As you head out on the highway this holiday weekend, be aware extra officers will be patrolling the roads; seeking out impaired drivers. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says if you’re planning on having some drinks, let someone else drive…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…good judgement.”

He says drunk driving a major travel threat for families. Last year six people were killed and over a hundred injured on Louisiana highways over July 4^th Weekend.

Former West Feliciana High standout, Louisiana Tech football star and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died from using fentanyl and cocaine. That’s the result of a blood toxicology report. He was found unresponsive in a Baltimore home just over two weeks ago. Funeral services and visitation for Ferguson are Saturday in St. Francisville.

An Alexandria man faces murder charges for supplying a person with the fentanyl that cause their overdose death. Rapides Parish sheriff’s Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says Sheriff Mark Wood is focused on catching the pushers responsible for overdoses, and they’ve made several so far…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…overdosed and died.”

Starting today, certain women’s products and diapers are state sales tax free; like essential groceries and prescription drugs. The bill establishing that in law was passed in 2021. New Orleans Democrat Representative Aimee Freeman says her “Pink Tax Exemption” affects all women, regardless of their politics…:

CUT 10  (07)        “…went forward.”

An Alexandria man is charged with murder for providing the fentanyl that led to an overdose death. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says 28-year-old Brian Allen is charged with 2^nd-degree murder, plus criminal conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute dangerous drugs. He says their investigation turned up evidence linking Allen to that overdose…:

CUT 13  (11)        “…make an arrest.”

He says Rapides Sheriff Mark Wood is focused on catching the providers of the deadly drugs and putting them behind bars.

Good news! Starting today, diapers and feminine products are sales tax free. It’s the result of a bill passed in the 2021 legislature by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…without a tax.”

Diapers – for babies and  adults – are also now tax-exempt.

Deputies in St. Bernard Parish say the man wanted for abandoning a baby on a busy overpass Wednesday has turned himself in. Officers say 21-year-old John Perkins stole the car the infant was in, then dropped the child in the roadway and drove on.

It appears Zion Williamson will be nesting with the Pelicans for a few more years. David Grubb has the details…:

CUT 01(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Baton Rouge Police seek an angry customer who shot a restaurant worker for messing up his order. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean (EL-jeen) McKneely says the customer confronted the employee outside the Freddie’s Frozen Custard; just off I-12…:

CUT 12(09)      “…at the employee.”

The victim is expected to recover. McKneely says the suspect is still at large.

Construction has begun on elevating a long stretch of LA 1, from the Leeville Bridge all the way to Golden Meadow; a major route to Port Fourchon and Grand Isle. LA1 Coalition director Henri Boulet says it’s been decades coming. He says LA1 closures due to hurricanes and fierce weather have cost millions in lost energy production, and elevating the roadway will virtually end closures…:

CUT 11(08)      “…generations to come.”

The project should be finished sometime in 2027.

If you’re still experiencing problems with recovery from Hurricane Ida, GOHSEP has launched a new program. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State Wildlife & Fisheries reminds you that if your fishing or hunting license expires today, you’ll need to wait until tomorrow, July 1^st, to repurchase. Henceforth, all licenses will be good for one full year, from July through the next June. “louisianaoutdoors.com” for more information.

Construction is underway on the second phase of elevating LA 1 in Lafourche Parish, from the Leeville Bridge to Golden Meadow. Executive Director of the LA 1 Coalition Henri Boulet says once the project is completed in 2027, vehicles who use this important corridor will travel 22-feet above sea level…:

CUT 09(13)      “…all summer long.”

The price tag for the elevated stretch of highway is over 800-million dollars.

Police in Baton Rouge seek a man who reportedly shot a restaurant worker, over a messed up order. BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean (pronounce: EL-jeen) McKneely says it started with an argument in the parking lot of Freddie’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers; just off Interstate 12…:

CUT 14(09)      “…minor injury.”

The suspect is still at large.

Mosquitoes are everywhere this summer, and according to the LDH, so is West Nile Virus. Who’s at risk and what can you do to protect yourself? David Grubb has the details…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

While on the subject of viruses, here’s the latest COVID numbers from the Department of Health; just over 3-thousand new cases are reported. 450 people are in the hospital with symptoms statewide. LDH also reports another three COVID-related deaths.

For those still trying to recover from Hurricane Ida, GOHSEP has a new program to help. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

Shreveport Police say a woman wanted for stealing a lot of money from an animal adoption & rescue charity is now in custody. SPD says 32-year-old Kaliegh Knebl took over $35-thousand from Parish Paws. Aware she was wanted, she turned herself in this morning.

The first confirmed West Nile Virus case turns up in Louisiana. State Epidemiologist Dr. Theresa Sokol says risk is higher than normal this year…so be sure dump standing water, clean out gutters and when you go outside…:

CUT 07  (10)        “…protect even further.”

Baton Rouge Police say a worker at a fast food restaurant was shot over an argument about a food order. Sergeant L’ Jean McKneely says the gunman was upset his order was given to another customer and confronted the worker in the parking lot and shot him. He says the victim will recover, but no arrest has yet been made…:

CUT 13(09)      “…they are.”

That took place at Freddie Frozen Custard; just yards off I-12.

The U. S. Supreme Court issues a hold on Baton Rouge federal Judge Shelly Dick’s court order for state lawmakers to draw a new congressional district map that has two majority-Black districts. State Attorney General Jeff Landry is happy with the ruling, and says the High Court will be making hard rulings on district maps for Louisiana and Alabama later this year…:

CUT 15  (11)        “…here in Louisiana.”

