Governor John Bel Edwards remains confident in Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters despite calls for her resignation. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes believes a new leader is needed for the child protection agency because of low morale within the state agency….
cut 11 (08) “…not backing down”
DCFS is facing criticism for its handling of child welfare cases, in one incident a two-year-old died from a drug overdose.

Saints receiver Michael Thomas is expected to make his return to the field on Sunday after missing all of last season because of an ankle injury he first sustained in 2020. In 2019, Thomas set an NFL record for most receptions in a season. Thomas believes he can top his record of 149 catches…
cut 8 (10) “….like my chances”
New Orleans is at Atlanta on Sunday.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the financial losses to soybean farmers are so bad they will need special help from the federal government. Marsanne Golsby has more…
cut 1 (27) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Across the pond, Queen Elizabeth the Second has passed away at the age of 96 after serving 70 years on the throne. In a statement Congressman Steve Scalise from Jefferson parish said the Queen shepherded her kingdom through economic turbulence, war and personal loss. Scalise says during her reign, she always put the people of the United Kingdom first.

One of the harshest critics of DCFS continues to call for the resignation of Secretary Marketa Garner Walters. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) I’m Brooke Thorington”

Congressman Mike Johnson is up-in-arms over a new animated series on the FX cable channel that depicts the life of Satan and his teen daughter, the Anti-Christ. The show called “Little Demon” is a comedy, but Johnson calls it “pure evil”. Johnson saw a promo while watching last Sunday’s LSU game. So far FX and Disney, its parent company, have had no comment.

The state’s farming community is concerned about the loss of soybean crops due to excessive rainfall in August. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain we will not know the full effect until the beans are harvested, but federal assistance is likely. He says Congresswoman Julie Letlow’s role on the Appropriations Committee will be an asset…
cut 5 (12) “…is harvested”

A St. Landry Parish man died Wednesday morning, when his pickup went into Bayou Teche, after running a stop sign. State Trooper Tom Gossen says 59-year-old Philip Gilyard survived for a short time in the water, because he used his phone to call for help…:
CUT 13 (06) “…the water.”
His body was found near the vehicle.

As the Department of Children and Family Services is under fire for child welfare concerns, New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes remains a harsh critic of DCFS and head of the agency Secretary Marketa Garner Walters. Hughes says he has yet to hear Walters accept any responsibility.
Cut 9 (09) “…not leadership.”
During a legislative hearing this week, a former case worker testified about the toxic environment within DCFS because supervisors are not addressing employee complaints.

Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain says excessive rainfall in August has damaged soybean crops. He says the beans are so wet that they are hard to harvest. Leaving farmers in a bind.
Cut 3 (:08) “…huge issue.”
Strain says a federal disaster declaration will be necessary, but that will not come until after harvest.

A new poll on the recall effort against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell shows over half of those surveyed say she needs to go. University of New Orleans political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak conducted to poll. He says the results were mostly similar regardless of gender, party affiliation, or race…:
CUT 10(11) “…direction of the city.”
Cantrell is under fire for rising crime, a police shortage, poor city services and taxpayer funded trips.

The Saints kick-off the season on Sunday and receiver Michael Thomas is expected to return to the field after missing all of last season after undergoing ankle surgery. Thomas says he’s put in countless hours to get back…
cut 7 (10) “…no one is looking”

LDH is recommending individuals who are 12 and older and fully vaccinated against COVID, get the newest booster that’s formulated for the Omicron variant. LDH Deputy Director Glennis Gray says it offers protection against the original strain…:

Cut 7 (08) “…and the BA.5.”

The updated booster should be widely available in the coming days.

After his truck failed to stop on LA 103 and ran into Bayou Teche early Wednesday morning, Troopers say 59-year-old Phillip Gilyard survived the crash but believe he fell victim to the water. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Gilyard was wearing a seatbelt and made a call for help when his truck began to go under, Gossen says some assume it’s safer to not wear a seatbelt when it comes to water.

Cut 15 (08)  “…water itself.”

The body was located away from his Ford F150.

When the Saints kick-off the season on Sunday, star receiver Michael Thomas is expected to make his long-awaited return after missing all of last season to recover from an ankle surgery. Thomas says he’s excited…

Cut 6 (13) “…make highlights” 

The Saints are set to visit the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday.

It’s the hottest ticket in town and LSU Executive Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry says it’s sold out for the first historic match-up of Southern at LSU this Saturday. And it’s also proving profitable with Southern getting paid $700,00, with an extra $60,000 going to their athletic foundation fund.

Cut 5 (10) “…institutions out.”

Kick-off is 6:30

A new poll on the recall effort against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell shows 55-percent surveyed say she needs to go. University of New Orleans political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says it’s just a snapshot of voter feelings and Cantrell could change her behavior before the deadline arrives to collect over 53-thousand recall signatures…:

Cut 12 (08) “…change those perceptions.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health is recommending individuals who are 12 and older and fully vaccinated against COVID, get the newest booster that’s formulated for the Omicron variant. LDH Deputy Director Glennis Gray says Moderna booster is for ages 18 and older and the Pfizer booster is for ages 12 and up.

Cut 8 (12)  “…age guidelines.”

The new booster should be available in the coming days.

LSU announces Saturday night’s historic football game against Southern University is a sell-out. Whitney Thomas has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

A Facebook post by Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson denouncing actor Danny Devito’s newest sitcom reaches millions. Johnson is objecting to the FX animated sitcom “Little Demon” where Devito is the voice of Satan. The show airs on Thursdays at 9pm.

