Two months after ten inmates escape from the Orleans Parish jail, an inmate is released by mistake. Sheriff Susan Hutson says the erroneous release of 30-year-old Khalil Bryan was the result of a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”

Hutson says there will be an investigation, and disciplinary action will be forthcoming. Bryan remains on the loose.

First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you have a state tax refund owed to you, you have until September 6th to claim it before the money goes into unclaimed property. The Department of Revenue says it owes nearly 18-thousand taxpayers almost 17-million dollars. Just a reminder that money transferred to unclaimed property is not forfeited – it still belongs to the rightful owner and not the state.

The Republican field for U.S. Senate in Louisiana is getting crowded. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The mistaken release of an inmate adds to the troubles of the Orleans Parish Jail. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

Pinsonat says given Cassidy’s cash on hand and the fact that he’s the incumbent, the addition of a third primary challenger will be inconsequential to Cassidy’s re-election bid, and neither would the addition of any additional challenger.

Cut 5 (08) “…point in time.”

Pinsonat says with four prominent Republicans now in the race, another big question is – who will the Democrats put forth?

Cut 6 (08) “…will do differently.”

So far, no Democrat has entered the race.

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***Stations: As of the posting of this newscall, the mistakenly-released inmate remains on the loose. If he turns himself in or is back in custody by the time you run this story, update it accordingly.***

More trouble for the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate is mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson addressed the incident in a news conference.

Cut 7 (05) “…take full responsibility.”

Sheriff Hutson says Bryan’s mistaken release was the result of a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”

This comes two months after ten inmates escaped from the same facility. Hutson says she knows that she and jail staff have let the community down with this latest failure.

Cut 9 (05)  “…for our community.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be forthcoming. As of this morning, Bryan remains on the loose.

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17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says these aren’t just relief funds. They’ll go towards fortification projects to protect from future storms.

Cut 10 (12) “…critical facilities.”

Gaspard says the funding isn’t a lump sum of money for the parishes, but available reimbursement for approved projects.

Cut 11 (14) “…this December.”

Jefferson, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes will receive the most funding with over four, three and two million dollars in funding, respectively. Gaspard says hazard mitigation works to break the cycle of repeated damage.

Cut 12 (13) “…at this time.”

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President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says these are fairly new rules.

Cut 13 (08)  “…is the HON.”

NESHAP stands for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Hayes points out that the exemption extended to these chemical manufacturers is not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

Hayes says eventually, all 25 plants will need to meet the new emissions rules.

Cut 15 (07) “…was too short.”

Environmental groups say the exemption is based on a false claim that there is already strict oversight of those facilities.

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The Saints are putting on the pads for the first time in training camp today. It will be the first glimpse for both players and coaches of what the team can really look like. Tight end Juwan Johnson says the team has the best energy he’s seen since they started 5-and-2 with Jameis Winston in 2021.

Cut 16 (18) “…be okay.”

Safety Justin Rid was the Saints’ biggest addition of the offseason. The Louisiana native is a seven-year vet and will be a leader in Staley’s new defense. He says the most important things right now are staying healthy and learning the playbook.

Cut 17 (18)  “…entire season.”

Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed has made a living as one of the NFL’s most explosive deep threats. The speedster added ten pounds of muscle this offseason, and he says he expects to expand his game in Moore’s offense.

Cut 18 (16) “…on Sundays.”

Seven teens, including six juveniles, are facing felony charges for causing damage to the Grand Ridge golf course in St. Charles Parish. All suspects are boys, and they range in age from 13 to 17. Sergeant Jenni Barrette (buh-REHT) says the 17-year-old, Hunter Graffia of Destrehan, is facing the most charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…that were underage.”

Louisiana Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson has established a committee to monitor and communicate with the LHSAA. Johnson says legislators regularly hear concerns from constituents on transfer, discipline and organization policies. He says he’s surprised by how emotional and frustrated numerous legislators are with the situation.

Cut 7 (12) “…biggest thing.”

A dispute over trash pickup and sanitation in the French Quarter is heating up. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is looking to terminate the contract with I-V Waste and award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. That’s not sitting well with many who live and work in the French Quarter. Glade Bilby with the French Quarter Management District says even though a judge ruled that Mayor Cantrell can move forward with the emergency contract, the issue is far from over. 

Cut 3 (11) “…not quite settled.”

Speaking of New Orleans, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that he’s pushing tourism throughout the state so that New Orleans doesn’t become overcrowded with tourists.

