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.”

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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”

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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.” 

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation to significantly increases the punishment for those who produce or combine fentanyl with other drugs. The maximum penalty for manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance would increase from 15 to 40 years with a minimum sentence of ten years of hard labor.

Cut 10 (10) “…in our state” 

The state’s first Safety Corridor continues to phase in measures to reduce speeding and accidents on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the first phase of Act 426 called for increased signage along the 18-mile-long bridge.

Cut 6 (09)  “…feedback cameras.” 
A speed feedback camera is a digital sign that tells drivers how fast they are driving. The speed cameras that would issue citations are expected in 2024.

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine is hoping to help with the ongoing vet shortage by increasing enrollment. LSU Vet School Dean, Oliver Garden says class size will almost double at 220 next year. He says the combination of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging makes a great foundation for a thriving department.

Cut 4 (12)  “…and ambitions” 

Out of the school’s 15 hundred applicants, only 120 were admitted in the past.

ULM and Louisiana Tech are renewing their rivalry on the gridiron but fans will have to wait until 2030 for the two to play each other again. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says many longtime Bulldog fans have pushed back on the idea of playing ULM…

Cut 13 (09) “..do change.”

Speeding cameras won’t be added to the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge until 2024. The 18-mile-long bridge between Lafayette and Baton Rouge is highly traveled and DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says even a small accident on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge can cause major repercussions.

Cut 8 (08)  “…over water.” 

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation to significantly increase the punishment for those who produce or combine fentanyl with other drugs. The maximum penalty would be raised from 15 to 40 years and a $ 500 thousand fine. Hewitt says similar penalties were successful in reducing heroin on our streets…

Cut 11 (12)  “…fentanyl.”

Billy Ellerbe Junior of Natchitoches was apprehended in New Orleans by U.S. Marshals for alleged arson in Natchitoches Parish earlier this year. In January multiple roadside and forest fires were set in the parish, threatening timberland, homes, and a cemetery and obstructing the flow of traffic. He faces multiple arson charges.

Pet ownership has increased and there’s a growing demand for veterinarians across the country. LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine hopes to increase admissions to help.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

New speeding cameras will be installed along the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge by the end of 2024. Brooke Thorington has the details.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The United States Marshal Service Violent Offender Task Force arrested a Natchitoches man in New Orleans as a result of warrants for setting roadside and forest fires in January. Billy Ellerbe, Jr. is charged with one count of arson, one count of simple littering, and an additional count of arson. Authorities say the fires set in Natchitoches Parish threatened homes and obstructed traffic on I-49.

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine plans to increase student enrollment and graduation rates to elevate a shortage of veterinarians across the country.  LSU Vet School Dean, Oliver Garden says the state has given the school $2.2 million in funding but additional funding is necessary.

Cut 5 (10) “…mix as well”

The school plans to increase its faculty and offer scholarships to attract students.

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. They have not played each other on the football field since 2000. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says it’s good to see the rivalry resume.

Cut 12 (07) “…make it happen” 

The two schools scheduled a game against each other in 2020, but it was scrapped because of COVID.

Speeding cameras along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge are expected to be installed by the end of 2024. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says speeding fines are double along the 18-mile bridge and it’s the speed differential of vehicles, anywhere from ten miles an hour or more over 60 miles an hour that increases the chance of an accident on the narrow bridge.

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

A crash on the bridge can stop traffic along I-10 for hours.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation to significantly increase the punishment for those who produce or combine fentanyl with other drugs. Hewitt says she’s going after those who operate clandestine drug labs…

Cut 9 (11) “…prescription drugs”

The maximum penalty would increase from 15 to 40 years.

LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine will increase enrollment and graduation rates to help with the shortage of veterinarians across the country. Vet School Dean, Oliver Garden says they will enlarge the class size from 120 to 220 – almost double the size next year.

Cut 3 (09) “…this happens”

With the LSU Lady Tigers basketball team in Dallas preparing to play Virginia Tech Friday night, the school announced this morning they’ve purchased billboard space in the Lone Star state to highlight their first appearance since 2008 to the Final Four. And a billboard featuring head coach Kim Mulkey is up in Waco, the home of Baylor University. Mulkey coached the Bears for 21 seasons and won three national titles there. Some Baylor fans are bitter about the billboard and Mulkey’s decision to leave the Big 12 school to return to her home state.