New & improved COVID booster shots will soon be available most everywhere, and state health officials urge you to get yours. Department of Health Deputy Director Glennis Gray says the booster gives ongoing protection from the original COVID, plus increased effectiveness against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants going around now. She says the new booster is especially important if you have recently gotten over COVID…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…your booster.”

Call ahead to assure your health care provider has the new booster shots.

Shreveport Congressman Mike Johnson is up-in-arms over a new animated series on the FX cable channel that depicts the life of Satan and his teen daughter, the Anti-Christ. The show called “Little Demon” is a comedy, but Johnson calls it “pure evil”. Johnson saw a promo while watching last Sunday’s LSU-Florida state game. So far FX and Disney, its parent company, have had no comment.

A new poll of New Orleans voters shows over half want to see Mayor LaToya Cantrell removed from office…:

CUT 03(31)      “…Thorington.”

LSU plays Southern University’s football team for the very first time Saturday, and the game is sold out. LSU’s Verge Ausberry says this is the football Tigers’ first time playing a historically Black college…:

CUT 06(08)      “…players went.”

Kickoff is 6:30 Saturday.

The state Department of Health is recommending the newest COVID boosters; formulated to offer protection from the Omicron variants…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

The Louisiana National Guard is holding a town hall meeting to discuss the renaming of Camp Beauregard. The name is changing due to its confederate roots. The meeting is tonight at 6 p.m. at the Camp Beauregard Post Theater, and is open to the public.

A Leonville man died early Wednesday morning, after his pickup truck careened into Bayou Teche, along state Highway 103. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 59-year-old Philip Gilyard was able to phone for help, but when first responders arrived he was dead – presumably from drowning. Gossen says a blood sample was collected and the accident is still under investigation…:

CUT 14  (07)        “…after the crash.”

A new poll of New Orleans voters shows more than half feel Mayor LaToya Cantrell needs to be recalled. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak conducted the poll, which he calls a “snapshot” of voter sentiment right now, but…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…circumstances can change.”

The recall effort will need to gather 53-thousand signatures within 6 months. It’s collected over 3000 in under two weeks.

This Saturday – for the first time ever – LSU and Southern University football teams will meet on the gridiron…and the game is sold out. More from Whitney Thomas…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thomas.”

An Ascension Parish grand jury hands down an indictment for Louisiana rapper Mystikal, for rape, domestic abuse and more. He accused of holding woman captive in his home; raping and beating her. The 51-year-old New Orleans-born artist – real name Michael Tyler – spent six years in prison for a 2004 sexual assault in Baton Rouge.

A new poll on the recall effort against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell shows over half of those surveyed say she needs to go. University of New Orleans political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak conducted to poll. He says the results were mostly similar regardless of gender, party affiliation, or race…:

CUT 10(11)      “…direction of the city.”

Cantrell is under fire for rising crime, a police shortage, poor city services and living a “high-on-the-hog” lifestyle at taxpayer expense.

A St. Landry Parish man died Wednesday morning, when his pickup went into Bayou Teche, after running a stop sign. State Trooper Tom Gossen says 59-year-old Philip Gilyard survived for a short time in the water, because he was able to phone for help…:

CUT 13  (06)        “…the water.”

His body was found near the vehicle.

A new poll of New Orleans voters shows over half want to see Mayor LaToya Cantrell removed from office. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(31)      “…Thorington.”

Despite setbacks from the pandemic, Bossier parish schools report 66 students achieved perfect scores on at least one section of this year’s LEAP test. One student scored perfectly on all three sections of the test. School leaders credit the teachers and the students for their hard work.

The Louisiana Department of Health is recommending individuals who are 12 and older and fully vaccinated against COVID, get the newest booster that’s formulated for the Omicron variant. LDH Deputy Director Glennis Gray says this booster offers prolonged protection against the original strain of COVID…:

CUT 07(08)      “…and the BA.5.”

The updated booster should be widely available in the coming days.

LSU has announced Saturday night’s historic match-up against Southern University is a sell-out. LSU Executive Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry says tickets for this first-ever football match-up between the two Baton Rouge schools are more in demand than the Alabama game in November…:

CUT 04(06)      “…it’d be good.”

Kickoff is 6:30 Saturday in Tiger Stadium.

A former caseworker at the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services calls the environment within the state agency toxic. Stacey McPherson left her job as a Rapides foster care worker in July. She says supervisors failed to address repeated complaints and concerns…:

Cut 10 (11) “…from us” 

DCFS told state lawmakers more money and more employees will help but offered no real plan of action to improve child safety.

After a St. Martinville woman was killed when a cigarette ignited her oxygen tank, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents not to have an open flame near oxygen tanks. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says tanks should be kept at least five feet away from anything flammable and not just cigarettes.

Cut 7 (08) “… a fuel.” 

The new 988 suicide crisis call in line in Louisiana received more than 14-hundred calls in its first month and the majority of calls were answered in-state. Dr. Robyn Thomas, Suicide Prevention Coordinator says it’s important the crisis line has certified local counselors because they understand the state’s culture and unique stressful events like hurricanes.

Cut 5  (10) “…as possible.”

ASAP, the Louisiana-based delivery app formerly known as Waitr, has a new NIL deal for all of LSU’s student-athletes. ASAP’S Kevin Burke declined to say how much the student-athletes would make but says it gives fans the chance to help them earn extra money.

Cut 14 (10)  “…student-athletes.”