People in Louisiana who want to stop smoking can now take advantage of a six-month smoking cessation treatment provided by health insurers under a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. During testimony on the bill, Cancer Advocacy Group Executive Director Chad Landry said the availability of treatment will help a large population of smokers in Louisiana

Cut 6 (11)  “…there is.” 

The new law applies to both private carriers and Medicaid. 

State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville after her car was submerged in the Amite River. Trooper Christian Reed says they were contacted around ten-thirty Saturday night about the incident in Livingston Parish.

Cut 3 (10) “…Amite River.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation and toxicology samples were collected.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority on student loan debt forgiveness receives criticism. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A poll conducted for Reboot Louisiana on the governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, and it also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3^rd place. Political analyst Roy Fletcher feels it’s no coincidence Waguespack shows well in a poll done by his supporters…:

Cut 11 (05)  “…for a reason.”

Reboot LA’s poll shows Waguespack 14 percentage points in just three months, to take an unofficial 3^rd place.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says a recent diagnosis of a treatable cardiac condition played a role in his decision:

Cut 13 (10) “…this decision.”  
Taxes on e-cigarettes and vape products in Louisiana tripled on July first. Department of Revenue Secretary Kevin Richard says retailers who purchase the products tax-free directly from authorized manufacturers are required to pay the state excise tax…

Cut 5 (15)   “…other offense.”

The first US-based cases of malaria have been identified in Florida and Texas. The CDC says it’s been two decades since cases originated in the US. Chief of Community and Population Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Benjamin Springgate says malaria is a parasite spread by mosquitos.

Cut 9 (12) “…hospitalization.”

The threat in the US remains extremely low.

The US Supreme Court’s rejection of President Biden’s student loan plan to erase portions of their loans is receiving criticism. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says it sends the wrong message to students who’ve worked hard to get their college degrees.

Cut 7 (07) “…provide help.”

Carter says the federal government regularly forgives the debt of businesses, industries, and even small countries and students deserve the same. 

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will not run for re-election due to a recent diagnosis of a treatable heart condition. Prator says he will continue to serve as sheriff for the next 12 months.

Cut 14 (12)  “…in Caddo Parish.”

At the end of his current term, he will have served 24 years.

A new poll in the Governor’s race shows GOP candidate Stephen Waguespack moving into 3^rd place, but is it an accurate representation of voter preference? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

 State Police have identified the woman who was killed after her car crashed into the Amite River in Livingston Parish on Saturday night. They say for unknown reasons, 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville ran off the road and into the river. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A new poll on the 2023 Governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, but also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. The poll was conducted for Reboot La, a PAC supporting Waguespack. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says this poll is accurate…:
CUT 12 (07) “but that’s malarkey”
Fletcher places more faith in independent pollsters.

Taxes on e-cigarettes and vape products in Louisiana have tripled as of July 1. Secretary of Department of Revenue Kevin Richard says retailers must use electronic age verification platforms…:
Cut 4 (13) “of age”
The law also says beginning on October 1st, manufacturers will have to register their products with ATC.

The US Supreme Court ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority to forgive federally backed student loans is receiving criticism. This ruling comes on the heels of affirmative action being overturned for college admission which New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says is another example of politics in the nation’s highest court:
Cut 9 (07) “of policy”
Carter says the federal government regularly forgives the debt of businesses, industries, and even small countries and students deserve the same.

LSU Star Pitcher Paul Skenes has raised nearly $50,000 for Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides educational scholarships to the family members of military and first responders who have fallen or been disabled. Skenes’ effort got a big boost when Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves kicked in $20,000.

The chance that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session went up Friday as Governor John Bel Edwards nixed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Governor promised he would veto any measures similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” that seeks to ban talk about gender and sexual identity in K-12 classrooms. The governor called such proposals an attack on some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

Under a new law that went into effect July 1st, the taxes on nicotine vape products and e-cigarettes nearly tripled. Teiko Foxx reports..:
CUT 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

The US Supreme court is being criticized for it’s decision to strike down President Biden’s student loan cancellation plan. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says it sends the wrong message to students who’ve worked hard to get their college degrees…:
Cut 7 (07) “provide help”
The court’s decision means payments would start back up again in October.

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will instead retire at the end of this year and not seek re-election. He says he wanted to announce his decision because there are only six weeks left to qualify for the office…:
Cut 15 (10) “successful campaign”
He stressed he is not resigning. Prator became sheriff in Caddo 23 years ago, and has been in law enforcement for 50 years.

