BATON ROUGE, La. (KALB) – On Monday, August 12, Louisiana Treasurer Dr. John Fleming announced his recommendation for not approving Bank of America as an authorized fiscal agent for the State of Louisiana.

State Treasurer Fleming announced he did not approve an application by Bank of America for the financial institution to become one of the many “authorized fiscal agents” for the State of Louisiana, nor was the application recommended to the Louisiana Interim Emergency Board.

According to Fleming, he made his decision after reviewing news reports and evidence alleging the institution has deliberately denied banking services to the customers of Christian organizations, firearms manufacturers and fossil fuel producers out of political bias and discrimination and not bank policy or law violations; a claim the financial institution says is “factually incorrect.”

“Since the 1960s, the people of the United States have made it clear that discrimination against fellow Americans is unacceptable. It appears that Bank of America, among other financial institutions, has revived this disgraceful practice.”

Among the discriminatory actions and political bias, Fleming said the institution has conducted a practice known as “de-banking,” an act where a banking organization closes an entity’s bank account due to concerns of risk (financial, reputational or legal).

Fleming highlighted Bank of America’s connections to a United Nations-based alliance made up of 43 other countries, that advocates for stronger green energy, which the Louisiana Treasurer says if implemented, would have “extremely negative economic consequences for the people of Louisiana.”

Dr. Fleming has previously denounced Bank of America in April, in a joint letter with 12 other U.S states alleging the bank has a “track record of de-banking religious organizations.”

“No American should be denied access to banking services or face discrimination because of their political viewpoints, party affiliation, religious beliefs or occupation.”

Bank of America has since released a letter in response to the accusations, denying religious and/or political views as a factor in account decisions. In a given statement to KALB, Bank of America says they are, ” proud to provide banking services to more than 100,000 non-profits associated with religious organizations.”

You can view Bank of America’s full response to the joint letter here:

Due to Fleming’s choice not to recommend the application for Bank of America to become an authorized fiscal agent, the financial institution will not handle or disburse funds for the State of Louisiana.

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Copyright 2024 KALB. All rights reserved.

A southwest Louisiana man who was arrested in July and again this month on allegations of abusing children is said to have been working as a teacher and a deacon at a Baptist church according to KPLC.

According to the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, they started an investigation into Andrew Guidry on July 22 after complaints came in about the man. They arrested him on two counts of Sexual Battery on a victim below the age of 15.

When he was arrested he was booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail on July 24, and his bond was set at $100,000.

Then during the month of August, another victim came forward claiming they were harmed. Guidry was arrested by Beauregard Sheriff’s detectives on August 5 for another Sexual Battery count. The Sheriff says the person was in charge at the time the incident happened.

KPLC then continued to investigate the 32-year-old man to discover that Guidry was a teacher at Beauregard High School between the years of 2022 and 2024. School officials say they do not believe that the victims involved in these crimes were students at the school. Checking other records they found that for six days at some point Guidry was a substitute teacher at

It was also discovered that Guidry was a deacon at Dry Creek Baptist Creek. Their Senior Pastor Charlie Bailey says Guidry is suspended from a leadership position within in the church while the authorities are continuing to investigate this man.

At the beginning of the case, and continuing now, officials with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office are asking anyone who might have been a victim to call them at 337-463-3281.

Guidry is currently being held in jail on a $50,000 bond after the latest victim has come forward.

As far as members of Dry Creek Baptist Church, Bailey says he does not think any of the victims were at the church in a related function but he also says that anyone who knows something should report it to law enforcement or talk to a church elder.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This is a developing story, and the KPEL News Team is working to provide additional coverage for Acadiana. Updates will be shared as they become available, so download the KPEL News app via Google Play or in the App Store and subscribe to breaking news alerts to get the latest information sent directly to your mobile device.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – With football season approaching, teams across the country are preparing for game day, but here in the South, one of the biggest concerns for any athlete is the heat.

This year, temperatures in Cenla have consistently been in the 90s and above, creating a dangerous obstacle for teams to tackle.

KALB’s Julia Keller learned more about how to keep student-athletes hydrated and how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

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