Governor John Bel Edwards is set to meet with members of the Legislative Black Caucus today to discuss what he knew and when he knew about details surrounding the death of black motorist Ronald Greene, who died after a violent encounter with State Police troopers. Edwards is also expected to take questions from the press at 4:30.

At 5 PM, state lawmakers will begin the redistricting session, a task that comes around once every ten years. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Over the last two years, hurricanes have disrupted the educational experience for Louisiana schools, so that’s why Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley has launched a Hurricane Preparedness Commission. Brumley says the commission will help create operational best practices for school systems and leaders during hurricanes…
cut 6 (12) “….next hurricane season”
The commission is comprised of local school officials, state lawmakers, and experts in emergency planning.

According to the state’s Gaming Control Board Chairman, Ronnie Johns, the first weekend of online sports betting went smoothly. Johns says he doesn’t have an amount yet of how much the state profited but he believes Louisiana covered the spread.
Cut 9 (07) “…hoped for.”
Six sports betting platforms were online for opening weekend and Johns expects even more in the coming weeks.

Governor John Bel Edwards office says he was not part of a cover-up of the May 20129 death of Ronald Greene. Greene died while in State Police custody after a lengthy high speed car chase. His death was due to injuries at the hands of troopers and other LEOs. The public and Greene’s family were told he died in a car crash. Mr. Edwards says he WAS told of a man dying in LSP custody, but did not see the video of Greene’s beating until October 2020. Edwards meets today with the Legislative Black Caucus to talk about it. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says – with a redistricting session starting today and a regular legislative session starting in March – Edwards needs black lawmakers’ support…:

CUT 15         (06)    “…if anything accomplished.”

A Tangipahoa Parish man dies after developing an auto-immune disease that doctors say was caused by his second COVID vaccine shot. Brandon Pollet WAS a healthy 33-year-old husband and father.

The Louisiana Department of Education is getting proactive when it comes to hurricane preparedness with the launch of the Protect Louisiana Schools: Hurricane Preparedness Commission. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says that district leaders are faced with a wide number of problems, ranging from communications to infrastructure to getting cafeterias restocked with supplies. With the input of experts from the government, educational, and private sectors, he wants to provide leaders with best practices for preparation and recovery…:

CUT 05         (11)    “…as much as possible.”

For more information visit ProtectLaSchools.org

Over a hundred plaintiffs – many of them businesses – have joined in a lawsuit against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her government; alleging her COVID mask and vaccine mandates have forced them to put their lives on hold. The lawsuit claims it is a case of government overreach. The plaintiffs also say the directives have caused social, economic and cultural harm to the city. They are calling for an injunction on the mandates until the case is heard.

Governor John Bel Edwards office responds to an AP report that he knew of the death of Ronald Greene in state Police custody, while the public and Greene’s family were being told he died in a car crash. Edwards was campaigning for his second term at the time. His office says it is standard procedure for the governor to be notified when someone dies in State Police custody, but Edwards did not see video of Greene’s repeated beating by officers until October 2020. UL – Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says there’s no evidence that the Governor took part in a cover-up…:

CUT 14(11)      “…or investigation.”

Edwards will meet with the Legislative Black Caucus today. Afterward, he’s expected to take questions from the media.

Jefferson Parish deputies say a 4-year-old accidentally shot himself while sitting in a car, while adults smoked weed in the front seat. The toddler found a gun under the seat. No arrests have been made as yet.

The special session on redistricting Louisiana starts today in Baton Rouge. Lawmakers must decide new boundaries for their own chambers, the Public Service Commission, judicial districts and six U.S. House districts.  The Governor and black leaders say the state needs to have a second majority minority district, and that is liable to be fuel for some disagreements within the Capitol. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says better to get that settled early on, before moving on the more local matters; like redrawing in-state House & Senate boundaries…:

CUT 11(10)      “…related to that.”

The session must be completed within 20 days.

More than 67-million wagers have been made since sports betting became legal in Louisiana in November. The 11 establishments offering sports book raked in just over $10-million. It’s too early yet to have any figures from the first weekend of legal mobile app sports betting. Nine parishes voted to reject sports book, but 55 allow it.

State lawmakers are off to Baton Rouge to begin the 20-day special legislative session for redistricting Louisiana. The House & Senate must agree on new boundaries for the legislature, Public Service Commission, state courts and six U.S. Congressional seats. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he believes the latter – U.S. House districts – will be addressed right up front…:

CUT 10(11)      “…or NOT override a veto.”

The session must be done by the 20^th.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ office issues a statement in response to an AP story that he was notified by State Police Head Kevin Reeves in May 2019 of an unnamed motorist who died in their custody, who turned out to be Ronald Greene. Greene died from a severe beating. ULM Political Science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says this could prove volatile for Edwards…:

CUT 13(12)      “…in his re-election?”

