Nearly 71 million Americans are expected to travel during the Fourth of July holiday marking the highest travel volume for this period on record according to AAA.  Sean Richardson has more. 

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The University Medical Center New Orleans has launched its Healthy Brain Aging Initiative to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Mel Bridges has more.

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This year in Louisiana the 4^th of July marks the first day those 18 and older can conceal carry. Brooke Thorington has more.

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AAA predicts that nearly 71 million Americans will travel during the Fourth of July holiday marking the highest travel volume for this period on record. This figure includes road trips, air travel, and other forms of transportation. Road trips are expected to be especially popular.  AAA spokesperson Nick Chabberia…

Cut 4 (07) “…July 7th.”

Chabberia says that the pandemic shutdown is not on people’s minds and they are not putting trips off anymore and with lower gas prices compared to last year, people are finding ways to travel this Fourth of July…

Cut 5 (08) “…the country.”

Air travel is also seeing significant demand despite high ticket prices, with bookings remaining strong.

Cut 6 (12) “…year over year.”

AAA recommends using traffic apps and checking local Department of Transportation notifications. The best travel times are projected to be before noon on July 3 and July 4 to avoid peak congestion.

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The University Medical Center New Orleans has launched its Healthy Brain Aging Initiative. Dr. Demetrius Maraganore (mare-a-gan-or-ee) with the Tulane Department of Neurology says the initiative will help reduce the number of people living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S., which is predicted to triple by 2050.

Cut 7 (12) “…specifically.”

The initiative has three centers — Alzheimer’s prevention, memory disorders and movement disorders — that focus on prevention, treatment, support and research. Maraganore says the centers are helpful for those at risk of cognitive decline too, as the centers can help answer several important questions such as…

Cut 8 (11) “…Alzheimer’s?”

Though the initiative’s focus is improving cognitive health in aging patients in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, the program is available to anyone anywhere, whether they know they’re at risk of cognitive decline or not. Maraganore says the program is especially useful for those with Alzheimer’s, as they can…

Cut 9 (10)  “…dementia.”

More information can be found under the About tab on the UMCNO website.

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Beginning tomorrow non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in Louisiana. New Iberia Senator Blake Miquez who authored the legislation says it’s a historic moment in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (08) “…violent criminals.”

Miquez, a world champion competitive pistol shooter, says all the same restrictions, obligations, and responsibilities under constitutional carry still apply as they do with a concealed carry permit.

Cut 11 (12) “…official stop”

Miquez says you can find those rules and regulations at LSP.org and other gun safety tips. Miquez says the new law, which goes into effect on Independence Day, empowers law-abiding citizens with the right to defend themselves.

Cut 12 (07) “…their actions.” 

If you aren’t trained in how to use a firearm, Miguez urges you to take a course for your own safety and the safety of others. You can find more information on LSP’s website. Louisiana will become the 29th state to allow permitless carry. 

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Recreational red snapper season will be weekends-only after a brief close in the season from July 7 to 12. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Director of Marine Fisheries Chris Schieble (shee-ble) says these changes are an attempt to slow an above-average catching season.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Labor Day weekend.”

55% of allocated red snapper have been caught since the season opened on April 15th. Schieble says LDWF is empowered to close the red snapper season mid-season like this, but they only do it to make sure anglers have enough to catch.

Cut 14 (08)  “…like this.”

The current bag limit of four per person and size limit of 16 inches minimum won’t change. Schieble says LDWF has had similar pauses in the red snapper season over the past couple of years and urges anglers to remember this is nothing new or drastic.

Cut 15 (11)  “…adjustments.”

Red snapper season runs until Labor Day, which is Monday, September 2nd.

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Cut 19 (19) “…adversity.” 

Cut 20 (22) “…overcome that.”

Yes, it’s hot out there but LSU climatologist Barry Keim says this dome of high pressure is helping keep Hurricane Beryl from making a turn towards Louisiana.

Cut 12 (11) “… hope not.” 

The State Police Crime Lab launches a statewide sexual assault kit tracking program. Mel Bridges has the details.

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State Wildlife has cited six fishermen for illegally catching 120 red snapper of which 97 were undersized in Plaquemines Parish. Captain Tim Fox says Red snapper fishing is tightly regulated to ensure sustainable populations, and each angler is allowed to only catch four a day and the fish must be over 16 inches.

