A number of old, broken down local bridges are getting some much-needed TLC, thanks to $270-million in federal Infrastructure law money coming Louisiana’s way. The state closed 25 dilapidated bridges last year, and shut down 31 so far this year. The detouring has been a nightmare for many. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the money will be sent to parishes to address their most urgent needs…:

CUT 08 (07)     “…as well.”

Nearly 750 Louisiana bridges are in need of repair or outright replacement.

After the President issued pardons for federal marijuana possession convictions, many ask will Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards follow suit? He says he will consider any such pardons that reach his desk, but it’s up to lawmakers to permanently address weed convictions…:

CUT 12(12)      “…this direction.”

A man wielding a machete attacked and injured two people Sunday in New Orleans’ French Quarter. A woman was cut on her hand and a man who tried to intervene was cut on the face and arm. The suspect got away. Two weeks ago, a different man stabbed two people on Bourbon Street.

Tennessee was the much better football team on Saturday as they trounced LSU 40-13. Jeff Palermo has a recap…:

CUT 3   (30)      “…Palermo.”

President Biden pardoned thousands of persons convicted of federal marijuana possession last week, and challenged state governors to follow suit. Governor John Bel Edwards was asked last Friday if he would follow the President’s lead. Edwards says many states are reforming marijuana laws; decriminalizing and even making it legal altogether. However, he says he does not have sole authority to write pardons. Louisiana has a process to follow…:

CUT 11(12)      “…and so forth.”

Edwards says marijuana convictions shouldn’t impede one’s access to employment, housing or education. He says he will consider any such pardons that reach his desk.

Lafayette Parish deputies report they confiscated a “potential explosive device” during a Sunday traffic stop near the Evangeline Thruway. Deputies stopped the vehicle for a suspected swapped license plate and found the device. The driver, 44-year-old Jade Merantel was arrested for multiple narcotics charges, traffic offenses, and manufacturing in possession of an explosive device.

There’s a new Louisiana Lottery $20 scratch-off ticket but a high price tag also brings about bigger prizes. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Louisiana has received $270 million in federal cash to repair local bridges. The money comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The Department of Transportation closed 25 of them last year and 31 so far this year. The money will go a long way toward getting routes closed – due to bridges out – reopened.

Will Governor Edwards take the President’s suggestion and pardon those convicted of simple possession of marijuana? Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(27)      “…Palermo.”

The low waters of the Mississippi River have revealed a more-than-100-year-old shipwreck on the Baton Rouge riverfront. The remains of the Brookhill, a freighter built in 1896 and sunk during a bad storm in 1915, are clearly evident…right where they have sat underwater for 107 years. Scientists will study the wreckage while they can.

Would you pay $20 for a scratch-off lottery ticket, if it carried a 100x multiplier of any cash you uncovered? The Louisiana Lottery hopes you will. It’s their first $20 scratcher in their 31 year history. Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says other states have had big success with the multiplier tickets…:

CUT 05(10)      “…of games.”

You can buy 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x and 100x tickets starting today at any Lottery retailer.

Despite a 40-13 beating at the hands of Tennessee Saturday, LSU head coach Brian Kelly isn’t discouraged. The Volunteers held the Tigers to just 55 yards rushing and sacked QB Jayden Daniels five times. Kelly says his staff need to coach the plays up better…:

CUT 13(13)      “…going to have.”

LSU is at Florida this Saturday. Kickoff 6pm.

President Biden pardoned thousands of persons convicted of federal marijuana possession last week, and challenged state governors to follow suit. It took no time for Governor John Bel Edwards to be asked the question, and he says Mr. Biden made the right call…:

CUT 10(09)      “…actually legal.”

Edwards says, however, that he does not have sole authority to grant state pardons. They must first be applied for then go through the state parole board before they are referred to him.

Louisiana has received $270 million in federal cash to repair local bridges. The money comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  DOTD closed 25 of them last year and 31 so far this year. Most are in rural areas. Spokesman Rodney Mallet says bridges that are too weak to carry full loads are already causing headaches…:

CUT 07(11)      “…and time.”

For the first time in the Louisiana Lottery’s 31-year history, a $20 scratch-off game is part of a multiplier-themed family of games. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the new option goes on sale today they‘re called 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X, and 100X and they sell respectively for one, two, five, ten, and twenty dollars…:

CUT 04(10)      “…to win.”

The New Orleans Saints all-purpose player Taysom Hill ran for three touchdowns and THREW for a fourth as the Saints broke their losing streak with a 39-32 win over Seattle yesterday. Hill says, statistically, it was big best NFL game ever..:

CUT 16(12)      “…when it came up.”

The Saints host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.

Louisiana’s winningest college basketball coach ever, Coach Mike McConathy, is considering running for public office. McConathy won 682 games in 39 years as coach at Northwestern State for 23 seasons and at Bossier Community College before that. He’s looking at the District 31 state Senate seat, which covers ten parishes in northwest and central Louisiana. McConathy says he has a good feel for the people and what they want & need…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…possibly can.”

