The consulting firm New Orleans hired in the wake of the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street is out with its recommendations. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry unveiled his insurance reform plan today. He says if approved by lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session it will lower prices for Louisianans. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The seven-year-old girl injured in the house fire in Shreveport over the weekend has died. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux confirmed that this morning in an interview with LRN affiliate KEEL radio.

Cut 3 (14) “…to her injuries.” 

That seven-year-old girl was the first to notice the fire and called her mother, who in turn called 911. The other three victims are the girl’s five-year-old sister, her grandmother and her great-grandmother. Investigators say all were awake at the time of the fire; but without working smoke detectors, they didn’t have time to escape before being overcome with smoke inhalation. Mayor Arceneaux says he normally does not go to fire scenes because he would only interfere with the firefighters; but he says this was one that he felt he needed to go to.

Cut 4 (12) “…as a mayor.”

Arceneaux says this is the worst outcome possible.

Cut 5 (05) “…a long time.”

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Consultants hired by the City of New Orleans have recommended that Bourbon Street be permanently closed to vehicular traffic. Now, the question is – will the city heed that recommendation? In a news conference this morning, Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick seemed non-committal.

Cut 6 (11) “…the community wants.”

The city hired Teneo, led by former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, to make a recommendation in the wake of the New Year’s Day terror attack, in which a man plowed into a crowd with a pickup truck, killing 14 people. Superintendent Kirkpatrick says Teneo’s recommendation to turn Bourbon Street into a permanent pedestrian mall only addresses ramming.

Cut 7 (11) “…have prevented that.”

The subject of closing off Bourbon Street to vehicular traffic has come up in the past, but businesses had previously pushed back on that notion. Teneo also recommended that St. Charles Street be closed to vehicular traffic as well. But Kirkpatrick says that’s a little more problematic.

Cut 8 (16) “…to their homes.”

Kirkpatrick says it will be up to the City Council to decide which of Teneo’s recommendations to ultimately implement.

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The University of Louisiana at Monroe plans to request approval from the University of Louisiana System Board to implement staff furloughs to address up to a 6-million-dollar budget shortfall before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. Acting President Nick Bruno, who returned temporarily after retiring in 2020, emphasized that the financial position of the University is fragile.

Cut 9 (09)  “…correcting that problem.”

Bruno says layoffs aren’t currently being considered, though campus restructuring is likely. A hiring freeze began on Monday and all employees working remotely have been recalled…

Cut 10 (12) “…to disperse that.”

Bruno says the primary goal now is to make sure that their estimates and budget align with the revenue of the university for the 2026 fiscal year; and even if furloughs are implemented, it will not affect students.

Cut 11 (10) “…reduced staff anyway.”

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Governor Jeff Landry released an insurance reform plan that if approved by lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session would put new regulations on both insurance companies and trial lawyers. The governor says one of the bills he’s pushing would require attorneys to prove injuries in a claim are the result of the accident…

Cut 12 (15) “…after the accident.”

Landry says he’s poured over the data on why Louisiana’s auto insurance rates are among the highest in the country and found minor injury claims in Louisiana double the national average.

The governor says he also wants to rein in lawyer advertising as he believes that’s pushing car crash victims to seek big settlements…

Cut 13 (15)  “…Louisiana families.”

Landry says his insurance reform plan is a balanced approach as he’s not seeking to pass laws that benefit trial lawyers over insurance companies or vice versa. He says another key to lowering auto insurance rates is fewer wrecks and one to accomplish that is through efforts to minimize distracted driving…

Cut 14 (08) “…today.”

Landry says he supports a bill that would allow law enforcement to pull drivers over that are caught texting or using social media while driving.

Two Lake Charles boys reported missing in November are back home in part thanks to the show On Patrol Live.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Governor Landry is set to announce his plan to lower insurance premiums, and a new poll suggests that this could be the most important announcement of his governorship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after work is halted on the 3.1-billion-dollar Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Two Lake Charles children reported missing in November have been found and are back home with their father. On March 7, REELZ’s On Patrol: Live aired “Missing” segments featuring Colton and Cohen Desormeaux. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children spokesperson Angeline Hartman says by March 30, thanks to the show’s exposure, both were safely reunited with their family.

Cut 4 (10) “…turn herself in.”

On Patrol Live airing Fridays and Saturdays, partners with NCMEC and the Black and Missing Foundation  to spotlight missing persons cases and encourages viewers to call tip hotlines. Harman says the show changed everything.

