Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone sat down with Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana this morning in a rare public interview where he opined about his quest to unseat Governor Edwards.  Rispone’s connection to GOP mega-donor Lane Grigsby was the basis of many Edwards attacks, with the Governor even calling Rispone Grigsby’s “puppet”. Rispone called Grigbys’ influence a media exaggeration.
Cut 14 (09) “…personally”

Rispone has ruled out any further attempts to run for office.

Louisiana native Dr. Courtney Phillips has been chosen as Louisiana’s new health secretary. She’s been the head of the Texas health department since October 2018.  Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement of the appointment via a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.   The position became vacant with the retirement of Dr. Rebekah Gee.

A drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish leaves an 8-year-old child in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital.  26-year-old Jonas Hawk of Jeanerette is accused of firing at least four shots at a group of 15.  Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendall Raborn says the child’s uncle, who was among the group, had a connection to the suspect that may have been the motive behind the shooting.
Cut 4 (08) “…long ongoing dispute.”
The suspect was arrested with 30 minutes.
Three teens have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says their investigation began Monday night when an officer patrolling a neighborhood saw gunfire coming from a vehicle

Cut 6 (09) “…into custody”

18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City a 15-year-old female and 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, were arrested.

The 2018 Louisiana Trooper of the Year has been arrested by State Police.  As part of an FBI investigation, 41-year-old Jason Boyet of Troop L is charged with one count of production and distribution of pornography involving juveniles.  Boyet was placed on administrative leave following the arrest.

Eddie Rispone had a rare public interview this morning where he spoke with Jim Engster about his run for Governor. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Three teenagers have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. On Monday, police arrested two teens, 18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City and a 15-year-old female who was the driver.  Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, was arrested yesterday.

Cut 7 (11) “…himself in.”

The Agenda for Children releases its first-ever road map to improving Child Well-Being in Louisiana. The Bayou State has never ranked higher than 46th in the Annie E Casey Foundation Kids Count report. Researcher Theresa Falgoust (Fal-goo) says reducing the child poverty rate would be a huge step forward…

Cut 9 (10) “…deep south.″

Falgoust hopes the report will encourage lawmakers and other policymakers along with nonprofit groups to focus on how they can help improve child wellness in the state.

With the mumps outbreak on the LSU campus up to 12 cases the university is stepping up efforts to prevent further spread by offering free MMR vaccines to those considered to be in high risk groups. Students receiving the vaccine need to get both doses of it in order for it be fully effective. The Louisiana Department of Health is still advising that all LSU students receive the vaccine.

The latest Kids Count report has Louisiana ranked 49th again for child well-being, but Agenda for Children releases a roadmap on how the state can improve its ranking…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Eddie Rispone made a rare public appearance today to speak with Talk Louisiana’s Jim Engster about his near successful effort to unseat Governor Edwards in last year’s run-off. Rispone received some flack for running a blitz of attack ads against Republican Ralph Abraham late in the primary. Rispone was asked if that soured his relationship with some Abraham supporters…

Cut 13 (10) “…different.”

Abraham struggled to raise funds during the campaign, while Rispone sunk a reported 14 million of his own money into the race.

18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City, a 15-year-old female and 19-year-old Otis Smith, a Bossier High basketball star, have all been arrested in connection to the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City. This is the third homicide in Bossier City this year after reporting six homicides in 2019. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry…

Cut 8 (10) “…Bossier City.”

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone sat down with Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana this morning in a rare public interview where he opined about his quest to unseat Governor Edwards. Rispone was the first Republican to challenge Edwards, announcing his bid back in late 2018. When asked if he still has a taste for the campaign trail…

Cut 12 (05) “was it”

He says he plans to remain active in Louisiana politics through support for candidates who share his views on education.

The Agenda for Children releases its first-ever road map to improving Child Well-Being in Louisiana. Researcher Theresa Falgoust (Fal-goo) says Louisiana’s high rate of child poverty is 28-percent, but there is a positive sign, just over half of three and four years are enrolled in schools with the help of federal and state resources.

Cut 11 (12) “…universal access.”

A drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish leaves an 8-year-old child in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital.  Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendall Raborn says the child was among 15 people standing outside when the suspect, 26-year-old Jonas Hawk of Jeanerette rolled up on the scene.

Cut 3 (11)  “…to the hospital. 

Hawk was booked on 15 counts of first-degree murder.

Three teenagers have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says their investigation began Monday night when an officer patrolling a neighborhood saw gunfire coming from a vehicle

Cut 6 (09) “…into custody”

18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City a 15-year-old female and 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, were arrested.

Eddie Rispone had a rare public interview this morning where he spoke with Jim Engster about his run for Governor. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The suspect within 30 minutes and he is now in the Iberia Parish Jail, booked on 15 counts of attempted first degree murder.

Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre says one of two individuals who jumped from a moving party bus early Saturday morning has died. 21-year-old Austin Jenkins has passed away from his injuries, while his 19-year-old brother remains in critical condition. Sheriff Webre calls the incident a tragic accident.

A drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish leaves an 8-year-old child in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital.  Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendall Raborn says the child was among 15 people standing outside when the suspect, 26-year-old Jonas Hawk of Jeanerette rolled up on the scene and fired at least four shots.  Raborn says the child’s uncle, who was among the group, had a connection to the suspect that may have been the motive behind the shooting.
Cut 4 (08) “…long ongoing dispute.”
Raborn says officials were able to find the suspect within 30 minutes.

The Agenda for Children releases its first-ever road map to improving Child Well-Being in Louisiana. The Bayou State has never ranked higher than 46th in the Annie E Casey Foundation Kids Count report. Researcher Theresa Falgoust (Fal-goo) says the report also shows that if every parish could prevent four infants from being born at low birth weight then Louisiana would improve by a ranking.
Cut 10 (07) “…five rankings.”

A drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish leaves an 8-year-old child in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital.  Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendall Raborn says the child was among 15 people standing outside when the suspect, 26-year-old Jonas Hawk of Jeanerette rolled up on the scene.
Cut 3 (11)  “…to the hospital. 
The suspect was apprehended within 30 minutes and he is now in the Iberia Parish Jail, booked on 15 counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Three teenagers have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. On Monday, police arrested two teens, 18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City and a 15-year-old female who was the driver.  Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, was arrested yesterday

Cut 7 (11) “…himself in.”

The Agenda for Children releases its first-ever road map to improving Child Well-Being in Louisiana. The Bayou State has never ranked higher than 46th in the Annie E Casey Foundation Kids Count report. Researcher Theresa Falgoust (Fal-goo) says reducing the child poverty rate would be a huge step forward…

Cut 9 (10) “…deep south.″

The story of Keiosha Felix, who vanished in 2012 when she was 15, gets the national spotlight on the Investigation Discovery show “In Pursuit with John Walsh.”  Show producer Michelle Sigona says authorities believe Keiosha may be in Duson, Baton Rouge, or Houston.

Cut 10 (13) “…someone knows something.”

The show airs tonight at 9PM.   The hotline, 1-833-3-PURSUE.

Business leaders were eager to hear from the new Legislative leadership about lawsuit reform yesterday at the Louisiana Association of Business and industry’s annual meeting…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A child missing since April 2012 gets national attention tonight.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Gulf Coast aquifer useage is up 578 percent from 1951 and the Legislative Auditor is calling for a plan to protect the future of one of Louisiana’s most valuable resources…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle. 

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Wild weather is in the forecast for the state today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a pesky stationary front has been parked across Louisiana for the past couple of days, keeping it cloudy and dreary with the occasional rain.

Cut 4 (08) “…across the state.”

Keim says the Storm Prediction Center puts much of Louisiana under a slight to marginal risk for severe weather.

Cut 5 (07)  “…clearing on Thursday.”

With recent rains across the northern parishes, Keim says it’s a good idea to take the proper precautions ahead of potential flooding.

Cut 6 (05) “…top of it.”

_____________________________

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry hosted Legislative leaders yesterday for a panel all about the state’s legal climate and efforts to pass lawsuit reform aimed at lowering insurance rates.

The Senate stymied TORT reform efforts last year, but Senate President Page Cortez doesn’t expect that to be the case in the upcoming session.

Cut 7 (11) “…on it.”

The 2020 Regular Session begins March 9th.

Trial lawyer groups have historically been major funders in Louisiana politics and stand to lose work if proposed jury trial limits were to pass. Cortez says he’s not concerned their cash will derail the effort.

Cut 8 (06) “…wants.”

TORT reform is shaping up to be the key issue of the session, and Cortez says only one other issue will come close to it’s prominence.

Cut 9 (11) “…session.″

During his speech later in the day, Governor Edwards says he was open to working with the Legislature on TORT reform.

____________________

The story of Keiosha Felix, a 15-year-old who vanished in 2012, gets the national spotlight tonight on the show “In Pursuit with John Walsh,” which airs on Investigation Discovery.  Show producer Michelle Sigona says authorities believe Keiosha may be in Duson, Baton Rouge, or Houston.

Cut 10 (13) “…someone knows something.”

Keiosha disappeared from her aunt’s home in Duson in April 2012.  Sigona has hope the episode can lead to Keiosha’s whereabouts as the program has a history of successfully tracking down fugitives and missing children, including a recent capture.

Cut 11 (13) “…missing child side.”

Sigona says the show has a hotline that viewers can call or text in their tips and they can do so anonymously.

Cut 12 (09) “…you can offer.”

The hotline is based at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  The show airs tonight at 9PM.

