Should Mardi Gras parade krewes and other parade organizers be forced to pay the cost of cleaning up the streets after the parade? West Monroe state Rep. Foy Gadberry has filed a bill that would do just that. He says litter is a problem that gets much worse during Carnival time…:

CUT 04(12)      “…type of thing.”

His House Bill 23 will be debated in the legislative session that starts April 10^th.

We have some more possibly severe weather coming our way. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says parades scheduled tonight in New Orleans should be fine, but tomorrow night is another matter…:

CUT 10(09)      “…the day tomorrow.”

Wetherbee says skies will clear for good parade weather for Friday through Sunday. Mardi Gras day looks to be partly cloudy, warm and humid.

The Violence Policy Center says based on 2021 CDC data Louisiana ranks second in the country for having a gun death rate of 28.42 per 100-thousand people. VPC executive director Josh Sugarmann says local governments in Louisiana looking to reduce gun violence have their hands tied…:

CUT 13(11)      “…do anything.”

He says states with low gun death rates also have strong gun laws.

The New Orleans group “No LaToya” has a week remaining to collect over 49-thousand recall petition signatures needed to get a recall of Mayor LaToya Cantrell on a local ballot. Organizer Eileen Carter says they have a thousand or less signatures to go and will succeed. She hopes the Governor will schedule the recall with all due haste…:

CUT 08(09)      “…an immediate way.”
Carter and many others feel Cantrell has failed to attend to citizens’ needs and proper city services.

The Secretary of Louisiana Department of Transportation is stepping down. Governor John Bel Edwards office has announced that DOTD Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson will retire from state service effective March 4^th; just over two weeks away. The governor says Wilson’s work will “continue to bear fruit for years to come.” Wilson’s exit fuels speculation he will run for governor, as a Democrat, this fall.

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one week until its petition signature deadline, and they say they are very close…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Top of the “bad lists”? A new report from the Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana near the top for our rate of gun deaths; just over 28 per 100-thousand persons. VPC’s Josh Sugarmann says Mississippi is tops, followed by Louisiana, New Mexico, Wyoming and Alabama…and all five states have somewhat lax gun laws…:

CUT 12(09)      “…gun laws.”

He says local government s that may want stricter gun laws find themselves trumped by state law.

Legislation to require parade organizations to pay for after-parade clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says the litter control group, Ouachita Green, asked him to allow parishes and municipalities the ability to charge parade groups to recover clean-up costs…:

CUT 03(06)      “…to do so.”

Gadberry says litter is a statewide problem and parades only make it worse.

The Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana second in the country for overall gun death rates. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

Cut 02  (30)      “…Palermo.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the retirement of DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson. Wilson will step down as March 4^th, which fuels speculation he will be a Democrat candidate for governor this fall. Edwards calls Wilson “the most effective DOTD secretary in state history.”

Here’s a proposed state law a lot of us can get behind; a bill to require parade krewes to pay for clean-up after they’ve had their run. West Monroe Rep. Fox Gadberry says his bill would allow local governments to create their own ordinances to establish fees for permits…:

CUT 05(12)      “…their needs.”

He says parade organizations should take some responsibility for the mess their events create.

More bad weather is expected across Louisiana again; particularly tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says says north, central and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather starting this afternoon into tomorrow morning…:

CUT 09(08)      “…impact Louisiana.”

Weather should clear by Friday and good for Mardi Gras Weekend parades.

Severe weather will impact the state today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says north, central, and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tomorrow morning. Mardi Gras parades rolling in the New Orleans area should be fine tonight, but the threat for severe weather exists tomorrow in southeast Louisiana…

Cut 10 (09) “…day tomorrow” 

The Violence Policy Center says based on 2021 CDC data Louisiana ranks second in the country for having a gun death rate of 28.42 per 100-thousand people. V-P-C executive director Josh Sugarmann says Louisiana consistently ranks in the top every year

Cut 11 (08)  “…unintended deaths.”

Mississippi has the highest overall gun death rate.

Legislation to require parade organizations to pay for clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says litter across the state is an ongoing problem and parades are only making it worse. He says businesses along parade routes are also negatively impacted.

Cut  4 (12)  “…of thing.” 

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one more week to gather enough signatures needed. Group organizer Eileen Carter says a large number of residents are not satisfied with Cantrell’s handling of city services, like trash collection, street maintenance, draining and police protection, and when confronted with Cantrell often goes on the offensive…:

Cut 7 (08)  “…across the board.” 

Another round of severe weather will impact the state today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says north, central, and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather starting this afternoon into tomorrow morning.

Cut 9 (08) “…impact Louisiana”

Mardi Gras parades rolling in the New Orleans area should be fine tonight, but the threat for severe weather exists tomorrow in southeast Louisiana…

And speaking of parade, legislation to require parade organizations to pay for clean-up has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. West Monroe Representative Foy Gadberry says the litter control group, Ouachita Green, asked him to allow parishes and municipalities the ability to charge parade groups for clean-up.

Cut 3 (06) “…to do so.” 

The regular session begins on April 10^th

The effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has one more week to gather the petition signatures needed, and they say they are very close. On Tuesday, “No LaToya” reports needing just over 1000 names. Group organizer Eileen Carter says New Orleans residents who want change in their city need to act…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…NoLaToya.org.” 

