The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s 25-percent tariff on shrimp imports from India, which is by far the biggest exporter of shrimp to the U.S. Board member Cheri Blanchard of Houma says the low cost of imported shrimp is costing local shrimpers their livelihoods.

Cut 10 (10) “…make a profit.”

She also says the imported shrimp is less healthy since the importers are not held to the same standards as domestic shrimp.

Louisiana is one of six states that will now restrict the purchase of sodas, energy drinks, and candy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP funds. The waiver making the restrictions possible was signed by Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins yesterday. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy, Jr. and several governors joined her. Governor Jeff Landry applauded the move and said Louisiana isn’t just participating in the Make America Healthy Again movement; we’re leading it. The new SNAP restrictions go into effect next year

Among the new laws that went into effect last Friday is one that relates to the post-conviction appeals process. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Trump administration is canceling plans for wind farms in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Greg Upton, the executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says several Louisiana-based energy companies were excited about the development of offshore wind energy projects and in May, shipbuilder Edison Chouest Offshore completed construction of a ship to service the five-billion-dollar Empire Wind project off the New York coast.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the Northeast.”

Death row convicts will no longer have decades to appeal their cases, thanks to a new law that went into effect last Friday. Slidell Republican Representative Brian Glorioso authored House Bill 675, which, among other things, speeds up deadlines in death-row cases.

Cut 4 (07) “…or 25 years.”

He says the purpose of the new law is to give the victims’ families the swift justice that they deserve and the inmate is still afforded due process, including the ability to get DNA testing.

The Trump administration announced the cancellation of plans to use more than 3.5 million acres of federal waters for offshore wind farms, ending plans to have wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico. Greg Upton, the executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says planning got underway to construct wind farms in the gulf during the Biden administration.

Cut 7 (06) “…wind energy.”

Four projects under construction off the Northeastern coast are expected to continue.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s 25-percent tariffs on shrimp imports from India. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

There’s a big shakeup at the University of Louisiana at Monroe as Athletic Director John Hartwell announces his resignation after only 18 months on the job. Hartwell is responsible for several major hires, in particular football head coach Bryant Vincent, who led the Warhawks to a 5 and 1 start last season. Sean Fox, the sports director at Sports Talk West Monroe, says Hartwell gained a lot of credibility from the Vincent hire.

Cut 13 (11)  “…of the town.”

Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to send the House home early for its summer recess rather than hold a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files didn’t sit well with everyone including fellow

Republican, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick, who went as far as issuing a statement condemning the move. McCormick says in his statement, he was defending fellow Republican Thomas Massie, who co-sponsored a resolution to force the release of those files.

Cut 14 (05) “…them get released”

Johnson says he wants to release the files but after they are completely pored over and all names of victims are redacted.

The Department of Children and Family Services needs second shift Child Protective Services investigators because child maltreatment does not happen just between the hours of 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday says DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris. She says they need 53 people to work four, 10-hour shifts per week including every other weekend. But she says working second shift has  advantages like additional pay.

Cut 6 (12) “…per hour worked.”

Those hired would start their new jobs as early as September 15th.

LSU is less than a month away from its season opener against Clemson. The Tigers are looking for their first win in week one since 2019. Defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory has been at LSU in 2020 and wants to start 1-0….

Cut 20 (16) “…the place.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces honorably discharged military veteran residents can purchase a recreational hunting and fishing combination license for $20, a reduction of $80 for the Sportsman’s Paradise license. Republican Lafayette Senator Brach Myers authored the legislation that resulted in a big discount for military veterans.

Cut 9 (09)  “…outdoors in Louisiana.”

Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to send the House home early for its summer recess rather than hold a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files raised controversy but  Johnson says he’s committed to releasing the files and bringing Epstein and others to justice but only after all files are completely pored over and all names of victims are redacted.

Cut 13 (07)  “…be permanently destroyed.”

The Department of Children and Family Services needs help. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says child maltreatment does not just happen between the hours of 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday and they need second shift Child Protective Services investigators. They want to hire 53 people to work four, 10-hour shifts per week. And she says you do not need a college degree or any special licenses.

Cut 5 (10) “…first response world.”

A study from the Cenla economic dashboard reports steady growth for the Central Louisiana economy. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces deeply discounted combo hunting and fishing licenses for honorably discharged military veteran residents Senator Brach Myers authored the legislation that resulted in the discounts and says it was a result of collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and The Boot, an organization that encourages military veterans to make Louisiana their home once their service has ended.

Cut 11 (14) “…the outdoors.”

The Department of Children and Family Services needs second shift Child Protective Services investigators. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says they need workers in the second shift because child maltreatment does not happen just between the hours of 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

Cut 4 (08) “…to respond timely.”

Honorably discharged military veterans can now get deeply discounted Louisiana Purchase combination hunting an fishing licenses. Author of the bill that made it possible Senator Brach Myers says, LDWF operates mostly on license fees, but giving our veterans the ability to hunt and fish in Louisiana at a reduced cost is a small token of our appreciation.

