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.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 18-year-old for allegedly fatally shooting an Arkansas man, who was in town for a birthday celebration. Ladarrius Evans of Hammond faces several charges including first-degree murder. The victim, Paul Holt, was set to turn 63 yesterday. The shooting happened Saturday morning during a carjacking.

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is urging lawmakers to provide dollars for domestic violence shelters
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The House has approved its budget plan for the next fiscal year and the Senate will approve its version in the next month. The House version does not contain 51-million dollars in early childhood education funding to provide pre-K education to an estimated eight thousand children, which is disturbing for Libby Sonnier, the executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children…
cut 8 (06) “…to school”
Sonnier says they hope the Senate will include the 51-million dollars in its budget proposal.

We’re over five months away from the governor’s election in October and two candidates have been running TV ads, Jeff Landry and John Schroder. A PAC supporting Stephen Waguespack is set to begin airing TV ads today and la-politics-dot-com publisher, Jeremy Alford, says Hunter Lundy will soon release his first TV ads. Alford says Lundy has support from two groups you normally don’t see paired together….
cut 15 (10) “….pulling it off”

The spending plan approved by the House last week does not include a two-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers and it also does not include the 51-million dollars for early childhood education assistance the governor requested. Libbie Sonnier is the executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children says not having that 51-million dollars could prevent some eight-thousand pre-K students from participating in early childhood education….
cut 7 (12) “….throughout the state”
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is upset over the lack of funding for teacher pay raises. House Republicans are concerned the state funding for higher teacher salaries in the future may not be sustainable. But LFT Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says legislators plan on giving themselves a pay raise, plus the state’s tax provides billions of dollars in tax breaks…
cut 9 (13) “…we’re making”

After getting approval from the House last week, the state’s budget proposal will now be reviewed by the Senate. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says they are hoping the state provides funding for domestic violence shelters. Wineski says a 2021 Legislative Auditor’s Report highlighted gaps in services for victims, including an average of 26-hundred requests for shelter beds per year…
cut 6 (09) “…budget bill”
The coalition is asking for 15-million dollars in funding.

Corporal punishment in schools will be discussed on the House floor today. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty has a bill that would require parental consent prior to the use of corporal punishment in public schools…
cut 12 (07) “…of legislation”
According to the Louisiana School Board Association nearly 40 parishes still allow paddling in schools.

The absence of teacher pay raises, and not funding Early Childhood Education to the level the governor proposed in the state’s budget bill approved by the House has some up-in-arms.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Lafayette Police is investigating a shooting at Heymann Park last night that left three people wounded. Authorities say two of the victims have non-life threatening injuries, while a third person, a 35-year-old male, was in critical condition at last report. No arrests have been announced.

Domestic violence advocates 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 contain any funding ….
Cut 4 (13) “… necessary funding.”
Louisiana ranks 5th in the nation for femicide and 81% of female homicides in Louisiana are committed by a partner or ex-partner.

Gubernatorial candidates are already taking to the airwaves. Treasurer John Schroder and AG Jeff Landry have TV ads running and this week ads from the political action committee known as Reboot Louisiana, supporting Stephen Waguespack begin today. La-Politics.com Publisher, Jeremy Alford…
Cut 14 (04) “…on TV.”
Alford says expect Independent candidate Hunter Lundy to launch a TV ad in the next month.

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 this doesn’t mean the virus has been extinguished.
Cut 3 (11) “….years ago.”

A mass shooting in Bastrop Thursday night left two juveniles dead and two others 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. 20-year-old Willie Williams is the accused gunman and he’s in custody

We’re over five months away from the governor’s election in October and two candidates have been running TV ads, Jeff Landry and John Schroder. A PAC supporting Stephen Waguespack is set to begin TV ads next week and la-politics-dot-com publisher, Jeremy Alford, says Hunter Lundy will soon release his first TV ads. Alford says Lunday has support from two groups you normally don’t see paired together….
cut 15 (10) “….pulling it off”

New Orleans resident Dennis “Maliq” Barnes, who set a record of receiving ten-million dollars in scholarship money, says he will attend Cornell University this fall….
CUT 10(12) “…to Cornell.”
The 16-year-old scholar will graduate high school in three weeks, with a 4.98 GPA.

Two teens are dead and two are recovering from a shooting in Bastrop Thursday night; the result of an apparent argument. Morehouse parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs says it’s bad when youths settle their disputes with gunfire…:
CUT 14 (09) “…younger and younger.”
A 20-year-old is in custody. Tubbs says Willie Wiliams has been charged with two counts of first degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder.

Advocates for early childhood education are upset the proposed state budget approved by the House did not provide the additional 51-million dollars in funding for early childhood education assistance that Governor Edwards requested. Libbie Sonnier is executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children…
cut 7 (12) “…throughout the state”

A shooting Thursday morning in New Iberia left a little girl with a gunshot injury. NIPD’s Sgt. Daesha Hughes says it happened at a Raceway gas station, when a mom left her 4 kids in the car while she ran inside. While 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 receiving ten-million dollars worth in scholarships and now 16-year-old Maliq Barnes of New Orleans says he’s decided to accept Cornell University’s offer and 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 is set to graduate from International High School of New Orleans on May 24th.

In Bastrop, 20-year-old Willie Williams is in custody after he allegedly fatally shot two juveniles, and wounded two others in a shooting that took place at an abandoned home around midnight, Thursday night. Morehouse Parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs says one of the injured victims showed up at a local hospital and told authorities about the shooting. Tubbs says some sort of a dispute between those involved led to the shooting…
cut 13 (07) “….the week”
Williams has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

A shooting in New Iberia left a 5-year-old girl with a gunshot wound. 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.

The absence of any teacher pay raises, and big cuts to Early Childhood Education programs in the state’s next budget bill has some up-in-arms. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Paul Skenes struck out a career-high 15 hitters last night as the top ranked Tigers blanked Auburn three to nothing. Tre Morgan had a two-run homer in the first inning and drove in all three runs. The Ragin Cajuns doubled up ULM eight to four as the Warhawks have lost six straight league games. La Tech trounced UAB 16 to 3 in Ruston.

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 those who are 65 and older or immunocompromised they should remain diligent about their COVID vaccines.

Cut 5 (09) “…complications.”

He says the country averages 200 COVID deaths daily.

New Iberia Police are investigating a shooting incident that left a 5-year old injured at a Raceway on LA-14 Thursday morning. Sergeant Daesh Hughes says officers received a call of a child shot in a vehicle.

Cut 6 (06)

The shooting happened when the mother went in the gas station and left the kids in the car.

Dennis Maliq Barnes, a 16-year-old senior who holds the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving $9 million in scholarship offers from 125 colleges, has decided to attend Cornell University. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (32)

Attorney General Jeff Landry says consumers tricked into paying for free their federal tax return on TurboTax will begin receiving checks this month. Landry says it impacts just over 60,000 customers in Louisiana. Most consumers can expect to receive around $30.

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.