Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow ends speculation that he would try to force his way out of Cincinnati as he says he’ll play for the Bengals if they take him with the number one pick. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Personal finance website WalletHub dissects New Orleans Mardi Gras by the numbers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Burrow spoke to a large group of reporters this morning

Cut 3 (06)  “…show up”  

Some NFL reporters have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.  Burrow will not throw at the combine, but he looks forward to meeting with several teams, including the Bengals…

Cut 4 (09) “…think about ball.”

JaMarcus Russell was the last LSU quarterback drafted with the top pick in 2007. But Russell turned out to be a big bust in Oakland. Burrow is confident he’ll succeed in the NFL…

Cut 5 (08)  “…fund it”

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A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. Rex the King of Carnival has the key to the city…

Cut 6 (09) “…day and night.”

There are also parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

In the Hub City, thousands are enjoying their Fat Tuesday. Lee says the big party started this morning…

Cut 8 (26) “…Lee reporting”

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Millions are celebrating Mardi Gras around the world, but no one does it bigger than New Orleans.  The celebration has a large economic impact on the Big Easy, bringing in over $1 billion annually, which is roughly 2 percent of the city’s GDP.  Personal finance website WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says it’s growing too.

Cut 9 (06) “…impact from 2011.″

Of the roughly half-million King Cakes sold in Carnival season, about 50-thousand are shipped out of state overnight, with the average cost being around $40.  But for those that want to come into town for the festivities, Gonzales says visitors to New Orleans can expect to pay just shy of $300 per night to stay in the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (09) “…this time alone.”

The average price to attend a Mardi Gras ball is about $190 a ticket.  Gonzales says a VIP experience of riding on a float is upwards of $3000.

Cut 11 (10) “…does add up.”

About 25 million pounds of beads are thrown during the celebrations.  92,000 pounds of beads are removed from storm drains after the celebration.

________________________

With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent  Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson says he wants to hold meetings in the immediate future to discuss safety measures.

Cut 12 (11) “… carnival season.”

Ferguson received criticism for making the decision to suddenly stop the use of tandem floats for the remainder of Mardi Gras but he feels he made the correct choice.

Cut 13 (09) “…that decision.”

Ferguson says safety is his top priority for the citizens of New Orleans and its visitors and he praised the Krewes that cooperated with the last minute changes involving floats.

Cut 14 (10) “…to do it”

There’s legislation this session to allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom to protect special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Federal officials have given the state approval to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that can be used to protect communities from flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey applauds Governor Edwards for changing his mind…

Cut 3 (10)  “…of last year.”  

The governor’s initial budget proposal did not include specific language for a pay raise. But Edwards’s education policy adviser told a task force that a 39-million dollar funding increase for public schools should go to teacher pay raises.

Last year, we were told Louisiana teachers were paid about 22-hundred dollars below the southern regional average. Posey says states around Louisiana have done a better job keeping up with the S-R-A…

Cut 4 (05) “…than Louisiana.”

The debate over whether teachers will get another pay raise will head up two weeks from today when lawmakers convene for the 2020 legislative session. Posey hopes lawmakers will see the value in paying public school teachers a good salary…

Cut 5 (08)  “…fund it”

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Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39 after the council placed a recorder on a child and they were able to document ongoing abuse of an autistic student attending Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy in 2018.

Cut 6 (06) “…of safety.”

If enacted parents can request school systems install cameras in the classrooms to monitor interactions. Foil says stories of abuse are statewide and he believes cameras will clear up any questions parents have of what’s really going on in the classroom.

Cut 7 (12) “…bullying them.”

A similar measure to protect nursing home patients passed in 2018 and Foil believes Senate Bill 39 to safeguard Special Need students will be enacted as well.

Cut 8 (08) “…protect them.”

The estimated cost of installing the cameras is about $7-million with each camera costing around $5-thousand.

