If you have a state tax refund owed to you, you have until September 6th to claim it before the money goes into unclaimed property. Byron Henderson with the Department of Revenue says it has almost 17-million dollars in uncashed tax refunds, and notices are going out today. 

Cut 6 (11) “…and business taxpayers.”

Henderson says if the money is not claimed by the deadline, it is NOT forfeited.

To avoid a vote on releasing files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House until September a few days early. On NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Johnson said Republicans insist on the release of all credible evidence – however:

Cut 12 (15) “…include those protections.”

The Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program has proven what Louisianians have felt for years: humidity levels are rising. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Two months after ten inmates escape from the Orleans Parish jail, an inmate is released by mistake. Sheriff Susan Hutson says the erroneous release of 30-year-old Khalil Bryan was the result of a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”

Hutson says there will be an investigation, and disciplinary action will be forthcoming. Bryan remains on the loose.

First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you have a state tax refund owed to you, you have until September 6th to claim it before the money goes into unclaimed property. The Department of Revenue says it owes nearly 18-thousand taxpayers almost 17-million dollars. Just a reminder that money transferred to unclaimed property is not forfeited – it still belongs to the rightful owner and not the state.

President Trump has excluded 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. But, Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality the exemption is not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. Jefferson, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes will receive the most funding with over four, three and two million dollars in funding, respectively. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says hazard mitigation works to break the cycle of repeated damage.

Cut 12 (13) “…at this time.”

—————————-

Bill Cassidy has another challenger in the race for the Senate seat he’s held for two terms.  New Orleans-area public service commissioner Eric Skrmetta made his announcement on Friday.  That makes four prominent in the race.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat another big question is – who will the Democrats put forth?

Cut 6 (08) “…will do differently.”

Another incident shining a negative light on the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate was mistakenly released on Friday.  Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer. This comes two months after ten inmates escaped from the same facility. Sheriff Susan Hutson says she knows that she and jail staff have let the community down with this latest failure.

Cut 9 (05)  “…for our community.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be taken.

The mistaken release of an inmate adds to the troubles of the Orleans Parish Jail. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says the exclusion is not permanent and eventually, all 25 plants will need to meet the new emissions rules.

Cut 15 (07) “…was too short.”

———————————–

Bill Cassidy has another challenger in the race for the Senate seat he’s held for two terms.  New Orleans-area public service commissioner Eric Skrmetta made his announcement on Friday.  Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat since Cassidy’s raised so much money and he’s the incumbent, the addition of a third primary challenger will be inconsequential to Cassidy’s re-election bid..

Cut 5 (08) “…point in time.”

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of last year. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says the funding isn’t a lump sum of money for the parishes, but available reimbursement for approved projects.

Cut 11 (14) “…this December.”

Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules.  But Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says the exemptions are not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

————————————–

First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

An inmate at the Orleans Parish Jail was mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson says the mixup was due to a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”

The Republican field for U.S. Senate in Louisiana is getting crowded. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

More trouble for the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate was mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson.

Cut 7 (05) “…take full responsibility.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be taken.
————————————

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says these are fairly new rules.

Cut 13 (08)  “…is the HON.”

Environmental groups say the exemption is based on a false claim that there is already strict oversight of those facilities.

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says these aren’t just relief funds. They’ll go towards fortification projects to protect from future storms.

Cut 10 (12) “…critical facilities.”

The Republican field for U.S. Senate in Louisiana is getting crowded. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

The mistaken release of an inmate adds to the troubles of the Orleans Parish Jail. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

Pinsonat says given Cassidy’s cash on hand and the fact that he’s the incumbent, the addition of a third primary challenger will be inconsequential to Cassidy’s re-election bid, and neither would the addition of any additional challenger.

Cut 5 (08) “…point in time.”

Pinsonat says with four prominent Republicans now in the race, another big question is – who will the Democrats put forth?

Cut 6 (08) “…will do differently.”

So far, no Democrat has entered the race.

________________________________________________________

***Stations: As of the posting of this newscall, the mistakenly-released inmate remains on the loose. If he turns himself in or is back in custody by the time you run this story, update it accordingly.***

More trouble for the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate is mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson addressed the incident in a news conference.

Cut 7 (05) “…take full responsibility.”

Sheriff Hutson says Bryan’s mistaken release was the result of a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”

This comes two months after ten inmates escaped from the same facility. Hutson says she knows that she and jail staff have let the community down with this latest failure.

Cut 9 (05)  “…for our community.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be forthcoming. As of this morning, Bryan remains on the loose.

________________________________________________________

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says these aren’t just relief funds. They’ll go towards fortification projects to protect from future storms.

Cut 10 (12) “…critical facilities.”

Gaspard says the funding isn’t a lump sum of money for the parishes, but available reimbursement for approved projects.

Cut 11 (14) “…this December.”

Jefferson, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes will receive the most funding with over four, three and two million dollars in funding, respectively. Gaspard says hazard mitigation works to break the cycle of repeated damage.

Cut 12 (13) “…at this time.”

________________________________________________________

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says these are fairly new rules.

Cut 13 (08)  “…is the HON.”

NESHAP stands for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Hayes points out that the exemption extended to these chemical manufacturers is not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

Hayes says eventually, all 25 plants will need to meet the new emissions rules.

Cut 15 (07) “…was too short.”

Environmental groups say the exemption is based on a false claim that there is already strict oversight of those facilities.

________________________________________________________

The Saints are putting on the pads for the first time in training camp today. It will be the first glimpse for both players and coaches of what the team can really look like. Tight end Juwan Johnson says the team has the best energy he’s seen since they started 5-and-2 with Jameis Winston in 2021.

Cut 16 (18) “…be okay.”

Safety Justin Rid was the Saints’ biggest addition of the offseason. The Louisiana native is a seven-year vet and will be a leader in Staley’s new defense. He says the most important things right now are staying healthy and learning the playbook.

Cut 17 (18)  “…entire season.”

Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed has made a living as one of the NFL’s most explosive deep threats. The speedster added ten pounds of muscle this offseason, and he says he expects to expand his game in Moore’s offense.

Cut 18 (16) “…on Sundays.”

A dispute over trash pickup and sanitation in the French Quarter is heating up. Mayor LaToya Cantrell is looking to terminate the contract with I-V Waste and award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. That’s not sitting well with many who live and work in the Quarter. Glade Bilby with the French Quarter Management District says even though a judge ruled the Mayor can move forward with the emergency contract, the issue is far from over.

Cut 3 (11) “…not quite settled.”

Louisiana Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson has established a committee to monitor and communicate with the LHSAA. Johnson says the LHSAA is a private corporation with authority over student-athletes across the state.

Cut 6 (10) “…little involvement.”

————-
The list of republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for his U.S. Senate seat has gotten a little more crowded. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta has announced today that he’s running for his seat. Skrmetta made the announcement in a video, in which he introduced himself to voters statewide.

Cut 14 (10) “…and engineering company.”

Skrmetta joins State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez among the prominent Republicans to challenge Cassidy for the seat that he has held for two terms.

When people think of tourism in Louisiana, naturally the one city that comes to mind is New Orleans. But in speaking to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says while New Orleans is certainly a fun place to visit, he’s trying to change that narrative.

Cut 12 (09) “…of the state.”