For the second year in a row, Louisiana ranks dead last in the U-S News and World Report’s best states rankings. Managing Editor for Government Rankings, Gary Emerling, says there are two major reasons why,poor roads and a high crime rate…
cut 5 (08) “….juvenile incarceration”
Emerling says preventable hospital admissions are also 27-percent higher in Louisiana than the national average.

The now bankrupt Steward Health Care group is selling the Glenwood Regional Medical Center. The hospital in West Monroe has been plagued by staffing and supply issues. But complicating the issue is that Medical Properties Trust owns the property. State representative Mike Echols says one of the leaders at Steward is also under investigation….
cut 8 (12) “…my perspective”

Minors might be able to work long hours without having to take a mandatory 20-minute meal break as a result of legislation moving closer to final legislative passage. Brooke Thorington has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Zachary Evans Cryer from Benton High School in Bossier Parish has been named the Louisiana High School student of the year by the Department of Education. Cryer is a leader for 4-H, BETA, student council and the Fellowship of Christian athletes. He also competes on the track and basketball teams, while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

For the second year in a row, U-S News and World Report, ranks Louisiana as the worst state in the country. The ranking is based on several categories that Louisiana did not perform well in, like crime, the economy and its roads. Are there any positives? U-S News and World Report’s Gary Emerling says Louisiana ranked 21st for healthcare access and more children under the age of five are spending time in an education setting…
cut 6 (03) “…pre-school enrollment”

A bill moving along at the state capitol would end the requirement that employers have to give minors a 20-minute meal break if they’ve worked five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says hard working teenagers would rather make money than take a break…
cut 11 (09) “…of pay”
The bill is heading to the Senate floor for final legislative passage.

The fate of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe is unclear as the hospital’s owner Steward Health Care has filed for bankruptcy. Brooke Thorington has more from State Representative Michael Echols.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU Football head coach Brian Kelly says there are players just looking to get paid. Kelly made the comments to WAFB-TV in response to the Tigers missing out on two proven defensive tackles who committed elsewhere. Kelly says LSU does have generous NIL opportunities, and LSU can also get you ready for the NFL. Damonic Williams and Simeon Barrow visited LSU, but are heading to Oklahoma and Miami instead.

Louisiana ranks 50th in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 Best States report, and here’s Sean Richardson to take a look at why.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Republican Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish will keep his job as House Speaker as a vote to remove him failed miserably.

Governor Jeff Landry will visit the U-S Southern border today to get a first hand look at Operation Lone Star. Since April Louisiana National Guard soldiers have been assisting with border security efforts.

Steward Health Care has announced its selling Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe. Steward has filed for bankruptcy and is looking to sell several of its 31 hospitals in eight states. The Glenwood hospital has been struggling with staffing and supply issues and State Representative Mike Echols says it’s time for Glenwood to have a new owner…
cut 7 (11) “…Steward Health Group”
Steward says they intend to sell by the end of June.

According to the Violence Policy Center, Louisiana ranks second in the nation for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says states with weak firearm laws and higher gun ownership consistently have higher gun death rates.
Cut 13 (12) “…of gun deaths.”
Mississippi ranks first for the highest gun death rate followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, Alabama, and Missouri.

An effort to oust U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson from Bossier Parish has failed. Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene called for the vote…
cut 17 (08) “…boo, boo, boo”
The motion failed 359 to 43. Johnson said afterward he hopes this puts an end to personality politics.

At the state capitol, a bill keeps moving along that ends the mandatory 20-minute meal break for working minors who work more than 5 hours….
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Dead last is what Louisiana is ranked for the second year in a row in US News and World Report’s 2024 Best States report. Managing Editor for Government Rankings Gary Emerling says the ranking is based on several categories that Louisiana does not perform well in…
Cut 4 (11) “…beneficiaries.”
There are some positives, Louisiana ranks 21st in healthcare access and K-through-12 education moved up to 40. It was at 46 in 2019.

The Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana second in the county for gun deaths….
cut 14 (11) “…was the Top 10
VPC’s Kristen Rand says based on 2022 data, 53-percent of the homes in Louisiana have firearms and the gun death rate is 28 per 100,000.

