A bill to lift licensing requirements to braid hair failed to pass in this year’s legislative session. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Shreveport police are investigating a shooting involving a man who was reportedly arguing with his girlfriend, and when her father showed up a physical altercation ensued. The father was allegedly shot by the boyfriend and his injuries are life-threatening. It happened around 11:30 this morning on Miriam Lane.

Even though Louisiana ranks among the country’s highest property and automobile insurance rates, you’d be surprised to learn that when it comes to pet insurance, Bayou State is ranked the most affordable. Dayna Drake with MarketWatch Guides says the statewide average to insure your pet is $36 a month.

Cut 9 (07) “…national average.” 

The national average is $46 a month.

And speaking of pets, don’t forget to include them in your hurricane plan. LSU School of Veterinarian Medicine spokesperson Ginger Gutner says to be patient with your pet when you must evacuate. She says they can tell when you’re stressed and a new environment could bring out behavioral issues.

AM Cut 12 (10) “…extra stops.” 

Even if your dog is housetrained, the stress of evacuating could cause them to have accidents.

A bill that would lift licensing requirements to braid hair did not make it through this year’s legislative session. Chalmette Republican Representative Mike Bayham is disappointed his bill did not make it out of House Commerce, because he is looking to promote jobs.
Cut 6 (08) “…entry. ”
The current rules say braiders must have at least 500 hours of education, which can cost as much as 20 thousand dollars and Bayham says the number of hours needed for training and the cost to get educated is a barrier.

The Annie E Casey Foundation released a new report today that shows there was unprecdented drop in learning and absences from 2019 to 2022 as a result of the of the pandemic. Thirty-percent of all students were chronically absent, but Annie E Casey President Lisa Hamilton says the chronic absence percentage was better in Louisiana…
cut 4 (07) “…nationally”
Hamilton says they actually saw reading scores improve as well.
College athletic departments are preparing for the likelihood of paying their athletes a total of 22 million dollars starting in 2025 as a result of a historic antitrust case between the NCAA and two former college athletes. LSU Executive Deputy Athletics Director Verge Ausberry says they are just waiting for terms to be finalized
Cut 13 (11) “…year to year.”
The money that will go to the athletes will come from the massive TV deals that major conferences have agreed to with ESPN and Fox, plus other sources of revenue. One potential new source of revenue is sponsor logos, which can be painted on football fields this year.

This year’s KIDS COUNT shows the pandemic had an unprecedented harmful effect on student learning. Annie E. Casey Foundation President Lisa Hamilton says the report shows a higher percentage of Louisiana students suffered from trauma than students nationwide.

Cut 3 (10) “…nationally.” 

Starting in 2025, retailers who do not properly label seafood with its correct country of origin will face fines of up to two-thousand dollars. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says his bill that was recently signed by the governor puts teeth into a law passed in 2019….

cut 8 (12) “…two thousand dollars”

In 2025, college athletes could be paid directly by the university because of an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA that’s expected to be finalized soon. LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry expects the Tigers will remain competitive once revenue sharing between athletic departments and athletes begins…
cut 14 (12) “….look”
It’s expected athletic departments will spend around 22-million dollars in paying college athletes in 2025.

Don’t forget about your pets when making your hurricane plans. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Ginger Guttner says have you dog or cat microchipped…
cut 11 (11) “….come off”

You can find a list of hurricane tips for pet owners at LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

Governor Jeff Landry has signed Marrero Senator Patrick Connick’s bill to strengthen penalties against food establishments that do not clearly label imported seafood.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

The younger son of LSU legend Pete Maravich died Friday. LSU reports 42-year-old Josh Maravich passed away at the family home in Covington. Josh Maravich was on the LSU men’s basketball team from 2001 to 2005. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

The latest NFIB survey finds only 18-percent of business owners plan to increase wages in the next three months. The survey finds the construction sector is having problems filling openings and NFIB State Director Leah Long says it’s going to take more than higher wages.

Cut 6 (10) “…in the state.”

In addition to making your hurricane plans for you and your family don’t forget about the four-legged members of your family.  LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Ginger Guttner says Katrina taught Louisianas to never to leave their pets behind.

Cut 10 (12) “…driving around.”

You can find a listing of more hurricane prep tips for pet owners at LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

Starting in 2025, retailers who do not properly label seafood with its correct country of origin will face fines of up to two-thousand dollars. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says his bill that was recently signed by the governor puts teeth into a law passed in 2019….
cut 8 (12) “…two thousand dollars”

College athletic departments are planning for revenue sharing, where schools will directly pay their athletes starting in 2025. It could be around 22-million dollars for all athletes at a major school as a result of a historic antitrust lawsuit. Schools will look to cut costs. LSU Executive Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry says LSU is looking to schedule more in-state schools for non-conference football games because it’s not as costly
Cut 15 (11) “…range.”

An NFIB jobs report says only 18 percent of small business owners are planning to increase compensation for workers. That’s the lowest since 2021…
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Before the hurricane season ramps up, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Ginger Guttner says have you dog or cat microchipped…
cut 11 (11) “….come off”

A surge of imported shrimp and crawfish is flooding restaurants and grocery stores and customers are being misled to believe the product is locally caught….
Cut 7 (11) “…in this bill.”
That’s Marrero Senator Patrick Connick discussing his legislation signed by the governor that aims to strengthen protection for consumers. Retailers caught mislabeling seafood as domestic face a fine of up to two-thousand dollars. The new takes effect in 2025.

