The petition to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has fallen short of the signatures needed to go to a citywide ballot. Governor John Bel Edwards’ office says there were only a bit over 27-thousand confirmed and legitimized signatures; far below the 45-thousand needed. UNO political science professor Ed Chervenak says the “NOLATOYA” effort ended quietly…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…that they needed”

Chervenak says he’s not surprised, because recall petition drives often fall short.

A New Orleans area lawmaker files a bill to give members of the legislature a nice pay raise; from $16,800 yearly to $60-k. Rep. Joe Marino says it’s a part-time job that not everyone can afford to do…:

CUT 09  (07)        “…my concern.”

The Legislature goes into session April 10^th.

A teacher and coach at East Beauregard High School has resigned after being accused of sexual contact with a student. 25-year-old Collin Corbett was arrested for prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student. He was released on $5-thousand bond.

Members of the House Transportation Committee let the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles know about complaints they are hearing from their constituents. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

“Divisive. Dishonest” Those are words the New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell Campaign used to describe the failed petition to recall her from office. Governor Edwards’ office says had just over 27-thousand legitimate signatures; well short of the 45-thousand needed.

A bill to give lawmakers a significant pay raise next year has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

State lawmakers grilled leaders of the state Office of Motor Vehicles during a legislative hearing about poor customer service complaints. Legislators have heard allegations of staffers responding poorly to customer questions and being told they need to make an appointment. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says some complaints about OMV shocked her…:

Cut 03  (09)      :…if you want to.”

O-M-V Deputy Commissioner Staci Hoyt says they’ll work to improve customer interaction and satisfaction.

A new conservation funding initiative – known as the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program – providing matching resources to governmental agencies and municipalities is currently taking pre-applications. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the program will help in conserving the “Sportsman’s Paradise”…:

CUT 10(11)      “…that match.”

The recall effort to oust New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell failed to gather enough certified signatures. Governor Edwards announced the news after receiving only 27,000 certified signatures when 45,000 were needed from the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Office today. Approximately 40,0000 of the signatures collected from a petition drive were deemed ineligible because there were not from qualified electors in the parish.

Gretna Representative Joseph Marino has filed a bill to increase lawmakers to $60,000 annually which is a $43,000 raise. He says it’s a part-time job that not everyone can fiscally perform due to the demands of the job and there aren’t many jobs out there that would let them leave for several months and return to work.

Cut 9 (07) “…my concern.”

If passed the pay raise would go into effect in January 2024.

State lawmakers told leaders of the state Office of Motor Vehicles about the complaints they are receiving from their districts about the department. Pollock Representative Gage Firment says he’s hearing from his constituents about the lack of customer service at his local office…

Cut 4 (12)  “…okay.” 

Among the complaints are that some offices still require appointments that went into effect during the pandemic even thought that policy has been cancelled.

A new conservation funding initiative – known as the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program – providing matching resources to governmental agencies and municipalities is currently taking pre-applications. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the program will help in conserving the “Sportsman’s Paradise.”

Cut 10 (11) “…that match.” 

There are not enough certified signatures to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Governor Edwards issued a statement after receiving documents from the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Office this morning. The petition only contained 27,000 certified signatures and 45,000 were needed to trigger the recall. Almost 40,000 of the collected signatures were not qualified electors in Orleans Parish.

Louisiana lawmakers would receive a $43,000 pay bump if Gretna Representative Joseph Marino’s bill passes. The current salary for legislators has been $16,800 for four decades. Marino says he’s not filing the legislation to line his own pockets because he wouldn’t even be eligible due to term limits. He says he’s doing it to encourage more qualified individuals to run for office.

Cut 8 (11)  “…do this job.” 

The state’s Secretary of Environmental Quality has resigned. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Signatures gathered to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell were delivered to the governor this morning, but it is still unknown if they’re enough certified signatures to trigger a recall. The governor’s office says they plan to issue a statement as soon as possible on the matter. It’s protocol to have them sent to the governor even if they’re not enough signatures.

Members of the House Transportation Committee let the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles know about complaints they are hearing from their constituents. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Louisiana lawmakers would receive a $43,000 pay raise if Gretna Representative Joseph Marino’s bill passes. The current salary for legislators has been $16,800 since 1980. Marino says when you compare salaries from 40 years ago, it would average more than $60 thousand today for the part-time position.

