Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the $20-million federal grant to help develop passenger rail service between Baton Rouge & New Orleans should be spent elsewhere. While he says a passenger train between the two cities is NOT a bad idea, it’s not what Louisiana needs most right now.

Cut 6 (11) “…are the top priority.”

The state has distributed $28 million in assistance to thousands of eligible homeowners affected by the pandemic and there’s more to go around. Desiree Honore Thomas with the Division of Administration says income requirements are set by HUD which is equal to or less than 150 percent of the average area-median income, or 100 percent below the median income, for example…

Cut 8 (04)  “…family of one.”

To apply or for more information visit LAcovidhousing.com.

Among the top shows streaming on Netflix this week is I Just Killed My Dad – the documentary follows Anthony Templet of Baton Rouge who confessed to murdering his father when he was 17 in 2019. Templet’s Attorney Jarrett Ambeau says a production company contacted him within days of the murder making headlines…:

Cut 10 (06) “…the time.”
The series highlights years of child abuse inflicted on Templet at the hands of his dad. He pleaded down to manslaughter and was given 5 years supervised probation.

You might want to think twice about posting those back-to-school photos of your child on social media. Better Business Bureau’s Carmen Million…

Cut 13 (12) “…your child is.”

As the feds give south Louisiana $20-mllion for a passenger train between Baton Rouge & New Orleans, one congressman feels there are better uses for the money…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Practice caution if you post first day of school pics of your kids this week. Carmen Million of the Better Business Bureau says cyber criminals are relentless..:
Cut 15 (09) “and get two”

The new Netflix series I Just Killed My Dad, which features the story of Anthony Templet of Baton Rouge who killed his father when he was 17 in 2019, is one of the top streaming shows on the platform. It highlights years of abuse Templet endured at the hands of his father. Templet’s attorney Jarrett Ambeau says his client has watched the series and now wants to reunite with his estranged mother…:
CUT 11 (06) “existed”
Templet was offered a plea deal for manslaughter, avoided jail time, and was given five years of supervised probation.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating a single vessel fatality in St. Tammany Parish, as the body of the man involved was recovered. Agents believe 28-year-old David Anderson of Slidell went kayaking alone when his kayak flipped for unknown reasons. Anderson is the 20th boating fatality this year in Louisiana.

The documentary of a Baton Rouge teen who murdered his father in 2019 is among the top 10 on Netflix THIS WEEK. Brooke Thorington has more from Anthony Templet’s attorney..:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

You’re probably sick of it but there is more wet weather in the forecast today for most of the state. Widespread flooding is not expected but forecasters say heavy rains could lead to high water on roadways.

The federal Department of Transportation awards a $20-million grant to help develop passenger rail service between Baton Rouge & New Orleans, but Congressman Garret Graves says the money could be put toward more immediate needs. On WBRP in Baton Rouge this week, Graves a new Mississippi Bridge in Baton Rouge is more important, not that he’s against the rail service…:
Cut 5 (11) “top priority”

The state has distributed $28 million in homeowner assistance to thousands affected by the pandemic and there’s more to go around. Desiree Honore Thomas with the Division of Administration says it provides up to $25,000 for those behind on their mortgage…:
Cut 7 (12) “on the street”
For more information visit LAcovidhousing.com.

Entergy commits over $4-million to the United Way to help folks with paying unusually high utility bills. Kevin Gallagher has that…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The man who brutally killed a woman in an attack that was broadcast live on social media has been indicted by a Baton Rouge Grand Jury. 35 year old Earl Lee Johnson Jr is indicted on charges including first degree murder, kidnapping and obstruction of justice stemming from the April stabbing death of Janice David in an incident that was streamed on Instagram.

Among the top shows streaming on Netflix this week is I Just Killed My Dad – a documentary follows Anthony Templet of Baton Rouge who confessed to murdering his father when he was 17 in 2019. Templet’s Attorney Jarrett Ambeau says a production company contacted him within days of the 2019 murder making headlines…:
Cut 10 (06) “the time”
The series highlights years of child abuse inflicted on Templet at the hands of his dad. He pleaded down to manslaughter and was given 5 years supervised probation.

