Port Allen Police Chief Esdron Brown is being accused of forcing his religion upon his officer corp via mandatory religious meetings and using God’s will as a reasoning for promotions.  The accusations come from former officers.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says there is no criminal punishment Brown could be facing though despite the civil charges against him.  Any ramifications would come from voters.

Cut 11 (12) “…change his behavior.”

98,507 dollars was allegedly stolen from the Office of Motor Vehicles by three employees between March and June of 2017. That’s according to a new Legislative Auditor’s report that surveyed the OMV’s appropriation of funds. Auditor Daryl Purpera says authorities fear they will not be able to recover most of the cash that was taken from the deposits and daily cash totals.

Cut 14 (06) “…the funds”

All three were fired after the audit revealed the missing funds.

Over the past 20 months, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Metro Narcotics Division has made 11 arrests of individuals allegedly involved in heroine distribution. Rapides Parish Sherriff Department Captain Tommy Carnline says the investigation sparked because of a number of overdoses throughout 2016 and 2017, which they were able to trace back in part to these individuals…

Cut 3 (12) “…heroine”

Congress is set to vote this month on a criminal justice reform bill that would give judges more leeway in sentencing non-violent offenders, and would increase funding for rehabilitation programs for prisoners. The bill is backed by President Trump, but opposed by Senator John Kennedy and other Republicans. Kennedy says it’s a reform effort similar to the one enacted by Governor Edwards.

Cut 6 (09) “…my governor”

Senator John Kennedy is pushing back against a Congressional effort to pass a national criminal justice reform bill.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
Former officers are accusing Port Allen Police Chief Esdron Brown of violating their rights by forcing his religion upon his officer corp via mandatory meetings and citing God’s will as a reason for promotions. Legal analyst Tim Meche
Cut 9 (10) “…of these government employees.″

Over the past 20 months, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Metro Narcotics Division has arrested 11 for alleged involvement in heroin distribution. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Captain Tommy Carnline says the January 2017 arrest of Tyrone Gabriel had a major domino effect in the investigation…
Cut 4 (07) “…started″
Over 98-thousand dollars was allegedly stolen from the Office of Motor Vehicles by three employees between March and June of 2017. That’s according to a new Legislative Auditor’s report that surveyed the OMV’s appropriation of funds. Auditor Daryl Purpera says the OMV has been receptive to changes since the release of the report. He notes it can be challenging for that department to prevent these kinds of crimes given how small most OMV outposts can be.
Cut 13 (12) “…risky”
All three were fired after the audit revealed the missing funds.

Senator John Kennedy is pushing back against a Congressional effort to pass a national criminal justice reform bill.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Former officers are accusing Port Allen Police Chief Esdron Brown of violating their First Amendment rights. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Over the past 20 months, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Metro Narcotics Division has made 11 arrests of individuals allegedly involved in heroine distribution. Rapides Parish Sherriff Department Captain Tommy Carnline says the investigation sparked because of a number of overdoses throughout 2016 and 2017, which they were able to trace back in part to these individuals…

Cut 3 (12) “…heroine”

Carnline says the January 2017 arrest of Tyrone Gabriel had a major domino effect in the investigation…

Cut 4 (07) “…started″

Carnline says the metro team took hours of surveillance of suspects and even got some help from the community…

Cut 5 (10) “…area”

Metro agents say their investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are eminent.

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Congress is set to vote this month on a criminal justice reform bill that would give judges more leeway in sentencing non-violent offenders, and would increase funding for rehabilitation programs for prisoners. The bill is backed by President Trump, but opposed by Senator John Kennedy and other Republicans. Kennedy says it’s a reform effort similar to the one enacted by Governor Edwards.

Cut 6 (09) “…my governor”

The bill had a bi-partisan coalition in the Senate of 32 signatures as of Monday.

Kennedy and other Republicans say they’re concerned the legislation would lead to more prisoners getting out of jail who could potentially be violent individuals. Kennedy says there’s a number of incidents in Louisiana where a prisoner was released early under the new guidelines, and went on to commit a crime.

