New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell addressed the unsuccessful effort to recall her during a press conference today. The recall needed 45-thousand valid voter signatures to be placed on a spring election ballot, but failed by a large margin. Cantrell says she hopes to put the whole thing in the past and move forward to build a better city…:

CUT 08  (11)         “…who did NOT.”

Cantrell has been under fire for appearing soft on crime, for lavish travel expenses and other alleged misuses of city resources.

A shelter-in-place was ordered and all lanes of Interstate 10 leading to the Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles were shut down this morning as a result of a chlorine leak at Bio Lab in Westlake. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says multiple agencies responded…:

CUT 09(11)      “…was lifted.”

Early childhood educators in Louisiana are receiving active shooter training this week. Institute for Childhood Preparedness Director Andrew Roszak says this was for people who work with toddler-age children. He says it’s very important for them to be prepared for the worst to protect ones so vulnerable…:

CUT 05(11)      “…the fly.”

The organization is conducting 11 training sessions in Louisiana this week blanketing the state from Shreveport to New Orleans.

College basketball player Antoine Davis feels cheated that he came up short in enough games to break Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record. Davis’ team, Detroit Mercy, did not make the College Basketball Invitational, so Davis’s final college season is done; four points short of the record. Pete Maravich’s son, Jaeson, says Davis’s attitude blows his mind…:

CUT 13  (10)         “…I really do.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell publicly addressed the recall effort to remove her from office during a press conference today. More than 67,000 signatures were submitted but only 27,243 of the signatures were deemed valid; far below the 45-thousand needed. Cantrell says she’s is optimistic the city will be able to move forward from this, and refocus…:

CUT 07         (06)    “…serve everyone.”

Cantrell is the first Black woman to be elected mayor but her popularity has dwindled with the city’s rising crime. She’s also drawn fire for travel upgrades at taxpayer expense, using a city-owned French Quarter apartment for personal use, and she’s named as correspondent in a pending divorce case.

A shelter-in-place was ordered and all lanes of Interstate 10 leading to the Calcasieu River Bridge were shut down this morning as a result of a chlorine leak from Bio Lab in Westlake. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says the roadway reopened around noon, after about two hours…:

CUT 10         (06)    “…around this.”

Would you know what to do if an active shooter enters a pre-school or kindergarten with a classful of toddlers? Brooke Thorington has more on what the Department of Education is doing to change that…:

CUT 01         (31)    “…Thorington.”

The public now has until the end of the day Sunday to submit comments regarding the massive overhaul of I-10 in and around Baton Rouge. DOTD extended the deadline for feedback because so many are concerned with plans to narrow I-10 to one lane in each direction in places for extended periods.

The petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has fallen short of the signatures needed to go to a citywide ballot. Governor John Bel Edwards’ office says there were only a bit over 27-thousand confirmed and certified voter signatures; far below the 45-thousand needed. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak says he’s not surprised, because recall petition drives often fall short…:

CUT 14(09)      “…completely different.”

Louisiana lawmakers would receive a $43,000 pay raise if Gretna Representative Joseph Marino’s bill passes. The current salary for legislators has been $16,800 since 1980. Marino says when you compare salaries from 40 years ago, it would average more than $60 thousand today for the part-time position…:

CUT 07(08)      “…be a legislator.”

If passed the pay raise would go into effect in January 2024.

State lawmakers called the Office of Motor Vehicles to a meeting to address numerous constituent complaints of poor service, rude employees and other issues with the OMV. Pollock Representative Gage Firment says he’s hearing about it a lot…:

CUT 04(12)      “…okay.”

OMV Deputy Commissioner Staci Hoyt says they working on the issues. She says they are facing two issues, not enough workers and an outdated computer system…:

CUT 05(08)      “…that we have.”

Hoyt says they will work to improve their interaction with the public.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in finding a runaway teen, Reagan Tomlin. She is 17, white, brown eyes and brown hair. She is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. Reagan was last seen on March 20, 2023. Call the Rapides sheriff’s Office with any tips; 318-473-6700.

The petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has fallen short of the signatures needed to go to a citywide ballot. Governor John Bel Edwards’ office says there were only a bit over 27-thousand confirmed and legitimized signatures; far below the 45-thousand needed. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak says the “NOLATOYA” effort ended quietly…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…that they needed”

Chervenak says he’s not surprised, because recall petition drives often fall short.

A New Orleans area lawmaker files a bill to give members of the legislature a nice pay raise; from $16,800 yearly to $60-k. Rep. Joe Marino says it’s a part-time job that not everyone can afford to do…:

CUT 09  (07)        “…my concern.”

The Legislature goes into session April 10^th.

A teacher and coach at East Beauregard High School has resigned after being accused of sexual contact with a student. 25-year-old Collin Corbett was arrested for prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student. He was released on $5-thousand bond.

Members of the House Transportation Committee let the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles know about complaints they are hearing from their constituents. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

“Divisive. Dishonest” Those are words the New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell Campaign used to describe the failed petition to recall her from office. Governor Edwards’ office says had just over 27-thousand legitimate signatures; well short of the 45-thousand needed.

A bill to give lawmakers a significant pay raise next year has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

State lawmakers grilled leaders of the state Office of Motor Vehicles during a legislative hearing about poor customer service complaints. Legislators have heard allegations of staffers responding poorly to customer questions and being told they need to make an appointment. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says some complaints about OMV shocked her…:

Cut 03  (09)      :…if you want to.”

O-M-V Deputy Commissioner Staci Hoyt says they’ll work to improve customer interaction and satisfaction.

A new conservation funding initiative – known as the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program – providing matching resources to governmental agencies and municipalities is currently taking pre-applications. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the program will help in conserving the “Sportsman’s Paradise”…:

CUT 10(11)      “…that match.”

