An elderly Slidell man was hospitalized after being attacked by a squirrel. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

______________________________________

The World Meteorological Organization has retired Ida from the rotating lists of Atlantic Hurricane names. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

A Baton Rouge man who was found not guilty by reason of insanity after driving his speeding truck into the back of a 51-year-old woman’s car, killing her as a result has been released from a state mental facility. 21-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney James Manasseh says his client has met all the conditions set forth by the hospital.

Cut 3 (11) “…or himself.”

Jordan was 19 years old when he drove his vehicle 90 miles per hour into the back of 51-year-old Stephanie Payne’s SUV in 2019. Jordan told authorities God told him to commit suicide but killed Payne in his attempt. Manasseh says when one pleads guilty by reason of insanity, they still have to meet conditions set forth by the Judge.

Cut 4  (12) “…anticipated.”

Manasseh says even though Jordan has been released, he still remains under supervision, and his medication is also monitored. Manasseh says Jordan has weekly meetings with psychiatrists, and probation officers and is no longer allowed to drive.

Cut 5  (08) “…supervision.”

Manasseh says Jordan will essentially be on probation for the remainder of his life.

_________________________________________

When a dog bites a man, that’s not news, but how about when a squirrel bites a man? Authorities say a 78-year-old Slidell man sustained significant injuries in a squirrel attack. It all started Wednesday morning, says Slidell Police Department spokesman Daniel Seuzeneau (Soos-ih-no), with a call to 9-1-1.

Cut 6  (12) “…the man’s hand.” 

Seuzeneau says emergency responders quickly made their way to the scene as the man attempted to fend off the squirrel. When they arrived the victim was attempting to choke the squirrel but he wasn’t able to get a grip on the animal.

Cut 7 (12) “…of that attack.” 

The gentleman was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for significant injuries, though he is expected to make a full recovery. ER doctors have requested to examine the squirrel to test for any possible diseases. The cause of the attack is unknown, and in general, they aren’t common.

Cut 8 (10) “…start a study.” 

This is the second reported squirrel attack in Slidell this year. The first happened in February during a Mardi Gras parade where three people were injured.

_____________________________________________________

The House Education Committee approves a bill that bans corporal punishment in public schools. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says children should not be physically punished by the principal or teacher…

Cut 9 (13) “…in school”

No one on the House Education Committee objected to the bill. It has the support of retired educator and Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg….

Cut 10 (06) “…school system”

Executive Director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, Michael Faulk, says he knows of 19 school districts in Louisiana that have a school board policy allowing corporal punishment…

Cut 11 (10)  “…discpline” 

This same bill failed to pass in the House last year as it failed on a floor vote of 48 to 49.

_____________________________________________________

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would require convicted drunk drivers who had a blood alcohol content of .15 to have an interlock device system installed on their vehicle for two years. The bill’s author is Covington Representative Mark Wright…

Cut 12 (08) “…others from”  

The interlock prevents individuals from starting a vehicle if they have been drinking. Wright is admitted recovering alcoholic and knows individuals with a drinking problem are chronic drunk drivers…

Cut 13 (08) “…of it.”

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre owns a company that sells interlock devices and there are concerns his business could profit from the passage of this legislation. The Ethics Board has ruled that Webre can not sell his interlock devices in LaFourche and Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says if lawmakers have questions they can bring Sheriff Webre to the capitol in the future

Cut 14 (11)  “…about Craig Webre.”

The anticipation for Festival International is at an all-time high as the global musical event returns to Acadiana tonight after a two-year absence. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

A bill seeking to repeal the state’s 2016 Raise the Age law will go to the full Senate for debate. Kevin Gallagher reports it would mean more juveniles could tried as adults…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________

Entergy renews its effort to make renewable energy accessible to its customers next month. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

____________________________________

The largest free international music festival kicks off tonight in Lafayette and after a two-year absence organizers of Festival International are tuning up for record-breaking crowds. Spokesperson Brad Cradeur says there’s plenty of anticipation for the five-day festival to get underway.