Shreveport state Representative Alan Seabaugh – a fellow Republican – has already announced he will run for that Senate seat as well.

LSU fans may be a bit concerned that starting Left Tackle Will Campbell is out for today’s game against Tennessee. Campbell shared a picture of himself in a hospital bed on social media with the caption, “Appreciate all the prayers. I’ll be back.” We have no word on what’s wrong with him. Kickoff is at 11 in Tiger Stadium.

A 14-year-old student at East Ouachita Parish Middle School was taken into custody, after he allegedly distributed homemade treats – laced with some kind of drug – to classmates. At least three kids got sick and were taken to the hospital. They will be OK. Ouachita Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says the suspect was taken to Green Oaks Detention Center…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…being the school.”
The crime lab will determine exactly what was in the treats.

State Wildlife & Fisheries proposes reducing the limit on speckled trout from 25 to 15 per person, while increasing the max size by an inch and a half. Kevin Ford, host of the “Let’s Geaux Fishing” TV show, says many anglers can live with the reduced number, but the size limit is another matter…:

CUT 03  (09)        “…happen to it.”

Three kids at East Ouachita Middle School had to be taken to a hospital, after falling sick from homemade candy; laced with some kid of drug and given to them by a fellow student. Ouachita Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says deputies investigated and located a 14-year-old student still in possession of some of the cagey confections…:

CUT 12  (10)        “…similar narcotic.”

The crime lab will determine exactly WHAT was in the candy. The sick kids will all be OK.

Tropical Storm Julia has formed in the Caribbean Sea between the coasts of Colombia and Nicaragua. It’s maximum winds are at about 50 miles-an-hour and it’s moving quickly – about 18 miles-an-hour to the west. It should be near the Pacific coast of Guatemala by Monday. Will it turn north and head for the Gulf? At this time that is unclear.

The number of wildlife rehab centers in Louisiana has dwindled to only four, and they are feeling the pinch as their patient loads increase…:

CUT 02(33)      …Thorington.”

The family of a 17-year-old girl who was found dead Monday at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville is speaking out and wanting answers. The Avoyelles Parish coroner says Giah Barrere was not stabbed or shot, but that is all. Tunica Biloxi Tribal Police says they are investigating and once they have information, they will share it. Giah was known to have some mental health issues and problems with substance abuse.

You may be headed out to catch some fish this morning. You’ll probably want to know that Wildlife & Fisheries is proposing lowering your limit on speckled trout, in an effort to conserve the species…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Golsby”

Going to the LSU – Tennessee game this morning? Know that a film crew will also be there filming scenes for the upcoming feature, “The Mascot.” They’ll be getting crowd shots for the full-length feature to be released in 2023. So you might end up in a movie. Kickoff is at 11am

Louisiana’s all-time winningest college basketball coach, Mike McConathy, is considering a run for political office. The former Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College coach says he’s looking at running for the District 31 state senate seat, which covers ten parishes in northwest and central Louisiana…:

CUT 09(10)      “…to people.”

McConathy won 682 games in 39 seasons as a head coach. He retired as the head coach at Northwestern State earlier this year after 23 seasons.

With attorney General Jeff Landry’s early announcement that he will run for Governor in 2023, we now also have three candidates declared to run to replace Landry as the state’s top prosecutor. Current solicitor general Liz Murrill, Landry’s “First Officer” of sorts…Crowley state Representative John Stefanski, and John Belton, the District attorney for Louisiana’s 3^rd Judicial District, which covers Lincoln and Union Parishes. Belton has been handling the case of Ronald Greene, who died in 2019 while in State Police Custody.

A Ouachita Parish teen has been arrested for distributing homemade candy laced with narcotics, which made at least three middle school students sick. OPSO spokesman Glenn Springfield says deputies investigating located a 14-year-old who still had some of candy in his possession, he is now in Green Oaks Detention Center…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…being the school”

The candy will be analyzed by the state crime lab.

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists are recommending catching limits for speckled trout fishing. Right now, the limit is 25 per person, with a 13-and-a-half-inch size limit.  Kevin Ford, host of Let’s Geaux Fishing with Kevin Ford says the 15-fish limit isn’t controversial, but the 12-inch size limit is.

Cut 3 (09) “..happen to it.” 

Ford believes the proposed changes will be approved and go into effect early next year.

Now that the state has only four centers accepting injured or orphaned wildlife, Director of Acadiana Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Letitia Labbie (La-bay) says their patient load has tripled and they need funds because more wildlife means more food.

Cut 7 (08) “…recently.”

And that’s just owls, food expenses are close to $65,000 annually. To donate visit AcadianaWildlife-dot -org

When the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers take to the field Saturday at Death Valley, a film crew will also be there filming scenes for the upcoming feature, The Mascot. They’ll be getting crowd shots for the full-length feature to be released in 2023. So, you never know while you’re cheering in the stands Saturday your mug might end up on the silver screen with Mike The Tiger. Kickoff is 11:00 AM.

