The Senate Health and Welfare Committee meets at this hour to discuss the 100-million dollar budget cut the Louisiana Department of Health suffered as lawmakers raced to approve a budget before the end of the legislative session. AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl is concerned what this might mean for a program that provides in home health care for seniors…
cut 8 (13) “….they’re waiting”

It’s win or go home for the LSU Tigers as they face elimination at the College World Series after losing to Wake Forest three to two last night. LSU needs to beat Tennessee tonight to keep its season alive. First baseman Tre Morgan says they’ll be ready…
cut 16 (12) “…together”
First pitch is at 6 PM.

SWEPCO says just under 55-thousand of its customers in Louisiana are still without power as a result of last week’s severe weather. Most of those power outages are in Caddo Parish. About 11-thousand customers are still without power in Bossier Parish. Bossier City spokesperson Louis Johnson says there were many trying to find a hotel room this past weekend, but that was not easy….
cut 6 (08) “…..and availability”

And we are watching Tropical Storm Bret in the central Atlantic. It has a chance to strengthen into a hurricane on Thursday as it approaches the Lesser Antilles. Assistant Director of the Office of the Preparedness in Natchitoches Parish Mary Jones says last week’s storms and hurricane season serve as a reminder to be prepared…
cut 14 (11) “….prepared for”
Southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until 7 PM.

A tough loss for the LSU Tigers last night in the College World Series as Wake Forest rallied back from a two to nothing deficit to beat the Bayou Bengals three to two. LSU failed to score with a runner at third base and no outs in the eighth inning, while the Demon Deacons pushed a run across in the bottom of the eighth and held on for the one run win. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson…:

CUT 15(09)      “…go tomorrow”

LSU plays Tennessee again tonight at 6.

Crews are working tirelessly to restore power to about 50-thousand homes and businesses in northwest Louisiana; days after a severe thunderstorm system – with a tornado – tore through the area. The big problem, of course, is the HEAT. Bossier City spokesman Louis Johnson says cooling stations are set up for those with health issues…:

CUT 05(08)      “…the day.”

Some areas in Shreveport & Bossier may not get power back on for another three or more days.

The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee will meet today to discuss the $100 million cut to the Department of Health in the final hours of the legislative session. Teiko Foxx has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Foxx.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a bill that will require high schoolers to take and pass a one-unit financial literacy course in order to graduate and qualify for TOPS college grants. The course will teach stuff like why interest rates are important, the importance of good credit, avoiding predatory lending and more. It takes effect for the 2024-25 school year.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder fires back at critics of his leadership in the recent session, and the handling of the state budget. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Thorington.”

LSU slipped into the loser’s bracket in the College World Series in Omaha last night; losing 3-2 to Wake Forest. The Tigers must now play Tennessee again, in an elimination game tonight at 6. The Tigers must win their next three games in order to claim the championship for a 7^th time.

A force of about 3,000 workers are hard at work in northwestern Louisiana; restoring power for the over 50-thousand SWEPCO customers who’ve been without since last Thursday. It could be as late as the weekend before power is restored in the Shreveport area. Bossier City spokesman Louis Johnson says the storm was unprecedented, with straight-line winds of up to 90 miles per hour…:”

CUT 04(09)      “…one time.”

Johnson says they are hopeful the majority of residents will have power back on by Thursday.

About half of Natchitoches Parish lost power after straight-line winds and thunderstorms moved through the area Thursday.  Natchitoches Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness assistant director Mary Jones says only a handful of customers remain in the dark. She says the good news the power outages have not affected the water systems…:

CUT 13(10)      “…have power.”

A good reminder to get prepared for whatever hurricane season may throw our way.

Over 50,000 SWEPCO customers in Louisiana are still without power after Thursday’s severe weather. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(27)      “…Thorington”

The LSU baseball team lost 3-2 to Wake Forest in their second College World Series game last night. The Tigers will now play in an elimination game – facing Tennessee again – tonight at 6. The Tigers will need to win three straight games in order to win the championship.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder fires back at critics of his handling of last-minute state budget negotiations in the recent legislative session. The Ascension Parish representative has drawn fire for pushing through a budget bill in the closing minutes; one that lacked desired funding for teacher pay raises, the Department of Health and more. Schexnayder says he stands by what came out of the session…:

CUT 10(10)      “…projects in it.”

Schexnayder calls his naysayers at the Capitol “a small group of blockers, instead of helpers.”

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will meet today to discuss what impact a $100-million reduction in funding will have on the Louisiana Department of Health. The reduction occurred as the House and Senate dickered in the final hours of the legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says revenue was available, so many lawmakers were blindsided by the cut…:

CUT 07(13)      “…of Health.”

