Baton Rouge Alcoholic Beverage Control Board member Scott Wilfong discusses the fallout after the alleged rape and death of an underage LSU student linked to a notorious bar…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Lawmen in Opelousas have given the all clear after five separate bomb threats closed five St. Landry parish schools. Those being Northwest High, Opelousas High, Washington Trade School, Center for Academic Programs (CAPS), and St. Landry Accelerated. Deputies says they found no dangerous devices at any of the schools, and allowed classes to resume just after 1.

It’s National Passenger Safety Week and State Police is urging passengers to speak up for their safety when in a dangerous driving situation. Trooper Ross Brennan says vehicle passengers make up 62-percent of traffic fatalities nationwide and the best way to reduce that number is for passengers to make sure everyone in a vehicle is buckled up…:

CUT 09(08)      “…properly restrained.”

He says passengers can also assist the driver by being extra eyes and ears.

New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewe parades will return to their original routes this year, now that the city has secured sufficient police to patrol them. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the city has entered into an agreement to provide funding for much-needed outside law enforcement for carnival season…:

CUT 13(07)      “…we know it.”

Only Endymion’s route will be shortened due to work going on at the Superdome.

The Tigerland bar where 19-year-old student Madison Brooks partied with four men – who are facing rape charges – has had their liquor license suspended by the state.  East Baton Rouge Alcohol  & Tobacco Control Board member Scott Wilfong says, while the state investigates Reggie’s Bar, it’s out of their hands…:

CUT 03(08)      “…take action.”

Of the entire group of four young men and the victim, Brooks, only one was over 21. It’s not the first time Reggie’s has been cited for serving minors. Police say the men raped an intoxicated Brooks and dumped her near a busy roadway, where she was hit by traffic and killed.

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office is responding to damage reports from a possible tornado last night in Ragley. In Pointe Coupee Parish, a suspected twister tossed several mobile homes over in the town of Ventress. One home was literally torn open. So far no serious injuries have been reported.

A new study from the Public Affairs Research Council shows a pretty small number of us use public transit, like buses. PAR President Steven Procopio says that about 1-percent He says public transit is primarily for those who cannot afford a vehicle of their own, but it also serves an important need…:

CUT 14(07)      “…workforce as well.”

PAR doesn’t take a position on public transit; good or bad. They simply provide information for taxpayers to make informed decisions.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports continued job growth for the state. Data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows seasonally adjusted non-farm employment for December 2022 was at 1.9 million jobs. LWC spokesman Mark Jones says that’s an increase of over 4000 jobs in one month…:

CUT 10(09)      “…22 consecutive months.”

He says UNemployemt is also at a record low3.5-percent.

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. The hope is this will help de-populate Louisiana Citizens, the last-resort insurer which costs significantly more than the private market. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the same plan worked after a big exodus of companies following Katrina and Rita; bring five new companies to the state…but Thibodaux Rep. Bryan Fontenot says there are yet un-answered questions about that plan’s success…:

CUT 08(09)      “…on those companies?”

Four Baton Rouge men are charged with plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with alcohol and raping her…before leaving her wandering on a Baton Rouge roadway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. The victim’s blood alcohol was .319 percent; considered alcohol poisoning in most cases.

The state Department of Education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the state has worked to retain teachers by increasing teacher salaries and providing no cost counseling service for teachers…:

CUT 04(09)      “pay opportunities.”

The average teacher salary has increased by 12-hundred dollars to 52-thousand dollars.

Police in Jennings say a high speed chase Monday night ended with a car crash and big drug bust. The two male suspects in the vehicle were treated at a local hospital, th3n arrested after cops found about ten pounds of crystal meth in the car; street value about a quarter-million bucks. They also found $9000 in cash. Jennings Police says it’s the largest seizure of meth ever by their city.

A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible from a storm system moving in from the west…:

CUT 09(08)      “…the day.”

The worst of the bad weather should be moving out of Louisiana by late tonight.

After the mayor of Bogalusa asked Governor Edwards to send him State Police and National Guard to get crime under control in his town, cops in the Washington Parish city offer a little pushback. Bogalusa PD Captain David Miller says of course they’ll welcome the help, though actual Guardsman aren’t necessary. He says hiring more cops is the solution, and that’s not so easy…:

CUT 13(10)      “…and recruit.”

