We don’t talk a lot these days about West Nile Virus, but the mosquito-borne illness puts Louisiana at 4^th in the nation for cases…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thomas.”

Police in Mansfield responded today to a call of an active shooter at Mansfield High School. The building was cleared and NO threat was found. They says the building is secure. Police in Monroe confirm the same thing happened this morning at Neville High. Both apparently hoaxes.

A group of New Orleans area realtors are asking state Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon to delay approving a rate increase for customers of the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens. Cody Cuadill is one of those realtors. He says they’re asking for 18 months to allow homeowners time to find private market coverage…:

CUT 07(06)      “…a non-profit.”

He says the proposed 63-percent hike in rates will affect the real estate market badly, and hence the state’s economy.

Underway in Caddo Parish, a solar energy farm – built by SWEPCO – to ease electricity costs in that area. Public service Commissioner Foster Campbell likes it…:

CUT 13(08-0    “…energy now.”

The plant is going in near Hosston.

SWEPCO is constructing its first solar farm to supply customers in North Caddo Parish with renewable energy. Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell praised the utility provider’s efforts to help lower energy costs for some 12-thousand homes with the plant…:

CUT 12(10)      “…all around.”

The SWEPCO solar facility will be built just outside of Hosston.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell refuses to reimburse the city for recent upgrades to her travels to France and D.C. The amount is said to be over $40-thousand for first class plane fares and 5-star hotel rooms. City Councilman J.P. Morrell…:

CUT 04(10)      can’t even comprehend

He says council members COULD dock her pay to claw the money back, when they prepare the next city budget.

A reward of $30,000 is now being offered to help find those responsible for the murder of LSU student Allie Rice in Baton Rouge last week…:

CUT 27(30)      “…Thorington.”

…and now today’s markets…

New Orleans Realtors are asking the insurance commissioner to put the brakes on a 64 percent rate hike for 100 thousand Louisiana homeowners that have insurance with Citizens Insurance. Realtor Cody Caudill is part of a coalition trying to stabilize the housing market…:

CUT 06(09)      “…the market.”

They’re asking for 18 months of cushion before the rate hike kicks in, which will give more time for those covered by Citizens to find cheaper, private market insurance.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says pay attention to the tropical wave off the coast of Venezuela, as it makes it way west and northwest overt the next week. The system has potential to reach named storm status and enter the Gulf, and thus potential to threaten Louisiana.

Because New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell refuses to reimburse the city for her travel expenses to France, Councilman J.P. Morrell and other council members are working on a plan to recoup the more than $43 thousand in expenses…:

CUT 03(09)      “…at the budget.”

Morrell says while the travel to France was in some semi-official capacity for the city, he believes Cantrell could have used a portion of her more than $1 million in campaign funds to finance the trip. A voter effort to recall the mayor is underway.

A West Baton Rouge Parish State Trooper is now on administrative leave after being arrested in connection with a sex crime investigation in South Dakota. 44-year-old LSP Lt. Kirk Thibodeaux is accused of soliciting a prostitute, while in the state on work-related business. His case on South Dakota is pending.

The restaurant where Allie Rice worked is helping collect reward money for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who gunned the LSU student down last Friday. One of the owners of The Shed, Chez Ciccone says the reward is up to $30,000 and he thinks it will make a difference.

Cut 4 (08)  “…people know.”

A federal judge rules the government may NOT require masks and/or COVID shots for teachers, staff, and volunteers with Project Head Start.  Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, whose general counsel Sarah Harbison who litigated the suit says now that President Biden says the pandemic “over”  why would the feds persist on mandates?

Cut 9 (07)  “…and medical decisions.”

Because New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell refuses to reimburse the city for her travel expenses to France, councilman JP Morrell and other council members are working on a plan to recoup the more than $43 thousand in expenses.

Cut 3 (10) “…at the budget.” 

New Orleans has experienced astronomical crime rates this year with over 200 people murdered. On Governor Edwards monthly call-in radio program he was asked if the crime rate is impacting tourism. Edwards says hotel and sales tax revenues indicate that tourism is actually up in Crescent City and getting more police officers will make a difference.