Cut 13 (09)  “…those tourism numbers.”

The battle over the French Quarter’s trash contractor is heating up. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana legislature is taking a hard look at the LHSAA, thanks to a new committee established by Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A dispute over trash pickup and sanitation in the French Quarter is heating up. Mayor LaToya Cantrell is looking to terminate the contract with I-V Waste and award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. That’s not sitting well with many who live and work in the French Quarter. Glade Bilby with the French Quarter Management District says even though a judge ruled that Mayor Cantrell can move forward with the emergency contract, the issue is far from over.

Cut 3 (11) “…not quite settled.”

As such, Bilby says come next Friday, he feels that I-V Waste will continue to provide trash pickup and sanitation services in the French Quarter.

Cut 4 (10) “…process of doing.”

Bilby says he feels that I-V waste is better suited to serving the French Quarter than Henry Consulting, and members of city administration agree with him.

Cut 5 (08) “…know is working.”

This week, Attorney General Liz Murrill filed an amicus brief, saying Mayor Cantrell is blatantly abusing her emergency authority.

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Louisiana Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson has established a committee to monitor and communicate with the LHSAA. Johnson says the LHSAA is a private corporation with authority over student-athletes across the state.

Cut 6 (10) “…little involvement.”

Johnson says legislators regularly hear concerns from constituents on LHSAA transfer, discipline and organization policies. He says he was surprised by how emotional and frustrated numerous legislators were with the situation.

Cut 7 (12) “…biggest thing.”

While Johnson is looking for a better public-private relationship with the organization and more oversight, he’s also trying to protect the LHSAA from overreaching legislation. He says he wants the association and Louisiana schools to share in success.

Cut 8 (10) “…that we have.”

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Being grounded will be the least of these kids’ worries. Seven teens, including six juveniles, are facing felony charges for causing damage to a golf course in St. Charles Parish. Sergeant Jenni Barrette (buh-REHT) says this happened at the Grand Ridge Golf Club.

Cut 9 (06)  “…of the greens.”

Specifically, the areas around the 11th, 12th and 13th holes were damaged. All suspects are boys, and they range in age from 13 to 17. Sergeant Barrette says the 17-year-old, Hunter Graffia of Destrehan, is facing the most charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…that were underage.”

Barrette says these teens do not represent the kids of St. Charles Parish as a whole.

Cut 11 (08) “…cure their boredom.”

The charges are felonies because the damages exceed one-thousand dollars. The golf course is still playable, albeit with a few additional man-made – make that juvenile-made – hazards on the 11th through the 13th holes.

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When people think of tourism in Louisiana, naturally the one city that comes to mind is New Orleans. But in speaking to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says while New Orleans is certainly a fun place to visit, he’s trying to change that narrative.

Cut 12 (09) “…of the state.”

Nungesser says he doesn’t want to see New Orleans become overcrowded like what many European tourist destinations are becoming.

Cut 13 (09)  “…those tourism numbers.”

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Bill Cassidy’s Republican challenger list for his U.S. Senate seat has just gotten a little more crowded. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta has announced today that he’s running for his seat. Skrmetta made the announcement in a video, in which he introduced himself to voters statewide.

Cut 14 (10) “…and engineering company.”

Later in the video, Skrmetta outlined some of his priorities, should he be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Cut 15 (09) “…and balanced trade.”

Skrmetta joins State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez among the prominent Republicans to challenge Cassidy for the seat that he has held for two terms.

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish early yesterday morning. Ken Pastorick with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal says firefighters were called to the home in Raceland at around one yesterday morning.

Cut 4 (08) “…six-year-old male.”

A 46-year-old woman escaped and is hospitalized. Pastorick says the home had three smoke detectors, but firefighters believe none of them were working.

For only the second time ever, Louisiana can boast more than two-million non-farm jobs. The only other time that happened was 2014 going into 2015. Leaders for a Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says while the job growth can be attributed to efforts to grow diverse, resilient industries, two of them are leading the way.

Cut 8 (10) “…across the U.S.”

More than one-thousand girls ages 5 to 19 will descend upon Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from new federal emissions rules. It’s a two-year exemption, intended to allow those companies that amount of time to meet EPA emissions standards. Environmental groups say the exemption is based on a false claim that there is already strict oversight of those facilities.

For only the second time ever, the number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana surpasses the two-million mark. The state eclipsed the milestone in the second quarter this year. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says this is tremendous news and a testament to the growth of the economy. 

