FEMA expects to lose more than a million flood insurance policyholders due to an increase in cost. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says lawmakers are hoping to address the issue…:

CUT 02(28)      “…Thorington.”

Lafayette Mayor President Josh Guillory has asked the state attorney general to issue an opinion on whether or not he can continue working while he is in rehab for alcohol addiction and PTSD. Guillory is a military veteran and has seen action. Members of the Lafayette council are looking at appointing an interim mayor. Guillory wants to keep working.

The U.S. has now seen two consecutive quarters of decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the frequent definition of what makes an economic recession. U.L. Lafayette economics professor Gary Wagner says the true definition is more complicated than that, but…:

CUT 06  (11)        “…in a recession right now.”

Wagner says it’s been 70 years since there were two straight quarters of GDP shrinkage that did NOT create a recession.

…and now a look at today’s markets…

Entergy went before the state Public Service Commission again today, to answer questions about record-high utility bills that are plaguing customers already facing record-high inflation. Entergy CEO Phillip May says, to help, they will waive late pay fees and credit card payment fees, and…:

CUT 09(09)      “…lower income customers”

PSC member Foster Campbell says Entergy is getting very rich during this crisis and needs to do more. Campbell also feels utilities need to compete for your business. Right now, they do not.

Lafayette Police identify the man whose body was found Tuesday night in the Vermillion River. They says 74-year-old David Mayeaux fell into the water and drowned. His death has been ruled accidental.

The Department of Health reports just over 2000 new cases of COVID, with 732 in the hospital with symptoms. They report 9 COVID-related deaths since Monday.

A Shreveport man is behind bars, after Caddo Deputies found hundreds of child porn images on his computer and devices. 25-year-old Glenderek Merritt faces 200 counts of possessing the illicit images. The investigation is ongoing and more charges could be coming for Merritt.

As many as 150 tourists a day could descend upon the river parishes via the Mississippi River soon. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

At a time when electricity bills are the highest they’ve ever been, Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May appeared before the Public Service Commission. Jeff Palermo has that…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

A St. John Parish deputy is credited with saving a fledgling bald eagle after it flew into the rear window of a parked pickup truck. Deputy Sgt. John Norsworthy swaddled the bird in a towel and took it to Wings of Hope Bird Sanctuary in Livingston Parish, where it should make a full recovery.

Tourism in Louisiana’s river parishes can expect a boost when American Cruise Lines launches new Mississippi River cruises – from New Orleans to Memphis – with a stop along the way in Vacherie. Jay Robichaux, with the River Parishes Tourism Commission, says this is welcome news…:

CUT 03(07)      “…parishes.”

A dock is in the works and those stops could begin within just weeks.

The founders of the WAITR food delivery app develop a new mobile app for skilled tradesmen. Chris Meaux, who founded WAITR in 2013, is Chairman and co-founder of BoomNation, which will connect skilled job seekers with employers and vice-versa. But, he says, it’ll offer more than just finding and posting jobs…:

CUT 08(10)      “…like-minded skilled workers.”

Meaux says most job-finding apps and sites are more office job oriented, but BoomNation is just for tradesmen.

Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May tells the Public Service Commission that the utility company is doing more to help customers experiencing higher than normal electric and gas bills. One PSC member, Foster Campbell of northwest Louisiana, criticized Entergy for not using more solar power. May says the company has plans to do so…:

CUT 11(10)      “…even five years ago.”

But Campbell remains skeptical of Entergy and feels utilities should have to compete for customers’ business. Currently they do not…:

CUT 12(12)      “…goin’ all your way.”

May says, to help customers feeling the pinch, Entergy is waiving late pay fees and credit card payment fees.

Coming soon: cruises on the Mississippi River, WITH stops at some great river cities along the way. Here’s more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

No one won the massive Mega Millions jackpot in Tuesday night’s drawing. The pot now rolls over to an estimated prize of just over a billion bucks for Friday night. An expected spike in ticket sales will probably push that even higher.

A Golden Meadow man faces video voyeurism charges after a woman discovered a camera in her bedroom. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says Golden Meadow Police asked them to assist when they looked at the camera’s memory card and they found nude photos of the victim…AND the accused, 65-year-old Ricky Cheramie, installing the hidden cam. Matherne says the man admitted as much during questioning…:

CUT 14(10)      “…his phone.”

Cheramie’s bail was set at $10-thousand. This is the second crime of this type IN Lafourche in just a few months.

Researchers at Tulane University pinpoint the origin of COVID-19 to the Wuhan Market. Tulane’s Dr. Robert Garry was part of that study; identifying a great number of the first known cases…:

CUT 07(10)      “…Wuhan Market.”

American Cruise Lines will soon bring tourists via the Mississippi to rivertowns Vacherie and others; making a boon to the river parishes. Executive Director of the River Parishes Tourist Commission Jay Robichaux says it’s welcome news for St Charles, St John, and St James parishes…:

Cut 03  (07)      “…parishes.”

The cruises will run from New Orleans to Memphis with many stops in between.

Renowned cancer researcher Dr. Joe Ramos has been named director of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center in New Orleans. Coming from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Ramos says his mission will be to directly help lower cancer rates in Louisiana…:

CUT 12(10)      “…get it done.”

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center serves as a collaborative hub to advance cancer research, improve prevention, and develop innovative treatments.

