Bond has been set for three men East Baton Rouge investigators say were involved in a sexual assault of an LSU student who died a short time later when she was hit by vehicle. Authorities say 19-year-old Madison Brooks was extremely drunk when all of this happened. A 17-year-old has also been charged. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt expects East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore to use a grand jury to finalize the charges…
cut 9 (11) “…may think this is”

Total nonfarm employment increased by 48-hundred jobs from November to December. Mark Wilson with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says construction added 33-hundred workers and manufacturing added 12-hundred jobs in that one month period…
cut 11 (12) “….seeing right there”
The manufacturing sector has added 87-hundred jobs from December 2021.

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to discuss a proposal to use $45-million in surplus cash to bring new property insurers to Louisiana, which means fewer businesses and homeowners relying on Louisiana Citizens, which costs significantly more. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the same plan brought five new companies to the state after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but Thibodaux Rep. Bryan Fontenot remains skeptical…
CUT 28(09) “…on those companies?”

The American Lung Association gives Louisiana three f-grades, a D-grade and one C-grade in their annual tobacco control report card. Louisiana received a C grade for smokefree air and the senior director of advocacy at the American Lung Association Ashley Lyerly says the state can do better…
cut 5 (12) “….the state of Louisiana”
The state received Fs for tobacco prevention funding, tobacco taxes and not regulating flavored tobacco products.

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund to lure new insurers. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says there may be better uses for that $45-million…:
CUT 27(12) “…in our state.”
Fontenot says there’s no talk of possible tort reform which could help lower insurance costs nor reforming Louisiana Citizens so it is more affordable.

Bond has been set for the three adult suspects facing rape charges and a 17-year-old is facing third-degree rape as they were allegedly involved in a sexual assault of an LSU student who later died when she was hit by a car. They all left Reggie’s Bar, which now has a suspended liquor license. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says civil lawsuits are also likely…
cut 7 (10) “…even happened”

A study by the Public Affairs Research Council shows a very small number of Louisianans actually use buses or other public transit….
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana received three Fs, one D and one C on the American Lung Association of Tobacco Control 2023 report card. ALA senior director of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly says Louisiana is not investing nearly enough in tobacco prevention…
Cut 4 (12) “…across the state.”

Four men face charges for an alleged rape that occurred in a vehicle before 19-year-old Madison Brooks of Madisonville left that same vehicle and was struck and killed by a passing vehicle on Burbank Drive in Baton Rouge. Authorities say Brooks was heavily intoxicated when she left with the men from Reggie’s Bar near LSU’s campus. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt…
cut 8 (10) “….supposed to be”
The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control has suspended Reggie’s bar’s liquor license.

There’s talk of a passenger rail line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but U-S Bureau of Transportation statistics shows only about 35-thousand Louisiana residents, which is less than one percent of the state’s total population uses some form of public transit to commute to work. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says there are a lot of lingering questions about that rail project…
cut 15 (06) “…going to be successful”

According to Entergy Louisiana’s power outage map, four-thousand customers are without power as a result of the strong storms that rolled through south Louisiana yesterday. Three people were injured in Pointe Coupee Parish when a suspected twister turned over mobile homes. The entire city of Plaquemine is without power this morning.

The American Lung Association gave Louisiana 3 F’s, a D, and a C in the state’s 2023 “State of Tobacco Control” report card. Kace Kieschnick spoke with the Senior Director of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly…
cut 1 (26) “…I’m Kace Keischnick.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports continued job growth for the state. Data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows seasonally adjusted non-farm employment for December 2022 was at 1.9 million jobs. LWC’s Mark Jones says that’s an increase of over 4000 jobs in one month…:
Cut 10 (09) “…22 consecutive months.”
Jones says is closing in on being back at per-pandemic levels of employment.

A new study from the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) shows few Louisianans actually use public transportation, despite federal grant money flowing in to support it. PAR President Steven Procopio says in 2021 less than one percent of Louisiana residents or about 35-thousand people used some form of public transit to commute to work, which ranks Louisiana fourth among Southern states…
Cut 13 (10) “…transportation system though.”

Bond has been set for three of the four men accused of raping an LSU student after a night of heavy drinking. Madison Brooks was hit by a car the same night and killed. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Bond was set this afternoon for three of the four men accused of raping 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks before she was run over by a car and killed. 18-year-old Kaivon Washington is charged with third-degree rape with a $150,000 bond. 18-year-old Casen Carver and 27-year-old Everett Lee are charged with principle to third-degree rape. The 17-year-old’s bond hearing will be held next month.

State Lawmakers go into special session Monday to forge a plan to ease property insurance costs, but one House member says he has reservations…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Bogalusa Police Captain David Miller offered some pushback after Mayor Tyrin Troung asked the governor for help with the city of 12 thousand after an alarming increase in crime. With a police force of only four, Miller says, despite a recent pay increase, they are still having trouble hiring more new cops…:

Cut 13 (10) “…and recruit.” 

Several areas of the state are under high winds, flash flood, and storm warnings as a front from Texas moves across the state. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says the line of strong and severe storms will reach the Baton Rouge area around 7 PM and then New Orleans after 9 PM.

