LABI reacts to the 2023-24 budget proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The total cost of the budget is around $45.7 billion. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President and CEO, Stephen Waguespack says it’s imperative to have a fiscal balance…:

CUT 10(07)      “…two years.”

The regular legislative session – a short, “fiscal-only” session – begins on April 10.

Pineville Police are taking to the skies in an effort to curb crime. Chief Darrell Basco says their newest drone won’t require an operator to be called in when needed and it’s accessible for the patrol division 24/7. And it’s not your average drone, he says it allows them to see things in real-time…:

CUT 13(09)      “…consumer drone.”

The drone is valued at $12-thousand.

The latest AARP COVID dashboard indicates the early wave of coronavirus cases in nursing homes appears to have peaked. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says, if you have a loved one in a nursing home, ask the facility what their COVID protocols are and do they have enough PPE…:

CUT 05(07)      “…several months.”

Muhl worries about a post-Mardi Gras surge in cases among the elderly, who are most at risk.

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that happened Saturday night in the town of Sparks. Officers say 42-year-old Tyrel Thompson was not wearing a DOT-approved helmet and was riding recklessly, when he went off the road and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A blood tox sample was taken, because they believe he was impaired at the time of the crash.

Let’s start with the 2023 Governor’s race. So far 8 candidates are announced; 5 republicans, 1 democrat and 2 independents. District 6 Congressman Garret Graves admits he is “feeling pressure” to run, but has not made any such announcement yet, despite speculation that he will. “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says all that Graves talk certainly keeps his name and brand “out there”, and the strategy could work brilliantly for him if he’s a last-minute entry…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…he can do that.”

Alford admits that a little bit of “political theatre” in the race makes it more fun.

A New Orleans City Council member says Mayor LaToya Cantrell should pay back taxpayers over $50-thousand for a mailer that a legal analyst says was purely political. The mailer lists her accomplishments, just as a petition to recall Cantrell was circulating. Postage cost $32,623 and printing cost $18,323. Experts say that should have come from her campaign funds, not city coffers.

Police in Baton Rouge report a teen girl was shot and killed as she drove along Interstate 110 Saturday night. 17-year-old Nykobia Keller was able to pull over and call for help, but died at a local hospital. BRPD says the shooting was not random. Baton Rouge and New Orleans have had a string of shootings on the expressways in recent weeks.

Pineville Police have added a state-of-the-art drone, with multiple capabilities, to their force. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Thorington.”

Baton Rouge Police are seeking the person responsible for the shooting death of 17-year-old Nykobia Keller. She was shot while driving down I-110 near Hollywood Saturday night. She was able to pull over and call for medical help, but died later at a local hospital. BRPD believes this was a targeted attack. They ask anyone with information to contact them.

The Governor’s proposed executive budget has been out for about a week, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry shares their feelings about it…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Foxx.”

The latest AARP COVID dashboard indicates the early wave of coronavirus cases in nursing homes appears to have peaked. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says that’s good news, especially for this most vulnerable age group…:

CUT 04(09)      “…activities.”

Which historically will lead to an uptick in cases days later.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he is “feeling pressure” to run for governor, but will not commit one way or the other. So, will he run or not? “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford has watched many political campaigns unfold and says Graves is employing a pretty smart strategy by playing coy on the race…:

CUT 07(12)      “…theatrics here.”

Graves can run for Governor this fall, and simply return to Congress should he not win.

A grand jury in West Baton Rouge Parish indicts an Addis police officer for a New Year’s Eve crash that happened during a high speed chase. Officer David Cauthron was chasing a car theft suspect, when he ran a red light on Highway 1 in Brusly and hit a car carrying three teens. Two girls – ages 15 and 17 – were killed. A teen boy passenger was critically injured. The grand jury indicted Cauthron for manslaughter, negligent injuring, reckless operation and malfeasance in office.

