Three people were shot Thursday night while attending Hammond High School’s graduation ceremonies, and a man has been arrested for it. Southeastern University Police Chief Michael Beckner says 20-year-old Trent Thomas was arrested within minutes of the shooting. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron says they do know that the shooting victims were innocent bystanders, and that more suspects than just Thomas are being sought…:

CUT 10(11)      “…person of interest”

A fourth person was injured trying to escape the gunfire. No one was killed. Bergeron says suspected gang violence was behind the shootings. He says high school seniors deserve better graduation memories than this.

A St. John Parish deputy hit and killed a pedestrian who was walking across U.S. Highway 61 in Laplace Thursday night. State Police say the area is not well-lit, and the deputy may not have seen the victim. Impairment of the officer is not suspected. The victim’s name is withheld until family are notified. The accident is under investigation.

The Senate Education Committee approves a House-backed measure that would hold back third graders from advancing to the fourth grade if they score poorly multiple times on a literacy test. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…reporting.”

A Leesville woman is charged with falsely reporting a crime and with hiding drugs inside a sheriff’s patrol car. Vernon Parish deputies say Judith Smythe told them she witnessed her daughter being murdered, but she provided no evidence that had really happened. While she was detained in the patrol unit, she allegedly offloaded the dope from her person.

One man is in custody and more arrests are anticipated after three people were shot during Hammond High school’s Graduation Thursday night. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Police in Carencro say a local man who shot his own son Wednesday was trying to defend his son’s girlfriend from physical abuse. Officers say 70-year-old Cuba Valliere shot his 34-year-old son Terrence, when the latter attacked his dad with a knife. No charges have been filed against the elder Valliere as yet.

A House approved bill that would hold back third graders who score in the bottom tier in state reading assessments continues to move through the Legislature. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the state has a literacy problem. Under his bill, if a 3^rd-grader fails a literacy test on the first try, he or she would get intensive tutoring…:

CUT 05(08)      “…cut score.”

Louisiana will get a break from the recent heat as result of a cold front that will bring cloud cover and rain. LRN Meteorologist John Weatherbee says showers and thunderstorms will develop along the coast on Saturday spreading into southeast Louisiana and there’s also a cold front coming…:

CUT 14(11)      “…of the state.”

He says the whole state will be under rain showers Sunday.

20-year-old Trent Thomas was arrested today on three complaints of attempted second-degree murder following a shooting outside of the graduation ceremony for Hammond High School on Thursday night. Three people were struck by the gunfire, and a fourth person was injured while fleeing the area. One of those remains hospitalized in stable condition. Hammond Police say it’s possible there was a second shooter and more arrests could be on the way.

Chief Edwin Bergeron said it began with an altercation between Thomas and a juvenile only identified as a person of interest. Police are requesting that anyone with video that might help in the investigation contact them immediately.

Tangipahoa Parish Schools Superintendent Melissa Stilley says graduation went as planned, but gunfire erupted as the students were leaving…:

Cut 17 (07) “began to fire”

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At Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, there was extra security on campus Thursday after graffiti reportedly issuing a threat to Black students was found inside a school bathroom.  A statement from the administration said authorities had deemed the threat to not be credible, but the extra security will remain until the end of the school year next Friday.

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Seven years after a woman was killed in Terrebonne Parish and her two nieces were kidnapped, two arrests have been made. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet says new evidence led them to make the arrests in connection with the murder of 56-year-old Pamela Johnson. As for the particular evidence that helped lead them to a break in the case, Soignet couldn’t comment but says new technology and the evidence helped his team make arrests in the case.

Cut 8 (06) “…homicide.”

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A House-approved bill that would hold back third-graders who score in the bottom tier in state reading assessments continues to move through the Legislature. An estimated 45-hundred students could be held back and the legislation would go into effect for the 2023-24 school year. The Senate Education Committee approved Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill and an amendment was added that would give a student three tries to pass a literacy test before it’s determined the student must repeat the third grade….

Cut 4  (08) “…as well.”

