Baton Rouge Alcoholic Beverage Control Board member Scott Wilfong discusses the fallout after the alleged rape and death of an underage LSU student linked to Reggie’s bar.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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It’s National Passenger Safety Week and passengers are being encouraged to speak up. Whitney Thomas reports.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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The Tigerland bar where 19-year-old student Madison Brooks was with four men who are facing rape charges, has had their liquor license suspended by the state.  Baton Rouge Alcoholic Beverage Control board member Scott Wilfong says while the state investigates Reggie’s Bar, it’s out of their hands.

Cut 3 (08) “…take action.” 

It’s not the first time Reggie’s has been cited for serving minors. Wilfong says it happened a few years ago but the board’s current policy is three or more violations in a calendar year a hearing is held.

Cut  4 (12)  “…the license.” 

Wilfong says Reggie’s isn’t the only bar that’s been cited for serving minors, he says it’s an issue parish-wide. He believes bars should not allow anyone under the age of 21 to enter and that would have a huge impact on underage drinking.

Cut 5 (10) “…the age to 21.”

Wilfong says he’s talked with three members of the metro council and believes they will consider such a proposal of raising the entrance age along with other measures to curtail underage drinking.  The state Alcohol & Tobacco Control board will hold an emergency meeting next month to decide the fate of Reggie’s, after evidence from the investigation is presented.

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In his weekly media availability, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was asked about classified federal documents recently found in President Biden’s office in Philadelphia, and in two homes in Delaware. Cassidy says there’s no good reason for a former Vice President to have such files in his personal possession…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…different residences. Period.” 

Some of the Biden documents date back to when he was in the U.S. Senate. Cassidy says he’d like a proper investigation, and he is OK with waiting for that before any further judgement of the President…:

Cut 7 (13)  “…realize they’re there.” 

The Biden documents discovery comes after the President and Democrats railed against former President Trump about a smaller number of document found in his Florida home. This week, even more federal documents were found in former VP Mike Pence’s home. Does Cassidy feels all should be receive equal scrutiny…:

Cut 8 (14)  “…safe, secure environment.” 

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It’s National Passenger Safety Week and State Police is urging passengers to speak up for their safety when in a dangerous driving situation. Trooper Ross Brennan says vehicle passengers make up 62-percent of traffic fatalities nationwide and the best way to reduce that number is for passengers to make sure everyone in a vehicle is buckled up 

Cut 9 (08) “…properly restrained.” 

Brennan says passengers can also be an extra set of eyes for a driver. 

Cut 10 (11) “…hazardously” 

Brennan says he wants passengers to know they have the power to promote safe driving practices and prevent unsafe ones by speaking up and enforcing better habits.

Cut 11 (11)  “…the nation.”

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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says Mardi Gras Krewes will be able to use their full parade routes this year, after COVID and lack of law enforcement officers, forced them to abbreviate their routes. Cantrell announce this morning that the city has secured enough law enforcement officers for Mardi Gras this year.

Cut 12 (12) “…traditional routes.”

Cantrell says it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of multiple first-responder agencies, like the Sheriff’s Association. She says the city has entered into an agreement to provide funding for much-needed outside law enforcement for carnival season.

Cut 13 (07) “…we know it.” 

The parade route for Endymion will be altered due to ongoing renovations at the Superdome.

The American Lung Association gave Louisiana 3 F’s, a D, and a C in the state’s 2023 “State of Tobacco Control” report card. Senior Director of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly explained Louisiana’s poor showing. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (26)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Bond has been set for three of the four men accused of raping an LSU student after a night of heavy drinking. Madison Brooks was hit by a car the same night and killed. Brooke Thorington has more from a legal analyst

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A study by the Public Affairs Research Council shows a very small number of Louisianans actually use buses or other public transit. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Louisiana received three Fs, one D and one C on the American Lung Association of Tobacco Control 2023 report card. ALA senior director of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly says Louisiana is not investing nearly enough in tobacco prevention…

Cut 4 (12)  “…across the state.”

Louisiana received an F-grade for not having a state law against flavored tobacco products, tobacco prevention and control program funding and tobacco taxes. Lyerly says Louisiana has the 38^th lowest tax on tobacco in the nation.

Louisiana received a C grade for smokefree area, and Lyerly says the state could do better…

Cut 5 (12) “… the state of Louisiana.”

Lyerly says is spending just over five million dollars on tobacco programs this fiscal year……

Cut 6 (12)  “…tobacco use.” 

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S. and accounts for almost two billion dollars in health care costs for the state.

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The arrest of four men accused of raping 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks after drinking at a Tigerland Bar and then her death after being hit by a car has multiple layers. Baton Rouge legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there’s going to be lots of finger-pointing among the accused and at Reggie’s Bar.

Cut 7 (10) “…even happened.”

Borghardt says it’s possible the four men and even the bar could be charged with negligence in her death. As a former prosecutor and now a defense attorney Borghardt says the defense is most likely going to point the finger at Brooks and her own accountability.

Cut 8 (10)  “…to be.”

As for what happens next, Borghardt says the public needs to let the system do its job and he believes the District Attorney will ultimately take to case to a grand jury.

Cut 9 (11)  “…may think this is.”

Bond for 18-year-old Kaivon Washington, who’s charged with third-degree rape, is set at $150,000 that includes drug testing, house arrest, no firearm, and no contact with the victim’s family.

18-year-old Casen Carver is charged with principle to third-degree rape, a $50,000 bond including house arrest, drug testing, and no contact with the victim’s family.

27-year-old Everett Lee is charged with principle to third-degree rape, a $75,000 bond including house arrest, drug testing, and no contact with the victim’s family.

The 17-year-old’s bond hearing will be held next month.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control has issued an emergency suspension of Reggie’s alcohol license.

