Avoyelles Parish gets hit with two and a half feet of rain in just 12 hours, and the images of the aftermath are surreal. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary restraining order against Governor Landry’s executive order to redirect public school funding to teacher stipends. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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It’s being called a “1,000-year flood.” Avoyelles Parish was the heaviest hit by the torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, getting two and a half feet of rain dumped on it in less than 12 hours. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the scene is mind-boggling.

Cut 3 (07) “…halfway to structures.”

Frank says even though the rain has stopped, it’s still a very active scene which is forcing people from their homes.

Cut 4 (08) “…200 right now.”

Frank says officials haven’t even begun to assess the damage yet, and it could be a while before they’re able to.

Cut 5 (07) “…evaluations of homes.”

Frank says the worst part is since most of Avoyelles Parish is not in a flood zone, most people do not have flood insurance. Governor Landry has already declared a state of emergency in Avoyelles Parish and six other parishes. He will be visiting this afternoon, and Frank says he may seek a federal disaster declaration.

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An East Baton Rouge Parish judge granted a temporary restraining order to block Governor Landry’s executive order to reallocate 168-million-dollars in the state’s public school funding formula to provide stipends for teachers. Greg Beuerman, the spokesman for the three plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit against the order, says it’s unconstitutional.

Cut 6 (13) “…ability to do.”

The court will hold a hearing to determine whether the restraining order should stand on June 29th.

The court ruled the executive order’s bypassing of the legislature violated the separation of powers. Beuerman says the order takes away authority from the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Cut 7 (11) “…the wrong venue.”

The executive order does require a two-thirds majority vote from legislators via virtual ballot for approval. Beuerman says while the constitution does provide for remote voting outside of a legislative session, it’s only in extraordinary scenarios.

Cut 8 (09) “…not go forward.”

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The clock is ticking if you haven’t gotten your crawfish fix this season. With summer temperatures rising, crawfish are burrowing, and the season is ending. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says you might find a few stragglers at vendors and restaurants until the Fourth of July in South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a great product.”

King says not to worry about the price going up just because there are fewer crawfish available. This year’s leftovers will help produce next year’s crop. King says crawfish are as affordable as they’ve been this season.

Cut 10 (06) “…two-99 a pound.”

King says you can always find foreign seafood year-round; but if you want local crawfish, time is running out. She says even your favorite local crawfish spots will stop serving it soon, if it hasn’t already.

Cut 11 (09) “…for the season.”

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For years, WalletHub has done annual rankings for life as working moms for Mother’s Day. This year, for the first time, it did a ranking for life as working dads for Father’s Day, and it shows Louisiana with an overall ranking next to last, ahead of only Nevada. Analyst Chip Lupo says the fact that Louisiana is a predominantly rural state plays a major role in its low ranking.

Cut 12 (08) “…of cases, unaffordable.”

We asked Lupo whether Louisiana would have had a higher ranking if the rankings only accounted for the well-populated areas of each state.

Cut 13 (09) “…but not much.”

Whereas Louisiana ranked no higher than 45th in nearly all metrics, the one exception is in the male uninsured rate, in which Louisiana ranks 32nd. Lupo says, however, that number is being held down due to a large number of areas of high unemployment.

Cut 14 (10) “…healthcare insurance suffers.”

It’s being called a “1,000-year flood.” Avoyelles Parish was the heaviest hit by the torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, getting two and a half feet of rain dumped on it in less than 12 hours. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the scene is mind-boggling.

Cut 3 (07) “…halfway to structures.”

For years, WalletHub has done annual rankings for life as working moms for Mother’s Day. This year, for the first time, it did a ranking for life as working dads for Father’s Day, and it shows Louisiana with an overall ranking next to last, ahead of only Nevada. Analyst Chip Lupo says the fact that Louisiana is a predominantly rural state plays a major role in its low ranking.

Cut 12 (08) “…of cases, unaffordable.” 

A Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary restraining order against Governor Landry’s executive order to redirect public school funding to teacher stipends. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

There’s one more day of early voting ahead of the runoff elections  in the Louisiana U.S. Senate primaries – but for that, you’re going to have to wait until tomorrow. With today being Juneteenth, which is a federal and state holiday, there is no early voting today. Election Day is a week from tomorrow, June 27th.

