Five down, five to go – Five inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center last Friday have been recaptured, and five remain on the loose. As the search for the remaining at-large escapees continues, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson continues to come under fire – so much so that she has temporarily suspended her re-election bid. Hutson told the New Orleans City Council that the jailbreak is very troubling.

Cut 6 (09) “…urgency and transparency.”

A pair of House Democrats who represent New Orleans are calling for Hutson not only to drop her re-election bid, but also to step down immediately. Among them is Jason Hughes.

Cut 8 (08) “…down to leadership.”

The total reward money for each remaining fugitive is 20-thousand dollars, including 10-thousand from the FBI.

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that’s intended to speed up the appeals process in capital murder cases. Attorney General Liz Murrill says convicts can still file numerous appeals, but they can’t wait three to four years between them.

Cut (12) “…in this system (2x).”

It appears that insurance commissioner will remain an elected position in Louisiana and will not become an appointed position. After spirited debate, Senator Royce Duplessis essentially withdrew his bill. The New Orleans Democrat said one of his main goals was to take politics out of that role.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the people.”

Currently, 39 states appoint their insurance commissioners.

It looks like insurance commissioner in Louisiana will remain an elected position. Following spirited debate yesterday, New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplesis effectively pulled it from consideration, sensing that he did not have the votes to pass it. Among those speaking out against it was River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot, who said making insurance commissioner an appointed position would do nothing to lower premiums.

Cut 15 (14) “…not this.”

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process. This, as Larry Roy – the Cheneyville slasher – continues to fight an execution date. He’s been on death row since 1997. Attorney General Liz Murrill says this is torture for the family members of the three people Roy killed…

Cut 11 (10) “…going to fix it.”

More than a quarter of households in Southwest Louisiana live paycheck to paycheck but make too much money to qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says those families are left to make difficult financial survival decisions.

Cut 5 (09) “…rent that month.”

That figure does not include the 15-percent of families in that part of the state that live below the poverty line.

With the recent news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the disease is on the minds of many Americans. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says the key in treating it is to lower testosterone levels.

Cut 9 (11)  “…three years.”

Another option is a new advanced treatment called Pluvicto, which is essentially a targeted form of radiation.

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that’s intended to speed up the appeals process in capital murder cases. Attorney General Liz Murrill says convicts can still file numerous appeals, but they can’t wait three to four years between them.

Cut 10 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

The Office of the State Public Defender’s office says it would need an additional four-million dollars, since it would need more lawyers to defend the additional cases. Attorney Robert Morris represents death row inmates and expressed his concerns about the legislation…

Cut 12 (10) “…by this bill.”

The debate comes at the same time that death row inmate Larry Roy, the Cheneyville slasher, continues to fight an execution date – he’s been on death row since 1997.

According to new research, 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana live paycheck to paycheck but their income is high enough that they do not qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says in addition, 87-percent of single-female-headed households with children in Louisiana are struggling – the highest rate in the nation.

Cut 6 (12) “…verge of losing it.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of many Americans in light of the news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says prostate cancer is a hormone-sensitive cancer.

Cut 8 (14) “…for prostate cancer.”

New research finds that 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana are ALICE households, which means they live paycheck to paycheck but their income is high enough to them from qualifying for government assistance.  That number does not include the 15-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana that live in poverty. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says residents that live below the ALICE Threshold are having to make difficult financial survival decisions.

Cut 5 (09) “…rent that month.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of many Americans in light of the news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men; and as such, they need to stay on top of their prostate health.

Cut 7 (13) “…around age 45.”

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There was spirited debate on the Senate Floor but no vote was taken on a bill that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana State Police have recaptured the fifth of 10 escapees from the Orleans Justice Center jail. The latest fugitive caught is Corey Boyd, an escapee who had briefly been spotted last Friday on a French Quarter surveillance camera just hours after the jailbreak. Boyd is accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process. Sean Richardson reports Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says death penalty cases in particular are taking too long, because defense attorneys are dragging out the appeals process…

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The state Supreme Court decided yesterday it will NOT hear the case of an LSU law professor who sued after being removed from his teaching duties after saying using profanity in referring to Governor Jeff Landry in a criminal law class.  The University removed Ken Levy from teaching class but did not change his employment status as he has tenure.

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It was debated yesterday, but in the end a bill that would make the position of insurance commissioner an appointed instead of elected one, did not make it to a vote.  Insurance Commissioners are appointed in 39 other states right now and proponents of this bill say it doing so would take politics out of the role.  But River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot spoke out against the bill saying the move would do nothing to lower insurance premiums.

Cut 15 (14) “…not this.”

New research finds 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana are ALICE households, which means they live paycheck to paycheck but do not qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says these workers are the backbone of the community;

Cut 4 (09) “…things like that.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of millions of Americans in light of former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana State Police have recaptured the fifth of 10 escapees from the Orleans Justice Center jail. The latest fugitive caught is Corey Boyd, an escapee who had briefly been spotted last Friday on a French Quarter surveillance camera just hours after the jailbreak. Boyd is accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.

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After almost 25 minutes of spirited debate, the Senate did not vote on a bill that would make the position of insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. That’s something that 39 other states currently do. It was written by New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis, who wants to take politics out of the role.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the people.”

The notion of removing citizens’ ability to choose their insurance commissioner did not sit well with Bossier City Republican Adam Bass, and he confronted Duplessis about it.

Cut 14 (15) “…finding another solution.”

When Duplessis closed on his bill, he acknowledged that the votes to pass it likely were not there, so he returned it to the calendar.

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote was 57-to-32, with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that is attempting to prevent speed cameras from operating outside of school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

Shreveport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark testified against it, saying the city does not have the physical ability to send officers to run radar. He says speed cameras are an effective tool to get drivers to slow down.

Cut 13 (10)  “…paying attention.”

The House Appropriations Committee advanced Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill that bars those who plead guilty from claiming innocence. Attorney General Liz Murrill says this will accelerate death-row case deadlines.

Cut 23 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

Opponents warn that it strains public defenders and risks errors, given the state’s high death row reversal rate.

One Senate bill that was not voted on was one that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Author Royce Duplessis, a Democrat from New Orleans, returned it to the calendar, but not before being confronted about it by Bossier City Republican Adam Bass.

Cut 24 (15) “…finding another solution.”