A state representative says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. State Representative Mike Johnson, who chairs the Pine Beetle Subcommittee, has led efforts to address the crisis and secure funding to help private citizens pay for tree removal.

Cut 4 (10) “…after a storm.”

Johnson says it’s not a matter of if, but when, those trees will topple.

Southeastern Louisiana University’s Spring semester marked historic enrollment growth, achieving its highest overall spring enrollment in 100 years. The university saw an increase of over seven-percent, reaching nearly 15-thousand students, with growth in nearly all categories.  University President Dr. William Wainwright says one is  preparatory enrollment which rose by nearly 19-percent.

Cut 9 (11)  “…incoming freshman class.”

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead. A ping of Jorlany Osario Beitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, and they found her vehicle burned out. They also found 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles of Lawtell walking in that area. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Arguelles eventually admitted to killing her, and deputies arrested him.

Cut 7 (07) “…what we gather.”

State Representative Mike Johnson from Pineville says more than 12 million malnourished trees from the 2023 drought that have become infested with pine beetles need to be taken down. Johnson says Cleco and the Louisiana Department of Transportation have started the process by removing dead trees along roads and highways, but more needs to done with trees on private property

Cut 3 (07) “…when those trees will fall.” 

A woman reported missing in St. Landry Parish is found dead, and her boyfriend is accused of killing her. A ping of Jorlany Osario Beitez’s phone led investigators to a remote area along Highway 10, where they found her vehicle burned out. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says a deputy found a man walking in that area.

Cut 6 (07) “…he responded ‘no.’”

Guidroz says 24-year-old Irving Cisneros Arguelles eventually admitted to killing her.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Louisiana Department of Health is doing the wrong thing by ending mass vaccination clinics. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says these clinics make it much more convenient for busy parents and busy kids.

Cut 14 (16) “…have gotten otherwise.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly will stand trial July 7th for his alleged role in a shooting that injured two people in his hometown of Farmerville last February. Holly is facing one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Mike Small, says he and his client are happy that a trial date is established.

Cut 10 (08) “…and always maintained.”

At this hour, the Landry Administration is presenting a proposed budget for next fiscal year to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Landry says his budget proposal reduces state spending by up to one billion dollars, but the plan is to still make investments on key infrastructure projects and work to lower the state income tax…

Cut 7 (11) “,….these goals”

The Louisiana Legislature will spend the next several months amending the bill before approving a budget is approved in June.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy, who is also a doctor, opposes the Louisiana Department of Health’s new policy of no longer promoting mass vaccinations. Cassidy says sometimes it’s a long wait to see a pediatrician and vaccine fairs can keep a child from having to miss school and a mother from missing work…

Cut 15 (08) “…very busy”

The 481 workers set to lose their jobs due to the shutdown of International Paper Red River mill in Campti can receive help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A big hockey game tonight as the USA takes on Canada in the 4 Nations Face-off championship. Governor Landry tweeted about it and in his post, the governor says it’s time for Louisiana to have an NHL team. ESPN has reported  a group met with NHL officials about bringing an expansion team to NOLA.

The employees put out of work by the closure of International Paper in Campti are getting help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team. It will be in Natchitoches, supporting the nearly 500 workers through mobile centers. LWC Secretary Susanna Schowen says they will also plan other job fairs soon.

Cut 6 (14) “…an exact location.”

Governor Landry says his proposed budget for the next fiscal year reduces the amount of state funds by up to a billion dollars from the current fiscal year. Landry appointed a budget czar to review government expenditures, and he says efficiencies have already been discovered that’s reduced the total amount of dollars the state will spend…

Cut 9 (12)  “…administration.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health ending mass vaccination clinics. Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman say the reason is to put vaccine choice back in the hands of the patients and their doctors. Cassidy says in the event of an outbreak, these clinics would come in very handy.

Cut 13 (14)  “…a routine visit.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly now has a trial date for his alleged role in a shooting in his hometown of Farmerville last February – July 7th. Holly has not been able to participate in team-related activities since his arrest, but he is still going to school at LSU. His attorney, Mike Small, says if his client is found not guilty, he’s expected to be reinstated.

Cut 11 (08) “…pursuits as well.”

The Landry Administration will offer up a spending plan for next fiscal year to state lawmakers later this morning and Governor Landry says it contains up to a billion dollars in fewer state dollars. Landry says despite a reduction in state spending, Louisiana will continue to look at tax savings and make key investments…

Cut 8 (11) “….sewer systems”

The Legislature will spend the next several months making changes to the spending plan, before approving a budget in June.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team is in Natchitoches Parish to assist the 481 workers that will soon be out of a job because of the closure of International Paper Red River mill in Campti. LWC Secretary Susanna Schowen says mobile centers are open in Natchitoches and Campti today and tomorrow…

Cut 4 (09) “…do some training.”

Schowen says they also can help with application assistance, resume writing and can provide career counseling.

