A high-ranking State Police trooper confirms L-S-P was involved in a cover-up to hide the facts surrounding the roadside death of Ronald Greene in 2019. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren gave the admission during lengthy questioning by state lawmakers
Cut 12 (14) “…answers too.”
Greene’s family was originally told he died as a result of a car crash following a high-speed chase, but body camera video of his arrest shows he was severely beaten by troopers.

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says State Police should do more to uncover the truth
Cut 14 (12) “…the coverup.”
The special House committee investigating the circumstances surrounding Greene’s death is expected to have more meetings.

The former sheriff of East Carroll Parish has been arrested on trespassing and resisting officer charges. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says 84-year-old Dale Rinicker is accused of not leaving a store in West Monroe after allegedly making sexual comments to female employees and when deputies attempted to place Rinicker in handcuffs, he began to pull away and threatened he would physically harm the officers…
cut 4 (07) “….and resisting

Despite going toe to toe with the best team in the NBA record-wise, the Pelicans’ season is over after losing to Phoenix in Game Six last night. Coach Willie Green says the experience his young team gained this season is something they have to apply as they prepare for next year.
Cut 8 (12) “…getting ready.”

Former American Idol and Louisiana native Laine Hardy was arrested this morning after LSU Police received a complaint that Hardy allegedly tried to bug a student’s room with a listening device. A Baton Rouge TV station says Hardy’s ex-girlfriend filed the complaint on April 7^th. Hardy was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

A special House committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene hears from a high-ranking State Police Trooper who admits there was a cover-up. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Former East Carroll Parish Sheriff, 84-year-old Dale Rinicker was arrested Thursday in West Monroe after he was asked to leave a convenience store for allegedly making lewd comments to female employees. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says after multiple requests to leave the store deputies arrested Rinicker for trespassing.

Cut 3 (11) “…of uniform.”

Rinicker was taken to the Ouachita Correctional Center and charged with Criminal Trespass and two counts of Resisting an Officer.

The Pelicans saw their season come to an end last night with a loss to the Phoenix Suns in game six of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs. After the game, head coach Willie Green shed tears on the court as he congratulated the Suns and consoled his players.

Cut 7 (12) “…coming to a close.” 

American Idol winner Laine Hardy is expected to turn himself in LSU Police today. Hardy posted on social media he received a warrant but declined to say what for. Baton Rouge TV stations report a source that says the 21-year-old is accused of planting a listening device in a female’s on-campus residence.

A New Orleans grand jury has indicted four teenagers for their alleged roles in the carjacking and murder of Linda Frickey.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

A high-ranking State Police trooper confirms the L-S-P was involved in a cover-up to hide the facts surrounding the roadside death of Ronald Greene in 2019. Retired Captain Mark Richards told the legislative committee looking into Greene’s death he was ordered to block the crash report from being distributed, which he says is not normal protocol.

Cut 13 (13) “…before”

Greene’s family was originally told he died as a result of a car crash, but body camera footage of his arrest shows he was severely beaten by troopers.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opens at 11am today the first since 2019. JazzFest Producer Quint Davis says ticketholders aren’t the only ones excited.

Cut 6 (08)  “…live people.”

Headliners this weekend are Lionel Richie, The Who, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Two high-ranking State Police troopers confirm the L-S-P was involved in a cover-up to hide the facts surrounding the roadside death of Ronald Greene in 2019. Lt. Colonel Kenny Van Buren gave the admission during lengthy questioning by state lawmakers…
cut 12 (14)”…answers too”
Greene’s family was originally told he died as a result of a car crash, but body camera video of his arrest shows he was severely beaten.

The House Labor Committee voted down four different bills to raise the minimum wage and they also rejected a proposal to require women to be paid the same as men for equal work. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says employers who arbitrarily pay men more than women are hurting themselves…
cut 9 (09) “…at a higher rate”

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival finally returns to the Fairgrounds today for the first time since 2019. The two-weekend musical fest will feature such performers as Lionel Richie, the Who, Willie Nelson and Stevie Nicks. Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis says he can’t wait for the gates to open at 11 AM….
cut 4 (06) “…waiting for.”

Saints fans were hoping the Black and Gold would draft a wide receiver and offensive lineman with their two picks in the first round and that’s what they did. The Ohio State pass-catcher Chris Olave and Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning…
cut 17 (17) “….get ready to compete”
The Houston Texans used their third pick to take LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Junior.

Two high-ranking State Police Troopers admit to state legislators of a cover-up surrounding the 2019 in-custody death of Ronald Greene. Lt. Colonel Chavez Common…
cut 13 (13) “….held accountable”
So far no one has been indicted in Greene’s death, despite body camera video showing he was severely beaten and tased during a roadside arrest.

The four teenagers indicted in the horrific car-jacking death of 73-year-old Linda Frickey in New Orleans last month will be tried as adults. Frickey was dragged down a Mid-City street and her arm was severed. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says the 15 to 17-year-olds should spend the rest of their life in prison…
cut 12 (11) “…horrible murder”

Once again the House Labor Committee rejected proposals to increase the minimum wage and the panel also voted down a proposal to require employers to pay women the same as men for equal work. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says a 2013 no discrimination law already achieves the same thing…
cut 8 (13) “….national orgin, disability”
The bill was defeated on a three to seven vote.

