Governor John Bel Edwards signs legislation decriminalizing possession of up to 14 grams of marijuana. Policy Director for Louisiana Progress Peter Robins-Brown says decriminalization is a widely popular policy that creates more trust between law enforcement and their local community.

Cut 12 (08) “…law”

Under the new law, written by Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover, possession under 14 grams cannot lead to jail time and comes with a maximum fine of 100 dollars.

Forecasters say there is a high chance a disturbance in the southern Gulf of Mexico will develop into at least a tropical storm over the next five days. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says prepare now for a big rainmaker on Friday and Saturday…

Cut 5  (12) “….for flooding” 

A year after Troy Middleton’s name was removed from the LSU Library his heirs are suing to have Middleton war memorabilia held by the school returned. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of a two-year-old boy who was left in a hot car Monday. Public Information Officer Katherina Breaux says deputies received a call and found the young boy who was left inside an unattended vehicle for an extended period of time Monday afternoon. This is the fourth hot car death in the U-S this year.

Governor Edwards has signed a bill to reduce the penalty for possession of a small amount of marijuana.  The bill does not decriminalize possession however it does reduce the penalty for those in possession of 14 grams or less to have a maximum fine of $100 and no jail time. Edwards says bipartisan support of the legislation is a step forward in criminal justice reform efforts.

The National Weather Service says Louisiana residents should brace for the potential heavy rainfall later this week as a result of a tropical system. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

There are reports LSU and Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco are discussing the possibility of the former Tiger becoming the next head coach of the LSU baseball program.  LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says Bianco has always been well-liked by those who have played with Skip Bertman…

Cut 7 (07) “…got there”

Bianco has been the head coach at Ole Miss since 2000

The family of former LSU President Troy Middleton is suing LSU demanding the school return a collection of the General’s World War Two memorabilia. Middleton family attorney Jill Craft says the family has tried to retrieve the collection but keeps getting the runaround.

Cut 9 (12) “…get it”

Middleton’s name was removed from the school’s library last summer amidst an outcry over the former President’s support for segregation in the past.

Forecasters say there is a high chance a disturbance in the southern Gulf of Mexico will develop into at least a tropical storm over the next five days. The National Hurricane Center says they will have a better idea once the system actually develops. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says even if doesn’t get to tropical storm strength, it could be a big rainmaker…

Cut 4 (12) “…heavy heavy rain”

If named, it will be called Claudette.

Crude oil prices are trading above 70-dollars a barrel for the first time in nearly three years. But LSU Center for Energy Studies Director David Dismukes says don’t expect this surge in prices to result in new jobs for the state’s oil and gas industry, because of climate policies like net neutrality by 2050…

Cut 8 (08) “…were at.”
There are reports LSU and Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco are discussing the possibility of the former Tiger catcher and pitching coach becoming the next head coach of the LSU baseball program.  LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says right now Bianco is the school’s top candidate.

Cut 6 (09) “…more talks”

Bianco has been the head coach at Ole Miss since 2000.

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine shows the two-dose offering is 90 percent effective and it appears to have fewer side effects than those from Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson but Tulane School of Medicine Professor Susan Hassig says in general none of those shots have side effects that really stand out.

Cut 12 (10) “…consequences.”

Forecasters say there is a high chance a disturbance in the southern Gulf of Mexico will develop into at least a tropical storm over the next five days. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says the broad area of low pressure will eventually move northward and flash flooding is possible in south Louisiana on Friday.

Cut 3 (06) “…heavy rainfall, rainfall”

The National Hurricane Center says they will have a better idea once the system actually develops. If named, it will be called Claudette.

Today is tax day for most of Louisiana. Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T Bourgeois, Brad Tate, says if your salary decreased in 2020 you could be eligible for more federal assistance…

Cut 5  (09) “…last year.”

Taxpayers in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes have until August 16th to file because of last month’s flooding.

Crude oil prices are back above 70-dollars a barrel and trading at their highest price in nearly three years. When you look at gas prices, the statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.71, nearly a dollar more than last year. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director David Dismukes expects the price at the pump will continue to increase…

Cut 9 (07) “…with them.”
Carjackings are on the rise at an alarming rate. State Attorney General Deputy Press Secretary Emmie Fuson urges drivers to pay attention to their surroundings, have their keys and phone in hand when approaching their vehicle, park in a well-lit area, and trust their instincts. Fuson says if you find yourself a victim of carjacking remember a car can be replaced you however cannot.

