A completed autopsy report on Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge and found several days later rolled up in plastic and a rug, shows he died from a combination of cocaine, fentanyl and alcohol. East Baton Rouge Coroner Doctor Beau Clark…

Cut 13 (07) “…accidental.”

Police believe Millard died in a rundown drug house in Baton Rouge.

Seven Louisiana colleges have fallen victim to cyberattacks in the last four months.  TrustedSec Advisory Solutions Director Alex Hammerstone says universities are prime targets because there’s a bigger chance for a large financial outcome.

Cut 7 (11)  “…release it.” 

More than 30 cyberattack incidents have occurred in the U.S. this year.

Governor John Bel Edwards expressed his sympathy to the families and loved ones of the victims Monday’s school shooting in Nashville. Two of the six victims were Louisiana natives, Cynthia Peak and Katherine Koonce. Edwards says when we send our loved ones off to school to learn or teach, we should never have to worry if they will make it home alive.

The Senate Insurance chairman plans to file legislation to make Insurance Commissioner an appointed position, instead of elected. Jeff Palermo reports the current insurance commissioner opposes the idea…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The autopsy report for Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge and whose body was later found wrapped in plastic and a rug indicates the cause of death is a combination of alcohol, cocaine, and fentanyl. The East Baton Rouge coroner has ruled the death accidental.

The Senate Insurance chairman plans to file legislation to make Insurance Commissioner an appointed position, instead of elected. Jeff Palermo reports the current insurance commissioner opposes the idea…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Seven Louisiana colleges were victims of cyberattacks over the last four months and Southeastern Louisiana Professor Dayne Sherman says there should have been more preventive measures in place to protect the university’s system and a greater effort for the restoration recovery phase.

Cut 9 (06) “…these problems”

Security measures are ongoing to ensure the safety of data information and systems.

If you suffer from allergies, it’s probably not surprising that Baton Rouge and New Orleans rank in the top 30 Allergy Capitals in the U.S. Hannah Jaffee with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation says New Orleans ranks 22 and Baton Rouge came in last among the top 30. When you compare the cities individually, she says Baton Rouge and New Orleans rank worse than average for pollen.

Cut 11 (10)  “…for allergy specialists.”

Allergy sufferers should limit their time outdoors on days with high pollen counts and see an allergist before the season begins to work on a treatment plan.

Two of the three adults killed yesterday by a former student at The Covenant School in Nashville are from Louisiana. The head of school, 60-year-old Doctor Katherine Koonce, was a Baton Rouge native who went to University High and LSU. And substitute teacher, 61-year-old Cynthia Peak, grew up in Vernon Parish and attended Leesville High School.

Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot has authored legislation to either keep the Insurance Commissioner’s position as an elected position or an appointed one. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

A petroleum company, Placid Refining, is moving its headquarters from Dallas to Baton Rouge. West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Director Anna Johnson says Placid Refining is also investing millions of dollars to upgrade its Port Allen refinery…

Cut 14 (11)  “…end of the year.”
The establishment of new corporate offices in Baton Rouge will create 20 new jobs.

In Ouachita Parish voters approved a millage increase to fund the construction of a new animal shelter. And while Louisiana Humane Society President Jeff Dorson is pleased for Ouachita, he says there are many more parishes that don’t provide animal services, so they are asking lawmakers to set aside funding from the budget surplus.

Cut 9 (12)  “…they have.”

In Desoto Parish voters rejected a millage increase for animal services.

The state’s insurance market is facing challenges and if left up to Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot legislators will soon decide on a bill that would either keep the Insurance Commissioner’s position as a publicly elected seat or be appointed by the Governor. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Voters in Ouachita Parish approved a millage increase for the next decade to fund the construction of a new animal shelter and animal services. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Sunset man in what they are calling the largest drug bust for fentanyl in parish history. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he will propose a bill to have the state Insurance Commissioner appointed instead elected. This comes nearly two weeks after longtime Commissioner Jim Donelon made the announcement not to seek re-election. Talbot says the individual selected should be qualified and ready to fight for the consumers.

Cut 4 (10)  “…that office.”

Talbot says Louisiana is one of eleven states who still elect the Insurance Commissioner. He says the bill would include a selection process in which the Governor could personally appoint or have a board submit qualified candidates for the process.

Cut 5 (12) “…one of those names.”

The bill would permit term limits ranging from two to six years. It would also require a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to pass the legislature. Talbot says Louisiana’s insurance market is in a crisis and this could be a potential solution for better rates for consumers.

Cut 6 (07)  “…what happens.” 

The proposed legislation will consider the bill in the upcoming legislative session.

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In Ouachita Parish voters overwhelmingly approved a millage increase to fund the construction of a new animal shelter. For the next ten years, a 1.75-mil property tax increase will allow shelter operations to continue. Louisiana Humane Shelter President Jeff Dorson says this is welcome news for the parish.

Cut 7 (10) “…essential service.”

In DeSoto Parish voters rejected a millage increase for animal services.

