Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters tells lawmakers they are making changes after a two-year-old died of a drug overdose. The child was was hospitalized two times before and a doctor reportedly informed DCFS of the suspected abuse. Walters told the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children the lack of staff is a factor…
cut 11 (12) “….not replaced”
But Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says the death of two-year-old Mitchell Robinson is negligence on the part of D-C-F-S.

With school resuming this week, school zones are back in effect. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom…
cut 7 (12) “…..on the road”
Odom says speeding fines in a school zone are doubled and you are not allowed to handle a cell phone while driving through a school zone.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is appealing to the state supreme court after an appeals court denied his appeal of a lower court’s decision that disqualifies him from running for re-election because he provided incorrect information on his qualifying papers. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow…
cut 6 (09) “…what he wants”
Sadow says he doesn’t expect Perkins outcome in the High Court to change.

Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore is featured on tonight’s episode of House Hunters. The reality show goes behind the scenes as couples and families learn what to look for and decide whether or not a home is meant for them
cut 15 (07) “…with it”
Find out on HGTV tonight at 9 PM to see what the Fiore family chose.

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters tells a legislative committee they’ve made policy changes following the overdose death of a two-year-old who was hospitalized at least twice prior to his death. The hospitalizations were reported to DCFS. Walters says they are investigating what went wrong, but there current system prevents a quick turnaround…
cut 12 (11) “…..be accurate”
Walters says having more case workers could have prevented this tragic situation, but Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says if a young child is admitted to a hospital as a result of potential abuse, DCFS should immediately intervene…
cut 29 (09) “…at its finest”
Louisiana’s Inspector General is also investigating the case.

A Louisiana appeals court rules Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is still disqualified from running for another term. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

School buses are returning to the roads as school is resuming. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom says vehicles must stop at least 30 feet back from a school bus when the stop signals on the bus are activated…
cut 9 (09) “…safe to do so”
A vehicle approaching a stopped school bus from the opposite direction does not have to stop when traffic is separated by a divided median, but must remain cautious of kids getting on and off the bus.

The leader of the Department of Children and Family Services appeared before lawmakers to answer questions about a Baton Rouge toddler that died from an overdose and the agency was notified twice before that the child was in danger. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters…
Cut 10 (13) “…strong enough.”
The state’s Inspector General is investigating the case.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is running out of options to get his name on the ballot in November after providing incorrect information on his qualifying papers. A state appeals court rejected his appeal. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says Perkins’ lawyers argued it was just a clerical error, but the three appellate judges didn’t see it that way…:
cut 4 (08) “…particular explanations”
Perkins plans to appeal to the state supreme court.

It’s pushing mid-August and that means schools are starting again. State police says that means you need to change your driving habits. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 2 (28) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

For the first time since 2000, LSU football is not in the coaches preseason Top 25 poll.

Former Congressman and Louisiana legislator Claude “Buddy” Leach died Saturday of congestive heart failure, according to his family. Leach served one term in Congress, four terms in the legislature, and ran for governor in 2003. Leesville Senator Mike Reese says his innate business sense and knack for connecting with people helped him build a business fortune and succeed in politics.
Cut 3 (04) “…astonish me”
Leach’s public record wasn’t perfect. He was charged—but acquitted—of vote buying in the 1978 congressional race. He was 88-years-old.

A state appeals court agrees with a lower court’s ruling that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running for re-election. So far the courts have agreed Perkins put down the incorrect information on his qualifying paperwork and his name can not appear on the November ballot. Perkins is expected to appeal to the state supreme court.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a teacher for sending text messages to a 15-year-old student for sexual purposes. C-P-S-O spokesperson Brandy Spears says 26-year-old Bradly Dyer of Colfax discussed dating the minor in the text messages…
Cut 12 (09) “…a secret”
Spears says Dyer told detectives he recently began a new job as a high school teacher.

Starting in 2023, the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing will educate students in an accelerated nursing program at a site on the LSU Health Shreveport campus. Director of the Program Linda Ledet says the students at the Shreveport facility will receive both in-person instruction and also participate in classes at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing…
cut 7 (06) “….virtual classes”
The accelerated program allows students to graduate in two years.

Qualifying for the 2023 governor’s race begins one year from today and we still do not have any announced candidates. There are several Republican candidates who have expressed interest. But will we see a strong Democratic candidate in the race. U-L-M Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…
cut 8 (11) “…right now”
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, state senator Gary Smith and New Orleans city council member Helena Moreno are some of the names that have been put out there as possible Democratic candidates.

Later this week, President Biden will sign the PACT act which expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. John Wells, chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy, says the measure will help out thousands in Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “….a lot of years”
Wells says the next step is to make sure the legislation provides the benefits to veterans and their families.

Former Congressman and state representative Buddy Leach passed away over the weekend at the age of 88. Leach also served two years as the chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party beginning in 2010. Governor John Bel Edwards says Leach, who was born in Vernon Parish, worked to make life better for all Louisianans.

A New Orleans non-profit that helps feed those in need has sparked a new idea to keep restaurants operational after hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Both of Louisiana’s U-S Senators voted against the Inflation Redution Act which passed the Senate on a 51-50 vote. John Kennedy says the bill raises taxes on oil and gas, while Bill Cassidy says the measure does nothing to reduce inflation. But the White House says the legislation will reduce the deficit, make an historic investment towards climate change and caps out of pocket drug costs for Medicare patients.

A Louisiana veterans’ advocacy group applauds the recent passage of the PACT Act. Kevin Gallagher explains what it is, and how it will help veterans…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police becomes the first in the nation to receive approval from the FBI to implement rapid DNA booking operations. Sergeant Dustin Dwight says thanks to this technology, they can determine in 90 minutes if the DNA collected is connected to a crime….
cut 15 (05) “…as well”
The Rapid DNA instrument was tested successfully at the East Baton Rouge Parish prison and they hope to integrate it at three other booking agencies by the end of 2023.

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during lengthy power losses. Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power after Hurricane Ida and restaurants had to dispose of thousands of pounds of food.
Cut 10 (11) “…and batteries.”
De Wulf says they installed their first set of solar panels a few weeks ago at Queen Trini Lisa in Mid-City New Orleans.