06:30 LRN Newscast, July 3rd

The US Supreme court is being criticized for striking down President Biden’s student loan cancellation plan. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the decision will limit the ability for many to purchase a home, start a business and spend extra money in local economies…:
Cut 8 (09) “them relief”
Student loan payment requirements are to resume in the fall.

State taxes on nicotine vape products and e-cigarettes tripled July 1st as a bill signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards went into effect. Additionally, in the coming months every vapor and nicotine manufacturer whose products are sold in Louisiana must register the merchandise with the ATC.
Cut 6 (10) “current laws”
That’s Kevin Richard, Secretary of the Department of Revenue.

A new poll in the Governor’s race shows GOP candidate Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place, but is it an accurate representation of voter preference? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

LRN AM Newscall

Louisiana taxes on vape products and electronic cigarettes increased threefold from 5 cents per milliliter to 15 cents per milliliter as of July 1. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The Supreme Court’s ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority on student loan debt forgiveness receives criticism. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A new poll in the Governor’s race shows GOP candidate Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place, but is it an accurate representation of voter preference? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Taxes on e-cigarettes and vape products in Louisiana have tripled as of July 1. Secretary of Department of Revenue Kevin Richard says retailers must use electronic age verification platforms…

Cut 4 (13)  “…of age.”

The Legislative Fiscal Office expects the tax bump – from five cents per milliliter to 15 cents per milliliter – to generate an additional $9.8 million in revenue annually on top of the roughly $5 million it currently brings in.

Retailers purchasing these products tax-free directly from online authorized manufacturers are required to pay the excise tax to the Department of Revenue monthly. Richard says anyone who does not comply will face penalties.

Cut 5 (13)   “…other offense.”

Beginning on Oct. 1, manufacturers will have to register their products with ATC. The law will also create a directory of all vape and alternative nicotine products authorized for sale in the state. Richard says retailers will need to comply…

Cut 6 (10)  “…current laws.”

The first $22 million raised annually will go to State Police pay raises.

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The US Supreme Court ruling that President Biden overstepped his authority to forgive federally backed student loans is receiving criticism. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says it’s a bad day for liberty, and it sends the wrong message to students who’ve worked hard to get their college degrees.

Cut 7 (07) “…provide help.”

Carter says the decision will limit the ability for many to purchase a home, start a business and spend extra money in local economies.

Cut 8 (09) “…them relief.’”

The court’s ruling on student debt forgiveness on the heels of affirmative action being overturned for college admission, Carter says is another example of politics in the nation’s highest court.

Cut 9 (07)  “…of policy.”

Carter says the federal government regularly forgives the debt of businesses, industries, and even small countries and students deserve the same.

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A new poll on the 2023 Governor’s race shows Democrat Shawn Wilson slightly ahead of Republican front-runner Jeff Landry, but also shows former LABI head Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place. The poll was conducted for Reboot La, a political action committee supporting Waguespack for Governor. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says he’s recently two independent polls that contradict Reboots LA’s findings…:

Cut 10 (12) “…into double digits.”

Remington Research did the survey for Reboot LA. In an “if the election were today” question in the poll, 27% said they’d choose the former DOTD Secretary, 25% said Landry and now 16% says Waguespack is their choice. Fletcher feels it’s no coincidence Waguespack shows well in a poll done by his supporters…:

Cut 11 (05)  “…for a reason.”

Reboot LA’s poll shows Waguespack 14 percentage points in just three months, to take an unofficial 3rd place. It also shows Shawn Wilson with a 2-point lead on Republican Jeff Landry. Fletcher says not to place too much faith in polling unless done by independent pollsters. He doubts the Remington/Reboot La poll is accurate…:

Cut 12 (07)    “…but that’s malarkey.” 

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After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says a recent diagnosis of a treatable cardiac condition played a role in his decision.

Cut 13 (10) “…this decision.”  

Prator says fundraising for his campaign was not an issue whatsoever and he had all intentions to seek re-election and donations to his campaign will be returned to donors. He says he’s not resigning and that he will continue to serve as sheriff for the next 12 months.

Cut 14 (12)  “…in Caddo Parish.”

Prator is among the longest-serving sheriffs in Caddo Parish, and at the end of his current term, he will have served 24 years. Prator says he wanted to announce his decision because there are only six weeks left to qualify for the office.

Cut 15 (10)  “…successful campaign.”

Prator’s career in law enforcement began in 1973 as a patrol officer in Shreveport. He then worked homicide, robbery, sex crimes, and narcotics before being appointed Chief of the Shreveport Police Department. His term as sheriff began in July of 2000.

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10:30 LRN Newscast, July 1st

Governor John Bel Edwards on Friday vetoed three bills widely opposed by LGBTQ+ advocates — his final actions on measures stemming from the 2023 legislative session. The Republican-controlled legislature will now consider whether to reconvene in a session that could override the governor’s vetoes. A two-thirds vote in the House and Senate is required to override a veto which is exceedingly rare in Louisiana.

