Crawfish season is winding down, to say it was an unpredictable one is an understatement.  LSU Ag Center Crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says towards the end of the season April and May, supply increased in some fields, but that wasn’t the case for every crawfish farmer.

Cut 6  (11) “…those fields. ” 

At the start of the season, things looked extremely dire due to the summer drought and extreme heat. December through February Shirley says supply was down around 90 percent.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed what has been called the bathroom bill. The legislation prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom or locker room at a school that does not match their biological sex. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says his legislation is designed to protect females, especially young girls…

Cut 9 (10) “…uh oh” 

Adults interested in receiving the necessary education to land a job in a high-demand field can now apply for financial assistance through the M-J Foster Promise Program. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says the award amount is 32-hundred dollars per year for a full-time student and students can receive a maximum of 64-hundred dollars over three years…

Cut 11 (10) “…health care.”

This is the third year of the M-J Foster Program and Theriot says last year they had more than ten thousand applicants

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office has been featured on the A&E show “Murder at the Motel”. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton describes the scene.

Cut 3 (11) “…all over the walls.” 

You can watch “Murder at the Motel” on A&E or stream online now.

For a third consecutive year, LSU’s Louisiana survey finds most residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

It looks like a second Bucee’s location in Louisiana is in the works. The one under construction in Ruston is expected to open next year and Lafayette could soon be able to add the toothy beaver to their town. According to The Advocate, the construction company that has built other Bucee’s has requested a variance with the zoning board in Lafayette.

Adults interested in receiving the necessary education to land a job in a high-demand field can now apply for financial assistance through the M-J Foster Promise Program. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says the award amount is 32-hundred dollars per year for a full-time student and students can receive a maximum of 64-hundred dollars over three years…

Cut 10 (08) “…award back.”

Visit the M-J Foster Promise Program for more information.

This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana.And of course, fishing is a lot more fun when you don’t have to talk about the one that got away. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says chances are there’s a recently stocked pond near you.

Cut 14 (12)  “…those ponds.”

Check their website for a listing of those ponds or their Facebook page.

A survey out of LSU finds 61 percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. The Louisiana Survey polled more than one thousand adults in March and April and only 30 percent said the state is heading in the right direction. Director of the Louisiana Survey Professor Michael Henderson says these numbers are similar to the last couple of years.

Cut 7 (10) “…two to one.”

Adults interested in receiving the necessary education to land a job in a high-demand field can now apply for financial assistance through the M-J Foster Promise Program. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

Cut 11 (10) “…health care.”

After almost forty years with Catholic Charities, The Louisiana Commodity Supplemental Food Program is transitioning to a new partnership. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Crawfish prices along with the temperatures are rising. According to The Crawfish App Prices are up about 20-cents a pound. That’s due to the decrease in the supply. Live crawfish average $2.94 a pound and if you can find a restaurant with crawfish still on the menu expect to pay close to $5 a pound.

A survey out of LSU finds 61 percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. The Louisiana Survey polled more than one thousand adults in March and April and only 30 percent said the state is heading in the right direction. Director of the Louisiana Survey Professor Michael Henderson says this is the second consecutive year that 61 percent of the respondents said the state is heading in the wrong direction.

Cut 8 (09) “…direction of the state.” 

Twenty-eight percent of the respondents told the Louisiana survey that crime is the biggest problem in the state, up from 19 percent last year.

The Covington Police Department arrested a teacher and a paraprofessional on charges of cruelty to a juvenile with disabilities.

Forty-four-year-old, Catherine Mumphrey and 71-year-old Lauren Brenckle are facing felony charges after being caught on camera. The nature of the victims communication ability made the classroom video crucial role in capture in incident and expediting the investigations.

Mumphey and Brenckle are no longer employees of the school system and presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Adults interested in receiving the necessary education to land a job in a high-demand field can now apply for financial assistance through the M-J Foster Promise Program. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says the award amount is 32-hundred dollars per year for a full-time student and students can receive a maximum of 64-hundred dollars over three years…

Cut 10 (08) “…award back.”

