The Humane Society of Louisiana says the lack of services compounds pet overpopulation issues across the state. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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DCFS has hired more than 300 employees for their child welfare division after they were plagued with several child death cases that fell through the cracks. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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State Police are investigating a Wednesday crash in Jackson Parish that took the life of a woman and young girl. Master Trooper Javier Leija (Hah-vee-er LAY-hah) says it happened at around 3:45 yesterday, on state Highway 167, and involved a Honda CRV driven by 29-year-old Katelyn Granger…:

Cut 3 (12) “…and the passenger.” 

Leija says Granger, the driver, was wearing a seatbelt when she ran into the back of the stopped bus, but nevertheless died from her injuries after being taken to a nearby hospital. The other victim, is 7-year-old Anna Rivers, who Leija says was not properly restrained, and was in the front seat where children should not be. She was pronounced dead at the scene. He says the driver of the CRV was responsible for her passengers’ safety…:

Cut  4 (08)  “…when driving.” 

Two other children in the SUV were wearing seatbelts and suffered moderate injuries. The children on the school bus received some scrapes and bruises, but are otherwise OK. Leija says, at this time, they do not know why Granger failed to brake before she ran into the bus…:

Cut 5 (08) “…to the crash.”

Trooper Leija says impairment is not suspected, but distracted driving cannot yet be ruled out. LSP is investigating.

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It was two weeks ago a suspected cybersecurity attack resulted in the shutdown of Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer network system. The network still has not been restored and S-L-U professor Dayne Sherman says students are worried about their classwork and their credit scores…

Cut 6 (08)  “..etcetera, etcetera” 

Wi-Fi was recently restored in the union, library and all residence halls. Sherman blames outgoing S-L-U President John Crain for not doing more to help professors and students during this difficult time…

Cut 7 (10)  “…they’re doing” 

Crain is set to retire at the end of the current academic year and in a statement says good progress is being made to restore to the university’s computer and internet system. Adjustments have been made to the academic calendar. But Sherman says AT&T should have been brought on campus to help…

Cut 8 (07)  “…to use” 

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging the state to approve funding for new animal shelters and improve existing ones. HSLA Director, Jeff Dorson says lawmakers can approve the much needed funding in the upcoming legislative session

Cut 9 (05) “…rural areas.”

More than 31 of the state’s 64 parishes lack facilities. This contributes to stray, missing, and hurt animals struggling to survive on the streets.

Cut 10 (09) “…huge problems.” 

Legislators are asked to set aside $3 million to distribute as grants of up to $100,000 to eligible parishes and municipalities.

Cut 11 (09)  “…everybody else.”

This year’s legislative session begins April 10.

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The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 35 hundred. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says while she’s pleased, they still want and need more employees.

Cut 12 (07) “…the solution.” 

DCFS has held 12 statewide hiring fairs to increase staffing of the Child Welfare Division. Ricks says people feel called to take on what’s very often a difficult job.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the past.” 

Ricks says as they continue to hire more employees and the agency is also taking steps to retain existing employees with a bump in pay.

The agency has been plagued with staffing shortages at a time when child welfare cases continue to increase. Ricks says welfare investigations are up more than 30 percent compared to their five-year average and are on trend to surpass the last fiscal year’s caseload by 6,000.

Cut 14 (10)  “…by that”

Ricks says the agency is also trying to assist families are who experiencing food insecurities after the federal SNAP benefits were reduced. She encourages families in need to call 2-1-1 for assistance.

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says important issues on the national level keep him from running for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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This weekend, we move the clocks up an hour for Daylight Saving Time. A Louisiana lawmaker believes we should be Daylight Saving time year round. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Congressman Garret Graves says the Republican Party’s slim majority in the U-S House of Representatives is a big reason why he decided not to run for governor. Graves, who was re-elected to a fifth term last year, has a lot of important issues to tackle on the federal level…

Cut 3 (07) “…not to run” 

The gubernatorial race has several major candidates, Republicans Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Democrat Shawn Wilson and independent Hunter Lundy are also contenders. Graves said it was not an easy decision to remain in Washington D.C.

Cut  4 (12)  “…the field.” 

Graves says even though he’s not a candidate for governor, he plans to be involved in the race by asking the candidates direct on how they plan to improve Louisiana.

Cut 5 (07) “…best governor”

Graves believes the next governor of the state has yet to announce their candidacy. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is expected to get in the race Thursday. Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder also says he’s considering a campaign.

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This weekend, Louisiana returns to daylight saving time something Haughton Representative Dodie Horton wishes was year-round.  Horton passed a bill in 2020 that would make daylight saving time permanent in Louisiana but it only goes into effect if Congress passes the  “Sunshine Protection Act”.

Cut 6 (05)  “…full time.” 

A 2021 poll conducted by The Associated Press – NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only 25% of people preferred changing between standard and daylight time.

Cut 7 (07)  “…year round.” 

Horton says reduced crime, decrease in seasonal depression, and child obesity are benefits of a permanent time switch.

Cut 8 (06)  “…the day.” 

Standard time resumes in November.

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Attorney General Jeff Landry says the state scored a huge victory Tuesday in federal court challenging California’s ban on the importation and sale of alligator products. Landry says the ban could have disrupted the supply chain and decimated the industry.

Cut 9 (11) “…yesterday we won.”

Landry says the alligator trade has directly led to the resurgence and conservation of the American alligator as well as the protection and maintenance of their wetland habitat.

Cut 10 (12) “…unbelievable it was great.” 

He says as much as $100 million in revenue to the alligator industry in Louisiana would have been lost. Landry also thanked State Wildlife and Fisheries and members of the industry for helping them win the case.

Cut 11 (12)  “…and the world.”

Landry credits the state and industry for increasing the alligator population and removing it from the endangered species list.

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A Chalmette church pastor is arrested for allegedly molesting a minor for a span of several years. Louisiana State Police Trooper Kate Stegall says they were first made aware of the accusations last November, and the investigation turned up numerous alleged assaults that happened from 2010 to 2013; starting when the victim was just 14…:

Cut 12 (12) “…Milton Martin the Third” 

56-year-old Milton Martin III, of Chalmette, is charged with sexual battery and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He is pastor of the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette. He’s accused of molesting the victim for over three years. Stegall says the LSP Special Victims Unit investigation turned up sufficient evidence and victim testimony to issue a warrant for Martin’s arrest…:

Cut 13 (07) “…St. Bernard Parish jail.” 

Trooper Stegall says the alleged victim should be commended for having the courage to come forward and tell someone…:

Cut 14 (08)   “…of other victims.”

Stegall says any others who may have been a victim of Milton – or any other abuser – should contact the State Police Special Victims Unit at 504-310-7011.