The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending Affirmative Action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says, in Louisiana, schools use objective admissions criteria based on high school GPA, core curriculum, and standardized test scores. Several have issued statements decrying the High court’s ruling, but Henderson says he understands those positions are more based on our political culture war…:

CUT 05(13)      “…effective way.”

Florida was the only state in the southeast still allowing A.A. use in college admissions.

The well-known Landry’s Feed Store in Rayne took heavy damage from an early morning fire. Traffic was shut down on U.S. Highway 90, while firefighters fought the blaze. The cause has yet to be determined, but we’re told damage was extensive. Landry just observed 70 years in business last month.

Members of the LSU baseball championship team served fans chicken finger meals at a Raising Cane’s near the LSU campus during the lunch hour today. Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes, Tommy White, Tre’ Morgan, Ty Floyd, and head coach Jay Johnson all took part. The Tigers just took the national college baseball championship for the 7^th time.

The Essence Festival is underway in New Orleans; beginning today and running through Monday… and tourism is expected to reach high numbers again this year. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Foxx.”

How does the US Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action for college admissions impact Louisiana? Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish arrest a local woman for allegedly stealing tens of thousands from her 81-year-old father’s bank account. Investigators say that during 2022, Sarah Banks made 68 transfers to her personal account; totaling over $35-thousand. She also allegedly wrote herself checks of over $5-thousand. She’s charged with exploitation of the infirmed, bank fraud, theft, and illegal transmission of monetary funds.

A 15-year-old Opelousas teen is arrested for shooting a Port Barre man, and police say his mother turned him in. Neither the juvenile nor his 20-year-old victim have been identified yet. The man was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and the teen booked into detention.

This weekend in New Orleans, the 29^th Annual Essence Festival; the nation’s largest music festival. It kicks off today and runs through July 3rd. New Orleans & Co.’s Kelly Schulz says the lineup of big stars, and celebrities in the city – plus many celebrity visitors – means attendance is expected to go over the top…:

CUT 08(12)      “…to New Orleans.”

Last year’s Essence Fest had a $327-million impact on the city’s economy.

If you’re headed for the Gulf Coast beaches this holiday weekend, be careful. Rip currents anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to Alabama’s shoreline have claimed ten lives in recent weeks.

A three-vehicle crash involving an ambulance Tuesday in Pointe Coupee Parish kills two and severely injures a third. State Police Trooper Chris Reed says the driver of the ambulance, 28-year-old Kymber Nezat of Baton Rouge, and 82-year-old Albert Bordelon of Avoyelles Parish – who was being transported by the ambulance – died at the scene…:

CUT 06(11)      “…head-on.”

Reed says a second passenger in the ambulance was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries. LSP is investigating.

Nearly three years after the catastrophic hurricanes of 2020, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s frustrated the U.S. Department of Commerce has finally said there will be financial aid for Louisiana’s seafood industries to recoup revenue losses, but it shouldn’t take so long…:

CUT 09(09)      “…operating under.”

Estimated loses to the industry in 2020? Over $155-million.

A new poll shows Stephen Waguespack making up ground in the governor’s race. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

At Alex Box Stadium tonight, the LSU National Champs in baseball will be honored. The Tigers fought back through the College World Series to bring home their 7^th championship. This is Tiger head coach Jay Johnson’s 2^nd season with the team. Kim Mulkey won a “natty” in her 2^nd. Could football coach Brian Kelly be next, in his 2^nd season at LSU?

A three-vehicle accident involving an ambulance kills two and injures three in Pointe Coupee Parish Tuesday…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State Police are investigating a pedestrian hit and killed by traffic while walking alongside a roadway near the town of Pollock in Grant Parish. Troopers say 38-year-old Angela White was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver stopped and called authorities. The crash is under investigation.

Congressman Garret Graves is frustrated that the federal Department of Commerce has only now just approved federal aid for the seafood industry for impacts from the 2020 hurricane season; three years later. Graves says financial assistance needs to make it to these businesses FAST…:

CUT 11(11)      “…as possible.”

