A Zachary man is behind bars and faces second-degree battery and hit-and-run charges after the severe beating of a 59-year-old cancer patient in Ascension Parish Sunday night. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A state Legislative Auditor’s report to lawmakers says – like it or not – we need higher gas taxes for roads and bridges…and high fees for electric vehicles too. Jeff Palermo explains.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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He leads in polls by a huge margin, but Senator John Kennedy is taking fire for not debating his Democrat challengers. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The suspect from Sunday’s violent road rage incident in Ascension Parish is in custody. Sheriff Bobby Webre says the victim 59-year-old Scott Gray, who has stage IV cancer was severely beaten and 37-year-old Bryan Cage of Zachary turned himself in after the incident made headlines.

Cut 4 (09)  “…but doing ok.”

Webre says this case involved teamwork from law enforcement in Ascension, Livingston, and East Baton Rouge parishes and he credits the community for their tips that led to Cage’s arrest. Webre says so far Cage is charged with second-degree battery and hit and run which is a felony. Webre says this was not Cage’s first run-in with the law.

Cut 5 (12) “…looks like.”

Webre says there could be more charges added and Cage might not be the only one facing prosecution.

Cut 6 (12)  “…ongoing investigation.” 

In addition to cancer, Gray lost a leg from a motorcycle accident some 20 years ago.

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In a report to state lawmakers, the Legislative Auditor’s Office says Louisiana needs to consider higher road usage fees if it wants to stay ahead of the rising cost of maintaining roads and bridges. Gina Brown is a Performance Audit Manager with the Legislative Auditor. She says the state could lose well over $500-million in road use fees and gasoline taxes for roads over the next ten years…:

Cut 7 (13) “…are using less gas.”

Brown says it’s projected that around one-third of all vehicles in Louisiana will be electric within 10 years. That will mean less gas bought at the pump and less gasoline roads tax. Last year the state imposed a road usage fee of $110 yearly for owners of all-electric cars and $60 for EV hybrid vehicles. Brown says that’s not enough…:

Cut 8 (13)  “…96 dollars a year.”

Brown says the real problem with the EV road uses taxes is they are paid voluntarily when filing state income tax, and many will NOT report or pay.

Motorists driving regular gas powered vehicles pay their share by way of 20-cents per gallon taxed at the pump. That hasn’t been increased in over 20 years. Brown says that also needs to be raised to help meet the $15-billion backlog in road and bridge projects statewide. She says other states, like Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas, index their fuels tax to inflation…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…mean for Louisiana.”

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Incumbent U.S. Senator John Kennedy is taking fire from critics and some media outlets for not committing to debate his challengers in that race. During an interview on 710 AM KEEL in Shreveport, Kennedy was asked directly if he was dodging debates. He says not all debates are ones worth doing…:

Cut 10 (11) “…an axe to grind.” 

Kennedy has been loudly criticized by Democrat challengers Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers for not agreeing to a debate or candidates forum. With four weeks until the election, polls show Kennedy with well over 50-percent. Mixon 16-percent and Chambers 8-percent. He says the Baton Rouge Advocate invited him to an event this Monday on pretty short notice…:

Cut  11 (11)  “…people coming out.”

The KEEL hosts pointed out debates are often hosted by partisan groups that hope Kennedy will make some gaffe that can be exploited. Kennedy says he has spent as much time as possible simply getting around Louisiana, to talk directly with voters before the election and it’s taken some toll on him…:

Cut 12 (07) “…I couldn’t talk.” 

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In Lake Charles, Judge Clayton Davis formally sentenced Kevin Daigle to death for the 2015 fatal shooting of Louisiana State Police trooper Steven Vincent. Vincent encountered what he thought was a stranded motorist on a rural road when Daigle fatally shot him in the face.

Cut 13 (11) “…system prevails.”

There has only been one death sentence carried out in Louisiana since 2002, and Vincent expects a lengthy appeal process to delay the execution of the sentence. He says he hopes to see the justice system run its course…

Cut 14 (09)  “…would happen.”

Seven years since the shooting, Chief Vincent highlights the importance of remembering the victims of violent crimes and their families…

Cut 15 (12)  “…be forgotten.”

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LSU will host seventh-ranked Ole Miss for a chance to take control of the SEC West tomorrow. The Tigers suffered a 40-13 loss to eighth-ranked Tennessee in Tiger stadium just two weeks ago, but wide receiver Kayshon Boutte says the team needs to learn from their last game and take advantage of the opportunity…

Cut 16 (09)  “…weeks ago.” 

