Authorities are investigating an offshore explosion on Saturday night in south Plaquemines Parish that killed one person. Sgt. Kate Stegall with Louisiana State Police says they got a call that a natural gas pipeline had exploded in a marshy area near Venice, and 40-year-old Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles was missing…

Cut 12 (12) “…Mr. Nichols’ body.”

No one else was injured in the explosion or resulting fire.

The Jennings Police Department arrested Thirty-two-year-old Hannah Faith Cormier, the mother of a ten-month old child that was left in a hot car for an hour and a half last week. She’s been charged with second-degree murder and one count of cruelty to juveniles. Cormier said she accidentally left her toddler in the car while she worked a shift at a local restaurant. Police Chief Danny Semmes says they interviewed several witnesses and examined electronic devices before her arrest.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a lull due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this phenomenon, which occurs regularly during summer months, has drastically suppressed storm development in the Atlantic.…

Cut 3 (09) “…relatively quiet”

Governor Landry says the state is embarking on the largest broadband expansion program in the state’s history with the launch of Gumbo 2.0. This program will distribute one-point-three billion dollars in federal money to expand broadband. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar predicts the digital divide will be eliminated in the next couple of years…

Cut 6 (07) “…be the first to do it.”

Louisiana is embarking on the largest broadband expansion program in the state’s history with the launch of Gumbo 2.0. designed to accelerate the deployment of high-speed internet across the state by providing additional funding, resources, and streamlined processes for internet service providers. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar says Gumbo 2.0 will put into action one-point-three billion dollars to expand broadband access to 100-thousand homes, most of those in rural parishes.

Cut 7 (13) “…double that.”

There will be a rare sight in the sky Monday night. A Super Blue Moon only happens every 10 to 20 years. It’s a combination of a super moon, a bigger brighter appearing moon and a blue moon when we have 2 full moons in one month.  The Super Blue Moon should appear in the sky just after 8:00 P.M. and set at 7:24 Tuesday morning.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a welcome break this week due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (00) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana’s 57 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are in Chicago. It will feature speeches by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and current president Joe Biden, who speaks tonight. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter supported Biden’s campaign for a second term, but says he’s proud to support Harris for president, since she was next to Biden during his presidency.

Cut 11 (11) ” ..before it.”

The D-N-C runs until Thursday the 22nd.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a welcome break this week due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

______________________________________

Thanks to federal dollars, Louisiana is set to launch it’s largest broadband expansion in the history of the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

____________________________________

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a lull due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this phenomenon, which occurs regularly during summer months, has drastically suppressed storm development in the Atlantic.…

Cut 3 (09) “…relatively quiet”

The Sahara Air Layer carries dust particles across the ocean, creating a stable environment that hinders the formation of hurricanes by drying out the atmosphere and increasing wind shear, both unfavorable for tropical cyclone development. Keim says we are moving closer to the peak of the hurricane season…

Cut 4 (06) “…whole season.”

Louisiana residents are urged to remain cautious and prepared, as the absence of storms this week does not necessarily indicate a quiet season overall. Keim says stay informed about potential developments in the coming weeks.

Cut 5 (12)  “…in Louisiana.”

__________________________________________________________

Governor Landry says the state is embarking on the largest broadband expansion program in the state’s history with the launch of Gumbo 2.0. This program will distribute one-point-three billion dollars in federal money to expand broadband. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar predicts the digital divide will be eliminated in the next couple of years…

Cut 6 (07) “…be the first to do it.”

GUMBO 2.0 is designed to accelerate the deployment of high-speed internet across the state by providing additional funding, resources, and streamlined processes for internet service providers. Iyengar says Gumbo 2.0 will put into action the one-point-three billion dollars to expand broadband access to 100-thousand homes, most of those in rural parishes.

Cut 7 (13) “…double that.”

Iyengar emphasized the importance of reliable broadband access for education, healthcare, and economic development in rural areas that have historically lacked sufficient connectivity. GUMBO 2.0 introduces enhanced grant opportunities, new partnerships with local governments, and a focus on leveraging federal infrastructure funds to maximize impact.

