With the Governor’s veto of the bill banning “gender-affirming care” for minors, the chances of a veto override session have increased.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Police in the small town of Many, in Sabine Parish are investigating a Sunday afternoon fatal stabbing. Many Police Chief Cheryl Wooly says a man and woman, in their mid to late 20s were arguing when the man was stabbed. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, and the woman was arrested. Names and charges have not been released.

St. Tammany Parish Deputies have arrested 25-year-old Malik Morris of Memphis for allegedly burglarizing five restaurants in the Covington area. Spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says after a brief pursuit, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Cut 6 (11)  “…a neighborhood” 

Morris was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. The investigation is ongoing.

A $21 million broadband expansion project to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to thousands of households in Avoyelles Parish is underway. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Louisiana is leading the country in how quickly they are bringing broadband to every corner of the state…

Cut 14 (13)  “…get it.”
The project is expected to completed next summer.

Beginning next year parents who send their kids to private school will receive an increase of $5,000 to $6,000 tax break per child in Louisiana. The governor signed the legislation that Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel authored.

Cut 9 (09)  “…their taxes.”

The current deduction costs the state about $22-millon annually and that will increase to $24.2 million in 2024.

The Major League Baseball draft began with two LSU players from the National Championship team, pitcher Paul Skeens was the first by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and center fielder Dylan Crews was the second pick by Washington Nationals. Crews says as a kid he followed the Nats ever since the former number one overall pick was Bryce Harper…

Cut 5 (11)  “…as him.”

Will they or won’t they return for a veto override session is the looming question. Since Governor Edwards rejected a bill to ban transgender procedures on minors in Louisiana the probability has increased, they’ll return.  “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the transgender bill veto could also open a floodgate of override efforts…:

Cut 12 (11)    “…by the Governor.” 

Votes from lawmakers on their willingness to return for an override session are due Thursday.

And ground has been broken on a project that will result in high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet for 91-hundred households and 535 small businesses in Avoyelles Parish. Connect LA director Veneeth Iyengar says Swift Telecom is expected to complete the project next summer.

Cut 16 (13) “..our office.”

The veto of a bill to ban transgender procedures on minors could be the tipping point for an override session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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With the Governor’s veto of the bill banning “gender-affirming care” for minors, the chances of a veto override session happening are getting better. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Officials broke ground last Thursday to begin a $21 million broadband expansion project to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to nearly 10,000 households and businesses in Avoyelles Parish. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

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The guidelines for weight loss surgery were lowered last year, which means more individuals are eligible. Dr. Karalyn Bentley, one of the surgeons at The Louisiana Center for Bariatrics in Baton Rouge, said instead of a BMI of 40 or greater it’s now 30, with at least one medical condition and…

Cut 4 (08)  “…considered.”

Thirty-nine percent of adults in Louisiana are considered obese, and the Bayou State consistently ranks in the top 10 of the most obese states. Bentley said food is a large part of the state’s culture but when an individual’s health is compromised options are available.

Cut 5 (09)   “…moderation.”

In addition to weight loss surgery, Bentley said the center also specializes in non-surgical weight loss interventions, nutrition counseling, and support groups.

Cut 6 (10)  “…their family.”

The Louisiana Center for Bariatrics also has free seminars, every other month, which allows potential patients to learn more about weight loss surgery and management. For more information visit LaCenterforBariatrics.com

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Among the most high-profile bills that Governor Edwards has vetoed is the ban on transgender medical procedures on children. Pollock Republican Representative Gabe Firment, who authored the bill, says it’s not antitransgender legislation it’s about protecting children and his constituents support it.

Cut 7 (11) “…this veto.”

New Orleans Democrat Aimee Freeman disagrees and says there are no known cases of surgery on children to alter their gender in Louisiana. She says the bill’s intent is to target a vulnerable population, and unnecessary.

Cut 8 (12) “…legislation.’”

Neighboring states have passed similar legislation and Firment fears without it, Louisiana will be set apart.

Cut 9 (10)  “…on kids.”

