The U-S Department of Justice announced a short time ago its launched an extensive civil rights investigation looking whether State Police has a pattern of abusing black drivers and targeting Black residents. The D-O-J says its goal is to ensure L-S-P’s policing policies and practices are constitutional and lawful.

The Legislature approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits because there’s a great need for coders. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says unless Louisiana starts making some aggressive changes, it might be impossible to develop enough qualified candidates to meet demand.
Cut 11 (12) “…next five years.”
Critics of the legislation also say learning a foreign language is also essential.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says that means in 12 years there will not be enough money to pay the full benefits promised to seniors and those who will be on retirement then.
Cut 13 (05) “…cliff.”
Cassidy says current law would require 24 to 36-percent automatic cuts if the federal government doesn’t act.

Next month Louisiana will launch the M-J Foster Scholars program which wil provide adult learners with financial aid in order to be trained in high-demand and highwafe field. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the budget that goes into effect contains ten million dollars for this new financial aid program…
cut 4 (09) “….real difference”

The Louisiana Legislature has approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits. SB 191 was sponsored by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who says it gives students who struggle with learning languages and those looking to develop workforce skills more options.
Cut 10 (07) “…a language.”
Hewitt says computer coding skills represent the single biggest workforce gap in the state

The FDA advisory committee is recommending that the FDA give full approval to another COVID vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says the Novavax offering is similar to the more traditional vaccines for flu and hepatitis.
Cut 7 (12) “…for decades.”
Novavax vaccine delivers a small amount of the COVID spike protein so your immune system will respond and build antibodies.

A bill awaiting Governor Edwards’ signature will allow truckers to begin pulling tandem trailers to and from shipping ports. Kevin Gallagher has more on that…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says the latest report from the trustees of the Social Security trust fund shows the program will be involvent in 12 years. Cassidy says the Biden Administration needs to come up with a plan and he’ll also work with his colleagues in Congress…
cut 15 (08) “….us all”

The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of three individuals in a fatal shooting that resulted in the deaths of three Bastrop teenagers. Details on what sparked the shooting have not been released. It occurred early Wednesday morning and callers told police they heard over a dozen gunshots.

A proposed option for the foreign language requirement for TOPS could mean a new career pathway for students. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A bill that’s made its way to the governor’s desk will allow trucks to pull two 20-foot containers to and from shipping ports. Now they still have to be under the state’s 37-thousand pounds per axle limit. But Norco Senator Gary Smith hopes his legislation can help with supply chain issues…
cut 6 (12) “….it needs to go”
The state transportation department will issue the annual permits and the new tandem load permit can only be used on designated roadways.

The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says that means in 12 years there will not be enough money to pay the full benefits promised to seniors and those who will be on retirement then.
Cut 13 (05) “…cliff.”
Cassidy says current law would require 24 to 36-percent automatic cuts if the federal government doesn’t act.

Now that the LSU baseball season is over, Tiger fans are looking forward to Brian Kelly’s first season as football coach. Kelly has a quarterback battle on his hands as veterans Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels are in competition to be Q-B-1. But LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio this week, says he’s impressed with the development of Garrett Nussemeier…
cut 17 (18) “…he can do”
Nussmeier threw for 136 yards and a touchdown in LSU’s spring game.

LSU players Dylan Crews and Tre Morgan have been invited to join the U-S Collegiate National Team this summer. Crews was the 2022 SEC co-player of the year and Morgan was a 2022 SEC All-Defensive team selection and hit .324.

Former LSU pitcher and SEC analyst Ben McDonald says he believes Tigers coach Jay Johnson changed the culture of LSU baseball this season and the future looks bright…
cut 19 (19) “….transfer portal”

LSU signee Ethan Frey from Rosepine has been named the Class Two-A player of the year. Frey hit .487 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIS. Notre Dame’s Corine Poncho who hit 32 home runs and drove in 71 runs was named the Class Two-A softball player of the year.