A bill filed for the upcoming legislative session would require high school juniors and seniors to complete a Financial Literacy course to graduate from high school and qualify for TOPS. The author of House Bill 103, Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says this has been on his radar for some time…:

CUT 03(08)      “…two years.”

The proposed law would be added as part of the qualifications for TOPS and TOPS Tech awards.

Neuty the Nutria can stay with his adoptive human family in Jefferson Parish. Wildlife & Fisheries agents wanted to take him away, because it IS illegal to keep them in our state. There was much anger expressed on social media and emails, and now LDWF spokesman Ed Pratt says they reached an agreement…:

CUT 09(08)      “…about this.”

Baton Rouge Police say the man wanted for questioning in the February disappearance and death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard drove around in a stolen car for several days with the man’s remains in the trunk, before dumping the body and burning the car. 45-year-old Derrick Perkins is a known drug dealer, and BRPS Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says he was the last person to see Millard alive…:

CUT 08(05)      “…is now.”

Police believe Millard overdosed, but a blood toxicology report is pending.

The LSU Lady Tigers are going to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014, after beating Michigan 66-42 last night at home. Angel Reese handed in 25 points and Jasmine Carson scored three 3-pointers. Coach Kim Mulkey says she told Carson to look for her shot…:

CUT 13(12)      “…so big.”

Up next, the Lady Tigers play 2^nd seed Utah on Friday.

Baton Rouge Police say additional charges have been filed against a man taken in for questioning in the mysterious death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard last month. Millard’s body was found dumped in a remote area over a week after his disappearance. 45-year-old Derrick Perkins has now been charged with Criminal Damage to Property, for burning the car he allegedly drove for days with Millard’s remains in the trunk, and form Failure to Seek Assistance in Millard’s death. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they think Millard may have sought a wild time and got more than he bargained for…:

CUT 07(11)      “…his death.”

Millard’s death was not the result of violence. Police believe he overdosed, but are awaiting a blood toxicology report.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a fatal Saturday house fire in Pineville was likely the result of cigarette smoking near combustible materials. Several people escaped the house as the fire grew, but two people – a 54-year-old man and 16-year-old girl – were killed.

DOTD warns drivers in the Lafayette area that I-49 Northbound will be reduced to one lane this Thursday from 9 am until at least 3pm. Then lane closure is for repairs to the I-10 overpass, from where a big rig slammed into it in January. Again, that’s this Thursday morning in Lafayette.

Money management, spending, credit, saving, and investing are just a few components that will be added to promote financial well-being for Louisiana high school students if a Tangipahoa Parish lawmaker has his way. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

A bill filed for the legislative session next month would make passing a Financial Literacy course to graduate high school a requirement to get TOPS college tuition grants. It’s from Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello, who says twenty-five states have already implemented this requirement in their curriculum and he’s hopeful Louisiana will as well…:

CUT 05(06)      “…this through.”

Money management, spending, credit, saving, investing and more would be covered under the required course.

Baton Rouge Police say 45-year-old Derrick Perkins faces additional charges for his involvement in the death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard, who went missing last month and whose body was found dumped in a derelict lot March 6th.  BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Perkins was already in custody on related charges of Access Device Fraud, when investigators learned more about his involvement…:

CUT 06(08)      “…the information.”

A toxicology report on what killed Millard is pending, but an overdose is suspected.

A new law requires Louisiana authorities to direct all reports of suspected child trafficking to the Department of Children and Family Services. Its director, Terri Ricks, says the DCFS-mandated reporting hotline has handled 78 juvenile trafficking calls this year, the large majority of them involving sex trafficking.

The state will allow Neuty, the pet nutria, to stay at a home in Jefferson Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

Police in Baton Rouge arrest a 17-year-old for allegedly shooting and killing an 11-year-old boy. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the suspect approached a car the boy was sitting in with others, and held them at gunpoint…:

Cut 12  (12)      “…his injuries.”

The victim is identified as Matthew Fortenberry. The suspect was treated for his wounds and booked into jail.

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair announces he’ll run for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair owns a large chain of grocery stores. He says, if elected, he’d get rid of the state’s Dominion voting machines…:

CUT 11(12)      “…statewide.”

The increase in EBT card (or food stamp) benefits from the pandemic has ended and many are struggling to make up what they’re losing. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Here’s some lucky St. Patrick’s Day news: crawfish prices are now down 22-percent from where they were this time last year. The Crawfish App says live mudbugs can be found for as little as $1.50-a-pound. If you want them already boiled, the price is going to be around $5 a pound. Enjoy!!

Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February after the announcement that SNAP benefits are returning to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says it’s not just families who will struggle, the decrease also directly impacts the state’s economy…:

CUT 04(05)      “…jobs.”

More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps which help feed nearly a million people.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents seek to seize Neuty the Nutria, a Jefferson parish couple’s pet. Spokesman Ed Pratt says they alerted to Neuty living with people via social media posts, and decided they need to confiscate the animal..:

CUT 07(11)      “…of it.”

Keeping a nutria as a pet is illegal in Louisiana.

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. Trosclair says our elections system needs fixing, but current secretary Kyle Ardoin points out the Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana #6 of 50 states for election integrity. Trosclair says that’s true, but a closer look at the data from Heritage gives Louisiana a 75 out of 100 rating for overall election quality…:

CUT 10(13)      “…proof of citizenship.”

Trosclair wants to get rid of Louisiana’s Dominion voting machines, which some allege were part and parcel in irregularities in the 2020 presidential election.

A West Monroe man is under arrest for allegedly committing a sex act with a juvenile and recording himself doing it. Police say 20-year-old Altravion Craft took advantage of a 15-year-old girl. He’s charges with Solicitation of a Minor, Pornography Involving Juveniles, and Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile. His bond was set at $35,000.