A project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed to lower flood risks by elevating homes along the coast in southwest Louisiana has already received $300-million in funding. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Teiko Foxx.”

After a sad 24-4 drubbing by Florida Sunday, the LSU Tigers are yet alive in the College World Series. The Championship series is tied 1 games each. LSU could either go home in defeat or with a 7^TH National Championship. First pitch is 6 tonight.

An excessive heat warning is posted for Louisiana for the whole week. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says we could see “feels like” temperatures as high as 119 by later this week. He says rain has offered a small break today…:

CUT 05(10)      “…heat smart.”

The U.S. Supreme Court lifts a hold on Louisiana’s congressional map; submitted last year. Public Service Commission member Devonte Lewis was among those suing the state over the new map. He says the case was before the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals WHEN the High Court put a hold on it…:

CUT 07(12)      “…of the case.”

This makes it likely lawmakers will have to redraw those districts to reflect a 32-percent black voter population, via a second majority black seat in Congress.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law legislation that bans the use of the popular video-sharing app TikTok on government-issued devices and networks. Bill’s sponsor, Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says 30 other states have taken similar steps, and several state agencies have already moved internally to head it off…:

CUT 04(12)      “…into law.”

Tik Tok has been accused of embedding spyware on users’ cellphones, tablets and pc’s.

It’s been a week since state officials announced the big cyber-breach at the Office of Motor Vehicles, and thousands of Louisiana residents have taken steps to protect their personal information. GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle says, if you need help with yours, visit “nextsteps.la.gov”…:

CUT 14(12)      “…at this.”

Change your passwords; as many as you can.

Tomorrow has been declared “LSU Baseball Day.”  Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin made it official with a proclamation in honor of the Tigers baseball team making it to the championship round of the Men’s College World Series. After winning in extra innings last night, Ardoin says he wanted to formally honor the team…:

CUT 06(08)      “…World Series.”

And it wasn’t just Tiger fans who were elated when LSU won last night. Pat McEvoy, manager of Rocco’s Pizza Pub – and home of the Jell-O shot challenge in Omaha – says he and his staff were thrilled. He says having LSU in the championship round translates into a ton of money being spent in his bar this weekend…:

CUT 08(08)      “…is immense.”

LSU faces Florida in the championship series tomorrow at 6 p.m.

It was a week ago when the state alerted Louisiana residents with a driver’s license or state ID that their identity may have been comprised as a result of a cyber breach involving a third party vendor that the state Office of Motor Vehicles uses. GOHSEP director Casey Tingle says they ask the public to remain vigilant…:

CUT 13(09)      “…aware of this.”

He says you can freeze and un-freeze your credit online; usually at no charge.

Louisiana has seen a week of record and near-record heat for the month of June and forecasters say prepare for some triple-digit heat next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says for the weekend and through about Tuesday, we can expect more of what we’ve seen the past several days…:

CUT 10(10)      “…to a hundred and ten.”

Highs of 100 or more are expected for late next week, with high humidity and very high “feels like” temperatures.

LSU will square off against Florida in the championship round of the College World Series. Jeff Palermo has a preview…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

In case you missed it, we now have Tropical Storm Cindy out in the Atlantic; tracking a path more to the north of Tropical Storm Bret. At this time, neither system seems to pose any threat to Louisiana’s coast, but we will continue to monitor them.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to get out the veto pen next week, as he’s said he would oppose bills seen as being “anti-LGBT” that came to his desk. But, will state lawmakers feel the need to go into special session to override any of those vetoes? Denham Springs Rep. Valarie Hodges says she wants it to happen, because the bills deal with transgender issues parents want to shield their kids from…:

CUT 13  (07)        “…very important bills>’

Others may not have Hodges’ desire to return to Baton Rouge, and may feel the bills can always be filed again next year.

The Governor signed a bill banning the app Tik Tok from all state cellphones, networks and devices. Bill author & Marksville Rep. Daryl Deshotel says the issue with Tik Tok is security…:

CUT 03  (13)        “…of Americans.”

Think it’s hot now? State Climatologist Barry Keim says some really hot stuff is coming next week…:

CUT 12  (12)        “…care of yourself.”

It’s not only Tiger fans who are excited about playing in the championship round, bars in Omaha are preparing for even more of the Purple and Gold faithful to come to town…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

North Central Louisiana is losing 245 jobs as a glass plant in Lincoln Parish tells its employees they are shutting its doors next month. Brooke Thorington has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

LSU remains alive in the College World Series in Omaha. The Tigers beat Wake Forest 5 – 2 last night and will face the Demon Deacons again tonight at 6, with a chance to go to the Final and a possible 7^th National Championship.

A week without power in sweltering heat has led to the death of a Keithville woman; 62-year-old Tina Perritt. SWEPCO is working to restore power to the 16-thousand customers yet remaining in the heat and the dark. Spokesman Doug Warner says some customers could have damage to the weather head on their homes, which would keep power from reaching them…:

CUT 08(11)      “…things down.”

A new poll on Louisiana’s governor’s race has Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry with 31-percent of the vote, Democrat Shawn Wilson 21-percent and the rest of the contenders with single digits. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says it’s not a surprise Landry continues to have a commanding lead…:

CUT 12(11)      “…front runner.”

A week of record June heat plus six days without power to cool off has resulted in at least one death in northwestern Louisiana, after the severe storm system with a tornado that knocked out power to over 200-thousand customers. 62-year-old Keithville resident Tina Perritt passed away in a heat-related death. SWEPCO’s Doug Warner says the damage was extensive, with almost 800 utility poles knocked down…:

CUT 07(08)      “…transmission problems.”