Freeman points out that legislation passed in Arkansas has already been challenged in the courts and she believes Firment’s bill violates the state constitution because it’s discriminatory.

Cut 10 (09) “…be trusted.”

Lawmakers must respond by Thursday if they wish to return to Baton Rouge for a veto session.

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Speculation continues to build as to whether state lawmakers will seek to override any of Governor John Bel Edwards’ vetoes this year. Some of his vetoes were met with little reaction, but his killing of the so-called “Stop Hurting Our Kids Act”, which bans transgender medical procedures for minors, is drawing Republican ire. “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says that bill alone could be what triggers a majority of lawmakers to vote to return to the Capitol…:

Cut 11 (11)  “…these other issues.”

In addition to three bills deemed to be anti-LGBTQ, the Governor also vetoed bills to phase out corporate franchise taxes, another to block future vaccine mandates, one to grant credits for fortifying one’s home to withstand hurricanes, and several others. Alford says the transgender bill veto could open a floodgate of override efforts…:

Cut 12 (11)    “…by the Governor.” 

A veto override session is automatic UNLESS a majority of lawmakers in either chamber vote NOT to reconvene. Those mail-in votes are due by Thursday. Some lawmakers may simply seek to re-file the bills next year, but Alford says those who seek re-election this fall are feeling political pressure to countermand the Governor…:

Cut 13 (09) “…suffer the consequences.”  

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A $21 million broadband expansion to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to 10,000 households and businesses in Avoyelles Parish is underway. Officials broke ground on the project last Thursday. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says this is the first phase toward eliminating the digital divide for thousands in Louisiana…

Cut 14 (13)  “…get it.”

The state will provide nearly $10 million in federal funds from the Department of the Treasury. The collective impact of the $176 million in federal funds plus the $1.4 billion will ensure that Louisianans in rural and low-income communities will have access to high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet. Iyengar says Avoyelles is only one of several rural parishes selected to receive broadband …

Cut 15 (12)  “…most impact.”

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson announced the impacts the $1.4 billion is going to have statewide. Iyengar says these funds will be used to expand access and affordability, help improves digital skills, and provide workforce training. He says officials have put funds to use and there are standards of accountability…

Cut 16 (13) “..our office.”

The project is set for completion in the summer of 2024.

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Cut 17 (19) “…this draft.”

Cut 18 (18) “…potentially” 

Cut 19 (22) “…bunt play” 

Cut 20 (20)  “…have fun”  

47-year-old Brian Horn has been convicted by a Desoto Parish jury a second time for the 2010 brutal killing of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall. The verdict was returned in DeSoto District Court after less than 15 minutes of deliberations. Desoto District Attorney Charlie Adams says Horn’s case is why Louisiana has the death penalty….

Cut 5 (11)  “…appropriate result.”

A $21 million broadband expansion to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to 10,000 households and businesses in Avoyelles Parish is underway. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Avoyelles is only one of several rural parishes selected to receive broadband …

Cut 15 (13)  “…most impact.”

Anglers should prepare for reduced limits on redfish. It’s part of an effort to preserve the redfish populations in Louisiana waterways. The new limit would be 3 reds per day, per angler, instead of the current 5. Wildlife & Fisheries Commissioner Joe McPherson says that will speed up a 30-year rebuilding process big time…:

CUT 07  (10)        “…are in.”

A newly approved drug to treat Alzheimer’s is a beacon of hope for the over 5-million Americans affected by the disease. Dr. Owen Carmichael, with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, says the drug Laqembi (lah-kem-be) Is a breakthrough, but it may not work for ALL patients…:

CUT 11(11)      “…other protein.”

A jury has decided 47-year-old Brian Horn should die by lethal injection for killing 12-year-old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall. Justin’s lifeless body was found along a highway in Desoto Parish in 2010. It’s the second time Horn has been convicted and sentenced to die for this brutal crime. Desoto District Attorney Charlie Adams believes this conviction will stick…

Cut 3 (10) “…of people

The state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves stricter catch limits for redfish in state waters in an effort to preserve the population of the popular fish. Commissioner Joe McPherson says sportsmen back their plan of reducing the catch limit from five redfish per day, per angler to three…

Cut 6 (08)  “…fishing success” 

The FDA’s endorsement of the Alzheimer’s medication Leqembi (lah-kem’-bee), is a beacon of hope for the more than five million Americans with the brain-robbing disease. LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Owen Carmichael says it’s a completely new era for Alzheimer’s disease.

