The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office is considering seeking the death penalty against a man who allegedly raped a four-year-old child. D-A Hillar Moore says the biggest obstacle in pursuing the death penalty against 25-year-old Anthony Jelks is a Supreme Court decision that ruled that executing someone for a crime in which the victim did not die violates the Eighth Amendment.

Cut 3 (06) “…several years ago.”

Moore says if the death penalty is off the table, he will also consider castration, in accordance with Louisiana law.

Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision, and he says he’s not the only Republican who feels that way.

Cut 7 (06) “…about that decision.”

A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers starting center has a good chance to play this Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Sylvia Fowles and Joe Horn are among eight legends who will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame next year. Fowles led LSU to four straight Final Fours from 2005 to 2008 and was an eight-time WNBA All-Star in her 15-year career. Horn played seven of his 12 NFL seasons with the Saints and played in four Pro Bowls.

All options are on the table for the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney in the case of a man accused of raping a four-year-old child, including a punishment not carried out for that crime in more than 60 years. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers’ starting center has a good chance to play Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With the blessing of Attorney General Liz Murrill, the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office is considering seeking the death penalty against a man who allegedly raped a four-year-old child, infecting that child with a sexually transmitted disease. 25-year-old Anthony Jelks is charged with first-degree rape and is behind bars without bond. District Attorney Hillar Moore says the biggest obstacle in pursuing the death penalty against Jelks is a 2008 Supreme Court decision that ruled that executing someone for a crime in which the victim did not die amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Cut 3 (06) “…several years ago.”

Moore says while many states which had statutes on their books allowing for the death penalty in cases of child rape or other crimes in which the victim survived, Louisiana took a different approach.

Cut 4 (09) “…Supreme Court decision.”

Louisiana also allows for chemical castration; and as of last year, the state also allows for surgical castration in certain sexual assault cases. Moore says his office is also considering one of these punishments if the death penalty is off the table.

Cut 5 (14) “…like anyone else.”

Moore says the child contracted chlamydia. It is not a permanent infection, and Moore says the child will make a full recovery. The last time someone was executed in the United States for a rape in which the victim lived to tell about it was 1964.

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Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision.

Cut 6 (05) “…will be immunocompromised.”

Cassidy says he’s not the only Republican who’s concerned about that move by Florida.

Cut 7 (06) “…about that decision.”

Cassidy says the childhood vaccines, like the ones for measles, mumps and rubella, have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

Cut 8 (07) “…care of others.”

Cassidy says Florida Senator Rick Scott pointed out that parents in that state cal already opt their kids out of vaccines for religious reasons, although no major religion explicitly prohibits vaccines.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson has some ideas for you.

Cut 9 (09)  “…you feel good.”

Dorson says this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge,” and it comes at a time when Louisiana is facing challenges such as overpopulation, stray animals and limited resources for shelters.

Cut 10 (07) “…our fellow creatures.”

You’re encouraged to take a video and post it onto social media. Dorson says he’s doing the same thing.

Cut 11 (08) “…the same thing.”

As expected, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell pleaded not guilty this afternoon to federal corruption charges. Cantrell is accused of covering up a romantic relationship with a retired NOPD officer, bilking the city out of 70-thousand dollars in the process. Cantrell was released on her own recognizance. She was ordered to surrender her passport and has had her travel restricted to within the Eastern District of Louisiana. She may travel elsewhere within the U.S. with prior approval.

The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney is considering pursuing the death penalty against a man charged with raping a four-year-old. The Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment is unconstitutional in cases in which the victim survived, so District Attorney Hillar Moore says he’s also considering castration against 25-year-old Anthony Jelks.

Cut 5 (14) “…like anyone else.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says Florida’s move to do away with the requirement that all children get their childhood vaccinations before enrolling in school is a bad decision, saying there will be children who will become immunocompromised or will die as a result. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says these vaccines have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

Cut 8 (07) “…care of others.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. You’re encouraged to take a video and post it onto social media. Humane Society of Louisiana Founder and Director Jeff Dorson says he’s doing the same thing.

Cut 11 (08) “…the same thing.”

A Baton Rouge man is accused of raping a four-year-old, and the district attorney is considering pursuing the death penalty. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutional in cases in which the victim survived, and most states repealed their statutes. But Louisiana didn’t.

