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.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has started the legal process in the state’s attempt to reinstate the death sentence for convicted killer Dale Dwayne Craig. In 1992, when he was just a few days shy of his 18th birthday, Craig fired three bullets through the head of LSU freshmen student Kipp Gullet after stealing his vehicle.

Cut 10 (09) “…to do it.”

In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that no one can be executed for a crime committed before the age of 18.

When it comes to budgeting money, Louisianans apparently aren’t that good at it. A new study by WalletHub ranks Louisiana as the second worst state in the country in money budgeting. Analyst Chris Lupo says you can blame that in part on Louisiana’s relatively low median income.

Cut 4 (10) “…median annual income.”

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new Lake Charles I-10 bridge project. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A doctor from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is arrested for alleged indecent behavior with a juvenile from St. Tammany Parish. Investigators with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation say 32-year-old Brandon Joseph Bunol engaged in inappropriate online communications with the minor. Bunol is booked into the St. Tammany Correctional Facility.

A new report suggests Louisianans apparently aren’t that good at budgeting money. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is seeking to reinstate the death sentence of a convicted killer who fatally shot an LSU student in 1992. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new Lake Charles I-10 bridge project. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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When it comes to budgeting money, Louisianans apparently aren’t that good at it. That’s according to a new study by WalletHub, which ranks Louisiana as the second worst state in the country in money budgeting, ranking ahead of only Mississippi. Analyst Chris Lupo says you can blame that in part on Louisiana’s relatively low median income.

Cut 4 (10) “…median annual income.”

In devising its rankings, WalletHub examined 12 key indicators of budgeting habits, and Lupo says Louisiana came in towards the bottom in all of them – 47th in spending and debt, 50th in credit and 49th in savings. Also:

Cut 5 (11) “…on credit cards.”

Lupo says one reason many Louisianans pay only the minimum in their credit card accounts is a by-product of the state’s relatively low median income.

Cut 6 (10) “…their daily expenses.”

Lupo says all of those factors are also bringing Louisianans’ average credit rating down. The state’s average credit rating is 675 – the second lowest in the country, once again ahead of only Mississippi. The state with the best budgeters, according to WalletHub is Hawaii.

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The explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland happened more than two weeks ago, and people who live near the site are getting frustrated at what they say is a lack of progress in the cleanup effort. Pat Mashburn says he wakes up every morning to the stench of oil and diesel; and for the last two weeks, he’s been conducting a test with a paper towel to see how much oil is in the Tangipahoa River.

Cut 7 (08) “…last two weeks.”

Mashburn says people who live near the explosion site face long-term environmental damage with no relief in sight.

Cut 8 (08) “…any of that.”

Mashburn says he’s especially frustrated by what he says is a relative lack of communication from environmental officials.

Cut 9 (10)  “…one-mile radius.”

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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has started the legal process in the state’s attempt to reinstate the death sentence for convicted killer Dale Dwayne Craig. In 1992, Craig fired three bullets through the head of LSU freshmen student Kipp Gullet after stealing his vehicle.

Cut 10 (09) “…to do it.”

Craig was a few days shy of his 18^th birthday when the crime took place and can not be put to death because of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says capital punishment can not be carried out if the person was 17 or younger at the time of the crime.

Cut 11 (12) “…precedent.”

To get the legal process going, the Attorney General’s office has filed a motion with the 19^th Judicial District in Baton Rouge to reinstate the death sentence for Craig. She expects it will be denied and that will allow the state to appeal the lower court’s ruling to get the case in front of the U-S Supreme Court.

Cut 12 (08) “…this case.”

In 1994, Craig was found guilty of first degree murder and the jury determined he should receive the death sentence. A five to four decision by the Supreme Court in 2005 determined it was cruel and unusual punishment to carry out death sentenced against juvenile offenders.

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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 new Lake Charles I-10 bridge will take several years to construct, but Hill says that it is expected to be ready for use by 2030.

Cut 14 (10) “…in 2031.”

Lake Charles’ new I-10 bridge will require a toll a year after the bridge opens. Hill says that the gap will give drivers time to get used to the new travel.

