Meta announced the launch of America’s Workforce Academy, a nationwide AI infrastructure jobs training program with a pilot academy in Baton Rouge. Meta Director of U.S. Policy Diana Doukas says the program will pay participants to train in a variety of jobs..

Cut 3 (09) “…next decade.”

The academy requires no prior experience and provides tuition, airfare and lodging. For more information go to meta-dot-com.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the state needs to address rising auto insurance rates for commercial drivers. Temple says there were several bills in the recently completed legislative session that could have helped. Including a measure that said expert witnesses brought in to testify in a trial can only receive a fee for payment.

Cut 12 (11) “…have to say.”

The House approved that bill, but it was never heard in the Senate,

Gabe Firment has been in the Louisiana House of Representatives for more than six years now. Could he have his sights set on something bigger, like the U.S. House of Representatives? The Republican from Grant Parish says several people have reached out to him asking him if he’d be interested in running for the open seat in the fifth district.

Cut 6 (12) “…an intriguing opportunity.”

Monroe Representative Michael Echols is expected to run for the 5^th district congressional seat.

The Louisiana America 250 commission is hosting a free Fourth of July concert in downtown Baton Rouge. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there will be live music in Repentance Park starting at 2 p.m. and culminating with a big fireworks show over the Mississippi River…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to America.”

The concert will feature performances from local stars Amanda Shaw, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., John Schneider and Wayne Toups

An East Baton Rouge Parish woman is suing the parents of a 13-year-old boy who allegedly vandalized her property with racist graffiti. Ryan Thompson says what happened last month was actually the culmination of a pattern of racially-motivated acts of vandalism towards Carolyn Morrison-Howard, including puncturing the tires of her caregiver’s vehicle and etching a swastika into the caregiver’s vehicle.

Cut 15 (10) “…community is safe.”

A St. Charles Parish man tries to run from police by jumping into a swamp and ends up getting attacked by an alligator. State Trooper Kyle Wagner says that alligator attack, along with drone technology, helped police capture 40-year-old Victor Rivas. Before being hauled off to jail, Rivas had to be treated for his bout with the alligator.

Cut 6 (06) “…both his arms.” 

Private drivers are seeing relief when it comes to insurance rates, but that’s not the case for commercial drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

For the second time in less than two months, a detainee at a North Louisiana ICE detention facility has died. The latest is a detainee from the former Soviet republic of Georgia. The man had been detained there for four months before he was found unresponsive last Thursday. A recent inspection of the facility uncovered insanitary conditions and substandard medical care.

A St. Charles Parish man suspected of driving drunk ended up having to fight off alligators as he jumped into a swamp to evade authorities who were trying to arrest him. State Police Trooper Kyle Wagner says the incident happened Sunday morning along U-S Highway 61…

Cut 4 (09) “…an alligator”

40-year-old Victor Rivas of Montz was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later charged with DWI and Resisting an Officer.

Louisiana is making strides in seeing rates come down when it comes to private auto insurance and homeowners’ insurance rates. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says commercial auto rates continue to rise. Temple says one legislative proposal that could help bring down commercial auto rates is a General Damage Cap bill. He says a person’s medical bills and the cost to repair a damaged vehicle would still be covered, but a person involved in a car wreck could not recover damages that are not quantifiable.

Cut 11 (07) “…cap on that.”

Temple says it’s a bill that needs to be seriously discussed during next year’s legislative session.

The Assumption Parish School System is now offering its students a chance to take 100-percent of their classes online. Superintendent John Barthelemy says students will still be allowed to participate in school clubs, sports and events. Barthelemy says providing traditional social and athletic experiences to students was a priority.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for my kid.”

One of the state’s top high school football players has given his verbal pledge to the LSU Tigers. Markez Davis from Northwest High School in St. Landry Parish has committed to the Tigers. The Opelousas native is ranked by 247 Sports as the 15th-best player in Louisiana and is listed as an athlete, but is expected to play cornerback at LSU….

Cut 19 (18) “…off from there”

Private drivers are seeing relief when it comes to insurance rates, but that’s not the case for commercial drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Students in Assumption Parish will now have the option to take classes online only. Superintendent John Barthelemy says some families prefer a non-traditional education…:
Cut 7 (09) “their voices heard”
Students will still be allowed to participate in clubs and sports.

A St. Charles Parish man pulled over for suspected DWI attempted to flee officers and was then attacked by an alligator. State Police Trooper Kyle Wagner says once cops stopped 40-year-old Victor Rivas, he jumped into a swamp when the gator attacked. Wagner says Rivas was hospitalized before being booked..:
Cut 6 (06) “both his arms”
Rivas is charged with DWI and resisting an officer.

