Governor Jeff Landry has signed Senate Bill 154 into law, making the possession, sale and distribution of kratom illegal in the state. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain was on hand when Landry signed the bill. He witnessed first-hand the impact of kratom in his community.

Cut 7 (10) “…and were hallucinating.”

Landry has signed a bill criminalizing grooming, the act of building trust with minors to enable sexual abuse. The new law allows authorities to intervene even if abuse hasn’t yet occurred, targeting manipulative behaviors by adults at least four years older than the child. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick introduced the legislation saying it’s an important tool in protecting children.
Cut 12 (07) “…to be involved.”

The law takes effect August 1^st.

LSU plays Arkansas tonight in the semifinal round of the College World Series after beating UCLA, nine-to-five. Freshman right-hander Casan Evans was the winning pitcher. He took the mound in the fourth inning after the game was halted on Monday night because of severe weather. Evans pitched four and one-third innings and held the Bruins to two runs on four hits, no walks and five strikeouts. Coach Jay Johnson knew he would get a great performance from Evans.

Cut 16 (15) “…has it.”

Tilapia, a hardy invasive fish, has reemerged in canals near Port Sulphur in Plaqeumines Parish, two decades after escaping a pond during Hurricane Katrina. LDWF Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Chris Schieble says they thought Tilapia was eradicated in 2009 through a costly rotenone treatment, and recent findings of juvenile tilapia suggest some survived.

Cut 4 (12) “…many are there.”

A slew of new laws will go into effect August 1st. Among them is one that makes kratom illegal. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain was with Governor Landry when he signed the bill into law last week; he recalled when he testified in favor of the bill, he came face-to-face with powerful lobbyists within the kratom industry.

Cut 8 (12) “…it in Louisiana.”

Another law going into effect that day is one that criminalizes grooming – the act of building trust with minors to enable sexual abuse. What’s different here is the new law allows authorities to intervene even if abuse hasn’t happened yet. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says in the case of his son in law, authorities had to wait until a priest molested him before taking action.

Cut 11 (09) “…then and stopped.”

While you might be able to order tilapia at your favorite seafood restaurant, you might not know that it is actually an invasive species, and it is reemerging in canals near Port Sulphur. LDWF Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Chris Schieble says if you catch tilapia, do not release it back into the water.

Cut 6 (09) “…you got it.”

The addition of State Senator Blake Miguez in the U.S. Senate race is bad news for Senator Bill Cassidy. That’s the opinion of LSU-Shreveport Assistant Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow, who says Miguez’s entry in the U.S. Senate race greatly increases Cassidy’s vulnerability.

Cut 14 (08) “…chances of re-election.”

Miguez joins State Treasurer John Fleming in challenging Cassidy for the G-O-P nomination in the newly-closed primary.

Now that State Senator Blake Miguez has thrown his name into the rase for US Senate, there will be THREE candidates in next April’s Republican primary, including incumbent Bill Cassidy and State Treasurer John Fleming.  LSU-Shreveport Assistant Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says it’s not good news for the sitting Senator because Miguezs the most conservative candidate for the Republican nomination, but points out Miquez does start this race at a disadvantage.

Cut 15 (14) “…in national government.”

Speaking of challenges, Tilapia has reemerged in canals near Port Sulphur, two decades after escaping a pond during Hurricane Katrina. LDWF Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Chris Schieble says they thought the invasive fish was eradicated in but recent findings suggest otherwise.

Cut 4 (12) “…many are there.”

——————-

Louisiana lawmakers unanimously passed a new law criminalizing the grooming of minors to enable sexual abuse. Here’s Colleen Crain.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Come August 1st, Kratom will be illegal in Louisiana. Last week, Governor Landry signed Senate Bill 154.  As of now, the drug  is available at places like smoke shops and gas stations.  Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says he’s seen firsthand the kind of tragic results that could create.

Cut 9 (13)  “…of our community.”

