6:30 AM Newscast

Fortified roofs were the main focus at the annual Louisiana Department of Insurance conference. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The five deep-water ports of the Lower Mississippi River have partnered up to develop a unified marketing strategy. Chairman of the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, Joe Toomy, says this collaboration will allow each port to emphasize their own strength…

Cut 7 (08) “…the world.”

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Firefighters hope to have wildlife burning in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish contained by the end of the week. A lighting strike on August 3rd sparked the fire that has burned 15 hundred acres. Kisatchie National Forest spokesperson Jim Caldwell says they are using various methods to extinguish the blaze, and they can use some help from Mother Nature…

Cut 13 (07)  “…a lot.”

The Vatican is considering The Little Cajun Saint for sainthood as it’s believed she has performed miracles. Charlene Richard from Acadia Parish died in 1959 from leukemia at the age of 12 years old. President of the Charlene Richard Foundation, Nanette Reiners, says Richard knew she would die at a young age, but every day she offered her suffering for other people…

Cut 10 (07) “…everybody else”

9:30 AM Newscast

After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season opens today. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the later start to the season is actually a very good thing.

Cut 4 (11) “…bit bigger size.”

How much shrimp grows is dependent on water conditions, including temperature, salinity and oxygen content. The delayed start to shrimp season also means the shrimp population will remain stable.

170-year-old Elmer’s chocolate has been bought by Florida based, Hoffman Family of Companies. Geoff Hoffman with HFC says they’re not looking to change Elmer Chocolate, in fact they want to grow the company and keep it in Ponchatoula for another couple of centuries…

Cut 12 (12) “…excited about it.”

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With this month marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a new documentary premiering tonight on ESPN takes a look back at the Saints’ first game back in the Superdome. “Above The Tide: 20 Years After Katrina” isdirected by Julian Gooden, who says the film highlights what saints accomplished that night…and no one in New Orleans, whether they were inside the Superdome or not, will ever forget where they were when it happened.

Cut 8 (07) “…they could take.”

The Saints dropped their preseason opener to the Chargers 27 to 13 in Los Angeles yesterday. Spencer Rattler started at quarterback and in his five offensive drives, failed to put up any points. Tyler Shough led the Saints to a field goal at the end of the half, but threw a pick six in the third quarter, only to bounce back and throw a touchdown pass on the next drive.  The black and gold will practice this week in Irvine, California and will return home later in the week to host Jacksonville on Sunday.

8:30 AM Newscast

Hundreds of first responders made a procession through the capitol city yesterday, paying tribute to a decorated police officer who died yesterday morning from injuries he suffered when a pick-up truck  hit his motorcycle June 16th in what authorities believe was an intentional attack.  Sergeant Caleb Eisworth served on the Baton Rouge Police force for 23. Authorities say the charge against the man responsible for the crash will be upgraded to first-degree murder.

Tonight’s your chance to see ESPN’s “Above the Tide:20 Years After Katrina”.  The documentary premiers tonight at six.  It’s directed by Julian Gooden who Steve Gleason’s blocked punt that gave the Saints an early six to nothing lead, really maked the rebirth of the Crescent City.

Cut 9 (08)  “…representation of that.”

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It’s a family-owned Louisiana business that’s been based in Pontchatoula for 170 years.  Now Elmer has been sold to a Florida-based family equity firm. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season opens today in Louisiana. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the 10-day delay in shrimp season yields a very significant difference in the size of the shrimp.

Cut 6 (10) “…25 a pound.”

7:30 AM Newscast

Education Secretary Linda McMahon will be at Jefferson Terrace Academy this morning…as part of a nationwide tour.  She’ll be visiting classrooms and attending a roundtable discussion.  McMahon’s touring the country as the president looks to dismantle the Department of Education at the federal level.

Cut 14 (15) “…future they deserve.”

Pontchatoula’s Elmer Chocolate has been sold to Florida based, Hoffman Family of Companies.   But it’s not going anywhere.  Elmer CEO, Robert Nelson says the family wants to grow the company and keep it in Ponchatoula for another 170 years. A long-time fan of gold brick toppings on his ice cream,  Geoff Hoffman says when he toured the facility he knew Elmer was a company they wanted to partner with.

Cut 11 (13) “…best in class.”

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August marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina…and premiering tonight on ESPN, a look back at the Saints’ return to the dome that told the world New Orleans would survive.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Inshore shrimp season opens today in Louisiana after a ten-day delay.  Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the later start means bigger shrimp and bigger shrimp mean more money.

Cut 5 (11) “…us to survive.”

6:30 AM Newscast

After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season begins today. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Hundreds of first responders made a procession through the capitol city yesterday, paying tribute to a decorated police officer who died yesterday morning from injuries suffered when a pickup truck hit his motorcycle in what authorities believe was an intentional attack back in June.  Sergeant Caleb Eisworth served on the Baton Rouge Police force for 23.  Authorities say the charge against the man responsible for the crash will be upgraded to first-degree murder.

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With this month marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a new documentary premiering tonight on ESPN takes a look back at the Saints’ first game back in the Superdome. “Above The Tide: 20 Years After Katrina” premiers at six local time tonight on ESPN. It’s directed by Julian Gooden, who says the film features interviews with all the important people who were with the Saints on that magical night in September of 2006.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the film.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon will be in Baton Rouge this morning as part of her nationwide tour. McMahon said she’s looking to highlight what happens when local communities lead.

Cut 13 (08)  “…our local leaders.”

11:30 AM Newscast

With the peak of hurricane season now just weeks away, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched an updated mobile app. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the new and improved LDI Connect app has some new features, including enhanced weather reporting.

Cut 9 (11)  “…that impact you.”

