Louisiana Pre K-12 schools showed marked improvement on the latest state rankings released by U.S. News and World Report. The improvement is similar to data released earlier this year in The Nation’s Report Card which showed similar improvement in the state’s education outcomes. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state’s reading ranked higher.

Cut 13 (08) “…of years.” 

NAEP’s data shows where Louisiana 4^th graders ranked #1 in the country in reading growth.

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 as part of his BackToTheBayou.com campaign.

Cut 6 (09)  “…have moved.” 

The contest isn’t limited to District 21 which includes St. Mary and parts of other coastal parishes. To enter visit BackToTheBayou.com

Former President Trump officially announced he is endorsing Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The 2023 National Championship LSU’s Women’s Basketball team has accepted an invitation to celebrate its historic season at the White House May 26. A definite decision was in up in the air after First Lady Jill Biden publicly invited the Iowa women’s basketball team to join the champions on the visit to the White House. The Tigers scored a game-record 102 points in the win over Iowa last month in front of 9.9 million viewers. Women’s basketball will become the fourth LSU sport to visit the White House in celebration of a national championship.

Former President Trump is backing Attorney General Jeff Landry’s bid for Louisiana governor. U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says a high-profile endorsement from a former president is also extremely helpful…

Cut 10 (11) “…forgone conclusion” 

Landry is one of five major Republicans running for governor and is considered a front-runner to make a run-off, because of the financial backing he’s already received.

While attempting to stop an 18-year-old from stealing his car at a Hammond hotel, 62-year-old Paul Holt of Arkansas was killed and the suspect, La-darrius Evans faces multiple charges including first-degree murder. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened Saturday morning when Holt and his wife were trying to leave for a cruise.

Cut 3 (09) “….to the ground.”

Holt then died from his injuries at the hospital. Travis says Holt and his wife were on their way to New Orleans to celebrate his birthday, he would have turned 63 on Sunday.

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 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The 2023 National Championship LSU’s Women’s Basketball team has accepted an invitation to celebrate its historic season at the White House May 26. A definite decision was in up in the air after First Lady Jill Biden publicly invited the Iowa women’s basketball team to join the champions on the visit to the White House. The Tigers scored a game record 102 points in the win over Iowa last month in front of 9.9 million viewers. Women’s basketball will become the fourth LSU sport to visit the White House in celebration of a national championship.

Advocates from across the state are encouraging legislators to support funding for domestic violence shelters in the state budget. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says HB1 that passed the House last week did not include funding for domestic violence shelters…

Cut 4 (13)  “… necessary funding.”

81% of female homicides in Louisiana are committed by a partner or ex-partner.

Senate District 21 candidate Stephen Swiber (Swhy-ber) 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.

Cut 6 (09)  “…have moved.” 

To enter visit BackToTheBayou.com

Domestic violence advocates from across the state encouraged lawmakers to support funding for domestic violence shelters in the state budget. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says the legislation that passed the House last week did not contain any funding to address the obvious needs.

Cut 5 (12)   “…were full.”

Louisiana ranked 5th in the nation for femicide and 81% of female homicides in Louisiana are committed by a partner or ex-partner.

A bill requiring parents to give permission for schools to use corporal punishment on children in Louisiana will be up for debate on the House floor today. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says while some school systems allow corporal punishment, others do not, Hilferty says there’s no rhyme or reason why one parish allows it, and another doesn’t.

Cut 13 (06) “…state level.” 

Hilferty filed legislation to ban the use of corporal punishment in the past but the bill failed.

Governor candidates, Attorney General Jeff Landry and Treasurer John Schroder already have campaign ads running on TV, and the political action committee known as Reboot Louisiana, supporting Stephen Waguespack begin running ads today. La-Politics.com Publisher, Jeremy Alford…says with the governor’s race – their supporters are eager to have ads airing sooner than later to build name recognition.

Cut  16 (10)  “…Jeff Landry.” 

Alford believes former Transportation Secretary, Shawn Wilson, the only Democrat in the race will make the runoff.

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the governor’s race. U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is a significant development in the governor’s race as Trump is well-liked by Republican voters in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08) “….for President.”

Trump says his endorsement message that Landry has been a fantastic A-G and he wants to stop crime. The former president also says Landry loves the people of Louisiana just like he does.

Former President Trump has officially endorsed Jeff Landry for Governor of Louisiana. Congressman Mike Johnson, Congressman Clay Higgins, as well as numerous Republican Parish Executive Committees across the state have also added their names to the growing list of Landry supporters. Landry has been the front-running Republican and has lapped his competitors in fund-raising.

Campaign ads for the gubernatorial election are kicking off. Brooke Thorington.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state’s $45.7 billion budget plan passed the houses but had NO funding for the $ 2,000-a-year teacher pay raise. The House decided to put surplus money toward paying down teachers’ retirement system debt. Cynthia Posey with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, says does not expect good outcomes from the House plan…:

Cut 10 (09) “… our students.” 

HB1 is now in the Senate for committee review.

A bill that would require parental consent for elementary and secondary schools to use of corporal punishment will be discussed on the House floor today. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says her bill will clarify language in the current law.

Cut 11 (10)  “…that purpose.”

In the past, Hilferty has filed legislation to prohibit the use of corporal punishment altogether and her bill fell short only a few votes from passing.