If you’ve posted pictures of your kids going back to school this week, the Better Business Bureau issues some caution. Spokeswoman Carmen Million urges you to be diligent about your security information if you do decide to share pics of your kids online…:
Cut 14 (08) “are protected”

Though the federal Department of Transportation has awarded a $20 million grant to develop a passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Congressman Garret Graves feels the money should go towards more immediate needs. On WBRP this week, Graves says Baton Rouge needs another bridge over the Mississippi — a project that’s moving at a snail’s pace…:
CUT 4 (06) “that’s ridiculous”
Graves says spending money on a train is less pressing than enabling east-west traffic to move more quickly through Baton Rouge.

The state has distributed $28 million in homeowner assistance to thousands affected by the pandemic and there’s more to go around if you’re behind on your mortgage. Desiree Honore Thomas with the Division of Administration says it’s easy to apply and there are plenty of checks and balances to prevent fraud…:
Cut 9 (11) “mortgages services”
For more information visit LAcovidhousing.com.

One of the top 10 streaming shows on Netflix this week is the story of a young man from Baton Rouge who admitted to killing his father when he was 17 in 2019. “I Just Killed My Dad” dives into the home life of Anthony Templet and highlights years of child abuse by his father. Jarrett Ambeau, the Attorney for Templet, says his client has received a ton of support and compassion from viewers…:
Cut 12 (07) “people care”
Templet was offered a plea deal for manslaughter, avoided jail time, and was given five years of supervised probation.

With today’s check on gas prices, AAA reports Louisiana’s statewide average is now $3.61 — down 2 cents overnight and 61 cents less than the same time last month, but still about 80 cents up from a year ago.

As the feds give south Louisiana $20-mllion for a passenger train between Baton Rouge & New Orleans, one congressman feels there are better uses for the money. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The documentary of a Baton Rouge teen who murdered his father in 2019 is among the top 10 on Netflix since it premiered Wednesday. Brooke Thorington has more from Anthony Templet’s attorney

Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Entergy commits over $4-million to the United Way to help folks with paying unusually high utility bills. Kevin Gallagher has that…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

________________________________________________

The federal Department of Transportation awards a $20-million grant to help develop passenger rail service between Baton Rouge & New Orleans, but Congressman Garret Graves says the money could be put toward more immediate needs. On WBRP in Baton Rouge this week, Graves said a new bridge over the Mississippi at the Capital City is more important. He says that project is moving at a snail’s pace…:

Cut 4 (06)  “…that’s ridiculous.”

The millions will be used for land acquisition and to design and build train stations in Baton Rouge and Gonzales. Graves says spending money on a train is less pressing than enabling east-west traffic to move more quickly through Baton Rouge. He says he’s not AGAINST the idea of a train, but the state has much more pressing transportation needs to address…:

Cut 5 (10) “…top priority.”

Graves points out that Federal DOT money comes from dedicated “pots”; for roads or rail or air transport etc… He favors NO such pots; letting states decide where the money needs to go. He says a passenger train between the two cities is NOT a bad idea, but it’s not what Louisiana needs most at this time…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…are the top priority.”

_______________________________________________

The state has distributed $28 million in homeowner assistance to thousands affected by the pandemic and there’s more to go around. Desiree Honore Thomas with the Division of Administration says it provides up to $25,000 for those behind on their mortgage.

Cut 7 (12) “….on the street.”

The Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund is open to eligible homeowners who are behind on their mortgages. Thomas says income requirements are set by HUD which is equal to or less than 150 percent of the average area-median income, or 100 percent below the median income, for example…

Cut 8 (04)  “…family of one.”

The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Thomas says it’s easy to apply and there are plenty of checks and balances to prevent fraud.

Cut 9 (11)  “…mortgages services.”

To apply or for more information visit LAcovidhousing.com.

______________________________________________

Among the top shows streaming on Netflix this week is I Just Killed My Dad. The documentary follows what happened after then 17-year-old Baton Rouge teen Anthony Templet confessed to murdering his father. Attorney Jarrett Ambeau says a production company contacted him within days of the 2019 murder making headlines.

Cut 10 (06) “…the time.”

The three-part series details why Templet had a volatile relationship with his father and what led to his decision to kill Burt Templet after years of abuse. Without giving away any spoilers Ambeau feels after his client viewed the series it will help him to mend his relationship with his mother

Cut  11 (06)  “…existed.” 

