The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a new Drone as First Responder program. When a 911 call comes in, the new real-time crime center can launch drones directly to the scene. The fleet features two drones that can break glass to enter a building and allow deputies to negotiate with suspects remotely. Sheriff Marc Mashaw says the program transforms emergency response and community protection.

Cut 10 (13) “…different description.”

Biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife have been working to restore a critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend. Crews have spent two weeks planting native eelgrass. Biologist Manager Villis Dowden says some early attempts to plant eelgrass in past years did not succeed, because of several challenges, including strong wave action, so they are using more sheltered planting areas…

Cut 13 (08) “…planting.”

The vehicle inspection sticker is officially replaced January 1^st, but Governor Landry has already told State Police not to issue citations for expired stickers. The author of the bill eliminating the stickers, Larry Bagley, says one byproduct of the law is putting counterfeiters out of business.

Cut 8 (11) “…the parking lot.”

The stickers will be replaced by QR Codes.

Governor Landry signed a bill increasing the penalties for marijuana use on college campuses and near schools in hopes of promoting a family-friendly atmosphere on college football gamedays. Opponents of the bill argue it does nothing to address alcohol use on campus, especially that done by underage students. Representative Gabe Firment’s answer is simple — consuming alcohol in a school zone is not illegal— marijuana use is.

Cut 5 (09) “…to enforce.”

Even though the new law doesn’t take effect until January 1st, your days of schlepping to a vehicle inspection station are over. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Unit detectives have arrested a Prairieville 37-year-old in connection with the May 18 drowning death of a three-year-old. Babysitter Joann Johnson is charged with one count of Negligent Homicide after leaving the boy unsupervised as he fell into a backyard pool.

Those caught smoking marijuana in school zones now face up to a year in jail and a one-thousand-dollar fine, thanks to a new law signed by Governor Landry. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says smoking marijuana within two thousand feet of campuses and schools was already illegal in Louisiana. He says his bill does not create any new crimes.

Cut 4 (10) “…the penalties.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists believe they are making progress in restoring a critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend. LDWF Biologist Manager Villis Dowden says over the past two weeks crews have stocked 110 containers of native eelgrass which can provide critical habitat for juvenile fish….

Cut 12 (07) “…wildlife species.”

From 2015 to 2017, Bassmaster Magazine ranked Toledo Bend as the best bass lake in the nation.

Even though the new law doesn’t take effect until January 1st, the author of the bill that eliminates vehicle inspection stickers says you no longer have to get your inspection renewed, even if you’re currently past-due for renewal. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says if you recently paid for your two-year renewal, however, you’re out of luck.

Cut 7 (09) “…get a refund.”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a new Drone as First Responder program. The drones are operated by a real-time crime center that monitors drone video and live body camera feeds to quickly respond to emergencies. Sheriff Marc Mashaw says drones can cover a wide area and arrive on scene in as little as 70 seconds.

Cut 9 (08)  “…speed matters.”

A new law signed by Governor Landry looks to create a more family-friendly gameday atmosphere on college campuses in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is discovering what it’s like on the other side of the law. Sheriff Randy Smith has turned himself in to face charges stemming from an altercation at a Madisonville restaurant late last month. Investigators say he violently confronted a man who’s been one of his harshest critics; the victim says the assault was unprovoked.

The elimination of state inspection stickers doesn’t officially happen until January 1st; but for all intents and purposes, your days of schlepping to get your vehicle inspected are over. Governor Landry has told State Police not to issue citations for expired inspection stickers starting July 1st. Larry Bagley, who authored House Bill 1085, says even if your inspection is due for renewal this month, just let it go.

Cut 6 (08) “…on all that.”

Landry also signed a bill increasing the penalties for marijuana use on college campuses and near schools. While the new law affects all school zones across the state, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says, to put it bluntly, it specifically aims to create a more family-friendly environment at on-campus tailgates on gamedays.

Cut 3 (09) “…good time.”

Louisiana voters keep rejecting constitutional amendments, but lawmakers keep putting them on the ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 19 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

A Prairieville woman is arrested in connection with the drowning death of a three-year-old boy. Investigators with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office say 37-year-old Joann Johnson was operating an in-home daycare, when two kids were playing near the backyard swimming pool without wearing any flotation gear. The boy fell into the water and remained in the water unconscious for 20 minutes before Johnson acted.