An East Baton Rouge Parish woman is taking legal action after her home was allegedly targeted in a hate-motivated vandalism case by a 13-year-old boy. Ryan Thompson, the attorney who’s representing Carolyn Morrison-Howard, who’s black, says the boy is accused of doing several things to racially intimate his client:
Cut 13 (15) “as other individuals”
The lawsuit seeks damages from the juvenile’s parents and other parties the family believes may be responsible.

State Police say a St. Charles Parish man who ran from cops during a DWI stop was attacked by an alligator…:
Cut 1 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Meta is launching a national workforce training program to prepare workers for jobs supporting AI infrastructure, and Baton Rouge was selected as one of four pilot cities. The program will train fiber technicians, welders, plumbers, electricians, and other skilled trades. Participants are paid while training, with tuition, travel, and lodging covered.

The Assumption Parish School System has launched an option for students to take classes entirely online. Superintendent John Barthelemy says this program is an alternative for students who thrive with more flexibility…:
Cut 8 (07) “on their needs”
Virtual academy students will still have the chance to take part in sports, clubs and other events.

After losing five-star edge rusher commit Jaiden Bryant to Miami last week, LSU added a flurry of talent to its 2027 class. The Tigers replaced Bryant with five-star pass rusher K.J. Green. The Georgia native is the second-ranked edge rusher in the class. Andre Champagne of 247Sports says Green is solid..:
Cut 16 (10) “…edges to do.”
Three-star cornerback Markez Davis of Northwest High School in St. Landry Parish announced his commitment to LSU Monday.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says many property owners and drivers are seeing a drop in insurance premiums, but rates for commercial auto insurance continue to go up…:
Cut 10 (12) “still going up”
He blames high settlements in court with those payouts being passed down to premiums, and more legal reform is needed to address that issue.

State Police say a St. Charles Parish man was attacked by an alligator when trying to evade officers during a DWI stop. Trooper Kyle Wagner says when 40-year-old Victor Rivas was pulled over on I-310 for suspected drunk driving, he jumped off the elevated road into the swamp below and was attacked by the gator:
Cut 5 (09) “of a drone”
Rivas is charged with DWI and resisting an officer.

Northwest High School football star Markez Davis committed to LSU’s 2027 recruiting class yesterday. Kace Kieschnick reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

An East Baton Rouge Parish woman is suing the parents of a 13-year-old boy who’s accused of spray-painting racist graffiti on her garage door last month. Ryan Thompson, Carolyn Morrison-Howard’s lawyer, says his client has been intimidated for a while…:
Cut 14 (06) “…a repeated act.”
The boy was arrested and was booked into juvenile detention on several charges, including hate crimes.

A DWI suspect runs from law enforcement and almost becomes an alligator’s late night snack. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Private drivers are seeing relief when it comes to insurance rates, but that’s not the case for commercial drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Northwest High School football star Markez Davis committed to LSU’s 2027 recruiting class yesterday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

_________________________________________________________

A St. Charles Parish man went to great lengths to escape police, including jumping into alligator-infested waters. State Police Trooper Kyle Wagner says during a DWI traffic stop on I-310 early Sunday morning, 40-year-old Victor Rivas ran from the vehicle and jumped off the elevated roadway into the swamp below.

Cut 4 (06) “…evade us again.”

Rivas ran into a swampy area, which apparently was a really dumb move on his part. Wagner says Rivas was attacked by an alligator.

Cut 5 (09) “…of a drone.”

Rivas is charged with DWI and resisting an officer. Additional warrants were obtained for hit and run and careless operation in connection with the earlier crash in Jefferson Parish that led to the traffic stop. Wagner says before jail, Rivas had to be taken to a hospital.

Cut 6 (06) “…both his arms.”

No word on whether LSP is recruiting the alligator for its maritime K9 unit.

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Assumption Parish is offering students the option to take 100-percent of their classes online. The Assumption Parish Schools Virtual Academy will also offer dual enrollment opportunities for homeschooled students. Assumption Parish Superintendent John Barthelemy says some families prefer a non-traditional education.

Cut 7 (09) “…their voices heard.”

Barthelemy says some students have requested remote learning for medical reasons, while others prefer to avoid added social stressors. He says online learning offers flexibility to address the needs of individual families.

Cut 8 (07) “…on their needs.”

As enrolled members of the Assumption Parish School system, students will still be allowed to participate in school clubs, sports and events. Barthelemy says providing traditional social and athletic experiences to students was a priority.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for my kid.”

___________________________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says many property owners and drivers are seeing a drop in insurance premiums, but rates for commercial auto insurance continue to go up. Temple says that’s because those polices carry higher limits.

