There’s a tropical wave just off the Louisiana coast so keep that umbrella handy. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says some of the heaviest rains will be in New Orleans today, then up to Baton Rouge, and then westward towards Lake Charles…:

CUT 10(08)      “…10-percent chance.”

Wetherbee says models are suggesting this will continue to be a rainmaker for Louisiana coastal areas, as it moves off toward Texas.

The fentanyl overdose death of a Baton Rouge toddler in June is sadly one of 22 juvenile homicides in East Baton Rouge Parish this year. Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says it’s troubling to say the least…:

CUT 15(05)      “…that are dying.”

Child homicides are up over virtually all of Louisiana.

Two Mississippi armed robbery suspects led lawmen ion a high speed chase through three parishes this morning. State Troopers first attempted to pull the suspect vehicle over in East Baton Rouge Parish, chased them across the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge into West baton Rouge, and they eventually crashed the car in Pointe Coupee parish. Both men are now in custody. No innocents were hurt in the chase.

There’s much anticipation to see how LSU will perform on the field with Brain Kelly at the helm. All eyes are on how his first recruiting class is shaping up. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says what appeared to be a slow start for Kelly has picked up steam and is now ranked 6^th in the nation…:

CUT 13(09)      “…right now.”

Today marks six years since the beginning of what would be called the Great Flood of 2016. Heavy rains settled over south Louisiana; dumping over 30 inches of rain within less than two days. Thousands of homes, businesses and schools were flooded. Some destroyed. Two of those schools were Southside Elementary and Junior High in Denham Springs. This week, after six years, students filed into brand-new, state-of-the-art schools. Southside coach and teacher Terry Hoover says using temporary schools wasn’t ideal, but they made the best of it…:

CUT 05(12)      “…two schools combined.”

Pet lovers in Central Louisiana are up-in-arms after a number of videos have turned up on social media, showing alleged animal cruelty at the hands of pet trainers at a kennel and training school in the Rapides Parish town of Lena. The Rapides Sheriff’s Office asks for patience while they investigate the matter.

Research at LSU Health New Orleans establishes a link between Alzheimer’s in your brain and bacteria in your gut. Neurologist Dr. Walter Lukiw is one of the research team heads. He says it starts with a bacteria one can have in one’s digestive system. That bacteria can spawn a toxin which can kill neurons in the brain. He says their research indicates that including plenty of high-fiber food in one’s diet can lessen the presence of the bacteria; lowering the likelihood of producing the toxin..:

CUT 09(10)      “…work wonders.”

The research data could lead to new dietary practices and even treatments to help mitigate Alzheimer’s before it is too far gone.

As the city of New Orleans still faces a police manpower shortage, Carnival krewes want to know if they will be allowed to return to their traditional parade routes for next year’s Carnival season. City officials say it’s still way too early to answer those questions. Meetings between krewes and those officials are scheduled for later this fall.

The fentanyl overdose death of a Baton Rouge toddler in June is sadly one of 22 juvenile homicides in East Baton Rouge Parish this year. Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says the number of pediatric homicides this year alone is twice as many as from the same time period in 2021. Clark says it’s even more disturbing when you break down the statistics…:

CUT 14(11)      “…last year.”

After arresting a Lake Arthur man for molestation of a juvenile Thursday, deputies in Jeff Davis Parish are now seeking a woman who they believe was present when the crime was committed. 28-year-old Colby Manuel is behind bars, and officers are now have issued a warrant for 25-year-old Brooklyn Manuel. They ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact them.

Attorneys for four New Orleans teens accused of carjacking an elderly woman and dragging her to death are seeking reduced bonds for the defendants. 73-year-old Linda Frickey was killed in May. A hearing is scheduled today to see if reducing their million-dollar bonds is appropriate.

With the beautiful Monarch butterfly on the endangered species watchlist…did you know there are native plants you can plant in your garden to help them thrive? Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 03(33)      “…Thorington.”

The fentanyl overdose death of a Baton Rouge toddler in June and the beating death of a 2-year-old last month are but two of 22 juvenile homicides in East Baton Rouge Parish this year. EBR Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says the number of pediatric homicides this year alone is twice as many as from the same time period in 2021…:

CUT 13(11)      “…even over.”

Child homicides are up all over Louisiana.