A new poll paints a very clear picture of where things stand in the race for the Republican nomination the U.S. Senate race. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 26 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

As a result of a new state law that eliminates the vehicle inspection sticker, law enforcement will stop issuing tickets for an expired inspection sticker starting July 1st. The inspection sticker will be replaced by a six-dollar QR code that will have the vehicle’s VIN number. Motorists do not have to worry about getting the QR code until January first.

The legislature continued its crackdown on imported seafood in this session, passing several bills aimed at protecting Louisiana shrimpers. Houma Representative Jessica Domangue carried a bill by Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, giving the agency the authority to seize and destroy seafood at ports that fail to meet the state’s testing requirements.

Cut 7 (07) “…to do that.”

Voters recently rejected all five constitutional amendments on the May 16^th ballot. Voters will be asked to approve nine more constitutional amendments in November. The highest-profile amendment is the proposal to limit governors to two elected terms during their lifetime. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says the other amendments run the gamut.

Cut 6 (10) “…over the place.”

Houma Representative Jessica Domangue helped pass legislation supporting local shrimpers against the threat of foreign seafood in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Police in Hammond are investigating a murder at a gas station. Security video footage shows two people getting out of a car at one of the pumps, going to a vehicle at a neighboring pump and, seemingly unprovoked, firing several shots into the rear passenger side of that vehicle with AR-style pistols. The woman in the rear passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooters drove off towards I-55.

In the last two constitutional amendment elections, Louisiana voters rejected all nine proposed amendments. On November 3rd, voters will weigh in on nine more. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says voters are suffering from constitutional amendment fatigue.

Cut 5 (07) “…were horribly mistaken.”

Louisiana’s constitution was approved in 1974; and since then, voters have been asked to amend the constitution 330 times, approving 221 changes.

Saints star running back Alvin Kamara made a surprise return to the facility for voluntary OTAs yesterday. Kamara typically opts to prep for the season away from New Orleans, but he arrived amidst questions about his future with the team. He says he came back this year because teammates kept reaching out to him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…I’m good.”

A new poll shows Julia Letlow with a significant lead in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate. The poll by Kaplan Strategies shows Letlow with a 15-point lead over John Fleming, 52 to 37-percent, with ten-percent undecided. Pollster Doug Kaplan says two questions in particular separated Letlow from Fleming.

Cut 11 (08) “…and hurt Fleming.”

Lawmakers passed several bills this session cracking down on imported seafood. It comes as genetic testing continues to uncover the presence of imported shrimp at restaurants, including restaurants which claim that their shrimp originates from Louisiana waters. Houma Representative Jessica Domangue, who authored many of these bills, says that doesn’t necessarily mean those restaurants are being deceitful.

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s Louisiana seafood.”

One bill Governor Landry is considering whether to sign is one that makes camping on public property a misdemeanor. House Bill 211 would make it punishable by up to six months in jail and a 500-dollar fine. Advocates for the homeless say it would essentially make being homeless a crime and does not solve the issue.

Louisiana voters keep rejecting constitutional amendments, but lawmakers keep putting them on the ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

More legislation was approved by lawmakers in the recently completed legislative session to help protect the local shrimping industry from cheap foreign imports. Houma Representative Jessica Domangue authored a package of bills that were approved…

Cut 8 (07) “…legislation”

The State Ag Department now has the authority to destroy imported seafood that does not meet the state’s testing requirements.

Voters recently rejected all five constitutional amendments on the May 16^th ballot. Voters will be asked to approve nine more constitutional amendments in November. The highest-profile amendment is the proposal to limit governors to two elected terms during their lifetime. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says the other amendments run the gamut.

Cut 6 (10) “…over the place.”

A Kaplan strategies poll shows Julia Letlow with a commanding 15-point lead over John Fleming in the June 27^th Republican U-S Senate primary. Pollstar Doug Kaplan says this race has a clearfront runner and that’s Letlow, while Fleming has a lot of ground to make up…

Cut 12 (05) “…a runoff election”

Kaplan says Fleming is not winning the argument over who is closer to President Trump.

Veteran Saints running back Alvin Kamara made a surprise appearance at OTAs. It remains to be seen if Kamara will be a part of the Black and Gold in 2026 after New Orlans signed running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan) to a big free agent deal. Kamara says he’s fine with sharing carries, he did it before when Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray were on the team…

Cut 15 (11) “…I know”