Wedding Bells will ring today for Trina Edwards and John Alario. Brooke Thorington has more from former Governor Edwin Edwards’ widow.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Black adults face a 59 %  greater risk of premature death than white people, and a new study by Tulane University points to social determinants as the reasons why. Teiko Foxx explains.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

House Natural Resources Committee advances a resolution asking for more be done to control the state’s burgeoning alligator population. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (34)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

One of the most anticipated weddings in Louisiana is in New Orleans today. The widow of former Governor Edwin Edwards, Trina Edwards will tie the knot with former Senate President and Speaker of the House John Alario. In a recent interview on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster,” Edwards said she couldn’t be happier.

Cut 4 (04)  “…human beings.’”

The couple will get married in a private ceremony at the State Supreme Court Building and host a luncheon afterward. 79-year-old Alario popped the question on Edwards’ 44^th birthday. The couple will have a blended family and Edwards said Alario’s children have been extremely kind to her.

Cut 5 (07)   “…with them.”

Edwards said before the former governor passed away almost two years ago at the age of 93, they even talked about her getting married again and potential candidates.

Cut 6 (08)  “…any money.”

The couple will maintain homes in Baton Rouge and Westwego.

________________________________________________

Today marks the first day of the 2023 hurricane season and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) encourages residents to get their emergency game plan in place. GOHSEP Spokesperson Mike Steele says now is the time to prepare even if you don’t have to use it.

Cut 7 (10) “…happen again.”

NOAA is forecasting a near-normal season with 12 to 17 named storms with five to nine of those being hurricanes. One to four storms are projected to be major. Steele suggests the best way to prepare is to create a checklist, restock, and stay connected.

Cut 8 (09) “…basic things.”

Since Hurricane Ida, FEMA continues to house more than 3,800 families in mobile homes, travel trailers, and other ready-to-occupy housing. Steele says it is important for those residents to stay updated on the weather at all times.

Cut 9 (13)  “…be opened.”

Residents can visit getagameplan.org to prepare.

____________________________________________

A Tulane University study finds disparities in eight areas of life critical to health and well-being explains why Black adults in the U.S. have a 59% higher risk of early death than White adults. Assistant Professor of Epidemiology Dr. Josh Bundy says when all unfavorable social determinants for Black adults were accounted for the mortality disparity was reduced to zero.

Cut 10 (13) “…social determinants.” 

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Tulane researchers modeled the impact of each factor on a person’s life expectancy. The study shows the gap can be explained by employment, income, food security, income, education level, access to healthcare, quality health insurance, home ownership, and marital status. Bundy says the mortality gap has been largely pinned on socioeconomic factors which only explains a portion of the gap.

Cut 11 (12)  “…health framework.”

Socioeconomic factors account for 50% of the Black-White difference in mortality. However, the other 50% difference was explained by marital status, food security, job quality, and insurance status. Bundy says it will take policy, research, and a multidisciplinary approach to tackle these issues.

Cut 12 (13)    “…social determinants.” 

Adult Black males have a higher rate of early death than Black females. Bundy hopes the concept gains more traction and policymakers use these findings to address the race-based mortality gap.

____________________________________________

Plaquemines Democrat Rep. Chad Brown says the state’s efforts to preserve alligators have worked too well, and his House Resolution would ask Wildlife & Fisheries to look into expanding the hunting limit. In the House Natural Resources Committee, Brown says the state has almost three times the number of gators as Florida, and they are becoming a nuisance…:

Cut 13 (09) “…being torn up.”  

Brown tells committee members LDWF has done wonders in preserving alligators and assuring they thrive. And while he does not criticize the work wildlife agents have done, he says gators are becoming much more of a threat…:

Cut 14 (06)  “…too many alligators.”

Brown’s HCR 132 would – as a safety measure – request LDWF, and the Alligator Council, to consider a longer alligator harvest season, with slightly increased limits for hunters…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…more and more.”

Committee members shared their own tales of alligator encroachment on human areas, before voting unanimously to approve the resolution and send it to the House floor.

____________________________________________

The LSU Tigers will practice this morning at Alex Box Stadium ahead of their matchup with the Tulane Green Wave tomorrow afternoon to open up the Baton Rouge Regional. The Bayou Bengals are expected to make it to Omaha and the College World Series and LSU star Tre Morgan believes they will be tough to beat…

Cut  16 (15)  “…biggest advantage.” 

The big question for LSU, do they have enough pitching. Ty Floyd and Thatcher Hurd both pitched well in last week’s SEC Tournament. Johnson says Hurd has come a long way from his previous struggles

Cut 17 (13) “…moving forward.” 

_______________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns are south Florida getting ready to play Texas on Friday to open up the Coral Gables Regional. Right-handed pitcher Cooper Rawls says they are not in the Sunshine State to work on their tan…

Cut 18 (09) “…baseball games.”

_______________________________________________

SEC spring meetings are ongoing in Destin, Florida with no decision in sight on what to do with the football schedule when Oklahoma and Texas enter the league in 2024. There’s a desire to go to a nine-game SEC schedule, but several schedules would like to keep the league schedule at eight games and keep playing four non-conference games. 247-sports national college football writer Brandon Marcello says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has struggled to get a consensus

Cut 19 (19) “…figure it out.” 

Some schools oppose a nine-game schedule over concerns it will be harder to become bowl eligible or get in the 12-team playoff. Alabama Coach Nick Saban does not like the three teams that the Crimson Tide would play on a permanent basis. There’s also a concern about costs about dropping non-conference games. But Marcello says the SEC should get more TV money from ESPN for playing an extra conference game

Cut 20 (19)  “…on TV.”  

The House Natural Resources Committee advances a resolution asking for more be done to control the state’s burgeoning alligator population. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (34)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that Chip Kline will resign as Director for Coastal Activities and Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase has been named as Kline’s replacement.

