John Bel Edwards was the only elected Democrat to participate in a roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform with President Donald Trump. In the portion open to the media, Edwards told the President about the efforts in the Bayou State to lower the state’s inmate population…
cut 14 (13) “…yes sir”
Edwards also invited the President to take a tour of the State’s Penitentiary at Angola.

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound, because of cheaper, imported seafood. Louisiana Shrimpers Association President Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.
Cut 10 (04) “…run our prices down.”
The shrimp season is set to begin on Monday.

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Among those laws, were stiffer penalties for DWI convictions, new laws on driving in flooded areas, and the use of off-road vehicles on public roads. Act 198 levies an additional $50 fine for the use of a breathalyzer if the traffic stop results in a DWI conviction. The increase raises the fine to $125. Impaired driving consultant, with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Mike Barron, says that money is being reinvested into traffic safety.
Cut 4 (10) “…the DWI laws.”
Barron says lawmakers also changed existing law to give judges the ability to sentence a third and fourth-offense DWI driver to probation for up to eight years.

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on a few of them.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

Former LSP Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s Side Trip Troopers got a sharply reduced disciplinary sentence from the Civil Service Commission. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

__________________________________

Louisiana shrimpers on strike?  It could happen very soon.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Among those laws, were stiffer penalties for DWI convictions, new laws on driving in flooded areas, and the use of off-road vehicles on public roads.  Act 198 levies an additional $50 fine for the use of breath-testing in a DWI conviction, with the increase bringing the price tag up from the original $75 to $125.  Impaired driving consultant, Mike Barron, says that money is being reinvested into traffic safety.

Cut 4 (10) “…the DWI laws.”

Barron says as the result of the criminal justice reform, the length of time a judge can sentence a repeat DWI offender to probation was shortened accidentally.  As a result the law needed to be amended to allow judges to extend the time an offender’s treatment takes place, which is what Act 508 does.

Cut 5 (11) “…as long as eight years.”

Barron says another law put onto the books applies to careless driving in conditions many Louisiana residents are all too familiar with:  flood water.

Cut 6 (11) “…a separate crime now.”

The law carries a penalty of up to 250 hours community service and a two-year driver’s license suspension.

_____________________________________________

Three Louisiana State Police Troopers who took a side trip to Vegas during former Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s tenure and allegedly had themselves a night out on the town at the state’s expense have had their disciplinary sentences significantly reduced by the civil service commission. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says, that’s highly disappointing.

Cut 7 (07) “of Louisiana.”

The troopers had their original displaces handed down by the new Superintendent, which involved demotions and pay cuts for the trip that occurred when they were assigned to go to California for training, but received permission from Edmondson to take a detour. The troopers claimed their actions were justified because of that permission, but Goyeneche says that defense shouldn’t have held up.

Cut 8 (12)  “was ok.”

Goyeneche says the whole ordeal is a blow to a department looking for rebound and rebuild after a tenure he says was marked with corruption and malfeasance.

Cut 9 (09)  “is a setback”

Edmonson’s case will be heard later this year in federal court.  

_________________________________________

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound as they are feeling the effect of cheaper, imported seafood.  Captain Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.

Cut 10 (04)   “…run our prices down.”

Cooper says tariffs are only a temporary fix and suggests possibly putting a cap on imported shrimp so local shrimps can continue to make a living.

Cut 11 (04) “…where we at now.” 

If all this talk of shrimp is making you hungry, Cooper says to ensure you are purchasing Louisiana shrimp, buy your seafood directly from the local fishermen.  And as far as ways to eat shrimp…

Cut 12 (08) “…we live off of shrimp.”

______________________________

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards visited with President Donald Trump in New Jersey yesterday to talk criminal justice reform, a topic that is reportedly under consideration by the Republican President for a major congressional push. Edwards celebrated the state’s savings of 12.2 million dollars from the first year of new laws.

Cut 13 (08) “reentry” 

One result of the reforms was a major drop in the total prison and supervised population in the state, which lost Louisiana one of its more infamous monikers. When Edwards relayed that bit of information, the President perked up….

Cut 14 (13) “good…yes sir”

The reforms have come under fire from two of Edwards’ potential gubernatorial opponents for the 2019 governor’s race. Senator John Kennedy sent a letter to the president ahead of the meeting warning him not to believe the governor’s message, but Edwards stuck to his guns and told the president about what he sees as a major win for the state.

Cut 15 (09) “with you”

Edwards was the only elected Democrat at the meeting of governors, attorney generals, and other officials from across the country.

_______________________________________________

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says the project will mostly be upgrading existing roads to interstate standard, which will cut down on the costs.

Cut 8 (09) “…was initially built.”

A team of 40 UL Lafayette students and their instructor are releasing a podcast chronicling the 2016 floods through the eyes of those who experienced the disaster first hand. UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods is the result of over a hundred interviews. Assistant History Professor Dr. Liz Skilton says the program weaves together a narrative that reveals just how widespread the problems were, and how communities responded in the aftermath.

Cut 4 (11) “of us”

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for  this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says despite this dialed down long-range forecast, there are more storms to come…

Cut 14 (08) “…the forecast.”

A report shows a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits. 12 percent more students scored a 3 for the tests that allow them to get some early college credit. Louisiana Education Department Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says the results come down to increased incentives for high school students to enroll in the optional courses.

Cut 9 (08)  “credit”

A team of 40 UL Lafayette students and their instructor are releasing a podcast chronicling the 2016 floods through the eyes of those who experienced the disaster first hand. UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods is the result of over a hundred interviews. Assistant History Professor Dr. Liz Skilton says each podcast takes a look at a different flood zone.

