Deputies in St. Martin Parish arrest a woman for stabbing an officer during an arrest. SMPO Captain Ginny Higgins says some St. Martinville residents called them to report a suspicious woman, knocking on doors and asking to be given a gun. When a deputy stopped 26-year-old Ashley Burton to question her, she tried to flee on foot…:

CUT 12(09)      “…stabbed our deputy.”

Higgins says, when Burton fled the vehicle and the deputy, she left two small kids in the car. They’re with DCFS now and the deputy is expected to be just fine. Burton face numerous charges, including attempted murder of an LEO.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry filed an appeal today of Baton Rouge Judge Don Johnson’s ruling allowing abortion clinics to remain open. He’s also requesting speedy consideration to stop Louisiana’s three abortion clinics from performing procedures while the case is under appeal. A state law declared most abortions illegal with the overturning of Roe vs Wade, but legal challenges have been underway ever since.

A new law that goes into effect Monday makes the theft of a catalytic converter a crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Another new law taking effect Monday prevents police from using the smell of marijuana as probable cause to search one’s home. New Iberia Representative Marcus Bryant says people are now using legal medical marijuana, and could be wrongly harassed or arrested. He says this will protect their rights.

A lot of new state laws go into effect Monday, August 1^st, and one of them will forbid police from using the smell of marijuana as probable cause to search one’s home. The bill was authored by New Iberia Representative Marcus Bryant, who says there are still warrantless searches and arrests being made, simply because an LEO smelled weed. He says the new law makes it clear for police…:

CUT 09  (07)        “…warrantless arrests”

Bryant says legalizing smokable marijuana as medicine makes this new law necessary to protect individuals’ rights.

Another law taking effect Monday imposes stiff penalties for stealing catalytic converters from vehicles. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his legislation makes the punishment severe…:

CUT 06(10)      “…50-grand”

Talbot says SUVs and pick-up trucks are the biggest victims of this crime. Maybe because they’re easier to climb under.

Northwestern State is thrilled about the signing of Hansel Enmanuel – the high school basketball star with one arm. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 01(28)      “…Southern.”

…and now today’s markets…

Thousands across the state are expected to buy tickets for tonight’s $1.1-billion Mega Million drawing. The Louisiana Lottery’ Dustin Annison says it’s the 3^rd-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, and a single winner could collect at least $642-million as a lump sum prize. He says when jackpots soar, so do ticket sales…which is a boon to the state…:

CUT 12  (08)        “…our state.”

Tickets sales cut off at 9 pm tonight.

A new law taking effect Monday allows military vets to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Monroe Senator Jay Morris authored the bill, and says it’s a good thing to do for those who have served…:

CUT 07  (07)        “…and their property.”

He says veterans already have had weapons training and proficiency tests, which is large part of getting a concealed carry permit.

In two separate Louisiana cities, police find gunshot victims inside cars. In Covington, a man was found dead in a car near a playground. In Baton Rouge, police are investigating a woman found shot to death in a car near an Interstate 10 off-ramp. Both are considered homicides.

A feature film is in the works starring LSU’s beloved costumed mascot Mike the Tiger. It’s titled The Mascot and is loosely based on writer/director Matthew Perkins’ life, when he donned the Uga costume at the University of Georgia. He approached his alma mater about the film first, but their loss is now LSU’s gain…:

CUT 04(09)      “…Tiger movie.”

COVID. The state Department of Health reports nearly 3300 new cases; mostly the omicron BA.5 variant. They also report 721 people in the hospital with symptoms. Omicron is more contagious, but apparently less lethal than previous variants.

Starting Monday, August 1st, military veterans will have the right to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Cut 2 (28) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Governor’s Office of Community Programs will host four back-to-school fairs where they’ll provide free school supplies. The first fair is tormorrow in Natchitoches from 10 AM to noon at City Park and director Katina Semien Smothers says the remaining fairs are in August…
cut 15 (10) “….the 20th”

LSU’s Mike the Tiger will be featured in a movie that will be produced called the Mascot. Writer/director Matthew Perkins says it’s a heartfelt-sports comedy about a quarterback who loses his scholership to LSU and reinvents himself as the school’s mascot. Perkins says it’s more of a parable about identity, and how we all wear masks metaphorically, especially in our formative years in college.
Cut 5 (04) “…really is.”
Casey Cott has been cast as the lead character and with NIL, LSU football players will also be in the film.
Northwestern State men’s basketball is excited about the addition of
Hansel Enmanuel to its 2022 recruiting class. You may have seen him in a Gatorade commercial. The Florida prep star dominated the hard wood in high school with one arm. Demons Coach Corey Gipson says it doesn’t even dawn on him that Enmanuel has a disability…:
CUT 3 (11) “University”
Enmanuel is from the Dominican Republic and he had his left arm amputated at the age of 6 after a wall collapsed on it

Several new laws will go into effect on Monday. Beginning August 1st, veterans and active-duty military can conceal carry without needing a permit. Some object to permitless concealed carry because the current system requires handgun training. But Monroe Senator Jay Morris says anyone who’s served in the military has already had such training…:
cut 8 (11) “…getting a permit”
A vet who encounters police while carrying without a permit might want to also carry some proof of military service.

