_______________________________________________

 

Governor Edwards is back in Louisiana after speaking with President Trump about criminal justice reform efforts. During an appearance on AM Baton Rouge on Talk 107-3, the governor defended what he called progress in reducing the state’s inmate population. Edwards says the way the state used to lock up non-violent offenders wasn’t working.

Cut 3 (12) “as florida”

Critics, like Attorney General Jeff Landry and Senator John Kennedy have slammed Edwards, saying the reforms are putting dangerous criminals back on the streets. Edwards countered by saying most of the excess prisoners that boosted the state’s incarceration rate were behind bars for getting busted for holding drugs.

Cut 4 (07) “do better”

Landry and Kennedy along with outgoing DA’s Association President Ricky Babin have pointed to rearrests linked to prisoners who’ve been released under the reforms, but Edwards says the number of people released under the program who’ve been rearrested would still be under the national average of 40 percent.

Cut 5 (05)  “numbers” 

The 2017 reform package reduced the state’s prison population by allowing earlier releases for non violent offenders, as well as parole reforms allowing parolees to work towards shorter supervisory periods. 70 percent of the money saved is reinvested in programs targeting recidivism.

_______________________________________

 

The Tigers are installing the largest video board in college baseball in Alex Box Stadium and it’s set to go online for the 2019 season opener in February. The goliath sits right off left field and is 71 feet wide and nearly 38 feet tall. LSU Baseball Publicist Bill Franques says it’s really going to add to the game day experience.

Cut 6 (08) “the past.”

The 16mm high def board will air crucial replays and an expanded suite of baseball stats for metric hungry fans. But it’s not going to be the only board on the field, Franques says off in right field, a separate board will provide additional info.

Cut 7 (11) “other games.”

to 1996. And for those worried that your tax dollars are going towards a fancy new video board….

Cut 8 (11) “the game.”

___________________________________________

 

The state has entered negotiations to purchase 10-thousand voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems, Inc, but the price tag has increased to repace their current machines. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Aroin had projected the cost at $60 million, but he says the more realistic price tag is now in the ballpark of $90-95 million dollars

Cut 9 (06)  “…bring down that cost.”

Ardoin has acknowledged one of the two losing companies bidding for the voting machine contract has expressed concern the selection process may be “rigged” …

Cut 10 (10) “…15 to 20 years.”

Ardoin says the plan is for the state to replace early voting machines, five parishes at a time, starting this year.  Phase two would include Election Day machines replaced in the same manner, with full implementation expected by 2020.

Cut 11 (11) “…end up with.”

_____________________________________________

A mother was stabbed to death while pushing her one-year-old son in a stroller in Gretna. That’s according to authorities who say the suspect 41-year-old Damone Ussin, and the victim 35-year-old Tarniel Gray of Gretna had a dating relationship. Ussin has been arrested for second degree murder and Gretna Captain Russell Lloyd says the scene created by the vicious act was hard to swallow…

_______________________________________________

 

It’s time to get back into the consciousness of school zones and school buses with children returning to class from summer break. That’s the message from AAA. Spokesperson Don Redman says drivers need to prepare themselves for more traffic, with kids on the roadway.

Cut 3 (11) “…on a swivel right now.”

Redman says it’s crucial for drivers to remember not to pass stopped school buses and that drivers in both directions must stop when on a non-divided roadway.  Not only is it a costly mistake if you get busted, but it becomes a dangerous situation for children.

Cut 4 (07) “…who is impatient.”

Redman says the results of a recent seven-year AAA study shows it is essential parents need to reinforce the importance of safety with teen drivers that will be driving themselves to class as they drive through school zones.

Cut 5 (10)  “…that cell phone.” 

_______________________________________

 

Swamp pop legend and trumpet player GG Shinn has passed away after a long illness at his home in Monroe. Shinn was 78-years-old. Louisiana Music Hall of Fame executive director Michael Shepherd says Shinn was one of the nicest people in show business and had a great voice…

Cut 6 (09) “high range”.

Shepherd says Shinn played with several different groups like Chase, Roller Coasters and the Fabulous Boogie Kings…

Cut 7 (10) “play trumpet”

Shinn had a club in Lafayette. He also played at dancehalls in St. Martinville and Opelousas. Last year he performed at Festival International in Lafayette and was a regular at the annual Ponderosa Stomp music festival in New Orleans. Shepherd says Shinn was born to entertain

Cut 8 (10) “stage presence”

_________________________________________________

Online Fantasy Sports legalization will be on the November 6th ballot, giving voters a chance to legalize the use of online services like Draft Kings and FanDuel in their parish. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says it’s likely a few parishes won’t legalize it, which means they’ll have to set up geofences

Cut 9 (08)  “fantasy sports”

But Jones warned, geofencing isn’t cheap, and says there’s a worst case scenario that could end up leaving the state with a hefty fantasy sports related bill….

