Attorney General Liz Murrill announces scores of arrests in connection with a nationwide Medicaid fraud crackdown. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Summers here in Louisiana and across the country are actually getting hotter.  Shel Winkley, the chief meteorologist at Climate Central, says nationwide the average summer temperature has risen two and a half degrees since 1970; and that’s actually pretty significant.

Cut 5 (06) “…wouldn’t feel well.”

Health officials are tracking a seasonal spike in cases of an intestinal illness that can cause “explosive” diarrhea, among other symptoms.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in 17 states, including Louisiana.  Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with feces.

Triple-A projects more than 72-million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the Fourth of July weekend, a slight increase over last year’s record. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says many are taking advantage of the holiday falling on a Saturday and extending vacations through next week.

Cut 7 (12) “…who are cruising.”

Triple-A says if you’re hitting the road today or tomorrow, it’s best to try to leave before noon. The most congestion on the roads is expected in the afternoon and early evening.

Over 72-million Americans are expected to travel this Fourth of July weekend. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill announces 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money and says Medicaid Fraud is not a victimless crime. .

Cut 11 (10) “…services and support.”

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State Representative Gabe Firment of Pollock is running for Congress. Firment joins at least two fellow Republicans — Monroe Representative Michael Echols and State Board of Regents chair Misti Cordell — in the race for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Senate nominee Julia Letlow. Firment says voters can trust him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…get to Congress.”

Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey is also expected to join the race.

The Grant Parish representative has served in the House since 2019. He describes himself as a true conservative who can represent the rural district well. His opponents have a head start after beginning their campaigns months ago, but Firment believes he has an advantage as the southernmost candidate.

Cut 14 (08) “…of this district.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill announces that 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. During a news conference at the Capitol, Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money from the program.

Cut 10 (11) “…from the program (2x).”

A recall involving hundreds of thousands of bags of popular Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips has been classified under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s most serious warning level due to the risk of salmonella contamination.  The FDA announced the voluntary recall as a Class 1 recall just yesterday meaning there’s a “reasonable probability” that consuming or being exposed to the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The chips were first recalled in May by Utz Quality Foods

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If it seems like summers here in Louisiana are getting hotter and hotter – well, you’re right. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

More than 61-million travelers are projected to hit the roads this Fourth of July weekend.  That’s according to Tripple A. Gas prices are at a four-year high for this time of year, but Don Redman with Tripple A says that won’t deter travelers.

Cut 8 (09) “…it’s still high.”

It’ll be U-S Representative Julia Letlow versus Tensas Parish crop farmer Jamie Davis in the race for U-S Senate come November.  That after Letlow defeated State Treasurer John Fleming with 27 percent of the vote for the Republicans and  Davis took 80 percent of the vote against opponent Gary Crocket on the Democratic side Saturday.  Despite those numbers, political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Letlow will likely win easily on November third…

Cut 13 (08)  “…United States Senate.”

In other election news, State Representative Stephanie Hilferty of New Orleans earned the GOP nod for the District 1 Public Service Commission race. Hilferty will face Connie Norris, a consumer utility advocate from Slidell in the November election. And it’ll be Republican Joseph Cao in the District 1 race for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Republicans.  The former congressman from Harvey will face Angela Hershey, a retired teacher from Madisonville on November 3^rd.

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Researchers at LSU Health Shreveport are finding new ways to prevent heat-related illness in high school athletes. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Governor Landry vetoed 78 projects from three budget bills, slashing more than 12-million dollars from the state’s budget in the process. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says this year’s vetoes were aimed at Democratic districts.

Cut 8 (10) “…area as well.”

Governor Landry has used his line-item veto power to slash 12-million dollars from three budget bills. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU Health Shreveport Associate Professor Dr. Cory Coehoorn (KOO-horn) received a grant of over 200-thousand dollars to research heat-related illness in high school athletes, which he says is a major problem, especially in the south, and in football players.

Cut 5 (11) “…gear prevents that.”

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U-S Representative Julia Letlow won the Republican primary in the U-S Senate race on Saturday, taking 57 percent of the vote to defeat State Treasurer John Fleming.  Letlow who’s served in the U-S House since 2021 is now one step closer to replacing outgoing Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 11 (15) “…all of you.”    (cheering)

Letlow will face off November third with Tensas Parish crop farmer Jamie Davis, who easily won the Democratic Party nomination, receiving 80-percent of the vote to defeat Gary Crockett. Davis says Letlow has voted for policies that have made it harder on Louisiana families…

Cut 15 (15) “…as for a promotion.”

U-S Representative Julia Letlow took a major step on Saturday night to becoming the next U-S Senator for Louisiana as she won the Republican Party primary runoff in the senate race. Letlow received 57-percent of the vote to defeat State Treasurer John Fleming…

Cut 10 (12) “..win this thing.”   (cheering) 

Letlow’s main competition on November third will be Tensas Parish crop farmer Jamie Davis, who easily won the Democratic Party nomination, receiving 80-percent of the vote to defeat Gary Crockett. Davis says his grassroots campaign is just getting started…

Cut 14 (13) “…ground up.”  (woo-hoo) 

Letlow and Davis will face off November third.