A new law goes into effect Monday that makes stealing a catalytic converter a crime. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his legislation makes it easier to prosecute thieves who swipe a catalytic converter from a vehicle and the punishment is severe…
cut 6 (10) “…50-grand”
Talbot says some criminals are stealing dozens of catalytic converters and selling them in bulk. SUVs and pick-up trucks are the biggest victims of this crime.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has dropped criminal charges against Aaron Bowman. He’s a black man that was seen on video receiving a beating from a state trooper in 2019. Former state trooper Jacob Brown allegedly used a flashlight and faces a trial next March. Bowman was charged that night for a traffic violation and resisting an officer.

Mike the Tiger could soon be coming to a theatre near you. Brooke Thorington has more about the feature film that’s in the works.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Starting Monday, veterans and active duty members can legally conceal carry a gun without a permit. There’s a push against expanding gun laws in light of the recent mass shootings, but Monroe Senator Jay Morris says veterans and active-duty military are well versed in weapons training and responsible…
cut 9 (08) “…protect themselves”
The state Department of Veterans Affairs says there are about 300-thousand vets and active-duty troops in this state.

Production is underway on a movie featuring LSU’s Mike the Tiger. The movie is called the Mascot and it’s about quarterback who loses his scholarship at LSU and decides to become the school’s mascot. Writer and director Matthew Perkins says you’ll see a film crew on the sidelines during the football season…
cut 6 (11) “….sports movie”
Casey Cott who’s known for his role in Riverdale has been cast as the lead character in The Mascot.

Thousands of people will buy lottery tickets for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing which has a grand prize of one-point-one billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says it’s one of the largest jackpots in U-S lottery history
Cut 10 (08) “…lottery jackpot.”
Annison says they ask individuals to play responsibly and if you go in with a large group, decide beforehand how you would split up the winnings.

The Governor’s Office of Community Programs is hosting several back-to-school community fairs, beginning tomorrow. Director, Katina Semien-Smothers says with inflation, it’s difficult for some families to purchase school supplies.
Cut 13 (08) “…the state.”
The first of four back-to-school community fairs is at City Park in Natchitoches from 10 until noon. There’s another one on Wednesday in Houma at the Terrebonne Parish Library System from 5 to 7 PM.

Beginning Monday, military veterans will have the right to carry a concealed weapon without obtaining a permit. The new law was authored by Monroe Senator Jay Morris, who says he was happy to pass legislation to aid those who’ve served their country…:
Cut 7 (07) “…and their property.”
Under the new law, military veterans may carry a hidden gun without getting a permit; provided they are over 21 and have no criminal felony record.

Did you get your Mega Millions ticket for tonight. The jackpot is one-point-one billion dollars and Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says lottery players love big jackpots, including individuals who only buy a lottery ticket once or twice a year…
cut 11 (12) “….Mega Million sales”
The drawing is at 10 PM tonight and ticket sales stop at 9 PM.

The Governor’s Office of Community Programs will distribute school supplies across the state, beginning this weekend. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lafourche Parish sheriff deputies have arrested 41-year-old Dontrell Williams Senior of Golden Meadow after his child ingested heroin that belonged to Williams. A Las Vegas woman is accused of stabbing a St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Deputy during a Wednesday morning traffic stop. The deputy was treated and released at a hospital. Shreveport police are searching suspects who are responsible for nine carjackings over the last three days.

Starting Monday, August 1st, military veterans will have the right to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (28) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In other news around the state, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams was found not guilty of ten felony tax fraud charges. Authorities are still searching for the gunman who fatally shot popular Bogalusa rapper JayDaYoungan, whose real name is Javorious Scott. And tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is one-point-one billion dollars.

The Governor’s Office of Community Programs will host several back-to-school community fairs and the first one is tomorrow in Natchitoches at their city park from 10 AM to noon. Katina Semien-Smothers is one of the organizers of the fairs…
cut 14 (09) “…the community”
The other back-to-school community fairs will take place in Houma on Wednesday, Lake Providence next Saturday and Lake Charles August 20th.

A feature film is in the works starring LSU’s beloved mascot Mike the Tiger. It’s titled The Mascot and is loosely based on writer/director Matthew Perkins’ life when he donned the Uga costume at the University of Georgia. He approached his alma mater about the film first but their loss is now LSU’s gain.
Cut 4 (09) “…Tiger movie.”
Perkins says it’s a heartfelt sports comedy about a quarterback who loses his scholarship to LSU, and then reinvents himself as the mascot.