After a 15-year pause, executions in Louisiana are scheduled to start up again next month. Among the first slated to be executed is Jessie Hoffman, who raped and killed Molly Elliott execution-style in 1996. Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, requested the death warrant.

Cut 4 (07) “…and heinous offenders.”

Sims says seeking the death penalty and carrying one out are not moves to be taken lightly.

During Carnival season, while parade-goers collect festive beads, impaired drivers will receive handcuffs as part of Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Greg Fischer says police will be out in force.

Cut 7 (10) “…the absolute truth.”

Results from the 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll, conducted by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, show parents are struggling with childcare cost and access. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A new city has emerged as a candidate for an NHL expansion team – New Orleans. NHL Network analyst – and former NHL goalie – Kevin Weekes says an ownership group had a productive meeting with Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly. Weekes says while the identity of this ownership group is currently unknown, they are hockey people from top to bottom.

Cut 10 (09) “…hockey fans themselves.”

Executions in Louisiana are scheduled to resume next month following a 15-year pause. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_____________________________________________

New Orleans has emerged as a potential home for an NHL expansion team. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_____________________________________________

Results from the 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll, conducted by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, show parents are struggling with childcare cost and accessibility. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

______________________________________________________

After a 15-year pause, executions in Louisiana are scheduled to start up again next month. Among the first slated to be executed is Jessie Hoffman, who raped and killed Molly Elliott execution-style in 1996. Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, requested the death warrant.

Cut 4 (07) “…and heinous offenders.”

Sims says seeking the death penalty and carrying one out are not moves to be taken lightly.

Cut 5 (07) “…that it is.”

Sims says while the execution of a death row inmate may bring justice and closure, it is not something to be celebrated.

Cut 6 (08) “…and it’s horrible.”

Barring any delays or court orders, Hoffman will be executed by way of lethal gas.

______________________________________________________

During Carnival season, while parade-goers collect festive beads, impaired drivers will receive handcuffs as part of Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Greg Fischer says police will be out in force.

Cut 7 (10) “…the absolute truth.”

Fischer highlighted the urgency, noting that since 2020, more alcohol-related fatalities and injuries occurred during Carnival than any other holiday.

Cut 8 (11) “…a serious injury.”

To enhance enforcement, National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration funds additional patrols. Officers statewide will arrest impaired drivers and Fischer warning that drinking and driving could turn Carnival celebrations into an early end in handcuffs.

Cut 9 (06)  “…that’s the truth.”

The campaign runs through Mardi Gras, aiming to curb alcohol-related crashes.

______________________________________________________

A new city has emerged as a candidate for an NHL expansion team – New Orleans. NHL Network analyst – and former NHL goalie – Kevin Weekes says an ownership group had a productive meeting with Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly. Weekes says while the identity of this ownership group is currently unknown, they are hockey people from top to bottom.

Cut 10 (09) “…hockey fans themselves.”

New Orleans joins a long list of cities pursuing NHL expansion teams, including Houston, Atlanta, Quebec City and Phoenix, which just lost its team last year. Weekes says the fact that the ownership group met with league brass is big.

Cut 11 (13) “…deputy commissioner’s calendar.”

Weekes says even though there’s only one U.S. NHL market smaller than New Orleans – that being Buffalo – New Orleans would be a great NHL city, as evidenced by how well it hosted the biggest event of any kind in the U.S., the Super Bowl.

Cut 12 (09) “…amazing entertainment experience.”

______________________________________________________

The 2024 Louisiana Child Care Parent Poll shows parents are struggling with cost and availability to child care. Mattilyn Batson, the director of policy and research at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, highlights the struggles parents face balancing work with childcare access and affordability.

Cut 13 (11)  “…not work at all.”

The survey found that over half of parents worry about affording childcare, with costs averaging 633 dollars a month per child. Batson says for those without subsidies, expenses rise to nearly 12-hundred-dollars  monthly.

Cut 14 (08) “…dollars a year.”

Childcare disruptions impacted employment, with 70-percent of parents missing work in the past three months. Batson emphasized the need for investment, warning that without action, families will face financial strain, and Louisiana’s workforce will suffer from lost economic potential.

Cut 15 (13) “…early learning centers.”

