Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel on vehicles that use public roads and highways. It suspends the penalty for using off-road fuel in licensed highway vehicles through October 22nd. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the rise in diesel costs comes at a bad time.

Cut 5 (11) “…at harvest.”

Commodity prices are also on the rise, which is helping farmers absorb those high diesel costs. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto notes that while fuel costs have risen 60-percent since March, farm commodities like corn, soybeans and rice have risen nearly 20-percent since January.

Cut 23 (10) “…four-month period.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a case of rabies in a dog earlier this month. It’s the first case of canine rabies in Louisiana since 2014 and the fifth in the state in the last 20 years. Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says especially since rabies is almost 100-percent fatal, this underscores the importance of vaccinating your pets as required by law.

Cut 9 (12)  “…interact with them.”

The OMV rolls out a new system designed to support driver licenses, ID cards, credential management and future digital government services, replacing the previous half-century-old technology. Governor Landry says the CHAMP system will make for an easier experience.

Cut 15 (10) “…vehicle registration system.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office is investigating allegations that an LSU football player raped an LSU student. Kendall Danielle says LSU found the player responsible for rape and suspended the student athlete for two semesters; but when the semester began this year, that punishment was reduced to two year’s probation. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says it sounds like LSU followed Title Nine requirements.

Cut 7 (08) “…not theres.”

Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow Louisiana farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel. Richard Fontenot, the president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, says the record cost of diesel affects expenses for farmers across the board, especially during peak harvesting time.

Cut 4 (09) “…and can’t do.”

The OMV moves into the 21st century with a new system for drivers licenses and other services to replace the half-century-old system. Governor Landry says CHAMP gives the public a faster, simpler way to get the services they need. In a video announcement, Landry spoke with a 13-year employee at an OMV office in Baton Rouge.

Cut 14 (13) “…is an upgrade.”

Commodity prices are on the rise, and that’s helping farmers absorb the higher costs of things like fuel and fertilizer. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto says despite that, many farmers are still struggling to cover the high costs of production.

Cut 9 (10)  “…costs have gone.”

An LSU student says she was raped by an LSU football player last October on campus prompting an investigation by the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says sexual assault cases can be difficult to prosecute

Cut 6 (05) “…beyond a reasonable doubt”

The accuser says the incident received a hearing in front of LSU’s Title Nine office, which led to a two-semester ban from campus for the alleged perpetrator. The accused player appealed and LSU reduced the punishment from a suspension to two year’s probation.

The Caddo Parish inmate who escaped last week during a visit to a Shreveport hospital, was captured yesterday in Texas. Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says one reason why Tre’Veon Jackon escaped, there was only one deputy present when he was transported to the hospital…

Cut 11 (10) “…transfer of custody”

Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order to and allow Louisiana farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel. The order suspends the penalty for using off-road fuel in highway-legal forest products and farm use vehicles. Richard Fontenot, president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, says he appreciates the governor’s effort.

Cut 3 (10) “…fuel prices.”

The statewide average cost for diesel gasoline is $6.02, that’s about two-dollars and 50-cents higher than a year ago.

The governor’s office announces that the Office of Motor Vehicles has moved into the 21st century as Louisiana has replaced 50-year-old technology with a modern system designed to support driver licenses, ID cards, credential management and future digital government services. Governor Landry says this new platform will reduce wait times and improve reliability.

Cut 13 (06)  “…it right here.”

OMV offices were closed for two days last week to complete the implementation of the CHAMP driver services platform.

The OMV rolls out a new system designed to support driver licenses, ID cards, credential management and future digital government services, replacing the previous half-century-old technology. Governor Landry says the CHAMP system will save taxpayers 30-million dollars and will make for an easier experience.

Cut 15 (10) “…vehicle registration system.”

Louisiana is closing the digital divide at among the fastest rates in the country. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gar), the executive director of Connect-L-A, says whereas other states could take as long as six years to fully close the digital divide, Louisiana is on pace to do so in just two more years.

Cut 5 (13) “…100-percent.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a reported rape involving an LSU student athlete. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A former high school band director is arrested on juvenile sex allegations. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says the alleged victim, who’s now an adult, came forward and accused 56-year-old Kevin Williams of sexual abuse over the course of several years while in the Haughton High School band program. Bossier Schools says Williams is no longer employed by the district.

Louisiana has successfully replaced the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles’ 50-year-old computer system. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana is ahead of the pack when it comes to closing the digital divide.  According to the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection, Louisiana had the fourth highest proportional growth in the country. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gar), the executive director of Connect-L-A, says the best part is that this local issue is being solved by local providers.

Cut 6 (10) “…to Louisiana contractors.”

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A Caddo Parish inmate who escaped from a deputy during a medical transport last Monda has been captured in Texas.  Sheriff Henry Whitehorn announced last night that 24-year old Tre’veon Jackson was arrested in Marshall, Texas, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force. Jackson was being held in the Harrison County Jail on federal charges, awaiting extradition to Caddo Parish.

Commodity prices are on the rise. That’s helping farmers absorb the higher costs of things like fuel and fertilizer, but economists aren’t sure how long the commodity rally will last. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto notes that while farm commodities like corn, soybeans and rice have risen nearly 20-percent since January, fuel costs have risen a whopping 60-percent since March.

Cut 7 (10) “…four-month period.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a reported rape involving an LSU student athlete. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

After eight days on the run, the Caddo Parish inmate who escaped last is back behind bars. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says U-S Marshals Task Force members apprehended Tre’veon Jackson in Marshall, Texas last night.  The 24-year-old Jackson fled from custody on September 14th as a deputy was moving to put him into a transport van. Whitehorn says new policies have since been put in place to make sure this never happens again.

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Louisiana is closing the digital divide faster than many places in the country. According to the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection, Louisiana had the fourth highest proportional growth in the U-S. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gar), the executive director of Connect-L-A, says Louisiana more than tripled the national average in broadband access increase.

Cut 4 (12) “…100 by 20.”

Speaking of tech improvements, Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles has replaced 50 year old technology with a modern AI powered system. Louisiana contracted with CHAMP titles to replace OMV’s outdated legacy computer systems. Governor Jeff Landry says CHAMP gives the public a faster, simpler way to get the services they need. In a video announcement, Landry spoke with a 13-year employee at an OMV office in Baton Rouge.

Cut 14 (13) “…is an upgrade.”

The Caddo Parish inmate who escaped last week while being transported from a Shreveport hospital has been captured. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says U-S Marshals Task Force members apprehended Tre’veon Jackson in Marshall, Texas.

Jackson’s capture comes after Whitehorn held a press conference yesterday afternoon to announce that prisoner transport policies were not followed properly when Jackson escaped custody.

Cut 10 (12) “…during this transport.”

Whitehorn says new policies are in place to make sure this never happens again.

The governor’s office announces that the Office of Motor Vehicles has moved into the 21st century as Louisiana has replaced 50-year-old technology with a modern system. Governor Jeff Landry says this new AI-powered platform will reduce wait times and improve reliability.

Cut 13 (06)  “…it right here.”

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Louisiana is closing the digital divide at one of the fastest rates in the country. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno unveiled the city’s proposed 2027 budget Tuesday, which includes 77 million dollars in direct cuts, as the city works to close a roughly 100 million dollar deficit.  The proposal includes reductions across city government. But Moreno says it’s designed to protect several services that residents identified as priorities during a series of community meetings and surveys.