Dorson says the situation is dire in Ouachita Parish because, in addition to their animal needs in the northeast Louisiana parish, they are having to bear the load for other parishes that go without, like Catahoula, Franklin, and Claiborne. Dorson says there are many more parishes without animal services.

Cut 8 (11) “…or services.”

In his 35 years as an animal advocate, Dorson says he’s never seen such an increase in animals that are either abandoned or surrendered at shelters. Because so many parishes lack animal services, Dorson says they are asking lawmakers to set aside a portion of the state budget surplus to help fund animal needs.

Cut 9 (12)  “…they have.”

In addition to direct donations to humane shelters, Dorson says the public can also purchase a Spay and Neuter cag tag which funds low-cost and no-cost programs in Louisiana.

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St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says deputies made the largest fentanyl confiscation in parish history when they arrested a Sunset man, who had over five pounds of suspected fentanyl inside his home. Guidroz says Benjamin Pittman faces a slew of charges for possessing and manufacturing fentanyl…

Cut 10 (11)  “…the streets.”

Guidroz says inside Pittman’s home was a major pill manufacturing facility and distribution hub, which contained different pill presses and mixers for the illegal manufacturing of pills. He says the amount of fentanyl inside the home was staggering…

Cut 11 (11)  “…1.5 million people.”

Guidroz says their narcotics enforcement team made the arrest and Pittman is a repeat offender…

Cut 12 (11)  “…well done.”

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Placid Refining is relocating its headquarters from Dallas to Baton Rouge and updating its existing Port Allen facilities. The state secured the project with an incentives package that includes a performance-based retention and modernization tax credit of up to $500,000 that West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anna Johnson says helps attract new and existing businesses…

Cut 13 (11) “..back here.” 

The company’s West Baton Rouge facility has been in operation since 1975. Much of the investment will go towards equipment upgrades. The company finalized the purchase of its downtown Baton Rouge corporate headquarters in January and Johnson says the investment will take some time…

Cut 14 (11)  “…end of the year.”

The corporate offices will create 20 new direct jobs and Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will bring another 88 indirect jobs. With 108 new jobs in the Capital Region, Johnson says the energy sector is still the engine of the Louisiana economy…

Cut 15 (10)  “…Capitol region.”

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The Saints have signed a big-body wide receiver familiar with new starting quarterback Derek Carr. Bryan Edwards played with Carr and the Raiders in 2020 and 2021. In 2021 he started 12 games and caught 34 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns. Edwards says seeing a couple of former Raider players now in New Orleans made the opportunity exciting for him…

Cut  16 (17)  “…my family.” 

Edwards was traded to Atlanta after the 2022 NFL draft and caught three passes for the Falcons last season. He spent the last three months of the season on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach is back with the Saints after signing a one-year deal with the Black and Gold. Roach had a career-high 26 tackles last season for New Orleans. He’s from Baton Rouge and played high school football at Madison Prep…

Cut 17 (19) “…in the room.” 

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LSU remains ranked number one in all of the college baseball polls after sweeping Arkansas in a doubleheader on Saturday. The Tigers are 21-and-3 and led offensively by Dylan Crews, who is leading the nation with a .531 batting average and Tommy White is hitting .392. The two have combined to hit 17 home runs and drive in 74 runs. Coach Jay Johnson says they are a big reason why they lead the nation in runs scored…

Cut 18 (14) “…have that.”

LSU hosts Grambling State tonight. A starting pitcher has not been announced. But Johnson wants to see sophomore right-hander Sam Dutton throw multiple innings…

Cut 19 (21) “…faith in.”

Dutton has only appeared in four games this season after appearing in 18 games last year.

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Cut 20 (20)  “…all year.”  

The United Cajun Navy is assisting people in the small towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City, Mississippi after tornadoes leveled the communities Friday night. UCN founder and president Todd Terrell says they’ve shifted from search and rescue to distributing supplies and food.

Cut 6 (11)  “…door-to-door.” 

The United Cajun Navy is asking for donations, you can find out more on their Facebook page.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has filed a bill requiring insurance companies to offer policyholders an endorsement where the insurance company would pay to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards. Firment says it’s a way to lower costs and decrease damage.

Cut 3 (06) “…much less” 

The session begins two weeks from today.

Louisiana U-S Representative Julia Letlow’s Parents Bill of Rights Act was approved by the House last week, but the bill needs 60 votes in the Democratic-majority U-S Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the legislation faces a dead end in the upper chamber. But Letlow says the bill shouldn’t be partisan…

Cut 13 (09) “…pushing this through.”

The LSU Lady Tigers basketball team are headed to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. All-American forward Angel Reese came to LSU after leading Maryland to the Sweet 16 last season. The Baltimore native says she needed a fresh start and for Kim Mulkey to coach her hard…

Cut 10 (09) “…Coach Mulkey” 

They’ll play Friday night in Dallas.

