Tropical Depression number seven formed in the Atlantic this morning. New Orleans National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says it’s about 800 miles west of the Lesser Antilles and will remain on a westward track and is expected to reach Haiti by Monday.

Cut 6 (09)  “…out to sea.” 

As far as Louisiana or even the Gulf of Mexico, Manning says right now it’s not a huge concern, but we should keep a watchful eye on Number Seven

LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk Ballard says we need to plant more trees because a single tree can pull 48 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere annually. She says they absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store it as carbon molecules in the plants’ wood, roots, and leaves.

Cut 10 (09) “…they grow.” 

She says many people in Louisiana tend to cut trees out of fear of hurricane damage.

A nationwide survey of small business owners finds that inflation continues to be a serious problem. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Nearly a third of small business owners nationwide say inflation is their single most important problem in operating their business. That’s a slight decrease from a previous survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Businesses. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says inflation remains a serious challenge for small businesses

Cut 3 (09) “…reduced some.” 

LSU Ag center horticulturist Heather Kirk Ballard is urging us to plant more trees to absorb greenhouse gasses.  A single tree can pull 48 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere in one year. She says people in Louisiana tend to cut trees out of fear of hurricane damage.

Cut 9 (07)  “…quickly”

Fast growing trees that resist strong winds include nutall oaks, river birch, and sycamores.

The President and CEO of Ochsner Health is leaving Louisiana to run a hospital system in California. Warner Thomas has led Ochsner for the last decade and during that time the size of the health system tripled. Thomas says Ochsner’s current C-F-O Pete November will take over as the new CEO in six weeks…

Cut 12 (08) “..flourish.” 
Thomas is joining Sutter Health, based in Sacramento, California.

The House Ways and Means Committee has started looking at the possibility of eliminating the state’s income tax, without producing major cuts in state spending. The panel met yesterday and heard from the Department of Revenue. House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop says there’s a lot of work ahead…

Cut 15 (11)  “…a very big task.”
Expect a bill to eliminate the state’s income tax to be introduced in the next legislative session.

The Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation is seeking to raise rates by 63-percent because of higher reinsurance costs and also an increase in demand for homeowners’ coverage as a result of eight private insurance companies going out of business in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Insurance is reviewing the rate increase proposal.

Louisiana is bringing back an African American Heritage Trail.  Whitney Thomas has more…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Whitney Thomas” 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues guidance on complying with Louisiana’s new law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in any home sold and/or rented after January 1^st . Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says now is the time to get the detectors installed…so there will be time to work out any potential issues….:

 Cut  6 (07)  “…if it’s not working.” 

The law was passed after multiple carbon monoxide deaths post hurricanes.

Ochsner’s CEO Warner Thomas announces he’s leaving his position after ten years to serve as a president for a nonprofit hospital network in northern California. During Thomas’s time as president of Ochsner, the health system tripled in size. Thomas says he’ll be forever grateful for Ochsner’s role during the pandemic…

Cut  11 (11)  “..health care entity” 
Ochsner CEO Pete November will replace Thomas in six weeks.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues new guidelines for complying with the state’s new carbon monoxide detector law. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Thibodaux Police announce an arrest in last weekend’s fatal shooting that resulted in the death of 15-year-old Jairen Cole, who was shot multiple times inside a home. Lt. Clint Dempster says a 15-year-old male was taken into custody yesterday and charged with one-count of second-degree murder. Police are not releasing a motive at this time.

The House Ways and Means Committee has kicked off a series of meetings looking to see if Louisiana could eliminate the state’s income tax, without making drastic cuts to state services. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson is leading the effort and points to how other states without an income tax are growing…
cut 14 (09) “…no income tax”
Income taxes generate four billion dollars in revenues for the state, so if Louisiana eliminated it, lawmakers would likely need to raise property and sales taxes and eliminate various tax exemptions.

Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas is leaving to run a hospital system in California. Thomas became Ochsner’s CEO in 2012 and during that time Ochsner Health tripled in size from 13-thousand to 36-thousand employees and that includes 23-hundred physicians…
cut 10 (07) “….everyday”
Ochsner’s CFO Pete November will take over on November first.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued guidance to assist the housing and real estate industry follow a new law that requires at least one carbon monoxide alarm in every home sold or leased after January first. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says this is particulary important for homes using natural gas for heating, cooking or hot water, but also for those with whole home generation….
cut 5 (07) “…be in place”
Again this new law takes effect January 1st.

The House Ways and Means Committee has begun the process of looking at eliminating the state’s income tax as a way to bring more jobs to Louisiana. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the state’s current tax structure continues to hold Louisiana back and it’s time for real tax reform…
Cut 13 (08) “…bring that forward”
House Ways and Means plans to meet several more times before the start of next year’s legislative session.

Ochsner’s CEO Warner Thomas announces he’s leaving his position after ten years to serve as a president for a nonprofit hospital network in northern California. During Thomas’s time as president of Ochsner, the health system tripled in size. Thomas says he’ll forever be grateful for Ochsner’s role during the COVID pandemic…
cut 11 (11) “…health care entity”
Ochsner CEO Pete November will replace Warner in six weeks.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Office of Tourism is relaunching the African American Heritage Trail, which was first launched in 2008. The African American Heritage Trail has about 38 sites starting from the arrival of ships carrying the enslaved and continuing all the way through the Civil Rights period. Nungesser says it will have long-term benefits to the state…
cut 9 (11) “….for tourist”