Cut 15 (13) “…August of 2031.”

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Head coach Brian Kelly provided positive news regarding the health of two of his key players — first, junior center Braelin Moore; and then, tight end Trey’Dez Green.

(Moore is listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury, and Green will be questionable with a sprained MCL.)

Cut 16 (17) “…the week.”

When Moore was injured on the first play of the game versus Louisiana Tech, sophomore DJ Chester came into the game to replace him. Head coach Brian Kelly says the staff is comfortable with him starting if Moore cannot go this week.

Cut 17 (13)  “…of a job.”

LSU head coach Brian Kelly feels his team’s preparation leading up to the Louisiana Tech game was not where it needed to be. He says that the focus and preparation have to improve moving forward.

Cut 18 (18) “…about it.”

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

Cut 19 (12) “…as well.”

The Saints had a chance to tie the game on the last drive, but they came up just short. Head coach Kellen Moore says he liked the overall team performance, but there’s a lot that the black and gold need to improve on.

Cut 20 (17) “…our chances.”

The mother of Bryan Vasquez, the 12-year-old non-verbal autistic boy found dead in a lagoon 12 days after disappearing from his home, has been arrested. NOPD Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon says this was not the first time 34-year-old Hilda Vasquez had been negligent or abusive towards her son.

Cut 7 (12) “…on his part.”

90 years ago today, former Governor Huey Long was shot inside the State Capitol. Two days later, Long, who was a U.S. Senator at the time, would die at the age of 42. Retired LSU College of Business Dean Richard White wrote a book on Huey Long’s life; he said there were two Huey Longs – the Huey Long before his impeachment, and the Huey Long after his impeachment.

Cut 4 (11) “…had martial law.”

A six-year-old child shot during a balloon release ceremony has died from her injuries. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

When it comes to budgeting money, Louisianans apparently aren’t that good at it. That’s according to a new study by WalletHub, which ranks Louisiana as the second worst state in the country in money budgeting, ranking ahead of only Mississippi. WalletHub examined 12 key indicators of budgeting habits, and Louisiana came in towards the bottom in all of them.

The mother of the 12-year-old New Orleans boy whose body was pulled from a lagoon near the home he disappeared from 12 days earlier has been arrested. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A six-year-old child shot during a balloon release ceremony has died from her injuries. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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It was 90 years ago today when former Governor Huey Long was shot inside the State Capitol. Two days later, Long, who was a U.S. Senator at the time, would die at the age of 42 as a result from injuries suffered in that shooting. Retired LSU College of Business Dean Richard White wrote a book on Huey Long’s life; he said there were two Huey Longs – first, there was the Huey Long before his impeachment.

Cut 3 (08) “…for Huey Long.”

But then, White said Long became a different man after his impeachment, saying that he vigorously went after his enemies.

Cut 4 (11) “…had martial law.”

White said all in all, Huey Long was a fascinating man.

Cut 5 (14) “…up the rest.”

Long was at the Capitol for a redistricting session on September 8th, 1935, when physician Carl Weiss shot him. Long’s bodyguards returned fire, killing him. Long’s remains are buried on the grounds of the State Capitol, which Long had been instrumental in building.

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The mother of Bryan Vasquez, the 12-year-old non-verbal autistic boy found dead in a lagoon last month 12 days after disappearing from his home has been arrested. New Orleans Police Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier (GAHN-thee-ay) says 34-year-old Hilda Vasquez was arrested yesterday.

Cut 6 (05) “…and negligent homicide.”

(Hilda Vasquez is charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and negligent homicide.) The coroner ruled that Bryan Vasquez had drowned, with the secondary cause being blunt force trauma caused by an alligator. Another deputy superintendent, Nicholas Gernon, says this is not the first time Hilda had been negligent or abusive towards her son.

Cut 7 (12) “…on his part.”

In fact, Gernon says Hilda was convicted of abusing Bryan when he was just three months old.

Cut 8 (10) “…to the home.”

Gernon would not go into detail as to the circumstances of DCFS returning Bryan to the home or when it happened. Hilda Vasquez was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail.

