A Denham Springs woman turned herself into police today after being suspected of texting before a fatal crash on I-12 that killed a 5-month-old baby. Denham Springs Police issued an arrest warrant for 23-year-old Jessica Cowart. Detective Amber Fairburn says Cowart was not completely focused on the road with the wreck happened.

Cut 9 (05)  “was messaging.”

Cowart is charged with negligent homicide, negligent injuring and reckless operation.  She is free on a 51-thousand-dollar-bond.

A woman from Franklin is also under arrest in a crash that killed a toddler. 27-year-old Grave Loustaloot was driving with three children in the car on Hwy 83 in St. Mary Parish yesterday morning. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David explains the wreck.

Cut 3 (13) “restraint seat”

Louisiana youth are smoking at a rate of 12-percent, which is lower than the national average of 16-percent, according to a report by Truth Initiative. President and CEO Robin Koval says when teenagers are given the facts and allowed to make their own decisions, they are more likely to positively respond.

Cut 6 (11) “like that”

But the adult smoking rate in Louisiana is over 22-percent, compared to 15 in the rest of the country.

The five members of the Capitol Police Department at the baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia when House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot, have been awarded the medal of honor. Scalise says the excellent training undergone by members of this department prepared them and gave them the skills to save the lives of so many that day.

Cut 12 (09) “the line”

The Kenner Police Department says a habitual offender that was released early from jail due to the state’s new criminal justice reform, committed an armed robbery 5 days after he was let out.  Chief Michael Glaser says Tyrone White is well known in that neighborhood, and cops had already been alerted that he was lurking again pulling on car door handles to see if they were unlocked. Glaser says this 24-year-old man should never have been let out of jail…:

Cut 16  (10)  “and he’s 24 years old”

Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with university system presidents at this hour discussing efforts to promote a positive and safe learning environment in light of recent hazing events and drug and alcohol abuse among sanctioned groups.  He will speak following the meeting this afternoon in a press conference at the Governor’s mansion.

The five police officers at the baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, where U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot, have received the Capitol Police Medal of Honor.  Scalise who was critically injured in the attack, says nobody saw it coming and these five individuals immediately jumped in and did things no one can describe to save lives…

Cut 13 (09)  “and women”

A Franklin woman is under arrest for a crash that claimed the life of a toddler. The single vehicle wreck occurred on Highway 83 in St. Mary Parish Wednesday morning.  27-year-old Grace Loustaloot was driving with three children in the vehicle when the accident occurred.  2-year-old Temperence Finister was not secured and was thrown from the car after it rolled over.  LSP’s Master Trooper Brooks David says upon arrival, they allegedly found prescription drugs in Loustaloot’s possession, which may have played a factor in the fatal accident…

Cut 5  (09)  “the roadway.”

Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says a habitual offender released as part of the state’s new criminal justice reform effort, was arrested for armed robbery five days after he got out of prison. Glaser says 24-year-old Tyrone White approached two construction workers repairing a roof on a home. He says one of the victims was on the ground and another was on the roof…
cut 15 (09) “….he wasn’t robbed”
Glaser says White was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2014 on four counts of simple burglary. The chief says he’s a person that should have never been allowed out early.

We will get an update this afternoon from the West Feliciana Sheriff’s office on the Baton Rouge television report that an Angola inmate raped a 13-year-old during the final weekend Angola Rodeo. So far authorities have said very little about the alleged incident.

Two young women have been arrested in two separate crashes where the end result was the death of a child. Denham Springs Police Detective Amber Fairburn says 23-year-old Jessica Cowart turned herself in today. Fairburn says it’s suspected Cowart was texting and speeding when she caused a fatal wreck on I-12 last month…
cut 10 (05) “…per hour”
Cowart is facing several charges including negligent homicide.

And State Police have booked a Franklin woman on vehicular homicide charges after she lost control of her vehicle, killing a two-year-old child. Trooper Brooks David says the child wasn’t properly restrained…
cut 4 (07) :…in time”
David says 27-year-old Grace Loustaloot also had illegally obtained prescription drugs on her possession and she was arrested for that as well.

