New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell entered a not guilty plea in federal court today. Cantrell allegedly spent 70-thousand dollars in city funds on personal activities that involved her former bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie. Paperwork was filed that showed Vappie was working, but prosecutors say they were having an affair.

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney is considering pursing the death penalty in the case of a man accused of raping a four-year-old child.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision.

Cut 6 (05) “…will be immunocompromised.”

Cassidy says the childhood vaccines have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson has some ideas.

Cut 9 (09)  “…you feel good.”

Dorson says this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge,” and it comes at a time when Louisiana is facing challenges such as overpopulation, stray animals and limited resources for shelters.

All options are on the table for the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney in the case of a man accused of raping a four-year-old child, including a punishment not carried out for that crime in more than 60 years. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers’ starting center has a good chance to play Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With the blessing of Attorney General Liz Murrill, the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office is considering seeking the death penalty against a man who allegedly raped a four-year-old child, infecting that child with a sexually transmitted disease. 25-year-old Anthony Jelks is charged with first-degree rape and is behind bars without bond. District Attorney Hillar Moore says the biggest obstacle in pursuing the death penalty against Jelks is a 2008 Supreme Court decision that ruled that executing someone for a crime in which the victim did not die amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Cut 3 (06) “…several years ago.”

Moore says while many states which had statutes on their books allowing for the death penalty in cases of child rape or other crimes in which the victim survived, Louisiana took a different approach.

Cut 4 (09) “…Supreme Court decision.”

Louisiana also allows for chemical castration; and as of last year, the state also allows for surgical castration in certain sexual assault cases. Moore says his office is also considering one of these punishments if the death penalty is off the table.

Cut 5 (14) “…like anyone else.”

Moore says the child contracted chlamydia. It is not a permanent infection, and Moore says the child will make a full recovery. The last time someone was executed in the United States for a rape in which the victim lived to tell about it was 1964.

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Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision.

Cut 6 (05) “…will be immunocompromised.”

Cassidy says he’s not the only Republican who’s concerned about that move by Florida.

Cut 7 (06) “…about that decision.”

Cassidy says the childhood vaccines, like the ones for measles, mumps and rubella, have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

Cut 8 (07) “…care of others.”

Cassidy says Florida Senator Rick Scott pointed out that parents in that state cal already opt their kids out of vaccines for religious reasons, although no major religion explicitly prohibits vaccines.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson has some ideas for you.

Cut 9 (09)  “…you feel good.”

Dorson says this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge,” and it comes at a time when Louisiana is facing challenges such as overpopulation, stray animals and limited resources for shelters.

Cut 10 (07) “…our fellow creatures.”

You’re encouraged to take a video and post it onto social media. Dorson says he’s doing the same thing.

Cut 11 (08) “…the same thing.”

As expected, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell pleaded not guilty this afternoon to federal corruption charges. Cantrell is accused of covering up a romantic relationship with a retired NOPD officer, bilking the city out of 70-thousand dollars in the process. Cantrell was released on her own recognizance. She was ordered to surrender her passport and has had her travel restricted to within the Eastern District of Louisiana. She may travel elsewhere within the U.S. with prior approval.

The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney is considering pursuing the death penalty against a man charged with raping a four-year-old. The Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment is unconstitutional in cases in which the victim survived, so District Attorney Hillar Moore says he’s also considering castration against 25-year-old Anthony Jelks.

Cut 5 (14) “…like anyone else.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says Florida’s move to do away with the requirement that all children get their childhood vaccinations before enrolling in school is a bad decision, saying there will be children who will become immunocompromised or will die as a result. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says these vaccines have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

Cut 8 (07) “…care of others.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. You’re encouraged to take a video and post it onto social media. Humane Society of Louisiana Founder and Director Jeff Dorson says he’s doing the same thing.

Cut 11 (08) “…the same thing.”

A Baton Rouge man is accused of raping a four-year-old, and the district attorney is considering pursuing the death penalty. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutional in cases in which the victim survived, and most states repealed their statutes. But Louisiana didn’t.

Cut 4 (09) “…Supreme Court decision.”

Moore says if the death penalty is off the table, he’s also considering castration against Anthony Jelks.

Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision. 

Cut 6 (05) “…will be immunocompromised.”

Cassidy says the childhood vaccines have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers starting center has a good chance to play Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge.”

Cut 10 (07) “…our fellow creatures.”

According to the Center of Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU, DWI arrests increased by four percent from the previous year in 2024. Mark Lambert with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says increased law enforcement is helping keep the roads safer.

Cut 15 (09) “…any damage”

The number of people killed on Louisiana roads in 2024 dropped to its lowest level in five years. Lambert says the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission believes that’s because of less drunk driving and more people are buckled up.

Florida has announced they plan to repeal its vaccine requirements for children attending school. Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy believes that’s a bad idea and he’s not the only Republican to think that…

Cut 7 (05) “…that decision”

Florida’s Surgeon General says they are moving forward with this policy because he believes you have sovereignty over your body and that’s that.