Beginning August 1st, kratom will be illegal in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tilapia has reemerged in canals near Port Sulphur, two decades after escaping a pond during Hurricane Katrina. LDWF Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Chris Schieble says Tilapia pose a major ecological threat if they spread into nearby estuaries, where they could displace native species.

Cut 5 (10) “…habitat competition.”

—————————

State Senator Blake Miguez in now in the U.S. Senate race and according to some political experts, that’s bad news for Senator Bill Cassidy’s reelection bid.  LSU-Shreveport Assistant Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says Miquez’ entry in the race gives Republican primary a third choice next April making Cassidy more vulnerable.

Cut 14 (08) “…chances of re-election.”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a bill criminalizing grooming, the act of building trust with minors to enable sexual abuse. The new law allows authorities to intervene even if abuse hasn’t yet occurred, targeting manipulative behaviors by adults at least four years older than the child. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick introduced the legislation saying it’s an important tool in protecting children.
Cut 12 (07) “…to be involved.”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a bill criminalizing grooming, the act of building trust with minors to enable sexual abuse. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says his legislation was inspired by his daughter, Sarah Gioe, and her husband, Tim Gioe, who was abused by a priest as a child.

Cut 10 (12) “…this bill passed.”

The law takes effect August 1.

On that same day, Kratom will official become illegal in Louisiana. Last week, Governor Landry signed Senate Bill 154 into law, making the possession, sale and distribution of kratom illegal in the state. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain was on hand when Landry signed the bill. He witnessed first-hand the impact of kratom in his community.

Cut 7 (10) “…and were hallucinating.”

—————————-

An invasive fish species thought to be eradicated has been discovered in Port Sulphur. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The addition of State Senator Blake Miguez in the U.S. Senate race is bad news for Senator Bill Cassidy. LSU-Shreveport Assistant Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says that’s because Republican primary voters will now have another alternative to Cassidy and State Treasurer John Fleming.

Cut 13 (10)  “…have another choice.”

The primary election is next April.

Cleco has begun the process of finding a new owner, notifying the Louisiana Public Service Commission as required. This move was expected, as Cleco’s 2016 private equity buyout included plans for a future sale.  Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the announcement didn’t come as a surprise.

Cut 6 (09) “…was an investment.”

The legislature passed several bills this session aimed at strengthening elections in Louisiana. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says among them is one that calls for a procedural election audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor every four years.

Cut 4 (14) “…in the state.”

State Senator Blake Miguez has announced that he, too, is launching a primary challenge against Senator Bill Cassidy. Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says while State Treasurer John Fleming is more conservative than Cassidy, that’s nothing compared to Miguez – and that could come into play in the newly-closed U.S. Senate primary.

Cut 13 (14)  “…very interesting primary.”

LSU now has two chances to advance to the best-of-three national championship series at the College World Series after beating UCLA, 9-5. Before play was suspended yesterday, LSU came back from an early 3-0 hole with a four-run first inning, capped by a three-run home run by Jared Jones.

Cut 15 (07) “…on the board.”

Pineville-based CLECO has notified the Public Service Commission that it’s for sale and looking for a new owner. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU defeated UCLA 9 to 5 to remain undefeated in the 2025 College World Series. Anthony Eyanson pitched the first three innings Monday evening before it was suspended due to weather. When the game resumed this morning at 10 AM in the fourth inning, Casan Evans pitched into the eighth inning allowing just two runs and striking out five…

Cut 16 (08) “…team win.”

LSU will play again tomorrow against the winner of tonight’s game between UCLA and Arkansas and if they win, they head to the championship series.

In the legislative session that ended last week, several election related bills were passed. One of them closes a loophole that currently allows foreign funding of election contests and ballot measures.

Cut 5 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Others include a bill requiring legislative approval of election-related consent decrees, so that groups cannot force changes to election procedures through lawsuits. One outlaws wagering on election outcomes; another calls for a procedural election audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor every four years. And one assesses attorney’s fees and court costs for providing false information on a notice of candidacy.

