An Amber Alert has been issued for two missing girls. Authorities say 3-year-old Erin Brunett and 6-year-old Jalie Brunett were abducted Thursday morning during a domestic violence incident in which authorities say their mother, 35-year-old Callie Brunett, was “brutally murdered.” Louisiana State Police issued the Amber Alert on behalf of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. Trooper William Huggins…

cut 14 (08) “…State Police.”

An unknown white male is wanted for questioning. He’s believed to be driving a black 2012 Chrysler 200 with a Louisiana license plate reading 859GML and missing the hubcap on the back right tire with possible damage to the rear of the vehicle.

BESE approves a new performance plan for schools and students called the “Grow.Achieve.Thrive” plan. BESE President Ronnie Morris says the plan will help set an expectation that high school graduates are ready for their next step in life…

cut 6 (11) “…build on.”

The Community Lighthouse Project is set to open more facilities across Louisiana just in time for hurricane season. Representative Troy Carter of New Orleans, who donated almost $4 million to the project last year, says the lighthouses will be a safe space during an emergency.

cut 3 (05) “…power outages.”

The pilot proposal calls for 24 lighthouses across the state. 16 of them will be in New Orleans and the others in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Rapides, St. Bernard, St. John and Terrebonne Parishes.

Even though the LSU Baseball team lost their shot at the College World Series this year, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina Manager Pat McAvoy says they know the fanbase will still rise to the occasion in the CWS Jell-O Shot Challenge…

cut 11 (08) “…we can.”

Pay attention to your mailbox, because the Louisiana State Treasury is mailing $5.1 million in unclaimed cash property to the rightful owners. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A new survey on state crime reveals 72% of Louisiana residents think crime has increased the past few years. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Even though Tiger Fans aren’t defending their College World Series Jello Shot Championship they can still do so remotely. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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You may want to pay extra attention to your mailbox because the Louisiana State Treasury is mailing checks to residents with unclaimed property. Treasurer John Fleming says since his department began sharing information with the Department of Revenue through a 2018 legislative act, finding the rightful owner has been much easier.

Cut 4 (09) “…being issued.”

Fleming says one in six Louisianans have unclaimed property and many are not aware so don’t automatically assume an unexpected check is a scam….

Cut 5 (09) “…real money.”

Fleming says when he was sworn in there was a backlog of 2,500 claims. That’s now down to 500. Even if you don’t receive a check in the next few days you can still visit their website to see if you’re due some cash.

Cut 6 (11) “…information.”

Most checks average $100 – $200. If a large sum is due you will be contacted by the Louisiana State Treasury.

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A new survey on state crime shows 72% of Louisiana residents think crime has increased the past few years, 10% less than last year’s survey. Dr. Michael Henderson, who directed the 2024 Louisiana Survey, says findings show Louisianians are determined to do something about crime.

Cut 7 (09) “…criminal justice.”

The survey says 84% of state residents support sending state police to help local law enforcement in high crime areas and 56% support increasing spending on local law enforcement. However, Henderson says Louisianians also support nontraditional means of law enforcement.

Cut 8 (09) “…higher crime rates.” 

Though most Louisiana residents were not victims of crime over the past year, 58% personally know a victim of property crime and 44% know someone who was attacked or threatened. Henderson says this has an impact on how every resident, even those who were not victims, view crime in the state.

Cut 9 (10)  “…different direction.”

The survey report can be found on the LSU Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs website.

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Even though LSU isn’t in Omaha you can still show your support for the Purple and Gold by defending the Tigers in the Jello Shot Challenge Championship remotely. Mike Manning with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina has set up a QR code to make donations instead.

Cut 10 (10) “…not there.”

Manning believes the LSU faithful will congeal for the challenge even though there won’t be purple and gold Jello shots this year at the College World Series.

Cut 11 (08) “…competition.”

Last year’s challenge Manning says netted $60,000 for the LSU Campus Food Bank. He says food insecurity remains an issue for all ages in Louisiana.

In Omaha, it will be the SEC against the ACC for the Jello Challenge, but Manning says LSU will remind baseball fans who the reigning champs are with donations.

Cut 12 (08) “…a difference.” 

Visit Louisiana Radio Network’s social media pages for the QR code or LouisianaRadioNetwork.com. Proceeds will go towards the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

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According to a Pelican Institute report, population and job growth are stagnant in Louisiana. Chief Economist with the Pelican Institute Vance Ginn says Louisiana ranks in the bottom 10 in the nation in population growth and unemployment rate. But he believes there’s a way to improve those figures.

Cut 13 (11)  “…coming up.”

Ginn says lawmakers have already taken one step to improve the state’s job climate by passing a law reforming the state’s occupational license law.

Cut 14 (09)  “…out of the way.”

Ginn says getting more people into the workforce will result in more revenue for the state, which he says could ultimately help the state wean itself off the personal income tax.

Cut 15 (11)  “…tax over time.”

