Flash Flooding is a concern as a tropical disturbance moves towards Louisiana’s coast. We are already seeing issues, numerous roads are closed in Rapides Parish and street flooding has also been reported in southwest Louisiana.

It’s the result of a tropical wave in southern Texas that will move up the Texas coastline towards Louisiana today and tomorrow, bringing with it tropical moisture that will produce multiple rounds of heavy rainfall this week.

There’s a chance this system could develop into a tropical storm. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says even if this system does not develop into a named storm, it can cause significant flooding…

Cut 11 (09) “…lot of rainfall.”

The National Weather Service says the potential of isolated amounts of more than ten inches of rain exists for much of south and central Louisiana.

Starting August 1st, suppliers which mix imported seafood with domestic seafood must clearly disclose that fact. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gas prices continue to fall, and they will fall even more if a US-Iran peace deal gets signed that will lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Gas-Buddy-dot-com’s Patrick DeHaan cautions nothing has been signed yet…

Cut 4 (08) “…does unravel”

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical wave in southern Texas has a medium chance of developing into a tropical storm as it moves up the Texas coastline towards southwest Louisiana. Meteorologist Donald Jones is with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles…

Cut 10 (08) “…act together”

The biggest threat with this system is flooding as we are looking at the potential of heavy tropical downpours between now and Friday.

Gas prices are falling. According to Patrick DeHaan with Gas Buddy, the average price for a gallon of regular is below $3.60 as oil prices have fallen below 80-dollars a barrel. DeHaan says what oil prices do from here, depends on whether the deal to end the war between the U-S and Iran can be finalized…

Cut 5 (09) “…right back up”

The commingling of seafood that’s sold to the public will need to be clearly labeled as of August 1st. This, after Governor Landry signs a bill cracking down on so-called “co-mingling” of shrimp. The author, Lafitte Representative Timothy Kerner, says suppliers have been using this tactic for years to boost their profits.

Cut 6 (10) “…it that way.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful has launched Love Our Waterways, an initiative to reduce littering in Louisiana waterways. There are 60 cleanup events already scheduled. Keep Louisiana Beautiful director Susan Russell says you don’t have to participate in one of those scheduled events to make a difference.

Cut 12 (09) “…up a bayou.”

Cut 23 (fade after 3 seconds and use as bed)

If you can’t stand the rain, you’re unfortunately in the wrong state, as ten inches or more of it are possible this week for much of south Louisiana as a result of an approaching tropical disturbance expected to reach southwest Louisiana tomorrow night. National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says a tropical wave moving up the Texas coastline is the main contributor, and it’s moving slowly.

Cut 9 (08)  “…Friday evening.”

Gas prices continue to fall throughout Louisiana. According to GasBuddy-dot-com, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded is now below $3.60 a gallon. Gas Buddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan says there’s one factor more than any other that’s impacting gasoline prices.

Cut 3 (09) “…move us forward.”

SNAP recipients can now earn bonus benefits when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their EBT cards at Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market locations. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says participants can earn up to 25 dollars in bonus benefits each month.

Cut 6 (09) “…on your card.”

On the heels of a record-breaking Love The Boot Week, the state is launching a brand new beautification initiative called Love Our Waterways, which will take place throughout the month of September. Colonel Stephen Clark, the superintendent of law enforcement for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says cleaning up litter from Louisiana’s waterways is vital to the state.

Cut 11 (12) “…State of Louisiana.”

The Louisiana Carrott Initiative is now available at all Louisiana Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market locations. The Louisiana Carrot Initiative provides SNAP recipients with a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers, which Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says now includes Walmart.

Cut 5 (08)  “…fruits and vegetables.”

Greenstein says SNAP recipients can earn up to 25 dollars in bonus benefits each month.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law that bans lawsuits against Louisiana oil and gas companies that claim their operations have contributed to climate change. President of Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, Tommy Faucheux, says this by no means gives oil and gas companies the go-ahead to operate without fear of any repercussions.

Cut 15 (13) “…any of that.”

The law does not affect the current pending coastal erosion lawsuits.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness month. Louisiana Elderly Protective Services program manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says her office investigates over five thousand cases of elder abuse each year.  She says if you suspect elder abuse, call 833-577-6532.

Cut 8 (12) “…is actually occurring.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful has launched Love Our Waterways, an initiative to reduce littering in Louisiana waterways. There are 60 cleanup events already scheduled. Keep Louisiana Beautiful director Susan Russell says you don’t need to register for an event to make a difference.

