LaToya Cantrell has made history – albeit dubious history. She has become the first sitting mayor in New Orleans history to be indicted. She and retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie (VAH-pee) are accused of covering up a romantic relationship, cheating the city out of 70-thousand dollars for trips they took together under the guise of Vappie providing security. Loyola University New Orleans Law Professor Dane Ciolino says he’s surprised the indictment didn’t come sooner.
Passenger rail service starts today between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, as Amtrak’s new “Mardi Gras Service” begins twice-daily routes. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says interest is high.
The service will have morning and evening departures and the train will also make stops along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.
Some good news about auto insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says auto insurers have filed over 20 rate decreases in the Louisiana market.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
College students are starting to return to campus for the fall semester. In fact, in Baton Rouge, today marks the first day of the fall semester at Southern University. LSU students spent the weekend moving in, with this week being Welcome Week. Fall semester starts one week from today.