Boutte was a preseason All-American and projected first-round pick in the NFL draft but got off to a slow start to the season in Coach Brian Kelly’s new system. He says it’s taken time for him and first-year transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels to build chemistry with one another, but it looks like the two are finally getting on the same page…

Cut 17 (12) “…everything connecting.” 

Kickoff in Death Valley is at 2:30 tomorrow.

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The Ragin’ Cajuns will host Arkansas St this weekend as they look to continue their momentum from the 23-13 midweek win against Marshall last week. The Red Wolves sit two spots behind the Cajuns in the race for the Sun-Belt West, but Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says they’re a better team than the record shows…

Cut 18 (19) “…ready for that.” 

The Ragin’ Cajuns take the home field at 4:00 tomorrow.

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Louisiana Tech looks to bounce back from a 47-27 defeat at the hands of North Texas last weekend in which they allowed 475 rushing yards to the Mean Green. They’ll host the 3-3 Rice Owls in what Head Coach Sonny Cumbie described as an important opportunity for the Bulldogs…

Cut 19 (13) “…at home”

The Bulldogs are in the middle of the pack in Conference USA with a 2-4 record. The difference maker for the team this season looks to be the support of the home crowd. LA Tech is winless on the road this season but undefeated at home. Coach Cumbie says he’s looking forward to getting back in front of the home crowd, but this is something the team needs to address if they want to succeed down the stretch…

Cut 20 (14) “…four quarters.”

Kickoff this Saturday is at 2:00

Kevin Daigle has been formally sentenced to death for the 2015 fatal shooting of Louisiana state trooper Steven Vincent. There has only been one death sentence carried out in Louisiana since 2002, and the victim’s brother, Iowa (eye-oh-way) Police Chief Keith Vincent, says he expects a lengthy appeal process to delay the execution and he hopes to see the justice system run its course…

Cut 14 (10)  “…would happen.”

Governor Edwards says Vidalia, in Concordia Parish, is set to get a huge chunk of federal money for the Syrah Technologies electric vehicle battery plant there. It’s the only large-scale plant doing this outside of China. The Governor says we’re too dependent on international commerce…:

Cut 11 (08)  “…as possible.”

Syrah will get $220-million for a facility expansion and more jobs.

If you haven’t claimed your Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan that provided up to $3,600 per child for the 2021 tax year, a deadline is approaching.  Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says the November 15^th deadline applies to a quick filing tool at GetCTC-dot-org.

Cut 6 (08)  “…takes 15 minutes.” 

Moeller says it’s also important for individuals who didn’t make enough income or didn’t work in 2021 to file because they could be eligible if they have children.

Another name has surfaced as a possible candidate for governor next year and it’s Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson. Jeremy Alford at La-Politics-dot-com was the first to report and we asked Wilson his thoughts about whether he’ll look to replace his current boss, Governor John Bel Edwards

Cut 3 (06) “…be a candidate” 

Kevin Daigle has been formally sentenced to death for the 2015 fatal shooting of Louisiana state trooper Steven Vincent. The victim’s brother, Iowa Police Chief Keith Vincent, says he is glad to see justice prevail after all this time…

Cut 13 (12) “…system prevails.”

November 15^th is the deadline to use the simplified filing of GetCTC-dot-org for the 2021 expanded Child Tax credit of up to $36-hundred per child. The CTC has been around for some time, but Louisiana budget Project executive director Jan Moeller says most years you have to earn a certain amount to claim it, but for 2021…

Cut 8 (11)  “…very long.”

Governor John Bel Edwards applauds federal Department of Energy funds coming Louisiana’s way to help bolster the green vehicle industry here. He says $100-million will go to Koura chemical in St. Gabriel to make a key lithium battery component…:

Cut 10 (09) “…is very important.” 

$220-million will go to expanding the Syrah Tech plant in Vidalia, which makes batteries for Tesla and other EV makers.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson had an impressive return to the NBA last night with 25 points in his first game in 17 months as New Orleans defeated Brooklyn to tip off a new season. Williamson scored most of his points inside the paint and also had nine rebounds. The former first-round pick says received lots of encouragement…

Cut 14 (11)  “…stay high” 

The city of Vidalia, in Concordia parish, is happy to see $220-million in federal Department of Energy money coming their way to expand the Syrah Technologies plant there. They make batteries for Tesla and other companies. Governor John Bel Edwards says the whole town is thrilled because it also means a lot of new jobs…:

CUT 09(08)      “…the country.”

