A bill that would double speeding fines along the 18-mile I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge clears the Senate Transportation committee. The measure also allows using cameras to catch speeders. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson is in support…:
CUT 30 (09) “…it slows you down.”
The legislation also calls for an increase in speed limit signs on the bridge

A bill that’s been approved by the full Senate would allow teachers who have been retired for more than a year to return to the classroom to help address a shortage of teachers. Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields says local school districts would have to identify a critical shortage before making that hire…
cut 10 (10) “…special education”
The bill heads to the House.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon cracks down on negligent providers following the 2020 hurricanes. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”

It’s Good Friday, the start of an Easter weekend filled with crawfish boils. LSU AgCenter aquaculture professor Doctor Greg Lutz…
cut 7 (12) “….and prettier”

The full Senate has approved a bill that would allow certified teachers who retired before July 1, 2020, to return to the classroom without losing their state retirement benefits. Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields says he’s trying to alleviate a teacher shortage…

Cut 9 (12) “..department of education”

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state is short about 25-hundred certified public-school teachers.

As churches prepare for Easter services this Sunday, large crowds are anticipated as this will be the first Easter since pandemic restrictions have been relaxed. Chair of Religious Studies Dr. Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says parishioners could experience a sense of normalcy this Easter.

Cut 3 (08) “…two years.”

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss, but aren’t worried it will affect them personally.

In Northwest Louisiana, the National Weather Service confirms a third tornado touched down in Hosston Tuesday. The Hosston twister was rated an EF-0.  The first tornado, an EF-1 touched down in Benton and a second in Shreveport near the LSUS campus for a total of three twisters in a four-minute span.

The state police investigation of the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette finds the suspect, 18-year-old Trevon Bonner shot at officers first after barricading himself in his home as they tried to serve an attempted murder warrant. Trooper Thomas Gossen says this is based on interviews with officers on the scene and body camera footage.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the better.”

Bonner later died at a local hospital early Thursday.

New COVID cases are up about 10% across the country in the past week and the average number of hospitalized COVID patients nationwide has increased by a hundred. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they are keeping an eye on how things progress over the next few weeks…

Cut 12 (06) “…and deaths.” 
He says closer to home cases remain relatively flat. Yesterday the state reported 504 new cases.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” indicates two-thirds of respondents felt hurricanes hitting the Bayou State are stronger than ever. And while those storms often cause flooding, Manship School of Mass Communications research director Mike Henderson says only about 40-percent say flooding was worse in recent years…:

Cut 5 (11) “…in the past.”

The survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans.

Easter is a big weekend for crawfish boils and there are plenty of mudbugs to go around this season. And as the summer rains keep the ground wet, oxygen levels will rise, and crawfish will be even more active. LSU Ag Center professor Greg Lutz…

Cut 9 (09)  “…of the season.”

State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette early Thursday morning.  Trooper Thomas Gossen says when Lafayette Police tried to serve a warrant to suspect 18-year-old Trevon Bonner, he barricaded himself inside his home. Officers then used an armored vehicle to breach the door to give Bonner a phone so he could communicate with officers.

Cut 13 (10) “…striking Bonner.”

Bonner later died at a local hospital.

As COVID cases are beginning to increase again in certain parts of the country closer to home, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says case numbers along with hospitalizations remain relatively unchanged.

Cut 10 (12) “…concerned about.”

On Thursday the state reported 504 new cases.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss but aren’t worried it will affect them personally. Manship School of Mass Communications research director Mike Henderson says 85-percent of people surveyed fear that land loss is a serious problem…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…to future generations.”

The survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans of various ages and races.

Easter weekend is traditionally a popular time to have a crawfish boil and LSU Ag Center professor Greg Lutz says after a slow start to the season, things have improved. The recent rainfall and temps have provided a nice boost for mudbugs, and he expects supply should remain high into the summer months.

Cut 8 (11)  “…some years.”

According to the 2022 Louisiana survey, two-thirds of respondents say hurricanes impacting the state are stronger than those of the past and 87-percent say there should be elevation requirements for new construction areas of high-risk flooding…
cut 6 (13) “….subsidizing elevation”
That’s LSU Manship School associate professor Michael Henderson, who heads up LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab.

The CDC says coronavirus levels detected at two New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board sites have increased nearly 700-percent in the last two weeks. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s too soon to be concerned…
cut 11 (10) “…ups and downs’

State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette after the suspect barricaded himself inside his home. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Shreveport Police were involved in an hours-long standoff during the overnight hours with a man suspected in the fatal shooting of a woman who was found inside a crashed vehicle near Byrd High School. That woman died at a local hospital and police reportedly discovered a man suspected in her death, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after police finally gained entry into a home in the Highland neighborhood.

