NOAA, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, revises its 2022 hurricane predictions down…slightly…:

CUT 02(29)      “…Thorington.”

A West Baton Rouge Parish cop is under arrest for picking a fight at a Baton Rouge bar, then following the victims home, where another brawl ensued. 21-year-old Zach Sibille is Port Allen Police officer. Because he took a gold chain from the victim, the charge is robbery. Sibille is on administrative leave.

The days of putting off getting a real ID are ending. If you want to fly domestically or even enter federal buildings, you must have a real ID Louisiana driver’s license or ID card, or a current passport by May third, next year. Louisiana OMV spokesman Matt Boudreaux says there are several items you’ll need to obtain a REAL ID: a birth certificate or…:

CUT 07(10)      “…financial statement.”

You can visit “expresslane.org” to book an appointment at your local OMV.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the death of a Pineville man who was killed in a house fire Tuesday morning. Office spokesperson Ashely Rodrigue says firefighters found a 71-year-old man in the bathtub…dead. She says the fire apparently started in the home’s carport…:

CUT 13(10)      “…that home.”

There were NO working smoke detectors in the home.

The state OMV is warning residents the clock is ticking for you to get a real ID in order to fly commercially in the United States. Marsanne Golsby has more…

CUT 01(33)      “…Golsby.”

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a Houma man for alleged possession of drugs and for taking sharks over the limit. Agents stopped the man’s boat for routine life jacket compliance check, when they found the sharks, and methamphetamines. He’s is the Terrebonne parish jail. Look a story with drugs AND sharks!

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Luke Mixon says he remains pro-life, but if elected as Louisiana’s next Senator he would vote to legalize abortions in federal law. Mixon says, despite his personal feelings, many of the laws to prohibit abortions are too extreme…:

CUT 05(06)      “…codify Roe.”

The number of hurricanes predicted for this year has been revised downward…by ONE storm. NOAA forecaster Matt Rosencrans says severe storms are down to 3-to-5; down from 4-to-6. He says, yes, it’s been calm lately…but conditions for an active season are still out there. Rosencrans says as we near the peak of the season…:

CUT 11(06)      “…hurricanes ahead.”

A Shreveport mom was arrested for leaving her child inside a hot car. The 6-year-old will be fine, but the mother was booked with child desertion.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has filed an appeal of a local judge’s decision disqualifying him from running for re-election in the fall. The judge agreed with plaintiffs that Perkins provided an incorrect address when qualifying to run; a breach of state election law. Perkins says he is being targeted by a political foe…:

CUT 10(10)      “…to steal your vote.”

The 2^nd Circuit Appeals Court will hear Perkins’ case.

Good education news: Louisiana kids did better on LEAP tests in the 2021-22 school year. Education superintendent Cade Brumley says the increase in math and English scores can be linked with getting kids back into the classroom, despite COVID concerns…:

CUT 14(09)      “…upcoming year”

He says LEAP numbers were up in 80-percent of school systems.

A law that changes oversite and the number of pharmacies for the state’s medical marijuana program is now in effect. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

Baton Rouge area state Senator Mack “Bodi” White has been hospitalized with COVID-19. White recently had spinal surgery, so this just adds to his discomfort. A spokesman for the senator says he is recovering well and in good spirits. White is 66 years old.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has filed an appeal of a local judge’s decision that he was disqualified from running for re-election this fall. A lawsuit filed by a Shreveport resident alleged Perkins did not live at the address he listed on qualifying papers, and the judge agreed. Perkins says he is not out of the race yet…:

CUT 09(08)      “…fight for our democracy.”

Perkins says polling shows him as a sure thing for re-election, and there are those who seek to block him from another term in office, by preventing supporters from voting for him.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is a co-chair of a new Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus. Carter says with natural disasters increasing all over the country, it’s time to hold federal agency heads more accountable…:

CUT 08(09)      “…major storm.”

The Louisiana Department of Education says public school students performed better on LEAP tests last school year. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

A Baton Rouge woman is under arrest after her 2-year-old overdosed on fentanyl and died. This happened in late June. The boy’s sister reportedly told deputies he (quote) ate mom’s pills. Whitney Ard is charged with negligent homicide.