Cut 5 (09) “…get involved.”

Hartmann says, to date, 40 people have been recovered thanks to On Patrol: Live, whose fanbase plays a critical role in spreading awareness.

Cut 6 (12) “…missing children.”

Hartman encourages everyone to take part in helping find missing children. Go to missing-kids-dot-org to help .

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Leaders for a Better Louisiana released a report showing that while high school student participation in internships and apprenticeships has grown, the state still trails peer southern states. CABL CEO Adam Knapp says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, better than previous years but still low compared to Georgia and Tennessee’s 15–20-percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…high school students.”

Knapp says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, better than previous years but still low compared to Georgia and Tennessee’s 15–20-percent.

Cut 8 (11) “…employers in Louisiana.”

Knapp says Better Louisiana is proposing legislation to streamline work-based tax credits and expand student access to real-world learning that benefits both students and employers.

Cut 9 (11) “…for their businesses.”

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Governor Landry is set to announce his plan for lowering insurance premiums this morning, and a new poll shows that this could be the single most important announcement of his governorship. The poll by Bernie Pinsonat and Greg Rigamer shows a deep dissatisfaction with the state’s direction on insurance, and a majority of the 500 people polled say the legislature has been ineffective at reining in premiums. Pinsonat says the pressure is on Landry to get something done as the poll shows 46-percent of the respondents have an unfavorable opinion of his job performance and it’s tied to the insurance crisis…

Cut 10 (09) “…lot of credit.”

As for who people believe to be the most responsible for high insurance premiums, insurance companies and trial lawyers tied for the top with almost 20-percent each, followed by natural disasters at more than 16-percent. Pinsonat says at the same time, 36-percent hold the legislature accountable for addressing the crisis.

Cut 11 (11) “…cost of insurance.”

Pinsonat says nearly everyone surveyed said he or she was concerned about the direction of insurance premiums.

Cut 12 (09) “…continue to rise.”

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The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after the Landry administration ordered a 90-day pause on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Campaign Director Simone Maloz (muh-LAWS) says construction has been going on for years, and the state has already invested about a half-billion dollars.

Cut 13 (11) “…a year ago.”

Maloz says the project is essential to slowing the loss of coastal land to erosion. 

Cut 14 (14) “…restore our coast.”

Late last year, Governor Landry said the project could devastate the state’s shrimp and oyster fisheries and other marine life. Maloz says that’s no reason to halt the project.

Cut 15 (16) “…economy of Louisiana.”

The total price tag of the project currently stands at more than three-billion dollars, and Landry says he wants to find a less expensive solution.

Love the Book Week has volunteers in every parish cleaning up Louisiana this week.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The director of the Center for Economics, Business and Policy Research at LSU explains what the Trump Administration is trying to accomplish by raising tariffs at least 10-percent on almost every country. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The 2025 fiscal legislative session begins next Monday, so what will be the big issues? Colleen Crain spoke with Senate President Cameron Henry

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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This week is Love the Boot Week, a statewide anti-litter initiative in Louisiana.. The campaign, aimed at beautifying the state through volunteerism, has grown significantly since its inception, now including hundreds of groups across all 64 parishes. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who leads the effort, hopes to engage one-thousand volunteer teams..

Cut 4 (09) “…in the parking lots.”

Nungesser says the campaign encourages community involvement, noting that individuals who participate in cleanup efforts are 80-percent less likely to litter in the future.

Cut 5 (09) “…pay the price for it.”

Nungesser envisions a cleaner Louisiana, where visitors are impressed by its beauty.

Cut 6 (07) “…our great state.”

Visit Love-the-boot-dot-org for more information.

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There are divided opinions over President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs and what they will do to the U-S economy.  LSU Economics Professor Dek Terrell says the tariffs are attempting to produce two outcomes, increase manufacturing in the United States and leverage for future trade negotiations with other countries.

Cut 7 (10) “…by initiating negotiations. ”

Terell says the biggest cause for concern is an increase in prices on goods, citing efforts to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, such as Hyundai’s $5.8 billion steel mill project.

Cut 8 (08) “…in the U.S.”

Louisiana’s economy could shrink significantly if a full-blown trade war unfolds. Despite hopes for long-term gains, Terrell emphasized the importance of short-term economic negotiations.