Louisiana made national news yesterday as ABC News reported the state has agreed to pay $9 million to a man who was partially paralyzed after a trooper shot him in the back during a 2018 traffic stop in Baton Rouge and then falsely reported it as a Taser discharge. According to the report, terms of the settlement, which were not made public, were provided by an anonymous source, with knowledge of the case.  The federal lawsuit was filed by Clifton “Scotty” Dilley, whose injuries confined him to a wheelchair when he was 19.

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly joked yesterday that Garrett Nussmeier will not need his leg amputated after a rumor swirled on Wednesday that he suffered a serious injury. Kelly says it’s just tendonitis in knee that got a little cranky on Wednesday…

Cut 13 (06)  “…calm it down.”

A two-year-old boy is safe after being left in a hot car in Shreveport for up to 30 minutes. Someone saw the little boy in distress inside the car outside a Dollar Tree store and flagged down an officer about 100 yards away. Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says despite the fact that it was well before noon, the temperature was already soaring.

Cut 6 (07) “…about 93 degrees.”

The boy’s mother was arrested and is facing a single count of child desertion.

10:30 AM Newscast

Freshman running back JT Landry was booked into the East Baton Rouge prison yesterday on two counts of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.  The football player turned himself yesterday evening after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.  He’s accused of letting two friends from his hometown of Alexandria stay in his dorm, knowing they were wanted for murder. The suspects, 17-year-old Shemell Jacobs and 18-year-old Keldrick Jordan, were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service earlier this week.

Tragedy was averted in Shreveport yesterday when a two year old boy was spotted screaming in a hot car alone.  That person flagged down a police officer who managed to get the child out of the vehicle in 93 degree weather. Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says the temperature inside the vehicle was even hotter, even with the window rolled down.

Cut 7 (09) “…removed the child.”

The boy’s mother has been charged with child desertion.

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Noncustodial parents who lost their driver’s license because of delinquent child support payments have an easier chance to get their license reinstated. Jeff Palermo has details on the program.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has updated its mobile app.  Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the LDI Connect  APP initially launched last year, and they took note of what worked and what didn’t, and they worked to improve it for this year..

Cut 11 (08) “…making it better.”

9:30 AM Newscast

August is Child Support Awareness Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is bringing back its “On the Road Again” program. Assistant Secretary of Family Support, Sammy Guillory, says it’s an opportunity for noncustodial parents who lost their driver’s license because they haven’t been paying their child support to get their license back.

Cut 3 (10) “…meet em.”

We are just weeks away from the peak of hurricane and the Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched a new and improved mobile app. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the LDI Connect app has enhanced weather reporting and some useful  videos to help you navigate through the sometimes complicated world of insurance.

Cut 10 (12) “…file a claim.”

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A little boy is rescued from a hot car, and his mother is facing charges. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke yesterday about the rumors swirling on Wednesday that quarterback Garret Nussmier had suffered a serious injury. Kelly says the QB has patella tendinitis as a result of a surgery in 2023 and it was just acting up on Wednesday.

Cut 13 (06)  “…calm it down.”

8:30 AM Newscast

LSU football coach Brian Kelly joked yesterday that Garrett Nussmeier will not need his leg amputated after a rumor swirled on Wednesday that he suffered a serious injury. Kelly says it’s just tendonitis in knee that got a little cranky on Wednesday…

Cut 13 (06)  “…calm it down.”

Freshman running back JT Landry was booked into the East Baton Rouge prison yesterday on two counts of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.  Landry’s turned himself yesterday evening after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.  He’s accused of letting two friends from his hometown of Alexandria stay in his dorm, knowing they were wanted for murder. The suspects, 17-year-old Shemell Jacobs and 18-year-old Keldrick Jordan, were arrested on campus by the U.S. Marshals Service earlier this week.

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A two-year-old boy is safe after being left in a hot car in Shreveport for up to 30 minutes. Someone saw the little boy in distress inside the car outside a Dollar Tree store and flagged down an officer about 100 yards away. Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says despite the fact that it was well before noon, the temperature was already soaring.

Cut 6 (07) “…about 93 degrees.”

The boy’s mother was arrested and is facing a single count of child desertion.

With the peak of hurricane season now just weeks away, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched an updated mobile app. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the new and improved LDI Connect app has some new features, including enhanced weather reporting.

Cut 9 (11)  “…that impact you.”

The new and improved LDI Connect app is live on the Apple App Store and on the Google Play Store now.

9:30 AM Newscast

The former police chief of the small Lafourche Parish community of Golden Meadow is arrested for allegedly deleting a dozen years worth of files on his way out the door. Tony Dufrene is charged with injuring public records, computer tampering and malfeasance in office. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it all happened after Dufrene lost his bid for re-election.

Cut 5 (08) “…under any circumstances.”

Meanwhile the police chief in the small community of Elton is now thee only employee of his town’s police department.  Police Chief Bruce Lemelle had to lay off the rest of his force due to budget constraints.  Kay Hebert, the mayor pro tem, says says Lemelle knew what his department was budgeted for, and he overextended it.

Cut 12 (11) “…and other officers.”

We’re told law enforcement calls in Elton will now be handled by the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, which will mean increased response times.

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A wing that’s been close since 2018 at Angola, may soon be sued to house ICE detainees. State leaders are in talks with the trump administration and renovations are already in the works.  There have been some concern raised over housing detainees in a facility with as those convicted of violent crimes. But West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard says he’s confident in the ability of the staff at Angola.

Cut 9 (07)  “…willing to work.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana is on the cover of Time Magazine this month.  LSU Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow (SAD-ow) says the story portrays the relationship between Johnson and President Trump as that of “good cop, bad cop.”

Cut 15 (18) “…to pay off.”