KAJN Jesus FM 102.9

A CHILD WAS ONE OF TWO PEOPLE KILLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON L-A THREE-SIXTY-SEVEN IN ACADIA PARISH AT AROUND TEN O’CLOCK SATURDAY NIGHT.  AN INVESTIGATION DETERMINED FORTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD STACY LEMOINE STEVENS OF EUNICE APPARENTLY LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, WHERE HE COLLIDED WITH AN S-U-V.  LEMOINE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE,WHILE FOUR-YEAR-OLD GEORGE ARDOIN OF MAMOU DIED A SHORT WHILE LATER AT THE HOSPITAL.  TWO ADULTS AND ANOTHER CHILD IN THE S-U-V WERE ALSO TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES.

THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE WILL HOLD A FUNERAL MASS TOMORROW FOR THE FORGOTTEN AND UNCLAIMED DEAD IN LAFAYETTE PARISH.  COFFINS OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHOSE BODIES HAVE GONE UNCLAIMED OVER THE PAST YEAR WILL LINE THE AISLE AT THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOHN.  BISHOP DOUGLAS DESHOTEL WILL LEAD THE SPECIAL ALL SOULS DAY MASS, WHICH BEGINS AT FIVE-THIRTY TOMORROW EVENING.  THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND AND CAN SERVE AS PALL BEARERS DURING THE BURIAL IN SAINT JOHN’S CEMETARY.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is giving Louisiana flood insurance policyholders with damage from Hurricane Ida extra time to submit a proof of loss form and documentation about the damage. Usually, people have 60 days after the damage to provide the information, but FEMA tripled that time for Louisiana residents with Ida destruction to their property. The federal agency extended the deadline to 180 days to turn over the required forms and information such as contractor estimates, receipts and photographs of the damage. The proof of loss form is a signed statement explaining how much the repair or replacement of the damaged property is estimated to cost.

ONE PERSON WAS SHOT AND ANOTHER ARRESTED SATURDAY EVENING AT A HOME ON SNAPPER LANE IN LAKE CHARLES.  CALCASIEU PARISH DEPUTIES SAY TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD PHOENIX GRINDOL GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH ANOTHER PERSON, AND WHEN THAT PERSON BEGAN BEATING ON THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE, GRINDOL SHOT THAT PERSON THROUGH THE DOOR.  THE SHOOTING VICTIM IS AT THE HOSPITAL IN SERIOUS BUT STABLE CONDITION.  GRINDOL HAS BEEN BOOKED INTO THE CALCASIEU CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON A CHARGE OF AGGRAVATED SECOND DEGREE BATTERY, AND BOND IS PENDING.

THERE WAS A DRIVE BY SHOOTING IN GRAND COTEAU SUNDAY EVENING.  IT HAPPENED ON ANN STREET.  NO ONE WAS INJURED.  POLICE DO NOT HAVE A DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE DRIVE BY.  IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL SAINT LANDRY CRIME STOPPERS AT NINE-FOUR-EIGHT-TIPS.

A FAMILY OF SEVEN IN LAFAYETTE LOST EVERYTHING IN A HOUSE FIRE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.  FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS A FIREPLACE FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE ATTIC.  TRANDY MCCALLISTER JENKINS SAYS SHE AND HER FAMILY, WHICH RENTED THE HOME, HAS NO FAMILY IN THE AREA AND NO WHERE TO GO.  ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO THE FAMILY CAN GO TO THE GO FUND ME WEB PAGE SET UP BY TRANDY MCCALLISTER JENKINS.

Seven villages in Louisiana lost out on about $240,000 in federal coronavirus aid because they failed to submit the proper paperwork to get the money. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told lawmakers that the state reached out multiple times to urge the villages to submit simple paperwork but didn’t get a response. The unaccepted funds will be reallocated among the 284 towns and villages that did comply. The governor’s Division of Administration was tasked with distributing $315 million in federal aid to nearly 300 local governments.

POLICE IN BREAUX BRIDGE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED SUNDAY AFTERNOON.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

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AN ABBEVILLE MAN WANTED ON SEVERAL CHARGES FLED FROM POLICE WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO PULL HIM OVER IN ABBEVILLE.  A CHASE, THAT AT TIMES EXCEEDED ONE HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR, ENDED IN A FIELD WHEN THE SUSPECT, JAMIE DAVIS, CROSSED THE INTERSTATE ON FOOT AND ESCAPED INTO AN AREA NEAR NATION ROAD.  K9 OFFICERS WERE BROUGHT IN TO TRY TO FIND DAVIS BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  DAVIS IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS AND ABBEVILLE POLICE ADVISE ANYONE WHO FINDS HIM TO NOT CONFRONT HIM BUT CALL POLICE INSTEAD.

FIRED LAFAYETTE POLICE CHIEF THOMAS GLOVER SAYS MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY’S ADMINISTRATION VIOLATED SEVERAL PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES WHEN THEY FIRED HIM WITHOUT REASON.  HE SAYS THAT’S WHY HE HAS FILED AN APPEAL WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.  GLOVER SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS, AND HE CAN’T SIT IDLY BY AND LET SOMEONE VIOLATE HIS RIGHTS.  GLOVER TELLS KLFY TV HE HOPES THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD WILL HEAR HIS APPEAL AND RULE IN HIS FAVOR.

