Baton Rouge Police arrest a 14-year-old girl for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill her 14-year-old ex-boyfriend. Sergeant L’ Jean McKneely says they learned of the potential crime after an administrator for the website “rentahitman.com” reached out to their detectives…:

CUT 09(11)      “…yesterday afternoon.”

On Valentines Day. Bummer.

Syrah Resources says it will invest $176-million to expand its facility in the Concordia Parish town of Vidalia. They make components for electric cars and hybrids. Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft says the investment is most welcome, as are any other interested ventures…:

CUT 13(13)      “…that we can supply.”

Syrah will add 36 new direct jobs and over 50 indirect jobs are projected.

KLFY TV in Lafayette reports overdose deaths in Lafayette Parish are up 300-percent from just three years ago. The coroner recorded over 100 in 2021. The illicitly gotten drug fentanyl is blamed for the majority. The drug is used to cut heroin, coke or meth to increase volume, but even a small amount can potentially kill.

The first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification was today. Brooke Thorington has more from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A former Livingston Parish teacher pleads guilty in a child sex crimes case and agrees to testify against her ex-husband who is accused of committing disturbing crimes against kids. Cynthia Perkins pled guilty to three charges, including second-degree rape and production of child pornography. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office is working the case…:

CUT 06(09)      “…right call.”

As part of the plea deal, Cynthia will be called as a witness in Dennis Perkins trial, which is set to begin in May.

The Governor and Lt. Governor are joining forces to help clean up litter across Louisiana. John Bel Edwards and Billy Nungesser authorized the Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification, which met today for the first time. Mr. Nungesser says litter laws go un-enforced, and judges are reluctant to make community service trash pickup sentences…:

CUT 05(10)      “…that are not doing it.”

Baton Rouge Police arrest a 14-year-old girl for trying to hire a hitman to kill her ex-boyfriend. Cops say the girl thought a satirical website called “rentahitman.com” was the real thing and asked to have someone assassinate her former boo. The publisher gave BRPD a call. The 9^th grade girl’s name is withheld, because she is a juvenile.

As sales of electric-gas hybrids soar, one of the leaders in electric vehicle components in making a major investment in Central Louisiana. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…I’m David Grubb.”

The first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification was today. Brooke Thorington has more from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There was another drop in statewide COVID hospitalizations today. Down 47 patients from yesterday to 1,088. Governor John Bel Edwards says he is extending the COVID public health order for another 28 days, but it will not contain any mask requirements, even for school children.

Former Livingston Parish teacher Cynthia Perkins has agreed to a plea deal that will result in 41 years in prison for her role in a horrific sex crimes case that also involves her ex-husband, Dennis Perkins, a former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy. Cynthia’s attorney Paul Scott says his client has also agreed to testify against Dennis Perkins in his upcoming trial…
cut 8 (11) “….she’s done”
Cynthia Perkins pled guilty to three charges, including second-degree rape.

Syrah Resources is investing 176-million dollars to expand its facility in Vidalia which makes electric vehicle battery parts…
cut 12 (12) “….looking really up”
Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft says Syrah Resources says the expansion will result in 36 new jobs and 52 indirect jobs and he hopes to land more of these kinds of businesses in future years.

The first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification was today. Brooke Thorington has more from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

As sales of electric-gas hybrids soar, one of the leaders in electric vehicle components in making a major investment in Central Louisiana. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

The Governor and Lt. Governor are joining forces to help clean up the state with the Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification. The first meeting took place today and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the blight issue is embarrassing.

Cut 3 (11) “…unacceptable.”

Nungesser says the Governor is raising awareness among state department heads in hopes of bringing more attention to the growing issue. The task force includes representatives from state police, sheriff’s departments, district attorneys, and chambers and they’ll meet monthly.

Nungesser says he’s even tried an experiment in his home parish of Plaquemines to discourage littering by placing trash cans along stops leading to Highway 23.

Cut 4 (11) “…the interstate.”

Nungesser says there are laws on the books and fines attached to littering offenses, but they aren’t being enforced, and community service to pick up trash is not being implemented by judges for those with DUI offenses.

Cut 5 (10) “…not doing it.”

