Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet has submitted his resignation as it has become public he’s involved in a bribery scandal. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is not a good look for the Edwards administration…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…to bribery.”

Federal documents show Montoucet’s signature is on a contract tied to a kickback scheme under federal investigation.

This weekend in Tangipahoa Parish, the 51^st annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Emily Matisse, with Tangipahoa Tourism, says they anticipate good crowds, despite a threat of some rain Saturday…:

CUT 07  (12)        “…Strawberry Festival.”

Visit “lastrawberryfestival.com” to see a lineup of events and music.

A rapidly spreading fungus, that can be fatal to some, has the medical community concerned. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Thorington.”

The LSU Lady Tigers gymnastics team has made it to the NCAA Final Four, after a narrow victory over Florida Thursday. The National Championship is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Check your local listings.

The French Quarter Festival is underway in New Orleans. More than 20 stages will have live music through the weekend, and there are great food vendors everywhere you look.

A fungus by the name of Candida Auris is rapidly spreading at an alarming rate. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez says it’s also highly resistant to treatment He says it usually infects individuals who are in and out of the hospital, in long-term acute care, and those who use feeding or breathing tubes. He says the mortality rate is between 30 to 60 percent.

Cut 4 (06)  “     to prevent it.” 

Boudin is one of Louisiana’s best little rice-and-meat-stuffed concoctions and there’s no better place to get it than Scott – the Boudin Capital of the World and home to the Boudin Festival that runs this weekend. Ms. Scott – Boudin Festival 2023 Emily Chaisson says the festival provides an economic boost for the industry.

Cut 8 (13)  “…can’t wait.” 

The latest survey of Louisiana small business owners shows optimism for the near future continues to slide. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

AM Cut 26 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

A fungus by the name of Candida Auris (Canada Oar-us) is spreading at an alarming rate, and it’s one with a high mortality rate. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez says treatment is difficult.

Cut 3 (10) “…treat infections.”

A mortality of 30 to 60 percent is among those who are in and out of the hospital with co-morbidities. There are 50 known cases in Louisiana.

Suicide rates in the U.S. saw the largest one-year increase in 2021, that’s after two previous years of decline. According to the CDC, the suicide rate increased by four percent to 14 deaths per 100,000. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says men are four times more likely than women to commit suicide.

Cut 7 (09) “…their own.”

If you need help you can call 988 for assistance.

NFIB state director, Dawn McVea, says optimism among small business owners continues to slide as a result of labor shortages and inflation. McVea says many owners need to raise prices on their products, but they are reluctant to do so…

Cut 11 (07)  “…prices any longer.”

McVea says debt service on loans is also a big concern for small businesses, as lending rates continue to rise.

It’s going to be a berry good time at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival that kicks off this weekend. The festival returns as state farmers are rebounding from an unusual crop this season. For the 51^th Anniversary, Director of Sales at Tangipahoa Tourism Emily Matise says there will be tons of berries to be bought and a great time for everyone.

Cut 6 (09)  “…at 9:30.” 

It’s one of the state’s larges free events.

Optimism among Louisiana’s small businesses continued to slide in the 1st Quarter of the year. The National Federation of Independent Business maintains a Small Business Optimism Index, which shows a 15th straight month of decline. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inflation, labor shortages and a post-pandemic lack of customers are the main reasons why…
Cut 10 (12) “…about the future.”
43-percent of owners reported job openings were hard to fill.

It’s been difficult year for strawberry farmers, who have battled too much rain at times and a fungus that infected one particular berry plant. Livingston Parish Strawberry producer Rhonda Poche says inflation has also been a problem, but she loves what she does…
cut 6 (05) “…labor of love”

Fewer students are receiving the TOPS scholarship. That’s according to Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed, who says eight-thousand TOP eligible students last year did not continue their education after high school and another 14-percent of eligible students, enrolled out of state. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Executive Director Sujuan Bouttee says other states are luring TOPS students…
cut 15 (12) “….costs lower”

New federal data shows suicide rates increased four-percent in 2021 after two years in decline. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Doctor Rahn Bailey reminds those in need there’s a new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 9-8-8…
cut 9 (04) “…best advice”
The federal data also shows the suicide rate for men is four times that of women.

