After a 40-year wait, victims of a flood in Tangipahoa Parish – caused by I-12 road work – will soon see compensation. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A grand jury meets today to hear evidence of the three men suspected of raping LSU student Madison Brooks shortly before she was killed by a car. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has launched a campaign for the White House. Kevin Gallagher talks with a Louisiana politico on her chances of being the country’s first female president…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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After waiting 40 years for an answer, victims of a 1983 flood in Tangipahoa Parish, caused by the construction of Interstate 12, will soon see compensation. A judge this week gave final approval to a $101-million class action settlement. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jean-Paul Layrisson says this final approval is great news for the 1200+ people and businesses who were flooded in 1983…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…the right amounts.”

In April of 1983, heavy rains were aggravated by the ongoing construction of I-12, which caused water to back up into the city of Ponchatoula and hundreds of homes and businesses. The area had never flooded before. Layrisson says there have been several legal maneuverings and appeals to delay an outcome in the case…:

Cut 5 (06) “…a long ride.”

State District Judge Jeff Johnson’s ruling means litigation is finally over, and the process of getting compensation from the state Department of Transportation to the over 1,000 families businesses, and individuals affected can begin…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…their lawful heirs.” 

The construction of I-12 also came under fire after the flood of August 2016, as residents in Livingston Parish blame the highway for holding flood water from running off; flooding many homes and businesses.

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A grand jury convenes in Baton Rouge today to hear evidence against three of the four men arrested in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he would be shocked if the grand jury doesn’t issue an indictment if the DA is actively seeking one.

Cut 7 (08) “…an indictment.”

A fourth suspect who’s 17 years old his case will be handled in juvenile court.

A failure to indict could mean their charges are dismissed or the grand jury could choose to upgrade the charges. Borghardt says the DA’s office has stated they are actively pursuing first-degree rape charges…

Cut 8 (07)  “…get it.”

Borghardt says third-degree rape is rape based on impairment and it carries a lower sentence.

Cut 9 (04)  “…life a prison.”

Defense attorneys maintain their clients’ innocence and claim video evidence will prove they had consensual sex with Brooks.

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Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is running for President in 2024. Haley, a Republican, ran the Palmetto State from 2011 to 2017, then was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations by then-President Donald Trump. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Haley wants voters to remember her ties to the former President…:

Cut 10 (11)  “…and among republicans.” 

In 2021, Haley said she would not run against Trump if he ran again in 2024. Then she said she would support his second bid for the White House. Sadow says a lot has changed for Haley and for Trump in recent years…:

Cut 11 (10)  “…his personality.”

Sadow says Haley could have a real chance of winning the nomination in ’24. He says she has the qualifications and the appeal to conservative voters…:

Cut 12 (11) “…kind of candidacy.”

Sadow says Haley could make a good showing in Republican primaries next year, but if Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enters the race, her chances will diminish.

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Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of two men who were allegedly involved in a fatal shooting at The Doll House nightclub in January 2000. L-C-P-D Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says his department re-opened the cold case over 13 months ago by reviewing all existing evidence and reconstructing the crime scene…

Cut 13 (13)  “…two suspects”

Three people were shot at the Doll House, and 27-year-old Allen Babineaux died from his injuries.

Caldwell says forensic technology and witness statements led to the arrests of 46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia, and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur. Deputy Chief Franklin Fondel responded to the scene in 2000 and is glad to give closure to the Babineaux family…

Cut 14 (07)  “…waiting for healing”

Kyer is charged with one count of second-degree murder, principal. Malvo has also been charged with one count of second-degree murder. Calcasieu Parish District Stephen Dwight says they will present their evidence to a grand jury next week…

Cut 15 (07)  “…in the making”

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Ragin Cajuns baseball head coach Matt Deggs announces Jake Hammond is his opening night starter when U-L Lafayette opens its season on Friday with a weekend series at Rice. Deggs says Hammond is a team captain and a guy he can depend on last season…

Cut  16 (11)  “…strike zone.” 