_______________________________________

A former Livingston Parish teacher pleads guilty in a child sex crimes case and agrees to testify against her ex-husband who is accused of committing disturbing crimes against kids. Cynthia Perkins pled guilty to three charges, including second-degree rape and production of child pornography. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office is working the case…

 Cut 6 (09) “…right call” 

As part of the plea deal, Cynthia will be called as a witness in Dennis Perkins’s trial, which is set to begin in May. Landry believes her testimony against the former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy will seal his fate…

Cut 7 (05) “…accountable.” 

Authorities say Cynthia assisted Dennis Perkins in the sexual assault of a juvenile, filming a juvenile while bathing and lacing desserts with his semen that were handed out to school children in 2019. Her attorney Paul Scott says Cynthia is eager to tell a jury Dennis manipulated her to commit these disturbing acts…

Cut 8 (11) “…she’s done.”  

Cynthia Perkins will be officially sentenced to 41 years in prison on Friday.

_______________________________________________

Baton Rouge Police arrest a 14-year-old female for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill her 14-year-old ex-boyfriend. Sergeant L’ Jean Mckneely says they learned of the potential crime after an administrator for the website rent-a-hitman-dot-com reached out to their detectives…

Cut 9 (10) “…yesterday afternoon.”

The arrestee was booked into juvenile detention for Solicitation for Murder. McNeely says the rent-a-hitman-dot-com website is used by law enforcement for these types of cases…

Cut 10 (10)  “…to kill someone” 

_________________________________________________

Syrah Resources announced today that it is investing $176 million to expand its Syrah Technologies graphite processing facility in Vidalia, making Louisiana one of the leaders in the market for electric vehicle component production in the United States. Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft says Syrah has been a great corporate partner and the impact of the expansion will be felt throughout the area.

Cut 11 (12)   “….business as well.”  

Syrah wants to develop the first facility of its type in the United States and says it chose Louisiana for its commitment to new technology and sustainable development. Syrah has already lined up one very high-profile client, and Craft says Vidalia is ready to compete on a global scale as Syrah continues to grow.

Cut 12 (12) “…looking really up.”  

Sales of electric cars have skyrocketed over the past few years, with gasoline-electric hybrid purchases jumping by 76 percent in 2021. That means a greater demand for parts. With Syrah’s plant creating the raw materials used in batteries, Craft says Vidalia has the capability to bring in other related businesses that can take advantage of the unique benefits his city can provide.

Cut 13 (13) “….we can supply.”

The expansion is expected to create 36 new jobs with average annual salaries of $69 thousand, with LED estimating an additional 52 indirect jobs created.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a 14-year-old female for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill her 14-year-old ex-boyfriend by using the website rent-a-hitman-dot-com Sergeant L’ Jean Mckneely says the arrestee was booked into juvenile detention for Solicitation for Murder and the website is used by law enforcement for these types of cases…

Cut 10 (10)  “…to kill someone” 

Syrah Resources announces an investment of $176 million to expand its graphite processing facility in Vidalia, making Louisiana one of the leaders in the market for electric vehicle component production.  Mayor Buz Craft says Syrah says the expansion will be felt throughout the area.

Cut 11 (11)   “….business as well.”  

A former Livingston Parish teacher, Cynthia Perkins pleads guilty in a child sex crimes case and agrees to testify against her ex-husband, Dennis Perkins, who is accused of committing disturbing crimes against children. Attorney General Jeff Landry believes her testimony against the former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy will seal his fate…

Cut 7 (05) “…accountable.” 

Cynthia Perkins will be officially sentenced to 41 years on Friday Dennis Perkins’s trial is scheduled for May.

The Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification is meeting today. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says litter is a growing issue and he’s even tried an experiment in his home parish of Plaquemines to discourage littering, by placing trash cans along stops leading to Highway 23.

Cut 4 (11) “…the interstate.”

The task force will meet monthly.

A former Livingston Parish teacher pleads guilty in a child sex crimes case and agrees to testify against her ex-husband who is accused of committing disturbing crimes against kids. Cynthia Perkins pled guilty to three charges, including second-degree rape and production of child pornography. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office is working the case…
cut 6 (09) “…right call”
Cynthia Perkins will be sentenced on Friday.

