A New Orleans judge has rued that the challenge to stop Louisiana’s trigger abortion ban laws from going into effect must take place in Baton Rouge. That’s according to reporter Sam Karlin with the Advocate, He says lawyers are arguing if the judge has the power to extend the temporary injunction that’s temporarily keeping abortion clinics open.

In DC President Biden signed an executive order aimed at protecting abortion rights.

After leaving her 16-day old infant in a hot car outside of a Slidell Walmart Thursday, 37-year old Ashley Kennedy of Minden is behind bars. Slidell PD Public Information Officer Daniel Seuzneau says Kennedy faces numerous charges.

Cut 4  (09) “…restraint.”

The child, who is in state custody, is expected to make a full recovery.

The state department of transportation  is prepping for the future of more electrotonic vehicles being on the road and supplying power to those motorists. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says they are using infrastructure dollars to help fund the effort.

Cut 6 (12) ” driven cars now” 

The plan will be submitted by the end of the month and it’s available to view online at DOTD’s website.

The state reported its first detected case of monkeypox on Thursday and health officials say covid cases continue to surge, and more than 500 are in the hospital with COVID.

A hearing is being held in a New Orleans courtroom today to decide if the temporary restraining order banning abortion laws will be lifted or not. Ever since the legality of abortion in Louisiana has been up in the air. Loyola University Law Professor Ciolino believes it will be finalized today.

Cut 6 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”

Thanks to a Slidell Walmart employee notifying police of a highly intoxicated woman and her 16-day old child, that infant is now safe after being left in a hot vehicle. Slidell Public Information Officer Daniel Seuzneau says the child was found inside a van covered in a blanket and extremely lethargic.

Cut 3 full recovery :08

The child is with child services and the mother 37-year-old Ashley Kennedy of Minden is behind bars.

The state reports its first detected case of monkeypox in a Louisiana resident. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are likely even more cases that have yet to be diagnosed…:

CUT 10(12)      “…way of life.”

Monkeypox is transmitted primarily through sexual contact.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents cited a dozen people for operating a boat while impaired over the July 4^th Weekend. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says that is a big number and concerning; especially after a man was arrested on Blind River and charged with the death of a teenage girl Monday. Einck says too few people understand that the laws apply to operating ANY vehicle…:

CUT 13(09)      “…your boating privileges.”

A hearing will be held in a New Orleans courtroom today to decide if the temporary restraining order banning abortion laws will be lifted or not. On Wednesday the State Supreme Court declined to hear a petition to remove the restraining order from Attorney General Jeff Landry. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino….

Cut 5 (08) “…law anyway.”

Ciolino expects the restraining order to be overturned today and that the abortion ban will go into effect.

The first case of monkeypox has been detected in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s not expected to reach pandemic levels. Symptoms include a rash that looks like pimples or blisters, fever, headache, body aches, and exhaustion.

Cut 12 (09) “…rarely fatal.” 

Many school districts across the state are facing teacher shortage. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Michael Faulk says school systems with bigger budgets are offering recruitment incentives, but despite best efforts it appears many teachers will just have to instruct larger-sized classes this fall.

Cut 9 (06)  “…shortages we have.”

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents cited a dozen people for operating a boat while impaired over the July 4^th Weekend. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says agents are trained to spot things like unsafe piloting, overloaded vessels and more. Agents will often conduct random inspections which led to many of last weekend’s arrests…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…is not impaired.”

A DUI on the water can also cause you to lose driving privileges on land.

A New Orleans Judge will hear the merits on the temporary restraining order banning abortion laws from going into effect and decide if it will be lifted or not. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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With the next school year set to start in just weeks, many districts across the state face a shortage of qualified teachers. More from Michelle Southern…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Michelle Southern.” 

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 The state reports its first detected case of monkeypox. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A hearing will be held in a New Orleans courtroom today to decide if the temporary restraining order banning abortion laws from going into effect will be lifted or not. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says two weeks ago the US Supreme Court ruled states are free to regulate in the area of abortion.

Cut 4 (08)  “…about that.”

The Center for Reproductive Rights filed the restraining order on behalf of the Hope Medical Group for Women, Hope’s Administrator Kathaleen Pittman, and Medical Students for Choice.

On Wednesday the State Supreme Court declined to hear a petition to remove the restraining order from Attorney General Jeff Landry. Ciolino says it was the high court saying they weren’t ruling on the merits of the case.

Cut 5 (08) “…law anyway.”

And since Roe v Wade was overturned two weeks which enacted trigger laws ago to allow state the status on the legality of abortion has been up in the air. Ciolino believes it will be finalized today.

Cut 6 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”

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With the next school year set to start in just weeks, many districts across the state face a shortage of qualified teachers. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Michael Faulk says data collected by the state Department of Education supports that concern…:

Cut 7 (07) “….this school year.”

