State Representative Jason Hughes continues to call for leadership changes at the Department of Children and Family Services, despite the state agency announcing changes in policy and a push to increase staff…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

The state Department of Health confirms one human case of the potentially fatal West Nile disease in the Acadiana region; the first one in that area since 2018. So far this year, 14 cases the Neuroinvasive viral disease have turned up statewide. Two people have died. LDH says do what you can to avoid mosquito bites.

U.L.-Monroe receives a $2.5-million grant to train first responders on rescuing opioid overdose victims. Associate Professor of clinical practice Dr. Alexis Horace says the goal is to help people get long-term treatment in addition to treating the overdose on the spot…:

CUT 11(12)      “…guide them into care”

Dr. Horace says her goal is to educate four thousand first responders in Louisiana by 2026.

Trina Edwards, the widow of former Governor Edwin Edwards is engaged to former Senate President John Alario. On Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” program, she talked of Alario’s awkward proposal…:

CUT 07(08)      “…so sweet.”

She says no date for the wedding has been set, as yet. Trina Edwards is 44. Alario is 78.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Lafourche Parish town of Cutoff. Trooper Ross Brennan says Lafourche deputies, and a Port Fourchon harbor cop, responded to a domestic disturbance and found themselves being fired on. The Harbor Police officer returned fire; hitting 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes…:

CUT 04  (09)        “…this incident.”

More information as it becomes available.

A new weapon in the fight against opioid addiction. UL-Monroe has received a $2.5-million grant to train first responders on handling overdoses; like administering the overdose rescue drug Narcan. Clinical practices professor Dr. Alexis Horace says a big hurdle is first responders not trusting drug users, and vice-versa…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…first responders.”

A New Orleans state lawmaker continues to call for change at the top at the Department of Children & Family Services. Representative Jason Hughes says a toddler died from a drug overdose last month; his third while under DCFS’s watch. In another case, a foster parent was found to be sexually assaulting his foster kids. Hughes says DCFS secretary Marketa Garner Walters should step down…:

CUT 10  (07)        “…starts at the top.”

Hughes is also calling for the assistant secretaries of Child Welfare and Family Support to resign.

A federal judge says the governor can move forward with plans to move some juvenile offenders to Angola, from the Bridge City Youth Center in Jefferson Parish…despite a lawsuit hoping to stop that temporary move. A Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary order blocking the move until and hearing on the suit in early September. The federal court denied that TRO late Tuesday afternoon.

Governor Edwin Edwards’ widow announces her engagement to another major Louisiana political figure. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana ranks 49th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in life expectancy. That’s according to the latest CDC data which says Louisiana’s life expectancy in 2020 was 73 years, a decline of almost three years from 2019. Health officials say the pandemic and an increase in drug overdose deaths is leading to a lower life expectancy.

ULM’s College of Pharmacy has received a 2.5 million dollar grant that will result in the training of first responders so they know how to administer opioid reversal medications and also how to refer people who use opioids to treatment and recovery centers. Associate professor of clinical practice, Doctor Alexis Horace says her team will lead education programs for first responders and community members in Ouachita Parish, Orleans Parish and surrounding rural parishes…
cut 12 (10) “…in need”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. Trooper Ross Brennan says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to call of a domestic disturbance when a subject inside the home shot at deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police…
cut 3 (06) “….that subject”
The subject has been identified as 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes, who died at at the scene. No officers were injured.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes continues to call for leadership changes with the Department of Children and Family Services after the state agency admitted they failed to follow up on a case and it eventually led to the death of a two-year old. Hughes says the Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare and the Assistant Secretary of Family Support also need to step down…

Cut 9 (09)  “…the agency.”

Trina Edwards is engaged to former Louisiana House speaker and Senate President John Alario. On Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana this morning she says he proposed on her 44^th birthday. Trina says they crossed paths several times but didn’t begin dating until after the death of Edwin.

Cut 6 (08) “…our time yet.” 

Alario is 78 years old, and a wedding date has not been set.

Fighters in the ongoing war against opioid addiction have just received another weapon. The ULM College of Pharmacy has a 2.5 million dollar grant to train first responders on getting individuals who suffer overdoses into treatment. Associate Professor of clinical practice Dr. Alexis Horace says the goal is long-term treatment, in addition to treating the overdose on the spot.

Cut 11 (12)  “..into care.”