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, Among them is Avoyelles Parish, which got pounded with about two and a half feet of rain. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville and says not even the station’s facilities were spared of the storm’s wrath.

Cut 5 (08) “…inside the studios.”

About 150 people in Avoyelles Parish ended up being displaced because of the rain.

In Kenner, several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport yesterday morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says airport operations continued.

Cut 8 (10) “…inundated with water.”

Conley says tow trucks were able to move all the stuck vehicles in less than an hour to get traffic moving again.

Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but it’s still going to be a soggy start to the weekend in South Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another weather system is coming through.

Cut 10 (12) “…chances relatively high.”

Keim says the cold front will help pop off a few more thunderstorms.

Today is Juneteenth, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865. LSU African-American Studies Professor Stephen Finley says the holiday should serve as a reminder to Americans of the sacrifices that have been made to protect their freedoms, and he hopes its national recognition will help inspire people to keep fighting.

Cut 15 (12) “…struggle for it.”

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. Arthur’s remnants stalled over Avoyelles Parish throughout the day yesterday, dumping about two and a half feet of rain in some places. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville and says the scene was surreal.

Cut 4 (08) “…but are underwater.”

Floodwaters also kept crews in Kenner very busy yesterday morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Cut 7 (10) “…and emergency vehicles.”

Airport operations continued uninterrupted by the nearby flooding.

The weekend will get off to a rainy start, and it’s not going to get any more comfortable as it progresses. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says after the rain stops, people will be contending with moisture of another kind – humidity.

Cut 12 (11) “…half as well.”

Today is Juneteenth — the holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865. While it’s been celebrated for decades by African-American communities, it was only made a federal holiday in 2021. LSU African-American Studies Professor Stephen Finley says while he’s wary that its new status may erode the true meaning, he says he hopes it will help educate the next generation.

Cut 14 (11) “…why they’re important.”

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Joe Gallinaro reports one of the hardest hit was Avoyelles Parish.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but the rain certainly is not. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Running back Mark Ingram and offensive tackle Terron Armstead were unveiled as the Saints Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. Arthur’s remnants stalled over Avoyelles Parish throughout the day yesterday, dumping about two and a half feet of rain in some places. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville and says the scene was surreal.

Cut 4 (08) “…but are underwater.”

Coco says not even the station’s facilities were spared of the storm’s wrath.

Cut 5 (08) “…inside the studios.”

Coco says the rain came down so hard and so fast that it actually forced the station off the air.

Cut 6 (11) “…the transmitters off.”

Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders as the rain kept coming down, and sandbags were made available for affected residents. Communities also opened shelters for those displaced by floodwaters.

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Floodwaters kept crews in Kenner very busy yesterday morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Cut 7 (10) “…and emergency vehicles.”

Conley says while the roadways became washed out, operations at the airport continued.

Cut 8 (10) “…inundated with water.”

Conley says the city and tow companies that it contracts with prepare for these scenarios all the time; but yesterday, the rains came down so fast that no amount of practice could have prepared crews for what they were faced with. But he says they all worked very efficiently.

Cut 9 (10)  “…up pretty fast.”

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Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but it’s still going to be a soggy start to the weekend in South Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another weather system is coming through.

Cut 10 (12) “…chances relatively high.”

Keim says the cold front will help pop off a few more thunderstorms.

Cut 11 (07) “…especially on Saturday.”

Keim says as saturated as the ground is, it won’t take much rain to produce flash flooding. It’s not going to get any more comfortable as the weekend progresses. Keim says after the rain stops, people will be contending with moisture of another kind – humidity.

Cut 12 (11) “…half as well.”

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Today is Juneteenth — the holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation legally abolished slavery in 1863, but it was still practiced years after. LSU African-American Studies Professor Stephen Finley says it was not until Juneteenth that the news arrived on the shores of Galveston, Texas, where many slave owners had fled.

Cut 13 (12)  “…had not heard.”

Juneteenth has been celebrated for decades by African-American communities, but it was made a federal holiday in 2021. While Finley is wary that its new status may erode the true meaning, he says he hopes it will help educate the next generation.

