A bill filed for the upcoming legislative session would require high school juniors and seniors to complete a Financial Literacy course to graduate from high school and qualify for TOPS. The author of House Bill 103, Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says this has been on his radar for some time…:

CUT 03(08)      “…two years.”

The proposed law would be added as part of the qualifications for TOPS and TOPS Tech awards.

Neuty the Nutria can stay with his adoptive human family in Jefferson Parish. Wildlife & Fisheries agents wanted to take him away, because it IS illegal to keep them in our state. There was much anger expressed on social media and emails, and now LDWF spokesman Ed Pratt says they reached an agreement…:

CUT 09(08)      “…about this.”

Baton Rouge Police say the man wanted for questioning in the February disappearance and death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard drove around in a stolen car for several days with the man’s remains in the trunk, before dumping the body and burning the car. 45-year-old Derrick Perkins is a known drug dealer, and BRPS Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says he was the last person to see Millard alive…:

CUT 08(05)      “…is now.”

Police believe Millard overdosed, but a blood toxicology report is pending.

The LSU Lady Tigers are going to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014, after beating Michigan 66-42 last night at home. Angel Reese handed in 25 points and Jasmine Carson scored three 3-pointers. Coach Kim Mulkey says she told Carson to look for her shot…:

CUT 13(12)      “…so big.”

Up next, the Lady Tigers play 2^nd seed Utah on Friday.

Baton Rouge Police say additional charges have been filed against a man taken in for questioning in the mysterious death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard last month. Millard’s body was found dumped in a remote area over a week after his disappearance. 45-year-old Derrick Perkins has now been charged with Criminal Damage to Property, for burning the car he allegedly drove for days with Millard’s remains in the trunk, and form Failure to Seek Assistance in Millard’s death. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they think Millard may have sought a wild time and got more than he bargained for…:

CUT 07(11)      “…his death.”

Millard’s death was not the result of violence. Police believe he overdosed, but are awaiting a blood toxicology report.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a fatal Saturday house fire in Pineville was likely the result of cigarette smoking near combustible materials. Several people escaped the house as the fire grew, but two people – a 54-year-old man and 16-year-old girl – were killed.

DOTD warns drivers in the Lafayette area that I-49 Northbound will be reduced to one lane this Thursday from 9 am until at least 3pm. Then lane closure is for repairs to the I-10 overpass, from where a big rig slammed into it in January. Again, that’s this Thursday morning in Lafayette.

Money management, spending, credit, saving, and investing are just a few components that will be added to promote financial well-being for Louisiana high school students if a Tangipahoa Parish lawmaker has his way. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

A bill filed for the legislative session next month would make passing a Financial Literacy course to graduate high school a requirement to get TOPS college tuition grants. It’s from Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello, who says twenty-five states have already implemented this requirement in their curriculum and he’s hopeful Louisiana will as well…:

CUT 05(06)      “…this through.”

Money management, spending, credit, saving, investing and more would be covered under the required course.

Baton Rouge Police say 45-year-old Derrick Perkins faces additional charges for his involvement in the death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard, who went missing last month and whose body was found dumped in a derelict lot March 6th.  BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Perkins was already in custody on related charges of Access Device Fraud, when investigators learned more about his involvement…:

CUT 06(08)      “…the information.”

A toxicology report on what killed Millard is pending, but an overdose is suspected.

A new law requires Louisiana authorities to direct all reports of suspected child trafficking to the Department of Children and Family Services. Its director, Terri Ricks, says the DCFS-mandated reporting hotline has handled 78 juvenile trafficking calls this year, the large majority of them involving sex trafficking.

The state will allow Neuty, the pet nutria, to stay at a home in Jefferson Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

Baton Rouge Police say 45-year-old Derrick Perkins has been charged with the improper disposal of the remains of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says investigators believe Perkins was the last person to see Millard alive.

Cut 8 (05)  “…in now.” 

Toxicology results to determine Millard’s exact cause of death are pending.

A bill filed for the upcoming legislative session would require high school juniors and seniors to complete a Financial Literacy course to graduate from high school and qualify for TOPS. Bill author Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says he’s been working with Superintendent of Education – Dr. Cade Brumley to educate students on being fiscally responsible.

Cut 4 (08)  “…currently getting.” 

Neuty the Nurtria will be able to remain with the Jefferson Parish family that’s kept his as a pet since 2020. Ed Pratt with LDWF says under state law it’s illegal to possess a wild animal but they are making an exception in this case.

Cut 11 (09)  “…all sides.”

Details of the permit have not been released.

The LSU women’s basketball program is headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014. Angel Reese was dominant as she had 25 points and 24 rebounds and the Lady Tigers held Michigan to a season-low for points in a 66-42 win in front of a raucous crowd at the PMAC. Reese on the team’s defensive performance…

Cut 12 (13) “…it was fun.” 

LSU will play Utah on Friday.

Baton Rouge Police say 45-year-old Derrick Perkins has been charged with the improper disposal of the remains of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says last week they believe Millard’s actions in the early morning hours of February 23^rd resulted in his death.

Cut 7 (11)  “…his death.” 

Toxicology results for the exact cause of death remain pending.

After State Wildlife officials attempted to recover Neuty, a Jefferson Parish family’s pet nutria last week, an agreement has been reached for Neuty to remain in their custody. LWDF spokesperson Ed Pratt says the couple has applied for a permit that allows them to keep Neuty under certain conditions…

Cut 10 (12) “…the nutria” 

The 22-pound nutria went viral last week when news of the situation went public.

