New Orleans Democrat Karen Carter Peterson has resigned from the Louisiana Senate after 23-years in the legislature. Peterson says she needs to focus all of her energy on her struggles with depression and gambling addiction. Last week, she spoke about her recovery on the Senate Floor and hopes her battles with addiction helps others.
Cut 12 (10) “…with the disease.”
But the Advocate newspaper reports Peterson’s abrupt resignation is because she’s under a federal investigation due to financial issues linked to her gambling.

A report, conducted before the pandemic, indicates 57 percent of Louisiana’s children live in households below the ALICE threshold. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Edy (Edie) Addison with the Capital Area United Way says the study took a deep dive into who these children are.
Cut 3 (10) “….are working.”
Addison says the report is concerning because ALICE households often earn too much to qualify for public assistance like food stamps and having two working parents doesn’t guarantee financial stability.

In an effort to make the drive along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge safer, one Senator is proposing legislation to significantly increase speeding fines. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A Lafayette Police officer is said to be fighting for his life after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash on the Basin Bridge in Iberville Parish yesterday morning. State Police Lt. Todd Alcorn was off-duty and driving a personal vehicle when he struck a bridge rail and lost control. He was also struck by an oncoming vehicle. A state police spokesperson says Alcorn was likely impaired.