Last week he was re-elected to a second-term as U-S Senator, now Republican John Kennedy says he’s seriously considering a run for Governor. This comes after the mid-term elections did not produce the huge Red Wave as the GOP predicted. ULM Political Science Professor Doctor Pearson Cross says midterms are a referendum on the current administration, and voters did not vote overhwelmingly for either side…
cut 11 (11) “….this midterm election”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the state is seeing a lot of RSV and flu cases in doctor offices and hospitals. Kanter says two years of wearing masks, social distancing and isolation are meaning more people have less immunity to these viruses…
cut 14 (10) “….past couple of years”

A grand jury convenes in north Louisiana today to determine if criminal charges should be handed down by the state against the State Troopers involved in the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene in 2019 along a rural highway in Union Parish. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says in a difficult case like this one for prosecutors, you don’t know if District Attorney John Belton is seeking to indict or seeking cover, essentially asking a grand jury to find no probable cause for a true bill of indictment…
Cut 5 (08) “…prosecution.”
Ciolino says if the grand jury returns no true bill, it’s likely the end of it.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says with Thanksgiving next week, he’s urging Louisiana residents to get their turkeys now. He says the bird flu has resulted in smaller turkeys and slightly more expensive…
cut 8 (08) “….contend with”

Republican John Kennedy was just elected to a second-term as U-S Senator and now the Madisonville resident says he’s giving serious consideration to entering next year’s governor’s race. Kennedy issued a statement this morning that says he’ll announce his decision soon.

Last week’s elections are still not totally decided, but it looks like Congress will be as divided as we’ve seen in decades. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A grand jury convenes today in north Louisiana to determine if the State Troopers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene on a rural highway in Union Parish should face state criminal charges. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s not easy to prosecute a case that happened 30 months ago…
cut 6 (10) “….more tenuous”
District Attorney John Belton has indicated he believes the troopers involved should be charged criminally.

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says we have a lot of flu and RSV cases as the days of masking and social distancing are over. Kanter says what concerns him even more, there’s a shortage of trained nurses and medical staff, which would be very troublesome if the RSV or flu reached epidemic levels…
cut 15 (13) “….taken for granted for years”

A grand jury in the state’s Third Judicial District convenes today to hear evidence in the 2019 state police fatal arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Meanwhile, a state legislative committee looking into the circumstances and the investigation of Greene’s death holds its first hearing in several weeks today. Governor Edwards has been asked to testify, but will not appear before the panel today. Instead he’ll attend a groundbreaking event in the Lafayette area.

State health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says Louisiana could be in for a rough winter, with COVID still present, the RSV spreading among kids and the annual “flu season.” Kanter says this news may come as a surprise because the midterm elections have dominated the news…:
Cut 13 (10) “…more about that.”
Kanter says Louisiana hospital and doctors offices are filled with flu and RSV patients. He says two years of wearing masks, social distancing and isolation are meaning more people have less immunity to these viruses.

We are less two weeks away from Thanskgiving. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain urges consumers to buy Louisiana sweet potatoes, because farmers are finding it difficult to import sweet potatoes because the U-S dollar is stronger than the Euro…
cut 9 (13) “….Louisiana sweet potatoes”

A grand jury in the Third Judicial District convenes today to determine if the State Troopers involved in the 2019 roadside fatal arrest death of Black motorist Ronald Greene should face state criminal charges. It doesn’t appear the federal government will bring charges against those troopers and Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says that doesn’t preclude the state from bringing charges.
Cut 4 (11) “…grand jury.”

Last Tuesday’s midterm elections did not produce the big Red Wave many predicted. It appears, when all is done & counted, Congress will be about as divided as it has been in modern times. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says to look for at least two years of gridlock but that doesn’t mean zero progress at all…:
Cut 10 (10) “…very few of those things.”

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says you might want to buy your turkey sooner than later. Brooke Thorington tells us why.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lots of folks expressing shock and surprise to learn Shreveport’s wastewater contains high levels of methamphetamine…but Brook Thorington spoke with one person who was not…:

CUT 02  (33)        “…Thorington.”

Recent rain has led to Jeff Davis Parish Parish canceling the outdoor burn ban that had been in place since early October. Calcasieu and Vernon parishes have also lifted their burn bans.

Melon smashing comic Gallagher has died at age 76. Yes, he is a distant relative, and no, I’ve never met the man.

The recent resignation of Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters has brought attention on the agency’s challenges in handling thousands of child welfare cases statewide. This after two toddler in Baton Rouge died from fentanyl overdoses while under DCFS overwatch. Baton Rouge state Senator Regina Barrow also chairs the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. She says she looks forward to speaking with newly-promoted DCFS head Terri Ricks about resolving problems…:

CUT 13(08)      “…have these hiccups.”

Governor Edwards accepted the resignation of DCFs Secretary Marketa Walters earlier this week.

The Governor spoke at Veterans Day ceremonies in Iberville Parish Friday. Mr. Edwards is a U.S. Army vet, and says should appreciate our veterans because so many of them volunteered to serve. Nearly a quarter-million Louisianans are military vets; over 30-thousand of them are women.

Under fire for the fentanyl-related deaths of two toddlers who were under care of the Department of Children & Family Services, the head of that agency has resigned. With Marketa Garner Walters out, Deputy Secretary Terri Ricks takes the head job. State Senator Regina Barrow, of Baton Rouge, chairs a Senate committee overseeing women and child welfare issues. She says it is true that DCFS is understaffed, and many case workers are overworked and underpaid…but nevertheless they must be held accountable…:

CUT 14  (06)        “…had done their job.”

