US Senator Bill Cassidy officially endorses Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor. Landry is the perceived front-runner in the race and is one of five Republicans who’ve declared their intent to run. Cassidy issued his support this morning.
Cut 3 (08) “…of the state.”
University of Louisiana at Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross believes other Republicans will follow suit and begin to announce their support of Landry.
Cut 4 (12) “…unchecked.”
The other Republicans in the race are Sharon Hewitt, Richard Nelson, John Schroder and Stephen Waguespack. Independent Hunter Lundy is also in the race and Governor Edwards has endorsed the lone major Democrat Shawn Wilson. Qualifying is next week.

Just an extremely hot day across Louisiana with high temperatures near 100-degrees. Expect extremely hot temperatures every day this week and Aaron Day at the National Weather Service in Shreveport says there’s little chance for rain…
cut 12 (11) “….and thunderstorms”

The City of Minden will soon be without power as a citywide blackout is planned to repair damage to an Entergy substation due to an early morning fire Sunday. Mayor Nick Cox says there was major damage to the transformer that connects to the power grid…
Cut 13 (12) “…on fire.”
Entergy and AEP are currently are working on a timeline for the controlled outage.

Attorney General Jeff Landry, the front-runner in the 2023 governor’s race, has received the endorsement of U-S Senator Bill Cassidy. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the momentum continues to grow for Landry….
cut 6 (09) “…fundraising”
Meanwhile the other candidates in the race are taking shots at Landry. Sharon Hewitt, says Landry is Louisiana’s top law enforcement official, but yet crime has increased the last eight years.

The city of Minden is bracing for the loss of power after an Entergy substation caught on fire Sunday and in order for repairs to be done, the electricity has to be shut off. Minden Mayor Nick Cox…
cut 15 (09) “….we’re ready”
Cox says they do not know when the power outage will occur or how long it will last.

Gas prices are on the rise again with the average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide at $3.36 up by fifteen cents compared to last week. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Plastic fabrication company, Ampacet Corporation will close its production plant in DeRidder early next year. 65 workers will lose their jobs. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the first round of layoffs will take place the last full week of August.

US Senator Bill Cassidy is the latest Republican to announce his support of Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor. Cassidy says Landry, like himself, is fighting to make flood insurance more affordable.

Cut 5 (11)  “…paying jobs.”

Qualifying for the October 14^th primary election is next week.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.36. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says an increase in crude oil prices is to blame. He says oil-producing countries recently agreed to hold back production on crude and its driving prices.

Cut 8 (11)  “…the market.” 

But it’s an improvement from this time last year when the average was $3.89 a gallon.

And the heat goes on, the majority of the state is under an excessive heat warning today. National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says they are evaluating if an advisory should be necessary for Tuesday and sadly it doesn’t look like we’ll see relief anytime soon.

Cut 11 (08)  “…into the weekend.”

And the heat is not welcome news for Miden because they’ll have a citywide blackout so repairs to an Entergy substation can be performed. Mayor Nick Cox advises residents to look out for official communications through social media and local radio for updates…

Cut  14 (12)  “…to us.”

Repairs are needed after the substation was caught on fire Sunday.

US Senator Bill Cassidy is the latest Republican to back Jeff Landry in the governor’s race. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

With tomorrow being August first, several new laws will go into effect, including Act 436 which limits what books minors can check out of public libraries. The legislation requires libraries to adopt a policy that prevents children from getting access to sexually explicit material at the library.

An excessive heat warning is in effect for north and southeast Louisiana, which means heat index values above 110-degrees. Expect extremely hot temperatures every day this week and Aaron Day at the National Weather Service in Shreveport says there’s little chance for rain…
cut 12 (11) “….and thunderstorms”

The City of Minden will soon be without power as a citywide blackout is planned to repair damage to an Entergy substation due to an early morning fire Sunday. Mayor Nick Cox says there was major damage to the transformer that connects to the power grid…
Cut 13 (12) “…on fire.”
Entergy and AEP currently are working to plan a timeline for the controlled outage.

US Senator Bill Cassidy officially endorses Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor. University of Louisiana Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross believes it’s only the beginning and other Republicans will follow suit and begin to announce their support of Landry.

Cut 4 (12)  “…unchecked.” 

Qualifying for the October 14^th primary is from August 10^th through the 12^th.

The National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning for most of north and southeast Louisiana. The warning is in effect until 7:00 PM in southeast Louisiana until 8 o’clock tonight for north Louisiana. Meteorologist Aaron Davis says residents within the warning area will experience downright oppressive temperatures…

Cut 10 (10)  “…some areas.”

Gas prices are on the rise again with the average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide at $3.36 up by fifteen cents compared to last week.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”  

US Senator Bill Cassidy officially endorses Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor. Landry is the perceived front-runner in the race and is one of five Republicans who’ve declared their intent to run. Cassidy issued his support this morning.

Cut 3 (09) “…of the state.” 

Cassidy says Landry also supports coastal restoration, green energy, and better access to mental health services.

And speaking of elections, Have you received a text message from a candidate running for office this fall? This is becoming more and more common and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s an easy way to get your name out there:

Cut 13 (11) “…name recognition”
The FCC says political text messages can be sent without permission as long as the sender does not use auto-dialing technology.

