Baton Rouge Police arrest a man, after his 2-year-old son died in a local hospital. Anderson King initially told BRPD the boy had fallen down stairs, but later admitted he’d beaten the child. The coroner lists multiple blunt force injury as the cause of death, and considers the case a homicide. For now, King is charged with cruelty to a juvenile, but more charges may be coming.

A somewhat related story…the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual child well-being ranking puts Louisiana very near the bottom among states. 49^th, to be exact. Casey’s president, Lisa Hamilton, says our state ranks very low when it comes to the physical health of kids…:

CUT 11(06)      “…low birth rates.”

According to the report, 26-percent of Louisiana children live in poverty as of 2020. Only New Mexico ranked lower for kids’ well-being.

A Shreveport area Appeals Court upholds a lower court ruling that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running for re-election. That came after a local resident sued;, pointing out that Perkins used the wrong address on his qualifying papers. The Appeals judges all concurred. Last week Perkins said he’d keep appealing all the way to the state Supreme Court if necessary. Meanwhile 8 candidates are vying to replace Perkins at City Hall.

Former Congressman and Louisiana legislator Claude “Buddy” Leach died Saturday of congestive heart failure. Leesville Senator Mike Reese says one of Leach’s main goals in life was to make Louisiana better….:

CUT 05(10)      “…his community.”

Leach died of heart failure Saturday at 88. His funeral is Friday at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Charles.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a teacher for sending text messages to a 15-year-old student for sexual purposes. CPSO spokesperson Brandy Spears says 26-year-old Bradly Dyer of Colfax discussed dating the minor in the text messages. Spears says Dyer was arrested by Grant Parish deputies, and has been charged…:

CUT 14(08)      “…with juveniles.”

Louisiana once again performs poorly in the Annie E Casey Foundation’s child well-being ranking. The state ranks 49th, finishing ahead of only New Mexico. Annie E Casey Foundation president Lisa Hamilton says the state has only made a slight improvement in the percentage of kids living in poverty, and federal assistance may have played a role…:

CUT 09(10)      “…as well.”

To help the ongoing nursing shortage the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is expanding to North Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

Now that school has restarted for most of Louisiana, State Police are reminding us all to be extra careful, especially in and around schools and school zones. Troopers say be vigilant for kids walking or riding bikes to and from school, and remember to never use your cell phone while in a school zone.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a teacher for sending text messages to a 15-year-old student for sexual purposes. C-P-S-O spokesperson Brandy Spears says 26-year-old Bradly Dyer was arrested with the assistance Grant Parish Sheriff’s office at his home in Colfax…

Cut 13 (08) “…the school”

He’s charged with Indecent Behavior with juveniles and the investigation is ongoing.

Former Congressman and Louisiana legislator Claude “Buddy” Leach died Saturday of congestive heart failure. Leesville Senator Mike Reese says those who knew him best say his main goal in life was to make Louisiana better.

Cut 4  (13) “…started.”

Leach was 88.

A state appeals court agrees with a lower court’s ruling that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running for re-election. To date the courts have agreed the incumbent mayor listed the wrong address on his qualifying paperwork and he’s not eligible for the November ballot. Perkins is expected to appeal to the state supreme court.

To help with the ongoing nursing shortage, LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing will expand and offer instruction at LSU-Health Shreveport. Assistant Professor of Nursing Off-Campus, Linda Ledet says the accelerated program allows students to graduate in two years and they’re already accepting applications for spring.

Cut 8 (11) “…in the fall.”

Students will receive in-person instruction in Shreveport and virtual from New Orleans.

Former Congressman and Louisiana legislator Claude “Buddy” Leach died Saturday of congestive heart failure, according to his family. Leach served one term in Congress, four terms in the legislature, and ran for governor in 2003. Leesville Senator Mike Reese says his innate business sense and knack for connecting with people helped him build a business fortune and succeed in politics.
Cut 3 (04) “…astonish me”
Leach’s public record wasn’t perfect. He was charged—but acquitted—of vote buying in the 1978 congressional race. He was 88-years-old.

