The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may open the Bonnet Carrie Spillway in St. Charles Parish on Wednesday to relieve pressure on the levees along the lower Mississippi River. New Orleans district Corps Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says high water levels have arrived earlier than expected, because of rainfall flowing down from the Midwest. If the spillway is opened, it would be the third time in four years despite only being activated 13 times since 1931. Boyett says the Corps of Engineers will investigate why we are seeing high Mississippi River levels more often…
Cut 6 (06) “…consider.”
A 36-year-old New Orleans nurse was shot dead on Bourbon Street in the early Sunday morning hours. Julie Couvillion was an innocent bystander who was struck by bullets originating from a altercation at Willie’s Chicken Shack. NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson says the shooting began when a security guard attempted to remove an uncooperative patron…
Willie’s reportedly attempted to remove 37-year-old Louis Barnes for selling drug on the premises.
Barnes, a registered sex offender, is facing Second Degree Murder, and Attempted Second Degree Murder charges for the incident. Ferguson says after Barnes disarmed the security guard, he began firing.
Barnes served two years in jail for Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile related to a 15 year old in 2015.
Ferguson says they’ve made several arrest and seized seven guns on Bourbon Street since Friday night. He says there’s a cop on every block of the famous street, and is asking the public to leave their pieces at home for Carnival.
Cut 9 (12) “…responsible″
A New Orleans Senator has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming session that would exempt feminine products and diapers from the state sales tax. Currently food, residential utilities, and prescription drugs are exempted, and Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says diapers and feminine products are no less mandatory to everyday life for a majority of the population.
Last year, legislation promoting equal pay for women failed to cross the finish line in a bitterly divided session, but Moller says this type of legislation is noticeably different, and anyone who votes against it could face a rebuke just half a year later at the ballot box.
Cut 12 (13) “…small cost
Earl, the llama that was shot three times by its owner last week, continues to recover from his injuries. He was at LSU’s vet clinic, but recently returned to the St. Landry Animal Control facility. Animal Control Director Stacey Alleman McKnight says Earl still has a long way to go.
Bullets are lodged in the animal’s neck, shoulder, and abdomen, causing a fractured rib.