The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a teacher for sending text messages to a 15-year-old student for sexual purposes. C-P-S-O spokesperson Brandy Spears says 26-year-old Bradly Dyer was arrested with the assistance Grant Parish Sheriff’s office at his home in Colfax…

Cut 13 (08) “…the school”

He’s charged with Indecent Behavior with juveniles and the investigation is ongoing.

Former Congressman and Louisiana legislator Claude “Buddy” Leach died Saturday of congestive heart failure. Leesville Senator Mike Reese says those who knew him best say his main goal in life was to make Louisiana better.

Cut 4  (13) “…started.”

Leach was 88.

A state appeals court agrees with a lower court’s ruling that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running for re-election. To date the courts have agreed the incumbent mayor listed the wrong address on his qualifying paperwork and he’s not eligible for the November ballot. Perkins is expected to appeal to the state supreme court.

To help with the ongoing nursing shortage, LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing will expand and offer instruction at LSU-Health Shreveport. Assistant Professor of Nursing Off-Campus, Linda Ledet says the accelerated program allows students to graduate in two years and they’re already accepting applications for spring.

Cut 8 (11) “…in the fall.”

Students will receive in-person instruction in Shreveport and virtual from New Orleans.

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing expands its program to north Louisiana to assist with the ongoing nursing shortage in the nation. Assistant Professor of Nursing Off-Campus Linda Ledet (rhymes with Bidet) says the new approved Off-Campus Instructional site is at LSU-Health Shreveport.

Cut 6   (08) “…greatly.” 

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during lengthy power losses. Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power after Hurricane Ida and restaurants had to dispose of thousands of pounds of food.

Cut 10 (11) “…and batteries.”
He says they installed their first set of solar panels a few weeks ago at Queen Trini Lisa in Mid-City New Orleans.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is the first in the country to receive approval from the FBI to conduct rapid DNA booking operations. Sgt. Dustin Dwight says the technology has the potential to keep criminals from being unknowingly released prior to the return of traditional DNA results.

Cut 13 (10) “…linked to a crime.”

Later this week, President Biden will sign the PACT act which expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. John Wells, chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy, says the measure will help out thousands in Louisiana…

Cut 5 (07) “…a lot of years.”
Wells says the next step is to make sure the legislation provides benefits to veterans and their families.

Based on data collected by the Public Affairs Research Council, Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says Mississippi was number one…

Cut 6   (06) “..570″ 

Following Mississippi and Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama rank in the top five for the highest incarceration rates.

Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf wants to install solar panels on restaurants in the Crescent City to preserve food during outages after hurricane and they can also be cooling and phone charging stations for the neighborhood. He’s hoping the idea will take off and become a mainstay for a state that’s embattled with hurricane recovery.

Cut 12 (11) “…the dream.” 

He says instead of relying on other states to provide support after hurricanes we need to give ourselves the tools to do it on our own.

Friday was National Oyster Day, and the Bayou State is very familiar with the well-loved seafood, but the local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says they are starting to see oyster spawns.

Cut 3 (11) “…market time.” 

He says Louisiana is still the number one oyster producer in the world but hanging on by a thread.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is in New Orleans today in at the Convention Center and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cooks have a limited amount of time to cook up their best seafood dish in front of a live audience and nationally acclaimed judges…

Cut 13 (09) “…and tasting.”

Yes you’re craving seafood now and you’re not alone.

The Public Affairs Research Council says Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says a major issue in Louisiana and the rest of the country is the number of inmates who return to prison within five years after being released. He says the three-year recidivism rate for those convicted of crimes in Louisiana is 34-percent.:

CUT 08(06)      “…violent crime.”

Mississippi topped the list with the most incarcerated.

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during power losses.  Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says when New Orleans lost power for 10 days, he thought about using solar power to preserve food. He hopes it serves as a model for the state.

Cut  11 (06)  “…of hurricanes.” 

A few weeks ago, they installed solar panels at a mid-city restaurant.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is in New Orleans today and Amanda Cusey of Lake Charles will try to beat out 13 other chefs from around the country to be named the Queen of American Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says she’s the executive chef at Lake Charles’s “The Villa Harlequin.”

CUT 12(09)      “…and uhh and cheated.”

Opening ceremonies are at this morning at the New Orleans Convention Center

Speaking of seafood, Friday was National Oyster Day…but you can still celebrate today. State Oyster task Force Chair Mitch Jurisich says Hurricane Ida set oyster beds back, but the state is still one of the largest suppliers…:

CUT 05(08)      “…biggest and the best.”