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The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they’ll implement the plan as fast as possible

Cut 9 (07) “…need to do″

Forbes says they expect the money will become available in the spring and they’ll start using the dollars to improve rain and river gauges and models for every watershed in the state

Cut 10 (11) “…flood risk”

Forbes says the Louisiana Watershed Initiative will work with regional steering communities to guide flood mitigation decisions and investments…

Cut 11 (08) “their communities”

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A Breaux Bridge man faces animal cruelty charges, accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins credits the public’s help for nabbing 55-year-old Gary James Goulas.

Cut 12 (10) “… cruelty to animals.”

The charges, one for each puppy, are felony offenses with a fine of $5,000 to $25,000 and possible prison time of 1 to 10 years for each count. Higgins says it is an act that is not taken lightly.

Cut 13 (10) “…somebody being charged.”

The puppies are in the care of Every Paw Animal Rescue in Evangeline Parish and Higgins says they appear to be doing well.

Cut 14 (10) “…conversation”

A nearby fisherman saw the suspect toss what appeared to be litter into the water and drive away. Upon retrieval of the bag, the fisherman discovered the pups inside.

There are two days left of parades and partying, but a somber mood has come over Carnival 2020 after a second person was struck and killed by a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Adoption Program is underway to place extra horses with owners so they can avoid possible slaughter. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington 

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An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be compromised by ransomware. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Mardi Gras safety will be a big topic in New Orleans over the months ahead, after a second person in three days was struck and killed by a float. 58-year-old Joseph Sampson died Saturday after a passing tandem float hit him at the Endymion parade. Afterward, the city banned the use of tandem floats, but Endymion Vice President Charles Bruno does not believe a tandem float is to blame

Cut 4 (11)_ “…police department”

Last Wednesday a 58-year-old woman was run over by a parade float and died. Endymion President Dan Kelly is calling on city leaders to come up with a plan to prevent future tragedies…

Cut 5 (09)  “…Mardi Gras parades”

Some say banning tandem floats is not the answer to preventing further deaths during the raucous street parades. Others say the city should put up more barricades keeping partygoers off the street. But Bruno says more barricades can create a different problem…

Cut 6 (10) “…larger crowd”

And on Sunday two krewe members on different floats in the Thoth parade fell off and had to be rushed to the hospital. Officials say both riders are in stable condition.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is coordinating its fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program. In the past extra horses needed to be used in parades were sent to auction, where they could be in danger of heading to slaughter.  Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says the program has proven to be successful.

Cut 7 (06) “…for adoption.”

In the past potential adopters would choose from available horses after Carnival season, but with the program’s increased popularity, Dorson says they are seeing a new progression.

Cut 8 (11) “…few weeks.”

For 2020, twenty horses are up for adoption and more than half have already been adopted and several families have been approved by the Humane Society of Louisiana’s adoption team. Dorson is confident they will have another banner year.

Cut 9 (09) “…Mardi Gras horse.”

You can visit their facebook page Mardi Gras Horses for adoption information and photos of available horses.

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An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be hacked in a report distributed to the National Association of Secretaries of State. While Louisiana appears to be secure, Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says in a recent intrusion response, the agency discovered vulnerabilities to ransomware.

Cut 10 (10) “…pay your ransom.”

Ingalls says local level election systems are a likely target.

Cut 11 (09) “…advanced malware attacks.”

State agencies such as the OMV were recently impacted by a ransomware attack. But Ingalls says the state’s election systems are a testament to good security.

Cut 12 (13) “… been in place.”

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Governor Edwards announces the creation of a “Climate Initiatives Task Force” that will work on ways to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow sea level rise.

The governor would not name any specific carbon emission targets at this point. But Edwards’ Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says it’s still early in the process.

Cut 13 (10) “…related.”

Edwards showcased his billion dollars a year coastal restoration plan last week, but officials admit it requires a slowing of sea-level rise to work longterm. Sutcliffe says it’ll have to be a global effort, but…

Cut 14 (12) “…conversation”

Discussing the impact of carbon emissions on the global climate can be controversial in an oil-rich state. Sutcliffe says the objective is not to attack a particular group.