A law that changes oversite and the number of pharmacies for the state’s medical marijuana program is now in effect. More from Brooke Thorington…”

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

The widening of Interstate 12 through St. Tammany Parish will be delayed slightly. Contractors says they’ve had some troubles with driving pilings into the Tchefuncte River bed, for a widened bridge there. Now this phase of the project is expected to be done by next summer.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is a co-chair of a new Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus. Carter says the goal is to be more proactive in the response to natural disasters…:

CUT 07(06)      “…a rapid recovery”

Carter says with natural disasters increasing all over the country, it’s time to hold federal agency heads more accountable.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins addresses his disqualification from the fall election and says he will not take the Caddo Parish court’s decision lying down. A lawsuit filed by a Shreveport resident alleged Perkins did not live at the address he listed on qualifying papers, and the judge agreed. Perkins says there are those who seek to block him from another term in office, by preventing supporters from voting for him…:

CUT 11(06)      “…of your rights.”

Perkins has filed his appeal of the judge’s decision.

A law that changes oversite and the number of pharmacies for the state’s medical marijuana program is now in effect. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Education says public school students performed better on LEAP tests  last school year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

Legislation to enhance and change oversite of the state’s medical marijuana program went into effect this month. Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s legislation allows existing marijuana licensed pharmacies to have satellite pharmacies so the product is more accessible for those with cannabis prescriptions.

Cut 3 (07) “…access.” 

Instead of the State Department of Agriculture regulating medical marijuana, oversite is transferred to the Louisiana Department of Health. Magee says LDH has more labs which should speed up the process of getting the product to the pharmacies.

Cut 4  (07) “…a lot of delays.”

In addition, to the current nine licensed pharmacies, a tenth one will be added. Magee says it will be awarded in the greater New Orleans area. Magee says with more satellite pharmacies the hope is that it will increase competition and decrease prices so it’s more affordable for those who need it.

Cut 5  (11) “…same time”

The law doesn’t increase the number of licensed growers and pharmacy operators, but it does allow licensed pharmacy operators to open more than one location.

_____________________________________________

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is a co-chair of a new Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus. Carter says they will work to improve the federal government’s response to natural disasters.

Cut 6 (10) “…the storm.” 

Carter says the goal is to be more proactive in the response to natural disasters.

Cut 7 (06) “…recovery.” 

Carter says with natural disasters increasing all over the country, it’s time to hold federal agency heads more accountable.

Cut 8 (09) “…major storm.”

________________________________________________

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins addresses his disqualification from the fall election and says he will not take the Caddo Parish court’s decision lying down. A lawsuit filed by a Shreveport resident alleged Perkins did not live at the address he listed on qualifying papers, and the judge agreed. Perkins says he is not out of the race yet…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…fight for our democracy.”

Louisiana law dictates that unless a candidate is in a nursing home, veterans’ home, or is running for the U. S. House or Senate, they must be registered to vote from the same address where they claim a homestead exemption. The lawsuit claims Perkins lives in a downtown condo; not the address he listed. Perkins says he is being targeted by a political foe…:

Cut 10 (10) “…to steal your vote.” 

Perkins says polling shows him as a sure thing for re-election, and there are those who seek to block him from another term in office, by preventing supporters from voting for him…:

Cut 11 (06)  “…of your rights.”

Perkins has filed his appeal of Judge Brady O’Callaghan’s decision with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

____________________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Education says public school students  performed better on LEAP tests during the 2021-22 school year after seeing test scores fall in the previous school year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says mastery rates for students in grades three through eighth improved three points in both math and English

Cut 12 (07) “..back north”  

Brumley says 80-percent of Louisiana school systems improved their mastery rate when compared to 2020-21. He says fewer Louisiana students scored unsatisfactory, including a three-point decrease in students scoring unsatisfactory in math…

Cut 13 (11) “…in math”

Brumley says K-12 education is on the rise in Louisiana because schools were mainly open last school year and kids are in the classroom despite COVID concerns…

Cut 14 (09)  “…upcoming year.” 

Legislation to enhance and change oversite of the state’s medical marijuana program went into effect this month. Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s bill allows existing marijuana licensed pharmacies to have satellite pharmacies so the product is more accessible for those with cannabis prescriptions. Oversite is transferred from the Ag Department to the Department of Health. He says LDH has more labs to assure speedy supply…:

CUT 04  (07)        “…lot of delays.”

The law doesn’t increase the number of licensed growers; just the places where medical cannabis is available.

Incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from running for re-election. A Caddo judge ruled Perkins violated election law by giving an incorrect address on paperwork while qualifying. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says this could change the whole dynamic of the Shreveport mayoral election…:

CUT 26(10)      “…for years.”

Perkins is expected to appeal the ruling.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission launches a new online learning platform to help you learn a new skill or even receive a certification in one…:

CUT 27(30)      “…Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge woman is under arrest after her 2-year-old overdosed on fentanyl and died. This happened in late June. The boy’s sister reportedly told deputies he (quote) ate mom’s pills. Whitney Ard is charged with negligent homicide.

Incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from running for another term in office this fall. A Caddo judge ruled Perkins violated election law by giving an incorrect address on paperwork while qualifying for the race; listing a family property near LSUS rather than his downtown condo. Perkins says it was an error. He will most likely appeal. Meanwhile 9 other mayoral candidates remain in the race.

Louisiana is receiving federal help to fight flooding caused by climate change, and it’s FIVE TIMES the amount the state is currently spending per year. More from Marsanne Golsby…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Golsby.”

A Cheneyville area crop dusting pilot died today in a crash on I-49 in Rapides Parish. State Police confirm the unidentified pilot died when the plane crashed on the interstate off-ramp. No one the ground was reported hurt.

The state Fire Marshal’s office reports a man died in a house fire today in Pineville. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

Three tax preparers from Westwego face felony charges for allegedly defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson identifies the three people arrested, Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams, employees of Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish…:

CUT 12(11)      “…of the losses.”

All are charge with Injuring Public Records.

Three tax preparers from Westwego are arrested on felony charges of defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams all work for Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish. Department of Revenue spokesman Byron Henderson says investigators learned they charged clients as much as $110, and inflated the value of losses when submitting for a refund on sales tax they paid on items lost during a declared disaster…:

CUT 13(04)      “…their client.”

All three are charged with Injuring Public Records.

Louisiana is receiving $134-million in federal funds to offset the effects of climate change and reduce chronic flooding. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says money will be spread out over the next five years, so the state is expected to receive 25 million dollars this fiscal year…:

CUT 04(05)      “…road elevations.”

Wilson says the money can also be used to update pumping capacity.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants the state to set aside a pot of money to lure new insurance companies to Louisiana, just as it successfully did after the 2006 impact of Katrina and Rita. Since Ida last year and the storms of 2020, a number of insurers have left the state; leaving nearly 90-thousand homes and businesses scrambling for coverage with just weeks until the height of storm season. Donelon says he’ll ask the Governor and House & Senate leaders for the money, which could come from the huge sums of federal money flowing in for storm recovery and the pandemic…:

CUT 08(09)      “…to come write.”

State Police report a small plane crashed today ON an I-49 off-ramp near Cheneyville. The plane was dusting crops nearby and only the pilot was aboard. At this time, LSP has not released the pilot’s condition or what caused the plane to go down. The FAA will presumably take over the investigation.

LDH reports another 1500 new cases of COVID, with 686 currently hospitalized with symptoms. They also report 20 new COVID-related deaths.

The Shreveport mayoral race this fall gets interesting, as incumbent Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running. A Caddo Parish judge ruled Perkins used an incorrect home address on qualifying paperwork, which violates state election law. Perkins says it was an error, because he was distracted by reporters and cameras at qualifying. He is expected to appeal the decision; all the way to the state Supreme Court if needs be.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants the state to set aside a pot of money to lure new insurance companies to Louisiana, as it did when companies abandoned the market after the 2006 double wallop from Katrina and Rita. Donelon says that program successfully employed a fund of over $29-million state dollars, and brought new property insurers to help reduce the Louisiana Citizens book of business…:

CUT 07(11)      “…Go-Zone parishes.”

About 90-thousand homes and businesses are currently in insurance limbo, with the height of storm season just weeks away.

Three tax preparers from Westwego face felony charges for allegedly defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson identifies the three people arrested, Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams, employees of Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish…:

CUT 12(11)      “…value of the losses.”

All three are charged with Injuring Public Records.

The next time you’re in the Dome watching the Saints, thanks to a new partnership with Waitr (soon to be known as ASAP) you won’t have to stand in line to order concessions. Dean Turcol with ASAP says you can use your handy app to order food and then get a notice when to pick it up…:

CUT 09(10)      “…the Saints.”

Waitr was founded in 2013 and is currently based in Lafayette.