A couple years ago, voters amended the state Constitution to get rid of non-unanimous jury verdicts. Now the state Supreme Court will consider whether or not all those convictions will have to be re-tried. Jeff Palermo has more..:

CUT 02 (31)   “…Jeff Palermo.”

The head of St. Helena parish’s governing body is arrested for bribery and malfeasance. The Attorney General’s office says Police Jury President Frank Johnson was charged Monday. He’s accused of soliciting a bribe in exchange for influencing an emergency disaster relief contract for Hurricane Ida. He has posted bond and been released.

The state issues revised COVID guidance for K-12 schools to keep disruptions to a minimum. State Epidemiologist Dr. Teresa Sokol says if you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID in the last 90 days, you are exempt from having to quarantine after being exposed. But…:

CUT 03(05)      “…on the safe side.”

LDH is offering three options for K-12 schools and daycares because full adherence to CDC guidelines presents operational challenges.

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana’s COVID public health emergency order until a month from today, but without any mask or attendance mandates. Mr. Edwards says he may end the emergency before then IF down-trending virus numbers continue…:

CUT 14(10)      “…doing so.”

Local governments, school districts, and businesses may continue to enforce mask mandates – or ease them – as they see fit.

The state revises COVID guidelines for schools to keep kids in the classroom as much as possible. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

Deputies in Jefferson Parish shot and killed a man during an encounter in Marrero Wednesday. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says his officers responded to a 9-1-1 call and found the man sitting in his vehicle. He refused to exit the car. As they stood in front of the vehicle, he cranked it up and – worried he was about to try to hit them – they opened fire. The matter is under investigation.

The state Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s ban on non-unanimous jury verdicts should apply retroactively. The U.S. Supreme Court has already declined to rule on the matter. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says it’s difficult to predict how the state’s high court will rule…:

CUT 11(12)      “…there’s no telling.”

Advocates argue the split jury verdict law has a racist history, but the Attorney General’s office says because having to re-try hundreds of old cases would be a disaster.

Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton plans to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene, but he’s waiting for the U-S Justice Department to complete its investigation. Greene died in Union Parish, where Belton has local jurisdiction. He says while the federal investigation has taken time, it has produced results…:

CUT 06(12)      “…federal government.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s recent ban on non-unanimous guilty verdicts for felony cases should be retroactive.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

35-year old Wendell Sanchez of Gonzales was sentenced to 35 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to twice raping an 11-year-old girl whom authorities said became pregnant with his child. Prosecutors say it allowed Sanchez to avoid two potential life sentences and also avoided putting the victim on the stand.

Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton plans to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene, but the U-S Attorneys Office asked him not to move forward with state charges, because it may impede the federal investigation.

Cut 7 (12) “…my case” 

Greene died in Union Parish where Belton has jurisdiction.

The department of health has changed quarantine requirements in schools if there’s an exposure. One option, according to State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if there’s universal masking, they require no contact tracing or quarantine after exposure regardless of vaccination status.

Cut 5 (06) “…layer of protection.”

LDH is changing quarantine requirements in an effort to reduce disruptions in the classroom.

The state issues revised COVID guidance for K-12 schools to keep disruptions to a minimum. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID in the last 90 days you are exempted from having to quarantine after being exposed. Sokol says that another option is the “test to stay” which requires those who are unvaccinated to be tested for COVID twice a day for five days after exposure.

Cut 4 (10) “…of the school.”

LDH is offering three options, including universal masking, for K-12 schools and daycares because full adherence to CDC guidelines presents operational challenges.

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Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton plans to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene, but he’s waiting for the U-S Justice Department to complete its investigation. Belton expects the federal D-O-J will complete that investigation soon…

Cut 8 (08) “…will proceed”

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The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s ban on nonunanimous jury verdicts should apply retroactively. The U-S Supreme Court has already refused to make the split jury ban law retroactive, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the state supreme court can issue its own ruling.  But the Louisiana Attorney General’s office claims overturning the split system verdict retroactively would create havoc because hundreds of old cases would be re-tried…

Cut 10 (10) “…four to six months”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana’s COVID public health emergency order but has removed the remaining mitigation measures from the order. Governor Edwards did re-emphasize the recommendations for people to wear masks, particularly around large crowds. It’s something to keep in mind as Mardi Gras and festival season approach.

Cut 12 (14) “…remain high.”

The state issues revised COVID guidance for K-12 schools to keep disruptions to a minimum. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID in the last 90 days you are exempted from having to quarantine after being exposed, but…

Cut 3 (07) “…the safe side.”

The second option is a test to stay, after an exposure and the third is universal masking.

Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton plans to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene, but he’s waiting for the U-S Justice Department to complete its investigation. Greene died in Union Parish, where Belton has local jurisdiction. He says while the federal investigation has taken time, it has produced results…

 Cut 6 (12) “…federal government” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s ban on nonunanimous jury verdicts should apply retroactively. The U-S Supreme Court has already refused to make the split jury ban law retroactive, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the state supreme court can issue its own ruling

Cut 9 (10) “…federal constitution”

In an effort to keep repeat DWI drivers off the road, judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes can offer those with first or second convictions to be screened for substance abuse or a mental health disorder. Executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Lisa Freeman says screening is a proven impaired driver countermeasure.

