News from the legislature. After hundreds of nursing home patients were evacuated to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse during Hurricane Ida – where many died from terrible conditions – lawmakers are responding with legislation. Brooke Thorington has more on one of those bills…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Hotels in Baton Rouge report they are nearly booked up solid for this Saturday night’s big Garth Brooks concert in Tiger Stadium. Believe or not, there are still SOME tickets available through Ticketmaster.

Deputies in Vernon Parish are investigating a murder-suicide in the town of Anacoco Monday. Detectives say the think 49-year-old Shawn Raines shot his 36-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Freeney, and then himself. Three kids – all between 11 and 14 – were in the home at the time and until officers arrived.

There are some encouraging numbers from the Department of health on COVID. The latest figures show only 38 patients hospitalized statewide, with not a single patient currently on a ventilator. State Health Officer, Dr. Joe Kanter says the numbers don’t mean there’s no longer a reason to take precautions and believes another surge is likely at some point, though Louisiana is in much better shape to face that when the time comes…:

CUT 07(14)      “…is significant.”

Kanter says getting your latest booster is a good idea.

A Morgan City man is among 78 people granted clemency by President Biden this week. Terry Booty has been in prison since 2008 on numerous drug charges. Biden’s order shortens his sentence to end one year from today, with another ten years home confinement.

Encouraging news as COVID cases in the state are at an all-time low…David Grubb has the latest numbers…:

CUT 02(36)      “…David Grubb.”

Bossier City announces a new police chief. Sgt. Christopher Estess beat out four other candidates to be the successor of Bossier Chief Shane McWilliams, who announced his retirement back in January. Mayor Tommy Chandler made the official announcement this morning.

A bill that would let judges sentenced convicted juvenile sex offenders to castration is halted from progress by its own author. In a Senate committee on Judiciary matters, bill sponsor Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she’s heard many objection to her bill –especially if that is done to a person and it’s later discovered they were innocent…:

Cut 12  (12)      “…convicted wrongly.”

She agreed to defer the bill.

After over 800 nursing home patients were evacuated to a nasty warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, legislation to give the state more oversite powers have been proposed in this session. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds’ bill gives the Department of Health more enforcement…:

CUT 03(10)      “…approve the plan.”

With only one “no” vote the bill now moves to the House floor.

Public meetings on where to build a new bridge across the Mississippi at Baton Rouge start tonight. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The New York Times reports White House Senior Advisor and former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond is leaving the Biden Administration next month. The Times article says Richmond is likely to take a private sector position; consulting with and for the Democratic National Committee.

Alexandria Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl who died when a bullet entered her home on Monroe Street last night. Lt. Lane Windham says Kaliyah Turner was rushed to a local hospital, where she died. Windham says Turner was in her bedroom when several bullets entered her home…:

CUT 04(05)      “…innocent bystander.”

He asks anyone with information on the crime to come forward.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Assumption Parish Sunday. Trooper Ross Brennan says deputies chased, then pulled over 26-year-old Rhett Thibodeaux of Larose in a suspected stolen truck. He threw it in reverse and backed into the patrol car, causing the deputies to fire at him..:

CUT 07(10)      “…from his injuries.”

LSP’s investigation of the shooting is ongoing.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Assumption Parish, after sheriff’s deputies tried to make a traffic stop Sunday morning of a suspected stolen Ford pickup. Trooper Ross Brennan says after a short pursuit the driver, 26-year-old Rhett Thibodeaux of Larose, pulled over…:

CUT 06(10)      “…sheriff’s office units.”

Jeff Davis Parish deputies arrest a Texas man they say was selling large amounts of illegal drugs at a truck stop in Roanoke. 29-year-old Richard Arguello is charged with possession with intent to distribute and resisting arrest.

