A grand jury is convening today to hear evidence in the case against the Addis police officer who was arrested after the high-speed chase that killed two teenage girls in Brusly on New Year’s Eve. 42-year-old David Cauthron was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle when the crash occurred. He faces two counts of negligent homicide.

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for nothing. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Monterey Page of Loranger is booked with second-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis said an eyewitness finally came forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…homicide occurred.”
He says they hope this will bring the Robinson family some closure.

It’s the first Friday of Lent and that means it’s the official kickoff of Crawfish Season here in the Bayou State. And crawfish prices are holding steady, that’s according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. King says if you’re planning to have crawfish at your favorite eatery this weekend…

Cut 3 (11) “…$125 a sack.” 

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for naught. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The trucking industry is still being impacted by a shortage of drivers. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University’s Mercatus Center. He says they looked at infections and deaths in cities that mandated COVID shots and those that did not…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…spread of COVID.”

Many cities, including New Orleans, imposed citywide mandates; requiring bar, restaurant, and venue employees to have the shots or close down temporarily. Melo says his study also looked at whether people decided to get COVID shots because a citywide mandate was in place, and found no evidence that was the case…:

Cut 5 (07) “…change their decision.”

He says those who resisted the shots would simply go to a nearby city with no mandates to visit bars or restaurants.

Melo says his research makes no statement on the vaccine itself or its effectiveness. He only looked at how the policies performed, and the results show no evidence vaccine mandates made a noteworthy difference in impeding the spread of COVID. He says many felt they were being penalized for being reluctant to get “the Jab”…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…their behavior at all.” 

Melo hopes his research will be considered by public officials if there is another disease-related health emergency in the future.

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The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the trucking industry -creating a gap between professional CDL-licensed drivers and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar says…  

Cut 7 (10) “…the workforce.”

Lowering the legal truck driving age may close the worker shortage gap. Amar says hiring younger may be a solution.

Cut 8 (09)  “…big rigs.”

Amar says that there is no single solution that will help with the shortage but dedication is a must.

Cut 9 (09)  “…daily bases.”

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Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. 30-year-old Monterey Paige Senior for the murder of 22-year-old Jamin (jay-men) Robinson. Jimmy Travis, Chief Deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, says in 2010 Robinson was found on the side of the road in Independence and originally they thought he was a victim of a hit and run.

Cut 10 (04)  “…to the head.”

Paige was arrested in Chambers County, Texas, and faces murder charges, several failure-to-appear counts, and one charge of jumping bail.

Travis says they finally got a break in the case when an eyewitness came forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…homicide occurred.”

A motive in the case has not been released. Travis says even though Paige was 17 years old in 2010, Travis says he is charged as an adult.

Cut 12 (07) “…of Louisiana.”

TPSO says they hope the arrest will bring the Robinson family some closure. Paige was extradited back to Louisiana and is being held in the Tangipahoa Parish Prison.

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Shreveport Police have made arrests in both the shooting incidents that took place last Saturday night, during the Krewe of Gemini parade. S.P.D. spokesman Corporal Chris Bordelon says they identified the suspect in a non-fatal shooting that happened around 6:15 Saturday night on Clyde Fant Parkway…:

Cut 13 (08) “…Police Department.” 

The suspect is 22-year-old Antoine Ball, of Shreveport. He got into some sort of argument with the male victim when he drew a gun and fired one shot. The victim will recover. Bordelon says the accused shooter surrendered at around 2 Thursday afternoon…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…turn himself in.”

There was a second shooting at the Gemini parade as well. Bordelon says, in that incident, some friends were horse playing on the parade route when one started messing with a gun and accidentally shot and killed 17-year-old student athlete Kip Lewis. That suspect stayed at the scene and surrendered to police immediately. Bordelon says S.P.D. is saddened that either incident even happened…:

Cut 15 (03)  “…gonna catch ’em.”

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Cut  16 (21)  “..get their attention.” 

Cut 17 (19) “…this league.” 

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Cut 18 (13) “…to improve.”

Cut 19 (17) “…shoot the ball.”

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Cut 20 (17)  “… a huge blessing.” 

A six-year-old was fatally shot around 8:00 pm last night in Raceland. Police say the 6-year-old and his brother – another 6-year-old were playing with a loaded gun. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says at one point the gun discharged, striking six-year-old D.J. Michel Junior….

Cut 12 (10) “…pronounced dead.”

A 17-year-old who was with Madison Brooks prior to her death has been indicted for first and third-degree rape. Desmond Carter of Walker will also be tried as an adult for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred last month after Brooks and four men left a bar near the LSU campus. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it’s appropriate for Carter to be tried as an adult based on his age and charges…

Cut 5 (03) “…as an adult”
A grand jury has yet to hand down indictments against Carter’s three co-defendants.

The Orleans District Attorney’s decision not to prosecute 15-gun possession cases from Mardi Gras has many upset. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says at a bail hearing prosecutors haven’t been able to review the suspect’s possible criminal record nor evidence from police. He says basically the DA refused to accept the charges without all the facts.

Cut 7 (05)  “… inappropriate.” 

In refusing charges the accused are not allowed to receive their guns that were seized from the arrest.

While we all enjoy near-record-high heat for late February, the rest of the country is getting a huge winter storm. However, State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll continue to see moderate weather for a while.

Cut 11 (10)  “…to Louisiana.”

Edit

The Orleans District Attorney’s decision not to prosecute 15-gun possession cases from Mardi Gras has many upset. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says at a bail hearing prosecutors haven’t been able to review the suspect’s possible criminal record nor evidence from police. He says basically the DA refused to accept the charges without all the facts.

Cut 7 (05)  “… inappropriate.” 

