Establish rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, or widen Interstate 10 between the two cities? A rail commissioner asks, why not both? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A fatal bus crash involving a Bossier Parish school bus yesterday afternoon.  It happened just before three in Plain Dealing.  Bossier Sheriff’s officials say a vehicle hit the back of a school bus carrying 31 students on LA Highway three.  Authorities say the driver of the other vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.  Two others were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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The Angola Prison Rodeo is back every Sunday in October, featuring adrenaline-pumping events like Convict Poker, Wild Cow Milking, and the renowned Guts-n-Glory.  This year’s events are on October 6, 13, 20, and 27, with tickets available for $20 each. Purchases can be made online or by phone. All proceeds fund reentry programs to help inmates reintegrate successfully after release.

Cut 4 (08) “…home with a trade.”

Louisiana State Police has 55 more troopers this morning. They graduated from Cadet Class 104 yesterday morning during a ceremony outside Istrouma (is-TROO-ma) Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Captain Nick Manale (ma-NAAL-ee) says they completed their 24-week training and are now ready to go on patrol.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana state trooper.”

Governor Landry has come out and said while he does not oppose passenger rail service connecting Baton Rouge and New Orleans, he’d rather see money go towards widening I-10 between the two cities. John Spain, a member of the Southern Rail Commission, says, why not both?

Cut 9 (10)  “…can have both.”

Louisiana State Police now has 55 more troopers. They graduated from Cadet Class 104 Friday morning during a ceremony outside Istrouma (is-TROO-ma) Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Captain Nick Manale (ma-NAAL-ee) says they completed their 24-week training that began in late April.

Cut 6 (14) “…physical training regimen.”

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The fall Angola Rodeo is back each Sunday in October, offering the best in prison rodeo excitement.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Faith House is relaunching the Purple Light Project this October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The campaign encourages community members to replace their porch lights with purple bulbs.  Prevention and Development Director Kimberly Boutte (Boo-tay) says it symbolizes peace, courage, survival, and solidarity with survivors.

Cut 12 (05) “…October for sure.”

Governor Landry has unveiled a major tax reform plan, that includes eliminating certain tax breaks and tax incentives to make up for revenue lost due to cuts to personal and business income taxes. Landry will seek legislative approval during a November special session. LAPolitics Weekly Publisher Jeremy Alford says business groups will have their lobbyists out in full force

Cut 9 (11)  “…their own turf.”

During a press event on LSU’s campus, Governor Landry was asked about his desire to have a live tiger in Tiger Stadium on game days again. Landry has received push-back from animal rights groups and some veterinarians but he says Tigers in sanctuaries live much better lives that those in the wild.

Cut 11 (09) “…academically and athletically.”

2015 was the last time LSU had its live mascot on the field before a football game.

 The person of interest in the brutal death of Baton Rouge therapist Doctor William Abraham was taken into custody in Texas. Authorities say 20-year-old Terryon Thomas from Tensas Parish was nabbed in Dallas and faces extradition back to Louisiana. It’s unclear what role if any Thomas played in Abraham’s death. Abraham’s body was found along a highway wrapped in a tarp in Tangipahoa Parish on Sunday. The coroner’s office says the Doctor Abraham was beaten before he died.

Starting January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop dramatically from 25 cents a minute to just six cents. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage, motivated by just one thing.

Cut 15 (10) “…G-R-E-E-D, greed.”

Now that Governor Landry has unveiled his tax reform plan, now the challenge begins. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Natchitoches Police Department has made two arrests in connection with the death of a teenager last week on July Street.  17 year old Matthew Daniels was taken to the hospital, where he later died. A 16 year old was arrested in the case on Sunday.  20 year old Alasia Lashay Hamilton was arrested yesterday.  Both are charged with second degree murder.

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Louisiana could see more than 58-thousand new jobs in a two year period, potentially surpassing the 2 million employment mark for the first time. But Economist Loren Scott says the presidential election could affect that, especially in Lake Charles given the candidates’ contrasting position on fossil fuels and the possibility of regulatory changes.

Cut 5 (08) “…but have not.”

Starting January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop from 25 cents per minute to six cents per minute. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage of the inmates and their families.

Cut 13 (13)  “…had somebody incarcerated.”

Louisiana could see more than 58-thousand new jobs in a two year period, potentially surpassing the 2 million employment mark for the first time. However, the upcoming presidential election will likely affect the economic outlook, according to Economist Loren Scott’s latest Louisiana Economic Forecast…

Cut 4 (10) “…areas of the state.”

Now that Governor Landry has unveiled his tax reform plan, many are wondering if it will pass in the legislature?  Part of Landry’s plan is to eliminate certain tax breaks and tax incentives to make up for revenue lost through cutting personal and business income taxes across the board. LaPolitics Weekly publisher Jeremy Alford  says now Landry’s task getting enough support from lawmakers may be a hard sell.

Cut 8 (09) “…much larger businesses.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is again expressing his desire to see a live Tiger in Tiger Stadium. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Baton Rouge police have issued a warrant for a 20 year old man accused of fleeing police in the car of 69 year old Baton Rouge Therapist William Nicholas Abraham, whose body was found wrapped in a tarp along a Tangipahoa parish highway on Sunday.  We’re told Terryon Ismael Thomas was driving the car that backed into a police unit after a traffic stop and fled the scene.  Thomas is considered a person of interest now in Abraham’s death.

