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.  Cantrell has said Vappie was part of her security detail, which is why they traveled together regularly. But Acting US Attorney Michael Simpson says they found messages that show the two used the trips to foster their romantic relationship as evidenced by text messages.

Cut 15 (15) “…physical relationship.”

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”

———–

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly on Friday 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. He’s been suspended from the football team until his criminal case is resolved. Coach Kelly says Lindsey’s story is a lesson for all young student-athletes..

Cut 13 (14)  “…that now.”

The 5^thUS  Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Louisiana’s legislative district map violates the federal Voting Rights Act. The plaintiffs in that case argue that Blacks and Democrats are not fairly represented in the Louisiana Legislature. Political analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 8 (12) “..they are really not” 

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is in the hot seat again, indicted on federal corruption charges over 70-thousand dollars they allege she used to cover up an affiar with her former bodyguard.  Cantrel is the first sitting New Orleans mayor to face federal charges. Acting US Attorney Michael Simpson says his office takes allegations of public corruption seriously…

Cut 16 (11) “…own government.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly yesterday 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,. Kelly says it appears Lindsey was hanging out with the wrong crowd…

Cut 12 (11) “…your circle.”

———————–

Fewer Americans than ever before are drinking alcohol.  That’s according to a Gallup poll showing it’s down to 54-percent.  That’s because studies from decades ago saying there were health benefits to having a drink or two a day have been debunked by new research. LSU Health New Orleans physiology professor Nick Gilpin says not only can too much alcohol impact a person’s liver, but it can lead to other health problems…

Cut 10 (11) “…cigarettes.”

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is already higher than it’s been all year.  The multi-state prize is already up to 565-million dollar.  And Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says that’ll go even higher as sales continue today.

Cut 5 (08) “…that way.”

Tickets sales will stop at 9 PM on Saturday.

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”

A US Court of appeals panel of judges has ruled that that Louisiana’s legislative district map approved in 2022 violates the federal Voting Rights Act. But there won’t be any re-drawing yet. Political Scott Hughes says the legislative map issue won’t be resolved until there is a U-S Supreme Court ruling regarding the state’s contested Congressional map…

Cut 7 (11) “…US Supreme Court”

———-

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”

The biggest multi-state Powerball jackpot of the year is up for grabs in tonight’s drawing. The jackpot’ been growing since June and is well over 565 million dollars.  It’s been seven years since someone in Louisiana won the Powerball grand prize, but Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says a Carencro man recently became a Powerball millionaire.

Cut 4 (07) “…winners in Louisiana.”

 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 Gallup poll finds 54-percent of Americans drink alcohol. That’s a record low. LSU Health New Orleans physiology professor Nick Gilpin says more Americans are understanding the health hazards that come with indulging in one or two drinks a day…

Cut 9 (07)  “…and your body.”

———————
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”

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

Cut 3 (11) “…big one”

Tickets sales will stop at 9 PM on Saturday.

Louisiana’s Attorney General has filed a child protection lawsuit against a popular online gaming site she says is overrun with harmful content and child predators. AG Liz Murrill says the Roblox site has no age minimum, verification requirement, or parental permission required and once registered, children can find sexually explicit material …

Cut 11 (13) “…for all ages.”

Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Caleb Eisworth will be laid to rest tomorrow.  In June, the driver of a truck allegedly intentionally hit Sgt Eisworth’s motorcycle. He died in the hospital last Sunday. Sgt Eisworth suffered multiple injuries and spent seven weeks in the hospital. Baton Rouge Police Chief, T.J Morse says there were moments of hope that he would recover…

Cut 5 (13) “…in the room.”

Visitation will be held at Istrouma Baptist Church Saturday beginning at 9:00 A.M., followed by his funeral at noon

————————-

The LSU football team starts the season on the road at Clemson two weeks from tomorrow and the offensive line is the biggest question. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The first hurricane of the season is expected to form today as Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a hurricane out in the Atlantic.  NOAA’s National Weather Service predicts five to nine hurricanes before the season ends. State Climatologist Jay Grymes…

Cut 9 (11)  “…tropical system”

Erin is not expected to affect the coastal United States.

Funeral services honoring fallen Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Caleb Eisworth will be held Saturday. Colleen Crain has the details…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a child protection lawsuit against a popular online gaming site that she says is overrun with harmful content and child predators….

Cut 10 (10) “…sex predators.”

Right now, there is no age minimum, verification requirement, or parental permission required to sign up for Roblox.
———————————-

LSU football is still figuring out who its best eleven are offensively for the opener at Clemson. The Tigers are challenged with having to replace four NFL-level offensive linemen. ESPN Baton Rouge radio host Charles Hanagriff says he expects the starting offensive line to continue to change as the season progresses.