_______________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech baseball is in Hattiesburg this weekend for a three-game series against former Conference USA rival Southern Miss. The Bulldogs opened the season by sweeping a four-game series from Maine. Tech Coach Lane Burroughs like how well his team played defensively

Cut 16 (16) “…moments”

Burroughs came into the season liking his starting pitching, but the bullpen will be a work in progress…

Cut 17 (17)  “…on ’em”

__________________________________________________________

LSU is 4-and-0 as they open a series against Omaha at Alex Box Stadium today. The Tigers showed off their depth in their four games, playing a bunch of guys and Coach Jay Johnson says it’s been fun to watch…

Cut 18 (17)  “…this team.”

LSU has won all four of its games in comfortable fashion, which has allowed Johnson to get a lot of players into the game. Multiple players have played right field, catcher or had a chance to play in the designated hitter role. Johnson says the players have been mature about sharing playing time…

Cut 19 (19) “…good.”

A state representative says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. Mike Johnson, who chairs the Pine Beetle Subcommittee, has led efforts to address the crisis and secure funding to help private citizens pay for tree removal.

Cut 4 (10) “…after a storm.”

Johnson says it’s not a matter of if, but when, those trees will topple.

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead. A ping of Jorlany Osario Beitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, where they found her vehicle burned out. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they also found 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles walking in that area.

Cut 7 (07) “…what we gather.”

Southeastern Louisiana University has achieved its highest overall spring enrollment in 100 years. The university is reporting a seven-percent increase, pushing total overall enrollment to nearly 15-thousand students.  University President Dr. William Wainwright emphasized that beyond record numbers, Southeastern remains dedicated to academic innovation and economic impact.

Cut 11 (09) “…modify curriculum.”

Saints head coach Kellen Moore has reportedly hired 54-year-old Doug Nussmeier as his offensive coordinator.  Locked on Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says the hire makes complete sense, because of the relationship Moore and Nussmeier have already built…

Cut 12 (14) “…Philadelphia Eagles.”

A woman is killed in St. Landry Parish, and her boyfriend is the accused killer. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Representative Mike Johnson from Pineville says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. Johnson says Cleco and the Louisiana Department of Transportation have started the process by removing dead trees along roads and highways, but more needs to done with trees on private property

Cut 3 (07) “…when those trees will fall.”

Southeastern Louisiana is celebrating its 100^th year as a college and the school located in Hammond is reporting a seven-percent increase enrollment for the spring semester. University president Doctor William Wainwright says S-L-U continues to drive the local economy…

Cut 10 (11) “…regional economy.”

Enrollment at S-L-U is pushing 15-thousand students.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore has reportedly hired 54-year-old Doug Nussmeier as his offensive coordinator.  Host of the Locked on Saints podcast, Ross Jackson, says Moore is looking to connect with the city and having a former Saints player on his staff helps him do that…

Cut 14 (08) “…bit of that.”

Doug Nussmeier is also the father of LSU starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead, and her boyfriend is accused of killing her. A ping of Jorlany Benitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, where they found her burned vehicle. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says a deputy found a man walking in that area.

Cut 6 (07) “…he responded ‘no.’”

Sheriff Guidroz says 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles of Lawtell eventually admitted to killing her, and deputies arrested him.

Southeastern Louisiana University has achieved its highest overall spring enrollment in 100 years. The university is reporting a seven-percent increase, pushing total overall enrollment to nearly 15-thousand students.  University President Dr. William Wainwright says preparatory enrollment, students earning college credit while in high school, grew by nearly 19-percent.

Cut 9 (11)  “…incoming freshman class.”

A state lawmaker estimates there are more than 12-million dying pine trees that became susceptible due to a beetle infestation because of the 2023 drought.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

54-year-old Doug Nussmeier, father of LSU Quarterback Garret Nussmeier will reportedly be the Saints’ new offensive coordinator. Doug Nussmeier enters his 25^th year as a coach, having served the NFL with new Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore at the Cowboys, Chargers and the Eagles Super Bowl wining team. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast, Ross Jackson, says Moore will call the plays, but Nussmeier will have a big role in offensive game planning…

Cut 13 (13)  “…ton of experience.”

A woman is killed in St. Landry Parish, and her boyfriend is the accused. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Representative Mike Johnson has safety concerns for schools about more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles, and he has spoken with Congressman Cleo Fields and the entire Louisiana Congressional Delegation about those safety concerns and the need for funding.

Cut 5 (09) “…of our people.”

As Southeastern Louisiana University enters its second century, its seeing its highest overall spring enrollment in 100 years — pushing total overall enrollment to nearly 15-thousand students. SLU President Dr. William Wainwright praised the faculty and staff for their commitment to holistic student education. He emphasized that beyond record numbers, Southeastern remains dedicated to academic innovation and economic impact.

