The Public Service Commission could vote today to approve an Entergy plant that would power a Meta data center in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
It appears smoking is still on the decline in Louisiana down 10 percent in 2023 from a decade ago, according to those surveyed.  But Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says while cigarette smoking is down, other tobacco use is on the rise – especially among younger people.

Cut 9 (11)  “…electronic cigarette use.”

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The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation launched its Premier Season Ticket raffle earlier this summer. The raffle offers one lucky fan the chance to win tickets to over 500 of South Louisiana’s top sporting events. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the proceeds will help the foundation continue to host major events around the state.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

The grand prize winner will receive two season tickets to 17 different eventsThe drawing is set for Sunday.  Go to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s website to purchase a raffle ticket.

And hey, mark your calendars.  LSU women’s basketball will host Kim Mulkey’s alma mater Louisiana Tech in New Orleans on December 13^th in the first game of a doubleheader. The LSU men will take on SMU in the second game.

The good news – smoking is down in Louisiana. The bad news – alternatives are up. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In Natchitoches Prish, crews are making good progress on the Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area.  Jim Caldwell with the U.S. Forest Service says as of yesterday evening, the 24-hundred-acre fire was just under 60-percent contained.

Cut 11 (11) “…soon be out.”

The fire started on August 3rd, and it’s believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.

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The Public Service Commission may decide today whether to approve a power plant that Entergy is looking to build in northeast Louisiana that would power a massive Meta data center. The project has garnered a fair share of controversy. The Alliance for Affordable Energy is asking the commission to hold off on voting until October. Executive Director Logan Burke says the project will benefit one company, while everyone else gets to pay for it.

Cut 4 (13) “…in North Louisiana.”

But Commissioner Mike Francis says most stakeholders appear to be on board with the plan, so there’s no sense in delaying the inevitable. Francis says having the Meta data center will benefit everyone in the long run.

Cut 5 (09) “…for Entergy ratepayers.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal corruption charges as prosecutors allege, she defrauded taxpayers out of 70-thousand dollars to conceal a personal relationship with former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie.  Cantrell has said Vappie was part of her security detail, which is why they traveled together regularly. But Acting US Attorney Michael Simpson says they found messages that show the two used the trips to foster their romantic relationship as evidenced by text messages.

Cut 15 (15) “…physical relationship.”

The multi-state Powerball jackpot is up to 565-million dollars for Saturday night’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says it’s the biggest Powerball jackpot of the year…

Cut 3 (11) “…big one”

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly on Friday for the first time since the arrest of freshman running back JT Lindsey. Lindsey is accused of harboring two wanted second-degree murder suspects in his LSU dorm room for several days. He’s been suspended from the football team until his criminal case is resolved. Coach Kelly says Lindsey’s story is a lesson for all young student-athletes..

Cut 13 (14)  “…that now.”

The 5^thUS  Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Louisiana’s legislative district map violates the federal Voting Rights Act. The plaintiffs in that case argue that Blacks and Democrats are not fairly represented in the Louisiana Legislature. Political analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 8 (12) “..they are really not” 

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is in the hot seat again, indicted on federal corruption charges over 70-thousand dollars they allege she used to cover up an affiar with her former bodyguard.  Cantrel is the first sitting New Orleans mayor to face federal charges. Acting US Attorney Michael Simpson says his office takes allegations of public corruption seriously…

Cut 16 (11) “…own government.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly yesterday for the first time since the arrest of freshman running back JT Lindsey. Lindsey is accused of harboring two wanted second-degree murder suspects in his LSU dorm room for several days. There’s also a report of guns found inside the apartment,. Kelly says it appears Lindsey was hanging out with the wrong crowd…

Cut 12 (11) “…your circle.”

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Fewer Americans than ever before are drinking alcohol.  That’s according to a Gallup poll showing it’s down to 54-percent.  That’s because studies from decades ago saying there were health benefits to having a drink or two a day have been debunked by new research. LSU Health New Orleans physiology professor Nick Gilpin says not only can too much alcohol impact a person’s liver, but it can lead to other health problems…

Cut 10 (11) “…cigarettes.”

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is already higher than it’s been all year.  The multi-state prize is already up to 565-million dollar.  And Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says that’ll go even higher as sales continue today.

Cut 5 (08) “…that way.”

Tickets sales will stop at 9 PM on Saturday.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal corruption charges as prosecutors allege, she defrauded taxpayers out of 70-thousand dollars to conceal a personal relationship with former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie, who served as her bodyguard. Acting US Attorney Michael Simpson…

Cut 14 (14) “…positions”

A US Court of appeals panel of judges has ruled that that Louisiana’s legislative district map approved in 2022 violates the federal Voting Rights Act. But there won’t be any re-drawing yet. Political Scott Hughes says the legislative map issue won’t be resolved until there is a U-S Supreme Court ruling regarding the state’s contested Congressional map…

Cut 7 (11) “…US Supreme Court”

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A new Gallup poll finds only 54-percent of Americans consume alcohol that’s the lowest percentage in the 90-year history of the survey. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The biggest multi-state Powerball jackpot of the year is up for grabs in tonight’s drawing. The jackpot’ been growing since June and is well over 565 million dollars.  It’s been seven years since someone in Louisiana won the Powerball grand prize, but Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says a Carencro man recently became a Powerball millionaire.

