New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is being arraigned in federal court this afternoon. Prosecutors say she 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 while the two were actually in a romantic relationship. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell will plead not guilty.

Cut 4 (12) “…small property bond.”

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.

Cut 7 (11) “…the prescription written.”

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.”

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.”

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. Many are wondering if President Trump will make an endorsement. Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says it’s possible Trump stays out of the race…

Cut 9 (10)  “…wouldn’t it.”

State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta are challenging Cassidy, who is seeking a third term.

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, 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.

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.”

She says owners are also optimistic over tort reform legislation recently approved that seeks to reduce frivolous lawsuits and hold down excessive litigation.

Solar manufacturer, First Solar Inc, is expected to begin operations at their new 1.1-billion-dollar plant in New Iberia soon and they’ve tapped St. Landry Parish Noble Plastics to supply components for the new facility.  Noble is investing 8.5 million dollars to expand their facility to meet the needs. Their expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and is expected to create 29 new direct jobs.

Houmas House and Gardens in Ascension Parish is missing a valuable statue of Abraham Lincoln. Sunday morning, owner, Kevin Kelly discovered that the 64-pound silver statue created by Gutzon Borglum who also carved the four U.S. Presidents into the side of Mount Rushmore was missing. Kelly says Lincoln stayed at Houmas House on more than one occasion.

Cut 8 (11) “…later, once again.”

A 15-year-old was arrested after an accidental shooting on Northwestern’s Campus left a victim seriously injured. Investigators say the juvenile was handling a firearm in a negligent way causing it to fire.  Natchitoches city and parish authorities along with Northwestern police responded Monday night and gave aid to the victim who was eventually airlifted to an Alexandria hospital and is now listed in stable condition. The juvenile is charged with illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile and negligent injuring.

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.”

Three formidable challengers are seeking the U.S. Senate seat held by Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy is considered vulnerable because of his 2021 vote to impeach President Donald Trump. But Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says

Cut 10 (10) “…Peace Prize.”

A Slidell woman was arrested for an alleged hit and run that left her co-worker critically injured. Slidell police say surveillance shows 67-year-old Lillian Sellers was backing up recklessly in the parking lot of Greenbriar Community Care Center Sunday night when she violently struck a female co-worker walking to her car. She then exited her SUV, retrieved a broken piece of bumper and put it in her car. She then walked in to work saying someone had fallen in the parking lot. When medical personnel determined the victim’s injuries were consistent with being struck by a vehicle, they notified police. When questioned, Sellers reportedly shrugged her shoulders and gave no explanation.

Louisiana’s U-S Senate race has the potential to be heated with Senator Bill Cassidy facing three formidable challengers in State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. The primary is not until April but Jeremy Alford with LA Politics Weekly says if the primary was held today, he would expect Cassidy to come out on top…

Cut 11 (10) “…on a dime.”

A valuable statue was stolen from an historic Ascension Parish antebellum estate over the weekend, Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Small Business Owners are optimistic, says a recent NFIB survey and State director Leah Long says they are hearing from members across Louisiana that sales are improving…

Cut 5 (09) “…for them.”

ACLU of Louisiana says the housing of undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes at the Louisiana State Penitentiary is a dangerous disregard of the legal system. There are 51 ICE detainees in Camp 57 at Angola with plans to hold more than 400. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says the plan is for these detainees to eventually be sent back to their home country…

Cut 13 (08)  “…judge’s decision.”

The Department of Health and other organizations are hosting 988 day at the Capitol today. Sherrard (SHARE-id) Crespo with VIA LINK says mental health is a major issue and unjustifiably stigmatized.

Cut 5 (15) “…thoughts of suicide.”

She hopes state and federal funding of the 988 suicide helpline continues.

Governor Landry’s wallet is 900 dollars lighter this morning. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council, says Landry was fined over non-disclosure of trips he took on other people’s aircraft while he was attorney general. Procopio says the trips were paid for by others but were for public purposes. He says we will never know if the fines are appropriate because of changes in the laws that govern ethics investigations.

Cut 9 (08)  “…we don’t know.”

The Saints battled to the end in Kellen Moore’s head coaching debut, but not enough offense and too many penalties led to the 20-13 loss to Arizona. Saint’s all-time sacks leader Cam Jordan had a sack and a half and said he appreciated the fight from his teammates…

Cut 20 (14) “…we didn’t.”

Governor Landry had to pay a 900-dollar fine due to travel paid for by others on other’s aircraft during his time as attorney general. Public Affairs Research Council President, Steven Procopio says there was nothing illicit about these flights. They were all for a public purpose related to his duties as attorney general.

Cut 8 (13) “…didn’t disclose it.”

Fines could have been as high as ten thousand dollars per occurrence.

Today, 9/8 is 988 day and the Department of Health and other organizations are hosting an event at the Capitol. Sherrard Crespo with Via Link expresses concern of suicide rates, especially among younger Louisianans.

