High utility bills continue to plague residents and PSC Commissioner Craig Greene says they are looking at ways to help lower rates. He says the commission wants utility providers to become customer service-focused, more energy efficient, and look at long-term resiliency.

Cut 10 (08) “…we’ve had.”

He says you can ask your local PSC office to review your bill for possible errors.

Governor Edwards flies to the Netherlands today to share our flood control challenges in Europe. And he says that innovations to fight climate change actually bring about economic development opportunities involving new environmentally friendly projects.

Cut 9 (06)  “…and the transition.”

The governor will also visit France to promote the World War II museum in New Orleans.

Monkeypox has been declared a health emergency in the US, and LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine is hosting an event today to give healthcare professionals the most up-to-date information. Infectious Disease Professor Dr. Michael Hangensee (Hagen-see) says they’ll look at the recent spread of the virus…

Cut 13 (07) “…prevent infection.”

The governor hosted a ceremonial bill signing Thursday at the Capitol, to herald in a package of new bills providing for improved, cutting-edge cancer care. Former state representative and cancer survivor Julie Stokes says one bill expands access and insurance coverage of precision medicine, a more focused method than chemotherapy…:

Cut 4 (08)  “…of chemotherapy.”

Stokes is the founder of SCAN, the Survivors Cancer Action Network.

As residents continue to experience high utility bills, the Public Service Commission says they are trying to help…
cut 3 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor Edwards leaves for the Netherlands today where he’ll get a first-hand look at some of their flood control projects. He says his trip which also includes a stop in France will also look at how the state can improve the Port of New Orleans….
cut 8 (11) “….Port system”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that will ensure biomarker testing is covered by more insurance plans, including Medicaid. Former state representative and founder of the Survivors Cancer Action Network Julie Stokes says biomarker testing could lead to fewer cancer patients needing chemotherapy.
cut 6 (09) “….is so exciting”
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says biomarker testing effectively guides a cancer patient’s treatment.

Monkeypox has been declared a health emergency in the US, and LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine is hosting an event today to give healthcare professionals the most up-to-date information. Infectious Disease Professor Dr. Michael Hangensee (Hagen-see)…
cut 15 (10) “…of others”
The state is reporting 69 monkeypox cases in Louisiana, an increase of eleven from Wednesday.

Governor John Bel Edwards is off to Europe today to swap flood control challenges with the Netherlands. Marsanne Golsby has more:
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles says residents should be thinking about getting their REAL ID card. OMV spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says beginning May 3rd, citizens 18 years and older will need a REAL ID driver’s license or passport to fly domestically or enter a federal building
cut 28 (03) “…ready now”
Go to express-lane-dot org to book an appointment at your local OMV office.

During the regular session, lawmakers approved four cancer care bills that advocates say provide cutting edge cancer testing and treatments that will be covered by your insurance. Cancer survivor and former state representative Julie Stokes says cancer testing will be enhanced a biomarker testing legislation and another new law expands access to precision medicine…
cut 5 (09) “…are for you”

The federal government has declared a public health emergency over monkeypox. The number of known infections in Louisiana is 69 with most of those in the New Orleans area. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Professor Doctor Hangensee says treatment includes the medicine T-pox, which can be given by pill or through an I-V for severe cases…
cut 14 (08) “…new Orleans area”
The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact.

Governor John Bel Edwards is off to Europe today to swap flood control challenges with the Netherlands.
Cut 7 (07) “….water levels increase.”
The governor will see firsthand one of the Netherlands’ most ambitious and innovative flood control infrastructure innovations and a water research campus in Delft. Edwards will also make a stop in France to raise awareness about a 400-million dollar capital campaign for the World War Two Museum in New Orleans.

Entergy says the doubling of natural gas prices from June of last year to June of this year has resulted in the higher than normal electric bills this summer. But Public Service Commissioner Craig Greene says there should be incentives for utility providers who lock in prices early and pass those savings to ratepayers…
cut 12 (10) “…their profit”

New laws signed by the governor aim to make cutting edge cancer detection and new treatments more readily available…and covered by your insurance. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

US Senate candidate Luke Mixon says even though he’s pro-life he believes the abortion bans in states like Louisiana are too radical. There is a list of medical exceptions in Louisiana that center around the health of the mother and the fetus, but Mixon says doctors are still concerned if they perform an abortion based on one of the exemptions…

Cut 4  (08) “..very own life.”

Mixon says he would vote to legalize abortions in federal law if elected.

NOAA slightly revises their predictions for the Atlantic season to 14 to 20 named storms in which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes. 90 percent of all Atlantic tropical cyclone activity occurs from August to October, and that’s why Lead forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says they revise their predictions in August.

Cut 10 (10) “…landfalling storms.” 

The state OMV is warning residents the clock is ticking for you to get a real ID in order to fly commercially in the United States. Marsanne Golsby has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a Houma man for alleged possession of drugs and for taking sharks over the limit. Agents stopped the man’s boat for a routine compliance check, when they found the sharks and methamphetamines. The incident happened on July 24^th which ironically was during Shark Week.

With the height of hurricane season just a couple weeks away, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration revises its forecast number of storms downward…slightly. NOAA forecaster Mark Rosencrans says conditions still favor an above-average season…:

CUT 09(09)      “…become hurricanes.”

The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatal fire in Pineville Tuesday that took the life of an elderly man. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the victim was found in his bathtub, and the fire apparently started in the carport; perhaps caused by faulty wiring. Her advice…?

CUT 14(08)      “…in the home.”

Rodrigue says the home had no working smoke detectors. The 71-year-old victims’ name has not yet been released.

Democrat Luke Mixon of Bunkie, who is challenging Senator John Kennedy’s re-election bid, says – if elected – he would vote to codify Roe vs Wade abortion rights in federal law. Mixon says the abortion bans that some states have put in place are too radical…:

CUT 03(05)      “…their assailant’s child.”

Louisiana’s abortion ban does not allow for exceptions for rape or incest.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents, doing a routine life preserver compliance check on Oyster Bayou in Terrebonne Parish, wound up arresting the boat skipper for taking sharks over the limit, AND for possessing narcotics. Agents said they saw 44-year-old Anouda Lirette tossing a shark overboard as they pulled up. In addition to the sharks, they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Lirette was booked into the Terrebonne Parish jail.

The state Department of Health reports 2085 new cases of COVID-19, with 677 currently in the hospital with symptoms. They also report 5 new COVID-related deaths.

NOAA, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, revises its 2022 hurricane predictions down…slightly…:

CUT 02(29)      “…Thorington.”

A West Baton Rouge Parish cop is under arrest for picking a fight at a Baton Rouge bar, then following the victims home, where another brawl ensued. 21-year-old Zach Sibille is Port Allen Police officer. Because he took a gold chain from the victim, the charge is robbery. Sibille is on administrative leave.

The days of putting off getting a real ID are ending. If you want to fly domestically or even enter federal buildings, you must have a real ID Louisiana driver’s license or ID card, or a current passport by May third, next year. Louisiana OMV spokesman Matt Boudreaux says there are several items you’ll need to obtain a REAL ID: a birth certificate or…:

CUT 07(10)      “…financial statement.”

You can visit “expresslane.org” to book an appointment at your local OMV.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the death of a Pineville man who was killed in a house fire Tuesday morning. Office spokesperson Ashely Rodrigue says firefighters found a 71-year-old man in the bathtub…dead. She says the fire apparently started in the home’s carport…:

CUT 13(10)      “…that home.”

There were NO working smoke detectors in the home.