Reaction continues to pour in on the indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. She’s accused in an 18-count federal indictment of bilking the city out of 70-thousand dollars for trips she took with former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie (VAH-pee) under the guise of security, when prosecutors allege the two were covering up a romantic relationship. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Cantrell pressed her luck a little too far.

Cut 10 (09) “…up with you.”

About 135 Louisiana National Guard soldiers are heading to Washington, DC. Lieutenant Colonel Noel Collins says President Trump requested the help of the Guard to restore order in the nation’s capital.

Cut 14 (06) “…Guard is doing.”

She says their mission is to restore safety and peace in the nation’s capital. They will be in DC through at least September 30^th.

The legislature’s tax overhaul has now been a part of our lives for more than a half a year. Andrew Greenstein looks at its impact.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The 20-member panel tasked with finding LSU’s next president meets for the first time today. Piper Hutchinson who covers higher education for the Louisiana Illuminator says though Governor Jeff Landry cannot pick the next LSU president, his influence will be felt.

Cut 9 (13)  “…to be heard.”

Hutchinson expects the search to name a new president will take months.

Acting on a request from President Trump to restore order in the nation’s capital, Governor Landry is sending about 135 Louisiana National Guard soldiers to Washington, DC. Lieutenant Colonel Noel (no-ELL) Collins says the soldiers will be in the nation’s capital for at least a month.

Cut 13 (12)  “…through 30 September.”

We’ve had more than half a year to live with the tax overhaul passed last fall and experience how has it impacted our overall financial health. A study commissioned by RESET Louisiana shows for the vast majority, it’s an improvement. Barry Erwin, the president and CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says the cut in income tax to a flat three-percent has more than offset the slight increase in sales tax.

Cut 4 (09) “…small tax cut.”

Reaction continues to pour in over the indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

LSU’s presidential search committee holds its first meeting today as the 20-member panel begins its work to find a replacement for Dr. William Tate, who left in June to be the president at Rutgers. Piper Hutchinson covers higher education for the Louisiana Illuminator and she says this is a national search, but some local candidates have emerged.

Cut 7 (11) “…strongly considered.”

Hutchinson says interim LSU president Matt Lee is also a candidate.

Former Louisiana House Speaker Joe Salter has died at the age of 82. Salter was an educator from Sabine Parish and spent 22 years in the House. He served as House Speaker during a chaotic time as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita crippled Louisiana. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat remembers Salter as a friendly man…

Cut 9 (12)  “…consoling.”

Salter was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in 2008. He also worked in the Secretary of State’s Office, the Department of Education and served on the board of the University of Louisiana system. He died from kidney cancer.

After a federal grand jury indicted her on corruption charges Friday, New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell was back at work Monday. She led a public safety meeting, and her staff says she will continue working. With only  around five months left in her term, she is not expected to step down.

Drivers headed to Texas early Saturday morning had some unexpected overhead obstacles to dodge. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Those suffering from seizure disorders now have the option of having an indicator placed on their driver’s license. Nick Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) with the Department of Public Safety says eligible residents can now apply to have the designation added to their licenses or ID cards.

Cut 12 (07) “…other first responders.”

In an effort to help law enforcement and first responders help those suffering from medical episodes, there’s now an option for those with seizure disorders to have an indicator placed on their driver’s license. Nick Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) with the Department of Public Safety…

Cut 13 (06)  “…or ID card.”

Drivers headed to Texas on I-10 early Saturday morning found themselves dodging cables dangling from a construction crane. It caused four crashes and two people suffered minor injuries. State Police Trooper Henry Perez says 37-year-old Matthew Vincent of Vinton, for some unknown reason, hopped into an idle crane in the median about eight miles from the Texas state line, and moved the cables over the westbound lanes.