Cut 6 (10) “…cause of death.”

He hopes state and federal lawmakers will continue funding the 988 suicide helpline.

The ACLU of Louisiana says federal, and state officials are breaking the law by housing ICE detainees at the State Penitentiary at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It wasn’t the blowout everyone expected but LSU came out of Death Valley Saturday night with a 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech. After the game, LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly’s tone almost made it sound like LSU lost.

Cut 14 (05) “…our standard.”

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 237 yards, but his longest completion was just 23 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked three times.

There are 51 ICE detainees housed in Angola with plans to hold more than 400. ACLU Louisiana legal director Nora Ahmed says immigration detention is a civil process to ensure court appearances, not punishment for criminal behavior…

Cut 11 (11) “…already received.”

ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says detainees will have access to a legal library and spaces to meet with their attorneys and she adds, the facility meets the organization’s standards.

The mother of the Bryan Vasquez, the 12-year-old non-verbal special needs boy found dead in a lagoon last month was arrested yesterday. Bryan had been missing for 2 weeks. The coroner reported cause of death as drowning and blunt force trauma from an alligator attack. Hilda Vasquez faces negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles charges. NOPD officials report finding a pattern of negligence and abuse by Hilda Vasquez. They say Hilda Vasquez cause multiple serious injuries to Bryan when he was only three months old.

Governor Landry is a little lighter in the wallet this morning. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and today on 9/8, the Louisiana Department of Health with other organizations are hosting 988 Day. Sherrard (SHARE-id) Crespo with VIA LINK, one of the participating organizations, says the event will be in the Formal Gardens at the Capitol this morning.

Cut 4 (14) “…wellness in Louisiana.”

Governor Landry is 900 dollars lighter in the wallet this morning. Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Landry was fined that amount of money related to travel during his time as attorney general.

Cut 7 (07) “…in one case.”

Procopio says there was nothing illicit about these flights; all these flights were for a public purpose related to his duties as attorney general.

The ACLU of Louisiana says the housing of undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes at the Louisiana State Penitentiary is a dangerous disregard of the legal system. ACLU Louisiana legal director Nora Ahmed says housing immigrants in a prison abandons the pretense that immigration detention is civil rather than criminal…

Cut 10 (15) “…to be used”

There are 51 ICE detainees housed at Angola with plans to hold more than 400.

With this being Suicide Prevention Month, and today – 9/8 – being 988 day – the Louisiana Department of Health is joining forces with other organizations in holding 988 Day at the Capitol. Jeanne (“zhahn”) Burns reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

The Saints battled to the end in Kellen Moore’s head coaching debut but came up short in the 20-13 loss to Arizona. Just not enough offense and too many penalties for the Black and Gold. Moore liked the fight from his team…

Cut 19 (12) “…clean up.”

On the senate floor, Senator John Kennedy used a picture of a movie alien to make a point about the dangers of consuming imported shrimp. He says on a good day, the U.S. may inspect two percent of all shrimp that’s imported into the country, and that pales in comparison to the inspection rates of other countries.

Cut 9 (12)  “…A better job.”

The signing of Act 500, will make it harder for non-citizens to register to vote, since proof of citizenship will be required when registering to vote. A recent investigation showed 390 non-citizens were on Louisiana voter rolls, and 79 of them voted in elections. Secretary Nancy Landry says especially in local races, every vote counts, and just a small handful of votes can decide the election.

Cut 6 (12) “…in that race.”

For many, allergy season is coming in Louisiana. Allergist with Ochsner Health, Dr. John Carlson says if allergies are hindering your lifestyle, there are options.

Cut 15 (15) “…different allergies.”

Louisiana Tech face their toughest challenge of the year as they visit Tiger Stadium to take on LSU. Tech defense was on full display in week one, shutting out Southeastern, 24-0. Tech linebackers combined 39 tackles and three sacks. Junior linebacker Mekhi Mason said his unit is one of the best in the nation.

Cut 11 (10) “…out there.”

Results of an investigation by the Secretary of State’s office released yesterday, showed 390 non-citizens were on the voter rolls in Louisiana and 79 of them voted in elections over the last several years. Secretary Nancy Landry…

Cut 5 (10) “…state laws implicated.”

Act 500 will make it harder for non-citizens to register to vote, since proof of citizenship is now to register to vote.

Fall allergies are coming and Allergist with Ochsner Health, Dr. John Carlson, says Ragweed is the biggest culprit

Cut 14 (08) “…the air.”

He says pollen counts are usually the highest in the early morning, so limit your outdoor activities and shower after spending an extended amount of time outdoors.

In a way that only he could, Senator John Kennedy issues a stark warning about eating imported shrimp. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Saints open up their season against a very talented Arizona Cardinals defense. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will play his first game under the Kellen Moore system. Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier says Rattler needs to just be himself.

Cut 17 (14)  “…your job.”