Governor Edwards discussed the upcoming clemency hearings for 20 death row inmates on his monthly radio show. He says only after the Pardon Board makes their recommendation will he decide to grant or not. He says the board has to make difficult decisions, and several factors are considered in clemency applications…

Cut 6 (10)  “…public safety.”

Supermarket giant Aldi is set to purchase nearly 400 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket from Southeastern Grocers in a cash deal set to close in the first half of 2024. LSU Economist Jim Richardson says the deal is part of the company’s long-term plan to expand.

Cut 3 (11) “…the package.”

LSU Demographer Tim Slack says from 2020 to 2022 three in four Louisiana parishes saw more deaths than births. Some of the parishes where deaths outnumber births by more than ten percent, Webster, Morehouse, Winn, Franklin, LaSalle, Iberville and Pointe Coupee. Slack says it’s a significant problem…

Cut 9 (11)  “…so forth.”

He says the state’s overall population declined by 67,000 during that time period…

One more day of slightly lower temps and humidity and then it’s back to the excessive heat. Rain chances will stay low through the weekend, worsening the drought problem. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s so dire that for the last 30 days in northwest Louisiana, they’ve only had about a half inch of rain or 15-percent of their normal rainfall amount…

Cut 10 (10) “…normal rainfall.”

Three in four Louisiana parishes have seen more deaths than births between 2020 and 2022. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

A poll paid for by Nexstar Media shows Attorney General Jeff Landry with a big lead over his opponents in the governor’s race. 40-percent of the respondents support Landry, 22-percent support Democrat Shawn Wilson. The rest of the candidates are in the single digits. 17-percent of voters are undecided.

KATC-TV in Lafayette is reporting the hot and dry conditions are causing problems for rice farmers. Associate LSU AgCenter rice economist Michael Deliberto says rice requires a certain amount of moisture in order to grow abundtantly. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the dry weather is also impacting the cattle industry….
cut 11 (11) “….go out there”
Keim says the state could see some rain from a potential tropical disturbance that could form in the Gulf of Mexico early next week.

72-year-old Hamid Ghassemi, a used car dealer in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was found guilty of paying three men to kill his wife in 2015. Ghassemi was upset with the one-million dollar divorce settlement he had to pay her. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says it’s been a painful eight years for the son…
cut 14 (11) “…relationship with”
Despite the first-degree murder conviction, Moore is not seeking the death penalty.

Republican Tim Temple will be Lousiaina’s next insurance commissioner. Temple’s lone challenger on the October 14th ballot, Rich Weaver, has dropped out of the race. Temple has spent 20 years in the insurance business and will replace the retiring Jim Donelon in January.

On his monthly call-in radio show, Governor Edwards discussed the Louisiana Pardon Board’s decision to schedule hearings to review clemency applications from 20 different death row inmates.
Cut 1 (33) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Recent research from LSU Demographer Tim Slack found that three in four Louisiana parishes saw more deaths than births from 2020 to 2022. Slack says overall the state’s population declined by 67,000 during that time period…
Cut 7 (13) “…on balance.”
Some of the parishes where deaths outnumber births by more than ten-percent…Webster, Morehouse, Winn, Franklin, LaSalle, Iberville and Pointe Coupee.

72-year-old Hamid Ghassemi, an ex-car dealer in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder after he hired three men to kill his ex-wife in 2015 so he would not have to pay her a one million dollar divorce settlement. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says a proper verdict was rendered
Cut 13 (09) “…his life.”
Ghassemi paid ten-thousand dollars the three men to kill his wife, who was found dead in a wooded area from a gunshot wound in the spring of 2016.

In his monthly call in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards didn’t add much to the news last week that the Louisiana Pardon Board has scheduled to hear some of the clemency applications from the 56 death row inmates looking to have their death sentences commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The hearings begin in October and Edwards says it usually takes a week or two after it goes before the board, before he receives them…
cut 5 (06) “….a decision”
Edwards opposes the death penalty and there’s a push for death row inmates to have their sentences commuted before he leaves office in January.

Wildfires continue to plague Sabine and Grant parishes and State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is no significant chance for rain the rest of this week…
cut 12 (03) “…rain bad”
There’s the possibility of tropical development in the Gulf of Mexico early next week, which could bring us some rain.

Several schools from Bossier City to Baton Rouge to Houma and New Orleans received bomb threats yesterday. Several schools were placed on lockdown and in Baton Rouge, Police Chief Murphy Paul, says they sent bomb squads and K-9 units to these schools searching for possible explosives…
cut 23 (09) “…appropriate”
The investigation continues.

