If it seems like summers here in Louisiana are getting hotter and hotter – well, you’re right. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Over 72-million Americans are expected to travel this Fourth of July weekend. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Attorney General Liz Murrill announces scores of arrests in connection with a nationwide Medicaid fraud crackdown. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If it seems that summers here in Louisiana and across the country are getting hotter and hotter – well, you’re right. Shel Winkley, the chief meteorologist at Climate Central, says Louisiana’s average summer temperatures – accounting for both the daytime highs and overnight lows in June, July and August – have been steadily rising ever since records have been kept.

Cut 4 (13) “…of about 82.4.”

Winkley says nationally, since 1970, the average summer temperature has risen two and a half degrees; and while that might not seem like a significant difference, it really is.

Cut 5 (06) “…wouldn’t feel well.”

Winkley says humans have only themselves to blame for this, with all the coal, oil and methane gas that we burn.

Cut 6 (07) “…heat in more.”

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Triple-A projects more than 72-million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the Fourth of July weekend, a slight increase over last year’s record. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says many are taking advantage of the holiday falling on a Saturday and extending vacations through next week.

Cut 7 (12) “…who are cruising.”

More than 61-million travelers are projected to hit the road, while nearly six-million are expected to board planes. Gas prices are at a four-year high for this time of year, but Redman says that won’t deter travelers.

Cut 8 (09) “…it’s still high.”

Triple-A says if you’re hitting the road today or tomorrow, it’s best to try to leave before noon. The most congestion on the roads is expected in the afternoon and early evening.

Before you leave, check battery conditions, tire pressure and oil status. Triple-A responded to more than 687-thousand roadside assistance calls last year. Redman says if you are driving a long distance, it’s best to take breaks every two hours.

Cut 9 (11)  “…you are impaired.”

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Attorney General Liz Murrill announces that 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. During a news conference at the Capitol, Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money from the program.

Cut 10 (11) “…from the program (2x).”

Murrill says Medicaid fraud is by no means a victimless crime.

Cut 11 (10) “…services and support.”

Murrill says she has made fighting Medicaid fraud a top priority ever since she was elected.

Cut 12 (13) “…residential care facilities.”

Murrill says her office has also secured 105 convictions and 73-million dollars in restitution orders.

Murrill also announced that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been elevated to a standalone division within the Louisiana Department of Justice, and that Matt Stafford has been promoted to lead the newly-created division.

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State Representative Gabe Firment of Pollock is running for Congress. Firment joins at least two fellow Republicans — Monroe Representative Michael Echols and State Board of Regents chair Misti Cordell — in the race for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Senate nominee Julia Letlow. Firment says voters can trust him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…get to Congress.”

Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey is also expected to join the race.

The Grant Parish representative has served in the House since 2019. He describes himself as a true conservative who can represent the rural district well. His opponents have a head start after beginning their campaigns months ago, but Firment believes he has an advantage as the southernmost candidate.

Cut 14 (08) “…of this district.”

The reshaped district covers all or parts of 24 parishes, stretching from Monroe south to Avoyelles and Rapides parishes and into southeast Louisiana. The November 3rd party primary will be an open ballot due to the late redistricting caused by the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s previous congressional map. Firment says voters will be able to hear from all candidates.

Cut 15 (12) “…really well there.”

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After a red-hot June for LSU recruiting, Lane Kiffin’s staff will look to keep the momentum going. Ruston High School four-star safety Jayden Anding was scheduled to announce his commitment between LSU and Ole Miss yesterday, but he pushed it back at the last minute. Geaux247’s Andre Champagne says he can do it all in the secondary.

Cut 16 (11) “…pretty much anywhere.”

Anding is the brother of current Tigers corner Aiden Anding.

Brother Martin five-star wideout Easton Royal is still committed to Texas, but he hasn’t shut the door on his recruitment. LSU is trying hard to flip the nation’s top receiver. Champagne says his final decision will go down to the wire and will consider more than just who offers the most money.

Cut 17 (17) “…the entire class.”