Cut 6 (07) “…and hijacked it.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is excited about the possibilities Amtrak’s new passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile will bring to the state. The Mardi Gras service will have morning and evening departures from both cities, offering same-day connections daily in both directions. Nungesser says the new passenger rail service is another attraction for international travelers…

Cut 3 (07) “…of New Orleans.”

The line will also stop in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula, Mississippi. The route will take just under four hours.

Former Louisiana House Speaker Joe Salter has died at the age of 82. He served as House Speaker during a chaotic time as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita crippled Louisiana. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he was known as friendly and even keeled and he could also be tough.

Cut 11 (10) “…your broke.”

He was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in 2008.

Four Saturday morning accidents on I-10 near Vinton were caused by low hanging cables allegedly intentionally put there by a Vinton man who hijacked a construction crane and moved the cables over the west bound lanes. State Police Trooper Henry Perez says they don’t know why 37-year-old Matthew Vincent it did but he made it easy for them to find him.

Cut 8 (07) “…he was barefoot.”

Louisiana drivers diagnosed with a seizure disorders can now have an indicator placed on their driver’s licenses. Nick Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) with the Department of Public Safety says it’s another way to help those suffering from medical episodes.

Cut 14 (06) “…with seizure disorders.”

Joe Salter, who served as Louisiana’s House Speaker, during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, has died at the age of 82. Jeff Palermo looks back at his life…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service kicked off this morning and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is excited about the possibilities the new passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile will bring to the state. He says more people are looking to take the train to get to their destination and it’s important for Louisiana to provide that option…

Cut 5 (08) “…of Louisiana”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal corruption charges as prosecutors allege, she defrauded taxpayers out of 70-thousand dollars to conceal a personal relationship with former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie, who served as her bodyguard. Acting US Attorney Michael Simpson…

Cut 14 (14) “…positions”

Cantrell is the first sitting New Orleans mayor to face federal charges.

A Gallup poll finds 54-percent of Americans drink alcohol — a record low percentage. LSU Health New Orleans physiology professor Nick Gilpin says more Americans are understanding the potential health hazards of alcohol consumption. He says adults are also finding other alternatives to alcohol…

Cut 11 (06) “…use adults.”

Gilpen says the poll shows that younger adults are at the center of the decline in alcohol consumption.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly addressed the arrest of freshman running back JT Lindsey Friday. Lindsey is accused of harboring two wanted second-degree murder suspects in his LSU dorm room for several days. He’s been suspended from the team until his case is resolved. Kelly says Lindsey’s story is a lesson for all young student-athletes and he wants to educate them

Cut 13 (14)  “…that now.”

The multi-state Powerball jackpot is up to 565-million dollars for Saturday night’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says expect an increase in sales heading into Saturday night’s drawing at 9:59 PM…

Cut 5 (08) “…that way.”

Tickets sales will stop at 9 PM on Saturday.

A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on federal corruption charges. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A three-judge panel from the Fifth U-S Circuit Court of appeals agrees with a district judge in Baton Rouge that the state’s legislative district map for the House and Senate violate the Voting Rights Act, because it dilutes Black votes. Political analyst Scott Hughes says the issue isn’t going to be resolved until the U-S Supreme Court rules on the state’s contested Congressional map…

Cut 7 (11) “…US Supreme Court”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly today for the first time since the arrest of freshman running back JT Lindsey. Lindsey is accused of harboring two wanted second-degree murder suspects in his LSU dorm room for several days. There’s also a report of guns found inside the apartment, raising questions on how firearms got inside a university owned building. Kelly says it appears Lindsey was hanging out with the wrong crowd…

Cut 12 (11) “…your circle.”

Lindsey has been suspended from the football team until his criminal case is resolved.

A record low percentage of Americans currently drink alcohol; 54-percent of according to a Gallop poll. LSU Health New Orleans physiology professor Nick Gilpin says it’s been known that too much alcohol can impact a person’s liver, but we are learning that an regular alcohol consumption can lead to other health problems…

Cut 10 (11) “…cigarettes.”