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The men face thousands of dollars in fines.

Congressman Troy Carter is upset the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted Denka, a chemical plant in St. John Parish, a two-year extension to reduce chloroprene emissions by 98-percent. Originally, they had until October 15^thbut Denka says it’s an unrealistic timeline and will result in the plant closing. Carter says the health of the area residents should be the top priority…

Cut 7 (10) “…anti-violator move..”

Congressman Troy Carter is upset the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted the Denka chemical plant in St. John Parish, a two-year extension to reduce emissions. Sean Richardson has more.

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A fire broke out at the BioLab Plant in Westlake this morning, prompting a shelter in place. The fire has since been contained and the blaze is under investigation. State DEQ issued a news release that air monitors have not detected unsafe chlorine levels.

The state Crime Lab has launched a statewide sexual assault kit tracking program because of a law approved in 2023. LSP Captain Chad Guidry says the program is helpful not only for survivors, as it ensures they know where their kit is in the process, but for law enforcement too.

Cut 10 (08) “…the kits.”

You can find out more about the Tracking System and Survivor Portal under the Services tab at LSP.org.

State Wildlife has cited six fishermen for illegally catching 120 red snapper of which 97 were undersized in Plaquemines Parish. Captain Tim Fox says Red snapper fishing is tightly regulated to ensure sustainable populations, and each angler is allowed to only catch four a day and the fish must be over 16 inches.

Cut 4 (06) “…24 snapper.”

The men face thousands of dollars in fines.

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 49-year-old Ginny Williamson, 49-year-old Steven Williamson and the child in their custody died in what appears to be a murder/suicide. Ard says the bodies were discovered by a family member this morning who then called authorities around 8:00 a.m.

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Hurricane Beryl is a Category 4 storm as it moves into the Caribbean. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says Beryl is likely to miss Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center’s official forecast has Beryl hitting the Yucatan peninsula later this week, but Keim says there are a couple of models showing a turn toward the Gulf Coast.

Cut 5 (06)  “…(x2) problem.”

After a unanimous vote, Dr. Wade Rousse (rhymes with moose) will serve as the next president of McNeese State University. Jeff Palermo has more.

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Ville Platte Farmer Richard Fontenot has been elected the 13^th president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau. Among the biggest issues Fontenot says the industry is facing is the lack of a current Farm Bill.

Cut 10 (07) “…next spring.”

He says farmers need that safety net to receive the financial lending they need to put their crops in

Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane in what is expected to be a very busy season, is Category 4 storm. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says Beryl has already set a record for the earliest Category 4 to form in a season. Most hurricanes of this strength occur in August.

Cut 4 (06) “…rest of season.”

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany this  morning. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 49-year-old Ginny Williamson, 49-year-old Steven Williamson and the child in their custody died in what appears to be a murder/suicide.

Cut 13 (09)  “…shot herself.”

Investigators believe the shooting happened over the weekend and they were found by a relative this morning.

After a unanimous vote by the University of Louisiana System, Dr. Wade Rousse (rhymes with moose) will serve as the next president of McNeese State University. Rousse says he wants to make sure every student knows how their time at the school will help them in the workforce. He thinks this should help curb declining enrollment.

Cut 7 (10) “…(x2) enrollment.”  

Ville Platte Farmer Richard Fontenot has been elected the 13^th president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau. Fontenot, a rice, soybean, and crawfish farmer was elected Sunday at the organization’s 102nd convention. He says the honor is humbling.

Cut 9 (11) “…of words.”

Hurricane Beryl is a Category 4 storm as it moves into the Caribbean. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says Beryl is likely to miss Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center’s official forecast has Beryl hitting the Yucatan peninsula later this week, but Keim says there are a couple of models showing a turn towards the Gulf Coast.

Cut 5 (06)  “…(x2) problem.”

Whether Beryl threatens Louisiana or not, Keim encourages residents to start hurricane prepping if they haven’t already.

The personal finance website WalletHub has found Louisiana residents are least diligent with their credit. WalletHub’s Cassandra Happe says there is a large percentage of Louisiana adults who have collection agencies going after them for money that is past due…

Cut 8 (09) “…payment.”
The SEC officially welcomes Texas and Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference today, making it sixteen schools starting the 2024 season. Sean Richardson has the story.