As experts predict another above average hurricane season in 2022, the Louisiana Department of Education is taking steps to get schools ready for what comes before and after the storm. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…David Grubb.”

Two St. Mary Parish teens are under arrest for allegedly making bomb threats against Franklin High School in mid-January. A 14 and 15-year-old are charged with terrorizing and communicating false information. They’ve been booked, processed and released to their parents’ custody.

Governor Edwards’ office issues a statement in regard to a media report he was aware of the circumstances under which Ronald Greene died, after a beating by state troopers in May 2019. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 03(37)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Natchitoches Parish public schools are lifting their mandate that kids wear masks in class. Starting this morning staff members, parents, and students will get to choose whether or not to wear a mask on campus. The school district says masking is still strongly encouraged for pupils and teachers.

The Louisiana Department of Education gets proactive on hurricane preparedness with the launch of the Protect Louisiana Schools: Hurricane Preparedness Commission. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley believes now is the time to bring together as many bright minds as possible to put a comprehensive plan in place for schools…:

CUT 04(14)      “…back into classrooms.”

For more information visit ProtectLaSchools.org

It appears online sports wagering got off to a big start over the weekend. And while he doesn’t have exact figures yet, State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says when you compare activity for the inaugural weekend to other states Louisiana is not an underdog…:

CUT 07(11)      “…a few weeks ago.”

Six sports betting platforms were online for opening weekend and Johns says to expect even more in the coming weeks.

Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is calling for an investigation to find out if Governor John Bel Edwards possibly participated in a cover-up of Ronald Greene’s death, a black motorist who died after he was beaten by State Troopers during a traffic stop in 2019. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Republicans want to know if Edwards helped keep the details of Greene’s death quiet for political reasons. Alford says many legislators want to hear the governor’s side of the story…

Cut 5 (11) “…same as well.”

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The governor’s office released a statement that Edwards did not learn of the allegations surrounding Mr. Greene’s death until September of 2020, and that he had only been notified of the arrest and death of an unnamed individual in May of 2019. It goes on to state that the governor did not see, nor was he aware of, the video of the arrest until October of 2020.

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The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus has called for a meeting with Governor Edwards to discuss the case and, according to Chairman-elect Vincent Pierre, “how to move forward in our mission of obtaining justice for the family of Mr. Greene.

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office said home fires have killed 15 people in the month of January. It’s the deadliest month the state has experienced in five years. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 2018 was the last time the state had that many and average temperatures were below normal. Saturday afternoon firefighters responded to an RV fire in New Iberia.  Rodrigue says first responders located the body of a 50-year-old woman in the bedroom.

Cut 10 (12) “…every outlet.”

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Kayla Giles faces life in prison after a Rapides Parish Jury found her guilty in the murder of her estranged husband, Thomas Coutee Junior. Giles fatally shot Coutee in a Walmart parking lot in September of 2018 during a custody exchange. Giles’ attorney said he wouldn’t be surprised if the verdict was overturned on appeal because the prosecution was allowed to use other crimes as evidence. But Landry says prosecutors presented a strong case…

Cut 13 (05) “…for her life.”

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Republican leadership in the state legislature calls for an investigation into whether Governor Edwards took part in any cover-up of the May 2019 death of Ronald Greene, after a beating by state troopers and other LEOs. According to an Associated Press report, Edwards was informed the day after Greene died that he was involved in a violent struggle with troopers, while Green’s family was told for nearly two years he died in a car crash. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards has faced numerous challenges during his time in office, but this one is unique for his administration…:

CUT 04(12)      “…honor code.”

Alford says Republicans want to know if Edwards helped keep the details of Greene’s death quiet for political reasons, as that was a re-election year. The Governor’s office issued a written statement this afternoon stating Greene’s name was not provided in the initial email from LSP and that Mr. Edwards (quote) “did not see, nor was he aware of,” the videos of Greene’s arrest until October 2020. It also states that the Governor has never intervened in any criminal investigation.

In Rapides Parish over the weekend, a jury convicted 35-year-old Kayla Giles of gunning down her estranged husband, Thomas Coutee Jr., in a Wal-Mart parking lot during a child custody exchange back in September 2018. State Attorney General Jeff Landry says, based upon statements made by Coutee’s family, they’re pleased with the verdict…:

CUT 12(12)      “…what we did.”

Giles faces probable life in prison when sentenced in late March.

The man accused of killing former New Orleans Saint Will Smith, in April of 2016, will face re-trial in the Crescent City, after a defense motion for change of venue was denied. Cardell Hayes earlier conviction for Smith’s death was overturned by the state Supreme Court last year. Smith was shot and killed – and his wife shot and wounded – during a fight over a fender-bender. Hayes says he acted in self-defense. His re-trial begins April 4^th.