Five-star defensive lineman Jalen Brewster is the top-rated prospect in the class, and he’s been committed to Texas Tech since October. The 6-3, 300-pound athletic freak can have an immediate impact wherever he ends up. Champagne says LSU is all-in on trying to flip him, and it may even be a higher priority than landing Royal.

Cut 18 (13) “…or no one.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill’s threats to New Orleans officials is now the subject of an investigation by an Orleans Parish grand jury. During a news conference this morning, Murrill said she knew nothing beyond what had been reported by the media.

Cut 12 (09) “…I said, ‘No.’” 

Murrill had threatened to remove Mayor Helena Moreno and others from their offices over a special election for a newly-merged clerk of criminal and civil courts.

Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water and enjoy America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 6 (12) “…that we have.”

The Secretary of State’s voter registration report for July shows that for the first time in Louisiana’s modern history there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The fourth and final Central Louisiana law enforcement officer charged in connection with an immigration fraud case pleads guilty. Former Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. It was part of a years-long scheme in which the officers prepared bogus violent crime reports for immigrants to help them obtain U-visas.

Just over 512-thousand people showed up to vote in the U.S. Senate runoff elections. Political consultant and pollster Greg Rigamer says historically, Louisiana will have at least one-million people vote in the mid-term elections, and it will be interesting to see if the state can achieve that number in November with all of the bickering between the two national parties.

Cut 7 (12) “..locally.”

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed a 94-year-old man and his 69-year-old daughter-in-law. Investigators say 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving 58 miles an hour in a 30 mile-an-hour zone when he ran a red light back on June 14th and caused the wreck. Corporal Sondra Watts says Murphy is facing several charges, including driving with a suspended license.

Cut 14 (08) “…degree vehicular injuring.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt tomorrow, and Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is just as excited as the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Check your mailboxes in the next few days, because you might have money coming to you. The state treasurer’s office says it has mailed out an additional 1.7-million dollars in unclaimed money. The office used a data match to update addresses to find people who that money belongs to.

Politicos are concerned about the low turnout in the closed party primary runoffs in the U-S Senate races. Voter turnout was just 17-percent. Political consultant Roy Fletcher, who worked on John Fleming’s campaign, suspects the toxic environment surrounding national politics is a factor.

Cut 6 (06) “…understand it.”

Motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded. This is thanks to a new law signed by Governor Landry that went into effect earlier this month. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861, which holds out-of-state vehicles to the same standard as those registered in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…out-of-state drivers.”

Firment says this law is also intended to lower auto insurance rates. 

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Investigators say 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving 58 miles an hour in a 30-mile-an-hour zone when he ran a red light and killed a 94-year-old man and his 69-year-old daughter in law. Corporal Sondra Watts says evidence shows that Murphy was not sober at the time.

Cut 13 (10) “…driving while intoxicated.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow after 13 years in Conference USA. Many of the Bulldogs’ conference football games the past three seasons have been on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is thrilled to welcome fans for six Saturday home football games.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Sondra Watts says 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving recklessly back on June 14th when he ran a red light and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver and his daughter-in-law, 69-year-old Carla Tarver.

Cut 12 (10) “…miles per hour.” 

The Rayville native played at LSU from 2007 until 2010.

More than 512-thousand people voted in the Republican and Democratic Senate runoff elections. While that may seem like a big number, that only represents 17-percent of all registered voters in Louisiana. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat has been around Louisiana politics for decades and the low voter turnout number is concerning.

Cut 8 (08) “…pathetically low.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt tomorrow, and Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is just as excited as the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The residents spoke, and the company backed down. After months of pushback from residents, Air Products abandons plans for a carbon capture facility in Ascension Parish. The facility would have stored carbon dioxide underground in order to eliminate emissions.

The general election phase of the U.S. Senate race is underway, with Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis expanding their messaging beyond their party voters. They have four months to make their cases to voters of all political leanings. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says job number one for Letlow is to make sure Republican voters are fully behind her.

Cut 11 (07) “…voted against her.”

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will end the days of 25 and 26-year-olds playing college athletics. The system does, however, still grant up to five seasons of eligibility. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says it could have a similar effect to COVID eligibility, oversaturating college sports with older athletes.