Louisiana ranked 50th in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 Best States, and here’s Sean Richardson to take a look at why.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The fate of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe remains to be seen since Steward Health Care declared bankruptcy. Brooke Thorington has more from State Representative Michael Echols.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Minors might be able to work long hours without having to take a mandatory 20-minute meal break as a result of legislation moving closer to final legislative passage. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Dead last is what Louisiana was ranked out of the 50 states for the second year in a row in US News and World Report’s 2024 Best States report. Managing Editor for Government Rankings Gary Emerling…

Cut 4 (11) “…beneficiaries.”

Some factors contributing to the poor ranking are Louisiana factories putting more than three-thousand pounds of industrial toxins per square mile compared to the national average of just over 900.  Nearly one-third of Louisiana roads are in poor condition and a high crime rate.

Cut 5 (08) “…juvenile incarceration.” 

But there were some positive takeaways from the ranking.  Pre-K through 12th grade has improved to 40th from 46th in 2019. He says more children under the age of five are also spending time in an education setting…

Cut 6 (03) “…pre-school enrollment for sure.”

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With the future of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe in peril, Representative Michael Echols says the Dallas-based owner, Steward Health Care, is solely to blame for the hospital declaring bankruptcy. He says the possible closure would have a huge impact on the community.

Cut 7 (11) “…Steward Health group.”

The company says they intend to sell by the end of June. But complicating the issue is that the building and land are owned by Medical Properties Trust. Echols says once the leaders at Steward are investigated…

Cut 8 (12) “…my perspective.” 

As for a prospective buyer, Echols says he’s been told the medical community has reached out to Ochsner, Willis-Knighton, and other regional medical facilities.

Cut 9 (12)  “…our patients.”

Glenwood has been cited repeatedly by the Louisiana Department of Health for putting patients in immediate jeopardy of harm. A statement from Steward Health Care said they do not expect interruptions in daily operations due to filing for bankruptcy.

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Legislation is moving closer to final passage that would end the requirement for employers to give minor workers at least a 20-minute meal break if they work five hours or more. Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder says the state should not hold back teen workers who want to put in the hours…

Cut 10 (10) “…wanna work.”

Wilder’s legislation has already passed the House and it received unanimous approval from the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday. Wilder says he’s been speaking with young workers about staying on the clock for long periods of time…

Cut 11 (09) “…of pay.”

Wilder also points out that kids in school go for a long period of time, especially if they are involved in extracurricular activities…

Cut 12 (12) “…in a school.” 

The bill heads to the full Senate for final passage.

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According to the Violence Policy Center in 2022, Louisiana ranked second in the nation for gun deaths. Kristen Rand with VPC says states with weak firearm laws and higher gun ownership consistently have higher gun death rates.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of gun deaths.”

Mississippi ranked first for the most gun death rates followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, Alabama, and Missouri.

VPC says the numbers for 2022 indicate 53-percent of homes in Louisiana have firearms and the gun death rate is 28 per 100,000. Rand says for the Bayou State, this is nothing new…

Cut 14 (11)  “…the top 10.”

While the number of firearm homicides in the country decreased by six-percent from 2021 to 2022, gun suicides increased by almost three-percent in 2022. Rand says studies show if you survive a suicide attempt, you’re less likely to try again and that means matter. Meaning if you use a more lethal method, which tends to be a firearm you’re more likely to complete suicide.

Cut 15 (06)  “…suicide rates”

Rhode Island had the lowest gun death rate of three persons per 100,000 and household gun ownership was almost 15-percent.

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Cut 16 (06)  “…more and more bizarre.”

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Cut 17 (17) “…we’re doing that”

Cut 18 (20)  “… we’re in the fight.”

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Cut 19 (14) “…do things.” 

Cut 20 (19) “….we practice.”

Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention passes in the full House after amendments to change the start date from May 20^th to August 1^st. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says the dates were altered over concerns that the process was hasty.

Cut 25 (07) “…be rushed.” 

While Beaullieu stressed the convention will be a refresh, not a rewrite of the constitution, Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan expressed hesitation.

Cut 26 (12)  “…not true.”

