Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has been indicted on 16 felony counts accused of threatening New Orleans elected officials. Andrew Greenstein has the story.
Cut 1 (43) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
____________________________________________
LSU is just a few weeks away from the start of fall football practices under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
____________________________________________
An Orleans Parish grand jury has handed down a 16-count felony indictment against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill stemming from letters she sent to New Orleans officials in May over the consolidation of the Orleans Parish civil and criminal district courts. In the letters, Murrill said Mayor Helena Moreno and other elected individuals could be removed from office if they continued to push for a special election to name an interim clerk, which the state argued was not needed. Special Prosecutor Laurie White says Murrill broke Louisiana’s law that prohibits public intimidation and retaliation.
Murrill faces eight counts of public intimidation and eight counts of malfeasance in office. The attorney representing Murrill, Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue, says the elected officials who received the letters violated the state’s usurper laws by defying a newly-passed law approved by state lawmakers, and the state’s highest court backed her position.
Cut 4 (09) “…that was accurate”
The Louisiana Supreme Court blocked the special election and ordered Chelsey Richard Napoleon to serve as consolidated clerk as required by state law.
The indictment of Murrill is the latest in a growing rift between leaders in New Orleans and Governor Landry and his attorney general.
White says Murrill was trying to intimidate the public officials with her letters.
Cut 5 (11) “…to be intimidated.”
Murrill’s bond was set at 400-thousand dollars — 25-thousand dollars for each felony count. Rodrigue believes that’s excessive.
Cut 6 (14) “…of criminal justice?”
Governor Jeff Landry said Murrill was indicted by a kangaroo grand jury and added that the criminal justice system is a circus at its finest in Orleans. He says he’ll pardon her as fast the law allows.
___________________________________________________
The LSU Tigers are a month away from their first fall camp under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has welcomed 39 new players from the transfer portal, including three of the top ten-rated portal prospects. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says expectations are high given the talent in Baton Rouge.
Cut 7 (08) “…playoffs for sure.”
Top transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt will lead the offense. The LSU offense ranked last in the SEC in total yards and rushing yards last season. Guilbeau credits the struggle to an underperforming offensive line, which Kiffin has revamped this offseason.
The Tigers welcomed Ole Miss interior lineman Devin Harper and Colorado tackle Jordan Seaton, who was named a Walter Camp Preseason All-American.
Third-year defensive coordinator Blake Baker returns four starters from a unit that ranked in the top half of the SEC in total and scoring defense. Former All-SEC linebacker Whit Weeks will hold down the middle of the field, while corners D.J. Pickett and P.J. Woodland join safety Tamarcus Cooley on the backend. With the addition of Boise State safety Ty Benefield, a no-fly zone is brewing in Baton Rouge.
___________________________________________________
Law enforcement is urging you to be responsible this Fourth of July weekend if you’ve had too much to drink. Another “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway and runs through Monday. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement is out in full force looking for impaired drivers.
Cut 10 (14) “…for impaired drivers.”
Fischer says Louisiana averages between five and ten fatalities during the Fourth of July holiday period due to impaired driving.
Cut 11 (10) “…behind the wheel.”
Fischer says the message that the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants to drive home is, “Designate before you celebrate.”
Cut 12 (14) “…sober ride home.”
Any driver found to be impaired by drugs or alcohol will be arrested and taken to jail.
___________________________________________________
LSU-Alexandria breaks ground on its new 43-million-dollar Health Education Campus. Dr. Ryan Riche (REE-shay), the dean of the College of Health and Human Services at LSU-A, says the 78-thousand-square-foot facility will include active-learning classrooms, advanced simulation laboratories and a 240-seat auditorium.
Cut 13 (08) “…to be successful.”
Dr. Riche says the new facility is designed to address the shortage of nurses throughout central Louisiana.
Cut 14 (11) “…alleviate that problem.”
Riche says the new campus will support about 700 additional healthcare positions throughout central Louisiana while providing a huge economic boost to the region.
Cut 15 (06) “…annual economic activity.”
Construction is beginning immediately, and the facility will welcome students in the fall of 2028.