Cut 10 (12) “…still going up.”

Temple says one legislative proposal that could help bring down commercial auto rates is a General Damage Cap bill. He says a person’s medical bills and the cost to repair a damage vehicle would still be covered, but a person involved in a car wreck could not recover damages that are not quantifiable.

Cut 11 (07) “…cap on that.”

Temple says 17 other states have a General Damage Cap law, including Mississippi.

Temple says there were several bills in the recently completed legislative session that could have helped bring down commercial auto insurance rates, but they didn’t pass. Including a measure by Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine that said expert witnesses brought in to testify in a trial can only receive a fee for payment.

Cut 12 (11) “…have to say.”

The House approved that bill, but it was never heard in the Senate

___________________________________________________

An East Baton Rouge Parish woman is suing the parents of a 13-year-old boy who’s accused of spray-painting racist graffiti on her garage door last month. Ryan Thompson, the attorney who’s representing Carolyn Morrison-Howard, who’s Black, says the boy went to great lengths to racially intimidate her.

Cut 13 (15)  “…as other individuals.”

The boy and his parents live directly across the street from Morrison-Howard in Zachary; as such, Thompson says she no longer feels safe in her own neighborhood.

Cut 14 (06) “…a repeated act.”

The boy was arrested and was booked into juvenile detention on several charges, including hate crimes. Thompson says what happened last month was actually the culmination of a pattern of racially-motivated acts of vandalism towards Morrison-Howard, including puncturing the tires of her caregiver’s vehicle and etching a swastika into the caregiver’s vehicle.

Cut 15 (10) “…community is safe.”

___________________________________________________

After losing five-star edge rusher commit Jaiden Bryant to Miami last week, LSU added a flurry of talent to its 2027 class. The Tigers replaced Bryant with five-star pass rusher K.J. Green. The Georgia native is the second-ranked edge rusher in the class and had 18 sacks and 40 tackles for loss last season. Andre Champagne of 247Sports says the 6-4, 230-pounder is an elite pass rusher.

Cut 16 (10) “…edges to do.”

LSU also earned a commitment from three-star running back Brennan Lacey over the weekend. Lacey is a 6-foot-1, 187-pound speedster out of Frisco, Texas who has been shooting up recruiting boards. Champagne says the only reason he’s only a three-star is that he started his high school career as a wide receiver.

Cut 17 (17)  “…in the offense.”

Four-star wide receiver Cade Cooper committed to the Tigers yesterday. The 6-3, 192-pound receiver is the tenth-ranked prospect in the state of Pennsylvania. Champagne says he’ll bring some unique traits to a packed receiver room.

Cut 18 (19) “…able to flourish.”

LSU’s 2027 class of eight commits now ranks 22nd in rivals’ industry rankings.

____________________________________________________

The Tigers kept three-star Northwest High School cornerback Markez Davis in the boot. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound prospect announced his commitment to LSU yesterday. Northwest Head Coach Chris Edwards says he’s been a game-changer for the Raiders.

Cut 19 (18) “…off from there.”

Edwards says Davis’s junior high coach told him he would change the Northwest program one day when he was in sixth grade. Edwards has been the Raiders’ head coach for 13 years and is an Opelousas native, and he says he can’t remember another Power Four commit from the school.

Cut 20 (15) “…for the program.”

A new law signed by Governor Landry will require prisons, jails and other correctional facilities to notify the public whenever a violent inmate is inadvertently released. While it was not an inadvertent release, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was prompted to author the bill by last year’s jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Jail, in which the public wasn’t notified until about ten hours after ten inmates broke free.

Cut 4 (11) “…address the situation.”

Louisiana ranks 48^th for child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count Data Book. Chief Data and Impact Officer at the Agenda For Children, Teresa Falgoust, says one out of five children in Louisiana live in a high-poverty neighborhood, which is one reason why the state ranks so low, but it’s not all bad news…

Cut 12 (10) “…stunning progress.”

If you need some extra cash, why not volunteer to be a poll commissioner? The Secretary of State’s Office needs poll commissioners for the June 27th runoff election and the November 3rd general election. Secretary Nancy Landry says poll workers are essential in keeping elections running smoothly in the state.

Cut 9 (09)  “…here in Louisiana.”

After losing five-star edge rusher commit Jaiden Bryant to Miami last week, LSU added a flurry of talent to its 2027 class. The Tigers replaced Bryant with five-star pass rusher KJ Green. The Georgia native is the second-ranked edge rusher in the nation and had 18 sacks and 40 tackles for loss last season. Andre Champagne of 247Sports says the 6-4, 230-pounder is an elite pass rusher.

Cut 16 (11) “…edges to do.”