New Orleans firebrand state Senator Karen Carter Peterson has resigned from the legislature, after 23 years of service. Her resignation was effective today. In a written statement, Peterson says she is stepping down to focus on her mental health and well-being. She has struggled with depression and a gambling addiction for several years. A special election will be called to replace Peterson in the Senate.

That is one less vote on the Senate floor for a bill to bring Louisiana’s one-year-old Name, Image & Likeness endorsement law into line with other states, and make it easier for Louisiana to recruit top athletic talent. Bill sponsor Patrick Connick, of Marrero, says Texas A&M landed the nation’s number one football recruiting class because their boosters negotiated NIL deals for recruits as a way to get them to sign with the Aggies…:

CUT 13(09)      “…to participate”

Connick’s bill will make Louisiana NIL law match other SEC states.

A Baton Rouge man faces murder charges for the death of his 5-year-old daughter. BR Police says the little girl was brought to an ER this week unresponsive, but later died. An autopsy determined she died from blunt force trauma. The father, 23-year-old Aaron Hawkins in behind bars; charged with Murder One.

The second-in-command at State Police has been put on administrative leave as he’s under an internal investigation for erasing data on his state-issued cell phone. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Longtime New Orleans area state Senator Karen Carter Peterson has resigned her seat in the legislature – effective immediately. Senate President Page Cortez confirmed this with LRN this afternoon. Often fiery and not shy with opinions, Carter served in the state House before being elected to the Senate in 2010. She is considered a Power Player at the Capitol. Peterson has struggled with an addiction to gambling for several years, and took personal privilege on the Senate floor recently to talk about it. She says it’s for this reason she is stepping down.

An Orleans Parish State Police criminal investigator is in trouble; accused of a hit-and-run in his state-issued unmarked car in St. Tammany Parish…and with falsely reporting a hit-and-run in Orleans. 19-year veteran Lt. Chad Lacoste is accused of Malfeasance and Injuring Public Records … plus the Hit-and-Run charge in St. Tammany. Spokesman Sgt. Dustin Dwight says LSP commander Lamar Davis supports his people, but…:

CUT 11(05)      “…for our actions.”

A bill heading to the Senate floor puts Louisiana in line with other states’ name, image, and likeness laws. Louisiana approved a law last year that allowed college athletes to receive cash for endorsing products, businesses, or individuals. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says his bill this year will allow university board members and boosters to participate…:

CUT 12(12)      “…to act.”

Connick says colleges in state’s with healthy NIL laws find it easier to recruit big talent.

Louisiana is under a “red flag warning” today for fire conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that means conditions are ideal for small fires to get out of control. He says high winds and low humidity are the reason, and it’s odd to see air tis dry this time of year…:

CUT 05(09)      “…perhaps Arizona & New Mexico”

He advises we burn nothing outdoors for the near future.

A State Police officer faces charges for after allegedly committing a hit-and-run in St. Tammany Parish and falsely reporting one in Orleans. LSP spokesman Sgt. Dustin Dwight says Lt. Chad Lacoste is charged with Malfeasance in Office and Injuring Public Records…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…St. Tammany Parish crash.”

Lacoste, who’s been with LSP since 2003, is on administrative leave.

The Number Two man at State Police is now on administrative leave, while an internal investigation looks into the erasure of data on his state-issued cellphone. Lt. Colonel Doug Cain’s phone was wiped in 2020, as facts about the 2019 roadside of death Ronald Greene began to surface. LSP commander Colonel Lamar Davis says he did it (quote) “in the best interest of the department to eliminate any questions into the integrity of the investigation.”

The Senate Education Committee approves a bill that brings Louisiana’s law for name, image and likeness deals in line with other states who are using NILs to recruit the best players in the country. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Michelle Southern.”

Many fans of the Foo Fighters were saddened at the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last month. His death is the reason the band cancelled their show at New Orleans Jazz Festival this year. Today, officials announced the Red Hot Chili Peppers will replace Foo Fighters in the lineup; on Sunday, May 1^st.

The second-in-command at State Police has been put on administrative leave, as he’s under an internal investigation for erasing data on his state-issued cell phone. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

We’re under a “red flag warning” for potential fires and wildfires. State Climatologist Barry Keim sasy that’s because the winds are high and humidity is low…:

CUT 04  (07)        “…really dry.”

