This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report for Tuesday, May 20th. I’m Andrew Greenstein.

Whether you’re an elected official or a private citizen; a Republican or a Democrat; or an adult or a child – nearly everyone will tell you that taxes in Louisiana are too high. In fact, according to LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey, the percentage of residents who feel that way is going up.

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax.”

Survey Director Dr. Michael Henderson says what’s interesting in this finding is the fact that even though sales taxes ticked up at the outset of this year, state income taxes actually fell for all Louisianans, thanks to the tax reform package that the legislature passed in the special session last fall.

Cut 8 (09) “…much about it.”

But what about the essential services that those tax dollars fund? Dr. Henderson says there are certain things that people would be willing to pay higher taxes for.

Cut 9 (10)  “…teacher pay raises.”

The number-one issue that people in Louisiana are concerned about – the economy. More than one-thousand people were surveyed both over the phone and online.

Much of the chatter at the Capitol lately has been about the 10 inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail late last week. And the fingerpointing is underway. Governor Landry is slamming the criminal justice system in New Orleans for acting slowly on the inmates’ cases, and State Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman, a Democrat who represents New Orleans, is calling on Sheriff Susan Hutson to resign, saying she has failed in her most fundamental responsibility in keeping inmates in custody.

As of late this afternoon, seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail are still on the loose. Governor Landry has ordered an audit of the jail facility. During a press conference, he blamed prosecutors and judges for not moving fast enough in prosecuting the cases of accused violent criminals.

Cut 14 (15) “…dangerous criminals.”

The number of people who say Louisiana is heading in the right direction is on the rise – it’s now up to 50-percent. Dr. Michael Henderson, the survey director of LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey, says while that’s the break-even point, it’s a huge step up from not too long ago.

Cut 3 (10) “…a record high.” 

LSU President William Tate has announced that he is leaving his post to take an identical role at Rutgers University. Tate has been president of the LSU system and the head of the flagship Baton Rouge campus since July 1st, 2021. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says Tate’s relationship with state government took a turn for the worse with the change in gubernatorial administrations.

Cut 9 (16)  “…a specific way.”

Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. That’s according to a new study from the CDC which looked at data from 2006 through 2021. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says males are four times more likely to be struck than females.

Cut 7 (12) “…than females are.”

LSU is looking for a new President as President Dr. William Tate has announced he is leaving for Rutgers University. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says there’ a rumored list of administrators people wanted out, and Tate’s name was allegedly on it. She says there may also be a troubling trend in play.

Cut 10 (11) “…in the SEC.”

During Tate’s four years, campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport achieved a record-breaking 543-million dollars in combined research activity. One of Tate’s goals was to make LSU a top 50 research university.

Seven of the Orleans Parish jail escapees are still at large and four of them are accused of murder. The reward for information that leads to their arrest is now 20-thousand dollars per fugitive. Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Robert Hodges says anyone caught trying to help these escapees evade authorities will be arrested….

Cut 13 (09)  “…someone else helps them.”

Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. That’s according to a new study from the CDC which looked at data from 2006 through 2021. During that time, Louisiana had 12 deaths. Florida had the most with 79. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim on why so many more lightning deaths in the Sunshine State…

Cut 6 (08) “…in the world.”

LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey shows the number of people who believe the state is heading in the right direction equals those who believe it’s heading in the wrong direction. Two years ago, it was about two-to-one who said the state was headed in the wrong direction. Survey Director Michael Henderson says the trend started reversing itself from rock-bottom during John Bel Edwards administration.

Cut 5 (09) “…he took office.”

More than one-thousand Louisiana residents were surveyed for this study.

Seven of the Orleans Parish jail escapees remain on the run. They busted out of the jail during the middle of the night early Friday morning. Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Robert Hodges, believes it’s only a matter of time before these fugitives are back in custody…

Cut 12 (11) “…public’s help.”

Louisiana ranks in the upper quarter in the U.S. in lightning deaths. A new study from the CDC says Louisiana is 11th in the country for lightning deaths with 12 deaths from 2006 to 2021. Florida is first with 79 in that time frame, followed by Texas with 36. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says those two states have a lot more golf courses than Louisiana.

Cut 8 (12) “…hard to believe.”

LSU’s president is stepping down at the end of next month. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU won’t be the only school welcoming a new president. ULM has hired a new president – Carrie Castille. She’s an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition. Dr. Castille takes over the full-time role from Ron Berry, who stepped down in January to return to teaching.

Seven of the Orleans Parish jail escapees remain on the run. Four of them are accused of murder. Governor Jeff Landry has ordered an audit of the Orleans Parish facility blaming the New Orleans prosecutors and judges for not moving fast enough in prosecuting the cases of those accused violent criminals

Cut 14 (15) “…dangerous criminals.”

LSU President William Tate is heading to the Garden State. Announcing his departure from LSU on June 30th to become the new president at Rutgers University. That leaves LSU scrambling to find a new president. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says there could be a few names to potentially be included on the shortlist.

Cut 11 (11) “…the job again.”

During Tate’s four years at LSU, campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport achieved a record-breaking 543-million dollars in combined research activity, part of his goal to make LSU a top 50 research university.

More people are saying that Louisiana is headed in the right direction, with that number pulling even with that of the people who say the state is heading in the wrong direction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. That’s according to a new study from the CDC which looked at data from 2006 through 2021. Louisiana had 12 deaths. Florida had the most with 79. Texas came in at number two with 36 deaths. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Florida and Texas have a lot more golf courses than Louisiana, which is one reason why they have a lot more lightning fatalities…

Cut 8 (12) “…hard to believe.”

