A tough loss for the LSU Tigers last night in the College World Series as Wake Forest rallied back from a two to nothing deficit to beat the Bayou Bengals three to two. LSU failed to score with a runner at third base and no outs in the eighth inning, while the Demon Deacons pushed a run across in the bottom of the eighth and held on for the one run win. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson…:

CUT 15(09)      “…go tomorrow”

LSU plays Tennessee again tonight at 6.

Crews are working tirelessly to restore power to about 50-thousand homes and businesses in northwest Louisiana; days after a severe thunderstorm system – with a tornado – tore through the area. The big problem, of course, is the HEAT. Bossier City spokesman Louis Johnson says cooling stations are set up for those with health issues…:

CUT 05(08)      “…the day.”

Some areas in Shreveport & Bossier may not get power back on for another three or more days.

The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee will meet today to discuss the $100 million cut to the Department of Health in the final hours of the legislative session. Teiko Foxx has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Foxx.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a bill that will require high schoolers to take and pass a one-unit financial literacy course in order to graduate and qualify for TOPS college grants. The course will teach stuff like why interest rates are important, the importance of good credit, avoiding predatory lending and more. It takes effect for the 2024-25 school year.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder fires back at critics of his leadership in the recent session, and the handling of the state budget. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Thorington.”

LSU slipped into the loser’s bracket in the College World Series in Omaha last night; losing 3-2 to Wake Forest. The Tigers must now play Tennessee again, in an elimination game tonight at 6. The Tigers must win their next three games in order to claim the championship for a 7^th time.

A force of about 3,000 workers are hard at work in northwestern Louisiana; restoring power for the over 50-thousand SWEPCO customers who’ve been without since last Thursday. It could be as late as the weekend before power is restored in the Shreveport area. Bossier City spokesman Louis Johnson says the storm was unprecedented, with straight-line winds of up to 90 miles per hour…:”

CUT 04(09)      “…one time.”

Johnson says they are hopeful the majority of residents will have power back on by Thursday.

About half of Natchitoches Parish lost power after straight-line winds and thunderstorms moved through the area Thursday.  Natchitoches Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness assistant director Mary Jones says only a handful of customers remain in the dark. She says the good news the power outages have not affected the water systems…:

CUT 13(10)      “…have power.”

A good reminder to get prepared for whatever hurricane season may throw our way.

Over 50,000 SWEPCO customers in Louisiana are still without power after Thursday’s severe weather. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(27)      “…Thorington”

The LSU baseball team lost 3-2 to Wake Forest in their second College World Series game last night. The Tigers will now play in an elimination game – facing Tennessee again – tonight at 6. The Tigers will need to win three straight games in order to win the championship.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder fires back at critics of his handling of last-minute state budget negotiations in the recent legislative session. The Ascension Parish representative has drawn fire for pushing through a budget bill in the closing minutes; one that lacked desired funding for teacher pay raises, the Department of Health and more. Schexnayder says he stands by what came out of the session…:

CUT 10(10)      “…projects in it.”

Schexnayder calls his naysayers at the Capitol “a small group of blockers, instead of helpers.”

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will meet today to discuss what impact a $100-million reduction in funding will have on the Louisiana Department of Health. The reduction occurred as the House and Senate dickered in the final hours of the legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says revenue was available, so many lawmakers were blindsided by the cut…:

CUT 07(13)      “…of Health.”

Efforts continue in northwest Louisiana to restore power to over 100-thousand homes and businesses; hit hard by a severe storm and an imbedded EF-12 tornado tore through last Thursday. Caddo Parish Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says crews are clearing downed trees and the destruction is shocking…:

CUT 04  (13)        “…get out.”

Some Shreveport customers may not have power back on until Saturday.

Here we go! Tropical Storm Bret has now formed out in the mid-Atlantic; still days from any possible Gulf Coast impact. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there are definite signs it could become a hurricane within a few days…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…continue to blossom”

It will be another several days before we know if Bret threatens the Gulf Coast.

An Ascension Parish man is in jail in New Jersey; accused of traveling there for a sexual rendezvous with an underage girl. Police say 34-year-old Spencer Caudle, of Prairieville, went there in late May to meet the 14-year-old girl, then traveled there again last Friday, where he was arrested on numerous charges. It’s unknown if Caudle has had bail set, or has secured legal representation.

Congratulation to your new Miss Louisiana for 2023, Markville’s Makenzie Scroggs. She says she hopes to become the first Miss Louisiana to be crowned Miss America. Makenzie says if there is a key to her success it is confidence…:

CUT 13  (13)        “…mental health.”

Scroggs says she is thrilled to represent Louisiana for the next year. Is addition to the title and the crown, she also gets a $10-thiousand scholarship.

