Former St. Tammany Parish sheriff Jack Strain is found guilty of multiple sex crimes against young men; some dating back to the late 1970’s. St. Tammany District Attorney Warren Montgomery says it was a tough trial for prosecutors to bring, tough for jurors and spectators to hear and very tough on the five victims who testified against Strain. Montgomery says he hopes the verdict brings them some peace…:

CUT 05  (10)        “…their lives”

Strain – who is 58 – faces a mandatory life sentence.

Northwestern State University’s new president, Marcus Jones, has now dropped the interim title he had held since July. Jones has a goal of further globalization of Northwestern State’s educational efforts for its students…:

CUT 10  (08)        “…through student exchanges.”

Jones is the first person of color to officially lead at NSU.

Construction is underway on the Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex in Terrebonne Parish. It’s part of the state’s effort to provide Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes with 100-year storm surge protection. Terrebonne President Gordon Dove says the project will first dredge over one-million cubic yards of soil and silt to create 178 acres of marshland. Then the lock structure itself will be built. State officials have also announced the construction of the 147-foot Grand Bayou Floodgate is complete. Dove says there’s now a continuous levee segment stretching 47 miles from Gibson in Terrebonne Parish to Lockport in Lafourche…:

CUT 14  (11)        “…not flooding.”

At least three people were wounded in a shooting on Bienville Street in New Orleans today. NOPD says it happened just after 2 pm. Three victims were taken to the hospital. Police are seeking leads in the case.

There is potentially great news for residents of storm-ravaged Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes; work is underway on the Houma Navigational Canal Lock Complex, or HNC for short. When finished the project will provide much needed 100-year storm surge protection for the area. Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove says the first step is dredging over a million cubic yards of material to create 178 acres of marshland. Then the building of the actual lock structure, which starts in the spring…:

CUT 13  (11)         “…for about five years.”

Former sheriff of St. Tammany Parish Jack Strain faces a mandatory life sentence, after a jury finds him guilty of numerous sex crimes dating back over 40 years. It took the jury just over 5 hours to return the verdict. St. Tammany D.A. Warren Montgomery says even the most powerful need to be held accountable..:

CUT 04  (09)        “…although not perfect…works.”

The vote count is in for early voting ahead of this Saturday’s election. Dave Brannen reports the numbers are a bit surprising…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Brannen.”

St. Landry Parish deputies arrest the woman they say shot and seriously wounded her own mother. 38-year-old Ashley Sims allegedly used a gun to settle an argument with her mom last Friday. Vera Sims is in serious condition at a Lafayette hospital. The younger Sims is now in jail, awaiting a bond decision.

Fly United? Not anymore out of Monroe Regional Airport. The airline says poor ticket sales after losing billion during the pandemic has them leaving Monroe for good.

The former sheriff of St. Tammany Parish is found guilty of four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated incest, one count of sexual battery and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Crimes that date back to the 1970’s. St. Tammany District Attorney Warren Montgomery says his staff worked very hard to get the conviction…:

CUT 03  (05)         “…high stakes prosecution.”

Strain served as Sheriff in St. Tammany for 20 years; some of the crimes occurred during that time. The jury of six men and six women deliberated just over 5 hours before returning the verdict. Strain is facing a life sentence.

United Airlines announces they are dropping service in and out of Monroe Regional Airport. The carrier cites low ticket sales as the reason. Airport Director Charles Butcher says the pandemic and resulting flight restrictions were instrumental in losing United. He hopes Delta and American airlines can fill the gap at Monroe Regional.

Construction is underway on the Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex in Terrebonne Parish. It’s part of the state’s effort to provide Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes with 100-year storm surge protection. Terrebonne President Gordon Dove says the H-N-C Lock complex will be critical during storm surge and high water events…:

CUT 12  (08)         “…Terrebonne Parish.”

He says actual construction on the structure itself will take place next spring.

Some surprising numbers from early voting in Louisiana for the November 13^th election.  Pollster John Couvillon, with JMC Analystics, says early votes exceeded those from 2017. However he says he doesn’t necessarily expect a huge rush to the polls this Saturday, because in so many districts all there is on the ballot are four constitutional amendments..:

CUT 08  (08)         “…the same time.”

