The increase in Louisiana food stamp benefits from the pandemic has ended and many are struggling to make up for the reductions…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

A long-time popular food staple at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is going away. Many visitors to Jazz fest make it a point to get the yummy crawfish bread, but John Ed Laborde, who created the dish says he’s retiring and won’t be at the festival this year. It’s the first time since 1987 there’s been no crawfish bread at Jazz Fest.

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. He says the state’s elections system has been “tarnished by years of mismanagement and controversy”…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…it’s a broken system”

Trosclair will challenge Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s bid for re-election. Also in the race, District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis.

An eleven-year-old boy was killed last night in Baton Rouge while sitting in a car and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody. BRPD Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says the teen had a personal beef with another person in the car with the victim…:

CUT 13(08)      “…he was.”

The teen is charged with First Degree Murder, four counts of First Degree Attempted Murder, False Imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon, and Illegal discharge of a Firearm.

Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February as SNAP benefits have returned to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says the reduction comes at a difficult time.
Cut 3 (03) “…time high.”
More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says they have a 17-year-old in custody after fatally shooting an 11-year-old who was inside a vehicle with other family members. Sergeant L-Jean McKneely says officers tracked down the suspect, who was also shot, less than a mile from where the shooting took place…
cut 14 (11) “:…of a firearm”
McKneely says the 17-year-old gunman had a beef with someone inside the vehicle and the 11-year-old was an innocent bystander.

A Jefferson Parish couple’s pet nutria is set to be relocated to the Baton Rouge Zoo because of illegal ownership. Teiko Foxx has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Crawfish Mobile App says crawfish prices are 22-percent lower this weekend than they were for St. Patrick’s Day in 2022. The average retail crawfish price dropped another ten cents per pound this week, so consumers can expect to pay on average $2.74 a pound for a sack of live crawfish and just above five-dollars a pound for boiled crawfish at their favorite seafood spot.

Eleven-year-old Matthew Fortenberry was killed last night while sitting in a car in North Baton Rouge last night and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody. BRPD Spokesperson Sargent L’Jean McNeely says the suspect approached the car on foot where the victim was inside with family members and held them at gunpoint.

Cut 12 (12) “…his injuries.” 

The suspect was charged with First Degree Murder, four counts of First Degree Attempted Murder, and False Imprisonment.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents are on the hunt to seize Neuty, a Jefferson Parish couple’s 22-pound pet nutria.  News stories began circulating Wednesday about the couple’s ownership of the rodent which they found on Christmas Eve of 2020. Pratt says when the status was made public – the department decided to move forward to confiscate the animal.

Cut 7 (11)  “…of it.” 

State law says it is illegal to own nutria.

District Four Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis enters the race for Louisiana Secretary of State. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

District 4 Public Service Commission member Mike Francis says he will run for Secretary of State this fall: challenging incumbent Kyle Ardoin. Francis tells LRN several local clerks of court – who handle elections on the local level who feel Ardoin doesn’t communicate with them. The Heritage Foundation currently ranks Louisiana’s election system #6 of 50 states for integrity. Francis says if elected, he’ll work to further improve that rating.

Cut 12 (11)  “…elections are done.”

But Ardoin says it’s nothing more than campaign rhetoric from his fellow Republican challenger.

Cut 13 (09) “…Heritage Foundation.” 

Also running for Secretary of State is Republican Brandon Trosclair, an Ascension Parish businessman.

LSU and the state’s largest ports announce a partnership that the university says will produce more cybersecurity grads and at the same time protect the states’ ports from cyber threats. LSU President William Tate says a vulnerable port can have major repercussions…

Cut 5 (12) “…United States’s economy.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents are searching for Neuty, a 22-pound nutria that a Jefferson Parish couple treated as a pet. When located Neuty will be moved to the Baton Rouge Zoo to become a part of an educational exhibit. LDWF Spokesperson Ed Pratt…

Cut 6 (04)  “…your home.” 

The couple has had the nutria since 2020 and after stories circulated about Neuty the department decided to confiscate the rodent, but Nuety is reportedly with the couple’s son on a joyride.

LSU and the state’s largest ports have formed an alliance to advance cyber talent and at the same time protect critical infrastructure. LSU President William Tate says the partnership allows students to receive training and research opportunities with six of the state’s largest ports.