Democrat state Senator Cleo Fields, of Baton Rouge, authored one of the two-Black-district maps. He says he is disappointed but continue to fight for districts to more accurately reflect the minority population of the state…:

CUT 14  (11)        “…ruling of the court.”

A Louisiana legal advocates group says they’ll offer help to persons who find themselves facing criminal charges related to abortion. Here’s Fair Fight Initiative founding member David Utter…:

CUT 10(09)      “…legal counsel.”

The current ban on abortions in Louisiana has been lifted due to a temporary restraining order that’s in effect until a July 8^th hearing.

A new law signed by Governor Edwards makes it a crime to ship abortion pills to Louisiana, via parcel delivery or mail-order. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt authored the bill. She says it applies to at-home, self-treatment using the morning after pill, and does not ban legitimate, doctor-guided use…:

CUT 05(12)      “…the law.”

That new law takes effect August 1^st.

Governor Edwards signed into law another abortion-related bill last week; making it a crime for a company to send abortion pills through the mail or parcel delivery. The original bill’s author is Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who says the so-called “morning after pill” – which is actually usable up to 10 weeks – should only be taken by a woman under a licensed doctor’s supervision…:

CUT 04(11)      “…with this legislation”

Under the new law, a woman wanting to use the pill to end a pregnancy would have to do so under a doctor’s care and would only have ten weeks from conception to do so. That law takes effect August 1^st.

In Shreveport, opening statements are expected today in the trial of Dewayne Watkins; accused of kidnapping & robbing a couple, then killing them and burning their bodies inside a car. This happened in 2018. The Caddo D.A. is seeking a death sentence, should the jury find Watkins guilty of 2^nd degree murder.

Fireworks and the Fourth…David Grubb tells us how local retailers are hoping for a boom this holiday weekend…:

CUT 02(33)      “…David Grubb”

If you’re using fireworks this weekend, please be extra careful. Fireworks-related injuries are up 25% over the past 15 years, and 9 Americans died while using fireworks last year. Most common injuries are severe burns from sparklers and fuses and trauma from firecrackers going off in one’s hand. Keep a bucket of water handy while setting off your display as well.

Once abortion trigger laws go into effect in Louisiana a performing physician could be heavily fined and serve jail time, but a legal advocacy group says they’ll defend their case. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

There’s also a newly signed law that would punish those who provide abortion pills via mail order or parcel delivery. It would punish the provider with fines and even jail time. The women who take the pills would not be prosecuted. That bill takes effect August 1^st.

The United States Supreme Court issues a hold on a lower court ruling that Louisiana must draw a new congressional map. Federal Judge Shelly Dick was to receive a map with two Black majority districts drawn by attorneys today.  But Attorney General Jeff Landry petitioned the high court for the map passed by the majority Republican legislature to be effective for the fall 2022 election…:

CUT 13(08)      “…by that legislature.”

Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Cleo Fields says he’s disappointed, but he’ll continue to fight for that second majority Black district.

Buying fireworks for the Fourth? Todd Tullier of Louisiana Fireworks in Denham Springs says some traditional items like sparklers and smaller firecrackers may be harder to come by, but there’s plenty of “the big stuff”…:

CUT 07(08)      “…ready to go.”

Make sure it’s legal to use fireworks in your area.

The U.S. Supreme Court today put on hold Baton Rouge federal Judge Shelly Dick’s order for lawmakers to give her a new congressional district map that includes two majority-Black districts; instead of just one. The action means the one-Black-district map passed in February will be used for the 2022 elections this fall. Attorney General Jeff Landry’s reaction…?

CUT 28(04)      “…this week.”

Minden Mayor Terry Gardner passed away today at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer. Gardner publicly announced on May 24th he had pancreatic cancer and it also spread to his liver. Minden Councilwoman Pam Bloxom says Gardner loved his city, and got it on firm fiscal ground and was bullish about keeping Minden beautiful…:

CUT 14(11)      “…spotlessly clean.”

A class action lawsuit against homebuilder D.R. Horton alleges the company is not building homes to properly withstand the heat and humidity in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Vandals broke into the Vidalia Junior High School, in Concordia Parish, over the weekend. They generally trashed the whole place; doing over $200-thousand in damage. Surveillance video shows them all to be kids – some as young as ten. Several have been rounded up and volunteers started working on cleanup & repairs today.

A class-action lawsuit against homebuilder D.R. Horton alleges the company is not building homes to properly withstand the heat and humidity of Louisiana. Attorney Lance Unglesby says after receiving calls from several homeowners they had experts inspect the homes and they found high humidity levels…:

CUT 09(09)      “…grow mold.”

Horton attorney James Brown says their homes are continuously inspected and meet all state building codes…:

CUT 10(09)      “…warranty act.”

The U.S. Supreme Court today put on hold a lower court ruling that Louisiana must draw new congressional districts before the 2022 elections to increase Black voting power. The high court’s ruling effectively ensures the Republican-drawn map from last February will remain in place for the 2022 elections.

Dozens of leaders within the oil and gas industry have signed off on a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to visit domestic energy facilities prior to a scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia next month. Tommy Faucheux, president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association says he understands the White House’s commitment to reducing fossil fuel emissions, but he believes that can be done while meeting U.S. energy needs…:

CUT 07(11)      “…one or the other.”

Acting on a tip, state Wildlife & Fisheries agents bust a Breaux Bridge man found to be in possession of two deadly copperhead snakes. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says agents found them inside 40-year-old Caleb Hudson’s home, in plastic totes…:

CUT 03(05)      “…his possession.”

The snakes were taken to two Louisiana zoos.