Early voting begins Saturday in Louisiana’s hurricane-delayed fall election, with four constitutional amendments the only thing facing all voters statewide. The weeklong period for voters to cast their ballots in advance of the Nov. 13 election will feature some changed voting locations in areas damaged by Hurricane Ida and may require some advance homework for people to figure out just what the constitutional changes would do. Twenty-one of Louisiana’s 64 parishes have only the constitutional amendments on the ballot, but the other parishes have local races and propositions facing voters. Early voting runs through Nov. 6, excluding Sunday.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS WAS IN LAKE CHARLES YESTERDAY SURVEYING DAMAGE FROM A TORNADO THAT HIT ON WEDNESDAY.  THE E-F-TWO TORNADO STRUCK SOUTH LAKE CHARLES CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO ABOUT A DOZEN HOMES AND CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO SEVERAL OTHERS.  REPORTS SAY THE TORNADO WAS ABOUT THREE HUNDRED YARDS WIDE, HAD WIND SPEEDS OF UP TO 130 MILES AN HOUR, AND WAS ON THE GROUND FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO-POINT-TWO MILES.  THE GOVERNOR SAYS AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED.

THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM IS THE LATEST ACADIANA PARISH TO MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL IN CLASSROOMS.  THE NEW POLICY BEGINS ON MONDAY, BUT STUDENTS WILL STILL HAVE TO WEAR MASKS ON SCHOOL BUSES.  THE JEFF DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD LAST NIGHT VOTED TO MAKE MASKING OPTIONAL AND IT GOES INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.  MASKS ARE ALSO OPTIONAL IN CALCASIEU, CAMERON, ALLEN, BEAUREGARD, ACADIA, LAFAYETTE AND VERMILLION PARISHES.

ALTHOUGH THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE HAS BEEN LIFTED, U-L LAFAYETTE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THEY WILL KEEP THEIR CURRENT MASKING POLICY IN PLACE UNTIL THE END OF THE SEMESTER.  THAT MEANS THOSE IN INDOOR SPACES MUST WEAR FACEMASKS UNLESS THEY ARE ALONE IN PRIVATE OFFICES OR WORKSPACES OR PARTICIPATING IN ORGANIZED INDOOR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES.  A UNIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE SAYS THEIR MASKING PROTOCOL HAS SUCCESSFULLY LIMITED COVID-NINETEEN AND KEEPING IT IN PLACE WILL ENABLE THEM TO PROTECT THE WELLBEING OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY.  UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS WILL REVIEW THE MASKING POLICY AGAIN BEFORE THE SPRING SEMESTER.

The Louisiana Senate has created a special committee to dig into complaints about the use of excessive force by the State Police. The move comes after troopers have been documented in a series of beatings of Black men that have drawn attention from federal investigators. Senate President Page Cortez told The Associated Press that he set up the seven-member advisory panel in response to requests from senators concerned about troopers’ behavior. Republican Sen. Franklin Foil expects the committee to hear from the State Police and the public with an eye toward developing recommendations for tightened laws regarding use of force that legislators can consider.

LEADERS AT OPELOUSAS HIGH SCHOOL ARE HOPING TO GET A FULL TIME POLICE OFFICER TO HELP PATROL THE HALLWAYS.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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A tornado in Lake Charles damaged more than a dozen homes in a part of the state still struggling to recover from repeated weather disasters. The National Weather Service said in a preliminary report posted on Twitter that an EF-2 tornado caused “significant structural damage” to about a dozen homes when it touched down yesterday around midday. Several other homes also received minor damage. Two people were injured.

THE ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS JOINED LAFAYETTE AND VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOLS IN MAKING MASKS OPTIONAL FOR STUDENTS.  SUPERINTENDENT SCOTT RICHARD ANNOUNCED THE DECISION YESTERDAY IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT THEY ARE MAKING THE MASKS OPTIONAL AFTER THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THE END OF THE MASK MANDATE.  RICHARD SAYS STUDENTS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS ON BUSES AND FOLLOW LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH QUARANTINE GUIDELINES.  THE OTHER ACADIANA PARISHES AND JEFF DAVIS PARISH HAVE NOT YET DECIDED ON WHEN OR IF THEY WILL MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL IN THE CLASSROOMS.

A LAFAYETTE PARISH GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED TWO PEOPLE ON FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES IN THE DEATH OF CECIL GRAY.  LAST MONTH, GRAY’S REMAINS WERE FOUND ON A BURN PILE IN THE THREE HUNDRED BLOCK OF BURBANK ROAD.  THREE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH GRAY’S DEATH, INCLUDING THIRTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD SARAH JAYNE JOHNSON AND FIFTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MITCHELL DAVID LEMAIRE, THE TWO WHO WERE INDICTED YESTERDAY.  THE THIRD PERSON ARRESTED, THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD RANDALL FIGARD, WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE INDICTED BY THE GRAND JURY YESTERDAY.