A nationwide study on Parkinson’s Disease in African Americans has chosen LSU Health Shreveport as its new site location. Nearly one million people in the country are affected by Parkinson’s disease. The Center for Brain Health director and Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Shreveport, Elizabeth Disbrow says finding a sample population to participate is important…:

CUT 09(11)      “…genetic counseling.”

She says, when it comes to Parkinson’s, the black community is underserved.

It’s the first Friday of Lent and that means it’s the official kickoff of Crawfish Season here in the Bayou State. And crawfish prices are holding steady, that’s according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. King says if you’re planning to have crawfish at your favorite eatery this weekend…:

CUT 03(11)      “…$125 a sack.”

You can download the Crawfish App on your smartphone. It’s a free download.

Movies made in Louisiana. A new one called “We Have a Ghost” premiers this weekend on Netflix, and it was filmed on location in Donaldsonville. Baton Rougean Achiles Montalvo worked on the spooky comedy. He says shooting started in summer of 2021, but a hurricane forced a long delay…:

CUT 08(11)      “…doing that.”

“We Have a Ghost” can be seen on Netflix now.

Shreveport records its 13^th homicide of the year. SPD says they got a “shots fired” call at around 11 last night. Officers arrived to find a man in the street with a gunshot to the chest. He was rushed to the hospital, but died. They ask anyone with tips on the killing to contact Shreveport PD.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras was a big success for New Orleans, despite being marred by acts of violence and crime. However, Nungesser says cities (especially New Orleans) must be allowed to get a handle on rising crime or crowds will DWINDLE. He says groups and governments planning conventions in New Orleans will see the rising crime problem and opt to take their business elsewhere…:

CUT 14(06)      “…the streets safer.”

Nungesser is upset the Orleans D.A. let 15 people, who were arrested for illegally carrying a gun in the French Quarter, go.

LSU Health Shreveport has been named a new site to study Parkinson’s Disease in African American individuals. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Foxx.”

The state Fire Marshal’s Office reports an elderly woman in St. Amant, in Ascension Parish, was killed this morning when her mobile home caught fire. The victim was found in the trailer’s kitchen. Her identity is withheld until her family are notified. Investigators are determining how the fire started.

It’s our first weekend of Lent and so…it’s crawfish time! How are prices? Size and availability? Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the season is off to a good start, and she expects to see crawfish ranging bigger than right now, and the price dropping too. As for the overall season…?

CUT 05  (08)        “…crawfish season.”

You can download the Crawfish App for your Android or smart phone and track prices yourself.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’s pleased with this year’s Mardi Gras crowds, but worries rising crime will threaten future Carnival celebrations. Nungesser says he’s already seen attendance plans affected by the crime in cities like New Orleans…:

CUIT 13(12)        “…with those kids.”

He says local lawmen & D.A.’s need the freedom to get crime and violence under control.

A new movie, that was filmed on location in Donaldsonville, premieres on Netflix today. It’s called, “We Have a Ghost” and stars David Harbour, known for “Stranger Things” and many other roles. Baton Rougean Achiles Montalvo worked on the film. He says when searching for locations for productions, Louisiana offers more diverse options than Hollywood, like historic buildings and swamps…:

CUT 07(08)      “…different possibilities.”

Filming was done in 2021, and had to take a months-long hiatus after Hurricane Ida.

Police in Farmerville, in Union Parish, ask the public’s help in catching 28-year-old Latavius Paschal. He’s wanted for a string of crimes and violent acts. They says he should be considered armed and dangerous. Call Farmerville cops at (318)-368-2226.

The Addis police officer, accused of crashing into a car during a high speed chase on New Year’s Eve, and killing two teenage girls, has been indicted in West Baton Rouge Parish. Officer David Cauthron faces charges of manslaughter, negligent injuring, reckless operation and malfeasance in office.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras was a big success for New Orleans, despite being marred by acts of violence and crime. The official numbers are still being tallied, but Nungesser says he saw huge crowds in Metairie and New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. He says Mother Nature helped put it over the top…:

CUT 12(12)      “…prior to COVID.”

