The East Baton Rouge Coroner says fentanyl was involved in the death of Nathan Millard and sadly too many others. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A north Louisiana lawmaker is trying to make it legal for your pet’s remains to be buried with you if you wish. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Lawmakers will debate whether to approve a bill to eliminate the death penalty during the upcoming legislative session. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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The autopsy for Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge and was located almost two weeks later, indicates he died from a combination of cocaine, alcohol, and fentanyl.  East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says fentanyl is the predominant cause of overdose deaths these days.

Cut 4 (12)  “…person’s system.”

A synergistic effect is when the effects of at least two substances make a more significant impact than they would have by themselves.

Clark says almost any illicit drug these days there’s an extremely high possibility that it is adulterated with fentanyl and often the consequences are fatal.

As to why a drug dealer would add fentanyl to their product, for example, cocaine, Clark says it gives the user a heightened sensation and most likely they’ll continue to buy from the same dealer to experience the identical high. Clark says it increases the chances of repeat business for the dealer.

Cut 5 (11) “…powerfully addictive.”

Fentanyl is practically undetectable to the naked eye and can be added to a variety of illicit drugs like counterfeit Xanax, counterfeit Adderall, and others.

Clark says fentanyl proves to be lucrative to dealers even though it’s responsible for the majority of overdoses.

Cut 6 (08)  “…addiction disorders.”

Most drug dealers are not trained chemists which means even a slight mistake in adding fentanyl can prove fatal.

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The state department of transportation says the final proposed location choices for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge have been reduced to three, all connecting the east and west banks of Iberville Parish. An exact location could be announced next spring.  DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says there are numerous factors to be considered in the planning of locations.

Cut 7 (09) “…the communities.”

The $1.5 billion dollar project has received $300 million in state funding. Mallett says that’s a huge starting point but it’s not enough to complete the project, so tolls will be needed…

Cut 8 (11) “…gets built.”

The tolls are expected to generate nearly $250-300 million dollars. The locations have to go through an extensive environmental phase to determine the safest and most effective route before being narrowed down to the preferred alternative.

Cut 9 (11)  “…approved route.”

Residents of Iberville Parish are concerned about the environmental impact of one of the sites that could put Cypress Forest at risk.

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Minden Representative Wayne McMahan is once again trying to make it legal for pet owners to have the cremated remains of their pet buried with them. McMahan, who’s also a retired veterinarian, says in the past three decades, pets have become part of the family. As the law stands now…

Cut 10 (12)  “…just human.”

Last year McMahan says the Cemetery Association opposed the bill and said it’s too expensive for a pet’s remains to be buried with their owners. The bill allows for a cemetery to decide if they will permit it or not, the bill just makes it legal to do so.

Cut 11 (05)  “…to do.”

And the bill clearly outlines that the cremated pet must have passed before the person who wishes to have the remains buried with them.

Cut 12 (12)  “…the burial.”

McMahan says while the practice is currently illegal, he suspects the law is broken routinely.

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Marrero Representative Kyle Green has filed a bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana. The proposed legislation says anyone found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, or treason would serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Green proposed the same bill in 2020 and 2022 but believes it is worth another debate.

Cut 13 (11) “..get it right.” 

Green says the legislation is based on morality and it’s extremely costly to house prisoners on death row.

Cut 14 (11)  “…of legislation.”

The legislation says anyone who commits first-degree murder, first-degree rape, and treason would receive a maximum life sentence. Green says it is also extremely difficult to carry out a death sentence.

Cut 15 (09)  “…with that.”

Green’s bill will be heard in the legislative session that begins April 10th. Governor John Bel Edwards said in a recent interview that he also opposes the death penalty.

The legislation would not apply to individuals already on death row.

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The LSU women’s basketball team will face one-seeded Virginia Tech in the Final Four Friday. The Hokies are led by senior center Elizabeth Kitley who’s averaging 18 points and 11 boards a game and junior guard Georgia Amoore with 16 points a game. Lady Tigers Head Coach Kim Mulkey faced Virginia Tech in the 2021 NCAA Tournament with Baylor. The Bears won 90-48 but Mulkey says she could see the talent of the budding stars…

Cut  16 (16)  “…only players.” 

Mulkey has received a lot of attention for her flamboyant courtside fashion. While she’s happy to get more eyes on the sport, she says she doesn’t want to take away from the work she and her team have put in on the court and hopes those who come for her style stay for the game of basketball…

Cut 17 (18) “…game for us.” 

