Drivers in Louisiana won’t be getting a break anytime soon on the cost of getting around by car or truck. Tim Waldenback, of Zutobi, an online driver’s education platform, says a report just issued indicates insurance premiums will help keep the state as the most expensive in the nation to operate a vehicle for, well …a long while…:

CUT 06(09)      “…years as well.”

He says high fuel costs will also contribute to that alarming prediction.

A cold front will be crossing into the state tonight and tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the chances of scattered showers will persist this evening and through Thursday….:

CUT 12(08)      “…arctic air…”

Keim predicts great autumn football weather for Friday and Saturday.

New Orleans hosted the first offshore oil and gas lease sale in 2021 today. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

Lawmen in Shreveport report a man shot multiple times early this morning when he met someone to make a transaction that started on social media. The victim is expected to recover. Caddo deputies say there was another big fight at the troubled Southwood High School, where there were numerous brawls earlier this fall. And Bossier deputies arrest a pair of people for burglarizing a Bossier City gun store; taking over 60 weapons.

The first offshore oil & gas lease sales of 2021 happened today in New Orleans, after President Biden placed a moratorium on offshore development shortly after taking office. However, a 13-state lawsuit led by state Attorney General Jeff Landry resulted in a nationwide injunction against the President’s order. Mr. Landry…:

CUT 03  (10)        “…lease sales.”

Landry calls today’s sales a win for Americans who crave affordable & dependable energy.

Calcasieu Parish deputies arrest a 16-year-old girl for the shooting death of an 18-year-old male last weekend. Officers say it happened Saturday night, and the victim died today in a local hospital. The young woman was booked into Juvenile Detention.

A New Orleans postal worker has been indicted for throwing away mail. 33-year-old Darius Patin was charged last week with tossing out over 1300 pieces of mail back in April. Patin is the second New Orleans postal worker charged with is the past year.

Caddo Parish investigators are seeking any clues as to the whereabouts of Shreveport resident Kenneth Cole, who’s been missing for six years. Cole’s family says he booked a flight to Vegas in 20125, but never made that flight. With no evidence of foul play, deputies hope someone will come forward.

A man who was 17-year-old when convicted and sentenced to life for killing an East Baton Rouge deputy is getting out of jail after nearly 58 years in prison. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(38)      “…Brannen.”

A now 75-year-old Louisiana man who has spent about 58 years of his life in prison for the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy when he was 17 was granted parole today by the Louisiana Parole Board.  Kerry Myers, Deputy Director of the Louisiana Parole Project, says the release of Henry Montgomery, follows a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life sentencing without parole for juveniles was cruel and unusual punishment since the brain isn’t fully developed until your 26 or 27 years old. He says Montgomery’s case opened the door for many other such cases involving juveniles to be reviewed.

Cut 10  (09)  “…an automatic release.”

Police in Abbeville has arrested a teen in connection with the shooting of another teen as he was getting off a school bus Tuesday afternoon. Police are not releasing any other information at this time on the arrest. The shooting victim reportedly spent hours in surgery as a result of the shooting that happened near Schlesinger and Maude Streets.

Drivers in Louisiana won’t be getting a break anytime soon on the cost of getting from here to there. Tim Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, an online driver’s education platform, says in a report just issued that insurance premiums will help keep the state as the most expensive in the nation to operate a vehicle in 2031. He sees no indication that fuel costs will reverse course significantly over the next decade, keeping the state on track for wallet-draining prices at the pump, more so than any other state in the U.S.

Cut 7 (09) “….in 2031.”  

The search continues for 36-year-old Michelle Smith who is accused of biting a large portion of a policeman’s ear off. Houma Police Lieutenant Travis Theriot says the officer was injured after responding to a fight among a group of women at Joni B’s Bar in Houma…
cut 14 (08) “…we’re hopeful”
Once Smith is arrested, she’ll be charged with second-degree battery.

Drivers in Louisiana won’t be getting a break anytime soon at when it comes to cost auto ownership. Tim Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, an online driver’s education platform, says insurance premiums will keep the state on track to become the most expensive in the nation to operate a vehicle in 2031.

 Cut 6 (09) “…years as well.” 

Included in the newly signed infrastructure bill is $65-billion in funding to expand broadband, and that includes rural Louisiana. Senator Bill Cassidy says the expansion could lead to distribution centers being able to locate in parts of the state once not considered by companies.

Cut 12 (12) “…those businesses there.”

A now 75-year-old Louisiana man who’s spent about 58 years in prison for the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy when he was 17 is granted parole by the Louisiana Parole Board. Louisiana Parole Project Deputy Director Kerry Myers says Henry Montgomery’s parole, follows a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that a mandatory life sentence without parole for juveniles is cruel and unusual punishment since the brain isn’t fully developed until your mid 20s.

Cut 9 (08) “…of his life.”

Montgomery had originally been sentenced to death for the murder of Deputy Charles Hurt.

Senator Bill Cassidy is boasting of the 65-billion dollars contained in the just signed trillion-dollar infrastructure bill to address improving broadband service, especially in rural areas of Louisiana.

Cut 10 (06)  “…have broadband.”

He says expanding broadband service in the state will have a positive impact in a wide number of areas, including education, all for the betterment of Louisiana.