She says it may be time for an overhaul at DCFS.

The LSU Tigers will likely have heaters on the sidelines and extra blankets for their matchup against unranked Arkansas today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’ll be pretty nippy in Fayetteville…:

CUT 22  (07)        “chilly out there.”

Kickoff is at 11am.

After a report showing Shreveport’s wastewater contains double the amount of methamphetamine of anywhere else in the country, many folks were shocked. But not Louisiana Addiction Research Center director Nick Goeders. He says it didn’t surprise him whatsoever…:

CUT 09(13)      “…last ten years.”

The City of Shreveport’s water system purifies wastewater before it’s re-used, but Goeders says he’s concerned about rural water systems and their levels of contamination.

Lafayette Police seek a woman they say impersonated a nurse to gain access to employees only areas of a local hospital, where she helped herself to other peoples’ wallets and credit cards. They used security cam images compared with social media posts to identify Lakeshia Kennedy; now sought for felony theft. She’s wanted for the same crimes committed in Opelousas and in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Lots of folks expressing shock and surprise to learn Shreveport’s wastewater contains high levels of methamphetamine…but Brook Thorington spoke with one person who was not…:

CUT 02  (33)        “…Thorington.”

Recent rain has led to Jeff Davis Parish Parish canceling the outdoor burn ban that had been in place since early October. Calcasieu and Vernon parishes have also lifted their burn bans.

Melon smashing comic Gallagher has died at age 76. Yes, he is a distant relative, and no, I’ve never met the man.

The recent resignation of Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters has brought attention on the agency’s challenges in handling thousands of child welfare cases statewide. This after two toddler in Baton Rouge died from fentanyl overdoses while under DCFS overwatch. Baton Rouge state Senator Regina Barrow also chairs the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. She says she looks forward to speaking with newly-promoted DCFS head Terri Ricks about resolving problems…:

CUT 13(08)      “…have these hiccups.”

Governor Edwards accepted the resignation of DCFs Secretary Marketa Walters earlier this week.

The Governor spoke at Veterans Day ceremonies in Iberville Parish Friday. Mr. Edwards is a U.S. Army vet, and says should appreciate our veterans because so many of them volunteered to serve. Nearly a quarter-million Louisianans are military vets; over 30-thousand of them are women.

An elderly East Baton Rouge Parish woman is recovering from injuries sustained when her car went into a ditch, became airborne and went through the roof of a home in Zachary. It happened shortly after 5 Friday evening. Two kids were inside the home at the time, but escaped unhurt. First responders think the woman suffered kind of health issue while driving. She is alive, but her exact condition is unknown.

The rain is beginning to lighten up and behind it, you can feel that cool air moving in. State Climatologist Barry Keim says afternoon highs today will struggle to get beyond 60, and get an extra blanket for tonight…:

CUT 04  (08)        “coastal zone.”

He says expect cool temperatures right through next week.

A Jefferson Parish mom is arrested for arming her son and driving him in search of a teen who threatened to shoot him earlier. No one was hurt in the resulting rolling gun fight. 36-year-old Terrica Griffin of Kenner, and her 15-year-old son are in custody.

LSU looks to avoid a letdown today when they face unranked Arkansas. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

The resignation of DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters has brought attention on the agency’s challenges of handling thousands of child welfare cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow also chairs a select Committee on Women and Children and says Walters stepping down won’t instantly fix problems, and there needs to be a focus going forward…:

Cut 12 (08) “….repeated issues.” 

Barrow admits DCFS is understaffed, and workers are underpaid for their demanding jobs… but the agency still needs an overhaul.

A strong cold front swings through the state Friday evening and into Saturday bringing fall temperatures. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll get some rain before the chill arrives…

Cut 5 (07) “…next week” 

Wastewater in Shreveport has twice the national average of meth.  Nick Goeders Executive Director of the Louisiana Addiction Research Center says Shreveport’s water system purifies wastewater before it’s reused but he’s concerned about rural water systems and how meth in wastewater could impact the environment and food system.

Cut 11 (12)  “…contaminant.”

In Europe studies indicate meth in wastewater is contaminating lakes and has been found in trout.

Veteran’s Day recognizes those who’ve served in the armed forces and while speaking at a Veteran’s Day event in Iberville Parish, Governor John Bel Edwards, who is a U-S Army veteran, says the thank yous should not be designated for only Veteran’s Day…

Cut 6 (12)  “…please do that”

After the resignation of Department of Children & Family Service Secretary Marketa Walters this week, a state Senator who over sees woman & child welfare concerns says it may be time for an overhaul at DCFS. Two toddlers have died from fentanyl overdoses in just a few months, and both were DCFs cases. The agency had been tipped off that the kids might be in peril. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow understands the agency is understaffed and what case workers they have are overworked and underpaid, but says – nevertheless – they must be held accountable…:

CUT 14  (06)        “…had done their job.”

Deputy Secretary Terri Ricks has been promoted up to the top spot at DCFS.

Get ready for some pretty cool weather moving into Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’ll be downright COLD by Sunday morning…:

CUT 04  (08)        “coastal zone.”

While some might be surprised at a study indicating wastewater in Shreveport contains twice the national average of methamphetamine, Brooke Thorington spoke with someone who wasn’t surprised. Not one bit…:

CUT 02  (33)        “…Thorington.”

A Jefferson Parish mom is arrested for arming her son and driving him in search of a teen who threatened to shoot him earlier. No one was hurt in the resulting rolling gun fight. 36-year-old Terrica Griffin of Kenner, and her 15-year-old son are in custody.