A sheriff deputy seriously wounded during a rampage on law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge in 2016 has passed away at the age of 47. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Butch Browning is retiring as the state’s fire marshal and will become the new executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Michelle Southern”  

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After taking a slight dip, gasoline prices are getting higher once again, as the average price for a gallon of regular gas is up to three dollars and ninety-one cents. AAA spokesman Don Redman says a potential ban on Russian oil by the European Union would create a real tightening of the market, and today’s oil prices reflect that concern.

Cut 3 (10) “…prices upward.”

Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer is just a few weeks away. It typically signals an increase of drivers on the roads, but Redman says demand for gas is down as drivers continue to adjust their habits to deal with high fuel costs. He expects prices to remain high throughout the summer.

Cut 4  (09) “…will shake out.”

Redman says oil prices are very much driven by the news of the day. OPEC deciding not to increase production and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine are problems enough on their own, but Redman reminds Louisianans of another major factor looming on the horizon…

Cut 5  (11) “…anytime soon.”

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Corporal Nick Tullier, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy shot multiple times in an ambush targeting law officers in July 2016, has died at the age of 47. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says he’s heartbroken over the passing of a true hero

Cut 6  (10) “…place now.” 

Authorities say Tullier was shot in the head, stomach, and shoulder by a gunman from Kansas City, Missouri who killed three other officers that day. Gautreaux says Tullier and fellow deputy, Sergeant Bruce Simmons, were drinking coffee that morning when they got the call of officers down…

Cut 7 (12) “…and Bruce.” 

Simmons was wounded but returned to work a year later. But Gautreaux says Tullier says beat all odds by living for nearly six years after the shooting when he was only given hours to live…

Cut 8 (11) “…the strength” 

Tullier’s family posted on social media earlier this week that Nick had developed an infection that was worsening and he needed prayers.

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Louisiana’s longest-serving state fire marshal is retiring. Butch Browning has accepted the position of executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals after serving 14 years as the state’s fire marshal. Browning says he’s proud of implementing higher safety standards for building and construction…

Cut 9 (11) “…very responsive agency”

State Fire Marshal Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel Wallis has been named as Browning’s successor. Browning says Wallis will do a wonderful job…

Cut 10 (10) ” ….to the code” 

Browning is also credited with starting an Urban Search and Rescue program involving firefighters from around the state that are deployed when a disaster strikes…

Cut 11 (10)  “…a problem.” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards received his second COVID booster shot last night, which was his fourth COVID vaccine shot overall. Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to be up to date on their shots…

Cut 12 (14) “.wanes faster”  

The CDC says individuals 50 and over should receive a second COVID-19 booster if the first booter was at least four months ago.

The state health department reported over 500 new cases today, but hospitalizations remain low at 62. L-D-H also reported four more COVID deaths. Edwards says the state has reported over 17-thousand COVID fatalities….

Cut 13 (07) “…had none”

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval is having a hard time connecting with his House members on a bill to prohibit drivers from handling a cell phone. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

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Hurricane season is less than a month away, and the Governor says there’s no time to waste in getting prepared. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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A bill banning a driver from handling a cell phone while driving failed to pass in the Louisiana House. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s legislation faced opposition from Amite Representative Robby Carter, who says not everyone drives a car with Bluetooth technology, but Huval says there are inexpensive accessories available that allow for hands-free cell phone use…

Cut 3 (11) “…your hands”

Huval says banning handheld cell phone use will cut down on distracted driving crashes. But Plaquemine Representative and Attorney Chad Brown is concerned this proposed law could lead to illegal searches…

Cut 4  (09) “..thank you”

Brown also questioned the enforcement of the proposed law. He says it would be difficult for an officer to determine if a person is holding their cellphone or some other object…

Cut 5  (12) “…phone charger”

The vote was 48-46 for the bill, but it needs 53 to pass.

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As part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Governor John Bel Edwards, his staff, and several other officials held a press conference to signal the state’s ramp up with hurricane season less than a month away.

Cut 6  (12) “…natural disasters.” 

Edwards stressed that while state agencies will do everything that they can to ensure that strong response plans are in place, what Louisianans do is even more important to successfully navigate hurricane season.

Cut 7 (12) “…natural disaster.” 

The governor says one of the lessons learned from Hurricanes Laura and Ida over the past two years, is just how quickly storms are forming and intensifying, and that time is no longer a luxury that the state has.

Cut 8 (08) “…the new normal.” 

For help in putting your plan together and up-to-date information throughout hurricane season, visit getagameplan.org.

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A bill to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports in Louisiana cleared another legislative hurdle. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed this measure last year, but Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the public overwhelming supports her legislation

Cut 9 (11) “…biological females.”

Mizell’s measure has been approved by the Senate and today passed out of the House Education Committee on a seven to one vote. One of the governor’s arguments is that the bill is in search of a problem that doesn’t exist in Louisiana. Peyton Rose Michelle with Louisiana Trans Advocates agrees…

Cut 10 (09) “…need attention”

In support of the proposal, the panel heard from retired women’s soccer player Anne Metz, who said her career ended when she was blindsided during a game by a biological male who self-identified as a female.

Cut 11 (11)  “…my head.”  (2x)

Metz says she has been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. The bill heads to the House floor for final legislative passage.