Louisiana drops from the top of the highest rate of incarceration to second place According to the Public Affairs Research Council Mississippi tops the list. PAR head Steven Procopio says the top five include Arkansas, Oklahoma and Alabama and once you get past those, the state-by-state rates drop off considerably..:

CUT 07(08)      “…of our 570.”

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during power losses.  Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power for 10 days after Ida and restaurants had to dispose of thousands of pounds of food.

Cut 10 (12) “…and batteries.”

Instead of relying on other states, he says we should be proactive

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is today in New Orleans. Each dish will be scored based on presentation, creativity, composition, craftmanship and flavor. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s great to have this competition in New Orleans, which has the best tasting seafood in the world…

Cut 14 (12)  “…our crabs.” 

Friday was National Oyster Day, but you can still celebrate today, The local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says Ida did a lot of damage to oyster beds…:

CUT 04(09)      “…by a thread.”

If you’re not jonesing for some seafood now, you’re not a real Louisianan

Based on data collected by the Public Affairs Research Council, Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says Mississippi was number one…

Cut 6   (06) “..570″ 

Following Mississippi and Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama rank in the top five for the highest incarceration rates.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a 20-year-old Houma man for the alleged rape of an underage girl. BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean (EL-gene) McKneely says 20-year-old Kwan Allen made contact with the 16-year-old girl via social media; representing himself being much younger. McKneely says he courted the girl for weeks before enticing her to a meeting at the Mall of Louisiana…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…upon her”

McKneely says the victim’s 8-year-old sister was waiting in the teen girls’ car, while the assault was occurring in Allen’s vehicle.

It’s National Oyster Day and the Bayou State is very familiar with the well-loved seafood, but the local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says they are starting to see oyster spawns.

Cut 3 (11) “…market time.” 

He says Louisiana is still the number one oyster producer in the world but hanging on by a thread.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday in New Orleans with opening ceremonies at 11:15 in the New Orleans Convention Center and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cooks have a limited amount of time to cook up their best seafood dish in front of a live audience and nationally acclaimed judges…

Cut 13 (09) “…and tasting.”

New laws signed by the governor aim to make cutting-edge cancer detection and new treatments more readily available…and covered by your insurance. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor Edwards says policy and procedure changes are on the way at DCFS after a two-year-old Baton Rouge child died in June but before his death, he was taken to the emergency room on two separate occasions for a suspected drug overdose. Doctors reportedly alerted DCFS twice that they found fentanyl in the young boy’s system.

Governor Edwards leaves for the Netherlands today where he’ll get a first-hand look at some of their flood control projects. He says his trip which also includes a stop in France will also look at how the state can improve the Port of New Orleans….

Cut 8 (11)  “…port system.”
PSC Commissioner Craig Greene says even though companies like Entergy spent $4.5 billion to restore power after the hurricanes, they have to be reimbursed for that cost which falls on the ratepayer. Greene says he’s often asked if the company is going to send their shareholders a billion dollars why can’t they chip in on repairs?

Cut  11 (09)  “…taking the risk.” 

Greene says the commission is looking at ways to lower your power bill.

High utility bills continue to plague residents and PSC Commissioner Craig Greene says they are looking at ways to help lower rates. He says the commission wants utility providers to become customer service-focused, more energy efficient, and look at long-term resiliency.

Cut 10 (08) “…we’ve had.”

He says you can ask your local PSC office to review your bill for possible errors.

Governor Edwards flies to the Netherlands today to share our flood control challenges in Europe. And he says that innovations to fight climate change actually bring about economic development opportunities involving new environmentally friendly projects.

Cut 9 (06)  “…and the transition.”

The governor will also visit France to promote the World War II museum in New Orleans.

Monkeypox has been declared a health emergency in the US, and LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine is hosting an event today to give healthcare professionals the most up-to-date information. Infectious Disease Professor Dr. Michael Hangensee (Hagen-see) says they’ll look at the recent spread of the virus…

Cut 13 (07) “…prevent infection.”

The governor hosted a ceremonial bill signing Thursday at the Capitol, to herald in a package of new bills providing for improved, cutting-edge cancer care. Former state representative and cancer survivor Julie Stokes says one bill expands access and insurance coverage of precision medicine, a more focused method than chemotherapy…:

Cut 4 (08)  “…of chemotherapy.”

