A statewide burn ban remains in effect, and State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says – in just two short weeks – firefighters have battled 166 fires that have consumed more than 1,800 acres. He says that’s an average of more than ten fires a day…:

CUT 09  (12)        “…a campfire.”

The Lake Charles area is mourning the death of KPLC TV weatherman Ben Terry, who passed away over the weekend after a years-long fight against colon cancer. He shared his struggles with his audience and on NBC’s Today show two years ago. Fellow Channel 7 meteorologist Wade Hampton says, by doing that, Ben helped others facing the disease…:

CUT 07  (10)        “…their doctors.”

Ben Terry was just 40 years of age.

An arson investigation in St. Martin Parish leads to the arrest of an Arnaudville man on rape and human trafficking charges. 68-year-old Nathaniel Carry was suspected of deliberately setting a mobile home on fire in February. Investigators at his home for an interview found a 30-year-old woman, who says she was held there against her will and sexually assaulted for over a week. Carry was charged with human trafficking, aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, assault and possession of a Schedule II drugs. The arson investigation is ongoing.

Animal shelters across Louisiana are experiencing big influxes of unwanted and homeless dogs and cats. Costs of pet food and veterinary care have soared, and Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says they asked lawmakers for $3-million but didn’t get it. He says without additional funding, it is hard to address needs being felt in over 30 parishes…:

Cut 04    (09)         “…animal shelters.”

The husband of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has died. More on that from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Thorington.”

Gasoline prices are at their highest levels in nearly a year. The reason? Russia and Saudi Arabia cutting production drastically. Today’s statewide average for regular is $3.43-a-gallon. Discount places are selling gas for as little As $3.05 but you have to search it out.

Animal shelters statewide are strained to bursting with unwanted pets. Some say due to inflation and the rising cost of food and veterinary care. Jeff Dorson with the state Humane Society says more than 30 of the state’s 64 parishes lack parish-wide facilities to provide necessary services for homeless animals…:

CUT 03(11)      “…the background.”

KPLC TV meteorologist Ben Terry passed away Sunday after his almost three-year battle with colon cancer. The Lake Charles weatherman guided southwest Louisiana through Hurricane Laura and lost his home in the devastation.  Fellow meteorologist Wade Hampton says months after Laura, Ben received his cancer diagnosis…:

CUT 06(10)      “…loved for it.”

Ben Terry was just 40.

Plans by the state Pardon Board to review dozens of death row cases for possible clemency or pardon has riled up some local prosecutors, AND families of murder victims. East Baton Rouge D.A. Hillar Moore says he and colleagues were completely blindsided to hear a plan to reduce 56 death row sentences to life in prison was in the works…:

CUT 06(08)      “…organized.”

He says the Governor never mentioned an aversion to capital punishment while running for office, and it’s only now, that his term is winding down, he rallies against it.

Millions in federal relief money are coming to state Wildlife & Fisheries, for the 2019 flood and their impacts. LDWF’s Jason Froeba says a reimbursement program will be set up for boat skippers, processors, docks and others…:

CUT 10(11)      “…viable.”

The Biden administration is investing over a billion dollars to build two carbon capture facilities; one in Texas and the other in Calcasieu Parish. The news makes Governor John Bel Edwards a happy guy…:

CUT 03(10)      “…for investment.”

The goal is to hire as many displaced oil & gas industry workers as possible.

Three people are dead and one person severely injured, after a high speed chase of a stolen vehicle through West Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee parishes ended in a fiery crash. Officers chasing the vehicle lost it on Highway 190 for a time, but came upon the car crashed into a tree and ablaze. The men inside were heavily armed and wearing body armor and cops want to know what they were up to.

The Saints practiced in the Superdome today and there was a fight between multiple players. Center Erik McCoy and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd seemed to have started the fight, and then escalated with defensive end Carl Granderson and left tackle Trevor Penning.

Allen says that the fight is not a big deal and thing will get better when they start playing and practicing against new faces.

Cut 26 (22) “…back to practice.”

Saints tight end Foster Moreau is entering his first year with his new team. Moreau is from New Orleans and went to Jesuit High school and LSU. Now that Moreau is a Saint, he says that he is excited to wear his new uniform.

Cut 27 (15) “…in his hand.”

Four LSU football players talked to the media today and answered questions. Among the four, offensive lineman Charles Turner III was one of them that spoke. Plenty of other Tigers have been asked about what the expectations are for the team and have answered by expressing their national championship aspirations, but Turner says something different.

Cut 28 (12) “…our best every day.”

The offensive line will be protecting returning quarterback Jayden Daniels and a highly touted transfer from Alabama. Wide receiver Aaron Anderson joined the team and has been getting high praise from all of his teammates that have asked about him including safety Sage Ryan.

Cut 29 (17) “…he’s that guy.”

The state Pardon Board’s scheduled review of dozens of applications from death row inmates has angered those who prosecuted the cases and family members of the victims….:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Three more teens are under arrest in connection with the shooting death of a 15-year-old girl in Ascension Parish a week ago. The victim’s boyfriend, 16-year-old Jaquin Stephens allegedly killed the girl in a jealous rage. He was arrested early this week. Now three of his friends have been taken in as accessories to the crime.

The Biden Administration announces the federal government will spend $1.2-billion to build underground carbon capture hubs in Texas and Louisiana; the latter in Calcasieu Parish. U-S Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the hub in Calcasieu Parish called Project Cypress will capture more than one million metric tons of existing CO2 from the atmosphere each year…:

CUT 05(12)      “…deep underground.”

State Wildlife will receive approximately $58 million in federal disaster assistance for resiliency projects stemming from the historic 2019 Mississippi and Atchafalaya flood. LDWF’s Jason Froeba says approval of the funding is extremely important for the state and Louisiana’s commercial fishing industry…:

CUT 09(08)      “…to recover.”