Cut 14 (11) “…why they’re important.”

Finley says the holiday should serve as a reminder to Americans of the sacrifices that have been made to protect their freedoms, and he hopes its national recognition will help inspire people to keep fighting.

Cut 15 (12) “…struggle for it.”

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Running back Mark Ingram and offensive tackle Terron Armstead will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame as its class of 2026. Ingram ranks second in franchise history with 65-hundred rushing yards and 52 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the Saints. The three-time Pro Bowler was drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft by New Orleans and says the city changed his life.

Cut 16 (12) “…it in words.”

Ingram spent the first eight years of his career wearing black and gold before brief stints with the Ravens and Texans. He returned to New Orleans midseason in 2021 and retired as a Saint. He says he remembers a hall outside the team meeting room with the Saints Hall of Famers.

Cut 17 (14) “…garner that recognition.”

Armstead was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2013 draft and stayed for nine seasons in New Orleans. He was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Saints and a 2018 All-Pro. Despite ending his career with three seasons in Miami, he says he’s a lifelong Saint.

Cut 18 (11) “…I made it (2x).”

Tropical Storm Arthur wreaked havoc throughout South Louisiana, before and after the storm dissipated. Remnants stalled over Avoyelles Parish throughout the day today, dumping about two and a half feet of rain in some places. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville and says the scene was surreal.

Cut 4 (08) “…but are underwater.”

Not even the station’s facilities were spared – the studios became flooded; as did the transmitter site. And that forced Coco to shut it off, taking the station off the air.

Floodwaters kept crews in Kenner very busy this morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Cut 7 (10) “…and emergency vehicles.”

The Protect College Sports Act passed through the Senate Commerce Committee and can now head to the Senate floor. The bipartisan bill provides antitrust exemptions to the NCAA to enforce nationwide regulations on revenue sharing, N-I-L deals and the college transfer portal. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says it can restore some order in the legal jungle college athletics has become.

Cut 12 (10) “…for years now.” 

The Louisiana Farm Bureau convention kicks off today. U.S. Senate candidates Julia Letlow, John Fleming, Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett will all be in attendance during the four-day event. Bureau Communications Director Avery Davidson says with a record 16-hundred farmers and their families expected to attend, it’s bound to attract lawmakers.

Cut 4 (10) “…affected by them.”

Tropical Storm Arthur is no more, but it’s going to be a while before it becomes a distant memory. The storm spawned a handful of tornadoes in southeast Louisiana, including Metro New Orleans, causing damage to several homes, including more than a half-dozen in and near Houma. Earl Eues, the director of the Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the rain came down so hard and so fast that it overwhelmed the parish’s flood control system.

Cut 10 (09) “…to catch up.” 

National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says those areas got about six to nine inches of rain – and the same is also true for areas further north.

Cut 7 (14) “…over 10 inches.”

The 104th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention kicked off in New Orleans today. Kace Kieschick reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Saints Hall of Fame Class of 2026 consists of running back Mark Ingram and offensive tackle Terron Armstead. Ingram ranks second in franchise history with 65-hundred rushing yards and 52 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the Saints. Armstead was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2013 draft and stayed for nine seasons in New Orleans.

The rains kept falling throughout Louisiana, both during and after Tropical Storm Arthur. In Kenner, there were scores of vehicles which ended up getting caught in floodwaters. It took quite a while for the city’s tow trucks to move them out of the way to get traffic flowing again. And in Avoyelles Parish, the rains started early this morning and approached two and a half feet by 2 p-m.

Heavy rains weren’t the only thing some people had to contend with. Joe Gallinaro reports. 

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The Protect College Sports Act heads to the full U.S. Senate after passing in the Senate Commerce Committee. The SEC and Big Ten firmly oppose this bill, because it allows for the pooling of certain media rights to support revenue for women’s and Olympic sports and smaller schools. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the owners of the most valuable media asset in college sports don’t want to give that up.

Cut 13 (13) “…settle it themselves.”

The Louisiana Farm Bureau convention kicks off today with a record 16-hundred farmers and their families expected to attend. Bureau Communications Director Avery Davidson says the convention is always the most important event of the year.

Cut 3 (09) “…coming year.”

