The Louisiana Legislature is moving closer to changing lowering the age at which a person charged with a felony can be charged as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Officials in Ouachita Parish have confirmed a body found in the Ouachita River is that of a missing young woman from Iberia Parish. 19 year old Sheryl Turner was reported missing in early January. Authorities say the case is still under investigation and so far, no suspects have been identified.

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Each year since 2014, WalletHub has released its annual report on the Best and Worst States for Women just in time for Women’s History Month. This year, Louisiana dropped from 49 to 50 followed only by Oklahoma. Analyst, Cassie Happe says the report highlights important issues.

Cut 6 (08) “…the focus.”

Forty recent graduates from the LSU-A School of Nursing passed the National Licensure Examination on their first try. Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James says half of these new nurses are staying in central Louisiana, but others got jobs in Baton Rouge and Lafayette….

Cut 15 (08) “…the nation.”

Legislation to expand methods to carry out the death penalty Senate Judiciary Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed Dr. Joseph Kanter has stepped down from his duties as state health officer. Kanter was with the department for five years and helped the state stay up to date during the Covid-19 Pandemic. According to the LDH website, Dr. Pete Croughan will serve as the interim state health officer.

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It’s already been approved by the state Senate and now legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton is pushing hard for this law because he says there are 17-years-olds committing crimes knowing they will only serve a few years at a juvenile facility.…

Cut 8 (09) “…fight back.” 

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Using 25 key metrics the survey ranked Louisiana 50 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana is second from the bottom for women living in poverty and 46^th for women suffering from depression. Analyst, Cassie Happe, believes they’re connected…

Cut 4 (09) “…mental state.”

Senate-approved legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana Sheriffs Association executive director Michael Ranatza says 17-year-olds offenders at juvenile justice facilities are causing serious problems…

Cut 7 (13) “…35 year old.”
A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved, like drug companies that provide the ingredients used for lethal injection, passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from those in favor, like Howard Vincent, whose brother, Steven Vincent a state trooper was killed in the line of duty in 2015.

Cut 10 (08) “…to death.”

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WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
Five people were arrested yesterday after a high-speed chase from St. Bernard to the New Orleans French Quarter ended in a crash. Saint Bernard Sheriff’s officials say a stolen gun and illegal drugs were recovered during the arrest of the suspects. Sheriff James Pohlman said deputies deployed spike strips at the parish line, but that didn’t stop the suspects, whose vehicle eventually collided with another vehicle near Bienville Street in New Orleans and crashed into two parked cars.

WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The Louisiana Legislature is moving closer to changing a law that would lower the age a person charged with a felony can be charged as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Legislation to expand methods to carry out the death penalty Senate Judiciary Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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WalletHub has named 2024’s Best and Worst States for Women and the news is not good for Louisiana. Using 25 key metrics the survey ranked Louisiana 50 out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana is second from the bottom for women living in poverty and 46^th for women suffering from depression. Analyst, Cassie Happe, believes they’re connected…

Cut 4 (09) “…mental state.”

Women of the Bayou State also ranked near the bottom for metrics including life expectancy at birth, female homicides, and high school graduation rates. The number of Louisiana women influencing policy is disappointing says Happe as the share of women who voted in the 2020 presidential election ranked 46…

Cut 5 (08) “…low percentage.” 

Since 2015 WalletHub has released their report on the Best and Worst States for Women annually, just before Women’s History Month begins in March. This year, Louisiana dropped from 49 to 50 followed only by Oklahoma. Happe says, the report highlights important issues.

Cut 6 (08) “…the focus.”

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Senate-approved legislation that would lower the age a person can be charged with a felony as an adult from 18 to 17 has advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana Sheriffs Association executive director Michael Ranatza says 17-year-olds offenders at juvenile justice facilities are causing serious problems…

Cut 7 (13) “…35 year old.”

18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton is pushing hard for this law because he says there are 17-years-olds committing crimes knowing they will only serve a few years at a juvenile facility and then they are free. Clayton says some 17-year-olds need to remain behind bars after they turn 21…

Cut 8 (09) “…fight back.” 

Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers spoke against the bill. Garvey argues non-violent 17-year-olds should stay in the juvenile justice system because the offender’s parents are more involved in the rehabilitation process…

Cut 9 (11)  “…their path.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

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A bill to expand methods to carry out the death penalty and to provide protections for those involved, like drug companies that provide the ingredients used for lethal injection, passed in Senate Judiciary C Monday. Committee members heard from those in favor, like Howard Vincent, whose brother, Steven Vincent a state trooper was killed in the line of duty in 2015.