Bogalusa has seen a big spike recently in gun violence and crime.

Three Baton Rouge men – one of them a minor – are under arrest for allegedly plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with liquor before raping her and leaving her on a dark highway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. Her blood alcohol was four times the legal limit. The men are all charged with rape, but other charges may be coming.

A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Bogalusa Police offer some pushback on the mayor’s request for the National Guard to come get crime under control in the Washington Parish town. Mayor Tyrin Truong sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards asking for State Police and/or the Louisiana National Guard to intervene. Bogalusa P.D. detective Captain David Miller tells WWL radio in New Orleans the police are not against outside assistance…:

CUT 11(08)      “…National Guard.”

However, he says Guardsmen are trained to be soldiers and using them as cops could leads to unforeseen problems. Miller says cops and the mayor are in agreement about needing more actual cops on the street.

A number of schools and offices across southern Louisiana have closed today in anticipation of severe weather moving through. There are tornado watches posted for southwestern Louisiana until 6 pm. The worst of the bad weather should be moving out of the state by late tonight. Tomorrow should be partly cloudy and cold.

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says there may be better uses for that $45-million…:

CUT 07(12)      “…in our state.”

Fontenot says there’s no talk of possible tort reform which could help lower insurance costs for property owners, nor discussion of possibly reforming the state-run last-resort insurer Louisiana Citizens so it is more affordable.

More Louisiana teachers are choosing to stay in their jobs. Education superintendent Cade Brumley says there’s been a 5-percent increase in teacher retention…:

CUT 03(12)      “…and appreciate.”

The average teacher salary in Louisiana has increased to about $52-thousand.

Four men, one a minor, are charged with plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with alcohol and raping her…before leaving her wandering on a Baton Rouge roadway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. The victim’s blood alcohol was .319 percent; considered alcohol poisoning in most cases.

A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says he’s troubled by that being the sole item on the session agenda…:

CUT 06(11)      “…45-million dollars.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the same plan worked to get new insurers after a post-Katrina/Rita exodus, and it’ll work again.

A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana until 6 PM tonight. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible, with the worst coming this evening…:

CUT 10(10)      “…be a concern.”

He says the whole system should be moving out of the state by late tonight.

A Democrat has yet to jump in the governor’s race but there is a new TV ad featuring the state Democratic Party chair…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

In Amelia, in St. Mary Parish…sheriff’s deputies called to home about a suspicious package – possibly an explosive device. The bomb squad responded, the area cordoned off. After nearly nine hours they determined the package was…and egg wrapped in a bandana.

Louisiana’s Solicitor General Liz Murrill, A.G. Jeff Landry’s 2^nd-in-Command at the state Department of Justice, announces she will run to be Louisiana’s next attorney general this fall. Murrill says she has abundant experience and savvy for the job, and a high point in her career was arguing Louisiana cases before the U.S. Supreme Court…:

CUT 10(12)      “…as a lawyer.”

If elected, Murrill would be the state first female attorney general.

En route now to California, a team from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness…to help them with getting disaster recovery money from FEMA. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele…:

CUT 12(04)      “…they can.”

California has been racked recently with torrential rains that have brought on disastrous flooding and landslides. Steele says Louisiana had to answer their call for help.

The state Board of Elementary & Secondary Education selects its new president for 2023. She is District 7 member Dr. Holly Boffy, who says she wants to lower the state truancy and dropout rates. She says kids often feel they’re not missed when they don’t attend, so they quit going…and a shortage of teachers has made that worse. Boffy says school systems are hiring now, and they hope to outreach people who may want to become a teacher…:

CUT 07(06)      “…opportunities that exist.”

GOHSEP is sending a team to help California with its recent flooding and landslides. Spokesman Mike Steele says other state’s help us when we are in need, and so…:

CUT 14(09)      “…the favor.”

The GOHSEP team left today.

