A truck theft in Slidell Monday involved a flipped truck going up in flames, a massive manhunt, and a hornet’s nest…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Senator John Kennedy incurred the anger of the Mexican ambassador to the U.S. when he recently said without American help, (quote) “Mexico – figuratively speaking – would be eating cat food from a can while living in a tent behind an Outback.” The ambassador says that’s vulgar and racists. So far, no comment from Mr. Kennedy.

The state is reaching out to anyone who sustained damage from the hurricanes of 2020 and ’21, who may be eligible for reimbursement from the Restore Louisiana Program. State Office of Community Development director Pat Forbes says there could be reasons why these individuals are not applying for assistance at “restore.la.gov”…:

CUT 03(12)      “…some assistance.”

If you had repairs totaling $5k or more, check to see of you have help coming to you.

A bill to remove approval from the Insurance Commissioner for property insurance rate changes passes in the full House. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says some people think allowing the commissioner to control rates is a good thing…:

CUT 06(10)      “…goes up.”

Outgoing Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposes the legislation. Nevertheless, it moves now to the Senate for Insurance Committee review. Remember, the legislature must conclude its business by June 8^th.

The state believes there are thousands of homeowners who suffered damage during the 2020 and 21 hurricanes, but have not applied for assistance to repair or rebuild their home through the Restore Louisiana Program. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Foxx.”

The City of Alexandria has announced that there is a recent scam going around targeting residents. The email scam circulating is falsely claiming to be from the city regarding collections of fines and fees. The City says they will not email or call you about collections; they will notify you by mail. Don’t be fooled.

Two Slidell cops and a K9 officer found themselves attacked by angry hornets while trying to find and arrest a vehicle theft suspect Monday. Slidell PD’s Dan Suzeneau says the thief crashed the truck and fled into swampy woods, and that’s where officers encountered the hornets’ nest. He says, after hours of searching they had to give up…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…more leads.”

The K9 and the cops were treated for multiple stings. They’ll be OK.

Two bills aimed at curtailing carbon emission capture plans for Lake Maurepas and other areas were voted down in the House. Ascension Parish Representative Tony Bacala says billions in new industrial investments in the state rely on carbon capture being in the picture…”

CUT 11  (11)        “…carbon capturing.”

People living in and around the lake worry carbon capture will harm the ecosystem.

A truck theft in Slidell Monday involved a massive manhunt, a fiery crash, a disturbed hornets’ nest with 2 cops and a K-9 stung multiple times and the suspect getting away. Slidell PD’s Officer Daniel Seuzeneau says it started when a 2005 Ford F-250 was stolen from a gym parking lot…:

CUT 12(10)      “…the woods.”

The truck burst into flames and the suspect got out and ran across the interstate and into the swamp. He is still at large.

If you had home damage from the hurricanes of 2020 and 29021, the state may have some assistance money for you. Pat Forbes with the state Office of Community Development says find out what help at “restore.la.gov”…:

CUT 04(11)      “…reimburse you.”

Or call them at 866-735-2001.

At the Capitol, two bill attempting to slow the roll of the carbon capture projects in the state fail to pass out of the House. The projects concern folks who live on or near Lake Maurepas, like Hammond Representative Nick Muscarello, who says there are too many unknowns in the emergent technology…:

CUT 10(10)      “…one of them.”

The projects will mean about $21-billion in industrial work and the revenues that come with that.

The House passed a bill to let insurance companies raise their rates without the approval of the Insurance Commissioner. Bill sponsor and Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says it will increase competition and will not mean the Commissioner has no oversight…:

CUT 08(07)      “…Louisiana law.”

The vote passes by a 56-to-23 vote and moves now to the Senate.

