The Orleans District Attorney’s decision not to prosecute 15-gun possession cases from Mardi Gras has many upset. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says at a bail hearing prosecutors haven’t been able to review the suspect’s possible criminal record nor evidence from police. He says basically the DA refused to accept the charges without all the facts.

Cut 7 (05)  “… inappropriate.” 

In refusing charges the accused are not allowed to receive their guns that were seized from the arrest.

A petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was submitted to the Registrar’s office Wednesday. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says recalls are a huge undertaking and when it’s not a grassroots movement to be successful it takes some deep pockets.

Cut 14 (11)  “…an election.”

The signatures must be validated before an election is called.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case and he will be tried as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 17-year-old who was with Madison Brooks prior to her death has been indicted for first and third-degree rape. Desmond Carter of Walker will also be tried as an adult for a sexual assualt that allegedly occurred last month after Brooks and four men left a bar near the LSU campus. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it’s appropriate for Carter to be tried as an adult based on his age and charges…
cut 5 (03) “….as an adult”
A grand jury has yet to hand down indictments against Carter’s three co-defendants.

There’s an uproar over the Orleans District Attorney’s office decision not to prosecute 19 individuals for illegal gun possession during Carnival. Metropolitian Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says it undermines efforts by the police to eliminate guns from the French Quarter and parade routes…
cut 6 (06) “….prosecutors”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is upset there are no consequences for the individuals arrested.

Tax reforms passed in 2021 now have Louisiana ranked among the lowest state income tax rates, where they were once among the highest….
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Record highs could be set today with temperatures in the low 80s. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temps will continue to run about 15-degrees above normal in south Louisiana for the next week…
cut 10 (08) “….into the weekend”

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old Desmond Carter with first and third-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it’s easier to get a conviction for third-degree rape, which happens when the victim does not consent because of impairment.  First-degree rape, which carries a life sentence is harder to get a conviction, but it could still work in the D-A’s favor…

Cut  4 (08)  “…lower charge” 

A petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was submitted to the Registrar’s office Wednesday. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says recalls are a huge undertaking and when it’s not a grassroots movement to be successful it takes some deep pockets.

Cut 14 (11)  “…an election.”

The signatures have to be validated before an election is called.

The Biden administration moved closer to meeting its offshore wind energy goals by announcing lease sales for developments in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday. Interim Executive Director of the Center of LSU Energy Studies, Greg Upton says the areas include acreage off of Lake Charles and the workforce availability may be limited short term.

Cut 6 (08)  “…in particular.” 

He estimates an operational wind turbine in the Gulf is a few years away.

The 2023 carnival season is in the books now and we asked Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy for a review. He says the last-minute switch to traditional parade routes was a big perk even if his publication was outdated.

Cut 11 (13)  “…just wonderful.”

Fat Tuesday next year is February 13^th.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first and third-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case. Authorities allege four males were involved in raping Brooks before she died last month . Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says a first-degree rape conviction carries a life sentence…
cut 3 (12) “….set of facts”
The 17-year-old defendant will also be tried as adult and has been identified as Desmond Carter from Walker.

The Biden Administration has proposed the first ever lease sale for offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico. One of the boundaries is a 102-thousand acre area south of Lake Charles. Interim Executive Director of the Center for LSU Energy Studies, Greg Upton, says we are not too far off from seeing wind turbines in the Gulf…
cut 5 (09) “…wind farm”
The wind energy lease sales cover a smaller area than what was proposed last year to help out the fishing and shipping industry.

Tax reforms passed by state lawmakers have Louisiana ranked sixth in the country for the lowest income tax rate among states that levy an income tax. That data comes from a new report by the Tax Foundation. Baton Rouge tax attorney and consultant Jason DeCuir says our state was among the highest at 6-percent…
Cut 7 (08) “…where we have been.”
The state income tax rate is now 4.25 percent.

Mardi Gas is done for another year. It was a carnival season that revelers enjoyed after it was canceled in 2021. That year we saw the creation of float houses in New Orleans and elsewhere. Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says it’s a new trend that might be here to stay…
cut 12 (06) “….of the streets”
Mardi Gras Day will be February 13th next year.

The Biden administration announces plans to hold the first ever lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico for renewable energy companies interested in building wind farms. Interim Executive Director of the Center for LSU Energy Studies, Greg Upton says the move is promising for investors.
Cut 4 (10) “…that project.”
One of the boundaries is a 102-thousand acre area south of Lake Charles.

The Tax Foundation says Louisiana has the sixth lowest income tax rate in the country among states that levy an income tax. Tax consultant Jason Decuir credits a 2021 state law that eliminated the federal income tax deduction…
cut 8 (08) “….4.25 percent”
There will be discussion in the upcoming regular session to eliminate income taxes.

After being canceled in 2021 and smaller parade routes in 2022 how was Mardi Gras this year? Brooke Thorington asks Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Charges have been dropped against LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers who was arrested in New Orleans this week for a misdemeanor count of illegal carrying of a weapon on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Prosecutors decided to drop charges on the condition that Nabers does not get the gun back.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury has handed down two counts of rape, including first-degree rape against a 17-year-old who was one of four males involved in the alleged sexual assault of LSU student Madison Brooks before she died. Desmond Carter of Walker will be tried as an adult.

