A Port Allen man is accused of trying to set a home on fire that had four children inside. The incident happened early Tuesday morning in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Justin Hill says when investigators arrived at home, they saw evidence of a break-in…

Cut 9 (08)  “…nobody was injured”

Hill says Jarvis have been charged with four counts of attempted first degree murder…

Three Republicans are challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race, but so far there’s no Democratic candidate. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Democrats would like to see former Governor John Bel Edwards run, but that’s unlikely and he says it’s unlikely Representatives Troy Carter or Cleo Fields would give up a House seat for a chance to represent Louisiana in the U-S Senate. He says the Louisiana Democratic Party is in rebuilding mode…

Cut 8 (09) “..Republican primary” 

A New Orleans Police officer has been arrested for allegedly hiring sex workers while on duty in the French Quarter. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

There was an effort in the last legislative session to increase the homestead exemption. New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard’s bill would have allowed parishes to increase the homestead exemption, but it died on the House floor. St. Tammany Parish assessor Louis Fitzmorris says with homestead exemption holding steady at 75-thousand dollars, it’s been a stealth tax increase on homeowners…

Cut 5 (06) “…fully homestead exempted”

A New Orleans Police Officer was booked into jail today. State Police Investigators say 56-year-old Terrance “TJ” Johnson allegedly coordinated and paid for sex on multiple occasions while he was on duty in the French Quarter. The LSP Bureau of Investigations was conducting a separate investigation when they uncovered evidence of Johnson’s activity. An arrest warrant was issued and Johnson turned himself in today.

Last week, Louisiana received a SNAP waiver that bans the purchase of soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy with SNAP cards. Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham believes preventing SNAP recipients from using their food stamps to purchase the items will make for a healthier Louisiana. He says candy and soda are high in sugar and too much of it, becomes a bad thing…

Cut 15 (09) “…of the mean.”

The new restrictions go into effect in January.

There are three well-known Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy in next April’s U-S Senate primary, but we have yet to see a Democrat announce they will challenge the Republican primary winner. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

There was an effort in the last legislative session to increase the homestead exemption. The current homestead exemption of 75-thousand dollars was set in 1980. St. Tammany Parish assessor Louis Fitzmorris says in the 1980s and 1990s, you could purchase a home and not pay property taxes. Fitzmorris says in the early 1990s he purchased a home in Abita Springs for 48-thousand dollars…

Cut 3 (05) “…200-thousand dollars”

He says the 75-thousand-dollar homestead exemption is a stealth tax increase on homeowners and if the homestead exemption kept up with inflation from 1980 it would need to be about $300,000.

A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for insurance fraud. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says 50-year-old Frank Launer of Blanchard got into a wreck last April and did not have automobile insurance and then quickly bought coverage

Cut 9 (11)  “…same day”

Thomas says once investigators had enough evidence to show that Launer obtained and filed a claim with his insurance provider after he got into a wreck, an arrest warrant was issued.

A new national survey finds small business optimism rose in July. NFIB State Director Leah Long believes that optimism shown in the new survey released by the NFIB is due in part to federal legislation that makes a 20-percent small business tax deduction permanent gives small business owners more clarity…

Cut 6 (08) “…businesses grow”

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham believes preventing SNAP recipients from using their food stamps to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks and candy will make for a healthier Louisiana. Last week, USDA Secretary Brooke Collins signed a SNAP waiver for Louisiana that removes them as eligible food items. The new policy goes in to effect in January and Abraham says a good portion of government assistance is going towards the purchase of these items…

Cut 13 (07)  “…will be banned.”

Over a five-year period, Louisiana’s reading scores improved from being ranked 49th to the 32nd the nation’s report card. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says that improvement is why U-S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon started her “Returning Education to the States” tour in Louisiana. He says it was validation for what’s being done in the public classroom…

Cut 3 (08) “…with disabilities”

The US Supreme Court has set a date to revisit Louisiana’s congressional map and decide whether it violates the 14^th and 15^th Amendments. Last November the court agreed to hear the case challenging the map as illegally gerrymandered but did not rule before the term ended. The case is now scheduled to be reargued on October 15^th. At issue is a redrawn district that cuts a diagonal through the state from Shreveport to Baton Rouge.

