Now that the calendar has flipped to August, you should be making a concerted effort to keeping your hands off your cell phones while driving. After all, it’s now against the law. If you need time to get used to it, Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso, who wrote the new law, has some good news for you – there is a grace period.

Cut 5 (08) “…until January 1st.”

LSU enters the 2025 season ranked ninth in the coaches poll. The team is hard at work preparing for the season opener at Clemson. Wide Receiver Aaron Anderson has missed most of fall camp with nagging knee inflammation stemming from his time at Alabama. Head Coach Brian Kelly says it was reaggravated in his offseason work, but he felt good today.

Cut 13 (12)  “…on the field.”

A study from Bankrate finds Louisiana’s housing market is cool and New Orleans and Shreveport are among the coldest in the country for their market size. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

On the heels of the Medicaid Millionaire comes the story of the Medicaid Romeo and Juliet. The State Attorney General’s Office says Keith and Shelly Duncan of Denham Springs failed to accurately report their marital status and household income to claim Medicaid benefits and to defraud the state out of more than 133-thousand dollars. The two are charged with government benefits fraud.

A new study from Bankrate finds Louisiana has a cool housing market, and New Orleans and Shreveport are among the coldest for their market size in the country. Data analyst Alex Gailey says high homeowners’ insurance rates is one reason why it’s tough to sell a home in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08)  “…housing costs.”

Gailey says on the flip side, a cool housing market is good for buyers as it means more options, you can negotiate more and get concessions from the seller.

Researchers determined the 2025 Gulf of Mexico dead zone is about the size of Connecticut. The zone represents an area of low to no oxygen, unable to support marine life. LSU Oceanography Professor Nancy Rabalais says the zone is caused by high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways.

Cut 6 (10) “…the oxygen.”

We’re now hearing from the representative who helped get a ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving across the finish line in the legislature and into law. Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso says it was a long time coming.

Cut 3 (09) “…matters and issues.”

The new law makes handling a cell phone while driving a secondary offense. That means an officer will not pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving; but if the officer observed you doing so while committing another moving violation, that would add an additional fine to your citation. There is a grace period; officers will issue warnings instead of additional fines until the end of the year.

Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick had some choice words for House Speaker Mike Johnson for sending the House home early for summer recess to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. McCormick says Johnson was wrong for calling out fellow Republican Thomas Massie, who’s sponsoring a bipartisan resolution calling for the files’ release.

Cut 15 (07) “…singled him out.”

Honorably discharged military veteran residents can now purchase a Sportsman’s Paradise license – a recreational hunting and fishing combination license – for just $20, an 80-percent discount. Lafayette Republican Senator Brach Myers, who authored the bill that paved the way for the steep discount, says it’s a small token of our appreciation for their selfless service to our country.

Cut 10 (09) “…the right heroes”

The Department of Children and Family Services needs second shift Child Protective Services investigators. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says they need workers in the second shift because child maltreatment does not happen just between the hours of 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

Cut 4 (08) “…to respond timely.”

Harris says they’re looking to hire 53 people to work four, 10-hour shifts per week.

Central Louisiana is showing steady economic growth, according to a study from the Cenla Economic Dashboard. The Alexandria metropolitan area has gained 707 jobs since May, and the dashboard’s author, LSUA Professor Randall Dupont, says Natchitoches is recovering from the April closure of its International Paper plant.

Cut 7 (08) “…of this year.”

On Sunday, the Superdome hits the big 5-0! Opened August 3, 1975, the Superdome’s convention and meeting rooms, turned club lounges, and enormous unobstructed space were unheard of in its time. Doug Thornton, the vice president of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, says the founding fathers of the Superdome knew what it could mean to the city.

Cut 10 (11) “…that billing.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry, which is vital to Louisiana’s economy.

If you are driving slower than the speed limit in the left lane of a highway and holding back traffic, you can receive a 150-dollar ticket because of a new law that is now in effect. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry issues an executive order fast-tracking repairs at Camp J within the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Camp J was designed to hold the most violent offenders under the highest level of security; it was closed in 2018 due to security malfunctions and concerns about staff safety.