Dr. Horace says first responders aren’t just police and firefighters. They also include friends and family of those who suffer overdoses, and community organizations.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes continues to call for leadership changes with the Department of Children and Family Services after the state agency admitted they failed to follow up properly after receiving three reports of a child subjected to substance abuse. That two-year-old child died in June of a drug overdose. Hughes says he’s tired of excuses…

Cut 8 (10) “…administration.”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. Trooper Ross Brennan says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a domestic disturbance, shots were fired, and an officer Port Fourchon Harbor Police discharged his weapon striking 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes.

Cut 4  (09) “…this incident.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is underway through Labor Day. Spokesperson Mark Lambert…

Cut  11 (07)  “…the message.” 

He says officers are specially trained to detect impaired drivers and it’s not about writing tickets for revenue it’s about changing behavior and saving lives.

The widow of former Governor Edwin Edwards, Trina Edwards is engaged. Former Louisiana House speaker and Senate President John Alario popped the question outside Ruth’s Chris Friday night on her 44^th birthday. On Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana this morning she said Alario opted to propose in the car before dinner because it was raining.

Cut 5  (06) “…endearing.”

As for when the two will get married Trina Edwards says they haven’t set a date yet but most likely it will be next year.

According to the latest CDC data, Louisiana’s life expectancy fell by nearly three years to 73 years old in 2020. Doctor Ben Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans says the COVID pandemic and an increase in drug overdoses has led to a lower life expectancy. Springgate recommends the state invest more dollars into drug prevention treatment…
cut 9 (06) “….intensive care unit”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. Trooper Ross Brennan says the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to call of a domestic disturbance when a subject inside the home shot at deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police…
cut 3 (06) “….that subject”
The subject has been identified as 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes, who died at at the scene. No officers were injured.

As the state heads into the heart of hurricane season, the state-run last-resort property insurer, Louisiana Citizens, has doubled its number of properties covered in just two years. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Citizens was covering 50-thousand before Hurricane Laura in 2020, But after Laura and Delta – followed by Ida last year – another 50-thousand have had no choice but to go with Citizens. He says that’s about 100-thousand policies…:
Cut 13 (11) “…last spring.”
Donelon says state law requires Citizens’ policyholders will be covered if there is a disaster. If necessary, assessments will be added to ALL property policies in the state, as they were after Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Still no announcement from LSU Coach Brian Kelly on who will be the Tigers starting quarterback against Florida State September fourth. Kelly says the competition between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier remains tight.

After several insurance companies have left our state Louisiana Citizens, the state’s last-resort property insurer has doubled its number of customers. Kevin Gallagher reports what that may mean, as the height of storm season approaches…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A documentary called Katrina Babies premieres on HBO tonight. Filmmaker Edward Buckles, Jr was 13 when Katrina devasted New Orleans 17 years ago. Buckles’ interviews others like him who were just children and says it’s a story about that hasn’t been told.

Plans to move violent youth offenders from the Bridge City Center for Youth to Angola are on hold after a motion on the grounds the move violates a juvenile’s due process was filed. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the state’s plan must demonstrate how they will keep youth offenders separate from the adult population and juveniles will continue to receive rehabilitation services.

Cut 6 (10)  “…differently.”

Judge Shelly Dick has ruled a plan must be submitted by September 2^nd

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is underway through Labor Day. Spokesperson Mark Lambert says the Commission funds extra law enforcement patrols during peak driving times and they are specially trained to look for the signs of drunk drivers.

Cut 12 (11) “…been drinking.” 

The will not move about two dozen youth inmates from a facility in Jefferson Parish to Angola until at least September 15th. A federal judge has scheduled a two-day trial beginning on September sixth to determine if the plan the violates the constitutional rights of the inmates involved. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says today’s youth offender has become increasingly more violent…
cut 5 (07) “…there is”
The Edwards administration is expected to release a plan on how they would keep the juvenile inmates separate from the adult prisoners at Angola.

As we continue to move closer to the heart of the hurricane season, the number of Louisiana Citizen Insurance policies is up to 100-thousand policies. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says they have re-insurance for only 50-thousand policies..
cut 14 (07) “….a hundred thousand policies”
Citizens has 150-million dollars ready to assist in claims.

New CDC data says Louisiana’s life expectancy dropped by three years to 73-years-old between 2019 and 2020 and the state ranks 49th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Cut Off. L-S-P says Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies and an officer with Port Fourchon Harbor Police were fired upon by a subject at the residence. Officials say a Harbor Police officer fired back and fatally shot 32-year-old Geraldo Reyes of Cut Off. No law enforcement were injured during the shooting.