Two former State Troopers are no longer facing criminal charges for their roles in the alleged coverup of Ronald Greene’s in-custody police death. Judge Thomas Rogers says the actions of John Peters and Dakota Demoss did not result in obstruction of justice. Three people remained charged for their roles in Greene’s roadside death in Union Parish in 2019.

With qualifying for the fall elections just 4 weeks away, could we see some declared candidates for Governor decide NOT to run?

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The clock is ticking for homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2021 and 2022 to complete the survey to find out if they qualify for rebuilding grant dollars. Restore Louisiana hosts an outreach session today in Lake Charles at the Allen P. August Center from 3:30 to 6:30. State Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes….

Cut 6 (12)  “…Lake Charles.”

Since its launch in February 2022, the program has offered more than $208 million in grant awards to over 2,590 homeowners affected by 2020-21 disaster events. Homeowners who are unable to attend the event can complete the survey at restore.la.gov.

The start of a new school year is quickly approaching and health officials are reminding parents to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says childhood vaccination rates have dropped from 97 to 94 percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…that we are.”

Kanter says a 95% immunization rate equates to herd immunity.

Governor Edwards vetoed three anti-LGBTQ bills including a ban on transgender medical procedures on minors. The bill’s author, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment neighboring states have passed similar legislation and without it, Louisiana will be set apart.

Cut 9 (10)  “…on kids.”

New Orleans Democrat Aimee Freeman points out that legislation passed in Arkansas has already been challenged in the courts and she believes Firment’s bill violates the state constitution because it’s discriminatory.

Cut 10 (09) “…be trusted.”

Lawmakers must respond by Thursday if they wish to return to Baton Rouge for a veto session.

Officials broke ground for a $21 million broadband expansion to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to 10,000 households and businesses in Avoyelles Parish last Thursday. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Avoyelles is only one of several rural parishes selected to receive broadband …

Cut 15 (12)  “…most impact.”

The collective impact of the $176 million in federal funds plus the $1.4 billion will ensure that Louisianans in rural and low-income communities will have access to high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet.

Baton Rouge General has opened The Louisiana Center for Bariatrics in Baton Rouge. One of the surgeons, Dr. Karalyn Bentley, says in addition to weight loss surgery the center also specializes in non-surgical weight loss interventions, nutrition counseling, and support groups.

Cut 6 (10)  “…their family.”

47-year-old Brian Horn has been convicted by a Desoto Parish jury a second time for the 2010 brutal killing of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall. The verdict was returned in DeSoto District Court after less than 15 minutes of deliberations. Desoto District Attorney Charlie Adams says Horn’s case is why Louisiana has the death penalty….

Cut 5 (11)  “…appropriate result.”

It remains to be seen if the sentence will be carried as it has been since 2010 since an execution has taken place in Louisiana.

The FDA approved the new groundbreaking medication, Leqembi, that appears to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.  LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael says it’s a completely new era for Alzheimer’s disease.

Cut 9 (11)  “…symptoms.”

Carmichael warns the medication is not effective for all Alzheimer’s patients, it’s only effective against those with a specific protein in the brain.

The state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves a plan to conserve the popular redfish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Major League Baseball Draft begins Sunday night and two LSU Tigers could be the first two picks; Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes. Pittsburgh has the first pick and many think they’ll take the SEC’s Male Athlete of the Year, Dylan Crews. Others expect Skenes to be taken by Washington.

A jury has decided 47-year-old Brian Horn should die by lethal injection for killing 12-year-old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall. Justin’s lifeless body was found along a highway in Desoto Parish in 2010. It’s the second time Horn has been convicted and sentenced to die for this brutal crime. Desoto District Attorney Charlie Adams believes this conviction will stick…

Cut 3 (10) “…of people

Horn will be formally sentenced on September 14th.

The FDA’s endorsement of the Alzheimer’s medication Lequembi is a beacon of hope for the more than five million Americans with the brain-robbing disease. LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael says it’s a completely new era for Alzheimer’s disease.

Cut 9 (11)  “…symptoms.”

Hurricane experts from Colorado State University are upping their forecast for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Global business software company 360Insights will move its U.S. headquarters from Delaware to New Orleans. Senior VP of Business Dev elopement with Greater New Orleans Inc. Josh Fleig (“FLEG”) says GNO Inc. worked with the New Orleans Business Alliance and Louisiana Economic Development to attract 360Insights to move to Bayou Country and the state’s Tax Credit program was a big incentive…:

Cut 8 (12) “…in the area.’”

360Insights expects to be fully staffed in New Orleans within two years.

Louisianans personal income grew by 6.2 percent in the first quarter of this year. The state’s rate outpaced the national average of 5.1 percent according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner says social security payment increases account for a good portion of the hike…

Cut 10 (12) “…right now.”

The six-point two percent increase means Louisianan’s personal income grew higher than Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama.