Tropical Storm Bret has formed in the Atlantic. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it is a bit too early to tell if Louisiana will be in the system’s path…:

Cut 10 (12)  “…this thing.”

Behind Bret is another system with a 40-percent chance of developing into a cyclone in the next 48 hours.

There are still more than 60-thousand customers in northwestern Louisiana waiting for the power to come back on, after a severe storm, WITH a confirmed EF-1 tornado that tore through the area Thursday night. Foster Campbell is the Public Service Commissioner for the region. He says crews are working as hard as they can in this heat to restore power…:

Cut 5 (13)  “…North Louisiana”

LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O shot challenge in Omaha with 21,435 shots slurped down.  And it’s not just for the $5 Jell-O shots that fans are visiting Rocco’s Pizza for, Manager Pat McEvoy says having your photo taken with the board is also a rite of passage.

Cut 7 (06)  “…the board.” 

You can follow along on Twitter and CWS Jell-O Shot Challenge. And on the diamond, LSU plays Wake Forest tonight.

A native of Marksville has been crowned as Miss Louisiana 2023. Makenzie Scroggs was selected from a pool of 27 women and the Northwestern State student earns a ten-thousand-dollar scholarship.  Scroggs says she’s excited to wear the crown…

Cut  14 (12)  “…to open”

Efforts continue in northwest Louisiana to restore power to over 100-thousand homes and businesses; hit hard by a severe storm and an imbedded EF-12 tornado tore through last Thursday. Caddo Parish Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says crews are clearing downed trees and the destruction is shocking…:

CUT 04  (13)        “…get out.”

Some Shreveport customers may not have power back on until Saturday.

Here we go! Tropical Storm Bret has now formed out in the mid-Atlantic; still days from any possible Gulf Coast impact. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there are definite signs it could become a hurricane within a few days…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…continue to blossom”

It will be another several days before we know if Bret threatens the Gulf Coast.

An Ascension Parish man is in jail in New Jersey; accused of traveling there for a sexual rendezvous with an underage girl. Police say 34-year-old Spencer Caudle, of Prairieville, went there in late May to meet the 14-year-old girl, then traveled there again last Friday, where he was arrested on numerous charges. It’s unknown if Caudle has had bail set, or has secured legal representation.

Congratulation to your new Miss Louisiana for 2023, Markville’s Makenzie Scroggs. She says she hopes to become the first Miss Louisiana to be crowned Miss America. Makenzie says if there is a key to her success it is confidence…:

CUT 13  (13)        “…mental health.”

Scroggs says she is thrilled to represent Louisiana for the next year. Is addition to the title and the crown, she also gets a $10-thiousand scholarship.

Crews are still working as quickly as possible in this heat to restore power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in northwestern Louisiana, after a confirmed EF-1 tornado within a strong storm system hit transmission and distributions stations last Thursday. Here’s Caddo Parish Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell…:

CUT 03  (12)        “…it’s unbelievable.”

Over 100-thousand customers still are without power; most of them in Caddo and Bossier.

Speaking of storms, Tropical Depression 3 has formed in the Atlantic, with conditions favorable for it to become Tropical Storm Bret by this evening. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Number Three is but one a several tropical waves that are developing…:

CUT 11  (13)        “…season progresses.”

He says it’s still too early to predict if the system threatens Louisiana.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting Sunday morning in Pineville. The yet-unnamed man was shot by Alexandria cops. He died as a result. No police were injured. LSP investigates all officer-involved shootings.

It likely comes as no surprise that LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O Shot Challenge in Omaha. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

SWEPCO utility crews are working to restore power for more than 165,000 customers following extreme weather in Northwest Louisiana last Thursday. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

______________________________________

It’s no surprise that LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O Shot Challenge Brooke Thorington has more on how the Tigers have gelled out the competition.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

Efforts to restore power for tens of thousands of SWEPCO customers in northwest Louisiana continues. A confirmed EF-1 tornado as well as hurricane-strength winds, delivered a punch to both the transmission and distribution stations last Thursday night. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell…

Cut 3 (12) “…it’s unbelievable”

Over 126,000 customers are currently without power. Most of the outages are in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. Approximately 60 Transmission and Distribution stations were impacted, and 50 transmission lines were forced out of service. Campbell says crews are working to repair lines damaged by trees.

Cut 4 (13)  “…get out” 

With the potential of additional storms this week, more customers could experience disruption of service and prolonged restoration timelines. Campbell says workers are working hard to restore power to residents and businesses who are still experiencing outages.

Cut 5 (13)  “…North Louisiana”

Natchitoches customers are scheduled to receive power by tomorrow but some Shreveport customers may not receive power until Saturday.