Cut 4 (10)  “…in real-time.”
Students will also assist ports to find external funding to increase their security and engage in research that’s going to add value to the state.

Louisiana Economic Development launches an online resource portal that allows small business owners to connect with others. Stephanie Hartman with LED says LouisianaBizHub.com also has an events calendar.

Cut 15 (07)  “…time it is.”

That’s LouisianaBizHub.com.

The number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will double by the year 2050 according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Delhi Representative Francis Thompson has switched parties which now gives Republicans the supermajority in both chambers. After nearly 50 years of elective service as a Democrat, 81-year Thompson is now a member of the GOP. He was among the last of the blue-dog Democrats.

LSU Cybersecurity students and state ports have joined forces to protect critical infrastructure. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Local officials announced at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce that Amtrak will be running a new passenger rail service through Monroe within the next two years. It was also announced that within four years, there will be two round trips spanning from Mederian, Miss. To Dallas, Texas passing through Monroe, LA. Amtrak is actively applying for full funding and grants for this project.

Alzheimer’s Association released a new study that the number of Americans diagnosed with the disease will double to about 13 million around 2050. LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor, Dr. Owen Carmichael says there are new medications to help slow the numbers.

Cut 8 (09) “…first place.”

There are approximately 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s.

Public Service Commission member Mike Francis has added his name to the race for Secretary of State against incumbent Kyle Ardoin this fall. Francis tells LRN local clerks of court feel a lack of communication has created a disconnect.

Cut 10 (08)  “…for the most part.”

Ardoin says Francis is trying to create a rift where there isn’t a rift.

A sobering report came out from the Alzheimer’s Association this week as they expect the number of Alzheimer’s diagnoses to double to 13-million by 2050. LSU Pennington biomedical Research Center Professor, Doctor Owen Carmichael is hopeful new treatments will slow the effects, but older adults having cognitive problems should visit their doctor…
cut 9 (05) “…..you need”
The national cost for caring for people with dementia-related problems rose to $345 billion in 2023, which is up $24 billion from 2022.

Louisiana Economic Development launches an online resource portal that allows small business owners to connect with others like them and offers resources to help grow their businesses. Stephanie Hartman with LED says LouisianaBizHub.com offers a searchable-friendly database to find specific resources.
Cut 14 (11) “…at that time.”
Another valuable feature of the Louisiana Business Hub is the calendar of events.

LSU and Louisiana’s largest ports have announced an agreement that will provide opportunities for students and faculty to work with ports to solve ongoing and emerging cyber security challenges. LSU President William Tate says the school wants to have a role in protecting critical infrastructure…
cut 6 (10) “….the ports”
LSU’s Cybersecurity Program has the National Security Agency designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations.

The Ragin Cajuns came up short in their upset bid of Tennessee in last night’s NCAA Tournament game, losing 58-55. This afternoon in the PMAC, the Lady Tigers host Hawaii in a first round NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament game. LSU Coach Kim Mulkey says Hawaii was also in the Big Dance last year, so they have experience…
cut 22 (08) “…open shot”
Tip off is at 4:30.

LSU and the state’s largest ports announce a partnership that the university says will produce more cybersecurity grads and at the same time protect the states’ ports from cyber threats. LSU President William Tate says a vulnerable port can have major repercussions…
cut 5 (12) “…..United States’ economy”
Tate says the partnership enables LSU and the ports to engage new federal and industry research partners in defense, homeland security and intelligence.

The Alzheimer’s Association says the number of Americans who will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will reach 13-million by 2050. LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael says advances in health care is one reason why…
Cut 7 (09) “…Alzheimer’s disease.”
Carmichael is optimistic about new treatments coming on line that can slow the effects of Alzheimer’s.

District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis was just re-elected to another six-year term on the P-S-C, but now he’s running for Secretary of State. Francis says he’s been encouraged to run by clerks of court who say their concerns and ideas are not being heard by Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin. Ardoin says that’s just campaign rhetoric…
cut 11 (07) “….there isn’t a rift”
The Heritage Foundation currently ranks Louisiana’s election system sixth out of 50 states for integrity. Francis – who has been a PSC member since 2016 – says if elected Secretary, he’ll listen to everyone and work to further improve that ranking..:
Cut 12 (11) “…elections are done.”
Also running, south Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair who pledges to restore public trust in Louisiana’s elections.