A grand jury meets today to hear evidence against three men accused of participating in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks shortly before she was killed by a passing car. .
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans Police is charging a 15-year-old with negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of another 15-year-old from Warren Easton High School. Tyler Ellis, described as a straight A student, died from a gunshot wound after he was shot Monday night. Ellis is the second Warren Easton student to die in a shooting in two weeks.

Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of two individuals who were involved in the murder of 27-year-old Allen Babineaux, who was fatally shot at a nightclub in 2000. Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight says they will present their evidence to a grand jury next week…
cut 15 (07) “….in the making”
46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Shreveport are the two men charged in the case.

A state judge has given final approval to a 101-million dollar class-action settlement for victims of a massive flood in Tangipahoa Parish in 1983. It’s been determined the newly constructed I-12 disrupted water flow flooding hundreds of homes and nearly 100 businesses in Ponchatoula.
cut 5 (06) “…long ride”
That an attorney for the plaintiffs, Jean-Paul Layrisson, who hopes the process of getting money from the state to his clients will be a quick one.

State Police has released more information on last week’s police shooting where a 18-year-old suspected car jacker was shot in Shreveport. L-S-P says the suspect, Zechariah Stutts, pointed a gun at officers during a foot chase. Stutts was shot in the hip, a non-life threatening injury and he’s been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

After a 40-year wait, victims of a flood in Tangipahoa Parish – caused by I-12 road work – will soon see compensation. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney will present evidence to a grand jury today in the Madison Brooks case. Authorities say the LSU student from Covington was raped inside a vehicle, before dying a short time later when struck by a passing car. Attorneys representing the defendants say the sex was consensual, but legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there appears to be enough evidence to get an indictment…
cut 9 (08) “…get it”
Three young men are facing third degree rape charges and a 17-year-old will have his case go through the juvenile court system.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has announced she’s running for President, the first major challenger for former President Donald Trump, who is once again seeking the Republican nomination. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says Haley wants voters to remember her ties to the former President…
cut 10 (11) “…and among Republicans”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office will present evidence today to a grand jury claiming that three adults and a teenager raped LSU student Madison Brooks before she was killed by a passing car. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there’s been talk the D-A will pursue first-degree rape charges, which carries a higher penalty if convicted…
cut 8 (07) “…..get it”

46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur are in custody and facing murder charges in a fatal shooting that took place in 2000 at a Lake Charles nightclub. L-C-P-D Deputy Chief Franklin Fondell says Allen Babineaux died on New Year’s Day in 2000 and the family can start to have closure…
cut 14 (07) “….waiting for healing”

Former South Carolina Governor and Republican Nikki Haley is running for President. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says she has the qualifications and appeals to conservative voters…:
Cut 12 (11) “…kind of candidacy.”
But Sadow says if Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enters the race, her chances will diminish.

After waiting 40 years for an answer, victims of a 1983 flood in Tangipahoa Parish, caused by the construction of Interstate 12, will soon see compensation. A judge this week gave final approval to a $101-million class action settlement. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jean-Paul Layrisson says this final approval is great news for the 1200+ people and businesses who were flooded in 1983…:
Cut 4 (11) “…the right amounts.”

A grand jury convenes in Baton Rouge today to hear evidence against three of the four men arrested in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he would be shocked if the grand jury doesn’t issue an indictment if the DA is actively seeking one.
Cut 7 (08) “…an indictment.”
A fourth suspect, who is 17 years old, will have his case handled in the juvenile court suspect.

Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of two men who were allegedly involved in a fatal shooting at The Doll House nightclub in January 2000. L-C-P-D Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says his department re-opened the cold case over 13 months ago by reviewing all existing evidence and reconstructing the crime scene…
Cut 13 (13) “…two suspects”
The two people charged are 46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur. Both have been charged in the murder of Allen Babineaux.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has launched a campaign for the White House. Kevin Gallagher talks with a Louisiana politico on her chances of being the country’s first female president…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over the entire country last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy says President Biden should have ordered the balloon intercepted far earlier than he did…:

Cut 3 (08) “…our southern border.” 

Cassidy feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers.

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that he calls the Public Library Accountability Act. Hollis says his legislation gives power to municipalities and parishes to make sure their library system operates the way they want it to…

Cut 6 (09)  “…not be.” 

A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says when they inspected the RADE unit nothing was taken but the backdoor was propped open. Then they heard a noise at a nearby building.

Cut 9 (11) “…use the restroom.”

She faces burglary charges and The RADE building houses individual offices and evidence rooms.

After a complaint to state wildlife Ponchatoula went into a frenzy upon news that their beloved alligator Hardhide could be put down. Owner T-Mike Kliebert (Klee-bear) says the community rallied to keep Hardhide from being euthanized. He says many questioned why she couldn’t be released back into the wild instead.

Cut 13 (11) “…not an option.” 