An in-ground fungal disease and unusual season have forced many Louisiana strawberry farmers to close early but they are expecting an increase in sales at this weekend’s Ponchatoula’s Strawberry Festival. Livingston Parish strawberry farmer Rhonda Poche says a fungus destroyed one berry plant but their crop was limited.

Cut 4 (10)  “…sold out.”

This weekend is Pontchatoula’s Strawberry Festival and Poche hopeful people will buy locally grown berries and show support.

Labor shortages and post-pandemic lack of customers have Louisiana’s small businesses feeling less optimistic after a continued to slide in the 1^st Quarter. The National Federation of Independent Business state director Dawn McVea says 15 percent of owners plan to create new jobs within the next three months and there’s hope for recovery.

Cut 12 (09)  “…comes back around.”

McVea says debt service on loans is also a big concern for small businesses, as lending rates continue to rise.

Suicide rates in the U.S. saw a spike in 2001, that’s after two previous years of decline according to the CDC. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says men are four times more likely than women to commit suicide and we need to end the stigma of mental illness.

Cut 8 (08) “…become worse.”

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, half of all suicides involve a gun.

Colorado State University is predicting a slightly below-average 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. A slightly below-average hurricane season prediction is welcome news, but research assistant Tyler Barbero says always have a hurricane plan in place.

Cut 17 (09) ‘…prepare always.”

NOAA will release its hurricane forecast next month.

Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed is concerned with a decline in the number of high school graduates accepting the TOPS scholars to attend an in-state four year school. Reed says there is a large of number of students who are eligible for TOPS, but not continuing their education….
cut 14 (12) “…go anywhere”
Reed says they are trying to determine if those eight-thousand students entered the workforce right out of high school.

Suicide rates in the U.S. saw the largest one-year increase in 2021, that’s after two previous years of decline. According to the CDC, the suicide rate increased by four percent to 14 deaths per 100,000. And LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says men are four times more likely than women to commit suicide.
Cut 7 (09) “…their own.”
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8.

The latest survey of small business owners shows optimism for the near future continues to slide.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

This weekend is the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Strawberry farmer Rhonda Poche says it’s been a challenging year with too much rain at times and her farm also battled a fungal disease…
cut 5 (08) “…of them”

Court documents show Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet was involved in a kickback scheme that’s resulted in the conviction of Dusty Guidry of Youngsville on three federal charges. Records from the U-S Attorney’s office indicates Montoucet signed a contract for a program set up by Guidry, where people ticketed for minor violations can take educational courses for hunting and boating licenses through a private company and the violations would be dismissed. Montoucet has not commented on this matter.

Optimism among Louisiana’s small businesses continued to slide in the 1st Quarter of the year. The National Federation of Independent Business maintains a Small Business Optimism Index, which shows a 15th straight month of decline. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inflation, labor shortages and a post-pandemic lack of customers are the main reasons why…
Cut 10 (12) “…about the future.”

This weekend is the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Teiko Foxx reports it’s been a tough year for strawberry producers…
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

New federal data shows suicide rates increased four-percent in 2021 after two years in decline. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Doctor Rahn Bailey reminds those in need there’s a new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 9-8-8…
cut 9 (04) “…best advice”

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells the House Appropriations Committee the state is seeing fewer students obtaining the state funded TOPS scholarship. Reed says it’s a concern….
cut 13 (13) “…as well”
Reed says based on last year’s number 14-percent of TOPS eligible students went to school out of state and another 15-percent, eight-thousand TOPS eligible students, did not go anywhere. She says they would like to know what those high school grads are doing now.

The state director of the NFIB, Dawn McVea, says optimism among small business owners continues to slide as a result of labor shortages and inflation. McVea says many owners need to raise prices on their products, but they are reluctant to do so…
cut 11 (07) “…..prices any longer”

Suicide rates in 2021, increased by four percent from the previous year in the U.S. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”