A bill to let you carry a concealed weapon without getting a permit is scheduled today in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Kevin Gallagher has that…:

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The Conference Board Job Satisfaction annual survey shows U.S. employees’ job satisfaction overall is the highest it has ever been since the survey began in 1987. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Almost 900 students at LSU Health New Orleans will receive their degrees Thursday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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At the Capitol, the House Criminal Justice Committee is scheduled to take up a bill to allow citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, if they choose. Bill sponsor and Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says his bill won approval from the full House last year, before it stalled out in the Senate in the wake of the Uvalde, TX school shooting…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…an that direction.”

McCormick’s bill is often referred to as “Constitutional Carry”, because many believe the 2^nd Amendment right to bear arms should not hinge on a getting a concealed carry permit. Twenty-five other states already have similar laws in effect. McCormick says Louisiana already has “open carry” of a firearm with no training or permit necessary, but wants to collect fee income for the training to be able to conceal the gun. He says that’s a double standard…:

Cut 5 (11)   “…properly trained.”

McCormick’s HB 131 is scheduled before the committee today. McCormick says the bill will enable more people to protect themselves from violence and crime, and he hopes there is enough time to get the bill through the House and Senate before the legislative session ends…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…in this session.”

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Are you happy with your job? Most people are…that’s according to a recent survey by the Conference Board Job Satisfaction 2023, which shows a surge up by 2.1 points in 2022 –  the highest it has been in 35 years. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says when opportunities are limited, employees tend to have lower expectations and feel more satisfied with their jobs.

Cut 7 (12) “…is reporting.”

The report finds improved satisfaction across 26 components. Workers who voluntarily switched jobs since the pandemic began report higher satisfaction in almost all aspects of jobs. Their overall satisfaction was at 65.7 percent – 3.6 points higher than those who didn’t change jobs. Rosa says this is a case of the grass being greener on the other side — and people going there and liking it.

Cut 8 (11) “…considered that.”

The study showed a large gender gap in satisfaction with women less satisfied than men across all 26 categories. However, employees with hybrid work arrangements report the greatest satisfaction compared to fully remote or fully on-premises workers. Hybrid workers are also satisfied with organizational culture, potential growth, and interest in work, all of which drive higher retention and satisfaction overall.

Cut 9 (12)  “…board statistics.”

Job satisfaction has been rising steadily for over a decade, after hitting an all-time low of 42.6 percent in 2010 following the Great Recession.

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A bill to establish the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools under the umbrella of the GOHSEP advances from Senate finance. The center would be a single point for schools to get funding for safety programs, training, and bleeding control kits should the unthinkable happen. Clayton Bathen, who attends high school in Rapides Parish testified to committee members.

Cut 10 (08) “…this crisis.” 

Baton Rouge Magnet High School Junior Holly Fan shared with lawmakers about her younger sister who was in gym class when her school went on lockdown.

Cut 11 (11)  “…of safety.”

Baton Rouge McKinley High School Student Daniel Price says he doesn’t feel safe after incidents at the school and says he along with other students have very little confidence in the school leaders protecting them.

Cut 12 (06)    “…be shot.” 

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

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The pandemic highlighted the importance of well-trained healthcare providers and on Thursday almost 900 students from six professional health schools will graduate from LSU Health Sciences New Orleans. Interim Chancellor Dr. Steve Nelson says the majority of the school’s graduates tend to stay in Louisiana for their residency.

Cut 13 (10) “…for Louisiana.” 

Class sizes average around 200 for the four year programs and the majority of the students graduating are doctors of medicine, followed by nursing, then allied health.  Nelson says it’s not only doctors and nurses that provide for a patient’s well-being, their supporting staff is just as vital.

Cut 14 (12)  “…hospital tick.”

Nelson says it’s imperative for all parts of the state to have well-trained healthcare providers because when you’re in an accident or need immediate care you’re going to be taken to the closest emergency room.

Cut 15 (07)  “…LSU graduate.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver the commencement address to graduates of the schools of Allied Health Professionals, Nursing, Public Health, Graduate Studies, Dentistry and Medicine.

