An appeals court threw out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal who was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for a fatal 1998 shooting in Metairie. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

You might notice there are less insects bugging you, and it turns out it’s one of the only good things coming from the ongoing drought. Pierson Luscy has the story.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Pierson Luscy.”

_______________________________________________

Mortgage rates have pushed to a 22-year high but homeowner insurance rates might be a bigger factor when it comes to purchasing a home. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (32) …I’m Teiko Foxx.”

________________________________________________

Has the unrelenting heat impacted your favorite eatery? Stan Harris, President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says while outdoor dining is practically nonexistent with the extreme temps, he’s hopeful with school back in session restaurants will experience the traditional seasonal uptick in business.

Cut 4 (04) “…eat again.”

And while increasing inflation has eased a bit, Harris says from a financial standpoint restaurants are still facing hurdles.

Cut 5 (12) “…five years ago.”

As for the outlook for restaurants, Harris says the oppressive temperatures have also affected cattle in the Midwest, and it’s bound to impact the price of beef and dairy products.

Cut 6 (12) “…as well.”

________________________________________________

An appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal who was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for the 1998 Metairie shooting deaths of Greg Vickers and Fergus Robinson. Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project Cecelia Kappel says it’s an extremely unique event…

Cut 7 (12) “…fair trial.”

Kappel says at his trial, then-21-year-old Neal, who is Black, was represented by a Jefferson Parish attorney who was completely unprepared. She says there was not a proper investigation nor forensic analysis used in the case.

Cut 8 (11) “…as the shooter.”

Kappel says they believe Neal stayed in the car the entire time and had nothing whatsoever to do with the murders and his attorney failed to use physical evidence that connected his co-defendants to the scene of the crime.

Cut 9 (12)  “…for that.”

Neal is among the death row inmates that have applied for clemency. Kappel says if the state does not seek a rehearing of the case, Neal will return to Jefferson Parish and face a new trial. In the meantime, he remains in custody.

____________________________________________

Louisiana has not seen much rain over the past few weeks causing much of the state to be classified as in an extreme drought. But LSU AgCenter Entomologist Doctor Aaron Ashbrook says the lack of rainfall has resulted in fewer mosquitos and fire ants…

Cut 10 (06) “…less of them.”

Ashbrook says you might have also noticed fewer cockroaches.

Cut 11 (09) “…hiding places.”

He also says that ants might be in other hiding spots, but if you see them, there is an easy solution.

Cut 12 (08) “…with insecticide.”

__________________________________________

Mortgage rates have climbed to 7.23 percent, the highest since 2001, which has cooled the housing market. But  Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris says a bigger obstacle to buying a new home is affordable homeowners insurance…

Cut 13 (12) “…moving forward.”

The average cost of homeowner’s insurance in New Orleans is $5,496. In Shreveport, the average cost is $2,849 and $2,968 in Lafayette.

Morris hopes a new governor and state legislature, along with Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple can up with policies and legislation that brings more insurance companies to the state.

Cut 14 (08) “…property insurance.” 

Morris says inn July 2022, closed sales were down by 27 percent and pending sales by 11 percent compared to July 2023. He says less destruction by hurricanes and tighter regulations may help stabilize the market and bring in new insurers.

Cut 15  (12) “….and regulations.”

__________________________________________________________________

Crews continue to respond to wildfires on the western side of the state. The largest is the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish, which has burned about 33-thousand acres according to the state department of ag and forestry. Beauregard Sheriff Mark Herford says 20 structures have been destroyed, most of them homes. Herford says they have fire fighting assistance from other states, but the winds keep shifting…

Cut 16 (16) “…week now.”

The mandatory evacuation for the town of Merryville has been lifted.

_____________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech kicked off the 2023 season with a 22-17 come-from-behind win over Conference USA rival FIU on Saturday night inside Joe Aillet Stadium. Tech trailed by as much as 14 points on two different occasions in the first half, but the Bulldogs ended up scoring 19 unanswered to go 1-and-0 on the season. Coach Sonny Cumbie says it was a great gut check victory…

Cut 17 (20) “…football team” 

Tech has now nine straight home opener and seven straight Conference USA openers.

The Bulldogs defense held FIU to four yards passing, Myles Heard had a team-high nine tackles and Cecil Singleton Jr had a game sealing interception.

In his first career start at La Tech, Quarterback Hank Bachmeier threw for 333 yards and a touchdown. He completed four passes on the go-ahead scoring drive including a 12-yard pass to Cyrus Allen on 4th-and-5. Cumbie says it was a good start for Bachmeier in a Bulldog uniform…

Cut 18 (24) “…look for.”

Tech is at SMU this Saturday.

__________________________________________________________________

Game week has arrived for the 5th ranked LSU Tigers as they get ready for their Top 10 matchup against Florida State on Sunday night in Orlando. LSU’s Jayden Daniels is a Heisman Trophy candidate and Florida State has a Heisman hopeful too in quarterback Jordan Travis. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne says Travis will look to get the ball to six-foot-seven receiver Johnny Wilson…

Cut 19 (19) “…receiving.”