Cut 7 (08)  “…be a legislator.” 

If passed the pay raise would go into effect next year.

Match Day figures reveal that 80-percent of the graduating LSU Health New Orleans medical students staying in-state and will enter an LSU Health residency program. Interim Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Richard DiCarlo, says the ones who will do their residency out of state, they are going to prestigious places…

Cut 14 (11)  “…for practice.”

State lawmakers grilled leaders of the state Office of Motor Vehicles during a legislative hearing about poor customer service complaints. Legislators have heard allegations of staffers responding poorly to customer questions and being told they need to make an appointment. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton…

Cut 3 (09) “…want to.” 

The requirement to make an OMV appointment was put in place during the COVID era.

 Ochsner Health – New Orleans is leading the country in genomic testing for cancer drugs to better treat cancer patients. Ochsner Health System Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services, Catherine Oliver says providers can have results in about five days and costs are determined by an individual’s health plan.

Cut 6 (07)  “…minimal cost.” 

Pharmacogenomic testing is only needed once during a lifetime for most patients.

Department of Environmental Quality Secretary  – Chuck Brown is resigning at the end of the month. Brown has led LDEQ since 2016. Brown tells LRN he would rather not say he’s not resigning, but continuing his environmental endeavor in the private sector.

Cut 9 (08)  “…State of Louisiana.”

Assistant Secretary of LDEQ – Roger Gingles will serve as Interim Secretary.

LSU Health New Orleans Match Day numbers show nearly 80 percent of their graduating students are staying in Louisiana to complete their medical training. Richard DiCarlo, Interim Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine says about 20 to 25 percent of their students will enter a number of specialty fields including psychiatry.

Cut 15 (10)  “…also important.”

Nearly 50 percent of LSU Health New Orleans medical grads will remain in Louisiana to complete their medical training.

The decision to choose residency has arrived for LSU Health graduates and many plans to remain in the state. Brooke Thorington has more from the Interim Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

 The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help to locate 59-year-old, Kevin Moore a missing resident of Hammond. Moore was last seen by family members on March 18 while leaving to go to work. He did not show up for work and no one has been able to contact him. Moore drives a white 2019 Chevrolet Spark. Anyone with information should contact Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Louisiana-based Ochsner Health – New Orleans is one of the first hospital systems in the nation to fully integrate standardizing genomic testing for cancer drugs which lowers the risk of adverse side effects.  Pharmacogenomics testing guides physicians on how patients metabolize certain drugs and warns of possible side effects so they may adjust dosage in a way that provides personalized treatments. Ochsner Health System Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services, Catherine Oliver says the process is instrumental in saving lives.

Cut 5 (09) “…decreasing that dose.”

Ochsner launched a pharmacogenomics program that is available to all patients in March 2022.

Secretary of  Louisiana’s Department of Environmental Quality, Chuck Brown will step down from his post on March 31^st. Brown has led LDEQ since 2016 as part of the Edwards administration. As Secretary, managed the state’s environment while working with federal authorities and oversaw LDEQ’s response to the 2016 flood. Brown says he worked hard to advance the department in the direction…

 Cut 8 (09) “…and honest dialog.”

LDEQ Assistant Secretary Roger Gingles has been appointed Interim Secretary.

A state lawmaker is proposing a pay raise for legislators that would nearly quadruple their annual salaries. Gretna Representative Joe Marino’s measure would give legislators a new base salary of 60-thousand dollars. There current annual salary is 16,800. The increases would take effect new year, when there’s a new legislative body.

The state’s Secretary of Environmental Quality has resigned. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Match Day figures from LSU Health New Orleans indicate 80 percent of their graduating students who are staying in Louisiana will do their residency at either New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Bogalusa. Richard DiCarlo, Interim Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, says it’s very encouraging when their grads remain in-state.
Cut 13 (10) “…at LSU.”
Match Day is when every medical graduate student in the country learns which residency program they will enter.

A new report from LSU’s Center for Energy Studies estimates that a planned carbon capture and sequestrian hub to be located in Calcasieu Parish could abate climate damages by 11-billion dollars over the lifetime of the project…
cut 11 (05) “…the atmosphere”
That’s interim executive director for the LSU Center for Energy Studies, Greg Upton, who says Gulf Coast Sequestration plans to build the first hub in the U-S to permanently store carbon dioxide emissions.