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Hurricane Beryl is a Category 4 storm as it moves into the Caribbean. Beryl is the first hurricane in what is expected to be a very busy season. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says this early start is due to factors such as abnormally warm sea surface temperatures.

Cut 3 (07) “…August.”

Whether Beryl threatens Louisiana or not, Keim encourages residents to start hurricane prepping if they haven’t already.

Among the new laws that go into effect today is one the Louisiana Department of Insurance says establishes a simple, clear timeline for when a claim should be paid. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says the measure also gives insurance companies an additional 30 days to pay a claim following a natural disaster…

Cut 14 (12)  “…30 days.”
Talbot says this legislation seeks to reduce unnecessary litigation.

Beginning August 1st both Medicaid and private insurers are required to cover for the care or treatment of menopause and perimenopause because of a new law approved by Louisiana lawmakers. New Orleans Democratic Representative Aimee Freeman says insurers opposed this new law…

Cut 5 (10) “…along the way.”
Freeman says there’s been more research on how to treat menopausal side effects and women deserve to have that coverage.

Texas and Oklahoma officially join the Southeastern Conference today. SEC Associate Commissioner Herb Vincent says one of the challenges of increasing their membership to 16 schools is football scheduling…

Cut 11 (12) “…finalized.”

Several new laws go into effect today and the Fair Claims Processing bill is one of them. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says the new law establishes a simple, clear timeline for the claims process that makes it easier for policyholders and property insurers to understand when a claim should be paid.

Cut 13 (12)  “…clock starts.”
The law gives insurance companies 30 days for residential and 60 days for commercial.

Texas and Oklahoma officially join the Southeastern Conference today. SEC Associate Commissioner Herb Vincent says the NCAA’s best conference just got better…

Cut 12 (10) “…coming in.” 

Beginning August 1st both Medicaid and private insurers are required to cover for the care or treatment of menopause and perimenopause. New Orleans Democrat Representative Aimee Freeman says she received bipartisan support. In committee, it was recommended that the requirement for private insurers be removed but when it reached the House floor, Republican Representative Peter Egan added it back in.

Cut 6 (12) “…Republican colleagues.”

A new survey from WalletHub shows Louisiana residents rank the worst in managing their debt and credit score. WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe (happy) says this is likely because Louisianians have high debt overall and may be unable to make payments…

Cut 7 (09) “…recently.”

The ranking for was the first quarter of the year.

Congressman Troy Carter introduces legislation to empower the FDA to destroy imported seafood that’s contaminated so it doesn’t make it back into the food chain. He says the bill protects consumers and the state’s seafood industry. Because of the safety guideline Louisiana Seafood farmers adhere to.

Cut 7 (08) “… the right thing.”  

The Louisiana Farm Bureau’s 102^nd Annual Convention is in New Orleans this weekend. Where more than 15 hundred farmers and their families are gathered. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says the Bureau advocates for farmers, ranchers, and rural residents and ensures that policies are in place for those…

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Last night was the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign season. Mel Bridges has the details from Tulane Associate Professor of Political Science Brian Brox.

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The first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign season was last night, leaving Americans with a wide array of feelings about the two likely presidential nominees. Tulane Associate Professor of Political Science Brian Brox says former President Trump delivered about what was expected from him…

Cut 3 (09) “…rallies.”

Former New Orleans Saints Safety, Steve Gleason will be honored with the 2024 Authur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS.  The award is given to those whose contributions transcend sports. Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, founded Team Gleason to improve life for those living with the disease.  Gleason’s publicist, Clare Durrett …

Cut 7 (10) “…able to do.”
This year’s ESPYS will air live on Thursday, July 11 at 7 PM.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau’s 102^nd Annual Convention is in New Orleans this weekend. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says because Jim Harper is not seeking another term members will choose a new president.

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Disney is bringing New Orleans to Orlando with its’ newest ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Mark Romig (Roh-mig) with New Orleans and Company says the ride is based on “The Princess and the Frog” movie and legendary chef Leah Chase inspired the character of Tiana. He hopes the ride inspires people to come see the real place.

Cut 6 (11) “…come visit.”

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Disney World today and Disneyland later this year.