Two juveniles are dead and two others are injured from a shooting that took place around midnight in Bastrop. Morehouse Parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs says one of the injured victims showed up at a local hospital and told authorities about the shooting on Welch Avenue and Pruett Street.

Cut 12 (10) “…also died” 

Tubbs says they believe there was only one gunman and some sort of a dispute between the individuals involved resulted in the shooting.

The World Health Organization ended the COVID-19 global health emergency status, more than three years after the pandemic began. But LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez says the battle is not over.

Cut 3 (11) “….years ago.”

According to the WHO, the pandemic claimed seven million lives across the globe. Lopez says individuals need to stay up to date on vaccinations.

The New Orleans high school senior who received more than $10 million in scholarships and acceptance to over 185 universities, Dennis “Maliq” Barnes, announced he will attend Cornell University this fall. Barnes made the announcement during a special news conference.

Cut 9 (10) “….Cornell University.”

The 16-year-old scholar set the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest amount of scholarships offered in U.S. history. Barnes will graduate from the International High School of New Orleans on May 24.

The coronation of King Charles III will take place Saturday morning, almost 70 years after his mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned.Historian and LSU Professor Meredith Veldman says this will be the second coronation to ever be televised and it’s an opportunity for the United Kingdom to celebrate.

Cut 17 (06) “…would say.”

Veldman says there’s a huge PR campaign to change the narrative of the affair between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.

The Louisiana House advanced a budget that eliminates the two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A burglary suspect was shot by a Jefferson Parish deputy after fleeing a search warrant in Marrero Thursday. 50-year-old Louis Alexander ran from his home as deputies were preparing to search the residence. Alexander was considered a suspect in several armed robberies and residential burglaries over the last five weeks. The sheriff’s office did not provide any additional details about the events that led up to the shooting, or why the deputy discharged his weapon. Alexander has been hospitalized after being struck several times by gunfire.

The coronation of King Charles III will take place Saturday morning, marking the country’s first coronation in 70 years after his mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. Historian and LSU Professor Meredith Veldman says it’s going to be a national celebration welcoming the new king

Cut 7 (06) “…would say.”

The Coronation begins at 5 AM Central Standard Time, which is 11 AM in Britain.

The 2023 Alex River Fete will kick off this weekend in downtown Alexandria. The festival draws thousands in attendance to Central Louisiana. Special Events Coordinator Angella Guillote says there will be diverse artists representing different genres of music around downtown.

Cut 15 (07)  “…street stage.”

The festival will run through Sunday, May 6^th, and is free. The weekend lineup can be found at alexriverfete.com.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issued $2 million fines totaling $2 million to a Texas law firm for engaging in insurance fraud. He says the scheme by McClenny, Mosely, and Associates is one of the most flagrant cases he’s ever seen.

Cut 3 (09) “….this fraud.”

McClenny, Mosely, and Associates admitted to misrepresenting 856 claims of Louisiana policyholders and were fined $500,000 each, the maximum allowed under current law.

Low crawfish sales are affecting producers across Crawfish Capital this season. Chairman of Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board, David Savoy says this is one of the worst seasons for crawfish producers.

Cut 6 (12)  “…70′s prices.” 

Louisiana crawfish producers are only getting $1.25 to $1.35 a pound for their crops. Crawfish season ends in July.

West Baton Rouge Deputies arrested four Texas teenagers in Port Allen after stealing a vehicle from Texas this morning.  Spokesperson, Sgt. Landon Groger says deputies attempted to stop the vehicle on Lobdell Highway…

Cut 9 (07) “….of Port Allen.”

Savoy says if the remainder of the season remains at this level, producers of the red crustaceans will not see favorable profits.

The University of Alabama has fired head Baseball Coach Brad Bohannon for violating University standards, duties, and responsibilities according to a statement released. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says US integrity notified Ohio betting officials of two suspicious bets including one worth over six figures for Alabama to lose which caused the closures, but Horne says LSU was a heavy favorite anyway…

Cut 13 (12) “…the case.” 

Bohannon named a new starting pitcher for Friday’s game less than an hour before the first pitch.

Louisiana is the epicenter for delicious-tasting crawfish but low sales are impacting producers statewide. Chairman of Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board, David Savoy says producers are only getting $1.25 to $1.35 a pound for their crops.

Cut 7 (11)  “…absolutely ridiculous.” 

Savoy says consumption is limited to weekends for consumers and with prices continuing to rise – this season has not been favorable for local producers. Crawfish season runs through July.

To address the critical need for registered nurses statewide,  UL Lafayette and Ochsner Lafayette General have partnered to create an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.  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.” 

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

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon fines a Texas law firm $2 million for its role in an insurance fraud scheme. He says McClenny, Mosely, and Associates, also known as MMA, admitted to misrepresenting 856 claims of Louisiana policyholders.

Cut 3 (09) “….this fraud.”

If you believe you might have been misrepresented fraudulently by MMA you’re asked to call the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Alabama has announced its fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon. According to athletics director Greg Byrne says Bohannon violated the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of university employees. No other details were given, but there was suspicious wagering activity that took place Friday before the LSU-Bama game. Ohio sportsbooks are not allowing bets on Alabama games. Prior to the game in question, Alabama changed starting pitchers an hour before the first pitch.