In a unanimous vote, the Mobile City Council approved funding for the Gulf Coast Amtrak Train Service that will run from New Orleans to Mobile. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says with platforms ready in New Orleans and the Mississippi cities in between the next steps are getting the platform and station track completed in Mobile…

Cut 6 (06) “..start date.”

Today is Purple Heart Day and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging the public to wear purple to recognize recipients of the oldest military honor in the United States awarded to U.S. Armed Forces members wounded or killed in the line of duty. LDVA Program Manager and Purple Heart recipient William McInnis says their aim is to foster greater public awareness and respect for these veterans, showing their sacrifices are not forgotten.

Cut 4 (07) “…lift their spirit.”

Phase 2 construction of the Houma Navigational Canal Lock complex breaks ground today. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says the navigation, flood protection, and hydrologic restoration project is designed to help limit saltwater intrusion pushing freshwater within the Terrebonne Basin which allows maintenance of thousands of acres of wetlands that serve wildlife and fisheries. When completed the HNC Lock Complex will span 110 feet across and 800 feet in length and will have sector gates on either side.

Governor Landry’s statement to parents who disagree with the Ten Commandments law prompts a response from a plaintiff in a lawsuit against it. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Colorado State University Hurricane Forecast Team has revised its long-term forecast and the researchers are now calling for 23 named storms for this year. Researcher Levi Silvers…

cut 10 (10) “…51-percent”

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging the public to wear purple today to mark Purple Heart Day. LDVA Program Manager and Purple Heart recipient William McInnis emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these brave individuals.

Cut 3 (07) “…keep the country free.”

and McInnis says if you see a Vet wearing a Purple Heart them ask them about it and honor them by listening to their story.

A juvenile Whooping Crane was found dead near Mamou in January and there’s a 12,500-dollar reward to find the person responsible. The rare birds had not been seen in Louisiana since 1950 until an effort to reintroduce them began in 2011. Lt Wendell Vaughn with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and fisheries…

Cut 15 (11)  “…shot it.”

There are an estimated 80 Whooping Cranes in Louisiana

19-year-old Jacob E. Michot, of Marksville, has been arrested in connection with the July 22nd murder of Gary P. Normand of Marksville. Michot is charged with Principle to 2nd Degree Murder and Possession of Stolen Things related to Normand’s murder Tim Ryan with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Department says Michot isn’t the only suspect in this case.

Cut  13 (08) “…forthcoming.” 

Michot is being held on 1.1 million dollar bond.

This week’s triple digit high temperatures are expected to break records across Louisiana. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says even the early morning temperatures will be oppressive as Louisiana bakes under a heat dome…
cut 8 (07) “…above normal.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate as she campaigns for president. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Former LSU pole vaulter and Lafayette native Mondo Duplantis vaulted 20 and a half feet to break the world record for the ninth time and win a gold medal at the Olympics. Duplantis says he didn’t think about setting a record, but it all hit him once he hit the ground.

Cut 4 (12) “…freaking out.”

Duplantis, who competed for his mother’s home country of Sweden, began pole vaulting as a child in his backyard in Lafayette.

An arrest has been made in connection to the July 22nd murder of a Marksville man. Tim Ryan with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Department says officers responded to a call of a deceased person near LA Highway 1192 and found Gary P. Normand of Marksville deceased.

Cut 12 (11) “…suspects involved.”

19-year-old Jacob E. Michot, also of Marksville, Michot is in custody of APSO with a 1.1-million-dollar bond charged with principal to second degree murder and Possession of Stolen Things related to Normand’s murder. More arrests are expected.

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics says Walz spent his first term as governor working successfully with a divided state Congress. However, Couvillon says Walz has proved himself to be quite progressive since getting re-elected.

Cut 10 (12) “…re-elected.”

Former LSU pole vaulter and Louisiana native Mondo Duplantis set another world record at the Paris Olympics. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

Triple-digit high temperatures are expected across the state this week. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says we will probably see more people suffering from heat related illnesses. He says if you are going to be outside for long periods, where loose fitting clothing…

 Cut 7 (12) “…little bit.”

The nation’s unemployment rate increased last week. Economist Dr. Loren Scott says a change in the unemployment rate might mean more people are filing for unemployment versus more people losing jobs. It is not necessarily all doom and gloom.

Cut 11 (11) ” …this point.”

President of Public Affairs Research Council Dr. Steven Procopio says that the governor has legal avenues to refuse information, but Louisiana residents have a right to request information under the state constitution and that Landry’s office can’t try to invoke just anything to keep records out of the public eye. Procopio says freedom of information is important since…

Cut 9 (12) “…in our constitution.”

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is filing a brief against the lawsuit filed against the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring them to be displayed in classrooms. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

One highlight of Saints training camp has been the battle for backup quarterback between Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler. Rattler says he’s fit into Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system well after his time at South Carolina…

Cut 18 (15) “…get rolling.”