Cut 15 (08) “… retain them.”

The restaurant where Allie Rice worked is helping collect reward money for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who shot and killed her last Friday. Co-Owner of The Shed, Chez Ciccone, says there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support from the community who wants to help. He says it will take a village to end the rise in crime in Baton Rouge….:
CUT 6 (06) “off the street”
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Crimestoppers.

A federal judge rules that the U.S. Government may NOT require masks and/or COVID shots for teachers, staff and volunteers with Project Head Start. The suit was brought by a school teacher and represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, whose general counsel Sarah Harbison says the case against the government wasn’t just about compliance…:
Cut 8 (06) “to do so”

New Orleans experienced a major uptick in crimes this year with over 200 homicides, now locals are wondering if it will affect tourism. Whitney Thomas has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas”

The NCAA Committee on infractions is set to announce its ruling on the LSU investigation today at noon. In March, the school was accused of violations by the NCAA including lack of institutional control and failure to monitor the conduct of its men’s basketball and football programs over an 8 year period.

A Baton Rouge restaurant has collected more than $30,000 in reward money for information that leads to a conviction for the murder of 21 year old LSU Senior Allie Rice. Rice was gunned down in Baton Rouge early last Friday while she was stopped for a train. One of the owners of The Shed BBQ, Chez Ciccone (chuh-coney) says they hope the reward is up to 50k by tomorrow…:
CUT 5 (07) “did this”
If you know anything please contact Crimestoppers.

Crime in New Orleans has also been off the charts and on his monthly call in radio show when asked how it’s been impacting tourism, Governor John Bel Edwards says travel to the Crescent City is up…:
Cut 14 (09) “that either”
He says getting more cops on the streets is the focus on fixing the problem.

A federal judge rules the US government may no longer require COVID shots or masks of teachers, staff or volunteers with Project Head Start. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

We may see record high temperatures here on this first day of fall with highs expected to be in the mid to upper 90s or even higher north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it won’t be this bad Saturday and Sunday…:
CUT 12 (06) “incredibly hot”

A federal judge has struck down the US Government mandate that required teachers and children in public preschools to wear masks and be vaccinated. The suit was brought by a school teacher and represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. General counsel Sarah Harbison says the plaintiff is vindicated…:
Cut 7 (08) aren’t having it”
U.S. Circuit Court Judge Terry Doughty issued a permanent injunction preventing the feds from enforcing their mask and shot mandates on Head Start in Louisiana and 23 other states.

It certainly will not feel like the first day of Fall today as temperatures across the state are slated to be in the upper 90s and even triple digits north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Keim..:
Cut 11 (06) “still here”
He says next week highs should be back into the 80s.

A reward of $30,000 is being offered to help find those responsible for the shooting death of LSU student Allie Rice. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Crime in New Orleans has been awful also and Governor John Bel Edwards says more cops are needed…
Cut 15 (08) “retain them”

There is now a $30,000 reward being offered up for information on the deadly shooting of an LSU Senior in Baton Rouge last Friday. Allie Rice worked at The Shed BBQ, and Chez Ciccone (chuh-coney) is one of the owners there…:
CUT 4 (08) “people know”
If you have any tips about the case call Crimestoppers or Baton Rouge Police.

Today is the first day of fall, but its unseasonably hot. Temperatures will get into the upper 90s today, and triple digits north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the hot weather will stick around through the weekend…:
Cut 10 (09) “some locations”
A front is expected to come in next week dropping high temperatures back into the 80s.

New Orleans has experienced astronomical crime rates this year with over 200 people murdered. Asked on his monthly call-in radio show if this was impacting tourism, Governor John Bel Edwards says travel to the Crescent City is actually up…
Cut 13 (13) “our economy”
He says they are focusing on getting more law enforcement officers on the streets.

State Police have placed a lieutenant on leave following a sex crime investigation in South Dakota. LSP says 44-year-old Kirk Thibodeaux is charged with Hiring for Sexual Activity.