Cut 12 (09) “…up a bayou.”

It will soon be much more difficult to sue the oil and gas industry, now that Governor Landry has signed the Louisiana Energy Protection Act. The legislation prohibits lawsuits related to climate change; and Tommy Faucheux, the president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, says it’s strictly limited to that.

Cut 14 (14) “…they’ve been harmed.”

This is Elder Abuse Awareness month, and Louisiana Elderly Protective Services is reminding you to look for signs of elder abuse. Program Manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says since the elderly are often the targets of scams, it’s important to educate them on how to protect themselves from scams and look out for their well-being.

Cut 9 (09)  “…say something.”

SNAP recipients can now receive a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent with their EBT card on fresh fruits and vegetables at a Louisiana Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market location. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Keep an eye on your mailbox; you might soon have money coming to you. The State Treasurer’s Office says it has mailed out almost 45-thousand unclaimed property checks totaling 6.5-million dollars, following a data match to update addresses with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Recipients represent all 64 parishes and beyond.

We’re continuing to monitor that disturbance over in the western Gulf that the National Hurricane Center now says has a 60% chance of tropical development before moving inland Thursday. Whether Arthur officially forms or not, multiple rounds of heavy rainfall are expected to continue over the next several days. Most of the state is under a Flash Flood Watch through Friday.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and Louisiana Elderly Protective Services Program Manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips is reminding us to check up on our elders:
Cut 2 (35) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

The state has officially launched an initiative called Love Our Waterways, an effort to clean up litter from rivers, lakes and bayous. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says dirty waterways are a nationwide problem:
Cut 10 (16) “in our waterways”
More information can be found at LoveLaWaterways-dot-org.

SNAP recipients can now earn bonus benefits when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their EBT cards at Walmart locations throughout the state. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says it’s part of the Louisiana Carrot Initiative…:
Cut 4 (08) “more healthy foods”
The program gives SNAP recipients an extra 30 cents for every dollar spent on fruits and veggies at participating stores, which now includes Walmart.

The National Hurricane Center has increased the odds of tropical development for that disturbance in the western Gulf to 60% over the next 48 hours. If that happens the first name of the season is Arthur and would mean tropical storm notices could be required later today for parts of Texas and Louisiana. Regardless of development, a significant amount of rain and flash flood risk remain the primary threat.

The state has launched a new cleanup initiative. Andrew Greenstein reports:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and Louisiana Elderly Protective Services is encouraging residents to learn the warning signs and speak up when they see them. Program Manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says mistreatment of older adults includes physical harm, sexual misconduct, financial exploitation, and medical neglect:
Cut 7 (10) “types of things”
To report abuse call 833-577-6532.

Governor Landry has signed the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, limiting lawsuits against the oil and gas industry over climate change. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says these lawsuits are frivolous:
Cut 13 (14) “the changing climate”
He says the new law is specific to climate change.

A disturbance over northeastern Mexico is expected to move into the northwestern Gulf later today or Wednesday, with a 50 percent chance of tropical development before coming ashore Thursday. Regardless of development, forecasters say heavy rain and flash flooding are possible across the state which is almost entirely under a flash flood watch through Friday.

Louisiana has expanded its SNAP fruit and veggie bonus to Walmarts statewide. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Education leaders have scheduled a public hearing today hoping to seek clarity from lawmakers on what funds the Governor is asking school districts to use in order to give teachers a $2,000 stipend this year. The fear is that tightening budgets for schools to fund the bonuses may have a negative impact on gains public education in Louisiana has seen in recent years. Lawmakers have until June 23rd to vote on the governor’s plan.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announced the official launch of Love Our Waterways – a statewide initiative that focuses on cleaning up litter and debris from rivers, lakes, bayous, beaches, and shorelines. Colonel Stephen Clark, with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says this is vital to Louisiana:
Cut 11 (12) “State of Louisiana”
More information can be found at LoveLaWaterways-dot-org.

SNAP recipients can now receive a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent with their EBT card on fresh fruits and vegetables at a Louisiana Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market location. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and Louisiana Elderly Protective Services Program Manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips is reminding families to check in on any elderly relatives. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

On the heels of a record-breaking Love The Boot Week comes another Louisiana beautification initiative. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_________________________________________________________

SNAP recipients can now earn bonus benefits when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their EBT cards at Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market locations. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says it’s part of the Louisiana Carrot Initiative.

