 

Stubbs says they’ve also launched a dashboard to provide transparency of 988 to include call volume, demographics, and what people are using the line for and it will be updated monthly.

Cut 7 (11)  “…conversation again.” 

In addition to receiving council by calling 988, Stubbs says you can also receive assistance via text and chat. You can find the dashboard and more information at ldh.la.gov/crisis

Cut 8 (10)  “…their families.” 

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A bill that would raise the statewide minimum wage to $10 an hour failed in House Labor Committee on a 9-5 vote. The bill’s author, Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain (Larva-dane), says citizens making between $7.25 an hour and ten-bucks an hour are struggling to survive and lawmakers must step up.

Cut 9 (09) “….is unacceptable.”

NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says Louisiana small businesses oppose this legislation. 

Cut 10 (13) “…of employees” 

President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Jim Patterson says there are very few non-government workers making less than 10-dollars an hour…

Cut 11 (12)  “…not necessary”

The last federal wage increase was in 2009. Thirty out of fifty states has a minimum wage greater than the federal minimum wage. Arkansas raised its minimum wage to eleven dollars an hour this year. Larvadain says the lack of a higher minimum wage is contributing to the state’s outmigration problem.

Cut 12 (06) “…other locations.” 

The minimum wage will continue at 7.25 an hour. During Governor John Bel Edwards two terms in office he’s pushed the Louisiana Legislature to raise the minimum wage, but in his seven-plus years in office, the proposal has been rejected by the Republican controlled Legislature.

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The House Education Committee approves legislation requiring high school students to take a financial literacy class to graduate. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says he hears from parents who say public school students should be educated on how to handle their finances…

Cut 13 (12) “…going to make.” 

Brumley says the course will provide students with life skills to understand economics…

Cut 14 (09)  “…day-to-day basis”

Brumley says 11th and 12th graders would take the financial literacy course.

Cut 15 (10) “…some replacement”

The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Third-grade students in Louisiana may be required to take literacy screenings in order to be promoted to the fourth grade if the bill is passed on the House Floor.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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A bill to give cops the right to tell you “stay back” while they do their jobs advances out of a House Committee. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A bill to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A proposed bill that prohibits the promotion of third-graders who can not read proficiently was approved by House Education with a 7 – 3 vote. Sponsor of the bill – Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says Louisiana is among the top ten states with the lowest literacy performance.

Cut 4 (11)  “…at it.”

Statewide more than 15,000 third graders failed below reading on grade level based on a literacy screener administered last year. 75% of fourth graders in Louisiana can not read based on national test results. Nelson birthed the bill when he realized his child had a reading impediment. Addressing the committee, Nelson’s wife, Ashley says imaging this bill in any other concept would be:…

Cut 5 (11)   “…the water.”

Nelson says his bill mirrors a Mississippi legislation that was passed in 2013. If the screening determines the child has a reading deficiency, the student would have three attempts to determine promotion to fourth grade. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps expressed concern over the present law and the proposed bill.

Cut 6 (12)  “…we have.”

The bill heads to the House floor.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill that would give police the right to say “stay back” while they do their job and establish a 25-foot safe zone between them. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson is the bill sponsor. He tells committee members his bill is a safety measure and allows cops to take preventive steps for his or her own safety and the safety of an approaching citizen…:

Cut 7 (12) “…of a misdemeanor.”

Johnson says people have been hurt for walking up on a cop doing his job, who didn’t know that person’s intentions and cops have been hurt and even killed in similar encounters. Opponents of the bill worried it will prevent people from being able to video police. Citizen and attorney Allison McCrery says the bill’s 25-foot buffer zone means witnesses will have limited sight, and oversight, of police actions…:

Cut 8 (05) “…that far away.”

Johnson says the bill would apply only IF the officer asked or instructed you to stay back, and would not totally prevent approaching an officer – say to ask for help. Johnson says the bill’s language does not mention videotaping officers the 25-foot buffer zone is still plenty close for cell phone video…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…not accurate.”

Violators could get fines and possible jail time. By a vote of 8-to-1, the bill moves to the House floor for debate.

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Legislation to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment’s bill is entitled the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act. The Republican says several European nations that pioneered gender reassignment surgery have reversed course.

Cut 10 (09) “… and surgeries.” 

New Orleans Pediatric Psychologist Clifton Mixon testified before committee members in opposition to the bill. He says healthcare professionals try every alternative possible before performing such procedures and prohibiting them will have dire consequences.

Cut 11 (10)  “…your hands.”

Firment says surrounding states and other conservative southern states have passed similar laws and Louisiana should also.

Cut 12 (10)    “…our kids.” 

Proponents of the bill say physicians are grooming children to have the costly procedures merely for greed and social media is what’s causing children to be trans. Olivia Gowan, a transgender woman, refuted the argument and told committee members she was a transgender child in the 90s long before social media.

Cut 13 (11) “…time’s up.” 

Committee Chair Larry Bagley, who lost his wife to suicide, quickly dismissed Gowan. The bill passed in committee on a 14 to 3 vote and advances to the full House.