Cut 10 (13) “to cost”

That being said Jones is confident that most parishes in the state will legalize the popular activity.

If approved in parishes in November, the legislature in the next regular session will have to figure out exactly how to tax and regulate the service, as well as set up any potential geofencing for online fantasy sports. Jones says the objective is to at least make enough money off the service to pay for its regulations.

Cut 11 (11) “the technology.”

That means online fantasy sports will likely not be up and running in Louisiana until the 2019-2020 football season.

_______________________________________________

The state’s top gambling regulator confirms that three riverboat casinos are interested in expanding their operations on land, which is now legal as a result of legislation passed during the regular session. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club…

Cut 3 (09) “for them.”

The gaming control board estimates nearly 22,000 jobs are tied to the riverboat casino industry in the state.

Jones says legislation from the spring regular session is the biggest change in riverboat casino law in two decades, and allows the “boats” to expand on to land within 1,200 feet of their current “dock”. Jones says that’s got many of the license holders excited and ready to make some substantial investments.

Cut 4 (10) “existing buildings”

The legislation also allows gaming houses to change the way they calculate how many machines and tables they can have, by shifting the measurements from square feet of gaming space to total gaming units.

Jones cautions that just because the laws have been relaxed, not every riverboat casino will look to move onto land.

Cut 5 (10)  “they are” 

_______________________________________

 

Edwin Edwards turns 91 today. The former four-term governor says he’s in good spirits and health, and looking forward to spending many more years with wife, 39-year-old Trina Edwards and their five-year-old son Eli. Edwards says he couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the morning.

Cut 6 (12) “be happier”.

In 2001, Edwards was convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to ten years in jail. After getting out, he married Trina Scott, who five years ago gave birth to Edwards’ son Eli Wallace Edwards’. Edwards’ says little Eli is ready to continue his father’s legacy.

Cut 7 (07) “2053.”

And despite his advanced age, Edwards says he expects he’ll be around for a while longer.

Cut 8 (10) “my family”

Edwards was interviewed on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

 

_________________________________________________

The search continues for a missing boater in Lake Pontchartrain. 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux turned up missing on Sunday after an unmanned sailboat was found in the water. New Orleans Police Department Third District Commander Jeff Walls says at this point it’s a missing person’s case, but homicide unit detectives are assisting in the investigation…

Cut 9 (08)  “…involving foul play.”

Thibodeaux recently moved from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. It’s believed she was on a boat with 43-year-old Michael Lee Farley, who was rescued Monday morning.  Police questioned and released Farley yesterday afternoon.  Walls confirmed Farley and Thibodeaux had been dating, but foul play is not suspected at this time…

Cut 10 (07) “…how we’ll investigate it.”

The search continues on the south shore of the lake.  Walls explains all agencies involved are being very thorough with the investigation.

Cut 11 (11) “…best we can for Sadie.”

_______________________________________________

Colorado State University hurricane researchers continue to predict a below average season.  Researcher Phil Klotzbach says a major contributing factor is the cold temperature of the tropical Atlantic Ocean waters….

Cut 3 (11) “…fuel for the storms.”

With the bulk of hurricane activity traditionally happening in August and beyond, Klotzbach breaks down the numbers of the remaining hurricane season.

Cut 4 (10) “…one major hurricane.”

Klotzbach says no matter what the forecast may call for, it is always important to be ready during hurricane season.

Cut 5 (04)  “…season for you” 

Klotzbach says there has not been a named storm since July 15th and 2009 was the last time a name storm did not formed between July 15th and August 6th.

_______________________________________

 

A Kenner mom is under arrest after allegedly assaulting the citizens who rescued her 11 month and 3 year-old children from a hot car. Kenner Police Lt. Michael Cunningham says cameras showed the citizens helping the children exit the vehicle and after the mother discovered this, Cunningham says the mother ran out, and started punching the good Samaritans.

Cut 6 (10) “called 911”.

The mother, 22-year-old Shawnise Sherman, was arrested and booked with Simple battery and Child Desertion.

Cunningham says local business security footage shows Sherman parking at 12:03PM, turning off her car, locking the two kids in, and walking into a local business. At 1:29, the citizens who would later allegedly be assaulted walked up the car, discovered the children, and helped them out. Cunningham says the midday temperatures when the kids were discovered were brutal.

Cut 7 (10) “99 degrees.”

Cunningham says he and everyone else is relived that the citizens stumbled upon the situation and acted fast, because the results could have been deadly.

