The U-S House gave final legislative passage today to President Trump’s sweeping tax cut and spending bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson says the One Big Beautiful Bill will permanently lower taxes for families and businesses, secures the border and unleashes American energy dominance…

Cut 15 (10) “…you vote today.”

The vote was 218 to 214, with two Republicans breaking party-lines to vote against the legislation. Every single Democrat in the House voted against the measure.

Heartbreaking tragedy in West Baton Rouge Parish as a Port Allen 3 year old drowns in a neighbor’s swimming pool. The sheriff’s office says while her family was inside, Jacie Lee walked out of the garage of her home yesterday afternoon. Sergeant Landon Groger says following an intense search, a deputy found the little girl unresponsive in a neighbor’s pool.

Cut 6 (11) “…apparent drowning.”

It is Fourth of July weekend, and the State Fire Marshal’s office is urging those who plan to light up the sky to do so safely. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The latest LEAP test results are in and overall student proficiency for students in third through eighth grade is up a percentage point while highschoolers declined a point. Erin Bendily, the senior vice president of the Pelican Institute, says while it’s important to get younger students off to a good start, it’s also important for high school students.

Cut 4 (10) “…in the workplace.”

LEAP test results show progress among younger learners, but a slight decline in those closer to graduation. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A man who reportedly opened fire on Lake Charles Police was shot and killed in a Lake Charles neighborhood Thursday morning. Lake Charles Police SWAT officers, were reportedly conducting an investigation when the man opened fire then retreated to a backyard then shot at officers again when asked to come out. Officers then shot the man who was transported to a hospital where he died. No officers were hurt. State police have been called in to investigate the incident.

Fireworks have become a big part of the nation’s birthday celebration and State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says they are beautiful but dangerous. He adds, state law requires fireworks sellers to be properly licensed  by the State Fire Marshall’s office.  There are more than 600 retail fireworks stands that are permitted statewide. They should have their permit posted where you can see it.

Cut 11 (10) “…5452.” (2nd time)

If a barbecue is part of your Independence Day celebration expect higher prices for some staples like beef, ground beef, potatoes, and pork n beans. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that an average cookout for ten people will cost about 70-dollars. Strain says for grocery prices to drop, more stability is needed in the market.

Cut 14 (10) “…input cost.”

The latest LEAP test results show that overall student proficiency among students in grades three through eight is up a percentage point, with 35-percent achieving Mastery or above. Erin Bendily, the senior vice president of the Pelican Institute, notes, however, that when students through high school are factored in, the results are flat. 

Cut 3 (14) “…the last year.”

Fireworks will be popping tonight and tomorrow as America celebrates its 249th birthday. State Fire Marshal spokesman Ken Pastorick says there are more than 600 fireworks stands, with all needing to be properly licensed by the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Cut 10 (07) “…fireworks stand.”

Pastorick says you can report suspicious or illegal fireworks sales to the state.

A three-year-old West Baton Rouge Parish girl drowns in a neighbor’s swimming pool. The sheriff’s office says Jacie Lee walked out of the garage of her home while her family was inside, and a deputy found her in the pool unresponsive. Sergeant Landon Groger reminds you to always have a designated person watching children at all times.

Cut 8 (12) “…in your prayers.”

This year’s Fourth of July barbecue is going to cost you a little more money. State Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain says beef is up seven-percent and ground beef is up ten-percent. And he says other meat prices have been up year over year as well.

Cut 13 (06)  “…ham over 4-percent.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that an average cookout for ten people will cost about 70 dollars.

A little Port Allen girl drowns in a neighbor’s swimming pool. The sheriff’s office says three-year-old Jacie Lee walked out of the garage of her home at around four yesterday afternoon while her family was inside. The Sheriff’s Office considers the drowning an accident, and the incident remains under investigation.  WBGR  Parish Sheriff’s Sgt. Landon Groger urges parents to be aware of where their children are a all times.

Cut 7 (10) “…of the garage.”

Planning a 4th of July barbecue? Expect higher prices for some staples, with beef up seven-percent, ground beef up ten-percent and potatoes and pork for beans also costing more, according to Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain.

Cut 12 (11) “…over a year ago.”

Fireworks will be popping tonight and tomorrow as America celebrates its 249th birthday. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says if you plan to shoot fireworks, make sure you are 200 feet away from buildings and vehicles, never let children handle fireworks, light one firework at a time and do not use fireworks impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Cut 9 (10)  “…eleven deaths.”