The latest installment of the 2022 “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss but aren’t worried it will affect them personally.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is proposing to fine five insurance companies a combined 764-thousand dollars for improper activity following the 2020 hurricanes. They are United Property and Casualty Insurance, GeoVera Specialty Insurance, FedNat Insurance, Maison Insurance Company, and Allied Trust Insurance. The companies have 30 days to appeal.

Nationally new COVID cases are up about 10% over the past week and the average number of hospitalized COVID patients nationwide has increased by a hundred. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they are keeping an eye on how things progress over the next few weeks…
Cut 12 (06) “…and deaths.”
On Thursday the state reported 504 new COVID cases, 60 hospitalizations, and 3 three fatalities.

It’s Good Friday, the start of an Easter weekend that will feature thousands of crawfish boils. LSU AgCenter aquaculture professor Doctor Greg Lutz says after a slow start to the season, there should be plenty of good mudbugs…
cut 7 (12) “….and prettier”

LSU baseball lost to Arkansas five to four last night, while the Cajuns clobbered ULM 14-2.

State Police has released more details into Thursday morning’s fatal officer-involved shooting that involved the Lafayette Police. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 19-year-old Trevon Bonner, who was wanted in the shooting of a 13-girl-old, started shooting at officers first after barricading himself in his home. Gossen says when Bonner fired his handgun at officers, several officers returned fire…..
cut 14 (08) “….it from there”
Lafayette P-D says the 13-year-old girl shot a few hours earlier is in critical condition.

The state health department reported 504 new COVID cases yesterday. On Wednesday, the number was only 275 new cases. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 60 people are hospitalized with COVID and hospitalizations have been holding steady…
cut 10 (12) “….concerned about”

If you’re planning on boiling a few pounds of crawfish this weekend, David Grubb has good news for you…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Senate Transportation Committee approves a bill that would double the fine for a speeding ticket on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, which means the penalty would be 350-dollars. Senate President Page Cortez says driver behavior needs to change wrecks, injuries, and deaths on the bridge have more than doubled during the past decade…

Cut 11 (06)  “…correct lane.”  

Under the proposed law, drivers would receive a couple of warnings before they are issued a speeding ticket.

Port Allen Senator Rick Ward has released a 30-second campaign commercial. He’s asking folks to call their local legislator and demand they approve a proposal to put 500-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge…
cut 6 (08) “…on Twitter.”
But some lawmakers would like to use that 500-million dollar elsewhere.

A bill to require healthcare providers to offer postnatal care and to screen patients for signs of postpartum depression passes unanimously in the Louisiana House. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis’ says House Bill 784 was written with input from a task force studying maternal mental health.

Cut 6  (10) “…our children.” 

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley shared with lawmakers how postpartum depression impacted his wife and that it eventually led to her suicide. He says postpartum depression impacts women from all walks of life.

Cut 8 (08) “…existence is.” 

The bill now advances to Senate Health and Welfare

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Lafayette Wednesday night. Spokesman Trooper Tom Gossen says Lafayette PD were seeking to arrest 18-year-old Travon Bonner for the shooting of a 13-year-old girl earlier that evening. When he fired upon them, they returned fire; killing him. Gossen says LSP is going over testimony and body cam footage of the incident…:

CUT 05  (08)        “…into the home.”

Bonner’s alleged victim is in critical condition in a Lafayette hospital.

A bill that would double speeding fines along the 18-mile I-10 Atchafalya Basin Bridge clears the Senate Transportation committee. The measure also allows using cameras to catch speeders. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson is in support…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…it slows you down.”

The bill moves the Senate floor.

Legislation to increase awareness and require screenings of postpartum depression passes in the Louisiana House. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says at least three tornados impacted Bossier & Caddo parishes during fierce storms last night; all within 4 miles of one another. So far no one is reported seriously hurt, but SWEPCO says the storms killed power for tens of thousands of homes and businesses. It could be as late as Friday night before electricity is restored for all affected.

At the State Capitol today, a proposal to double speeding fines on the 18-mile I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge received Senate committee approval today. Jeff Palermo reports cameras could be used to catch speeders…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says three tornados impacted Caddo & Bossier parishes during storms that blew through last night. SWEPCO says tens of thousands of homes and businesses lost power. They say it could take until late Friday night to restore power to everyone in the area.

A Lafayette teen is in critical condition and fighting for her life after being shot last night, and the suspected trigger man has – himself – been shot and killed by police. Lafayette PD spokesperson Sgt. Robin Green says a neighbor of the 13-year-old victim heard the gunshots…:

CUT 03(06)      “…called 9-1-1”

Police went to arrest 18-year-old Trevon Bonner for the crime, but he fired at them. They returned fire; killing him. State Police investigate all officer-involved shootings, and are doing so now.

The state House unanimously passes a bill requiring healthcare providers to offer postnatal care and screen women for post-partum depression. In support, Caddo Parish Representative Larry Bagley, who lost his own wife to post-partum depression…:

CUT 08(08)      “…that existence is.”

The bill moves over the Senate now, for committee review.