Governor Edwards’ office issues a statement in regard to a media report he was aware of the circumstances under which Ronald Greene died, after a beating by state troopers in May 2019. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 03(37)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Natchitoches Parish public schools are lifting their mandate that kids wear masks in class. Starting this morning staff members, parents, and students will get to choose whether or not to wear a mask on campus. The school district says masking is still strongly encouraged for pupils and teachers.

The Louisiana Department of Education gets proactive on hurricane preparedness with the launch of the Protect Louisiana Schools: Hurricane Preparedness Commission. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley believes now is the time to bring together as many bright minds as possible to put a comprehensive plan in place for schools…:

CUT 04(14)      “…back into classrooms.”

For more information visit ProtectLaSchools.org

It appears online sports wagering got off to a big start over the weekend. And while he doesn’t have exact figures yet, State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says when you compare activity for the inaugural weekend to other states Louisiana is not an underdog…:

CUT 07(11)      “…a few weeks ago.”

Six sports betting platforms were online for opening weekend and Johns says to expect even more in the coming weeks.

Republican leadership in the state legislature calls for an investigation into whether Governor Edwards took part in any cover-up of the May 2019 death of Ronald Greene, after a beating by state troopers and other LEOs. According to an Associated Press report, Edwards was informed the day after Greene died that he was involved in a violent struggle with troopers, while Green’s family was told for nearly two years he died in a car crash. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards has faced numerous challenges during his time in office, but this one is unique for his administration…:

CUT 04(12)      “…honor code.”

Alford says Republicans want to know if Edwards helped keep the details of Greene’s death quiet for political reasons, as that was a re-election year. The Governor’s office issued a written statement this afternoon stating Greene’s name was not provided in the initial email from LSP and that Mr. Edwards (quote) “did not see, nor was he aware of,” the videos of Greene’s arrest until October 2020. It also states that the Governor has never intervened in any criminal investigation.

In Rapides Parish over the weekend, a jury convicted 35-year-old Kayla Giles of gunning down her estranged husband, Thomas Coutee Jr., in a Wal-Mart parking lot during a child custody exchange back in September 2018. State Attorney General Jeff Landry says, based upon statements made by Coutee’s family, they’re pleased with the verdict…:

CUT 12(12)      “…what we did.”

Giles faces probable life in prison when sentenced in late March.

The man accused of killing former New Orleans Saint Will Smith, in April of 2016, will face re-trial in the Crescent City, after a defense motion for change of venue was denied. Cardell Hayes earlier conviction for Smith’s death was overturned by the state Supreme Court last year. Smith was shot and killed – and his wife shot and wounded – during a fight over a fender-bender. Hayes says he acted in self-defense. His re-trial begins April 4^th.

It’s been a deadly month for house fires in Louisiana and two more lives were lost Saturday. Brooke Thorington looks at “why so many?”…

CUT 02(32)      “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Southern University campus, in Baton Rouge, was locked down this morning after a bomb threat. No device was found. No one was hurt. It was one of six threats made against a number of HBCU’s across the country today. Federal authorities are investigating. Classes return to normal at Southern tomorrow.

Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder calls for an investigation into if Governor John Bel Edwards possibly participated in a cover-up of Ronald Greene’s death, a black motorist who died after he was beaten by State Troopers during a May 2019 traffic stop. LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Schexnayder uses the term “gross misconduct” in his written statement…:

CUT 03(10)      “…impeachment proceedings.”

Greene’s family was told he died in a car crash.

Kayla Giles faces life in prison after a Rapides Parish Jury found her guilty Saturday of the murder of her estranged husband, Thomas Coutee Jr. Giles fatally shot Coutee in a Walmart parking lot in September of 2018 during a custody exchange. The case was prosecuted by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Here is A.G. Jeff Landry…:

CUT 11(06)      “…justice to victims.”