The New Orleans Jazz Fest is back today as music lovers will fill the New Orleans Fairgounds for the first time since 2019. Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis…
cut 5 (05) “…festival’s back”
Gates open at 11 AM. Lionel Richie is the headline performer today. Tomorrow it’s the Who.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams has decided to try the four teenagers involved in last month’s car-jacking death of 73-year-old Linda Frickey, who had her arm severed during the horrific crime as adults. Williams says what occurred on that Mid-City street was heinous…
cut 11 (11) “….asked for it”
The four teens if convicted, face life in prison.

The House Labor Committee votes down a bill requiring employers to give equal pay for equal work regardless of gender. Marrero Democrat Representative Kyle Green…
Cut 7 (13) “…for women of color.”
The bill was voted down along party lines.

Jazz Fest returns to the New Orleans Fairgrounds today as the two-weekend music festival is back…
cut 1 (32) “…Brooke Thorington”

Last night was draft fest as the Saints selected Ohio State receiver Chris Olave and Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning in the first round. Saints Coach Dennis Allen is ecstatic over his two new additions…
cut 30 (12) “…couple of spots”

Two high-ranking State Police officers told lawmakers looking into the circumstances of the 2019 state police custody death of Ronald Greene that they believe there was a cover-up. Greene’s family was told he died in a crash, months later video was released showing he was severely beaten by troopers after a lengthy police chase. L-S-P Lt. Colonel Kenny VanBuren…
cut 15 (11) “…that’s the truth”

A grand jury in New Orleans has indicted four teenagers on charges of second-degree murder in the death of 73-year-old Linda Frickey, who died after the teens allegedly carjacked and dragged her down a street last month where her arm was severed off. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams…
Cut 10 (11) “…not enough.”
Frickey’s family supports the decision to try the adults as teens.

A bill mandating equal pay for women who do the same work as men is halted in a House committee. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The House Labor Committee voted down proposals to increase the minimum wage. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews expressed concern that increasing the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour will result in job losses. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle disagreed and she believes raising the minimum wage will lead to more people entering the workforce, she had a proposal to increase the minimum wage to 12-dollars an hour…

PM Cut 15 (12) “…at your job” 

And as we’ve seen in years past, business groups lobbied against minimum wage hike proposals. Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry on why the state should not raise the minimum wage…

PM Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“

And the House Labor Committee voted down a bill to demand all employers in the state give equal pay regardless of gender. Speaking for his bill, Marrero Democrat Representative Kyle Green says his bill seeks to extend equal pay mandates for government workers – passed in 2013 – to include everyone…:

AM Cut 7 (13) “…for women of color.”

But Caddo Parish Republican Representative Dodie Horton wondered if Green was aware the state already has a 2013 non-discrimination law that achieves the same thing…:

AM Cut 8 (13)  “…national origin, disability…”

By a vote of 3 “yeas” to 7 “nays”, the bill fails to pass and is dead for the session.

The Senate votes down legislation requiring cable and internet providers to give refunds to customers without service for over 24 hours during a declared disaster. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Moss Bluff man has been convicted of the 2018 rape of a 13-year-old. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Joseph Constance forcibly raped the victim, and told her he’d hurt her family if she ever told anyone. Constance is to be sentenced May 11^th.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers. According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey about three-quarters of homes in the state have broadband internet access.  LSU Public Policy Research Director Mike Henderson says the remaining 25-percent who don’t say it’s either not available at all or it’s too expensive…:

CUT 05(06)      “…to them.”

This year’s efforts to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana fall to defeat in the House Labor Committee. Many feel raising the minimum will result in fewer minimum wage jobs available, but Baton Rouge Democrat Rep. Denise Marcelle disagrees…:

CUT 14(09)      “…jobs are there.”

All three minimum wage hike bills were rejected by the panel.

Efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage failed to get the support of the House Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The numbers are in and last weekend’s New Orleans French Quarter Festival – the first in two years – attracted over 825-thousand persons. The festival was the first held since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic hitting the next year. The festival was a real boon for businesses still facing challenges caused by the pandemic

A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. The Senate rejected the proposal on a 23-15 vote. Houma Senator Mike Fesi is concerned this proposal could actually result in higher cable and internet bills…:

CUT 07(12)      “…be a problem.”

Others felt the bill could threaten efforts to establish broadband internet access in all 64 parishes.

Highway 190 through Pointe Coupee Parish is re-opened, after a huge crash involving multiple big rigs shut it down. The wreck happened before dawn on the Morganza Spillway. State Police says the lanes were re-opened before noon.

An Ascension Parish sheriff’s deputy is under arrest for possessing child pornography. 24-year-old Brandon Morris was arrested after a joint investigation by state’s Cyber Crimes Unit, Homeland Security and the APSO. He’s been a deputy about 8 months, and has been fired from his job. Morris is currently behind bars.