Cut 15 (09) “…gonna do.”

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After a disappointing two to nothing loss on Friday, the 11th ranked LSU baseball team bounced back to win Saturday and Sunday to take the series from Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers had great starting pitching over the weekend. AJ Labas allowed two runs over seven innings in yesterday’s ten to two win

Cut 16  (23)  …fine today’   

LSU was shutout on Friday and put together a couple of good innings in the win on Saturday. But yesterday the Tigers busted the game open with a seven-run third inning. First baseman Cade Beloso had three hits and drove in three runs on the afternoon…

Cut 17  (24) “for sure 

Coach Paul Mainieri hopes Sunday’s performance at the plate will build the confidence of his hitters…

cut 18  (20) “of that”   

Crisis Text Line releases data showing over 22,000 texters in Louisiana have used the service since its launch is 2013. Kevin Barnhart has details of who is using the service.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A survey of small buisiness owners in Louisiana shows the top conern from owners is the workforce. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Heads up parents, before checking out the parades this weekend with the little ones, check out this free app from the FBI…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The Crisis Text Line report on the State of Mental Health in America shows over 22,000 texters in Louisiana have reached out for help since launching in August 2013.  Crisis Text Line spokesperson Ashley Womble says in that time, 465 times they have been able to de-escalate someone in Louisiana who was thinking about suicide.

Cut 4 (08) “…within 24 hours.”

The report indicates that three-quarters of the texters are under the age or 25, with 82% of them identifying as female.  However, men are more likely to die from suicide.  Womble says sometimes, a conversation is not enough and someone needs to step in.

Cut 5 (11)  “…happened 240 times.”

Using the Crisis Text Line is the first time seeking help for 60% of those who use it.  Depression and sadness is the top reason linked to usage, followed closely by relationship issues, then anxiety and stress.  Womble says the number one form of self-care among texters is music.

Cut 6 (09) “…in less crisis.”

The Crisis Text Line can be accessed by sending the word “HOME” to 741-741

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A National Federation of Independent Business poll of Louisiana members shows the top issue facing small businesses in the state is the “quality of labor.” Workforce concerns were at the top of the list, above even tax issues for 23 percent of members. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says it boils down to two issues.

Cut 7 (08) “…be there.”

Starns says there’s concerns about state workers’ technical qualifications, but with the tightening labor market and low unemployment, it can be difficult to find workers who are committed to the job.

Cut 8 (10) “…face.”

Nearly 80 percent of respondents say they would like the state to do more to prepare workers coming out of high school for employment. Starns says even entry-level jobs need technical and people skills.

Cut 9 (08) “…skills″

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Pearl River swelling from heavy rain in central Mississippi is catching the attention of officials over flooding issues downstream in Washington and St. Tammany parishes. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Gavin Phillips forecasts near-record levels in the coming days around the town of Pearl River.

Cut 10 (10) “…I-59 gauge.”

Near Bogalusa, the river is expected to crest at 22.5 feet on Saturday, causing flooding east of Highway 21 along the Bogalusa Creek.

Interstate commuters shouldn’t be too concerned. Phillips says the higher river levels may pose an issue for those that live along the river and low lying area or have fish camps in the area.

Cut 11 (08) “…higher than that.”

Near Slidell, the crest is expected Sunday at 19 feet. Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle says they are monitoring the situation closely.

Cut 12 (11) “… to be ready.”

The river crests for both Bogalusa and the town of Pearl River are expected to be their highest levels since 2016.

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If you’re taking your kids with you to Mardi Gras this year download the FBI Child ID app before you leave in the unfortunate event you and your kid are separated.

The app gets you to build a profile of your child, including photo, height, weight, age, and your contact number. FBI New Orleans spokesperson Craig Betbeze says if your child is missing, just press a button…

Cut 13 (09) “…station.”

