Seven months to the day after casting the vote that for all intents and purposes sealed his confirmation as US health secretary, Senator Bill Cassidy takes Robert F. Kennedy to task over his vaccine policies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU’s Jay Johnson is set to become the highest paid college baseball coach in the country as the LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve his new contract tomorrow that pays him three million plus dollars a year.

Next week is the peak of the hurricane season and still no tropical threats to the Gulf coast. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s the good news, the bad news is that the lack of storms has allowed the water temperature in the Gulf to soar two degrees above normal, to 87-degrees…

Cut 11 (05) “…the Gulf”

Keim says hot sea surface temperatures can produce rapid intensification.

The state Department of Transportation is encouraging Louisiana teens to promote safe driving through creativity and advocacy. They are conducting a video contest that gives high school students a chance to express the importance of seat belt use and avoiding phone distractions…

Cut 5 (09) “…these days”

Mallett says distracted driving contributed to 25-percent of crash fatalities last year. For more information go to DOTD’s website.

Seven months to the day after casting the vote that for all intents and purposes sealed his confirmation as health secretary, Senator Bill Cassidy takes Robert F. Kennedy to task over his vaccine policies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The quiet hurricane season could pose problems if a storm threatens Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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DOTD, along with Destination Zero Deaths, are looking for a commitment to safe driving and they’ve launched “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest. Louisiana high school students are invited to submit videos highlighting the importance of seat belt use and avoiding phone distractions. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says a panel of judges will choose the top three videos and winners will receive cash prizes…

Cut 3 (06) “…safe driving.”

Triple-A is providing the cash prizes. Mallett says videos should highlight seatbelt use and the importance of avoiding phone use distractions. Submissions will be accepted now through October 31st, and they can be between 30 seconds and 2 minutes long.

Cut 4 (11) “…of the year.”

Last year, distracted driving contributed to a quarter of crash fatalities in Louisiana, and Mallet says the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” contest includes a pledge they are asking all Louisianans to sign – agreeing to avoid phone use, wear a seatbelt, and speak up when they feel unsafe in cars with others.

Cut 5 (09) “…these days.”

The pledge and contest rules can be found on DOTD’s website.

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After casting what was, for all intents and purposes, the deciding vote that sealed his confirmation as health secretary, Senator Bill Cassidy sparred with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his health policies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing this morning. After Kennedy said he agreed with Cassidy’s assertion that President Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for his role in Operation Warp Speed – expeditiously developing COVID-19 vaccines – Cassidy took him to task for something he told Colorado Senator Michael Bennet.

Cut 6 (15) “…question of fact.”

Cassidy then expressed concern that many people Kennedy has nominated for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have received money for serving as expert witnesses for plaintiffs’ attorneys suing vaccine makers.

Cut 7 (17) “…disclosed is okay.”

Cassidy told Kennedy that his policies are causing great confusion as to who can get COVID-19 vaccines and who can’t get them.

Cut 8 (09) “…you’re wrong.”

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There continues to be very little tropical activity in the Gulf; but because it’s been so quiet, sea surface water temperatures are two degrees hotter than normal. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that could spell trouble if a storm threatens Louisiana…

Cut 9 (10)  “…big deal.”

Keim says hot sea surface temperatures can produce rapid intensification…

Cut 10 (11) “…worry about.”

Keim says the average sea surface temperature in the Gulf is 85 degrees, but because of little activity, the Gulf has been able to warm up to 87 degrees…

Cut 11 (05) “…the Gulf.”

Senator Bill Cassidy cast the vote that confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The US Secretary of Health but this morning he sparred with Kennedy over health policies in a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Cassidy asked Kennedy if he thought President Trump deserved a Nobel Prize for his role in rapid the development of COVID-19 vaccines and Kennedy agreed he did. Cassidy then challenged Kennedy citing previous statements.

Cut 6 (15) “…question of fact.”

Kennedy has been a vocal opponent of certain vaccines.

No one reached billionaire status by Powerball in last night’s drawing for the 1.4-billion-dollar jackpot and as of this morning, the jackpot is 1.7 billion dollars. That’s the third largest in history. The next drawing is Saturday at 10:00 PM.

The quiet hurricane season could pose problems if a storm threatens Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

DOTD along with Destination Zero Deaths are looking for a commitment to safe driving and they’ve launched “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest. DOTD Communications Director Rodney Mallett says a panel of judges will choose the top three videos and winners will receive cash prizes from AAA.

Cut 3 (06) “…safe driving.”

He says Last year, distracted driving contributed to a quarter of crash fatalities in Louisiana and

The man who admitted to killing and dismembering a New Iberia woman last year has been deemed incompetent to stand trial. Anthony Hollard, Jr admitted to killing 19-year-old Sheryl Turner and dumping her body parts in the Ouachita River in January of 2024. She had been reported missing in December 2023. Hollard is being held at the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System facility in Jackson. Authorities there say they will inform the court when the accused can comprehend the proceedings and participate in his defense.

