A former employee at the state’s child welfare agency tells lawmakers about the difficult work environment inside DCFS. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33) I’m  Jeff Palermo”  

And Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson is having one heck of a breakout year. The Baskin native has received 6 CMA nominations including album of the year, female vocalist of the year, and song of the year. She’s also the fourth artist in history to earn six Country Music Association nominations in their first year. Lainey joins the ranks of Clen Campbell, Brad Paisley, and Kacey Musgraves.

The new 988 suicide crisis call in line in Louisiana received more than 14-hundred calls in its first month and the majority of calls were answered in-state. Dr. Robyn Thomas, Suicide Prevention Coordinator says it’s important the crisis line has certified local counselors because they understand the state’s culture and unique stressful events like hurricanes.

Cut 5  (10) “…as possible.”

ASAP, the Louisiana-based delivery app formerly known as Waitr, has a new NIL deal for all of LSU’s student-athletes. ASAP’S Kevin Burke says for any student-athlete that accepts the deal they can help promote ASAP on their own schedules.

Cut 12 (13) “…promo code.”  

A former caseworker at the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services calls the environment within the state agency as toxic. Stacy McPherson left her job as a Rapides foster care worker in July because her supervisors failed to address repeated complaints. McPherson says when she would bring her concerns to her supervisors, she would face retaliation….

Cut 11 (10)  “…do it.”

She testified in front of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Tuesday.

After a St. Martinville woman was killed when a cigarette ignited her oxygen tank, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents not to have an open flame near oxygen tanks. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says tanks should be kept at least five feet away from anything flammable and not just cigarettes.

Cut 7 (08) “… a fuel.” 

The state’s 988 mental health crisis call-in centers receive 14-hundred calls in its first month. Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas with the Louisiana Department of Health says when you call 988 you are routed to one of the state’s two certified crisis centers. One in Bossier City which answers calls in north, central, and southwest Louisiana, or the call center in New Orleans which covers southeast Louisiana.

Cut 4  (07) “…in the state.”

She says 89% of the calls from Louisiana are answered by certified counselors in the state.

A former caseworker at the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services calls the environment within the state agency as toxic. Stacy McPherson left her job as a Rapides foster care worker in July because her supervisors failed to address their repeated complaints…

Cut 9 (09)  “…excruciating”

McPherson testified in front of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee who plans to hold future meetings to look at how they can improve the agency.

Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Rhenda Hodnett also testified she says they are doing what they can to increase the number of case workers…

Cut 12 (12) “…higher gear.”  
The state agency is facing criticism for the mishandling of cases, including the overdose death of a two-year-old.

In the first month that the three-digit 988 National Suicide Hotline was launched the crisis number received more than 1,400 calls in Louisiana. And Dr. Robyn Thomas, Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the department of health says the response rate for answering local calls increased significantly.

Cut 3 (12) “…connected to services.” 

The State Fire Marshall’s Office wants to remind you not to have an open flame around oxygen tanks. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says over the weekend a 32-year-old wheelchair-bound woman in St. Martinville who was known to be a smoker was killed in a house fire.

Cut 6 (07) “…do so outside.” 

Oxygen tanks should be kept at least five feet away from anything flammable.

A former caseworker at the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services calls the environment within the state agency as toxic. Stacy McPherson left her job as a Rapides foster care worker in July because her supervisors failed to address their repeated complaints…
cut 9 (09) “…excruciating”
McPherson testified in front of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee who plans to hold future meetings to look at how they can improve the agency. Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare Rhenda Hodnett told lawmakers they are doing what they can to increase the number of case workers…
Cut 22 (12) “…higher gear.”

After being questioned about suggested Title IX changes to protect sexual orientation and gender identity at K-12 schools, State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley offers clarification. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Congressman Troy Carter presented a multi-million dollar check from the federal government during a press conference this morning that will go towards a new athletic stadium in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Carter says he’s excited to help fund such a worthwhile project…
cut 14 (09) “…of their own”

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley wants schools and parents to know that the suggested federal Title IX protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity are just suggestions at this time. He gives examples of how the proposed Title IX expansions could impact schools.