In the 2023 Governor’s Race, no Democrat has officially declared candidacy, but the state Democratic Party chair has released a video that makes her sound like a candidate. In the 60-second video Katie Bernhardt, of Lafayette, says “help is on the way.” “LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says she never mentions running for office, but sure sounds like a candidate…:

CUT 03(10)      “…difficult to tell.”

Alford says there are a number of Democrats who do not want Bernhardt to run for office.

One of those running for governor is Attorney General Jeff Landry, meaning his current job will be open. Landry’s 2^nd-in-Command, solicitor General Liz Murrill has announced she will run to be the attorney general. After 7 years in her current job, she says she’s ready to “level up”…:

CUT 09(12)      “…and Attorney General.”

Murrill has argues Louisiana’s cases before the U.S. Supreme Court 5 times.

A Democrat has yet to jump in the governor’s race but there is a new TV ad featuring the state chair. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The state Board of Elementary & Second Education elects its new president for 2023; district 7 BESE member Dr. Holly Boffy…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

______________________________________

So far no Democrat has announced their candidacy for governor but a new TV ad featuring state party Chair Katie Bernhardt says help is on the way. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says while there’s no mention of the governor’s race, Bernhardt looks and sounds like a candidate…

Cut 3 (10) “…difficult to tell.” 

Bernhardt who also holds and fires a rifle in the ad has reportedly conducted polling to run for governor. Alford says he’s spoken with Activist Gary Chambers, who most recently ran for US Senate against Senator John Kennedy, who says he and other party members are not pleased about the ad whatsoever.

Cut 4 (07)  “…for governor.” 

Other names high-profile names considering a run for governor as a Democrat are Transportation Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson. Alford says Wilson would most likely have the endorsement of his current boss, Governor John Bel Edwards, and another name in the mix is East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore.

Cut 5 (08) “…be Hillar Moore.”

To date, four Republicans and one Independent have announced their candidacy for the October primary.

_______________________________________________

The state’s Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE) has chosen Lafayette area educator Dr. Holly Boffy (pronounced BOE-fee) as its new president. Boffy is the principal at W.D. and Mary Baker Smith Career Center in Lafayette and has represented BESE District 7 since 2012. Boffy says she wants to lead BESE toward overhauling how the state evaluates school performance…

Cut 6 (08)  “…committed to studying.” 

Another area Boffy wants to see improve is school attendance and truancy, which is among the highest in the country. She says a great many students drop out or fail to attend because they feel they won’t be missed, or they have no relationship with their teacher. She says the teacher shortage has just made that worse. Boffy says school systems are hiring, and they hope to outreach people who may want to become a teacher…

Cut 7 (06)  “…opportunities that exist.” 

Dr. Boffy says her years of experience in the classroom make her very qualified to be BESE’s president. She says she’ll continue to work with the Board to get more teachers in classrooms and keep more students in school…

Cut 8 (06)  “…making that happen.” 

___________________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry’s run for Governor this fall will leave his current post open, and so his Solicitor General has announced she will run for that position. Liz Murrill (Pronounced MER-uhl) has been Landry’s Second-in-Command for the past 7 years. She says she is ready to level-up…:

Cut 9 (12) “…and Attorney General.” 

Murrill is a 1991 LSU Law School graduate and served the Jindal administration for seven years, including a time as Executive Counsel. She says a high point in her career was arguing for Louisiana in front of the U.S. Supreme Court…:

Cut 10 (12) “…as a lawyer.” 

Murrill is a Republican. Also in the race for A.G. are Crowley Republican state Representative John Stefanski and Monroe area District Attorney John Belton, who is running No Party. She has worked closely with A.G. Jeff Landry for years and says if he is elected governor, they will continue to work cooperatively with her as A.G…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…where it needs to go.”

_________________________________________________________

Louisiana is assisting California after heavy rain caused flooding and landslides. A four-person recovery team from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness left today. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the team specializes in FEMA public assistance issues…

Cut 12 (04) “…they can.”

Steele says Louisiana got word of California’s needs through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact which offers assistance during governor-declared states of emergency…

Cut 13 (13) “…accept it.” 

Steele says Louisiana has seen its share of flooding and knows how to battle through the red tape to get federal assistance and other states have provided support to Louisiana during its difficult times….

Cut 14 (09)   “…the favor.”