A new poll on the 2023 Governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, but also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. The poll was conducted for Reboot La, a PAC supporting Waguespack for Governor. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says he’s recently seen two independent polls that contradict Reboot La’s findings:
Cut 10 (12) “into double digits”
The gubernatorial primary election is October 14th, and the general election is November 18th.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says a recent diagnosis of a treatable cardiac condition played a role in his decision:
Cut 13 (10) “this decision”

State Police have identified the woman who was killed after her car crashed into the Amite River in Livingston Parish on Saturday night. They say for unknown reasons, 37-year-old Sara Marshall of Prairieville ran off the road and into the river. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority on student loan debt forgiveness receives criticism. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The US Supreme court is being criticized for striking down President Biden’s student loan cancellation plan. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the decision will limit the ability for many to purchase a home, start a business and spend extra money in local economies…:
Cut 8 (09) “them relief”
Student loan payment requirements are to resume in the fall.

State taxes on nicotine vape products and e-cigarettes tripled July 1st as a bill signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards went into effect. Additionally, in the coming months every vapor and nicotine manufacturer whose products are sold in Louisiana must register the merchandise with the ATC.
Cut 6 (10) “current laws”
That’s Kevin Richard, Secretary of the Department of Revenue.

A new poll in the Governor’s race shows GOP candidate Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place, but is it an accurate representation of voter preference? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Governor John Bel Edwards on Friday vetoed three bills widely opposed by LGBTQ+ advocates — his final actions on measures stemming from the 2023 legislative session. The Republican-controlled legislature will now consider whether to reconvene in a session that could override the governor’s vetoes. A two-thirds vote in the House and Senate is required to override a veto which is exceedingly rare in Louisiana.

AAA says this 4th of July Holiday weekend will be one of the busiest on record in terms of people who’ve decided to go out of town, and state officials are urging you not to drive impaired. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is underway and Greg Fischer, with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says July 4th is among the worst holidays for DWI mishaps…:
Cut 13 (11) “impaired drivers”
The campaign is in place through Wednesday.

A stretch of I-10 was closed off to westbound traffic in Ascension Parish Friday after a portion of the roadway buckled from excessive heat, according to highway officials. The pothole was reported around near the Sorrento exit and was patched up about one hour later as traffic backed up for miles. DOTD says there have been numerous instances of buckling across the state.

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise met with Brian Kelly, Nick Saban, and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation surrounding college athlete NIL deals. There are no regulations and protections in the current NIL space and Scalise wants to have something in place to keep college athletics on the up and up…:
Cut 11 (14) “in jeopardy”

The chance that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session went up Friday as Governor John Bel Edwards nixed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Governor promised he would veto any measures similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” that seeks to ban talk about gender and sexual identity in K-12 classrooms. The governor called such proposals an attack on some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

On a hot 4th of July weekend like this one where Excessive Heat Warnings remain in place, going out on the water is a great way to keep cool – but state officials urge you to have a sober boat operator. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has put Operation Dry Water in place this weekend where boating Education Coordinator Lt. Garret Kimble says to expect heightened enforcement…:
Cut 3 (05) “and checks”
A Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is also in place for the Holiday weekend.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says he wanted to make public his decision as there are only six weeks left to qualify for the office…:
Cut 15 (10) “successful campaign”
But he says he’s not resigning and that he will continue to serve as sheriff for the next 12 months.

Cops in East Baton Rouge Parish are looking for a driver who ran over a Central Police Officer’s leg during an incident Friday evening. They say when the officer learned there were narcotics in the vehicle the driver sped off causing the officer to be dragged before his leg was run over. The officer is expected to be okay, and now authorities are searching for the person involved.

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed anti-LGBTQ legislation Friday, including the state’s version of what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. GOP lawmakers have said if this happened as the governor promised, they would call for the legislature to return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session.

Most of the state is under yet another excessive heat warning today where the heat index could reach between 110-115 degrees. On Friday it got so hot in Ascension Parish that a section of I-10 buckled causing a brief shutdown near the Sorrento exit.

The 4th of July Holiday weekend is one of the deadliest on the roadways so expect to see lots of cops on the road as a Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is underway.
Cut 12 (11) “off the road”
That’s Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Congressman Steve Scalise met with LSU Coach Brian Kelly and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation regarding collegiate Name-Image-Likeness deals. Kace Kieschnick has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

LSU is set to hire Nate Yeskie from Texas A&M as its next pitching coach according to head coach Jay Johnson. Johnson confirmed a report that his former assistant coach would be reuniting with him in Baton Rouge. LSU is in need of a new pitching coach since former coach Wes Johnson was announced as the next head coach of the Georgia Bulldog program.