A Calcasieu Parish man is dead, after being shot late Monday night by a homeowner as he tried to force his way into a house. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the Lake Charles homeowner, who has not been identified, became alarmed when 21-year-old Joseph Tezeno tried to get in through his front door, then the back door too…:

CUT 12(12)      “…chain of events.”

Mancuso says Tezeno seemed very drunk (or high) and was perhaps unaware of where he was. No charges are planned against the homeowner, but Mancuso says the Calcasieu DA will make that call.

In a radio interview, District 6 congressman Garret Graves says small business is getting the worst end of the economic downturn and labor shortages left over from the pandemic. He says they suffer the consequences of public policies that discouraged people from re-entering the workforce…:

CUT 09(08)      “…to work.”

Bomb threats were called in to six Louisiana community & technical colleges this morning. Authorities in each community scoured the campuses and found no explosive devices. No one is reported hurt. The source of those threats is now being investigated.

The recently hired Grambling State University volleyball coach who famously cut the entire team has been fired and the students are reinstated. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Michelle Southern.”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says he doesn’t plan to arrest a Lake Charles homeowner who shot and killed a man that was trying to force entry into his home. He says the un-named homeowner was alarmed when the man tried to get in the front door, then the back. He met the man at the door, fired one shot into the ground as a warning, then – when the man advanced – fired twice; killing him. Mancuso says security and doorbell camera footage backs the homeowner’s story…:

CUT 14  (08)        “…it’s just unfortunate.”

21-year-old Joe Tezeno, of Lake Arthur, was apparently VERY impaired at the time. Mancuso says he has no criminal record at all.

The state Department of Health reports 2753 new cases of COVID-19, with 539 people in the hospital statewide with virus symptoms. They also report another three COVID-related deaths. 1.3-million Louisianans have been diagnosed with coronavirus since the pandemic began over 2 years ago.

The economy is hitting everyone hard, and the state Department of Transportation is no exception. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01  (35)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state legislature’s attempt at a so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill may have failed, but will school systems enact policy to do that anyway? Rapides Parish Schools are now prohibiting staff from discussing gender identity or sexuality with any student in the classroom, K through 12.

A Calcasieu Parish man is dead, after being shot late Monday night by a homeowner as he tried to force his way into a house. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the Lake Charles homeowner, who has not been identified, became alarmed when 21-year-old Joseph Tezeno, of Lake Arthur, tried to get in through his front door, then the back door too. Fearing for the safety of he and his wife, the homeowner got a gun and met Tezeno at the door, to warn him away…:

CUT 13(12)      “…coming at him.”

Mancuso says Tezeno seemed to be very drunk at the time, and perhaps unaware of where he was. No charges are planned against the homeowner.

A Baton Rouge area man is lucky to be alive, after his pickup went over the guardrail of the elevated I-110 and fell nearly 50 feet to the ground below. The man had to be cut from the mangled truck. He was taken to a local hospital. His injuries are reported to be serious, but he is expected to live.

While visiting his home district this week, Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he’s met with local businesses and leaders to discuss how the current economy and worker shortage is impacting their bottom line. Graves blames government programs for keeping people from reentering the work force and that we continue to suffer the consequences. Graves says small businesses are the ones most affected by the worker shortage. He says larger companies have more flexibility to bring workers in from other states or shift work to other areas…:

CUT 11(09)      “…big difference.”

Bomb threats made this morning to several community college campuses across the state are under investigation. So far, no explosive devices have been found.

Gas prices still slowly dropping. The statewide average for regular is now $4.35-a-gallon; down 8-cents from a week ago. Lowered demand for gas is reportedly behind the price declines.

The economy is hitting us all hard. Even the state Department of Transportation & Development is feeling the effects. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state Workforce Commission’s unemployment website, called, “HiRE”, is back online after an attempted malware attack took it down. 40 other states had websites attacked as well. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says unemployment payments in Louisiana will start processing soon. Because of new vender security features, payments could take up to 36 hours to process.