Around 16-thousand customers are still without power. SWEPCO hopes to have them reconnected soon.

A new poll shows Republican Jeff Landry and Democrat Shawn Wilson likely to be in a runoff election for Governor. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says Wilson will need to really boost his name recognition though…:

CUT 14(12)      “…who he is.”

The coast Guard reports they have found the wreckage of the submersible lost Sunday while headed to see the remains of the Titanic; thousands of feet down. Bob Ballard found the Titanic wreck almost 40 years ago. Chris Drew co-authored Ballard’s biography. Drew says Ballard felt deep undersea travel is inherently dangerous…:

CUT 05(13)      “…be exploited.”

The Coast Guard confirms all five men aboard the vessel have been lost.

The Ardagh Glass Packaging plant in Simsboro will close next month; meaning all 245 folks employed there will lose their jobs. Sybil Smalling-Foster is Mayor of the Lincoln Parish town. She says it’s not just going to hurt Simsboro…:

CUT 11(10)      “…gonna feel it.”

A new poll on the governor’s race shows Republican Jeff Landry as the front-runner, with Democrat Shawn Wilson in position to claim the run-off spot. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

Cops in Shreveport arrest two men they accuse of selling over 750 pounds of marijuana across the city. Kaleb Monroe and Jesse McWright. Officers seized hundred of thousands in cash, plus ten pounds of weed, illegal guns and five muscle cars.

Folks in the Lincoln Parish town of Simsboro are stunned to hear the local Ardagh Glass packaging plant will close next month; meaning the 245 employees will be out of work. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Smalling-Foster says they are the area’s largest employer…:

CUT 10(12)      “…whole nine yards.”

The Coast Guard reports wreckage of the submersible lost while en route to the wreck of the Titanic has been located. Christopher Drew co-authored the biography of Bob Ballard, the man who found the Titanic. He says says it’s possible that the underway expedition went out of control mid-water         CUT 04(04)      “…obliterated.”

Five men were aboard the vessel that went missing Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law the “Protecting Teachers Rights Act”; providing teachers and administrators with civil and criminal immunity if they intervene in an on-campus fight. Denham Springs Rep. Valarie Hodges says her bill seeks to help educators who find themselves in a no-win scenario when a fight breaks out…:

CUT 04(10)      “…or whatever.”

The bill had bipartisan support.

The Governor has also signed a bill requiring health insurers to cover freezing one’s eggs (or sperm) in advance of cancer treatments which can sometimes ender a patient infertile. Bill sponsor and Baton Rouge Rep. Paula Davis says the increase in cost is negligible to insurance companies and consumers…:

CUT 08(11)      “…cover it.”

If you go out on waterways, be prepared to see possible large fish kills. State Wildlife & Fisheries expert Robby Maxwell says it’s due to all the heat, recent storms and other weather factors that upset the balance of the water. He says, whatever you do, do NOT consume dead fish…:

CUT 10(11)      “…something else.”

To report a fish kill, visit “lwf.louisiana.gov.”

A Baton Rouge hotel – just off I-10 – had to be evacuated Tuesday night, after someone sprayed chemical MACE into the building’s AC vents. Guests throughout the building reported trouble breathing. Firefighters responded and cleared the building. A few guests were treated for inhaling fumes, but no one was reported hospitalized. Now the search is on for the person responsible.

SWEPCO reports about 29-thousand customers in northwest Louisiana still without power; six days after a severe storm and tornado impact. They hope to have all power restored by Saturday evening.

SWEPCO reports 29-thousand of its customers in Louisiana remain without power from last week’s severe storms. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(26)      “…Palermo.”’

Tropical Storm Bret continues to trek westward, and is – at this time – NOT expected to impact Louisiana’s coast. Bret’s current path takes it towards Central America. Forecasters feel conditions in the Caribbean are favorable to bust the storm up before it can reach hurricane strength. However, storms are notoriously hard to predict.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries warns us all of potential fish kills due to scorching hot temperatures, extended cloudy weather, and storms. Inland Fisheries expert Robby Maxwell says when something changes the water balance it can be bad for fish…:

CUT 09(12)      “…the water.”

To report fish kill, visit wlf.louisiana.gov and call the number related to the district you live in.

LSU left-hander Nate Ackenhausen delivered a legendary performance last night as he threw six shutout innings in a five to nothing win to eliminate Tennessee from the College World Series. A well-rested Ackenhausen received a text yesterday morning that he would make his first start of the season…:

CUT 12(09)      “…all I got.”

Blake Money or Javen Coleman are possible starters for tonight’s game.

The state announces additional steps to protect yourself from identity theft as a result of the cybersecurity breach involving the Office of Motor Vehicles. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(38)      “…Palermo.”

The LSU Tigers stay alive in the College World Series, after beating Tennessee again last night, 5-0. Up next for the Tigers, Wake Forest again. That game starts just after 6 tonight.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the “Protecting Teachers Rights Act” into law; an act that provides teachers and administrators with civil and criminal immunity, if they intervene in a physical fight on campus. Bill’s author, Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges believes this gives added protection to teachers and staff with no intent to harm students…:

CUT 03(10)      “…passed overwhelmingly.”

She says if a teacher does the right thing and intervenes, they should be protected.

Another bill signed by the Governor requires health insurers to cover fertility preservation for those undergoing cancer treatments, which could render them infertile. Baton Rouge Rep. Paula Davis is the bill’s author. She says with new medical breakthroughs, this needs to be covered..:

CUT 07(11)      “…amazing to me.”

The coverage would be for having eggs, or sperm, frozen before such treatments begin. The bill received bipartisan support in both chambers.