Cut 3 (10) “acadiana.”

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says new infrastructure has been swept under the rug for far too long and the addition of the interstate would have a positive impact on residents in surrounding communities.

Cut 7 (09) “…you’re located on.”

A report shows a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits. 12 percent more students scored a 3 for the tests that allow them to get some early college credit. The program has grown from 2,747 total students passing in 2012, to 7,330 this year.  Louisiana Education Department Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says the jump in African American student participation has been substantial as well.

Cut 11 (10) “or higher”

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the likelihood of an El Nino during the second half of the season is growing

Cut 12 (06)   “…to form.”

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says the proposal will be a great fit for the region.
Cut 6 (09) “…will do just that.”
Lumpkin says they are trying to show government leaders that the interstate can reduce poverty and improve lives along the proposed route.

The Orleans Parish Coroner confirms the body pulled out of Lake Pontchartrain on Tuesday is that of 31-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux. But the cause of death remains unknown. The Baton Rouge woman was reportedly on a sailboat with 43-year-old Michael Farley on Sunday when the two decided to get in the water, Farley was found Monday in good condition.

The state education department says a record number of public high school students are now earning college credit by passing AP exams. A 12-percent increase from the year before. Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says getting college credits before attending a university is also a cost saver…
Cut 10 (06) “college credit”
Bradford says the jump in African American student participation has been substantial as well.

NOAA is now saying the current hurricane season will not be as active as they initially predicted. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the forecasters are looking at several factors….
cut 13 (08) “….hurricane”
There have been four named storms so far and NOAA says we could see 9 to 13 named storms before the season concludes.

The State Police Commission has reduced the punishment that three troopers received for that controversial trip to California for a law enforcement conference that also included a side trip to Las Vegas. Two of the troopers were demoted and had their salaries reduced. But the Commmission felt that was too harsh and restored their ranks and reversed the cuts in salary. But those two troopers will have to serve suspensions. L-S-P Colonel Kevin Reeves says he disagrees with the commission’s actions, but respects their decision.

The Louisiana Education Department says a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits, a 12 percent increase from last year. Assistant Superintendent of Education Ken Bradford says there are increased incentives for high school students to enroll in A-P classes
Cut 9 (08) “credit”
And Bradford says families see savings as a result of getting college credit while in high school.

The nonprofit group, the Youth Infrastructure Coaltion, is pressing federal and state government leaders about the need for a new east-west Interstate from Texas to Georiga that would cross central Louisiana. Coalition president Frank Lumpkin the Fourth says the project could be done using exisiting roads….
cut 8 (09) “….was initially built”
An actual price tag for a proposed I-14 is unknown.

NOAA is now calling for fewer named storms than its prediction back in May. The government forecasters say we could see between 9-and-13 storms, compared to their initial prediction of up to 16. So far there’s been four named storms and two of them reached hurricane strength. State Climatologist Barry Keim says despite this dialed down long-range forecast, there are more storms to come…
Cut 14 (08) “…the forecast.”

State education officials say the number of public high school students who earned college credit is up 12-percent over last year and there’s been a 167-percent increase since 2012. State Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says the number of African-American students earning college credit through A-P exams is substantial as well…
cut 11 (10) “….or higher”

University of Louisiana at Lafayette students have created a podcast series that features stories from the 2016 floods. Professor Liz Skilton says not all of the accounts are negative as there are plenty of tales involving people helping people….
cut 5 (09) “…significant way”
Memories of the 2016 floods podcasts on SoundCloud.

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition, a group of college students, is spearheading a proposed new east-west interstate from Texas to Georgia, that would pass through central Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for this hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the likelihood of an El Nino during the second half of the season is growing
Cut 12 (06) “…to form.”
Keim says sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea have also remained much cooler than average.

A new podcast, UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods: details the history and stories Louisianans during the state’s most recent major disaster. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition, a group made up of college students, is spearheading a proposed new interstate would connect communities, as it would run from west Texas into Georgia, passing through the central Louisiana area.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m  Kevin Barnhart”  

______________________________________________

NOAA has lowered its prediction for the number of named storms for  this hurricane season. Back in May, government forecasters estimated as many as 16 storms, now they say the 2018 total could be between 9 and 13. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the likelihood of an El Nino during the second half of the season is growing

Cut 12 (06)   “…to form.”

Keim says sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea have also remained much cooler than average….

Cut 13 (08) “…hurricane season.” 

So far there’s been four named storms and two of them reached hurricane strength. Keim says despite this dialed down long-range forecast, there are more storms to come…

Cut 14 (08) “…the forecast.”

A new podcast, UNDERWATER: Memories of the 2016 Floods: details the history and stories Louisianans during the state’s most recent major disaster. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A report shows a record number of Louisiana high school students are now earning AP credits. 12 percent more students scored a 3 for the tests that allow them to get some early college credit. Louisiana Education Department Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford.

Cut 10 (06) “college credit”

The Youth Infrastructure Coalition has launched an effort to get the federal government to approve funding for a proposed new interstate that would run from Texas to Georgia and cut through central Louisiana. It would be called Interstate 14. Frank Lumpkin the Fourth, president of the organization, says new infrastructure has been swept under the rug for far too long and the addition of the interstate would have a positive impact on residents in surrounding communities.

Cut 7 (09) “…you’re located on.”

Lumpkin says the project will mostly be upgrading existing roads to interstate standard, which will cut down on the costs of building a whole new road.

And here’s commodities.