Cut 15 (10)“…trunk.”

The National Hurricane Center is giving an area of low pressure in the Bay of Campeche a 70-percent chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next five days. Forecasters say this could be a big rainmaker for the Bayou State later this week.

Crude oil prices are back over 70 dollars a barrel but industry experts are not optimistic this will result in increased jobs for the state’s oil and gas industry. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

It’s Tax Day for most of the state, as 2020 state and federal taxes are due. But Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T. Bourgeois, Brad Tate says there are a few parishes that received another extension.
Cut 4 (09) “…August 16th.”
Bourgeois says economic stimulus checks and the frontline worker rebate are not subject to Louisiana state income taxes and the first 10,200 of unemployment benefits is also tax-free.

Maryland-based Novavax says its COVID-19 vaccine they are testing has shown to be 90-percent effective against the disease and also protected against variants. Demand for COVID-19 shots has declined in the U-S and Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Susan Hassig says this vaccine could be particularly useful in other nations that need to get vaccinated in order to prevent even more dangerous variants from mutating…
cut 11 (07) “…Moderna do”

Crude oil prices are trading above 70-dollars a barrel for the first time in nearly three years. But LSU Center for Energy Studies Director David Dismukes says don’t expect this surge in prices to result in new jobs for the state’s oil and gas industry, because of climate policies like net neutrality by 2050…
cut 8 (08) “….were at”
Dismukes says to expect to pay about a dollar per gallon more for gasoline this summer.

Carjackings are on the rise in Louisiana and it’s a big issue in New Orleans, where carjackings are up 120-percent in the first five months of this year compared to the same time period in 2020. Louisiana Attorney General Deputy Press Secretary Emmie Fuson says carjacking is a crime of opportunity for criminals…
cut 14 (11) “….looking around”
Fuson urges drivers to pay attention to their surroundings and have keys and phone in hand.

Another highly effective COVID-19 vaccine is getting closer to FDA emergency use authorization but there’s a chance it won’t be made available to Americans. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The National Hurricane Center is giving a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms in the Bay of Campeche a 70-percent chance of developing into at least a tropical depression. The system is expected to remain stationary for the next couple of days, but there’s a good chance the state could see heavy rainfall totals late this week.

Crude oil prices are back above 70 dollars a barrel for the first time in nearly three years. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director David Dismukes says Crude prices have steadily climbed as the economy reopens making experts bullish on the price…
Cut 7 (11) “…tighter.”
But Dismukes says the surge in prices will not result in an increase in oil and gas jobs due to climate policies like net neutrality by 2050.

Carjackings are on the rise in Louisiana at an alarming rate and they are happening at all hours of the day. State Attorney General Deputy Press Secretary Emmie Fuson says New Orleans has seen the largest increase in carjackings, up 120-percent in the first five months of this year.
Cut 13 (11) “…families safe.”
Fuson says approach your car with phone stored and keys in hand, park in well-lit areas, and never leave valuables in plain sight.

A study of Maryland-based Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine shows the two-dose offering is 90 percent effective, clearing the way for a fourth strong COVID-19 vaccine. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Susan Hassig says there are plenty of vaccines to go around in the United States so there’s a good chance this vaccine will be shipped out to the rest of the world…
Cut 10 (11) “…doses.”
Hassig says the Novavak is easier to distribute than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Today is tax day for most of Louisiana. Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T Bourgeois, Brad Tate, says if your salary decreased in 2020 you could be eligible for more federal assistance…
cut 5 (09) “…last year”
Taxpayers in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes have until August 16th to file because of last month’s flooding.

Crude oil prices are back above 70-dollars a barret and trading at their highest price in nearly three years. When you look at gas prices, the statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.71, nearly a dollar more than last year. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director David Dismukes expects the price at the pump will continue to increase…
cut 9 (07) “….with them”

For most Louisiana taxpayers, federal and state income taxes are due today. Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T Bourgeois Brad Tate reminds taxpayers that federal stimulus funds received in 2020 are not counted as income…
cut 6 (08) “….in 2020”
Because of flooding last month, taxpayers in Ascension. Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette Parishes have until August 16th to file their taxes.

Carjackings in Louisiana are on the rise and in New Orleans, they are up 120-percent so far this year compared to 2020. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”