According to AAA close to two-thirds of motorists have made lifestyle changes due to prices at the pump…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Morehouse Parish deputies are investigating three separate shooting incidents in the small town of Bastrop in just eight days; all outside one local convenience store. LEO’s believe all are the result of disputes that are drug-related. Tipsters are asked to call the MPSO and share what they know.

The state Department of Children and Family Services has received approval to expand pandemic benefits for eligible K-12 students to help cover the cost of food for the summer. Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says students who received free or reduced-price meals and were in school in May of 2022, won’t have to apply for summer P-EBT benefits…:

CUT 10(06)      “…the benefits.”

Sign up or get more information at “PEBT.la.org”

In New Orleans, the federal tax fraud trial of Orleans D.A. Jason Williams has gone to the jury. Prosecutors say Williams and a business partner willingly filed false returns to get out of paying thousand in taxes. Williams’ defense attorneys blame it all on his accountant, but called no witnesses. A verdict is expected soon.

Federal money flows into Louisiana to establish broadband internet service to some 66-thousand homes & businesses in 50 parishes. Veneeth Iyengar is Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity. He says the money comes from the America Rescue Plan, and using it they have a goal to eliminate the digital divide in Louisiana by 2029…:

CUT 14(07)      “…spent wisely.”

See if your parish will benefit. Visit “connect. La.gov”

According to a survey by AAA, motorists are making significant changes in their driving habits to combat high gas prices. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says that’s true, and these are the three behaviors they’re changing…:

CUT 03(09)      “…the economy.”

Gas IS in retreat. The statewide average for regular is now $3.92; down 53-cents from a month ago.

When qualifying for fall elections ended last week, it was clear that NO Democrat candidates were running in TWO congressional races. Shreveport Congressman Mike Johnson had no challenger at all – winning re-election unopposed. Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves has two contenders, but neither are Democrats. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says both are strong “red” districts with little hope for a Democrat to win. Nevertheless, he says, the absence of any well-known Dems in those races isn’t a good sign for future Democrat electoral endeavors…:

CUT 08(09)      “…in the 2023 elections.”

Deputies in Lafourche Parish arrest a Golden Meadow man for allegedly planting a camera in a woman’s home and capturing photos of her nude. The victim called deputies who found images of 65-year-old Ricky Cheramie also on the camera, installing the device. He’s been booked with video voyeurism and further charges may be coming.

Motorists have been making significant changes in their driving habits to combat high gas prices, that’s according to a Triple-A survey. Spokesperson Don Redman says almost two-thirds of drivers are changing their driving and spending routines…even foregoing vacations…:

CUT 05(10)      “…reduce those expenditures.”

After qualifying for the fall midterm elections ended last week, it was evident there were no democrat candidates in two congressional races. Why? District 4’s Mike Johnson was just re-elected, having drawn NO opponent – democrat or otherwise. In District 6, Garret Graves has two challengers; a republican and a libertarian. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says those two worked hard for the folks back home…:

CUT 07(13)      “…constituents satisfied.”

He says those districts favor Republicans, but this still bodes ill for democrats in the 2023 elections.

The state Department of Children and Family Services receives approval to expand pandemic benefits for eligible K-12 students to help cover the cost of food for the summer. Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says it’s part of the USDA’s summer program…:

CUT 09(05)      “…separate installments.”

For those who did not receive benefits in May, Howard says they would need to apply by this Friday, July 29^th.

$130-million will be used from the America Rescue Plan to bring more affordable and accessible internet to over 66-thousand homes and small businesses in 50 parishes. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar says to find out if your parish will benefit, go to “connect.la.gov”…:

CUT 13(12)      “…made yesterday.”

According to Triple-A close to two-thirds of motorists have made lifestyle changes due to prices at the pump…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Raising Canes CEO Todd Graves has bought 50-thousand tickets for tonight’s massive Mega Millions drawing. Graves says if any of the tickets wins the big jackpot, he will split it evenly among his company’s employees. The jackpot is now roughly $810-million.

Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections ended last week with no Democrat candidate in two congressional district races. Why? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says District 4’s Mike Johnson was just re-elected, having drawn NO opponent; democrat or otherwise. In District 6, Garret Graves has two challengers; a republican and a libertarian. Hogan says those are both VERY conservative districts…:

CUT 06(07)      “…are very low.”

He says Johnson and Graves have also worked hard to assure constituents are happy with them. Hogan says the lack of well-known Democrats running this fall bodes ill for statewide eklections next fall.

…and now today’s markets…

Motorists have been making significant changes in their driving habits to combat high gas prices, that’s according to a AAA survey. Spokesman Don Redman says almost two-thirds of drivers are changing their driving routines and the top three behaviors they’ve altered are…:

CUT 03(10)      “…the economy.”

The statewide average price of regular gas $3.92; down 53-cents from a month ago.

$130-million in federal money has come to Louisiana to expand broadband access statewide. Coincidentally, the state is also piloting a program to improve the state’s digital literacy rate. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says they hope to see a 50-percent increase within five years…:

CUT 10(08)      “…forward in Louisiana.

The FastStart incentive program at Louisiana Economic Development takes top honors for the 13^th time. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Catahoula Parish deputies hope to identify the remains of a woman found last weekend by fishermen in Black River, near Jonesville. She is between 20 and 40 years of age, but due to advanced decomposition, the I.D. is hard. They ask if anyone thinks they can help identify the woman, call 318-744-5411; ask for Detective King.