Louisiana’s temporary housing program for people displaced by Hurricane Ida is increasing its pace of getting people into travel trailers nearly two months after the storm wrecked southeastern parishes. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration says the state has bought 2,000 trailers to distribute to storm victims. By Wednesday, 68 of those trailers have families living in them. That’s five times the number from a week earlier.

Families affected by Hurricane Ida now have until Nov. 29 to apply for FEMA disaster help. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the deadline was set to occur on Thursday, but now homeowners and renters who live in 25 parishes have until next month to apply. The affected parishes include: Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary. FEMA’s disaster assistance can help pay for rental assistance, temporary housing and other expenses not covered by insurance.

THE LATEST GUN VIOLENCE IN ABBEVILLE HAPPENED TUESDAY NIGHT NEAR MAUDE AND SCHLESINGER STREETS WHERE SHOTS WERE FIRED.  MANY RESIDENTS ARE UPSET WITH THE AMOUNT OF GUN CRIMES IN ABBEVILLE INCLUDING EARL HARRIS, WHO TOLD KLFY TV THAT ABBEVILLE HAS BECOME A SAD PLACE TO LIVE.  IN RESPONSE, THE VERMILLION PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS STARTED A VIOLENT CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT, WHICH FOCUSES ON GETTING SPECIFIC VIOLENT CRIMINALS OFF THE STREET.  THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE ALSO HAS BEGUN A CRIME STOPPERS LINE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SUBMIT TIPS ANONYMOUSLY.

FORMER LAFAYETTE POLICE CHIEF THOMAS GLOVER SENIOR IS APPEALING HIS OCTOBER SEVENTH FIRING.  GLOVER SAYS HE NEVER RECEIVED HIS TERMINATION PAPERS, WHICH ARE REQUIRED WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF TERMINATION, ACCORDING TO A LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT POLICY.  GLOVER HAS APPEALED TO THE LAFAYETTE POLICE AND CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, BUT HE MAY APPEAL TO A CIVIL COURT IF HIS REQUEST IS NOT AFFIRMED.  HE TELLS THE ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER THAT HE’S NOT SURE WHAT HE’LL DO AFTER THE APPEAL, BUT HE WILL CHECK ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ENSURE HIS RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED.

SAINT LANDRY PARISH CRIME STOPPERS IS ASKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN IDENTIFYING THOSE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DRIVE BY SHOOTING IN THE LAWTELL AREA EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.  AT AROUND ONE A-M, SHOTS WERE FIRED AT A RESIDENCE IN THE TWENTY-EIGHT-HUNDRED BLOCK OF HIGHWAY THIRTY-FIVE.  DEPUTIES FOUND EIGHT BULLET HOLES ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING.  TIPS CAN BE SUBMITTED BY CALLING NINE-FOUR-EIGHT-TIPS OR BY DOWNLOADING THE P3 APP.

Louisiana is ending its statewide indoor mask mandate today after emerging from its latest and worst coronavirus spike of the pandemic and seeing a sharp decline in new COVID-19 infections. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the decision Tuesday. It marks one of the first mask mandates enacted for the delta variant-fueled outbreak to be scrapped. The Democratic governor is lifting the mask requirement for grocery stores, restaurants, bars, retailers, colleges and other sites, but some of Louisiana’s schools will have to keep masking if they don’t follow tight quarantine rules.

HERE’S SYLVIA MASTERS WITH THE LATEST COVID-NINETEEN NUMBERS.

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BECAUSE OF GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS LATEST DECLARATION, MASKS WILL BE OPTIONAL IN LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOLS.  SYLVIA MASTERS HAS MORE.

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ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT SCOTT RICHARD SAYS THEY ARE REVIEWING THE GOVERNOR’S NEW COVID EXECUTIVE ORDER.  HE SAYS THEY SHOULD ANNOUNCE A DECISION BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY ON ANY CHANGES TO THEIR MASK POLICY.  THE VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FOLLOWING THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM’S LEAD AND MAKING MASKS OPTIONAL WITH QUARANTINING.  SAINT MARTIN AND SAINT LANDRY PARISH SCHOOLS ARE MAINTAINING THE CURRENT MASKING POLICY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Louisiana will receive $595 million in federal disaster block grant aid to help with housing restoration and other recovery needs from last year’s back-to-back blows of Hurricanes Laura and Delta. U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy announced the official amount Tuesday. The money is welcomed by officials as critical to rebuilding efforts in southwest Louisiana, but it falls far short of the $3 billion in assistance requested by Gov. John Bel Edwards. It also comes 14 months after Laura wrecked the Lake Charles region.