A used car dealer in Baton Rouge and Lafayette has been found guilty of first degree murder for hiring three men to kill his ex-wife in April of 2015. 72-year-old Hamid Ghassemi will be formally sentenced to life in prison in September. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…
cut 15 (10) “….outstanding job”

On his monthly radio call-in show, Governor Edwards discussed the clemency applications from death row inmates that will be reviewed by the Louisiana Pardon Board. The board originally rejected to hear the 56 cases on the grounds, they weren’t filed within a year of their final appeal being denied, but Edwards directed the panel to do so anyway. So far 20 of the cases have been scheduled for review.
Cut 4 (08) “…to comment.”
Hearing dates have been set between October 13th and November 27th.

Research from LSU demographer Tim Slack finds that three in four Louisiana parishes saw more deaths than births between 2020 and 2022. Slack says the state had the fifth-highest overall death rate during that time period, with only 414 more births than deaths…
cut 8 (11) “…overdose epidemic”

A second consecutive morning with lower humidity, but a lack of rainfall is presenting problems. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a low chance of a tropical wave developing in the central or western Gulf of Mexico early next week.

Delhi Police confirm a shooting near the high school this afternoon.  Adam Holland with our affiliate KWCL he says a 9-1-1 call was received about a fight on campus and when authorities arrived faculty had already broken up the altercation. While escorting the students off campus shots were heard near the school Holland says the high school and nearby schools were put on lockdown.

Cut 29 suspect. :06

And law enforcement in multiple cities are dealing with bomb threats and potential violence at Louisiana high schools. In Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge High School and two nearby private schools were put on lockdown after a bomb threat was called in to a suicide hotline. BRPD Chief Murphy Paul says officers found no devices, but he’s aware of similar threats elsewhere in the state.:

CUT 14  (08)        “…in Denham.”

Following the first day of hearings over juvenile inmate being housed at Angola, advocates voiced their frustrations with the Office of Juvenile Justice at a press conference Tuesday. Lead counsel, David Utter with the Fair Fight Initiative says they want to know if the state is treating juveniles with deliberate indifference.

Cut 3 (12) “…into a cell.”

After multiple escapes from juvenile facilities, the decision to move some inmates to Angola was made and more than a dozen teens have been housed there for the last 10 months.

Winning by default is still winning. Louisiana has a new insurance commissioner-elect, after one of the two men running for that office dropped out of the race. That leaves DeRidder Republican Tim Temple elected by default. Temple will be sworn into office next January.

Head Coach Brian Kelly spoke to the media on Wednesday and gave updates on the team and what the rest of practices will look like moving forward. Before he spoke more on the Tigers, he addressed the situation on former 5-star transfer cornerback Denver Harris.

Cut 28 (12) “…this week.

Kelly says that the team plans on having an organized scrimmage on Saturday in Tiger Stadium and he goes over what that will look like.

Cut 29 (16) “…that we’ll get.

Not much else is known about when the scrimmage will be besides the fact that it is on Saturday, but if you have any questions go TigerRag.com and listen to the latest episode of the Tiger Rag Audibles podcast.

The Saints played their first preseason game last week and had many new faces take the field for the team, but there was one more that still has not played in the black and gold. Linebacker Jaylon Smith signed with New Orleans a few days before they played the Chiefs in preseason week 1, but only planned on playing in an emergency situation. Smith says that he has switched teams quickly before, and learning the defense should not take long.

Cut 26 (12) “…it won’t take long.”

Rookie wide receiver A.T. Perry was also a new face on the field and had one of the best performances for the team in his first game. Perry caught six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown and says how he was able to settle in and still play at a high level.

Cut 27 (12) “…most importantly

The Saints will take on the Chargers in Los Angeles for preseason week 2 on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 6:05 pm CT.

Students at Dehli High School are no longer on lockdown after reports of a shooting near campus. Adam Holland with our affiliate KWCC says Sheriff deputies received a call just before 2 o’clock of a fight on campus and on arrival, they were informed the fight was broken up by faculty. Holland says while they were removing students from the school…

Cut 28 on lockdown. :11

A sweep of the school determined the area was safe and students have been released from school, video surveillance of the area is being reviewed.

Hearings continue challenging the state on the housing of juvenile offenders at Angola continue. The Fair Fight Initiative is concerned with the youthful offenders’ well-being. FFI’s David Utter says there’s concern over their safety…:

CUT 05  (07)        “…deserves.”

The race to be Louisiana’s next Insurance Commissioner has been decided before the October primary after one of the two men running – Ascension Parish Democrat Rich Weaver – dropped out. That leaves DeRidder Republican Tim Temple as the sole candidate and winner by default. Temple will be sworn in in January.

Organizers of the 49^th annual Festival Acadiens in Lafayette have announced the lineup for their big Cajun shindig from October 13^th through 15^th. Festival VP Patrick Mould says visitors can expect a great experience of Acadian music and culture…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…craft fair.”

Mould says this year holds double excitement with the observation of Lafayette Parish’s Bicentennial. Mould says volunteers are still being sought to assist with the event.