Now that Governor Landry has unveiled his tax reform plan, what are its chances of passing in the legislature? Jeremy Alfordd, the publisher of LaPolitics Weekly, says now Landry’s task is to gain enough support from the legislature.

Cut 7 (13) “…from Governor Jeff Landry.”

The Governor wants to see a live Tiger in Tiger Stadium. Governor Landry made his desire known again Tuesday to mixed reaction on LSU’s campus.

Cut 10 (08) “…(crowd cheering).”

Landry didn’t specifically ask for Mike VII to be brought into the stadium, saying only “a tiger.” In 2017, LSU agreed it would not take the new tiger, Mike VII, into the stadium on game days.

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In the next two years, Louisiana could see more than 58-thousand new jobs, potentially surpassing the 2 million employment mark for the first time. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Starting January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop from 25 cents per minute to six cents per minute. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell on why the FCC stepped in.

Cut 14 (06) “…run the jail.”

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles is working to help its counterparts in Tallahassee provide relief for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. United Way of Southwest Louisiana President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida could use your help.

Cut 13 (08) “…neighbors in Florida.” 

As the Southeast continues recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene’s deadly punch, weather experts say there could be more trouble on the way, as an area of low pressure is expected to form over the Caribbean Sea by early next week. National Hurricane Center officials say that could become a tropical depression as it moves into the Western Gulf of Mexico by the middle of next week, so people along the Gulf Coast need to be on alert.

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Amazon’s investment in Louisiana continues as it opens its new massive fulfillment center in Shreveport.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Bossier City man who fled after an attempted traffic stop and had an altercation with a  Shreverport Police Officer on Wednesday has died.  The Caddo Parish Coronor’s Office says 54 year old Steven Cook died yesterday afternoon just before three. We’re told the incident and death remain under investigation by State Police.

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival returns this weekend in downtown New Iberia.   Sugarcane Festival President Lisa Norris Festivalgoers says festival-goers can explore Shadows-on-the-Teche, featuring a petting zoo, cookie decorating, a cupcake walk, and more kid-friendly activities.

Cut 4 (06) “…games and prizes.”

Poverty Point World Heritage Site in Pioneer is celebrating National Public Lands Day right now with a ranger-led hike. Poverty Point Site Manager Mark Brink says National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort, promoting environmental stewardship and encouraging the use of public spaces for recreation, education, and health.

Cut 5 (13) “…parks as well.”

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Amazon has opened its first fulfillment center in Shreveport.  Right now, Amazon employs more than three-thousand people throughout the state. And those are just the direct jobs.  Chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, Paige Carter says Amazon has made a commitment to the state that has supported many more indirect jobs.

Cut 11 (10) “…around our state.”

LSU is about a three touchdown favorite heading into tonight’s game with South Alabama. The Jaguars average 48 points a game and 7.6 yards a play. The Tigers have a problem when it comes to giving up big plays. Kelly wants his defense to play fundamentally sound, especially in the secondary…

Cut 8 (09) “…better back there.”

Kick off on Saturday tonight is at 6:45

The Shreveport police officer who died in a rollover crash yesterday afternoon has been identified.  Officer Matthew Rhoden, 37, died in the wreck. We’re told another officer, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Ochsner LSU Health hospital with life-threatening injuries.  The off-duty officers were in a blue Mustang traveling on W. 70th Street when it was hit by a van, skidded into a vacant house and rolled over.

In Lake Charles, United Way of Southwest Louisiana is partnering with their counterparts in Tallahassee to provide relief for the people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Cut 12 (12) “…Florida are today.”

United Way of Southwest Louisiana President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida could use your help. You can make your contribution either on United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s website, by texting UNITEDGULF – one word – to 40403 or by mail.

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Amazon opens its first fulfillment center in Shreveport. The five-floor 2.5-million-square-foot facility is expected to serve three-million customer shipments per week. Paige Carter, the chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, says Amazon currently employs more than three-thousand people throughout the state.

Cut 10 (14) “…positioned for tomorrow.”

The LSU Tigers are about a three touchdown favorite heading into Saturday night’s matchup with South Alabama out of the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars are 2-and-2 and they’ve scored 135 points in their last two games, which has the attention Coach Brian Kelly and the players…

Cut 7 (08) “…they have.”

Amazon opens its first fulfillment center in Shreveport. Paige Carter, the chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, says this is the culmination of the cooperation of a lot of entities.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in our communities.”

The five-floor 2.5-million-square-foot facility is expected to serve three-million customer shipments per week.

A Bossier City man who fled after an attempted traffic stop and had an altercation with a  Shreverport Police Officer on Wednesday has died.  The Caddo Parish Coronor’s Office says 54 year old Steven Cook died yesterday afternoon just before three. We’re told the incident and death remain under investigation by State Police.

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Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Poverty Point World Heritage site in Pioneer this Saturday at 10 AM with a ranger-led hike.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival returns this weekend in downtown New Iberia.  As Louisiana’s top sugarcane-producing region, Iberia Parish is the ideal host for this annual event. . Sugarcane Festival President Lisa Norris Festivalgoers can enjoy a variety of activities, including parades, carnival rides, and livestock shows.

Cut 3 (09) “…farmers.”