Reaction to the series Ambeau says has been overwhelming and he’s received many words of encouragement and compassion from viewers.

Cut 12 (07) “…people care.” 

Templet was offered a plea deal for manslaughter, avoided jail time, and was given five years of supervised probation.

_________________________________________________

Students are heading back to school this week in Louisiana and many parents are proudly sharing pictures on social media. Carmen Million of the Better Business Bureau is asking you to think twice.

Cut 13 (12) “…your child is.”

Million urges you to be diligent about your security information if you do decide to share.

Cut 14 (08)  “…are protected”

Million says if you don’t think like a criminal you might be surprised how smart scammers can be.

Cut 15 (09)  “…and get two.”

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Texas Tech transfer Parker McNeil and TCU transfer Matthew Downing are the top two candidates to be the starting quarterback at Louisiana Tech this season. McNeil is familiar with first-year Head Coach Sonny Cumbie’s offense as both were in Lubbock, Texas last season….

Cut 16 (20)  “…especially.”

Downing started his college career at Georgia and spent the last two seasons at TCU, playing in a total of seven games. He says the battle for starting quarterback is a healthy competition between himself and Parker

Cut 17 (17) “…every day.” 

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With Jameis Winston sidelined by a sprained foot, backup quarterback Andy Dalton is taking advantage of the time getting snaps with the first team offense. The former Cincinnati Bengals starting Q-B feels right at home in New Orleans…

Cut  18 (16)“…good place.”

Dalton has been solid during training camp and might have had his best practice yesterday, throwing five straight touchdown passes during seven-on-seven drills in the red zone. Three of them went to Michael Thomas, who seems to be regaining his form. Dalton says Thomas is a great target to throw to…

 Cut 19 (14) _“…special.” 

Cut 20 (12) “ …aware of yet.” 

Louisiana District 6 Congressman Garret Graves says he is a “no” vote on the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has gone ahead and declared his intent to run for Governor in 2023. Nungesser says he will likely start actively campaigning in January. Attorney general Jeff Landry and state Treasurer John Schroder are also expected to run. No Democrats have solidly mentioned interest in running as yet.

According to the State Department of Education in the last five years, truancy has risen 22 percent. Baton Rouge Area BESE member Ronnie Morris says a task force consisting of school leaders, law enforcement, state leaders, and even family support groups met last month with a goal of reducing the statewide truancy rate from 40-percent to 28-percent.

Cut 10 (12) “…group effort.” 

Louisiana shrimpers are struggling to make ends meet and Sea Grant Agent Kevin Savoie with the LSU Ag Center explains part of the problem for local shrimpers is due to the massive amounts of imported shrimp.

Cut 13 (07) “…down with it.”

In order for Louisiana shrimpers to profit they are having to sell product themselves.

Congress is expected to vote final passage of the $359-billion Inflation Reduction Act, but District 6 Congressman Garret Graves says it’ll be a “no” vote for him. On WBRP radio in Baton Rouge today, Graves said Americans are being asked to trust Congress and the White House to solve a problem that didn’t exist until they took power…:

CUT 04(08)      “…of their policies.”

He says Republican amendments are proposed to ease the pain on taxpayers, but he’s not sure they will even be allowed for debate or vote.

Some stormy days are ahead for our state, as a tropical wave interacts with a cold front over the area leading to some showers and thunderstorms through the weekend. Expect good chances of showers Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with rain tapering a bit Sunday. Meanwhile the tropical disturbance in the Atlantic is showing less chances of becoming a named storm.

Louisiana shrimpers are struggling to make ends meet. After calculating gas prices and what they charge per pound it’s just not feasible. Shrimper Anthony Theriot says for example if he catches 1,000 pounds of shrimp one day, he’s looking at $650, but…:

CUT 12(10)      “…nothing there.”

He says, to make a profit, many shrimpers are selling their catch themselves.

What to do about kids cutting school? Truancy is at 40-percent statewide; a jump of over 20-percent in a year. BESE member Ronnie Morris, of Baton Rouge, says it was a big problem even before the pandemic…:

CUT 09(07)      “…where are they?”

A truancy task force has set a goal of reducing truancy to 28-percent by 2024.