A special House committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene hears from a high-ranking State Police Trooper who admits there was a cover-up. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

American Idol winner and Livingston Parish native Lane Hardy was arrested by LSU police; accused of planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room. The victim reportedly provided police a screenshot of a text conversation where he admitted as much. Hardy has cancelled an upcoming appearance this weekend in Jackson, Mississippi.

Multiple bills concerning abortion rights have been discussed during this legislative session, and it remains a polarizing topic in the state. However, Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says while Republicans have remained fairly consistent in their attitudes, Democrats who support legal access rose from 51 to 74 percent since 2016…:

CUT 11(07)      “…across the country.”

The New Orleans Saints took part in their first post-Sean Payton draft, with new head coach Dennis Allen at the helm. New Orleans traded picks 16, 98, and 120 to Washington to move up and grab wide receiver Chris Olave, and they took offensive tackle Trevor Penning at 19. Allen says the Saints are not in a rebuild period, and he expects they’ll be contenders for the playoffs next season.

The Pelicans saw their season end last night, with a loss to Phoenix in Game Six of their NBA Playoff series. The Pels started their season as one the league’s worst, but clawed their way back to make the post-season.

At the State capitol, a panel of lawmakers looking into the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene was stunned by a high-ranking officer with State Police admitting there had been a cover-up of the circumstances of the man’s death. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren, during lengthy questioning by the committee…:

CUT 12 (14)      “…the answers to.”

Greene’s family was originally told he died as a result of a car crash following a high-speed chase, but body camera video of his arrest shows he was severely beaten by troopers. The committee will hear more testimony next week.

Shreveport Regional Airport will offer discounted flights to the City of Angels. Allegiant Air says it will offer $65 one-way flights to Los Angeles, starting in late May. $65!

Former East Carroll Parish Sheriff, 84-year-old Dale Rinicker was arrested Thursday in West Monroe after he was asked to leave a convenience store for allegedly making lewd comments to female employees. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says, after multiple requests to leave the store, deputies arrested Rinicker for trespassing…:

CUT 03 (11)      “…of uniform.”

In 1997 Rinicker pleaded guilty to taking kickbacks from a manager of a private prison in Lake Providence.

Police in New Orleans release more information on the gun death of a 3-year-old girl in the city’s French Quarter this week. They say little Autumn Barthelemy found a pistol left on a bathroom counter by her teenage brother, and pulled the trigger. So far no word on what – if any – charges the brother may face.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is now fully underway. Over the next two weekends, 80 different musical acts will perform on 12 stages. Headliners are The Who, Willie Nelson, and more

Celebrities in trouble. Former American Idol winner and Livingston Parish native Lane Hardy has been arrested; allegedly for bugging his former girlfriend’s dorm room. Jeff Palermo has that…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans DA Jason Williams says the four teens arrested for carjacking an elderly woman last month and dragging her to death will be tried as adults for 2^nd-degree murder. The oldest is a 17-year-old boy, three girls charged are all 15. If convicted, all four will face life in prison.

A high-ranking State Trooper tells a legislative panel looking into the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene, in Union Parish, that there WAS a cover-up. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren made the admission this morning. Another witness, retired LSP Captain Mark Richards, told them he was told to block the Greene crash report, which he says is NOT normal…:

CUT 13(13)      “…block a report before.”

Multiple bills concerning abortion rights have been discussed during this legislative session, and it remains a polarizing topic in the state. However, Dr. Michael Henderson of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says there’s been slow but steady growth in support for legal access…:

CUT 09(12)      “…access to abortion.”

The Senate votes down legislation requiring cable and internet providers to give refunds to customers without service for over 24 hours during a declared disaster. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Moss Bluff man has been convicted of the 2018 rape of a 13-year-old. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Joseph Constance forcibly raped the victim, and told her he’d hurt her family if she ever told anyone. Constance is to be sentenced May 11^th.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers. According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey about three-quarters of homes in the state have broadband internet access.  LSU Public Policy Research Director Mike Henderson says the remaining 25-percent who don’t say it’s either not available at all or it’s too expensive…:

CUT 05(06)      “…to them.”

This year’s efforts to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana fall to defeat in the House Labor Committee. Many feel raising the minimum will result in fewer minimum wage jobs available, but Baton Rouge Democrat Rep. Denise Marcelle disagrees…:

CUT 14(09)      “…jobs are there.”

All three minimum wage hike bills were rejected by the panel.

Efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage failed to get the support of the House Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The numbers are in and last weekend’s New Orleans French Quarter Festival – the first in two years – attracted over 825-thousand persons. The festival was the first held since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic hitting the next year. The festival was a real boon for businesses still facing challenges caused by the pandemic

A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. The Senate rejected the proposal on a 23-15 vote. Houma Senator Mike Fesi is concerned this proposal could actually result in higher cable and internet bills…:

CUT 07(12)      “…be a problem.”

Others felt the bill could threaten efforts to establish broadband internet access in all 64 parishes.

Highway 190 through Pointe Coupee Parish is re-opened, after a huge crash involving multiple big rigs shut it down. The wreck happened before dawn on the Morganza Spillway. State Police says the lanes were re-opened before noon.

An Ascension Parish sheriff’s deputy is under arrest for possessing child pornography. 24-year-old Brandon Morris was arrested after a joint investigation by state’s Cyber Crimes Unit, Homeland Security and the APSO. He’s been a deputy about 8 months, and has been fired from his job. Morris is currently behind bars.