Minden Representative Wayne McMahan has filed legislation that would allow pet owners to have their pets’ cremated remains buried with them. And the bill clearly outlines that the cremated pet must have died before the person who wishes to have the remains buried with them.
Cut 12 (12) “…the burial.”
The practice is illegal in the state but McMahan says he’s optimistic that will change.

The state’s first Safety Corridor continues to phase in measures to reduce speeding and accidents on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the first phase of Act 426 called for increased signage along the 18-mile-long bridge.
Cut 6 (09) “…feedback cameras.”
A speed feedback camera is a digital sign that tells drivers how fast they are driving.

The East Baton Rouge Coroner says fentanyl was involved in the death of Nathan Millard and sadly too many others. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The autopsy is in for the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge and was located almost two weeks later. East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says Nathan Millard died from a combination of cocaine, alcohol, and fentanyl. Dr. Clark says fentanyl is lucrative to drug dealers even though it’s responsible for the majority of overdoses…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…addiction disorders.”

He says there is a high possibility that any illicit drugs on the streets are dangerously laced with fentanyl.

A measure to decide whether to ban the death penalty in Louisiana will be heard in the upcoming legislative session. Marrero Representative Kyle Green says the legislation is based on morality, not to mention it’s extremely costly to house prisoners on death row…:
Cut 14 (11)  “…of legislation.”

The proposal is not retroactive.

The state department of transportation says there are now just three proposed locations for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge – all connecting the East and West Banks of Iberville Parish. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the $1.5 billion dollar project has received $300 million in state funding, which is a good starting point:

Cut 8 (11) “…gets built.”
He says they hope to narrow down the location of the new bridge when environmental evaluations are completed in the summer of 2024.

Minden Representative Wayne McMahan is once again trying to make it legal for pet owners to have the cremated remains of their pet buried with them. He says the measure still allows a cemetery to decide if they’ll allow it…:

Cut 11 (05)  “…to do.”
He says this would just make it legal. The regular session begins April 10th.

The autopsy for Georgia executive Nathan Millard, who went missing in Baton Rouge and found wrapped in a rug, shows he died from a lethal combination of cocaine, alcohol, and fentanyl.  East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says fentanyl is driving a rise in deaths in the country.

Cut 4 (12)  “…person’s system.”

Clark says these days illicit drugs are laced with fentanyl and there are major consequences.

Louisiana transportation officials have narrowed the prospects down to three for a new Mississippi River Bridge in an effort to decrease traffic congestion.  The $1.5 billion dollar project has received $300 million in state funding but will need additional funding. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says all locations will have to go through the environmental phase to determine the most effective route before a final selection is made.

Cut 9 (11)  “…approved route.”

Residents are worried about the environmental impact of one site that threatens Cypress Forest in Iberville Parish.

Minden Representative Wayne McMahan has filed legislation that would allow pet owners to have their pets’ cremated remains buried with them. The retired veterinarian says this bill should be considered because pets are like a part of the family. And the bill clearly outlines that the cremated pet must have passed before the person who wishes to have the remains buried with them.

Cut 12 (12)  “…the burial.”

The practice is illegal in the state but McMahan says he’s optimistic that will change.

Marrero Representative Kyle Green has filed a bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana. The proposed legislation says anyone found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, or treason would serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Green proposed the same bill in 2020 and 2022 but believes it is worth another debate.

Cut 13 (11) “..get it right.” 

The legislation would not apply to individuals already on death row.

A measure to decide whether to ban the death penalty in Louisiana will be heard in the upcoming legislative session. Marrero Representative Kyle Green says the legislation is based on morality, not to mention it’s extremely costly to house prisoners on death row…:
Cut 14 (11) “of legislation”
The proposal would not apply to individuals already on death row.

The autopsy is in for the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge and was located almost two weeks later. East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says Nathan Millard, like so many others, overdosed from cocaine, alcohol, and fentanyl. He says lacing drugs with fentanyl is lucrative for dealers…:
CUT 5 (11) “powerfully addictive”
He says most street drugs out there right now are laced with fentanyl.

A north Louisiana lawmaker is trying to make it legal for your pet’s remains to be buried with you if you wish. Brooke Thorington has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor John Bel Edwards has released a statement on the mass shooting at a school in Nashville which claimed the lives of three children and three adults — two of whom were Louisiana natives. Mr. Edwards said nobody should ever have to worry about whether a teacher or student will come home from school alive, and he’s asking the entire state to pray for the families of the victims.