Visit the M-J Foster Promise Program for more information.

It’s time to grab those fishing poles and cast a line. This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says you don’t have to have a fishing license this weekend.

Cut 15 (08)  “…stocked was.”

For a listing of the 17 ponds they stock, you can visit their website and click on events and education…

For a third consecutive year, LSU’s Louisiana survey finds a majority of residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Sean Richardson has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Funeral services have been set for one of Louisiana’s top businessman. Visitation will begin Tuesday for Acadian Companies Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag, who died on Tuesday from cancer. Visitation will be at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lafayette and the funeral will be Wednesday.

The Louisiana Department of Health announces Feeding Louisiana will take over as the provider for the Louisiana Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food to eligible residents who are 60-years and older. LDH’s Director of Nutrition Services, Jennifer Nicklas says recipients should continue to receive their Senior Boxes without interruption…
cut 5 (08) “…..that service”
Feeding Louisiana will take over for Catholic Charities starting July 1st.

The M-J Foster Promise Program is taking applications. It provides grant dollars to adults who want to go to a two-year school and earn the necessary crendtials to get a job in a high demand field. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says last year they had more than ten-thousand applicants…
cut 12 (12) “….M-J Foster Promise-dot-com”

LSU’s Louisiana Survey finds 61-percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction, but there’s an eight-percent increase to 36-percent of the respondents believe state government can address Louisiana’s challenges. Director of the Louisiana Survey, Doctor Michael Henderson…
cut 9 (12) “…come up”
Twenty-eight-percent of the respondents listed crime as the state’s biggest problem, up from 19-percent last year.

After almost forty years with Catholic Charities, The Louisiana Commodity Supplemental Food Program is transitioning to a new partnership after the USDA encouraged them to seek bids for providers. Feeding Louisiana with its statewide network of foodbanks will begin distributing “Senior Boxes” to eligible Louisianans 60 and over. LDH’s Director of Nutrition Services, Jennifer Nicklas…
Cut 4 (11) “…with us.”

Rain chances are low this weekend so it’s the perfect weekend to cast a line and you don’t need a fishing license. Brooke Thorington has more on Louisiana’s Free Fishing Weekend.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A drawbridge in south Louisiana will be closed for the next three months after it was hit by a barge early Thursday morning. Iberville Sheriff Brett Stassi says there’s significant damage to the concrete and some of the metal structure on the drawbridge on LA 77 west of Plaquemine. Residents in the area are now facing much longer commute times.

A survey out of LSU finds 61 percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. The Louisiana Survey polled more than one thousand adults in March and April and only 30 percent said the state is heading in the right direction. Director of the Louisiana Survey Professor Michael Henderson says these numbers are similar to the last couple of years.
Cut 7 (10) “…two to one.”
Henderson says this is the second consecutive year that 61 percent of the respondents said the state is heading in the wrong direction.

It’s time to grab those fishing poles and cast a line. This Saturday and Sunday it’s a Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says you don’t need a fishing license to drop a line in the water
cut 13 (09) “…get hooked.”
Visit LWDF’s “Get out and Fish” Facebook page for more information.

After almost forty years with Catholic Charities, The Louisiana Commodity Supplemental Food Program has a new partner. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

After almost forty years with Catholic Charities, The Louisiana Commodity Supplemental Food Program is transitioning to a new partnership. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

_______________________________________________

For a third consecutive year, LSU’s Louisiana survey finds a majority of residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

____________________________________________

It’s the perfect weekend to cast and line and you don’t have to have a fish license either. Brooke Thorington has more on Free Fishing Weekend.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________________

After almost forty years with Catholic Charities, The Louisiana Commodity Supplemental Food Program is transitioning to a new partnership after the USDA encouraged them to seek bids for providers. Feeding Louisiana with its statewide network of foodbanks will begin distributing “Senior Boxes” to eligible Louisianans 60 and over. LDH’s Director of Nutrition Services, Jennifer Nicklas…

Cut 4 (11) “…with us.”

