The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and a key deadline is right around the corner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The closed party U.S. Senate runoff elections aren’t until June 27th, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says there’s an important deadline Saturday.

Cut 3 (12) “…June 27th election.”

(Saturday is the deadline to register for the first time or to make changes to registration.) Those changes could potentially include party affiliation, which is the only way one could cast the opposite party’s ballot in the runoff than the one cast in the May 16th primary. Landry says otherwise, voters will cast the same party’s ballot on June 27th.

Cut 4 (10) “…party primary races.”

If no-party voters either cast a no-party ballot on May 16th or didn’t cast a ballot at all, they will still have the option on June 27th. And Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

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It’s free fishing weekend in Louisiana. This Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family.

Cut 6 (07) “…a fishing license.”

Just because you don’t have a license, though, doesn’t mean you don’t still have to follow the rules. Porter says you can find all the information you need before you cast on the LDWF website.

Cut 7 (09) “…still all apply.”

If you’re not sure where to go, LDWF has stocked ponds across the state that are freshly filled. Porter encourages new anglers and families to visit one of these sites for the best chance of bringing home something to fry.

Cut 8 (06) “…adult channel catfish.”

A full list of all 17 sites, as well as fishing tips and recipes, can be found on the LDWF website.

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The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says festivities have already started throughout the week, and the peach parade kicks off the weekend tonight at 6:00. The real spectacle, though, begins Saturday.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in downtown Ruston.”

The Peach Festival is one of the oldest agricultural festivals in the state, and Davis says Ruston has gotten pretty good at doing all things peach. She says if you can think of a food, they can find a way to put a peach in it.

Cut 10 (11) “…of peach dishes.”

This year’s peach fest was jeopardized after a mid-march freeze dropped lows to 22 degrees, killing a significant amount of local farmers’ peach crops. Davis says the vendors worked to bring in extra peaches from South Carolina to make sure there would be enough for the festivities.

Cut 11 (11) “…our local farmers.”

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The first bill Governor Landry has vetoed this year is Senate Bill 125 by Lafayette Democrat Gerald Boudreaux. It’s a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation to those who had been wrongfully incarcerated.

Cut 12 (11) “…to 600-thousand.”

Senator Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated, among other things, that the bill fails to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse, especially in light of rising costs and fewer dollars for the state to work with. Boudreaux says while he accepts the governor’s explanation and the bill’s fate, he’s nonetheless disappointed.

Cut 14 (12) “…were wrongly convicted.”

The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and a key deadline is right around the corner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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LDWF Biologist Joshua Porter says this weekend is Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana

Cut 6 (08) “…fishing license.”

The first bill Governor Landry has vetoed this year is Senate Bill 125 by Lafayette Democrat Gerald Boudreaux. It’s a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation to those who had been wrongfully incarcerated.

Cut 12 (11) “…to 600-thousand.”

The 76^th Louisiana Peach Festival is tomorrow in downtown Ruston. This year’s peach fest was jeopardized by a mid-march freeze that dropped lows to 22 degrees, killing a significant amount of local farmers’ peach crop. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says farmers worked to bring in extra peaches from South Carolina to make sure there would be enough for the festivities.

Cut 11 (13) “…local farmers.”

The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry has some important information for you. She reminds no-party voters that whichever party’s ballot they cast in the May 16th primary will be the one they will cast in the runoff.

Cut 4 (10) “…party primary races.” 

Those wishing to cast the other party’s ballot will need to register with that party, but the deadline to change party affiliation is tomorrow.

The Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston.  The Peach Festival is one of the oldest agricultural festivals in the state, and Experience Ruston President Tori  Davis says Ruston has gotten pretty good at doing all things peach. She says if you can think of a food, they can find a way to put a peach in it.

Cut 10 (11) “…peach dishes.” 

The New World screwworm has been found in Texas, so what does that mean? Jeff Palermo has the story.

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We’re getting word of another inmate who died in custody. This time, it’s an inmate in Morgan City. Police there say 43-year-old Hilton Hebert the Third suffered a medical emergency while in custody back on May 30th. Hebert’s death is in addition to two inmates who died at the state penitentiary in Angola within days of one another.

The closed party U.S. Senate runoff elections aren’t until June 27th, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says there’s an important deadline tomorrow.

Cut 3 (12) “…June 27th election.”

Those changes could potentially include party affiliation, which is the only way one could cast the opposite party’s ballot in the runoff than the one cast in the May 16th primary.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith is arrested for allegedly attacking a man at a Madisonville restaurant without provocation. Police say Smith had been drinking, and Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says Smith’s conduct would corroborate that.

Cut 23 (07) “…least three terms.”