Cut 8 (10) “there eventually.”

It is now legal to break a window to rescue a minor or pet from parked and locked car in Louisiana, as long as you call out for the owner and then call police before smashing the window.

_________________________________________________

Investigation Discovery airs a two-hour documentary tonight called “Sugar Town,” which examines the controversial death of Victor White the Third.  The 22-year-old black man died from a gunshot wound sustained while handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser in New Iberia. State Police and the Iberia Parish coroner say White shot himself, but White’s family says no way. Journalist Tony Brown agrees…

Cut 9 (09)  “Jimmy Hoffa.”

Brown says the investigation has been filled with inconsistencies. He points to the police report that says White shot himself in the back, but the coroner’s report says the bullet entered the front of his body…

Cut 10 (07) “decent Louisiana resident”

Earlier this year, White’s family settled a federal civil lawsuit with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office. The amount of that settlement is not publicly known. Brown is glad White’s case will receive more national attention with the airing of “Sugar Town”…

Cut 11 (07) “the country ”

_______________________________________________

 

Starting today, switchblades are legal to own in Louisiana. The devices have been banned for decades. If it comes as a surprise to you, then you’re not alone, it was a surprise to bill sponsor Covington Representative Mark Wright. Wright says he looked into the ban’s background and found it was rooted in a funny bit of hysteria.

Cut 3 (09) “dangerous weapons”

He says after some further digging, he found the ban was “helped” along by lobbying efforts and support from a manufacturer of a rival knife type.

The Covington lawmaker says before passing the legislation, they worked with law enforcement to make sure it met the same legal criteria as other bladed weapons. He says like other devices, you can’t conceal it from officers during traffic stops.

Cut 4 (09) “with that”

Wright says he knows legalizing switchblade knives is not a pressing issue, but he says that shouldn’t stop lawmakers from pursuing common sense legislation, even if it’s small in scale.

Cut 5 (08)   own these” 

_______________________________________

 

The Louisiana Department of Education is removing 4,500 children from a waiting list seeking to enroll into a child child care program. Executive Director of the Early Childhood operations, Lisa Brochard, says 39-million dollars in federal one-time money will pay for kids from low-income families to attend a child care center, but there’s still a lot more children on the list

Cut 6 (10) …going to effect.”

Brochard says the program benefits not only children, but parents as well.

Cut 7 (12) “…way of assisting families.”

The money is only enough for one year of service for those reaping the benefits, and Brochard remains optimistic for additional federal and state funding.

Cut 8 (11) “…great for these families.”

_________________________________________________

The state’s number one ranked high school receiver for the class of 2019, Trey Palmer, has verbally committed to LSU. 24/7 Sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says the Kentwood wide out is a big get for the Tigers as he also considered Alabama…

Cut 9 (10)  “…this year”

LSU is armed with a plethora of talent at receiver this upcoming season with five-star recruits JaMarr Chase and Terrace Marshall. Dixon says Palmer may not come in as a starting receiver, but has the skills to make an immediate impact…

Cut 10 (13) “…off the bench”

Dixon says LSU reeling in Palmer could cause a domino effect for other high profile Louisiana recruits…

Cut 11 (12) “…well for them”

_______________________________________________

A state lawmaker admits it was not the legislature’s intention to discontinue sales tax holidays for the next seven years. But Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says the state’s three different sales tax holidays went away as  result of the budget and funding deal passed in the last special session.

 

Cut 3 (11) “tax holiday”

Sales tax holidays were during the first weekend of August for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness during Memorial Day weekend, and the “second amendment” holiday during the Labor Day holiday.

McFarland says he’s getting a mixed response from businesses on whether the sales tax holidays were beneficial.

Cut 4 (12) “his business.”

Many lawmakers are surprised the sales tax holidays were suspended. McFarland says he wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a push next year to revive the tax holidays, particularly the back to school and second amendment holidays..

Cut 5 (08) “tax holiday”

_____________________________________________

According to the latest LDWF bald eagle nest survey, the population continues to flourish in the state.  Once a rare sight, spotting bald eagles in Louisiana is now commonplace, as the population in the 1970s was  devastated by use of the now-banned pesticide, DDT. LDWF Nongame Bird Biologist Michael Seymour…

 

Seymour says anywhere there is a big body of water that would support the food of the species, bald eagles have a tendency of moving into the area.

Cut 7 (05) “…throughout the state.”

Seymour says DDT, when broken down in the environment, effected the ability of many birds to produce calcium which caused thin egg shells.

Cut 8 (10) “…falcons and osprey.”