Mulkey has been to the Final Four six times as a player and coach, but it will be the first visit for LSU since 2008. In just her second season with the program, Mulkey says she and her team have helped to revitalize the program, and they’ve made exceeding expectations a habit…

Cut 18 (21) “…this quickly.”

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The Saints signed former Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards. Edwards was drafted by the Raiders in the third round of the 2020 draft and had his best season with new Saints quarterback Derek Carr in 2021. He was traded and appeared in seven games for the Falcons last year. Saints Coach Dennis Allen said they saw his talent coming out of the draft and liked his chemistry with Carr…

Cut 19 (17) “…to help us.”

Edwards is the newest member of a New Orleans free agent class that has provided some much-needed help to the defensive line, secondary, and offensive weapons. He joins Abrams as the second former Raider to join their quarterback. Allen says Carr has been able to help recruit and rejuvenate the franchise…

Cut 20 (20)  “…that regard.”  

The Senate Insurance chairman plans to file legislation to make Insurance Commissioner an appointed position, instead of elected. Jeff Palermo reports the current insurance commissioner opposes the idea…

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It’s probably not a shock to allergy sufferers that two cities in the Bayou State are among the Top 30 Allergy Capitals in the country. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposes a proposal to make his job an appointed position instead of elected. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot plans to file the bill to make the office an appointed position. Talbot says it will give the governor more oversight over the position. But Donelon says  voters should have a say in who represents them…

Cut 3 (06) “…much less”

Donelon also says other states who have appointed insurance commissioners, usually have them in place for about three years and the learning curve is high for this job.

Cut 4 (07)  “…entails 

Donelon has served as insurance commissioner since 2006. He is not running for re-election. Donelon says states that have elected commissioners usually have them in place for many years, while appointed commissioners last for only abut three years…

Cut 5 (08) “…at a time”

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A continuing wave of cyberattacks is targeting educational institutions and seven Louisiana colleges was hit in the last four months. The attacks disrupted networking systems including education online learning platforms, the internet, email, and a possible threat to students and faculty personal information. TrustedSec Advisory Solutions Director Alex Hammerstone.

Cut 6 (08)  “…and capability.” 

Southeastern Louisiana, UNO, LSU Ag Center, River Parishes Community College, Xavier University New Orleans, Nunez Community College, and Southern University at Shreveport network systems were also encrypted. Hammerstone says universities are prime targets for hackers and scammers because they have so much data and it’s a bigger chance for a large financial outcome.

Cut 7 (11)  “…release it.” 

Nearly a month ago, Southeastern Louisiana was the target of a cyberattack that impacted online classes, entry to dormitories, campus activities, sporting events, and more. Southeastern Louisiana Professor Dayne Sherman said it was a difficult situation.

Cut 8 (09)  “…thousand students.” 

Sherman said there should have been more preventive measures in place to protect the university’s system and a greater effort overall in the restoration recovery phase.

Cut 9 (06) “…these problems”

Security measures are ongoing to ensure the safety of data information and systems.

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If you suffer from allergies, it’s probably not surprising that Baton Rouge and New Orleans rank in the top 30 Allergy Capitals in the U.S. Hannah Jaffee with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation says they rank cities by tree, grass, and weed pollen counts.

Cut 10 (09) “…in the area.” 

New Orleans ranks 22 and Baton Rouge came in last among the top 30.

When you compare the cities individually Jaffee says Baton Rouge and New Orleans rank worse than average for pollen.

Cut 11 (10)  “…for allergy specialists.”

The report also offers advice on how to mitigate the effects of pollen for allergy sufferers. Jaffee says to check your local pollen count and forecast and to limit outdoor activities on high-count days. Keep windows closed as much as possible and use central air conditioning.

Cut 12 (10) “…works for you.” 

You can also find a list of certified products like air filters and more at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s website at aafa.org.

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A completed autopsy report on Nathan Millard, the Georgia businessman who went missing in Baton Rouge and found several days later rolled up in plastic and a rug, shows he died from a combination of drugs, including fentanyl. East Baton Rouge Coroner Doctor Beau Clark…

Cut 13 (07) “…accidental.”

Police believe Millard died in a run down drug house in Baton Rouge. In early March, his body was found more than a week later in a deserted lot near a shuttered funeral home.

Authorities have arrested a well-known drug dealer and a prostitute in the case. Cops are still searching for a second prostitute who was with Millard before he died.

The autopsy findings show no evidence of internal or external trauma. Clark says it’s not a surprise for fentanyl to be involved in his overdose death…

Cut 14 (06)  “…fentanyl”

The presence of ethanol is an indication he was drinking alcohol before his death.