Due to the tremendous response, the insurance commissioner has doubled the number of grants this round in the Fortified Homes program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to AAA, the average price per gallon of gas is currently $2.75 in Louisiana.  This marks a decrease from $2.97 a month ago and a significant drop from $3.35 a year ago.  The decline reflects lower demand and improved supply conditions compared to last year.

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival returns this weekend in downtown New Iberia.  As Louisiana’s top sugarcane-producing region, Iberia Parish is the ideal host for this annual event. . Sugarcane Festival President Lisa Norris says festivalgoers can enjoy a variety of activities, including parades, carnival rides, and livestock shows.

Cut 3 (09) “…farmers.”

LSU is about a three touchdown favorite heading into Saturday night’s matchup with South Alabama out of the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars are 2-and-2 and they’ve scored 135 points in their last two games, which has the attention Coach Brian Kelly and the players…

Cut 7 (08) “…they have.”

One of the last officers facing serious charges in the 2019 arrest and death of Black motorist Ronald Greene has had his negligent homicide charge dropped. Legal analyst Tim Meche (MESH) says Greene’s exact cause of death remains unclear, weakening the case against State Trooper Kory York.

Cut 15 (09) “…Ronald Greene.”

York still faces a lesser charge of felony malfeasance.

As New Orleans gets set to host the Super Bowl, DOTD is undertaking four infrastructure projects near the Superdome. District Engineer Administrator Scott Boyle says what’s unique about this is that DOTD is working on city-owned streets.

Cut 7 (13) “…striping in crosswalks.”

Boyle says the work will be done by December 15th.

After nearly 12-thousand registered for the fortified roofs lottery, the number of people chosen for the grants has doubled from 300 to 600. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says feedback has been nothing short of positive.

Cut 12 (13) “…their house faster.”

Temple says those selected are in the process of being notified.

The state achieves a record-high educational attainment level of 51-percent, up from 47-percent since 2021. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the goal is to hit 60-percent by 2030…

Cut 4 (12) “…degree or beyond.”

The 51-percent represents over 30-thousand Louisianians who have earned degrees or credentials.

Prosecutors drop the negligent homicide charge against one of the last officers facing serious charges in the 2019 arrest and death of Black motorist Ronald Greene. Legal Analyst Tim Meche (mesh) says the decision to dismiss the charge against State Trooper Kory York a month before trial isn’t as big a deal as it may seem…

Cut 13 (12)  “…malfeasance in office.”

Greene was dragged, shackled, and restrained face down following a high-speed chase and died of his injuries. 

DOTD is undertaking four infrastructure projects near the Superdome as New Orleans prepares to host the Super Bowl for the 11th time. District Engineer Administrator Scott Boyle says the work will be done well before the city welcomes the world for Super Bowl Week.

Cut 8 (07) “…by December 15th.”

The “Louisiana Prospers” initiative achieved a record-high educational attainment level since its launch in 2019.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The vice chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents resigns in protest of Governor Landry’s chair appointment. Jay Seale the Third calls the appointment of Misty Cordell “deeply offensive,” saying he put her in charge because she’s loyal to him. Seale also took issue with Landry making the appointment without notifying former chair Gary Solomon Junior. Under a new law, the governor now has the power to appoint chairs of boards.

Union Parish District Attorney John Belton has decided to drop the negligent homicide charge against State Police trooper Kory York who was one of several officers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Legal analyst Tim Meche says a possible reason on why this was done….the autopsy done on Greene shows a variety of factors that led to his death,

Cut 15 (09) “…Ronald Greene”

York still faces multiple malfeasance charges and his trial is set for October 28^th.

In 2030, the state would like to see 60-percent of its working age adults holding a postsecondary credential of value. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says this year’s education attainment rate is 51-percent, but it’s important they reach 60-percent

Cut 5 (09) “…beyond high school”

Due to tremendous response, the insurance commissioner has doubled the number of grants that will go to homeowners to help pay for stronger roofs as part of the Fortified Homes program.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Hurricane Helene has produced extensive damage along Florida’s panhandle and western coast and into Georgia. It made landfall as a Category four hurricane after developing near the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center is once again looking at that area for the development of a storm next week. Right now, the chances are low.