TUESDAY EVENING LAFAYETTE POLICE PULLED OVER A MAN ON A MOTORCYCLE BUT HE THEN FLED ON FOOT AND BROKE INTO A HOUSE TO HIDE.  IT WAS LATER LEARNED THE MAN HAD STOLEN THE MOTORCYCLE.  POLICE BROUGHT IN DOG UNITS WHO CAUGHT THE SCENT OF THE MAN AND LED POLICE TO THE HOME.  THE WOMAN WHO LIVED IN THE HOME SAYS OFFICERS FOUND HIM AND RECAPTURED HIM INSIDE THE HOUSE, LOCATED NEAR THE CORNER OF MUDD AND GLADYS AVENUE, AND ESCORTED HIM SAFELY OUT THE FRONT DOOR.

YESTERDAY CONNIE SHAKESNIDER GOT HELP FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE TO DELIVER FOOD TO ELDERLY PEOPLE IN SAINT LANDRY PARISH.  CONNIE TELLS KLFY TV SHE’S DOING IT TO HONOR HER MOTHER, WHO FED MANY PEOPLE BEFORE SHE DIED IN TWENTY-EIGHTEEN.  SHE SAYS SHE TOLD HER MOM, WHO LOVED TO FEED PEOPLE, THAT ONE DAY SHE WAS GOING TO FEED HER WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD.  CONNIE SAYS YESTERDAY WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP HER MOTHER’S MEMORY AND GOOD DEEDS ALIVE.

A federal jury in Louisiana has convicted an Alabama man of coercing a girl under the age of 12 to send him explicit photos of herself to create child pornography. Federal prosecutors say in a news release that 45-year-old William Malone of Mobile was convicted Tuesday in Lafayette on seven charges, including five of producing child pornography. The statement says the investigation began after the girl told her mother that Malone had been sexually abusing her. Prosecutors say Malone was captain of a vessel that sailed out of Abbeville and the images were on his phone and laptop, found in a search of that vessel.

A NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD FROM OPELOUSAS WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH ON HIGHWAY ONE SIXTY-SEVEN AT AROUND TWO-THIRTY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE, INDIA FAITH YOUNG WAS TRAVELING NORTH IN A TOYOTA AVALON WHEN SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A CULVERT, FLIPPING THE CAR.  YOUNG, WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT, WAS EJECTED AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE BY THE SAINT LANDRY PARISH CORONER’S OFFICE.  THIS IS THE FORTY-FIFTH FATAL CRASH THIS YEAR IN THE TROOP I AREA, RESULTING IN A TOTAL OF FIFTY-FOUR DEATHS.

LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICERS AND LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES JOINED TOGETHER TAKING WALKS IN LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS.  THEY WENT DOOR-TO-DOOR TO TALK TO RESIDENTS AND FIND OUT THEIR CONCERNS AND IDEAS.  SERGEANT ROBIN GREEN TELLS KLFY TV THAT COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.  FATHER EDWARD DUHON, WHO JOINED THE WALK, SAYS WE HAVE TO BE UNIFIED AGAINST THE THINGS THAT DIVIDE.

A VINTON MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THIRD OFFENSE D-W-I AFTER CRASHING INTO A STATE POLICE VEHICLE.  A STATE POLICE REPORT SAYS TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD DENNIS RAY HILLERY HIT THE STATE POLICE VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED SUNDAY MORNING.  THE TROOPER WAS WORKING A TRAFFIC SAFETY DETAIL WITH HIS EMERGENCY LIGHTS ACTIVATED ON I-TEN WEST OF SULPHUR.  THE TROOPER, HILLERY AND A PASSENGER IN HILLERY’S VEHICLE ALL SUFFERED INJURIES.

HERE’S SYLVIA MASTERS WITH THE LATEST COVID-NINETEEN NUMBERS FOR LOUISIANA.

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Gov. John Bel Edwards will announce whether he’ll keep Louisiana’s indoor mask mandate for another month or let it expire. Tuesday’s decision comes as Louisiana has emerged from its latest coronavirus surge and is seeing lower rates of COVID-19 infection. The Democratic governor seems poised to let the face-covering requirement fall off the books for most public indoor locations when it’s set to expire Wednesday. The main question appears to be whether Edwards will continue the mandate for schools.

Six migrant workers from Mexico have filed a lawsuit against a sugar company in St. Mary Parish, claiming they were illegally underpaid for trucking loads of sugarcane. The lawsuit filed in western Louisiana claims Sterling Sugars Sales Corporation obtained work visas representing the six as farm workers. But the six were put to work as truck drivers — which the lawsuit says requires a much higher rate of pay under federal law. The suit also says the workers were never paid at overtime rates, even though they often worked 80 hours a week.

THIS THURSDAY, THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA SYSTEM BOARD IS EXPECTED TO AUTHORIZE A SALE AND SWAP OF PROPERTIES WITH THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE.  IN THE DEAL, U-L WOULD GET A FIVE-POINT-SIX-SIX ACRE PIECE OF LAND THAT USED TO BELONG TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES HOSPITAL, AND IS BORDERED BY SAINT LANDRY AND SAINT MARY STREETS.  THE DIOCESE WOULD GET A PARKING LOT NEXT TO THE EARL K. LONG GYM, ACROSS FROM OUR LADY OF WISDOM CHURCH ON SAINT MARY STREET, ALONG WITH THREE-POINT-THREE-ONE-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.  BISHOP DOUGLAS DESHOTEL IS NOT READY YET TO SAY WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH THE PROPERTY, ACCORDING TO DIOCESE SPOKESPERSON BLUE ROLFES.

ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR AN ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT FOR OVER A YEAR BUT THEY FINALLY CAPTURED HIM LAST WEEK.  TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BLAKE LANGLINAIS WAS ARRESTED IN THE GUEYDAN-AREA AND, AFTER BEING BOOKED INTO THE VERMILLION PARISH JAIL, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE ACADIA PARISH JAIL LAST FRIDAY.  LANGLINAIS IS ACCUSED OF THE ARMED ROBBERY OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE MERMENTAU AREA.  LANGLINAIS, WHO HAD OTHER OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANTS ON HIM, HAD HIS BOND SET AT ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

OPELOUSAS POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING THAT LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD.  SYLVIA MASTERS REPORTS.

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COX CABLE AND INTERNET CUSTOMERS WERE WITHOUT POWER FOR ABOUT ELEVEN HOURS ON FRIDAY.  A COMPANY OFFICIAL SAYS THEY DETERMINED THE OUTAGE WAS DUE TO VOLTAGE ISSUES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.  SHE SAYS CUSTOMERS STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS MAY NEED TO RESET THEIR MODEM AND UNPLUG THE EQUIPMENT.  SHE SAYS TO WAIT TEN SECONDS AND THEN PLUG IT BACK IN.

The state labor department says Louisiana residents who lost wages because of Hurricane Ida have until Nov. 2 to apply for disaster unemployment assistance. The Louisiana Workforce Commission said the jobless aid is available to eligible people who live in more than two dozen parishes. Those parishes include Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary. People can apply online at laworks.net or by calling 1-866-783-5567 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A PERSON WAS STRUCK BY AN AMTRAK TRAIN LATE LAST NIGHT IN SULPHUR.  THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT THE INTERSECTION OF WEST VERDINE AND NORTH CROCKER STREETS.  IT WAS AROUND ELEVEN THIRTY LAST NIGHT WHEN THE PEDESTRIAN WAS STRUCK AND KILLED.  THE IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

CHURCH POINT POLICE MADE SEVERAL ARRESTS FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER A PERSON WAS SHOT IN THE FACE WITH A PAINTBALL.  THEY IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE INVOLVED AND ARRESTED BOTH ADULT AND JUVENILE SUSPECTS.  CHURCH POINT POLICE SAY IT’S NOT JUST A CHILDISH PRANK WHEN PROPERTY IS DAMAGED AND INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE INJURED.  THEY URGED THOSE WANTING TO ENGAGE IN PAINTBALL WARS TO DO IT IN AREAS WHERE PROPERTY CANNOT BE DAMAGED AND WHERE ONLY WILLING PARTICIPANTS CAN GET HIT.

KAJN IMPACT NEWS       PAGE TWO

ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT AROUND MIDNIGHT, LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICERS WORKING IN THE FIVE HUNDRED BLOCK OF JEFFERSON STREET WERE FLAGGED DOWN BY PEOPLE WHO WITNESSED A MAN CARRYING AN UNCONSCIOUS WOMAN.  POLICE SPOKESPERSON SERGEANT ROBIN GREEN SAYS THE OFFICERS FOUND THE WOMAN, WHO HAD APPARENTLY HAD A DRUG OVERDOSE, AND SHE REVIVED AND REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER THE OFFICERS ADMINISTERED NARCAN.  GREEN SAYS OFFICERS WORKED ON TWO ADDITIONAL OVERDOSE CASES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA FRIDAY NIGHT.  APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED THIRTY PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAY IN THE U-S FROM AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

Nearly $1 of every $4 in state aid sent annually to Louisiana’s public schools disappears before it reaches classrooms. A new report from the legislative auditor says the dollars are siphoned away to pay retirement obligations that cost $853 million a year. Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack’s review says the retirement debt payment amounts to $1,302 per student. The debt is supposed to decline over time, lessening the burden on school systems.

A DOUBLEWIDE HOME IN CROWLEY HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY AN ARSON FIRE. TYLER DUHON HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON ARSON CHARGES AND HIS BOND SET AT FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.  SUSAN POWELL, WHOSE FAMILY LIVED IN THE HOME, TELLS KLFY TV THEY DON’T KNOW WHY DUHON WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE.  A GOFUNDME ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SET UP FOR SUSAN AND FRED POWELL PLUS DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE HOME LOCATION, WHICH IS ONE FIFTY-FOUR KATHERINE DRIVE IN CROWLEY.