In refusing charges the accused are not allowed to receive their guns that were seized from the arrest.

A petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was submitted to the Registrar’s office Wednesday. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says recalls are a huge undertaking and when it’s not a grassroots movement to be successful it takes some deep pockets.

Cut 14 (11)  “…an election.”

The signatures must be validated before an election is called.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case and he will be tried as an adult. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old Desmond Carter with first and third-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it’s easier to get a conviction for third-degree rape, which happens when the victim does not consent because of impairment.  First-degree rape, which carries a life sentence is harder to get a conviction, but it could still work in the D-A’s favor…

Cut  4 (08)  “…lower charge” 

A petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was submitted to the Registrar’s office Wednesday. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says recalls are a huge undertaking and when it’s not a grassroots movement to be successful it takes some deep pockets.

Cut 14 (11)  “…an election.”

The signatures have to be validated before an election is called.

The Biden administration moved closer to meeting its offshore wind energy goals by announcing lease sales for developments in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday. Interim Executive Director of the Center of LSU Energy Studies, Greg Upton says the areas include acreage off of Lake Charles and the workforce availability may be limited short term.

Cut 6 (08)  “…in particular.” 

He estimates an operational wind turbine in the Gulf is a few years away.

The 2023 carnival season is in the books now and we asked Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy for a review. He says the last-minute switch to traditional parade routes was a big perk even if his publication was outdated.

Cut 11 (13)  “…just wonderful.”

Fat Tuesday next year is February 13^th.

50,000 signatures were delivered to the Orleans Parish of Registrar of Voters this afternoon  from a petition to remove New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. UNO Political Science Professor, Ed Chervenak says nearly 20% of recall signatures are declared invalid across the nation, but petition organizers came in and did what they had to do.

Cut 11 (8)  “…these signatures.”

The signatures must be validated before the process moves forward; the Registrar has 20 working days to verify signatures.

Congressman Garret Graves. Will he or won’t he run for Governor this fall? He says he IS close to a decision, because he’s asked about it all the time…:

Cut 14 (04)   “… we have”

Graves has been District 6 Congressman since 2015.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 11 people this week involved in the theft of dozens of cell phones from individuals who were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says they are trying to return stolen phones to the owners and while they might have your phone, the case is gone…

Cut  4 (09)  “…after the theft” 

Check the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook page to see if your phone number is listed.

After criticizing Attorney General Jeff Landry and his gubernatorial run Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve mended fences. He says they’ve pledged to work together if Landry is elected, and Landry told him he would listen to both sides of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project.

Cut 8 (11)  “…our fisheries.” 

The primary is October 14^th.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s getting closer to a decision on whether he’ll run for governor this year. Graves says he was busy during the first six weeks of the year with issues in Washington D-C, but he’s had more time lately to contemplate a possible run.

Cut 12 (07) “…going to be doing.”

Graves has represented Louisiana Sixth Congressional District area since 2015.

After criticizing Attorney General Jeff Landry and his gubernatorial run Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve mended fences. He says they’ve pledged to work together if Landry is elected, and Landry told him he would listen to both sides of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project.

Cut 8 (11)  “…our fisheries.” 

The primary is October 14^th.

50,000 signatures will be submitted to the Orleans Parish of Registrar of Voters today, from a petition to remove New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. UNO Political Science Professor, Ed Chervenak says nearly 20% of recall signatures are declared invalid across the nation, but petition organizers came in and did what they had to do.

Cut 11 (8)  “…these signatures.”

The signatures must be validated before the process moves forward.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 11 people this week involved in the theft of dozens of cell phones from individuals who were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. And Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says they are trying to return stolen phones to the owners and while they might have your phone, the case is gone…

Cut  4 (09)  “…after the theft” 

Check the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook page to see if your phone number is listed.

Counting begins as nearly 50,000 signatures must be validated by the Orleans Parish of Registrar of Voters from a petition to remove New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. UNO Political Science Professor, Ed Chervenak says the process moves forward if they have the required number of validated signatures.

Cut 10 (8) “…that election.” 

Once approved the governor has nearly a week and a half to set a date for an election.

New Orleans police have identified 15-year-old Roderick Tobias as the shooting victim that was killed during the Bacchus Parade Sunday night. Four others were injured.

After criticizing Attorney General Jeff Landry and his gubernatorial run Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve mended fences. Nungesser says they also discussed projects that are important to him.

Cut 7 (06)  “…good meeting.” 

If your cell phone was stolen while partying in New Orleans, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office may have it. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Counting begins as nearly 50,000 signatures must be validated by the Orleans Parish of Registrar of Voters from a petition to remove New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. UNO Political Science professor, Ed Chervenak says the number of signatures may be invalid.

Cut 9 (10) “…6,000 signatures.”

Nearly 20% of recall signatures are declared invalid across the nation.

After criticizing Attorney General Jeff Landry and his gubernatorial run Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve mended fences. Nungesser who’s decided to run for re-election instead of governor had some harsh words against Landry and the state GOP for endorsing Landry, but the two met recently and made amends.

Cut 6 (08)  “…elected governor.” 

The primary is October 14^th.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau will reintroduce legislation to keep auto insurance companies from unfairly discriminating price-wise against one’s gender because he says women are often charged more than men. Luneau says it’s really hard to get some legislators to consider the cost involved in paying for coverage and that it could be a product of the insurance company as well as any other factor.

Cut 12 (10) “…insurance rates.”

The bill failed to make it out of committee last time.

Lent begins today, and many Louisianans will be eating mostly seafood for the next 40 days. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says he and fellow seafood professionals are excited for what looks to be an abundant year ahead.

Cut 8 (07)  “…in full swing.”

Easter is April 9^th.