Cut 9 (07)  “…a recession.”

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A bill filed for the upcoming session provides an incentive for students to attend a Louisiana public university if they achieve a score of 31 or higher on the ACT. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner is proposing that high school students who score that high can receive up to 12-thousand dollars yearly in TOPS scholarship money to attend a public university in Louisiana…

Cut 10 (14) “…in Louisiana.”

Participation in the TOPS scholarship has declined. According to state data, in the 2020-21 school year , 56-thousand students were on TOPS, this year there are fewer than 48-thousand TOPS recipients.

Since 2016, the amount of money a student receives from the TOPS scholarship has not changed, which has contributed to the decline in students accepting TOPS. Turner’s bill would raise the existing award amounts and the highest-performing students coming out of high school would receive 12-thousand dollars annually. He says the goal is to get our best brightest to stay in Louisiana…

Cut 11 (12) “…more money.”

Incoming freshmen for the next school year are eligible for the new award, if the bill becomes law. Turner says the legislation would also provide 35-hundred dollars to students who want to attend a two-year school…

Cut 12 (10) “…academic side.”

The proposed legislation has up to a 35-million dollar price tag. The governor proposed a stand still budget, so finding money to pump more money into the TOPS program will be a challenge.

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For the last two school years, teachers have received a two-thousand-dollar stipend on top of their regular pay, but that additional two-thousand dollars for teachers and one-thousand dollars for school support staff is set to go away because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Senate President Cameron Henry says the goal is to give teachers a permanent pay raise, but finding the money to do that will be difficult…

Cut 13 (12)  “…late May.”

Henry says despite the failure of Constitutional Amendment Two at the ballot box, the state remains in okay financial shape. But he says some agencies will not receive the funding they are seeking…

Cut 14 (09) “…some folks.”

Henry expects funding will increase for the Louisiana Department of Health and State Police. L-S-P’s duties expanded following the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street as efforts were intensified to make sure the city was safe during Super Bowl and Mardi Gras activities.

A fiscal legislative session starts next Monday. Henry expects portions of what was Constitutional Amendment Two will be discussed again…

Cut 15 (11) “…of that”

Sweeping reciprocal tariffs from President Trump of 10-percent on all imports and higher rates on key trade partners, such as China and the E-U, has sparked concern across Louisiana industries.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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ULM students have voted to put a 75-dollar per fee on themselves with the money going to the school’s athletic department. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Bossier, Caddo and Webster Parishes are under a tornado watch until 9:00 tonight and tomorrow the severe weather threat expands statewide. LSU Public health climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (15) “…severe weather.” 

Heavy rainfall is a possibility with this storm system. Kein says north Louisiana could see two to three inches, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast…

Cut 4 (12) “…rainfall amounts.”

Keim says once after the cold front passes through, Louisiana will experience a big drop in temperatures…

Cut 5 (11) “…low 70s.”

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President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs of 10 percent on all imports and higher rates on key trading partners, such as China (34%) and the European Union (20%), has sparked concerns across Louisiana industries.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says it could cost more to eat out…

Cut 6 (10) “…no question about it.”

Economists are concerned the tariffs could slow the U-S economy, and Harris says the restaurant industry is bracing for increased costs for essential goods.

Cut 7 (06) “…or replace equipment.”

Harris says with the potential of costs going up, low-margin profitable businesses like restaurants like will have to do some belt-tightening..

Cut 8 (11) “…period of time.”

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ULM students have approved a 75-dollar fee per semester that will generate 600-thousand dollars in its first year for the school’s athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says the fee goes into effect for the 2025 Fall Semester…

Cut 9 (11)  “…21 million dollars.”

Hartwell says they plan to use the money to install a new video board in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The A-D says the new revenues will also go towards improving the well-being of their student athletes .

Cut 10 (10) “…sports medicine program.”

The fee passed on a 711 to 650 vote. Hartwell says opponents to the athletic fee proposal said they do not attend athletics events or questioned the need to spend more money on sports. Hartwell says a successful athletic program improves the entire university…

Cut 11 (11) “…your diploma.”

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The family of a 73-year-old grandfather is pleading for his release after immigration enforcement agents took him into custody near his home in Lafayette while on his way to work. He’s at an ICE processing center in Evangeline Parish. The family says Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez has lived in the U.S. for 45 years since he fled Cuba. Rodriguez’s stepdaughter Christian Cooper Riggs posted this emotional plea on Facebook…

Cut 12 (15) “…our country.”

