In Reserve, a 16-year-old Aarih Henry was murdered early Sunday in what they believe was a targeted attack. St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says the victim was one of six in a Black Dodge Challenger and he’s shared video of the tragic incident in hopes of making an arrest.

Cut 9 (08) “…in Reserve.” 

Tregre says they don’t believe the 16-year-old female was the intended victim but the three males in the car he says are not cooperating with investigators.

Louisiana lawmakers have approved a 48-billion-dollar budget that includes a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland…

Cut 3 (10) “…schools.” 

The budget also includes hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure projects.

The 2024 regular legislative session ends today, and La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the biggest piece of legislation approved was the Gator Scholarship Program. He says it brings Education Savings Accounts to Louisiana, allowing families to access public dollars to pay for private school tuition….

Cut 10 (08) “…in government.”

Lawmakers will adjourn at 6 PM.

LSU Baseball won two games Sunday and they are one win away from hosting a Super Regional Series. The Tigers defeated Wofford 13-6 in an elimination game yesterday and defeated North Carolina eight to four last night to force a winner-take-all all game today against the Tar Heels. Josh Pearson hit home runs in both games and says this team is always in the fight

Cut 13 (13)  “…keep at it.”

Tonight’s game is at 5pm.

At 6 pm the 2024 regular legislative session will end, and La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says an interesting dynamic developed during this session, the Senate did not go along with everything the governor wanted…

Cut 12 (11) “…on the other.” 

Instead of Louisiana’s predicted job growth of 40-thousand, ULL Acadiana Business Economist Gary Wagner says it looks like it will be an average year for the state with 10,000 jobs. He says the predictions are based on companies across the country not specific necessarily to Louisiana, so it’s a good lesson not to put too much stock into job forecasts.

Cut 8 (11) “…for Louisiana.” 

On the upside, he says the state has seen growth no significant losses.

ULM will receive a grant of $750-thousand over the next three years from the state’s Entertainment Development Fund to create opportunities for students looking for a film industry career. Associate Professor of Communication, Dr. Chris Mapp says when it comes to the potential of the new program, the sky is the limit.

Cut 6 (12) “…tools that they need.”

LSU Baseball won two games Sunday and they are one win away from hosting a Super Regional Series. Coach Jay Johnson says you can never count out a team with talent and experience…

Cut 14 (11)  “…from that.”

They’ll play the North Carolina Tarheels tonight at 5pm in the Regional Championship.

The LSU Tigers will play for a Regional Championship today after winning two games on Sunday, beating Wofford 13 to six and then North Carolina eight to four. Thatcher Hurd had his best start of the season to beat the Tar Heels. Coach Jay Johnson on his decision to start Hurd…
cut 16 (13) “…certainly did’
The Regional Championship game is at 5 PM today against U-N-C. U-L Lafayette and Tulane’s seasons ended yesterday with losses.

U-L Lafayette economist Gary Wagner says based on new data from the federal government, the state only added 99-hundred jobs in 2023, well below the 39-thousand that initial projections pegged
cut 9 (08) “…average year”

Today is the final day of the legislative session. State lawmakers approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It contains a two-thousand dollar stipend for teachers on top of their regular salary. But early childhood education received a nine-million dollar cut. That could mean fewer low income students will receive state dollars to participate in early childhood programs.

ULM has received a $750 thousand grant over three years from the state’s Entertainment Development Fund. .
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

What was predicted to be the highest job growth in 25 years for Louisiana, ended up being just average. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
St. John Parish detectives are looking for suspects in the early morning murder of a 16 year old girl they say was specifically targeted. Sheriff Mike Tregre says Aariah Henry of Reserve was shot yesterday as she sat in her car on Airline Highway near Central Avenue in Reserve. It happened just after two am as the suspect vehicle pulled alongside Henry’s and opened fire. We’re told Henry was rushed to the hospital, but died of her injuries.

————————–

The first regular legislative session during Jeff Landry’s tenure as governor has ended. And LaPolitics dot com publisher says it established Landry as Louisiana’s most powerful governor in modern history, as he accomplished much of what was on his agenda. But not everything went the governor’s way. Alford says not getting the constitutional convention he wanted was a blow to the governor and many big picture ideas were put on hold in this session.

Cut 11 (10) “…November ballot.”
In other news from the session, a highly publicized bill that did not make it through the process was one that would have banned THC in products that could be consumed in Louisiana. Supporters of the legislation say the THC in these products can get a person high. Opponents of the legislation argued it would kill the state’s growing THC market.

Louisiana lawmakers gave final approval yesterday t0 $48 billion in budget bills yesterday, restoring funding for a two-thousand dollar stipend for teachers, but cutting spending on early childhood education programs. The house had cut the level of the teacher stipends, but the Senate restored the full amount Governor Jeff Landry had proposed. The House voted yesterday to support that.
Governor Jeff Landry has seen the first regular legislative session during his term come to an end. Colleen Crain looks at how it went…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 
—————————
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is on the receiving end of a 750 thousand dollar grant designed to create opportunities for students looking for careers in the film industry. Associate Professor of Communication, Dr. Chris Mapp says the grant will have far-reaching effects…

Cut 5 (12) “…valuable access.” 

The Ragin Cajuns ran out of gas in the College Station Regional. After pounding Texas 10 to 2 on a hot Sunday afternoon on Texas A-and-M’s campus. The Aggies defeated U-L Lafayette nine to four last night to win the College Station Regional.