It’s one of the first things you’re taught in driver’s ed – the left lane is for passing only. A new state law reinforces that, with fines of 150 dollars for first-time offenders. Under the new law spearheaded by Alexandria Democratic Senator Jay Luneau, a ticket can now be issued if a driver is not going at least the speed limit in the left lane while not passing another vehicle.

Cut 8 (07) “…get ticketed.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says wild-caught crawfishermen are currently not eligible for fishery disaster assistance under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and he says that’s not right.

Cut 4 (10) “…frankly years ago.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry.

The Superdome will celebrate 50 years as the iconic center of downtown New Orleans Sunday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Among the many new laws that went into effect today is one that will save honorably discharged military veterans quite a bit of money on their hunting and fishing licenses. Starting today, they can obtain a combination hunting and fishing license for the low price of just 20 dollars. They can apply on LDWF’s website.

Starting today, you’d better not be hogging the left lane – otherwise, be prepared to pay a 150-dollar ticket for your first offense. Under the previous law, you would have been subject to a ticket by going at least ten miles under the posted speed limit in the left lane. Now, the standard is one mile under and riding abreast with a vehicle in the next lane over. Alexandria Democratic Senator Jay Luneau says the public got squarely behind his measure.

Cut 7 (09) “…move over.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry, which is vital to Louisiana’s economy.

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning you of a growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. It’s a bacteria that naturally lives in coastal waters; it does not live in freshwater. The bacteria can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.

Cut 23 (12) “…in those temperatures.”

So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio, and four of them have died.

Hold the phone! But not if you’re driving – that’s now illegal in Louisiana. Triple-A Louisiana had been pushing for a ban on handling cell phones while driving for years. Don Redman with Triple-A says a ban on texting while driving simply didn’t go far enough.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the phone.”

There’s an elevated presence of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus in coastal waters this year, and it has proven deadly. So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected, and four have died. State Epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms, time is of the essence – contact your doctor or get to an emergency room.

Cut 5 (15) “…to two days.”

The Louisiana Independent Party is now no more. Registered independents are now registered as “No Party.” John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says with this change, they can now participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.

Cut 14 (08) “…they can.”

There are closed primaries only in U-S Senate, U-S House, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE contests, starting with the federal elections in April.

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds. It’s a specific bird that is being shot at it, called the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated just two Mississippi kite birds for bullet fragments, this year they’ve treated eleven.

Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”

A warning from the Department of Health about a potentially deadly bacteria. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A new cell phone law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The LSU Veterinary School has seen an increase in Mississippi kites with bullet fragments. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health is warning you of a growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. It’s a bacteria that naturally lives in coastal waters; it does not live in freshwater. The bacteria can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.

Cut 4 (12) “…in those temperatures.”

So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio, and four of them have died. Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms, time is of the essence – contact your doctor or get to an emergency room.

Cut 5 (15) “…to two days.”

Sokol says if you’re at risk of Vibrio infection, you’ll want to take extra precautions.

Cut 6 (10) “…a waterproof bandage.”

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Starting today, if you’re driving, keep your hands off your cell phone. That’s because handling your cell phone while driving is now illegal in Louisiana. This is something that Triple-A Louisiana has been pushing for for a while. Don Redman with Triple-A says while it’s already illegal to be texting while driving in Louisiana, that law was unenforceable – and people were doing many other crazy things with their phones.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the phone.”

Redman says under the new law, police will not pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving – in most instances.

Cut 8 (08) “…traffic infraction first.”

And that would lead to up to 100 dollars tacked onto your fine for the moving violation you were pulled over for. Redman says there are certain instances where police WILL pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving.

Cut 9 (10)  “…active work zones.”

That would yield a fine of up to 250 dollars.

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The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds. It’s a specific bird that is being shot at it, called the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated just two Mississippi kite birds for bullet fragments; this year, they’ve treated eleven.

Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”

The LSU vet school says the Mississippi kite is a small bird of pretty that plays an important role in controlling insect populations and they are no danger to people. Boykin says it’s also a violation of federal to shoot them.

Cut 11 (10) “…kills them.”

Boykin says if you see someone shooting at the Mississippi kite, you can report the crime to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. She says if these birds are shot and not brought to the LSU vet school, there chances of surviving are slim.

Cut 12 (11) “…anymore.”

The Mississippi kite migrates from the Gulf Coast and Brazil.

