After 17 years, the Road Home program comes to an official end, and also lawsuits against those accused of misspending rebuilding grants. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

A $1.17 million settlement with protestors after the death of Alton Sterling has been reached with the East Baton Rouge Metro Council.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

The white Shreveport police officer involved in the shooting death of an unarmed Black man has been arrested and charged with negligent homicide. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________________

The state says it will drop lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants for elevating their homes after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many used the grant money from the Road Home Program to make repairs instead, then were faced with government legal action; attempting to claw that money back. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the suits threatened the American dream for many homeowners…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…protect that dream.”

The event was held to herald the official closure of the $10-billion Louisiana Road Home Program; a problem-fraught recovery plan that did its best to make homeowners whole again after the twin storms destroyed their homes 17 years ago. Governor John Bel Edwards says over 3000 persons were sued over allegedly misspending Road Home elevation grants…:

Cut 5 (12) “…these grants anyway.”

Congressman Carter and Governor Edwards say all lawsuits seeking recovery of alleged misused grant dollars are officially being dropped with the official end of Road Home…:

Cut 6 (07)  “…collection efforts.” 

Carter says a ”long bad dream” is over for thousands of south Louisiana homeowners.

_____________________________________________

Fourteen protesters arrested during the 2016 protest of Alton Sterling’s police shooting death will receive $1.17 million. The East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved the settlement accusing Baton Rouge law enforcement of violating their First Amendment rights and using of excessive force. Protester, Blaire Imani, says the accountability from the city is a success.

Cut 7 (08) “…is really big.”

The protesters were imprisoned, strip-searched and a 17-year-old protester was also detained at the adult prison. Among the 14 protesters were two reporters. One was Cherri Foytlin, who recalls the humiliation.

Cut 8 (13)  “…that happened there.”

Foytlin says Governor John Bel Edwards should also take accountability for his comments to the media.

Cut 9 (12)  “…be expecting an email.”

The settlement still has to be approved by US District Judge John deGravelles who is presiding over the trial.

_______________________________________________

Alexander Tyler, the 23-year-old white, Shreveport Police officer involved in the shooting death of 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley, is charged with negligent homicide. Investigators say Bagley was unarmed, but Tyler’s attorney Dhu Thompson says body camera footage shows Bagley reaching for something seconds before he jumped from a balcony and ran.

Cut 10 (10)  “…his direction.”

An attorney for the Bagley family, Ron Haley says Bagley, a Black man, was not a threat to anyone if anyone he was a threat to himself. Haley says Bagley was only armed with a bottle before he ran from officers.

Cut 11 (09)  “…happened here.”

Thompson says during Tyler’s bond hearing there was testimony his client had only seconds to respond to what was a perceived threat when Bagley came towards him.

Cut 12 (12) “…in the case.”

Alonzo Bagley’s brother says he’s proud of state troopers for the role they’ve played in the investigation, and he hopes his brother’s death will mean something.

Cut 13 (09)  “…no threat there.”

The Bagley family has filed a $10 million federal lawsuit against Tyler for excessive force. The investigation remains active.

______________________________________________

The Lafayette area welcomes all comers for Mardi Gras festivities that kick into high gear starting tonight. Joe Giglio (pronounce “GIG-leo”) is Parade Chairman of the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association. He invites everyone to visit Lafayette tonight as they kick off the big weekend…:

Cut 14 (11)  “…fairs and festival.”

He says Lafayette Mardi Gras is a much more family-friendly affair, and Saturday’s parades begin with the Children’s Parade; made up entirely of youthful float riders. Giglio says that parade rolls at 12:30 pm…:

Cut 15 (13)  “…typical Mardi Gras.”

Sunday is a day of rest in Lafayette, and on Monday – Lundi Gras – the city hosts the annual Queen’s Parade at 6 pm, with representatives from 11 area krewes. Giglio says it all leads up to Fat Tuesday, with three parades rolling, beginning at 10 am…:

Cut  16 (13)  “…Tuesday afternoon.” 

Lafayette Mardi Gras wraps up Tuesday night, with the big Grand Ball, at 8 o’clock, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

__________________________________________________

The LSU Baseball season opens today against Western Michigan. The Tigers have dominated the preseason polls as the number one-ranked team in the country under second-year Head Coach Jay Johnson. LSU had both the top-ranked recruiting class and transfer class in the nation this offseason along with a strong roster of returning players. Junior first baseman Tre Morgan has been a star for the Tigers since arriving in Baton Rouge and has noticed a shift in the locker room ahead of this season. He says the team isn’t running from the expectations…

Cut 17 (18) “…all the way.” 

Johnson announced the starting rotation for opening weekend. Air Force transfer and top pitching prospect Paul Skenes will open the season for the Tigers today while left-handed junior Riley Cooper is set to start Saturday and freshman right-hander Chase Shores will close out the weekends. Johnson says this one was an easy decision…

Cut 18 (16) “…not close.” 

Johnson made it a point not to underestimate Western Michigan but also sees this weekend as an opportunity to evaluate the loaded roster.  He says they plan to test out some different looks opening weekend…

Cut 19 (20) “…doing that.”

The first pitch has been moved up to 3:00 this afternoon due to concerns about the weather.

A 23-year-old Shreveport Police officer has been arrested for negligent homicide for shooting an unarmed black man during a foot chase. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The upcoming retirement of DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson has only fueled speculation he’s running for governor. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in locating 32-year-old Trey Rentrop of Raceland. LPSO Captain Brennan Matherne says after an iPad was discovered in the home of a woman with two children recording them.

Cut 3 (11) “…aware of it.” 