Cut  11 (10)  “…screen for that.”  

Even though COVID cases numbers indicate the state is on the downside of the Omicron surge State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter urges residents to wear N95 masks when they are in crowds to avoid transmission. Free N95 masks are being distributed at the following locations.

Cut 9 (06) “…Walgreens locations.”

St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills files a bill requiring nursing homes to have emergency power incase of a disaster or other emergency situations. While most long-term care facilities have such back up power in place, he wants it on the books and to cover specifics

Cut 5 (12) “…long-term power disruption.”

The bill is in response to the tragic evacuation to a warehouse during Hurricane Ida that claimed 15 lives.

A report from NOAA shows parts of Louisiana and Texas could see Gulf of Mexico waters rise 16 to 18 inches by 2050. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says Louisiana is taking an aggressive approach to combat the rise in sea level…

Cut 14 (11)  “…the right direction.”
Judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes are participating in a pilot program in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says judges in those parishes will screen individuals convicted for a first or second offense DWI for substance abuse or a mental health disorder…

Cut 10 (09) “…down the road.”
Alcohol is involved in 40-percent of all traffic fatalities in Louisiana.

A bill filed for the regular legislative session in March would assure nursing homes have emergency power for disasters and other emergencies. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills is the bill’s sponsor. He says MOST nursing homes are already taking care of this, but…

Cut 4 (09)  “…of energy loss.” 

Mills says he brought the bill after talking with the nursing homes industry, who wish to be proactive in avoiding another tragedy like last summer at a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish.

While COVID cases continue to drop in the Omicron surge State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state’s overall fully vaccinated rate is 52-percent which he says needs to increase. But Kanter remains hopeful after more than 58 thousand got their first shot last month.

Cut 8 (08)  “…in January.”

NOAA issued a report that projects sea levels to rise by up to a foot within the next 30 years. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says the time is now for Louisiana to put plans into action to protect vulnerable coastal communities.

Cut 13 (12) “…sea-level rise.”

In an effort to keep repeat DWI drivers off the road, judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes can offer those with first or second convictions to be screened for substance abuse or a mental health disorder. Executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Lisa Freeman says screening is a proven impaired driver countermeasure.

Cut  11 (10)  “…screen for that.”  

A black lawmaker from Vidalia is facing criticism from his own party for voting for a Congressional District Map that does NOT contain a second majority-Black district. State representative C. Travis Johnson also supported a bill last year that banned transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. Johnson is the first vice-chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party but a member of the Democratic State Central Committee says Johnson is working against the party’s best interests.

A bill filed for the regular legislative session would assure nursing homes have emergency power for disasters and other emergencies…:
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts major sea-level rise over the next 30 years. NOAA says the western Gulf of Mexico could see the highest sea-level rise, 16 to 18 inches, by 2050, while the eastern Gulf of Mexico should expect 14 to 16 inches. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says the state will try to address the rise in sea level through its Coastal Master Plan…
cut 15 (10) “…that Louisiana needs”

Judges in Lafayette, Acadia and Vermilion parishes will participate in a pilot program where they will screen first or second offense, DWI offenders, for the presence of substance use or mental health disorder. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says if an offender is found to have a substance use problem a condition of sentencing could be treatment…
Cut 12 (12) “…some other judge.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s ban on nonunanimous jury verdicts should apply retroactively. The state’s split-jury ban went into effect in 2018 and in 2020 the U-S Supreme Court refused to make the law retroactive, but that doesn’t stop the state supreme court from making its own ruling that could lead to new trials for 15-hundred inmates.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the latest COVID data is encouraging, but there’s room for improvement. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A report from NOAA shows parts of Louisiana and Texas could see Gulf of Mexico waters rise 16 to 18 inches by 2050. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says Louisiana is taking an aggressive approach to combat the rise in sea level…
cut 14 (11) “…right direction”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, hundreds of nursing home patients were stuffed inside an ill-equipped facility in Tangipahoa Parish that lost power. Several died as a result. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills has filed a bill requiring nursing facilities to have a generator or an alternate electrical power source,,,
cut 6 (13) “…give some latitude”
Mills’ bill will be brought up when the legislature convenes its regular session on March 14th.

The state continues to see a decrease in the number of COVID cases as health officials say the Omicron variant surge is declining however the data still indicates a high transmission rate in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state’s positivity rate has dropped to 9-percent.
Cut 7 (10) “…days of January. “
The state’s overall fully vaccinated rate is 52-percent and Kanter says 58-thousand people received their first shot last month.

Judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes are participating in a pilot program that is an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says judges in those parishes will screen individuals convicted for a first or second offense DWI for substance abuse or a mental health disorder…
cut 10 (09) “….down the road”

A new federal government report predicts sea levels could rise as much as a foot over the next 30 years, which raises the level of urgency to protect Louisiana’s coastline…
cut 3 (32) “….I’m David Grubb”