_____________________________________

The State Legislative Auditor is asking the Legislature to consider implementing a water management plan to keep the state’s aquifers from running dry, or falling prey to saltwater intrusion in the future.

Audit Manager Gina Brown says water is increasingly becoming a valuable resource in America, and it’s a resource Louisiana currently has plenty of…

Cut 13 (10) “…resources.”

Water depletion has increased 63 percent nationwide since 1951, and 579 percent since 59’ for the Gulf Coast region.

But strain on the state’s aquifers is growing, with 49 percent of current usage going to energy production, 25 percent to industry, and 12 percent heading to irrigation.

Cut 14 (07) “…aquifer”

So to save the state’s water for future generations, one of their recommendations is the adoption of a Texas-style creation of “water regions”.

Cut 15 (09) “plan.”

Texas’s recent effort to buy water from Toledo Bend for 50 years was rebuffed by the Sabine River Authority, due to public concern over a lack of information on how it would impact water levels.

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night and two school systems canceled classes today due to flooding, Morehouse and West Carroll Parish Schools. National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says northeast Louisiana has already seen a lot of rain

Cut 5 (09)  “…five inches.”

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury has declared a state of emergency as the Monroe area braces for flooded roads and rivers. 

The Army Corps of Engineers announces a plan to spend $85 million this year to deepen the lower Mississippi River to 50 feet.  Port of New Orleans spokesperson Matt Gresham says that allows for several southeast Louisiana ports to accept larger cargo ships built to take advantage of the Panama Canal’s expansion.

Cut 9 (12) “…the Panama Canal.″

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lafayette. The deceased has been identified at 40-year old Jeremy Todd Baham of Lafayette. Trooper Thomas Gossen says two officers approached Baham and that’s when things got physical and took a turn.

Cut 4 (12) “…more information.”

The officer involved in the incident received non-life threatening injuries.

LSU football will kick-off the 2022 and 2023 seasons by facing Florida State. The 2022 season opener will take place in the Superdome in New Orleans and the following year the two teams will meet in Orlando. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says the game in New Orleans and Orlando will be played on Sunday of Labor Day weekend at the request of TV…

Cut 15 (10) “…great”

The Army Corps of Engineers announces a plan to spend $85 million this year to deepen the lower Mississippi River to 50 feet.  Port of New Orleans spokesperson Matt Gresham says the initial phase will see work done on the first 30 miles of the river.

Cut 8 (11) “…about Oak Alley.”

The goal is to deepen the river to 50 feet.  Gresham says that allows for several southeast Louisiana ports to accept larger cargo ships built to take advantage of the Panama Canal’s expansion.

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night and two school systems canceled classes today due to flooding, Morehouse and West Carroll Parish Schools. National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says the rain slacks off a little today, but more heavy rainfall is expected…

Cut 6 (09) “…northeast Louisiana”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron has hired former Rams head coach Scott Linehan to be the Tigers new passing game coordinator. Linehan has also been a former offensive coordinator in Dallas, Minnesota, Miami, and Detroit. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says most of Coach O’s coaching hires have worked, so we’ll have to wait to see if Linehan can help keep LSU’s offense humming along.
Cut 12 (11) “…to recruit”
LSU football will kick-off the 2022 and 2023 seasons by facing Florida State. The 2022 season opener will take place in the Superdome in New Orleans and the following year the two teams will meet in Orlando. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley expects Seminola fans will be excited to spend Labor Day weekend in New Orleans and they know LSU fans will be there
Cut 14 (09) “…full house.”
Hundley says each school will be given 30-thousand tickets that they can sell to their fans and that number could go up depending on demand.

The Army Corps of Engineers announces a plan to spend $85 million this year to deepen the lower Mississippi River.  The Corps estimates a national economic benefit of $127.5 million annually.  It’s a project that has been pushed for a long time and Port of New Orleans spokesperson Matt Gresham says a study indicated that improvements offer an 80-to-1 cost-to-benefit ratio.

Cut 10 (10) “…than a decade.”

The project is expected to cost nearly $240 million, with the state covering more than $100 million.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lafayette. The deceased has been identified at 40-year old Jeremy Todd Baham of Lafayette. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the shooting happened last night on Kaliste Saloom Road.

Cut 3 (10)  “…(x2) with a weapon” 

LSU football will kick-off the 2022 and 2023 seasons by facing Florida State. The 2022 season opener will take place in the Superdome in New Orleans and the following year the two teams will meet in Orlando. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says they’ve spent about two years trying to put this game together…

Cut 13 (10) “…neutral sites.”

Hundley says each school will be given 30-thousand tickets that they can sell to their fans and that number could go up depending on demand.

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night. The Ouachita Parish Police Jury has declared a state of emergency as the Monroe area braces for flooded roads and rivers. National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says there is an elevated risk for flash flooding…

Cut 7 (09) “…same location.”