Riggs says Rodriguez tried to become an official citizen for the last ten years, but because he committed a crime in the first couple of years after he arrived in the U.S., he’s been unsuccessful. She says for the last 43 years her stepfather has been a modeled immigrant…

Cut 13 (14)  “…not the solution.”

Rodriguez cares for his wife who has dementia. Riggs says she understands the United States has an immigration problem, but a 73-year-old man, who works and cares for his family and has lived in the United States for 45-years is not part of the problem…

Cut 14 (05) “…a machete.”

Riggs is asking for your prayers and if the public wants to get involved, they can contact their elected officials and ask for her step father’s release.

New Office of Motor Vehicles leader Bryan Adams is optimistic OMV can run more efficiently despite outdated computer system. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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It is Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Louisiana and state officials are making the case again, when behind the wheel put the phone down. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana Democrats are hailing the failure of the four constitutional amendments last weekend. Andrew Greenstein has more from a press conference held by the Louisiana Democratic Party…

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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This week, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Bryan Adams as the new leader for the Office of Motor Vehicles  following Commissioner Dan Casey’s resignation. OMV is suffering from system outages due to outdated technology. Adams was serving as the State Fire Marshal and he’s optimistic OMV customers will start to see improvements as early as next week…

Cut 4 (10) “…citizens of Louisiana.”

The current mainframe system is 50 years old and it keeps crashing, causing delays at OMV field offices, forcing customers to leave and make another appointment for another day to get a driver’s license, renew vehicle tags or file paperwork.  Adams says enough is enough.

Cut 5 (11) “…really deserve.”

Adams described the effort as upgrading from “Band-Aids” to “duct tape” until a permanent solution is in place. Landry expressed confidence in Adams’s ability to lead the agency through this transition.

Cut 6 (12) “…ready to put it out.”

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It is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and state officials want to see an end to distracted driving on Louisiana’s roads. Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says preliminary data from 2024 shows that distracted driving crashes led to 180 fatalities and 1,295 serious injuries in Louisiana…

Cut 7 (12) “…fully recover”

Cell phones are believed to be a major contributor to distracted or inattentive crashes. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple urges parents to set an example of not using a phone while behind the wheel…

Cut 8 (09) “…your kids.”

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission executive director Lisa Freeman says in the upcoming legislative session, they will once again push lawmakers to approve a hands-free primary law, which would allow police officers to ticket drivers who use a hand held cell phone while driving…

Cut 9 (07)  “…tremendous results.”

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The Louisiana Democratic Party is hailing the defeat of all four constitutional amendments last weekend. Voters turned back amendments that would have rewritten Article 7 of the state constitution, created specialty courts, made it easier to send minors to adult prisons and change the way that judicial vacancies are filled. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the vote was a unified message.

Cut 10 (12) “…work collaboratively together.”

Another Baton Rouge representative, Edmond Jordan, says the vote was a rebuke of the Landry administration.

Cut 11 (11) “…gubernatorial election”

The rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 could result in a decrease in teacher pay, if state lawmakers can not find 200-million dollars in revenues. Randal Gaines, the chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, says he’s calling for a permanent pay raise for teachers with no strings attached.

Cut 12 (15) “…as  a whole.”

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Do you want to know how public school districts and charter schools are spending their money? You can find that information at treasury-dot-la-gov.  State Treasurer John Fleming says click the box that reads Louisiana K-12 School Transparency Project and you find out all kinds of information…

Cut 13 (11)  “…want to know”

Fleming says it’s the most comprehensive website of its kind in the country. He says taxpayers now have easy access to details regarding how public schools are spending public funds…

Cut 14 (12) “…spending practices.”

Fleming says they are still collecting data, so not every school’s financial information is published yet….

Cut 15 (11) “…data to come.”

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Lady Tigers basketball star Flau’Jae Johnson is reportedly returning for her senior season at LSU. Johnson has the option to enter the WNBA draft, but Reed Darcey of the Advocate says Johnson said after the team’s season-ending loss to UCLA, she wanted to get past the Elite Eight…

Cut 16 (19) “…own championship.”

Johnson was a freshman on LSU’s 2023 national championship team. But Angel Reese and Alexis Morris were the big leaders on that team. Darcey says Johnson seems motivated to win a national title as a senior leader…

Cut 17 (16) “…call it her own.”