Today is the first meeting of the governor’s Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the amount of trash along the state’s highway is embarrassing…
Cut 3 (11) “…unacceptable.”
Nungesser says the Governor is raising awareness among state department heads in hopes of bringing more attention to the growing issue.

Vincent Simmons is out of jail after spending nearly 45 years in prison after he was convicted of attempted aggravated rape of 14-year-old white twin sisters in 1977. An Avoyelles Parish Judge ruled that Simmons should get a new trial after determining he did not receive a fair trial. Avoyelles District Attorney Charles Riddle…
cut 11 (12) “….in his possession”
Riddle says he and the accusers are okay with Simmons leaving prison because he’s already spent 44 years behind bars.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a 14-year-old female for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill her 14-year-old ex-boyfriend. Sergeant L’ Jean Mckneely says they learned of the potential crime after an administrator for the website rent-a-hitman-dot-com reached out to their detectives…
cut 9 (10) “…yesterday afternoon”
The arrestee was booked into juvenile detention for Solicitation for Murder. Mckneely says the rent-a-hitman-dot-com website is used by law enforcement for these type of cases.

After serving nearly 45 years in prison, Vincent Simmons is going home. Simmons, who is Black, was convicted of the attempted aggravated rape of 14-year-old white twin sisters in 1977. Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charlie Riddle says with today’s sentencing guidelines it would reduce the 100-year sentence against Simmons, and it’s time to move on.

Cut 12 (11) “…can be released.”

A recent ruling says key evidence was not shared with the defense.

Governor Edwards will renew the Public Health emergency order today and says there will be no mention of face masks in the order and the department of health’s guideline for K-12 schools will relax indoor masking. But masks are still required in healthcare settings.

Cut 15 (10)  “…whatever.”

Shreveport area Congressman Mike Johnson says it’s time to permanently make Fentanyl a Schedule I controlled substance. Kevin Gallagher reports on his bill to do just that:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Due to the ongoing drought, a statewide burn ban is in effect. The State Fire Marshal’s Office along with Agriculture and Forestry issued the ban that remains in effect until rescinded. A spokesperson for the Fire Marshal says firemen have been overwhelmed with burns that accidentally get out of control due to the drought.

None of the maps that are advancing in the redistricting session increase the number of majority-minority districts, which Governor John Bel Edwards calls problematic….
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton met with the Legislative Black Caucus yesterday to provide an update on the Ronald Greene case. Afterward, Belton told the USA Today Network that he believes the Troopers who arrested Greene committed a crime, but he’s letting the U-S Justice Department to pursue the case because they have more resources.

After serving nearly 45 years in prison, Vincent Simmons is a free man. Simmons, who is Black, was convicted of the attempted aggravated rape of 14-year-old white twin sisters in 1977. Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle says Simmons was granted his release from Angola after a judge declared he should have a new trial…
Cut 10 (7) “…constitutional issue.”
The women who accused Simmons of the crime say he’s still guilty.

District 4 Louisiana U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson proposes to permanently make illicit Fentanyl a Schedule I controlled substance. Johnson says Congress temporarily classifies fentanyl as a Schedule One narcotic multiple times each year and that’s counter-productive…:
Cut 7 (09) “…in America now.”
Johnson says to reverse the fentanyl crisis, a full-court press is needed.

The Republican led Louisiana Legislature is poised to approve a Congressional district map that maintains the status quo of one majority-minority district. Governor John Bel Edwards calls those maps problematic, because 33-percent of the state’s population is Black…
cut 5 (12) “….African American districts”
But Republicans say a second majority-minority district, would actually dilute the African-American vote lessening the chances of a minority being elected in any of the state’s congressional districts.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has filed legislation that he says will help law enforcement agencies get control of the fentanyl crisis. Johnson says his bill would permanently classify illicit fentanyl as an illegal deadly substance under federal law…
cut 9 (09) “…that regard”

After nearly half a century in prison, convicted rapist Vincent Simmons is being released. David Grubb has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Third District Attorney John Belton told Greg Hilburn with the USA Today Network that he absolutely believes the Troopers involved in the Ronald Greene arrest in Union Parish committed a crime. Belton says he has not prosecuted the case because the U-S Justice Department has more resources. Belton met with the Legislative Black Caucus yesterday.