Seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail early Friday morning remain on the loose. The reward for information leading to the capture of any one of the seven is now up to 20-thousand dollars – ten-thousand from the FBI and five-thousand each from ATF and CrimeStoppers. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says they have intelligence on the seven escapees, but they are elusive.

Cut 4 (07) “…more challenging.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is appealing a ruling that effectively throws her off the Antoinette Frank case. Frank is the former New Orleans police officer sentenced to death for killing her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ ruling that says her office cannot assist the D-A’s office in this case.

Cut 13 (12)  “…think is wrong.”

John Foster played his first gig last October; and in just seven short months, the 18-year-old Addis native won the hearts of everyone in Louisiana and all across the country. Foster made it all the way to the final two of American Idol, before finishing second behind Jamal Roberts. There was a watch party at the Walk-On’s in Brusly, and people there said no matter the final outcome, Foster is a winner in their books.

Cut 11 (11) “…really good also.”

It’s National Safe Boating Week. Lieutenant Garrett Kimble, the boating education coordinator with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says between 2020 and 2024, there were 96 boating fatalities – 78 of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.

Cut 7 (06) “…wear it.”

Seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday remain on the loose. Governor Jeff Landry is not happy about what he says is the largest jail break in the state’s history. Landry says there is no excuse for what happened…

Cut 5 (09) “…Attorney General”

Landry is also calling for an audit of the Orleans Parish Jail, which the Louisiana Department of Corrections will conduct.

A New Orleans judge has ruled that Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill cannot assist the Orleans District Attorney as that office seeks to carry out the death sentence for former New Orleans police officer Antoinette Frank…

Cut 15 (09) “…in and assist”

Criminal District Judge Kimya Holmes said in her ruling that no provision in the law and Louisiana Constitution allows for the A-G’s participation. Frank is still fighting her conviction and the next hearing in her post-conviction process is in December.

He may have come up short in his quest to be the next American Idol, but people in his hometown are still proud of their local hero. Andrew Greenstein has more from an American Idol watch party in Brusly last night.

Cut 10 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU remains the number one ranked team in the Baseball America and D1 Baseball Top 25 rankings. The Tigers are 42-13 overall and they are the three seed in this week’s SEC Tournament and will play on Friday night in Hoover, Alabama.

As the search continues for seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday, Governor Jeff Landry has ordered an audit on the jail that will be conducted by the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Landry also wants the state’s Inspector General to get an inventory of the inmates in the Orleans Parish jail who have been convicted of crimes, but are still awaiting sentencing. He says one of the escapees has been awaiting sentencing for eight months…

Cut 6 (14) “…to escape.”

Orleans Sheriff Susan Hutson says defective locks, a breached wall, and possible assistance from the inside led to what is believed to be the largest jail break in the state’s history.

Not the result everyone in West Baton Rouge Parish wanted last night, but 18-year-old John Foster of Addis  won the hearts of everyone in Louisiana and across the country. Foster made it all the way to the final two of American Idol, before finishing second behind Jamal Roberts of Mississippi. There was a watch party at the Walk-On’s in Brusly, and people there said no matter the final outcome, Foster is a winner in their books.

Cut 11 (11) “…really good also.”

A New Orleans Judge has ruled that Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and the private attorneys her office has hired can not assist the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office in an effort to carry out the death sentence against former New Orleans Police officer Antoinette Frank, who killed her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ judgement that this is neither a criminal nor a civil proceeding…

cut 14 (11) “…a civil proceeding”

He may have come up just short in his quest to be the next American Idol, but people in his hometown are still proud of their local hero. Andrew Greenstein has more from an American Idol watch party in Brusly last night.

Cut 10 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Education has announced its students of the year for 2025, Mary Thornton from Caddo Parish, Rylann Viator from Erath Middle School, and Neal Tandon from Haynes Academy in Jefferson Parish.

Seven of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail on Friday remain on the run. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says they are urging the public to provide tips. The reward money for information leading to their capture has increased to 20-thousand dollars per fugitive. Hodges says they have good intelligence, but…

Cut 4 (07) “…more challenging.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is planning to appeal a decision by a New Orleans judge that effectively throws her off the Antoinette Frank case. She’s the former New Orleans police officer who was sentenced to death for killing her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Frank is seeking post-conviction relief as she fights her death sentence. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ ruling that says her office cannot assist the district attorney’s office in this case.

`Cut 13 (12)  “…think is wrong.”

The search continues for the seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says multiple agencies are involved in the manhunt

Cut 3 (10) “…bring them to justice.”