Cut 9 (11)  “…symptoms.”

Carmichael says the medication is a twice-weekly infusion that’s been shown to clear sticky brain plaque linked to the disease. Center for Medicare Services says they’ll pay for the drug via coverage under evidence development.

Louisianans will have more access to financial records in the state. Governor John Bel Edwards signed the law from a bill that creates transparency. Act 446 requires government entities to upload financial records to a single website.

A plane crash in Monroe claims the lives of two people. The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened Thursday night around 11 pm. The wreckage of the single-engine Beech 36 was located near the John H Hooks Junior Memorial Airport. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.

The state’s wildlife and fisheries commission approve a plan to conserve the popular redfish. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A $21 million broadband expansion to bring high-speed, and affordable internet to 10,000 households and businesses in Avoyelles Parish is underway. Officials broke ground on the project Thursday. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says this is the first phase toward eliminating the digital divide for thousands in Louisiana…

Cut 14 (13)  “…get it.”

The Major League Baseball Draft begins Sunday night, and two LSU Tigers could be the first two picks, Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes. The Pittsburgh Pirates have the first pick and D-1 Baseball-dot-com’s Kendall Rogers says he would take Crews….

Cut 12 (12) “…day one” 

Shreveport authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying the gunman or gunmen who opened fire at a July 4^th block party that killed four and injured seven others. Council member Tabitha Taylor is calling for swift justice…

Cut 7 (13) “…pay relentlessly.” 

Witnesses are asked to call Crimestoppers.

A new independent poll on the 2023 governor’s race shows Attorney General Jeff Landry with a huge lead over his GOP opponents. Kaplan Strategies of Florida surveyed one-thousand likely voters just before the Fourth of July and 30-percent support Landry as the state’s next governor. Pollster Doug Kaplan…

Cut 3 (11) “…general election.”

Since Twitter announced the use of their social media app would be limited or users could pay for more access, the launch of Facebook’s similar platform Threads is taking off. Haggai Davis with General Informatics… (in-for-matics) says since Elon Musk purchased the company…

Cut 9 (07)  “…for Twitter now.”

Since its launch late Wednesday Threads has 30 million users.

The CDC COVID dashboard shows almost 70 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID but when you break down Louisiana’s numbers only 53 percent of residents are fully vaccinated. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez…

Cut 15 (11)  “…the average.”

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have the lowest booster rates in the country.

Still no arrests in the mass shooting at a July fourth block party in Shreveport that left four dead and seven injured. Authorities are pleading for anyone to come forward with any information. Family members have identified one of the victims, 17-year-old Syncere Brown.

Low levels in the Mississippi River have the Army Corps of Engineers ready to take steps to stop saltwater intrusion that could threaten drinking water. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

From 2019 – 2022, pedestrians and cyclists combined a total of 84 hundred traffic-related fatalities.  In Louisiana. That’s according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. Director of Policy and Research Rocky Moretti says motorcyclists represented 14 percent of those fatalities. He says traffic fatalities are costly.

Cut 11 (12)  “loss property….”

The CDC COVID dashboard shows almost 70 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID but when you break down Louisiana’s numbers only 53 percent of residents are fully vaccinated. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez…

Cut 15 (11)  “…the average.”

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have the lowest booster rates in the country.

A Fourth of July mass shooting leaves four people dead and seven other people injured in Shreveport. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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The Secretary of State asks state lawmakers to come back to Baton Rouge and overturn one of Governor Edwards’ vetoes. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

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On “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster”, New Orleans Democrat Representative Mandie Landry was asked if she thinks lawmakers will vote to return for a veto session now that Edwards rejected anti-transgender bills. She believes they won’t because it’s a numbers game getting a two-thirds majority in both chambers to vote for one and it’s also an election year.