INTERIM LAFAYETTE POLICE CHIEF WAYNE GRIFFIN HAS BEEN PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AFTER HE WAS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.  MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY SAYS THEIR HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER WILL LEAD A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGATIONS.  HE SAID IN A PREPARED STATEMENT THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT.  MAJOR MONTE POTIER WILL TAKE OVER COMMAND OF THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

SKELETAL REMAINS FOUND IN LATE AUGUST NEAR RAYNE HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THIRTY-YEAR-OLD DEION HOLLIER, WHO WAS LAST SEEN ON AUGUST THIRD.  A PERSON CUTTING GRASS FOUND THE REMAINS ON LILLIAN G. PIERCE DRIVE.  THE REMAINS WERE SENT TO THE L-S-U FACE LAB AND THE STATE POLICE CRIME LAB WHICH FOUND THEY WERE A POSITIVE MATCH FOR HOLLIER.  AN INVESTIGATON IS UNDERWAY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ top homeland security adviser is resigning, and the governor named the agency’s chief deputy to the position. James Waskom is on medical leave until January, when he’ll formally leave the position he’s held since the start of the Edwards administration in January 2016. Casey Tingle will take over as director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Tingle has been with the homeland security agency since 2009.

The mayor of  Lake Charles says hundreds of commercial buildings damaged last year by Hurricane Laura are being condemned or marked for demolition. The American Press reports that Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter told the City Council on Wednesday that he realizes business owners have needed time to work with insurance companies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but he says people who live or work near those buildings also must be considered. To address this issue, The City Council doubled the daily fine for unsecured commercial properties to $1,000 in certain instances. It also cut in half the 24 months previously allowed for commercial buildings to be boarded up.

COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE CALLING ON ALL IN GREATER SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA TO TAKE PART IN A LAFAYETTE BOYCOTT.  CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS MORE.

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THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS FORMED AN UNDERWATER SEARCH AND RECOVERY TEAM.  THE TEAM INCLUDES FOUR PRIMARY DIVERS, TWO SAFETY DIVERS AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT PERSONNEL.  ONE OF THE DIVERS, PAUL BUSWELL, TELLS KLFY TV THAT THE AREA THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INCLUDES A HUGE AMOUNT OF WATERWAYS.  HE SAYS THE NEWLY FORMED TEAM WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN RESPONSE TIME WHERE, IN THE PAST, THEY HAD TO RELY ON DIVE TEAMS FROM OTHER PARISHES OR CONTRACT DIVERS.

CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS THE LATEST STATEWIDE COVID-NINETEEN NUMBERS.

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PORT BARRE POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A RUNAWAY TEENAGER, ONE WHO HAS A HISTORY OF RUNNING AWAY.  THE MOTHER OF SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Z’KERIA FRANCIS SAYS SHE LAST SAW HER ON SATURDAY WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME FROM THE RICE FESTIVAL IN CROWLEY.  POLICE SAY Z’KERIA HAS CONTACTED HER MOTHER AND TOLD HER SHE WAS IN HOUSTON.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL PORT BARRE POLICE.

The owner of a Louisiana livestock business has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $76,000 in federal coronavirus farm aid. Federal court documents show that 37-year-old Burnell Gabriel Zachary of Arnaudville agreed Tuesday to repay the money as part of a plea deal. Prosecutors say he falsely claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant losses for his livestock business, Zachary’s Ranch, LLC. At sentencing, Zachary faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

BEGINNING MONDAY, EXPECT TRAFFIC SLOWDOWNS ON A SECTION OF AMBASSADOR CAFFERY IN LAFAYETTE BETWEEN WALMART AND ALBERTSONS.  ON THE NORTHBOUND SIDE, THE OUTSIDE LANE BETWEEN CONGRESS AND CURRAN LANE WILL BE CLOSED ON THE WEEKDAYS BETWEEN NINE AND FIVE.  THE SOUND WALL THERE IS BEING REPAIRED AND REPLACED.  THE CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE, OPENING SOMETIME IN MARCH.

Louisiana’s top higher education board is asking for a nearly $220 million state budget increase next year. The Board of Regents says the money would aid its work to boost the number of people obtaining degrees and professional certifications beyond high school. The panel unanimously agreed to the budget request Wednesday and sent it to Gov. John Bel Edwards and state lawmakers as they consider ways to craft spending plans for the financial year that starts in July 2022. The hefty ask would increase the more than $1 billion higher education budget by nearly 20%.

A WATER OUTAGE IS PLANNED FOR WELSH RESIDENTS THIS AFTERNOON.  TOWN OFFICIALS SAY THE WATER WILL BE TURNED OFF AT FOUR P-M AND THE OUTAGE WILL LAST UNTIL SIX P-M.  THE OUTAGE MAY EFFECT ALL OF WELSH.  AFTER THE WATER IS TURNED BACK ON, RESIDENTS WILL BE UNDER A BOIL ADVISORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOLS HAVE PRESENTED THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH AND GIFT CARD DONATIONS TO HURRICANE VICTIMS IN LAFOURCHE PARISH.  VERMILLION PARISH SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT TOMMY BYLER SAYS ALL TWENTY SCHOOLS CONTRIBUTED BY COLLECTING NEARLY TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH AND MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GIFT CARD DONATIONS.  HE SAYS IT’S ONLY NATURAL TO GIVE BACK AFTER LAFOURCHE PARISH HELPED THEM AFTER HURRICANE LAURA LAST YEAR.  LAFOURCHE PARISH SUPERINTENDENT JAROD MARTIN SAYS EVERY CENT DONATED WILL GO TO FAMILIES AND TEACHERS.