Cut 11 (09) “…modify curriculum.”

Saints head coach Kellen Moore has reportedly hired 54-year-old Doug Nussmeier as his offensive coordinator.  Host of the Locked on Saints podcast, Ross Jackson, says the hire makes complete sense, because of the relationship Moore and Nussmeier have already built…

Cut 12 (14) “…Philadelphia Eagles.”

Doug Nussmeier is the father of LSU starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.

A state lawmaker estimates there are more than 12-million dying pine trees that became susceptible due to a beetle infestation because of the 2023 drought.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A man in Lafourche Parish has been charged with sex crimes involving four juveniles. 60-year-old Herman Dupre of Bayou Blue was taken into custody in Terrebonne Parish. The investigation into Dupre started when a DCFS worker reported to law enforcement that Dupre may have sexually assaulted a child a few years ago.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office says a 24-year-old Lawtell man has admitted to the killing of Jorlany Osario Betiez, who was found dead in a remote area along Highway 10. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Irving Arguelles originally told detectives he dumped his girlfriend’s body into a lake in Eunice, but they couldn’t find it. Then, they demanded that he tell the truth…

Cut 8 (07) “…car was abandoned”

Arguelles is facing several charges, including first-degree murder, and he has an ICE hold on him since Guidroz says he’s in the country illegally.

Southeastern Louisiana is celebrating its 100^th year as a college and the school located in Hammond is reporting a seven-percent increase enrollment for the spring semester. University president Doctor William Wainwright says S-L-U continues to drive the local economy…

Cut 10 (11) “…regional economy.”

Enrollment at S-L-U is pushing 15-thousand students.

A state representative says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. State Representative Mike Johnson, who chairs the Pine Beetle Subcommittee, has led efforts to address the crisis and secure funding to help private citizens pay for tree removal.

Cut 4 (10) “…after a storm.”

Johnson says it’s not a matter of if, but when, those trees will topple.

Southeastern Louisiana University’s Spring semester marked historic enrollment growth, achieving its highest overall spring enrollment in 100 years. The university saw an increase of over seven-percent, reaching nearly 15-thousand students, with growth in nearly all categories.  University President Dr. William Wainwright says one is  preparatory enrollment which rose by nearly 19-percent.

Cut 9 (11)  “…incoming freshman class.”

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead. A ping of Jorlany Osario Beitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, and they found her vehicle burned out. They also found 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles of Lawtell walking in that area. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Arguelles eventually admitted to killing her, and deputies arrested him.

Cut 7 (07) “…what we gather.”

State Representative Mike Johnson from Pineville says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. Johnson says Cleco and the Louisiana Department of Transportation have started the process by removing dead trees along roads and highways, but more needs to done with trees on private property

Cut 3 (07) “…when those trees will fall.” 

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead, and her boyfriend is accused of killing her. A ping of Jorlany Osario Beitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, where they found her vehicle burned out. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says a deputy found a man walking in that area.

Cut 6 (07) “…he responded ‘no.’”

Guidroz says 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles eventually admitted to killing her.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Louisiana Department of Health is doing the wrong thing by ending mass vaccination clinics. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says these clinics make it much more convenient for busy parents and busy kids.

Cut 14 (16) “…have gotten otherwise.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly will stand trial July 7th for his alleged role in a shooting that injured two people in his hometown of Farmerville last February. Holly is facing one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Mike Small, says he and his client are happy that a trial date is established.

Cut 10 (08) “…and always maintained.”

At this hour, the Landry Administration is presenting a proposed budget for next fiscal year to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Landry says his budget proposal reduces state spending by up to one billion dollars, but the plan is to still make investments on key infrastructure projects and work to lower the state income tax…

Cut 7 (11) “,….these goals”

The Louisiana Legislature will spend the next several months amending the bill before approving a budget is approved in June.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy, who is also a doctor, opposes the Louisiana Department of Health’s new policy of no longer promoting mass vaccinations. Cassidy says sometimes it’s a long wait to see a pediatrician and vaccine fairs can keep a child from having to miss school and a mother from missing work…

Cut 15 (08) “…very busy”

The 481 workers set to lose their jobs due to the shutdown of International Paper Red River mill in Campti can receive help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A big hockey game tonight as the USA takes on Canada in the 4 Nations Face-off championship. Governor Landry tweeted about it and in his post, the governor says it’s time for Louisiana to have an NHL team. ESPN has reported  a group met with NHL officials about bringing an expansion team to NOLA.