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 suspect.

Lake Charles Police announce the arrest of two men who were allegedly involved in a fatal shooting at The Doll House nightclub in January 2000. L-C-P-D Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says his department re-opened the cold case over 13 months ago by reviewing all existing evidence and reconstructing the crime scene…
Cut 13 (13) “…two suspects”
The two people charged are 46-year-old Marvin Kyer of Douglasville, Georgia and 49-year-old Terrance Malvo of Sulphur. Both have been charged in the murder of Allen Babineaux.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has launched a campaign for the White House. Kevin Gallagher talks with a Louisiana politico on her chances of being the country’s first female president…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over the entire country last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy says President Biden should have ordered the balloon intercepted far earlier than he did…:

Cut 3 (08) “…our southern border.” 

Cassidy feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers.

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that he calls the Public Library Accountability Act. Hollis says his legislation gives power to municipalities and parishes to make sure their library system operates the way they want it to…

Cut 6 (09)  “…not be.” 

A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says when they inspected the RADE unit nothing was taken but the backdoor was propped open. Then they heard a noise at a nearby building.

Cut 9 (11) “…use the restroom.”

She faces burglary charges and The RADE building houses individual offices and evidence rooms.

After a complaint to state wildlife Ponchatoula went into a frenzy upon news that their beloved alligator Hardhide could be put down. Owner T-Mike Kliebert (Klee-bear) says the community rallied to keep Hardhide from being euthanized. He says many questioned why she couldn’t be released back into the wild instead.

Cut 13 (11) “…not an option.” 

Hardhide will retire soon to the Kliebert family farm.

Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over entire country last week. Cassidy and other senators were briefed by the Defense Department and says, at least U.S. air defenses are much more alert to such things going forward.

Cut 5 (07) “…pick up these objects.”

Cassidy says the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes the US look vulnerable.

33-year-old Monica Matthews of Ball was arrested after an alarm was tripped at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building Sunday. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says Matthews told detectives she thought it was a substation and she wanted to use the restroom.

Cut 11 (07)  “…happening again.”

Matthews is being held at the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion stating local governments have the authority to remove members of Library Control Boards. St. Bernard Parish Representative Ray Garafalo says he asked Landry to render the opinion after local officials came to him with their concerns…:

Cut 7 (11)  “…local communities” 

The concern is over kids getting access to adult content at libraries and whether board members will take steps to assure they do not. Garafalo says he’ll propose legislation this spring to make the AG’s opinion a clear matter of state law.

Ponchatoula’s long-time mascot alligator, Hardhide, has been spared being euthanized by state Wildlife & Fisheries.  Owner T-Mike Kleibert says she’s been in the family since 1957 and at the Ponchatoula Country Market for 13 years…:

Cut 12 (10) “…could do.”

Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the whole USA last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy said he feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers, and places our national security at risk…:

CUT 04 (09)      “…to our airspace.”

At least 3 unidentified objects have been shot down in the days since.

A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tommy Carnline says officers found 33-year-old Monica Matthews had gotten in to use the bathroom, she told them. Carnline says she faces several charges…:

CUT 10 (09)      “…run free.”

Nothing was taken from the sheriff’s building.

A Mandeville state lawmaker files legislation for the spring session that would give local governments the authority they need to remove members of local library control boards, should they feel the need. Republican Representative Paul Hollis says this is about kids getting access to adult reading material, and taxpayers shouldn’t be asked to pay for some of the books he’s seen in libraries…:

CUT 08 (12)      “…your mind.”

In Tangipahoa Parish, citizen efforts have successfully stayed the euthanization of 65-year-old Ponchatoula city mascot Hardhide the alligator. Her owner, T-Mike Kliebert, says she’ll get to spend her remaining years instead on the Kliebert family farm…:

Cut 14  (05)      “…her life.”

Numerous people petitioned state Wildlife & Fisheries to NOT put Hardhide to sleep.

A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says when they inspected the RADE unit nothing was taken but the backdoor was propped open. Then they heard a noise at a nearby building…:

CUT 09(11)      “…use the restroom.”

He says Matthews was charged with burglary, criminal trespass and more.

Monroe state Senator Katrina Jackson responds to a lawsuit filed against her by the Tulane University 1^st Amendment Center, alleging she violated a woman’s right to free speech by blocking the woman’s access to her social media pages. Jackson says the woman used foul language, called Jackson obscene names and advised she should “burn in hell.” The harsh words came as Jackson was passing the state’s anti-abortion trigger law in 2022.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a Chinese spy balloon that crossed the USA last week. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Palermo.”

Organizers of the petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell say they are within just over a thousand signatures of their goal, with just a week until the deadline to submit. The group seeks to put a recall vote on a local election ballot. 49-thousand confirmed signatures are needed. The deadline for that is Mardi Gras Day; next Tuesday.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a Chinese spy balloon that crossed the USA last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy says President Biden should have ordered the balloon intercepted far earlier than he did…:

CUT 03(08)      “…southern border.”