He expects only about 16-percent total voter turnout.

The LSU football team nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in program history on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa as the Tigers nearly defeated Alabama. But the Crimson Tide survived with a 20-14 victory. The Tigers defense played their heart out, holding Alabama to just six rushing yards and it’s the first time the Tide had not scored more than 30 points in 34 straight games, which is an FBS record. LSU will play its final three games at home, starting this Saturday night against Arkansas. Orgeron says he wants to see similar effort the rest of the way…:

CUT 17(16)      “…play well.”

Max Johnson will start for LSU vs. Arkansas on Saturday, but Garrett Nussmeier will also play during the game.

After a 29-17 loss to Florida A&M Saturday, The southern Jags turn their attention to Jackson State this Saturday.

The Saints nearly pulled off an unbelievable come from behind victory on Sunday but Atlanta kicked a game-winning field goal on the final play of the game for a 27-25 win in the Caesars Superdome. The loss drops the Saints to 5-and-3, a full game back of Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. There are nine games left as New Orleans is at Tennessee this Sunday. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says the team needs to be more consistent during the second half of the season…:

CUT 20(30)      “…losing obviously”

The Biden Administration’s proposal to force a vaccine mandate on companies of 100 or more employees is in legal limbo after a stay ordered by the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans. It’s good news to Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair who brought suit in the case…:

CUT 12(07)      “…just incredibly excited.”

Trosclair employs about 500 people at his 15 grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Louisiana’s 2018 State Trooper of the Year will take a new role: inmate. 42-year-old former trooper Jason Boyet, of Ponchatoula, was sentenced to 17 & ½ years in prison, after pleading guilty to distribution of child pornography. Boyet will have to serve an additional 5 years of supervised release after his sentence ends.

If you haven’t received your state income tax return for yourself or even your business, you might want to search Unclaimed Property. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Houma State Representative Tanner McGee says some insurance companies are slow-walking payment to Hurricane Ida victims, and some are trying to low-ball claim settlements. He says that makes him angry…:

CUT 06(08)      “…to do so.”

McGee says he’s heard too many tales from constituents for them ALL to be made up.

State Representative Tanner Magee is taking insurance companies to task who aren’t paying up when it comes to Hurricane Ida property damage or have been slow to do so.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brannen.”

Louisiana Congressman and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise blasted the Democrats’ $1.8-trillion infrastructure bill; all 2300 pages of it. Scalise says the bill would give amnesty to massive numbers of illegal immigrants, impose and expensive natural gas tax and create 87-thousand new jobs at the IRS.

The Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandate has been slowed down by an Appeals Court in New Orleans. The order would take effect January 4^th and require any company with over 100 employees to make workers get the shots or face federal fines. News of the temporary restraining order please Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair, who owns grocery stores here and in Mississippi. He employs about 500 people, and is happy someone slowed the president down on the matter. Trosclair feels the matter will eventually come to the U.S. Supreme Court…:

CUT 14(08)      “…continue to prevail.”

The state’s Unclaimed Property fund now has about $5.6-million in unclaimed state tax refunds. State Treasurer John Schroder says, if you haven’t gotten yours, go online and search for your name…:

CUT 07(08)      “…their part.”

Go to LATreasury.com and look for Unclaimed Property.

The Biden Administration’s executive order to mandate COVID vaccines for employees of private companies with over 100 workers is in legal limbo, after a federal Appeals Court in New Orleans grants a temporary restraining order. Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair owns a chain of grocery stores and would be affected…:

CUT 13  (04)        “…14^th Amendment.”

Trosclair says opposition to Biden’s order should go all the way to the Supreme Court if needs be.

Houma area state Representative Tanner McGee is upset with the slow response many insurance companies are giving Hurricane Ida victims. The storm was August 30^th, but many claimants haven’t seen a dime. Some companies he says, are low-balling customers; trying to get them to take less than their claim is worth…:

CUT 05  (09)        “…which is regrettable.”