Union Parish District Attorney John Belton has dropped the most serious crime against State Police Trooper Kory York for his role in the fatal arrest of black motorist Ronald Greene, who was beaten and tased along a highway in Union Parish in 2019. But York still faces eight counts of malfeasance and legal analyst Tim Meche says the decision by Belton to drop the negligent homicide charge may have been made to simplify the case…

Cut 14 (04) “….matters that just don’t matter”

York is scheduled to stand trial on October 28^th.

The state has achieved a record-high educational attainment level of 51-percent, up from 47-percent since 2021, and represents over 30-thousand Louisianians who have earned college degrees or credentials. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says goal is to hit 60-percent by 2030…

Cut 4 (12) “…degree or beyond.”

The State of Louisiana now has a very good idea of how popular the fortified roofs grant program is. Last week, nearly 12-thousand registered for the lottery that was originally going to select 300 people to receive a grant of up to ten-thousand dollars for a fortified roof. Due to the overwhelming response, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple doubled the number of grants for this period to 600. Temple says there’s plenty of funding to accommodate that number.

Cut 10 (11) “…current fiscal year.”

Emails were sent this week informing homeowners if they are a recipient or placed on a waitlist.

The state department of transportation will soon begin work on four roadway projects around the Caesars Superdome as preparations for hosting the Super Bowl in February continue. District Engineer Administrator Scott Boyle…

Cut 9 (10) “…after that’

The negligent homicide charge against State Trooper Kory York has been dropped in the 2019 arrest and death of Ronald Greene.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.””

State Police is investigating a physical altercation during a traffic stop that happened yesterday between a Shreveport officer and s motorist that resulted in the motorist in a hospital in serious condition. No other details have bee released.

In St. Charles Parish, deputies fatally shot a 58-year-old man who allegedly threatened others with an airsoft gun. The family of Charles Verdin says he had a history of mental illness.

Instead of handing out three-hundred grants of up to ten-thousand dollars so homeowners in south Louisiana can pay for a fortified roof, the Louisiana Department of Insurance is handing out six-hundred grants. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says they would like to hand out more grants but…

cut 11 (13) “….the next round”

The recipients of the grants entered their names into a lottery last week.

The Board of Regents is striving to have 60-percent of the state’s adult workforce holding a postsecondary credential of value by 2030. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says this year’s attainment rate is 51-percent and that’s up from 47-percent since 2021. Hunter Reed says this latest data proves the state is on a trajectory to reach 60-percent…

cut 6 (09) “…it’s a destination”

The Louisiana Board of Regents launched the “Louisiana Prospers” initiative in 2019 and this year achieved a record-high educational attainment level of 51-percent.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Due to tremendous response, the insurance commissioner has doubled the number of grants this round in the Fortified Homes program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The negligent homicide charge against State Trooper Kory York has been dropped in the 2019 arrest and death of Ronald Greene.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

_____________________________________________

The state has achieved a record-high educational attainment level of 51-percent, up from 47-percent since 2021, and represents over 30-thousand Louisianians who have earned degrees or credentials. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says goal is to hit 60-percent by 2030…

Cut 4 (12) “…degree or beyond.”

This progress shows ongoing efforts to expand access to higher education, improve workforce readiness, and create pathways for residents to gain valuable credentials. Reed says the plan serves as a roadmap for building a more prosperous future for Louisiana’s workforce.

Cut 5 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

With six years remaining to reach its 2030 target, Reed says “Louisiana Prospers” is on track to make a significant impact, positioning the state’s residents to better compete in the modern job market and enhance their overall quality of life.

Cut 6 (09) …it’s a destination.”

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DOTD is undertaking four infrastructure projects near the Superdome as New Orleans prepares to host the Super Bowl for the 11th time. District Engineer Administrator Scott Boyle says what’s unique about this is that DOTD is working on city-owned streets.

Cut 7 (13) “…striping in crosswalks.”

Boyle says the work will be done well before the city welcomes the world for Super Bowl Week.

Cut 8 (07) “…by December 15th.”

Boyle says the work being done will benefit the city long after the game is played and everyone returns home.

Cut 9 (10)  “…come after that.”

The Louisiana legislature has allocated just over five-million dollars for these four projects.