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The battle for starting quarterback at U-L Lafayette is well underway as the team started spring break last week. Daniel Beale, Ole Miss transfer Walker Howard and former Lutcher star Lunch Winfield are in a three-way competition.  Coach Michael Desormeaux says all three are making strides…

Cut 18 (20) “…that competition.”

Most schools are doing away with their spring game. A few coaches have raised concerns that spring practices allow other schools to scout their players better and then the convince the kids they want to come to their school. Desormeaux is not concerned about tampering and believes the spring game is an important part of their offseason…

Cut 19 (23) “..let them play.” 

The Cajuns spring game is May 3rd.

There’s at least one group that’s applauding President Trump’s tariffs – at least on one specific import. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas jumped three-cents from yesterday to $2.82.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s imposing of tariffs on imported shrimp. Leann Bosard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says she hopes the tariffs will provide a boost to the U.S. shrimping industry.

Cut 3 (12) “…for decades now.” 

The six countries that account for 96-percent of all shrimp imports all have tariffs, ranging from ten-percent for Argentina and Ecuador to 46-percent for Vietnam. Bosard says shrimp from all of those countries are far inferior to the shrimp caught off the Louisiana coast, but up until now it’s been more cost-effective for restaurants to keep that imported shrimp in stock.

Cut 4 (13) “…of banned antibiotics.”

Bosard says the U.S. has been subsidizing the U.S. shrimping industry’s direct competitors for far too long.

Cut 5 (13) “…allow that anymore.”

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The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State University is calling for an above-average hurricane season. Lead researcher Phil Klotzbach says warm water in the Atlantic will help produce 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes and the chances of an El Nino are quite low…

Cut 6 (06) “…bad for the hurricane”

Researcher Lauren Beard says based on their research, there’s a 33-percent chance that a major hurricane will hit the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to Brownsville, Texas.

Cut 7 (06) “…from that.”

Beard says ocean temperatures are not as warm as last year but it is above average, and says to stay updated on sever weather in your area.

Cut 8 (03) “…for your area.”

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The price at the pump has jumped three-cents from yesterday, bringing the statewide average price for regular gasoline to $2.82 per gallon. Don Redman with AAA says gas prices rise at this time of the year as refineries shut down operations to switch from a winter blend to a summer blend gasoline.

Cut 9 (10)  “…closing of refineries.”

Redman says while gas prices are up from last month’s average, compared to this time last year, prices are down, but prepared for gas prices to keep rising…

Cut 10 (10) “…get into May.”

Even though we can expect prices to continue to rise heading into the summer driving season, Redman says gas prices are much higher in other states…

Cut 11 (12) “…gallon in Louisiana.”

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A man and a woman are dead following a plane crash near Raceland. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the 1976 Cessna 2010 L owned by Southern Seaplanes went down last night in a remote marsh area and it was located two miles north of Highway 182 near the intersection of Highway 90….

Cut 12 (11) “…wreckage site.”

Authorities have identified the victims as Lyle Pannepinto and Lauren Menkemeller. Chaisson says Pannepinto is the owner of Southern Seaplanes and Menkemeller was training as a pilot for the company…

Cut 13 (09)  “…went down.”

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

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The defending national champion LSU gymnastics squad begins its NCAA postseason journey tonight as they will compete in the Penn State Regional. LSU won the SEC regular season championship, and they won the SEC Gymnastics meet. Mike Smith who is the announcer at LSU gym meets says the Tigers are the favorites to repeat as national champs…

Cut 14 (10) “…convincingly.”

LSU is the number one seed for the first time in program history. The Tigers are once again led by All-Americans Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan. Kailin Chio is the SEC Freshman of the Year and Smith says they’ll have to count on a couple of other freshmen during this postseason run…

Cut 15 (11) “…they did just fine”

Tonight’s meet begins at 6 PM and if the Tigers finish in the top two of tonight’s session, they advance to the regional final on Saturday.

The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Governor Landry has ordered a hiring freeze within the state’s executive branch. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says while countries will pay a tax on the goods they export to the United States, those extra costs will end up being passed along to the consumer.

Cut 3 (10) “…be U.S. citizens.” 

Lane says there’s a reason that many goods are manufactured overseas in the first place.

Cut 4 (09) “…be more expensive.”