After a teen was shot and critically injured Saturday at the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport, the manager of the fair says it’s the first one to technically take place inside the fair itself. Chris Giordano says security was stepped up this year after a violent incident two years ago very near the fair, but they will re-examine security again.

Good news out of New Orleans: not a single person has died from COVID-19 is over 18 days. Hospitalizations are also at a record low for this year for the cvity.

The state office of tourism gets worldwide recognition for its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says, after the lockdowns were lifted, the state offered a trip plan including a free night at Louisiana state parks after buying three nights…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…4^th night free.”

The award was part of the annual Wanderlust Travel awards ceremony.

Drug maker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans says being able to treat COVID patients outside of the hospital with the convenience of a pill versus the current option would be a huge advance in treatment.

Cut 5 (07) “…those patients.”

Brandon Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at 15 grocery stores he owns in Louisiana and Mississippi, is among those suing strike down the Biden vaccine mandate on private-sector employees. Trosclair says it could cause him to lose employees.

Cut 9 (10) “…gonna get worse.”

The state marked another critical COVID milestone Friday, the lowest number of hospitalizations since spring of 2020. On Thursday the lowest was 235 and on Friday it was 226. Chief of Hospital Medicine at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Mike Sewell says he believes an increase in vaccinations is largely responsible.

Cut 10 (10)  “…contributed.”

Today is the last day for early for the November 13^th election. For locations and a sample ballot, visit the secretary of state’s website or use your Geaux Vote app on your smartphone. There are some municipal elections in areas of the state but there are also four constitutional amendments on the statewide ballots.

And don’t’ forget Daylight Saving before you go to bed tonight. Set our clock back one hour.

The state recorded its lowest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations Friday since spring of 2020; and that under is 226. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “….Palermo.”

Detectives in Bossier Parish have added over 100 new child pornography charges to a local man, after an exam of his computer yielded loads of images and videos. Beau Helms was first arrested October 21^st for 5 counts of possessing images of child sexual abuse. His bond is set at over a million dollars.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry is among a number of Republican AG’s suing to block President Biden’s mandate that private companies must order their workers to get COVID shots or weekly test, or face termination. The Executive Order also applies to federal contractor, of which Louisiana has many. Mr. Landry…:

CUT 06(08)      “…vastly overreaching”

Biden wants businesses with 100 or more employees to order the shots. A group of private businesses are also suing to block the order.

A $1.3-million Louisiana Lotto jackpot was won last Saturday, by a man in storm-ravaged Lake Charles. Lottery spokesman Dennis Annison says Terrell Joseph Sr. is a richer man now, as is the More 4 Less convenience store, who gets over 13-k for selling the ticket…:

CUT 15(08)      “…operating the store.”

Drug manufacturer Pfizer is seeking FDA approval for a new antiviral COVID pill that they say can cut hospitalizations and deaths by up to 90-percent. Dr. Julio Figueroa, with LSU Health in New Orleans, says high-risk patients will need to get on the Pfizer pill very soon after being diagnosed with coronavirus for maximum benefit…:

CUT 04(10)      “…would fit.”

The state Department of Health’s daily COVID numbers reflect the lowest number of persons in the hospital with the virus in well over a year. As of this morning, 226 patients are under hospital care. That number hasn’t been that low since the spring of 2020. Dr. Mike Sewell, with LSU Health – Shreveport, says the high numbers of COVID patients have made it a bit tough to take care of everyone else…:

CUT 11(10)      “…COVID patients.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is leading a multi-state lawsuit to block President Biden’s order for coronavirus vaccinations in the private sector. Landry says about 60-percent of the state’s budget is tied to federal money; making for one big string attached to be pulled by the White House. He says he feels Mr. Biden forgot we are a republic; not a monarchy…:

CUT 07(07)      “…not his to make.”

Brian Trosclair is a businessman who runs 15 grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi, and employs about 500. He says many of them could face termination if they don’t get the shots, and feels it’s ironic that just a year ago they were being hailed as heroes…:

CUT 08(08)      “…for their families.”

Both Landry and Trosclair feel the White House order (which takes effect January 4^th) is a severe overreach.