Cut 3 (12) “…July 13th.”

If they do choose to have an override session it would begin July 19^th

Because Edwards rejected the anti-transgender bills, Landry feels the pressure is on Republicans up for re-election to return for a session. And she points out that there are some lawmakers who are term-limited.

Cut 4 (08)  “…do this.” 

Also, term-limited is Governor Edwards, and some Republican lawmakers could rationalize if the next governor is in the GOP that he wouldn’t veto transgender bills so just wait until next year.

Cut 5 (12)  “…hot right now. ”

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Four people are dead and seven people are injured following a July 4^th mass shooting at a block party in Shreveport. Shreveport Police Spokesperson Corporal Angie Wilhite says around 11:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to Pearl Avenue and Jones Mabry Road…

Cut 6 (11)  “…fire department.” 

It was difficult for first responders to get to the victims due to the amount of vehicles at the scene. There are reports there were at least two hundred people in attendance. Police Chief Wayne Smith says the shooting was carried out by multiple people…

Cut 7 (11)  “…of gunfire.” 

Wilhite says this event is held every year and unfortunately, individuals without any regard for the safety of others begin firing. She urges anyone with information to come forward…

Cut 8 (11)  “…to justice.” 

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at (318) 673-7373.

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Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin calls for lawmakers to override the Governor’s veto of a bill intended to help purge inactive voters from statewide voter roles. Ardoin says HB 646, sponsored by Sulphur Republican Rep. Les Farnum, was a good piece of legislation that passed with wide support in both chambers…:

Cut 9 (08) “…from signing it.”

The Governor’s veto statement says the bill is redundant, as there are already regular canvasses of the voter rolls. Ardoin says the law would have helped to get names who haven’t voted in a good long while cleared away, so a more accurate picture of the state’s electorate emerges. He says this bill is important enough to come back to the Capitol for…:

Cut 10 (08)  “…our rolls clean.”

Ardoin feels the Governor’s veto was for political purposes, and not motivated by what’s best for state elections. He says the bill makes good sense and lawmakers should stand behind their votes for the measure…:

Cut 11 (04)  “…the Governor’s veto.”

We will know by July 13^th if lawmakers agree to override some vetoes or let them ride.

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Cut 12 (11) “…off the road.” 

Cut 13 (11) “…impaired drivers.”

Cut  14 (00)  “….”

Cut 15 (12) “…old fashioned taxi”

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Cut  16 (08)  “…else does”

Four people are dead and 7 pesons injured after a July 4^th mass shooting at a block party in Shreveport. Shreveport Police Spokesperson Corporal Angie Wilhite says around 11:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to Pearl Avenue and Jones Mabry Road…

Cut 6 (10)  “…fire department.” 

Authorities had a hard time reaching the victims because of the “enormous amount” of parked vehicles belonging to the crowds of people attending the festivities.

On Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was asked if she thinks lawmakers will vote to return to Baton Rouge for a veto session. Landry believes they won’t, she says it’s a numbers game getting a two-thirds majority in both chambers to vote for one and it’s also an election year.

Cut 3 July 13^th. :12

The governor has signed legislation to create a trust fund for in-home services for seniors. When the state has a budget surplus, Louisiana AARP Advocacy Director Andrew Muhl says 12 percent will go towards the Community Options Waiver Trust Fund. He says it’s ideal for seniors who have difficulty with daily tasks that want to remain in their homes.

Cut 11 (07)  “…independent.”

The waitlist is as long as 8,000 and can last up to 10 years.

The hot and dry summer we’ve been experiencing is likely to limit the yields for some of the state’s key crops, like rice. Louisiana Rice Specialist Ronnie Levy (Lee-Vee) with the LSU Ag Center says it’s rice that was planted late that’s in question. And the drought is a concern for soybeans, sugarcane, and corn. But thankfully it’s not a statewide issue…:

Cut 28 (10)  “on those crops”