The New York Times reports Senior White House advisor and former District 2 Congressman Cedric Richmond is leaving the Biden Administration. Richmond may move back into the private sector, as perhaps a consultant with the Democrat National Committee.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that gives Louisiana citizens the right to accept or reject any form of health care. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman says he authored the constitutional amendment after seeing some people lose their job over not getting the COVID vaccine…:

CUT 12(12)      “…health care.”

The measure passed on an eleven to one vote, and moves to the House floor.

Alexandria Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl who died when a bullet entered her home on Monroe Street last night. Lt. Lane Windham says Kaliyah Turner was rushed to a local hospital…:

CUT 03(07)      “…at the hospital.”

He asks if anyone has information on Kaliyah, please to contact the Alexandria Police Department.

A bullet fired into an Alexandria home has killed a teenage girl. Jeff Palermo has the latest on the investigation…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Police in Kenner, in Jefferson Parish, say their search for a suspected hit & run driver led them to a confessed killer. Officers went to Cora Chambers’ home to make the arrest, but were greeted by her son, Joshua Chambers, who told them his mother wasn’t home because he killed her. Her lifeless body was found inside the home. The son is in jail, charged with murder.

This evening the first of six public meetings on where to build a new Mississippi River Bridge south of Baton Rouge. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says with ten potential sites that the Coast Guard has also provided guidance on, they are now asking the public for their thoughts…:

CUT 10(12)      “…this bridge.”

Tonight’s meeting is in Baton Rouge at the library on Bluebonnet from 5 until 7. For a listing visit “DOTD.la.gov”.

State police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Assumption Parish after sheriff’s deputies tried to stop a suspected stolen pickup. Trooper Ross Brennan says when the truck finally stopped, the driver tried to back into deputies patrol unit; leading to the gunfire. Brennan says evidence gathered at the scene is being processed at the State Police Crime Lab and the investigation is ongoing…:

CUT 08(07)      “…download it.”

Rhett Thibodeaux, of Larose, was shot and killed.

Baton Rouge Police say a four-year-old died after being forced to drink a bottle of whiskey and her relatives are behind bars. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

At the Capitol, a bill that would impose term limits on parish sheriffs was voted down. The bill, by New Orleans Democrat Rep. Mandie Landry, would limit service to 12 years. The committee voted 9-to-2 to end the bill’s progress.

Once again…where was rock & roll really born? Memphis or New Orleans? Houma Republican Rep. Tanner Magee‘s bill would establish the Crescent City as the home of the Dew Drop Inn Rock & Roll Museum, named for the famous club in New Orleans…:

CUT 07(12)      “…than just music.”

While Memphis boasts of Sun Records and the start of Elvis Presley’s career, many maintain that real rock & roll started with New Orleans artists like Hank Ballard and others. Magee’s bill moves forward for House floor debate and vote.

Looking for some festival fun this weekend? Well, you can check out the Baton Rouge Blues Festival; featuring 35 musical acts Saturday and Sunday. Or you can go really big and hit the French Quarter Festival in the Big Easy. Now in its 38^th year, the festival features numerous live stages and lots and lots of food.

Should Louisiana increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses? That’s a debate underway in the ongoing legislative session. Current law provides for the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to issue no more than ten, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino has a bill to increase the limit to 25. It’s passed a committee and set for a House vote next week. However, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s too soon to expand it, and unfair to those who got in on the ground floor…:

CUT 10 (10)     “…problematic.”

A Baton Rouge woman and her mother are under arrest, after a 4-year-old girl died from alcohol poisoning. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the pair became alarmed when little China Record went unresponsive, so they put her in a tub of cold water…:

CUT 03(11)      “…later die.”

Both women are held without bond and charged with murder.

Say goodbye to Lee Circle in New Orleans. The traffic circle at St. Charles and Howard Avenues has officially be renamed “Harmony Circle.” The change was coming ever since the statue of Robert E. Lee was removed from its pedestal back in 2017.

Shreveport cops say an SUV was stolen today with a baby still inside. It was jacked from a Burger King parking lot. Luckily, police quickly found the vehicle and arrested the driver. The baby girl is just fine and back with her mom.