_________________________________________________

The Legislative Auditor has a new report claiming the state health department and the Attorney General’s Office misappropriated money intended to fight Medicaid fraud. Auditor Daryl Purpera says they initiated the investigation at the request of LDH and the AG’s office, who’ve since put the money back in the program.

Cut 9 (09)  “time period.”

Auditors say LDH misallocated 2.8 million from 2012 to 2017, and the AG’s office did not deposit 712-thousand dollars into the fund in 2016. Purpera says the two agencies lacked an effective process to properly identify and deposit the monies…

Cut 10 (10) “the future”

Purpera says auditors also found 475-thousand dollars in salaries for fraud detection were used for other purposes and the report showed the state blew 642- thousand dollars in 2012 on software not compatible with their systems and they did not get a refund.

Cut 11 (07) “use them”

_______________________________________________

For the last decade, more than one million Entergy customers throughout the state have been paying charges to cover the cost of repairs to damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says he’s got good news for those feeling the pinch on the power bill.

Cut 3 (07) “…rate reduction in September.”

Former Entergy Louisiana customers will see an average monthly reduction of $5.44.  Former Entergy Gulf States will see an average reduction of $3.14 to their bill.  The two companies merged in 2015.  Campbell says it’s welcomed savings at this time of the year.

Cut 4 (06) “…rates go down.”

Campbell says some in the northern portion of the state, who are not typically effected by hurricanes, didn’t understand why they were being hit with the storm fees over the years.

Cut 5 (09) “…for our ice storms.”

_____________________________________________

A Morning Consult poll shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating slipped under 50 percent during the brutal legislative sessions between April and June. Edwards’ has generally maintained one of the highest approval ratings for a Democratic governor, but ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says it appears the threats to public services during the sessions took their toll.

 

Cut 6 (10)  “at that.”

Despite the slip in total approval rating, the Governor’s unfavorable rating is still 15 points lower at 35 percent.

Political analysts have noted that average approval ratings for all elected officials tend to take a dive during heated legislative battles like the ones taking place at the capital. Stockley says it’s important to note that the poll may not be giving us the full picture.

Cut 7 (07)  “decline”

But with the legislative session in the rear view mirror and the government fully funded for the year, Stockley says don’t be surprised to see those numbers rebound in the coming months.

Cut 8 (10) “were averted”

_________________________________________________

Alexandria is playing host to all nine divisions of the Dixie Girls Softball World Series, which is estimated to bring in over five thousand visitors.  The Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates the week-long event will have quite the economic impact to the area.  CVB Executive Director, Sherry Ellington…

Cut 9 (08)  “so that’s huge.”

Ellington says the community has experience hosting the event.

Cut 10 (05) “largest one so far”

Ellington says the event comes at a great time of the year for the area.

Cut 11 (09) “restaurants and shopping.”

_______________________________________________

The preparation is underway for the next voice of the Saints as Zach Strief transitions from the playing field to the press box.  Strief, who has no previous broadcasting experience, spent a more than a decade as an offensive tackle with the black and gold.  Strief says he’s been listening to other broadcasters call games, but is hoping to find what makes his play by play unique, in time.

Cut 3 (13) “…have a conversation.”

Strief says his time on the gridiron definitely gives him an advantage but says he still feels he has a long road ahead of him to polish his play by play skills.

Cut 4  (11) “…be a fan really.”

Strief says he looks forward to working with Duece McAllister on commentary and says his hope is that this is something truly special to be shared with the Who Dat Nation.

Cut 5  (12) “…on the field.”

_____________________________________________

 

Authorities have come to a conclusion on how 69-year-old Terry Angelle of Galliano died after he was discovered with his hands and feet bound together with rope in a bayou on Sunday. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne says investigators have determined the death was self-inflicted.

Cut 6 (10)  “…party was involved.”

Matherne says foul play is not suspected, as he was not robbed.

Cut 7 (03)  “…cash on him.”

Matherne says through interviews with family, investigators learned Angelle had a history of depression.

Cut 8 (08) “…respond to treatment.”

_________________________________________________

The US House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act which provides the largest pay raise for troops in nine years. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the pay raises doesn’t just help soldiers, but communities that house military bases too

cut 9 (07)  “dollars.”

The legislation also contains 295-million dollars to update B-52 bombers, which frequently take off at Barksdale Air force Base. There’s also 12-million dollars for a new entrance to Barksdale, so a nuclear weapons storage facility can be built there.  Abraham says the nuclear upgrade is desperately needed for the base.

Cut 10 (10) “no sense”

And for those concerned about nukes being housed in their neck of the woods…

Cut 11 (07) “gunna happen.”

The NDAA also includes 39 million dollars for new alert facilities at the Belle Chase Naval Air Station.