Two former state troopers could be cleared of wrongdoing in the Ronald Greene case.  Judge Thomas Rogers has quashed the obstruction of justice charges against John Peters and Dakota DeMoss and giving prosecutors three days to fix deficiencies in some charges against three other defendants.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt…

Cut 5 (10) “…not a judge.”

District Attorney John Belton can appeal.

The state health department is reporting Louisiana’s first two human cases of West Nile Virus for 2023. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says mosquito pools are present and cases have been discovered in two parishes across the state.

Cut 7 (12)  “…out there…” 

Last year, Louisiana had 41 West Nile cases and seven deaths.

Last year Louisiana paid its more than 13,000 patrol officers and sheriff’s deputies an average annual salary of $45 thousand compared to the national average of $71 thousand. PAR President Steven Procopio says when comparing Louisiana to neighboring states, law enforcement patrol officers are paid six thousand below the regional average…

Cut 9 (11)  “…job well.”

Schools and athletic events in Louisiana are now required to have AEDs. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says the health department will have oversite of the devices and provide instruction on how to use an AED.

Cut 13 (06) “…CPR training.”

Fields says the collapse of Buffalo Bill safety Damar Hamlin in January only highlighted the need for the Jump Start You Heart Act.

Two former state troopers involved in the Ronald Greene case could be cleared of wrongdoing as the judge in the case has determined they did not try to cover up the 2019 beating death of Greene in Union Parish. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt is surprised to see the judge quash the obstruction of justice charge against Dakota DeMoss who turned off his body camera audio…
cut 4 (10) :….obstruction of justice”
The judge also ruled the obstruction of justice charge against John Peters should also be quashed.

The state health department is reporting Louisiana’s first two human cases of West Nile Virus for 2023. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it only takes one bite so protect yourself…
Cut 6 (09) “…severe complications…”
Kanter says advises residents to remove standing water around their home.

Four weeks from today, qualifying begins for the governor’s race. Is there time for another major Democrat to get in? Currently, Shawn Wilson is the main candidate for the Dems and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley expects it to stay that way…
cut 11 (07) “…chance of an upset”
That’s what happened eight years ago when Governor Edwards upset Republican David Vitter.

Schools and athletic events in Louisiana are now required to have an automated external defibrillator, better known as an AED. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored the legislation, and he says two lives have already been saved in those settings because an AED was readily available.
Cut 12 (12) “…talk about it”
The state legislature also appropriated funding for schools to purchase the A-E-Ds and schools are also required to have an action plan.

Two former state troopers could be cleared of wrongdoing in the Ronald Greene case.  Judge Thomas Rogers has quashed the obstruction of justice charges against John Peters and Dakota DeMoss. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the judge determined Peters’ actions did not meet the level of obstruction of justice by saying “Bury it in the report” when discussing Greene death…

Cut 3 (08) “….right” 

The judge has also ruled DeMoss should not face obstruction of justice charges for turning off audio on his body camera.

Qualifying for the fall elections is a month away and nine individuals say they are running for governor, but will they still feel that way in 30 days? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley anticipates someone will drop out before then…:

Cut 10 (11) “…happens every cycle.”

Restore Louisiana is holding an outreach event in Lake Charles this afternoon for homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes to apply for federal rebuilding grants. State Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says several homeowners who are possibly eligible have not completed a survey.

Cut 4 (12) “…their homes.”

For more info visit restore-dot-la-dot-gov.

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is concerned child vaccination rates have dropped from 97 to 94 percent. Some children can’t be vaccinated because of their health or age. He says to avoid a measles outbreak, a 95-percent vaccination rate is required…

Cut 9 (11)  “…threshold.”

For more information visit immunizations-dot-la-dot-gov.

According to the Public Affairs Research Council, the average Louisiana public school teacher makes 52-thousand dollars, which is 12-thousand dollars below the national average. In the upcoming school year, teachers will receive an additional two-thousand dollar salary increase. PAR President Steven Procopio says the million dollar question is how much do we have to pay to get and keep quality teachers….
cut 14 (09) “…teacher pay”

Speaking of school, a new school year is about a month away and state health officials are encouraging parents to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is concerned immunization rates for children are falling…
cut 8 (11) “…concerning here”

Time is running out for homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 21 to complete a survey to find out if they are eligible for rebuilding grant dollars. Teiko Foxx reports an outreach session takes place today in Lake Charles at the Allen P. August Center from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. …
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

No winner in last night’s Powerball drawing, so the jackpot for tomorrow night’s drawing climbs to 725-million dollars.

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.

Two former state troopers John Peters and Dakota DeMoss are no longer facing obstruction of justice charges in the roadside beating death of motorist Ronald Greene. A judge in north Louisiana has determined Peters did not obstruct justice for his role into the investigation of Greene’s state police custody death and DeMoss also should not face criminal charges for turning his body camera audio off.

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is concerned child vaccination rates have dropped from 97 to 94 percent. Kanter says in order to avoid a measles outbreak, a 95-percent vaccination rate is required and there are some children who can’t receive these vaccines because of allergies, their age or they are immune compromised…
cut 9 (11) “….threshold”
For more information visit immunizations-dot-la-dot-gov.