Cut 5 (09) “…(x2) not based on biological sex.”

He says they are proposed changes and not law at this time.

In Louisiana, 20-cents of each gallon of gas goes into a fund for roads, bridges, and other transportation projects. But a report from Legislative Auditor says the money generated isn’t enough. The tax was set three decades ago and is not indexed for inflation. DOT Secretary Shawn Wilson agrees with the findings.

Cut 7 (09) “…sales tax.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is helping folks in Jackson, Mississippi after severe flooding damaged the city’s water treatment plants. Whitney Thomas has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Louisiana native Lainey Wilson receives six nominations from the Country Music Association in her first year as a nominee. Wilson is the fourth artist in award history to receive six nominations in their first year. The 30-year-old singer was raised in the small town of Baskin in Franklin Parish.

The legislative auditor’s office releases a report that shows Louisiana’s 20-cent gasoline tax is not able to keep up with the state’s 15-billion dollar backlog on road and bridge construction needs. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the audit notes that other states use a variety of transportation funding sources, including vehicle fees, tolls and even cigarette taxes…
cut 8 (11) “…what we need”

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter will present a multi-million dollar plus check during a ceremony at Carver High school in New Orleans that will lead to the construction of a football stadium that will be built in the Ninth Ward….
cut 15 (08) “…of Katrina”
Carter will be joined by other election officials, sports figures, community advocates and students who will benefit from the stadium.

Earlier this summer the Biden Administration proposed expanding Title nine regulations at public schools that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and protecting transgender students. Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says at this time they are just proposed changes and encourages the public to voice their opinion via the federal registry…
cut 6 (08) “….proposed changes”

A four-person Louisiana Department of Health drinking water engineering team has returned after helping Jackson, Mississippi officials restore water pressure in the city’s drinking water system that was damaged by severe flooding. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steels says Louisiana was glad to help after receiving assistance from other states during Louisiana’s natural disasters…
cut 12 (10) “…to other states”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is facing scrutiny after failing to react to reports of a drug abuse case that eventually resulted in the overdose death of a two-year-old child. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters told state lawmakers they need 400 case workers. Covingon Senator Patrick McMath believes DCFS needs a complete overhaul, but says it will not happen while Governor Edwards is in office…
cut 30 (11) “…caregivers”

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley wants schools and parents to know that the suggested federal Title IX protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity are just suggestions.
Cut 4 (11) “…not law yet.”
Back in June, the Biden Administration proposed regulations to expand the definition of discriminaton to protect gay and transgender students.

A new report from the legislative auditor says the state’s gasoline tax is not enough to address the state’s 15-billion dollar road construction backlog.
Cut 2 (28) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

A four-person drinking water engineering team at the Louisiana Department of Health is back after helping Mississippi officials get the water pressure restored in Jackson. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the Louisiana team went to Mississippi as part of the nation’s mutual aid system…
cut 11 (09) “…after a disaster”

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters explained to state lawmakers yesterday about the difficulty in hiring and retaining their employees. Walters says one of their best case managers recently left for a lower paying job….
cut 29 (10) “…need a break”
Walters says the agency needs about 400 workers as reports of abuse and neglect of children increase across the state. But some lawmakers are skeptical an increase in workers will solve the problems at D-C-F-S.

The state says a four-person drinking water engineering team from the Louisiana Department of Health is back after responding to the drinking water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. GOHSEP Spokesperson Mike Steele….
Cut 10 (12) “…quality issues.”

After being questioned about suggested Title IX changes to protect sexual orientation and gender identity at K-12 schools, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley offers clarification….
cut 1 (30) “…I”m Brooke Thorington”

Congressman Troy Carter will present a 4.5 million dollar check from the federal government today to go towards the construction of a high school sports stadium in eastern New Orleans.
Cut 13 (10) “…upper 9th Ward.”
The check presentation will take place at Carver High School at 9 AM.