AAA says this 4th of July Holiday weekend will be one of the busiest on record in terms of people who’ve decided to go out of town, and state officials are urging you not to drive impaired. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is underway and Greg Fischer, with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says July 4th is among the worst holidays for DWI mishaps…:
Cut 13 (11) “impaired drivers”
The campaign is in place through Wednesday.

A stretch of I-10 was closed off to westbound traffic in Ascension Parish Friday after a portion of the roadway buckled from excessive heat, according to highway officials. The pothole was reported around near the Sorrento exit and was patched up about one hour later as traffic backed up for miles. DOTD says there have been numerous instances of buckling across the state.

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise met with Brian Kelly, Nick Saban, and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation surrounding college athlete NIL deals. There are no regulations and protections in the current NIL space and Scalise wants to have something in place to keep college athletics on the up and up…:
Cut 11 (14) “in jeopardy”

09:30 LRN Newscast, July 1st

The chance that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session went up Friday as Governor John Bel Edwards nixed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Governor promised he would veto any measures similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” that seeks to ban talk about gender and sexual identity in K-12 classrooms. The governor called such proposals an attack on some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

On a hot 4th of July weekend like this one where Excessive Heat Warnings remain in place, going out on the water is a great way to keep cool – but state officials urge you to have a sober boat operator. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has put Operation Dry Water in place this weekend where boating Education Coordinator Lt. Garret Kimble says to expect heightened enforcement…:
Cut 3 (05) “and checks”
A Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is also in place for the Holiday weekend.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says he wanted to make public his decision as there are only six weeks left to qualify for the office…:
Cut 15 (10) “successful campaign”
But he says he’s not resigning and that he will continue to serve as sheriff for the next 12 months.

Cops in East Baton Rouge Parish are looking for a driver who ran over a Central Police Officer’s leg during an incident Friday evening. They say when the officer learned there were narcotics in the vehicle the driver sped off causing the officer to be dragged before his leg was run over. The officer is expected to be okay, and now authorities are searching for the person involved.

08:30 LRN Newscast, July 1st

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed anti-LGBTQ legislation Friday, including the state’s version of what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. GOP lawmakers have said if this happened as the governor promised, they would call for the legislature to return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session.

Most of the state is under yet another excessive heat warning today where the heat index could reach between 110-115 degrees. On Friday it got so hot in Ascension Parish that a section of I-10 buckled causing a brief shutdown near the Sorrento exit.

The 4th of July Holiday weekend is one of the deadliest on the roadways so expect to see lots of cops on the road as a Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is underway.
Cut 12 (11) “off the road”
That’s Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Congressman Steve Scalise met with LSU Coach Brian Kelly and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation regarding collegiate Name-Image-Likeness deals. Kace Kieschnick has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

LSU is set to hire Nate Yeskie from Texas A&M as its next pitching coach according to head coach Jay Johnson. Johnson confirmed a report that his former assistant coach would be reuniting with him in Baton Rouge. LSU is in need of a new pitching coach since former coach Wes Johnson was announced as the next head coach of the Georgia Bulldog program.

07:30 LRN Sportscast, July 1st

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise met with Brian Kelly, Nick Saban, and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation surrounding college athlete NIL deals. The NCAA made it legal for athletes to profit off their name image and likeness in July of 2021 in a controversial decision among college sports fans, and while many athletes have been able to benefit from the new rules. Scalise says legislation is necessary to ensure their protection…:
Cut 9 (15) “work on”

The NBA Free Agency Period began Friday and Forward Herb Jones has agreed on a new four year, 54 Million Dollar deal to stay with the Pelicans. Jones is one of two players to tally at least 100 steals and 40 blocks in each of the last two seasons.

LSU centerfielder Dylan Crews, right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes and third baseman Tommy White have been named 2023 First-Team All-Americans by Baseball America magazine. Crews batted .426 for the 2023 National Champions with 16 doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 70 RBI and 100 runs. Skenes compiled a 13-2 record and a 1.69 ERA in 122.2 innings with 20 walks and an SEC-record 209 strikeouts. White batted .374 with 24 doubles, 24 homers, 105 RBI and 64 runs scored.

Ragin Cajuns Baseball Head Coach Matt Deggs has named former UL-Lafayette pitcher Gunner Leger the team’s Coordinator of Pitching and Analytics. Leger spent 5 seasons with the Cajuns from 2015-2019 and was the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and an All-American in 2017.

The Astros Foundation College Classic has announced its 2024 Tournament Field as the three-day, 6 team, 9 game tournament returns to Minute Maid Park March 1st-3rd. It will feature the 2023 College World Series Champion LSU Tigers who’ll play Texas, UL Lafayette and Texas State over the weekend.