After 17 years, the Road Home program comes to an official end, and also lawsuits against those accused of misspending rebuilding grants. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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A $1.17 million settlement with protestors after the death of Alton Sterling has been reached with the East Baton Rouge Metro Council.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The white Shreveport police officer involved in the shooting death of an unarmed Black man has been arrested and charged with negligent homicide. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The state says it will drop lawsuits against thousands of people accused of misspending grants for elevating their homes after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many used the grant money from the Road Home Program to make repairs instead, then were faced with government legal action; attempting to claw that money back. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the suits threatened the American dream for many homeowners…:
Cut 4 (10) “…protect that dream.”
The event was held to herald the official closure of the $10-billion Louisiana Road Home Program; a problem-fraught recovery plan that did its best to make homeowners whole again after the twin storms destroyed their homes 17 years ago. Governor John Bel Edwards says over 3000 persons were sued over allegedly misspending Road Home elevation grants…:
Cut 5 (12) “…these grants anyway.”
Congressman Carter and Governor Edwards say all lawsuits seeking recovery of alleged misused grant dollars are officially being dropped with the official end of Road Home…:
Cut 6 (07) “…collection efforts.”
Carter says a ”long bad dream” is over for thousands of south Louisiana homeowners.
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Fourteen protesters arrested during the 2016 protest of Alton Sterling’s police shooting death will receive $1.17 million. The East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved the settlement accusing Baton Rouge law enforcement of violating their First Amendment rights and using of excessive force. Protester, Blaire Imani, says the accountability from the city is a success.
The protesters were imprisoned, strip-searched and a 17-year-old protester was also detained at the adult prison. Among the 14 protesters were two reporters. One was Cherri Foytlin, who recalls the humiliation.
Cut 8 (13) “…that happened there.”
Foytlin says Governor John Bel Edwards should also take accountability for his comments to the media.
Cut 9 (12) “…be expecting an email.”
The settlement still has to be approved by US District Judge John deGravelles who is presiding over the trial.
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Alexander Tyler, the 23-year-old white, Shreveport Police officer involved in the shooting death of 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley, is charged with negligent homicide. Investigators say Bagley was unarmed, but Tyler’s attorney Dhu Thompson says body camera footage shows Bagley reaching for something seconds before he jumped from a balcony and ran.
An attorney for the Bagley family, Ron Haley says Bagley, a Black man, was not a threat to anyone if anyone he was a threat to himself. Haley says Bagley was only armed with a bottle before he ran from officers.
Thompson says during Tyler’s bond hearing there was testimony his client had only seconds to respond to what was a perceived threat when Bagley came towards him.
Alonzo Bagley’s brother says he’s proud of state troopers for the role they’ve played in the investigation, and he hopes his brother’s death will mean something.
Cut 13 (09) “…no threat there.”
The Bagley family has filed a $10 million federal lawsuit against Tyler for excessive force. The investigation remains active.
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The Lafayette area welcomes all comers for Mardi Gras festivities that kick into high gear starting tonight. Joe Giglio (pronounce “GIG-leo”) is Parade Chairman of the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association. He invites everyone to visit Lafayette tonight as they kick off the big weekend…:
Cut 14 (11) “…fairs and festival.”
He says Lafayette Mardi Gras is a much more family-friendly affair, and Saturday’s parades begin with the Children’s Parade; made up entirely of youthful float riders. Giglio says that parade rolls at 12:30 pm…:
Cut 15 (13) “…typical Mardi Gras.”
Sunday is a day of rest in Lafayette, and on Monday – Lundi Gras – the city hosts the annual Queen’s Parade at 6 pm, with representatives from 11 area krewes. Giglio says it all leads up to Fat Tuesday, with three parades rolling, beginning at 10 am…:
Cut 16 (13) “…Tuesday afternoon.”
Lafayette Mardi Gras wraps up Tuesday night, with the big Grand Ball, at 8 o’clock, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.
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The LSU Baseball season opens today against Western Michigan. The Tigers have dominated the preseason polls as the number one-ranked team in the country under second-year Head Coach Jay Johnson. LSU had both the top-ranked recruiting class and transfer class in the nation this offseason along with a strong roster of returning players. Junior first baseman Tre Morgan has been a star for the Tigers since arriving in Baton Rouge and has noticed a shift in the locker room ahead of this season. He says the team isn’t running from the expectations…
Johnson announced the starting rotation for opening weekend. Air Force transfer and top pitching prospect Paul Skenes will open the season for the Tigers today while left-handed junior Riley Cooper is set to start Saturday and freshman right-hander Chase Shores will close out the weekends. Johnson says this one was an easy decision…
Johnson made it a point not to underestimate Western Michigan but also sees this weekend as an opportunity to evaluate the loaded roster. He says they plan to test out some different looks opening weekend…
The first pitch has been moved up to 3:00 this afternoon due to concerns about the weather.