Union dockworkers hit the picket lines early this morning, including those at the Port of Baton Rouge and the Port of New Orleans. UNO Economic Professor Walter Lane says prolonged work stoppage could significantly impact the U.S. economy, potentially raising the cost of consumer goods and causing shortages ahead of the holiday season.

Cut 12 (11) “…saw in Covid.”

Beginning today, a person could face a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison for possessing mifepristone and misoprostol without a prescription. Opponents, argue that it may delay access to medications with other medical uses. Attorney General Liz Murril says the law includes protections.

Cut 11 (11) “…violating federal law.”

Governor Landry unveils his tax reform plan that he says would close most of a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall. He says he plans to tax lobbying services, eliminate some tax breaks and impose new sales taxes on services that are currently not taxed, like house cleaning, pet grooming and TV streaming services.

Cut 8 (11) “…forms.”

Landry will be calling lawmakers back to Baton Rouge for a special session next month to take up his tax reform plan.

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates a major milestone today – its 100th year. University President William Wainwright says SLU has come a long way in one century.

Cut 3 (08) “…of higher education.”

Good Morning America anchor and SLU Alum, Robin Roberts joins the celebration in the Student Union breezeway via video message.

We could see another named storm in the Gulf of Mexico later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this will be a slow developing system…

Cut 8 (11) “…forms.”

Keim says it’s also too early to tell where the storm will go.

The Louisiana Fire Service has been mobilized to support rescue and recovery operations in South Carolina following Hurricane Helene. An Incident Support Team (IST) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from Louisiana arrived last week. Baton Rouge Fire Chief Mike Kimble says some team members will work in the state’s Emergency Operations Center, and others will directly engage in rescue operations.

Cut 3 (11) “…this  county.”

Many Louisianians are waiting on word of a special session on insurance reform. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A 5-year-old died and a ten-year-old suffered severe injuries in a crash Claiborne Parish over the weekend. State Trooper Eddie Thomas says 31-year-old Jordan Burton of Homer crossed the centerline on Highway 146 and hit another car. Neither child was properly restrained, and the 10-year-old child was in the front passenger seat of Burton’s SUV. Thomas says impairment of Burton is suspected…

Cut 13 (12) “…investigation.” 

The body of a Baton Rouge man was found rolled in a tarp along Highway 51 between Fluker and the Village of Tangipahoa Sunday morning. A passerby traveling along the highway first reported a suspicious rolled-up tarp on the side of the road. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies responded and discovered the body of 69-year-old William Nicholas Abraham. Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s office reports the cause of death as homicide by blunt force trauma.

A 5-year-old was killed and a ten-year-old injured over the weekend in a two-vehicle crash in Claiborne Parish. Investigators say impairment is a factor in the wreck and both children were improperly restrained. State Trooper Eddie Thomas says 31-year-old Jordan Burton of Homer crossed the centerline on Louisiana Highway 146 hitting another car. Thomas says proper restraints can often be the difference between life and death in serious crashes.

Cut 14 (07) “…to turn.”

There’s the possibility of another named storm in the Gulf of Mexico this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Hurricane Center is watching a disorganized area of low pressure in the western Caribbean that has a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 6 (09) “…anybody’s guess.”

Louisiana has some of the highest property and auto insurance rates in the country and many are hoping for a special legislative session to address them. Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, Pollack Representative Gabe Firment says there’s little the legislature can do to lower insurance rates short of making Louisiana a more attractive state for business, but he says any insurance reform discussion should focus on families and small business owners who have to make tough choices to afford their insurance premiums.

Cut 11 (12) “…can be successful.”

United Way of Southwest Louisiana is partnering with their counterparts in Tallahassee to provide relief for the people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Cut 12 (12) “…Florida are today.”

United Way of Southwest Louisiana President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida could use your help.

As Amazon opens its first fulfillment center in Shreveport, Paige Carter, the chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, says Amazon currently employs more than three-thousand people throughout the state and those are just the direct jobs.

Cut 11 (10) “…around our state.”

She says Amazon has also partnered with community schools to set up career pipelines.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Poverty Point World Heritage site in Pioneer this Saturday with a ranger-led hike.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The LSU Tigers take on South Alabama Saturday night as about a three-touchdown favorite. The Jaguars are 2-and-2 scoring 135 points in their last two games and that has the attention of Coach Brian Kelly and the players…

Cut 7 (08) “…they have.”

Kick off on Saturday is at 6:45 and the weather should be perfect for a night game in Tiger Stadium.

Three suspects are in custody for their alleged involvement in a shooting that left an 18-year-old girl dead in May. The Ruston Police Department says Haleei Newton was in a vehicle that was shot on I-20 on May 25. She was taken to a hospital at the time of the shooting and later died there. 19-year-old Jamion James, 18-year-old Emmanuel Seals, Jr. and 18-year-old Earnest Chatman are being held in the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

United Way of Southwest Louisiana is partnering with their counterparts in Tallahassee to provide relief after Hurricane Helene. President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida could use your help and the best thing you can donate is cash.

Cut 14 (05) “…in-kind as well.”

Contributions can be made on United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s website, by texting UNITEDGULF – one word – to 40403.

Amazon’s investment in Louisiana continues with the opening of its new massive fulfillment center in Shreveport.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Poverty Point World Heritage Site in Pioneer celebrates National Public Lands Day Saturday. Site Manager Mark Brink says they’re starting with a guided hike exploring the ancient mounds and earthworks and highlighting the historical and natural significance of the site. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves to the two-hour trek to help pick up litter along the trail. The weather should be beautiful for the hike that begins at the museum at 10:00 AM.