Six years after the Louisiana flood of 2016, Livingston parish students are moving into two brand new, state-of-the-art schools. Southside Junior High coach and teacher Terry Hoover thanks key players for helping get the job done..:

CUT 06(11)      “…super excited.”

Following up on a story from earlier this week…a judge has denied Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal’s attempt to collect almost $40-thousand in back taxes from a Mount Herman cattle rancher who sells cuts of beef directly to customers at his farm. The judge ruled rancher Jason Smith’s beef IS “farm products or produce” which are tax exempt under state tax law. The sheriff says he does not plan to appeal.

Research at LSU Health in New Orleans finds a link between Alzheimer’s in the brain and bacteria in the gut. Head researcher Dr. Walt Lukiw says the bacteria generates a specific type of neurotoxin that can destroy neurons in the brain and trigger the onset of Alzheimer’s…:

CUT 08(07)      “…in the brain.”

But, he says, the LSU research is first to link that bacteria – from a diet that is too high in sugars – to the toxin.

The great flood of 2016 began 6 years ago today; destroying homes, businesses, and schools, but now thousands of students in Livingston Parish are learning in a 21st Century environment. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 01(28)      “…Southern.”

First Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins…and now Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue has been barred from running for re-election on the November 8th ballot, after the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled he lives outside the city limits. The ruling, if upheld under further appeal, would install Al Perry Thomas as Ville Platte’s next police chief unopposed.

Research at LSU Health New Orleans establishes a link between Alzheimer’s in your brain and bacteria in your gut. Neurologist Dr. Walter Lukiw (LOO-key) is one of the research team heads. He says it starts with a bacteria one can have in one’s digestive system, called Bacteroides Fragilis…:

CUT 07(11)      “…neuronal death.”

Lukiw says the LSU research is first to link that bacteria – from a diet that is too high in sugars – to the toxin settling to the brain.

Because the Monarch butterfly is on the endangered species watchlist, there are things you can plant to help them. LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard says milkweed is a host plant for butterfly larvae…but there are some better suited than others…:

CUT 10(08)      “…and soils.”

Kirk-Ballard says you should also reduce the use of pesticides.

Today marks 6 years since the start of the great flood of 2016, but now thousands of students in Livingston Parish have moved into two brand new, state-of-the-art schools. Southside Junior High and Elementary in Denham Springs were torn down after extensive damage from flood waters and have been on temporary campuses until now. Southside Junior High Coach and Teacher Terry Hoover says the new schools are incredible…:

CUT 04(12)      “…two schools combined”

The flood of 2016 sent water into about 10-thousand homes and businesses in the Capital area.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations of persons committing acts of animal cruelty on video and posting them on social media. Public outrage is growing, and the RPSO asks for patience while they investigate.

Deputies in St. Tammany Parish arrest two people in connection with the death of a 15-year-old who O.D.’ed on fentanyl last month. 41-year-old Felicia Grantham is accused of giving the teen the drug. 20-year-old Alvin Laurent is charged with the selling it to Grantham. Medical experts say fentanyl is very dangerous and one pill can kill.

Did you know there are native plants you can plant in your garden to help the endangered Monarch butterfly? Brooke Thorington has more.

CUT 03(33)      “…Thorington.”

Nationwide average gasoline prices fell below four dollars a gallon today; dipping to their lowest level since March, according to Triple-A. Today’s average of $3.99 a gallon nationally and $3.61 in Louisiana is almost a dollar cheaper than the June high. Louisiana Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says “supply and demand.” As prices go up, we drive less…and if we get used to lower prices and start driving more again…:

CUT 04(05)      “…wait and see on that.”

Some of the cheapest prices found statewide are in and around Baton Rouge, where regular can be bought for as low as $2.95.

Legendary rock group the Eagles have added New Orleans to their ongoing Hotel California tour. Mark November 19^th at the Smoothie King Center. WGGL Eagle 98.1 Baton Rouge Program Director Michelle Southern says be prepared to act fast when tickets go on sale a week from tomorrow…:

CUT 13(09)      “…going on sale.”

Hotel California is still among the five top highest-selling rock albums of all time.

Central Louisiana Technical Community College along with others in the state is offering a nine-week course to receive heavy equipment certification plus a commercial driver’s license training program; both at little to no cost, on a needs-basis. CLTCC’s Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development Misty Slayter…:

CUT 06(10)      “…tremendous opportunity.”