Cut 7 (11) “…that since then.”

Manufacturing and health care were the sectors that led the way in job growth in the second quarter.

The Baton Rouge Police Department will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” Police Chief TJ Morse says it’s not the high-octane reality shows of the past, but rather a day in the life of an officer.

Cut 13 (08)  “…action, action, action.”

The program airs Friday and Saturday nights on Reelz and streams on Peacock.

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

South Louisiana is in for a wet day today. A tropical disturbance has made its way to the Louisiana coast, bringing with it heavy rains and thunderstorms. However, the National Hurricane Center gives it almost no chance of becoming a cyclone in the next seven days.

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana achieves a jobs milestone for only the second time in the state’s history. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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More than one-thousand girls ages 5 to 19 will descend upon Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish early yesterday morning. Ken Pastorick with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal says firefighters were called to the home in Raceland at around one yesterday morning.

Cut 4 (08) “…six-year-old male.”

Pastorick says one adult managed to escape.

Cut 5 (07) “…she is hospitalized”

Pastorick says while the cause is still under investigation, it’s possible that a lack of working smoke alarms may have made the difference between life and death.

Cut 6 (09) “…believe they were.”

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For only the second time ever, the number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana surpasses the two-million mark. The state eclipsed the milestone in the second quarter this year. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says this is tremendous news and a testament to the growth of the economy.

Cut 7 (11) “…that since then.”

Knapp says while the job growth can be attributed to efforts to grow diverse, resilient industries, two of them are leading the way.

Cut 8 (10) “…across the U.S.”

Knapp says every region of the state is experiencing job growth.

Cut 9 (08)  “…rarely the case.”

Knapp especially singled out the Northshore, with places like Slidell and Hammond leading the state.

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As many as 90 softball teams from ten states will make their way to Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series. More than one-thousand players ages 5 to 19 will compete at the Ruston Sports Complex. Experience Ruston’s Tori Davis says it’s a massive event.

Cut 10 (10) “…this weekend.”

The tournament will run from tomorrow through Wednesday, with opening ceremonies at Louisiana Tech’s Thomas Assembly Center scheduled for tonight. Davis says it will have a major impact on the local economy, much larger than even a Bulldogs football game.

Cut 11 (11) “…like this.”

Davis says it will be a community-wide effort. Ruston Dixie Softball volunteers will help as scorekeepers, announcers and gate workers. Davis highlighted over 80 families that will act as hosts for visiting players and their families.

Cut 12 (13) “…many days.”

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The Baton Rouge Police Department will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” The program airs Friday and Saturday nights on Reelz and streams on Peacock. Police Chief TJ Morse says it’s not the high-octane reality shows of the past, but rather a day in the life of an officer.

Cut 13 (08)  “…action, action, action.”

Morse says he’s excited for people to get a look at the inner workings and advanced technology of policework in the Capitol Area. It’s something he’s been looking into for over a year.

Cut 14 (13) “…really is.”

Police recruitment rates have been down nationwide, and Morse hopes the exposure brought by the show can help stop the slide in Baton Rouge. Morse says the department’s most recent basic training graduating class was seven officers.

Cut 15 (14) “…82-thousand.”

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Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough (“shuck”) got the starting reps in the Saints’ second practice as head coach Kellen Moore searches for his starter in a three-way position battle. The quarterbacks agreed balancing competitiveness with consistency is key. Shough says each will have their highs and lows.

Cut 16 (14) “…can be successful.”

After a perfect nine-for-nine practice with the first team Wednesday, 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler threw the first interception of camp on a ball he was trying to throw out the back of the endzone. Rattler says he’s known Shough for a long time.

Cut 17 (16)  “…with them too.”

2023 4th round pick Jake Haener is the senior of the group but the last to receive first team reps. Haener lost out on the starting job last year to Rattler following the Derek Carr injury, but Moore has insisted he’s involved in the competition. Haener says he’s learned the NFL doesn’t care about your feelings.

Cut 18 (13) “…totally respect that.”

From a scorcher to a soaker. It’s going to be a wet weekend throughout South Louisiana. This, as a tropical system makes its way west across the Gulf Coast. Now, there’s no chance of this growing into a cyclone. Still, LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says by the time the system leaves the area, it’s going to dump a lot of rain.

Cut 7 (07) “…even into Saturday.”

The Procter and Gamble manufacturing plant in Alexandria is hosting a job fair Saturday at the Randolph Riverfront Center. P&G External Relations Senior Manager Kevin Hood says from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., prospective employees can meet the local plant team and enjoy the event with their families.