Cut 4 (08)  “…tons of fun.”

For this year’s festival which features musical acts, crafts, and food from all over the globe, there’s a new cashless payment system. Cradeur says you can register for an account ahead of time on their website FestivalInternational-dot-org

Cut 5 (10) “…bank account.”

If you’ve never attended the event Cradeur says it’s hard to explain in a few words just how distinctive the event is for Acadiana. He says he can’t think of any other place in the world where you can experience such a gamut of music in less than a tenth of a mile.

Cut 6 (10)  “…something years now.”

Festival International normally attracts up to 300,000 attendees over the five-day period but organizers expect to eclipse previous records in attendance this year.

________________________________________

A bill to repeal Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the age” law passes a Senate committee without objection. The law assures all persons under 18 who commit serious crimes are tried in juvenile court. The bill seeks to make that age limit 17. Speaking for it, state Attorney General Jeff Landry, who referenced a terrible New Orleans carjacking last month, in which a woman was dragged to death. The persons arrested were all minors…:

Cut 7 (10) “…tried as adults.”

The “Raise the Age” law was part of a criminal justice reform package, pushed by Governor John Bel Edwards during his first year in office. Passed in 2016, it took effect in March 2019, and provides that – for court and trial purposes – “child” means anyone under 21 who commits a crime before age 18. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill would return that definition to “before age 17”. Eighteenth JDC District Attorney Tony Clayton says it’s time to get rid of “Raise the Age”…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…with the rest of us.”

Among those opposing the bill was Rachel Gassert, with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights. She says the 2016 law merely stops the automatic routing of 17-year-olds through the adult court system, and she says the measure is unnecessary…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…question is relevant.”

Passed without objection by Senate Judiciary B committee members, the bill moves to the Senate floor.

_______________________________________

Soon Entergy customers will have the option to match some or get all of their electricity usage from renewable energy sources. Director of regulatory affairs Elizabeth Ingram says the Green Select program starts in May with customers able to choose from receiving 25 to up to 100 percent of their power from facilities like the Capital Region Solar site in West Baton Rouge.

Cut 10 (08) “…renewable sources.”

The Entergy Green Select program makes renewable energy available to people who rent their homes or are unable to install solar panels. Customers will have to pay a slight surcharge depending on which tier they select.

Cut  11 (11)  “…per kilowatt hour.”  

Ingram says roughly 30 percent of the energy supplied to customers comes from clean sources and Green Select should help increase that number as Entergy looks to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 percent over the next eight years from where they were in the year 2000, with a net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Cut 12 (11) “…to bring customers.” 

For more information, you can visit renew-dot-entergy-dot-com.

_______________________________________

Louisiana Gaming Commission Chairman Ronnie Johns says sports gamblers wagered $628.3 million in the first five months of the expansion for online betting.

Cut 13 (10) “…it works”

Johns says it works well enough that sports wagering has generated $7.4 million in tax revenue for Louisiana.

Johns says while the commission was under lots of pressure to get online sports betting up and running ASAP, he says it wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of several agencies.

Cut 14 (11)  “…we did.”

Instead of rushing online gaming, Johns says he’s relieved they took the time to ensure it launched smoothly…

Cut 15 (06)  “…pleased with.”

Casinos brought in $53.8 million from sport betting from November to March.

___________________________________________

The NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow and for the first time in a while, there won’t be a lot of LSU Tigers taken early. One player who should hear his name called on day one is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. While his LSU career was cut short by injury, draft expert Mike Detillier says Stingley still has everything needed to be a star at the next level.

Cut 16 (18)  “…in 2019.”

After playing 15 games for the 2019 national champs, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. appeared in only 10 games over the last two seasons. Stingley came back with a fantastic pro-day performance that has likely lifted him back into the top 10 of the draft. Detillier says the health questions will follow Stingley until he proves he can stay on the field.