The bill which needed a two-thirds majority passed on a 75 to 27 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Students may be turning off their phones and tucking them away during the school day with legislation nearing final passage…

Cut 24 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

And a bill to repeal the requirement that employers give minors who work five or more hours at least a 20-minute meal break is nearing final passage. Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder says the state should not hold back teen who want to work.

Cut 10 (04) “…to work.”

LSU Football head coach, Brian Kelly said they are not interested in buying players after two top defensive players committed to other schools. Kelly made the comments to WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge. TigerRag Editor, Todd Horne, says Damonic Williams and Simeon Barrow ended up getting more lucrative NIL deals at other schools.

Cut 3 (11) “…defensive tackels.” 

Since the 2020 hurricane season a Lake Charles shelter for domestic and sexual violence victims hasn’t been able to house residents. Executive director of Oasis A Safe Haven, Kathy Manuel says on Monday they’ll reopen their doors to a completely renovated shelter.

Cut 9 (09) “…the shelter.” 

Manuel says survivors were either housed in hotels or placed in shelters elsewhere.

University Medical Center in New Orleans is launching a summer program to hire 100 Nursing Techs. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

In Shreveport 19-year-old Bobby Davis was arrested after allegedly waving a gun around and threatening people near Booker T. Washington High School. The incident happened around 6:40 last night. Davis is charged with aggravated assault.

University Medical Center in New Orleans is launching a summer program to hire 100 Nursing Techs. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

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A Lake Charles domestic and sexual violence shelter will reopen its doors Monday after a complete renovation from the 2020 hurricane season. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LSU Football head coach, Brian Kelly said they are not interested in buying players after two top defensive players committed to other schools. Kelly made the comments to WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge. TigerRag Editor, Todd Horne, says Damonic Williams and Simeon Barrow ended up getting more lucrative NIL deals at other schools..

Cut 3 (11) “…defensive tackels.” 

Williams committed to Oklahoma after two seasons at TCU. Barrow is headed to Miami after three seasons at Michigan State.
Kelly has said signing defensive tackles from the transfer portal is a priority this offseason, but so far they’ve missed out on big names. Kelly told WAFB-TV that they are not going to buy players, they have something else to sell…

Cut 4 (07) “…the fall.” 

When asked about what defensive tackle Damonic Williams out of TCU’s intentions were behind entering the transfer portal, Horne said it looks like its about one thing…money.

Cut 5 (10)  “…demanded 7 figures.” 

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University Medical Center in New Orleans is looking to hire 100 Nursing Techs this summer.  Spokesperson Rachel Nichols says this is a strategic move from UMC and  LCMC to build a stronger Healthcare workforce for nursing students.

Cut 6  (06) “…future of healthcare.” 

The program helps take nursing students in their junior and senior year and help mentor them in to a nursing staff position.
Nichols said this is a broad healthcare profession pipeline working together to invest in future of the healthcare workforce.

Cut 7 (05) “…throughout Louisiana.”  

Phase One starts May 20th with weekly hands-on training, a one-on-one mentorship program, and networking opportunities for the students available.

Cut 8 (03 ) “…University Medical Center.” 

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Since the 2020 hurricane season a Lake Charles shelter for domestic and sexual violence victims hasn’t been able to house residents. Executive director of Oasis A Safe Haven, Kathy Manuel (pronounced manual) says on Monday they’ll reopen their doors to a completely renovated shelter.

Cut 9 (09) “…the shelter.” 

Manuel says survivors were either housed in hotels or placed in shelters elsewhere, which presented a security risk.

Cut 10 (12) “…want to meet” 

Often victims are hesitant to seek shelter if they’ll be housed in another city. Manuel hopes now they’ll take that bold step towards recovery and seek shelter in their renovated facility.

Cut 11 (12) ” …a job.”

The shelter was gutted after the storms and now it has new floors, walls, and a new security system.

To find a shelter near you visit domesticshelters.org

https://oasisasafehaven.org/

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Cut 12 (15) “…in Louisiana” 

Cut 13 (14) “…stabbed her”

Cut  14 (12) “…offense.” 

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Cut 15 (12) “…the roadway.”