The 104th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention kicked off in New Orleans today. Kace Kieschick reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Areas of Southeast Louisiana, including the greater New Orleans area, were among the hardest hit from the storms. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The Louisiana Farm Bureau convention kicked off today, with a record 16-hundred farmers and their families expected to attend. The four-day event will host Labor, Environmental, Farm-to-Table and Commodity Conferences. Bureau Communications Director Avery Davidson says the convention is always the most important event of the year.

Cut 3 (09) “…coming year.”

U.S. Senate candidates Julia Letlow, John Fleming, Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett will all be in attendance. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are all scheduled to speak as well. Davidson says any time this big a group of engaged voters gets together, it’s bound to attract lawmakers.

Cut 4 (10) “…affected by them.”

It won’t be all business, though. Davidson says the convention is a family-friendly event. He says that’s what makes the Louisiana Farm Bureau different from others across the country; just like the rest of the state, they like to have a good time.

Cut 5 (13) “…of fun.”

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While Tropical Storm Arthur did not pack any damaging winds, it did dump large amounts of rain throughout South Louisiana – enough to overwhelm drainage pumps. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says areas south of New Orleans were among those especially hit hard.

Cut 6 (08) “…to nine inches.”

Grigsby says the same is also true for areas further north.

Cut 7 (14) “…over 10 inches.”

Of course, the heavy rains weren’t limited to the New Orleans area. Grigsby says as you go further north and west, the rainfall totals in some areas were even greater.

Cut 8 (06) “…inches of rain.”

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Terrebonne Parish was among the parishes that sustained the heaviest damage from the storm. Earl Eues (“youzz”), the director of the Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the damage was not only from flood waters, but also from tornadoes.

Cut 9 (12)  “…some minor damage.”

Eues says the rain came down so hard and so fast that it overwhelmed the parish’s flood control system.

Cut 10 (09) “…to catch up.”

Eues says while those waters ended up inside some homes, no mandatory evacuations were needed. He says the weather should allow crews to focus on recovery today.

Cut 11 (07) “…its normal operations.”

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The Protect College Sports Act passed through the Senate Commerce Committee and now heads to the U.S. Senate floor. The bipartisan bill provides antitrust exemptions to the NCAA to enforce nationwide regulations on revenue sharing, N-I-L deals and the college transfer portal. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says it can restore some order in the legal jungle college athletics has become.

Cut 12 (10) “…for years now.”

Most recently, a Lubbock County judge filed an injunction against the NCAA after it ruled Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby permanently ineligible for placing over nine thousand bets, including at least 40 on his own team. The injunction would have allowed Sorsby to play this season before he declared for the NFL Supplemental Draft.

Despite advocating for congressional support, the SEC and Big Ten have firmly opposed the bill. It allows for the pooling of certain media rights to support revenue for women’s and Olympic sports and smaller schools. Guilbeau says the owners of the most valuable media asset in college sports don’t want to give that up.

Cut 13 (13) “…settle it themselves.”

Texas Republican Ted Cruz, who authored the bill along with Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell, said his goal was to get the bill to the Senate floor in July and signed into law before this school year. Guilbeau says this is the furthest any college sports-related bill has made it, and he thinks it has a good chance of making it to the House.

Cut 14 (11) “…I can tell.”

While Tropical Storm Arthur did not pack any damaging winds, it did dump large amounts of rain throughout South Louisiana – enough to overwhelm drainage pumps. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says areas near New Orleans were especially hit hard.

Cut 6 (08) “…to nine inches.”

Terrebonne Parish was among the parishes that sustained the heaviest damage from the storm. Earl Eues, the director of the Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the damage was not only from flood waters, but also from tornadoes.

Cut 9 (12)  “…some minor damage.”

The Louisiana Farm Bureau convention kicks off today, but the four-day conference won’t be all business. Bureau Communications Director Avery Davidson says what makes the Louisiana Farm Bureau different from others across the country; just like the rest of the state, they like to have a good time.

Cut 5 (13) “…of fun.”

The Protect College Sports Act passed through the Senate Commerce Committee and can now head to the Senate floor. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says this is the furthest any college sports-related bill has made it, and he thinks it has a good chance of advancing to the House.

Cut 14 (11) “…I can tell.”