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LSU Baseball Head Coach Jay Johnson has already begun rebuilding his roster after losing nine players to the transfer portal so far with more expected to depart in the MLB draft. The Tigers have added 4 new transfers, but Johnson and his staff are also expecting reinforcements in the form of Junior College commits. Pearl River left-hander Connor Ware struck out 28 batters in 17 innings this season. Johnson expects him to make an immediate impact…

Cut 16 (10) “…for us.” 

Outfielder Tanner Reaves of Blinn College denied a scholarship from LSU for the 2024 season but chose to return after batting .422 with 20 homers his freshman season. Reaves set a record during the JUCO World Series this year blasting four home runs in 28 at-bats. Johnson says he’s ready to finally bring the versatile slugger to Baton Rouge…

Cut 17 (17) “…been committed.”

Catcher Blaise Priester began his college career at LSU before the former Denham Springs High School star transferred to Meridian JUCO. Priester batted .377 with 14 homers for the Eagles this season and Johnson says he’s a totally different player…

Cut 18 (12)  “…that’s great.”

Trevor Schmidt began his career with Johnson at Arizona before transferring to Fullerton JUCO. The 1^st basemen and outfielder batted in 13 homers this season on a .343 average. Johnson says he could fill a need for the Tigers…

Cut 19 (18) “…some power.” 

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Cut 20 (22) “…overcome that.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is reminding you to protect yourself from West Nile virus this summer by taking precautions against mosquito bites.

cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents have arrested six people for allegedly committing fraud in hog-hunting contests in Caldwell and Bienville parishes. Agents received a tip that the six individuals were catching wild hogs in Texas and entering them into Louisiana contests. Hunting fraud brings up to a $3,000 fine and one year in jail.

The first tropical wave of the 2024 hurricane season has formed over the southeast Gulf of Mexico. While it’s not a threat to Louisiana, LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s indicative of the slowest start to a season since 2014.

cut 7 (08) “…hurricane season.”

NOAA has predicted 8 to 13 hurricanes this year for the Atlantic season with 4 to 7 forecasted to be major hurricanes.

The Saints three-day mandatory minicamp started yesterday and saw many players absent from OTAs report to their facilities like Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore. Many have criticized Kamara and other Saints players for not being at team OTAs this offseason, which has created a negative narrative around player participation within the team. Kamara says he is not going to go along with that narrative because he cares about the team and his teammates.

cut 10 (13) “…low pressure.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is reminding everyone to take precautions against bites from mosquitos that could carry the West Nile virus. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there is no vaccine for the West Nile virus, so the best course of action is preventing bites.

cut 5 (08) “…mosquito repellent.”

The first tropical wave of the 2024 hurricane season has formed over the southeast Gulf of Mexico, but it’s expected to skip Louisiana. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says due to record warm sea surface temperatures and an expected transition to La Niña, things are gearing up for a very active season.

cut 8 (12) “…wait and see.”

NOAA has predicted 8 to 13 hurricanes this year for the Atlantic season with 4 to 7 forecasted to be major hurricanes.

The Saints three-day mandatory minicamp started yesterday and saw many players absent from OTAs report to their facilities like Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore.  Kamara reported for the 2024 minicamp yesterday and says he’s excited to get into a more versatile role in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s high-motion offense.

cut 11 (13) “…to do.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents have arrested six people for allegedly committing fraud in hog-hunting contests in Caldwell and Bienville parishes. Agents received a tip that the six individuals were catching wild hogs in Texas and entering them into Louisiana contests. Hunting fraud brings up to a $3,000 fine and one year in jail.

The St. Augustine Marching 100 will head to Normandy, France next week for a special performance for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Sean Richardson has more…

cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This could be the final week of Governor Jeff Landry’s final legislative session, which must wrap up by 6 PM on June 3rd. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says these next few days will determine the final tally on Landry’s overall accomplishments with his first session…

cut 8 (08) “…Jeff Landry.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee met today for what was likely the final time during this legislative session, and the panel never took up the House-approved constitutional convention bill. Chairman and Baton Rouge senator Cleo Fields says Senators disagree on the need for a constitutional convention…

cut 9 (04) “…uncertain.”

Governor Landry was pushing a constitutional convention so lawmakers and a group of appointed delegates can remove items out of the constitution and put them into state law to provide more flexibility where there are budget deficits.

The 18-year-old Ruston woman who was killed Saturday in a drive-by shooting has been identified. Police say Haleei (Haley) Newton, who graduated from Ruston High School last Tuesday, was shot and killed as she and a male friend traveled eastbound on I-20 between the Tarbutton Road interchange and Tech Drive just after midnight Saturday morning. Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers says one of the rounds entered the trunk and struck Newton. The male passenger was uninjured and steered her car off the road. Police have not yet identified a suspect.

38 year old Aaron Moreau of Pollock was arrested for alleged fishing contest fraud by placing over 2.5 lbs of lead weights into a fish and weighing it in at the Bass Splash Tournament in Toledo Bend. Wildlife and Fishery agent Dustin Nash says things like this have never really happened in Louisiana.

cut 14 (06) “…locally.”

