A new poll conducted for Citizens For a New Louisiana shows Republican Jeff Landry leading the field in the governor’s race, and that voters aren’t happy with state government. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Landry has a ten percent lead over Democrat Shawn Wilson, but all in an environment of skepticism and mistrust among voters…”
Cut 10 (12) “the right direction”
Pinsonat says he hasn’t seen voters this disgruntled with state government in his entire career.

Garth Brooks responds to being asked to headline the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s kickoff to college football season concert September 2nd in the Superdome. He says his career has been defined by playing huge venues like Central Park, Yankee Stadium, and others…:
Cut 15 (06) “this area”
Tickets will be less than $100 and go on sale July 21st.

There was no jackpot winner in last night’s Powerball drawing which now grows to an estimated $875 million with a cash value of $441.9 million. That’s the third largest in the history of the game. The last time someone hit the grand prize was April 19th.

When a storm starts brewing in the gulf, Louisiana school systems will now have a game plan on how to prepare for a hurricane…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

Republican Jeff Landry leads the field in the Governor’s race according to a new statewide poll that also showed voters aren’t confident in state government. Kevin Gallagher reports..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Allstate Sugar Bowl says they plan to kick off the college football season each year over Labor Day weekend with a concert, and it’s first headliner on September 2nd is Garth Brooks…:
Cut 14 (08) “of this”
Tickets go on sale July 21st.

Louisiana schools now have a system in place on how to prepare for a hurricane. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says a playbook of this kind did not previously exist and he believes it will empower school systems with the tools to protect their staff and students..:
Cut 9 (12) “be prepared”
He hopes this plan can also be a model for other states.

Louisiana Right to Life is hosting a “Celebration for Adoption” event at the capitol today and honoring Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds for sponsoring the Adoption Tax Credit legislation…:
Cut 4 (09) “protect life”
The event begins at noon and will include remarks from lawmakers, adoptees, and Louisiana Right to Life.

Now that Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed anti-LGBTQ bills, there’s growing speculation that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes majorities of GOP lawmakers will choose to come back to the Capitol…:
Cut 9 (11) “not the Republicans”

3 people are dead and several others are injured following a reported mass shooting at a 4th of July party last night in Shreveport. News outlets are reporting cops had a difficult time getting to victims on the scene due to how many cars were on the street for the gathering. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Crimestoppers. This is a developing situation.

Rice yields this year could be negatively affected by the hot, dry summer. Brooke Thorington reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A DeSoto Parish man has been convicted for a second time in the 2010 killing of 12 year old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall. The initial conviction of 47 year old Brian Horn was vacated following a ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The Vernon Parish jury that found Horn guilty of first degree murder Tuesday will move into the penalty phase today.

The Governor has vetoed three bills seen by some as “anti-LGBT.” Will that trigger a veto override session or not? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A July 4th mass shooting at a block party in Shreveport has claimed the lives of 3 people and wounded several others, according to reports. A councilwoman has told news outlets that she learned the shooter or shooters just showed up to the party and started firing. This is a developing story.

The boycott on Bud Light and other Anheuser-Busch beer is reportedly to blame for the closure of the Ardagh Glass Packaging Plant in Lincoln Parish. Last month the Mayor of the small village of Simsboro where the plant is located said the news of the closure and subsequent laying off of 245 employees came as a complete shock. The nationwide boycott is over Bud Light’s promotion of a controversial transgender influencer.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law a bill to establish a funding source dedicated to keeping older adults in their homes for as long as possible. Under the measure, 12 percent of any excess state revenue will be directed toward the Community Options Waiver Trust Fund.
CUT 10 (11) “nursing home care”
That’s AARP Advocacy Director Andrew Muhl who says this is a major milestone for seniors.

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed anti-LGBTQ bills, triggering speculation as to whether state lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for an override session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat thinks the legislature will want to reverse the vetoes, and the pressure will be on the Governor to avert that…:
Cut 7 (05) “two-thirds majority”
A veto override session is automatic unless enough House & Senate members vote – in writing – not to reconvene.

The hot and dry summer we’ve been experiencing is likely to limit the yields for some of the state’s key crops, like rice. Louisiana Rice Specialist Ronnie Levy (Lee-Vee) with the LSU Ag Center says if planted late in the season, the heat may have affected anything flowering now:
Cut 4 (09) “critical stages”
He says the bigger concern is drought conditions that may impact soybeans, corn and sugarcane.

The waiting list for seniors and in-home services should start to dwindle due to legislation passed in the most recent session. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

KSLA in Shreveport is reporting 3 people are dead and at least 6 are injured following a shooting at a 4th of July block party. Shreveport PD is still on the scene. We’ll have more on this as it develops.

We’re getting some respite from the extreme heat this week…:
Cut 4 (10) “couple of weeks”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says humidity will still be higher than normal though so some parts of the state will still see triple digit feels-like temperatures.

While the price of our 4th of July BBQ went down 3% over last year on average nationally, it went up in The Bayou State. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the average price for a party of 10 in the southern region, which runs from Texas to South Carolina, rose about $2.00 to $66.43…:
Cut 9 (11) “the country”
But gas prices are much lower this 4th of July Holiday with the statewide average for a gallon of regular at $3.07, which is $1.28 lower than the same time last year.

LSU ace pitcher Paul Skenes set an SEC record 209 Strikeouts this season, and he’s giving back in a major way. Kace Kieschnick reports…:
CUT 2 (32) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

As you party for the 4th of July today with fireworks and cookouts, state officials are reminding you to designate a driver. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign remains in place through tonight so police will be out in full force looking out for drunk drivers. Operation Dry Water is also still in effect where LDWF agents will be on waterways making sure boat operators aren’t drinking.

We’ve stopped seeing the excessive heat warnings in Louisiana, so we return to our normal hot summer. Brooke Thorington reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Saints Tight end Foster Moreau announced on Twitter yesterday that his cancer is in full remission. This comes a few months after he found out during a Saints physical that he had Hodgkin Lymphoma. The former Tiger officially signed with New Orleans in May, a reported three-year deal that will pay him 12-million dollars.

The 2023 National Champion LSU baseball team ace pitcher Paul Skenes will not only be remembered for the SEC record 209 strikeouts this season, but also how he used that to give back. The Air Force transfer pledged a donation to Folds of Honor for every strikeout, the non-profit that benefits military families…:
Cut 8 (14) “Folds of Honor”
Skenes raised over $50,000 for the charity.

If you’re going to put on your own fireworks show this 4th of July, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is out with its yearly safety reminders. Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue…:
Cut 13 (12) “fire easily”
She says it’s never a good idea to deal with fireworks when you’ve been drinking.