These jobs generally pay very well, and she say this training can be a real life-changer.

A former Madison Parish volunteer fireman is under arrest for arson, after allegedly torching an abandoned mobile home in his neighborhood. 28-year-old Cody Faulkner reportedly admitted to deputies he was responsible.

A food fight of sorts is brewing in Washington Parish which could affect farmers and ranchers statewide. Mount Herman cattleman Jason Smith is being sued by the parish for tens of thousands in taxes he didn’t collect or pay when selling cuts of beef directly to customers at his farm. State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the tax code states that livestock and other farm products are tax exempt. But the parish says cuts of beef aren’t livestock, and they want to get paid. A great many farmers and ranchers sell meat and produce directly to customers without state or local sales taxes. Strain says Smith is worried, but so are food producers statewide…:

CUT 10  (08)        “…a precedent case.”

A New Orleans cop who was sitting very close to a French Quarter rape in progress and did nothing has been suspended. The officer is not NOPD, but rather an Orleans deputy constable who was working a paid detail for a movie shoot nearby. His suspension is pending an investigation of the incident.

Nationwide average gasoline prices fell below four dollars a gallon today; dipping to their lowest level since March, according to AAA. Today’s average of $3.99 a gallon nationally and $3.61 in Louisiana is almost a dollar cheaper than the June high. Louisiana AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s a direct reflection of supply and demand…:

CUT 03(11)      “…pulling back”

He says as prices go down, we’ll all drive more and prices will shoot back up.

Five years and $20 million in private donations later, Chimp Haven has successfully completed a major expansion; creating the play corrals, forested habitats and facilities needed to provide sanctuary to more than 300 former research chimps living out their retirement at the world’s largest big primate sanctuary.

Gasoline prices have dipped to a nationwide average price of below $4.00; their lowest level since March. That national average for regular gas is $3.99. In Louisiana, it’s $3.61. Louisiana AAA fuel guy Don Redman says members surveyed in March said they’d drive less if prices kept rising…:

CUT 05  (10)        “…said ‘we drove less’”

Regular gas can be found today in and around Baton Rouge for as low as $2.95-a-gallon.

Central Louisiana Technical Community College – and others in the state – now offer a nine-week course to receive heavy equipment certification and getting a commercial driver’s license. CLTCC Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development Misty Slayter says this is a potentially life-changing opportunity…:

CUT 08(12)      “…household income.”

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says a sheriff suing a Washington Parish cattleman for taxes unpaid from selling cuts of beef directly to customers on his farm is in error. Washington Parish Sheriff Randy “Country” Seal says Mount Herman rancher Jason Smith owes about $40-thousand in taxes and penalties. Strain quotes from the Louisiana state tax code…:

CUT 10(08)      “…any taxing authority.”

The sheriff and parish tax collector say “livestock” is not the same as processed meat, and IS taxable. Strain says processed meat falls under “food & groceries” which ARE tax exempt in Louisiana. He says the matter will have to be decided in court, and if ranchers lose, he seek to clarify the tax code legislatively.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations of persons committing acts of animal cruelty on video and posting them on social media. Public outrage is growing, and the RPSO asks for patience while they investigate.

A New Orleans state lawmaker is calling for a change at the top of Louisiana’s Department of Children & Family Services. After a Baton Rouge toddler died from eating fentanyl and multiple kids in foster care were sexually abused, Representative Jason Hughes asked on social media, “How many horrific incidents need to happen for us to realize new leadership is needed?” DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says the agency is taking “disciplinary actions” in wake of the toddler’s death but would not give any details on what those might be.

While they may not be the “New Kid in Town” The Eagles are coming to New Orleans on November 19^th. The band announced today they’re extending their tour with six new stops including the Smoothie King Center. Program Director and DJ at Eagle 98.1 in Baton Rouge Michelle Southern…:

CUT 12(12)      “…extend it.”

I’ll start seeking a co-sign for financing to get my tickets.

Louisiana community colleges are providing workforce development training as part of a program to gear up for future infrastructure projects. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue has been barred from running for re-election on the November 8th ballot after the LA 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled he lives outside the city limits. The ruling, if upheld under further appeal, would install Al Perry Thomas as Ville Platte’s next police chief unopposed.