Fishing contest fraud brings up to a 3 thousand dollar fine and up to one year in jail.
The Click it or Ticket campaign is underway to encourage motorists to buckle up for Memorial Day weekend. It’s a national campaign, so you’ll want to stay buckled up even if you travel across state lines. Greg Fisher with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says a first-offense ticket for not using your seatbelt in Louisiana is 50 dollars.

cut 7 (11) “…Commission.”

The Louisiana National Guard’s 1021st Vertical Engineer Company will deploy to Asia with more than 40 guardsmen who will assist with construction operations. Captain Emily Anthony says this is the first overseas deployment for most in the unit and their occupations range from correctional officer to crane operator to electrician.

cut 3 (10) “…construction projects.”

Their primary objective while overseas will be to provide construction engineering expertise to work on critical infrastructure.
This Memorial Day weekend many people will gather around the grill with family and friends. Luckily, it doesn’t look like the meat is going to break the bank this year. Chairman of Louisiana Beef Industry Council John Thompson says going into Memorial Day weekend beef prices are looking good for grillers.

cut 9 (06) “…holding pretty steady.”

Beef… it’s what’s for dinner.

Over 40 Louisiana National Guardsmen leave this weekend for about a one year long deployment to Asia where they’ll assist with the construction of buildings through Operation Spartan Shield. Sean Richardson has the story.

cut 1 (30): “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana State Police say there is a defect with Motor Vehicle Inspection stickers issued for 2026, as the sticker may fade from yellow to clear or white due to sun exposure. LSP says these MVI stickers, which were issued between January 1st 2024 and now, will remain valid despite the fading. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is aware of the issue and is working to replace the current unused inventory.

38 year old Aaron Moreau of Pollock was arrested for alleged fishing contest fraud by placing over 2.5 lbs of lead weights into a fish and weighing it in at the Big Bass Splash tournament in Toledo Bend. Wildlife and Fishery agent Dustin Nash says the tournament came with some hefty prizes for the top 15.

cut 13 (07) “…certain amount of money.”

Fishing contest fraud brings up to a $3,000 fine and up to one year in jail.
This Memorial Day weekend many people will gather around the grill with family and friends. Luckily, it doesn’t look like the meat is going to break the bank this year. Chairman of Louisiana Beef Industry Council John Thompson says going into Memorial Day weekend beef prices are looking good for grillers and even gives some recommendations for what to grill.

cut 11 (14) “…tender piece of meat.”

Beef… it’s what’s for dinner.

Members of the Louisiana House Criminal Justice Committee failed to pass a bill that would remove gassing as a form of execution due to perceived similarities to execution methods used during the Holocaust. John Sinquefield with the Attorney General’s office spoke in opposition of the bill to the House, saying nitrogen hypoxia differs from what was used in Nazi Germany.

cut 9 (10): “…to death.”

Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Aaron Bloch, who spoke to the House in favor of the bill, said execution by gas is triggering for the Jewish community.

cut 10 (10): “…their name.”

The bill failed in committee on a 3 to 8 vote and will not advance to the House floor.

On an eight to four vote, the House Education Committee approves the legislation that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that one day would allow parents of all income levels receive taxpayer dollars to pay for private tuition. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds is the author of the legislation…

cut 6 (11): “…education.”

The measure has already received Senate approval and it looks poised to reach the governor’s desk.

State Police announced three arrests and several stolen items recovered thanks to video on social media in an investigation into street takeovers by road vehicles like ATVs in New Orleans. After searching the suspects’ residences in St. Bernard, St. James and East Baton Rouge Parish, Troop Nola Major Donovan Archote says police uncovered more than just careless driving.

cut 4 (10): “…marijuana.”

The three suspects were arrested after police found a YouTube video from May 2023 in which the suspects drove their ATVs recklessly through New Orleans. They have been booked in St. James Parish jail with more charges and suspects expected later.

Louisiana State Police announced several arrests and recovery of stolen items in an investigation into ATV takeovers in New Orleans, which Major Donovan Archote says is a problem for NOLA.

cut 3 (11): “…public safety.”

Three suspects have been booked in St. James Parish jail with more charges and suspects expected later.

44-year old John Michael Thibodeaux of Belle Rose faces a theft charge for running an alleged Ponzi scheme that saw him steal thousands of dollars from his friends. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lonny Cavalier warns people to be cautious of too-good-to-be-true opportunities…

cut 12 (11): “…not a realistic number.”

Cavalier says Thibodeaux promised several of his friends they would receive high investments through E-Trading, but was found to have no E-Trade account.

Last year saw an increase in tourism and tourist spending for Louisiana. The Louisiana Office of Tourism announced the state saw 43 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 420 thousand from 2022. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says though international visitation isn’t expected to recover until next year, Louisiana’s 17% increase in international tourists from 2022 to 23 shows the state is coming back strong.

cut 6 (12): “…to Louisiana.”

Visitor spending generated almost 2 billion in taxes, saving each household in Louisiana over a thousand dollars a year.

The Shreveport Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting early Monday morning. A 19 year old female sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and an 18 year old female suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds and died at a local hospital. Though officers detained the individual identified as the shooter at the scene, no arrests have been made yet.