Crews are still working as quickly as possible in this heat to restore power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in northwestern Louisiana, after a confirmed EF-1 tornado within a strong storm system hit transmission and distributions stations last Thursday. Here’s Caddo Parish Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell…:

CUT 03  (12)        “…it’s unbelievable.”

Over 100-thousand customers still are without power; most of them in Caddo and Bossier.

Speaking of storms, Tropical Depression 3 has formed in the Atlantic, with conditions favorable for it to become Tropical Storm Bret by this evening. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Number Three is but one a several tropical waves that are developing…:

CUT 11  (13)        “…season progresses.”

He says it’s still too early to predict if the system threatens Louisiana.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting Sunday morning in Pineville. The yet-unnamed man was shot by Alexandria cops. He died as a result. No police were injured. LSP investigates all officer-involved shootings.

It likely comes as no surprise that LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O Shot Challenge in Omaha. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

SWEPCO utility crews are working to restore power for more than 165,000 customers following extreme weather in Northwest Louisiana last Thursday. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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It’s no surprise that LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O Shot Challenge Brooke Thorington has more on how the Tigers have gelled out the competition.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Efforts to restore power for tens of thousands of SWEPCO customers in northwest Louisiana continues. A confirmed EF-1 tornado as well as hurricane-strength winds, delivered a punch to both the transmission and distribution stations last Thursday night. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell…

Cut 3 (12) “…it’s unbelievable”

Over 126,000 customers are currently without power. Most of the outages are in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. Approximately 60 Transmission and Distribution stations were impacted, and 50 transmission lines were forced out of service. Campbell says crews are working to repair lines damaged by trees.

Cut 4 (13)  “…get out” 

With the potential of additional storms this week, more customers could experience disruption of service and prolonged restoration timelines. Campbell says workers are working hard to restore power to residents and businesses who are still experiencing outages.

Cut 5 (13)  “…North Louisiana”

Natchitoches customers are scheduled to receive power by tomorrow but some Shreveport customers may not receive power until Saturday.

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Among the traditions at the College World Series in Omaha, is the Jell-O Shot Challenge, and as expected LSU is crushing it. Manager of Rocco’s Pizza Pat McEvoy says so far LSU fans have consumed more than 12 thousand Jell-O shots, followed by Wake Forest with just over five thousand

Cut 6 (09)  “…two competitors.” 

You can even follow along on Twitter for updates at 9 am, noon, 5 pm, and after the last game of the evening around 9:30. And it’s not just the $5 Jell-O shots that fans are visiting Rocco’s for, McEvoy says having your photo taken with the board is also a rite of passage.

Cut 7 (06)  “…the board.” 

It’s the first time LSU has competed in the challenge that started in 2019. The Purple and Gold Jell-O shots are by far the most popular this year. And with the Tigers playing Wake Forest tonight, McEvoy says it’s not just the box scores that fans will be watching…

Cut 8 (10)  “…broken today.” 

The current overall winner is Ole Miss with 18,777. It’s probably a safe bet that LSU will break that record and then some.

* at noon LSU 12,836, Wake Forest 5,193

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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring tropical depression three which is expected to reach hurricane status by Wednesday night way out in the Atlantic Ocean. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system continues to show signs of organization.

Cut 9 (13) “…later today.”

The system is expected to become a tropical storm – named Bret by the end of the day. Although the Gulf of Mexico is not an immediate target, the storm is expected to impact the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands by the weekend. Keim says it’s still too early to tell if it will impact the U.S.

Cut 10 (12)  “…this thing.”

There is a second area of interest – a tropical wave located south of the Cabo Verde Islands which has been given a 40% chance of formation in the next several days. Keim says the occurrence of waves is pretty common during hurricane season.

Cut 11 (13)  “… season progresses.”

Keim encourages Louisianans to keep a watch on this tropical depression and always stay prepared.

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A native of Marksville has been crowned as Miss Louisiana 2023. Makenzie Scroggs was selected from a pool of 27 women and the Northwestern State student earns a ten-thousand dollar scholarship

Cut 12 (08) “…get started.” 

Scroggs will train to become the first Miss Louisiana to be crowned Miss America. She says confidence has been a key to her success

Cut 13 (13) “…mental health” 

First runner-up was Olivia Grace George of Texarkana. George attends Louisiana Tech University. Scroggs says it was a great competition and is excited to wear the crown…

Cut  14 (12)  “…to open”

Tropical Depression 3 has formed FAR out in the Atlantic, with a fair chance it’ll reach named storm status – perhaps – later today or tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it is far too early to tell if Louisiana will be in the system’s path…:

CUT 10  (12)        “…this thing.”

The next storm name will be Bret.

