State climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is in a drought. He says it’s been 23 days since Shreveport had any rain and in Baton Rouge, it’s been 24 days, and New Orleans has had only a sprinkle in the past 26 days. The hardest hit he says though are farmers, and there’s no relief in sight.

Cut 6 (04)  “…at all.” 

And elsewhere in the south, Florida saw significant amounts of rain and high water after Hurricane Ian. The United Cajun Navy remains in the Sunshine State providing recover assistance and Spokesperson Brian Trascher says it’s been quite some time since the western coast of Florida was impacted by a major hurricane and that’s allowed for even more construction with less oversite compared to other areas.

Cut 14 (11)  “…streamed everywhere.”

Parts of the Mississippi River are so low that barge shipments are being limited just after crops have been harvested. Whitney Thomas has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Louisiana Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy announces 46 million dollars in federal money is heading to Cameron, Calcasieu, and Vermilion Parishes to elevate about 200 structures so they will not flood.  Cassidy says it’s great news for southwest Louisiana and the money is coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill…

Cut 4 (09) “…to come.” 

Cassidy says Louisiana has received 700 million dollars in funding for coastal, waterway, and flood protection projects from the Infrastructure Bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.

State climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is in a drought. Shreveport has gone 23 straight days without any rainfall, Baton Rouge for 24, and New Orleans has had just a sprinkle in the past 26 days.

Cut 5 (06) “…in Louisiana.” 

Keim says those hardest hit are farmers, and there’s no relief in sight.

Can Louisiana ever do away with state income tax? One lawmaker says “yes”, but it will take bold action. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

And the first Lady of Country Music, Loretta Lynn passed away today at the age of 90. Here she is performing Move it on over at the Louisiana Hayride….

Cut 24

Louisiana Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy announces 46-million dollars in federal money is heading to Cameron, Calcasieu, and Vermilion Parishes to elevate about 200 structures so they will not flood.  Cassidy says it’s great news for southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (05) “…are intact.” 

Cassidy says the money is coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

With talks of removing Louisiana’s state income tax, Mandeville Republican Richard Nelson the state would have to find a way to make up for the shortfall, like the Industrial Tax Exemption Program which entices manufacturers to come to Louisiana. But Nelson says companies move to Texas because their net tax load is virtually zero compared to ours…:

Cut 8 (08)  “…companies and people away.”

Nelson says a plan to do away with state income tax will have to be revenue neutral.

New hope for Alzheimer’s sufferers. A Japanese drug manufacturer says its experimental Alzheimer’s drug reduced cognitive and functional decline by 27 percent in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. The director for Dementia Research and Prevention at LSU’S Pennington Biomedical Research Institute says this is a potential big breakthrough in treating Alzheimer’s

Cut 10 (07) “…the field.”

The United Cajun Navy continues to aid Floridians in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Spokesperson Brian Trascher says it’s a slow process due to a number of highways and byways still under water, damaged, or blocked by debris.

Cut 13 (08) “…logistics vehicles.”

Trascher says they’d like to have more supplies on the ground, but some areas remain inaccessible. To donate visit UnitedCajunNavy.org

Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson went before the Baton Rouge Press Club to discuss his proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax. He says any plan to do away with the state income tax will need to be “revenue neutral” or it will not pass the legislature, so alternate revenue sources need to be decided. He says what state government HAS been doing is no longer working…:
Cut 9 (13) “…the can down the road.”

Rescues continue in Hurricane Ian stricken Florida. United Cajun Navy spokesperson Brian Trascher says they finally made it to Capitva Island. Trascher says while most residents have evacuated there are some who don’t want to leave their homes….
cut 15 (10) “…inhabitable again”

Low water levels on the Mississippi River is hampering barge traffic on the major transportation route for crops. Barges are unable to carry as much as they normally do. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s not good news for lower food prices…
cut 6 (11) “….chain disruptions”

Here’s some good news. A Japanese drug manufacturer says they’ve seen good results in slowing down the cognitive and functional decline in early-stage Azheimer’s. The drug is called lecanemab. (LAH-CAN-EH-MAB). Doctor Jeffrey Keller at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, says since there are no existing drugs that actually slow down Alzheimer’s, he is hoping that efforts to fast-track it for patient use will be effective.
Cut 12 (09) “…exciting day.”

Parts of the Mississippi River are so low that barge shipments are being limited just after crops have been harvested. Whitney Thomas has more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

An assistant football coach at Terrebonne High School is facing two-counts of molestation of a juvenile female. Deputies say 24-year-old Bobby Sewire of Gray admitted involement with the juvenile victim that took place at locations within Terrebonne. After he was booked, Sewire was released on a 15-thousand dollar bond.

Southwest Florida continues to struggle with the devastation left behind from Hurricane Ian. It’s the first major hurricane to hit Fort Myers since Hurricane Charley in 2004. United Cajun Navy spokesperson Brian Trascher…
cut 14 (11) “…streamed everywhere”
At least 71 people have died in Florida from the hurricane.

There’s a positive development in the fight against Alzheimer’s. A Japenese drug maunfacturer says it’s experimental drug reduced cognitive and functional decline by 27-percent in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Doctor Jeffrey Keller at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says based on the trial’s data, the drug’s side effects include brain swelling and bleeding, but the patients were rarely symptomatic…
cut 11 (08) “….in humans”

The United Cajun Navy remains active in Florida assisting with recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian….
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The U-S Supreme Court hears oral arguments today over Alabama’s congressional district map. Alabama has seven congressional districts and 27-percent of its population is black and the ACLU argues Alabama should have two majority-minority districts. This case is similar to the legal challenges against Louisiana’s Congressional district map.

Low water levels are limiting the amount of grain that can be shipped via barges on the Mississippi River. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says 99% of the water in the Mississippi River comes from northern states and after little to no rain its hindering agriculture shipments.
Cut 4 (11) “…short loaded.”
Strain says it’s another supply chain issue that could lead to higher food prices.

Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson went before the Baton Rouge Press Club to discuss his proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax, which brings in over four-billion dollars in tax revenues to the state. Some of that goes to local governments. So how will Louisiana make up that loss? Nelson says lowering the homestead exemption on property taxes, which he says chokes local governments of operating funds…
cut 7 (08) “…pays no tax at all”

Low water level on the Mississippi River is impacting barge traffic. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it comes at a critical time as harvest is underway, but barges are not able to transport as much product in fear of being grounded. Strain says other shipment options need to be looked at…
cut 5 (11) “….downriver”
Strain says unfortunately this is another supply chain issue that’s led to an increase in food prices.

The United Cajun Navy continues to aid Floridians in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Spokesperson Brian Trascher says it’s a slow process due to a number of highways and byways still under water, damaged, or blocked by debris.
Cut 13 (08) “…logistics vehicles.”
Trascher says they’d like to have more supplies on the ground, but some areas remain inaccessible.

Can Louisiana ever do away with the state income tax? One lawmaker says “yes”, but it will take bold action. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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