The Governors’ plan to send the most violent inmates from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth to Angola state prison comes under fire. The juvenile jail has had four violent escapes so far this year. Among critics of the plan is Loyola University professor of law Hector Linares (lih-NAR es) who says it seems like a bad decision, and a possible violation of federal law…:

CUT 03(12)      “…with adult prisons.”

He says better to send Bridge City’s LEAST violent detainees somewhere else.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has finished its largest barrier island restoration project, with the completion of the Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands. The project restored one-thousand acres of barrier island habitat. Project manager April …:

CUT 06(10)      “…barrier islands.”

The $166-million project used funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Our state tops another one of those “bad lists”; taking the top spot for highest sales taxes in the country. The current statewide sales tax is 9.55-percent. The Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts says when sales taxes get so high, they become burdensome…:

CUT 09  (08)        “…state lines.”
The actual state sales tax is actually among the lowest in the U.S., but when you add parish and local taxes, it gets to that highest spot.

Speaking of records, gasoline has retreated from the record-high $4.55 statewide; now at $4-a-gallon for regular. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says lowered demand is behind the price drop…:

CUT 10  (07)        “…demand erode.”

Redman says a storm in the Gulf could quickly send gas prices upward again.

U.S. Senator and fundraising juggernaut John Kennedy has raised over $29-million for his re-election bid, but says he wants to hit the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says having abundant cash to fight off a well-funded Political Action Committee seeking to un-seat him is one answer and there’s no reason to slow down on fundraising. The excess can be used in a future Senate re-election, but NOT if he decides to run for Governor next year…:

CUT 05(04)      “…in the Senate.”

Cross says that’s a good way to curry favor and support with Senate colleagues.

Governor Edwards will have to appoint an interim mayor for Minden, in Webster Parish, after the death of Mayor Terry Gardner last month. This after Minden council members failed to reach that decision this week. For the time being, the mayor pro tem is handling city business.

The Bayou State ranks at the top of a list, but it’s not necessarily the first place ranking consumers are pleased about. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

New Orleanian Ryan Thibodaux is, apparently, a man of iron. Thibodaux, a local dentist & musician, survived being gored by a bull during the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain recently. Before that, Thibodaux survived a rough bout of COVID-19 Alpha and beat back cancer. Thibodaux says he has no regrets.

Let’s start with gasoline prices. After hitting a record high $4.55-a-gallon in mid-June, the statewide average cost of regular gas is now at $4. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says high prices have caused demand to drop, meaning crude oil prices – and prices at the pump – drop as well…:

CUT 12(09)      “…in demand.”

Redman says a storm in the Gulf will almost certainly cause another surge in pump prices.

Our state has the nation’s highest sales taxes; 9.55-percent combined state and local. The Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts…:

CUT 08(11)      “…high for states.”

In July 2025, the state tax will drop by .45-percent, to 4 cents on the dollar, but local sales taxes remain high.

Due to a temporary order by 19^th JDC Judge Don Johnson, abortions remain legal in the state. A pro-choice group is suing to block the law; claiming it’s vague and unenforceable. Loyola Law professor Dane Ciolino believes the case will move rather quickly all the way to the state Supreme Court…:

CUT 15(12)      “months rather than years.”

The law has gone into effect twice since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade, and it’s been blocked twice.

Local sheriffs’ offices warn you to be wary of scammers who call you saying you’ve won the Publishers Clearing House giveaway, but – in order to get your cash or prizes – you must first pay taxes on them…using gift cards. They’ll use pressure to get you to act fast, but do not be fooled. Just hang up the phone.

This may come as no surprise, but Louisiana ranks top of the lost for the highest sales taxes in America; at a rate of 9.55 percent. That’s according to Tax Foundation’s state and average local sales tax rates for July 2022. Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts says it’s a distinction that most people do not find flattering…:

CUT 07(12)      “…to that position.”

In July of 2025, the state sales tax will drop from 4.45 percent to four percent.

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson; acting on a lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws. Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino says Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s defending the state’s abortion ban, most likely will file an appeal…:

CUT 14(09)      “…be illegal.”

Ciolino says eventually the matter will go to the state Supreme Court.

If you are paying more than four-dollars a gallon for regular gasoline, you are paying more than the statewide average. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Rain and thunderstorms are moving through Louisiana at this hour, and are expected to continue – off and on – until about dinner time. The rain does give a cooling break from near-record heat, and we can expect more scattered rain through Sunday.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has already raised about $29-million in campaign cash, but says he’d like to break the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says a standard rule in politics is “more money is always better”…:

CUT 04(07)      “…get rid of him.”

Cross says, if Kennedy aims to reach the $40-million point, he probably will.

Gasoline prices have dropped to a statewide average of $4-a-gallon for regular; a retreat of some 50-cents over the last month. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says when prices are this high, reality sets in on consumers…:

CUT 11(11)      “…that impact”

Demand for gas has dropped sharply due to high prices, so the prices themselves have dropped.

Another scam alert. Lawmen in Acadiana says don’t be fooled by people claiming to be with Publishers Clearing House. The liars will say you’ve won fabulous prizes or cash, but they need you to pay taxes on it in advance…using gift cards. Just hang up the phone.

The Bayou State ranks at the top of a list, but it’s not necessarily the first place ranking consumers would be pleased about. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

After raising over $29-million for his re-election, Senator John Kennedy says he wants to hit the $40-million mark before Election Day. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Shreveport teen is under arrest for possessing and distributing child pornography. Caddo Parish Cyber Crimes deputies followed a tip that led to the evidence the boy had been downloading and sharing those images online. He is now in juvenile detention. More charges may be coming.