Estimated seafood industry losses from Laura, Delta and Zeta in 22 coastal parishes total over $155-million.

Speaking of seafood, Hail to the new Seafood King of Louisiana, Chef Owen Hohl, of Hot Tails in Prairieville and New Roads. He won the 16^th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-off in Lake Charles Tuesday. Chef says he was ready for the intense competition…:

CUT 03(07)      “…felt comfortable.”

He’ll represent Louisiana in the national event coming up in August.

A three-vehicle crash involving an ambulance Tuesday in Pointe Coupee Parish claims two lives and severely injures a third. State Police Trooper Chris Reed says an Acadian ambulance transporting patient had an accident involving a Nissan sedan and a Coca-Cola truck. The accident remains under investigation and Reed says always focus on driving when you’re behind the wheel…:

CUT 08(10)      “…while driving.”

Nearly three years after the catastrophic hurricanes of 2020, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s frustrated the U.S. Department of Commerce has finally said there will be financial aid for Louisiana’s seafood industries to recoup revenue losses of over $155-million. Graves says these types of losses could threaten peoples’ livelihoods…:

CUT 10(10)      “…is destroyed.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a House bill that would have given police the power to command you to “stay back” while they do their job. The bill drew bipartisan support in both House and Senate, but Mr. Edwards says it’s unnecessary because there are already laws about interfering with an officer. Bill author Representative Mike Johnson of Pineville says he will file the bill again next year.

There’s a new king of Louisiana Seafood. Chef Owen Hohl of Hot Tails -with two locations in New Roads and Prairieville- beat out eleven chefs to win the 16^th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off. Hohl’s will represent the state in the 19^th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans in August. He will also serve as a Louisiana Seafood Ambassador. Hohl is excited to showcase the Gulf’s seafood through his amazing dishes to the world…:

Cut 05  (11)      “…gave me the chance.”

The cook-off was in Lake Charles this year, for the first time ever.

LSU is a national champion in baseball for a seventh time in program history. Jeff Palermo looks back at a dominating win in the final game of the College World Series…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

A dining tradition in Alexandria, Piccadilly Cafeteria, is closing its doors for good today. Piccadilly served up home style cooking with a smile for over 50 years in Alexandria. The company says they hope folks will visit their 11 other locations in Louisiana.

A bizarre carjacking in Slidell Sunday ended with an arrest in Alabama. Slidell Police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau says shortly before 1 PM 37-year-old Tyron Pryor of Kingsville, Texas barged into the Outback Steakhouse, grabbed a kitchen knife, and threaten employees and customers…:

CUT 12(11)      “…then took off.”

He later rammed into an Alabama State Police cruiser and was eventually arrested. Once Alabama is through with him, he’ll be sent back to Slidell to face justice.

The federal government has awarded Louisiana 1.36 billion dollars for the expansion of affordable, reliable high-speed internet service for businesses and residents. Connect LA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says these funds represent the eighth largest allocation in the country…:

CUT 06(13)      “…once and for all.”

He says they want to see affordable high speed internet all over the state by 2029.

The LSU Tigers are national champions of college baseball for the first time since 2009 and the seventh time in program history after blowing out Florida 18 to 4 in the final game of the College World Series. The Tigers had a College World Series record 24 hits and eleven different Tigers recorded a hit, including shortstop Jordan Thompson who had two. Thompson had just one hit in the CWS entering the game and committed a couple of errors Sunday. Coach Jay Johnson spoke with Thompson before the game…:

CUT 04(12)      “…I’m good.”

This is LSU baseball’s 7^th National Championship.

Louisiana just received $1.36-Billion in federal money to expand broadband internet access to remote areas. Connect LA director Veneeth Iyengar says add to that $10-million in state dollars…:

CUT 07(07) “…by 2025.”

He says the goal is to have high speed internet access available everywhere in Louisiana by 2029.

