After a 40-year wait, victims of a flood in Tangipahoa Parish – caused by I-12 road work – will soon see compensation. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
_______________________________________________
A grand jury meets today to hear evidence of the three men suspected of raping LSU student Madison Brooks shortly before she was killed by a car. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________________________
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has launched a campaign for the White House. Kevin Gallagher talks with a Louisiana politico on her chances of being the country’s first female president…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
_____________________________________________
After waiting 40 years for an answer, victims of a 1983 flood in Tangipahoa Parish, caused by the construction of Interstate 12, will soon see compensation. A judge this week gave final approval to a $101-million class action settlement. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jean-Paul Layrisson says this final approval is great news for the 1200+ people and businesses who were flooded in 1983…:
Cut 4 (11) “…the right amounts.”
In April of 1983, heavy rains were aggravated by the ongoing construction of I-12, which caused water to back up into the city of Ponchatoula and hundreds of homes and businesses. The area had never flooded before. Layrisson says there have been several legal maneuverings and appeals to delay an outcome in the case…:
State District Judge Jeff Johnson’s ruling means litigation is finally over, and the process of getting compensation from the state Department of Transportation to the over 1,000 families businesses, and individuals affected can begin…:
Cut 6 (10) “…their lawful heirs.”
The construction of I-12 also came under fire after the flood of August 2016, as residents in Livingston Parish blame the highway for holding flood water from running off; flooding many homes and businesses.
_____________________________________________
A grand jury convenes in Baton Rouge today to hear evidence against three of the four men arrested in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he would be shocked if the grand jury doesn’t issue an indictment if the DA is actively seeking one.
A fourth suspect who’s 17 years old his case will be handled in juvenile court.
A failure to indict could mean their charges are dismissed or the grand jury could choose to upgrade the charges. Borghardt says the DA’s office has stated they are actively pursuing first-degree rape charges…
Borghardt says third-degree rape is rape based on impairment and it carries a lower sentence.
Defense attorneys maintain their clients’ innocence and claim video evidence will prove they had consensual sex with Brooks.
_______________________________________________
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is running for President in 2024. Haley, a Republican, ran the Palmetto State from 2011 to 2017, then was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations by then-President Donald Trump. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Haley wants voters to remember her ties to the former President…:
Cut 10 (11) “…and among republicans.”
In 2021, Haley said she would not run against Trump if he ran again in 2024. Then she said she would support his second bid for the White House. Sadow says a lot has changed for Haley and for Trump in recent years…:
Cut 11 (10) “…his personality.”
Sadow says Haley could have a real chance of winning the nomination in ’24. He says she has the qualifications and the appeal to conservative voters…:
Cut 12 (11) “…kind of candidacy.”
Sadow says Haley could make a good showing in Republican primaries next year, but if Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enters the race, her chances will diminish.
______________________________________________
Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of two men who were allegedly involved in a fatal shooting at The Doll House nightclub in January 2000. L-C-P-D Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says his department re-opened the cold case over 13 months ago by reviewing all existing evidence and reconstructing the crime scene…
Three people were shot at the Doll House, and 27-year-old Allen Babineaux died from his injuries.
Caldwell says forensic technology and witness statements led to the arrests of 46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia, and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur. Deputy Chief Franklin Fondel responded to the scene in 2000 and is glad to give closure to the Babineaux family…
Cut 14 (07) “…waiting for healing”
Kyer is charged with one count of second-degree murder, principal. Malvo has also been charged with one count of second-degree murder. Calcasieu Parish District Stephen Dwight says they will present their evidence to a grand jury next week…
__________________________________________________
Ragin Cajuns baseball head coach Matt Deggs announces Jake Hammond is his opening night starter when U-L Lafayette opens its season on Friday with a weekend series at Rice. Deggs says Hammond is a team captain and a guy he can depend on last season…
The Cajuns are led by Carson Roccaforte who was named to the Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List which goes to the best player in college baseball. The Texas native led the team in hitting, home runs, and RBIs last season. Deggs expects Roccaforte to have another great season, but he’s looking for others to step up as well…
______________________________________________________
Longtime assistant basketball coach Bob Starkey says the late Sue Gunter would be proud but also embarrassed about her name joining Dale Brown’s on the court in the Maravich Center. Starkey was an assistant coach for both Brown and Gunter and knew Gunter before he arrived at LSU in 1990…
The LSU Board of Supervisors voted last week to add Gunter’s name to the court despite pleas from Brown supporters who believe it takes away an honor given to Brown. Starkey says Brown’s accomplishments are undeniable, but Gunter did a lot with fewer resources than the men’s program…