Cut 7 (10) “…non-violent”

The bill is being supported by a wide array of civil rights organizations, along with a growing contingent of conservatives who question the effectiveness of 90’s era mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Kennedy says law enforcement in Louisiana is afraid to publicly voice this opinion due to potential retaliation, but…

Cut 8 (09) “…probably lying”

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Port Allen Police Chief Esdron Brown is being accused of forcing his religion upon his officer corp via mandatory religious meetings and using God’s will as a reasoning for promotions.  The accusations come from former officers.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says if the allegations are true, Brown has violated the First Amendment rights of officers.

Cut 9 (10) “…of these government employees.″

Meche says those that lost their positions could potentially be entitled to compensation.

Cut 10 (13) “…police chiefs activities.”

Meche says there is no criminal punishment Brown could be facing though despite the civil charges against him.  Any ramifications would come from voters.

Cut 11 (12) “…change his behavior.”

_____________________________

98,507 dollars was allegedly stolen from the Office of Motor Vehicles by three employees between March and June of 2017. That’s according to a new Legislative Auditor’s report that surveyed the OMV’s appropriation of funds. Auditor Daryl Purpera says it appears the three took small chunks of cash from the operation at a time over the three months.

Cut 12 (08)   “…transactions”

All three were fired after the audit revealed the missing funds.

Purpera says the OMV has been receptive to changes since the release of the report. He notes it can be challenging for that department to prevent these kinds of crimes given how small most OMV outposts can be.

Cut 13 (12) “…risky”

The Auditor says authorities fear they will not be able to recover most of the cash that was taken from the deposits and daily cash totals.

Cut 14 (06) “…the funds”

State Police is investigating the incident.

98,507 dollars was allegedly stolen from the Office of Motor Vehicles by three employees between March and June of 2017. That’s according to a new Legislative Auditor’s report that surveyed the OMV’s appropriation of funds. Auditor Daryl Purpera says it appears the three did it piecemeal.

Cut 12, 8 seconds, transactions

State Police is now investigating.

Congress is set to vote this month on a criminal justice reform that’s opposed by Senator John Kennedy and other Republicans who say they’re concerned the legislation would lead to more prisoners getting out of jail who could potentially be violent individuals. Kennedy says similar legislation has put Louisiana in danger.

Cut 7 (10) “…non-violent”

The bill is backed by President Trump.

Port Allen Police Chief Esdron Brown is being accused of forcing his religion upon his officer corp via mandatory meetings and using God’s will as a reasoning for promotions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says if true, those that lost their positions would be entitled to compensation.

Cut 10 (13) “…police chiefs activities.”

The accusations come from former officers.  

Over the past 20 months, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Metro Narcotics Division has made 11 arrests of individuals allegedly involved in heroine distribution. Rapides Parish Sherriff Department Captain Tommy Carnline says the metro team took hours of surveillance of suspects and even got some help from the community…

Cut 5 (10) “…area”

Congress is set to vote this month on a criminal justice reform bill that would give judges more leeway in sentencing non-violent offenders and would increase funding for rehabilitation programs for prisoners. The bill is backed by President Trump, but opposed by Senator John Kennedy and other Republicans. Kennedy says it’s a reform effort similar to the one enacted by Governor Edwards.

Cut 6 (09) “…my governor”

Over the past 20 months, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Metro Narcotics Division has made 11 arrests of individuals allegedly involved in heroin distribution. Rapides Parish Sherriff Department Captain Tommy Carnline says the investigation sparked because of a number of overdoses throughout 2016 and 2017…

Cut 3 (12) “…heroine”

Former officers are accusing Port Allen Police Chief Esdron Brown of violating their First Amendment rights. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Here’s a look at your commodities.

An 11-month-old child is dead following an infection from untreated burns.  Emergency services received a call of an unresponsive child on Sunday in DeRidder, and found the child with burns covering the lower portion of the body.  Police Chief John Gott says the injuries were sustained when the mother’s boyfriend gave the child a bath.

Cut 7 (11) “…for the child.”