Cut 4 (09) “…Supreme Court decision.”

Moore says if the death penalty is off the table, he’s also considering castration against Anthony Jelks.

Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision. 

Cut 6 (05) “…will be immunocompromised.”

Cassidy says the childhood vaccines have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers starting center has a good chance to play Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge.”

Cut 10 (07) “…our fellow creatures.”

Today is the statistical peak of hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting a storm to form over the next week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Bermuda High Pressure has kept storms away from the United States.

Cut 11 (09) “…East Coast.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is being arraigned in federal court this afternoon on charges related to covering up a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. Prosecutors say Cantrell and retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie (VAA-pee) bilked the city out of 70-thousand dollars for trips they took together under the premise that Vappie was providing security. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell will plead not guilty.

Cut 4 (12) “…small property bond.”

Due to new federal rules, Louisiana is one of 12 states where a prescription is now required to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Senator Bill Cassidy says there is a go-around – a blanket prescription issued by State Surgeon General Ralph Abraham.

Cut 7 (11) “…the prescription written.”

LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry had one of the best plays of the game Saturday night as he evaded multiple tacklers to break off a 43-yard run late in the fourth quarter of his team’s win over Louisiana Tech. Head coach Brian Kelly says that Berry has put the staff on notice after starting to get used to the transition to college.

Cut 16 (14) “…eye on.”

The mayor of New Orleans will be arraigned in a federal courtroom this afternoon. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Today marks the statistical peak of the hurricane season, and the tropics look more like a day in April instead of at the height of hurricane season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The number of people killed on Louisiana roads has dropped to its lowest level in five years. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is being arraigned in federal court at two this afternoon on charges related to covering up a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. Prosecutors say Mayor Cantrell and retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie (VAA-pee) cheated the city out of 70-thousand dollars for trips they took together under the premise that Vappie was providing security to Cantrell. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell will plead not guilty.

Cut 4 (12) “…small property bond.”

Ciolino says Cantrell’s ability to travel will likely be compromised, to a point.

Cut 5 (13) “…is called for.”

Cantrell’s term as mayor of New Orleans ends January 12th. Indictment or no indictment, she was unable to run for re-election due to term limits. Ciolino says Cantrell’s trial will not start until after she leaves office, and he does not see any pre-trial hearings interfering with her remaining time in office.

Cut 6 (12) “…her being present.”

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Due to new federal rules, Louisiana is one of 12 states where a prescription is now required to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Senator Bill Cassidy says there is a go-around – a blanket prescription issued by State Surgeon General Ralph Abraham.

Cut 7 (11) “…the prescription written.”

Senator Cassidy says such a move is not unprecedented.

Cut 8 (12) “…upon that prescription.”

Still, Senator Cassidy says the new rules are completely counterproductive.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the patient needs.”

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Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting a storm to form over the next week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there have been six named storms and just one hurricane.

Cut 10 (12) “…count on it.”

Keim says Bermuda High Pressure has kept storms away from the United States.

Cut 11 (09) “…East Coast.”

Keim says today only represents the halfway point of the season, and there’s still time for a destructive storm to hit the Gulf Coast.

Cut 12 (13) “…October storms.”

NOAA predicted 13 to 19 named storms this year. But Keim says we are on pace for just a normal season, which would be 14 named storms. He says it’s unusual to have just one hurricane so far.

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The number of people killed on Louisiana roads has dropped to its lowest level in five years. Last year, 753 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, which is a seven-percent drop from 2023. Mark Lambert with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission attributed the lower number to people wearing their seatbelts more than ever.

Cut 13 (12)  “…record high.”

In 2024, 261 people who were not wearing seat belts were killed in crashes, compared to 302 in 2023. Lambert stated that drivers can do all the things necessary to be safe drivers, but they cannot control what others do on the road, which is why he says wearing a seatbelt is so important.

Cut 14 (09) “…your seatbelt”

DWI arrests also increased by four percent, with law enforcement officers arresting almost 14-thousand people last year. Lambert says that increased law enforcement is also helping keep the roads safer.

Cut 15 (10) “…any damage”

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LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry had one of the best plays of the game as he evaded multiple tacklers to break off a 43-yard run late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win over Louisiana Tech. Head coach Brian Kelly says that Berry has put the staff on notice after starting to get used to the transition to college.