One person is in custody and 4 people recovering from injuries sustained in a shooting last night following Hammond High School’s graduation on SLU’s campus Thursday. Tangipahoa Parish Schools Superintendent Melissa Stilley says graduation went as planned, but gunfire erupted as the students were leaving…:
CUT 17 (07) “began to fire”

Seven years after a woman was killed in Terrebonne Parish and her two nieces were kidnapped, two arrests have been made. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet says new evidence led them to make the arrests in connection with the murder of 56-year-old Pamela Johnson.

Cut 6  (07) “…on this.” 

He says December 1, 2015, they found two young girls in a car in Houma who told them they had been kidnapped from their aunt’s home, which led them to Johnson’s home in Bourg where they found her body.

A House-approved bill that would hold back third-graders who score in the bottom tier in state reading assessments continues to move through the Legislature. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the state has a literacy problem and this legislation is designed to make sure students who reach the fourth grade can read at an adequate level….

Cut 3 (12) “…fewer, fewer back”

LSU will award a record number of more than 45-hundred degrees this weekend. Economist Loren Scott says the shortage of workers and the steady uptick in inflation has pushed many employers to offer better salaries right out of the gate and especially for certain degrees.

Cut 9 (10)  “…really hot.”

Authorities say 4 people were injured in a shooting last night outside Hammond High School’s graduation which was held on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University. One person is in custody. Tangipahoa Parish Schools Superintendent Melissa Stilley says shots rang out as students were leaving the ceremony to meet relatives outside the building…:

Cut 16 (11)  “…sad note.”
They don’t believe students were involved.

The state’s $39-billion budget reaches final passage. Governor Edwards is expected to sign the budget bill, but will he use his privilege of the line-item veto before he does? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says, if he does, it will be sparingly.

Cut 12 (08) “…don’t end very well.” 

LSU will be awarding a record number of degrees with more than 45-hundred students expected to cross the stage this weekend. But will those degrees translate into employment? Economist Dr. Loren Scott says nearly every industry in the state has complained about the lack of available workers.

Cut 8 (09)  “…we’re seeing that.”

After a bill to charge a woman with murder if she has an abortion was heard in the Louisiana House, Kathleen Pittman, Director of the Hope Medical Group for Women, which provides abortion services in Shreveport says abortion laws in states are becoming even more restrictive and doing so only puts more women in danger.

Cut 5 (11) “…of that.”

The bill was heavily amended and then returned to the calendar by the bill’s author. It’s anticipated that Roe V Wade is about to be overturned by the Supreme Court.

Hammond Police continue their investigation into a shooting Thursday night following Hammond High School’s graduation on SLU’s campus. 4 people sustained non-life threatening injuries. Tangipahoa Parish Schools Superintendent Melissa Stilley says it’s a shame a happy occasion such as graduation ended on such a sad note…:
CUT 19 (07) “who will always have this memory”
A person of interest is in custody but charges are not yet filed as the investigation continues.

As the abortion debate returns to the headlines, reaction continues to come in from both sides. Kathaleen Pittman is the Director of Hope Medical Group for Women, an abortion clinic in Shreveport. She responds to arguments which factor in religion when it comes to pregnancy termination…:
CUT 6 (08) “treat that”
Under a law signed by former Governor Kathleen Blanco, abortion would be illegal in Louisiana if Roe v Wade is overturned.

A record number of graduates will be leaving LSU and entering the workforce this weekend, but what awaits them when they do? David Grubb has the story…:
Cut 2 (34) “I’m David Grubb”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement on Thursday publicly reprimanding Alabama coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher after comments made by both. Saban accused Texas A&M of “buying every player” in its 2022 recruiting class and Fisher retaliated saying it’s despicable that a reputable head coach can come out and say such things.

Lawmakers deliver the state’s $39-billion annual budget to final passage…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A record 4500 students will be graduating from LSU this weekend. What does the future hold for a college grad in 2022? LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says opportunities are endless…:
CUT 7 (07) “it seems like”

A person of interest is in custody after shots were fired as Hammond High School’s graduation was letting out on SLU’s campus last night. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron says 4 people were shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He is asking anyone with information on the shooting to come forward..:
CUT 18 (09) “or Southeastern Police Department”
He says they don’t believe any students or juveniles were involved in the incident.