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The U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to overturn the landmark Roe versus Wade case based on an opinion draft leaked to the media.  Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom coordinator Jessica Frankel says the nation’s highest court is going against popular opinion…

Cut 12 (10) “.is okay”  

A recent LSU poll found that 49-percent of Louisiana residents thought abortion should be illegal, while 46-percent say it should be legal. Frankel says for women considering an abortion, the three licensed clinics in the state are still open

Cut 13 (11) “…in Louisiana”

Senator Bill Cassidy a pro-life politician had this to say about the possible overturning of Roe versus Wade

Cut 14 (04)  “…I support”

Cassidy is concerned the draft opinion was released to the Politico. He says the person responsible for the leak must be found and held accountable

Cut 15 (07) “…institutions of government” 

A recent surge in sextortion of children cases has the FBI on alert. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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A House committee rejects a bill that’s been called Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Attorney Lewis Unglesby says it’s an unreasonable response for state lawmakers to hold former State Police leader Kevin Reeves in contempt for not handing over certain information from his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The FBI is warning parents of a rise in sextortion schemes targeting children in the Monroe, Alexandria, and Shreveport areas. The crime-fighting agency says it has received several reports of predators posing as children and coercing minors into sending them sexually explicit materials for the purpose of extorting money from them. Spokesperson Connor Hagan says prevention begins with a clear warning…

Cut 4 (11)  “…that they are.”

Hagan says an underage person should never send intimate or explicit photos or videos over the internet. He pointed out that many kids believe that using certain apps delete questionable content after a view and they are protected. Unfortunately, they are not.

Cut 5 (11) “…for financial gain.”

One of the barriers to identifying and catching predators is the embarrassment that the victims feel. Hagan offers advice to parents or guardians when dealing with a child who comes forward.

Cut 6 (12)  “…contact the FBI.”

If you know someone who may be a victim of sextortion, contact FBI New Orleans at 504-816-3000 and do not delete anything that could potentially be used as evidence.

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The House Education committee rejects a bill prohibiting teachers from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms. A similar bill recently passed in Florida is dubbed by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill”. Bossier Parish Republican Dodie Horton says her bill is  straightforward…:

Cut 7 (12) “…state standard-slash-curriculum.”

Under Horton’s HB 837, teachers would not be allowed to discuss the topics of gender preference or sexual orientation with kids in grades K though 8. The bill drew opposition from several witnesses, like Brenna Wells, with the LSU School of Social Work and LGBTQ Studies, who feels the bill is mean-spirited…:

Cut 8 (12)  “…and their future.”

Committee member and New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the language of Horton’s bill is “too broad” and does not need to be part of state statutes…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…cannot support this bill.”

Horton says her bill isn’t intended to hurt or discriminate against anyone, but to assure children aren’t exposed to inappropriate adult topics…:

Cut 10 (07) “…instructional time.”

After hours of discussion, the committee voted 7-to-4 to reject the bill; ending its progress for the session.

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The emergence of a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion indicating the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision might soon be overturned has implications for Louisiana. Abortions would be illegal, under a 2006 “trigger bill”; written to kick in if the Justices ever took that action. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says Justice Alito’s draft has preliminary support with conservative colleagues on the High Court, but it’s not yet a “done deal”…:

Cut  11 (11)  “…gonna want that.”  

Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the leaked draft IS authentic, and Werhan feels – if there are enough voted to reverse Roe V. Wade – that will eventually happen. He says the High court rarely goes back and overrules its own precedents. He says they more often seek to narrow precedent rulings, or revise them in some way..:

Cut 12 (08) “…opinion was drafted.” 

Werhan says having a justice’s draft opinion leaked to the press is rare and the Supreme Court will not take lightly…:

Cut 13 (08) “…a vigorous one.”

If the High court reverses Roe v. Wade, abortions would become illegal in Louisiana immediately.

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The lawyer for former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves says a legislative committee investigating the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene has the information they need from the journals kept by Reeves. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has threatened to charge Reeves with contempt, but attorney Lewis Unglesby says that is an unreasonable response

Cut 14 (10)  “…confusion there”

Magee met with Unglesby on Monday to make copies of pages in the journal pertaining to anything written about the Greene case. Magee believes Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide an entry dated June 17th, 2020 that mentioned the governor by name and police brutality. But Unglesby says it’s just a random discussion on police brutality

Cut 15 (08)  “…interested in.”

Unglesby says anything in the journals kept by Reeves pertaining to the Greene case has been given to lawmakers

Cut 16 (11)  “…the committee.”

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The homecoming of former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu has electrified New Orleans Saints fans, but perhaps no place is more proud of the “Honey Badger” than St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, where Mathieu’s athletic career began. School CEO Aulston Taylor says it’s been a long time coming, but it’s great to see a Purple Knight back in the Black and Gold.

Cut 17 (20) “ …coming back.” 

Mathieu wasn’t a superstar prospect coming out of St. Aug. and was overlooked by many of the top programs in the country. Taylor says his journey and perseverance serve as an example to the young men who walk the school’s halls today.

Cut 18 (21) “ …someone did that.” 

Community service has been a major part of Mathieu’s career, and he was nominated by the Kansas City Chiefs for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award last season, an honor that went to another former Tiger, Andrew Whitworth. Taylor believes that Mathieu will make a difference in his native New Orleans as well, just as he was taught at St. Augustine years ago.

Cut 19 (20) _“…young men.”