State Senator Mike Fesi responds to the expletive-filled voicemail left by an LSU grad student over the lawmaker’s vote to ban certain medical procedures for transgender minors.
Cut 3 (29) “Michelle Southern reporting”

The state Office of Motor Vehicles has announced they’ve retained Norton LifeLock to offer one year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection for Louisiana residents impacted by the recent MOVEit data breach. OMV has also set up a toll-free, 24-7 call center, to take questions from residents, 1-866-861-8717.

Coastal and wildlife officials are pleased with the restoration of three coastal islands that’s produced more nesting space for the brown pelican, the state bird of Louisiana. Coastal Protection and Restoration authority Biologist Todd Baker says the North Breton project produced nearly 150 acres of new land…
cut 5 (11) “….very strongly”
BP settlement dollars funded the three completed island restoration projects.

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow. The last two years were disappointing as the franchise struggled with coaching and quarterback changes. Nola.com’s Luke Johnson says the Saints have been historically unlucky with injuries, starting a record 58 players in 2021 and 49 last year…
Cut 13 (13) “…win the division”

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says the number of seasonally adjusted employed individuals in Louisiana increased by 20 thousand from June 2022 to this past June. Chief Economist at the Louisiana Workforce Commission Emily DiPalma says there were 2,037,445 people working in this state last month…
Cut 7 (10) “…in Louisiana”
DiPalma says the Baton Rouge area has gained the most jobs over the last year, nearly 19-thousand. New Orleans has added 13-thousand jobs, Lafayette almost four-thousand and Shreveport 33-hundred.

State Senator Mike Fesi (Fay-Zee) says it’s a disappointing he received a threatening voicemail from an enraged LSU grad student, who was upset the Republican from Houma voted for legislation to ban gender-altering medical procedures for minors…
Cut 10 (09) “for sure”
Authorities say Marcus Venable is responsible for the profanity laced voicemail. State Police is investigating.

Biologists have seen an increase in brown pelican colonies on three coastal islands that have been restored as a result of B-P settlement money. LDWF project manager Katie Freer says they’ve also seen evidence the restored islands are holding up against Mother Nature…..
cut 6 (11) “….recover itself”
The brown pelicans, which is the state bird, makes the islands their home during the spring and summer months.

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a low chance of development of a depression forming from a tropical wave that’s heading towards the Caribbean.

No heat advisories issues for today.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up seven cents from last week to $3.20. That’s according to Triple-A.

The state health department reported nearly 19-hundred COVID cases between July 10th to the 16th, which is a bit of an increase.

State Police is investigating the profanity laced voicemail left on the phone of Houma Senator Michael Fesi. Authorities have traced the phone call back to LSU grad student Marcus Venable. Fesi says he hopes a lesson is learned…
cut 12 (11) “….to disagree”
Venable was upset with Fesi for voting against the governor’s veto of a bill that prohibits transgender medical procedures for minors.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state added 20-thousand jobs from June 2022 to this past June. Chief Economist at the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Emily DiPalma, says if you are looking for work, there are over 12-thousand job openings on their HiRE website…
cut 9 (10) “…as well”

The restoration efforts of three heavily eroded islands along Louisiana’s coast are providing habitat for the state’s brown pelicans. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Biologist Todd Baker says the islands serve as a great nesting ground…
Cut 4 (11) “…more birds.”
The restoration sites are Rabbit Island off of Louisiana’s southwest coast and North Breton and Queen Bess Islands off of Louisiana’s southeast coast. Funds from the BP Settlement were used to complete the island restoration projects.

State Senator Mike Fesi responds to the expletive filled voicemail left by a now former LSU professor over the lawmaker’s vote to ban gender affirming care. The Republican from Houma says he decided to involve law enforcement when the message became threatening…:
CUT 11 (07) “if anything”
Fesi says it’s a shame someone would go to such lengths instead of simply agreeing to disagree on the matter. LSU says Venable will no longer teach at the school.

If you’ve applied for or received a state-issued driver’s license or ID then your personal information has been compromised, so the OMV is offering free credit monitoring as a result of the recent nationwide hack. To activate one free year of LifeLock identity theft protection, visit NextStepsLa.Gov.