Cut 10 (08) “…to death.”

Speaking against House Bill 6 was Brett Malone, whose mother, Mary Ann Shaver Malone was killed in Bossier Parish in December of 2000. He told lawmakers killing the man who killed his mother won’t help anyone and he asked just how far they will go to carry out executions.

Cut 11 (10) “…to the lions.” 

Vincent says there’s no reasonable doubt about his brother’s killer, he says Kevin Daigle confessed and there’s both video and DNA evidence. Vincent says it’s difficult to listen to those who are against the death penalty and opposed to expanding methods of execution like the electric chair and Nitrogen Hypoxia.

Cut 12 (12) “…his head.” 

Terry Landry Junior with the Southern Poverty Law Center spoke in opposition to adding the use of nitrogen as a means of execution. He says several veterinarian associations are against the use of nitrogen because it is cruel and harmful to animals.

Cut 13 (06)  “…human beings.”

HB6, which received full passage in the House last week was amended in Senate Judiciary C to take effect July 1, 2024.

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Forty recent graduates from the LSU-A School of Nursing passed the NCLEX National Licensure Examination on their first try. It’s the second time in six years that LSUA has seen all its students in a cohort pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. Director of the LSUA’s School of Nursing Sarita James…

Cut 14 (10) “…graduate.”

James says half of these new nurses are staying in central Louisiana, but others got jobs in Baton Rouge and Lafayette….

Cut 15 (08) “…the nation.”

In 2023, the national first-time pass rate was 79-percent. James says most of their students are working parents or individuals working on a second career…

Cut 16 (09) “…very doable.” 

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Cut 17 (13) “…with that.” 

Cut 18 (18)  “…come Georgia.” 

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Cut 19 (12) “…third shots.”

Cut 20 (14) “…make us better.”

51-year-old Leon Ruffin who was being held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the convicted murderer was being transported back to the JPCC from the hospital and escaped after he pepper-sprayed a deputy.

Cut 10 (08) “…point and time.”

The car was found abandoned in Algiers.

New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s bill to allow non-felon adults to legally conceal carry a handgun without a permit or training was approved in House Criminal Justice today after passing the full Senate last week. Miguez says Senate Bill 1 does not change current law, which prohibits guns near a parade route or in bars and that there’s evidence his legislation will help deter shootings…

Cut 14 (09) “… took effect”

The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has not released many details about the November in-custody death of Jerome Stevenson. Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump says an autopsy report shows the 26-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the head and stomach…

Cut 7 (13) “…to death”  

Two correctional officers have been charged with his death.

The remains of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia have been positively identified as those found in the Ouachita River on January 24^th. Turner’s body was found dismembered in the river. Her twin sister told authorities that Turner left New Iberia to go to Monroe with a man around New Year’s. Catahoula Parish detectives are asking for anyone with information about the case to contact them.

51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who’s been in custody for second-degree murder in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s marked car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Ruffin was being treated for a seizure and other injuries they believe he was now faking.

Cut 9 (11) “…on her.” 

The stolen unit was later found abandoned in Algiers.

Legislation that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training continues to sail through the Legislature. The full Senate has already approved New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s measure and today it received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee…

Cut 12 (10)  “…our state”  

After several wildfires sparked over the weekend a statewide burn ban is expected

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump is with the family of Jerome Stevenson and says they deserve answers as to what happened Stevenson who died while in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s jail in Marksville last November. Inmate, 37-year-old John Williams of Mansura has been charged with second degree murder. Corrections deputies, Byron White Frank Overbey also face charges.

Cut 8 (10) “…that yet” 

Wildfire activity has been reported across the state and in DeRidder alone, within 10 minutes they had six fires says Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 5 (09) “…the parish.”

Strain says a statewide burn ban is planned

Officials from New Orleans oppose legislation that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training. City council president Helena Moreno says New Orleans police officers question individuals when they believe a person may be possessing a gun underneath their clothes. Moreno says it’s an important police tactic used during Mardi Gras and other big events…

Cut 13 (10) “…possible”  

Miguez says his legislation does not change current law, which prohibits guns near a parade route or in bars.

The family of Jerome Stevenson has hired nationally renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump as they are seeking justice and more information on Stevenson’s in-custody death in Marksville. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

State Police, NOPD, and the FBI are assisting in the search for a Jefferson Parish Correctional Center prisoner who escaped in the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday while being transported back to the correctional center. 51-year-old Leon Ruffin pepper-sprayed the deputy to gain control of the car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto…

Cut 11 (09) “…a firearm.”