He says it’s a big step toward clean energy for Louisiana.

The former city controller for Shreveport is suing the city, alleging he was wrongfully terminate from his job under the state “whistleblower law.” Ben Hebert says he refused to (quote) participate in financial improprieties which he believed violated state laws, and was fired days later.

A Gonzales city cop who quit amid accusations of spousal abuse, and then allegedly bragged he’d get away with it, has been arrested for violating a protective order and domestic abuse battery involving child endangerment. The details of his alleged abuses are pretty severe.

In the 2023 Governor’s race, so far Attorney General Jeff Landry has officially declared and fellow Republicans Billy Nungesser and John Schroder have talked around running. However, no Democrats have said they will run. One Dem name mentioned by “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford is current Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…so we asked Wilson, who says he’s not a candidate…but he could be…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…those options.”

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson had an impressive return to the NBA last night as he scored 25 points in his first game in 17 months as New Orleans defeated Brooklyn 130 to 108 in the season opener. He says he is so glad to be back…:

CUT 13(12)      “…every day with it.”

A judge in Lake Charles has given a death sentence to convicted cop killer Kevin Daigle, for the 2015 murder of Louisiana State Police Trooper Steven Vincent. Daigle shot Vincent with a shotgun on a rural roadside in Calcasieu Parish. Vincent’s brother, also a trooper, says he’s ”glad to live in a country where we have a justice system.” The family Sys they know a lengthy appeal process for Daigle will follow.

Governor John Bel Edwards applauds federal Department of Energy funds coming Louisiana’s way to help bolster the green vehicle industry here. He says $100-million will go to Koura chemical in St. Gabriel to make a key lithium battery component…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…very important.”

$220-million will go to expanding the Syrah Tech plant in Vidalia, which makes batteries for Tesla and other EV makers.

If you haven’t claimed your Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan that provided up to $3,600 per child for the 2021 tax year you need to do so very soon…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Could DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson be running for Governor next year? We asked Wilson who says he may…but he’s focused now on continuing the work done under Governor Edwards…:

CUT 05(07)      “…some time to come.”

Edwards is term-limited ad may not run again.

A well-known Democrat’s name has surfaced as a possible candidate for Governor in 2023; DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson. We asked the Secretary about running to replace his boss, John Bel Edwards…:

CUT 03  (06)        “…be a candidate.”

So far the only official announcements for governor are Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and Lake Charles attorney and Independent Hunter Lundy.

Governor Edwards says Vidalia, in Concordia Parish, is set to get a huge chunk of federal money for the Syrah Technologies electric vehicle battery plant there. It’s the only large-scale plant doing this outside of China. The Governor says we depend on international commerce now…:

CUT 11  (08)        “…as possible.”

Syrah will get $220-million for a facility expansion and more jobs.

If you haven’t claimed your Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan that provided up to $3,600 per child for the 2021 tax year, a November 15^th deadline is approaching. Louisiana Budget Project spokesman Jan Moller says the 2021 credit is fully refundable…: CUT 07(08)      “…in 2021.” He says there is an earnings test to qualify. Go to “GetCTC.org.”

Following his arrest last spring for illegally bugging an ex-girlfriend’s LSU dorm room, Livingston parish country singer Laine Hardy is breaking his deal with Disney Music Group. In a social media post, Hardy said he was grateful for the support and guidance Disney had provided him, but he was planning to take his career in a “new direction.” No comment yet from Disney. Hardy’s case has not yet gone to trial.

If you haven’t claimed your Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan that provided up to $3,600 per child for the 2021 tax year, a deadline is approaching.  Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says the November 15^th deadline applies to a quick filing tool at GetCTC-dot-org.

Cut 6 (08)  “…takes 15 minutes.” 

Moeller says it’s also important for individuals who didn’t make enough income or didn’t work in 2021 to file because they are eligible if they have children.

Two Louisiana companies have been awarded $320 million in US Department of Energy funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Governor Edwards says Syrah Technologies in Vidalia will receive $220 million to expand production to manufacture components for batteries to power electric vehicles.

Cut 9 (06)  “…announcement.”

And $100 million has been awarded to Koura in St. Gabriel.

Zion Williamson’s long-waited return to the NBA went very well as the Pelicans star scored 25 points in his first game in 17 months. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

And the Saints play Arizona tonight in Glendale. Kickoff is at 7:15 on Amazon Prime.