The Louisiana Senate has passed legislation that addresses the teacher shortage by allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom without losing their benefits. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

This is our first Easter weekend without social restrictions since the pandemic started in 2020. LSU Chair of Religious studies Dr. Mike Pasquier…:

CUT 03  (07)        “…two years.”

State Police arrest a 60-year-old man for a terrible February crash on I-10 in Metairie that killed one and seriously injured another. Trooper Kate Stegall says Manuel Llorens was looking at his cellphone when he slammed into two vehicles already stopped due to a fender bender. Trooper Stegall says we should avoid using phones or ANY distractions while driving – even eating…:

CUT 08  (10)        “…the roadway.”

The crash took the life of 49-year-old Chad James of Thibodaux.

Look out for some possibly rough weather over the Easter weekend. Chances for showers and thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday are pretty good, so be prepared.

And speaking of prepared, have you prepared your 2021 federal income taxes? Because today is a Good Friday, the April 15^th deadline is pushed back to Monday, the 18^th, at midnight.

New Orleans Police say a carjacker is recovering from a gunshot, after his intended victim shot HIM in the neck. The 48-year-old man says, when the armed suspects approached him last night & demanded his car, he threw his keys, took cover and drew his own gun; firing one shot. The other suspect fled on foot.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon cracks down on negligent providers following 2020 hurricanes. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

The full Senate passes a bill that would allow certified-but-retired teachers 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. Bossier City Republican Senator Barrow Peacock successfully amended the bill so that colleges can also re-hire retired nursing instructors with at least 30 years of service…:

CUT 11(09)      “…health care too.”

After being restricted by the COVID pandemic for two straight years, many folks are happy to get out and enjoy Easter Sunday church services again this year.  LSU Chair of Religious Studies Dr. Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says the feeling of a return to normalcy is most welcome…:

CUT 05(11)      “…to a lot of people.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces five homeowner’s insurance providers now face fines of more than three-quarters of a million dollars, based on their business practices in the aftermath of hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta…:

CUT 12(08)      “…improper activities.”

Donelon says the five companies so badly slow-walked claims that many customers had to hire a lawyer to get satisfaction. They are Union Property & Casualty, GeoVera, FedNat, Maison and Allied Trust.

A Jefferson Parish man is arrested for a February crash on I-10 in Metairie that killed one person and badly hurt another. State Police Trooper Kate Stegall says Manuel Llorens was fiddling with his phone at the time of the wreck, and is charged with negligent homicide. She says don’t ever do what he did…:

CUT 07(11)      “…your eyes closed.”

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. LSU Chair of Religious Studies Dr. Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says he hopes the collection plate will be heavier than in years past, with more people in the pews…:

CUT 04(11)      “…and donations.”

The past two Easters saw cancelled services, virtual services and generally fewer people taking part, due to the pandemic.

LSU and NBA great Shaquille O’Neal says he will pay for funeral expenses for the 3-year-old Baton Rouge child who was killed this week, when stray gunfire in the street penetrated his house. Little Devin Page Jr. was shot in the head. BRPD is investigating and asking for info from the public.

The Louisiana Senate has passed legislation that addresses the teacher shortage by allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom without losing their benefits. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

—

According to a report by WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, NBA Hall of Famer and LSU basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal will provide for the funeral expenses of Devin Page Jr. The three-year-old was killed by a stray bullet while sleeping in bed on Tuesday, April 12.

—

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. LSU Chair of Religious Studies Dr. Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says parishioners could experience a sense of normalcy this Easter.

Cut 3 (07) “…two years.”

—

State police arrest a 60-year-old man for negligent homicide because he was distracted by his phone and crashed, claiming one life and injuring another. Trooper Kate Stegall says it happened February 27th along the Clearview Parkway exit on I-10 in Metairie. She says the victims were outside their cars discussing a crash between their vehicles when Manuel Llorens approached.

Cut 6 (08) “…occurred.”

Stegall says they are seeing more and more drivers distracted by their cellphones and causing serious crashes. She says it takes an average of four and a half seconds to read and respond to a message on your phone.

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.