Catholic Charities is helping get the word out by calling all current recipients of the CSFP boxes and by providing addresses and contact information to Feeding Louisiana. Nicklas says recipients should be able to receive their commodity boxes without interruption…

Cut 5 (08) “…that service.” 

Nicklas encourages Louisiana residents 60 and over who may be eligible now to reach out to Food for Seniors at 800-522-3333. They will tell you if your household income qualifies, where the closest food site to your home is, and what the serving days and times are.

Cut 6 (11) “…still available.”

_______________________________________________

A survey out of LSU finds 61 percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. The Louisiana Survey polled more than one thousand adults in March and April and only 30 percent said the state is heading in the right direction. Director of the Louisiana Survey Professor Michael Henderson says these numbers are similar to the last couple of years.

Cut 7 (10) “…two to one.”

Henderson says this is the second consecutive year that 61 percent of the respondents said the state is heading in the wrong direction…

Cut 8 (09) “…direction of the state.” 

Twenty-eight percent of the respondents told the Louisiana survey that crime is the biggest problem in the state, up from 19 percent last year. However, 36 percent of the respondents have confidence that the state government can address their concerns, which is eight percentage points from last year…

Cut 9 (12)  “…come up.”

________________________________________________________________

Adults interested in receiving the necessary education to land a job in a high-demand field can now apply for financial assistance through the M-J Foster Promise Program. Brittany Theriot with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance says the award amount is 32-hundred dollars per year for a full-time student and students can receive a maximum of 64-hundred dollars over three years…

Cut 10 (08) “…award back.”

The grant dollars can be used at any Louisiana Community and Technical College school, plus LSU-Shreveport and LSU Eunice.

Theriot says the MJ Foster Program provides financial support for eligible adult students who are earning credentials that align with high-demand jobs…

Cut 11 (10) “…health care.”

This is the third year of the M-J Foster Program and Theriot says last year they had more than ten thousand applicants

Cut 12 (12) “…M-J Foster Promise-dot-com.” 

Visit the M-J Foster Promise Program for more information.

______________________________________________

It’s time to grab those fishing poles and cast a line. This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says you don’t have to have a fishing license this weekend.

Cut 13 (09)  “…get hooked.”

And of course, fishing is a lot more fun when you don’t have to talk about the one that got away. Porter says chances are there’s a recently stocked pond near you.

Cut 14 (12)  “…those ponds.”

For a listing of the 17 ponds they stock, you can visit their website and click on events and education…

Cut 15 (08)  “…stocked was.”

Or you can visit LWDF’s “Get out and Fish” Facebook page for more information and catch photos.

After this weekend, adults 18 and older will be required to have a fishing license. And new anglers can find fishing education courses on LWDF’s website.

_______________________________________________________

Cut 16 (16) “…helps a lot.” 

Cut 17 (17) “…the system.”

Cut 18 (18)  “…get after it.”

Cut 19 (12) “…tomorrow.” 

___________________________________________________________________

Cut 20 (19) “…really pitch.”

After being hit by a vessel early Thursday morning DOTD says the Grosse Tete bridge in Iberville will be closed for a significant amount of time. The drawbridge on La Highway 77, is closed to both vehicular and marine traffic. The bridge has a daily average use of up to 1,500 vehicles.

Lake Charles remains the Youth Sports Capital of Louisiana after they secured hosting rights with LHSAA for an additional two years.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

Lawmakers have repealed a law to put cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. St. Martin Parish Sheriff Becket Breaux says when monies are collected from speeding fines issued by law enforcement, they help fund things like the Indigent Defense Board and Crimestoppers. When a speed camera issues a fine those monies aren’t distributed to other agencies…

Cut 5 (11)  “… goes on.”

Today is “Secure Your Load for Road Safety Day.” Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Greg Fischer says it’s important for motorists to properly secure items to prevent them from becoming potentially lethal traffic hazards. And before you hitch that boat to your vehicle, secure loose objects.

Cut 10 (08) “…or death.”