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson. A lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws is at the center of the injunction. The order gives both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial, however, Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino believes abortions will stop sooner than later…:

CUT 13(12)      “…district judge.”

A ban on abortions in Louisiana has gone into effect twice and been blocked twice since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24^th.

After hitting a record high of $4.55 a gallon for regular gasoline on June 15th, the statewide average has finally fallen back to four-dollars a gallon according to Triple-A. Fuel analyst Don Redman says the demand for gasoline has led to a drop in prices at the pump..:

CUT 10(07)      “… that demand erode.”

After raising over $29-million for his re-election, Senator John Kennedy says he wants to hit the $40-million mark before Election Day. Brooke Thorington has more…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

The Bayou State ranks at the top of the list, but it’s not necessarily the first place ranking consumers are pleased about. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (34) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

________________________________________________

If you are paying more than four-dollars a gallon for regular gasoline, you are paying more than the statewide average. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has already raised about $29-million in campaign cash, but says he’d like to break the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says a standard rule in politics is “more money is always better”…:

Cut 4 (07)  “…get rid of him.”

Cross says there’s no reason Kennedy should stop raising campaign donations, because unused funds for this election can be saved and used in a future re-election bid, but only for the Senate. That money could not be used if he decides to run for Governor next year…:

Cut 5 (04) “…in the Senate.”

Cross says that’s a good way to curry favors or support with fellow U.S. Senators.

Kennedy now has a sizeable list of challengers qualified, but his campaign cash far outpaces all of them combined. When asked during qualifying if he’d debate opponents, Kennedy said he has a busy schedule. Cross says there’s no “upside” to him doing that…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…bad in a debate.”

_______________________________________________

Among states with combined state and local sales tax Louisiana ranks at the top of the list at 9-point-55-percent. That’s according to Tax Foundation’s state and average local sales tax rates for July 2022. Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts says it’s a distinction that most people do not find flattering.

Cut 7 (12) “…that position.”

Fritts says the most likely reason Louisiana’s local sales taxes are higher than others is due to the fact that there isn’t as much control over the local tax structure compared to other states.

Cut 8 (11)  “…pretty high for states.”

But Fritts says consumption taxes, like a sales tax, tend to be less economically harmful than an income tax or a corporate income tax, but when a sales tax is high it still can be burdensome.

Cut 9 (08)  “…state lines.”

In July of 2025, the state sales tax will drop from 4-point45 percent to four percent.

________________________________________________

After hitting a record high of $4.55 a gallon for regular gasoline on June 15th, the statewide average has finally fallen back to four-dollars a gallon according to Triple-A. Fuel analyst Don Redman says the demand for gasoline has led to a drop in prices at the pump

Cut 10 (07) “…demand erode.”

Redman says travel on our roadways was brisk in June and for the fourth of July, despite record high gas prices. But he says reality has set in on how much it costs to fuel a vehicle when gas prices are above four-dollars a gallon…

Cut  11 (11)  “…that impact” 

The statewide average has fallen 50-cents over the last month. Redman says as long as the price of crude oil falls, gasoline prices will fall as well…

Cut 12 (09) “…in demand.” 

Redman says prices could kick back up if a tropical storm or hurricane slows oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico.

_________________________________________________

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson. A lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws is at the center of the injunction. The order gives both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial, however, Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino believes abortions will stop sooner than later.

Cut 13 (12) “…district judge.”

Ciolino says Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s defending the state’s abortion ban, most likely will file an appeal.

Cut 14 (09)  “…be illegal.”

The merits of the case will be heard in state district court, but Ciolino says due to the nature of the issue he believes it will move to the state’s highest court quicker than other matters.

Cut 15 (12)  “… than years.”

A ban on abortions in Louisiana has gone into effect twice and been blocked twice since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24^th.

_______________________________________________

The Southern Jaguars have been picked to win the SWAC Western division based on a preseason poll released by the conference. Center Dallas Black was named to the All-SWAC preseason first team…

Cut 16 (08)  “…of the season”

Southern has two all preseason SWAC performers on the defensive line, Jordan Lewis and Jason Dumas. Lewis was the SWAC defensive MVP last season and Dumas is a transfer from Prairie View. Southern defensive defensive tackle Cameron Peterson is excited about the addition of Dumas…

Cut 17 (20) “…very fortunate.” 

Grambling is picked to finish fourth in the SWAC West Division. Grambling offensive lineman Tyler Thomas says the Tigers are ready to surprise some folks this year…

Cut 18 (12) “ …be seen” 

Grambling only plays three games on its campus this year. First-year coach Hue Jackson hopes future schedules feature more games at Eddie Robinson Memorial Stadium…

Cut 19 (21) _“…our university” 

Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school” 

Abortions can continue in Louisiana as a lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger laws remains in litigation. State District Judge Donald Johnson preliminary injunction orders attorneys on both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial.

The Louisiana Bond Commission withholds funding for the New Orleans water and sewerage board over the city’s threat not to enforce state laws that ban abortions. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Bayou State is still in its sixth surge that started about two months ago and it’s on track to be one of the longest upticks in COVID cases. And after 28 months Kanter says COVID fatigue has definitely set in.

Cut 5  (11) “…get it again.”

News broke earlier today that President Biden tested positive for COVID and is experiencing mild symptoms.

While some parts of the state are under an excessive heat warning, State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says other parts of the state are seeing rain cooling showers, and thunderstorms in the afternoon. But the standing water attracts mosquitos…

Cut 14 (12)  “…eastern encephalitis.”