The House Ways & Means Committee held its first meeting looking at how the state can eliminate income taxes, but still pay for government services.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation is seeking to raise rates by 63-percent because of higher reinsurance costs and also an increase in demand for homeowners coverage as a result of eight private insurance companies going out of business in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Insurance is reviewing the rate increase proposal.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism are relaunching the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. The announcement was made at the Whitney Plantation in St. John the Baptist Parish. Nungesser says the trail originally launched in 2008 with 26 sites and eventually grew to 38. He says the state also has a Civil Rights Trail, but they will now look to expand the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail…
Cut 7 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

The President and CEO of Ochsner Health is leaving Louisiana to run a hospital system in California. Warner Thomas has led Ochsner for the last decade and during that time the size of the health system tripled. Thomas says Ochsner’s current C-F-O Pete November will take over as the new CEO in six weeks…
cut 12 (08) “…flourish”
Thomas is joining Sutter Health, based in Sacramento, California.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues guidance on complying with Louisiana’s new law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all new homes and rentals. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the law, passed by the Legislature this year, takes effect January 1st…:
Cut 4 (10) “…carbon monoxide alarm inside.”
Also January first, the state will require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed at the same time, a home standby generator is installed.

The House Ways and Means Committee has started looking at the possibility of eliminating the state’s income tax, without producing major cuts in state spending. The panel met yesterday and heard from the Department of Revenue. House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop says there’s a lot of work ahead…
cut 15 (11) “…very big task”
Expect a bill to eliminate to the state’s income tax to be introduced in next year’s Legislative session.

Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas is leaving to lead a hospital system in California. Thomas became Ochsner’s CEO in 2012 and during that time Ochsner Health tripled in size from 13-thousand to 36-thousand employees and that includes 23-hundred physicians in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama…
cut 10 (07) “….everyday”
Ochsner’s CFO Pete November will take over on November first.

Last year the state launched a Civil Rights Trail, which are attractions that highlight the state’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. Now the state is relaunching an African American Heritage Trail which will showcase African Americans’ contribution to our nation’s history, culture and art. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the African American Heritage Trail was originally launched in 2008 with 26 sites, it has since grown to 38 and the Office of Tourism will begin promoting it again…
cut 8 (14) “…new promotion”
For more information go to the Louisiana-African-American-heritage-trail-dot-com.

State health officials say ninety percent of the new COVID-19 cases in Louisiana are caused by the latest variant of the disease, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. This morning, Governor John Bel Edwards received the new bivalent COVID booster shot. He says the latest variants are highly transmissible…:

CUT 06(09)      “…people do that.”

This is the Governor’s 5^th COVID shot. He also got his annual flu shot today.

A Caddo Parish substitute teacher is arrested for allegedly paying students to bully and assault another student. Sheriff’s spokesperson Bia Rolden says someone tipped school officials to what 24-year-old Aadrina Smith had done…:

CUT 09(14)      “…for money.”

She’s been fired from that job.

CVS Pharmacies in Louisiana add an extra measure of security against prescription drug thefts; time delay pharmaceutical safes. CVS Chief Policy Officer Tom Moriarty says time delay drug safes are now in place in all 133 CVS locations across Louisiana. He says this isn’t about loss prevention. It’s about keeping dangerous narcotics out of the wrong hands…:

CUT 14(12)      “…on the street.”

He says the time-lock drug safes are too much trouble for the average prescription drug thief to try to break into.

LSU’s beloved Bengal tiger mascot, Mike VII, observes a birthday today. The 410 pound Bengal-Siberian tiger mix is 6 years old. He celebrated with a big meaty birthday cake from his caregivers. The LSU veterinary school says Mike is in great health and has many more years ahead.

Deputies in Caddo Parish arrest a substitute P.E. teacher at North Caddo Elementary Middle School, for allegedly paying five students to bully and assault another student. Sheriff’s spokesperson Bia Rolden says 24-year-old Aadrina Smith reportedly paid each boy $5 to do it. She says it’s shocking for a teacher to be involved in such behavior…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…somebody said something.”

Smith was arrested Monday. She has been released from her job at the school.

Policer in Thibodaux seek the person or persons who shot a 15-year-old Assumption Parish boy over the weekend. Lt. Clint Dempster says the victim, Jarian Cole, died while being transported to a hospital. He says murders are not something his city is accustomed to…:

CUT 05  (08)        “…the victim.”

This morning, Governor John Bel Edwards rolled up his sleeves for the fifth time to get the latest booster against COVID and is urging you to do the same…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

First they were dumped by their property insurance company after the 2020 and ’21 hurricanes, and now customers of Louisiana Citizens – the state’s last-resort property insurer – are facing a probable rate increase of over 60-percent come January 1^st. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s working to attract new insurers, so citizens customers will have a cheaper private market option.

Call it a weapon in the arsenal to combat illegal drug sales on the street. CVS pharmacies say they now have time delay pharmacy safes in all Louisiana CVS stores, which should make a big dent in pharmacy burglaries and thefts. CVS’s Tom Moriarty says the time-lock technology is tested and proven effective…:

CUT 13(07)      “…of this technology.”

He says the time-lock safes deter thieves from coming back and hitting the store again, because they are take too much time and effort to crack.

Thibodaux Police continue to search for the gunman who fatally shot 15-year-old Jarian Cole from Assumption Parish on Saturday afternoon. Lt. Clint Dempster says Cole was shot multiple times in the back, and they are working overtime to find the killer…:

CUT 04(07)      “…come forward with.”

A Caddo Parish substitute teacher is charged with paying five students cash to bully one. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

State Police report an elderly woman was killed Monday in a head-on crash in Ouachita Parish. Troopers say 72-year-old Beverly Justice was a passenger in Buick minivan driving down Highway 151, when a Ford pickup crossed the center line; crashing into them. The two drivers were also seriously hurt. The crash is under investigation.