The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

Governor Landry has already signed a law that bans the retail sale of nitrous oxide. It’s currently sold at convenience stores for food preparation, but Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni says some are using it to get high…
cut 8 (10) “….recreational drugs”
The new law will go into effect August 1st.

Two of the four inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the Memorial Day weekend are still on the loose. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two people are dead after a fishing barge capsized in the Pirates Cove area of Toledo Bend Lake. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s office says there were six people on the barge and four swam to safety. The bodies of two people who drowned have been recovered.

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson presented the amendments in the House and says instead of phasing in a dollar amount annually…
Cut 10 (13) “…funds allow.”
Supporters of the legislation have been changing the bill to alleviate concerns that this expanded voucher program will be too costly.

Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, but some use it as a party drug.
Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”
The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill that gives law enforcement a twenty-five-foot buffer from the public when they are attempting to make an arrest or performing an investigation is signed into law.
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two of the four men who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the Memorial Day weekend are still on the loose.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana is the first state to ban the sale of nitrous oxide. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Thibodaux Representative Brian Fontenot’s bill that gives law enforcement and twenty-five-foot buffer from the public is signed into law.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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Two of the four inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail this weekend are still at large.  19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian are still at large. broke through a corroded piece of chain-link fence, crawled under an 8-inch gap in a wall, and scaled two razor-wire fences. Chief Jimmy Travis…

Cut 4 (10) “…strand of wire.”

Travis also says lack of supervision, inadequate head counts, manpower shortages, and insufficient experience and training as factors contributing to the escape.

Two of the four have been apprehended.

Cut 5 (11) “…seeking shelter.” 

Travis says they were turned away by family members and then were alerted by the family of their escape.

The two men are considered armed and dangerous.

Cut 6 (06) “…armed robbery.”

Travis says Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office accepts full responsibility.

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Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, as a party drug.

Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”

Nitrous oxide has a high chance for abuse due to its quick high and ease of access. Stagni says the law is meant to help tackle that by restricting the public’s ability to get their hands on it.

Cut 8 (10) “…recreational drugs.” 

Landry voiced his support for the law as he was signing it, saying…

Cut 9 (11)  “…limited.”

The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

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The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson presented the amendments in the House and says instead of phasing in a dollar amount annually…

Cut 10 (13) “…funds allow.”

Emerson says the bill also amended the list of approved items of how the money can be spent on school-related expenses.

Cut 11 (08) “..things arise.”

And the allocation amounts were removed from the bill and Emerson says BESE will oversee that. She says they also added specific reporting requirements for BESE to present to the legislature annually.

Cut 12 (09) “…that nature.” 

The amended bill returns to the Senate for final passage. Governor Jeff Landry, who’s expressed his support of the bill, is expected to sign the legislation.

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Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that would make it a crime to stand within 25 feet of a police officer after they order you to stand back. Bill author, Representative Brian Fontenot of Thibodeaux.

Cut 13 (09)  “…protect us.”

Fontenot says that violence against police officers is on the rise.

Cut 14 (08)  “…an arrest on.”

ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops Louisianians’ ability to hold police accountable, impractical to enforce, and violates a citizen’s 1^st amendment rights.

Cut 15 (10)  “…enforcement accountable.”

Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison or a $500 fine under the new law.

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Louisiana Tech is preparing to play Kansas State on Friday night in the Fayetteville Regional. Arkansas and Southeast Missouri will play in the first game of the Regional. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says there are connections between all four schools..

Cut 16 (14) “…to go around.” 

Burroughs says the Wildcats will be a good test…

Cut 17 (17) “…players.”

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Nicholls is in an NCAA Regional for a second consecutive season. Pitcher Jacob Mayers says seeing their name re-appear on the selection show was a thrill…

Cut 18 (11)  “…this year.”

Mayers says they have enough pitching to make a deep run in the Corvallis, Oregon Regional…

Cut 19 (10) “…we have.” 

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Cut 20 (20) “…our brand.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a law classifying two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances at a bill signing session Tuesday. He officially signed the measure last Friday. Bill sponsor Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly explained the bill amid cries from his baby niece.

Cut 6  (09) “…Schedule IV drug. ” 

More than 200 doctors signed a letter in opposition warning it could make it harder to prescribe the drugs, which have other reproductive healthcare uses.

Language in the law protects pregnant women who obtain the drugs without a prescription for personal use. The law has been hotly contested across the country, which Landry mentioned at the signing.

Cut 8 (09)  “…measure.” 

The new law will take effect October 1st.

Governor Landry also signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, as a party drug.

Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson presented the amendments in the House and says instead of phasing in a dollar amount annually…

Cut 10 (12) “…funds allow.”

The amended bill returns to the Senate for final passage. Governor Landry, who’s expressed his support of the bill, is expected to sign the legislation.

Representative Garrett Graves, who believes the new map is illegal because the map was reconfigured based on race and not geography has said he may seek re-election by running in another district, possibly Julia Letlow who represents the 5th District. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson who  was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster this morning. U. S. opposes that idea…

Cut 10 (12) “…forgone conclusion.” 

A Zachary woman was shot multiple times while trying to stop a suspected car burglar early this morning. Zachary PD Chief Darryl Lawrence says they received a call around three am of an individual trying to steal a car. He says while two women were watching, one approached the suspect and they got into a verbal altercation.

Cut 12 (09) “…injuries.” 

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law classifying two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances at a bill signing ceremony today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Houma police caught a 12-and-a-half-foot reticulated python over the weekend after a resident discovered it curled up in a flowerpot. Chief Travis Theriot…

Cut 3 (11) “…Wildlife and Fisheries.” 

Governor Jeff Landry signed a law classifying two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances. 200 doctors signed a letter opposing the legislation warning it could make it harder to prescribe the drugs, which have other uses. Bill sponsor Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly responded…

Cut 7 (08) “…needs.”  

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson says he would not count out Republican Garret Graves if he ran for re-election in the reconfigured 6th Congressional District, which is a new majority Black District for the 2024 federal elections. Johnson says Graves has represented Louisiana well during his five terms in the U-S House…

Cut 9 (08) “…bet against him.” 

Houma police briefly turned into snake wranglers after capturing a python in a backyard. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges .”

A Zachary woman was shot multiple times while trying to stop a suspected car burglar early this morning. Zachary PD Chief Darryl Lawrence commends her bravery but says it’s best not to approach a suspect because you could be severely injured or even killed in the process.

Cut 14 (12) “…may not.” 

Investigators are communicating with the victim but they do not yet have a suspect. If you have any information about the incident you’re encouraged to contact Zachary Police.

A Zachary woman is hospitalized after she was shot multiple times while trying to stop a suspected car burglar early this morning. Zachary PD Chief Darryl Lawrence says detectives are communicating with the victim at the hospital and the suspect remains as large.

Cut 13 (08) “…real soon.” 

Under the state’s new Congressional map, the new sixth district boundaries stretch from Baton Rouge to Shreveport changing the demographics to a majority black district. Democratic Black state senator Cleo Fields has said he’ll seek to represent the 6th District, but U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson believes current 6ht district Representative Garrett Graves can still win, because the Presidential race is at the top of the ballot.

Cut 11 (11) ” …Joe Biden.”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law classifying two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances at a bill signing ceremony today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A Houma resident had an unwelcome guest over the weekend. Police caught the 12-and-a-half-foot reticulated python after the resident found it curled up in a flowerpot. Chief Travis Theriot says the snake is believed to be a former pet released into the wild, which he cautions against.

Cut 5 (09)  “…by any stretch.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a law classifying two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances at a bill signing session today. He officially signed the measure last Friday. Bill sponsor Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly explained the bill amid cries from his baby niece.
Cut 6 (09) “…Schedule IV drug. ”
Pressly’s niece almost died in her mother’s womb after Pressly’s brother in law attempted to sneak these drugs into her mother’s drinks to induce an abortion. But health professionals say making the drugs a controlled substance is going too far and could hurt reproductive care.

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves has said he may run in another district because his district is now a majority-minority district. But U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes that idea…
cut 10 (12) “…forgone conclusion”
Johnson was a guest on Talk Louisiana. If Graves seeks to represent the Sixth District, he will likely face a challenge from Black Democratic state senator Cleo Fields.

A Zachary woman was shot multiple times while trying to stop a suspected car burglar early this morning. Zachary PD Chief Darryl Lawrence says they received a call around three am of an individual trying to steal a car. He says while two women were watching, one approached the suspect and they got into a verbal altercation.
Cut 12 (09) “…injuries.”
An arrest in this case has not been made.

Police apprehended a 12-foot python that was living in the backyard of a home in Houma. Officials believe it may have slithered out of a nearby bayou. Houma Police Chief Travis Theriot says thankfully Officer Donald Aubrey was not afraid

cut 4 (08) “…haul it off
Houma Police turned over the snake to Wildlife and Fisheries officials. It unfortunately ate two of the homeowner’s pet geese.