A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputy is on administrative leave after he was arrested for insurance fraud. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says a months long investigation has determined 50-year-old Frank Launer of Blanchard got into a wreck last April and did not have automobile insurance and then quickly obtained coverage and filed the claim later that same day. Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says his office does not condone the alleged actions attributed to Launer and Thomas says Sheriff Whitehorn supports L-S-P’s investigation…

Cut 11 (09) “…as well.”

U-S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is on a “Returning Education to the States” tour and she made Louisiana her first stop. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says Louisiana’s improved reading scores is why she decided to start her tour by visiting Jefferson Terrace Academy in Baton Rouge…

Cut 5 (10) “…our state”

Optimism is up among small businesses according to a new survey released by the NFIB. NFIB state director Leah Long says it’s good to see improving conditions with the 20 percent small business tax deduction being made permanent and new attention to insurance reform, but labor quality remains the single most important problem facing small businesses…

Cut 8 (08) “…to hire” 

A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for insurance fraud. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says 50-year-old Frank Launer of Blanchard got into a wreck last April while allegedly uninsured but quickly obtained coverage after the accident. An arrest warrant was issued after months of investigation provided enough evidence to show that Launer obtained and filed a claim with his insurance provider after he got into a wreck.

Cut 10 (09) “…insurance fraud.”

After U-S Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s “Returning Education to the States” tour stop in Louisiana, State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley commented on the improvement in Louisiana’s reading scores from 49th to the 32nd on a national test called the nation’s report card. Brumley says they went back to the basics…

Cut 4 (10) “…academic excellence.”

A wildlife has burned 15-hundred acres in the Kisatchie National Forest, but Jeff Palermo reports officials are confident they can get fire contained by the end of the week…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Optimism is up among small businesses according to a new survey released by the NFIB. State Director Leah Long says federal legislation that makes a 20-percent small business tax deduction permanent is positive and in Louisiana there’s optimism that the tort reform legislation approved in the last regular session can help reduce insurance rates over time….

Cut 7 (07) “…for that.”

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office found Medicaid paid nearly ten-million dollars to healthcare organizations for 1,072 deceased beneficiaries between February 2019 and March of this year. State auditor Chris Magee says they’ve recommended to the Louisiana Department of Health to use third-party data sources to identify and remove coverage for beneficiaries who have died

Cut 8 (05) “…with our recommendation”

LSU running back JT Lindsey is suspended from the team until his accessory to murder charge is resolved. Lindsey is accused of harboring two murder suspects in his apartment style dorm. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says a Baton Rouge TV station reports U.S. Marshals found multiple guns in his dorm room…

Cut 9 (12)  “…that facility”

McNeese is helping incoming freshmen adjust to college life. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon kicked off her returning education to the states tour this morning at Jefferson Terrace Academy in Baton Rouge. She says she’s impressed with Louisiana’s recent improvement on the Nation’s Report Card, and she believes each state should decide what’s best for itself when it comes to improving student achievement in the classroom.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to do.”

Secretary McMahon will also visit Arkansas and Tennessee this week.

An accidental shooting in Ville Platte sent a 10-year-old boy to the hospital Sunday. Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office says two 10-year-old boys were playing a game Sunday afternoon when one of them picked up a loaded weapon that was supposed to be locked up. Authorities say the boys were unaware the gun was loaded and one of them shot the other sending him to the hospital. No word on his condition. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon was in Baton Rouge this morning to kickoff her returning education to states tour. Secretary McMahon visited Jefferson Terrace Academy and participated in a roundtable conversation on Louisiana’s literacy progress. McMahon says she’s impressed with Louisiana’s improvement on the Nation’s Report Card…

Cut 12 (12) “…making it work.”