Three Baton Rouge high schools were put on lockdown following a bomb threat. Baton Rouge High, Catholic High and St. Joseph Academy are all fairly close to one another. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says the threat came in via a suicide hotline, and no device or firearms have been found…:

CUT 12  (12)        “…New Orleans.”

Republican Tim Temple, an insurance professional from DeRidder, will be your new state Insurance Commissioner. He was elected by default, after the only other candidate in the race, Ascension Parish Democrat Rich Weaver, dropped out. Temple will be sworn in next January. Current Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is retiring and not seeking re-election.

The fall lineup for the 49^th annual Festivals Acadiens et Creoles is out, and it features Sonny Landreth, Roddie Romero, and many others scheduled to headline October 13th through 15th at Girard Park in Lafayette. Festival VP Patrick Mould says it’s a celebration of music and cultural heritage…:

CUT 09(11)      “…we speak.”

This is the 49^th year for the Festival, which will also observe Lafayette Parish’s bicentennial.

Love the birds? Want to help them migrate this fall? The Louisiana Wildlife Federation asks you go Light Out. They ask you turn off excessive bright outdoor lights that can confuse the billions of migratory bird, causing some to crash into stuff and die. LWF’s Charles Williams…:

CUT 08(12)      “…out of the home.”

He asks you cut the lights from 11pm ‘til 6am between now and mid-November.

Hearings over the treatment of juveniles held in Angola enter its second day. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

As part of the Lights Out for fall bird migration, Louisiana Wildlife Federation is asking everyone to lower or eliminate bright exterior lighting to protect birds. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”  

______________________________________

Following the first day of hearings over teens being housed at Angola, advocates voiced their frustrations with the Office of Juvenile Justice at a press conference Tuesday. Lead counsel, David Utter with the Fair Fight Initiative says they want to know if the state is treating juveniles with deliberate indifference.

Cut 3 (12) “…into a cell.”

After multiple escapes from juvenile facilities, the decision to move some inmates to Angola was made and more than a dozen teens have been housed there for the last 10 months.

Utter says they have documentation that shows the OJJ is in violation of state law by holding inmates, ages 14 to 18, in their cells for more than 23 hours a day.

Cut 4 (07) “…cell restriction.”

The juveniles are separated from the adult prisoners and are held where death row inmates were previously held in Angola.

Utter says Louisiana houses far too many juveniles and when asked where should they be held after multiple escapes from the Bridge City facility, he says the case is not about that.

Cut 5 (07) “…deserves.”

During today’s hearing experts will testify about the dangers of extreme heat and children.

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is encouraging building owners, businesses, and residents to participate in turning off bright or excess outdoor lighting from 11 PM to 6 AM every day through November 15 to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly through Louisiana at night. LWF Board Member Charles Williams says city lights can misguide birds, diverting them off course with often dire consequences…

Cut 6 (11) “…them die.” 

During the 2022 fall migration, an estimated 478 million birds migrated through the state of Louisiana. Williams says buildings and windows kill roughly a million birds in the U-S every year.

Cut 7 (11) “…exterior lighting.” 

LWF passed a resolution earlier this year requesting that all public buildings observe ‘lights out’ as the official policy of the state. Williams says reducing lighting is one of the easiest ways everyone can take part in this initiative.

Cut 8 (12) “…the home.”

To read the full resolution, https://lawildlifefed.org/resolution/lights-out-to-save-migrating-birds/

______________________________________________

The fall lineup for the 49^th annual Festivals Acadiens et Creoles is in and Sonny Landreth, Roddie Romero, and others are scheduled to headline October 13 through 15 at Girard Park in Lafayette. Festival VP Patrick Mould says it’s a celebration of music and cultural heritage…

Cut 9 (11)  “…we speak.”

The three-day music festival will include a crafts fair, chefs demonstrations, workshops, and more. Mould says it’s a great way for someone to come and experience cajun culture and music…

Cut 10 (09)  “…craft fair.”

Mould says there’s double excitement this year with the celebration of Lafayette Parish Bicentennial. He says the festival brings people from around the world together and they’re preparing for another great year.

Cut 11 (08)  “…the festival.” 

The official pin and poster will be revealed at Hilliard Art Museum’s fall opening on September 8 at 6 PM.

_____________________________________________________

A bomb threat was called in to several schools today which prompted students to be placed on lockdown. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says a call was made through the suicide hotline that there was a bomb and a gun at Baton Rouge High School. He says other schools received similar threats.

Cut 12 (12) “…New Orleans area.”

Paul says no device nor gun was found at Baton Rouge High and students are expected to be dismissed at their normally scheduled time. Paul says several law enforcement agencies responded to the threat including bomb squads and K-9 units.

Cut 13 (09) “…appropriate.

Paul says investigators learned of similar threats at schools in other parishes.

Cut  14 (09)  “…in Denham.”

The investigation is ongoing.