A state appeals court agrees with a lower court’s ruling that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running for re-election. So far the courts have agreed Perkins put down the incorrect information on his qualifying paperwork and his name can not appear on the November ballot. Perkins is expected to appeal to the state supreme court.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a teacher for sending text messages to a 15-year-old student for sexual purposes. C-P-S-O spokesperson Brandy Spears says 26-year-old Bradly Dyer of Colfax discussed dating the minor in the text messages…
Cut 12 (09) “…a secret”
Spears says Dyer told detectives he recently began a new job as a high school teacher.

Starting in 2023, the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing will educate students in an accelerated nursing program at a site on the LSU Health Shreveport campus. Director of the Program Linda Ledet says the students at the Shreveport facility will receive both in-person instruction and also participate in classes at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing…
cut 7 (06) “….virtual classes”
The accelerated program allows students to graduate in two years.

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing expands its program to north Louisiana to assist with the ongoing nursing shortage in the nation. Assistant Professor of Nursing Off-Campus Linda Ledet (rhymes with Bidet) says the new approved Off-Campus Instructional site is at LSU-Health Shreveport.

Cut 6   (08) “…greatly.” 

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during lengthy power losses. Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power after Hurricane Ida and restaurants had to dispose of thousands of pounds of food.

Cut 10 (11) “…and batteries.”
He says they installed their first set of solar panels a few weeks ago at Queen Trini Lisa in Mid-City New Orleans.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is the first in the country to receive approval from the FBI to conduct rapid DNA booking operations. Sgt. Dustin Dwight says the technology has the potential to keep criminals from being unknowingly released prior to the return of traditional DNA results.

Cut 13 (10) “…linked to a crime.”

Later this week, President Biden will sign the PACT act which expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. John Wells, chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy, says the measure will help out thousands in Louisiana…

Cut 5 (07) “…a lot of years.”
Wells says the next step is to make sure the legislation provides benefits to veterans and their families.

Qualifying for the 2023 governor’s race begins one year from today and we still do not have any announced candidates. There are several Republican candidates who have expressed interest. But will we see a strong Democratic candidate in the race. U-L-M Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…
cut 8 (11) “…right now”
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, state senator Gary Smith and New Orleans city council member Helena Moreno are some of the names that have been put out there as possible Democratic candidates.

Later this week, President Biden will sign the PACT act which expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. John Wells, chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy, says the measure will help out thousands in Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “….a lot of years”
Wells says the next step is to make sure the legislation provides the benefits to veterans and their families.

Former Congressman and state representative Buddy Leach passed away over the weekend at the age of 88. Leach also served two years as the chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party beginning in 2010. Governor John Bel Edwards says Leach, who was born in Vernon Parish, worked to make life better for all Louisianans.

A New Orleans non-profit that helps feed those in need has sparked a new idea to keep restaurants operational after hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Both of Louisiana’s U-S Senators voted against the Inflation Redution Act which passed the Senate on a 51-50 vote. John Kennedy says the bill raises taxes on oil and gas, while Bill Cassidy says the measure does nothing to reduce inflation. But the White House says the legislation will reduce the deficit, make an historic investment towards climate change and caps out of pocket drug costs for Medicare patients.

A Louisiana veterans’ advocacy group applauds the recent passage of the PACT Act. Kevin Gallagher explains what it is, and how it will help veterans…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police becomes the first in the nation to receive approval from the FBI to implement rapid DNA booking operations. Sergeant Dustin Dwight says thanks to this technology, they can determine in 90 minutes if the DNA collected is connected to a crime….
cut 15 (05) “…as well”
The Rapid DNA instrument was tested successfully at the East Baton Rouge Parish prison and they hope to integrate it at three other booking agencies by the end of 2023.