The app is free.

Along with helping get vital identification information to local authorities, Betbeze says it also helps you start piecing together info that could be critical to finding your lost offspring.

Cut 14 (08) “…missing ”

It also features a list of safety topics you should discuss with your kid before you head out on the parade route.

Betbeze says the app abides by all child privacy laws.

Cut 15 (10) “…FBI.”

The app is available through app stores for both Android and IPhone devices.

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LSU’s annual Spring Football Game will be April 18th but it will not take place in Tiger Stadium. Instead, LSU will hold the scrimmage at Southern University’s Mumford Stadium. Executive Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry says that’s because they are replacing the turf inside Death Valley…

Cut 16  (14)  …be completed”  

Ausberry says to play the Spring Game at Southern, LSU had to get permission from the SEC to play the game there, because the league says you can’t play your spring game away from your home stadium unless you plan to play a regular-season game at the site of your spring game

Cut 17  (14) “thing to do” 

The Senate votes to advance a measure limiting the President’s authority to engage in acts of war against Iran. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the measure’s supporters Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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An Oil City Representative thinks it’s time for the state to do away with the need to have concealed carry licenses to carry a concealed handgun. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Senator Bill Cassidy is one of seven Republicans to join Senate Democrats in voting to limit the President’s authority to take military action against Iran.

Cassidy says the vote was not a slight to President Trump, he just feels Congress needs to reclaim its responsibility in deciding when to head to war and make sure any decision has public support.

Cut 4 (10) “…united”

The measure cleared the Senate 55-45 and heads to the House next, where a similar bill was passed earlier this year.

Cassidy cited The Obama Administration’s decision to bomb Libya as a prime example of executive branch overreach in making decisions that will lead to war.

Cut 5 (11)  “…a war”

President Trump has vowed to veto the measure, and Louisiana’s other Senator, John Kennedy, voted against it.

Cassidy says the measure would not have prevented the President from taking action like the decision earlier this year to bomb an Iranian General, because…

Cut 6 (05) “…permissible”

The wording calls for the termination of the President’s ability to use the military against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or use of force.

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Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would eliminate the need to have a concealed carry license in order to carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says open carry is already legal in Louisiana, and requiring people to get a permit to cover up that gun is just a tax.

Cut 7 (09) “…call it.”

McCormick says putting additional barriers between legal gun owners and their right to carry in public is infringing on basic American rights.

Cut 8 (12) “…worship.”

The legislation still requires a concealed carrier be legal to own firearms. Opponents argue concealed carry creates additional public risk, and so the licensing classes exist to ensure gun owners are responsible and informed enough to concealed carry. McCormick disagrees.

Cut 9 (04) “…per say.″

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A 2019 report on from True Colors United and the National Law Center for Homelessness ranks Louisiana in the top ten among the fifty states and District of Columbia in its efforts to address youth homelessness.  Report co-author Dylan Waguespack says the state has an advantage over others from spearheading the issue with the legislation in the ’90s.

Cut 10 (06) “…a new issue.”

Louisiana is ranked 7^th, up one spot from last year.  Among the areas where Louisiana excels include providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently, and the state’s foster care, where those in the program can now receive benefits through the age of 21 instead of 18.

Cut 11 (08) “…their 18^th birthday.”

Waguespack says there is room for improvement, indicating limiting opportunities for contact between youth experiencing homelessness and the juvenile and criminal justice systems should be prioritized.

Cut 12 (07) “…a young person.”

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Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of the 34 people appointed to that council and he says the work is important because many of the rural areas are drying up.

Cut 13 (11) “…these rural areas.”

Anderson says the expansion of broadband internet availability is an opportunity to help the rural areas become a more attractive place to live and work.

Cut 14 (08) “…have better service”

The council will develop and submit a comprehensive strategic plan to the Governor on January 5^th, 2021 and will supply annual progress reports thereafter.  The council will also have duties in advising the Governor on the needs, issues of concern, and solutions linked to rural revitalization.