LSU President William Tate is stepping down at the end of next month. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The number of people who say Louisiana is heading in the right direction is on the rise. LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey has found that the percentage of those who say the state is headed in the right direction but Survey Director Michael Henderson says while the number of people who believe the state is going in the right direction is up, that doesn’t mean they’re the majority.

Cut 4 (10) “…the wrong direction.”

More than one-thousand Louisiana residents were surveyed for this study and Henderson says a big driver of that is people’s views on the economy

The reward for information that leads to the arrest of the inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center has increased to 20-thousand dollars per fugitive. Seven of the prisoners that escaped during wee hours of Friday morning are still at large. Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Robert Hodges says anyone caught trying to help these escapees evade authorities will be arrested themselves….

Cut 13 (09)  “…someone else helps them.”

Four of the inmates that are on the run are accused of murder.

The Centers for Disease Control study shows Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. Data highlights that 18% of fatalities are work-related, with farmers and ranchers most at risk.  LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says males are four times more likely to be struck than females, and the average age is 37.

Cut 7 (12) “…than females are.”

LSU President William Tate is leaving his post to become the new president at Rutgers University. Tate has been president of the LSU system and the head of the flagship Baton Rouge campus since 2021. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says Tate had a strained relationship with state government.

Cut 9 (16)  “…a specific way.”

LSU credits Tate for growing the state’s enrollment and increasing research dollars.

Seven of the Orleans Parish jail escapees remain on the run. They busted out of the jail during the middle of the night early Friday morning. Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Robert Hodges, believes it’s only a matter of time before these fugitives are back in custody…

Cut 12 (11) “…public’s help.”

The reward for information that leads to the arrest of the inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center has increased to 20-thousand dollar per fugitive.

It’s National Safe Boating Week as Louisiana’s boating season ramps up ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Addis native John Foster lost out to Mississippi’s Jamal Roberts, who won American Idol last night. Foster said on Instagram that it was  blessing to share the Idol stage with so many incredible performers and he’s looking forward to making music for his fans.

LSU baseball remains ranked number one heading into SEC Tournament week.

LSU President William Tate has found a new job and will leave as the president of the LSU system and chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus on June 30^th. Tate has been named the new president at Rutgers University. Tate has been at LSU since 2021. During his four years as president, LSU enrollment has grown and its research work has increased.

The number of people who say Louisiana is heading in the right direction is on the rise. That’s one of the findings in LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey. It shows that the percentage of those who say the state is headed in the right direction and that of those who say the state is headed in the wrong direction is now split 50-50. Two years ago, it was about two-to-one in favor of those who said the state is headed in the wrong direction. Survey Director Michael Henderson says that’s when the U-turn started.

Cut 3 (10) “…a record high.”

Louisiana ranks 11th in the country for lightning deaths. That’s according to a new study from CDC which looked at data from 2006 through 2021. During that time, Louisiana had 12 deaths. Florida had the most with 79. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim on why so many more lightning deaths in the Sunshine State…

Cut 6 (08) “…in the world.”

Lightning struck twice for the Teurlings Catholic High School Baseball as they won their second consecutive state championship on Saturday and tenth overall in school history. Rebels head coach Brooks Badeaux says it was not easy to defend their Division Two select title…

Cut 17 (17) “…a credit to these guys”

Sam Houston, North DeSoto, Catholic High of New Iberia and Sterlington also won high school baseball titles on Saturday.

Seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail early Friday morning remain on the loose. The reward for information leading to the capture of any one of the seven is now up to 20-thousand dollars – ten-thousand from the FBI and five-thousand each from ATF and CrimeStoppers. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says they have intelligence on the seven escapees, but they are elusive.

Cut 4 (07) “…more challenging.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is appealing a ruling that effectively throws her off the Antoinette Frank case. Frank is the former New Orleans police officer sentenced to death for killing her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ ruling that says her office cannot assist the D-A’s office in this case.

Cut 13 (12)  “…think is wrong.”

John Foster played his first gig last October; and in just seven short months, the 18-year-old Addis native won the hearts of everyone in Louisiana and all across the country. Foster made it all the way to the final two of American Idol, before finishing second behind Jamal Roberts. There was a watch party at the Walk-On’s in Brusly, and people there said no matter the final outcome, Foster is a winner in their books.

Cut 11 (11) “…really good also.”

It’s National Safe Boating Week. Lieutenant Garrett Kimble, the boating education coordinator with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says between 2020 and 2024, there were 96 boating fatalities – 78 of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.

Cut 7 (06) “…wear it.”

Seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday remain on the loose. Governor Jeff Landry is not happy about what he says is the largest jail break in the state’s history. Landry says there is no excuse for what happened…

Cut 5 (09) “…Attorney General”

Landry is also calling for an audit of the Orleans Parish Jail, which the Louisiana Department of Corrections will conduct.

A New Orleans judge has ruled that Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill cannot assist the Orleans District Attorney as that office seeks to carry out the death sentence for former New Orleans police officer Antoinette Frank…

Cut 15 (09) “…in and assist”

Criminal District Judge Kimya Holmes said in her ruling that no provision in the law and Louisiana Constitution allows for the A-G’s participation. Frank is still fighting her conviction and the next hearing in her post-conviction process is in December.

He may have come up short in his quest to be the next American Idol, but people in his hometown are still proud of their local hero. Andrew Greenstein has more from an American Idol watch party in Brusly last night.

Cut 10 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU remains the number one ranked team in the Baseball America and D1 Baseball Top 25 rankings. The Tigers are 42-13 overall and they are the three seed in this week’s SEC Tournament and will play on Friday night in Hoover, Alabama.