Child drownings increased by sixty percent in Louisiana last year according to the state health department.   State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says when you look at individual drownings there are a couple of things in common.

Cut 8 (08) “…separates the pool.”

The CDC says Louisiana has the fourth-highest drowning rate from children in the nation.

Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Julian Hwang says the state also added 1,600 new private-sector jobs from March to April. LWC says that Baton Rouge and New Orleans make up over half of the jobs that have been gained at 33,300 and 43,500 jobs, respectively. Hwang says the food industry played a major part in this increase…

Cut 5 (05)”…social life.”

AAA forecasts a 60-percent increase in the number of Americans traveling this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says those traveling by car can expect gas prices to be the most expensive since 2014. He says the average price in Louisiana for a gallon of regular gasoline is just about 2.70.

Cut 11 (08) “…dollar a gallon.”
With restrictions loosened riverboat cruises have resumed and tourists heading up the Mississippi River from New Orleans are back to visiting historic sites like Rosedown Plantation on their voyage north. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says everyone he’s talked to says trips aboard the luxury paddle wheelers are some of the best cruises they’ve ever taken.

Cut 15 (10)“…river”

In 2022 Viking River Cruises will become the third cruise line to offer Mississippi Voyages.

A hit-and-run crash in St. Helena Parish claims the life of a two-year-old. Troopers say it happened just before 10 PM Wednesday on highway 1045 near highway 43. Three others were also injured, and Jhavia Porter of Greensburg was killed. Troopers say the driver and three children got out of their car due to a previous crash and then a dark-colored van traveling eastbound on LA 1045 struck all four pedestrians in the roadway. The vehicle fled the scene and traveled eastbound on LA 1045.

AAA forecasts a 60-percent increase in the number of Americans traveling this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says more than 37 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home with 12 million traveling by car.

Cut 10 (06)”… with a vengeance.”

Redman says those traveling by car can expect gas prices to be the most expensive since 2014.

Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Julian Hwang says the state economy is rebounding and we’re up to 1.7 million non-farm jobs in Louisiana with employers looking to add even more…
Cut 4 (07)”…the hire site.”

Child drownings increased by sixty percent in Louisiana last year according to the state health department. The number of infant and child drownings, ages zero to fourteen in 2020 was 24, which is up from 15 in 2019. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says pediatric drownings in the state have been an ongoing issue.

Cut 7 (12)  “…like it to be.”

The CDC says Louisiana has the fourth-highest drowning rate for children in the US.

Louisiana is up 127,400 total jobs from the trough of the pandemic in April 2020 to April 2021.
Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Julian Hwang says the heavy hit leisure and hospitality had the biggest gains in employment year to year at 62,400 added jobs.
Cut 6 (04)”..pandemic.”
The trade sector is up 27,300 jobs year-to-year and education and health are up 19,400.

Child drownings increased by sixty percent in Louisiana last year according to the state health department. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says when a single person is not assigned to act as a lifeguard at a gathering when children are swimming, and the task falls by the wayside when it’s assumed all adults are watching.
Cut 9 (11) “…around the water.”
Kanter recommends checking fences and gates around your pool regularly, have children wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and never leave children unattended in any body of water.
According to the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, the industry reported a historic increase of 24% in 2020.
AAA forecasts a 60-percent increase in the number of Americans traveling this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says the cost of a car rental is higher this year than normal.
Cut 12 (09)”…them 125 dollars.”
With restrictions loosened riverboat cruises have resumed and tourists heading up the Mississippi River from New Orleans are back to visiting historic sites like Rosedown Plantation on their voyage north.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says everyone he has talked to says voyages aboard the boutique luxury paddle wheelers are some of the best cruises they have ever taken.
Cut 15 (10)“…river”
This year ships are set to dock in New Orleans, Vacherie, White Castle, Darrow, St. Francisville, and Baton
In 2022 Viking River Cruises will become the third cruise line to offer Mississippi Voyages.

AAA is expecting a major rebound in Memorial Day travel. Erik Piccoli has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.” 

Louisiana is up 127,400 total jobs through the pandemic in April 2020 to April 2021.

Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Julian Hwang says the state also added 1,600 new private-sector jobs from March to April.

LWC says that Baton Rouge and New Orleans make up over half of the jobs that have been gained at 33,300 and 43,500 jobs, respectively. Hwang says the food industry played a major part in this increase…

Cut 5 (05)”…social life.”

Child drownings increased by sixty percent in Louisiana last year according to the state health department.  The CDC says Louisiana has the fourth-highest drowning rate from children in the U-S and drowning remains the third leading cause of death for children ages one to fourteen. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says when you look at individual drownings there are a couple of things in common.

Cut 8 (08) “…separates the pool.”

With restrictions loosened riverboat cruises have resumed and tourists heading up the Mississippi River from New Orleans are back to visiting historic sites like Rosedown Plantation on their voyage north.