Secretary McMahon will also visit Arkansas and Tennessee this week.

The preseason AP Top 25 poll was released today and the LSU Tigers are ranked in the top 10. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

McNeese State is helping their incoming Freshman adjust to their first year of college life with their First Year Experience program. The program is funded for five years with a 2.2-million-dollar grant from the Department of Education and Director of the First Year Experience Jacqueline Clark says a portion of that money goes towards hiring student mentors.

Cut 5 (09) “…the students”

Medicaid reportedly paid nearly ten-million dollars to healthcare organizations for over a thousand deceased beneficiaries between February 2019 and March of this year according to a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office. State auditor Chris Magee says their recommendation to the Louisiana Department of Health is to use third-party data sources in their effort to make sure beneficiaries of Medicaid have not passed away…

Cut 7 (07) “…data basis.”

LSU running back JT Lindsey is suspended from the team until there is resolution of his accessory to murder charge involving 2 teens accused of murder staying in his apartment earlier this year. His attorney says the Alexandria High School football star didn’t know the teens were wanted. Lindsey’s suspension leaves LSU with three scholarship running backs but Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says a former high school football quarterback from Lafayette Christian could be used as a ball carrier out of the backfield this season…

Cut 11 (12) “…to fill in as well.”

In Natchitoches Parish, a wildfire burning in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area named the Backbone fire has been burning for about a week and has burned through about 1200 acres. Yesterday, crews were able to perform a burn out operation and hope to continue through Tuesday, weather permitting. The fire was reportedly caused by a lightening strike and this morning was 15 miles south of Natchitoches.

Classes at McNeese begin August 25^th and Freshman students move in on August 21^st. They’ll benefit from a new First-Year Experience program to help them adjust to college life. Director Jacqueline Clark says the traditional two-day Cowboy Camp orientation is a big part of the First-Year Experience.

Cut 4 (12) “…set of friends.”

The First-Year Experience program is funded for five years with a 2.2-million-dollar grant from the Department of Education.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office releases a report that finds Medicaid paid nearly ten-million dollars to healthcare organizations for 1,072 beneficiaries who were deceased. The report covers February 2019 to March of this year and the review was conducted to further the goals of the Governor’s Fiscal Responsibility Program. State auditor Chris Magee on how they found out these beneficiaries were dead…

Cut 6 (11) “…death master file”

A procession honoring fallen Baton Rouge Police Captain Caleb Eisworth  rolled through Baton Rouge Sunday. Eisworth was surrounded by died Sunday morning after spending seven weeks in the hospital with multiple injuries sustained in June when Gad Black allegedly intentionally rammed his pickup truck into Eisworth’s motorcycle. Eisworth served 23 years in law enforcement and received BRPD’s highest honor, The Medal of Valor. District Attorney Hiller Moore says he plans to seek the death penalty against Gad Black.

McNeese is helping incoming freshmen adjust to college life. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU running back JT Lindsey is accused of harboring two murder suspects in his apartment style dorm and has been suspended from the team until the issue is resolved. Lindsey’s attorney says the former star running back at Alexandria Senior High was unaware the two teenagers were wanted for murder.  Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says it’s likely he will not play this season…

Cut 10 (09) “…serious allegation.”

With the peak of hurricane season just weeks away, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched an updated mobile app. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the new and improved LDI Connect app has some new features, including enhanced weather reporting.

Cut 9 (11)  “…that impact you.”

The new and improved LDI Connect app is live on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly joked that Garrett Nussmeier will not need his leg amputated after a rumor swirled on Wednesday that the quarterback suffered a serious injury. Kelly says it’s tendinitis.

Cut 12 (07) “…his leg.”

A little boy is rescued from a hot car, and you’re not going to believe his mother’s excuse. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is bringing back its “On the Road Again” program. Assistant Secretary of Family Support, Sammy Guillory, says it’s an opportunity for noncustodial parents who lost their driver’s license because they haven’t been paying their child support to regain their driver’s license…

Cut 3 (10) “…meet em.”