Tulane was eliminated in the Corvalis Regional yesterday after giving up nine runs in the seventh inning and losing to U-C Irvine 7 to 7/

Louisiana Tech, Grambling State and Nicholls saw their seasons end on Saturday.

LSU Eunice won its eight national championship in division two junior college baseball yesterday while the LSU baseball Tigers won two games yesterday and are just one win away from hosting a Super Regional Series. Today’s Regional Championship game against North Carolina is set for five this evening.

The first regular legislative session during Jeff Landry’s tenure as governor has ended and La Politics dot com publisher, Jeremy Alford says it was a busy one. Alford believes it was a big test for Landry and he says he comes out of the session as Louisiana’s most powerful governor in modern history. One piece of legislation will especially be remembered.

Cut 10 (08) “…in government.”
Republican Governors will hold a press conference today in Chalmette to discuss what they’re calling the Biden Administration’s unprecedented attacks on American energy and their plan to unleash American Energy. Governors from eight states, including Alaska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and several others will be on hand for today’s news conference which is set for three this afternoon at PBF Entergy’s Chalmette Refinery.

—————————————–

Despite predictions that job growth in Louisiana would be around 40-thousand, the numbers aren’t quite that high. In fact ULL Acadiana Business Economist Gary Wagner says after revisions, the state only gained about 10-thousand jobs.

Cut 7 (13) “…our average.”

Speaking of jobs, the University of Louisiana at Monroe has received the state’s Entertainment Development Fund of $750 thousand grant over three years to create opportunities for students looking for a career in the film industry.  Associate Professor of Communication, Dr. Chris Mapp

Cut 4 (12) “…fill that void.”

The 2024 legislative ends today and La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the biggest piece of legislation approved is the bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program. Alford says it brings Education Savings Accounts to Louisiana, allowing families to access public dollars to pay for private school tuition….

cut 10 (08) “…in government”

Alford says it was a good first term for Governor Landry, but he didn’t get everything he wanted. A bill that would result in a constitutional convention happening in August died in the Senate, so Alford says that means many big picture ideas were put on hold this session…
cut 11 (10) “…November ballot”

Alford says an interesting dynamic developed during this session and that is the Louisiana Senate is not going to go along with everything the governor wants….
cut 12 (11) “…on the other”

Going forward, Landry will have more control on the numerous boards and commissions in this state as he’ll have the power to pick the chair persons. Jeff Palermo has more…
cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A new bill would give Governor Jeff Landry the power to appoint almost 150 state board and commission chairs. Until now, the boards selected their chairs, and the most the governor could do was appoint a majority of board members and indirectly name the chair. Landry says that this change empowers new governors to further the policies they were elected on.

Cut 9 (09) “…sees fit.” 

Meantime, legal experts say former President Donald Trump will most likely not serve jail time, but LSU Law Professor Lisa Avalos says there are legal implications stemming from his 34 felony convictions, for example possibly losing the right to vote or possess firearms.

Cut 13 (12) “…vote for him.” 

——————————————-

A chemical plant in St. John the Baptist Parish is threatening to shut down if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Today is the official start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, and NOAA has predicted it will be the most active on record with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan…

Cut 6  (09) “…hurricane season. ” 

Hurricane season officially began today…and experts are expecting this will be the most active season on record. Officials say it’s important to know your risks. If you live in a storm surge evacuation zone, National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brenna says you should already have a plan of where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll take with you.

Cut 8 (11)  “…to stay.” 

While legal experts say former President Donald Trump will most likely not serve jail time, many believe there are other implications. Political pundits believe the former president’s convictions could sway undecided voters. LSU Law Professor Lisa Avalos says before Thursday it was a question if he would be convicted and now it’s a reality.

Cut 15 (10) “…the land.

———————————————

Synthetic rubber manufacturer Denka Performance Elastomer says it will be forced to shut down its Reserve plant if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed after the agency shortened Denka’s deadline to reduce emissions from 2 years to 90 days. The EPA says the 90-day rule is needed because Denka poses a quote-unquote “imminent and substantial danger” to nearby communities. But, Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser thinks it’s more political than that.

Cut 4 (10) “…do this.” 

Local advocacy group Rise St. James says Denka is poisoning people in Reserve, and celebrates the potential closure. Bowser says Rise St. James doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

Cut 5 (06)  “…prove that.”

Denka says they would have no choice but to shut the plant down if forced to adhere to the reduced deadline.

A new bill would allow the governor to appoint dozens of state board chairs. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 
Today is the official start of hurricane season and officials say it’s important to be prepared. NOAA predicts this season will be the most active on record, with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, with as many as seven being major hurricanes. Hurricane season ends November 30^th.

————————

Talk to continues to swirl around President Donald Trump’s 34 felony convictions earlier this week. The former president held a press conference claiming the trial was rigged and LSU Law Professor Lisa Avalos says this isn’t not the first time he’s has used that term.

Cut  14 (12) “…the appeal.” 
Synthetic rubber manufacturer Denka Performance Elastomer says it will be forced to shut down its Reserve plant if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed after the agency shortened Denka’s deadline to reduce emissions from 2 years to 90 days. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says that’s an impossible task.

Cut 3 (08) “…90 days (x2).”