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports continued job growth for the state. Data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows seasonally adjusted non-farm employment for December 2022 was at 1.9 million jobs. LWC spokesman Mark Jones says that’s an increase of over 4000 jobs in one month…:

Cut 10 (09)  “…22 consecutive months.”

Jones says Louisiana has seen 22 straight months of growth in jobs and is closing in on being back at per-pandemic levels of employment. Industries that had the biggest were Manufacturing (1200 jobs from November ’22) and Construction (3300 jobs added)…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…seeing right there.”

Leisure and hospitality jobs increased by over 200 from November to December of ’22. Jones says the Lafayette area gained the most over a year; well over 4000 jobs were added between December 2021 and November ’22…:

Cut 12 (11) “…of different things.”

Jones says the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December 2022 was 3.5 percent; the lowest December jobless number yet recorded.

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A new study from the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) shows few Louisianans actually use public transportation, despite federal grant money flowing in to support it. Our state trails the U.S. in the use of buses and trains but actually leads many other southern states. PAR President Steven Procopio says less than 1 percent of Louisiana residents ever use public transit at all…:

Cut 13 (10)  “…transportation system though.”

Bus systems and other public transit usually operate solely on local funding, and some cities struggle to keep their systems afloat. Procopio  says public transit is primarily for those who cannot afford a vehicle of their own, but it also serves an important need…:

Cut 14 (07)  “…the workforce as well.”

Louisiana received $20-million in federal Infrastructure grants to build a rail system connecting Baton Rouge to New Orleans. That is not enough to complete the project. Detractors say the train will never have enough riders to turn a profit. Procopio says there are a lot of lingering questions about that rail project still…:

Cut 15 (06)  “…going to be successful.”

PAR doesn’t take a position on public transit; good or bad. They simply provide information for taxpayers to make informed decisions.

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LSU picked up another top overall ranking as Baseball America ranked the Tigers No. 1 in their top 25 heading into the 2023 season. The Tigers feature one of the most talented rosters in the country and had both the top-ranked recruiting and transfer classes this offseason and made a big splash over the summer by hiring former Twins Pitching Coach Wes Johnson to the staff. Baseball America writer Teddy Cahill says LSU won the offseason…

Cut  16 (19)  “…into this year.” 

The Tigers also boast a strong group of returning players to go alongside new additions. LSU went 40-22 a season ago and 5 of the team’s returning juniors were featured in the Perfect Game top 150 ranking alongside transfers Paul Skenes and Christian Little. Cahill says the Tigers would have been in good shape even without offseason improvements…

Cut 17 (16) “…Baton Rouge.” 

The most notable return for the tigers is one of the top-ranked prospects in college baseball Dylan Crews. Crews was co-SEC player of the year and an All-American as a sophomore last year. Cahill says Crews has to be the preseason favorite to be the top pick in the MLB draft…

Cut 18 (19) “…list too.” 

A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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State Lawmakers go into special session Monday to forge a plan to ease property insurance costs for the thousands who had their coverage end after recent hurricanes. One House member says he has reservations…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The state department of education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the same report shows a five-percent increase in first-year teacher retention…

Cut 3 (12) “…and appreciate” 

Brumley says the state department of education has worked to retain teachers by increasing teacher salaries and providing no cost counseling service for teachers

cut  4 (09)  “…pay opportunities” 

The average teacher salary has increased by 12-hundred dollars to 52-thousand dollars.

Brumley says the percentage of certified teachers also increased by two-percent to 69-percent. He says they want to see the percentage of certified teachers continue to grow…

Cut 5 (07) “…high quality teacher”

Overall teacher retention increased by two points to 86-percent, while first-year retention increased five points to 83-percent.

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State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says he’s troubled by that being the sole item on the session agenda…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…45-million dollars.” 

Fontenot says there’s no talk of possible tort reform which could help lower insurance costs for property owners, nor discussion of possibly reforming state law as it applies to insurance adjusters. He says there may be better uses for that $45-million in surplus money…:

Cut 7 (12)  “…in our state.” 

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a similar incentive fund put in place after Katrina & Rita succeeded in bringing 5 substantial new insurers to Louisiana to help de-populate Louisiana Citizens (which is considerable more costly than private market rates). Fontenot says no one asks the Commissioner for any deeper answers on those newcomers…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…on those companies?” 

Fontenot says discussion of reforming Louisiana Citizens, that state’s last-resort insurer, so it costs less…is also NOT on the table.

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A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana until 6 PM tonight. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible from a storm system moving in from Texas

Cut 9 (08) “…the day.” 

Wetherbee says the line of strong and severe storms will reach the Baton Rouge area around 7 PM and then New Orleans after 9 PM.

Cut 10 (10) “…be a concern” 

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Bogalusa Police offer some pushback on the mayor’s request for the National Guard to come get crime under control in the Washington Parish town. Mayor Tyrin Truong sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards asking for State Police and/or the Louisiana National Guard to intervene. Bogalusa P.D. detective Captain David Miller tells WWL radio in New Orleans the police are not against outside assistance…:

Cut 11 (08)  “…National Guard is welcome.”

However, Miller feels having military troops patrol Bogalusa may not be a good idea. He says guardsmen and women are trained to be soldiers; not cops…and that could lead to unforeseen problems…:

Cut 12 (11) “…on a permanent basis.”

Currently Bogalusa (a city of just over 12-thousand) has 4 assigned cops per shift, plus investigators. He says hiring more cops would enable the city to engage in the “community policing” that Mayor Truong says he wants to see. Miller says, despite a recent pay increase, they still are having trouble hiring more new cops…:

Cut 13 (10) “…and recruit.” 

Miller says Bogalusa Police and Mayor Truong have a good relationship and will work together to get rising crime in check.