9:30 LRN Newscast July 22

Let’s start with gasoline prices. After hitting a record high $4.55-a-gallon in mid-June, the statewide average cost of regular gas is now at $4. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says high prices have caused demand to drop, meaning crude oil prices – and prices at the pump – drop as well…:

CUT 12(09)      “…in demand.”

Redman says a storm in the Gulf will almost certainly cause another surge in pump prices.

Our state has the nation’s highest sales taxes; 9.55-percent combined state and local. The Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts…:

CUT 08(11)      “…high for states.”

In July 2025, the state tax will drop by .45-percent, to 4 cents on the dollar, but local sales taxes remain high.

 

Due to a temporary order by 19th JDC Judge Don Johnson, abortions remain legal in the state. A pro-choice group is suing to block the law; claiming it’s vague and unenforceable. Loyola Law professor Dane Ciolino believes the case will move rather quickly all the way to the state Supreme Court…:

CUT 15(12)      “months rather than years.”

The law has gone into effect twice since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade, and it’s been blocked twice.

Local sheriffs’ offices warn you to be wary of scammers who call you saying you’ve won the Publishers Clearing House giveaway, but – in order to get your cash or prizes – you must first pay taxes on them…using gift cards. They’ll use pressure to get you to act fast, but do not be fooled. Just hang up the phone.

8:30 LRN Newscast July 22

This may come as no surprise, but Louisiana ranks top of the lost for the highest sales taxes in America; at a rate of 9.55 percent. That’s according to Tax Foundation’s state and average local sales tax rates for July 2022. Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts says it’s a distinction that most people do not find flattering…:

CUT 07(12)      “…to that position.”

In July of 2025, the state sales tax will drop from 4.45 percent to four percent.

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson; acting on a lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws. Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino says Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s defending the state’s abortion ban, most likely will file an appeal…:

CUT 14(09)      “…be illegal.”

Ciolino says eventually the matter will go to the state Supreme Court.

 

If you are paying more than four-dollars a gallon for regular gasoline, you are paying more than the statewide average. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Rain and thunderstorms are moving through Louisiana at this hour, and are expected to continue – off and on – until about dinner time. The rain does give a cooling break from near-record heat, and we can expect more scattered rain through Sunday.

7:30 LRN Newscast July 22

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has already raised about $29-million in campaign cash, but says he’d like to break the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says a standard rule in politics is “more money is always better”…:

CUT 04(07)      “…get rid of him.”

Cross says, if Kennedy aims to reach the $40-million point, he probably will.

Gasoline prices have dropped to a statewide average of $4-a-gallon for regular; a retreat of some 50-cents over the last month. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says when prices are this high, reality sets in on consumers…:

CUT 11(11)      “…that impact”

Demand for gas has dropped sharply due to high prices, so the prices themselves have dropped.

 

Another scam alert. Lawmen in Acadiana says don’t be fooled by people claiming to be with Publishers Clearing House. The liars will say you’ve won fabulous prizes or cash, but they need you to pay taxes on it in advance…using gift cards. Just hang up the phone.

The Bayou State ranks at the top of a list, but it’s not necessarily the first place ranking consumers would be pleased about. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

6:30 LRN Newscast July22

After raising over $29-million for his re-election, Senator John Kennedy says he wants to hit the $40-million mark before Election Day. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Shreveport teen is under arrest for possessing and distributing child pornography. Caddo Parish Cyber Crimes deputies followed a tip that led to the evidence the boy had been downloading and sharing those images online. He is now in juvenile detention. More charges may be coming.

 

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson. A lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws is at the center of the injunction. The order gives both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial, however, Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino believes abortions will stop sooner than later…:

CUT 13(12)      “…district judge.”

A ban on abortions in Louisiana has gone into effect twice and been blocked twice since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

After hitting a record high of $4.55 a gallon for regular gasoline on June 15th, the statewide average has finally fallen back to four-dollars a gallon according to Triple-A. Fuel analyst Don Redman says the demand for gasoline has led to a drop in prices at the pump..:

CUT 10(07)      “… that demand erode.”

4:30 LRN Newscast July 21

The state Bond Commission votes to withhold some state money from the City of New Orleans; $39-million in sewer & water cash. It’s in response to Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatening she would not enforce the state’s abortion law, which is currently on hold. During arguments for and against, State Treasurer John Schroder wasn’t pleased at using the Bond Commission to send a political message..:

CUT 11(11)      “…to get on.”

The excessive heat is threatening Louisiana crops. State Ag Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says corn and soy farmers are working overtime to assure their crops don’t dry up in the heat…:

CUT 13(12)      “…of the heat.”

Some parts of the state are getting some cooling rain, but that means another problem; mosquitos which transmit West Nile and Eastern encephalitis.

 

COVID-19. The BA.5 variant means the current surge in Louisiana is on track to be one of the longest. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Tech’s men’s basketball team is headed for Puerto Rico. The Bulldogs travel to San Juan early next month for an NCAA three game summer exhibition tour. Head Coach Talvin Hester says it’ll be a great experience for his guys. Tech has ten players returning from last season.

3:30 LRN Newscast July 21

The Louisiana Bond Commission votes to withhold funding for the New Orleans water and sewerage board over the city’s threat to not enforce state laws that ban abortions. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

In Caddo Parish, a 21-year-old Haughton man gets the longest sentence possible, after pleading guilty to raping a child. Oscar Gonzalez was ordered to 40 years behind bars for the 2020 assault on a 7-year-old. He will also have to register as a se offender for life.