This year ships are set to dock in New Orleans, Vacherie, White Castle, Darrow, St. Francisville, and Baton Rouge. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this year eight ships from two cruise lines will dock at sites in Louisiana every day.

Cut 14 (11) “..future.”

As pool season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend, the state health department wants to remind you to pay attention to children around the water, especially after the state reports a staggering increase in child drownings. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
Louisiana is up 127,400 total jobs from the trough of the pandemic in April 2020 to April 2021.
Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Julian Hwang says the state economy is rebounding and we’re up to 1.7 million non-farm jobs in Louisiana with employers looking to add even more…
Cut 4 (07)”…the hire site.”

AAA forecasts a 60-percent increase in the number of Americans traveling this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says those traveling by car can expect gas prices to be the most expensive since 2014. He says the average price in Louisiana for a gallon of regular gasoline is just about 2.70 an hour.
Cut 11 (08) “…dollar a gallon.”
With restrictions loosened riverboat cruises have resumed and tourists heading up the Mississippi River from New Orleans are back to visiting historic sites like Rosedown Plantation on their voyage north.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser met with 150 of the first tourists to resume the riverboat stops at Rosedown. He says reviving these riverboat cruises is a key part of bringing tourism back…
Cut 13 (11) “…communities.”

Child drownings increased by sixty percent in Louisiana last year according to the state health department. The number of infant and child drownings, ages zero to fourteen in 2020 was 24, which is up from 15 in 2019. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says pediatric drownings in the state have been an ongoing issue.
Cut 7 (12) “…like it to be.”
AAA forecasts a 60-percent increase in the number of Americans traveling this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says more than 37 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home with 12 million traveling by car.
Cut 10 (06)”… with a vengeance.”
COVID numbers have fallen significantly and with that, some things are starting to return to normal, like riverboat paddle wheeler cruises up the Mississippi River. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

As pool season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend, the state health department wants to remind you to pay attention to children around the water, especially after the state reports a staggering increase in child drownings. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

 AAA is expecting a major rebound in Memorial Day travel. Erik Piccoli has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.” 

____________________________

COVID numbers have fallen significantly and with that, some things are starting to return to normal, like riverboat paddle wheeler cruises up the Mississippi River. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

Louisiana is up 127,400 total jobs from the trough of the pandemic in April 2020 to April 2021.

Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Julian Hwang says the state economy is rebounding and we’re up to 1.7 million non-farm jobs in Louisiana with employers looking to add even more…

Cut 4 (07)”…the hire site.”

The state also added 1,600 new private-sector jobs from March to April.

LWC says that Baton Rouge and New Orleans make up over half of the jobs that have been gained at 33,300 and 43,500 jobs respectively. Hwang says the food industry played a major part in this increase…

Cut 5 (05)”…social life.”

Hwang says the heavy hit leisure and hospitality had the biggest gains in employment year to year at 62,400 added jobs.

Cut 6 (04)”..pandemic.”

The trade sector is up 27,300 jobs year-to-year and education and health are up 19,400.

_____________________________

Child drownings increased by sixty percent in Louisiana last year according to the state health department. The number of infant and child drownings, ages zero to fourteen in 2020 was 24, which is up from 15 in 2019. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says pediatric drownings in the state have been an ongoing issue.

Cut 7 (12)  “…like it to be.”

The CDC says Louisiana has the fourth-highest drowning rate from children in the U-S and drowning remains the third leading cause of death for children ages one to fourteen.

Kanter says when you look at individual drownings there are a couple of things in common.

Cut 8 (08) “…separates the pool.”

A second trend Kanter says is when a single person is not assigned to act as a lifeguard at a gathering when children are swimming and the task falls by the wayside when it’s assumed all adults are watching.

Cut 9 (11) “…around the water.” 

Kanter recommends checking fences and gates around your pool regularly, have children wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and never leave children unattended in any body of water.

According to the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, the industry reported a historic increase of 24% in 2020.

___________________________________

AAA forecasts a 60-percent  increase in the number of Americans traveling this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says more than 37 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home with 12 million traveling by car.

Cut 10 (06)”… with a vengeance.”

Redman says those traveling by car can expect gas prices to be the most expensive since 2014. He says the average price in Louisiana for a gallon of regular gasoline is just about 2.70 an hour.

Cut 11 (08) “…dollar a gallon.”

Redman advises travelers the cost of a car rental is higher than normal.

Cut 12 (09)”…them 125 dollars.”

___________________________________

With restrictions loosened riverboat cruises have resumed and tourists heading up the Mississippi River from New Orleans are back to visiting historic sites like Rosedown Plantation on their voyage north.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser met with 150 of the first tourists to resume the riverboat stops at Rosedown. He says reviving these riverboat cruises is a key part of bringing tourism back…

Cut 13 (11) “…communties.”