Stokes is the founder of SCAN, the Survivors Cancer Action Network.

US Senate candidate Luke Mixon says even though he’s pro-life he believes the abortion bans in states like Louisiana are too radical. There is a list of medical exceptions in Louisiana that center around the health of the mother and the fetus, but Mixon says doctors are still concerned if they perform an abortion based on one of the exemptions…

Cut 4  (08) “..very own life.”

Mixon says he would vote to legalize abortions in federal law if elected.

NOAA slightly revises their predictions for the Atlantic season to 14 to 20 named storms in which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes. 90 percent of all Atlantic tropical cyclone activity occurs from August to October, and that’s why Lead forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says they revise their predictions in August.

Cut 10 (10) “…landfalling storms.” 

The state OMV is warning residents the clock is ticking for you to get a real ID in order to fly commercially in the United States. Marsanne Golsby has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a Houma man for alleged possession of drugs and for taking sharks over the limit. Agents stopped the man’s boat for a routine compliance check, when they found the sharks and methamphetamines. The incident happened on July 24^th which ironically was during Shark Week.

The state OMV is warning residents the clock is ticking for you to get a real ID in order to fly commercially in the United States. Marsanne Golsby has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

______________________________________

NOAA slightly revised its hurricane forecast for this year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

______________________________________

Democratic U-S Senate candidate Luke Mixon says he remains a pro-life candidate, but if elected as Louisiana’s next U-S Senator he would vote to legalize abortions in federal law. Mixon says the abortions bans that some states have put in are too radical…

Cut 3 (04) “…assailant’s child.” 

Mixon, along with fellow Democrats Gary Chambers and Syrita Steib are the major Democratic candidates trying to unseat Republican John Kennedy in November.

Louisiana’s abortion ban does not allow for exceptions for rape or incest. The state department of health released a list of medical exceptions that allow for the termination of a pregnancy. They center around the health of the mother and the fetus. But Mixon says doctors are still concerned if they perform an abortion based on one of the exemptions…

Cut 4  (08) “..very own life.”

Mixon says he’s personally opposed to abortion, but many of the laws to prohibit abortions are too extreme…

Cut 5  (06) “…codify Roe”

_____________________________________________

The days of putting off getting a real ID are ending. If you want to fly domestically or even enter federal buildings, you must have a real ID Louisiana driver’s license or ID card, or a current passport by May third, next year.  Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux :

Cut 6 (07) “…you need” 

Boudreaux says there are several items you need to obtain a REAL ID, a birth certificate or…

Cut 7 (10) “…financial statement.” 

Boudreaux says over the last two months, over 100 thousand Louisianans received a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card, but the public should prepare now for the May 2023 enforcement date

Cut 8 (11) “…ready now.”

Customers can visit express-lane-dot org to book an appointment at their local OMV field office.

________________________________________________

NOAA has revised its earlier hurricane predictions for the 2022 season. Lead hurricane outlook forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says while conditions still favor an above-average season…

Cut 9 (09)  “…become hurricanes.”

NOAA expects three to five of those hurricanes will become major storms of category 3 or higher.

90 percent of all Atlantic tropical cyclone activity occurs from August to October, and that’s why Rosencrans says they revise their previous predictions for the season in August.

Cut 10 (09) “…landfalling storms.” 

He says they can only predict a week before if a storm will most likely make landfall.

Rosencrans says while the tropics have been relatively calm the last few weeks, atmospheric conditions for an above-average season remains in place. And as we enter the peak of hurricane season…

Cut 11 (06)  “…or hurricanes ahead.”

The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30^th.

____________________________________________________

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the death of a Pineville man who was killed in a house fire Tuesday morning. Office spokesperson Ashely Rodrigue says when the Alpine Fire Department responded to the call, they found a male victim alone in the bathtub.

Cut 12 (09) “…at the time.”  

After an assessment of the scene, she says investigators have determined the fire began in the carport area on the exterior of the home.

Cut 13 (09) “…that home.”

And while the exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation, Rodrigue says when it comes to electricity…

Cut 14 (08)  “…in the home.” 

Rodrigue also stressed the need for smoke detectors, she says investigators found no working smoke detector in the home.

____________________________________________________

Cut 15 (09) “…under the influence.” 

Cut  16 (10)  “…off the streets“