Cut 15 (08) “…our products around.”

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The 11th ranked LSU baseball team opened the 2020 season by taking two of three from Indiana. The Hoosiers avoided the sweep with a seven to two win on Saturday night. It was a close game in the eighth inning, but LSU failed to turn a double play on a ground ball to shortstop Hal Hughes. The mistake led to an unearned run and Coach Paul Mainieri says they learned some lessons during the first weekend…

Cut 16  (20)  …the kids”  

LSU hit three home runs over the weekend. Freshman Cade Doughty hit a dinger in his first college at bat. Mainieri liked what he saw from the rookie second baseman…

Cut 17  (20) “player” 

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball improved to 10-and-4 in Conference USA play on Saturday with an 81-68 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday. Before the game, the Dunkin Dogs recognized their four seniors and all of them played well in the win

cut 18  (15) “different ways”   

Senior guard Derric Jean led the way with a career-high 21 points. The Miami native says he wanted to play well…

cut 19 (12)  W”  

Former LSU QB Joe Burrow now has a baby giraffe named after him at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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An Advocate report accuses Attorney General Jeff Landry, known for his hardline stance on immigration, of bringing in Mexican workers to help build a plant in Cameron Parish…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow may have collected many accolades during his time as a Tiger, but he now has a new honor thanks to the Baton Rouge Zoo.  Zoo spokesperson Robyn Lott says the public nominated and then voted on the top three names for a baby giraffe and “Burreaux” was the one to stick.

Cut 3 (07)  “…in this area. 

After filtering through the nominations, zoo officials picked the top three names which also included Romeo and Kiume, which is Swahili for masculine and strong.  Lott says through the voting the zoo was able to raise over $2000.

Cut 4 (07) “…for the zoo.”

Burreaux is on exhibit Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Lott says Burreaux is the twentieth giraffe to be born at the zoo.

Cut 5 (12)  “…perfect Instagram opportunity.”
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A 71-year-old retired farmer has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter for the 1989 disappearance of his wife, Isabelle and her friend Marian Coutee. Rapides Sheriff Earl Hilton credits the D-A’s office for prosecuting the case quickly after Robert Blair was arrested last October

Cut 6 (09) “the record”

Deputies got enough evidence to arrest Blair, after the truck, Isabelle Blair and Coutee were last seen riding in, was found on the property once owned by Robert Blair. Possible human remains were also found on the property and they are still being analyzed by the LSU FACES Lab. Hilton wonders how Robert Blair lived with himself all of these years

Cut 7 (07) “…did it.”

Since Blair is 71-years-old, that means he’ll likely spend the rest of his life at Angola. Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Christopher Bowman says the victims’ families were fine with the sentencing

Cut 8 (12)“…40 years”

Bowman says Blair confessed to the killings, but it was in self-defense.

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A report by the Advocate alleges Attorney General Jeff Landry, who rails against immigration issues, brought in skilled Mexican laborers on work visas to construct an LNG plant in Cameron Parish.

Landry political advisor Brent Littlefield says yes, the AG did help bring foreign workers to the job site, but it was only temporary.

Cut 9 (12) “…on track″

Littlefield says the jobs were advertised locally first, but Advocate reporter Bryn Stole says the H2B skilled worker visa program is controversial and opposed by both the Trump admin and labor unions.

Cut 10 (10) “…labor.”

Stole says there is no definitive proof Landry broke the law in these dealings, but they did uncover documents indicating his companies may have misled the feds to get access to the visas.

Cut 11 (05) “…the law.”

Stole says the paper also discovered Landry and his brother Benjamin, had dealings with a now-imprisoned “labor broker” who illegally brought over 1,000 Mexican workers into the country.

Littlefield says the whole investigation was bogus, no laws were broken, and all the information uncovered was public record already. He also took issue with Advocate reporters’ behavior.