Faulk says a large number of educators have taken retirement, of simply quit. He says it’s unlikely the shortage can be solved by hiring newly-degreed rookie teachers…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…anybody coming through.”

There are incentives to attract new teachers, and a program allowing retired teachers to come back to work and not lose their retirement benefits. He says school systems with bigger budgets are offering recruitment stipends, and incentives for returning or even just staying on the job. Faulk says it appears – despite best efforts – that many teachers will just have to instruct larger-sized classes this fall…:

Cut 9 (06)  “…shortages we have.”

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The state reports it’s first detected case of monkeypox in a Louisiana resident. The Louisiana Department of Health says there’s also a reported case from an out-state-resident who was a recent visitor. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are likely even more cases that have yet to be diagnosed.

Cut 10 (12) “…way of life.”

State Epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says while anyone can contract monkeypox, at the moment some individuals are at higher risk than others to catch the disease.

Cut  11 (10)  “…anonymous sexual partners.” 

Kanter says the monkeypox virus is extremely rare and it’s a cousin of the smallpox virus. Symptoms include a rash that looks like pimples or blisters, fever, headache, body aches, and exhaustion.

Cut 12 (09) “…rarely fatal.” 

Kanter says if you are experiencing symptoms to see a physician so treatment can begin as soon as possible, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

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State Wildlife & Fisheries agents cited a dozen people for operating a boat while impaired over the July 4^th Weekend. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says that is a big number, and concerning; especially when considering that one person arrested caused the death of a teenage girl Monday. Einck says too few people understand that DWI laws apply to operating ANY vehicle…:

Cut 13 (09) “…your boating privileges.”

Einck says Wildlife agents are always out in force over busy summer weekends; seeking those who are impaired or just unsafely operating their boat…:

Cut 14 (08)  “…on the waterways.”

He says agents are trained to spot things like unsafe piloting, overloaded vessels and more. He says agents will often order boaters to heave-to for inspection, which led to many of last weekend’s arrests…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…is not impaired.”

Einck hopes boaters will get the message and always designate a sober pilot, when on the water.

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Cut 16 (12)  “…multiple championships.”

Cut 17 (23) “…very tough.” 

Cut 18 (19) “ …right now.” 

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Cut 19 (16) _“…when you know, you know.” 

Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school” 

The state health department reports the first detected case of Monkey Pox in a resident. The case is from the greater New Orleans area. And another case has been reported from an out-of-state resident who was visiting Louisiana. State Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says Monkeypox is not Ebola, it’s not COVID and he doesn’t expect this to erupt into a worldwide pandemic.

Louisiana and Baton Rouge are hosting the annual National Association of Secretaries of State. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Deputies in Ascension Parish say a Saturday traffic stop led to discovery of an SUV loaded with guns and ammo. Sheriff’s spokesman Donovan Jackson says Reginald LeBlanc was  pulled over after a brief chase, and that’s when officers found an AK-47, a fully automatic handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammo. He says, given the mass shooting Monday in Illinois, this was troubling. Jackson says they don’t know why LeBlanc had the weapons or where he was going…:

CUT 16(10)      “…off the streets.”

In DC, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says protests outside of the homes of US Supreme Court Justices are illegal. Since the reversal of Roe v Wade activists have gathered outside the homes of some justices. Kennedy says you can protest outside of a lawmaker’s home, the White House or a federal building…

Cut 12 (08) “…it’s not.”  

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Pharmacist can now prescribe the leading COVID pill Paxlovid (pax-low-vid) to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says if you contract COVID you want to start on medication asap to ward off severe symptoms especially if…

Cut 14 (11)  “…immediately.”

Changes to Louisiana’s name, image and likeness regulations have been signed into law. Now schools, its employees and boosters can now directly or indirectly facilitate NIL deals for college athletes. Taylor Jacobs, head of LSU’s newly formed NIL Department, says previously the school was not allowed to put players in touch with an interested business owner:

Cut 6 (08) ” proper notice” 

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed Dew Drop Inn. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says it’s a true passion project for him and the inn played host to music icons like Ray Charles and Little Richard.

Cut 10 (07) “…Drop Inn.”

The groundbreaking is at four this afternoon.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson officially signed his five-year, 181 million dollar contract extension on 22nd birthday. By keeping Williamson, the Pelicans now have three All-Star caliber players with Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum the roster. Williamson has yet to play with C-J who was added to the team last season…

Cut 18 (19) “ …right now.” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court refused to lift the temporary restraining order against the abortion ban in Louisiana. Attorney Jeff Landry petitioned the high court so he can enforce trigger abortion ban laws. A hearing on the restraining order will be held in a New Orleans civil courtroom tomorrow. In the meantime, abortion can continue in Louisiana. The order was filed on behalf of a Shreveport abortion clinic and others.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department is doing all it can to find new property insurance coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans who’ve been dumped by their current coverage. Donelon says he is keenly aware of what cancelled or dropped homeowners are going through, because he is one of them…

Cut 8 (07)  “…the past ten years.”