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Legislation to make it legal to bury your pet’s cremated remains in the owner’s coffin passes in the House. After receiving pushback from the Cemetery Association last year, Minden Rep Wayne McMahen pulled the bill. But this year the former veterinarian says they are backing the legislation.

Cut 14 (09)  “…associations.”

The bill also makes it legal to have pet cremated remains declared as personal property.

Amite Representative Robby Carter questioned McMahen about the size of one’s pet.

Cut 15 (13)  “…about a pound.”

House Bill 248 passed in the House 98-0 and heads to a Senate committee.

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LSU fans no longer have to worry about quarterback Garrett Nussmeier transferring. The window to enter the transfer portal for the spring closed on Sunday and Nussmeier remains on LSU’s roster. Shea Dixon with on-three-dot-com says LSU is set at quarterback as Jaiden Daniels will start this season and Nussmeier could be your starter in 2024 and 2025…

Cut  16 (16)  “…right now” 

A lot of college football players are jumping into the transfer portal when they don’t get immediate playing time, but Dixon says Nussmeier has been committed to LSU…

Cut 17 (15) “…never wavered.”

The window has closed for players to enter the transfer portal, but players in the portal can still sign at another school. U-L Lafayette star cornerback Trey Amos got in the portal over the weekend and Dixon says LSU is very interested…

Cut 18 (18) “…with the Gators”

A police officer was shot when gunfire erupted this morning at a gas station in Bossier City. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that would raise the annual pay for state lawmakers to 40-thousand dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A 16-year-old was killed Monday evening in Natchitoches and two other teens were injured. Corporal John Greely with Natchitoches Police says around 8:16 they received several calls of gunshots in the area of Stella and Northern Streets.

Cut 3 (07) “….gunshot victim.”

The 16-year-old victim, who was the driver of the vehicle, had multiple gunshot wounds.

Greely says investigators also learned there were two other juveniles in the vehicle that crashed on Stella Street.

Cut 4 (07)  “…happened.” 

One of the teens was transported to a Shreveport hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the other teen has been released from the hospital. Police are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers.

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The fatal shooting of a man in downtown Alexandria Sunday night sparks concern about public safety before its annual AlexRiverFete event. Mayor Jacques Roy says this was an isolated incident that started at a private party.

Cut 5 (12) “…a death.”

Roy posted a video to Facebook Monday night sharing details of the incident and reminding citizens downtown remains one of the safest parts of the city. The shooting occurred near the intersection of Third Street and Johnston Street – adjacent to the Mini Park just a block away from City Hall.

He says youth crime and illegal guns are out of control around the nation and despite the recent event, security will be beefed up in Downtown Alexandria for the AlexRiverFete.

Cut 6 (13)  “…feel safety.” 

Alexandria Police Chief Chad Gremillion echoed Roy on the festival security.

Cut 7 (12)  “…presence in place.” 

AlexRiverFete is Alexandria’s largest downtown event and is this weekend. No details were released on the victim’s identity or if any arrests were made.

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill that would raise the annual salary for state lawmakers from 16,800 to about 40-thousand dollars. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says many legislators are leaving because the time commitment does not match the pay…

Cut 8 (08)  “…than this” 

The bill passed on an eight to four vote and it needs review from House Appropriations, since it’s an added cost for the state.

Lawmakers have not received a boost in annual pay since 1980. In 2008, then Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed a legislative pay raise bill because of public pressure.  Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons says he surveyed his constituents and they support a higher salary for legislators…

Cut 9 (10) “….and vary.”

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson voted against the legislation as he says service is about sacrifice…

Cut 10 (14) “…we run” 

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An arrest is imminent for two suspects who ran over a 9-year-old girl while fleeing an attempted carjacking at Love’s Truck Stop Monday evening. Minden Police Chief Jared McIver says when the father of the child went inside with his youngest, his teenage daughters were in the car when the suspects tried to take the vehicle. The father ran out to stop it and his 9-year-old daughter followed.

Cut 11 (07)  “…take out.”

McIver says they are looking for two black males in a white stolen U-Haul pick-up truck, with the U-Haul stickers removed.

In the chaotic scene, McIver says fortunately a physician was able to assist the child at the scene after she was run over by the pick-up truck.

Cut 12 (08) “…airlifted.” 

The child was taken to LSU Ochsner in Shreveport with several broken bones but is expected to recover.

McIver says video footage from the truck stop is extremely difficult to watch.

Cut 13 (10) “…deserve.” 

The suspects are also believed to be involved in an armed robbery with the same stolen vehicle.

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State Troopers have arrested a Church Point man involved in the fatal hit-and-run death of a bicyclist who was found on Highway 93 in Sunset on Sunday. 32-year-old Clay Richard was arrested last night and charged in the death of 59-year-old Randy Thibodeaux. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says the suspect was arrested a short distance from the scene of the accident.

Cut 14 (07)  “…under suspension”

Thibodeaux was riding his bicycle north of 356 near Wild Rose Road when he was struck by a vehicle. He was found in a ditch by a family member who last reported seeing Thibodeaux on Friday. Gossen says the arrest was the result of a tip from a concerned citizen.

Cut 15 (08) “…solve these cases.”

Impairment is unknown but a standard toxicology sample was submitted. The crash remains under investigation.