Cut 12 (11) “living”

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A carjacking suspect is dead after being shot during an altercation with Bossier City Police on Thursday.  State Police is now investigating the incident.  Trooper Brent Hardy says an officer responded to an attempted carjacking near the CenturyLink center.

Cut 13 (12) “…the subject was shot.”

Hardy says they now have a positive identification on the suspect.

Cut 14 (10) “…at the scene.”

A Bossier City permit inspector underwent surgery today after suffering a broken shoulder during the initial carjacking attempt at the hands of the deceased.

Cut 15 (07) “…active and ongoing.”

The inspector had gotten out of the truck when the suspect hopped in and upon trying to stop him, was pushed to the ground, causing the injury.

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 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”

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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. 

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 and he is now in the Iberia Parish Jail, booked on 15 counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Cut 5 (12)  “…somebody like this.”

___________________________________________

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”

On Monday, police arrested two teens, 18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City and a 15-year-old female who was the driver. Landry says 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, was arrested yesterday

Cut 7 (11) “…himself in.”

Smith is one of the top scorers on the Bearkats basketball team that’s ranked number one in the Class 3A power ratings.

This is the third homicide in Bossier City this year after reporting six homicides in 2019. Landry says they are working to make Bossier City safe…

Cut 8 (10) “…Bossier City.”

____________________________________________________

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 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.”

Falgoust 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.”

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.

________________________________________________________

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.

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.

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”

The lower Mississippi River is being dredged to accommodate bigger ships.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

 Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

LSU hires a new passing game coordinator and the Tigers will also play a game in New Orleans in the near future. Jeff Palermo has the details…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

___________________________

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” 

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.

________________________________________________

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.”

Fenner says the rain slacks off a little today, but more heavy rainfall is expected…

Cut 6 (09) “…northeast Louisiana”

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury has declared a state of emergency as the Monroe area braces for flooded roads and rivers. Fenner says there is an elevated risk for flash flooding…

Cut 7 (09) “…same location.”

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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.

Cut 9 (12) “…the Panama Canal.″

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 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, with an annual maintenance cost of $17.7 million.

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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 it’s an interesting hire

Cut 11 (07) “…20 years.”

Orgeron told a Baton Rouge radio station that Linehan and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger will be a great combination with the former NFL coach helping with third-down and red zone game planning.

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”

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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. He says they expect F-S-U 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 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”

A state health official says the number of LSU mumps cases is up to 12 and one of the students living on campus has been quarantined. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A science teacher at Northwestern Middle School in Zachary being held in jail on a $225,000 bond, accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night as moisture and upper-level disturbances are expected to interact with a cold front to produce locally heavy rainfall. National Weather Service Shreveport Meteorologist Jason Hansford says several inches of rain will fall over the next few days…

Cut 3 (06)  “…Wednesday evening” 

There’s also a slight risk for severe weather for central and northeast today and Hansford says more severe weather will roll into the Bayou State on Wednesday.

Cut 4 (12) “…Wednesday evening.”

Hansford says today’s severe weather threat stretches from Lufkin, Texas, across Natchitoches, Ruston, and Monroe and into Mississippi. He says the storms will be isolated…

Cut 5 (10)  “…flooding.”

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The statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline is currently at $2.11, down about a nickel from this time last week and 21 cents from last month.  Uncertainty over tensions between the US and Iran earlier this year resulted in an uptick of prices, but AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the recent drop follows an annual pattern.

Cut 6 (07) “…the whole year.”

A gallon of gas is still about 12 cents higher than this time last year and that gap is closing.  Redman says dropping trend may not last much longer.

Cut 7 (11) “…production even more.”

At $50 per barrel, crude oil prices are at their lowest point in a year.  Redman says an additional factor that could result in an uptick in prices is the transition from winter-grade gas to summer-grade gas.

Cut 8 (07) “…about $2.50 a gallon.”

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We’re up to 12 cases in the LSU centered mumps outbreak that was first made public with five cases reported last week.

