A proposed constitutional amendment to limit governors to two terms passed in the House Governmental Affairs Committee yesterday. Currently, governors can run for re-election after two terms after sitting out for four years. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham says former governors start with an unfair advantage. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd was one of two who voted against the bill.

Cut 8 (09) “…vote for him.”

A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threat of violence at school receives pushback from Democrats. Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter’s main problem with the bill is also the thousands of dollars in fines a parent could receive.

Cut 26 (10) “…to do this.”

Johnson says his legislation leaves it up to the discretion of the courts to decide if a parent should be fined.

It’s a big day for NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility in New Orleans as the rocket factory played a significant role in the construction of Artemis Two, which is headed to the moon. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

After three months of careful transition work, the Louisiana Department of Health has transitioned over a quarter of a million Medicaid recipients to new managed care organizations after they closed their contract with United Healthcare. The department opened a special enrollment period in January for recipients enrolled with United to allow them to choose their own MCO but only 36,000 selected a new plan. The transition is now complete, and officials say they used an algorithm that prioritized keeping family members on the same plan and in their current network.

An Alexandria Senior High School baseball player was killed in a hit and run incident Tuesday night, and a 16-year-old girl was seriously injured. The Alexandria Police Department says Collin Lacaze and a young girl, whose name has not been released, were standing on shoulder of Eddie Williams Avenue around 11 p.m. when a vehicle driving southbound struck them, then fled the scene. The two young victims were transported to a hospital. Anyone with information is asked to contact APD.

Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) faces up to five years in prison for participating in a kickback scheme. Federal prosecutors say the 78-year-old Montoucet used his position as secretary to steer a state contract to a company called D-G-L-1 in exchange for one-third of the profit. FBI special agent in charge, Jonathan Tapp:

Cut 26 (06) “…this great state.”

A proposed constitutional amendment limiting governors to two total terms takes its next step on its journey towards the ballot. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

NASA is launching a spaceship to the moon today. It’s the first crewed lunar mission since 1972 and NASA’s Michoud (Me Shoe) Assembly facility in New Orleans played a major role in the Artemis II mission. NASA spokesperson Craig Betbeze says Michoud worked in NASA’s space shuttle program then transitioned to the Artemis program…

Cut 5 (10) “…pickup trucks.”

NASA is launching its first spaceship to the moon today and NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility in New Orleans played a major role in the Artemis II mission. NASA spokesperson Craig Betbeze says both of Artemis II’s propellant tanks were built at the rocket factory in New Orleans east…

Cut 3 (12) “…into orbit”

The Artemis II crew has four astronauts and they will loop around the moon. It’s the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.

A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says of the four stress dimensions it looked at, Louisiana ranked in the top ten in all of them.

Cut 14 (09) “…safety-related stress.”

Lupo says Louisiana ranks as the most stressed state in large part because it has the highest poverty rate in the country and 16-percent of its residents haven’t seen a doctor in over a year due to the cost.

Former wildlife and fisheries secretary Jack Mountoucet of Lafayette Parish faces up to five years in prison after he pleaded guility for his involvement in a kickback scheme. Assistant US Attorney LaDonte Murphy says Montoucet worked with two other individuals to make sure a Lafayette businessman, known as Leonard Franques, received a state contract to conduct online hunting and boating courses…

Cut 10 (10) “..for that scheme”

Montoucet will be sentenced on June 30^th.

A seafood advocacy group says its audit of restaurants along the U.S. 190 corridor between Krotz Springs and Kinder, discovered that nine were serving imported shrimp, but telling customers the shrimp was domestically caught. SeaD consulting Co-Founder David Williams says at each stop, they explicitly asked about the origin of the shrimp.

Cut 11 (09) “…telling the truth.”

It is against the law for a restaurant or store to say they are selling domestic seafood, when in fact they are selling imported seafood.

Former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) pleads guilty for his role in a kickback scheme and faces up to five years in prison. Prosecutors say Montoucet used his position to ensure that Leonard Franques’ business received a contract to provide online hunting and boating courses. Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy says they stopped the scheme in its early stages.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in their government.”

A seafood advocacy group says a recent audit of 24 restaurants along the U.S. 190 corridor between Krotz Springs and Kinder found that half were selling imported shrimp. SeaD Consulting co-founder David Williams says that high number is very disappointing.

Cut 12 (11) “…not the case.”

Williams says of those 12, nine falsely claimed that the shrimp came from U.S. waters.