Giles is expected to get life when her sentencing comes up in late March.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and the Louisiana Republican Party are calling for an investigation to see what Governor John Bel Edwards knew about the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Florida man is under arrest in Houma for shooting a worker at a local business. Police say 18-year-old Max Leon, of Orlando, started a disturbance at the Main Street business. When an employee offered to escort him out, he shot the man several times. The victim is expected to pull through. Leon is charged with attempted murder.

Fifteen people have been killed in house fires across Louisiana this month; making January one of the most fire-deadly months in five years. In the most recent case, another home in Bastrop caught fire killing a 58-year-old man. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodgrigue says it’s believed an overloaded extension cord was the probable source..:

CUT 09(06)      “…of the origin.”

Also Saturday a New Iberia woman died when her RV caught fire. Neither home had a working smoke detector.

A Bossier City man is under arrest for allegedly abusing his 4-month old child. Authorities say the baby was brought to an ER non-responsive and barely breathing. Upon examination doctors found multiple lesions, bleeding inside the child’s head, multiple rib fractures, a wrist fracture and bleeding around his eyes; all indicative of physical abuse. 25-year-old Corey Jackson is being held pending a $350-thousand bond.

Mobile sports book betting has gone live in Louisiana. In 2020, 55 parishes voted to allow betting with mobile apps. Nine rejected the idea. Apps operating in Louisiana must be “geo-fenced” so that they do not work in those parishes. First-year gross revenue projections for gaming exceed $200-million, with roughly 10 percent of that coming back to the state. Eric Ramsey, with PlayUSA.com, says while it isn’t a jackpot just yet, it’s a nice early payout..:

CUT 06(10)      “…a tax standpoint.”

The Police Department in the Concordia Parish town of Ferriday has been deactivated, after town leaders failed to approve a city operating budget. All town functions, includingthe cops, must lock their doors and discontinue all service calls. An emergency budget meeting has been called for Monday night in Ferriday.

Lawmen, prosecutors and citizens groups are teaming to create a Human Trafficking Task Force in Southwest Louisiana; to catch the perpetrators and advocate for the victims. Louisiana’s Western District U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown says all too often, the victims are overlooked and tend to “fall through the cracks.” He says the task force is there to help them…:

CUT 08(14)      “…their families.”

Former LSU superstar Joe Burrow will lead the Cincinnati Bengals into Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Chiefs have scored 84 points in two playoff games, so Burrow knows that the Bengals will have to get off to a quick start offensively…:

CUT 16(14)      “…if you get down.”

The AFC Championship game starts at 2 p.m. this Sunday.

The state Health Department confirms that COVID cases are declining in Louisiana, but so too are cases of flu! More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State Police report a man stole an ambulance from St. James Parish early this morning and led troopers on a high speed chase all the way to Baton Rouge, where he crashed the vehicle into two LSP patrol units. The suspect was injured and taken to the hospital. Once stable he’ll be taken to jail.

Mobile sports betting went live at 8 this morning. Fans can use one of several apps to bet on … well almost any event. PlayUSA.com network spokesman Eric Ramsay says Louisiana could be uniquely positioned to be a major player in the mobile betting market…:

CUT 05(11)      “…that Louisiana does.”

The state will get about 10-percent of profits from the betting apps.

Juveniles who commit violent crimes in Louisiana’s 15^th Judicial District can now be charged and tried as adults. D.A. Don Landry says the increase in violence committed by juveniles since July 2020 is staggering…:

CUT 14(11)      “…Vermillion three.”

Landry says he’s telling his prosecutors to go after violent juveniles with all they have, in hopes of deterring others from going down that road.

Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. In November 2020, 55 parishes voted to legalize sports betting and today the digital dollars begin to flow. Eric Ramsey of the PlayUSA.com network expects plenty of people who’ve never placed a bet before to get in on the action…:

CUT 04(09)      “…for one thing.”

First-year gross revenue projections for gaming exceed $200 million, with roughly 10 percent of that coming back to the state.