A Baton Rouge area man is lucky to be alive, after his pickup went over the guardrail of the elevated I-110 and fell nearly 50 feet to the ground below. The man gad to be cut from the mangled truck. He was taken to a local hospital. His injuries are reported to be serious, but he is expected to live. That crash is under investigation.

The Grambling State University volleyball coach who famously cut the entire team when she was hired has been fired from her job and all student athletes have been reinstated. Chelsey Lucas was under heavy scrutiny from parents and alumni as the players held scholarships with the institution. Kyle Mosley is the Managing Editor for Sports Illustrated’s HBCU Legends…:

CUT 06(12)      “…proper notice.”

Grambling says a national search for a new coach is already underway.

Even the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is feeling the effects of the economy. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says inflation, supply chain issues and the worker shortage are all impacting road construction projects. Wilson says the skilled labor shortage is also a factor for the department. He says it’s hard for the department to compete against jobs that are paying significantly more…:

CUT 04(10)      “…in air conditioning.”

Wilson says bids for some projects are coming in 30, 40 and even 50 percent above estimate.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to accusations she is downplaying burgeoning crime in the Crescent City. Several council members say talking with her about it is (quote) like talking to a wall.” In a statement to WWL-TV, Cantrell says, (quote) ”to say that we don’t take crime and public safety seriously, is…is not paying attention to the prevention, intervention and community transformation strategies that this administration has put forward. The city has seen over 250 murders in the past 12 months.

The recently hired Grambling State University Volleyball Coach who famously cut the entire team has been fired and the students are reinstated. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Michelle Southern,”

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish say a Lake Charles resident shot and killed a college student who was trying to break into his home late Monday night. The homeowner says the young man made multiple attempts to get in, when the man shot him. 21-year-old Joe Tezeno, of Lake Arthur, was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is underway.

A tragic 4^th of July boating incident in Livingston Parish claims the life of 17-year-old Madison Bradley of Slidell. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says Madison was last seen riding in front of the protective railing on the bow of a pontoon boat on Blind River in Livingston Parish. She was tossed overboard then run over by the boat’s driver and killed by the propeller. Einck says one should never go beyond that railing…:

CUT 05(12)      “…what happened.”

The boat’s driver has been charged with DWI, reckless operation and negligent vehicular homicide in the girl’s death.

From boating safety to general water safety for kids…a new state law requires public schools to provide training in basic water safety. Larose Representative Joe Orgeron is the author. He says he resurrected a bill from a few years ago…:

CUT 07(11)      “…something good of it.”

Drownings are a big cause of injury death for Louisiana kids.

After another mass shooting took place Monday in the Chicago area, voices are again calling for stiffer gun controls. One of them is New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter, who says universal background checks could keep guns out of the hands of unstable people…:

CUT 14(10)      “…background checks.”

A new gun bill is headed for the President’s desk. Carter says it doesn’t do enough.

The Coalition to Defend Southwest Louisiana started a new campaign last week that seeks to stop the spread of gas terminals across the Gulf Coast. Southwest Louisiana coordinator James Hiatt says adding more of these terminals, also known as LNGs, in an attempt to increase profits is a threat to our way of life…:

CUT 10(10)      “…that’s suicidal.”

Governor Edwards signed into law a bill that requires public schools in the state to teach water safety. The bill’s author is Larose Representative Joe Orgeron, who says an average of 17 children drowned each year from 2017 through 2019, making it the number three cause of injury-related death in children up to age 14. Now, he says, local schools will have some tools to hopefully reverse that trend…:

CUT 08(10)        “…that instruction is.”

The July 4^th holiday saw another boating death; a 17-year-old Slidell girl killed Monday when she fell overboard and was run over by her boat’s driver. Wildlife & Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says 33-year-old David Crowe, of Denham Springs, was jailed on charges of DUI, negligent vehicular homicide and reckless operation…:

CUT 04(10)        “…protective rail.”