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Governor Landry vetoed 78 projects from three budget bills, slashing more than 12-million dollars from the state’s budget in the process. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says her organization’s concerns about these projects are not about the projects themselves, but rather how they were added to the budget.

Cut 7 (14) “…statewide holistic basis.”

LSU Health Shreveport Associate Professor Dr. Cory Coehoorn (KOO-horn) received a grant of over 200-thousand dollars to research heat-related illness in high school athletes. The study will work with around 100 football players around the state. Coehoorn says the goal is to use A-I and machine learning to predict internal temperatures.

Cut 4 (13) “…it even starts.”

State lawmakers have approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to reallocate 168-million dollars from the public school operations budget to fund stipends for teachers and school support workers. But a state judge has temporarily blocked the plan from taking effect. . One of the plaintiffs in the case, former Central School Superintendent Michael Faulk, says state law requires the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to recommend the amount of funding that goes to public schools.

Cut 8 (12) “…last approved MFP.”

An East Baton Rouge Parish pastor who is seen on video physical fighting the 20-year-old son of his neighbor defends says he did it because the young man threated to rape and kill his family. Those accusations have been denied.  But Reverend Tony Spell says he crossed the four-lane highway in front of his church to protect his family.

Cut 11 (05) “…when I’m gone.”

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We’re getting reaction to the resignation of Randy Smith as sheriff of St. Tammany Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s official now. Last Thursday’s catastrophic weather event has shattered Louisiana’s all-time 24-hour rainfall record.  According to data released by the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, the slow-moving remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur dumped 29.6 inches of rain in just twelve hours in some areas.

Louisiana lawmakers have approved Governor Landry’s plan to redirect public school budget funds to pay for teacher stipends. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy clashed with President Donald Trump in a meeting with Republican senators on Wednesday over the war powers resolution passed Tuesday in the Senate.   Many have described the clash between Trump and Cassidy as a shouting match, with the president reportedly calling Cassidy a quote “lunatic” at one point. For his part Cassidy has said he matched the president’s “tone and vibe.”

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An East Baton Rouge Parish pastor who is seen on video physical fighting the 20-year-old son of his neighbor defends his actions during a press conference in front of his church in Central. Reverend Tony Spell says he got into a fist fight with the young man because he threatened violence against his family.

Cut 10 (10) “…to kill them.”

The Metropolitan Crime Commission is hailing the resignation of Randy Smith as St. Tammany Parish sheriff. President Rafael Goyeneche (goy-uh-NETCH-ee) says given the overwhelming evidence against him, Smith would have been merely delaying the inevitable had he not taken plea deal stemming from an altercation at a Madisonville restaurant.. Plus, by stepping down, he could benefit the sheriff’s office in another way.

Cut 6 (11) “…of that millage.”

Smith pleaded guilty to felony battery and disturbing the peace by public intoxication.

State lawmakers have approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to reallocate 168-million dollars from the public school operations budget to fund stipends for teachers and school support workers. But a state judge has temporarily blocked the plan from taking effect. One of the plaintiffs in the case, former Central School Superintendent Michael Faulk, says Landry doesn’t have the power to reallocate the money.

Cut 7 (10) “…constitution is BESE.”

A hearing in the case blocking the plan is set for Monday.

Tulane University is purchasing the former Charity Hospital building and renovating it into a national hub for bioscience discovery and medical advancements. University President Michael Fitts says they’re redeveloping a building that’s been dormant for more than 20 years.

Cut 13 (09)  “..opening it up.”

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An East Baton Rouge pastor charged with second-degree battery explains why he went across the highway in front of his church to fight his neighbor’s 20-year-old son. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Metropolitan Crime Commission is hailing the resignation of Randy Smith as St. Tammany Parish sheriff. President Rafael Goyeneche (goy-uh-NETCH-ee) says Smith did the honorable thing by stepping down as part of his plea deal stemming from an altercation at a Madisonville restaurant.

Cut 4 (11) “…self best interest.”

Early voting has ended and voters have their final chance this Saturday to sound off in the runoffs for U.S Senate. The race getting the most attention has been on the Republican side.  In the primary, Julia Letlow finished 15 points ahead of John Fleming, and a poll showing Letlow ahead by that margin since advancing to the runoff appeared to indicate that she was pulling away. But a recent poll commissioned by the Letlow campaign actually showed her trailing Fleming. Hogan says that’s proof that this is anyone’s contest.

Cut 8 (08) “…their minds yet.”

Governor Landry took an aerial tour of the flooding in Avoyelles Parish Friday afternoon, and what he saw was shocking. Avoyelles is one of six parishes included in Landry’s disaster declaration. Landry said those affected can help speed up the process by documenting their damage at damage.la.gov.

Cut 5 (11) “…up the chain.”

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The American Red Cross has announced intensified disaster relief operations in central and southeastern Louisiana amid all the devastation.  With over 30 inches of rain in some areas of Avoyelles Parish and nine confirmed tornadoes in Louisiana and Mississippi from Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur storms , the Red Cross said its disaster teams are working around-the-clock to provide shelter, meals and support to hundreds of families.

The 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is this coming Saturday; and Hall President Ronnie Rantz says fans can stay busy all weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”