Minden Police have made two arrests in the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says his officers responded quickly.

Cut 3 (10) “…laying everywhere”

20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer have been arrested so far and more are anticipated.

Addiction specialists are praising the FDA’s approval of over-the-counter Narcan to help with the ongoing opioid crisis. Director of Addiction Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Lee Michals is hopeful with Narcan more widely available the number of overdose deaths will decrease.

Cut 6 (11)  “…when it’s needed.” 

Further efforts to make home and auto insurance more affordable for Louisiana consumers will be before the state legislature when they convene on April 10th. Kevin Gallagher reports a watchdog group hopes they’ll make real, substantial change…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

According to the website Family Destinations Guide, Cajuns traveling overseas have one of the hardest accents to understand by foreigners. The website that specializes in family travel conducted a survey of 3,000 participants to rate their level of understanding and Cajun English came in 5^th for being the most misunderstood abroad.

Two arrests have been made in the shooting of four people at a gathering over the weekend. Minden officers discovered the shooting was involved gang-related. Police Chief Jared McIver says this has been an ongoing problem before he took office.

Cut 5 (13) “…gang activity”

The investigation is ongoing.

A non-profit insurance watchdog group shares its hopes and concerns for consumer-oriented insurance reforms as the legislature prepares to begin a new session on April 10th. Executive director of Real Reform Louisiana Ben Riggs says his group is hoping to see more help for working consumers.

Cut 9 (11) “…and small businesses”

Riggs says Real Reform Louisiana lobbies to “deliver real reform that levels the playing field, increases competition, and lowers costs.

Many factors can cause stress but how does that look collectively as a country and where does Louisiana fit on WalletHub’s 2023 list of most stressed states? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Federal Aviation Administration has changed its initial findings from the early Sunday morning helicopter crash that killed two Baton Rouge police officers who were piloting the aircraft. The initial report stated the chopper’s tail rotor struck a tree but that’s been changed to unknown circumstances. The crash remains under investigation. A memorial service for the two officers will be held April 6^th.

Will public school teachers get a pay raise when legislators convene for the regular session next month? Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Minden Police has arrested 20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer for the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says three males and one female were injured and at least one was flown to a Shreveport hospital.

Cut 4 (11)  “…female back” 

More arrests are expected.

State Police has arrested the driver of a log truck that slammed into a state department of transportation vehicle in DeSoto Parish killing a DOTD worker. Trooper Jonathan Odom says 42-year-old Charles Barker of Florien (chlorine) was not attentive behind the wheel.

Cut 12 (09) “…DeSoto Parish Jail” 

The crash occurred on U-S Highway 171 on January 25th.

Minden Police have made two arrests in the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says his officers responded quickly.

Cut 3 (10) “…laying everywhere”

20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer have been arrested so far and more are anticipated.

The legislative session is right around the corner and with the state sitting on a large surplus of money, raising salaries will be a big topic. Governor Edwards proposes a three-thousand-dollar teacher salary increase. Republican Houma Representative Tanner Magee says legislators support raising teacher pay but by how much…:

Cut 7 (06) “…pay for it.”

Magee says federal pandemic monies that boosted state revenues are going away and pay raises need to be from sustainable funding.

A bill to create a Criminal Justice System Pilot Program providing free access to criminal court records and case information for the public and the press has been filed for the upcoming session. Attorney General Jeff Landry supports it.

Cut 6 (11)  “…the results.”

The bill gives the public more transparency in sentencing.

According to WalletHub, the Bayou State is ranked number two among the most stressed states in the country. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says a common stressor for all states is financial.

Cut 11 (09)  “…even more so.”

She says the sooner you address your money problems the better, ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. Mississippi topped the list as the most stressed state, followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Nevada.

There are eleven days until the start of the legislative session. On the agenda is a proposal to increase teacher salaries by three-thousand dollars. Also an increase in supplemental pay for law enforcement officers and there’s a bill to increase the salary of lawmakers. Houma Republican Representative Tanner Magee says raising the pay of legislators’ in an election year is dicey….
cut 9 (10) “…do that”

Another bill that will be up for discussion is a measure that would give citizens and the press free access to criminal court records, so crime victims can see what is going on with their case. Attorney and victims rights’ advocate Laura Rodrigue says…
cut 5 (11) “…..as victims”
The program would start in Orleans, East Baton Rouge and Caddo parishes.

According to Wallet-hub, Louisiana ranks second as the most stressed out state in the country. Analyst Jill Gonazles says Louisiana ranks high because of its high crime and divorce rate. Plus, Louisiana ranks second for median credit score and percentage of the population living in poverty. When it comes to money problems, Gonzales says the worst thing you can do is ignore it…
cut 12 (11) “….people out”
Mississippi is ranked as the most stressed out state.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it has 19 new commissioned agents who will enforce hunting, fishing, and boating regulations. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says many of the individuals love the outdoors and appreciate having a job that seeks to preserve the Sportsman’s Paradise…
cut 15 (10) “… as we can”
Einck says the next academy will likely start in the fall and they’ll begin taking applications later this spring.

