It’s believed 83-year-old Marvin Stephens of Prairieville who confessed to killing his 75-year-old wife Wednesday may have dementia. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says when authorities arrived on the scene Patricia Stephens was suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken by helicopter to a local hospital where she later died.

Cut 4  (08) “…Parish jail.”

The case is under investigation and medical experts will be consulted.

A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit from a death row inmate challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana’s execution methods. The judge ruled there was nothing to settle because Louisiana is not able to obtain the drugs needed to carry out an execution. Attorney General Jeff Landry says if the state is having trouble getting the drugs, they can protect the identity of the drug maker…

Cut 7 (10) “…their execution.” 

LSU’s Kim Mulkey collected her third Associated Press Coach of the Year honor on Thursday, after leading the Tigers to a 26-6 record, second place in the SEC, and earning LSU’s first NCAA tournament win in eight years. The typically brash Mulkey was humbled…

Cut 9 (12) “…believed in me.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the house is one that’s personal. The COIVD-19 American History Project Act would task the Library of Congress to record stories of those, like herself, that lost a loved one to COVID. Letlow says the act also allows those on the front lines to participate too.

Cut 13 (11) “…gratitude.”

Letlow lost her husband to COVID, the legislation now heads to the Senate.

It’s believed 83-year-old Marvin Stephens of Prairieville who confessed to shooting and killing his 75-year-old wife Patricia, Wednesday may have dementia. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donovan Jackson says the case is under investigation and medical experts will be consulted.

Cut 3 (10) “…rough for him.”

Stephens faces second-degree murder charges.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a death row inmate challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana’s execution methods. Judge Shelly Dick ruled since Louisiana is not able to obtain the drugs needed to carry out an execution, there was nothing to settle. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is glad the death penalty litigation was dismissed

 Cut 6  (09) “..move forward” 

The last death sentence carried out in Louisiana was in 2010 when Gerald Bordelon voluntarily dropped his appeals so he could be put to death.

For Congresswoman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the U-S House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.

Cut  11 (06)  “…future generations.”  

Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow died of COVID shortly before he was to be sworn in to Congress.

New Orleans is host to the NCAA men’s Final Four and this weekend and fans of Kansas, Villanova, Duke, and North Carolina are flocking to the Big Easy. Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says they expect tens of thousands of individuals to provide much-needed cash for the city and the state, and not to mention some good publicity.

Cut 15 (08)  “…gonna be invaluable.”

The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher reports what it means for consumers and what help may be coming…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

After someone stole 264 gallons of diesel valued at $12-hundred, the St Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating the man driving the gold or light brown pickup truck who they believe is the suspect. It happened on March 21.

Accuweather says we will see another busy hurricane season, they are predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temperatures are already above normal….

Cut 10 (09) “…like in May.”
Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passes overwhelmingly in the House. It tasks the Library of Congress with recording stories of those impacted by the pandemic.  Letlow believes there is power in telling your story and it will allows individuals, like herself that lost her husband, to preserve the memory of their loved one lost to COVID.

Cut 12 (11) “…of Congress.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Property owners across the state are bracing themselves for skyrocketing National Flood Insurance premiums that take effect today. US Senator Bill Cassidy says the President could stave off the rate hikes with an executive order and there’s bipartisan support to spare consumers…:

Cut 5 (13) “,…could end this now.” 

The revamped NFIP “Risk Rating 2.0” system prices flood insurance by property individually; instead of by flood zone.

AccuWeather’s predictions for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season calls for 16 to 20 named storms. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nina played a big role in the last two hurricane seasons and could play a factor this year too.

Cut 9 (12)  “…breaking season.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the house is one that’s personal, the COIVD-19 American History Project Act which tasks the Library of Congress to record stories of those, like herself, that lost a loved one to COVID. Letlow says the act also allows those on the front lines to participate too.

Cut 13 (11) “…gratitude.”

The legislation now heads to the Senate.

New Orleans is set to host the NCAA men’s Final Four for the sixth time this weekend. Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the quartet of basketball bluebloods involved: Kansas, Villanova, Duke, and North Carolina, are as good as it gets.

Cut 14 (09)  “…this weekend.”

New Orleans last hosted in 2012, generating more than $7 million in tax revenue for the state.

Risk Rating 2.0, a new federal flood insurance pricing system for existing policyholders, goes into effect today. FEMA says 23-percent of current policyholders will see their premiums decrease, while 73-percent will see their premiums increase up to 20 dollars per month. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a small percentage of premiums will increase by more than 20-dollars a month…
cut 7 (13) “….worthless overnight”
Senator Bill Cassidy says there are members of Congress who want to address this issue, but it will likely have to wait until next year.

The next hurricane season starts June 1 and Accuweather is predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if the forecast is accurate, this would be the third straight very active season…
cut 8 (06) “…big deal”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that four E-F-1 tornadoes touched down in Jackson and Bienville Parishes on Wednesday. Another E-F 1 tornado touched down in Roseland in Tangipahoa Parish. Forecasters say there could be another threat of severe weather on Tuesday.