President Trump says one purpose of the tariffs is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Lane says if China loses jobs because of the tariffs, those jobs would most likely go to Vietnam or Bangladesh and not the U.S.

Cut 5 (12) “…over other people.”

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A warrant has been issued for a Slidell man after investigators say he forced his way into a home and assaulted a woman. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home U-S Highway 190 East, learning that 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel (MERK-a-dell) had kicked in the door and attacked the woman.

Cut 6 (08) “…actively fighting them.”

Carboni says in self-defense, the woman fired two shots, hitting Mercadel in the leg.

Cut 7 (12) “…shoot out his tires.”

Authorities later located Tyrone Mercadel and transported him to a hospital. Carboni says once released, he will be arrested for aggravated battery.

Cut 8 (12) “…fired upon the vehicle.”

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Governor Landry has ordered a temporary hiring freeze for the executive branch of state government. In a statement, Landry’s office says the goal is to save 20-million dollars in the general fund. In a statement, Landry’s office says the upcoming fiscal year’s budget was prepared using a standstill approach, removing one-time items and incorporating cost-saving measures. While the statement puts some of the blame on the prior administration that’s now been out of office for more than a year, political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says changes to the tax law may have had something to do with it.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the entire budget.”

Pinsonat says work had already been underway on how to shave money off the state budget.

Cut 10 (09) “…to do that.”

Landry says part of the reason for the hiring freeze is the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box. Pinsonat says that has an indirect effect on state revenues.

Cut 11 (12) “…have no choice.”

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Experian has teamed up with LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson to help relieve five-million dollars of consumer debt for five-thousand families in Louisiana. Christina Roman with Experian says the partnership is perfect since Experian and Johnson both promote financial literacy…

Cut 12 (09) “…tangible difference.”

Roman says Experian originally committed five-million dollars to this initiative and they tacked on an additional 100-thousand dollars for every game LSU won in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which was three.

Roman says Louisiana has one of the highest poverty rates in the country and relieving five-million dollars in consumer debt could be life changing…

Cut 13 (13)  “…in Louisiana.”

Johnson says money management is extremely important and she’s learning firsthand as she is one of the biggest NIL earners in college athletics.

Roman says the five-thousand families who will have their debt relieved were chosen by ForgiveCo…

Cut 14 (10) “…debt payoff.”

Two death row inmates in Caddo Parish have learned their execution dates this week. Andrew Greenstein reports Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of death row inmates in the state – despite it having a Democratic district attorney.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Baton Rouge prosecutors reach a plea deal with a man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son three years ago. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana tax filers can use United Way Southwest Louisiana’s My Free Taxes app, a free online tax filing service. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Despite having a Democratic district attorney, Caddo Parish, which includes Shreveport, has a disproportionate number of inmates on death row. In general terms, Republicans tend to support capital punishment much more than Democrats. So why the anomaly? LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow (SAD-ow) says many of those death row inmates were sentenced years ago.

Cut 4 (09) “…anti-death penalty.”

In fact, those district attorneys employed prosecutors who were very aggressive in seeking the death penalty. Sadow says the current district attorney, James Stewart, fully supports the judgement of his predecessors.

Cut 5 (08) “…to capital sentences.”

Sadow says Stewart will not stand in the way of judges signing death warrants, like what Judge Donald Hathaway did this week in setting execution dates for Darrell Draughn and Marcus Reed.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the past”

The 53-year-old Draughn is scheduled to be executed May 28th for stabbing his neighbor, 64-year-old Lauretta White, to death in 2000.  The 47-year-old Reed will be put to death June 4th for killing three young men who he had erroneously thought had stolen his ex-girlfriend’s X-Box.

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A Baton Rouge man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son reaches a plea deal with prosecutors. Three years ago, 23-year-old Brynnen (BRIN-in) Murphy shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend, 24-year-old Kaylen Johnson, and he threw her two-year-old son, Kaden, off a bridge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore says Johnson’s family wanted to avoid a trial.

Cut 7 (15) “…for some time.”

Murphy pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of first-degree feticide. Moore says he would have had no trouble convicting Murphy of the second-degree murder charges he was originally facing.

Cut 8 (11) “…and their future.”

Despite the lesser charges that Murphy pleaded guilty to, Moore says he will never see the light of day again from outside a prison setting.

Cut 9 (14)  “…a life sentence.”

Murphy will be formally sentenced June 10th.