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LSU’s bullpen is out of whack as the fifth ranked Tigers close out the regular season this week. LSU blew a late lead to Mississippi State on Saturday night and then coughed up a nine run lead in an extra inning loss on Sunday. After the series finale loss to the Bulldogs, Coach Jay Johnson talked about building their confidence back up…

Cut  16 (24)  “…to play” 

LSU hosts McNeese tonight and will close out the regular season with a Thursday through Saturday series at Georgia. Johnson says he has confidence pitching coach Wes Johnson can get his struggling pitching staff back on track…

Cut 17 (17) “…right now”

LSU’s bullpen in the series loss to Mississippi State gave up 21 earned runs in 10. 1 innings pitched. They also gave up five home runs.

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The Saints expect receiver Michael Thomas will be healthy for the start of training camp. The former All-Pro only played in three games last season due to a toe injury. He missed the entire 2021 campaign with an ankle injury that limited him to seven games in 2020. He has not caught more than 100 passes in a season since 2019, but G-M Mickey Loomis believes he can be a 100-catch receiver again this season as the injuries are behind him…

Cut 18 (14) “…for sure”

Thomas is on a one-year incentive laden deal for the 2023 season.

The Saints have signed former Steelers receiver James Washington to a one year deal. The former second round pick missed most of last year with a foot injury. His best season came in 2019 when he had 735 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Allen says Washington gives them a deep threat…

Cut 19 (16) “….defense” 

Cut 20 (16)  “… we have to do”  

The House Appropriations Committee has stopped an effort to increase the annual salaries of state lawmakers from $16,800 to around $39-thousand. The panel rejected the proposal on a 16-5 vote. One of those “no” votes was New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes…:

CUT 06(09)      “…list goes on.”

The bill appears to be dead for this year.

Who killed a young Louisiana Black Bear out-of-season in Lincoln Parish last week? State Wildlife & Fisheries agents are investigating and LDWF Sgt. John Hattaway reminds us that taking the bears illegally can mean fines up to $950 and up to 4 months in jail…:

CUT 11(12)      “…a thousand dollars.”

Another un-intended consequence of the pandemic: women delaying their annual mammograms to often-negative outcomes. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01  (31)        “…Thorington.”

Deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish arrest two people, after a jealous shootout between exes resulted in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old girl Saturday. EBRSO says the child was sitting in a car that 26-year-old Ester Williams fired upon. Williams is charged with murder. Her boyfriend with aiding and abetting.

A bill to raise the base pay of state House & Senate members falls to defeat in the House Appropriations Committee…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Palermo.”

Police in Houma say a local musician was hit in the head by a fallen bullet Saturday while performing outdoors at a downtown bistro. Cops says there was a shooting incident less than a mile away, and the bullet was likely a stray shot from that. The unnamed musician is OK, and is expected to recover.

Legislation to establish a partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Louisiana advances from House Appropriations. Bogalusa Representative Melinda White’s bill creates the Louisiana Imagination Library Program, which she says will increase kids’ reading skills and also helps their parents…:

CUT 13(12)      “…of funding.”

Louisiana ranks 47^th in Literacy in the country. That bill moves now to the House floor.

The COVID pandemic caused many Louisiana women to fall behind on regular mammograms, and now that’s becoming all too evident. LSU Health New Orleans Surgical Oncologist Dr. Shawn McKinney says she- like other surgeons – is seeing the repercussions with more patients who have advanced or later stages of breast cancer…:

CUT 03(10)      “…advanced disease.”

Mammogram resources can be found online at LBCHP.org.

A bill to raise the salaries of state lawmakers is stopped short in the House Appropriations Committee. House and Senate members currently make a base of less than $17k. This bill would have made that around $40-thousand. Committee member and Ascension Parish Rep. Tony Bacala says he knew the pay was small when he signed up for the job…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…without some pain.”

The bill failed to pass committee by a 16-to-5 vote, meaning it is likely dead for this year.

Wildlife & Fisheries agents want to know who killed a Louisiana Black Bear in Lincoln Parish last week. LDWF Sgt. John Hattaway says the bears are no longer a protected species; not since 2016…:

CUT 10  (12)        “…attracts them.”