Today marks 30 years since the multi-state, big money Powerball lottery game debuted, and Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the estimated Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is at just over $400-million. Chopin says ticket sales always surge when jackpots get this high…:

CUT 13(08)      “…for two dollars.”

The largest Powerball jackpot ever was $1.6-billion; given away in early 2016.

Police in Baton Rouge says a four-year-old girl is dead because her mother forced her to drink booze. The child was brought to hospital unresponsive and later died. Her blood alcohol level was .680 – more than 8 times the legal limit for an adult. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 28-year-old Kadjah Record is charged with murder. The child’s grandmother 53-year-old Roxanne Record was also charged. He says it’s important when citizens see this kind of abuse they contact police…:

CUT 05  (08)        “…are resources available.”

Both women are held without bond. The investigation is ongoing.

Today marks 30 years since the multi-state, big money Powerball lottery game debuted, and Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the anniversary comes with one of the game’s top twenty jackpot amounts…:

CUT 12(09)      “…for Saturday’s drawing.”

A grim story out of St. Mary Parish, where firefighters near Jeanerette responded early this morning to a reported camper trailer on fire. Once extinguished they found a woman’s body inside. That death is under investigation.

OK, once and for all…where was rock & roll born? Memphis or New Orleans? David Grubb reports a bill designating the Crescent City with that title is moving through the legislature…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

A bill that would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.25 an hour meets failure in a Senate committee. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says if you require businesses to raise wages, they’ll raise prices on consumers…:

CUT 12(11)      “…to live.”

Only one committee member, the bill’s sponsor, voted for the bill.

A Union Parish prison inmate is on the run, after killing a work-release program co-worker then fleeing the scene. Union Sheriff Dusty Gates says 48-year-old Bruce Causey is from Baton Rouge and is more than likely on his way there now. He says Causey stabbed the unidentified victim to death, as the two argued…:

CUT 11(08)      “…motive behind it.”

You remember Ciaya (KEYE-uh) Whetstone? The New Orleans area college student who turned up dead last February, after an Uber driver dropped her at a hospital ER? A blood toxicology report shows she died from poisoning by fentanyl and ethanol. Ciaya’s family still wants to know why the ride share driver dropped her unconscious self at an ER without calling 9-1-1.

Governor John Bel Edwards and state leaders rode on a passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, a concept talked about for a long time. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Union Parish authorities are seeking a murder suspect, who escaped from a work release program after fatally stabbing a man this morning. Union Sheriff Dusty Gates says the alleged killer was on a prison work-release crew at Foster Farms in Farmerville. 48-year-old Bruce Causey, from Baton Rouge, reportedly attacked a co-worker; stabbing him several times. That victim was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Gates says Causey is at large and could be headed for safe haven back home…:

CUT 10(05)      “…Baton Rouge area.”

Sheriff Gates says the victim was a 53-year-old Black male, but cannot divulge more until his family is notified.

Governor John Bel Edwards rode a passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans as he continues to promote the possibility of a commuter rail line. Edwards says Louisiana needs to allocate $25-million to show the federal government that it’s serious about the project. The legislature is less certain of that investment…:

CUT 05(11)      “…it’s that important.”

Once again, state lawmakers reject a bill to raise minimum wage in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Regina Barrow’s bill would have taken it from $7.25 to $10.25, but Jim Patterson with LABI says a higher minimum wage means higher consumer prices and fewer jobs for low-wage earners…:

CUT 14(10)      “…would be.”

The bill failed in committee; getting only one “yes” vote.

Election security remains a hot topic around the nation, but according to the 2022 Louisiana Survey conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, 88 percent of voters across the state, regardless of party, believe that Louisiana’s elections are conducted fairly and tallied accurately. Here’s Dr. Michael Henderson…:

CUT 06(12)      “…pretty widespread.”