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.”

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A New Orleans non-profit that helps feed those in need has sparked a new idea to remain restaurants operational after hurricanes knock out the power. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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DNA technology in the state advances to solving crime quicker, Brooke Thorington has more on what you see on your favorite TV crime drama that’s closer to becoming reality.

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A bill signing is scheduled this week in Washington DC for the federal PACT Act; legislation providing expanded medical care for veterans exposed to toxins during their military service. John Wells is chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy. He says PACT – for Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics – will benefit about three-point-five million veterans nationwide…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…and Uzkekistan.”

The PACT Act provides for expedited health care for vets assigned to handle burn pits or exposed to radiation in the line of duty. It will also provide compensation for those unable to work because of such exposure. Wells says the money will do a lot of good…:

Cut 5 (07) “…a lot of years.”

President Biden is expected to sign the bill Wednesday at the White House. The PACT Act also provides for veterans to receive care at private medical facilities, in the absence of locally available Veterans Administration care. Wells says that contingency may well be needed…:

Cut 6 (07)  “…overly optimistic.”

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Qualifying for the 2023 Louisiana governor’s race happens one year from today and we still do not have any announced candidates to replace the term-limited John Bel Edwards. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says a lot will depend on who controls the U.S. Senate after the federal midterm elections. He says after the national picture is clear Louisiana’s race will finally develop

Cut 7 (11) “….fundraising advantage”

If Republicans take control of the senate Stockley thinks its more likely Cassidy and Kennedy stay there, opening the door for Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry. Stockley says the lack of a prominent Democratic candidate is a bad sign for Democrats.

Cut 8 (11)  “…of the party right now.”

Stockley says with so many unknowns affecting the governor’s race it might be quite a while before we know who the major contenders will be.

Cut 9 (07)  “…hard to know.”

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A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during power losses. Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power for 10 days after 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 the Caribbean restaurant Queen Trini Lisa in Mid-City New Orleans. He says outfitting each restaurant runs between 60 and 90 thousand dollars, but there’s a way for the eateries to pay back into the program with energy savings.  De Wulf hopes it serves as a model for the state.

Cut  11 (05)  “…of hurricanes.” 

In addition to preserving food, De Wulf says the solar-powered restaurants can act as cooling and phone charging stations for the neighborhood. He’s hoping the idea will take off and become a mainstay for a state that’s embattled with hurricane recovery.

Cut 12 (10) “…the dream.” 

He says instead of relying on other states to provide support after hurricanes we need to give ourselves the tools to do it on our own.

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The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is the first in the country to receive approval from the FBI to conduct rapid DNA booking operations. Sgt. Dustin Dwight says the technology has the potential to keep criminals from being unknowingly released prior to the return of traditional DNA results.

Cut 13 (10) “…linked to a crime.”

Dwight says for more than three years the state crime lab has been working with the FBI and other states to develop the Rapid DNA program. He gives the crime lab full credit for the achievement of being the first state in the country to implement the program.

Cut 14 (10)  “…more safe.”

When a qualified arrestee’s DNA sample is collected it’s run in the Combined DNA Index System and if it’s linked to a sample collected at a previous crime scene Dwight says all the involved law enforcement agencies are alerted.

Cut 15 (05)  “…as well.”

The first Rapid DNA instrument was installed at the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the state crime lab will add three more at other agencies in the state by the end of next year.

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LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte says she’s 100 percent after undergoing two surgeries on his ankle. Boutte, who is a potential first-round pick next year, says winning the Biletnikoff Award is one of the goals

Cut 16 (15)  “…just excited”

Boutte admits he looked at transferring when a new coaching staff came in, but he’s built trust with head coach Brian Kelly’s staff

Cut 17 (15) “.to that” 

One of the new additions to LSU’s roster is running back Noah Cain, who has transferred in from Penn State. The junior from Baton Rouge says Frank Wilson’s return as the team’s running backs coach is one of the reasons he chose to come back home…

cut  18 (18) “   player overall”