Tragedy in West Baton Rouge Parish as a little Port Allen girl drowns in a neighbor’s swimming pool. The sheriff’s office says three-year-old Jacie Lee walked out of the garage of her home at around four yesterday afternoon while her family was inside. Sergeant Landon Groger says following an intense search, a deputy found the nonverbal girl unresponsive in her neighbor’s pool.

Cut 6 (11) “…apparent drowning.”

The drowning is being investigated as an accident.

Grambling State University launches the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation. University President Dr. Martin Lemelle (leh-MELL) says the foundation has several components to it.

Cut 15 (15) “…support faculty innovation.”

The National Federation of Independent Business says 36-percent of small business owners reported openings they could not fill last month. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

At this point, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina might as well open a location in Baton Rouge. LSU fans practically took over the joint in Omaha during the College World Series, scarfing down more than 52-thousand Jello shots. And now, Rocco’s is selling commemorative T-shirts to celebrate the occasion. They’re purple and gold, and the word jello is spelled j-e-l-l-e-a-u-x.

At this hour, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries continues speaking on the floor against the Big, Beautiful Bill. It’s called the Magic Minute, designed to delay a final vote. The final vote was made possible overnight after House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump were able to get nearly all Republicans to agree to debate rules, when at one point there were enough “no” votes to throw the whole process into turmoil. Yesterday, Johnson said there are a lot of good things in the bill.

Cut 10 (07) “…around the world.”

But Democrat Cleo Fields doesn’t see it that way. He says there are a lot of bad things about the bill.

Cut 11 (08) “…left the house.”

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will also add three-point-three trillion dollars to the deficit.

Of the 17 line-item vetoes that Governor Landry issued on the budget, 16 were put forth by fellow Republicans who voted against his most prized bill, HB 148. Tyler Bridges, the chief political reporter for The Advocate who made the connection, says word at the Capitol is that HB 148 will allow Landry to use Tim Temple as a scapegoat if premiums don’t start coming down.

Cut 9 (08)  “…insurance rates.”

The National Federation of Independent Business’ June jobs report found that 36-percent of small business owners are having trouble filling openings. State Director Leah Long says Louisiana’s new “One Door” policy will eventually help consolidate public assistance and job training programs.

Cut 4 (11) “…qualified workforce.”

The Big Beautiful Bill is back in the House, and opinions among Louisiana’s delegation are obviously mixed along party lines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Speaker Mike Johnson promised a vote this morning, but House Minority Leader Hakeen Jeffries has been speaking for over four hours in an effort to delay the vote.

The One Big Beautiful Bill will do a variety of things, including an increase in federal funds to Louisiana and other Gulf States for offshore oil and gas production.

Grambling State University launches the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation. University President Dr. Martin Lemelle (leh-MELL) says it’s a new non-profit designed to advance the university’s pursuit of Research 2 classification and deepen its research footprint.

Cut 14 (06) “…to that purpose.”

Lemelle says Grambling has recently secured over 12-million dollars in research-related funding.

The National Federation of Independent Business’ June jobs report found that 36-percent of small business owners are having trouble filling job openings. NFIB State Director Leah Long says industries with the most openings were construction, manufacturing and transportation; while finance and agriculture sectors reported the fewest. Long says some of the increased numbers could be due to the time of year.

Cut 6 (11) “…those positions.”

Intense debate is ongoing on the U-S House floor over President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. The legislation would extend and make permanent various individual and business tax cuts, which Democrats say will only benefit billionaires. But House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the legislation also contains new tax cuts that will help those employees who earn income from tips and workers who earn wages through overtime hours…

Cut 30 (11) “…working overtime”

Democrats say the legislation will take away health care from 17-million Americans. Louisiana Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields says hospitals will close, people will die if the Big Beautiful Bill passes. House Speaker Mike Johnson says a vote will take place this morning.

It seems that there’s a certain tie that binds Governor Landry’s line-item budget vetoes. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein

Grambling State has launched its G-R 2 Foundation, which is designed to advance the university’s pursuit of Research Two classification. President Doctor Martin Lemelle says research has been at Grambling’s core and the school has come a long way…

Cut 16 (11) “….iteration of technology”