State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says all students need to receive both doses of the MMR vaccine to protect against further spread, along with the usual health and safety advice.

Cut 9 (10) “…season”

Mumps feels like a particularly nasty cold, and also involves visible swelling of the salivary glands.

Welch says there’s been a nationwide string of mumps outbreaks on college campuses. He says college dorm rooms, parties, and sporting events are perfect places to spread the virus.

Cut 10 (11) “…does” 

An LSU tennis match over the weekend was canceled when it was discovered a tennis player had been infected.

Finding a ground zero in the outbreak has been difficult so far. Welch says that’s because there’s a significant lag between when you are infected, and when you show symptoms.

Cut 11 (09) “…exposed.”

There is one reported case of a student living on campus who is currently being quarantined in their apartment.

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A science teacher at Northwestern Middle School in Zachary is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.  34-year-old Ellarea Silva is currently on leave after her arrest on Thursday.  Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says the relationship appeared to be a summer fling.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the media.”

Investigators are combing through the evidence on the student’s cell phone.

Silva was arrested Thursday after nearly a week of suspension without school leaders elaborating as to why.  City councilman Lael Montgomery is rallying supporters calling for the resignation or removal of Principal Debby Brian as a result.  The Baton Rouge chapter of the NAACP is expected to back Montgomery, but McDavid says there was not a cover-up in the investigation.

Cut 13 (07) “…and social media.”

McDavid says they are asking parents to talk to their children to see if Silva’s actions extended beyond this one child.

Cut 14 (12) “…investigation on that.”

Silva’s bond is set at $225,000. Silva faces several charges including indecent behavior with a juvenile, carnal knowledge of a juvenile and oral sexual battery.

Stat health officials are responding to a mumps outbreak involving LSU students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A survey by Innovet Pet finds that 34 percent of pet owners in the Bayou State struggle financially to care for their pets. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says the contagious disease can spread through contact with saliva or respiratory droplets…

Cut 3 (09)  “…very seriously” 

Welch says they are trying to determine if there’s a connection between the students because they did not live in the same apartment

Cut 4 (12) “…families.”

Welch says you can protect yourself from getting the mumps by receiving two doses of the M-M-R vaccine. He says students should seek treatment if their glands are swollen under their ears or jaw

Cut 5 (09) “…sides.”

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The Census will be taken this year and then it will be up to the state legislature to draw up new political maps. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee and he lays out the timeline for when reapportionment discussions will begin.

Cut 6 (10) “…redistricting”

A Census is taken every ten years.

Dwight will join with Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who chairs Senate House and Governmental Affairs, in the effort. He says they’ll tour the state after the Census is conducted.

Cut 7 (11) “…result”

The last reapportionment was not favorable to Louisiana representation as the state lost a Congressional seat. Dwight says it’ll be interesting to find out if our population has recovered.

Cut 8 (07) “…we’ll see.”

The Census is hiring Census takers, and you can apply at 2020-census-dot-gov-slash-jobs.

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A survey by Innovet Pet reveals that one in three Louisiana pet owners struggle financially to care for their animals. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, says medical costs continue to increase for pet owners.

Cut 9 (11) “…ultrasound machine”

The survey revealed that many pet owners fail to research medical costs associated with being a pet owner. Sprang, can assist low-income pet owners at her non-profit clinic but admits it’s a challenge.

Cut 10 (11) “…everybody else” 

The survey also revealed that 42% pet owners say if they lost their job, they would not have the means necessary to keep their animals. Sprang says some owners have come to her feeling they had no options.

Cut 11 (10) “…can’t afford”

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A slow-moving cold front is providing the state with an active weather today.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area starting with rain tonight.

Cut 12 (12) “…kind of interesting”

Keim says we also have a tornado watch in effect for a large section of the state until 6pm covering Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge…

Cut 13 (08) “…spun up.”

Keim says by tomorrow afternoon the front should be clear of the state and chilly air will settle in.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

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