At the Capitol, the Senate rejects legislation requiring cable and internet providers to provide refunds to customers without service for over 24 hours during a declared disaster. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

From the “No Surprise Here” file… The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling says reported cases of gambling addiction are on the rise, and yes – it coincides with the advent of sports book betting in the state. They say the majority of callers to their addiction helpline are between 25 and 34 years of age.

A couple of House bills seeking to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana fail to pass in the House Labor Committee. “No” votes outnumbered the “yeas”, with opponents concerned the bills would raise consumer prices overall, and still hurt lower-income workers. Here’s Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews…:

CUT 13(10)      “…enter the workplace.”

At this hour, the committee still has another minimum wage bill to discuss.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers. Commissioner Foster Campbell says that covers seven northeast parishes…:

CUT 04(09)      “…and the poorest.”

About a quarter of Louisiana homes have no broadband internet; either because they can’t afford it or it’s just not available.

A Baton Rouge man who was found not guilty by reason of insanity after killing a woman with his car, has been released from a state mental facility. 21-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney James Manasseh says his client has weekly meetings with psychiatrists, and probation officers and is no longer allowed to drive…:

CUT 05 (08)      “…supervision.”

Manasseh says Jordan will essentially be on probation for the remainder of his life.

Deputies in Sabine Parish arrest two woman for embezzling thousands of dollars from the villages where they worked as clerks. 50-year-old Anna Ferguson allegedly stole from the village of Florien, and 53-year-old Brenda Frederick allegedly took money from the town of Noble. Both women have been charged with malfeasance and theft.

The World Meteorological Organization has retired Ida from the rotating lists of Atlantic Hurricane names. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02 (30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Police in New Orleans say a 3-year-old girl was shot to death inside her French Quarter home Tuesday. Reportedly the little girls older brothers – ages 17 and 18 – have been taken into custody. So far, there’s no word on what charges they may be facing

At the State Capitol, the House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill cracking down on drunk drivers, by mandating they have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicle for two years, IF their blood alcohol content was .15 or higher when they were arrested. Bill sponsor and Covington Representative Mark Wright…:

CUT 12(08)      “…protect others from.”

The bill passed without objection and proceeds to the House floor.

A bill officially prohibiting physical punishment at schools wins easy passage in House Education. No one spoke in opposition, but Michael Faulk, with the state School Superintendents Association, says there are already 19 school systems he knows of that still allow hitting students…:

CUT 11(10)      “…discipline.”

The same bill failed a full House vote last year.

Calcasieu Parish deputies say a man was killed this morning in an accident at the Phillips 66 plant in Westlake. A contract worker was killed while unloading equipment from a trailer around 11:30 a.m., according to officials with Phillips 66 and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is withheld for now.

When a dog bites a man, that’s not news, but how about when a squirrel bites a man? Authorities say a 78-year-old Slidell man sustained significant injuries in a squirrel attack. Slidell Police spokesman Dan Seuzeneau says the man was walking outside his house, when the animal jumped on him. When first responders arrived the fight was still on. He says the victim was trying to choke the squirrel but couldn’t get a grip…:

CUT 07(12)      “…of that attack.”

Police in Opelousas are investigating a morning shooting that left two dead and three people hurt. An argument led to a brawl, then gunfire that killed a 46-year-old man and a 4-year-old girl. Three kids, between 17 months and 16 years of age suffered gunshots but are expected to recover. OPD seeks tips to help them make arrests.

An elderly Slidell man was hospitalized after being attacked by a squirrel. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(35)      “…David Grubb.”

You’ll never see another hurricane named Ida. The 2021 Cat 4 storm has had its name retired from future use; something reserved for only the worst and most damaging hurricanes. The name “Imani” will take Ida’s place in recurring rotation of storm names.

The House Education Committee approves a bill that bans corporal punishment in public schools. Metairie Democrat Representative Stephanie Hilferty says physical punishment at schools needs to go. Baton Rouge Republican Representative Barbara Frieberg agrees…:

CUT 10(06)      “…the school system.”
No one spoke in opposition and the measure passed the committee without objection. The full House will debate it next.

State Police say two people died in a crash Tuesday on Highway 28 in Rapides Parish. Troopers say a van made a left turn into the path of an oncoming big rig. The driver and a passenger in the van were killed. The truck driver only moderately hurt.

At the State Capital, the full Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation that would criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a licensed doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she wrote the bill because the current law prohibiting such activity is unclear…:

CUT 09(12)      “…in Louisiana.”

Hewitt says her legislation would apply criminal penalties to the distributor of the abortion pill, not the pregnant woman. The bill moves to the House for committee consideration.

COVID numbers statewide are cratering. Only 38 people statewide in the hospital with the virus and no one on a ventilator. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter is happy with those numbers…:

CUT 06(06)      “…of this pandemic.”

He says another surge of a variant is almost a certainty, though.

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill that would give judges the authority to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Morgan Lamandre, with a group called STAR, Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response, told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that surgical castration does not serve as a deterrent…:

CUT 13(11)      “…more deadly.”

Barrow voluntarily deferred her own bill, but says she may bring it back in another form next year.

A head-on crash in Pointe Coupee Parish claims the life of a woman and leaves six people hurt – five of them kids. Police say no one is either vehicle was wearing a seatbelt. The crash is under investigation.

An eagle-eyed person out for a stroll spotted two bald eagles grabbing a snack near Lake Pontchartrain. While near the Mandeville lakeshore, Janet Wakeland managed to snap a couple of photos of the pair, stealing bait from local fishermen yesterday.