A Farm Bill is in conference committee with votes expected on a final version in Congress later this week. Senator John Kennedy has voiced his opposition to the bill, saying it does not go far enough in its SNAP reforms, and says he won’t vote for it due to its lack of work requirements. Congressman Ralph Abraham says he’ll vote yes, but plans to continue pushing for food stamp overhauls.

Cut 11 (08) “…to them”

Abraham says he expects the bill to pass this week.

Fire safety is paramount as Louisiana reaches 63 fatal fires this year alongside 73 lives lost. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Connor Ferrill.”

LSU all American Devin Whtie is undecided on leaving for the pros, but other potential top 10 pick, cornerback Greedy Williams, is out the door and won’t be playing against UCF. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s disappointed that NFL bound players are skipping out on their final games.

Cut 18 (16)  with his team“

A Farm Bill is in conference committee with votes expected on a final version in Congress later this week. The bill houses the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or food stamps, along with farming policy for the next several years. Congressman Ralph Abraham says he’s disappointed the bill leaves out SNAP work requirements, but overall it’s a good bill.

Cut 10 (10)   “…big win”

The bill has the support of Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and Congressman Steve Scalise, and opposed by Senator Kennedy.

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health has received a $23.1 million State Opioid Response grant. OBH Assistant Secretary Karen Stubbs says the opioid epidemic is at epic proportions nationally and the Bayou State is no different…

Cut 14 (09) “…2016.”

An 11-month old is dead following an infection from untreated burns and now the child’s mother and her boyfriend are charged murder and neglect.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

LSU All-American linebacker Devin White remains undecided on whether he’ll skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. White says he’d hate to leave without a championship.

cut 17 (18) “the team”

The final version of the Farm Bill will not include work requirements for food stamp recipients. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m  Matt Doyle”

Louisiana has seen 63 fatal fires this year, resulting in 73 dead. What should you do to keep yourself and family safe in the event of a fire? State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says among the recommendations, family members not to return to a burning home for anything…

Cut 6 (08) “…way out”

An 11-month-old child is dead following an infection from untreated burns.  Emergency services received a call of an unresponsive child on Sunday in DeRidder, and found the child with burns covering the lower portion of the body.  Police Chief John Gott says the injuries were sustained when the mother’s boyfriend gave the child a bath with hot water. The mother of the child and her boyfriend are both facing charges of murder and cruelty.  Gott says the suspects didn’t need to have intent to kill to catch the charges in this case.

Cut 8 (10) “…to a juvenile.″

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health has received a $23.1 million State Opioid Response grant. Assistant Secretary at the Louisiana Department of Health in the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says the grant will fund a multitude of programs to the benefit of those suffering from opioid use disorder…

Cut 13 (12) “…prescribers.”

A Farm Bill is in conference committee with votes expected on a final version in Congress later this week. Congressman Ralph Abraham praised the legislation’s farming reforms, including preserving crop insurance, increased flexibility for land classification, the Timber Innovation Act, irrigation changes for rice, and an expanded definition for family farms.

Cut 12 (11)   “…big deal”

The bill does not include work requirements for food stamp recipients, a policy sought by Abraham.

An 11-month-old child is dead following an infection from untreated burns.  Emergency services received a call of an unresponsive child on Sunday in DeRidder, and found the child with burns covering the lower portion of the body.  Police Chief John Gott says the injuries were sustained when the mother’s boyfriend gave the child a bath.

Cut 7 (11) “…for the child.”

Fire safety is paramount as Louisiana reaches 63 fatal fires this year alongside 73 lives lost. Spokesperson for the State Fire Marshal’s Office Ashley Rodrigue says families need to have an exit plan with at least two ways to leave every room…

Cut 5 (09) “…escape plans”

She also recommends inspecting your fire alarms. Working fire alarms were not discovered at a fatal Sunday morning mobile home fire in Campti.

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health has received a $23.1 million State Opioid Response grant. OBH Assistant Secretary Karen Stubbs says it’s a great start, but the next step is increasing access to treatment through community outreach…

Cut 15 (08) “…treatment.”

More than 400 Louisianans died of an opioid overdose in 2017, a 20 percent increase over 2016.