 __________________________________________________

Among the traditions at the College World Series in Omaha, is the Jell-O Shot Challenge, and as expected LSU is crushing it. Manager of Rocco’s Pizza Pat McEvoy says so far LSU fans have consumed more than 12 thousand Jell-O shots, followed by Wake Forest with just over five thousand

Cut 6 (09)  “…two competitors.” 

You can even follow along on Twitter for updates at 9 am, noon, 5 pm, and after the last game of the evening around 9:30. And it’s not just the $5 Jell-O shots that fans are visiting Rocco’s for, McEvoy says having your photo taken with the board is also a rite of passage.

Cut 7 (06)  “…the board.” 

It’s the first time LSU has competed in the challenge that started in 2019. The Purple and Gold Jell-O shots are by far the most popular this year. And with the Tigers playing Wake Forest tonight, McEvoy says it’s not just the box scores that fans will be watching…

Cut 8 (10)  “…broken today.” 

The current overall winner is Ole Miss with 18,777. It’s probably a safe bet that LSU will break that record and then some.

* at noon LSU 12,836, Wake Forest 5,193

_______________________________________________

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring tropical depression three which is expected to reach hurricane status by Wednesday night way out in the Atlantic Ocean. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system continues to show signs of organization.

Cut 9 (13) “…later today.”

The system is expected to become a tropical storm – named Bret by the end of the day. Although the Gulf of Mexico is not an immediate target, the storm is expected to impact the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands by the weekend. Keim says it’s still too early to tell if it will impact the U.S.

Cut 10 (12)  “…this thing.”

There is a second area of interest – a tropical wave located south of the Cabo Verde Islands which has been given a 40% chance of formation in the next several days. Keim says the occurrence of waves is pretty common during hurricane season.

Cut 11 (13)  “… season progresses.”

Keim encourages Louisianans to keep a watch on this tropical depression and always stay prepared.

______________________________________

A native of Marksville has been crowned as Miss Louisiana 2023. Makenzie Scroggs was selected from a pool of 27 women and the Northwestern State student earns a ten-thousand dollar scholarship

Cut 12 (08) “…get started.” 

Scroggs will train to become the first Miss Louisiana to be crowned Miss America. She says confidence has been a key to her success

Cut 13 (13) “…mental health” 

First runner-up was Olivia Grace George of Texarkana. George attends Louisiana Tech University. Scroggs says it was a great competition and is excited to wear the crown…

Cut  14 (12)  “…to open”

Tropical Depression 3 has formed FAR out in the Atlantic, with a fair chance it’ll reach named storm status – perhaps – later today or tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it is far too early to tell if Louisiana will be in the system’s path…:

CUT 10  (12)        “…this thing.”

The next storm name will be Bret.

There are still well over 100-thousand customers in northwestern Louisiana waiting for the power to come back on, after a severe storm, WITH a confirmed EF-1 tornado tore through last Thursday night. Foster Campbell is the Public Service Commissioner for the region. He says crews are working as hard as they can in this heat to restore power…:

CUT 05  (13)        “…North Louisiana.”

A native of Marksville has been crowned as Miss Louisiana 2023. Makenzie Scroggs was selected from a pool of 27 women and the Northwestern State student earns a $10-thousand scholarship…:

CUT 12(08)      “…to get started.”

LSU is soundly leading in an Omaha College World Series tradition; the Jell-O Shot Challenge at Rocco’s Pizza pub. As of this hour, LSU fans are way ahead with over 12-thousand Jell-O shots bought. Rocco’s Pat McEvoy says Wake Forest in Number 2 with about 5-thousand…:

CUT 06(09)      “…two competitors.”

The Tigers play Wake Forest tonight

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring tropical depression three which is expected to reach hurricane status by Wednesday night way out in the Atlantic Ocean. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system continues to show signs of organization.

Cut 9 (13) “…later today.”

It would be Tropical Storm Bret.

LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O shot challenge in Omaha with 12,836 shots slurped down.  And it’s not just the $5 Jell-O shots that fans are visiting Rocco’s Pizza for, Manager Pat McEvoy says having your photo taken with the board is also a rite of passage.

Cut 7 (06)  “…the board.” 

You can follow along on Twitter and CWS Jell-O Shot Challenge. And on the diamond, LSU plays Wake Forest tonight at 6 PM.

SWEPCO utility crews are working to restore power for more than 165,000 customers following extreme weather in Northwest Louisiana last Thursday. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

An excessive heat warning is in effect for most of southeast Louisiana for the fourth day in a row heat indexes will reach close to 113 degrees this afternoon. Be sure to stay hydrated and limit your time outdoors and bring pets in from the heat.