News of the Pardon Board scheduling clemency hearings for death row inmates is not setting well with family members of the victims and those who prosecuted them in court. The surge of application comes after the Governor publicly denounced the death penalty in Louisiana. East Baton Rouge Parish D.A. Hillar Moore says this is something the Governor never mentioned before; especially not while seeking re-election…:

CUT 08(10)      “…other years.”

$58-million in federal Infrastructure Act money is coming to state Wildlife & Fisheries to help with resiliency from the 2019 floods. LDWF’s Jason Froeba says some of that is for oyster harvesting and commercial fishing…:

CUT 11(09)      “…it recover.”

Look for LDWF public information meetings on getting the aid.

The White House is allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to build a huge carbon capture facility in Calcasieu Parish. Michelle Southern has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Southern.”

A Church Point woman is sought by police for allegedly leaving several dogs and puppies penned up and chained up outside in this heat, with no food and little water. Some of the animals died before rescuers could get to them. When found, 36-year-old Angelica Gibson will face aggravated animal cruelty charges.

Some local DA’s and families of murder victims are upset that the state Pardon Board is scheduling reviews for dozens of death row inmates; seeking clemency or pardon. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says many have already been rejected by the board, but recent comments by the Governor revived the cases…:

CUT 07  (07)        “…the families.”

Moore says throughout Governor Edwards’ career he’d never said he was opposed to the death penalty and particularly during his re-election campaign.

State Wildlife will receive approximately $58 million in federal disaster assistance for resiliency projects stemming from the historic 2019 Mississippi and Atchafalaya flood. LDWF’s Jason Froeba says docks, processors, commercial fishermen, vessel owners, and charter captains, will be eligible for funding reimbursement…:

CUT 10(11)      “…viable.”

The Biden Administration announces the federal government will spend one point two billion dollars to build underground carbon capture hubs in Texas and Louisiana. Former New Orleans Mayor and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, who is now a Senior Advisor to the President, says the funding will come from the 2021 Infrastructure Act…:

CUT 04(11)      “…bottom-up.”

Qualifying for the Governor’s election is over, with all the candidates expected to run signing up. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says early voting starts September 30^th, and candidates NOT named Jeff Landry don’t have much time to build their name recognition…:

CUT 12(11)      “…everybody.”

The state Pardon Board is scheduling review of dozens of applications from death row inmates; a move that is angering those who prosecuted the cases, and family members of the victims. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Three people are dead, after a high speed chase through West Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee parishes ended in a fiery crash. Officers chasing the vehicle lost it on Highway 190 but came upon the car crashed into a tree and ablaze. The men inside were wearing body armor and cops want to know what they were up to.

The Biden Administration announces the federal government will spend one-point-two billion dollars to build underground carbon capture hubs in Texas and Louisiana. The carbon capture in facility in Louisiana will be in Calcasieu Parish. Governor John Bel Edwards is thrilled the White House selected Louisiana…:

CUT 03(10)      “…for investment.”

The White House says the project is estimated to create 23-hundred jobs.

State Wildlife & Fisheries is getting about $58-million in federal disaster assistance for resiliency projects stemming from the historic 2019 Mississippi and Atchafalaya flood. LDWF’s Jason Froeba says approval of the funding is extremely important for the state and Louisiana’s commercial fishing industry…:

CUT 09(08)      “…to recover.”

He says docks, processors, commercial fishermen, vessel owners, and charter captains, will be eligible for funding reimbursement.

The White House is allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to build a huge carbon capture facility in Calcasieu Parish. Michelle Southern has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Southern.”

A Baton Rouge man, held in jail for questioning in connection with an early Thursday shooting incident, reportedly hung himself while in custody. State Police say 25-year-old Kyle Marshall used his shoelaces, while in the East Baton Rouge Parish jail. The matter is under investigation.

News of the Pardon Board scheduling clemency hearings for death row inmates is not setting well with family members of the victims and those who prosecuted them in court. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says he and other DAs were completely blindsided by a campaign to reduce 56 death row sentences to life in prison…:

CUT 06(08)      “…organized.”

This is the Governor’s last year in office, and many feel their chances of winning clemency or pardon are increased because of it.

Qualifying has ended for the governor’s race and the seven major candidates we expected to run have qualified. Their names will appear on the October 14th ballot. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry continues to be in a great position to make November runoff…:

CUT 10(11)      “…most of ‘em,.”

The police chief in Grand Coteau has been arrested after authorities received a tip that Jeffrey Guilbeau was involved in the use and distribution of illegal drugs. St Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the investigation led to the arrest of the Chief, who reportedly admitted everything…:

CUT 14(12)      “…assistant chief.”

Also in St. Landry Parish, the town of Melville is rocked by a machete attack on a local catholic priest. Melville Police Chief Phil Lucas says it happened Thursday night, and the suspect – 58-year-old Johnny Neely – is in custody…:

CUT 06(12)      “…machete knife.”

The priest survived the attack, and is recovering from knife wounds to the head and body. Neely is charged with attempted murder.

Lawmakers will be returning to the State Capitol next week for a veto override session. These are no small feat to accomplish. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder tells LRN overriding a vetoed bill takes a two-thirds majority vote in both House and Senate…:

CUT 05(11)      “…will get there.”

Will they overturn the governor’s veto of the ban on transgender surgeries for minors? The session is scheduled to take five days.

The Governor signs into law a package of bills to benefit persons battling cancer with their insurance issues. Louisiana Oncology society spokesperson Julie Stokes likes them all; especially the bill mandating insurance cover fertility preservation methods, so they can conceive children later…:

CUT 11(10)      “…and retrieve them.”