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United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. The platform helps users file federal and state taxes quickly, with most completing their returns in under an hour. United Way Southwest Louisiana Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard says it includes guides for small business owners, gig workers, and those affected by federally declared disasters.

Cut 10 (11) “…My-Free-Taxes-dot-com website.”

Heckard says since 2020, the program has saved nearly 30-thousand people over three-million-dollars in tax prep fees while ensuring they claim eligible deductions and credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Cut 11 (12) “…forms that you get”

Heckard says the program guarantees secure and accurate tax filing.

Cut 12 (14) “…the tax client.”

Free services cover W-2 income, self-employment, education expenses, and more. Taxpayers can file online at MyFreeTaxes.com, or they can schedule an appointment with a volunteer at unitedwayswla.org/vita or by dialing 211.

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Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”

Cut 13 (16)  “…to chest-feed.”

Senator Cassidy says the legislation he introduced last week with Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, who like him is also a doctor, would codify one of President Trump’s executive orders.

Cut 14 (10) “…identity or sex.”

Cassidy says his legislation would make accommodations for people born with chromosome variations.

Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”

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Derek Carr is set to return for his third season as the Saints starting Q-B but that hasn’t stopped first-year head coach Kellen Moore from doing his homework on the quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. Moore traveled to see Miami’s Cam Ward and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart perform at their pro days. Moore on what he looks for when he’s evaluating a quarterback…

Cut 16 (14) “…you can.”

Moore spoke with reporters at the NFL Owners’ meetings. Moore says the team added real value during free agency, highlighted by the signing of safety Justin Reid, who just won a Super Bowl with Kansas City….

Cut 17 (22) “…up with him.”

The Saints also re-signed tight end Juwan Johnson to a three-year, 30.8 million dollar deal. The 28-year-old Johnson had a career-high 50 receptions last season, but Moore believes he can make Johnson an even bigger threat in the passing game.

Cut 18 (20) “…add to his game.”

Louisiana voters voted “NO” on a constitutional amendment that would have funded permanent teacher pay raises, leaving the future of educator salaries uncertain.   Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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For those of you who cross North Louisiana on I-20, get ready for some delays. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 by voters leaves the future of educator salaries uncertain. Passage of Amendment 2 would have made a temporary $2,000 pay increase for teachers and $1,000 increase for support staff permanent. Without its passage, these stipends will expire after this school year, potentially lowering pay unless new funding is secured. Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees President Larry Carter…

Cut 3 (12) “…local school districts.” 

Landry warned before the vote that no alternative plan existed, and his administration has not confirmed whether it will support additional stipends. The amendment would have dissolved education trust funds to pay down teacher retirement debt, freeing up about $200 million annually for raises. Carter says the complexity of the amendment led to its defeat.

Cut 4 (09) “…that was needed.” 

With a budget shortfall and no current funding allocated, securing teacher pay hike is a challenge. Carter says the Louisiana Federation of Teachers is working with legislators to explore solutions, but funding is uncertain.

Cut 5 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

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Construction is underway in Lincoln Parish on a nine-mile stretch of I-20. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews will be replacing the asphalt.

Cut 6 (11) “…of course with new.”

Buchanan says the work stretches between the Bienville Parish line to the Highway 149 overpass near Grambling. Buchanan says since this is a heavily-traveled section, they will be implementing a queue-detection system to give motorists real-time traffic conditions.

Cut 7 (14) “…another route.”

Buchanan says if you’re traveling in that area, be prepared for delays for the foreseeable future.

Cut 8 (05) “…hopefully early summer.”

The asphalt on the ramps at highways 507 and 563 will also need to be replaced as part of the nearly 18-million-dollar project.

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LSU men’s basketball team suffered through a losing season this year, but Coach Matt McMahon is trying to bring a winner to the Boot and has much bigger NIL budget to bring in better players…

Cut 9 (13)  “…impacting winning.”

LSU signed two players on Monday. UNLV point guard Dedan Thomas, who chose the Tigers over Kentucky and Florida. He led the Runnin’ Rebels in scoring and assists, averaging 15 points and four assists a game this season. The Tigers have also signed six-foot-ten Michael Nwoko (nuh-WOE-koe), who started at Mississippi State and averaged six points a game. McMahon says they are type of players they wanted to add

Cut 10 (11) “ locked in on.”