Hardhide will retire soon to the Kliebert family farm.

Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over entire country last week. Cassidy and other senators were briefed by the Defense Department and says, at least U.S. air defenses are much more alert to such things going forward.

Cut 5 (07) “…pick up these objects.”

Cassidy says the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes the US look vulnerable.

33-year-old Monica Matthews of Ball was arrested after an alarm was tripped at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building Sunday. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says Matthews told detectives she thought it was a substation and she wanted to use the restroom.

Cut 11 (07)  “…happening again.”

Matthews is being held at the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion stating local governments have the authority to remove members of Library Control Boards. St. Bernard Parish Representative Ray Garafalo says he asked Landry to render the opinion after local officials came to him with their concerns…:

Cut 7 (11)  “…local communities” 

The concern is over kids getting access to adult content at libraries and whether board members will take steps to assure they do not. Garafalo says he’ll propose legislation this spring to make the AG’s opinion a clear matter of state law.

Ponchatoula’s long-time mascot alligator, Hardhide, has been spared being euthanized by state Wildlife & Fisheries.  Owner T-Mike Kleibert says she’s been in the family since 1957 and at the Ponchatoula Country Market for 13 years…:

Cut 12 (10) “…could do.”

Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the whole USA last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy said he feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers, and places our national security at risk…:

CUT 04 (09)      “…to our airspace.”

At least 3 unidentified objects have been shot down in the days since.

A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tommy Carnline says officers found 33-year-old Monica Matthews had gotten in to use the bathroom, she told them. Carnline says she faces several charges…:

CUT 10 (09)      “…run free.”

Nothing was taken from the sheriff’s building.

A Mandeville state lawmaker files legislation for the spring session that would give local governments the authority they need to remove members of local library control boards, should they feel the need. Republican Representative Paul Hollis says this is about kids getting access to adult reading material, and taxpayers shouldn’t be asked to pay for some of the books he’s seen in libraries…:

CUT 08 (12)      “…your mind.”

In Tangipahoa Parish, citizen efforts have successfully stayed the euthanization of 65-year-old Ponchatoula city mascot Hardhide the alligator. Her owner, T-Mike Kliebert, says she’ll get to spend her remaining years instead on the Kliebert family farm…:

Cut 14  (05)      “…her life.”

Numerous people petitioned state Wildlife & Fisheries to NOT put Hardhide to sleep.

A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says when they inspected the RADE unit nothing was taken but the backdoor was propped open. Then they heard a noise at a nearby building…:

CUT 09(11)      “…use the restroom.”

He says Matthews was charged with burglary, criminal trespass and more.

Monroe state Senator Katrina Jackson responds to a lawsuit filed against her by the Tulane University 1^st Amendment Center, alleging she violated a woman’s right to free speech by blocking the woman’s access to her social media pages. Jackson says the woman used foul language, called Jackson obscene names and advised she should “burn in hell.” The harsh words came as Jackson was passing the state’s anti-abortion trigger law in 2022.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a Chinese spy balloon that crossed the USA last week. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Palermo.”

Organizers of the petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell say they are within just over a thousand signatures of their goal, with just a week until the deadline to submit. The group seeks to put a recall vote on a local election ballot. 49-thousand confirmed signatures are needed. The deadline for that is Mardi Gras Day; next Tuesday.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a Chinese spy balloon that crossed the USA last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy says President Biden should have ordered the balloon intercepted far earlier than he did…:

CUT 03(08)      “…southern border.”

Cassidy feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers, and places our national security at risk.

A Mandeville state lawmaker files a bill to let municipalities and parishes make sure their library system operates the way they want it to. Republican Rep. Paul Hollis says his Public Library Accountability Act is aimed at fighting a “woke” agenda being pushed on the masses using taxpayer dollars…:

CUT 07(11)      “…local communities.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion stating local governments have authority to remove board members if needs be.

Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says deputies arrest a 15-year-old boy in connection with the death of an elderly Winnsboro man. 79-year-old Ben Scott was found last night. Cobb says the investigation is ongoing. The teen has been charged with murder.

Upon word that their beloved alligator “Hardhide” could be euthanized, the town of Ponchatoula rallied to keep the critter alive. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that he calls the Public Library Accountability Act. Hollis says his legislation gives power to municipalities and parishes to make sure their library system operates the way they want to…

Cut 6 (09)  “…not be.” 

Hollis says he wants to give local governments the ability to remove individuals from library control boards.

After a complaint to state wildlife Ponchatoula went into a frenzy upon news that their beloved alligator Hardhide could be put down. Owner T-Mike Kliebert (Klee-bear) says the community rallied to keep Hardhide from being euthanized. He says many questioned why she couldn’t be released back into the wild instead.

Cut 13 (11) “…not an option.” 

Hardhide will retire soon to the Kliebert family farm.

A study done at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge shows promise in heading off dementia among older black citizens. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”