Three suspected overdose deaths in a 24-hour period in St. Tammany Parish have authorities concerned. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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An East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy – lauded as a hero last month – will be Senator Bill Cassidy’s guest at the State of the Union address Tuesday in D.C…:

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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In a 24-hour period over the weekend, three men in their 30s died from suspected drug overdoses in St. Tammany Parish. Coroner Dr. Charles Preston says while toxicology results will take a few weeks, investigators were able to field test one of the victim’s medication and it was positive for Fentanyl.

Cut 3 (12) “…I’m concerned.” 

The victims were a 39-year-old man in Bush, a 34-year-old man in Pearl River and a 37-year-old man in Slidell.

Preston says that while Louisiana is not immune to the Fentanyl problem the rest of the country is facing, he says it’s unusual to see a constellation, this close together of…

Cut  4 (08)  “…most likely Fentanyl.” 

Preston says while he’s no expert on the importation and dissemination of illegal drugs, the likelihood is that the three overdoses were from a single source.

Cut 5 (12) “…in death.”

Preston urges those with addiction issues to call 9-8-8 for resources and to find treatment. He also encourages drug users to have Narcan on hand because it can often reverse an opioid overdose.

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An East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy, who saved a car crash victim’s life last month, will be Senator Bill Cassidy’s guest at this year’s State of the Union speech. Will Bankston, an EBRSO Detective, was off duty and driving through Baton Rouge, when he saw the remains of half of a car on a bridge. He stopped and saw the front half over the side – in the water below – with the driver still inside…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…breathing again.” 

That happened January 22^nd and the man he saved is on the way to recovery. Bankston doesn’t consider himself a hero, because what he did is all within his law enforcement / first responder training. He says He was contacted a few days ago by Senator Cassidy’s office…:

Cut 7 (11)  “…have imagine, honestly.” 

Bankston will be Cassidy’s special guest in the Capitol tomorrow night, for President Biden’s State of the Union address at 8 pm central time. He says he leaves today for what will be his first-ever trip to Washington DC…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…State of the Union.” 

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State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place at an apartment complex in Shreveport on Friday night. The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased male as 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley. Shreveport City Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor says the incident occurred in her district

Cut 9 (10) “…our community” 

Authorities have released very few details. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith promises a thorough investigation…

Cut 10 (13) “…will take place” 

No Shreveport Police officers were injured during the incident. Smith says his heart goes out to the Bagley family…

Cut 11 (11)  “…in Shreveport”

Smith announced on Monday afternoon that 23-year-old officer Alexander Tyler has been put on administrative leave as a result of Friday’s fatal shooting.

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LSU–Alexandria announces record enrollment for the spring semester. Director of Admissions Joshua Perrodin says they have 3992 students enrolled this semester, which is the biggest spring class in LSUA history…:

Cut 12 (10) “…at the university.”

At just under 4000 students, the enrollment reflects the largest spring-to-spring increase in students LSUA has ever seen; nearly 13-percent. Perrodin credits the school’s affordability, plus innovative degree programs, award-winning faculty and a vibrant campus. He says it’s a great place to get a four-year degree or for a students to begin their college careers…:

Cut 13 (07) “…to other opportunities.” 

Perrodin says aggressive recruiting also helped LSA achieve the milestone. He says they will not rest on their laurels either…:

Cut 14 (07)   “..by 2025.”

A Louisiana National Guard unit is preparing to deploy to the Middle East, on a classified support mission. More from Jeff Palermo…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll want to be in Thibodaux Saturday to attend a festival dedicated to the state’s favorite pastry. Brooke Thorington has the ingredients

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

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U-S Senator John Kennedy wants Louisiana to develop a new methodology to grade public schools. Kennedy points to the grades that the state’s high schools have received…

Cut 3 (07) “…they are not” 

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has discussed changing Louisiana’s accountability system, but proposed changes have faced criticism from school boards, superintendents, principals, and teachers.  Kennedy says 70 percent of the state’s high schools have received A and B grades, but in reality, we know many of these schools do not deserve such a high grade…

Cut  4 (11)  “…new system.” 

Kennedy made his comments on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He didn’t offer any specifics on how schools should be graded, but expressed the importance of it because it’s vital to the future of Louisiana

Cut 5 (10) “…creating tomorrow”

A BESE committee has recommended that a high school should not be awarded to a student who receives a diploma without passing an Advancement Placement course or didn’t take any dual enrollment classes. That proposal received significant pushback.

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The Louisiana National Guard held a deployment ceremony Friday in New Orleans for the 140-plus soldiers of the 3673 Support Maintenance Company (part of the 139th Regional Support Group.) They will provide support to the Army’s Operation Spartan Shield. The event was at the World War II Museum in the Crescent City. Captain Mitchel Dougherty is the company Commander…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…use this venue.” 

The “3-6-7-3” is a combat support unit; tasked with keeping military vehicles and material in working order. Battalion Commander Lt. Colonel Ira Jones says their role is of utmost importance…:

Cut 7 (08)  “…their mission is.” 

Operation Spartan Shield is in the Middle East, but exactly where the Louisiana Guardsmen and women are headed is classified. The 3673^rd has not been deployed overseas since the Gulf War in the early 1990’s. Col. Jones says the deployment will mean soldiers will be out of the country for quite a while…:

Cut 8 (07)  “…to their families.” 

Jones says the Guardsmen will be back home in about a year.

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If you’re a King Cake connoisseur there’s an inaugural festival cooked up just for you on Saturday. It’s the Lafourche Education Foundation’s Bayou King Cake Festival. Thibodaux Mayor Kevin Clement says attendees can sample almost two dozen cakes and they have five tickets each to cast their vote.

Cut 9 (10) “…choice winner.” 

The event kicks off at 1:30 in downtown Thibodeaux with a kid’s parade. Five marching bands will accompany kids riding in wagons.

Cut 10 (09) “…pretty good.” 

The festival has plenty of activities for kids, like face painting, a coloring booth, and music. Clement says it’s going to be a memorable event to kick off their carnival season and it’s all for a great cause the Lafourche Parish Education Foundation.

Cut 11 (11)  “…quite remarkable.”

The winning King Cake will be announced at 5:30 and they’ll receive bragging and a billboard. Advance tickets are $10 and $15 at the event.

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State lawmakers have approved legislation that sets up a 45-million dollar incentive fund that will be used to bring more insurance companies to Louisiana that will offer homeowners coverage. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says the goal is to reduce the number of Citizens Property Insurance policyholders who face a 63-percent rate hike this year

Cut 12 (07) “…need it”

The bill passed on a 37-to-1 vote in the Senate on Friday. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock was the lone no vote as he questioned whether the incentive fund would actually lead to more insurers who can supply homeowners coverage…

Cut 13 (10) “…hurricane season starts” 

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says this is not the silver bullet to Louisiana’s insurance crisis, but it’s a first step and lawmakers will need to continue to address the problem even more in the regular session that starts in April…

Cut 14 (10)   “..be successful”