Cut 6 (07) “…of Earthworks.”

Amazon opens its first fulfillment center in Shreveport. The five-floor 2.5-million-square-foot facility is expected to serve three-million customer shipments per week. Paige Carter, the chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, says Amazon currently employs more than three-thousand people throughout the state.

Cut 10 (14) “…positioned for tomorrow.”

United Way of Southwest Louisiana President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida need help after Hurricane Helene and she’s asking Louisianans to contribute as the Southwest Louisiana chapter partners with the Tallahassee chapter.

Cut 13 (08) “…neighbors in Florida.” 

The weather should be perfect for a night game in Tiger Stadium as LSU takes on South Alabama who are averaging 48 points a game and close to 8 yards per play. The Tigers have had a hard time giving up big plays and Coach Brian Kelly wants his defense to play fundamentally sound, especially in the secondary…

Cut 8 (09) “…better back there.”

Kick off on Saturday is at 6:45.

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival returns to downtown New Iberia this weekend.  Festivalgoers will also enjoy the wonderful weather and Sugarcane Festival President Lisa Norris says there’s a variety of activities, including parades, carnival rides, and livestock shows.

Cut 3 (09) “…farmers.”

As Louisiana’s top sugarcane-producing region, Iberia Parish is the ideal host for this annual event.

Three suspects are in custody, arrested for their alleged involvement in a Ruston shooting that left an 18-year-old girl dead in May. The Ruston Police Department says Haleei Newton was in a vehicle that was shot on I-20 on May 25. She was taken to a hospital at the time of the shooting and later died there. 19-year-old Jamion James, 18-year-old Emmanuel Seals, Jr. and 18-year-old Earnest Chatman were arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

In Lake Charles, United Way of Southwest Louisiana is partnering with their counterparts in Tallahassee to provide relief for the people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Cut 12 (12) “…Florida are today.”

United Way of Southwest Louisiana President and CEO Denise Durel says the people of Florida could use your help and she says the very best thing you can donate is cash.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Poverty Point World Heritage site in Pioneer this Saturday at 10 AM with a ranger-led hike.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Amazon opens its first fulfillment center in Shreveport. Paige Carter, the chief development officer at Louisiana Economic Development, says this is the culmination of the cooperation of a lot of entities.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in our communities.”

The five-floor 2.5-million-square-foot facility is expected to serve three-million customer shipments per week.

King Sucrose and Queen Sugar will preside over the festivities at the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival this weekend in downtown New Iberia. Sugarcane Festival President Lisa Norris…

Cut 4 (06) “…games and prizes.”

Iberia Parish is the ideal place for the festival as they are Louisiana’s top sugarcane-producing region.

Poverty Point World Heritage Site in Pioneer will celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday at 10 AM with a ranger-led hike. Poverty Point Site Manager Mark Brink says National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort.

Cut 5 (13) “…parks as well.”

Amazon’s investment in Louisiana continues with the opening of its new massive fulfillment center in Shreveport.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lafayette Congressman Clay Higgins is under fire for a strongly worded post on X he made about Haitians calling them thugs and repeating Former President Donald Trump’s claims that they eat pets. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins didn’t hold back in front of the cameras when was with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office before he was ever elected to congress.

Cut 8 (09) “…of a camera.”

Higgins told reporters he deleted the post after praying and considering a colleague’s thoughts. He said he realized his words hurt several people but he told CNN his social media record is, for the most part, a good one.

Cut 14 (04) “…record around here.”

A Laplace man arrested over 40 times in St. John the Baptist Parish, was apprehended again this week, and was out on bond less than three hours later.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A 58-year-old man is dead after authorities say he aggressively pointed a gun in the direction of deputies prompting them to discharge their weapons. The incident started when St. Charles parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a man walking down street in Hahnville pointing a gun at two people. They found Charles Verdin who was known to them sitting in a van facing Nicholas Street. Deputies said before Verdin pointed what appeared to be an AR15-style rifle at them, they tried for several minutes to convince him to put the gun down and exit his vehicle. Verdin died at the scene, and it was later discovered that the gun was a realistic looking airsoft type gun.

Lafayette Congressman Clay Higgins is coming under fire for a social media post about Haitians…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A man arrested over 40 times in St. John the Baptist Parish, was apprehended again this week. This arrest stemmed from a St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation targeting Casey Spies for suspected involvement in distributing methamphetamine. Sheriff Mike Tregre (treg)…

Cut 3 (08) “…keep arresting him.”

Spies’ criminal record dates to 2008

Survivors of Hurricane Francine in nine parishes can now apply for low interest federal loans to help with their damages and expenses related to the storm. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters in declared major disaster areas. Homeowners and renters who still have needs after FEMA assistance may be eligible for loans up to $500,000 for structural repairs or $100,000 to replace essential person property. Businesses of all sizes may be eligible for loans of up to $2 million.

A new pilot program being launched by the Louisiana Department of Health aims to increase opportunities for pregnant women to get tested for syphilis. Dr. Stephanie Taylor, medical director of the STD/HIV program at LDH, says currently, only 50-percent of pregnant women get adequately screened and there’s no scheduled end date for the program.

Cut 11 (14) “…have an impact.”