Cut 16 (17) “…eye on.”

Florida football will come to Baton Rouge this Saturday with a limited margin for error, as another loss would just about end the Gators’ playoff hopes. Head coach Billy Napier says he is embracing going into Saturday’s matchup against LSU as the villain in a hostile environment.

Cut 17 (20)  “…this team.”

Napier has a record of 20-and-20 through his first 40 games with the Gators. He’s aware of the criticism he is getting for losing, but he says that it is important that he and his staff respond to adversity.

Cut 18 (17) “…those areas.”

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UL-Lafayette will travel to Columbia this weekend to take on number 25 Missouri in a sold-out Memorial Stadium. Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that his team does not need to worry about anything outside of football.

Cut 19 (19) “…go operate.”

Cajuns quarterback Daniel Beale had a quiet game in the 34-10 victory over McNeese, only throwing for 86 yards. Desormeaux says that Beale cannot single handedly win the game and that the Cajuns have to rally around their quarterback in order to defeat number-25 Missouri.

Cut 20 (19) “…to win.”

Louisiana’s U-S Senate race has the potential to be heated with Senator Bill Cassidy facing three formidable challengers in a primary election that will be held in April. Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says if the primary was held today, he would expect Cassidy to come out on top.

Cut 11 (10) “…on a dime.”

Cassidy is considered vulnerable because of his 2021 vote to impeach then-former President Donald Trump.

An NFIB survey finds optimism among small business owners continues to increase. NFIB state director Leah Long says the federation believes the tort reform legislation that seeks to reduce frivolous lawsuits will help business grow.

Cut 4 (10) “…business owners ”

Over the weekend, someone stole a statue of Abraham Lincoln from an Ascension Parish historic antebellum estate, and the owner would really like it back. Kevin Kelly, who owns Houmas House and Gardens in Darrow, says what’s just as upsetting as the theft of the statue are some of the reactions people are leaving on the estate’s Facebook page.

Cut 7 (08) “…Abraham Lincoln here.”

Police in Slidell arrest a woman in connection with a hit-and-run in a parking lot that left a woman critically injured. Surveillance video shows an employee of a community care center walking across the parking lot when she was run over by an SUV that was recklessly going through the parking lot in reverse. The driver was identified as 67-year-old Lillian Sellers of Mandeville, who’s also employed by the care center. Police say when Sellers was questioned, she shrugged her shoulders and provided no explanation.

Over the weekend, someone stole a statue of Abraham Lincoln from an Ascension Parish historic mansion, and the owner would really like it back. Kevin Kelly, who owns Houmas House and Gardens in Darrow, discovered the 64-pound silver statue missing Sunday morning. Kelly doubts that it was an inside job.

Cut 6 (10) “…as 21 years.”

Kelly fears that given the statue’s value, the thief has likely melted it down by now.

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new 2.3-billion-dollar Lake Charles I-10 bridge project. Project spokesman Johnathan Hill says construction is slated to begin next year and is expected to take several years to complete.

Cut 14 (10) “…in 2031.”

A national survey conducted by the NFIB finds optimism among small businesses continues to improve. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An NFIB survey finds optimism among small business owners continues to increase. NFIB state director Leah Long says improving business conditions is leading to more optimism among small business owners…

Cut 3 (13) “…their businesses.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office has filed a motion with the 19th Judicial District in Baton Rouge to reinstate the death sentence for convicted killer Dale Dwayne Craig. Just days prior to turning 18, Craig shot and killed LSU freshman Kipp Gullet after stealing his vehicle. Attorney General Liz Murrill expects the motion to be denied, and that will allow the state to begin the appeals process to get the case before the U-S Supreme Court.

Cut 12 (08) “…this case.”

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new 2.3-billion-dollar Lake Charles I-10 bridge project. Project spokesman Johnathan Hill says that it’s currently in the design phase and is prepping for construction, which will start early next year.

Cut 13 (13)  “…design plan.”

The bridge will take several years to build, but Hill says that it’s expected to be ready for use by 2030.

Saints starting safety Julian Blackmon seriously injured his labrum in the regular season opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Kellen Moore says Blackmon is expected to miss significant time, which could end up being the rest of the season.

Cut 19 (12) “…as well.”