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during lengthy power losses. Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power after Hurricane Ida and restaurants had to dispose of thousands of pounds of food.
Cut 10 (11) “…and batteries.”
De Wulf says they installed their first set of solar panels a few weeks ago at Queen Trini Lisa in Mid-City New Orleans.

A four-year-old girl was fatally stabbed to death on Sunday morning in New Orleans and a two-year-old boy is in critical condition with stab wounds. Police have charged 31-year-old Janee Pedescleaux has been charged with murder, attempted murder and cruelty to a juvenile. NOLA-dot-com reports investigators believe the woman is the mother of the two victims.

DNA technology in the state advances to solving crimes quicker, Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

One year from today, qualifying will begin in the 2023 governor’s race and U-L-M Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s difficult to predict how large the field will be….
cut 9 (07) “….hard to know”
Governor John Bel Edwards can not run for a third term and several Republicans are rumored to be candidates, John Kennedy, Bill Cassidy, Jeff Landry, Billy Nungesser, John Schroeder and state senator Sharon Hewitt. Stockley says if Kennedy gets in the race it could reduce the field significantly.

Congress recently passed the PACT Act which expands medical coverage for former service members with toxic exposures. There are concerns that V-A facilities will have difficulty handling the influx of patients. John Wells is the chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy…
cut 6 (07) “….overly optimistic”
The legislation invests in V-A claims processing.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is the first in the country to receive approval from the FBI to conduct rapid DNA booking operations. Sgt. Dustin Dwight says the technology has the potential to keep criminals from being unknowingly released prior to the return of traditional DNA results…
cut 13 (10) “…linked to crime”
The new technology is already being used at the East Baton Rouge Parish prison and L-S-P hopes to use it at three other booking agencies by the end of 2023.

Qualifying for the 2023 Louisiana governor’s race happens one year from today and we still do not have any announced candidates to replace the term-limited John Bel Edwards. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says a lot will depend on who controls the U.S. Senate after the federal midterm elections. He says after the national picture is clear Louisiana’s race will finally develop
Cut 7 (11) “….fundraising advantage”
U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, along with statewide elected officials Jeff Landry, Billy Nungesser and John Schroder have been rumored to run.

A bill signing is scheduled this week in Washington DC for the federal PACT Act; legislation providing expanded medical care for veterans exposed to toxins during their military service. John Well is chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy. He says the legislation will benefit about three-point-five million veterans nationwide…:
Cut 4 (10) “…and Uzkekistan.”
The PACT Act provides for expedited health care for vets assigned to handle burn pits or exposed to radiation in the line of duty.

A New Orleans non-profit organization called Feed the Second Line is working to equip neighborhood restaurants with solar power so that when a hurricane comes, the restaurant can keep serving food while the rest of the city is without electricity. Devin DeWulf is the founder of the Feed the Second Line…
cut 12 (10) “…the dream”
DeWulf says outfitting each restaurant runs between 60 and 90-thousand dollars.

Based on data collected by the Public Affairs Research Council, Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says Mississippi was number one…

Cut 6   (06) “..570″ 

Following Mississippi and Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama rank in the top five for the highest incarceration rates.

Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf wants to install solar panels on restaurants in the Crescent City to preserve food during outages after hurricane and they can also be cooling and phone charging stations for the neighborhood. He’s hoping the idea will take off and become a mainstay for a state that’s embattled with hurricane recovery.

Cut 12 (11) “…the dream.” 

He says instead of relying on other states to provide support after hurricanes we need to give ourselves the tools to do it on our own.

Friday was National Oyster Day, and the Bayou State is very familiar with the well-loved seafood, but the local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says they are starting to see oyster spawns.

Cut 3 (11) “…market time.” 

He says Louisiana is still the number one oyster producer in the world but hanging on by a thread.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is in New Orleans today in at the Convention Center and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cooks have a limited amount of time to cook up their best seafood dish in front of a live audience and nationally acclaimed judges…

Cut 13 (09) “…and tasting.”

Yes you’re craving seafood now and you’re not alone.