The road to the Final Four could be paved with gold for Louisiana…David Grubb has more.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher on what it means for policyholders…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A coalition of Civil rights groups has filed a federal lawsuit against the Congressional District map approved by the state legislature. They claim the map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the political power of Black voters. Republican lawmakers say the map is legal as there are not enough black voters to create two majority-minority districts.

For Congresswoman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the U-S House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.
Cut 11 (06) “…future generations.”
Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow was set to be sworn in to Congress when he died from complications from COVID.

New Orleans will be packed this weekend with college basketball fans, especially from North Carolina, who are in the Big Easy for the Final Four. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is coaching in his final Final Four and Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says that just brightens the spotlight on the city…
cut 16 (12) “….is all about”

Phase two of the Risk Rating 2. 0 rollout begins today which means 70-percent of Louisiana policyholders are expected to see premium increases when they renew their flood insurance policies. Policies could increase by as much as 18-percent per year until they reach their full risk rate. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s still not too late for action to stave off the worst of the coming rate hikes…
cut 4 (10) “…..really occurs”
The revamped NFIP “Risk Rating 2.0” system prices flood insurance by property individually; rather than by flood zone.

And Accuweather says we will see another busy hurricane season as they are predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temperatures are already above normal….
cut 10 (09) “….like in May”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the House is historic for many reasons. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The NAACP has filed a lawsuit after the legislature voted Wednesday to override Governor Edwards’ vetoes of Congressional district maps. Edwards says he is disappointed and the GOP majorities in both chambers chose to ignore simple math…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…minority districts.”

The House passed their override by a 72-31 vote; the Senate’s passed 27-11. Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt says a second district wasn’t as simple as applying the simple math. She says federal law dictates that Black population needed to be contiguous and compact…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…as a minority district.”

A federal judge in Baton Rouge rules the state’s 2019 truth in labeling law as unconstitutional. The legislature passed the law in an effort to prevent food companies from labeling a veggie burger as a “tofu burger,” because it doesn’t contain meat or “cauliflower rice,” when it’s broccoli, not rice. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain disagrees with the ruling

 Cut 6  (07) “..labels are accurate” 

But Vice President of Policy at the Good Foods Institute Jessica Almy says consumers are not confusing veggie burgers for beef burgers…

Cut 7 (06) “…these products.” 

Almy says the law was passed in an attempt to control what consumers buy and Strain says the state plans to appeal the ruling.

A state law that sought to prevent the labeling of food products such as “tofu burgers” and “cauliflower rice,” is ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

Cut 01  (31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Believe it or not, cattle rustling is still a thing. Now called “theft of livestock”, it can be a big problem for ranchers. A Texas man is under arrest today for stealing livestock from an Allen Parish rancher. Muldoon, Texas resident Saxon Beck is accused of taking over 25 head of cattle without paying for them. His bond has not been set.

An Alexandria man is charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says law enforcement in Florida tipped off local authorities of 38-year-old Israel Williams’ possible sex trafficking of a juvenile with local connections. Carnline says multiple agencies are assisting with the on-going investigation…:

CUT 04(04)      “…make some more arrests.”

Williams is also charged with molestation of a juvenile under 13 years of age. He’s being held on a $5.4 million bond.

Gasoline prices are dropping, but not by much. Right now the statewide average price of regular is $3.99. Louisiana AAA fuel guy Don Redman says it’s been a rough few weeks for consumers, and the immediate future of pump prices is hard to predict…:

CUT 10(12)      “…the market.”

Let’s start with the price you pay for gasoline. The statewide average for regular gas is now at $3.99. For comparison is was $4.16 not so long ago…$3.37 a month ago and $2.68 one year ago. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says the Russian invasion of Ukraine made an already bad situation much worse, and where fuel costs go hinges on Russia for now…:

CUT 12  (09)        “…those prices back down.”

He advises you try to budget for $4-a-gallon gas for the spring & summer.

The U.S. Highway 11 Bridge – connecting Slidell to eastern New Orleans by cutting across a part of Lake Ponchartrain – reopened today, after being closed for over 4 years for rebuilding. DOTD spokesman Chris Welty says the span reopens just in time for hurricane season…:

CUT 15  (12)        “…and Orleans Parish.

The bridge had been closed since 2018.

A federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled the state’s 2019 truth in labeling law as unconstitutional. The Louisiana Legislature passed the law in an effort to prevent food companies from labeling a veggie burger as a “tofu burger,” because it doesn’t contain meat or “cauliflower rice,” when it’s broccoli, not rice. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the state will appeal the ruling…:

CUT 09(10)      “…defending the law.”

But Vice President of Policy at the Good Foods Institute Jessica Almy says consumers are not confusing by these products and the law was an attempt to control buying behavior…:

CUT 08(08)      “…in Louisiana supermarkets.”

Just one day after lawmakers voted to override the governor’s veto of a congressional district map passed in February, a coalition of civil rights groups is suing to block it. The suit alleges the map violates the Voting Rights Act by denying one-third Black congressional representation in a state that has one-third Black voters.