Self-driving trucks are taking to the highways between Dallas and Houston and could service the Bayou State as soon as 2027. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A couple of big athletic events are happening in New Orleans this week. The third NOLA Pickle Fest starts today at the Morial Convention Center. And  the U.S. Gymnastics Championships start tomorrow at the Smoothie King Center. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says the event’s return to New Orleans is a long time coming.

Cut 14 (06) “…some incredible athletes.”

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Starting this school year, school districts will be permitted to accept advertising from politicians and political groups for athletics and other school clubs. It’s a new law which was written by Gonzales Republican Senator Eddie Lambert, who says rural school districts were put at a huge disadvantage under the old law.

Cut 10 (13) “…support the teams.”

B.J. Bell serves as the Voice of Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band, but his job will be a bit different after becoming the first band announcer to land an NIL deal. Bell signed with Monroe-based Attorney Eddie Clark & Associates, and he says the partnership with Clark is unlike any other.

Cut 7 (13) “…NIL deal.”

The Superdome is celebrating its 50th anniversary tomorrow.  The venue has brought legends and fans from all over the world over the years. The Superdome houses two million square feet of space, twice the size of the Astrodome when it was built in 1975. Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, Doug Thornton, says it was an engineering marvel ahead of its time, and its massive footprint has allowed it to be reinvented over the years.

Cut 11 (12) “…couldn’t survive.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

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Dozens of new state laws went into effect yesterday including a measure that could result in a motorist receiving a ticket for traveling below the speed limit in the left lane on a highway. The previous stipulated that travelling ten miles per hour below the speed limit could earn you a ticket. But Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s legislation changes the law so that a ticket can be issued if a motorist is not going at least the speed limit….

Cut 8 (07) “…get ticketed.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy officially launched his re-election campaign during a press event in Metairie yesterday.  Despite having nine million dollars in cash on hand, political analysts say Cassidy faces a tough re-election bid, because of his vote to impeach President Trump in 2021. But Cassidy maintains he has a productive working relationship with President Trump…

Cut 14 (09) “…all of us.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy launched his re-election campaign during yesterday in Metairie. The 67-year-old Republican is seeking a third term in the Senate where he’s already drawn three well-known challengers from his own party, who claim Cassidy is not a true conservative.  Cassidy says that’s not true.

Cut 13 (15)  “…gender ideology.”

A couple of Louisiana Congressmen are teaming up on an Act that would expand fishery disaster relief programs…to include those who catch crawfish in the wild.  Congressmen Clay Higgins and Cleo Fields say the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts and Fields says including those who fish crawfish is long overdue.

Cut 5 (06) “…the same light.”

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If you’re in the habit of driving too slow on state highways, there’ s a new state law in effect that could mean a 150 ticket if you’re caught doing it.  Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s legislation, which  is designed to reduce road rage and accidents,  received overwhelming support from lawmakers who passed it.  And Luneau says the public also strongly supports the move.

Cut 7 (09) “…move over.”

Tomorrow a big day in New Orleans as the Superdome celebrates its 50th anniversary. When it opened August 3, 1975, the Superdome’s convention and meeting rooms, turned club lounges, and enormous unobstructed space were unheard of in its time. Doug Thornton who’s Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium,  says the founding fathers of the Superdome knew what it could mean to the city.

Cut 10 (11) “…that billing.”

The cost of a ticket for driving slower than the speed limit in the left lane of a highway just went up, thanks to a new law that went into effect yesterday.  Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs to wild-caught crawfishermen.

Cut 4 (10) “…frankly years ago.”

Fields says this legislation became a necessity following the historic drought of 2023, which resulted in significantly fewer crawfish in 2024.

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy launched his re-election campaign during a press event in Metairie in front of a room full of supporters. The 67-year-old Republican is seeking a third term in the Senate…

Cut 12 (16) “…all of us.”

Cassidy has drawn three well-known challengers from his own party, state treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta.

The Superdome is celebrating its 50th anniversary tomorrow. From the Rolling Stones to Muhammad Ali, the venue has brought legends and fans from all over the world to the Crescent City. Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, Doug Thornton, says its impact on downtown New Orleans has been immeasurable.

Cut 9 (12)  “…those days.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry, which is vital to Louisiana’s economy.

Dozens of new state laws went into effect yesterday including a measure that could result in a motorist receiving a ticket for traveling below the speed limit in the left lane on a highway. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau hopes his legislation will reduce road rage and accidents…

Cut 6 (07) “…injury to the people.”

A first offense could result in a 150-dollar ticket, second offense 250-dollars, and third offense 350-dollars.

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The Superdome will celebrate  50 years as the iconic center of downtown New Orleans Sunday.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Special education teacher at Haynesville Elementary was arrested on a misdemeanor charge Tuesday. According to Minden police, Kylie Frith is accused of stealing a framed piece of art from the bathroom of Orleans on Main Bistreaux  July 18, allegedly concealing before and leaving. She’s now facing a charge of simple theft.

Governor Jeff Landry announced a partnership with a new software vendor to overhaul the state’s OMV system on his “Diner Days” podcast. OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says they’re working to build a brand-new driver’s license system that will be the greatest thing the state has seen in 50 years.

