9:30 AM Newscast

A two-year-old boy was run over in a driveway and killed earlier this week in Baton Rouge. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Emergency crews responded to reports of a shooting in Shreveport yesterday. It happened just before 230 yesterday. Shreveport Police say a 32-year-old woman was shot while driving on I-20 near the I-220 ramp. We’re told the woman was taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. So far there’s no word on a suspect.

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President Donald Trump took part of his July 4th holiday to sign the Big, Beautiful Bill into law. That, after months of debate in congress.  One of the biggest points of contention related to Medicaid. Congressman Steve Scalise noted that under the new requirements, those who are able to work will now be required to do so in order to receive Medicaid benefits.

Cut 7 (09) “…playing video games.”

LDWF agents are participating in Operation Dry Water this weekend, targeting impaired boating. Lieutenant Garrett Kimbal says the campaign is part of a national effort, and it aims to reduce boating under the influence during the busy Fourth of July weekend.

Cut 13 (11)  “…last year.”

8:30 AM Newscast

After months of fierce debate, President Trump has signed the Big, Beautiful Bill.  Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A tragic accident claimed the life of a two-year-old boy in Baton Rouge earlier this week.  According to investigators, the child ran in front of a moving car, leading to the collision. Amber Rollins, the director of kids and car safety, says it’s called a front-over that happens in driveways and parking lots.

Cut 4 (11) “…of the vehicle.”

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Louisiana law enforcement is participating in “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, targeting impaired driving during the Fourth of July holiday. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the campaign promotes safety on the roadway.

Cut 11 (10) “…drinking and driving.”

Police in Lake Charles shoot and kill a man who they say opened fire on them. Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says officers responded after a driver called 911 to say that someone was pointing a gun at traffic.

Cut 15 (07) “…shot at her.”

Chief Caldwell says the suspect fired on several other officers, who returned fire.  Louisiana State Police have taken over the investigation

9:30 AM Newscast

The Big, Beautiful Bill is headed to the House after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says passing the bill as-is in the House is far from a slam-dunk.

Cut 6 (16) “…to accept it.”

If the House makes any changes, it would then have to go back to the Senate.

Beginning next month, you’ll want to keep your hands and eyes off your cell phone at all times while you’re driving.  The new law means no texting, social media, or shopping, and you can only talk on your phone hands free. State lawmakers approved the bill since distracted driving has led to more fatalities and severe injuries.  The fine will be $100 or $250 in school or construction zones.  But officials say it’s not really about fines, but educating drivers and keeping the roads safe.

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The Christian world is mourning the passing of Jimmy Swaggart, who died yesterday at the age of 90. Swaggart began his ministry in 1973, televising and broadcasting the gospel to the world. After a prostitution scandal in 1988, Swaggart Ministries Spokesperson Megan Kelly says he got on his knees and asked God for forgiveness and to change his life.

Cut 9 (11)  “…is just tremendous.”

The public viewing and wake will be held Saturday, July 12th.  A celebration of life service will be Sunday, July 13th.

New Orleans-based Delta Utilities has completed its purchase of Entergy’s natural gas business. Delta Utilities CEO Tim Poche (poe-SHAY) says for those customers, the transition from Entergy will be seamless. The main difference they’ll see is getting two separate bills instead of one.

Cut 11 (09) “…will continue seamlessly.”

8:30 AM Newscast

New Orleans-based Delta Utilities has completed its purchase of Entergy’s natural gas business, adding more than 200-thousand customers in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Delta Utilities CEO Tim Poche (poe-SHAY) says for those customers, the transition from Entergy will be seamless.

Cut 10 (06) “…will continue unaffected.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says CVS was being deceptive when sending text messages opposing legislation that would ban pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies.  It its text blast, CVS said if the bill were to pass, it would have to close all of its pharmacies in Louisiana. The AG has filed three lawsuits against the company.

Cut 15 (10) “…out of business.”

CVS has previously issued a statement denying all allegations.

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People are looking back at the life and ministry of the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Big, Beautiful Bill now heads to the House after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.  One of the most contentious issues was the cuts to Medicaid and how many people would lose coverage as a result. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan

Cut 5 (08) “…ultimately receive it.”

7:30 AM Newscast

The Senate passed the Big Beautiful Bill, but it’s not headed to President Trump’s desk just yet. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Beginning next month, you’ll want to keep your hands and eyes off your cell phone at all times while you’re driving.  The new law means no texting, social media, or shopping, and you can only talk on your phone hands free. State lawmakers approved the bill since distracted driving has led to more fatalities and severe injuries.  The fine will be $100 or $250 in school or construction zones.  But officials say it’s not really about fines, but educating drivers and keeping the roads safe.

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The Christian world is mourning the passing of Jimmy Swaggart, who died yesterday at the age of 90. He had gone into cardiac arrest in June and never regained consciousness. Jimmy Swaggart Swaggart began his ministry in 1973, televising and broadcasting the gospel to the world. Kelly says its incredible to think there’s not one place on this earth that his ministry hasn’t touched.

Cut 8 (10) “…of Jimmy Swaggart.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says CVS was being deceptive when sending text messages opposing legislation that would ban pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies.

Cut 13 (08)  “…lawsuits is about.”

That text blast is the focus of one of the three lawsuits Murrill filed against the drug store chain last month.