Cut 10 (10) “…be a concern” 

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. The hope is this will help de-populate Louisiana Citizens, the last-resort insurer which costs significantly more than the private market. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the same plan worked after a big exodus of companies following Katrina and Rita; bring five new companies to the state…but Thibodaux Rep. Bryan Fontenot says there are yet un-answered questions about that plan’s success…:

CUT 08(09)      “…on those companies?”

Four Baton Rouge men are charged with plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with alcohol and raping her…before leaving her wandering on a Baton Rouge roadway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. The victim’s blood alcohol was .319 percent; considered alcohol poisoning in most cases.

The state Department of Education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the state has worked to retain teachers by increasing teacher salaries and providing no cost counseling service for teachers…:

CUT 04(09)      “pay opportunities.”

The average teacher salary has increased by 12-hundred dollars to 52-thousand dollars.

Police in Jennings say a high speed chase Monday night ended with a car crash and big drug bust. The two male suspects in the vehicle were treated at a local hospital, th3n arrested after cops found about ten pounds of crystal meth in the car; street value about a quarter-million bucks. They also found $9000 in cash. Jennings Police says it’s the largest seizure of meth ever by their city.

A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible from a storm system moving in from the west…:

CUT 09(08)      “…the day.”

The worst of the bad weather should be moving out of Louisiana by late tonight.

After the mayor of Bogalusa asked Governor Edwards to send him State Police and National Guard to get crime under control in his town, cops in the Washington Parish city offer a little pushback. Bogalusa PD Captain David Miller says of course they’ll welcome the help, though actual Guardsman aren’t necessary. He says hiring more cops is the solution, and that’s not so easy…:

CUT 13(10)      “…and recruit.”

Bogalusa has seen a big spike recently in gun violence and crime.

Three Baton Rouge men – one of them a minor – are under arrest for allegedly plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with liquor before raping her and leaving her on a dark highway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. Her blood alcohol was four times the legal limit. The men are all charged with rape, but other charges may be coming.

A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Bogalusa Police offer some pushback on the mayor’s request for the National Guard to come get crime under control in the Washington Parish town. Mayor Tyrin Truong sent a letter to Governor John Bel Edwards asking for State Police and/or the Louisiana National Guard to intervene. Bogalusa P.D. detective Captain David Miller tells WWL radio in New Orleans the police are not against outside assistance…:

CUT 11(08)      “…National Guard.”

However, he says Guardsmen are trained to be soldiers and using them as cops could leads to unforeseen problems. Miller says cops and the mayor are in agreement about needing more actual cops on the street.

A number of schools and offices across southern Louisiana have closed today in anticipation of severe weather moving through. There are tornado watches posted for southwestern Louisiana until 6 pm. The worst of the bad weather should be moving out of the state by late tonight. Tomorrow should be partly cloudy and cold.

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says there may be better uses for that $45-million…:

CUT 07(12)      “…in our state.”

Fontenot says there’s no talk of possible tort reform which could help lower insurance costs for property owners, nor discussion of possibly reforming the state-run last-resort insurer Louisiana Citizens so it is more affordable.

More Louisiana teachers are choosing to stay in their jobs. Education superintendent Cade Brumley says there’s been a 5-percent increase in teacher retention…:

CUT 03(12)      “…and appreciate.”

The average teacher salary in Louisiana has increased to about $52-thousand.

Four men, one a minor, are charged with plying LSU co-ed Madison Brooks with alcohol and raping her…before leaving her wandering on a Baton Rouge roadway, where she was hit and killed by traffic. The victim’s blood alcohol was .319 percent; considered alcohol poisoning in most cases.

A new report from the state department of education finds that fewer public school teachers are leaving the profession…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

State lawmakers go into special session Monday to put together a plan to bring new private property insurance companies to Louisiana, but not everyone is on board. The proposal is to use $45-million in surplus cash to make an incentive fund for new incoming insurers. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot says he’s troubled by that being the sole item on the session agenda…:

CUT 06(11)      “…45-million dollars.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the same plan worked to get new insurers after a post-Katrina/Rita exodus, and it’ll work again.

A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana until 6 PM tonight. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible, with the worst coming this evening…:

CUT 10(10)      “…be a concern.”

He says the whole system should be moving out of the state by late tonight.

A tornado watch has been issued for southwest Louisiana until 6 PM tonight. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says isolated tornadoes are possible from a storm system moving in from Texas.

Cut 9 (08) “…the day.” 

Wetherbee says the line of strong and severe storms will reach the Baton Rouge area around 7 PM and then New Orleans after 9 PM.

The state department of education says a new report shows a two-percent increase in the percentage of teachers choosing to stay in the profession over last year. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the percentage of certified teachers also increased by two percent to 69 percent. He says they want to see the percentage of certified teachers continue to grow…

Cut 5 (07) “…quality teacher.”

State Lawmakers go into special session Monday to forge a plan to ease property insurance costs for the thousands who had their coverage end after recent hurricanes. One House member says he has reservations…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”