There are questions about LSU’s defense, especially in the secondary. But Horne says LSU’s offense is primed for a big season, with fifth-year senior Jayden Daniels at quarterback, playing behind an experienced offensive line

Cut 20 (12) “…right now.”

LSU awarded starting left tackle Will Campbell with the number seven jersey. Traditionally number seven has gone to the best playmaker. Coach Brian Kelly says the number seven jersey also represents the best player from Louisiana. Campbell was starred at Neville High School in Monroe.

Thirty-nine-year-old Joey Clement (Clay-mon) of Thibodaux has been found guilty of killing three teenagers in a 2021 drunk driving head-on crash in Lafourche Parish. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

______________________________________

Vernon Parish authorities arrest a 59-year-old man who allegedly started a wildfire that destroyed two mobile homes and an undetermined amount timber land. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

A jury needed only six hours to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 39-year-old Joey Clement of Thibodaux for killing three teenagers in a fatal crash in 2021. Lafourche Parish Assistant District Attorney Shaun George says Clement was speeding and driving under the influence…

Cut 3 (09) “…whole night”

18-year-olds Hali Coss and Michaela Bowling and 19-year-old Lily Dufrene were killed when Clement crashed his Ford F-150 into their SUV head-on after crossing the center line on Highway 20 north of Thibodaux.

The prosecution argued that Clement’s level of intoxication and high rate of speed were contributing factors that led to the fatal crash. George says when Clement was arrested for his fourth DWI offense after the crash.

Cut 4 (12) “…the wheel”

Clement was driving between 88 and 93 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone.

The three victims’ vehicle was traveling under the speed limit and the driver, Lily Dufrene had no alcohol in her system. George says the girls were out celebrating Dufrene’s 19th birthday…

Cut 5 (14) “ ..sadly.” 

Clement’s sentencing date is scheduled for October 11. He faces up to 95 years in prison.

______________________________________________

An arrest has been made in connection to one of the wildfires that erupted near Rosepine in Vernon Parish yesterday. Sheriff Sam Craft says 59-year-old Paul Nash faces two felony arson charges for violating the state’s burn ban. Craft says Nash lit a brush pile in his backyard on fire and it quickly spread…

Cut 6 (08) “…massively.”

Those fires and others in Vernon Parish have been contained but Craft says that could change in an instant with the extended drought and scorching temperatures.

Cut 7 (07) “…that critical.” 

There have been reports of individuals claiming they didn’t know the statewide burn ban was in effect. Craft says that’s no excuse.

Cut 8 (08) “…outside.”

The wildfire started by Nash allegedly destroyed two mobile homes and an undetermined amount of timber. It also resulted in evacuations.

______________________________________________

The town of Merryville and the Junction areas are under a mandatory evacuation as a result of the ongoing Tiger Island wildfire. Beauregard Parish Sheriff spokesperson Shannon Burgess says that the fire was mostly contained, but that has hanged.

Cut 9 (08) “…fifty percent.”

The fire came extremely close to the small town of Merryville, but a wind change pushed it away

Cut 10 (10) “…in jeopardy.”

It was previously reported that the only structures that were burned were a few deer stands and camps, but Burgess says that has now changed.

Cut 11 (10) “…loss of life.”

Centerpoint Entergy has disconnected services to all Merryville customers.

___________________________________________

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana has launched a fund to help out everyone affected by the fires in Southwest Louisiana. CEO Denise Durel on where the money would immediately go.

Cut 12 (08) “…at initially.”

Southwest Louisiana was impacted by major hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, and Durel says that even though the current wildfires deal with disaster relief, they could never have expected these wildfires.

Cut 13 (10) “…in this space.”

If you want to make a donation to help out with the fire relief, go to UnitedwaySWLA.org or text FIRE SWLA to 40403.

____________________________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana this afternoon to get a first hand look at the response to numerous wild fires in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. Edwards says the state is dealing with an unprecedent event…

Cut  14 (16)  “.. .dangerous situation”

The governor has activated about 100 Louisiana National Guard soldiers to help in the fight against the wildfires. Several Black Hawk helicopters are dumping thousands of gallons of water on the fires. National guard engineering crews on the ground are using dozers to create fire lanes to help prevent the spread of wildfires.

Edwards says the situation is constantly changing, just when you think a fire is contained, it can quickly spread again when the wind kicks up…

Cut 15 (12) “…uncontained”

According to the U-S Drought monitor, about 50-percent of the state is considered to be in extreme and exceptional drought. Edwards says the next chance for significant rain is Tuesday night…

Cut  16 (11)   “…to have”

The statewide burn ban was updated on Friday afternoon taking out the exceptions for prescribed burns, so no agricultural burns are allowed as well.