Gilpen says the poll shows that younger adults are at the center of the decline in alcohol consumption.

A panel of judges on the U-S 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Louisiana’s legislative district map violates the federal Voting Rights Act. Political analyst Scott Hughes says the panel and a state judge in Baton Rouge both agree that the map approved in 2022 dilutes the Black vote…

Cut 6 (13) “…fewer black districts”

A federal appeals judge not involved in Thursday’s ruling put a pause on the case. Hughes says the legislative map issue was not going to be resolved, until there is a U-S Supreme Court ruling regarding the state’s contested Congressional map…

Authorities are asking for help in finding a non-verbal 12-year-old boy who went missing from his New Orleans home Thursday morning. State Police have issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory for Bryan Vasquez on behalf of NOPD. Vasquez who suffers from a neurodevelopmental condition is a 5-foot 1-inch Hispanic male with brown eyes and black hair and weighs between 86 and 100 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call NOPD at 504-658-6070.

A new Gallup poll finds only 54-percent of Americans consume alcohol that’s the lowest percentage in the 90-year history of the survey. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Powerball sales are expected to be brisk for Saturday night’s drawing. The jackpot is up to 565-million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says the jackpot has been growing since early June. And the last time a Louisiana resident won the Powerball grand prize was 2018, but Maher says a Carencro man recently became a millionaire because of Powerball

Cut 4 (07) “…winners in Louisiana.”

Tickets sales will stop at 9 PM on Saturday.

A federal Grand Jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell. Details of the indictment that was announced Friday are still coming in but she is the first mayor to face federal charges while still in office.  Reports of a Federal investigation into her activities began in 2022 and people surrounding her have been indicted including her former bodyguard and alleged boyfriend who has been charged with defrauding the New Orleans Police Department.

Louisiana’s legislative district map violates the federal Voting Rights Act says a panel of judges on the U-S 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals. The plaintiffs in the case argue Blacks and Democrats are not fairly represented in the Louisiana Legislature. Political analyst Scott Hughes says one-third of the state’s voting population is black, but Republicans have a super majority control in the House and Senate…

Cut 8 (12) “..they are really not” 

Hughes says the legislative map issue isn’t going to be resolved, until there is a U-S Supreme Court ruling regarding the state’s contested Congressional map scheduled to be reargued in October.

A Gallup poll finds 54-percent of Americans drink alcohol, which is a record low percentage. LSU Health New Orleans physiology professor Nick Gilpin says more Americans are understanding the health hazards that come with consuming one or two drinks a day…

Cut 9 (07)  “…and your body.”

He said decades old research said one to two drinks were actually good for you but new research debunks that theory.

The multi-state Powerball jackpot is up to 565-million dollars for Saturday night’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says it’s the biggest Powerball jackpot of the year…

Cut 3 (11) “…big one”

A six-year-old Slidell boy was riding his scooter in his driveway when he was hit and killed by an SUV whose driver then fled the scene. It happened Wednesday around 6 PM and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office Spokesperson, Lt. Suzanne Carboni says the SUV was located later in the evening and the driver, 35-year-old Cody Beaudette was arrested. She says Sheriff Randy Smith sends his condolences to the child’s family

Cut 11 (10) “…neighborhoods.”

18-hundred military homes at Fort Polk will now be powered by thirty-thousand solar panels provided by Corvias. Bartost Wojszyk (Voice-chick), President of Energy at Corvias says they invested 29-million-dollars and it took them two years to plan and complete construction

Cut 7 (12) “…Garrison commanders.”

The state department of transportation is launching a new program that gives businesses an opportunity to get involved in the fight against litter. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Entergy is offering its residential customers the opportunity to receive up to two smart thermostats at no cost. Heather Leblanc with Entergy says the smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and usage habits and can be controlled from a smartphone. She says go to entergy-solutions-la-dot-com to order yours…

Cut 5 (11) “…for free.”