Cut 10 (09) “…the right heroes”

Still plenty of controversy over Speaker Mike Johnson sending the House home for summer recess instead of holding a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Good news for Central Louisiana. According to a study from the CENLA Economic Dashboard, Consumer spending has is on the rise. LSUA Professor Randall Dupont, says the dashboard measures sales tax revenue to track spending rates and he says a successful job market led to a fruitful local economy.

Cut 8 (11) “…over year.”

Alexandria and Pineville each recorded quarterly growth of four to five percent, and Natchitoches posted an eight percent quarterly gain.

Still plenty of controversy – even among Republicans – over Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to send the House home early for its summer recess rather than hold a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Johnson says he’s committed to getting to the bottom of who was responsible for the sexual abuse of the women and teenage girls at the hands of Epstein and his associates.

Cut 12 (11) “…is the President.”

He says, after the victims’ names have been redacted from the files.

Central Louisiana is showing steady economic growth, according to a study from the Cenla Economic Dashboard. The Alexandria metropolitan area has gained 707 jobs since May, and the dashboard’s author, LSUA Professor Randall Dupont, says Natchitoches is recovering from the April closure of its International Paper plant.

Cut 7 (08) “…of this year.”

Alexandria and Pineville each recorded quarterly growth of four to five percent, and Natchitoches posted an eight percent quarterly gain.

If you’re interested in a career investigating child abuse cases, the Department of Children and Families wants to hear from you. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces honorably discharged military veteran residents can purchase a recreational hunting and fishing combination license for $20, a reduction of $80 for the Sportsman’s Paradise license. Republican Lafayette Senator Brach Myers authored the legislation that resulted in a big discount for military veterans.

Cut 9 (09)  “…outdoors in Louisiana.”

Beginning today, it’s illegal to hold your phone while driving. Don Redman with Triple A says under the new law, in most cases police won’t pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving.

Cut 8 (08) “…traffic infraction first.”

And that would lead to up to 100 dollars tacked onto your fine. In school zones and areas of road work, police WILL pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving and those fines can be up to 250 dollars.

If you were registered as an Independent, your party affiliation automatically changes to “No Party” in the state’s voter registration system. That’s the result of a new law that went into effect today. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says lawmakers eliminated the Independent Party, so they could vote in the upcoming party primaries.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of luck.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning you of the growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially serious illness causing bacterium that naturally lives in warm coastal waters. A potentially deadly rapidly progressing illness can occur through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says you’ll want to take extra precautions.

Cut 6 (10) “…a waterproof bandage.”

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital is treating an increasing number of Mississippi kites that have been shot with air rifles. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says it’s illegal to shoot these small birds of prey that are important in controlling the insect population. She says air rifles don’t typically kill the bird but if they are shot and not brought to the LSU vet school, their chances of surviving are slim.

Cut 12 (11) “…anymore.”

The Mississippi kite migrates from the Gulf Coast and Brazil.

So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio vulnificus, and four of them have died. Vibrio lives in warm salt and brackish water and is on the rise in Louisiana waters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms seek treatment right away.

Cut 5 (15) “…to two days.”

A small bird of prey that plays an important role in controlling the insect population seems to be a target of some and Dr. Kimberly Boykin with the LSU Veterinary School says they’ve seen an increase in the number of Mississippi Kites with wounds from air powered rifles and it’s a violation of Federal Law to shoot a Mississippi Kite.

Cut 11 (10) “…kills them.”

A new cell phone law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU fall camp is fully underway and one name in particular has stood out. Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley came to Baton Rouge as a five-star last year and bulked up to 308 pounds for this upcoming season. His strength has put head coach Brian Kelly on notice.

Cut 18 (16) “…every single day.”

A warning from the Department of Health about potentially deadly bacteria. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Another kind of warning if you use your cell phone while driving. Beginning today, it’s illegal to have your cell phone in hand while driving. Don Redman with Triple A says you could face an extra hundred dollars added to fines for other moving violations and in certain areas violators will be stopped solely for holding their phone and fined up to 250 dollars.

Cut 9 (10)  “…active work zones.”

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds, specifically, the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated two just Mississippi kites for bullet fragments, this year they’ve treated eleven.

Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”

She says these small birds of pretty play an important role in controlling insect populations.

Register Independents are now registered “no party” in Louisiana. The state is doing away with the independent party as it moves to a party primary system for US House and Senate, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE elections. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says no party voters are now able to and participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.

Cut 14 (08) “…they can.”

Starting today, if you’re driving, keep your hands off your cell phone. That’s because handling your cell phone while driving is now illegal in Louisiana. This is something that Triple-A Louisiana has been recommending. Don Redman with Triple-A says while it’s already illegal to be texting while driving in Louisiana but that law was unenforceable, and people were doing many other crazy things with their phones.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the phone.”

If you were registered as an Independent, your party affiliation is automatically changing to “No Party”. That’s the result of a new law that went into effect today. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says lawmakers eliminated the Independent Party, so they could vote in the upcoming party primaries.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of luck.”

The LSU Veterinary School has seen an increase in Mississippi kites with bullet fragments. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning of the growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. These bacteria live in coastal waters but not freshwater. It can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.

Cut 4 (12) “…in those temperatures.”