The group must have over 49-thousand signatures to the Orleans Registrar of Voters office a week from today.

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office will present evidence today to a grand jury claiming that three adults and a teenager raped LSU student Madison Brooks before she was killed by a passing car. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there’s been talk the D-A will pursue first-degree rape charges, which carries a higher penalty if convicted…

Cut 8 (07)  “…get it.”
Lake Charles Police have arrested 46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia, and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur for their alleged involvement in the death of Allen Babineaux in January of 2000. L-C-P-D Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says his department re-opened the cold case over a year ago.

Cut 13 (13)  “…two suspects”.

After a 40-year wait, victims of a flood in Tangipahoa Parish – caused by I-12 road work – will soon see compensation. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police has released more information on last week’s police shooting where an 18-year-old suspected carjacker was shot in Shreveport. L-S-P says the suspect, Zechariah Stutts, pointed a gun at officers during a foot chase. Stutts was shot in the hip, a non-life-threatening injury and he’s been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

A grand jury convenes in Baton Rouge today to hear evidence against three of the four men arrested in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he would be shocked if the grand jury doesn’t issue an indictment if the DA is actively seeking one.

Cut 7 (08) “…an indictment.”

A fourth suspect, who is 17 years old, will have his case handled in the juvenile court.

46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur are in custody and facing murder charges in a fatal shooting that took place in 2000 at a Lake Charles nightclub. L-C-P-D Deputy Chief Franklin Fondell says Allen Babineaux died on New Year’s Day in 2000 and the family can start to have closure…

Cut 14 (07)  “…waiting for healing”
Victims of a 1983 flood in Tangipahoa Parish, caused by the construction of Interstate 12, will soon see compensation. A judge this week gave final approval to a $101-million class action settlement. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jean-Paul Layrisson says the

process of getting compensation from the state Department of Transportation to the over 1,000 families, businesses, and individuals impacted can begin…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…their lawful heirs.” 

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is running for President in 2024. In 2021, Haley said she would not run against Trump if he ran again and that she’d support him. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says a lot has changed for Haley and for Trump in recent years…:

Cut 11 (10)  “…his personality.”

A grand jury meets today to hear evidence against three men accused of participating in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks shortly before she was killed by a passing car. .
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans Police is charging a 15-year-old with negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of another 15-year-old from Warren Easton High School. Tyler Ellis, described as a straight A student, died from a gunshot wound after he was shot Monday night. Ellis is the second Warren Easton student to die in a shooting in two weeks.

Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of two individuals who were involved in the murder of 27-year-old Allen Babineaux, who was fatally shot at a nightclub in 2000. Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight says they will present their evidence to a grand jury next week…
cut 15 (07) “….in the making”
46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Shreveport are the two men charged in the case.

A state judge has given final approval to a 101-million dollar class-action settlement for victims of a massive flood in Tangipahoa Parish in 1983. It’s been determined the newly constructed I-12 disrupted water flow flooding hundreds of homes and nearly 100 businesses in Ponchatoula.
cut 5 (06) “…long ride”
That an attorney for the plaintiffs, Jean-Paul Layrisson, who hopes the process of getting money from the state to his clients will be a quick one.

State Police has released more information on last week’s police shooting where a 18-year-old suspected car jacker was shot in Shreveport. L-S-P says the suspect, Zechariah Stutts, pointed a gun at officers during a foot chase. Stutts was shot in the hip, a non-life threatening injury and he’s been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

After a 40-year wait, victims of a flood in Tangipahoa Parish – caused by I-12 road work – will soon see compensation. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney will present evidence to a grand jury today in the Madison Brooks case. Authorities say the LSU student from Covington was raped inside a vehicle, before dying a short time later when struck by a passing car. Attorneys representing the defendants say the sex was consensual, but legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there appears to be enough evidence to get an indictment…
cut 9 (08) “…get it”
Three young men are facing third degree rape charges and a 17-year-old will have his case go through the juvenile court system.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has announced she’s running for President, the first major challenger for former President Donald Trump, who is once again seeking the Republican nomination. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says Haley wants voters to remember her ties to the former President…
cut 10 (11) “…and among Republicans”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office will present evidence today to a grand jury claiming that three adults and a teenager raped LSU student Madison Brooks before she was killed by a passing car. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there’s been talk the D-A will pursue first-degree rape charges, which carries a higher penalty if convicted…
cut 8 (07) “…..get it”

46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur are in custody and facing murder charges in a fatal shooting that took place in 2000 at a Lake Charles nightclub. L-C-P-D Deputy Chief Franklin Fondell says Allen Babineaux died on New Year’s Day in 2000 and the family can start to have closure…
cut 14 (07) “….waiting for healing”

Former South Carolina Governor and Republican Nikki Haley is running for President. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says she has the qualifications and appeals to conservative voters…:
Cut 12 (11) “…kind of candidacy.”
But Sadow says if Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enters the race, her chances will diminish.

After waiting 40 years for an answer, victims of a 1983 flood in Tangipahoa Parish, caused by the construction of Interstate 12, will soon see compensation. A judge this week gave final approval to a $101-million class action settlement. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jean-Paul Layrisson says this final approval is great news for the 1200+ people and businesses who were flooded in 1983…:
Cut 4 (11) “…the right amounts.”