Cut 17 (16) “ …NFL season.” 

___________________________________________

The New Orleans Pelicans fell behind early and never recovered, losing 112-97 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Pels had more turnovers than assists and trailed by as many as 18. Brandon Ingram scored 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting. He says his team has to be better, and it starts with him.

Cut 18 (18) “ …we’ll be fine.” 

Now down three games to two, the Pelicans face elimination in Game 6. Ingram says he’ll be ready to step up in front of the home crowd on Thursday night and hopefully send the series back to Phoenix.

Cut 19 (15) _“…defensive end.” 

The Pelicans have trailed by double digits at halftime in all three losses. Coach Willie Green says they have to be ready to play from the outset against the best team in the league.

Cut 20 (13) “ …really good team.” 

The series returns to New Orleans on Thursday for Game 6. Tip-off will be at 6:30 pm.

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse with poor living conditions during Hurricane Ida, lawmakers are responding with legislation. Brooke Thorington has more on one of those bills.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

______________________________________

Encouraging news as COVID cases in the state are at an all-time low…David Grubb has the latest numbers.

Cut 2 (36)…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, legislation to give the state more oversite powers have been proposed in this session. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds’s bill gives the Department of Health more enforcement.

Cut 3 (10) “…approve the plan.”

House Bill 291 gives LDH the ability to reject questionable evacuation plans. Edmonds says Health and Welfare Committee members repeatedly asked who approved a plan to evacuate patients to a warehouse where patients’ bedding consisted of mattresses on the floor.

Cut 4  (09) “…and rejected.”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey asked if the legislation requires nursing homes to show proof of the ability to execute approved evacuation plans, for example, their finances and contracts for supplies. Edmonds welcomed Ivey’s input on the legislation.

Cut 5  (06) “…sir, thank you.”

Bill passed in the House with only one vote in opposition. There’s also Senate legislation that charges the State Fire Marshal’s Office with inspection of evacuation plans.

_________________________________________

The numbers on COVID infections in Louisiana are very encouraging. The latest figures show only 38 patients hospitalized statewide, with not a single patient currently on a chemical ventilator. State Health Officer, Dr. Joe Kanter likes what he sees.

Cut 6  (06) “…this pandemic.” 

Kanter says the numbers don’t mean there’s no longer a reason to take precautions and believes another surge is likely at some point, though Louisiana is in much better shape to face that when the time comes.

Cut 7 (14) “…is significant.” 

Individuals still have to assess the level of risk for themselves and their families. Vaccinations remain the best protection from COVID, and Kanter says if you haven’t gotten a booster, now’s the time to do so.

Cut 8 (11) “…these variants.” 

_____________________________________________________

The Louisiana Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a licensed doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she wrote the bill because the current law prohibiting such activity is unclear…

Cut 9 (12) “…in Louisiana.”

Hewitt says businesses located out of the state and the United States are selling abortion pills online and mailing them to women in Louisiana for them to take at home without physician oversight…

Cut 10 (10) “…for women”

Hewitt says her legislation would apply criminal penalties to the distributor of the abortion pill, not the pregnant woman…

Cut 11 (12)  “…abortion industry” 

The bill moves to the House for its consideration.

_____________________________________________________

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill that would give judges the authority to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Barrow says she’s heard several different concerns, including what happens if the castration happens, but it turns out to be a wrongful conviction…

Cut 12 (12) “…convicted wrongly”  

Morgan Lamandre is the legal director for a group called sexual trauma awareness and response. Lamandre told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that surgical castration does not serve as a deterrent…

Cut 13 (11) “…more deadly.”

Barrow says she’ll study the issue and plans to file a surgical castration bill for child rapists next year. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodi White says he’s watched video that sex crime prosecutors have where young children are raped and he can’t wait to vote for this legislation…

Cut 14 (09)  “…threw up.”