_____________________________________________________

The State of Louisiana now has a very good idea of how popular the fortified roofs grant program is. Last week, nearly 12-thousand registered for the lottery that was originally going to select 300 people to receive a grant of up to ten-thousand dollars for a fortified roof. Due to the overwhelming response, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple doubled the number of grants for this period to 600. Temple says there’s plenty of funding to accommodate that number.

Cut 10 (11) “…current fiscal year.”

Temple says before they up that number even further, they want to make sure the limited number of inspectors can handle the load.

Cut 11 (13) “…the next round.”

As for feedback on the fortified roofs themselves, Temple says it’s been nothing but positive.

Cut 12 (13) “…their house faster.”

Temple says those who have been selected in this round of grants for the Fortified Homes Program are in the process of being notified.

_____________________________________________________

Louisiana prosecutors have dropped the negligent homicide charge against State Trooper Kory York, one of the last officers facing serious charges in the 2019 arrest and death of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist. Greene died after being dragged, shackled, and restrained face down following a high-speed chase. Legal Analyst Tim Meche (mesh)says the decision to dismiss the charge, just a month before York’s trial isn’t as big a deal as it may seem…

Cut 13 (12)  “…malfeasance in office.”

Kory York faces a lesser charge of felony malfeasance. Union Parish District Attorney John Belton stated that the evidence against York did not meet the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard required for conviction. Meche says Belton’s goal was to present a more focused case to the jury…

Cut 14 (04) “…matters that just don’t matter.”

While a forensic pathologist cited factors such as cocaine use, stun gun applications, and physical struggle as contributing to Greene’s death, the exact cause remains unclear, weakening the case.

Cut 15 (09) “…Ronald Greene.”

________________________________________________

Saints quarterback Derek Carr isn’t lamenting over the loss of center Erik McCoy.

Cut 16 (09)   “…in there playing.”

Lucas Patrick took over at center last week after McCoy went down with the groin injury that’s going to keep him out for as much as eight weeks. It’s unclear at this time who will start at center this Sunday in Atlanta. Whoever it is, Carr says he’s ready.

Cut 17 (15) “…things like that.”

The Saints will try to get back to their winning ways on Sunday; kickoff is at noon.

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Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play on Saturday as they visit F-I-U. The Bulldogs have scored just eight offensive touchdowns in three games. Coach Sonny Cumbie admits players on offense are pressing to make big plays happen…

Cut 18 (18)  “…good players.”

Tech is coming off an overtime loss at home to Tulsa. They are 1-and-2 on the season, with the only win coming against an F-C-S team. Cumbie still feels really good about his team…

Cut 19 (19) “….put it together.”  

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The LSU Tigers will face a South Alabama team on Saturday night that’s scored 135 points in its last two games. Coach Brian Kelly says quarterback Gio Lopez can run it and throw it and the Jaguars leading rusher Fluff Bothwell is averaging nearly ten yards a carry…

Cut 20 (18) “…extremely efficient” 

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is under fire for a post he made on X calling Haitians thugs and slapstick gangsters. It was in response to an article about a Haitian nonprofit suing former President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance over claims of them eating pets. Democrats, including the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, have called on the House to censure Higgins. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s unlikely, however, that Higgins’ fellow Republicans will hold him accountable.

Cut 7 (13) “…dogs and cats.”

Higgins has since deleted his post; and in talking with reporters at the Capitol, he seemed to walk back those comments. Higgins said it was never meant to be a dig against Haitian people as a whole.

Cut 12 (09) “…not a color.”

Higgins said he realized his words hurt several people, and that’s why he took the post down.

A man arrested more than 40 times in St. John the Baptist Parish was arrested again this week. Sheriff Mike Tregre (treg) says this arrest stemmed from an investigation that began in June, targeting Casey Spies for suspected involvement in distributing methamphetamine.

Cut 3 (08) “…keep arresting him.”

Judge Vercell Fiffie (fee-fee) set Spies’ bond at $10,500, which he posted after paying a 10-percent cash bond of $1,050.

The Louisiana Department of Health launches a new pilot program aimed at increasing opportunities for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis. Dr. Stephanie Taylor, the medical director of the STD/HIV program for LDH, says the state has had significant challenges with congenital syphilis which cause severe complications, including fetal death and miscarriage. Dr. Taylor says it’s a rapid test.

Cut 9 (07)  “…treatment that day.”