6:30 AM Newscast

Entergy’s natural gas customers will now be making payments to a new company. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Big, Beautiful Bill is Headed to the House after Vice President cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.  The final vote came after more than 24 hours of votes on amendments, most of which were put forth by Democrats. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says the bill deals with a lot of controversial issues.

Cut 4 (08) “…state like Louisiana.”

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The Christian world is mourning the passing of Jimmy Swaggart, who died yesterday at the age of 90. He had gone into cardiac arrest in June and never regained consciousness. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries spokeswoman Megan Kelly says his family is grieving but in good spirits.

Cut 7 (09) “…good peace.”

A text from CVS that opposed legislation that would ban pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies, is the focus of one of the three lawsuits filed against the drug store chain last month by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.   The AG says CVS used private patient information to send out a political message, which she received.  She says it targeted seniors, veterans and people with serious health issues.

Cut 14 (08) “…to scare people.”

9:30 AM Newscast

College athletics are changing beginning today asrevenue sharing launches across the nation. That means schools can now pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletics revenue directly to athletes.  LSU has been outspent by its competitors so far in the NIL era; but with the shift away from collective-based bargaining, The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says officials believe the Tigers can offer just as much as other schools.

Cut 12 (13) “…programs these days.”

It’s summertime and in Louisiana, that means mosquitoes.  West Nile Virus has already been detected in 14 parishes, with Livingston Parish reporting the state’s first human case last month. But West Nile isn’t the only virus mosquitos can transmit to humans.  Director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab Dr. Alma Roy says while St. Louis encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis are not as common as West Nile Virus, they are both just as dangerous.

Cut 15 (11) “…people very ill.”

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Protestors are set to stage another rally at Lafayette Square in New Orleans this evening over the immigration raids that have increased across the country.  They’re demanding the release of immigrant workers they say have committed no crimes.  Yesterday, the group held demonstrations outside ICE processing centers in Basile and Jena. Siti Pulcheon, a child of an immigrant mother, says the conditions inside those facilities are deplorable.

Cut 5 (11) “…solitary confinement.”

Today’s rally is set for 5:30 this evening.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Liz Murril yesterday announced that her office has officially filed charges Simple Escape charges against the 10 escapees from the Orleans Parish Justice Center.  The AG says each escapee will now face additional charges for their role in the escape in addition to the charges they were already facing.

8:30 AM Newscast

 

A new era of college athletics has arrived. Schools can now pay athletes directly, thanks to revenue sharing in the NCAA. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Several new laws go into effect in Louisiana today, affecting everything from voting, education, and insurance.  The new distracted driving legislation will require drivers to put their phones down to help bring auto rate insurance rates down. And police will now have the authority to take down drones if they witness one operating in a suspicious manner.

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With immigration raids ramping up across the country, so are demonstrations against them. Activists are set to hold another rally at Lafayette Square tonight in New Orleans.  Yesterday, the group rallied outside ICE processing centers in Basile and Jena.  Siti Pulshin, a child of an immigrant mother, during the rally, you could see the anguish in the faces of the people being held in the detention facilities.

Cut 6 (11) “…here or elsewhere”

This evening’s Lafayette Square rally starts at 5:30.

This is the time of year we usually start seeing more of the  West Nile Virus.   So far this year, West Nile Virus has been detected in 14 parishes, with Livingston Parish reporting the state’s first human case last month.  But Dr. Alma Roy, the director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab, says West Nile isn’t the only virus mosquitos can transmit to humans.

Cut 14 (15) “…eastern equine encephalitis.”

 

7:30 AM Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry signs a series of bills reform bills for Louisiana Transportation and Development.  Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Attorney General Liz Murril yesterday announced that her office has officially filed charges Simple Escape charges against the 10 escapees from the Orleans Parish Justice Center.  The AG says each escapee will now face additional charges for their role in the escape in addition to the charges they were already facing.

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Protestors are set to stage another rally at Lafayette Square in New Orleans this evening over the immigration raids that have increased across the country.  They’re demanding the release of immigrant workers they say have committed no crimes.  Yesterday, the group held demonstrations outside ICE processing centers in Basile and Jena. Siti Pulcheon, a child of an immigrant mother, says the conditions inside those facilities are deplorable.

Cut 5 (11) “…solitary confinement.”

This is the time of year that West Nile Virus starts to ramp up, and Dr. Alma Roy, the director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab, says this year could be a busy one.

Cut 13 (09)  “…season this year.”

6:30 AM Newscast

A rally will be held in downtown New Orleans this evening to call attention to immigration crackdowns that’s happening across the country, including in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a series of bills to reform Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development yesterday. HB 640 established the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction to manage five-thousand miles of non-federal aid roads, aiming to improve project delivery.

Cut 7 (10) “…the private sector.”

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A new era of college athletics begins, as revenue sharing launches across the nation today. Schools can now pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletics revenue directly to athletes. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says LSU will spend around 75-percent of that on football…but Alexander says officials plan on paying every sport and finding other NIL opportunities.

Cut 10 (12) “…an athlete.”

Summertime in Louisiana means mosquitoes.  West Nile Virus has already been detected in 14 parishes, but it’s not the only virus mosquitos can transmit to humans.  Director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab Dr. Alma Roy says St. Louis and eastern equine encephalitis are not as common as West Nile Virus, they’re both just as dangerous.

Cut 15 (11) “…people very ill.”