The Kenner Police Department says a habitual offender that was released early from jail due to the state’s new criminal justice reform, committed an armed robbery 5 days after he was let out. Chief Michael Glaser says it’s extremely frustrating that Tyrone White was let back on the streets:
CUT 12 (10) “City of Kenner”
Galser says White, who has been arrested 60 times at the age of 24, should have never been released from jail.

A woman who was allegedly texting before a fatal accident on I-12 that led to the death of a 5 month old child, turned herself into Denham Springs Police today. Police Detective Amber Fairburn says evidence links 23-year-old Jessica Cowart to the accident..:
Cut 9 (05) “was messaging”
Cowart is charged with negligent homicide, negligent injuring and reckless operation.

The five police officers at the baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, where U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot, have received the Capitol Police Medal of Honor. Scalise, who was critically injured, says these individuals risked their lives and ran towards the danger knowing they were outgunned…:
Cut 11 (12) “their bravery”

Truth Initiative spoke with Louisiana Radio Network because the Bayou State is among 12 states that makes up Tobacco Nation because of its high adult smoking rate. President and CEO of Truth Initiative Robin Koval says individuals within these states smoke more, live shorter lives and are more likely to get and die from cancer than the rest of the country..:
Cut 8 (09) “United States”

Two people are arrested in two separate accidents which killed young children…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Three state police troopers have been placed on paid administrative leave amid allegations of claiming overtime hours they never worked, according to LSP spokesman Major Doug Cain…:
Cut 14 (08) “quick action”

The adult smoking rate in Louisiana is over 22-percent, compared to 15 in the rest of the country, according to a new report by Truth Initiative. But President and CEO Robin Koval says the Bayou State is taking steps in the right direction, with more parishes approving ordinances to ban smoking in all public buildings…:
Cut 7 (11) “national average”
The report found youth in Louisiana are smoking at a rate of 12-percent, lower than the national average of 16-percent.

Gas prices keep rising as demand remains high. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.29, up five cents from the prior week.

A Franklin woman is under arrest after an accident which claimed the life of a toddler in the vehicle in St. Mary Parish. 27-year-old Grace Loustaloot was driving with three children in the vehicle, according to LSP Master Trooper Brooks David…:
Cut 3 (13) “restraint seat”
Loustaloot faces many charges including vehicular homicide.

Church advocates are urging more training among concealed handgun permit carriers to protect their congregations. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says with an increase in crime, churches have a responsibility to protect and will take whatever means to do so…:
Cut 25 (07) “remove it”
Law enforcement in Livingston and Ouachita Parishes are holding such training courses.

A report by Truth Initiative finds youth in Louisiana are smoking at a rate of 12-percent, lower than the national average of 16-percent. President and CEO of Truth Initiative Robin Koval says when you give young people the facts and allow them to make decisions for themselves, they are more likely to respond in a positive way…:
Cut 6 (11) “like that”
She says as time goes on, hopefully kids will never become smokers.

According to the Louisiana Lottery, no one has claimed the $50,000 Powerball prize from the drawing on June 14. The winning ticket was purchased at Super 1 Foods on Northeast Evangeline Thruway in Carencro. The winner has until Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. to claim the prize.

A state law approved seven years ago allows persons to possess guns inside a place of worship, under strict conditions. The person must be approved by the church leader, the congregation is made aware and persons must receive specialized training. A course is coming up later this month in Livingston Parish. Sheriff Jason Ard says there is increased interest since the Texas church shooting…

Cut 4  (12) “time now.”

A class is also scheduled for Ouachita Parish next month.

Three state police troopers have been placed on paid administrative leave amid allegations of claiming overtime on hours they never actually worked.  State Police Major Doug Cain says the investigation started after surveillance video was uncovered by a New Orleans television station.  He says Col. Kevin Reeves has asked for a full investigation…

Cut 14 (08) “quick action.”

The troopers in question are from the New Orleans area.

Only 13-percent of the state got out to vote in the primary election and Secretary of State Tom Schedler predicts an even lower turnout for the runoff. Republican candidate John Schroder says our ability to vote is one of the biggest privileges we have as Americans. He credits the low numbers to the disgust with government accompanied by…

Cut 9 (10)  “in Louisiana.”

Early voting runs through Saturday.