However, Nungesser says cities (especially New Orleans) must be allowed to get a handle on rising crime or crowds will DWINDLE.

It’s the first Friday of Lent and that means it’s the official kickoff of Crawfish Season here in the Bayou State. Crawfish prices certainly seem top be holding steady, according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. She says this weekend’s weather is ideal for opening weekend, but also promising for the rest of the season…:

CUT 04(07)      “…excited about.”

You can download the Crawfish App for your Apple or android phone.

LSU Health Shreveport has been named a new site to study Parkinson’s Disease in African Americans. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Foxx.”

The Addis police officer, who allegedly caused the deaths of two teen girls on New Years’ Eve during a high speed chase, has been indicted by a West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury for manslaughter, negligent injury, malfeasance in office, and reckless operation. Officer David Cauthron’s trial date has not yet been set.

The Orleans Parish DA’s refusal to prosecute 15 illegal gun possession cases from Mardi Gras has created an uproar…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Actor John Schneider is mourning the death of his wife, Alicia Allain Schneider, who passed away after a battle with breast cancer. She was just 53. The couple were married in 2019. They worked together on music and film projects at Schneider’s studio home in Holden, in Livingston Parish.

Deputies in Lafourche Parish are investigating the apparently accidental shooting death of a 6-year-old boy in the town of Raceland Wednesday night. Lafourche Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says little D.J. Michel Jr. was playing with a loaded handgun with his brother, when it went off. Matherne says adults should keep their guns stored safely away…:

CUT 14(10)      “…be paramount.”

The investigation is ongoing.

We saw some pretty warm weather for February in Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow will be toasty too…:

CUT 09(10)      “…across the state.”

Keim says a frontal boundary is sitting just north of the state, and it will eventually drop our way; bringing a return to more winter-like weather sometime late next week.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case and he will be tried as an adult…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Shreveport Police say they have one suspect in custody, and have identified another, in two separate shootings at the Krewe of Gemini parade last Saturday night. They seek 22-year-old Antoine Ball for the shooting on Clyde Fant Parkway. A 16-year-old from Texas has turned himself in in connection with the other incident; a fatal shooting that took the life of a 17-year-old.

There’s an uproar over the Orleans District Attorney’s office’s decision not to prosecute 15 individuals for illegal gun possession during Carnival. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says it undermines efforts by the police to eliminate guns from the French Quarter and parade routes..:

CUT 06(06)      “…police and prosecutors.”

Orleans DA Jason Williams now says some of those cases will be revisited.

We have seen some record-high – or NEAR record-high – temperatures across Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a frontal boundary is hanging out just north of Louisiana. When it dips down, it will bring colder temperatures to north Louisiana…but that’ll be well into next week…:

CUT 10(08)      “…the weekend.”

Meanwhile, most of the rest of the U.S. is having a terrible winter storm.

A six-year-old was fatally shot around 8:00 pm last night in Raceland. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says the boy and his brother were playing with loaded gun when it went off. He says children should never be left unsupervised in a home with a gun…:

CUT 13(10)      “…to them.”

The victim is identified at 6-year-old D.J. Michel Jr. He was a first-grader at Lockport Lower Elementary.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first and third-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case. Authorities allege four males were involved in raping the 19-year-old LSU student before she died last month. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says a first-degree rape conviction carries a life sentence…:

CUT 03(11)      “…set of facts.”

Attorneys for the men charged say the sex with Brooks the night she died was consensual.

While we all enjoy near-record high heat for late February, the rest of the country is getting a huge winter storm. However, State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll continue to see moderate weather for a while…:

CUT 11(10)      “…to Louisiana.”

The D.A. in Orleans Parish says he won’t prosecute 15 people arrested for illegally carrying a gun during Mardi Gras. That’s has gotten some folks up-in-arms themselves. Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche says it creates a bigger problem…:

CUT 08(09)      “…selective prosecution.”

D.A Jason Williams office says, absent of probable cause, they thought it was best to confiscate the guns and move on…but some of the cases will be re-screened now that Carnival is over.