Legislation that increases penalties against minors for calling in fake bomb threats gets pushback, with Democrats concerned that parents could end up being fined up to five-thousand dollars. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We’re getting word that yet another inmate in the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center has died. The Department of Corrections identified the inmate as 50-year-old Paul Gathreaux. At this time, we don’t know the circumstances surrounding Gathreaux’s death. His death is the latest in a string of deaths at the correctional center, many of which are still under investigation.

Former Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) pleads guilty to one felony count related to a kickback scheme.  Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana’s the most stressed state in the country…at least according to a new Wallet Hub Study based on work, family, health and safety, and money stressors.  But Wallet Hub analyst Chip Lupo says our state does have something going for it when it comes to financial stress.

Cut 16 (10) “…comes to money.”

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A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school receives pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because the proposal could also result in the child’s parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars for a first offense. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s legislation would result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years for terrorizing a school.

Cut 5 (10) “…make a threat.”

Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter’s main problem with the bill is also the thousands of dollars in fines a parent could face.

Cut 6 (10) “…to do this.”

The House approved the bill on a 71-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country.  That’s according to a new study by WalletHub which looked at work, money, family, and health and safety related stress.  WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says the financial stress is due in part to the higher interest rates we pay compared to those in other states…because our median credit score ranks close to the very bottom.

Cut 15 (11) “…up is excellent.”

Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) faces up to five years in prison for participating in a kickback scheme. Federal prosecutors say the 78-year-old  used his position as secretary to steer a state contract to a company called D-G-L-1 in exchange for one-third of the profit. FBI special agent in charge, Jonathan Tapp:

Cut 8 (06) “…this great state.”

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Legislation that increases the penalties against minors for calling in fake bomb threats receives pushback. Jeff Palermo reports Democratic lawmakers are concerned the measure could also result in the child’s parents being fined up to five-thousand dollars.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The FBI yesterday announced arrests in relation to 5 drug busts across Louisiana, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of narcotics linked to Mexican cartels.  The operation uncovered more than 250 pounds of cocaine, 25 pounds of fentanyl and in one case, more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine was confiscated after two Mexican nationals were arrested on the interstate in Breaux Bridge while towing an ice cream machine.

A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school is getting pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because the it could also result in the child’s parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars.  New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was one of the first lawmakers to object.

Cut 4 (08) “…trying very hard.”

But Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says his legislation leaves it up to the discretion of the courts to decide if a parent should be fined. He says the overall goal is to make schools as safe as possible.

Cut 7 (10) “…this bill does.”

The House approved the bill on a 71-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.
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It seems that restaurants in Louisiana still have room for improvement when it comes to being honest about the origins of their shrimp. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says, Louisiana ranked in the top ten in all of four of the stress dimensions examined.

Cut 14 (09) “…safety-related stress.”

Legislation that increases the penalties against minors for calling in fake bomb threats receives pushback. Jeff Palermo reports Democratic lawmakers are concerned the measure could also result in the child’s parents being fined up to five-thousand dollars.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Former Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) has pleaded guilty to one felony count related to a kickback scheme involving two other people already serving time in federal prison. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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It seems that restaurants in Louisiana still have room for improvement when it comes to being honest about the origins of their shrimp. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school receives pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because the proposal could also result in the child’s parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars for a first offense. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was one of the first lawmakers to object.

Cut 4 (08) “…trying very hard.”

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s legislation would result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years for terrorizing a school. The court shall also order a child to undergo a mental examination and-or participate in the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program. Johnson’s bill also mandates that the Department of Education provides information to the parents and students about the consequences of terrorizing or menacing a school.

Cut 5 (10) “…make a threat.”

Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter’s main problem with the bill is also the thousands of dollars in fines a parent could receive.

Cut 6 (10) “…to do this.”

Johnson says his legislation leaves it up to the discretion of the courts to decide if a parent should be fined. He says the overall goal is to make schools as safe as possible.

Cut 7 (10) “…this bill does.”

The House approved the bill on a 71-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

________________________________________________________

Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) faces up to five years in prison for participating in a kickback scheme. Federal prosecutors say the 78-year-old Montoucet used his position as secretary to steer a state contract to a company called D-G-L-1 in exchange for one-third of the profit. FBI special agent in charge, Jonathan Tapp:

Cut 8 (06) “…this great state.”