Teens in the 15^th Judicial District – which includes Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes – can now be tried as an adult. District Attorney Don Landry made the announcement in an effort to reduce the growing number of juvenile crimes…:

CUT 13(09)      “…as adults.”

Landry says he’s instructing prosecutors to aggressively go after violent juvenile crime.

Law enforcement and community groups in Southwest Louisiana announce a cooperative task force to fight human trafficking and advocate for victims. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana will suspend its participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), effective immediately. The announcement comes amid concerns raised about potential questionable funding sources and the chance that partisan actors may access the data for political purposes. George Soros is a large funder of ERIC.

Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

The government of the Concordia Parish town of Ferriday has shut down, after town officals failed to approve an annual operating budget. Police and fire departments, everything was shut down after a proposed budget was voted down by the aldermen on Wednesday. Mayor Rydell Turner scheduled another budget meeting for Monday at 6 p.m.

Law enforcement officials in Southwest Louisiana announce a new Human Trafficking Task Force. Made up of local, state and federal LEO’s, prosecutors and service agencies and non-profits … the group will work to prevent sexual exploitation and aid victims. Brandon Brown is U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District…:

CUT 07(13)      “…what looks funny.”

Brown says human trafficking is equal to modern-day slavery. The Task Force will seek to identify victims faster, get them to a safe haven and prosecute their captors to the extent of the law.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, in addition to COVID cases on the downward trend, the most recent reporting week also shows flu cases declining. State Epidemiologist, Teresa Sokol says however the flu season is still active…:

CUT 10(10)      “…more weeks.”

A 65-year-old Church Point woman is the 13th person in Louisiana to die in a home fire this year. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are investigating the cause of the deadly blaze that took place this morning in the Acadia Parish town…:

CUT 06 (11)      “…escape the home.”

Rodrigue says firemen believe the home had no working smoke detectors.

The LSU Athletic Department actually lost money during the 2021 fiscal year. Revenues were down nearly $39-million. A lot of that reflected in a 52-percent drop in donations to Tiger Athletics. TigerRag.com editor Adam Hunsuker (HUNS-ker) says that is definitely pandemic-related, and the boosters will be back…:

CUT 10 (14)      “…will be better.”

A Caddo Parish grand jury returns an indictment for the woman accused of tossing two of her kids off a bridge over Cross Lake last September. One of Ureka Black’s children survived, one didn’t. She’s now formally charged with 2^nd-degree murder and attempted murder.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports an estimated 280 million fish were killed in inland waters due to Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State health officials say Omicron coronavirus has peaked in Louisiana and case counts are on the decline. LDH reports another 75-hundred new COVID cases today. The highest percentage of new cases is from northwest Louisiana, which is 16-percent. Statewide, nearly 20-percent of the new cases are among those 5 to 17. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it will take few weeks before we see significantly lower number of new daily COVID cases…:

CUT 13(10)      “…person-to-person.”

Meanwhile human trials are underway with Omicron-included vaccines from Pfizer and Modern.

This news in unlikely to change Governor John Bel Edwards’ plans to skip the majority of DC Mardi Gras events this week. Though Mr. Edwards IS in the Nation’s Capital, he will skip a lot of the larger social events due to the potential spread of Omicron.

Believe it or not, the LSU athletic department lost money during the 2021 fiscal year. While revenues were down nearly $39-million, Tiger Rag.com editor Adam Hunsucker says it could have been worse…:

CUT 09(11)      “…9.6 million.”

One of the areas impacted most was donations to the athletic department.

State wildlife & Fisheries agents report Hurricane Ida last fall killed nearly 300-million fish in Louisiana’s inland waterways. LDWF spokesman Robby Maxwell says not to worry, anglers. Fish are prolific breeders and they WILL bounce back…:

CUT 05(11)      “…thousands of years.”

More data on the Ida fish kill is online at “wlf.la.gov”