Sheriff’s deputies in St. Tammany Parish says they have identified the victim in a 2016 homicide. The man’s remains were found badly decomposed, with both arms and a leg missing. A foot was found in Biloxi in 2019, and used to make a DNA match with Kleanthis Konstantinidis. However, this does not solve his murder. That case is ongoing.

In a move that will almost certainly upset sport fishermen, the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries is strongly considering reducing the limit on speckled trout; from 25 to 15 fish per person. The move is to head off reducing numbers of trout, as coastal lands erode and sea levels rise – threatening their habitat. Kevin Ford hosts the “Let’s Geaux Fishing” TV show. He says fishermen will get used to the change, but “specks” aren’t the only species under threat…:

CUT 05(08)      “…in 2023.”

The state’s all-time winningest college basketball coach may be entering politics. Retired Northwestern State coach Mike McConathy won 682 games in 39 seasons – both there and at Bossier Community College. Now he’s thinking of the District 31 state Senate seat. He says he should be making an announcement soon…”

CUT 11(11)      “…get after it.”

McConathy is 66 and a Republican.

Three kids at East Ouachita Middle School got sick from eating homemade candy; likely laced with some kind of drug and given to them by a classmate. Ouachita Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says they located and arrested a 14-year-old, who was still in possession of some of the candy…:

CUT 12(10)      “…similar narcotic.”

The state crime lab will analyze the candy to see what is in it.

Biologists say coastal erosion and rising sea levels are shrinking the habitats for some of Louisiana’s favorite fish—so the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries is proposing big changes to speckled trout limits. Marsanne Golsby reports.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

______________________________________

The number of wildlife rehab centers in Louisiana has dwindled to four and they are feeling the pinch as their patient loads increase.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists are recommending big changes on limits affecting speckled trout fishing. Right now the limit is 25 fish per person, with a 13-and-a-half-inch size limit instead of 12 inches.  Kevin Ford is the host of Let’s Go Fishing. He says the 15-fish limit isn’t controversial, but the size limit is.

Cut 3 (09) “..happen to it.” 

Ford believes the proposed changes will be approved and go into effect early next year. The current 25-fish limit is the most liberal in the country. He says Louisiana’s fishing tourism industry is strong and the changes probably won’t hurt it. He says people who come from out of state come for the whole experience. He says Louisiana fishers might not like the changes but they will adjust.

Cut 4 (08) “…at fifteen.” 

Biologists say the speckled trout and other fish are losing some of their habitats due to coastal erosion and rising sea levels. Ford says the speckled trout population is not the only one in trouble.

Cut 5 (08) “…in 2023.” 

___________________________________________________

Now that the state has only four centers accepting injured or orphaned wildlife, Acadiana Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Director Letitia Labbie (La-bay) says they’ve seen a drastic increase among birds of prey and the arrival is steady.

Cut 6 (12)  “…into the wild.” 

She says her average patient load increased by 200 this year at their Youngsville facility and they need donations to help offset costs. Labbie says they are regulated by State Wildlife so they must have specialized cages and more birds mean more food.

Cut 7 (08) “…recently.”

And that’s just owls, food expenses are close to $65,000 annually.

Assisting with the preservation of birds, Labbie says is important for the environment and it’s also extremely helpful with eradicating pests. For example, one owl depending on the species can consume up to five mice nightly.

Cut 8 (11)  “…themselves.”

To make a donation visit AcadianaWildlife-dot-org-slash-donate.

__________________________________________

Louisiana’s all-time winningest college basketball coach, Mike McConathy, is considering a run at political office. The former Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College coach says he’s looking at running for the District 31 state senate seat, which covers ten parishes in northwest and central Louisiana…

Cut 9 (10)  “…to people.”

McConathy won 682 games in 39 seasons as a head coach. He retired as the head coach at Northwestern State earlier this season after 23 seasons. His first 16 seasons as a head coach were at Bossier Parish Community College. McConathy believes he has a good feeling for the needs of the area…

Cut 10 (09) “…possibly can” 

McConathy is 66-years-old and is a Republican who lives in Natchitoches. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh has already announced he’s running for the seat and McConathy expects to make an official announcement soon…

Cut 11 (11)  “…get after it”

___________________________________

After three students got ill from consuming homemade candy at East Ouachita Middle School on Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office was called to look into the matter. Glenn Springfield spokesperson for the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies also located a 14-year-old suspect with the candy in his possession.

Cut 12 (10) “…similar narcotic.”

Three students who consumed the laced candy have been released from the hospital and Springfield says the suspect was taken to Green Oaks Detention Center

Cut 13 (12) “…being the school.” 

And with colorful fentanyl pills making headlines warning parents to check their children’s Halloween candy, Springfield says the laced candy incident in East Ouachita Middle School is another example of why parents should discuss the topic with their children.

Cut 14 (10)  “…from happening.” 

The candy from East Ouachita Middle School has been turned over to the state crime lab for analysis.