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A six-year-old south Louisiana girl shot during a balloon release has died. Lafayette Police Sergeant Robin Green says the shooting took place on August 24. Green says the shooting was in response to a previous shooting…

Cut 9 (08)  “…we arrested.”

The four individuals arrested are Rickey Chaney, Daylon Andrus, Ja Andrea Kentrell Willis and Kimmy Ray Dauntain Junior. The charges against the four men have been upgraded to second degree murder. Green says two of the suspects were arrested in Texas, one in Lake Charles and the fourth in Lafayette…

Cut 10 (09) “…Riley.”

Riley Francis had been in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital since the shooting. Green says a verbal argument between two men at the balloon release at Deballion Park led to gunfire…

Cut 11 (11) “…at each other.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up on behalf of the family.

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly was visibly frustrated following the team’s lackluster 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech Saturday night. After breaking down the game film, he feels better about his team’s performance.

Cut 12 (10) “…a shutout.”

Louisiana Tech’s defense held down LSU’s offense, holding the Tigers to two touchdowns. But Kelly says there were good individual performances.

Cut 13 (12)  “…things.”

But Kelly says it was not an elite performance against the Bulldogs.

Cut 14 (11) “…certain areas.”

Kelly says the focus has to be better as the team prepares for Saturday’s SEC opener against Florida.

A six-year-old south Louisiana girl shot during a balloon release has died; and as such, charges against four men are upgraded to second-degree murder. The four charged in the shooting of Riley Francis are Rickey Chaney, Daylon Andrus, Ja Andrea Kentrell Willis and Kimmy Ray Dauntain Junior. Lafayette Police Sergeant Robin Green says two were arrested in Texas, one in Lake Charles and the fourth in Lafayette.

Cut 10 (09) “…Riley.”

The mother of Bryan Vasquez, the 12-year-old boy who drowned in a lagoon near his home last month, has been arrested. New Orleans Police Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon says Hilda Vasquez had a pattern of abusing her non-verbal autistic son; she was convicted of abusing him when he was just three months old.

Cut 8 (10) “…to the home.”

On this date in 1935 – 90 years ago – former Governor Huey Long was shot inside the State Capitol. Two days later, Long, who was a U.S. Senator at the time, would die at the age of 42 as a result from injuries suffered in that shooting. Retired LSU College of Business Dean Richard White wrote a book on Huey Long’s life; he said there were two Huey Longs – first, there was the Huey Long before his impeachment.

Cut 3 (08) “…for Huey Long.”

Dr. White says then came the Huey Long after his impeachment – the one who vigorously went after his enemies.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly was visibly frustrated following his team’s lackluster 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night. After breaking down the game film, he feels better about his team’s performance…

Cut 12 (10) “…a shutout.”

Kelly says the focus has to be better as the team prepares for Saturday’s SEC opener against Florida.

The mother of Bryan Vasquez, the 12-year-old non-verbal autistic boy found dead in a lagoon last month 12 days after disappearing from his home has been arrested. New Orleans Police Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier (GAHN-thee-ay) says 34-year-old Hilda Vasquez was arrested yesterday.

Cut 6 (05) “…and negligent homicide.”

Police say Hilda Vasquez had a history of abusing her son, dating back to when he was an infant.

It was 90 years ago today when former Governor Huey Long was shot inside the State Capitol. Two days later, Long, who was a U.S. Senator at the time, would die at the age of 42. Retired LSU College of Business Dean Richard White wrote a book on Huey Long’s life; he said all in all, Huey Long was a fascinating man.

Cut 5 (14) “…up the rest.”

A six-year-old child shot during a balloon release ceremony has died from her injuries. Jeff Palermo has the details.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It appears that injuries to a couple of key players for LSU aren’t as bad as initially feared. Coach Brian Kelly said center Braelin Moore and tight end Trey’Dez Green both have a chance to play Saturday night against Florida. Moore sprained an ankle on the first play of Saturday night’s win over Louisiana Tech, while Green injured a knee in the fourth quarter.