This year ships are set to dock in New Orleans, Vacherie, White Castle, Darrow, St. Francisville, and Baton Rouge.

Nungesser says this year eight ships from two cruise lines will dock at sites in Louisiana every day.

Cut 14 (11) “..future.”

In 2022 Viking River Cruises will become the third cruise line to offer Mississippi Voyages.

Nungesser says everyone he’s talked to says voyages aboard the boutique luxury paddle wheelers are some of the best cruises they’ve ever taken.

Cut 15 (10)“…river”

_______________________________________

The LSU baseball team is back in Baton Rouge after they were ousted quickly from the SEC Tournament. The tigers are on the bubble in terms of getting into the NCAA tournament as they finished with a 13-17 mark in SEC play. Here’s coach Paul Mainieri on if his team deserves a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Cut 16 (14) “…in the country.”

Despite LSU’s conference record, the team is ranked 24^th in the RPI. Mainieri hopes the selection committee will take that into consideration.

Cut 17 (14) “…in the 20s as well.”

LSU lost a lot of close games this season and Mainieri says if his team could’ve won a few of them they would have a better shot at making it to a regional

Cut  18 (14)”…team or better.”

A hearing on Legislation that would allow college student athletes to do paid endorsements, gets delayed a week due to an unrelated controversy in House Education.

The controversy involves embattled House Ed Chairman Ray Garofalo, whose comments about slavery late last month led to calls from the Black Caucus for his removal. Garofalo says he didn’t know if he was still Chairman or not so this morning he spoke with Speaker Clay Schexnayder who assured him he hadn’t been removed. Garofalo says after being told he was still chairman he informed the Speaker he would be chairing today’s meeting, and that’s when Schexnayder said no you’re not.

Cut 11 (11) “…duty”

Garofalo then showed up at the meeting to find only one other member in attendance for its scheduled start, and the meeting was called off…

Cut 12 (12)    “…for that” 

A House committee blocks an effort to prohibit state facilities from denying entry to individuals who are not vaccinated on a narrow 7-6 vote. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says his bill was an effort to protect individuals who have decided not to get vaccinated.

Cut 4 (12) “..is wrong.” 

While this bill was killed, a similar bill by Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston has already passed the House and awaits a Senate hearing.

The House approves policing reform legislation by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields that covers a lot of bases from no-knock warrants to body camera usage. Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says his organization EPU ran a 1,200 person survey showing there’s widespread support for policing reform in the post-George Floyd era…

Cut 13 (07)“…supervision.”

Fields bill heads back to the Senate.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee rejects a Senate-approved bill that would prohibit state facilities from denying entry to individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons says the legislature should not prevent a public building like the State Capitol from only allowing vaccinated persons inside.

Cut 3 (07)  “…circumvent that.” 

The ongoing controversy involving House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo, whose comments about slavery ignited a firestorm, results in today’s meeting of his committee being called off. Garofalo says this morning Speaker Clay Schexnayder told him he was still Chairman, but when he told Shexnayder he was going to chair today’s meeting, Schexnayder said no you’re not.

Cut 10 (12) “…to”

The next scheduled meeting of the committee is June 2^nd

An E Pluribus Unum survey finds a majority of southerners support major police reform and believe not enough has changed since the murder of George Floyd. EPU Founder and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the annual survey indicated common ground that Floyd was wrongly killed, and broad support of police reform being negotiated in Congress and locally.

Cut 13 (07)“…supervision.”

12-hundred were surveyed.

Governor Edwards says video of the Ronald Greene arrest shows State Police troopers acting unprofessionally and not conducting themselves as law enforcement officers should. Edwards says Greene’s death has led to policy changes.

Cut 9 (11) “…again”

The footage is being reviewed by the Union Parish DA and the US Department of Justice

The House Governmental Affairs Committee rejects legislation that would have prohibited state-funded facilities from denying access to individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A 22-year-old Mandeville man has pleaded guilty to raping a teenager after her high school graduation party in 2020 and to the sexual battery of a 12-year-old at his house in 2016. District Attorney Warren Montgomery says Richard Michael Deidrich was sentence to 25 years without probation, parole or suspended sentence.

House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo, whose comments about slavery went viral, says the House Speaker threatened to have him removed from the Capitol this morning if he tried to chair today’s meeting. The meeting was called off when only one member showed up. Garofalo says it ended up delaying discussion of legislation that would allow student-athletes to collect paid endorsements…

Cut 12 (12)    “…for that” 

The committee is scheduled to meet again next Wednesday, June 2nd, but the session is scheduled to end on June 10th.

An E Pluribus Unum survey finds broad support across racial groups for requiring officers to step in when other officers are using excessive force. E-P-U founder and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu…

Cut 14 (09) “…onsite” 

1,200 people were surveyed in southern states.