Cut 8 (12)  “…behind me here.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says GUMBO 2.0 will create eight to ten thousand new jobs, increase the state’s GDP by $1.3 billion, and generate $2 to 3 billion in new revenue for Louisiana companies.

__________________________________________________________

Louisiana’s 57 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are in Chicago where they’ll formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says there is an electricity in Chicago as every walk of life is attending the D-N-C

Cut 9 (10) “…Windy City.”

Carter says with this Democratic National Convention, the party is looking to further a democracy that protects social security, troops and veterans and women’s reproductive rights, among other things. He says the convention is about making sure everyone knows they have a seat at the table…

Cut 10 (11) “…be at.”

The convention will feature speeches by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and current president Joe Biden, who speaks tonight. Carter supported Biden’s campaign for a second term, but says he’s proud to support Harris for president, since she was next to Biden during his presidency.

Cut 11 (11) ” ..before it.”

The D-N-C runs until Thursday the 22nd.

____________________________________________________________________

Authorities are investigating an offshore explosion on Saturday night in south Plaquemines Parish that killed one person. Sgt. Kate Stegall with Louisiana State Police says they got a call that a natural gas pipeline had exploded in a marshy area near Venice, and 40-year-old Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles was missing…

Cut 12 (12) “…Mr. Nichols’ body.”

Nichols died in the incident, and his body was recovered. Police believe he was working on the pipeline at the time of the explosion. No one else was injured in the explosion or resulting fire. Stegall says the pipelines have been blocked off, as one of them is still burning the reserve natural gas in the line.

Cut 13 (08) “…to the public.” 

Stegall says the fire doesn’t pose a threat to the public. The cause of the explosion and the incident are under investigation.

The Jennings Police Department is charging Thirty-two-year-old Hannah Faith Cormier, the mother of a ten-month old child that was left in a hot car for an hour and a half last week with second-degree murder and one count of cruelty to juveniles. Cormier said she accidentally left her toddler in the care while she worked a shift at a local restaurant. Police Chief Danny Semmes says the investigation is far from over, but they interviewed several witnesses and examined electronic devices. He says the investigation along with statements from Cormier are what lead to her arrest on Sunday. According to jail records, Cormier is being held without bond at this point.

Louisiana’s 57 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are in Chicago. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says with this Democratic National Convention, the party is looking to further a democracy that protects social security, troops and veterans and women’s reproductive rights, among other things.

Cut 10 (11) “…be at.”

Thanks to federal dollars, Louisiana is set to launch it’s largest broadband expansion in the history of the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

We’re seeing a lull in the hurricane season due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer but LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana residents should remain cautious and prepared.

Cut 5 (12)  “…in Louisiana.”

The Jennings Police Department has charged 32-year-od Hannah Cormier with second degree murder and cruelty to juveniles for leaving her 10-month old child in a hot car for two hours while she performed a shift at Wendy’s last week. Cormier said it was a terrible accident. Jennings Police have not released details on what led to the charges.

The Council for A Better Louisiana says several indicators they keep track of show Louisiana’s wellbeing is trending downwards. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

57 delegates from Louisiana are in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is one of those delegates and she says she’s proud to support Democratic presidential presumptive nominee Kamala Harris and her campaign promises…
cut 14 (12) “…get that done”

Governor Jeff Landry held a press conference today to announce the launch of the largest broadband expansion program in the history of Louisiana. One-point-three billion dollars from the federal infrastructure law passed in 2021 will be used to expand broadband to 140-thousand locations, including 100-thousand homes. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar….
cut 8 (12) “…behind me here”

Governor Landry says the state is embarking on the largest broadband expansion program in the state’s history with the launch of Gumbo 2.0. This program will distribute one-point-three billion dollars in federal money to expand broadband. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar predicts the digital divide will be eliminated in the next couple of years…
cut 6 (11) “…first to do it”

We are in the middle of August and there are no tropical storm and hurricane threats to the Gulf of Mexico in what is expected to be a very active season. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says dusty air from the Sahara Dessert that’s over the Atlantic Ocean is helping to suppress storm activity…
cut 4 (06) “…whole season”
This is season has produced five named storms and the Colorado State Hurricane Forecast team is predicting 23 named storms this year.

