A former state trooper reaches a plea deal in connection with the death of Ronald Greene. Kory York pleaded no contest to eight misdemeanor counts of civil battery in Union Parish this morning. He was given a six-month suspended sentence, a one-thousand-dollar fine and one year probation, and he will have to perform 160 hours of community service. If he violates his probation, he will be required to serve his prison sentence. York was originally charged with one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance. Prosecutors had previously dropped the most serious charge of negligent homicide.

The former director of the Calcasieu Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has died. Dick Gremillion (GREM-ee-ahn) passed away over the weekend. Tom Hoefer (HAY-fur) with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury says Gremillion was with the parish for 31 years, the last 28 of which as OHSEP director.

Cut 9 (12)  “…been here for.”

Governor Jeff Landry has officially called for a special legislative session, set to start on November 6, the day after the presidential election. LaPolitics.com Editor Jeremy Alford says this session will focus on a proposed tax overhaul to reduce income tax rates while expanding the state’s sales tax structure.

Cut 3 (12) “…state sales tax structure.”

Early voting continues at a brisk pace this year. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots.

Cut 9 (10)  “…cast their ballots.”

Remember, during early voting, you can vote at any polling place within your parish. On Election Day, you will need to go to your assigned precinct.

A preliminary test of a second inmate is positive for tuberculosis. The inmate is incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson and the Department of Corrections says additional testing is being done to verify that the strain of bacteria for which the inmate tested positive is the one that causes TB. The department says this case is not related to the drug-resistant TB diagnosed at the ICE facility. DCI is not on lockdown, but the department has suspended routine inmate transfers into and out of the prison for the time being.

It’s shaping up to be a banner year at the Port of New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The outlook for Louisiana suggests that drier conditions will continue into next week at least.  LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says currently, 59-percent of Louisiana is considered to be in a drought, and about 25-percent of the state is in severe drought or worse.

Cut 3 (10) “…on steroids.”

Early voting continues at a brisk pace this year. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says while the number of early voters so far is huge, it pales in comparison to the number of ballots the office expects to be cast in the final days of early voting and on Election Day.

Cut 11 (15) “…before Election Day.”

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year.

Cut 6 (12) “…our cruise lines.”

Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says with this many passengers, the port is all the way back from the pandemic.

Dry conditions are expected to continue into next week across the state with no relief in sight.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A huge game is set for Saturday night in College Station as the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers visit 14th-ranked Texas A-and-M. The winner will be the lone team in the SEC that’s undefeated in league play. The winner will also see their odds improve in making the college football playoff. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly expects his players to give it all they got…

Cut 12 (12) “…the line.”

A preliminary test of a second inmate is positive for tuberculosis. The inmate is incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson and the Department of Corrections says additional testing is being done to verify that the strain of bacteria for which the inmate tested positive is the one that causes TB. The department says this case is not related to the drug-resistant TB diagnosed at the ICE facility reported earlier. DCI is not on lockdown, but the department has suspended routine inmate transfers into and out of the prison for the time being

Early voting continues through Tuesday except for Sunday. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says while hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots the partisan breakdown this year is the opposite of what we saw during early voting four years ago.

Cut 10 (12) “…saw in 2020.”

Dry conditions continue in Louisiana.  LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says currently, 59-percent of Louisiana is in a drought, and about 25-percent of the state is in severe drought or worse and Keim says in terms of relief for the state…

Cut 5 (12) “…wouldn’t bank on it”

Keim noted that even though it’s going to be a dry week it’s also going to be a beautiful one so enjoy the weather.

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year. Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says with the large number of passenger departing from the port, it is all the way back from the pandemic.

Cut 7 (10) “…to do that.”

Curth says one thing that drives passengers to the Port of New Orleans is that it’s located in the heart of the city, just steps from the French Quarter and world-class restaurants.

Early voting continues at a brisk pace this year. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots.

Cut 9 (10)  “…cast their ballots.”

Early voting runs through Tuesday, except Sunday. Remember, during early voting, you can vote at any polling place within your parish. On Election Day, you will need to go to your assigned precinct.

Louisiana is experiencing drier than normal conditions. LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says since mid-September the state has only averaged about nine-tenths of an inch of rainfall which is about 17-percent of normal for this time of year, but this isn’t uniform across the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…parts of the state.”

It’s shaping up to be a banner year at the Port of New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A huge game is set for Saturday night in College Station as the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers visit 14th-ranked Texas A-and-M. LSU’s offense could benefit from the return of speedy wide receiver Chris Hilton, who has yet to play this season because of a leg injury. Coach Brian Kelly says Hilton was full go at practice on Thursday…

Cut 14 (11) “…game ready.”

