The Department of Children and Family Services admits they were contacted three times by hospital staff about the well-being of two-year-old Mitchell Robinson before he died from a fentanyl overdose on June 26th. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says a case worker assigned to Mitchell’s case was on sick leave when he died and a supervisor failed to follow up on the third report…
Cut 7 (08) “…in time”
The supervisor has resigned and the case worker who was on sick leave has been suspended.

For a second straight month, Louisiana set a record-low unemployment rate in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment is 3.6-percent. She says, coincidentally, the EMPLOYMENT rate is looking very good…:
Cut 4 (11) “…is high as well.”
July 2022 figures estimate slightly over 2-million people in Louisiana are currently employed.

Several Calcasieu Parish School buildings are still under repair from Hurricane Laura—which struck southwest Louisiana as a category four storm two years ago. One of the strongest storms to ever make landfall in Louisiana did at least 400 million dollars’ worth of damage to the schools alone. But Schools superintendent Shannon LaFargue says they’ve made a lot of progress.
Cut 13 (08) “…sense of normalcy.”
LaFargue says many schools still have temporary roofs as FEMA money continues to be tied up by red tape.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is now ranked among the nation’s top 100 public research universities. Last year the school invested over 181-million dollars in research and development, a 193-percent increase in funding over eight years. V.P. for Research & Innovation at ULL Dr. Ramesh Kolluru (ko-LOO-roo) says part of that research was pandemic related…
cut 11 (10) “…emergency authorization”

The state Department of Children and Family Services announces policy changes as a result of an overdose death of a two-year-old child. D-C-F-S admits they were contacted three times by hospital staff about substance abuse involving the child, but because of a variety of reasons they failed to have a case worker inspect the home. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says that will never happen again…
cut 8 (08) “….response”
The supervisor overseeing Mitchell Robinson’s case has resigned, while the worker assigned to the case has been suspended.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is now ranked among the nation’s top 100 public research universities. Last year the school invested over 181-million dollars in research and development, a 193-percent increase in funding over eight years. V.P. for Research & Innovation at ULL Dr. Ramesh Kolluru (ko-LOO-roo) says part of that research was pandemic related…
cut 11 (10) “…emergency authorization”

The state Supreme Court rules incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins CAN run for re-election this fall. More from Kevin Gallagher…:.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police say a 45-year-old woman fired a handgun at Lake Charles Police officers yesterday before she was shot in the lower torso from return fire. Sheri Carlson of Lake Charles suffered non-life threatening injuries and no officers were injured. Police were dispatched to a home on Hodges Street in reference to suspicious circumstances.

The Department of Children and Family Services acknowledges they were contacted three times about the well-being of two-year-old Mitchell Robinson before he died from a fentanly overdose on June 26th. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says a case worker assigned to Mitchell’s case was on sick leave when he died and a supervisor failed to make sure another case worker was sent to the home…
cut 7 (08) “….in time”
The supervisor has resigned and the case worker who was on sick leave has been suspended.

For a second straight month, Louisiana set a record-low unemployment rate in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment is 3.6-percent. She says, coincidentally, the EMPLOYMENT rate is looking very good…:
Cut 4 (11) “…is high as well.”
July 2022 figures estimate slightly over 2-million people in Louisiana are currently employed.

While speaking at a town hall meeting, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatened to cancel Mardi Gras Parades in the Big Easy next year, because of a decline in NOPD officers. And on Friday afternoon, Cantrell released a statement that said they are not canceling Mardi Gras. She hopes stepped-up recruitment efforts and retention bonuses can stop the decline in police manpower.

By a 4-3 decision, the state Supreme Court has ruled that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins CAN run for re-election in November. Perkins’s was disqualified by a local judge because he listed the wrong address on election qualification papers. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says 4 of the 7 justices felt a simple clerical error – with no evidence of intent to deceive – didn’t constitute “wrong-doing”…:
CUT 13(12) “…disqualify a candidate.”
Perkins faces nine challengers on the November eighth ballot.

Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell for a second straight month in July, to its lowest level ever. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A federal lawsuit has been filed to prevent the transfer of two dozen youth inmates at the Bridge Center for Youth to the Louisiana State Pentitentary. Governor Edwards announced the move last month as a way to reduce the violence and escapes from the juvenile facility in Jefferson Parish. But civil rights attorneys say the state does not have a solid plan to keep adult and youth prisoners separate.

By a 4-3 decision, the state Supreme Court has ruled that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins CAN run for re-election in November.Perkins’s candidacy was challenged by a resident whose main complaint was he listed the wrong address on election qualification papers. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says he and many others thought the High Court would go the opposite way…:
CUT 12 (12) “…bit of a surprise.”
Perkins says he’s estatic over the ruling now he has to fend off nine other challengers in the November eighth race.

Two people at Cypress Arrow Kennel and K9 Academy in Lena face animal cruelty charges, after viral videos surfaced showing them hitting the dogs. Rapides Sheriff’s Office Chief of staff Tommy Carnline says the case has drawn a lot of public scrutiny…:
CUT 04(07) “…of the arrest.”
Business owner Tina Frey and her daughter Victoria Brimer were booked and released on bond.

While speaking at a town hall meeting, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatened to cancel Mardi Gras Parades in the Big Easy next year, because of a decline in NOPD officers. Mardi Gras publisher Arthur Hardy says he understands the shortage but that’s not enough of a reason to cancel parades….
cut 11 (07) “….can be managed”
NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson told the city council today it’s not time to panic, but time to plan.

The owner of the Cypress Arrow Kennel and K9 Academy in Lena has been arrested on animal cruelty charges as a result of a viral video that shows a dog being struck in the head during training. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says detectives began investigating the case last week…
cut 5 (10) “…aggravated cruelty”
52-year-old Tina Frey and her 21-year-old daughter Victoria Brimer have bonded out.

The state Supreme Court rules incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins CAN run for re-election this fall. More from Kevin Gallagher…:.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says a supervisor has resigned as a result of the state agency failing to react in a timely manner before a two-year-old child died from a fentanyl overdose. A report issued by DCFS says their agency was contacted three times before the child’s death and Walters says they failed to get back to the house in time.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell suggested at a town hall meeting last night due to shrinking ranks in the New Orleans Police Department, next year’s Mardi Gras might have to be canceled. Arthur Hardy publishes the Mardi Gras Guide.
Cut 9 (08) “…by her comments.”
The New Orleans City Council says the police force is down from an average of 15 hundred officers to about a thousand.

Yet another property insurer is ending coverage in Louisiana, meaning over ten-thousand customers will have to seek new coverage. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Florida-based West Property and Casualty is the latest to fold up its tents…
cut 6 (12) “….on September 7th”
Donelon says Weston customers could be covered by Louisiana Citizens for 60 days after their policy expires, but they need to contact their insurance agent.

Two people who work at the Cypress Arrow and Kennel K-9 Academy in Lena are facing animal cruelty charges as a result of a viral video that showed a trainer shoving a dog down to the ground. 52-year-old Tina Frey and her 21-year-old daugther Victoria Brimer have been charged with two counts of aggavated cruelty to animals. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says the case has drawn a lot of public interest…
cut 4 (10) “…OF THE ARREST”
Tina Frey is the owner of the canine training facility.

Two people have died in Florida after eating raw oysters from Louisiana. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisisch says before anyone jumps to conclusions about Louisiana oysters, he wants to see what the investigation reveals and that food safety procedures were followed correctly….
cut 30 (11) “….properly”
The CDC says on average 80,000 people will get ill from eating raw oysters and about 100 will die as a result each year.