Donelon says Safepoint Property Insurance, who has been doing a small amount of business in Louisiana for some years, will take on 65-thousand policies under the same conditions as their previous carrier.

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans discover two new variants of COVID. Head of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele says the possible clinical and public health significance of the new variants is still unknown. He says more study is needed to determine that. In the meantime, Miele has this advice: better to be safe than to be sorry…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…please do so.”

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed Dew Drop Inn. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says in its full heyday the Dew was a nightclub, restaurant, bar, and hotel. In addition to birthing future rock and roll legends like Little Richard and Ray Charles, it played another historic role.

Cut 12 (10) “…Jim Crow south.” 

He says they hope to have it restored and open by this time next year.

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans have found two new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his people are scrambling to help homeowners jilted by their property insurers to find new coverage ASAP. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Renovations will officially get underway this afternoon at the famed New Orleans Dew Drop Inn. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans have found two new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Head of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele (ME-lay) says the subvariants have not been reported in the U.S. until now. He says they were detected in tests performed last week…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…the next few weeks.”

The subvariants are designated at BE-1 and BF-1 and are of the Omicron family of variants. He says three cases of one and a single case of the other have been detected….:

Cut 5 (07) “…keep track of them.”

Miele says the possible clinical and public health significance of these new coronavirus variants is still unknown. He says more study is needed to determine that. In the meantime, Miele has this advice: better to be safe than to be sorry…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…please do so.”

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department is doing all it can to find new property insurance coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans who’ve been dumped by their current coverage. Six companies have quit the state; leaving their customers scrambling to find new coverage in a relatively short amount of time. With hurricane season already upon us, Donelon says a Florida-based company has offered to take on a great number of those…:

Cut 7 (09) “….called Safepoint.”

Donelon says Safepoint Property Insurance, who has been doing a small amount of business in Louisiana for some years, will take on 65-thousand policies under the same conditions as their previous carrier. Donelon says he is keenly aware of what cancelled or dropped homeowners are going through, because he is one of them. His homeowner’s insurance company also left the state…:

Cut 8 (07)  “…the past ten years.”

Donelon says, all-in-all, about 80-thousand will need to arrange new coverage and they’ll have only another 6 to 8 weeks to do it. He says he is optimistic that other companies will take on the majority of that business, but some will have to go the state’s insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens. He says in most cases, companies will agree to write policies that are retroactive to the date of cancellation of their previous coverage…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…a retroactive basis.”

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A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed Dew Drop Inn. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says it’s a true passion project for him and the inn played host to music icons like Ray Charles and Little Richard.

Cut 10 (07) “…Drop Inn.”

Doucette says once renovated the property will have 17 boutique hotel rooms, a retail space, resort-style pool and of course a music venue. And he says they plan to host a concert with local legends who once performed at the inn…

Cut  11 (09)  “…continue the legacy.” 

The site of the Dew Drop Inn evolved from a barber shop in 1939 and in its full heyday Doucette says it was a nightclub, restaurant, bar, and hotel. In addition to birthing future rock and roll legends Doucette says it played another historic role.

Cut 12 (10) “…Jim Crow south.” 

Doucette says they hope to have the restored Dew Drop Inn open by this time next year.

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Pharmacist can now prescribe the leading COVID pill to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter speaks highly of Pfizer’s Paxlovid (pax-low-vid) which is an oral medication and

Cut 13 (08) “…as well”

Kanter says if you do contract COVID there are medications you can easily take at home that don’t require an infusion to ward off severe symptoms especially if…

Cut 14 (11)  “…immediately.”

Kanter says it’s very important not to delay treatment if you are high risk because COVID meds like are more effective when taken earlier.

Cut 15 (07)  “…as soon as possible.”

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Pelicans forward Zion Williamson officially signed his multi-year contract extension on 22nd birthday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but he was eligible to sign a five-year deal worth 181 million dollars. The former number one pick expressed his gratitude to the organization during a Wednesday afternoon press conference..

Cut 16 (12)  “…multiple championships.”

Williamson was the number one pick in the 2019 draft but he’s only made 85 career starts and missed all of last season with a foot injury. While he was rehabbing his injury, speculation ran wild that he didn’t want to play in New Orleans, which he says was not true…

Cut 17 (23) “…very tough.” 

By keeping Williamson, the Pelicans now three All-Star caliber players with Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum also on the roster. Williamson has yet to play with C-J was added to the team last season…

Cut 18 (19) “ …right now.” 

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Cut 19 (16) _“…when you know, you know.” 

Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school” 

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