Cut 13 (08)  “…just weren’t there.”

As a result, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs. 

Governor Landry’s plan to fund a two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend will move forward after a state judge lifted his order that temporarily blocked it. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A New Orleans criminal court judge is suing the state and Governor Landry over a bill awaiting his signature that would eliminate three judgeships on the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. John John T. Fuller claims that it required a vote of two-thirds of the entire House and Senate membership, and it failed to reach that mark in each house.

Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to fund a two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend will move forward after a state judge lifted his order that temporarily blocked it.  Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Is it a forgone conclusion that Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow will be elected as Louisiana’s next U.S. Senator? Andrew Greenstein has more.

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Lincoln Parish coaches are concerned the NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility model could leave some high school athletes behind. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A plume of Saharan dust has made its way across the Atlantic and is now over Louisiana. The dry, hot dust and the wind that carries it will help to disrupt storms and hurricane formation. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says don’t put away your umbrellas just yet.

Cut 4 (10) “…back as usual.”

The dust will also bring a milky haze to the sky, and you can expect a vibrant sunset. Keim says high temperatures across the state are expected to stay in the mid 90s throughout the week.

Cut 5 (12) “…temperatures very warm.”

The atmospheric dust particles can raise concerns for people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses. Keim says this plume, though, is not expected to cause as many issues as in past years.

Cut 6 (08) “…of an impact.”

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A Baton Rouge judge is allowing Governor Landry’s plan to fund a two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend to move forward. Judge Chip Moore lifted the temporary restraining order he set after disqualifying the law firm representing the plaintiffs. Patrick Wall, an education reporter for The Advocate, says the state argued that the law firm, Baker Donelson, could not be involved in a lawsuit against Louisiana while also representing the state in a separate case on the federal level.

Cut 7 (07) “…temporary restraining order.”

Landry’s plan reduces funding for public schools by 168-million dollars. Instead, the money will be used to give teachers a two-thousand-dollar stipend and support staff a one-thousand dollar stipend. Wall says the plan results in a reduction of four-percent or more in state funding for local school systems.

Cut 8 (03) “…for that money.”

Wall says the plaintiffs went to court on Monday ready to argue the Legislature and the state board of education have jurisdiction over public school funding, not the governor. Landry’s plan is set to effect on July first. Wall says the plaintiffs have a short time to react to Monday’s court ruling.

Cut 9 (07)  “…clock right now.”

Judge Moore did not rule on whether Landry has the legal authority to reallocate public school education funding. The lawsuit was basically dismissed after it was determining the law firm the plaintiffs hired can not be involved in litigation against the state when they are representing Louisiana in another case.

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Nearly 180-thousand people voted for Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate Republican Party primary runoff, while 156-thousand people nominated Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis in the Democratic Party primary runoff. Davis believes he can make it a competitive election on November 3rd. Professor Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM and doesn’t give Davis much of a chance.

Cut 10 (11) “…on past performance.”

There are still four months before we get to the November general election. Cross says Letlow will spend this time making sure Republican voters are fully behind her.

Cut 11 (07) “…voted against her.”

Letlow defeated John Fleming 57 to 43-percent in the Republican Party primary runoff. President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow was a key factor in her getting the Republican nomination, and Cross expects the President will be involved in the general election race.

Cut 12 (13) “…get her launched.”

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The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will end the days of 25 and 26-year-olds playing college athletics. The system does, however, still grant up to five seasons of eligibility. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says it could have a similar effect to COVID eligibility, oversaturating college sports with older athletes.

Cut 13 (08)  “…just weren’t there.”

While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result. Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

Recent cuts to NCAA roster limits won’t help high school athletes either. Butler spoke with Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie and Ruston High School coach Jerrod Baugh, who both agreed the new rules will put a strain on the next few years of recruiting. Butler says impacts are already being felt.

Cut 15 (09) “…for you anymore.”