A Baton Rouge man, arrested for child abuse, will now be charged with murder after the death of his own daughter. Police says 23-year-old Aaron Hawkins was being held on cruelty to a juvenile, after his 5-year-old child was bright to an ER unresponsive. The investigation is ongoing, but Hawkins charges have been upgraded. BRPD spokesman L’Jean McKneely says it could have been prevented, and asks that we all call law enforcement if we suspect a child is being beaten..:

CUT 08  (10)        “to investigate.”

State Police arrest one of their own after Lt. Chad Lacoste falsely claimed damage to his vehicle last September. LSP Sgt. Dustin Dwight says Lacoste reported he was involved in a hit and run crash in his unmarked department vehicle in Orleans Parish, but investigators found his car was involved in a separate incident the day before in St. Tammany…:

CUT 09(11)      “…in Orleans Parish.”

State Police place Lt. Doug Cain on administrative leave. Superintendent Col Lamar Davis issued a statement that Cain is on paid leave pending the ongoing administrative investigation of removing data from his cellphone. Cain is second in command at LSP, and Davis says this is in the best interest to eliminate any question of the integrity of the investigation. Cain was a high-ranking officer during the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene and subsequent investigation.

Charges against 23-year-old Aaron Hawkins of Baton Rouge have been upgraded to first-degree murder after the coroner ruled the death of his five-year-old daughter was consistent with bruising and trauma on her body.  BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the case remains under investigation.

Cut 7 (11) “…additional arrests.” 

Louisiana is under a “red flag warning” today for fire conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that means conditions are ideal for small fires to get out of control. Keim says our current weather conditions have produced an increased risk of fire danger

Cut 3 (12) “.higher gusts”

Keim says advises against outdoor burning today due to the low humidity and windy conditions.

The 50^th Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is underway. After a two-year absence because of COVID organizers are expecting record-breaking crowds.

Charges against 23-year-old Aaron Hawkins of Baton Rouge have been upgraded to first-degree murder after the death of his five-year-old daughter. BRPD spokesperson Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says on Wednesday the victim was unresponsive and hospital staff found trauma and bruising on her body. McKneely says the coroner’s report confirmed her cause of death.

Cut 6  (05) “…first-degree murder.” 

Hawkins was being held on cruelty to a juvenile charge after confessing he often disciplined his daughter with a belt.

Researchers at Colorado State University are predicting another active Atlantic hurricane season with 19 named storms. CSU Ph.D. candidate Alex DesRosiers (Dee-rose-ee-ay) says we are still currently in a weak La Nina pattern:

Cut 5 (06) “…an intensify.”
This is the third year in row forecasters have called for an “above average” season.

The LHSAA executive committee approved a positioning statement to allow high school student-athletes to profit from name, image, and likeness deals. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says NIL deals are already happening in Louisiana, one of the top girls’ basketball players in the country, Parkway’s Mikalah Williams is endorsing a local attorney…

Cut 15 (10)  “…that’s all it is.”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off today and organizers predict a record-breaking crowd head to Tangipahoa Parish this weekend. Festival spokesperson Donald Lanier says they haven’t been able to have the berry  festival for two years, so they are elated to be back…:

Cut 10 (09) “…everything going on.”
Visit LAstrawberryfestival.com to learn more.

Third judicial District Attorney John Belton says he’s moving forward with convening a special grand jury in Union Parish to prosecute those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Belton says he delayed prosecution at the request of the U-S Attorney, but now has been given permission to move forwards. Belton says he believes state and federal crimes were committed.

Colorado State University releases its predictions for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season with 19 named storms.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Researchers at Baton Rouge’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center identify a chemical compound that COULD be an anti-aging breakthrough. Pennington’s Christopher Axelrod says the recently discovered compound – called BAM15 – prevented age-related muscle loss in older lab mice, by actually making mitochondria in their bodies less efficient…:

Cut 7 (11) “…the mitochondria healthier.”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is back, and they are expecting records crowds for its 50^th anniversary. Spokesperson Donald Lanier says the last two years have been difficult without the strawberry festival not only for the nonprofits that depend on revenue from the event but for local businesses as well.

Cut  11 (06)  “…the year.”  

The festival begins today at noon and wraps up Sunday at 6 pm.