Matherne says Rentrop is charged with video voyeurism, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and failure to register as a sex offender in Assumption Parish.

Cut  4 (05)  “…for rape.” 

The suspect is a known acquaintance of the victim and Matherne says they also located a rifle belonging to Rentrop in the woman’s home.

Cut 5 (11) “…possess a firearm.”

You are asked to call Crimestoppers if you have any information about his whereabouts.

_______________________________________________

Don’t let the good times impair your judgment during carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission announces its Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over campaign. LHSC spokesman Mark Lambert encourages everyone to have a good time and be safe.

Cut 6 (11)  “…after you’ve been drinking” 

According to a recent report from the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU, a sizable number of highway crashes involving people killed or injured during carnival season were alcohol-related.

Cut 7 (14)  “…destructive decisions.” 

Lambert encourages everyone to become a designated driver and stop others from driving impaired.

Cut 8 (15)  “…if you do that” 

The campaign ends at midnight, Tuesday-Mardi Gras, February 21.

______________________________________

Shreveport Police Officer Alexander Tyler has been charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley, an unarmed black man. The incident happened on February third as officers chased Bagley after he jumped from a second-floor apartment. State Police released Tyler’s body camera video today

Cut 9 (13) “…No, No”

Officers were called to the apartment complex after receiving a 9-1-1 call from Bagley’s wife, who said her husband was extremely impaired and threatening others at the home.

Tyler and another officer were in pursuit of Bagley before he was shot. An unidentified officer immediately rendered first aid to Bagley who was shot in the chest….

Cut 10 (10) “…respond” 

Bagley was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Here’s State Police Lt. Melissa Matey describing what happened when Tyler fired his weapon…

Cut 11 (12)  “…the chest”

Matey says Crime Lab Technicians with the L-S-P Crime Lab processed the crime scene and no weapons were located on or near Bagley. Officer Tyler is 23-years-old and started with Shreveport P-D in May 2021. He’s on administrative leave.

______________________________________

After State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson announced his March 4^th retirement it’s only increased speculation that he’ll run for governor. Wilson who’s been secretary for seven years has more than 25 years in public service.

Cut 12 (07) “…next chapter.”

And while the New Orleans native wouldn’t say if he is or isn’t running for governor, he did hint that an announcement is forthcoming.

Cut 13 (12) “…a public servant.” 

Since 1987, Wilson has lived in Lafayette with his wife and children and he’s commuted to Baton Rouge for more than twenty years working in state service. We asked Wilson if he did run for governor what makes him the best candidate, the Democrat says his career path and how he’s already served the state.

Cut 14 (13)   “…those ideas.”

The transportation secretary says he is a bridge builder, literally and figuratively. To date, six others have declared their candidacy for governor and only one Democrat.

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one week until its petition signature deadline, and they say they are very close…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana second in the country for overall gun death rates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

______________________________________

Legislation to require parade organizations to pay for clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says the litter control group, Ouachita Green, asked him to allow parishes and municipalities the ability to charge parade groups for clean-up.

Cut 3 (06) “…to do so.” 

Gadberry says litter across the state is an ongoing problem and parades are only making it worse. He says businesses along parade routes are also negatively impacted.

Cut  4 (12)  “…of thing.” 

Gadberry says he’s received positive feedback from fellow lawmakers on the legislation and that House Bill 23 would allow each municipality to create its own ordinances to establish fees for permits.

Cut 5 (12) “…their needs.”

The regular session begins on April 10^th.

_______________________________________________

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one more week to gather the petition signatures needed, and says they are very close. On Tuesday, “No LaToya” reports needing just over 1000 names. Group organizer Eileen Carter says New Orleans residents who want change in their city need to take action…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…NoLaToya.org.” 

Carter says a large number of New Orleanians seek to replace Mayor Cantrell because they are not satisfied with her office’s handling of city services, like trash collection, street maintenance, drainage, sewers and police protection. Carter says when confronted with complaints, the mayor often goes on the offensive…:

Cut 7 (08)  “…across the board.” 

The “No LaToya” group must hand in over 49-thousand signatures to the Orleans Registrar of Voters by a week from today. They must then all be verified before the petition goes to the governor. Carter says they will succeed in getting their signatures and they hope Governor Edwards will schedule the recall with all due haste…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…an immediate way” 

___________________________________________

Another round of severe weather will impact the state today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says north, central and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather starting this afternoon into tomorrow morning

Cut 9 (08) “…impact Louisiana”

Mardi Gras parades rolling in the New Orleans area should be fine tonight, but the threat for severe weather exists tomorrow in southeast Louisiana…

Cut 10 (09) “…day tomorrow” 

________________________________________________

The Violence Policy Center says based on 2021 CDC data Louisiana ranks second in the country for having a gun death rate of 28.42 per 100-thousand people. V-P-C executive director Josh Sugarmann says Louisiana consistently ranks in the top every year…

Cut 11 (08)  “…unintentional deaths.”

Sugarmann says Mississippi leads the nation in overall gun death rate, following by Louisiana, New Mexico, Wyoming and Alabama. He says all five states have weak gun violence prevention laws

Cut 12 (09) “…gun laws”

Sugarmann says on the flip side, the states with the lowest gun death rates have strong gun laws that ban certain types of firearms, ban large capacity magazines and restrict sales and possession for certain individuals. He says local governments in Louisiana looking to reduce gun violence have their hands tied…

Cut 13 (11) “…do anything” 

Massachusetts leads the nation with a gun death rate of 3.54 per 100-thousand. In Louisiana, household gun ownership is at 47-percent.