 

As we hear news that President Biden has COVID, state health officials say we need to be vigilant of the BA.5 variant; more infectious, but less deadly. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 3400 new cases are reported today, but there are likely many more cases yet undetected…:

CUT 04(07)      “…access to testing.”

If there’s an upside, it’s that BA.5 COVID is sending fewer people to the hospital than previous variants.

A Baton Rouge woman told sheriff’s deputies she had to play dead, after being shot by her ex right in front of her kids, in hopes she’d avoid being shot again. The victim says 30-year-old Roy Haynes instead kicked her in the stomach and left. Her children, ages 9 and 15, witnessed the whole thing. She will be OK. Haynes is now in custody; charged with attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a gun.

2:30 LRN Newscast July 21

The state Bond Commission will withhold at least SOME state money from the City of New Orleans, to send a message to the Mayor who has vowed NOT to enforce the state’s abortion ban law. The $39-million for the Sewerage & Water Board held back, is in response to a request from Attorney General Jeff Landry who wanted it ALL held back. One commission member voting against that was Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:

CUT 10(09)      “…politically correct vote.”

The Bond Commission will consider again next month whether to release that money to the city.

The President has COVID, despite four total COVID shots. Medical experts say that BA.5 variant is awfully easy to catch. Louisiana’s state Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says COVID in its 6th surge and this is one track to be the longest…:

CUT 03(07)      “…transmissible variant.”

 

Senator Bill Cassidy is elated at Senate Energy Committee approval of his offshore revenue sharing bill today. Called the RISE Act, that stands for Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems. Cassidy says the bill would remove limits on how much annual revenue sharing can flow into the state, and that money can be put to important use…:

CUT 08(12)      “…to natural resources.”

The bill goes now to the full Senate for debate. A number of Senators from all parties signed on as co-sponsors, which is good sign.

A Winn Parish woman and her unborn child were killed in a single-vehicle crash on state Highway 505 a few miles west of the town of Dodson. State Police say 32-year-old Bronwyn Chandler crashed into tree. She was taken to a hospital, but she and her baby didn’t make it.

1:30 LRN Newscast July 21

The State Bond Commission agrees to withhold SOME state funding for the City of New Orleans; a response to Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s vow to NOT enforce the state’s abortion ban law. Attorney General Jeff Landry made the request. A $39-million line of credit for the city’s Sewerage & Water Board has been suspended by a 12-2 VOTE. Commission member and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is in full support…:

CUT 09(12)      “…be impeached.”

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bill to provide the state bigger revenue shares of offshore energy developed passed the U.S. Senate Energy committee this morning. Cassidy says the bill will lift a cap on state revenue sharing (currently at $375-million a year), and create a revenue sharing mechanism for offshore wind energy..:

CUT 07(11)      “…other coastal states.”

A bunch of senators have signed on as co-sponsors; a good indication it could pass the full Senate.

 

The BA.5 variant has the current surge of COVID in Louisiana on track to become one of the longest surges yet…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Jefferson Parish family is upset at their high bill from Entergy; especially because there’s been no power to their home since Hurricane Ida. The Avondale residents say the power company wants $2200, but the wire to their meter has been cut for the past 11 months. So far, no response from Entergy.

12;30 LRN Newscast July 21

A Calcasieu Parish jury gives convicted cop killer Kevin Daigle a death sentence. Daigle shot and killed State Police Trooper Steven Vincent in August of 2015. He was found guilty in 2019. Calcasieu D.A. Stephen Dwight says Daigle was cold and unrepentant, and he stands by the choice of capital punishment…:

CUT 28(07)      “…on video.”

Daigle’s appeal is automatic under Louisiana law.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bicameral bill to provide the state bigger revenue shares of offshore energy developed passed the U.S. Senate Energy committee this morning. Cassidy says it’s called the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems Act, aka RISE…:

CUT 06(10)      “…restore that coastline”

The full Senate will debate it next.

 

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt says he’s the first well-funded Republican to challenge Congressman Clay Higgins. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 26 (33)     “…Brooke Thorington.”

…and now Farm Bureau’s Avery Davidson with today’s markets….

4:30 LRN Newscast July 20

Republican US Senator John Kennedy is being challenged by three democrats in his re-election campaign for his second term…:

CUT 01(42)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Two Baton Rouge women who gave a large volume of whiskey to a toddler, resulting in the child’s death, have been indicted for murder. It happened last April. Police say the grandma did the deed, but the 4-year-old’s mother was there and did nothing to stop it.

 

The state is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan after nearly one-thousand people were killed in crash crashes in 2021. Based on preliminary data, 971 motorists died, a 17-percent increase from 2020. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says that’s the highest percentage increase in one year ever…:

CUT 11(12)      “…community crisis.”

Increasing education efforts, strengthening laws and public policies to prohibit risky behaviors such as distracted driving are what the state has in mind.

A 15-year-old girl died last night in a single vehicle crash in St. James Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says a 17-year-old was behind the wheel on LA Highway 18 when he failed to stay on the road…:

CUT 14(10)      “…overturn.”

Brennan says, seat belts might have saved the life of young Ramiya Sowell, of St James.