LAFAYETTE COMMUNITY ACTIVIST MARJA BROUSSARD HAS ALLEGED THAT INTERIM POLICE CHIEF WAYNE GRIFFIN MAY SOON FACE A SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT.  GRIFFIN WAS APPOINTED TO THE POST ON OCTOBER SEVENTH AFTER MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY TERMINATED FORMER POLICE CHIEF THOMAS GLOVER WITH NO PUBLIC EXPLANATION.  GRIFFIN TOLD THE ADVOCATE TUESDAY NIGHT THAT HE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO BROUSSARD’S ALLEGATION AND HE DOES NOT PLAN ON RESIGNING.  GRIFFIN IS THE FOURTH POLICE CHIEF TO SERVE UNDER GUILLORY’S ADMINISTRATION SINCE IT BEGAN IN JANUARY OF TWENTY-NINETEEN.

HERE’S SYLVIA MASTERS WITH THE LATEST COVID-NINETEEN NUMBERS FOR LOUISIANA.

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A GO FUND ME ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SET UP TO HELP IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTY KEVIN NICK PREJEAN.  HE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE FOUR COLON CANCER THAT HAS SPREAD TO THE LIVER AND LUNGS.  NEARLY TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS HAS BEEN RAISED SO FAR FOR PREJEAN, WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT FOR THIRTEEN YEARS.  IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE, SEARCH THE GO FUND ME-DOT-COM WEBSITE FOR KEVIN NICK PREJEAN AND CLICK ON HIS PAGE.

LAST NIGHT SOME LAFAYETTE RESIDENTS PROTESTED THE FIRING OF LAFAYETTE POLICE CHIEF THOMAS GLOVER AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.  COUNCILMAN GLENN LAZARD SAYS HE PRAYS THE REASON WAS NOT POLITICAL BUT LEGITIMATE BECAUSE GLOVER WAS ONE OF THE BEST CHIEFS THE CITY’S EVER HAD.  ANOTHER COUNCILMAN SAYS AS LONG AS NO REASON IS GIVEN FOR THE TERMINATION, THERE’S A CLOUD THAT WILL CONTINUE TO HANG OVER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, UNDERMINING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.  MAYOR PRESIDENT JOSH GUILLORY DID NOT ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE COUNCILMEN OR RESIDENTS OR GIVE A COMMENT.

IBERIA PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES ARRESTED SIX PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE THEFT OF TWO UTILITY TASK VEHICLES.  A TWO WEEK INVESTIGATION LED TO THE ARRESTS.  IT ALSO RESULTED IN THE DISCOVERY OF OTHER STOLEN ITEMS AND THE SEIZURE OF DRUGS.  ARREST WARRANTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THREE OTHER PEOPLE.

Hurricane Ida’s destruction across southeastern Louisiana will force thousands of voters to cast their ballots at different polling locations for the Nov. 13 election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said Tuesday that elections officials are working to notify people about the dozens of voting location changes through mail, advertising and posted signs around the region. Nine parishes will see some disruption to polling locations because of Ida. Meanwhile, Cameron and Calcasieu parishes in southwest Louisiana still have relocated voting sites because of unrepaired damage from Hurricane Laura.

THE AMERICAN JOB CENTER’S REGION FIVE JOB FAIR WAS HELD YESTERDAY AT THE LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER.  THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF JOB VACANCIES IN CALCASIEU PARISH INCLUDING THREE HUNDRED POSITIONS TO FILL IN THE LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM.  EMPLOYERS ARE SAYING THEY ARE NOT SEEING THE AMOUNT OF APPLICANTS THEY NEED.  BRAD NELSON OF FREEDOM TRUCKS SAYS MANY PEOPLE, AFTER HURRICANE LAURA LAST YEAR, DECIDED TO STAY IN THE NORTH BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF HOUSING IN THE AREA.

U-L LAFAYETTE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INFORMED THEY MUST BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-NINETEEN IN ORDER TO REGISTER FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER.  REGISTRATION IS ON NOVEMBER FIRST.  SENIOR COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST ERIC MARON SAYS THEY ARE ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO EITHER BE VACCINATED OR APPLY FOR AN EXEMPTION IN ORDER TO REGISTER FOR WINTER SESSION OR SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES.  CURRENTLY SEVENTY PERCENT OF U-L STUDENTS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED FULLY OR PARTIALLY.

A NEW CRIMESTOPPERS PROGRAM HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN VERMILLION PARISH BY THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE.  THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE YESTERDAY AT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TRAINING CENTER.  CRIME STOPPERS WILL BE HELPING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BY PROVIDING CASH REWARDS FOR TIPS THAT LEAD TO THE ARREST OR CONVICTIONS OF ALLEGED CRIMINALS.  THE NEW TIPS LINE FOR VERMILLION PARISH IS SEVEN-FOUR-ZERO-TIPS.