Cut 4 (07) “…winners in Louisiana.”

 A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on federal corruption charges. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Gallup poll finds 54-percent of Americans drink alcohol. That’s a record low. LSU Health New Orleans physiology professor Nick Gilpin says more Americans are understanding the health hazards that come with indulging in one or two drinks a day…

Cut 9 (07)  “…and your body.”

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A panel of judges on the U-S 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Louisiana’s legislative district map  violates the federal Voting Rights Act. Political analyst Scott Hughes says the panel and a state judge in Baton Rouge both agree that the map approved in 2022 dilutes the Black vote…

Cut 6 (13) “…fewer black districts”

The multi-state Powerball jackpot is up to 565-million dollars for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Chrislyn Maher (Mayor) says it’s the biggest Powerball jackpot of the year…

Cut 3 (11) “…big one”

Tickets sales will stop at 9 PM on Saturday.

Louisiana’s Attorney General has filed a child protection lawsuit against a popular online gaming site she says is overrun with harmful content and child predators. AG Liz Murrill says the Roblox site has no age minimum, verification requirement, or parental permission required and once registered, children can find sexually explicit material …

Cut 11 (13) “…for all ages.”

Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Caleb Eisworth will be laid to rest tomorrow.  In June, the driver of a truck allegedly intentionally hit Sgt Eisworth’s motorcycle. He died in the hospital last Sunday. Sgt Eisworth suffered multiple injuries and spent seven weeks in the hospital. Baton Rouge Police Chief, T.J Morse says there were moments of hope that he would recover…

Cut 5 (13) “…in the room.”

Visitation will be held at Istrouma Baptist Church Saturday beginning at 9:00 A.M., followed by his funeral at noon

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The LSU football team starts the season on the road at Clemson two weeks from tomorrow and the offensive line is the biggest question. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The first hurricane of the season is expected to form today as Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a hurricane out in the Atlantic.  NOAA’s National Weather Service predicts five to nine hurricanes before the season ends. State Climatologist Jay Grymes…

Cut 9 (11)  “…tropical system”

Erin is not expected to affect the coastal United States.

Funeral services honoring fallen Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Caleb Eisworth will be held Saturday. Colleen Crain has the details…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a child protection lawsuit against a popular online gaming site that she says is overrun with harmful content and child predators….

Cut 10 (10) “…sex predators.”

Right now, there is no age minimum, verification requirement, or parental permission required to sign up for Roblox.
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LSU football is still figuring out who its best eleven are offensively for the opener at Clemson. The Tigers are challenged with having to replace four NFL-level offensive linemen. ESPN Baton Rouge radio host Charles Hanagriff says he expects the starting offensive line to continue to change as the season progresses.

Cut 13 (14)  “…very much.”

Tropical Storm Erin is expected ito a hurricane today as it continues to churn in the middle of the Atlantic . This would be the first hurricane of the season and though it’s expected to become a major one, it’s not expected to threated the coastal U-S.  The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance over the Bay of Campeche in the southwestern Gulf. But State Climatologist Jay Grymes Grymes it’s unlikely it will form into a named storm…

Cut 8 (10) “…whatsoever.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill files a lawsuit against the online gaming site Roblox alleging it’s a site where children can easily view sexually explicit material. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A federal appeals court has upheld a Louisiana judge’s decision to invalidate the state’s new legislative district maps for House and Senate races, saying they violate section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.  But those maps will stay in place for now…at least until the US Supreme court rules on a similar case disputing Louisiana’s Congressional districts.

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Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Caleb Eisworth will be laid to rest Saturday. He is the 13^th Baton Rouge Police Officer to die in the line of duty. In June, the driver of a truck allegedly intentionally hit Sgt Eisworth’s motorcycle. He died in the hospital last Sunday. Baton Rouge Police Chief, T.J. Morse says his injuries were just too severe…

Cut 4 (13) “…hateful person.”

The first hurricane of the season is expected to form today as Erin is expected to strengthen from tropical storm into a hurricane as it continues to churn in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this is about the time we usually see our first hurricane

Cut 7 (10) “…mark for that.”

Erin is also expected to become the season’s first major hurricane, but it’s not expected to threaten the coastal United States.

There are unanswered questions in  the case of suspended LSU running back JT Lindsey.  Andre Champagne has details.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is speaking out about the arrest of a 23 year veteran officer.  56-year-old Terrance Johnson is charged with prostitution and malfeasance in office. Kirkpatrick says his alleged actions do not represent the NOPD…

Cut 5 (12) “…NOPD today.”
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The state department of transportation is starting a new program that will allow businesses to get involved in cleaning up the litter along state highways. The “Sponsor a Highway” program will start in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport, with the hopes of expanding the program later. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says DOTD spends 13-million dollars a year on litter removal efforts and this a chance for private dollars to help.

Cut 11 (11) “…regular basis.”

Louisiana is seeing an increase in the number of people infected with flesh eating bacteria this summer. State epidemiologist, Theresa Sokol says you can become infected by eating raw seafood from exposed waters but most people infected are exposed through open wounds.  She says it’s important to pay attention to symptoms of skin infections like redness, swelling, blisters, or fever and act quickly.

Cut 15 (11) “…or raw seafood.”