Houma police are still searching for a woman that was involved in an altercation at Joni B’s Bar shortly after midnight Friday. Lt. Travis Theriot says police were called to the scene to break up a fight among a group of women and for one officer it’s a call he won’t soon forget.

Cut 13 (09) “…portion of his ear.”

If you have any information on Williams whereabouts you are asked to call Houma PD or Crimestoppers.

Louisiana’s Fort Polk, in Vernon Parish, could have a new name soon. Fort Polk spokesman Kavanaugh Breazeale (bruh-ZELL) says this comes after Congress agreed to rename military installations and vessels named for members of the Confederacy. He says they are inviting community leaders to engage in the discussion at an event Thursday on base…:

Cut 4 (07) “…for Fort Polk. “

In recognition of Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says they are holding events, even virtual ones to teach students and all Louisianans about the benefits of apprenticeship today and one at the end of the month dedicated to healthcare.

Cut 9 (08)  “…those jobs.”

Visit LWC’s Facebook page for more info and to register.

The state Department of Health is launching what it’s calling “Just Check”, a campaign targeting the rising number of syphilis cases in north and central Louisiana. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

Police in Abbeville has arrested a teen in connection with the shooting of another teen as he was getting off a school bus Tuesday afternoon. Police are not releasing any other information at this time on the arrest. The shooting victim reportedly spent hours in surgery as a result of the shooting that happened near Schlesinger and Maude Streets.

Louisiana’s Fort Polk, in Vernon Parish, could have a new name in the next year or sooner. Fort Polk spokesman Kavanaugh Breazeale (bruh-ZELL) says this comes after Congress agreed to rename military installations and vessels named for members of the Confederacy. A Thursday meeting at the Army base will have state and civic leaders in attendance to talk it over.

Cut 6 (09) “..for Fort Polk.”

It’s Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week and Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says the program not only helps students but it’s also a perfect opportunity for Louisianans who are interested in transitioning from one career to another.

Cut 8 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

Visit LWC’s Facebook page for more info.

The process is starting on changing the name of Louisiana’s lone Army base, Fort Polk in Vernon Parish, which is named after Confederate General and Episcopal Leonidas Polk. Military complexes nationwide will be renamed to help quell ill feelings still being felt over the Civil War and slavery. Fort Polk spokesperson Kavanaugh Breazeale (bruh-ZELL) says the public may suggest a new name online at www.theNamingCommission.gov…:
cut 5 (13) “….will go from there”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the infrastructure bill signed this week contains 65-billion dollars to expand broadband around the country. Cassidy says this will improve economic development in rural areas…
cut 11 (12) “….place of work”

It’s Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week and the Louisiana Workforce Commission is celebrating with job fairs. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleans says it will keep its vaccine mandate in place to enter restaurants and many businesses through Mardi Gras in an effort to make sure the carnival season can happen safely. LSU is lifting its indoor mask mandate on the Baton Rouge campus.

Warm today, cold front arrives tomorrow with some rain.

It’s Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week and Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says they are celebrating by offering an apprenticeship fair today connecting job seekers with opportunities, and a virtual fair for students….
Cut 7 (09) “…our Facebook page.”
Apprenticeship programs allow students to learn on-the-job skills, earn a wage, and also earn education credits.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is excited about high-speed internet coming to rural areas of Louisiana that currently are dealing with slow internet speeds. Cassidy says 65-billion dollars in grants for broadband development are contained in the federal infrastructure bill…
cut 10 (06) “…currently have broadband”
He says expanding broadband service will have a positive impact in a wide number of areas, including education.

The search continues for 36-year-old Michelle Smith who is accused of biting a large portion of a policeman’s ear off. Houma Police Lieutenant Travis Theriot says the officer was injured after responding to a fight among a group of women at Joni B’s Bar in Houma…
cut 14 (08) “…we’re hopeful”
Once Smith is arrested, she’ll be charged with second-degree battery.

The Louisiana Health Department has launched the “Just Check” campaign. It’s urging those concerned about possibly having syphilis to get checked and educated about the sexually transmitted disease. Deputy Director of Operations for the Louisiana STD-HIV Hepatitis Program Chaquetta Johnson says a majority of cases involve men who are otherwise healthy under the age of 40….
cut 17 (09) “…north Louisiana, yes”
Johnson says ignoring symptoms and not getting tested could result in consequences that last the rest of your life.

Named for a Confederate general, Fort Polk – in Vernon Parish – will soon get a new moniker. Kevin Gallagher reports on the selection process…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

As a result of a low number of COVID cases, LSU is lifting its indoor mask mandate. The state health department reported just nine COVID deaths yesterday and the number of COVID patients in the hospital statewide is 209.

Governor John Bel Edwards holds his monthly radio call-in show today at 2 PM.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the massive infrastructure bill signed into law this week contains 65-billion dollars in grants for broadband deployment. Cassidy says this could lead to economic development in rural parishes…
Cut 12 (12) “…those businesses there.”
Cassidy says Louisiana is also one of eight stats that will share 150-million dollars in grants to improve economic and community growth.

The “Just Check” campaign is being launched by the Louisiana Department of Health in an effort to address the rising number of syphilis cases in the state. Chaquetta Johnson is the Deputy Director of Operations for the Louisiana STD/HIV Hepatitis Program:
Cut 15 (10) “…and north Louisiana.”
Johnson notes that syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection that had been on the decline, but has been increasing in the northeast part of the state.