A trial date is set for a suspended LSU running back in connection with a shooting a year ago. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The number of reported assaults at the state’s youth detention centers are on the decline. The Office of Juvenile Justice says between 2023 and 2024 there was a 41-percent decrease in youth-on-staff assaults and a 20-percent decrease in youth-on-youth assaults and threats. Officials say the opening of the new Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe has helped reduce violence because it has better security features than the older facilities.

The 481 workers set to lose their jobs due to the shutdown of International Paper Red River mill in Campti can receive help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hockey in New Orleans? ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports a group met with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly about bringing an expansion team to New Orleans. It’s unknown who from the state of Louisiana met with the National Hockey League. The New Orleans Brass, a minor league hockey team, was the last professional hockey team to play in the Big Easy and that was 2002.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted to confirm Robert F Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, but he doesn’t like the Louisiana’s Department of Health’s new policy of no more mass vaccination events. Cassidy says LDH’s announced policy on immunizations ignores the reality of people’s lives…

Cut 14 (16) “….have gotten otherwise”

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham says a decision to get a vaccine should be made between a patient and their personal doctor.

A trial date of July 7^th has been set for suspended LSU running back Trey Holly. Holly faces charges for his alleged role in a shooting that wounded two people. That shooting occurred just over a year ago in his hometown of Farmerville. Holly’s attorney, Mike Small, says having a trial 17 months after an event like that is normal…

Cut 12 (10) “…in this case”

Senator Bill Cassidy is criticizing the Louisiana Department of Health for ending mass vaccination clinics. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A very cold morning in Louisiana as low temperatures are the in mid to the lows 20s and wind chills are in the teens and even lower in some areas. The real feel temperature is down to 12-degrees in Lafayette. Highs today will be in the 30s and 40s today and then another cold morning tomorrow.

Governor Jeff Landry says his proposed budget for next fiscal year reduces the amount of state funds by up to a billion dollars from the current fiscal year. Landry says the state spending plan continues the trend of decreasing the overall amount of money the state spends…

Cut 7 (11) “…these goals.”

Today, Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras will provide state lawmakers with more specifics of the budget proposal.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team is in Natchitoches and Campti today and tomorrow to help workers who will be laid off because of the closure of the International Paper Red River mill in Campti. L-W-C Secretary Susanna Schowen…

Cut 5 (09) “….what they choose”

Go to la-works-dot-net for more information.

481 displaced employees impacted by the shutdown of International Paper in Campti are getting help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A trial date is set for a suspended LSU running back in connection with a shooting a year ago. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is criticizing the Louisiana Department of Health for ending mass vaccination clinics. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team will assist 481 workers affected by the closure of International Paper in Campti. LWC Secretary Susanna Schowen says the team will be in Natchitoches and Campti today and tomorrow, offering support through mobile centers.

Cut 4 (09) “…do some training.”

These centers will help employees register for work and connect them with resources for career transitions. Schowen says Services include application assistance, resume writing, training grants, and career counseling.

Cut 5 (09) “…what they choose.”

The mobile centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Natchitoches Council Chamber at 712 2nd Street and the Campti Resource Center at 201 Edenborn Street. Schowen says they do plan other job fairs soon.

Cut 6 (14) “…an exact location.”

______________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry says his proposed budget for next fiscal reduces the amount of state funds by up to a billion dollars from the current fiscal year. Landry says the state spending plan continues to the trend of decreasing the overall amount of money the state spends…

Cut 7 (11) “…these goals.”

Today, Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras will provide state lawmakers with more specifics of the budget proposal. The Legislature will spend the next several months making changes to the spending plan and the goal is to approve a budget before the legislative session ends on June 12^th.

Landry says despite a reduction in state spending, Louisiana will still benefit from new revenue that will be used on non-recurring expenses…

Cut 8 (11) “…sewer systems.”

Landry says he has created a fiscal responsibility program and appointed a budget czar to review government expenditures. He says efficiencies have already been discovered that’s reduced the total amount of dollars the state will spend…

Cut 9 (12)  “…administration.”

______________________________________________________

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly will stand trial July 7th for his alleged role in a shooting that injured two people in his hometown of Farmerville last February. Holly is facing one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Mike Small, says he and his client are happy that a trial date is established.

Cut 10 (08) “…and always maintained.”

Holly has not been able to participate in team-related activities since his arrest, but he is still going to school at LSU. Small says if his client is found not guilty, he’s expected to be reinstated.

Cut 11 (08) “…pursuits as well.”

Small says he and his client are grateful that they can go to trial relatively quickly.

Cut 12 (10) “…in this case.”

______________________________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health ending mass vaccination clinics. Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman say the reason is to put vaccine choice back in the hands of the patients and their doctors. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says in the event of an outbreak, like the current measles outbreak in west Texas, mass vaccination clinics would be very beneficial.

Cut 13 (14)  “…a routine visit.”

Cassidy says vaccination clinics make it much more convenient for busy parents and busy kids.

Cut 14 (16) “…have gotten otherwise.”

Cassidy says ending mass vaccination clinics is counterproductive.

Cut 15 (08) “…they’re very busy.”