According to the FAA, when a Baton Rouge Police helicopter crashed around 2:30 Sunday morning, the air traffic control tower at BTR was most likely unmanned. The two pilots assisting with a search were killed as a result and the crash was not discovered until 11 am. The FAA is leading the investigation.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating a deadly fire in Monroe that claimed the life of a young boy. Jeff Palermo has the latest….

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The United Cajun Navy is helping tornado recovery in Mississippi that claimed at least 26 people. After seeing the devastation, UCN President Todd Terrell says it’s a miracle there weren’t more fatalities. He credits the ability to use heat sensors in planes and drones.

Cut 8 (10)  “…new technology.” 

To donate visit the United Cajun Navy’s Facebook page.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has filed a bill requiring insurance companies to offer policyholders an endorsement that would pay to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards.  Firment says keeping wind and rain out of the home decreases damage which makes homes a better risk for the insurance companies.

Cut 5 (11) “…looking for”

The session begins two weeks from today.

The United Cajun Navy is assisting people in the small towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City, Mississippi after tornadoes leveled the communities Friday night. UCN founder and president Todd Terrell says they are asking the public to help by either donating money or supplies and their mission is far from over.

Cut 7 (11)  “…people up there.” 

You can find a list of needed supplies on their Facebook page.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has filed a bill requiring insurance companies to offer policyholders an endorsement where the insurance company would pay to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards. He believes building stronger homes would allow people to live in the area where the home is located.

Cut 4 (10)  “…the storm” 

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry has filed a bill to allow for a ballot initiative. That’s when voters can petition to have a vote of the people on an issue, versus lawmakers always deciding. Even though Landry is a Democrat, she says the bill doesn’t favor either party because the issue could be from one end of the political spectrum to the other.

Cut 12 (10)  “…us here.”

But first, the bill must receive a 2/3 majority vote before it goes on a statewide ballot.

Many in Louisiana are amazed the LSU Lady Tigers are in the Final Four in Kim Mulkey’s second season as head coach. Mulkey took over a program that won nine games during the 2020-21 season. Prior to this season, she brought in several new players out of the transfer portal…

Cut 9 (11) “…tough love”

Their next game will be in Dallas Friday night.

The FAA’s initial analysis of the fatal Baton Rouge Police helicopter crash indicates the tail rotor struck a tree before crashing in a sugar cane field in West Baton Rouge Parish around 2:30 Sunday morning. The two officers’ names have not been released BRPD Chief Murphy Paul is asking for prayers…

Cut 13 (09) “…lost today.”

The crash was discovered at 11:30 Sunday morning.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry wants voters to have the option of a ballot initiative. It allows voters to petition for a vote from the public on an issue instead of lawmakers. A constitutional amendment is required for the option and must have a two-thirds majority of the legislature, then it would go before voters.

Cut 11 (10)  “…be changed.”

Will lawmakers rely on modified fossil fuel energy production or jump-start renewable energies? LRN spoke with Congressman Garret Graves on the topic.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The LSU Lady Tigers are headed to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament, after defeating Miami Sunday 54-42. It will be the sixth Final Four appearance for the women’s basketball team and their first since 2008. The Tigers will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State in the national semi-finals Friday night in Dallas.

Governor Edwards has proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the State Health Office’s Office of Behavioral Health Manger Robert Henson says gambling treatment is free and confidential and he encourages everyone to know their limits when gambling.

Cut 14 (04)  “…going in.”

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact the Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-770-STOP.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announced more than 100 orphaned well sites in the Monroe and Shreveport areas have been plugged with funding from the federal Infrastructure Law since January. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says another 30-plus well should be plugged by the end of the month…

Cut 3 (09) “…state funding” 

The state Office of Conservation normally plugs 120 to 200 wells a year.

After serving in the legislature as unaffiliated, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is returning to the Democratic Party. Landry’s announcement comes with just over two weeks until lawmakers return to Baton Rouge for the session.

Cut 9 (09) “…Democratic Party (chuckle).”

Crawfish connoisseurs will be happy to know the average price per pound of live mudbugs are 25 cents lower at $2.77. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the industry dropped prices this week which brings the average price for a pound of boiled crawfish to $4.98.

Cut 6 (09)  “…$3.99 a pound.” 

She says a sack of live crawfish will cost an average of $75 or less.

Louisiana officials announce federal dollars from the infrastructure law has resulted in more than 100 orphaned wells plugged in the last two months. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The U-S House has approved Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s Parents Bill of Rights bill. The legislation says parents have the right to know what their children are being taught, and have the right to be heard. The Senate, however, is not expected to pass the bill.

March Madness also spurns gambling, and the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health program Manager Robert Henson says symptoms of a gambling problem include trouble controlling gambling and withdrawal from family. Henson says risks are involved but being responsible and knowing your limits is critical.

Cut 13 (04) “…to spend.”

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-770-STOP

The average price per pound of live mudbugs is 25 cents lower at $2.77 this weekend. And boiled crawfish is $3.99 per pound average at your local drive-thru Crawfish App co-founder Laney king says it’s ideal for watching the Sweet 16 this weekend.

Cut 7 (06)  “…Sweet 16.”