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If you were registered as an Independent, your party affiliation automatically changes to “No Party” in the state’s voter registration system. That’s the result of a new law that went into effect today. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says lawmakers eliminated the Independent Party, so they could vote in the upcoming party primaries.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of luck.”

The state moves to a party primary system for U-S Senate, U-S House, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE contests, starting with the federal elections in April. Couvillon says the elimination of the Independent Party, means these independent voters will now be considered no party and participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.

Cut 14 (08) “…they can.”

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Louisiana Tech kicked off fall camp yesterday in head coach Sonny Cumbie’s 4th season in Ruston. The Bulldogs welcomed new defensive coordinator Luke Olsen after Jeremiah Johnson departed after just one season with the team. Linebacker Kolbe Fields says the Dogs have adjusted to the new scheme.

Cut 15 (13) “…way smoother.”

The Bulldogs are also led by new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Franklin served as the LA Tech offensive coordinator under head coach Sonny Dykes from 2010 to 2012. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Landon Nelson says Franklin brings a winning mentality back to Ruston.

Cut 16 (18) “…good job.”

Louisiana Tech is led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Evan Bullock. His top weapon will be junior tight end Eli Finley. Finley was an All-CUSA honorable mention last season, and head coach Sonny Cumbie has high expectations in year three.

Cut 17 (18)  “…his play.”

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LSU fall camp is fully underway and one name in particular has stood out. Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley came to Baton Rouge as a five-star last year and bulked up to 308 pounds for this upcoming season. His strength has put head coach Brian Kelly on notice.

Cut 18 (16) “…every single day.”

LSU has multiple ongoing position battles, the most important being the offensive line unit. the Tigers are hoping to fill the holes of replacing four starters on the line to the NFL Draft, and Kelly says he expects great things from Marrero native Tyree Adams.

Cut 19 (16) “…from him.”

One of the early trending topics of the LSU football team is how fast the receiving room is. Senior receiver Chris Hilton Jr. and senior Kentucky transfer Barion Brown are two guys Kelly can see taking the tops off of defenses. He says Hilton has come out of his shell this offseason.

Cut 20 (18) “…past anybody.”

Condolences to Governor Landry on the death of his father Al, who passed away yesterday. On social media, the governor said his father is now reunited with his mother Edna, who passed away in 2019. Al Landry was an architect, and former State Senator Fred Mills says his fingerprints are on many public buildings in St. Martin Parish.

Cut 4 (08) “…was building.”

The LSU Student Food Pantry has received a check from Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina for $52,390 – one dollar for each Jello shot LSU fans scarfed down in their Jello Shot Challenge during the College World Series. Campus Life Manager Jennifer Cristina says the money will come in very handy.

Cut 7 (11) “…all of us”

Several new laws go into effect tomorrow, including a statewide ban on the herbal supplement kratom. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Also tomorrow, you can tint your windows darker, down to 25-percent light transmission. Representative Daryl Deshotel says before, only certain people were permitted to do so, and that caused great confusion among people, especially law enforcement..

Cut 13 (05)  “…get those exemptions.”

Several new laws go into effect tomorrow. One of them makes kratom illegal. Kratom comes from a plant native to Southeast Asia and can cause psychosis at high doses. The bill’s author, West Monroe Republican Senator Jay Morris, says Kratom has the addictive qualities of opioids.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in the brain.”

Also starting tomorrow, you can show off more of a dark side as you cruise down the highway. That’s because a new law goes into effect allowing for your front windows to be tinted darker – 25-percent light transmission, down from the previous standard of 40-percent. The bill was written by Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel, who says tinted windows are needed for Louisiana’s climate.

Cut 12 (07) “…us stay cooler.”

The LSU Student Food Pantry is now $52,390 richer, thanks to LSU fans scarfing down that many Jello shots in Rocco’s Jello Shot Challenge during the College World Series. Campus Life Manager Jennifer Cristina says you may not realize this, but the need for food pantries at college campuses is tremendous during these times.

Cut 8 (14) “…that many students.”

Condolences to Governor Landry, as he mourns the passing of his father, Al. Former state senator Fred Mills says many people in St. Martin Parish loved Al Landry and he loved his family…

Cut 3 (10) “…so proud.”