Colorado State University researchers are predicting a slightly below-average 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, with 13 named storms of which six would be hurricanes and two would reach major hurricane status.  And while a slightly below-average hurricane season prediction is welcome news Research Assistant Tyler Barbero (Bah-rare-oh) says to always have a hurricane plan in place regardless.

Cut 7 (10)  “…prepare as always.” 

CSU will update their forecast on June 1^st which is the first day of hurricane season.

The Pelicans season ended last night with a loss to Oklahoma City. At the first of the year New Orleans was one of the top teams in the league, but then the team was plagued with injuries. CJ McCollum played much of the season with thumb and shoulder injuries, and says staying healthy next year will be key…

Cut 4 (08)  “     to offer.” 

Preliminary research finds CBD provides therapeutic pain management for former professional athletes. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder is bidding for the title of Secretary of State. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Alexandria case of Courtney Coco – will be the focus of a Dateline episode on NBC Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m. The episode will focus on the death of 19-year-old Courtney Coco who was found in an abandoned building in Winnie, Texas in 2004. The former fiance’ of Coco’s sister, 47-year-old David Anthony Burns of Boyce, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in 2021 and is serving life in prison without probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

LSU Health Shreveport – partnered with The Tiger Research Group run by Bradie James – former LSU and NFL Linebacker – to analyze research data that found topical CBD provided therapeutic pain management for professional athletes. Dr. Kevin Murnane of LSU Health Shreveport is optimistic the research will create options other than opioids to control pain levels.

Cut 12 (08)  “…to opioids.”

The research included studying cannabinoids and formulations in cellular models for addiction, inflammation, and pain.

Colorado State University researchers are predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season for 2023. Research Assistant Tyler Barbero says they are forecasting 13 named storms of which six would be hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane status.

Cut 6 (10)  “…ocean currently.” 

Researchers cite the likely development of El Nino as the primary factor for the below-average prediction for 2023.

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder announced his bid for Secretary of State Wednesday. The Republican from Gonzales says he wants to continue to build on the state’s secure voting systems that Ardoin and his staff have put in place.

Cut 5 (09) “…do better.”

Schexnayder will contend with at least two other Republicans that have entered the race: Gonzales grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis of Crowley.

The Pelican’s season ended last night with a loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA’s play-in tournament. When 2023 started, New Orleans was one of the top team’s in the league. Then Zion Williamson got hurt and the team suffered through other injuries. Coach Willie Green says it’s disappointing…

Cut 3 (08) “…can be”

We’ll see what the Pelicans will do with Williamson in the offseason after only playing 29 games this season and missing the entire 2021-22 campaign.

A recent study by LSU Health Shreveport found the use of topical CBD by elite athletes offered significant levels of pain management. Dr. Kevin Murnane with LSU Health Shreveport says the study was conducted on former professional athletes with a history of chronic lower extremity pain.

Cut 10 (12) “…conventional therapeutics.” 

This is the first study to assess the CBD treatment in professional athletes and Murnane hopes it will warrant further studies.

Concerns over teacher pay raises and funding for low-performing schools stirred controversy in the House Appropriations Committee by Republican lawmakers yesterday. Representative Jack McFarland of Winnefield says a pay raise would require the legislature to cut funds elsewhere to sustain the pay raises.

Cut 13 (07) “..to put that in.” 

The discussion to raise teacher pay and funding for public schools will continue for the remainder of the legislative session.

Funding teacher pay raises was a hot topic in Wednesday’s House Appropriations Committee meeting. Jeff Palermo has more…

 Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Natchitoches Police has arrested a man in the murder of a Natchitoches native found shot in an apartment on Wednesday. 21-year-old Johnny Williams has been charged with principal to second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the death of 21-year-old Joshua Chism who was found shot in a residence on North Melrose Avenue. The investigation is ongoing.

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder announced he will run for Secretary of State – just one day after current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin made the decision not to seek reelection. The Republican lawmaker is in his third term in the legislature and says he wants to continue his call to public service.

Cut 4 (05)  “…right direction.”

Schexnayder believes Ardoin and his staff should be commended for their work and the office’s top ten ratings when it comes to election integrity.

Legislation filed by Representative Bob Owen’s “Safe Path to School Bill” requires elementary schools to have safety protocols when students are dropped off and picked up. The Republican lawmakers says keeping students safe behind a barrier before entering a drop-off/pick-up area until the vehicle is in park.

Cut 8 (08) “…schools don’t.”

The bill was filed after the tragic death of 6-year-old Emma Bell Savoie who was hit by a car in a Slidell School parking lot last year.