Cut 8 (11) “…OMV offices.”

A 35-year-old Slidel woman is dubbed the “Medicaid Millionaire” after the Attorney General’s office says she accepted Medicaid benefits while her businesses brought in millions of dollars.  Attorney General Liz Murril says Candace Taylor was collecting benefits could that could have gone to someone else, so Medicaid fraud is not a victimless crime.

Cut 12 (08) “…stealing those benefits.”

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A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is released from ICE custody following two months in detention. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

With scorching heat making for life-threatening conditions, communities in Louisiana are opening up cooling centers. Among them is Lafayette. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux:

Cut 13 (10)  “…the extreme conditions.”

A huge software upgrade announced on Governor Jeff Landry’s “Diner Days” podcast.  Kace Keishnick has details on the news from OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The scorching heat in Louisiana of late has made for life-threatening conditions for those who are vulnerable, which is why many are opening cooling centers. Lafayette Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux says the cooling is open to senior citizens to take shelter from the head…and

Cut 15 (09) “…at that location.”

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A 35 year old Slidell woman has been dubbed the “Medicaid Millionaire” by the Attorney General’s office. Candace Taylor of Slidell is facing charges for allegedly collecting government benefits, applying for benefits even though she owns businesses that  generate millions.  Attorney General Liz Murril says Taylor bought a Lamborghini and even has cosmetic surgery while claiming she only made $2000 a month. The AG says cases this is exactly why Louisiana is diligent in investigating Medicaid fraud.

Cut 11 (08) “…from the program.”

A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is back home after being held in ICE detention for two months. 25-year-old Paola Clouatre (CLOO-aht) was brought to the U.S. when she was 14 and was legally processed. Clouatre is married to a Marine veteran.  Her family’s attorney, Carey Holliday, on what happened when Clouatre met with immigration officials.

Cut 5 (09) “…her under arrest.”

Holliday says he’s now working with Clouatre to get her Green Card and eventually her citizenship.

A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is released from ICE custody following two months in detention. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Scorching heat has communities across our state opening cooling centers.  In Lafayette, city officials are working with community and faith-based organizations to take care of vulnerable people, including seniors. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux:

Cut 14 (08) “…55 and over.”

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Louisiana’s Office of Motor vehicles has a new software vendor to build a brand-new driver’s license system. Appearing on Governor Jeff Landry’s “Diner Days” podcast, OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says he’s hoping  to revolutionize everything from renewing a Real ID to registering a vehicle.

Cut 9 (10)  “…get it there.”

A 35 year old Slidell woman is facing charges for allegedly collecting government benefits, despite being very well off financially. Investigators say Candace Taylor intentionally misspelled her name as she applied for benefits, alleging that she was earning just two-thousand dollars a month. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Taylor actually owns  businesses that generate millions in revenue, and investigators they found her purchases rather peculiar.

Cut 10 (09) “…had no money.”

Governor Jeff Landry has announced a partnership with a new software vendor to overhaul the state’s Office of Motor Vehicles system on his “Diner Days” podcast. OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says the outdated system would frequently shut down, causing long lines, wasted resources and fraud.

Cut 7 (12) “…four months.”

A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is back home after being held in ICE detention for two months. 25-year-old Paola Clouatre (CLOO-aht) was brought to the U.S. when she was 14 and was legally processed. Her family’s attorney, Carey Holliday, says she had an appointment with Citizenship and Immigration Services on May 27th, when she found out something that would change everything.

Cut 4 (11) “…the two children.”

Holliday says he’s now working with Clouatre to get her Green Card and eventually her citizenship.
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A Louisiana woman is dubbed the “Medicaid Millionaire”. Anddrew Greenstein has the story.  Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

With scorching heat making for life-threatening conditions, communities in Louisiana are opening up cooling centers. Among them is Lafayette. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux:

Cut 13 (10)  “…the extreme conditions.”

A second terminal is in the works for Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans.  It’s all part of an overall master plan to accommodate the steady increase in passengers the city has seen.  The city’s aviation director, Kevin Dolliole (DOE-lee-ohl), says the expansion will include additional parking and 15 new gates…all set to be completed by 2031.But that’s not where the growth will end.

Cut 6 (10) “…expand beyond that.”

As of this Friday, the Independent Party will officially cease to exist as a recognized political party in Louisiana. On that day, people registered as “Independent” will have their affiliations changed to “No Party.”  Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says with the change, those registered as such will be allowed to vote in either closed primary, Democratic or Republican.

Cut 9 (11)  “…through that runoff.”

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The numbers are out, and it looks like the number of Louisianans on Medicaid has fallen to pre-pandemic levels.  The Louisiana Department of Health reports as of June, that number is down twenty percent…from two million just two years ago to 1.6 million last month. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Steven Procopio says the expansion started in earnest nine years ago.

Cut 13 (08)  “…you had COVID.”

The LSU football team reports for fall camp today. There are high hopes for Brian Kelly’s fourth campaign in Baton Rouge, led by returning quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. WWL’s Mike Detillier expects the Tigers’ defensive front to be improved.  He has some questions about the LSU secondary but was wowed by six-four freshman cornerback DJ Pickett.

Cut 12 (13) “…very intriguing.”