An Arkansas man in Louisiana for a birthday celebration was killed by an 18-year-old during a carjacking incident in Hammond. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened Saturday morning when 62-year-old Paul Holt and his wife were trying to leave for a cruise…:

CUT 03(09)      “…to the ground.”

Ladarrius Evans has been arrested and charged with murder.

Senate District 21 candidate Stephen Swiber knows there’s no one like your mother to persuade you, so he’s going to fly one lucky mother to anywhere in the US to visit their child and convince them to move home with his BackToTheBayou.com campaign. He says the state can no longer ignore outmigration…:

CUT 08(10)      “…Rouge at all.”

Visit “BackToTheBayou.com” to know more.

Louisiana schools showed improvement in the latest state rankings for Pre-K through 12 education in 2023 based on data by U.S. News and World Report. The statistics show Louisiana moved up five places jumping from 46th to 41^st in 2023. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the positive gains reflect the commitment of educators…:

CUT 12(08)      “…to go.”

The report shows from 2019-2023 the state’s high school graduation rank improved; jumping 8 spots from 45^th to 37^th.

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish arrest a man for allegedly shooting a teen girl in the head. Officers say kids were playing hide & seek and wandered onto 58-year-old David Doyle’s property. Thinking they were intruders, he armed himself, went outside and fired a few rounds at the fleeing youths; hitting the girl. Surprisingly, doctors say she is expected to recover. Doyle was arrested for assault with a firearm and other charges.

A drunk driver is blamed for a Saturday night crash in East Baton Rouge Parish that sent for teens headed for the prom to the ER instead. A 33-year-old local man, who blew a .211 breathalyzer, has been arrested for the wreck.

The Donald endorses Jeff Landry. Former President Donald Trump gave his official nod to the Attorney General in his bid to be elected governor this fall. What does it mean for Landry’s campaign? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says any high-profile endorsement from a former Commander-in-Chief is an asset…:

CUT 10(11)      “…foregone conclusion.”

Schools in Louisiana are showing improvement among students in math and reading, according to data from U.S. News & World Report. The numbers show we have gone from 46^th overall in the nation for 41^st. Not great, but better. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says drilling down on the data shows some real good news, like Louisiana 4^th graders placing 1^st in reading growth & improvement…:

CUT 14(12)      “…we are.”

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office reports one person dead and another injured after a shooting Saturday at the Toledo Bend RV Resort. The gunfire was the result of some kind of big disturbance that deputies are still figuring out. They ask anyone with tips to please call SPSO.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, and a state Senate candidate wants to fly one lucky mother anywhere in the US to visit her kids. Brooke Thorington tells us why…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

An Arkansas man in Louisiana for a birthday celebration was killed by an 18-year-old during a carjacking incident in Hammond. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened Saturday morning when 62-year-old Paul Holt and his wife were trying to leave for a cruise. Holt saw his wife being thrown from their car, and rushed to stop the thief, who shot and killed him. Travis says the whole incident is tragic…:

CUT 05(10)      “…his victim.”

Hammond resident Ladarrius Evans has been arrested and charged with murder, armed robbery, carjacking and possession of illegal weapons.

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish arrest a man for shooting a teen girl in the head. Officers say kids were playing hide & seek and wandered onto 58-year-old David Doyle’s property. Thinking they were intruders, he armed himself, went outside and fired a few rounds at the fleeing youths; hitting the girl. Doctors say – surprisingly – she is expected to recover. Doyle was arrested for assault with a firearm and other charges.

Louisiana schools showed improvement on the latest state rankings for Pre-K through 12 education in 2023 based on data by U.S. News and World Report. The statistics show Louisiana moved up five places jumping from 46th to 41^st in 2023. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says biggest improvements were in math and reading…:

CUT 13(08)      “…of years.”

Attorney General and candidate for governor Jeff Landry has received former President Donald Trump’s endorsement to lead our state. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says this is big for Landry, as Trump is still very well-liked among Louisianans…:

CUT 09(08)      “…for President.”

The last Louisiana gubernatorial candidate endorsed by Trump was Eddie Rispone in 2019, who didn’t cross the finish line.

A shooting last night in New Iberia leaves a little girl with a gunshot injury. NIPD’s Sgt. Daesha Hughes says it happened at a Raceway gas and convenience store, when a mom left her 4 kids in the car while she ran inside for a minute. While she was gone, one of the kids found a gun in the car and somehow shot his 5-year-old sister in the leg. Hughes says never leave your kids unattended in the car..:

CUT 08          (12)    “…for sure.”

He has a Guinness World Record for most scholarships offered in U.S. history and now New Orleans high school senior Maliq Barnes says he’s decided to accept Cornell University’s offer. He graduates in just weeks and says, once at Cornell, he’ll pursue dual degrees in computer science and criminal justice. His advice to fellow teens? “Put your best foot forward”…:

CUT 11          (11)    “…come true.”

Maliq has accumulated nearly $10-million in scholarship offers.

The World Health Organization declare an end to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean COVID is eradicated. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01          (31)    “…Thorington.”

Police in Baton Rouge arrest a convenience store clerk who allegedly faked a robbery this week. BRPD says 36-year-old Ishawna West called police to report the robbery, but holes in her story turned up immediately.  Police say she emptied the store safe of about $7500. West was booked on theft, obstruction of justice and injuring public records.

A shooting incident between groups of teens in Bastrop last night leaves two of them dead and two injured. Morehouse Parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs says one of the injured victims showed up at a local hospital and told authorities what happened…:

CUT 12(10)      “…also died.”