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SMU guard Jaron Pierre became the first New Orleans native to be drafted by the Pelicans last week. The St. Augustine alum was taken with the 58th overall pick after averaging over 17 points and four rebounds a game with the Mustangs. The 6-6 scorer says he can do it all.

Cut 16 (19) “…at showing it.”

Pierre shot 46-percent from the floor and 37-percent from three last season.

He was also the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2025 with Jacksonville State. Pierre turns 24 in July and made 121 college starts over five seasons with Southern Miss, Wichita State, Jax State and SMU. He says that experience will help him transition to the NBA.

Cut 17 (16) “…the long run.”

Political analysts say the hard part is over for Julia Letlow. Nearly all of them say Letlow is all but certain to beat Jamie Davis and be elected to the U.S. Senate. But after beating John Fleming Saturday night, Letlow says she’s not taking anything for granted.

Cut 6 (11) “…House of Representatives.”

With that, Letlow says she’s ready to take on Jamie Davis as the campaign shifts to the general election. The Tensas Parish farmer and former police juror beat Gary Crockett by a whopping 60 points to gain the Democratic nomination.

As for Fleming, his campaign strategist, Roy Fletcher, told Talk Louisiana on WRKF that Fleming ran a good campaign, nearly hitting a home run.

Cut 14 (04) “..of people.”

In the meantime, Fleming is expected to seek re-election as state treasurer next year.

Baton Rouge officials are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North landfill to recover the remains of a missing 15-year-old. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The State Supreme Court throws out a 30-year-old conviction of a man who had been sentenced to death for killing his then-girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter. In upholding a lower court’s ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that Jimmie Duncan’s conviction for killing Haley Oliveaux was based on discredited evidence.

The historic rain event on June 18th may be long gone in Avoyelles Parish, but the painstaking task of recovery is just getting underway. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says many people in the parish lost everything.

Cut 3 (08) “…just thrown away.”

Baton Rouge officials are partnering with the FBI to recover the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, which are believed to be in the Baton Rouge North Landfill. Police Chief T.J. Morse says it is an active solid waste landfill covering over 400 acres that receives around 16-hundred tons of waste each day.

Cut 9 (08)  “…half an acre.”

Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. 51-year-old Maurice Parms was arrested and is charged with first-degree murder. 

Julia Letlow rode President Trump’s endorsement all the way to the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. Letlow was the last to enter the race, only doing so in January after Trump endorsed her. That proved to be the game-changer, as her entry thinned the field, allowing her to easily beat John Fleming and incumbent Bill Cassidy. Letlow says Trump reached out to her after she was projected to be the winner.

Cut 8 (07) “…the Senate side.”

So, what’s next for Fleming? LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says the 74-year-old will continue working as State Treasurer and will likely seek re-election next year.

Cut 12 (05) “…stature.”

So Julia Letlow moves on to the general election, where her Democratic opponent is Jamie Davis. The Tensas Parish farmer and former police juror easily beat Gary Crockett to gain the Democratic nod.

The rain may be long gone in Avoyelles Parish, but the painstaking task of recovery is just getting underway. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says many people in the parish lost everything.

Cut 3 (08) “…just thrown away.”

Baton Rouge officials are partnering with the FBI in searching the Baton Rouge North Landfill for the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather. The searchers are wearing fully insulated suits due to the threat of hazardous gases. Fire Chief Michael Kimble says the safety of the men and women conducting the search is a top priority.

Cut 10 (10) “…the search.” 

Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. 

Political analysts say the hard part is over for Julia Letlow. Nearly all of them say Letlow is all but certain to beat Jamie Davis and be elected to the U.S. Senate. But after beating John Fleming Saturday night, Letlow says she’s not taking anything for granted.

Cut 6 (11) “…House of Representatives.”

Davis easily won the Democratic Party nomination, receiving 80-percent of the vote to defeat Gary Crockett. The Tensas Parish crop farmer and former police juror says his grassroots campaign is just getting started.

Cut 14 (13) “…ground up.”  (woo-hoo) 

Davis and Letlow will square off November 3rd, vying for the seat currently held by Bill Cassidy, who failed to make the GOP runoff in his re-election bid.