It’s been one year since the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline changed its number to 9-8-8 and the Louisiana Department of Health says call volume has increased by 11 percent. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

And once again the Mega Millions jackpot was not won last night, and the prize soars to an estimated $820 million dollars. That’s the 5th largest in the history of the game. The winner has the option to receive an up-front, $422 million lump sum. The next drawing is Tuesday.

State Senator Michael Fesi (Fay-Zee) responds to being cussed out on a threatening voicemail left by an LSU professor enraged the Republican from Houma voted to bring back a ban on gender altering procedures for minors. Fesi says it’s a shame some people would go to such lengths.
CUT 17 (09) “for sure”
Police were quickly able to track the call back to Marcus Venable who has now been banned from teaching at LSU.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is offering residents free credit monitoring and identity theft protection due to the hack that potentially compromised data for anyone with a state-issued driver’s license or ID. To activate your membership online at no cost, visit nextstepsla.gov. That’s next steps la dot gov.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has received 5 million calls in the first year of being available for people seeking mental support. Louisiana Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas says the three-digit number made a big difference…:
CUT 7 (11) “for them”
If you need support during a crisis, you can simply call or text 988.

LSU football has been picked to finish 2nd behind Alabama in the SEC West in a preseason poll released by the media Friday. The Tigers travel to face the Crimson Tide on November 4th, and Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes Coach Brian Kelly’s team has the upper hand..:
Cut 13 (09) “in Tiger Stadium”
LSU is predicted to be the third-best team in the conference with Georgia the favorite to win the SEC Championship.

A state senator receives a profanity laced voicemail after voting to override the governor’s veto on a bill to ban sex altering medical procedures on minors. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (36) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

And once again the Mega Millions jackpot was not won last night, and the prize soars to an estimated $820 million dollars. That’s the 5th largest in the history of the game. By the way, the odds of winning are 1 in 302.6 million. The next drawing is Tuesday.

Gas prices are climbing once again as the statewide average for a gallon of regular rose another 2 cents overnight to $3.19 cents. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says though we’re seeing an increase at the pump, demand for has hardly budged from last week…:
CUT 16 (13) “week or so”
He says Louisiana is one of just 10 states that have seen the largest increases over the past month.

Reporters came away from SEC Media Days last week choosing Alabama to win the West in a preseason poll, with LSU a close second. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes the Tigers should be in the top spot…:
Cut 12 (08) “none of that”
Alabama picked up 165 first place votes to LSU’s 117.

A Louisiana state senator receives a vulgar voicemail after voting to override the governor’s veto on a bill to ban sex-altering medical procedures on minors. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

State officials have retained Norton Lifelock to offer one year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection for residents impacted by the MOVEit data breach. To enroll, visit nextsteps.la.gov

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has reached its one-year mark and mental health officials say call volume rose by 27 percent over the last year. State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas says 988 is less complicated but the objective is to make the message connect …

Cut 7 (11)  “…for them” 

Thomas encourages the use of 988 by text or by phone during a crisis.

The media at SEC Media Days has picked Alabama to win the SEC West in a close vote over LSU, who is picked to finish second. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes the Tigers should be the preseason favorites to win the West…

Cut 13 (09) “…in Tiger Stadium.”

LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa this season to take on the Crimson Tide on November 4th.

An LSU grad student left a vulgar voicemail on the phone of Houma Senator Michael who voted in favor of the governor’s veto of a legislation that prohibits medical procedures that changes the sexual identity of a minor. Authorities say Marcus Venable has been identified as the caller…

Cut 3 (10) “…already suffering”     

Venable taught a class at LSU as a grad assistant. The university says Venable will not be able to teach at the university but can continue his studies.

Mental health officials are celebrating the anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that launched a year ago. State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas says the number of calls increased by 11 percent and they’ve added more counselors from the Bayou State.

Cut 6 (11)  “Louisianans face.” 

The in-state answer rate rose from 64 percent in June 2022 to 91 percent over the last year. Thomas says the previous seven-digit number was shortened to easy-to-remember 988.

The media at SEC Media Days has picked LSU to finish second and placed Alabama on top – winning the SEC West. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes the Tigers should be the preseason favorites to win the West…

Cut 12 (08) “…none of that.” 

Gas prices are up by about 5 cents since last week to a statewide average of $3.18 a gallon for regular gasoline. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says demand for gasoline has decreased about 10% since the Fourth of July, but prices are rising despite the fall…

Cut 9 (12)  “…on production.”