The state legislature is expected to take on teacher and law enforcement pay raises when they convene in about 12 days. Louisiana has over a billion dollars in surplus, thanks to pandemic relief and hurricane recovery money, so the Governor wants to give teachers a $3000-a-year raise. Others want to give more supplemental pay to LEOs. Houma Representative Tanner McGee says the latter will likely get some pushback…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…local responsibility.”

McGee says pay raises need to come from renewable funding sources.

Wildlife & Fisheries just graduated a class on 19 new field agents. Spokesman Adam Einck says they’ll spend their first 6 months on the job with a training officer. He says the additional agents were sorely needed…:

CUT 14  (14)        “…helps a lot.”

When you compare stress factors among states Louisiana isn’t at the top of the list but it sure is close. Brooke Thorington has more on WalletHub’s 2023 list of Most Stressed States…:

CUT 03(29)      “…Thorington.”

This is NOT a Louisiana story, but you should enjoy it. A pair of teenage carjackers in Germantown, Maryland are under arrest after they failed to make off with a man’s wheels. They accosted the man as he was finishing getting gas, forcefully took his keys and jumped in the car…only to find it had a standard transmission…which they could not fathom. They were apprehended a short time later after fleeing on foot.

The legislative session is right around the corner and with the state sitting on a large surplus of money, raising salaries will be a big topic. Governor Edwards proposes a three-thousand-dollar teacher salary increase. Republican Houma Representative Tanner Magee says legislators support raising teacher pay but by how much…:

CUT 07(08)      “…pay for it.”

Magee says federal pandemic relief money and hurricane recovery dollars have helped boost state revenues. But that money is going way, so pay raises need to be from sustainable funding.

April is Stress Awareness Month and according to WalletHub the Bayou State ranks number two among the most stressed states. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says they compared several factors like work, financial, health, and crime-related stress among the 50 states…:

CUT 10(10)      “…interrelated”

Mississippi topped the list as the most stressed state, followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Nevada.

Should victims, families of defendants, the public, and the press have the right to know our criminal court system is working on their behalf? If passed, a new bill would provide that information at no cost…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Foxx.”

In New Orleans, a judge has ruled that DNA and fingerprint evidence MAY be used in the trial against 3 of 4 teens accused of carjacking an elderly woman last year and dragging her to her death.  73-year-old Linda Frickey died after her arm was torn off. Trial for the three begins Monday with jury selection. One teen was ruled incompetent to stand trial.

Will public school teachers get a pay raise when legislators convene for the regular session next month?…

CUT 02  (30)         “…Kieschnick”

Deputies in DeSoto Parish arrest a big rig driver after video of him driving very aggressively against another 18-wheeler went viral this week. The video shows 43-year-old Omar Martinez’s truck and another swerving back and forth across I-49 near Stonewall; trying to run on another off the road. A warrant is out for the other trucker as well. His identity has not been released.

A bill to create a Criminal Justice System Pilot Program providing free access to criminal court records and case information for the public and the press is on the table for the upcoming legislative session. The two-part legislation will offer transparency in adult court and relating to juvenile crime. Attorney Laura Rodrigue says with a rise in juvenile crime – the public has the right to know what is going on in the court system…:

CUT 04(12)      “…of violence.”

The legislation is authored by Kenner Representative Debbie Villio.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy graduated their 35^th class of cadets into the LDWF Enforcement Division. Graduates spent the last six months training to enforce the state’s recreational boating and wildlife and fisheries laws and LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they’ll start work immediately…:

CUT 13(10)      “…being followed.”

The 19 graduates will help to fill vacancies in the Enforcement Division and spend the first six months assigned to a field-training officer.

Should victims, families of defendants, the public, and the press have the right to know our criminal court system is working on their behalf? If passed, a bill may provide that information at no cost. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

Will public school teachers get a pay raise when legislators convene for the regular session next month? Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

_______________________________________________

When you compare stress factors among states Louisiana isn’t at the top of the list but it sure is close. Brooke Thorington has more on WalletHub’s 2023 list of Most Stressed States.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________________

A bill to create a Criminal Justice System Pilot Program providing free access to criminal court records and case information for the public and the press is on the table for the upcoming legislative session. The two-part legislation will offer transparency in adult court and relating to juvenile crime. Attorney Laura Rodrigue says with a rise in juvenile crime – the public has the right to know what is going on in the court system.

Cut 4 (12)  “…of violence.”

The legislation authored by Representative Debbie Villio will begin to immediately address the crisis in Orleans, Caddo, and East Baton Rouge Parishes. Rodrigue says the Attorney General’s office has agreed to setup an online data portal.

Cut 5 (11) “…as victims.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry – who established the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation within the Department of Justice – .says he’s standing with families who have been impacted by crime and supports this legislation.