Despite a decrease in demand, the cost of gasoline in the Bayou State jumped up fifteen cents since last week. Today’s statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.36 according to AAA. Fuel analyst Don Redman says supply is pushing prices higher.

Cut 7 (11)  “…weakening supply.” 

Redman says prices for crude were at 67 dollars a barrel last month.

Construction for a new warehouse for Second Harvest Food Bank in Houma will get underway in August. President of the food bank Natalie Jayroe says after Katrina they opened a facility in Lafayette, and they hope to have a total of four after the expansion.

Cut 11 (09)  “…resilient hubs.”

Second Harvest serves the southern half of the state.

The state is offering twelve months of free LifeLock credit monitoring to millions of Louisianans who had their personal information leaked in a cyber data breach last month. But Leesville Republican Representative Chuck Owen is calling for more transparency…

Cut 4 (09)  “…the administration.”

For more information about the data breach, you can visit nextsteps.la.gov.

Louisiana Housing Corporation is expanding the 2023 Blue Tarp Fund Roofing Repair Program waitlist to additional applicants who have roof damage that may qualify to receive a new roof. LHC Executive Director Joshua Hollins says certain applicants will be placed at the top of the list…

Cut 8 (06) “…the home.”

Homeowners can apply at lhc.la.gov/bluetarp.

If you’ve been receiving text messages from gubernatorial candidates, you’re not alone. Sharon Hewitt, Stephen Waguespack, and other gubernatorial candidates are using text messages to reach out to supporters. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says that could make some voters angry and possibly backfire…

Cut 15 (11)  “…from campaigns.”

The FCC says political text messages can be sent without permission as long as the sender does not use auto-dialing technology.

Second Harvest Food Bank will begin building a new 17,000-square-foot warehouse in Houma in August. The new facility will allow the agency to better service Terrebonne, Lafourche, and St. Mary parishes, as well as Grand Isle. Second Harvest President Natali Jayroe the hubs, they’ll be outfitted for local farmers and also house emergency workers…

Cut 12 (08)   “…neighbors” 

With election season right around the corner, are you ready for an onslaught of text messages from the candidates? Jeff Palermo has more:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has endorsed fellow Republican as the next governor of Louisiana. Cassidy says out of the large field of candidates, Landry is connecting with the most people from all parts of the state. Louisiana’s Senior U-S Senator likes that Landry is committed to making flood insurance more affordable, in support of new energy company and improving mental health access.

Some lawmakers are calling for an oversight hearing into the OMV’s data breach that exposed anyone with a Louisiana driver’s license, ID or car registration. Leesville Representative Chuck Owen…:
Cut 6 (11) “the future”
The OMV is offering a free year of Life Lock credit monitoring. Learn more online at nextsteps.la.gov.

The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) expands the 2023 Blue Tarp Fund Roofing Repair Program waitlist for those with roof damage who did not apply in February. LHC Executive Director Joshua Hollins hopes this is the beginning of a commitment to further help communities recover and rebuild after disasters…:
Cut 9 (12) “…storm damage”
Homeowners can apply at lhc.la.gov/bluetarp.

Louisiana’s gubernatorial candidates are using text messaging as another way to reach out to voters. You may have already received one from those including Sharon Hewitt, Richard Nelson, and Stephen Waguespack. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…:
Cut 14 (08) “less costly”
The FCC says political text messages can be sent without permission as long as the sender does not use autodialing technology.

Since the massive hack of the OMV computer system exposed data of anyone with a state issued driver’s license or ID, lawmakers are calling for more answers. Leesville Representative Chuck Owen says he’d like to know the types of data that were stolen…:
Cut 5 (09) “to expect”
The state is offering one year of free credit monitoring which you can sign up for through the website nextsteps.la.gov.

The Blue Tarp Roofing Fund Program has been expanded. Teiko Foxx reports..:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

Second Harvest Food Bank will begin construction on a new warehouse in August. President Natalie Jayroe…:
Cut 10 (10) “in operation”
Second Harvest currently operates out of three warehouses and serves the southern portion of the state, from Mississippi to Texas.

Several lawmakers are calling for a legislative oversight hearing into the OMV data breach that exposed six million records to hackers. The state is offering a free year of credit monitoring, but Representative Chuck Owen of Leesville says they want more details…:
Cut 4 (09) “the administration”
You can sign up for the free credit monitoring at nextsteps.la.gov.

The Louisiana Housing Corporation has expanded the Blue Tarp Fund Roofing Repair program to increase the number of homeowners who need assistance. It currently applies to eligible homeowners mostly in the Greater Baton Rouge area, according to LHC Executive Director Joshua Hollins…:
CUT 7 (12) “last few years”
You can apply at lhc.la.gov/bluetarp.

Second Harvest Food Bank will open a new warehouse in the Houma-Thibodeaux area, expanding its operations across coastal regions by 2024. President and CEO Natalie Jayroe says Second Harvest currently has facilities in Harahan and Lafayette, and the new warehouse will allow them to better serve high need areas in times of disaster..:
CUT 19 (10) “in the neighborhood”
She says the warehouse will contain a 3,400 square-foot community kitchen capable of producing up to 3,000 meals a day.

Some great coaches and athletes were inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night during a ceremony in Natchitoches. The 2023 class includes Eli Manning, Paul Mainieri, Wendell Davis and women’s basketball great Alana Beard.