After multiple escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, the governor announces an investigation of the Office of Juvenile Justice…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Shreveport man is in jail; charged with a hate crime and planning an arson, after planning to (quote) “blow up” a Shreveport courthouse and kill Black people. 41-year-old Patrick Duffy’s plan was reported by an acquaintance. His bond is set at $100-thousand.

Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections begins today, at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge. Candidates for the state’s six congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate race, are expected to qualify over the next three days. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says five of six congressional races should be shoe-ins for the incumbents. But in District 3, Clay Higgins has an announced Republican challenger. Pinsonat says that race could become interesting…:

CUT 07(10)      “get re-elected.”

Pinsonat says he expects all incumbents will have a challenger of some kind, but doubts any will have the money or support to win this fall.

Chemical giant BASF announces a $780-million project that will double production capacity at its plant in Geismar, in Ascension Parish. BASF Senior VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold says, when complete they will produce 600-thousands metric TONs of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (or MDI) annually…:

CUT 13(13)      “..every single day”

He says jobs created will have a starting pay of $85-k or more. The expansion will help retain over a thousand jobs.

This afternoon Governor Edwards announced that some juvenile prisoners will be moved to Angola, due to multiple escapes at the Bridge City Center for Youth. The juveniles will be housed in a “secure, independent housing unit” once used as a reception center at Angola.

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt announces he will challenge Third District Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Due to inflation more people are counting their pennies to make back-to-school purchases. Katherine Cullen, with the National Retail Federation says some are even starting early and many are forgoing vacations because back-to-school purchases are a necessity.

Cut 14 (06)  “…to be replaced.” 

Louisiana ranks at the top for the most to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, for the Class of ‘22. Chief Operating Officer for the Louisiana Department of Education Ken Bradford says 67-percent of high school seniors completed their FAFSA application. And he’s already encouraging the next round of seniors.

Cut 11 (09)  “…start planning.”

According to National College Access Network 84% of high school seniors who complete a FAFSA are more likely to enroll in post-secondary education.

On the eve of qualifying for the federal elections, Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt has announced he will challenge Third District Congressman Clay Higgins. Both men are Republicans.”LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Higgins seeks a 4^th term in office, and has his party’s endorsement, but Hoggatt could present a challenge that Higgins must take seriously…:

CUT 07(12)      “…this time.”

Qualifying for fall elections starts tomorrow in Baton Rouge.

A Baton Rouge judge has again extended his order blocking the state’s abortion law from taking effect, meaning clinics can remain open for now. Judge Don Johnson says he will make his ruling in the case on July 29^th. Lawyers for the plaintiffs say the law is far too vague in language to be enforced. State Attorney General Jeff Landry says the law is crystal clear and should not be blocked.

With inflation continuing to rise, more people face having to cut back on spending in order to make needed back-to-school and college purchases. Katherine Cullen, with the National Retail Federation, says spending this year is expected to match or exceed 2021’s record high spending for the fall school term, but many have to pinch pennies to get it done. The NRF’s annual survey of back-to-school & college shopping shows more families will cut back on discretionary spending, buy only on-sale or off-brand items or even used items where possible. She says costs of most everything have been escalating over the past two years…:

CUT 13(07)      “…before the pandemic.”

She says vacations may be curtailed or even cancelled, because NOT making back-to-school purchases is really not an option.

A state-chartered bailout fund is seeking to borrow $600 million after seven Louisiana insurers went bust following 2021′s Hurricane Ida. The Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association will seek approval of a bond sale this week. They’d recoup the money from surviving member insurers, but those insurers get a tax break for such assessment payments, meaning Louisiana taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill.

A Baton Rouge judge has again extended his order blocking the state’s abortion law from taking effect, meaning clinics can remain open for now. Judge Don Johnson says he will make his ruling in the case on July 29^th.

With inflation continuing to rise, more Louisianans face having to cut other spending in order to make needed back-to-school purchases. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana claims top ranking for the highest number of high school seniors who’ve completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. The Louisiana Department of Education’s Ken Bradford says he National College Access Network tracks applications in the U.S., and Louisiana has consistently been in the top two for the last five years. Bradford says FAFSA completion is also required for high school seniors in Louisiana to be considered for TOPS…:

CUT 10(10)      “…work studies, et cetera”

It looks like District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins has a challenger: Lafayette Republican prosecutor Holden Hoggatt. “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt’s campaign resources are unclear right now, but Higgins has less than $300-k in his warchest…:’

CUT 08(10)      “whole lot of dough.”

Qualifying for the fall elections starts tomorrow in Baton Rouge.

There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward…:

CUT 03(12)      “…hot today.”

Ross says try to remain indoors as much as possible.

With inflation continuing to rise, more Louisianans face having to cut back on spending in order to make needed back-to-school and college purchases. Katherine Cullen, with the National Retail Federation, says spending this year is expected to match or exceed 2021’s record high spending for the fall school term, but many have to pinch pennies to get it done…:

CUT 12  (05)        “…for the season.”

On the eve of qualifying for the federal elections, Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt has announced he will challenge Third District Congressman Clay Higgins. Both men are Republicans. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt has never run for political office before…:

CUT 06(12)      “…back it up.”

Higgins has reported 258-thousand dollars on hand. Alford says that’s the lowest figure among Louisiana’s six incumbent members of Congress.

A Beauregard Parish man has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor. Beauregard deputies say Rusty Boudreaux faces multiple charges for multiple assaults on the victim. He is in jail with no bond.

After its fourth violent escape so far this year, critics are calling for the Bridge City Center for Youth, in Jefferson Parish, to be closed forever. Governor Edwards has called a 3 pm press conference and will address the juvenile jail’s issues.

There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward. There’s also a Heat Advisory from Natchitoches to Jena. Ross says later in the week north Louisiana will see a drop in temperatures and possibly a scattered shower or two but not enough to relieve drought-like conditions in the area. But in the meantime, try to say inside as much as possible…:

CUT 05(09)      “…the heat.”

Louisiana has highest number of high school seniors who’ve completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. The Louisiana Department of Education’s Ken Bradford credits educators and counselors for the ranking…:

CUT 09(09)      “…and career.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will address the future of the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish during a 3 pm press conference today. There was another violent escape from the center over the weekend; the fourth such escape so far this year. Critics call for the juvenile jail to be permanently shuttered.

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt announces he will challenge Third District Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”