The Biden Administration proposes the Gulf of Mexico’s first ever wind farm lease sale. Teiko Foxx has more….
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

According to the Tax Foundation, out of the 43 states and the District Columbia that have income taxes, Louisiana has the sixth lowest income tax rate at 4.25 percent. Tax attorney and co-owner of Advantous Consulting, Jason Decuir, says tax reforms approved in 2021 helped lower the income tax rate and should help spur economic development…
cut 9 (07) “….one of the highest”
Despite the lower tax rates, Louisiana is still on track to collect about 40-percent of its annual revenue from income taxes and other declaration and withholding taxes.

The No La Toya Cantrell campaign turned over more than 49-thousand signatures yesterday to the Registrar of Voters Office in Orleans Parish as they attempt to recall the mayor of New Orleans. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross….
cut 15 (12) “…in small town”
Orleans officials have until March 14th to verify the signatures before we know for certain we’ll have a recall election.

A grand jury has handed down a first-degree rape charge against a 17-year-old juvenile who was one of four males in a vehicle with LSU student Madison Brooks before she died. Court filings say Desmond Carter of Walker has also been indicted for third-degree rape and will be tried as an adult.

Tax reforms passed in 2021 now have Louisiana ranked among the lowest state income tax rates, where they were once among the highest. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Since a petition allegedly met its signature goal in New Orleans to recall Mayor LaToya Cantrell, we asked ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross if he believes it will spark other recall campaigns around the state He believes it will.
Cut 13 (14) “…representatives.”
The No LaToya Recall campaign says it got more than 49-thousand signatures.

Now that the 2023 carnival season is in the books, how did it compare to Mardi Gras last year and those before? Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy gives it two thumbs up and says Mardi Gras as we know it is back.
Cut 10 (10) “…normal is good.”

50,000 signatures were delivered to the Orleans Parish of Registrar of Voters this afternoon  from a petition to remove New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. UNO Political Science Professor, Ed Chervenak says nearly 20% of recall signatures are declared invalid across the nation, but petition organizers came in and did what they had to do.

Cut 11 (8)  “…these signatures.”

The signatures must be validated before the process moves forward; the Registrar has 20 working days to verify signatures.

Congressman Garret Graves. Will he or won’t he run for Governor this fall? He says he IS close to a decision, because he’s asked about it all the time…:

Cut 14 (04)   “… we have”

Graves has been District 6 Congressman since 2015.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 11 people this week involved in the theft of dozens of cell phones from individuals who were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says they are trying to return stolen phones to the owners and while they might have your phone, the case is gone…

Cut  4 (09)  “…after the theft” 

Check the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook page to see if your phone number is listed.

After criticizing Attorney General Jeff Landry and his gubernatorial run Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve mended fences. He says they’ve pledged to work together if Landry is elected, and Landry told him he would listen to both sides of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project.

Cut 8 (11)  “…our fisheries.” 

The primary is October 14^th.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 11 people this week involved in the theft of over 150 cell phones from people celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says the suspects are members of a Colombian theft ring, and deputies are trying to return stolen phones to their rightful owners…:

CUT 03(09)      “…claim your phone.”

Phone numbers are listed on the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook page.

After criticizing Attorney General Jeff Landry and his gubernatorial run Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve mended fences. He says they patched it up during a recent meeting with Landry, wherein they talked about a number of projects he’s concerned with…:

CUT 07(11)      “…work with him.”

Nungesser will seek re-election to a third term this fall.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s getting closer to a decision on whether he’ll run for governor this year. Graves says he was busy during the first six weeks of the year with issues in Washington D-C, but he’s had more time lately to contemplate a possible run…:

CUT 12(07)      “…going to be doing.”

Charges have been dropped against LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers who was arrested in New Orleans this week for a misdemeanor count of illegally carrying of a weapon on Bourbon Street. Prosecutors decided to drop charges on the condition that Nabers does not get the gun back.

A Sulphur man is under arrest for allegedly having sex with a person under 17 years of age earlier this month and recording the event. 43-year-old Antonio Chavez is charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile and pornography involving juveniles. His bond is set at a quarter-million dollars.

If your cell phone was stolen while partying in New Orleans, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office might have it. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Palermo.”

A New Orleans man was shot multiple times today, while driving on Interstate 10. This happened during the lunch hour. The victim was able to drive himself to a nearby business to get help. The city has had a string of shooting incidents on the busy freeway in recent months.

Baton Rouge area congressman Garret Graves says he is getting closer to a decision on a possible run for Governor of Louisiana this fall. He says a great many have asked him to run, asked if he would run and asked if he is thinking about running. He says he is still making up his mind on what could be a career-changing decision…:

CUT 13(07)      “…to the state.”

He says his duties in the U.S. House have kept him pretty busy.

The group seeking a recall of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell handed in their nearly-50-thousand petition signatures today. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak says Cantrell will certainly seek to invalidate a great number of those…:

CUT 09(05)      “…challenge the signatures.”

Once the signatures have been counted & verified, the Governor will then set a date for a recall election.