Louisiana lawmakers approved a budget — a 53-billion dollar budget and only one lawmaker voted against it. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted no. The Republican from Caddo Parish explained his decision during an interview on KEEL Radio in Shreveport…

Cut 9 (13)  …concern of mine.”

Internationally known evangelist and gospel musician, Jimmy Swaggart remains hospitalized in critical condition after a sudden cardiac arrest Sunday morning. 90 year old Swaggart is being treated in intensive care in a Baton Rouge Hospital. Spokesperson Megan Kelly asks for prayers for the Swaggart family and says they continue to trust the Lord and give Hime time to work, knowing that His ways are perfect.

Add another name to the list of Republican primary challengers for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bill Cassidy. New Iberia State Senator Blake Miguez has announced that he is entering the race. In Miguez’s campaign announcement video, he hammered Cassidy for his vote to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his alleged role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says that will be a theme that will play out over and over again leading up to the primary.

Cut 14 (13) “…the Republican party.”

The primary is next April.

The legislature passed a series of bills aimed at strengthening elections in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU is 2-and-0 in the College World Series and one win away from the C-W-S championship series after beating UCLA nine to five today. Before the game was suspended last night because of severe weather, LSU fell behind 3 to nothing in the first inning. The Tigers responded with four runs in the bottom of the first inning, capped off by a three-run home run by Jared Jones…

Cut 15 (07) “…on the board.”

Cleco has notified the Louisiana Public Service Commission that they are up for sale. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the process is in its early stages, and a sale is unlikely before December 2026. The Buyer will not be able to increase rates and must keep Cleco’s headquarters in Pineville.

Cut 7 (12) “…across Louisiana.”

Cleco serves 300 thousand customers across 24 parishes.

LSU is 2-and-0 in the College World Series and one win away from the C-W-S championship series after beating UCLA nine to five today. Anthony Eyanson pitched the first three innings of the game before it was suspended for weather. When the game resumed this morning at 10 AM in the fourth inning, Casan Evans pitched into the eighth inning allowing just two runs and striking out five…

Cut 16 (08) “…team win.”

LSU will play again tomorrow against the winner of tonight’s game between UCLA and Arkansas.

Another Republican is challenging Bill Cassidy’s for a U.S. Senate seat. New Iberia State Senator Blake Miguez has announced that he is entering the race. He joins State Treasurer John Fleming. Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says Fleming is more conservative than Cassidy, and Miguez is more conservative than Fleming and that could come into play in the newly-closed U.S. Senate primary.

Cut 13 (14)  “…very interesting primary.”

There will be no more betting on the outcome of elections in Louisiana. Outlawing wagering on election outcomes is just one of several election-related bills passed by the legislature this past session. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says another one assesses attorney’s fees and court costs for knowingly providing false information on a notice of candidacy.

Cut 3 (14) “…qualify for office.”

Pineville-based utility company CLECO has notified the Public Service Commission that its for sale and looking for a new owner. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU is 2-and-0 in the College World Series and one win away from the C-W-S championship series after beating UCLA nine to five today. Jared Jones homered and drove in four runs. Casan Evans struck out five over 4.1 innings for his fifth win. LSU will play again tomorrow night.

You can add another name to the list of Republican primary challengers for Bill Cassidy’s U.S. Senate seat. New Iberia State Senator Blake Miguez has announced that he is entering the race. Miguez joins State Treasurer John Fleming in challenging Cassidy for his seat. Pearson Cross, who teaches political science at ULM, says that could create some headwinds for Cassidy’s re-election bid next year.

Cut 12 (12) “…race against him.”

Miguez has served in the state legislature since 2015.

Oil City Republican Danny McCormick was the only member of the Louisiana Legislature to vote against the 53-billion-dollar budget approved by state lawmakers last week. McCormick says using an additional one-point-six billion dollars in federal money to pay for Medicaid is not a good idea, when you consider the federal government is trillions of dollars in debt…

Cut 10 (06) “…federal money.”