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office says several factors led to Friday’s jailbreak. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana’s John Foster finished second in American Idol as Jamal Roberts of Meridian, Mississippi won the singing competition. Foster is from Addis and at a watch party in Brusly, the crowd gathered there felt Foster won when he sang his own song “Tell That Angel I Love Her” in memory of his friends Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, who were killed in a crash New Year’s Eve 2022. People at the watch party say Foster hit it out of the park…

cut 12 (07) “…to win it”

It’s National Safe Boating Week and Louisiana Department of Wildlife’s Boating Education Coordinator Lieutenant Garrett Kimble says this week serves as a time to emphasize safe boating practices in the lead up to Louisiana’s busy boating season…

Cut 9 (11) “…wear your lifejackets”

Between 2020 and 2024 there were 96 boating fatalities and 78 of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office says several factors led to Friday’s jailbreak in which ten inmates escaped. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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It’s National Safe Boating Week as Louisiana’s boating season ramps up ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The search continues for the seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday. State Police Colonel Robert Hodges says multiple agencies are involved in the manhunt.

Cut 3 (10) “…bring them to justice.”

Hodges says they are urging the public to provide tips in helping them locate the escaped inmates. The FBI has increased its reward from five thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars for information leading to the capture of these fugitives. Hodges says they have intelligence on the seven escapees, but they are elusive.

Cut 4 (07) “…more challenging.”

Hodges says anyone caught helping these fugitives stay on the run will be charged criminally.

Governor Jeff Landry says there is no excuse for what happened. He wants to know why the escape happened.

Cut 5 (09) “…Attorney General.”

Landry is also calling for an audit of the Orleans Parish Jail, which the Louisiana Department of Corrections will conduct. The governor says the audit should be completed by the end of the week. Landry also wants the state’s Inspector General to get an inventory of the inmates in the Orleans Parish jail who have been convicted of crimes, but are still awaiting sentencing. He says one of the escapees has been awaiting sentencing for eight months.

Cut 6 (14) “…to escape.”

Orleans Sheriff Susan Hutson says defective locks, a breached wall, and possible assistance from the inside led to what is believed to be the largest jail break in the state’s history.

The inmates escaped at about one Friday morning, and jail staff didn’t notice that they were gone until 8:30 that morning when they were unaccounted for during a routine check. At least 90 minutes later, the public and the media were notified.

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It’s National Safe Boating Week, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division is using this time to remind all boaters about the importance of being safe, responsible, and knowledgeable while on the water. LDWF’s Boating Education Coordinator Lieutenant Garrett Kimble says between 2020 and 2024 there were 96 boating fatalities and 78 of the victims were not wearing a life jacket…

Cut 7 (06) “…wear it.”

Each vessel should have enough PFDs on board for all occupants. LDWF regulations also state that anyone 16 years of age and younger must wear a PFD while underway in vessels less than 26-foot long

LDWF also wants to remind anybody born after Jan. 1, 1984 that they are required to complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) boating education course to operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower. Kimble says boating classes are free of charge statewide…

Cut 8 (13) “…navigation rules.”

Kimble says Boating Safety Week serves as a time to emphasize safe boating practices in the lead up to Louisiana’s busy boating season…

Cut 9 (11)  “…wear your lifejackets.

Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of boating crash incidents and fatalities on the water.

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He may have come up just short in his quest to be the next American Idol, but people in his hometown are still proud of their local hero. Andrew Greenstein is in Brusly, where there was an American Idol watch party last night.

Cut 10 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

John Foster played his first gig last October; and in just seven short months, the 18-year-old Addis native won the hearts of everyone in Louisiana and all across the country. Foster made it all the way to the final two of American Idol, before finishing second behind Jamal Roberts. There was a watch party at the Walk-On’s in Brusly, and people there said no matter the final outcome, Foster is a winner in their books.

Cut 11 (11) “…really good also.”

Foster performed “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and his original “Tell That Angel That I Love Her,” in memory of his friends Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, who were killed in a crash New Year’s Eve 2022. Foster could not get through when performing it during his visit to his hometown last week, as he was too overcome with emotion. People at the watch party say Foster hit it out of the park.

Cut 12 (07) “…to win it.”

______________________________________________________

Attorney General Liz Murrill is planning to appeal a decision by a New Orleans judge that effectively throws her off the Antoinette Frank case. She’s the former New Orleans police officer who was sentenced to death for killing her partner and two restaurant owners in a robbery in 1995. Frank is seeking post-conviction relief as she fights her death sentence. Murrill disagrees with Judge Kimya Holmes’ ruling that says her office cannot assist the district attorney’s office in this case.

Cut 13 (12)  “…think is wrong.”

Murrill says she especially disagrees with Holmes’ judgment that this is neither a criminal nor a civil proceeding.

