A new poll of Louisiana voters shows their biggest concern right now is with crime. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

On the same day that Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper was laid to rest, State Police announced charges against the man responsible for his death. 33-year-old Anthony Savoie of Bourg has been charged with first degree murder of a police officer. Authorities say Savoie slammed his vehicle into Pepper’s unit killing the deputy.

The Southern Regional Average for teacher pay is 56-thousand dollars. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says Louisiana ranks 12th out of the 16 states in the southern region with average pay of 53-thousand dollars. Erwin says in the upcoming legislative session, Governor Edwards is seeking a teacher pay raise as high as three-thousand dollars….
cut 15 (07) “…..southern average”

A new study involving researchers at Tulane say its possible getting sick often can accelerate cognitive decline and potentially increase the risk for dementia. Assistant professor of neurosurgery, Doctor Liz Engler-Chiurazzi says new research conducted with mice found higher rates of inflammation caused impaired cognition. She says the findings may have important implications for standard of care around how infections are handled…
cut 12 (08) “….more aggressively”

A poll of 600 voters in Louisiana finds that 40-percent of them believe crime is the most important issue in Louisiana. Pollster John Couvillion says 27-percent believe the economy is the second most important issue…
cut 5 (12) “….folks in the state’

Thousands of people were on LSU’s campus last night to celebrate the national championship won by the women’s basketball team. The seniors had a chance to speak in front of a large crowd in the PMAC, including Alexis Morris…
cut 16 (17) “….cheers”
Up next for the Lady Tigers is a trip to the White House. A date has not been set.

The legislative session begins next week and among the bills filed is one related to corporal punishment in elementary and secondary schools. Even though policies vary across individual school systems, Metairie Rep Stephanie Hilferty wants to incorporate a statewide rule…
Cut 7 (11) “…for the child.”
Hilferty’s bill to outlaw corporal punishment failed to pass last year.

Tulane University School of Medicine neurosurgeon, Doctor Liz Engler-Chiurazzi, says they found in aging male mice that repeated head colds or multiple cases of the flu can accelerate cognitive decline….
cut 11 (11) “….life span”
Engler-Chiurazzi says more research is needed to see if getting sick often can potentially increase the risk for dementia.

The legislative session begins next week and one of the biggest decisions lawmakers will face is over teacher pay raises. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Because of declining enrollment and a teacher shortage, the Jefferson Parish School Board has approved the closure of several schools, including Grace King High School and Helen Cox High School. Meanwhile in St. Martin Parish, three 17-year-old students were arrested for making bomb threats last month.

19 school districts still allow corporal punishment in schools. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty has filed legislation that would allow parents to make the decision if the school system can or cannot physically punish their child….
cut 8 (07) “…..approve of it”
Last year Hilferty sponsored legislation that would ban the practice across the board altogether and it failed on a close vote.

Tulane University researchers find a link between getting sick often can accelerate cognitive decline and potentially increase the risk of dementia. Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Liz Engler-Chiurazzi says their study showed aging male mice who experienced sporadic colds or flu often had impaired cognition.
Cut 10 (07) “…to communicate”
Engler-Chiruazzi says these findings may have important implications for standard of care around how infections are handled among the elderly and those at risk for dementia.

JMC Analytics Polling surveyed 605 Louisiana voters in January and asked what is the most important issue in Louisiana? 40-percent said crime, 27-percent said the economy and pollster John Couvillon says 14-percent said education…
cut 6 (08) “…one word education”
Go to win with J-M-C-dot-com for more results on the poll.

For his final year in office, Governor Edwards has proposed boosting public school teacher salaries by another two-thousand dollars and if the Revenue Estimating Conference recognizes additional funds in May, he would like to see educators get a three-thousand dollar raise. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says lawmakers want to give teachers an increase in pay, but…
Cut 13 (07) “…affordable.”
The legislative session begins Monday.

A bill related to the use of corporal punishment in K-12 schools has been filed for the upcoming session.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A recent study by WalletHub shows Louisiana is 2023′s second least financially literate state – receiving a failing grade. WalletHub Analyst, Jill Gonzales says Louisiana also ranked poorly in sustainable spending, and only residents on average make minimum payments on bank cards.

Cut 4 (11)  “…interest rates.” 

Louisiana also failed in saving and investing.

After a months-long investigation into several arson cases by the State Fire Marshals Office and the Hammond Fire Department- nine people are now in custody. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says tips lead to the arrest of three suspects who are allegedly linked to two Hammond house fires and encourage others to phone in any tips.

Cut 8 (08)  “…on our tip-line.” 

To submit an anonymous tip, call the tipline or visit their website at sfm.dps.louisiana.gov.

Louisiana’s shipbuilding giant Edison Chouest is building a new vessel to support offshore wind turbines. The 260-foot-long vessel – called E-C-O Edison – is being built at the LaShip shipyard in Houma. LaShip General Manager Wally Naquin says the vessel will temporarily house workers who perform maintenance on turbines in a wind farm…

Cut 11 (10)  “…their home”

The vessel is being built for a Danish firm called Orsted, who builds and operates wind farms around the globe.

Several Louisiana parishes rank in the top ten for the largest population loss in the last two years. The four parishes were impacted by Hurricane Ida in 2021. Demographer Greg Rigamer says population loss was expected following the Category Four storm…

Cut 12 (14) “…south Louisiana” 

 St. John the Baptist, Terrebonne, Plaquemines, and St. Charles Parishes were affected by the population loss.

Four Louisiana parishes – St. John, St. Charles, Terrebonne and Plaquemines – rank highest for population lost in the months since Hurricane Ida in 2021. New Orleans demographer Greg Rigamer says the losses were more or less expected. He says often people leave storm-ravaged areas because they fear poor protection from future disasters…:

Cut 14  (10)      “…that environment.”

WalletHub ranks Louisiana next to last among state for its residents’ financial literacy. Basically how smart we are with our money. WalletHub’s Jill Gonzales says we show poorly in many categories; especially what she calls “unbanked households”…:

CUT 03(12)      “…as well.”

Louisiana ranked #50 among 50 states plus DC.

The trial for three of four teens accused of carjacking an elderly New Orleans woman and dragging her to death has been delayed until May of next year. The state Supreme Court issued a stay order on the case, based on a procedural technicality. The trial was supposed to have started Monday. Family members of the victim, 74-year-old Linda Frickey are outraged.

The State Fire Marshal has helped make nine arson arrests in Tangipahoa Parish in recent weeks. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

The state Fire Marshal’s office has been racking up arson arrests; especially in Tangipahoa Parish. In recent weeks, seven arrests – many of them in re-opened closed cases – have been made. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says one case involved three suspects and at least two Hammond house fires…:

CUT 06(08)      “…partners involved.”

She say if you have an arson tip, call the Fire Marshal’s tip line.

Four Louisiana Parishes lead the state in population lost following Hurricane Ida in 2021; they’re Terrebonne, St. John, St. Charles and Plaquemines. New Orleans area demographer Greg Rigamer says richer parishes recover pretty quickly from such disasters…:

CUT 13(11)      “…reinvesting.”

A recent study by WalletHub, ranking states by so-called financial literacy, rates Louisiana pretty poorly. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

Louisiana “American Idol” winner Laine Hardy, who was accused of putting an audio bug in his ex-girlfriend’s LSU dorm room, will avoid jail time after completing an alternative program for nonviolent offenders. Hardy can also file an appeal to have his record cleared on all charges. No word on IF he will do that.