A settlement is reached that could prevent several death row inmates from receiving a clemency hearing. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo

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A former Tangipahoa school teacher faces third-degree rape charges after she had an alleged affair with a now 17-year-old student who possibly fathered her child. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The playoff format for high school school athletics is not changing after a vote by high school principals. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 3 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Environmental Defense Action Fund has launched a six-figure television ad calling on all Louisiana gubernatorial candidates to champion coastal priorities during their campaigns. Director of Federal Affairs Cathleen Berthelot says voters hold favorable opinions toward coastal resilience and lawmakers who support restoring the state’s coastal wetlands.

Cut 4 (12) “…strong action.”

Bethelot points out Louisiana voters, especially those living in coastal areas, recognize the impact coastal land loss will have on them and their families. She says 80 percent of coastal projects are funded by BP oil spill settlement funds, and that money will dry up.

Cut 5 (12) “…the issue.”

Berthelot says it’s critical for the state’s next governor to invest in Louisiana’s working coast and protect coastal communities.

Cut 6 (11) “…the voters.”

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At one-twenty this afternoon, FEMA is testing its Wireless Emergency Alert and the Emergency Alert systems. You should hear alerts on your cellphone, television, and radio. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says in disasters seconds count, so they are conducting tests to make sure the alert systems work properly.

Cut 7 (13) “…you informed.”

Criswell says wireless providers who participate in the Wireless Emergency Alert system are required to deliver the test message to cellphone users, which is accompanied by a unique tone and vibration. Criswell says the message will read: This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.

Cut 8 (12) “…monthly tests.” 

Criswell says the test is scheduled for 1:20 Central Standard Time this afternoon.

Cut 9 (11)  “…you love.”

In case today’s test is postponed, due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is next Wednesday, Oct. 11

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Clemency hearings for death row prisoners scheduled to begin next week will likely not happen after a settlement was reached between district attorneys and the Louisiana Pardon Board. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore led a legal effort to stop the hearings, and he says this settlement means only a handful of death row inmates would be eligible for a hearing…

Cut 10 (11) “…be placed.”

The settlement comes after Moore filed an injunction to suspend hearings for prisoners in response to the Board’s decision to hear 20 of the 56 clemency applicants, requested by Governor John Bel Edwards an opponent of the death penalty. Moore objected to the hearings because the death row inmates were not eligible for hearing and that hearing will likely not happen…

Cut 11 (12) “…even ineligible.”

The first date for clemency hearings for the five potential prisoners was scheduled next. Moore says two big reasons why they are not eligible for clemency, it’s been more than a year since their last appeal and an execution date has not been set…

Cut 12 (10) “…was made.” 

Lawyers representing the inmates are planning to appeal the settlement.

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33-year-old Morgan Freche, a former Tangipahoa Parish teacher, faces third-degree rape charges in connection with an alleged sexual relationship with a now 17-year-old student. A police report alleges the student fathered Freche’s child.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says even if the sexual relationship was consensual, it’s still considered rape. He says it’s not always as simple as yes or no….

Cut 13 (09) “… third-degree-rape.”

Freche is also charged with four counts of Felony Carnal Knowledge of Juvenile and one count of Oral Sexual Battery. Borghardt says in Louisiana there are a group of sexual crimes in which consent is not relevant. He says the more serious crime of Third-Degree Rape, carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years…

Cut 14 (11) “…rape charge.”

As to the question of whether the student is the father of Freche’s child, Borghardt says a paternity test would confirm if the juvenile is the biological father or not.

Cut 15 (04) “…the victim.”

The allegations of sexual misconduct, investigators say, date back approximately two years.  The TPSO says the initial report of an alleged student-teacher relationship was taken on September 24^th.

A statement from the Tangipahoa Parish School System says they are cooperating with law enforcement and that neither they nor the Board will not tolerate improper behavior.

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LHSAA member schools overwhelming approved the definition of a select school during a special meeting in Baton Rouge. 68-percent of the schools agreed with the definition the LHSAA executive committee adopted last year. Co-host of the Louisiana Prep Scoreboard show, Todd Black, says Tuesday was a good day for LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine…

Cut 16 (16) “…these days.”

Bonine and the LHSAA Executive Committee changed the definition of a select school last year in an effort to make postseason play more competitive and to level the playing field. Black says public schools that select students outside of their traditional attendance zone, should be considered select…

Cut 17 (18) “…their school.”

Nine schools that are considered public schools filed a lawsuit challenging the process that LHSAA took to change the definition of the select. They felt it should be left up to a vote of the membership. Black hopes the lawsuit will go away as LHSAA have spoken…

Cut 18 (15) “…to have.”

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ULM looks to bounce back after a heart breaking one point loss to Appalachian State when they host South Alabama on Saturday. Warhawks Coach Terry Bowden says the defeat was very difficult to accept, but he’s encouraged by the play of quarterback Jiya Wright who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another…

Cut 19 (19) “…back-up quarterback.” 

ULM lost to South Alabama by a touchdown last year in Mobile. Bowden says the Jaguars produced 615 yards of offense that day…

Cut 20 (15) “…last year.” 

The Louisiana Treasury announced more than 80 thousand names of unclaimed property owners in every parish will be published beginning today through Friday. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Louisiana is one of 20 states to receive $10 million to better prepare high school students with disabilities for careers or even the transition to college. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Beginning today, nearly 81 thousand new names of unclaimed property owners have been published in local newspapers. State Treasurer John Schroder says they are committed to reconnecting residents with money received by the Louisiana Treasury.

Cut 3 (11) “…new data.”

Unclaimed Property consists of abandoned financial assets like checking and savings accounts, unpaid wages, life insurance payouts, proceeds from safety deposit boxes, and more.

Due to changes in addresses or other reasons, people may not always be aware of money owed to them when businesses attempt to return the property to the owners. Schroder says they’ve been able to identify tens of thousands of recipients who are owed money, but it could also include relatives.

Cut 4 (12) “…be anybody.”

To find the list of Unclaimed Property owners, Schroder encourages residents in every parish to check the Legal Notices section in their local newspaper. He says this is a crucial step in reuniting residents with unclaimed funds.

Cut 5 (06) “ …return it.”  

Residents can also visit LA Wallet or visit LACashClaim.org to check names for unclaimed property.

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The Louisiana Department of Education is one of 20 states to be awarded $10 million to improve career opportunities for students with disabilities. Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley says it’s part of the US Department of Education’s Pathway to Partnerships to help prepare these students for life after high school.

Cut 6 (11) “…(x2) students with disabilities.”

Brumley says the funding will enable them to focus on life after high school for students with disabilities. For example, how to transition to a career in transportation or prepare for college.

Cut 7 (10) “…and beyond.” 

Brumley says the program parallels their overall approach of being more deliberate with all students about the handoff after high school and what’s next in a student’s life.

Cut 8 (08) “…position possible.”

The funds for the state’s special education transition program will be distributed over a five-year cycle.

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With two full days of early voting for the October 14^th gubernatorial primary election in the books, voters appear to be less motivated. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says 118-thousand people casted a ballot on Saturday and Monday, down from 122-thousand for the same time period in 2019 and more Republicans than Democrats…

Cut 9 (07) “…to happen.” 

The state has 2.9 million registered voters and registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by 146-thousand. But Couvillon says through two days of early voting more registered Republicans are showing up to the polls than Democrats

Cut 10 (12) “… more Democratic.”

The Secretary of State’s office says voter turnout for a gubernatorial primary is usually in the mid-40s, but Couvillon says based on the first two days of early voting, the turnout could be lower than that…

Cut 11 (13) “…mid thirties.”