In 2025, college athletes could be paid directly by the university as a result of an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA that’s expected to be finalized soon. LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry expects the Tigers will remain competitive once revenue sharing between athletic departments and athletes begins…
cut 14 (12) “….look”
It’s expected athletic departments will spend around 22-million dollars in paying college athletes in 2025.

When you’re making your hurricane plans, don’t forget to include your pets. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to NOLA-dot-com, New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell has spent 250-thousand dollars on flights, hotels, food, security and other modes of transportation since 2023. Cantrell has made six trips to foreign countries including a trip to Dubai for a climate conference. A spokesperson for the mayor says Cantrell’s travels accomplish political and business goals, as well as satisfying cultural objectives.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed Marrero Senator Patrick Connick’s bill that would strengthen penalties against food establishments that do not clearly label imported seafood. Colleen Crain had more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State Police say speed was a factor in a head-on crash that killed three people in Lafourche Parish on Saturday morning. It happened on Highway 308 in Lockport. 55-year-old Ethelwaldo Dejesus of Metairie, 30-year-old Braysi Zuniga of Kenner and 49-year-old Page Abadie of Galliano died at the scene. L-S-P say it was Dejesus who was driving at a high rate of speed.

Small business compensation plans fall to the lowest levels seen since 2021 according to a national jobs report from the NFIB. Only 18 percent of business owners plan to increase compensation in the next three months. NFIB State Director Leah Long says this is concerning.
Cut 4 (08) “…going through.”
And Long says the struggle continues in finding quality workers.

Today begins the second full week of hurricane season and the tropics are relatively quiet. Emergency preparedness officials are urging coastal residents to make sure they have evacuation plan ready to implement and that also means for your pets. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Ginger Guttner says be patient with your pet during an evacuation as they can tell when you’re stressed and a new environment could bring out behavioral issues…
cut 12 (10) “….extra stops”

An NFIB jobs report says only 18 percent of small business owners are planning to increase compensation for workers. That’s the lowest since 2021. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The youngest son of LSU legend Pete Maravich died over the weekend. LSU reports Josh Maravich passed away at the family home in Covington. He was 42. Josh Maravich was on the LSU men’s basketball team from 2001 to 2005 after a standout high school career at St. Paul’s.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law a measure that calls for tougher penalties against restaurants or seafood companies that do not clearly label the origin of seafood they are selling to customers. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says the restaurant association, retailers and importers voiced their concerns, but this is the right thing to do.
Cut 9 (10) “…Louisiana hopefully.”
Connick says he’s seen where retailers are labeling cheaper imported seafood in such a way that gives the customer the belief that it’s domestic seafood. The new law goes into effect January 1st.

College athletic departments are preparing for the likelihood of paying their athletes a total of 22 million dollars a year as a result of a historic antitrust case between the NCAA and two former college athletes. LSU Executive Deputy Athletics Director Verge Ausberry says they are just waiting for terms to be finalized
Cut 13 (11) “…year to year.”

Crawfish season is winding down, and it’s been pretty unpredictable. At the start of the season, things looked extremely dire due to the summer drought and extreme heat. December through February Shirley says supply was down around 90 percent. In May supply increased, but Shirley says it was only 40 to 50 percent compared to other Mays. As for the outlook for the next mudbug season, Shirley says farmers are cautiously optimistic.

Cut 8 (11)  “… next year.” 
Shirley says even though supply increased in April and May, for the most part, folks in south Louisiana were able to enjoy them. Out-of-state eateries went without mudbugs this season.

It looks like there could be a second Bucee’s location in Louisiana. Right now preparation is underway for one in Ruston. And now the Advocate reports, the construction company that has built other Bucee’s has requested a variance with the zoning board in Lafayette, so the possibility exists or a Bucee’s there.

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This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. And of course, fishing is a lot more fun when you don’t have to talk about the one that got away. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says chances are there’s a recently stocked pond near you.

Cut 14 (12)  “…those ponds.”

Check their website for a listing of those ponds or their Facebook page.

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office has been featured on the A&E show “Murder at the Motel”. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton describes the scene.

Cut 3 (11) “…all over the walls.” 

Governor Jeff Landry has signed what has been called the bathroom bill. The legislation prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom or locker room at a school that does not match their biological sex. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says his legislation is designed to protect females, especially young girls…

Cut 9 (10) “…uh oh” 

The A&E show “Murder at the Motel” featured Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton on the murder victim.

Cut 5 (11)  “… at the hotel.”

You can watch “Murder at the Motel” on A&E or stream online now.

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As the crawfish season is coming to an end, just how bad was it? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two Deputies in Richland Parish were stabbed multiple times after catching up to a fleeing suspect Thursday. 23-year-old Colby Bazan answered RPSO’s request to appear at the sheriff’s office regarding a simple assault and criminal trespass warrant involving alleged threats against his family members. When Bazan realized he was under arrest authorities say he fled and when deputies caught up to him, he stabbed two of them with a knife in his possession. Both Deputies were treated and released from the hospital.