The National Hurricane Center is monitoring tropical depression three which is expected to reach hurricane status by Wednesday night way out in the Atlantic Ocean. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system continues to show signs of organization.

Cut 9 (13) “…later today.”

It would be Tropical Storm Bret.

LSU is leading the College World Series Jell-O shot challenge in Omaha with 12,836 shots slurped down.  And it’s not just the $5 Jell-O shots that fans are visiting Rocco’s Pizza for, Manager Pat McEvoy says having your photo taken with the board is also a rite of passage.

Cut 7 (06)  “…the board.” 

You can follow along on Twitter and CWS Jell-O Shot Challenge. And on the diamond, LSU plays Wake Forest tonight at 6 PM.

SWEPCO utility crews are working to restore power for more than 165,000 customers following extreme weather in Northwest Louisiana last Thursday. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

An excessive heat warning is in effect for most of southeast Louisiana for the fourth day in a row heat indexes will reach close to 113 degrees this afternoon. Be sure to stay hydrated and limit your time outdoors and bring pets in from the heat.

In this sweltering heat, thousands are without power in northwest Louisiana from strong storms that hit the area Thursday night and again Sunday morning. Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator says there are cooling centers available.

Cut 8 (14) “…in the works.”

For some people, it’s a double whammy, no power, and damage to their home from a fallen tree.

A tropical depression number three has developed in the Atlantic, it’s expected to become Tropical Storm Bret possibly later today. It’s located roughly midway between the Lesser Antilles and the African coast. It’s moving west at 20 miles per hour. And there’s another system right behind it with the 30% chance of developing into a cyclone in the next 48 hours.

Another casualty of the state budget fighting is the Humane Society of Louisiana. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says half of the state’s 64 parishes lack parish-wide facilities to provide essential services, and because there was a budget surplus again this year, Dorson says they asked for a small portion of the $1.6 billion.

Cut 13 (08) “…existing ones.”  

HSLA asked for $3 million of the state’s surplus to cover construction and repair costs of shelters across the state.

Optimism among small businesses continues to slide. The National Federation of Independent Business survey shows a 17^th straight month of declining optimism among members. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says labor shortages and inflation woes have small locally owned & operated businesses “on the ropes”…:

Cut 10 (08) “…negative 50-percent.”

The state is urging Louisianans to take immediate steps to safeguard their identity because of a major cyber-attack on a third-party software used by the Office of Motor Vehicles. Individuals should freeze their credit and change passwords for any financial account. Casey Tingle heads up the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…

Cut  14 (11)  “…identity.”
For more information go to next steps-dot-la-dot-gov.

Over 200-thousand SWEPCO customers left without power after some wicked storms moved through northwest Louisiana during the early Friday morning.  No significant injuries were reported but Shane Pendleton with the National Weather Service says the amount of clean-up is astonishing…

Cut 10 (05)  “…can see.”
When it comes to gas prices, what a difference a year makes as the price at the pump is nearly a dollar and a half lower compared to last year’s record high gas prices. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says motorists should be happy…

Cut 6 (09)  “…those expectations” 
LSU has made it to the College World Series and now the goal is to win the school’s seventh national championship. Pitcher Paul Skenes, is expected to start on the mound Saturday night when LSU meets their first opponent Tennessee. LSU won two of three from the Volunteers in the regular season. LSU centerfielder Dylan Crews has a lot of respect for the Vols…

Cut 4 (11)  “…best baseball” 

The first pitch Saturday night against the Volunteers is at 6 PM.

Louisianans that have a state-issued ID, driver’s license and/or vehicles registered with the Office of Motor Vehicles are urged to act after a global data breach could make their accounts vulnerable. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle

says they know passwords were not included in the data that was involved in the breach.

Cut 13 (06) “…as soon as possible.” 

For more information visit NextSteps–dot-LA -dot- gov.

Mother Nature whipped up powerful and severe thunderstorms that rolled through Caddo and Bossier Parishes early early Friday  morning packing winds up to 80 mph. National Weather Service Meteorologist Shane Pendleton…

Cut 9 (13) “…Bossier Parish.”

53-year-old Susan Johnson of Hammond, was killed by two vehicles Thursday night while trying to cross the road in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police say when Johnson was walking across Highway 3234 near Patti Drive she was struck by a 2020 Nissan Altima first and then a 2007 Toyota Yaris that was traveling behind the Nissan. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

A year ago, Louisiana motorists were paying a record $4.56 a gallon for of regular gasoline. But today it’s nearly $1.50 lower. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

Louisianans that have a state-issued ID, driver’s license and/or vehicles registered with the Office of Motor Vehicles are urged to act after a global data breach could make their accounts vulnerable. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle

says they know passwords were not included in the data that was involved in the breach.

Cut 13 (06) “…as soon as possible.” 

For more information visit NextSteps–dot-LA -dot- gov.

Mother Nature whipped up powerful and severe thunderstorms that rolled through Caddo and Bossier Parishes early this morning packing winds up to 80 mph. National Weather Service Meteorologist Shane Pendleton…

Cut 9 (13) “…Bossier Parish.”