He says if Madison Bradley had been behind that rail, she’d still be alive.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry files a petition asking the state Supreme Court to toss a temporary restraining order barring the state from enforcing Louisiana’s abortion trigger law. It was filed Saturday, and there’s been no reply from the high court as yet.

A new campaign takes the message of coastal preservation right to the President’s backyard. David Grubb has more…:

Cut 02  (37)      “…David Grubb.”

A 17-year-old girl was killed Monday in a boating accident on Blind River, in Livingston Parish. State Wildlife & Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says Slidell resident Madison Bradley was standing on the front of a pontoon boat OUTSIDE its protective handrail…:

CUT 03  (11)        “…from the vessel.”

Her body was found hours later. The boat’s driver was charged with vehicular homicide, DUI and reckless operation. Madison’s is the state’s 20^th boating death so far this year.

There was a boating tragedy near-miss over the July 4^th holiday on Lake Ponchartrain, when a family’s boat started taking on water and capsized. All four aboard went into the water. The lake was loaded with Sunday night boaters, and a nearby Good Samaritan came alongside and pulled the father, mother and two boys to safety. No one was hurt and the second boater is being called a hero.

One bill recently signed into law is HB 963, which requires the state’s public schools to provide instruction in water safety. Proposed by Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron, he says it was a deeply personal issue for his constituency. Darby and Nicole Bourgeois lost their son Riley to a drowning at a neighborhood swim party and lent their voices as Orgeron moved his bill through the legislature…:

CUT 06(12)      “…Riley Bourgeois Act.”

After Monday’s mass shooting in a Chicago suburb, voices are again calling for stiffer control of guns and who can buy them. New Orleans Democrat Congressman Troy Carter says Democrats and Republicans need to continue to unite to address the issue; like they did with approving aid for Ukraine…:

CUT 13(12)      “…20 hospitalized.”

A 17-year Slidell old girl was killed in a boating incident on July 4^th and the driver of the boat faces vehicular homicide charges. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry files a petition asking the state Supreme Court to toss a temporary restraining order barring the state from enforcing Louisiana’s abortion trigger law. It was filed Saturday, and there’s been no reply from the high court as yet.

The topic of gun control rises to the forefront again after a mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. Louisiana Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says after the 9/11 attacks, we made changes to how we fly and he says he need to apply the same logic with gun sales…:

CUT 12(07)      “…done before.”

The Coalition to Defend Southwest Louisiana started a new campaign last week that seeks to stop the spread of gas terminals across the Gulf Coast. Southwest Louisiana coordinator James Hiatt says the group took their message to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the vacation home of President Joe Biden, to point out that the exclusive community would never allow itself to be destroyed the way the fossil fuel industry has decimated our state’s coast…:

Cut 09  (10)      “…these executives’ pockets.”

Beginning today you’ll pay less for feminine products and diapers thanks to the pink tax exemption. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The Essence Festival is underway in New Orleans, after having to be done virtually for two years because of the pandemic. Headliners include Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj, New Edition, Doug E. Fresh, Stephanie Mills. Over a half-million people attended the last LIVE Essence Festival in 2019.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says extra officers will be on the highways this Fourth of July weekend to detect and stop impaired drivers. Spokesperson Mark Lambert says remember to not drink & drive, but also be aware that your meds could also impair your judgement…:

CUT 05(12)      “…not as good.”

Federal highway safety grant dollars will go to pay local and state LEO’s to patrol the roadways. Lambert says don’t let a DUI ruin your holiday.

The Pelicans and star forward Zion Williamson have reportedly reached an agreement on a five-year contract extension that will keep Williamson in New Orleans for the next six years. The deal could be worth up to $231 million. Fox Sports’ Rob Parker says, for the Pels, he’s worth every penny…:

CUT 07(10)      “…gotta sign him.”