A Texas man is behind bars, after threatening restaurant patrons in Slidell Sunday, carjacking another person’s car, then traveling to Alabama…where he reportedly intentionally rammed into a State Police cruiser. Slidell Police spokesman Dan Seuzeneau says 37-year-old Tyron Pryor is from Kingsville, Texas and will eventually face charges in Slidell for carjacking; something he says rarely happens there…:

CUT 14(10)      “…little disturbing.”

A record-high 68,888 Jell-O shots were bought in the name of LSU, at Rocco’s Pizza in Omaha, for the College World Series. That translates into a $60-thousand donation to LSU’s Campus Life food bank. Spokesperson Allison Paz says is thrilled…:

CUT 09(11)      “…of our students.”

With a $1.36 billion investment by the federal government, more Louisianans will receive high-speed internet…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Teiko Foxx.”

Two people are dead and three others hurt, after an ambulance crashed into a Coca-Cola truck this morning. Pointe Coupee Parish deputies say it happened on LA 1 in Morganza. We’re told the driver of the Acadian ambulance and a patient being taken to the hospital were the victims. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

A bizarre carjacking in Slidell Sunday ended with an arrest in Alabama. Slidell Police spokesman Daniel Seuzeneau says shortly before 1 PM Sunday, 37-year-old Tyron Pryor of Kingsville, Texas barged into the Outback Steakhouse, grabbed a kitchen knife, and threaten employees and customers. He then carjacked a vehicle and fled. Flash forward an hour or two, and Pryor encounters an Alabama state Trooper working an accident…:

CUT 13(14) “…in Alabama.”

He’ll eventually be extradited back to Slidell.

Bravo to LSU fans who helped push the College World Series Jell-O shot competition over the top; meaning about $60-thousand for the LSU food pantry. Spokesperson Allison Paz is grateful to Rocco’s Pizza in Omaha…:

CUT 11(09)      “…that donation.”

An excessive heat warning is posted for the entire state this week, as Louisiana copes with the first extended heat wave of the summer. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says we hit triple digit “feels like” temperatures today, and could see 115 tomorrow. He says problems rise up fast when it gets this hot…:

Cut 04  (11)      “…heat advisories.”

Tonight is the night, the college baseball season comes to an end and it will be either LSU or Florida holding up the national championship trophy. LSU’s most reliable pitcher out of the bullpen Riley Cooper is questionable with a stomach virus. Baton Rouge ESPN Radio host Charlie Hanagriff says LSU needs Cooper tonight…:

CUT 13(11)      “…big deal man.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received hundreds of millions of dollars to elevate homes and businesses in Southwest Louisiana. Corp of Engineers Senior Project Manager Darrel Broussard says this money will be used to elevate at-risk structures…:

CUT 09(10)      “…1000 structures.”

They hope to get started by early in 2024.

News that the U.S. Supreme Court has booted the challenge of Louisiana’s 2022 Congressional district map BACK to our state means that matter will be decided in a local court or by a new redistricting session. Public service commission member Devante Lewis has rallied for a 2^nd majority black voting district…:

CUT 08(13)      “…in Congress.”

By lifting a hold on the Louisiana case regarding congressional maps, the Supreme Court is allowing the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals to rule if the state’s maps should be redrawn or not…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Well-known injury lawyer Gordon McKernon opened up his wallet and pushed LSU WAY over the top in the Jell-O Shot Challenger for College World Series fans at Rocco’s Pizza in Omaha. McKernon bought nearly 8900 shots to push the total over 50-thousand sold. Part of the cost of each shot goes to local food banks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received hundreds of millions of dollars to elevate homes and businesses in Southwest Louisiana. Corp of Engineers Senior Project Manager Darrel Broussard says additional environmental restoration projects aimed at restoring marsh areas will also be included…:

CUT 11(09)      “…five or six p.m.”

Elevating 1000 homes in Cameron, Vermillion and Calcasieu could start by early next year.

An excessive heat warning has been issued this week as Louisiana is dealing with its first lengthy heatwave of the summer. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says new record high temperatures may be broken…:

CUT 03(12)      “…to 120.”

The worst heat should come in for Thursday through Saturday. Take precautions.