Storm damage is also reported in DeSoto, Red River, and Natchitoches Parishes.

LSU has made it to the College World Series and now the goal is to win the school’s seventh national championship. Pitcher Paul Skenes, is expected to start on the mound Saturday night when LSU meets their first opponent Tennessee. LSU won two of three from the Volunteers in the regular season. LSU centerfielder Dylan Crews has a lot of respect for the Vols…

Cut 4 (11)  “…best baseball” 

And as Tiger Nation descends on Omaha for the College World Series, local watering holes say they are prepared for the invasion and extremely excited to welcome one of their favorite fanbases back. Jack Barrett, Manager of Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill says since LSU’s last appearance in 2017, it just hasn’t been the same.

Cut 25 (07) “…all the fun.”

The first pitch Saturday night against the Volunteers is at 6 PM.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is among one of the still undetermined government entities impacted by the MOVEit data breech. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at this time says there’s no indication the cyberattack has impacted the identities of those with Louisiana driver’s licenses and state issued IDs. They are suggesting that you change your passwords and monitor your accounts. Visit IdentityTheft-dot gov for guidance.

Governor Edwards leaves today for an economic development trip in Europe. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Eric Holl says representatives of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are also on the trip along with delegates from Baton Rouge Health, Tulane and other state universities…:

Cut 5 (07)   “…Louisiana organizations.”

Louisiana leads the country in overseas investments per capita. The governor will return next Friday.

The heat wave continues, and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Spokesperson Ginger Guttner says to remember to keep your pets cool as well. If your pet display signs of heatstroke, she suggests…

Cut 9 (13)  “…absolutely help.”

Dual enrollment has a positive impact on high school students and a recent report by the Louisiana Board of Regents shows an increase in early college credits. Melllyn Baker with the Louisiana Board of Regents says there’s higher participation among students in Central and North Louisiana school systems.

Cut 14 (13)  “…our schools.”

She says dual enrollment increased by 11 percent over the past two years despite the pandemic.

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The Fortified Grant Program, which provides grants to homeowners to reinforce their roofs has received $30 million in funding and could begin the application process as early as October. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

Governor Edwards will leave tomorrow an economic development mission in France and Belgium. He’ll also attend the Paris Air Show on the trip and meet with aerospace industries. In Belgium the topics will be expanding Louisiana’s health sciences industry.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved an appeals process for high school seniors who are unable to graduate because they do not meet the LEAP test scoring requirement. BESE President Doctor Holly Boffy (Bow-fee) says this new policy will prevent teens from dropping out of school…

Cut 12 (11 “…high school diploma.” 

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-sponsor of a Republican plan that seeks to lower college costs and student debt. It’s a package of five bills that Cassidy says addresses the root causes of the student debt crisis…

Cut 6 (10)  “…financially succeed” 

Cassidy says the legislative package includes a bill he’s introduced before, the College Transparency Act.

It was just this year that Governor Edwards expressed his feelings that he’s against the death penalty. And in April, he even mentioned it in the State of the State address.

Cut 10 (06) “…exonerations.”

When asked if he will grant clemency to the 51 inmates who’ve filed, he said he can only do so after the review and approval of the Board of Pardons.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved an appeals process for high school seniors who are unable to graduate because they do not meet the LEAP test scoring requirement. BESE President Doctor Holly Boffy (Bow-fee) says this new policy will prevent teens from dropping out of school…

Cut 12 (11 “…high school diploma.” 

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-sponsor of a Republican plan that seeks to lower college costs and student debt. He says it would help students decide whether to take on debt to attend programs that do not translate into high-paying jobs…

Cut 7 (15)  “…that program” 

The bills are filed as U-S Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program.

A cyber attack at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport last week is impacting the airport’s internal and administrative system but not the airlines. Officials say the airport is operating normally and it’s only an internal issue impacting their email and system for employees to clock in for work. Which is welcome news for those traveling to the College World Series.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is a co-sponsor of a Republican plan that seeks to lower college costs and student debt. It’s a package of five bills that Cassidy says addresses the root causes of the student debt crisis…

Cut 6 (10)  “…financially succeed” 

Cassidy says the legislative package includes a bill he’s introduced before, the College Transparency Act.

We now know why a 28-year-old woman from Honduras used a fake birth certificate and passport in order to attend Hahnville High School as a 17-year-old student. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne…

Cut 10 (11) “…proficient at English.”

The 28-year-old and her 46-year-old mother have been charged with injuring public records.

Another casualty of the budget fighting and confusion in the last minutes of the legislative session: funding for an important expansion of the Port of New Orleans is cut. Kevin Gallagher reports the Governor is not happy about it…:

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor Edwards will be overseas tomorrow along with Louisiana Economic Development officials, business and health leaders on an economic growth and diversification mission in France and Belgium. He’ll also attend the Paris Air Show on the trip. It’s the governor’s fourth trade mission since 2022.