The Cajuns are led by Carson Roccaforte who was named to the Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List which goes to the best player in college baseball. The Texas native led the team in hitting, home runs, and RBIs last season. Deggs expects Roccaforte to have another great season, but he’s looking for others to step up as well…

Cut 17 (17) “…one guy.” 

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Longtime assistant basketball coach Bob Starkey says the late Sue Gunter would be proud but also embarrassed about her name joining Dale Brown’s on the court in the Maravich Center. Starkey was an assistant coach for both Brown and Gunter and knew Gunter before he arrived at LSU in 1990…

Cut 18 (20) “..done before” 

The LSU Board of Supervisors voted last week to add Gunter’s name to the court despite pleas from Brown supporters who believe it takes away an honor given to Brown. Starkey says Brown’s accomplishments are undeniable, but Gunter did a lot with fewer resources than the men’s program…

Cut 19 (25) “…the shore”

Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that crossed the USA last week. More from Jeff Palermo…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Upon word that their beloved alligator Hardhide could be euthanized, the town of Ponchatoula rallied to keep her alive. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over the whole USA last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy says President Biden should have ordered the balloon intercepted far earlier than he did…:

Cut 3 (08) “…our southern border.” 

Cassidy feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers, and places our national security at risk…:

Cut  4 (09)  “…to our airspace.” 

Cassidy and other senators were briefed by the Defense Department on the balloon last week, as well as four other unidentified objects shot down in the days since. He says, at least U.S. air defenses are much more alert to such incursions going forward…:

Cut 5 (07) “…pick up these objects.”

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Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that he calls the Public Library Accountability Act. Hollis says his legislation gives power to municipalities and parishes to make sure their library system operates the way they want it to…

Cut 6 (09)  “…not be.” 

Hollis says he wants to give local governments the ability to remove individuals from library control boards…

Cut 7 (11)  “…local communities” 

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion stating local governments have the authority to remove members of Library Control Boards. But Hollis says 21 years ago the attorney general at that time, Richard Ieyoub, issued an opposite opinion on that question.

LGBTQ advocates say the efforts to control the type of reading material found in libraries is an effort to censor certain books dealing with homosexuality and gender identity. But Hollis says taxpayer money should not be used to acquire some of the books he’s seen in libraries

Cut 8 (12)  “…your mind” 

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A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says when they inspected the RADE unit nothing was taken but the backdoor was propped open. Then they heard a noise at a nearby building.

Cut 9 (11) “…use the restroom.”

The RADE building houses individual offices and evidence rooms.  Matthews was taken into custody and Carnline says she faces several charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…run free.” 

The dog was impounded.  As for a motive, Carnline says the suspect told them she thought the building was a Sheriff’s Office substation. He says the door where the suspect entered is never used and serves as a fire exit.

Cut 11 (07)  “…happening again.”

Matthews is being held at the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

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After a complaint to state wildlife and fisheries the Strawberry Capital of the World went into a frenzy upon news that their beloved alligator Hardhide could be put down. Owner T-Mike Kliebert (Klee-bear) says she was hatched by his grandfather in 1957 and she’s lived at the Ponchatoula Country Market for 13 years.

Cut 12 (10) “…could do.”

Kliebert says he’s very thankful that Hardhide will be moving to the family farm after inspections and permits were cleared. The controversy even spawned a Facebook group “Save Old Hardhide.”

The nine-foot 350-pound gator has become somewhat of a mascot for Ponchatoula. Kliebert says the community rallied for Hardhide to keep her from being euthanized. He says many questioned why she couldn’t be released back into the wild instead.

Cut 13 (11) “…not an option.” 

The average life span of an American alligator is 30 to 50 years and up to 70 years in captivity. Kliebert says he along with the community is relieved that she’ll be able to spend her golden years where she was born on the family farm.

Cut 14 (05)   “…her life.”

At the request of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, her retirement date is not being released to avoid crowds during the retrieval process.