Cut 4 (08) “…more healthy foods.”

The Louisiana Carrot Initiative provides SNAP recipients with a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers, which Greenstein says now includes Walmart.

Cut 5 (09)  “…fruits and vegetables.”

Greenstein says participants can earn up to 25 dollars in bonus benefits each month.

Cut 6 (09) “…on your card.”

Since launching in April of 2025, Louisiana SNAP recipients have earned more than 1.6-million dollars in bonus benefits through the Louisiana Carrot Initiative.

___________________________________________________

It’s Elder Abuse Awareness month, and Louisiana Elderly Protective Services is reminding you to look for signs of elder abuse. Program Manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says abuse includes physical, sexual, financial, medical and even caretaker abuse.

Cut 7 (10) “…types of things.”

Thomas-Phillips says her office investigates over five thousand cases of elder abuse each year.  She says if you suspect elder abuse, call 833-577-6532.

Cut 8 (12) “…is actually occurring.”

Thomas-Phillips says elderly citizens are also often the targets of scams and can be exploited by those who abuse the power of attorney. She says it’s important to educate elderly family members on how to protect themselves from scams and look out for their well-being.

Cut 9 (09)  “…say something.”

___________________________________________________

On the heels of a record-breaking Love The Boot Week, the state is launching a brand new beautification initiative. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful have officially launched Love Our Waterways, which as the name suggests, focuses on cleaning up litter and debris from the state’s waters and shorelines. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says dirty waterways are a nationwide problem.

Cut 10 (16) “…in our waterways.”

Colonel Stephen Clark, the superintendent of law enforcement for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says cleaning up litter from Louisiana’s waterways is vital to the state.

Cut 11 (12) “…State of Louisiana.”

The Love Our Waterways will take place throughout the month of September; and already, there are 60 events registered. Russell says you don’t need to register for an event to make a difference.

Cut 12 (09) “…up a bayou.”

More information can be found at LoveLaWaterways-dot-org.

___________________________________________________

It will soon be much more difficult to sue the oil and gas industry. Governor Landry signed the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which bans lawsuits over climate change. Tommy Faucheux, the president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, says in his view, these lawsuits are frivolous.

Cut 13 (14)  “…the changing climate.”

Faucheux notes that this legislation is strictly limited to lawsuits related to climate change.

Cut 14 (14) “…they’ve been harmed.”

Faucheux also says that this by no means gives oil and gas companies the go-ahead to operate without fear of any repercussions.

Cut 15 (13) “…any of that.”

The bill was written in a way that does not affect the current pending lawsuits related to coastal erosion.

___________________________________________________

The Saints begin mandatory veteran minicamp today. It will be the last on-field action for the Black and Gold before training camp in July. The Advocate’s Matt Paras says the biggest question mark for the defense may come off the field.

Cut 16 (16) “…of step up.”

The Saints spent the offseason building around second year quarterback Tyler Shough. New Orleans added veteran guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne in free agency and stocked up on four new pass catchers in the draft. Paras says Shough has embraced his role as the face of the franchise.

Cut 17 (14)  “…kind of everywhere.”

With the addition of Etienne, questions have swirled around Alvin Kamara’s status with the team, and the Saints have yet to give a clear answer. Kamara’s 12-million-dollar contract would be pricy for a backup, but Paras says he’ll be there for minicamp.

Cut 18 (16) “…dragging this out.”

Drought? What drought? Throughout the state, the chance for rain is high every day through Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says by the end of the week, it’s likely the state will no longer be concerned with drought conditions.

Cut 5 (09) “…this fast.”

Much of the state could see between three and six inches of rain this week, with some areas getting upwards of ten inches.

Registration for the Fortified Roof Program lottery closes Friday at 5 p.m. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says Louisiana is the fastest-growing state in the country for fortified roofs.

Cut 10 (09) “…twelve months.” 

A new law signed last month allowed 50-million-dollars in Louisiana Citizens Insurance excess Katrina bonds to be allocated to the program. 

Researchers from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical found that despite increasing obesity rates, severely obese individuals are receiving fewer surgeries. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The crackdown on misbehaving employees at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center continues. This morning, Cadet Jaunya Spiller was arrested after he was found with contraband and a loaded firearm as he arrived for his shift. The 30-year-old was subsequently fired and is now facing three charges.