Longtime New Orleans area state Senator Karen Carter Peterson has resigned her seat in the legislature – effective immediately. Senate President Page Cortez confirmed this with LRN this afternoon. Often fiery and not shy with opinions, Carter served in the state House before being elected to the Senate in 2010. She is considered a Power Player at the Capitol. Peterson has struggled with an addiction to gambling for several years, and took personal privilege on the Senate floor recently to talk about it. She says it’s for this reason she is stepping down.

An Orleans Parish State Police criminal investigator is in trouble; accused of a hit-and-run in his state-issued unmarked car in St. Tammany Parish…and with falsely reporting a hit-and-run in Orleans. 19-year veteran Lt. Chad Lacoste is accused of Malfeasance and Injuring Public Records … plus the Hit-and-Run charge in St. Tammany. Spokesman Sgt. Dustin Dwight says LSP commander Lamar Davis supports his people, but…:

CUT 11(05)      “…for our actions.”

A bill heading to the Senate floor puts Louisiana in line with other states’ name, image, and likeness laws. Louisiana approved a law last year that allowed college athletes to receive cash for endorsing products, businesses, or individuals. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says his bill this year will allow university board members and boosters to participate…:

CUT 12(12)      “…to act.”

Connick says colleges in state’s with healthy NIL laws find it easier to recruit big talent.

Louisiana is under a “red flag warning” today for fire conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that means conditions are ideal for small fires to get out of control. He says high winds and low humidity are the reason, and it’s odd to see air tis dry this time of year…:

CUT 05(09)      “…perhaps Arizona & New Mexico”

He advises we burn nothing outdoors for the near future.