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.

As Louisianans continue to cope with rising prices and inflation at over 8-percent, State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain advises we hunker down for at least several more months of this. He says everything from seed costs, to fertilizer prices, to the cost & scarcity of diesel fuel for hauling food to market are contributing to the current high prices. Strain says one thing we can all do to stretch our grocery dollar is to eat any leftovers we have; not toss them out…:

CUT 11(10)      “…the spices get better.”

The Caddo Parish woman accused of throwing two of her kids off Shreveport’s Cross Lake Bridge last fall – killing one of them – has changed her plea. Ureka Black initially pled not guilty, and has changed that to not guilty by reason of insanity. Her next hearing comes up late this summer. Black’s 10-month-old son was killed; her 5-year-old was injured.

A new study shows the connection between hormones, the brain, and our diet…David Grubb has the story…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

I know it’s early in the year, but there is a low-pressure tropical system brewing. The system is over the central to western Caribbean; just east of the coast of Nicaragua. It’s still well over a thousand miles from Louisiana’s coast. Forecaster predict another active hurricane season; which starts in under 2 weeks.

A House-passed bill to prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in a motor vehicle advances from Senate Transportation today. 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…:

CUT 12(08)      “…in a car.”

She amended the bill in committee, after issues were brought to light during a previous House debate that the legislation could be used to profile motorists. Schlegel says there’s been data from other states showing that once marijuana is legalized some individuals believe it means they are allowed to drive and use marijuana also. That bill now moves to the full Senate.

Police in Carencro say an argument between father & son led to a fatal shooting. 70-year-old Cuba Valliere is in jail for the alleged murder of his 34-year-old son, Terrence. The younger reportedly pulled a knife on Dad first.

The Senate approved the $39-billion state budget yesterday, and today the House will vote on concurrence of Senate amendments, and what could be final passage. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s pleased the majority of his budget requests have been approved but he wishes the $2,000 teacher pay raises had made the cut, instead of the $1500 that WAS approved…:

CUT 03(12)      “…working out.”

New research from Pennington Biomedical Research Center suggests that cutting the amount of protein in your diet could add to your life. Study director Dr. Chris Morrison says a hormonal link between the brain, the body and protein restriction has been known for year. He says this study used mice to compare the body’s response either with or without the hormone leading to a deeper understanding of that link…:

CUT 07(12)      “…protein restricted.”

Will vegans be saying “I told you so?”