Over the last two years, New Orleans has seen a steady drop in crime. Rafael Goyeneche (goy-eh-NECH-ee), the president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, which has been tracking crime trends in the city on a weekly basis, says the drop is very significant.

Cut 7 (11) “…crime as well.”

Goyeneche says police are taking a more proactive approach when conducting traffic stops and performing drug busts.

 Deer hunting season begins tomorrow with the opening of archery season in Deer Areas 3, 7, 8 and 10, in southwest Louisiana. Johnathan Bordelon, the deer program manager for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says archery season is the longest of all hunting seasons.

Cut 13 (08)  “…in the state.”

 Thanks to Team Rubicon, a Jean Lafitte family is moving back home today. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

 Today is the final day for homeowners in the state’s coastal zone to put their name into a lottery that could result in upwards of a 10-thousand grant to pay for a fortified roof. The Louisiana Department of Insurance is planning to choose 300 recipients next week and put another 200 on a waiting list. Go to the Department of Insurance’s website for more information.

Over the last two years, New Orleans has seen a significant drop in crime. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Iberville Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested three people involved in an alleged murder-for-hire scheme. Sheriff Brett Stassi says 65-year-old Herman Harris was found dead in his home in late August and it appears it was his employers who plotted to kill him. Siblings, 44-year-old Rilonda Brooks and 40-year-old David Brooks of Maringouin have been charged with murder and so has 25 year-old of Johnnie Hicks of Vicksburg, Mississippi, the alleged triggerman.

Thanks to the Veteran-led organization, Team Rubicon, the big move-in day is here for the Roth family who have been living in a trailer in Jean Lafitte since Hurricane Ida destroyed their home. The Roth’s were unable to get help through FEMA or SBA loans. Brian Andrus with Team Rubicon says they look to help people who are left behind.

Cut 10 (09) “…active as well.”

Team Rubicon rebuilt the Roth’s home at no cost to them or the public.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is asking the public to turn off or dim external and internal lights from 11 PM to 6 AM until November first as the fall bird migration is in full swing. L-W-F spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says dimming or turning off unnecessary lights will help birds stay on track and keep birds from crashing into buildings…

Cut 5 (10) “…money”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill clarifies some points of a new law concerning a pair of abortion-inducing medications. As of October 1st, mifeprestone and misoprostol will be classified as Schedule Four controlled substances. Murrill says that will not prevent doctors from prescribing them, and they have nothing to worry about in doing so.

Cut 9 (14)  “…actions or prosecution.”

Other Schedule Four controlled substances in Louisiana include Valium, Xanax and Ambien.

The Public Service Commission selects Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure to run its new statewide energy efficiency program. Commissioner Davante Lewis says Louisiana will set the example through this move.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the nation.”

State government has accepted its first cryptocurrency payment. The digital currency paid for a hunting license according to State Treasurer John Fleming who says cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum (uh-theh-ree-uhm) offer the potential for faster and more secure transactions. Fleming says in today’s digital age, government systems must evolve and embrace new technologies.

Cut 11 (09) “…by 2028.”

The first cryptocurrency payment paid for a hunting license.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser along with the Louisiana Office of Tourism leave tomorrow (Friday) for India. A $300,000 grant from the U.S. Commerce Department is paying for the trip and Nungesser says the goal is to increase tourism from India to Louisiana…

Cut 3 (10) “…coming to Louisiana.”

The delegation’s goal is to showcase Louisiana’s rich culture, heritage, and tourism opportunities to boost international visitors to the state. 

Louisiana government has accepted its first cryptocurrency payment, signaling a step toward modernizing the state’s financial systems. State Treasurer Dr. John Fleming says cryptocurrency can enhance convenience, efficiency, and transparency…

Cut 10 (09) “…bitcoin lightning.”

Fleming says the first cryptocurrency payment to state government was for a hunting license.

 Memphis Zoo Director of Conservation and Research Steve Reichling has successfully bred the first Louisiana Pine Snake using artificial insemination, marking a significant conservation achievement, as the Louisiana Pine Snake is a federally threatened species.

Cut 4 (10) “…calling it a breakthrough.”

Reichling says there are very few Louisiana Pine Snakes left because of the loss of the long leaf pine forest.

 The Public Service Commission unanimously selects an outside firm to run its upcoming statewide energy efficiency program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 The founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s, Todd Graves, will be one of 16 guest Sharks on the Emmy-winning reality TV show “Shark Tank.” The 16^th season of Shark Tank will debut on ABC on October 18^th. Graves, who opened his first Raising Cane’s in 1996 near the LSU campus, will have the opportunity to help entrepreneurs build their brand.

Attorney General Liz Murrill issues a lengthy statement that attempts to alleviate concerns over a new law that goes into effect next month that will classify two abortion inducing drugs as dangerous controlled substances. Opponents of the law, including Vice President Kamala Harris, say it will have a negative impact on the health care of a pregnant mother, but Murrill says that’s not the case…

Cut 8 (13) “…for emergency purposes”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has hired a Baton Rouge firm to run a statewide energy efficiency program. It was a unanimous vote, but Commissioner Eric Skrmetta is concerned about the cost…

Cut 15 (11) “…top of that”

But Commissioner Craig Greene says the decision strikes the right balance between local expertise and fiscal responsibility.

Researchers at the Memphis Zoo breed the Louisiana Pine Snake with artificial insemination for the first time.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Could we see another hurricane threat next week? The National Hurricane Center says there is now a medium chance of a tropical storm forming early next week in the northwestern Caribbean Sea and southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Long range models show a storm in the Gulf next week that will threaten the Gulf coast.

Louisiana’s attorney general clarifies a new law going into effect next month concerning a pair of abortion-inducing drugs.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A prosecutor with the state attorney general’s office has provided the court with police bodycam footage from a shooting in Union Parish that led to the arrest of LSU running back Trey Holly. Two people were injured. One of them is Keisha Cornett who is seeking justice. Holly remains suspended from the football team and his next court hearing is December 18^th.

State government has accepted its first cryptocurrency payment. The digital currency paid for a hunting license according to State Treasurer John Fleming who says cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum (uh-theh-ree-uhm) offer the potential for faster and more secure transactions. Fleming says in today’s digital age, government systems must evolve and embrace new technologies.

Cut 11 (13) “…by 2028.”

A researcher at the Memphis Zoo has successfully used artificial insemination to breed the Louisiana Pine Snake, which is an endangered species due to the loss of the long leaf pine forest. Steve Reichling says it’s a big break through in trying to grow a more diverse population of the Louisiana Pine Snake…

Cut 5 (12) “….probably declining”

He says their first try with artificial insemination produced three little pine snakes.