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says divers have found the body of 21-year-old Zachory Rice, who drowned after going swimming in the Cane River Sunday. Using sonar in the murky water, crews recovered his remains early this morning. An autopsy is pending,.

The pandemic caused many women to miss their annual mammograms and surgeons are seeing the fallout…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Denham Springs cop is in critical condition, after being shot numerous times Thursday in a strip mall parking lot. DSPD Chief Rodney Walker says it started with a call of a man and woman in a heated argument…:

CUT 11(09)      “…officer down.”

Corporal Shawn Kelly is now fighting for his life. The shooter, 30-year-old Justin Roberts, was killed a short time later in a shootout with Livingston parish deputies.

The manager of an Arby’s restaurant in New Iberia was found dead inside the walk-in freezer last night. NIPD Sgt. Deleisha Hughes says an autopsy is scheduled for the yet un-named female victim…:

CUT 10(04)      “…of foul play.”

Police say it may have been an accident.

At the capitol, bills aimed at slowing the roll of the LGBT agenda are moving forward. One bill prohibits classroom discussion of trans or gender-preference matters. Another forbids gender reassignment procedures for minors. Another restricts use of a person’s so-called “preferred pronouns.” Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about the bills Thursday and it worries him because of the increased likelihood of trans people committing suicide…:

CUT 03(07)      “…to be worse.”

He says it’s too soon to commit to vetoing any of the bills, as the bills could still be amended.

WalletHub ranks Louisiana the worst state to live in, if you’re a working mom. We rank 22^nd in female unemployment and 35^th in women’s salary. WalletHub’s Jill Gonzales says there’s always that work-balance gap; skewing in men’s favor…:

CUT 08(13)      “…dads are.”

“WalletHub.com” if you want to read it for yourself.

Bills seemingly aimed at impeding the LGBT agenda are moving through the legislature. One bill prohibits classroom discussion of trans or gender-preference matters. Another forbids gender reassignment procedures for minors. Another restricts use of a person’s so-called “preferred pronouns.” Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about it yesterday. He says lawmakers have bigger problems to handle…:

CUT 05(06)      “…focused on.”

Edwards says these are “solutions in search of a problem.”

The fiscal website “WalletHub.com” ranks Louisiana the WORST state for working moms. Failing in gat3egories like work opportunities, work-life balance and childcare. WalletHub’s Jill Gonzales says positive change seems unlikely anytime soon…:

CUT 07(09)      “…bottom up.”

We rank 35^th for women’s income levels, and 22^nd for female unemployment.

Police in New Iberia say they do not – at this time – think foul play was involved in the death of a fast food worker; found dead in the freezer of an Arby’s restaurant. NIPD Captain Leland Laseter suggests the unnamed woman’s death may have been an accident. The investigation is ongoing.

Crawfish prices are heating up just in time for you to say ‘I love you Mom’ with a crawfish boil the weekend. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Foxx.”

Ochsner Health is in the process of laying off nearly 800 employees across its system. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

A Monroe area couple are charged in the death of their 6-week-old infant. Trent Hebert and Shanika Edwards said the girl passed out in the tub, but EMT’s noticed she had severe burns on her legs. She died at a nearby hospital. The pair are charged with negligent homicide.

The manager of an Arby’s in New Iberia was found dead in the fast food restaurant’s freezer. New Iberia Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Daneisha Hughes says officers were called to the scene shortly before 6:30 last night…:

CUT 09(05)      “…freezer.”

The victim is a female and that’s about all we know. At this time, police do not suspect foul play, but the investigation has just started.

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest weekends of the crawfish season and retailers are dropping prices in an effort to get your business. That’s according to Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King..:

CUT 15(07)      “…a pound.”

The Crawfish App compares prices from more than 16 hundred vendors in Louisiana.

We have to get through some rain and possible thunderstorm this evening, but Saturday and Sunday should be partly cloudy and mild.