LSU went 3-15 in the SEC and finished in 15^th place. But McMahon says Vanderbilt and Missouri were in the NCAA Tournament this season after finishing at the bottom of the conference standings a year ago…

Cut 11 (12) “…leadership standpoint.”

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Following the rejection of Constitutional Amendment Two, Governor Jeff Landry released a statement and there’s one sentence from the statement that drew the ire from voters. Landry said positive change can be hard to implement in a state conditioned to fail. The statement quickly went viral, generating thousands of reactions on social media, with many accusing him of insulting the state and its people. Political analyst Clancy Dubos…

Cut 12 (09) “…work on that.”

Users expressed anger and disbelief, questioning his leadership and tone. Some criticized the amendments themselves, arguing they were overly complex and bundled too many issues together. ubos says its not a fatal loss but could become one if Landry keeps going down this road.

Cut 13 (07)  “…on any governor.”

The overwhelming negative response highlighted public frustration, both with the governor’s remarks and the amendment process itself, showing a strong disconnect between Landry’s perspective and voter sentiment. Dubos says Landry needs to learn from this defeat and apologize for his comments.

Cut 14 (11) “…everything he wants.”

Governor Jeff Landry blames far left liberals for the defeat of Constitutional Amendment two. Sean Richardson reports voters overwhelming rejected it and Republicans were a large percentage of the no votes…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The shocking outcome of Saturday’s constitutional amendment election continues to reverberate around the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana voters overwhelmingly rejected four constitutional amendments, a political setback for Governor Jeff Landry and the Republican-led Legislature. Landry promoted Amendment 2, a tax reform measure, as part of his broader economic strategy, but 65-percent of voters voted against it. Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan Moeller says it was a decisive and appropriate verdict by the voters.

Cut 3 (09) “…bad policy outcomes.” 

Landry blamed liberal billionaire George Soros for the defeat, accusing Soros and far left liberals for pouring million dollars into the state with propaganda and lies about Amendment 2 , though he provided no evidence. Moeller says Republicans also voted against Amendment Two….

Cut 4 (14) “…in the first place.” 

Moeller says the rejection reflects voter frustration and skepticism toward sweeping constitutional changes…

Cut 5 (10) “…State Constitution.”

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The failure of the four constitutional amendments over the weekend continues to send shockwaves across the entire state. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Constitutional Amendment 2, which was the one that got by far the most attention, likely failed because it was way too much to unpack in a single election.

Cut 6 (09) “…people to digest.”

While it didn’t get quite the attention of Amendment 2, Procopio says Amendment 3 which would have allowed lawmakers to more easily expand the list of crimes juveniles can be charged as adults

Cut 7 (13) “…lot of people.”

Procopio says those organizing opposition to Amendment 3 also motivated voters to vote no on all other amendments on the ballot, leading to each one failing by a two to one split.

Cut 8 (08) “…way or another.”

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Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it was just not Democrats who voted down Constitutional Amendment Two. Pinsonat says conservatives were concerned that the passage of Amendment Two would make changes to property tax exemptions for churches…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to kill it.”

Landry told voters that the passage of Amendment Two could result in the state eliminating state income taxes one day. But Pinsonat says that didn’t motivate potential supporters of the amendment to vote

Cut 10 (10) “…just stayed home.”

A two-month long fiscal session begins in two weeks and Pinsonat says more tax reform items will likely be introduced. But he says the voters are more concerned about high insurance rates…

Cut 11 (09) “…public is.”

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The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended Sunday with a loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight and now All-American guard Flau’jae Johnson has a decision to make. She’s eligible for next month’s WNBA draft and could forgo her senior season and turn pro. Johnson won a national championship at LSU her freshman season and averaged 18 points this season, her junior campaign. Coach Kim Mulkey would be sad to see Johnson go…

Cut 12 (13) “…our program.”

Johnson said she plans to talk over her decision with her family and Mulkey, before making an announcement on her future plans. Mulkey was Johnson’s first big recruit out of high school after she was hired at LSU…

Cut 13 (10)  “…Johnson.”

All-American forward Aneesah Morrow is not coming back next season as she’s used up her college eligibility. Morrow after transferred to LSU after two seasons at DePaul. She leaves LSU as one of the greatest rebounders in women’s college basketball history and gives a lot of credit to Mulkey…

Cut 14 (13) “…for that” .”

Mulkey finished with 1,714 rebounds, the third most in NCAA DI history.