Law enforcement foils a North Carolina man’s alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at Jazz Fest. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The drought in Louisiana is getting worse. Joe Gallinaro reports.
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If you’re not in the greater Baton Rouge area or in Cameron Parish, you’re in an area experiencing drought. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the latest Louisiana Drought Monitor shows drought conditions getting worse.
Cut 3 (12) “…as extreme drought.”
This is a far cry from one year ago today, when none of the state was in any drought condition, and Grymes says this is the worst drought the state has experienced since 2023. And everywhere you go, you can start to see the devastating effects.
Cut 4 (14) “…of Louisiana agriculture.”
Grymes says in order to turn things around at this point, we need to see two to four weeks of steady wet weather, and that could start soon – emphasis on “could.”
Cut 5 (12) “…drought gas pedal.”
Grymes says northern Louisiana should prepare for occasional strong-to-severe thunderstorms tomorrow night.
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If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s what Harahan Representative John Illg is doing with legislation to ban outdoor balloon releases. Last year, his bill to create a new law to ban the intentional release of balloons sailed through the legislature, only to have Governor Landry veto it, saying it would be unenforceable. At the Love The Boot Week kickoff event, Illg says that’s no reason not to have a law on the books.
Cut 6 (07) “…against the law.”
So this time, Illg’s bill adds intentional balloon releases to the state’s existing law against intentional littering. This year’s bill, House Bill 851, has already passed in the House and is just one Senate vote away from landing on Landry’s desk. Illg says he learned last year that his proposed balloon release ban would not only reduce litter, but it would also protect the state’s livestock.
Cut 7 (11) “…all these farmers.”
Illg says passing a law at the state level is all well and good, assuming it can gain Landry’s signature this time, but a state law doesn’t go far enough.
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The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved a new contract for Athletic Director Verge Ausberry. Ausberry will receive 1.5-million dollars by the end of 2027, and his eight-million-dollar deal runs through 2030. The former linebacker and now A-D addressed the LSU Board of Supervisors before his new contract was approved.
Cut 9 (07) “…be athletic director.”
Ausberry was named athletic director shortly after Scott Woodward was ousted last November. Since then, he’s hired football coach Lane Kiffin and men’s basketball coach Will Wade. Ausberry says it’s an honor to lead the LSU athletics department.
Cut 10 (06) “…me than anything.”
Ausberry is from New Iberia. He played linebacker for LSU from 1986 to 1990, winning two SEC championships. He was also a two-year captain on defense. He says his best job at LSU was his first job, as he served as an academic advisor for student-athletes.
Cut 11 (07) “…the proudest moment.”
The LSU Board also approved new contracts for Senior Deputy A-D Heath Schroyer, football general manager Billy Glasscock, and men’s basketball coach Will Wade and his assistants.
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Gun fire erupted early this afternoon at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge as two groups of people got into an argument near the food court and started shooting at each other. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says multiple people were shot…
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Morse could not provide any details on the conditions of the individuals wounded during the mass shooting. He says there is urgency in trying to apprehend the shooters…
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This is the second mass shooting in Louisiana in the last week. Eight children were killed in Shreveport on Sunday when the father of seven of the children killed his kids and a nephew execution style. Morse says they have a good idea on what happened inside the Mall of Louisiana at about 1:22 this afternoon…