State lawmaker Nichols Muscarello wants Louisiana high school students to learn Money management. Teiko Foxx has more on his proposed legislation.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

Baton Rouge Police have charged 45-year-old Derrick Perkins for his involvement with the improper disposal of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard’s body. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says Perkins was already in custody on related charges of Access Device Fraud and investigators learned more about his involvement.

Cut 6 (08)  “…the information.” 

Perkins is also charged with Simple Criminal Damage to Property for burning the car he allegedly used that night and Failure to Seek Assistance in Millard’s death.

A bill filed for the upcoming legislative session would require high school juniors and seniors to complete a Financial Literacy course to graduate from high school and qualify for TOPS. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello, who authored the bill says this has been on his radar for some time.

Cut 3 (08) “…two years.” 

Entergy says it has made the largest renewable power expansion request in state history as the company has filed a request with the PSC to add an additional three gigawatts of solar power to their portfolio. This is on top of the nearly 225 megawatts of solar power requested earlier this month. Entergy Louisiana president Phillip May says they are serious about protecting the state’s environment…

Cut 15 (11)  “…renewable portfolio.”
There appears to be a happy ending for Neuty the Nutria. Last week, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries attempted to take the wild animal away from a Jefferson Parish couple who had Neuty as a pet. But L-D-W-F spokesperson Ed Pratt says an agreement has been reached so that the nutria can remain with the family…

Cut 9 (08) “…about this.”

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser was among the elected officials who lobbied to free Nuety.

Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is the interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. And among the legislation, they plan to support when lawmakers convene next month is carbon capturing. He says while some are opposed to the issue…

Cut 11 (11)  “… prevent a risk”

And he says they will also lobby against raising the minimum wage.

The newest member of the state Republican Party is the longest-serving member of the Louisiana legislature. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson was a lifelong Democrat and by joining the GOP both chambers are a Republican super majority. And for the first time, the 81-year-old will have an R beside his name on the ballot.

Cut 6 (09)  “…continue that.” 

With the federal approval of Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern, Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain says passenger rail service from the capital city to New Orleans is one step closer. Spain it’s a great solution for transportation infrastructure issues.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the train.”

A decision on funding to replace the bridge across the Bonne Carre Spillway is expected by the end of the year.

The LSU Lady Tigers are headed to the Sweet 16 as they defeated Michigan 66-42 in front of a loud crowd inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Angel Reese was outstanding for LSU as she had 25 points, 24 rebounds, and six blocked shots. Reese says she was hungry for a win…

Cut  16 (09)  “…their careers.” 

The lady Tigers will play Utah on Friday.

Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is now the interim President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Jeff Palermo talked with Jim Patterson about L-A-B-I’s priorities in the upcoming legislative session

 Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

52-year-old Charles Germany of Livingston Parish plead guilty to leaving threatening voicemails for Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy. A warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of interstate transmission of a threat. Germany allegedly threatened to kill Murphy. If convicted, Germany could get up to five years in prison.

Federal regulators approved Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern, a major step towards reconstructing the passenger rail service between Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain says the future of the project is looking promising.

Cut 8 (07) “…the obstacles.”

The passenger line would include stops in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, LaPlace, Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport, and Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans.

Entergy filed a request with the Public Service Commission for approval to add an additional three gigawatts of solar power to increase its renewable energy. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says this would be a great move for the state’s economy and for companies who would like to invest but want renewable energy.

Cut 13 (10) “…important for them.” 

The proposed additional solar power facilities would – if approved – be built in Iberville and Ouachita parishes, and would bring hundreds of jobs during construction.

Entergy Louisiana has filed a request with the Public Service Commission to use 3,225 megawatts of solar power for its energy grid. The utility provider currently uses 280 megawatts of renewable resources. Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May says companies looking to expand want to to do business in states where the energy provider is using renewable power…
cut 14 (11) “….made in Louisiana”
The P-S-C will consider Entergy’s request at a future meeting.

Federal regulators have approved Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern, a huge step towards reestablishing passenger rail service linking Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain says the deal specifically says it would allow Amtrak to add passenger service on the K-C-S owned line…
Cut 7 (04) “…April”
Another obstacle is funding. 108-million dollars is needed to replace the bridge across the Bonne Carre Spillway.

The Republican Party now has a super majority in the Louisiana House as Delhi Representative Francis Thompson has joined the G-O-P. The change comes after almost 50 years in the legislature as a Democrat….
cut 5 (09) “….Republican Party”
Thompson has recently voted against the governor on transgender sports ban bill and redistricting.

The LSU Lady Tigers are heading to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014 after beating the Michigan Wolverines 66-42 last night in the P-MAC. Second-year coach Kim Mulkey says it’s an important accomplishment…
cut 17 (13) “…this program”
LSU will play Utah on Friday in the regional semifinals.

Entergy files for state regulatory permission to vastly expand its solar energy capabilities. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State lawmakers have approved 42-million dollars in grant money that will go to eight different insurance companies who will use the funds to begin writing property insurance policies in coastal Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is hopeful 90-thousand policyholders who currently have Citizens Insurance, can find a private insurer starting next month.

Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is the interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, taking over for gubernatorial candidate Stephen Waguespack. With the legislative session coming up, Patterson says L-A-B-I will be involved in the property insurance crisis and they would like to see the legislature address the high taxes on insurance premiums…
Cut 10 (10) “…fiscal session.”

The longest-serving member in the Louisiana Legislature has switched parties. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson was a lifelong Democrat,
Cut 4 (12) “…elected me.”
Thompson says a majority of the voters in his House District 19 are Republican and the 81-year-old says he’s running for re-election this fall.