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The Ragin Cajuns are going through their first preseason camp with Michael Desormeaux as its head coach. The former U-L Lafayette quarterback spent the last six seasons on the Ragin Cajuns staff and was co-offensive coordinator last year. Desormeaux says his promotion to head coach doesn’t change his mindset

 cut 19 (20) _“…Saturdays” 

The big storyline at Cajuns’ camp is the battle for starting quarterback between sophomore Chandler Fields and junior Ben Wooldridge. Desormeaux says the staff is 100-percent confident in both guys

Cut 20 (19) “ …to everyone” 

It’s National Oyster Day but how is the state’s oyster industry fairing? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Five years ago Louisiana enacted the most comprehensive criminal justice reform in state history. The goal was to safely reduce the state’s high imprisonment rate, but now there’s a change. Marsanne Golsby has more.

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It’s National Oyster Day and the Bayou State is very familiar with the well-loved seafood, but the local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says they are starting to see oyster spawns.

Cut 3 (11) “…market time.” 

He says Ida wiped out the Houma area, and in Plaquemines Parish, they lost about 30 percent of their crop, and other areas lost as much as 80 percent.

In addition to hurricanes, freshwater released from the Bonnet Carre spillway also damaged oyster beds. But Jurisich, a third-generation oyster farmer says Louisiana still holds a claim to fame with oysters.

Cut 4  (09) “…by a thread.”

Even though the industry is in recovery mode, Jurisich says they are hopeful they will continue to rebound and that the current and future hurricane seasons are kind. He says as long as there are oysters to be harvested, farmers will continue to take pride in their work.

Cut 5  (08) “…biggest and the best.”

So in honor of National Oyster Day be sure to consume some Louisiana oysters today.

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Based on data collected by the Public Affairs Research Council, Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says Mississippi was number one…

Cut 6   (06) “…570” 

Following Mississippi and Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Alabama rank in the top five for the highest incarceration rates. Procopio says once you get past the top five, the incarceration rate really falls off…

Cut 7 (08) “.. of our 570.” 

Procopio says a major issue in Louisiana and the rest of the country is the number of inmates who return to prison within five years after being released. He says the three-year recidivism rate for those convicted of crimes in Louisiana is 34-percent

Cut 8 (06) “…violent crime”

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Police Baton Rouge arrest a 20-year-old Houma man for the alleged rape of an underage girl. BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean (EL-gene) McKneely says 20-year-old Kwan Allen made contact with the 16-year-old girl via social media; representing himself being much younger. McKneely says he courted the girl online , via SnapChat, for weeks before enticing her to a meeting at the Mall of Louisiana…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…upon her.”

McKneely says the victim’s 8-year-old sister was waiting in the teen girls’ car, while the assault was occurring in Allen’s vehicle. He says the victim did the smartest thing next; she went straight home and then to a hospital, where a sexual assault kit was performed..:

Cut 10 (07) “…to a hospital.” 

The girl could not fight Allen off because he was so much bigger. The attack occurred in late May. A warrant was issued for Allen’s arrest in early June, and he was apprehended Wednesday and charged with sexual battery and 2^nd degree rape. McKneely says parents need to be aware of their children’s online activities…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…has happened.”

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The Great American Seafood Cook is Saturday in New Orleans and Amanda Cusey of Lake Charles will try to beat out 13 other chefs from around the country to be named the Queen of American Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Cusey is the executive chef at Lake Charles’s “The Villa Harlequin”….

Cut 12 (09) “…and cheated.”  

Cusey received her Cordon Bleu training in England and worked at several restaurants in England Ireland until she became a head chef at Italian inspired pop-up restaurant in Dublin.

Opening ceremonies are at 11:15 at the New Orleans Convention Center and Nungesser says the cooks have a limited amount of time to cook up their best seafood dish in front of a live audience and nationally acclaimed judges…

Cut 13 (09) “…and tasting.”

Each dish will be scored based on presentation, creativity, composition, craftmanship and flavor. Biloxi, Mississippi chef Austin Sumrall won last year. Nungesser says it’s great to have tis competition in New Orleans, which has the best tasting seafood in the world…

Cut 14 (12)  “…our crabs.”