Louisiana Civil Rights Trail added its 11^th physical historical marker honoring the Deacons for Defense and Justice in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Deacons of Defense and Justice provided protection for civil rights workers and the African American community in the 1960s. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says the journey of the Deacons will continue through family members and for years to come…

Cut 14 (12)  “…to come.”

There were 21 Deacons of Defense and Justice organizations founded across the southeastern U.S.

The state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves stricter catch limits for redfish in state waters in an effort to preserve the population of the popular fish. Commissioner Joe McPherson says sportsmen back their plan of reducing the catch limit from five redfish per day, per angler to three…

Cut 6 (08)  “…fishing success” 

The minimum size allowed would change from 16 to 18 inches and anglers can no longer keep a redfish above 24 inches. The plan will undergo a public comment period.

Colorado state hurricane experts are now updating their predictions to ‘above average’ for the 2023 hurricane season. The updated forecast now calls for 18 named storms.  Alex DesRosiers, a member of the Hurricane Forecast Team at CSU says its always important to have a plan.

Cut 5 (12)   “…your community.”

360Insights, a global software firm, is relocating its U.S. headquarters to New Orleans and will add at least 50 new jobs over the next two years. Senior VP of Business Development with Greater New Orleans Inc. Josh Fleig says the hiring process is underway…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…85-thousand dollars.”

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Louisiana’s personal income growth grew by 6.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023, outpacing the national average of 5.1 percent. University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner says earnings increased slightly but so did inflation…

Cut 11 (13)  “way up.”

The newest marker on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail marker commemorates the  Deacons for Defense and Justice in Jonesboro. The marker is located at the Deacons for Defense Park in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says this marker is one of many stories representing the brave men and women who played a pivotal role in the Louisiana Civil Rights era…

Cut 13 (12) “…tourism trail.”  

Shreveport police have identified the four people killed in the 4^th of July mass shooting. The ages of the deceased range from 17 to 24. It is believed the shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups of men and multiple people were firing shots.

Global business software company 360 Insights announces it is moving its U.S. headquarters to New Orleans. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Colorado State University researchers have increased their forecast, now predicting an above-average 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. CSU predicts 18 named storms, nine hurricanes, four major hurricanes, Cat 3 or higher. The updated forecast is an increase from the 15 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes they predicted on June 1. Alex DesRosiers, a member of the Hurricane Forecast Team at CSU…

Cut 6 (07)  “…evacuate.”

So far this year, there was a subtropical in January and three tropical storms in June, Arlene, Bret, and Cindy.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports personal income grew 6.2 percent in Louisiana in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a 5.1 percent average increase nationally. University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner says an increase in social security payments accounts for most of the hike…

Cut 10 (12) “…right now.”

Last year, Louisiana ranked 50^th in personal income data for the nation.

According to a recent study by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, nearly 900 people were killed last year on Louisiana roads, that’s a 21 percent increase from 2019, resulting in $37 billion in property damage and health care costs. Director of Policy and Research Rocky Moretti says motorists must do their part and agencies need to make much-needed roadway improvements.

Cut 12 (11)    “…as possible.” 

From 2019-2022, the traffic fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) increased by 18 percent.

Northwestern State University’s economic value is $520 million in income and the school supports more than seven thousand jobs, that’s according to an economic impact study. University President Dr. Marcus Jones says the study highlights the value of the university on an individual, community, and state level.

Cut 7 (10) “…located.”

Jones says findings from the study are important to stakeholders, legislators, and industry partners of the university.

The CDC releases a breakdown of the COVID numbers of Americans 16 and older. Brooke Thorington has more on what the numbers mean.

Cut 3 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

No arrests have been made in the mass shooting at a Fourth of July block party in Shreveport that resulted in four deaths and seven injures. Authorities are pleading for anyone with information to come forward. Family members have identified one of the victims, 17-year-old Syncere Brown.

On “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster”, New Orleans Democrat Representative Mandie Landry believes lawmakers will not return for a veto session because it’s a numbers game getting a two-thirds majority in both chambers to vote for one and it’s also an election year.

Cut 3 (12) “…July 13th.”

If they do choose to have an override session it would begin July 19^th

A mass shooting left four people dead and seven injured during an annual Fourth of July block party in Shreveport last night. It was difficult for first responders to get to the victims due to the amount of vehicles at the scene. There are reports there were at least two hundred people in attendance.  Police Chief Wayne Smith says witnesses are saying there were multiple people shooting…

Cut 7 (11)  “…of gunfire.” 

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at (318) 673-7373.

The Secretary of State asks state lawmakers to come back to Baton Rouge and overturn one of Governor Edwards’ vetoes. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

New Orleans had two separate shooting incidents on the July 4th holiday. Police say a man and a woman suffered non-fatal gunshots in shootings that occurred within about an hour of each other last night, but unrelated and some distance apart. Both are under investigation.