Governor Edwards and teachers are pushing for the approval of a teacher pay raise of at least two-thousand dollars a year. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says a proposed two-thousand dollar teacher pay hike will cost the state an additional 196-million dollars a year and what happens when state revenues decline…
cut 13 (07) “….to put that in”

With Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s announcement he’s running for Secretary of State. That’s three candidates vying for the seat currently occupied by Kyle Ardoin, who is not running for re-election. PSC Member Mike Francis and businessman Brandon Trosclair are also running. Schexnayder, a Republican from Ascension Parish, says he has the ability to reach across the aisle…
cut 6 (12) “….right there”

Preliminary research finds CBD provides therapeutic pain management for former professional athletes. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims passed away yesterday morning unexpectedly at age of 54. “Big Daddy” was his nickname and the DeRidder native was a standout player for the Tigers from 1987 to 1991. In 2018, his son, Wayde Sims, who also played basketball at LSU, was fatally shot outside of Southern’s campus.

A big discussion on public school funding took place in yesterday’s House Appropriations Committee meeting. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes A and B graded school systems should be awarded with additional state funding. He believes that philosophy will incentivize average to below average performing school systems…
Cut 14 (12) “…get something done”
But Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons says a lack of effort is not why Louisiana has “D” and “F” graded schools…
Cut 15 (06) “…we are.”
The teacher pay raise proposal and funding for public school discussion will continue for the remainder of the legislative session.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder announces he’s running for Secretary of State this fall as he looks to replace fellow Republican Kyle Ardoin, who is not running for re-election. The Secretary of State’s main job is overseeing elections and Schexnayder commends Ardoin’s work for the office’s top ten rating for election integrity…
cut 5 (09) “….do better”
PSC member Mike Francis and grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair are the other candidates.

In February of 2022, a six-year-old girl in Slidell was struck and killed while crossing the parking lot at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. Slidell Representative Bob Owen has filed legislation that would require certain safety protocols when students are picked up or dropped off from elementary school…
cut 9 (08) “…entire communities”
One of the components of Owen’s bill is requiring students under the age of ten be accompanied by a school employees in the pick-up-drop off area.

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder is hoping to earn the title of Secretary Schexnayder by running for Secretary of State. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

At the state capitol yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would increase the pay of first responders by 12-hundred dollars a year.

Also former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims has died at the age of 54, while the Pelicans lost last night to Oklahoma City to end their season.

After six-year-old Emma Bell Savoie (Sah-voy) was killed by a car in her school’s parking lot in Slidell last year, Representative Bob Owen has filed legislation to keep other students from the same fate. It’s called the “Safe Path to School Bill,” and it requires elementary schools to have safety protocols when students are dropped off and picked up.
Cut 7 (08) “…from school.”
The legislation will be heard in the House Education Committee.

LSU Health Sciences Shreveport is involved in a study that found topical CBD can help with pain management for former elite athletes and the only side effect reported was dry skin for 50-percent of the participants…
cut 11 (13) “…pain scores”
Doctor Kevin Murnane hopes CBD can be an option to control pain, instead of opioids.

Edit

A Louisiana Federation of Teachers survey indicates 97-percent of teachers are not paid enough to raise a family. LFT spokesperson Heather Cushman says recent pay raises from the legislature have only gone to pay higher insurance premiums and the higher cost of living.

Cut 14 (09)  “…behind again.”

Louisiana teachers have not been at the Southern regional average since 2007 resulting in more than 1,200 vacant teaching positions across the state.

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee expressed concerns over proposed teacher pay raises and funding for low-performing schools. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says a proposed two-thousand-dollar teacher pay hike will cost the state an additional 196 million dollars a year and what happens when state revenues decline???

AM Cut 13 (07) “..to put that in.” 

Colonel Lamar Davis expressed concern to lawmakers over the growing number of state troopers leaving the department. He says troopers are choosing to retire much sooner than they did in the past and there are just under 900 troopers in Louisiana.

PM Cut 6 (06)  “…is pay.” 

Davis says troopers in Texas are paid almost twice as much and the pay in Tennessee and Mississippi surpasses Louisiana.

On the heels of Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s announcement that he will not seek re-election, Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder has thrown his hat in the ring. The Gonzales Republican is term-limited in the legislature and says he wants to continue his twelve years of public service.

AM Cut 4 (06)  “…right direction.”

Schexnayder believes Ardoin and his staff should be commended for their work and the office’s top ten rating when it comes to election integrity.

97 percent of educators statewide say they do not make enough according to a survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking to upgrade charges against 20-year-old Cecilia Lee of Ville Platte after the death of her 85-year-old grandmother. Lee was charged with attempted first-degree murder before the death. Authorities say Lee allegedly beat her grandmother with a wooden back scratcher and picture frame.

After John Mack, who’s facing numerous child sexual abuse charges was released on bond in Livingston Parish, Baton Rouge State Senator Regina Barrow is taking action. She says Mack allegedly harassed victims in the past and she fears he will again. She’s filed legislation to create an advocacy program for victims within the Department of Children and Family Services.

Cut 4 (13)  “…aware what’s happening.” 

Former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims died at the age of 54. Sims was a four-year standout for the Tigers from 1987 to 1991. He played with former LSU greats Shaquille O Neal and Chris Jackson. Former coach Dale Brown says the LSU basketball family is extremely saddened.

Cut 9 (07) “…heard about Wayne.”

Sources say Sims collapsed at work yesterday and died from natural causes this morning.