According to research by the Public Affairs Research Council, the average public school teacher salary in Louisiana is just over $52,000, well below the national average. Brooke Thorington has more with PAR president Steven Procopio.
Cut 3 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Four weeks from today, qualifying will begin for the governor’s race. There are five major Republicans in the race and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says he would not be surprised to see one of them drop out…
cut 12 (10) “….to reconsider”

Four weeks from today, qualifying begins for the governor’s race. Is there time for another major Democrat to get in the race? Currently, Shawn Wilson is the main candidate for the Dems and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley expects it to stay that way…
cut 11 (07) “…chance of an upset”
That’s what happened eight years ago when Governor John Bel Edwards upset Republican David Vitter.

The deadline to complete the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance program survey is August 1st. Office of Community and Development Director Pat Forbes says homeowners who suffered hurricane or severe weather damage in 2020 and 2021 should complete the survey, because it could result in grant dollars to pay for repairs…
cut 5 (12) “…application started”
Go to restore-dot-la-dot-gov to fill out the survey.

The Public Affairs Research Council says the average Louisiana teacher salary is 52-thousand dollars a year. PAR President Steven Procopio says a classroom teacher in Red River Parish receives nearly 68-thousand dollars on average, while in East Feliciana it’s only 35-thousand dollars…
cut 15 (12) “…are making”

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter is reminding parents to be sure their children are up to date on their immunizations before school begins. Childhood vaccination rates, in Louisiana, typically exceed the national average, but Kanter says those numbers have been trending downwards the last few years, from 97 percent to 94 percent.
Cut 7 (11) “…that we are.”
Kanter says a 95% immunization rate equates to herd immunity.

According to research from the Public Affairs Research Council, the average public school teacher salary in Louisiana is $52,472, more than $12,000 below the national average. PAR President Steven Procopio says teacher salaries in Louisiana are also below the southern regional average.
Cut 13 (08) “…than ours.”
Since 2019, public school teachers have received 33-hundred dollars in salary hikes and for the upcoming school year, teachers will receive an additional two-thousand dollars.

Speaking of school, a new school year is about a month away and state health officials are encouraging parents to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is concerned immunization rates for children are falling…
cut 8 (11) “…concerning here”

As an August 1 deadline approaches, Restore Louisiana holds an outreach event in Lake Charles today to help homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 apply for federal rebuilding grant dollars. The event is at the Allen P. August Center from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. State Office of Community Development Director Pat Forbes says many hurricane victims have not completed a survey to see if they are eligible
Cut 4 (12) “…their homes.”
Homeowners may be eligible for up to $250 thousand in assistance and homes will be built to meet fortified standards. For more information go to restore-dot-la-dot-gov.

Cities across the state and country have been plagued recently with the fad of drag racing and stunt gatherings. Spectators have been hurt as a result. Baton Rouge police cracked down on street racers over the weekend… impounding more than two dozen muscle cars and issuing about 30 citations. Getting their vehicles back is going to put a dent in the street racers’ wallets says BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely…:

Cut  14 (11)  “be tolerated….”

St. Tammany Parish Deputies have arrested 25-year-old Malik Morris of Memphis for allegedly burglarizing five restaurants in the Covington area. Spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says after a brief pursuit, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Cut 6 (11)  “…a neighborhood” 

Morris was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.

The tax break for parents who send their children to private schools will increase to $6,000 from the current $5,000. The current deduction costs the state about $22-millon annually and will increase to $24.2 million next year. Pineville Senator Jay Luneau questioned bill author Laurie Schlegel on how the increase will impact the state budget.

Cut 10 (10)  “…taxpayers.”

Governor Edwards has signed the legislation.

The Major League Baseball draft began with two LSU players from the National Championship team, pitcher Paul Skeens was the first by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and center fielder Dylan Crews was the second pick by Washington Nationals. Crews says as a kid he followed the Nats ever since the former number one overall pick was Bryce Harper…

Cut 5 (11)  “…as him.”

A Memphis, Tennessee man is under arrest in St. Tammany Parish; accused of multiple restaurant burglaries in the Covington area. St. Tammany Sheriff’s spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says officers tried to pull 25-year-old Malik Morris over, but he bailed out and was nabbed after a foot chase. She says Morris may also be linked to other burglaries in the parish…:

CUT 08  (12)        “…those agencies.”

Morris is behind bars.

The Governor signs into law a bill giving parents who pay private school tuition a larger state tax break; increasing from $5k per kid, per year…to $6-thousand. The bill was authored by Metairie Representative Laurie Schegel…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…their taxes.”

That increase takes effect for the 2024 tax year.

A street racing sting by multiple Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies resulted in 26 vehicles impounded and a total of 30 citations over the weekend. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they did some detective work, learned where the street drivers were getting together next and took action…:

CUT 12(13)      “…in play.”

He says more such stings and possible arrests are coming.

Paul Skenes is the first LSU player to be selected number one in the Major League Baseball draft since Ben McDonald in 1989. The Pittsburgh Pirates used their top overall pick on Skenes, who features a 100-mile per hour fastball and a wipe-out slider…:

CUT 03(11)      “…this position.”

Fellow Tiger Dylan Crews was the 2^nd pick. He goes to the Washington Nationals.