A super PAC called Reboot Louisiana has produced an ad that alleges violent crime has increased under Attorney General Jeff Landry’s tenure. Reboot Louisiana supports fellow Republican Stephen Waguespack in the governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the October 14th primary is five and a half months away and the gloves are coming off…

Cut 7 (08)  “..the front-runner” 
The Landry campaign has responded by announcing endorsements from eight sheriffs and district attorneys.

Senate Bill 34, to add the crisis helpline number 9-8-8 to state driver’s licenses and IDs advances to the House. Karen Stubbs with the Office of Behavioral Health with the Louisiana Department of Health oversees the helpline.

Cut 15 (12)  “…need it.”

The bill heads to the House floor for final passage.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has finished its investigation of a Pineville Police officer-involved shooting back in April. RPSO spokesman Tommy Carnline says officers responded to a call to find 25-year-old Larry Calk threatening a child with a gun, and so they shot Calk; rescuing the kid. He says they then rendered immediate medical aid…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…alive today.”

RPSO has handed their findings over to the Rapides DA.

Hurricane Season starts tomorrow, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are one of the three most-vulnerable states for hurricanes…:

CUT 11  (13)        “…in Louisiana.”

NOAA predicts 12-to-17 named storms this year. Last year, none impacted our state.

We have our first attack ad in the governor’s race. A group supporting Republican candidate Stephen Waguespack claims in a TV and radio spot that Jeff Landry, the perceived front-runner in the governor’s race, has been soft on crime during his time as Attorney General…:

CUT 06(11)      “…in America.”

A super PAC called Reboot Louisiana produced the ad. The Landry campaign has responded by announcing endorsements from eight sheriffs and district attorneys. If it seems a bit early for attack ads, that’s because qualifying for the elections isn’t until the first week of August.

State officials will file a lawsuit tomorrow against FEMA over what they call it’s “lack of transparency” around the Risk Rating 2.0 system of setting federal flood insurance rates. Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office says the formula is “flawed” and will force families into bankruptcy or foreclosure. Landry calls it “Federal abuse.”

The gloves are coming off in the governor’s race as we have our first attack ad. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Palermo.”

On the eve of the beginning of the 2023 Hurricane Season, we have a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico, but it poses little threat to Louisiana. By the weekend, it could either weaken or drift eastward toward the Florida Peninsula with some heavy rain.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the fatal April 23^rd Pineville Police officer-involved shooting. RPSO spokesperson Tommy Carnline says 25-year-old Larry Calk was holding a child and a weapon and threatening to harm the child while on the front porch of a residence. He says officers acted appropriately…:

CUT 13(11)      “…life was saved.”

The investigation has been turned over to the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13. That’s $1.10 cheaper than this same time last year. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says thank crude oil at around $70-a-barrel. He predicts a great many will take advantage of relatively cheap gas and get in some travel…:

CUT 05(06)      “…the summer.”

The first attack ad of the 2023 Governor’s race is out. A political action committee supporting Stephen Waguespack has a TV and radio ad hitting Attorney General Jeff Landry as being soft on crime. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s the earliest he’s seen an attack ad in a governor’s race, but a sign that Waguespack is a serious contender…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…go after Landry.”

He expects Landry or his supporting PAC will return fire.

Hurricane Season starts tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the peak of the season, with the potentially heavy stuff, doesn’t come until mid-August, but it’s smart to get your storm plan in place now, and be ready…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…hyper-focused.”

A Pacific El Nino could mean fewer and weaker storms this year.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office completes its investigation of the fatal officer-involved shooting of a man who was holding a child in his arms. Brooke Thorington has that…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

A teacher at a Shreveport Christian school is under arrest; accused of a sexual relationship with a minor. 36-year-old Jessica Sims was arrested after a concerned mom told police her son confessed to the contact, and then told investigators the same. Sims is charged with prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student.

A super PAC called Reboot Louisiana has produced an ad that alleges violent crime has increased with Jeff Landry as Louisiana’s Attorney General. Reboot Louisiana supports fellow Republican Stephen Waguespack in the governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the October 14th primary is five and a half months away and the gloves are coming off…
Cut 7 (08) “..the front-runner”
The Landry campaign has responded by announcing endorsements from eight sheriffs and district attorneys.

LSU baseball is getting ready to host its first NCAA Baseball Regional since 2019. Coach Jay Johnson says playing postseason ball at Alex Box was the goal before the season started….
cut 18 (14) “….800″
LSU hosts Tulane at 2 PM on Friday.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation of the fatal Pineville Police officer-involved shooting on April 23rd. Spokesperson Tommy Carnline says 25-year-old Larry Calk was holding a child and a weapon and threatening to harm the child while on the front porch of a residence.
Cut 12 (09) “…the child.”
Carnline says they’ve turned the results of their investigation into the district attorney’s office.

Another hurricane season begins tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina are the top three most vulnerable states.
Cut 9 (13) “…these things.”
NOAA predicts a near-normal season with 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13, $1.10 cheaper than the same time last year. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says crude oil prices are under $70 a barrel and drivers should budget $3.25 – $3.50 a gallon for the remainder of the summer.

Cut 4 (06)  “…gallon gasoline.” 

State-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards could soon advertise the Crisis Lifeline of 9-8-8 that’s available for people who are struggling with mental health, thanks to a Senate-approved bill. In 2021 Louisiana had more than 680 suicides. Karen Stubbs with the Office of Behavioral Health with the Louisiana Department of Health oversees 9-8-8.

Cut 15 (12)  “…need it.”

Senate Bill 34 heads to the House floor for final passage.

The gloves are coming off in the governor’s race as we have our first attack ad. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m   Jeff Palermo”