Louisiana will introduce an alligator-themed float celebrating the state’s music, food and culture at the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. State tourism chief Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announced the float plans Tuesday. The Thanksgiving Day parade is scheduled for Nov. 25. Nungesser said the float will be used to promote Louisiana and encourage travelers to visit the state.

CROWLEY POLICE SAY A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER, WHO WAS WANTED FOR BREAKING INTO A HOME AND THREATENING THE PEOPLE INSIDE WITH A GUN, HAS BEEN ARRESTED.  CAROLINE MARCELLO REPORTS.

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A GRANT FROM THE C-D-C IS MAKING WEEKLY COVID-NINETEEN TESTING AVAILABLE TO ACADIANA SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR FREE, BUT ONLY THREE PARISHES HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT; SAINT MARTIN, SAINT LANDRY AND EVANGELINE PARISHES.  RACHAEL SLAUGHTER, PRESIDENT OF ORION LABORATORIES, WHICH HAS BEEN HIRED TO DO THE TESTING, SAYS THE GOAL IS TO KEEP STUDENTS AND STAFF OUT OF QUARANTINE AND IN SCHOOL AND IT’S WORKING.  SHE SAYS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY DO TESTING TAKE A TEN SECOND SWAB EVERY WEEK.  SHE SAYS THEY CAN OPT OUT OR TAKE IT EVERY OTHER WEEK, BUT THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS CONSISTENT TESTING WEEKLY.

A TRAILER LOADED WITH FURNITURE CAUGHT FIRE JUST BEFORE DAWN YESTERDAY AT THE LOVE’S TRUCK STOP IN DUSON.  FIRE CHIEF COBY DUHON SAYS THE SCOTT AND CARENCRO FIRE DEPARTMENTS ASSISTED BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE FIRE.  THEY HAD TO CUT THE SIDES OF THE TRAILER AND PULL OUT BURNING FURNITURE IN ORDER TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL.  THE DRIVER TRIED TO UNHOOK THE TRAILER BUT WAS UNABLE TO  AND THE TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AS WELL, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

A LAKE CHARLES MOTHER SAYS SHE IS STILL MOURNING THE DEATH OF HER DAUGHTER, WHO WAS KILLED BY A HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER ALMOST FIVE YEARS AGO.  DONISHA STROMAN WAS GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF HER VEHICLE ON MCNEESE STREET WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE THAT FLED THE SCENE.  HER MOTHER, SANDRA MCCOY, SAYS SHE CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE, CHECKING WITH THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT WEEKLY.  THE FAMILY IS OFFERING A FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLAR CASH REWARD FOR TIPS THAT LEADS TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE LAKE CHARLES POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Louisiana collected enough business taxes during the last budget year to deposit the first $205 million into a never-used trust fund created to curb the state’s boom-and-bust cycles of budgeting. Voters agreed in 2016 to set up the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to siphon off a portion of the state’s oil and gas revenue and corporate taxes when those collections are high. Louisiana triggered the corporate tax collection provision in the budget year that ended June 30. Once the fund reaches $5 billion, up to 10% can be spent on construction projects and roadwork.

THE OPELOUSAS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT HAS AWARDED GRANT MONEY FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS FOR FIVE BUSINESSES.  THE BUSINESSES ARE SEBASTIAN DUPRE JEWELRY, WILD CHILD BOUTIQUE, FRANK’S POBOYS, THE FORMER EMANUEL TEMPLE SYNAGOGUE, AND LA’BELLVUE PETITE CHATEAU.  OPELOUSAS MAIN STREET DIRECTOR MELANIE LEBOUEF SAYS THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE RELIEF TO BUSINESSES AND MORE INVESTMENTS IN THE CITY.   SHE SAYS SHE HOPES OTHER PEOPLE APPLY FOR IT IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPLAINTS AGAINST A LAFAYETTE POLICE OFFICER HAVE BEEN PUT ON HOLD FOR A MONTH.  THE MUNICIPAL FIRE AND POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD MADE THE DEFERMENT BECAUSE OF THE RECENT TERMINATION OF POLICE CHIEF THOMAS GLOVER AND MICHAEL LUNSFORD OF THE GROUP, CITIZENS FOR A NEW LOUISIANA, AGREED.  LUNSFORD SAYS BOTH  COMPLAINTS INVOLVED RESPONDING OFFICER CAPTAIN MICHAEL BROWN.  HE SAYS FORMER CHIEF GLOVER SAID THE MATTER WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND HE FOUND NO FURTHER NEED TO INVESTIGATE BUT THERE WAS NOTHING PUT IN THE FILE, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CASE HAD THERE BEEN AN INVESTIGATION.

CAROLINE MARCELLO HAS INFORMATION ON AN ARREST IN RAYNE.

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The chairman of the University of Louisiana System’s governing board is stepping down after the governor named him to another position. Chairman James Carter was named to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans by Gov. John Bel Edwards. Carter’s exit from the UL board comes six years after he was first appointed to the panel in August 2015. Edwards has named Dana M. Peterson to fill Carter’s spot on the board for the remainder of the term, which ends December 2026.