Proposed changes in policy could have a major impact on how charter schools in New Orleans are evaluated. Due to the pandemic, clear performance data was harder to come by, so adaptation became necessary says Sarah Vandergriff, Legal and Policy Director for the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools…:
Cut 13 (10) “pre-COVID”
The policy will likely be voted on at the July school board meeting.

One person is in custody and 4 people recovering from injuries sustained in a shooting last night following Hammond High School’s graduation on SLU’s campus Thursday. Tangipahoa Parish Schools Superintendent Melissa Stilley says graduation went as planned, but gunfire erupted as the students were leaving…:
CUT 17 (07) “began to fire”
The 4 injured sustained non-life threatening injuries. One person is in custody and the Hammond Police Department is seeking information from the public on the incident.

Louisiana Lawmakers have approved the $39 billion-dollar operating budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the legislature did a good job of using windfalls of federal money; from the pandemic and the Infrastructure Act passed months ago..:
Cut 10 (14) “out of their pockets”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the budget bill.

The Director of a Louisiana abortion clinic reacts to the possibility that Roe v Wade would be overturned; and state lawmakers’ stance on pregnancy termination. Kathaleen Pittman of Hope Medical Group for Women believes the now-scrapped bill that would have charged women criminally if she got an abortion was appalling…:
CUT 4 (07) “the women”
Louisiana is one of 13 states with trigger laws that go into effect if the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.

Charter schools in Louisiana are evaluated by test scores but since students couldn’t take the exams during the pandemic in 2020, New Orleans is looking at a change in policy. The plan is to alter the rules as a backup plan in the event of a future pandemic or hurricane. Sarah Vandergriff with the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools says the proposal would allow schools to receive a comprehensive evaluation more than once…:
Cut 14 (12) “recommendations would be”

Authorities say 4 people were injured in a shooting last night outside Hammond High School’s graduation which was held on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University. One person is in custody. Tangipahoa Parish Schools Superintendent Melissa Stilley says shots rang out as students were leaving the ceremony to meet relatives outside the building…:
CUT 16 (11) “on such a sad note”
They don’t believe students were involved, and the 4 people injured sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The Louisiana Legislature approved and sent to the governor’s desk a $39 billion-dollar annual operating budget Thursday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says polling of Louisiana taxpayers indicates they’d approve of the Governor’s budget proposals and how legislators dealt with them…:
Cut 11 (11) “existing revenue”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the budget bill.

AAA reports today’s average gas price for a gallon of regular in Louisiana stands at $4.24. That’s up over 16 cents from the same time last week.

As the abortion debate returns to the headlines, Brooke Thorington has reaction from the director of one of three abortion clinics remaining in Louisiana…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state’s $39-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st has reached final passage. House members Thursday concurred on amendments made in the Senate and voted to send the bill to Governor Edwards’ desk. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says lawmakers did a good job of using windfalls of federal money; from the pandemic and the Infrastructure Act…:

AM Cut 10 (14) “…out of their pockets.”

Pinsonat says polling of Louisiana taxpayers indicates they’d approve of the Governor’s budget proposals and how legislators dealt with them…:

AM Cut  11 (11)  “…existing revenue.” 

House bill to prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in a motor vehicle advances from Senate Transportation. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her bill is to address the rising number of incidents of motorists using cannabis and then getting behind the wheel.

PM Cut 12 (08) “…in a car”  

Schlegel amended the bill in committee to not make is a primary offense, so it won’t be deemed profiling.

A bill to keep third graders with reading difficulties from advancing to fourth grade advances in Senate Education. House Bill 269 by Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson is an effort to increase literacy rates and is modeled after successful legislation in Mississippi. The House approved bill now advances to the Senate floor. Nelson says the bill allows the Board of Education to determine the reading test third graders must pass before promotion for fourth grade.