Tubbs says a big argument led to the gunplay. If you any tips on the crime, call the MPSO.

New Orleans high school senior Dennis “Maliq” Barnes, who set a record of receiving ten-million dollars in scholarship money, announced today he will attend Cornell University this fall. The 16-year-old scholar set a Guinness World Record for the highest amount of scholarships offered in U.S. history. Currently dual-enrolled in high school and at Southern University New Orleans, he says selecting Cornell was easy..:

CUT 10(12)      “…to Cornell.”

He graduates high school in three weeks, with a 4.98 GPA.

Police in Shreveport are searching for the person or persons who shot and seriously wounded a 6-year-old girl Thursday night. Police say the child was playing in her front yard when multiple people began shooting at one another. She caught a stray bullet. She suffered life-threatening injury. Caddo Crimestoppers would love to hear what you may know.

The World Health Organization says COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, which marks a historic end to the pandemic. But LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez says the virus is still active, so we need to stay up-to-date on shots and testing…:

CUT 04(07)      “…present itself.”

Lopez says this particularly applies to the elderly, diabetics and people with otherwise compromised immune systems.

A shooting in New Iberia leaves a 5-year-old girl with gunshot wounds. New Iberia Police Sgt. Daesha Hughes says a mom left her four kids in the car while she went into a Raceway store. She says one of the kids found a gun in the car and shot the girl – a sibling – in the leg…:

CUT 07  (04)        “…under investigation.”

The little girl is in stable condition.

Two teens are dead and two shot and injured in the shooting in Batrop last night; the result of an apparent argument. Morehouse parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs says they believe there was only one gunman, who they are seeking. He says it’s bad when youths settle their disputes with gunfire…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…younger and younger.”

An update on the fire this morning at Alexandria’s historic Hotel Bentley. KALB TV reports three people were hurt in that fire; two construction workers and a fire investigator. All are expected to be OK. Damage was concentrated to one lower area that was under renovation.

The World Health Organization declare an end to the pandemic, but that doesn’t necessarily mean COVID itself is over…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

At the State Capitol, a bill that would raise the statewide minimum wage to $10 failed in the House Labor Committee by a 9-5 vote. The bill’s author, Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain says citizens are struggling to survive and lawmakers must step up…:

CUT 09(09)      “…in unacceptable.”

Thirty out of fifty states have a minimum wage greater than the federal minimum. Neighboring states like Arkansas and Missouri have done so (at $11 and $12 respectively). National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea advocated for small businesses; saying they just can’t afford it…:

CUT 10(12)      “…number of employees.”

The last time the feds raised the minimum was 2009. Opponents said it would cause more job losses than anything else. The bill was voted down and appears dead again this year.

The House Education Committee approves legislation requiring high school students to pass 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)      “…have to make.”

That bill heads to the House floor.

The man arrested for Monday’s fatal double shooting outside a Minden truck stop is also the suspect in a stabbing and shooting in Alabama. Bossier City PD say the initial call came in as an armed robbery with shots fired.

CUT 23(12)      “…no further harm.”

50-year-old Cortrell Burks is also wanted in Jefferson County, Alabama for murder and attempted murder.

A bill to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana above the current $7.25-an-hour…rejected by the House Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Palermo.”

The full House passes a bill that would give a life sentence to persons convicted of distributing an ounce or more of fentanyl. This comes amid a statewide rash of fentanyl overdose deaths; some of which took the lives of kids. That bill now moves to the Senate for committee review.

A man wanted for a deadly stabbing and shooting in Alabama is identified as the suspect in Monday’s double murder at a Minden truck stop. Bossier City Police spokesman Louis Johnson says he has heard those reports, but BCPD has not released any information…:

CUT 03  (08)        “…two fatalities”

A police officer was also shot and wounded. 50-year-old Cortrell Burks has been booked for the crimes.

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, with the Office of Behavioral Health, 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 07(11)      “…conversation again.”

Find it online at “ldh.la.gov/crisis”

The man who allegedly shot and killed two people and wounded a Bossier City cop during a shootout at an I-20 truck stop in Minden is reportedly also the suspect in a fatal stabbing in Alabama…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Teiko Foxx.”

A Rayville man is under arrest for shooting a teen who was pranking him by ringing the doorbell and running away. Richland Parish deputies say Michael Duckworth chased the group of teens and shot at them; hitting one. He’s charged with 2^nd-degree battery and held pending bond. The teen is expected to recover.

At the State Capitol, a House committee advances a bill requiring high school kids take a financial literacy class in order to get their diploma. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley supports the measure. He says the course would be for 11^th and 12^th graders…:

CUT 15(10)      “…some replacement.”

That bill is scheduled for House floor debate next.

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, with the Office of Behavioral Health, says, in addition to receiving council by calling 988, you can also get help via text and live chat. You can find the dashboard and more information at “ldh.la.gov/crisis”…:

CUT 08(10)      “…their families.”

A police officer was shot when gunfire erupted this morning at a gas station in Bossier City…:

CUT 01(28)      “…Thorington.”

A 16-year-old was killed and two others shot and wounded last night in Natchitoches. NPD’s Corporal John Greely says they got several calls just after 8pm…:

CUT 03(07)      “…gunshot victim.”

They ask anyone with tips to come forward.

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 05(12)      “…in a death”

He says there will be extra police and sheriff’s presence for the big downtown festival this weekend.

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 a citizen phones in a tip…:

CUT 15(08)      “…solve these cases.”

Richard is charged with felony hit & run, vehicular homicide and driving with a suspended license.