Cut 6 (11)  “…the results.”

New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport ranked 8^th, 10^th, and 19^th respectively as the most deadliest cities in the country according to Forbes.

_____________________________________________

The legislative session is right around the corner and with the state sitting on a large surplus of money, raising salaries will be a big topic. Governor Edwards proposes a three-thousand-dollar teacher salary increase. Republican Houma Representative Tanner Magee says legislators support raising teacher pay but by how much…

Cut 7 (08) “…pay for it.”

Magee says federal pandemic relief money and hurricane recovery dollars have helped boost state revenues. But that money is going way. He also says a portion of the state sales tax will sunset in July of 2024, so the good financial times may not last.

There’s talk about increasing the supplemental pay for law enforcement, but Magee says there’s opposition to that proposal…

Cut 8 (09) “…local responsibility.”

And Gretna Representative Joe Marino has filed a bill that would give legislators a large pay raise from just 17-thousand dollars a year to 60-thousand dollars a year, starting in 2024. Magee says raising lawmakers’ pay in an election year is dicey

Cut 9 (10)  “…do that.”

_______________________________________________

April is Stress Awareness Month and according to WalletHub the Bayou State ranks number two among the most stressed states. WalletHub analyst Jill -Gonzales says they compared several factors like work, financial, health, and crime-related stress among the 50 states.

Cut 10 (10)  “…interrelated.”

And it’s only appropriate that April is Stress Awareness Month with federal income taxes due. Gonzales says financial stress is a common theme across the country.

Cut 11 (09)  “…even more so.”

And to relieve your stress Gonzales suggests you do things like take a long walk, read a book, or visit a park, things that aren’t cost-related. When it comes to money problems, Gonzales says the worst thing you can do is ignore it.

Cut 12 (11)  “…people out.”

Mississippi topped the list as the most stressed state, followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Nevada.

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy graduated their 35^th class of cadets into the LDWF Enforcement Division. Graduates spent the last six months training to enforce the state’s recreational boating and wildlife and fisheries laws and LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they’ll start work immediately…

Cut 13 (10) “…being followed.” 

The 19 graduates will help to fill vacancies in the Enforcement Division and spend the first six months assigned to a field-training officer. They’ll help govern the use of the Sportsman’s Paradise’s natural resources that Einck says a lot of people make use of…

Cut 14 (14)  “…helps a lot.”

The graduating agents come from all over the state to help protect their native resources and many are drawn to the job because of that opportunity. Einck says this has been a lifelong goal for many of them…

Cut 15 (10)  “…as we can.”

____________________________________________________

LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes was the top transfer and pitching prospect in the nation this offseason, and he hasn’t disappointed in the Purple and Gold. Skenes is 5-and-0 to start the season with a 0.59 ERA and 59 strikeouts. Skenes says the key to his improvement and dominance is as simple as a good night’s sleep…

Cut  16 (17)  “…biggest thing.” 

The number one-ranked Tigers will host eleventh-ranked Tennessee this weekend. The Volunteers’ pitching staff has a 2.59 ERA, the best in the SEC, but they’ve started SEC play with a 3-3 record after being swept by Missouri the first weekend of conference play and haven’t won a road game all season. Skenes says he’s excited for a star-studded matchup in Alex Box…

Cut 17 (18) “…make it hard.” 

Tigers outfielder Josh Pearson was a significant piece in last year’s lineup but didn’t see the field much before conference play much this year. He’s made a return to the lineup in the first two series and he says it was just a matter of rebuilding his confidence after some offseason struggles…

Cut 18 (21) “…trust in me.”

_______________________________________________________

Cut 19 (17) “…to help us.”

Cut 20 (20)  “…that regard.”  

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine plans to double student admission and increase graduation rates to shrink the shortage of veterinarians across the U.S. LSU Vet School Dean, Oliver Garden says they will increase class size by next year.

Cut 3 (09) “…this happens”

Nearly every state reported critical shortages in veterinary care in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To increase safety along the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, DOTD plans to install speed cameras next year as a preventive measure. The beginning phase includes increased signage along the bridge. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says feedback cameras will also be installed to alert drivers when they are speeding.

Cut 7 (09)  “…the number of crashes.” 

Double speeding fine signs installed on the bridge in August is proving to be effective.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt authored a bill that increases punishment for those who produce or combine fentanyl with other drugs. Drugs laced with fentanyl were responsible for 140 deaths last year in her home parish of St. Tammany. She says the maximum penalty for manufacturing a controlled substance under her legislation would increase from 15 to 40.

Cut 10 (10) “…in our state” 

The penalties would also include a 500-thousand dollar fine for the convicted drug manufacturer.

ULM and Louisiana Tech announce they will renew their football rivalry, but fans will have to wait until 2030 before the two schools separated by 36 miles will meet again on the gridiron. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says hopes this game will take place.

Cut 14 (11)  “…down the road”

They have not played each other on the football field since 2000.