Louisiana’s 57 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are in Chicago where they’ll formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says there is an electricity in Chicago as every walk of life is attending the D-N-C…
cut 9 (10) “…windy city”
President Joe Biden will speak tonight.

Marketwatch-dot-com has ranked Louisiana number one for the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says…
cut 11 (08) “…we have”
Devillier expects several meetings will take place this year to come up with an auto insurance reform agenda that can be voted on during a possible special session early next year.

New Orleans Representative Mandi Landry is in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention.Landry says Harris and running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are normal people and they call Walz “Dad” because of his humor and principles…Cut 15 (12)  “…a teacher.”

The DNC runs through Thursday, August 22nd.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a lull this week due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). This phenomenon, which occurs regularly during summer months, has drastically suppressed storm development in the tropical Atlantic. LSU Public Health Climatologist  Barry Keim says that good news for Louisiana…

Cut 3 (09) relatively quiet.”

The National Hurricane Center monitors the situation closely and Keim urges people to stay informed about potential developments in the coming weeks.

State lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce auto rates after Marketwatch.com crowned Louisiana the state with the highest full-coverage car insurance rates last week. House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says legislators are trying to figure out why Louisiana is an outlier in auto insurance rates…

Cut 10 (12) “…as well.”

Five legislative committees are meeting monthly about the insurance crisis and to prepare for a possible special session.

The Council for A Better Louisiana (CABL, pronounced cable) says the state is making progress on less than half of the 35 indicators for wellbeing, and trending slightly downwards from last year. CABL president Barry Erwin says one problem area is health and wellness…

Cut 7 (09) “…those things.”

The Jennings Police Department is charging the mother of a ten-month old child that was left in a hot car for an hour and a half last week with second-degree murder and one count of cruelty to juveniles. Thirty-two-year-old Hannah Faith Cormier was arrested yesterday. Details on what led to the charges are expected to be discussed during a press conference today held by Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry and many other Democrats from Louisiana and across the country are in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. Landry says she supported President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, but says she’s more hopeful about the current nominee Vice President Kamala Harris…
Cut 13 (10) “…polar opposite.”
During a campaign rally this past weekend in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump accused the vice president of being a communist and fascist.

Governor Jeff Landry is holding a press conference in the next hour to announce the launch of Gumbo 2.0 which will use one-point-three billion dollars in federal money to bring high-speed internet to areas still lacking it. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel has been a big proponent of such an effort…
cut 6 (05) “…close the digital divide”
Senator Bill Cassidy says GUMBO 2.0 will create 8,000 to 10,000 new jobs, increase the state’s GDP by $1.3 billion, and generate $2 to 3 billion in new revenue for Louisiana companies.

Marketwatch-dot-com has ranked Louisiana number one for the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says…
cut 11 (08) “…we have”
Devillier expects several meetings will take place this year to come up with an auto insurance reform agenda.

Governor Jeff Landry will hold a press conference at 11 AM today to announce the launch of Gumbo 2.0 which will put into action 1.3 million dollars in federal money to expand broadband access to 100-thousand homes, most of those in rural parishes. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says Gumbo 2.0 expands on what’s already been done with Gumbo 1.0…
cut 5 (06) “….we’re ahead”
Gumbo 2.0 is also expected to create between eight to ten thousand jobs.

The Council for a Better Louisiana says 16 of the 35 indicators they use to measure well-being in Louisiana are trending downward. CABL President Barry Erwin says several of those indicators deal with the economy and healthcare…
cut 9 (12) “….help us make progress”
Population loss and outmigration are a continuing problem, but the state’s violent crime rate and prison recidivism showed improvement.

57 delegates from Louisiana are in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is one of those delegates and she says she’s proud to support Democratic presidential presumptive nominee Kamala Harris and her campaign promises…
cut 14 (12) “…get that done”

A top initiative for lawmakers heading into 2025 is figuring out a way to lower auto insurance rates. Several Louisiana legislators were upset Governor Landry vetoed a bill in the last regular session that could have lowered judgements awarded to plaintiffs in a car crash. Landry says he was looking out for the consumer. House Speaker Phillip Devillier says the vetoing of that bill brought awareness to the insurance crisis…
cut 12 (08) “…insurance reform”