How does the US Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action for college admissions impact Louisiana? Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish arrest a local woman for allegedly stealing tens of thousands from her 81-year-old father’s bank account. Investigators say that during 2022, Sarah Banks made 68 transfers to her personal account; totaling over $35-thousand. She also allegedly wrote herself checks of over $5-thousand. She’s charged with exploitation of the infirmed, bank fraud, theft, and illegal transmission of monetary funds.

A 15-year-old Opelousas teen is arrested for shooting a Port Barre man, and police say his mother turned him in. Neither the juvenile nor his 20-year-old victim have been identified yet. The man was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and the teen booked into detention.

This weekend in New Orleans, the 29^th Annual Essence Festival; the nation’s largest music festival. It kicks off today and runs through July 3rd. New Orleans & Co.’s Kelly Schulz says the lineup of big stars, and celebrities in the city – plus many celebrity visitors – means attendance is expected to go over the top…:

CUT 08(12)      “…to New Orleans.”

Last year’s Essence Fest had a $327-million impact on the city’s economy.

If you’re headed for the Gulf Coast beaches this holiday weekend, be careful. Rip currents anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to Alabama’s shoreline have claimed ten lives in recent weeks.

The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending affirmative action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says the UL system has intentional interventions in place to ensure students succeed regardless of their background.

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Nine states already ban affirmative action, Florida is the only state in the southeast that does.

The 29^th Annual Essence Festival of Culture, the nation’s largest music festival, kicks off today in Crescent City. New Orleans and Company Senior Vice President of Communications Kelly Schulz says hotel occupancy rates last year hovered at 93 percent and an informal survey says numbers are still holding strong.

Cut 7 (12)  “…last year.” 

The festival ends on Monday, July 3^rd.

The man who crashed his SUV through the front of the Hammond Target three years ago is sentenced to 25 years. 44-year-old Walter Allbritton the III of Ponchatoula pled no contest to several charges including terrorizing aggravated criminal damage to property. Allbritton also broadcasted the incident on Facebook Live.

McNeese broke ground on a new press box for Cowboy Stadium today. Much of southwest Louisiana was devastated by Hurricanes Delta and Laura in 2020 and the former press box was damaged significantly. Three years later, Director of Facilities Kevin Martin says they’ve completed the long process to organize funding from 4 separate sources and get the project underway…

Cut 9 (14) “…like that.”

The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending affirmative action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says in Louisiana schools use objective admissions criteria based on high school GPA, core curriculum, and standardized test scores.

Cut 3 (12) “…the country.”

The 29^th Annual Essence Festival of Culture, the nation’s largest music festival, kicks off today in New Orleans and runs through July 3rd. New Orleans and Company Senior V. P. of Communications Kelly Schulz says the festival has a huge impact on the Crescent City…

Cut 6 (11)  “…New Orleans.” 

We could see some record-high temperatures today. Health officials warn to stay out of the heat. Teiko Foxx has more….

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the state budget on his monthly call-in radio show. The budget contained a $100 million reduction to the Louisiana Department of Health. Among the anti-transgender bills, is one to prohibit transgender procedures and or treatments of minors. Edwards says the bills have nothing to do with improving the economy, education, or healthcare.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and so forth.”

If you had damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes and need assistance with submitting surveys, Restore Louisiana representatives will be on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center before the August 1 deadline. Community Development Director Pat Forbes says homeowners statewide still have not completed the initial step.

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Homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov or call 866-735-2001.

Governor Edwards has vetoed legislation some call the “Stay Back” bill; aimed at heading off bad encounters between police and citizens. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

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The June heat wave is reportedly blamed for at least 13 deaths in Texas and 2 in Caddo Parish. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect today and tomorrow for nearly the entire state with high temperatures this afternoon slated to reach 100 degrees pushing heat index values to between 115-120.

Thousands of LSU fans packed the stands in Alex Box Stadium last night to celebrate the 2023 C-W-S national champion LSU men’s baseball team.  Several star players spoke to the big crowd. Dylan Crews thanked the fans…

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On his monthly radio call-in show “Ask the Governor” Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the state budget that passed in the final moments of the session earlier this month. The budget included a $100 million cut to the Louisiana Department of Health.

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Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed legislation that would have made it a crime to get within 25 feet of police officers on duty, saying there is already a state law that punishes those who interfere with cops. Detractors said it threatens citizens’ First Amendment rights and prevents people from video-recording police. Bill author and Pineville Republican Representative Mike Johnson says the legislation did none of that…:

Cut 12 (11)    “…a police officer.” 

Restore Louisiana representatives will be on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center to help homeowners who had damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes complete surveys before the August 1 deadline. Community Development Director Pat Forbes says the program expanded its criteria for homeowners to qualify.

Cut 15 (12)  “…fifty thousand.”

Homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov or call 866-735-2001.

Governor Edwards has vetoed legislation some call the “Stay Back” bill; aimed at heading off bad encounters between police and citizens..:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Heat index values could reach 115 today or higher. Dr. Jim Aiken is with the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards on his monthly call-in radio show discussed how he plans to restore last minute cuts made to the Department of Health. He also talked about the possibility of a veto override session…:
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To date, the governor has not vetoed any legislation pertaining to the transgender population.

If you still haven’t submitted a survey on damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes, Restore Louisiana is holding outreach events to help out before the August 1st deadline. Representatives are on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center. Community Development Director Pat Forbes many homeowners have still have not finished the first step.
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Homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov.

Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly radio show he intends to restore last-minute budget reductions made by the legislature…
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The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning through 8pm tonight and from 10am-8pm Friday. Dr. Jim Aiken with the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans says you’ve got to protect yourself…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have given police officers the ability to command you to “stay back” while they do their job. Bill author and Pineville Republican Representative Mike Johnson says his bill was about heading off possible interference…:
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The governor said he objected to the bill for reasons including its potential chilling effect on exercising one’s First Amendments rights.

LSU fans packed the stands Wednesday evening in Alex Box Stadium to celebrate the 2023 national champion Tigers. Star pitcher Paul Skenes, who was at Air Force the last two seasons, said he made the decision to transfer LSU so he can improve as a pitcher and win a natty…:
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Get ready for more record high temperatures today. Teiko Foxx reports..:
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The June heat wave is reportedly blamed for at least 13 deaths in Texas and 2 in Caddo Parish. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect today and tomorrow for nearly the entire state with high temperatures this afternoon slated to reach 100 degrees pushing heat index values to between 115-120. Best to stay inside.

Governor John Bel Edwards is speaking out on some unpopular budget cuts approved by lawmakers in the final moments of the tumultuous legislative session, including the $100 million dollar reduction for the Department of Health….:
Cut 7 (13) “and compassion”
The comments were made on the governor’s monthly call-in radio show Wednesday.

If you still haven’t submitted a survey on damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes, Restore Louisiana is holding outreach events to help out. The deadline is August 1st. Community Development Director Pat Forbes says the goal is to get homeowners financial assistance to help them recover from their losses…:
Cut 14 (07) “up yet”
Restore Louisiana will be on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center.