Lafayette businessman Leonard Franques (fran-KEZ) and Dusty Guidry of Youngsville are already serving time in federal prison. Prosecutors say Guidry was the mastermind behind the scheme and it was Montoucet who made sure Franques’ business received a contract to provide online hunting and boating courses. Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy says they stopped the illegal scheme in its early stages.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in their government.”

Montoucet is also a former state representative and retired Lafayette fire chief. Governor John Bel Edwards appointed Montoucet as LDWF secretary in January 2017 and was set to retire in 2024 when he resigned abruptly in April 2023. Murphy says Montoucet was set to receive his portion of the kickback after he retired and the money was hidden in a secret fund.

Cut 10 (10) “…of that scheme.”

Montoucet pleaded guilty to one felony public corruption count. He will be sentenced June 30th.

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A seafood advocacy group says its audit of restaurants along the U.S. 190 corridor between Krotz Springs and Kinder shows that restaurants still have a long way to go when it comes to telling the truth about the origins of their seafood. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting ordered shrimp from 24 restaurants; and of those, it discovered that nine were serving imported shrimp despite being told that the shrimp was domestically caught. Co-Founder David Williams says at each stop, they explicitly asked about the origin of the shrimp.

Cut 11 (09) “…telling the truth.”

Three other restaurants were serving imported shrimp, but they had clearly indicated so. Williams says the high number of restaurants along the 190 corridor serving imported shrimp is very disappointing.

Cut 12 (11) “…not the case.”

Williams says along with supporting the local economy, there are specific reasons that diners specifically ask for domestically-caught shrimp.

Cut 13 (07)  “…more healthy alternative.”

Williams also notes that since imported shrimp is a lot cheaper than domestic shrimp, those who claim that their shrimp is domestic when it’s in fact imported are financially defrauding diners.

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A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says of the four stress dimensions it looked at, Louisiana ranked in the top ten in all of them.

Cut 14 (09) “…safety-related stress.”

Lupo says when it comes to financial stress, Louisianans tend to pay higher interest rates than those in other states. That’s because the state’s median credit score ranks close to the very bottom.

Cut 15 (11) “…up is excellent.”

Lupo says one thing that Louisiana does have going for itself is the fact that it doesn’t exactly cost an exorbitant amount of money to put a roof over one’s head.

Cut 16 (10) “…comes to money.”

WalletHub says the least stressed state in the country is South Dakota.

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Dr. Bryan Maggard, who serves as UL-Lafayette’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, has been appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. He will serve on the 13-person selection committee for the next three football seasons. Maggard, who’s one of three representatives from the Group of Six schools, says he hopes to be a voice for the G6, but only if they prove worthy of being in the conversation.

Cut 17 (09)  “…for the consideration.”

Maggard says serving on the college football playoff selection committee will help shine a spotlight on athletics in Lafayette.

Cut 18 (07)  “…certainly our university.”

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One of Lane Kiffin’s first moves as LSU football coach was retaining defensive coordinator Blake Baker on his staff. Kiffin praised Baker’s work over the past two years and says he wants the defense to reach a new level this season.

Cut 19 (17) “…used to be.”

Kiffin and his staff added nine wide receivers from the transfer portal this offseason. He says the move is aimed at providing the Tigers with quality depth, which will give the team the best chance to reach its full offensive potential this season.

Cut 20 (18) “…are out there.”

Under legislation that has advanced to the full House, inspection stickers would be out, and QR codes would be in. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the only information those QR codes would provide to law enforcement would be the VIN.

Cut 6 (10) “…instead of 10.”

Bagley says the QR code makes it easier for law enforcement to enter the vehicle’s VIN information into their system during a traffic stop.

A new Mississippi River bridge would not be the only roadway named after a living president under legislation being considered. A bill by Monroe Representative Pat Moore to designate a one-mile stretch of Louisiana Highway 15 as Barack Obama Road passed unanimously in the House Transportation Committee.

A bill requiring the OMV to add an image of a flying eagle to the driver’s license of a verified U.S. citizen is headed to the Senate after passing in the full House.

A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school receives pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because it could also result in parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars for a first offense. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was one of the first to object.

Cut 4 (10) “…trying very hard.”

Ultimately, the House approved Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill on a vote of 71-26. The proposed legislation would result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years for terrorizing a school. Johnson said the Department of Education would also be required to provide information to the parents and students about the consequences of terrorizing or menacing a school.

Cut 5 (10) “…make a threat.”