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is filing a brief against the lawsuit filed against the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring a poster of the biblical text to be posted in all public-school classrooms. Murrill says the high-profile case is being handled internally through her solicitor general.

Cut 5 (05)  “…outside counsel.”

Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s a political move by the Governor and the State Attorney General for the Ten Commandments law to go before the now extremely conservative US Supreme Court.

Cut 6 (09) “…possibility.”

After the law was signed in June, lawsuits were filed, and a federal judge ruled classrooms could not display the Ten Commandments until at least November 15th.

A public affairs research official says he just doesn’t understand some of the reasons why Governor Jeff Landry’s office withholds certain records from the public. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

The nation’s unemployment rate increased last week. Economist Dr. Loren Scott says though history indicates, according to the Sahm (pronounced Sham) Rule, that we’re in a recession anytime the unemployment rate increases a half percentage point more than the last 12-month average, we shouldn’t panic. He doesn’t believe it will be a deep recession.

Cut 12 (12) “…long recession.”

Wall Street is reacting today after last week’s news that the unemployment rate increased. Economist Dr. Loren Scott says history indicates, according to the Sahm (pronounced Sham) Rule, that we’re in a recession anytime the unemployment rate increases a half percentage point more than the last 12-month average.

Cut 10 (13) “…problem here.”

Some of the denials of Louisiana residents’ requests for information from Governor Jeff Landry’s office either don’t apply or aren’t legal says President of Public Affairs Research Council Dr. Steven Procopio. For example, he says, legislative privilege isn’t applicable to the governor and the deliberative process exemption was revoked under former governor Bobby Jindall. Procopio adds Landry’s office only had 65 information requests in his first few months in office and should have been able to respond to all of them.

Cut 8 (11)  “…to those records.”

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is filing a brief against the lawsuit filed against the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring a poster of the biblical text to be displayed in all public-school classrooms. Murrill says the suit that’s been filed by several advocacy groups is premature.

Cut 3 (14) “…constitutional rights.”

Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the law is patently unconstitutional and he expects the state will lose the case at the district and appellate court levels. He says it will be really interesting to see what happens in two or three years when the case makes it to the US Supreme Court.

Cut 4 (08) “…will happen”

Murrill says the high-profile case is being handled internally through her solicitor general.

Some Louisiana children went back to school this week and the rest will be starting soon.  Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says there are many challenges schools are facing and one is last year’s school performance scores

Cut 12 (08) “…individual schools.”

Another challenge… Louisiana is in need of over 2,520 teachers and has the fifth highest rate of uncertified teachers in the country at 9-percent.

New weekly polling averages show former President Trump’s lead over Vice President Harris is decreasing by about one point for a third straight week. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests if the Trump campaign can’t reverse this decline…

Cut 8 (10)  “…change.”

Currently, Trump and Harris are separated in the polls by just one point.

A groundbreaking celebration kicks off construction of a new LSU Eunice Baseball stadium. It will feature removable, artificial turf that allows the stadium to serve as a multi-purpose facility. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says they didn’t forget about the spectators…

Cut 4 (10) “…our opponents deserve.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.

Three Louisiana towns made Electricity Dot Com’s list of the 150 Most Welcoming Towns for Travelers. 3700 travelers ranked towns they said embraced newcomers as part of the community. Abita Springs made the list at number 53, Natchitoches number 57, and St. Francisville was ranked number 61.

New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris continuing to decrease. Mel Bridges has the numbers.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

There’s an over 50% chance a cyclone forms in the Atlantic this weekend. Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the storm, which is a tropical wave over the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean seas right now, is gathering some power as it moves west-northwest.

Cut 6 (07) “…Saturday.”

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school as a whole.

Cut 3 (12) “…building the future.”

Two LSU Tigers who suffered season-ending knee injuries last season were on the practice field for the first day of preseason camp. Cornerback Zy Alexander returned after tearing his ACL on October 21st. Head coach Brian Kelly says he and running back John Emery will use the first few days of camp to see how their repaired knees respond…

Cut 16 (19) “… feeling that.”

After resigning last week as Mayor of Deridder, 42-year-old Misty Roberts was arrested today and charged with 3^rd Degree Rape and Contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.  State Police Sgt Ross Brennan says when the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office received the complaint, they were asked to take over the investigation.

Cut 12 (11) “…as Mayor.”

Adam Johnson, Roberts’ attorney, released a statement that his client maintains her innocence.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been appointed to the bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. While details of the attempt remain limited, Congressman Garret Graves says, the task force is expected to work closely with law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and provide comprehensive findings.

Cut 4 (07) “…Senate.”

The task force will release its final report by December 31.

August is set to be the second-busiest month in an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has been in Detroit this week sharing ideas with his counterparts from other states at the National Lt Governor’s Conference. Among his activities is drumming up support for an inspection fee on imported seafood and lobbying to bring the conference to New Orleans in the future.

Cut 8 (10)  “…from each other.”