There are still well over 100-thousand customers in northwestern Louisiana waiting for the power to come back on, after a severe storm, WITH a confirmed EF-1 tornado tore through last Thursday night. Foster Campbell is the Public Service Commissioner for the region. He says crews are working as hard as they can in this heat to restore power…:

CUT 05  (13)        “…North Louisiana.”

A native of Marksville has been crowned as Miss Louisiana 2023. Makenzie Scroggs was selected from a pool of 27 women and the Northwestern State student earns a $10-thousand scholarship…:

CUT 12(08)      “…to get started.”

LSU is soundly leading in an Omaha College World Series tradition; the Jell-O Shot Challenge at Rocco’s Pizza pub. As of this hour, LSU fans are way ahead with over 12-thousand Jell-O shots bought. Rocco’s Pat McEvoy says Wake Forest in Number 2 with about 5-thousand…:

CUT 06(09)      “…two competitors.”

The Tigers play Wake Forest tonight

State officials report a huge data breach at the Office of Motor Vehicle, which could pose a threat to the security of your other online identity elements; like banking, Amazon, social media and more. Casey Tingle is director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. He says passwords weren’t part of the data compromised, but better safe than sorry…:

CUT 13  (11)        “…every 90 days.”

The NCAA College World Series in Omaha. LSU faces Tennessee this evening with first pitch at 6pm. The Tigers seek their 7^th national championship, and many say they have college baseball’s BEST pitcher in Paul Skenes. Here’s Tigers head coach Jay Johnson…:

CUT 03  (11)        “…mastered that.”

Skenes Is expected to start on the mound tonight for the Tigers.

Around 200-thousand homes and businesses across northwestern Louisiana lost power yesterday, as strong thunderstorms roared through; bringing straight line winds of up to 80 miles an hour. Shreveport National Weather Service forecaster Shane Pendleton says the damage and amount of cleanup is astonishing…:

CUT 10  (05)        “…can see.”

SWEPCO is still restoring power in Caddo, Bossier, Natchitoches, DeSoto and Red River. As of this morning, several hundred customers are still waiting for the lights – and AC – to come back on.

A new report says affordable housing is out of the reach of MOST Louisianans. The National Low Income Housing Coalition says one must earn AT LEAST $19.00 an hour to afford a modest 2-bedroom apartment; the average rent for which is around $1000-a-month. The coalition says that’s unrealistic for too many Louisiana low wage workers.

A massive software breach could possibly affect Louisianans that have a state-issued ID, driver’s license and/or vehicles registered with the Office of Motor Vehicles. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle urges residents to take preemptive measures to secure their accounts…:

CUT 12(12)      “…three services.”

Those would be Experion, Equifax and Transunion.

Mother Nature whipped up powerful and severe thunderstorms that rolled through northwestern Louisiana yesterday, packing winds up to 80 mph. National Weather Service Meteorologist Shane Pendleton…:

CUT 09(13)      “…Bossier Parish.”

Over 200-thousand lost power. SWEPCO says they’re restored service to all but a few hundred.

Just one year ago, Louisiana motorists were paying a record-high $4.56 a gallon for regular gasoline, but today it’s nearly $1.50 lower. More from Teiko Foxx…”

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

Lawyers for the family of a woman who died after being locked inside a freezer in a New Iberia Arby’s says they found and emergency escape mechanism, to prevent such incidents didn’t work, and that the chain has a culture of management NOT addressing complaints and malfunctions. 63-year-old Nguyet Le died after over 4 hours in sub-zero temperatures.

SWEPCO reports power has been restored to a great many customers who were blacked out Friday morning, as severe thunderstorms rolled through northwestern Louisiana. At one point more than 200-thousand homes and businesses were without power in Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Red River and Natchitoches parishes. As of this morning SWEPCO reports that’s down to several hundred. However, forecaster Shane Pendleton, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says the weather risk is not over…:

CUT 11  (08)        “…anywhere fast.”

Gasoline in Louisiana is pretty costly, but a downright bargain, compared with just one year ago, when the statewide average price of regular was $4.56. Today it’s at $3.12. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says that’s because crude oil prices have retreated and demand is lower too…:

CUT 07  (09)        “…initially anticipated.”

He expects a small price surge for July 4^th, but otherwise stable prices through to Labor Day.

A massive cyberattack could possibly impact your financial and personal accounts. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Police in Ponchatoula rack up the biggest drug bust in their history. Officers carrying out a search warrant found nearly a pound of heroin, a pound of coke, plus crack cocaine, fentanyl, guns and a bunch of cash. One suspect has been arrested..

At the College World Series in Omaha, LSU faces Tennessee at 6 tonight. The Tigers have won their last five straight games going into the CWS.