Cassidy feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers, and places our national security at risk.

A Mandeville state lawmaker files a bill to let municipalities and parishes make sure their library system operates the way they want it to. Republican Rep. Paul Hollis says his Public Library Accountability Act is aimed at fighting a “woke” agenda being pushed on the masses using taxpayer dollars…:

CUT 07(11)      “…local communities.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion stating local governments have authority to remove board members if needs be.

Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says deputies arrest a 15-year-old boy in connection with the death of an elderly Winnsboro man. 79-year-old Ben Scott was found last night. Cobb says the investigation is ongoing. The teen has been charged with murder.

Upon word that their beloved alligator “Hardhide” could be euthanized, the town of Ponchatoula rallied to keep the critter alive. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that he calls the Public Library Accountability Act. Hollis says his legislation gives power to municipalities and parishes to make sure their library system operates the way they want to…

Cut 6 (09)  “…not be.” 

Hollis says he wants to give local governments the ability to remove individuals from library control boards.

After a complaint to state wildlife Ponchatoula went into a frenzy upon news that their beloved alligator Hardhide could be put down. Owner T-Mike Kliebert (Klee-bear) says the community rallied to keep Hardhide from being euthanized. He says many questioned why she couldn’t be released back into the wild instead.

Cut 13 (11) “…not an option.” 

Hardhide will retire soon to the Kliebert family farm.

A study done at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge shows promise in heading off dementia among older black citizens. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion stating local governments have the authority to remove members of Library Control Boards. St. Bernard Parish Representative Ray Garafalo says he asked Landry to render the opinion after local officials came to him with their concerns…:

CUT 07(09)      “…control board.”

The concern is over kids getting access to adult content at libraries and whether board members will take steps to assure they do not. Garafalo says he’ll propose legislation this spring to make the AG’s opinion a clear matter of state law.

Ponchatoula’s long-time mascot alligator, Hardhide, has been spared being euthanized by state Wildlife & Fisheries.  Owner T-Mike Kleibert says she’s been in the family since 1957 and at the Ponchatoula Country Market for 13 years…:

CUT 12(10)      “…could do.”

For Valentine’s Day, the Louisiana Family Forum announces the winners of the Long-Married Couple in 2023…:

CUT 03(31)      “…Thorington.”

Organizers of the petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell say they are within just over a thousand signatures of their goal, with just a week until the deadline to submit. The group seeks to put a recall vote on a local election ballot. 49-thousand confirmed signatures are needed. The deadline for that is Mardi Gras Day; next Tuesday.

The Department of Corrections and the West Feliciana Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of 64-year-old Clifton Bell, an inmate at Angola, who died Monday after falling from a forklift he was driving. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion stating local governments have the authority to remove members of Library Control Boards. St. Bernard Parish Representative Ray Garafalo asked for the opinion. Garafalo says they are not trying to ban or remove books from libraries, but feels local governments need the freedom to act, should they see the need to do so…:

Cut 9 (11)  “…they need to do.”

Garafalo plans to file legislation to clarify local government powers over libraries.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center says social engagement and learning may help older African Americans from cognitive decline. Dr. Robert Newton says nearly 60 black men and women – ages 65 to 85 – took part in the 12-week study, one group was more involved in learning and discussion the other exercised…

Cut 6 (08)  “…cognitive health.” 

You can read more about the study at “PBRC.edu”

The Louisiana Family Forum announces the winners of the Longest Married Couple on Valentine’s Day. LFF President Gene Mills says the winning couple is Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans who recently celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary.

Cut 13 (10)  “…extraordinary family.”
And the Family Forum also recognizes Lauris and Earline Broussard of Abbeville who were married for 82 years. Earline passed away last week before the couple could be honored.

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says Attorney General Jeff Landry has issued a legal opinion that says local governments can remove members of Library Control Boards…
cut 8 (09) “…those members”
Garofalo says he asked for the A-G’s legal opinion because more local governments are becoming concerned with children gaining access to sexually explicit material at public libraries.

On this Valentine’s Day, the Louisiana Family Forum is recognizing the longest known married couples in the state. Winning the honor this year is Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans, who have been together for 81 years. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says it’s important to recognize couples who have long lasting marriages…
cut 15 (09) “…make it work”
Mills says they are also recognizing ten of other couple who have been married for over 73 years today.

For many older African Americans, social engagement and learning may help defend against cognitive decline according to an LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center study. Dr. Robert Newton says they split two groups of black persons around 70 years of age; one group did intensive learning about their own health and social interaction with study peers…the other concentrating on exercise…:
Cut 4 (08) “…your thinking skills.”

If your dog eats Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental….throw it out as the manufacturer has issued a recall of the prescription dry food because of elevated levels of Vitamin D. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says excessive levels of Vitamin D can cause the following symptoms…
cut 11 (06) “…excessive drooling”