The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office is considering seeking the death penalty against a man who allegedly raped a four-year-old child, infecting that child with a sexually transmitted disease. 25-year-old Anthony Jelks is charged with first-degree rape. District Attorney Hillar Moore says the biggest obstacle in pursuing the death penalty against Jelks is a 2008 Supreme Court decision that ruled that executing someone for a crime in which the victim did not die amounts to cruel and unusual punishment…

Cut 3 (06) “…several years ago.”

Moore says if the death penalty is not an option, Louisiana has laws that allow for chemical or surgical castration of a person convicted of raping a child.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson has some ideas.

Cut 9 (09)  “…you feel good.”

Dorson says this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge,” and it comes at a time when Louisiana is facing challenges such as overpopulation, stray animals and limited resources for shelters.

The number of people killed on Louisiana roads has dropped to its lowest level in five years. Last year, 753 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes and of those victims, 261 were not buckled up. Mark Lambert with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says drivers cannot control what others do on the road, which is why wearing a seatbelt is so important.

Cut 14 (09) “…your seatbelt”

Lambert says they are pleased to see that in 2024, a record was broken for the fewest number of people killed in motorcycle crashes. But pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities were up.

We’ve reached the halfway point in this year’s quiet hurricane season but LSU Health Climatologist, Barry Keim says there’s still time for a destructive storm to impact Gulf Coast.

Cut 12 (13) “…October storms.”

All options are on the table for the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney in the case of a man accused of raping a four-year-old child, including a punishment not carried out for that crime in more than 60 years.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Police say they are looking for a 1997 to 2004 Ford F-150 painted in turquoise green. It’s believed that vehicle was involved in a hit and run crash on I-10 in Jefferson Davis Parish on August 27^th that killed 53-year-old Bonnie Fontenot of Jennings.

The mayor of New Orleans will be arraigned in a federal courtroom this afternoon. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Todd Graves, is the 46^th richest person in America according to the Forbes 400 list. Graves’ net worth is 22-billion dollars. Saints and Pelicans Gayle Benson ranks 176^th with a net worth close to eight billion dollars.

Due to new federal rules, Louisiana is one of 12 states where a prescription is now required to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Senator Bill Cassidy says there is a go-around – a blanket prescription issued by State Surgeon General Ralph Abraham.

Cut 7 (11) “…the prescription written.”

There’s been no comment from the Louisiana Department of Health if Surgeon General Ralph Abraham is considering such a blanket prescription.

Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting a storm to form over the next week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there have been six named storms and just one hurricane.

Cut 10 (12) “…count on it.”

Keim says a Bermuda High Pressure has kept storms away from the United States.

Today is the statistical peak of hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting a storm to form over the next week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Bermuda High Pressure has kept storms away from the United States.

Cut 11 (09) “…East Coast.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is being arraigned in federal court this afternoon on charges related to covering up a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. Prosecutors say Cantrell and retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie (VAA-pee) bilked the city out of 70-thousand dollars for trips they took together under the premise that Vappie was providing security. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell will plead not guilty.

Cut 4 (12) “…small property bond.”

Due to new federal rules, Louisiana is one of 12 states where a prescription is now required to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Senator Bill Cassidy says there is a go-around – a blanket prescription issued by State Surgeon General Ralph Abraham.

Cut 7 (11) “…the prescription written.”

LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry had one of the best plays of the game Saturday night as he evaded multiple tacklers to break off a 43-yard run late in the fourth quarter of his team’s win over Louisiana Tech. Head coach Brian Kelly says that Berry has put the staff on notice after starting to get used to the transition to college.

Cut 16 (14) “…eye on.”

This afternoon, New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell will be arraigned in federal court. Prosecutors says she cheated the city out $70,000 for trips she took with her boyfriend, retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie under the premise he was providing security. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell’s ability to travel will likely be compromised to a point.

Cut 5 (13) “…is called for.”

What started as a business plan that received the lowest grade in a college business class has made Todd Graves the 46^th richest person in the country. The founder of Raisin’ Canes Chicken Fingers is listed in The Forbes 400 list with a net worth of 22 billion dollars. Other Louisianans listed are Saints and Pelicans owner, Gail Benson, the 176^th richest and Sazerac Company owner William Goldring and family, the 246^th richest.

The number of people killed on Louisiana roads has dropped to its lowest level in five years. Last year, 753 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes and 261 people who were not wearing seat belts compared to 302 in 2023. Mark Lambert with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says that drivers cannot control what others do on the road, which is why wearing a seatbelt is so important.

Cut 14 (09) “…your seatbelt”

We’ve reached the halfway point in this year’s quiet hurricane season but LSU Health Climatologist, Barry Keim says there’s still time for a destructive storm to impact Gulf Coast.

Cut 12 (13) “…October storms.”