There continues to be very little tropical activity in the Gulf, but because it’s been so quiet, sea surface water temperatures are two-degrees hotter than normal. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 9 (10)  “…big deal.”

Keim says hot sea surface temperatures help fuel storms, leading to rapid intensification.

A new ICE detention center has opened at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry and federal officials announce Camp J at the Angola Prison has been renovated to house those identified as the worst of the worst criminal illegal migrants. Renovations to the wing were funded by the Big Beautiful Bill and renamed Camp 57 referring to Louisiana’s 57^th governor, Jeff Landry. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says it’s a model facility…

Cut 15 (14) “…law library.”

Landry says they expect to house about 200 detainees by mid-September and over 400 when all of the repairs to the facility are complete.

No one reached billionaire status by Powerball in last night’s drawing for the 1.4-billion-dollar jackpot and as of this morning, the jackpot is 1.7 billion dollars. That’s the third largest in history. The next drawing is Saturday at 10:00 PM.

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is concerned about what the cost of doing business is doing to the childcare industry. Mattilyn Batson, the public policy and research director, says providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business because nearly every expense involved in running a childcare center has gone up in recent years.

Cut 5 (11) “…leave.”

She says raising tuition is not a good solution since parents are also struggling and programs designed to help are underfunded.

20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina nearly trapped Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew in New Orleans. They were in town taping three weeks of shows at the Morial Convention Center. Then executive producer, Harry Friedman, says by the time they made the decision to cancel the taping of the third week of shows and evacuate, they had no way to get out.

Cut 10 (14) “…need their buses.”

After making out of the city, he says staff made sure all 30 contestants who appeared on the show were accounted for.

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Mattilyn Batson, the public policy and research director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says they’re being stretched thin financially.

Cut 4 (14) “…in their community.”

20 years ago, Wheel of Fortune was forced to evacuate New Orleans with Katrina bearing down. They were supposed to tape three shows at the Morial Convention Center, but they only got two weeks worth of shows in. Executive Producer Harry Friedman says the contestants who were slated to appear in that third week eventually did get on the show from the show’s regular studio in Culver City, California.

Cut 12 (09) “…in New Orleans.”

The Senate Finance Committee is questioning Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his health policies this morning. Senator Bill Cassidy’s vote in the committee effectively sealed his confirmation back in February. That fact was not lost on WWL-TV reporter Paul Murphy, who asked him about it yesterday.

Cut 9 (20)  “…have his say.”

State Police now have some information on the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run crash that killed a 53-year-old pedestrian in Jefferson Davis Parish last month. They say the suspect vehicle may be a green or turquoise pickup truck or SUV with damage to the front end or the driver’s side.

Camp J at the Angola Prison has been renovated to house what Governor Landry and federal officials are calling the worst of the worst criminal illegal migrants arrested by ICE. Landry says 51 migrants have already been located there, with more to come.

Cut 14 (14) “…secure America.”

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is defending his health policies in front of the Senate Finance Committee this morning. While Kennedy has long stated his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines, Senator Bill Cassidy has said President Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for his role in getting those vaccines out as quickly as they did. Cassidy said those two viewpoints are not easily reconcilable.

Cut 8 (12) “…figure that out.”

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

(Paper tearing SFX)

The sound of worthless Powerball tickets everywhere being ripped up, after not a single one matched all five numbers plus the Powerball last night. So that means the jackpot, which has rolled over every drawing since May 31st, will be worth an estimated 1.7 billion dollars Saturday night.

20 years ago, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew nearly became trapped in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump yesterday suggesting a federal crime crackdown could be launched in New Orleans. If the National Guard is deployed to New Orleans, it’s likely their presence would be concentrated in the French Quarter.  Governor Jeff Landry has said he would support the move.

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Many child care providers are having trouble staying in business right now.  That’s according to the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.  Public policy and research director Mattilyn Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

Cut 5 (14) “…to other sectors.”

Batson says the simplest solution is for child care providers is to raise tuition. but, that’s a lot easier said than done.

Cut 6 (11) “…affording child care.”

Batson says there are programs aimed at helping both child care providers and families afford child care, but those programs are underfunded, which only adds to the problem.

A new ICE detention center is now open at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are having a hard time staying in business.  Mattilyn Batson, with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says they’re being stretched thin financially.

Cut 4 (14) “…in their community.”

Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

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20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina nearly trapped Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew in New Orleans. They were in town taping three weeks worth of shows.  Harry Friedman, who was the executive producer at the time, says by the time they decided to evacuate, they had no way to get out – so they commandeered two tour buses.

Cut 10 (14) “…need their buses.”

The two weeks of shows they did manage to tape aired in November, with an introduction from Pat and Vanna stating that they were taped just before the storm. Friedman says staff made sure that all 30 contestants who appeared on the show were accounted for.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the hurricane.”