Cut 13 (14)  “…very much.”

Tropical Storm Erin is expected ito a hurricane today as it continues to churn in the middle of the Atlantic . This would be the first hurricane of the season and though it’s expected to become a major one, it’s not expected to threated the coastal U-S.  The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance over the Bay of Campeche in the southwestern Gulf. But State Climatologist Jay Grymes Grymes it’s unlikely it will form into a named storm…

Cut 8 (10) “…whatsoever.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill files a lawsuit against the online gaming site Roblox alleging it’s a site where children can easily view sexually explicit material. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A federal appeals court has upheld a Louisiana judge’s decision to invalidate the state’s new legislative district maps for House and Senate races, saying they violate section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.  But those maps will stay in place for now…at least until the US Supreme court rules on a similar case disputing Louisiana’s Congressional districts.

————–

Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Caleb Eisworth will be laid to rest Saturday. He is the 13^th Baton Rouge Police Officer to die in the line of duty. In June, the driver of a truck allegedly intentionally hit Sgt Eisworth’s motorcycle. He died in the hospital last Sunday. Baton Rouge Police Chief, T.J. Morse says his injuries were just too severe…

Cut 4 (13) “…hateful person.”

The first hurricane of the season is expected to form today as Erin is expected to strengthen from tropical storm into a hurricane as it continues to churn in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this is about the time we usually see our first hurricane

Cut 7 (10) “…mark for that.”

Erin is also expected to become the season’s first major hurricane, but it’s not expected to threaten the coastal United States.

There are unanswered questions in  the case of suspended LSU running back JT Lindsey.  Andre Champagne has details.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is speaking out about the arrest of a 23 year veteran officer.  56-year-old Terrance Johnson is charged with prostitution and malfeasance in office. Kirkpatrick says his alleged actions do not represent the NOPD…

Cut 5 (12) “…NOPD today.”
—————————–

The state department of transportation is starting a new program that will allow businesses to get involved in cleaning up the litter along state highways. The “Sponsor a Highway” program will start in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport, with the hopes of expanding the program later. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says DOTD spends 13-million dollars a year on litter removal efforts and this a chance for private dollars to help.

Cut 11 (11) “…regular basis.”

Louisiana is seeing an increase in the number of people infected with flesh eating bacteria this summer. State epidemiologist, Theresa Sokol says you can become infected by eating raw seafood from exposed waters but most people infected are exposed through open wounds.  She says it’s important to pay attention to symptoms of skin infections like redness, swelling, blisters, or fever and act quickly.

Cut 15 (11) “…or raw seafood.”

Serious infections caused by Flesh eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, are on the rise in Louisiana. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Baton Rouge Community College is celebrating the completion of its $35 million nursing and allied health building. Officials say it’s a much needed upgrade that features simulated surgical settings and other healthcare programs to help address the nationwide nursing shortage.  The addition was made possible in part to a $12 million dollar donation by our Lady of the Lake Health.

———————————–

We are learning more about the case against suspended LSU freshman running back JT Lindsey.  He was arrested last week for allegedly harboring two Alexandria teenagers accused of murder in his dorm room. WAFB-TV Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto says that US Marshals found an excessive amount of firepower in Lindsey’s room.

Cut 8 (12) “…a glock.”

The state department of transportation is starting a new program that will allow businesses to get involved in cleaning up the litter along state highways. It’s called “Sponsor A Highway.” DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says participating businesses will partner with Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corporation. He says A-H-M-C will provide the professional litter removal services a minimum of six times a year…

Cut 12 (10) “…improvements.”

For more information go to adoptahighway.com.

Suspended LSU freshman running back JT Lindsey remains on the sidelines following his arrest last week for allegedly harboring two Alexandria teenagers accused of murder in his dorm room a few weeks before the start of preseason camp. WAFB-TV Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto broke the story and says investigators are questioning what Lindsey is claiming.

Cut 7 (14) “…for murder.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says she’s disgusted by the allegations that one of her officers was paying prostitutes for sex while on duty in the French Quarter. State Police have charged 56-year-old Terrance Johnson with prostitution and malfeasance in office. Kirkpatrick says an internal investigation is underway to determine how NOPD supervisors were not aware this was going on…

Cut 4 (07) “…and questions.”

Johnson has been with NOPD since 19-97.

————-

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.”

Louisiana is seeing an increase in the number of people infected with Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh eating bacteria. State epidemiologist, Theresa Sokol says so far this year, 20 people have been hospitalized. She says the bacteria thrives in warm salt and brackish waters.

Cut 13 (10)  “…vibrio infections.”