As a result of legislation approved in the legislative session, students can take two years of computer coding instead of a foreign language and still qualify for the TOPS scholarship. Some lawmakers say foreign languages are essential. But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she just wants to provide another option for students that could better serve their academic needs and give them a marketable skill at the same time.
Cut 12 (10) “…option for them.”

Big rigs pulling tandem trailers will be seen again on Louisiana roadways. Norco Senator Gary smith says his bill awaiting the governor’s signature creates a new tandem load permit; allowing trucks to haul two 20-foot trailers. He says it addresses a shortage of truck drivers and wear & tear on the highways…:
Cut 4 (11) “…weight per axle.”

The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office says three people have been charged in the fatal shooting of three teenagers in Bastrop. Jaquaurius Givens and Errigan Rainwater have been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and John Lee Rabun has been charged with obstruction of justice. The triple homicide occurred early Wednesday morning. Nearby residents told police they heard 15 to 20 gunshots.

Another COVID vaccine could be available soon if the FDA decides to follow the advice of its advisory panel.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards has made the decision to let a bill banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports become law without his signature. Edwards vetoed a similar bill last year and he still believes the legislation unfairly targets vulnerable children struggling with gaining acceptance. But the bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, says without this legislation, women are discriminated against in their own sports…
cut 8 (10) “….women’s sports”

A measure banning the release of mug shots of most non-violent offenders who have been arrested, but not convicted, is heading to the governor’s desk. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says we need to think a bit more about due process and privacy…
cut 14 (10) “….broadcasters think twice”

In an effort to avoid childhood obesity, Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their kids proper motor skills. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The name of the app is called “Play” and Pennington is trying to get funding to make it available to the public.

Gas prices are now 50-cents higher than a month ago and there’s no relief in sight. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is nearly $4.50. Triple-A says the rising cost of oil and the high demand for gas keep pump prices surging.

Governor John Bel Edwards has decided to let a bill that prohibits transgender women from playing female sports become law without his signature. Edwards says if he vetoed the bill for a second consecutive year, it’s likely lawmakers would have overridden his veto. The bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, says the intent of her legislation has been to protect women’s sports not to exclude individuals…
cut 9 (08) “….for that”
The law goes into effect on August 1st.

The LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center says they’ve developed an app that can boost motor skills by an average of 16-percentage points for children between the ages of three and five years old. Associate Professor of Research Doctor Amanda Staiano says poor motor skills can lead to childhood obesity, so it’s important to teach children as early as possible…
cut 6 (09) “…further behind”
The name of the app is called “Play” and Pennington is trying to get funding to make it available to the public.

State education officials are working with local districts to help make our kids safer in class. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police says a 16-year-old from Lafayette was killed during a high-speed chase. L-S-P says the Carencro Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on LA 182 when an 18-year-old Jamari Tillman of Morgan City sped away from the cops. Tillman lost control of the stolen Explorer he was driving, the vehicle overturned and George Desamon of Lafayette died from his injuries. Tillman suffered moderate injuries.

After the recent mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas, State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says there have been talks between him and about 100 education leaders from school systems statewide. Brumley says an important step is for faculty and staff is to harbor trust between themselves and the student body…:
Cut 10 (10) “…to report that.”

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’ bill that limits the release of mugshots of those accused, but not convicted, of certain nonviolent crimes is headed to the governor’s desk. Duplessis says booking photos are highly prejudicial and once out in public, can’t be taken back. He says in most cases they serve no purpose.
Cut 13 (07) “…should do better.”
Federal authorities do not release the mug-shot photos of those arrested for a federal crime.

Gas prices are now 50-cents higher than a month ago and there’s no relief in sight. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is nearly $4.50. That’s a 25-cent increase from a week ago. Triple-A says the rising cost of oil and the high demand for gas keep pump prices surging.

In an effort to avoid childhood obesity, Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created an app to help parents teach their kids proper motor skills. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”