A preliminary test of a second inmate is positive for tuberculosis. The inmate is incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson and the Department of Corrections says additional testing is being done to verify that the strain of bacteria for which the inmate tested positive is the one that causes TB. The department says this case is not related to the drug-resistant TB diagnosed at the ICE facility reported earlier. DCI is not on lockdown, but the department has suspended routine inmate transfers into and out of the prison for the time being.

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year as Carnival Cruise Lines celebrated its 30th year cruising from New Orleans and marked its seven-millionth guest originating from the port. Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans…

Cut 8 (10) “…ocean-going cruising.”

Dry conditions are expected to continue into the next week across the state with no relief in sight.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU Tigers will be in College Station to take on Texas A-and-M Saturday night and the winner will be the only SEC team undefeated in league play. Both teams enter the game on six-game winning streaks. The Tigers are winning thanks to good quarterback play and a defense that’s getting better.  Tigers Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 13 (11) “…now.” 

The outlook for Louisiana suggests that drier conditions will continue into next week at least.  LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says currently, 59-percent of Louisiana is considered to be in a drought, and about 25-percent of the state is in severe drought or worse.

Cut 3 (10) “…on steroids.”

A huge game is set for Saturday night in College Station as the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers visit 14th-ranked Texas A-and-M. The winner will be the lone team in the SEC that’s undefeated in league play. The winner will also see their odds improve in making the college football playoff. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly expects his players to give it all they got…

Cut 12 (12) “…the line.”

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year.

Cut 6 (12) “…our cruise lines.”

Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says one thing that drives passengers to the Port of New Orleans is that it’s located in the heart of the city, just steps from the French Quarter and world-class restaurants. And she says with this many passengers, the port is all the way back from the pandemic.

The first week of November will likely bring a special session where lawmakers consider Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan. Tax expert Jason DeCuir with Advantus Consulting says legislators have been studying rough drafts of the bills that make up the plan. The reform also includes changes to Article Seven in the state constitution and that’s drawing a lot of questions…

Cut 14 (12) “…the constitution.”

Thanks to a new law, Louisiana has a new 10-point grading scale for students. Bill Author, Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says the change means students will have increased opportunities for higher grades, clearer grading standards, and simplified transcript evaluations for college applications. Phelps hopes the new standard will allow Louisiana to rank more competitively.

Cut 11 (06) “…is that beneficial?”

Resale ticket websites are busy with activity as pop star Taylor Swift is set for three performances at the Superdome starting on Friday.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Discussing politics is often stress-inducing and with Thanksgiving gatherings coming a few weeks after a presidential election that may not be called by then, Chief of psychology with LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Michelle Moore says hosts may want to consider setting some table topic boundaries…

Cut 8 (07) “…moderate that environment.”

Lawmakers are expected to begin a special session the first week of November to take up Governor Jeff Landry’s his tax reform plan that would lower state income taxes for most but expands the state’s 4.45 percent sales tax to several previously excluded services, like lawn care, pet grooming, used car sales and lobbying activities. Tax law expert Jason DeCuir from Advantus Consulting says says this is a big change and legislators are taking a long look at it…

Cut 13 (11) “…parish rate is.” 

Louisiana has recently adopted a new 10-point grading scale, transitioning from the previous 7-point system due to House Bill 424. Bill Author, Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps…

Cut 10 (06) “…across the nation.”

Phelps hopes the new standard will allow Louisiana to be more competitive.

Political discussions can get uncomfortable, and this presidential election season is no exception. Andrew Greenstein takes a look.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Taylor Swift’s record-breaking “Eras Tour” continues this weekend with three shows at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The tour has captivated fans globally, cementing Swift’s legacy as one of the most successful touring artists in history.  Stubhub.com spokesperson Joseph Bocanegra…

Cut 5 (12) “…26 other countries”

A new study illustrates the impact of income tax and sales tax reforms on individuals. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Police is looking for the driver of the vehicle that struck a pedestrian on Interstate 20 in Richland Parish east of Highway 133. The crash claimed the life of 35-year-old Jared Osbon of West Monroe. Trooper Ryan Davis says investigators believe it was a 2021 or newer Ford Super Duty truck that hit him…

Cut 7 (12) “…through that area”

Davis says it’s likely the truck that struck Osbon sustained damage to the left front headlight assembly and grill.

A federal judge in Baton Rouge heard arguments yesterday over the state law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in all public-school classrooms. One of the plaintiffs, Unitarian Universalist Reverend Darcy Roake, says there are many kids, including her own, who don’t live by the Ten Commandments.

Cut 4 (11) “…able to answer.”

The state argued that the Ten Commandments have historical significance and is not overtly religious. The hearing included testimony from Steven K. Green of Willamette University, who the plaintiffs called as an expert witness. Attorney General Liz Murrill argued that Green’s testimony be excluded.

Cut 5 (15) “…was admittedly subjective (2x)”

Judge John deGravelles (de-GRAVEL) is expected to issue a ruling by November 15th.