Smith issued an apology in a statement, saying he will address his actions through the legal process.

A bill known as the “Streets to Success Act” is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation attempts to address homelessness in the state, but Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark. It establishes a new crime of unauthorized public camping.

Cut 7 (09) “…fined 500 dollars.”

The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says festivities have already started throughout the week, and the peach parade kicks off the weekend tonight at 6:00. The real spectacle, though, begins tomorrow.

Cut 9 (13)  “…downtown Ruston.”

The manhunt continues after an innocent woman is shot to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump, and two people jumped out with AR-style pistols.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.” 

Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was not the intended target of a targeted shooting.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith is arrested for allegedly attacking a man at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. The victim is 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon, who’s been one of Smith’s harshest critics. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says that’s no excuse, however – and getting out of this will be very hard for Smith to do.

Cut 5 (12) “…of what occurred.”

While Governor Landry continues to consider whether to sign the “Streets to Success Act,” advocates for the homeless are speaking out against it. Along with making public camping a misdemeanor, it provides court-supervised programs to connect them to housing, treatment and job services. Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says it’s an empty solution.

Cut 8 (08) “…it will provide.”

The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 60 years. It’s a flesh-easting parasite that can kill animals including livestock. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deadly bug was found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of the Mexican border. Strain says its discovery in the United States has already led to an increase in beef prices.

Cut 10 (08) “…affordability of beef.”

The “Streets to Success Act” would make camping on public property a crime punishable by six months of jail time and a 500-dollar fine. Kace Kieschnick reports.

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For the first time in nearly 60 years, a flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm has been found in the U-s, just 30 miles north of Mexico.  But Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says they can be eradicated using male sterile flies mate with female screwworms and no offspring is produced.

Cut 12 (05) “…having viable reproduction.”

Strain says the New World screwworm is a low risk to humans.

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The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is facing charges this morning in connection with an attack on one of his vocal critics at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. Smith was arrested, his bond set at ten-thousand dollars. Metropolitin Crime Commission President Rafale Goyeneche says Smith will remain on the job until either his term expires or he’s proven guilty in a court of law, whichever comes first.

Cut 6 (10) “…for a felony.”

Meanwhile in Hammond the search for two masked gunman who fired 70-80 shots into a vehicle at a gas station, killing an innocent woman, continues this morning.  Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. says 50-year-old Patricia Sheppart was killed by mistake in what was a targeted attack.
Cut 15 (09) “…a targeted incident.”

Bergeron says the vehicle the shooters were in was carjacked in Macomb, Mississippi, Tuesday night.

One man who took an oath to serve and protect is accused of doing the exact opposite. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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A manhunt is underway for at two masked suspects who fired 70 to 80 shots into another  vehicle at  a Hammond gas station yesterday morning, killing an innocent woman.  Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. believes it was a targeted shooting, but 50 year old Patricia Sheppart was not the target…

Cut 14 (07) “…involved in it.”

A bill known as the “Streets to Success Act” is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. The legislation attempts to address homelessness in the state, by making unauthorized public camping a crime. Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark,  as it implies there are people who would refuse assistance if not for the threat of jail time.

Cut 9 (11)  “…low-income people.”

The New World screwworm has been found in the United States for the first time in nearly 6 decaates. The flesh-easting parasite had been eradicated from the United States since 1960s, but was recently found in a calf in Texas, 30 miles north of Mexican border. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the good news is  they can stop the spread by unleashing sterile flies.

Cut 11 (11) “…and other protein.”

A manhunt is underway for at least two people who shot an innocent woman to death inside a vehicle at a Hammond gas station early yesterday morning. Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said while one car was at a gas pump, another car pulled up to an adjacent pump.

Cut 13 (08)  “…into this car.”

Those shots killed 50-year-old Patricia Sheppard, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is facing charges this morning, including second-degree battery. Investigators say while in the bar area at Keith Young’s Steakhouse in Madisonville late last month, Sheriff Randy Smith went up to 59-year-old Bobby Couvillon and, without provocation, attacked him. Couvillon told police Smith reeked of alcohol, and Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says Smith’s conduct would corroborate that.

Cut 4 (07) “…least three terms.”

Sheriff Smith has released a statement, in which he apologized to his family, the diners and staff at the restaurant and the people of St. Tammany Parish.

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The New World screwworm has been found in Texas, so what does that mean? Jeff Palermo has the story.

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A bill that establishes a new crime of unauthorized public camping is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature.  The legislation known as the “Streets to Success” bill is an attempt to address homelessness in the state, but Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness Coordinator Joe Heeren-Mueller says the bill misses the mark.

Cut 7 (09) “…fined 500 dollars.”

Other states that have passed similar legislation have seen homelessness rates increase.