Cut 3 (12) “…enjoy the event.”

The plant produces laundry products distributed across the country.

On the heels of 28-million dollars being restored by the Trump administration, the Department of Education releases another 1.3-billion dollars to the State of Louisiana for back to school programs. Michael Faulk, the executive director of the Louisiana School Superintendents Association, says school districts have gone through a detailed application process to get that grant money restored.

Cut 10 (16) “…the school year.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been tapped to lead the newly-formed National Committee on Aerospace, Aviation and Defense. Nungesser says the formation of the committee was his idea.

Cut 12 (09) “…to our states.”

The committee is also led by the lieutenant governors of Alabama, Wisconsin, Utah, Maryland and North Carolina.

The Procter & Gamble Alexandria Manufacturing plant is hosting its WOW Community Event at the Randolph Riverfront Center Saturday. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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South Louisiana will go from a scorching work week to a wet weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Procter and Gamble manufacturing plant in Alexandria is hosting a job fair Saturday at the Randolph Riverfront Center. P&G External Relations Senior Manager Kevin Hood says from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., prospective employees can meet the local plant team and enjoy the event with their families.

Cut 3 (12) “…enjoy the event.”

The P&G Alexandria plant produces laundry products distributed across the country and is seeking professionals to support the operation and maintenance of production equipment. Hood says the plant is looking to hire 100 skilled mechanical and electrical technicians.

Cut 4 (11) “…work experience.”

Hood says qualified candidates won’t be hired on the spot but will have an opportunity to discuss pay, benefits and responsibilities. He says the plant will be actively hiring over the next year.

Cut 5 (11) “…to offer jobs.”

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We’re going to go from a scorcher of a work week to a wet weekend – at least in South Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a tropical system that’s working its way west along the Gulf Coast is bringing heavy rains and thunderstorms, and some areas experienced some of that last night.

Cut 6 (09) “…Sunday and Monday.”

But Keim says before the storm system leaves the area, it’s going to dump a lot of rain.

Cut 7 (07) “…even into Saturday.”

Keim says some low-lying areas could see some flooding.

Cut 8 (10) “…kind of flooding.”

Keim says the good news is that this system has neither the time nor the conditions required to develop into a tropical cyclone. In fact, the National Hurricane Center only gives it a ten-percent chance of doing so.

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An update to a story we brought you earlier this week on Louisiana Radio Network. Earlier, the Trump administration released 28-million dollars in previously-withheld after-school grants for Louisiana. Now, the Department of Education says it’s going to release an additional 1.3-billion dollars. Michael Faulk, the executive director of the Louisiana School Superintendents Association, says that gets the state closer to the funding it had been expecting.

Cut 9 (07)  “…have not released.”

Faulk says school districts have gone through a detailed application process to get that grant money restored.

Cut 10 (16) “…the school year.”

Faulk says while the bigger school districts will get more of the grant money, whatever money the smaller districts get will go a long way.

Cut 11 (13) “…their extra programs.”

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been tapped to lead the newly-formed National Committee on Aerospace, Aviation and Defense. Nungesser says the formation of the committee was his idea.

Cut 12 (09) “…to our states.”

Nungesser says Louisiana has a NASA facility, but the state could do so much more.

Cut 13 (10)  “…spaceport in Louisiana.”

Along with Nungesser, the committee is led by the lieutenant governors of Alabama, Wisconsin, Utah, Maryland and North Carolina. Nungesser says the aerospace industry represents the future of travel.

Cut 14 (07) “…in two hours.”

The committee will hold its first meeting October 20th in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We’re going to go from a scorcher of a work week to a wet weekend – at least in South Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a tropical system that’s working its way west along the Gulf Coast is bringing heavy rains and thunderstorms, and some areas experienced some of that last night.

Cut 6 (09) “…Sunday and Monday.”

An update to a story we brought you earlier this week on Louisiana Radio Network. Earlier, the Trump administration released 28-million dollars in previously-withheld after-school grants for Louisiana. Now, the Department of Education says it’s going to release an additional 1.3-billion dollars. Michael Faulk, the executive director of the Louisiana School Superintendents Association, says that gets the state closer to the funding it had been expecting. 

Cut 9 (07)  “…have not released.”

Procter & Gamble is hosting its WOW Community Event and job fair at the Randolph Riverfront Center in Alexandria Saturday. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”