Cut 14 (11) “…a civil proceeding.”

Murrill says whether the post-conviction proceedings are criminal or civil matters is irrelevant.

Cut 15 (09) “…in and assist.”

Judge Holmes also set future dates in the case, and Murrill is appealing that decision as well.

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They are celebrating in Stonewall as North DeSoto won its second state championship in baseball on Saturday with a seven to four win over top-seeded Brusly. Sophomore Preston Eaves got the win on the mound as he threw four innings and survived a late rally by the Panthers in the seventh inning…

Cut 16 (16) “…got it done.”  (Sound courtesy of the LHSAA Network)

Catholic High and Teurlings Catholic won back-to-back titles. The Bears swept Brother Martin in their best of three series and the Rabels beat E-D White 14-3 on Saturday to win their 10th state championship. Head coach Brooks Badeaux…

Cut 17 (17)  “…a credit to these guys”

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The LSU baseball team is the number three seed in the SEC Tournament after taking two of three from South Carolina. Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson were the winning pitchers in the series for the Tigers. Jacob Rudner covers college baseball for Baseball America and Rudner says Anderson and Eyanson are a big reason why LSU is a contender to win it all…

Cut 18 (23)  “…that’s rare.”

In LSU’s seven to three win on Saturday, Derek Curiel had three hits and drove in a run. Rudner says Curiel is living up to the hype as one of the top freshmen in the country…

Cut 19 (20) “…for LSU”

LSU’s next game is Friday night in the SEC Tournament. The Tigers will play either Texas A&M, Mississippi State, or Auburn. Rudner says because this year’s tournament is single elimination, it’s hard to pick a winner…

Cut 20 (20) “…some intrigue.”

As of Saturday morning, the search for seven of the ten escaped inmates from the Orleans Justice Center continues. Early Saturday morning, the three recaptured fugitives were transported out of the city by State Police helicopter to a secure state correctional facility. Troopers report that one inmate required the use of a spit hood after displaying hostile behavior. Sheriff Susan Hutson says the ten inmates went through a hole behind a toilet inside a jail cell. It happened around 1:30 am Friday morning and later video footage was found…

Cut 13 (09)  “…Interstate shortly thereafter.”

The search for the seven remaining fugitives remains active with numerous local, state, and federal agencies working around the clock. Tips to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans and FBI – New Orleans have played a key role in locating the escaped inmates. Authorities remind the public that fugitives are dangerous and encourage the public to continue to share any information, no matter how small it may seem. Reach Crimestoppers at 504-822-111 and the FBI at 1-800-call-FBI

Cut 15 (05) “…approach these subjects.”

A recent poll shows over 70% of Louisianans believe prescription drug prices, insurance premiums, and co-pays are too high. The poll was commissioned by Save Our Benefits and conducted by JMC Analytics. JMC founder John Couvillon says the two-thirds of people polled would not be willing to pay more for prescription drugs, even if it would support local pharmacies.

Cut 7 (10) “…over everything else.”

Construction of north Louisiana’s first Buc-ee’s is progressing, with the 74-thousand-square-foot travel center set to feature 120 gas pumps. Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says it involves eight-million dollars in infrastructure improvements.

Cut 3 (08) “…finished with that.”

Walker estimates completion by late 2026, delayed by roadwork expanding bridges to five lanes to handle 15-thousand daily vehicles.

Three of the ten escaped inmates from the Orleans Justice Center have been recaptured as of Saturday Morning and multiple agencies are searching for the remaining fugitives that authorities warn are dangerous. The inmates escaped through a hole behind a toilet and Deputy Chief of Corrections Jay Mallett says based on the design of the toilets, the inmates had to have had accomplices from outside the jail facility.

Cut 14 (09) “…from the inside.”

The inmates escaped around 1:30 AM Friday and weren’t discovered missing until a routine headcount at 8:30 AM. Hours passed before the public was warned. Blame and finger pointing has begun from city and parish officials. Sheriff Susan Hudson says she has continuously raised concerns about infrastructure and blames defective locks. There were reportedly no deputies at the pod where the escapees were being held at the time of the escape – only a technician and a civilian to observe. Three employees have been placed on suspension.

As lawmakers consider a small handful of bills that would in effect increase the cost of healthcare, a new poll indicates that people believe the cost is already too high. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

“The Gardener of Alcatraz” and “Camp Scare” are among the books chosen for the Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards for the 2024-25 school year. State Librarian Meg Placke (“plack-ee”) says more than 24-thousand K-through-12 students read more than 82-thousand books. That marked a surge in participation, especially among 6th through 8th graders, with an 88-percent voting increase.

Cut 9 (08)  “…difficult to do.”