Louis Armstrong International is getting ready to expand. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Come Friday, the Independent Party will officially cease to exist as a recognized political party in Louisiana. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says the Independent Party will be short-lived in the state.

Cut 7 (11) “…law this year.”

On that day, people who registered as “Independent” will have their affiliations changed to “No Party,”
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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 says Nussmeier is the only sure first-round draft pick on the roster right now, but he has another breakout candidate.

Cut 10 (10) “…in his life.”

President Trump has excluded 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. But, Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality the exemption is not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. Jefferson, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes will receive the most funding with over four, three and two million dollars in funding, respectively. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says hazard mitigation works to break the cycle of repeated damage.

Cut 12 (13) “…at this time.”

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Bill Cassidy has another challenger in the race for the Senate seat he’s held for two terms.  New Orleans-area public service commissioner Eric Skrmetta made his announcement on Friday.  That makes four prominent in the race.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat another big question is – who will the Democrats put forth?

Cut 6 (08) “…will do differently.”

Another incident shining a negative light on the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate was mistakenly released on Friday.  Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer. This comes two months after ten inmates escaped from the same facility. Sheriff Susan Hutson says she knows that she and jail staff have let the community down with this latest failure.

Cut 9 (05)  “…for our community.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be taken.

The mistaken release of an inmate adds to the troubles of the Orleans Parish Jail. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says the exclusion is not permanent and eventually, all 25 plants will need to meet the new emissions rules.

Cut 15 (07) “…was too short.”

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Bill Cassidy has another challenger in the race for the Senate seat he’s held for two terms.  New Orleans-area public service commissioner Eric Skrmetta made his announcement on Friday.  Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat since Cassidy’s raised so much money and he’s the incumbent, the addition of a third primary challenger will be inconsequential to Cassidy’s re-election bid..

Cut 5 (08) “…point in time.”

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of last year. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says the funding isn’t a lump sum of money for the parishes, but available reimbursement for approved projects.

Cut 11 (14) “…this December.”

Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules.  But Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says the exemptions are not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

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First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

An inmate at the Orleans Parish Jail was mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson says the mixup was due to a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”

The Republican field for U.S. Senate in Louisiana is getting crowded. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

More trouble for the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate was mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson.

Cut 7 (05) “…take full responsibility.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be taken.
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President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says these are fairly new rules.

Cut 13 (08)  “…is the HON.”

Environmental groups say the exemption is based on a false claim that there is already strict oversight of those facilities.

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says these aren’t just relief funds. They’ll go towards fortification projects to protect from future storms.

Cut 10 (12) “…critical facilities.”

A dispute over trash pickup and sanitation in the French Quarter is heating up. Mayor LaToya Cantrell is looking to terminate the contract with I-V Waste and award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. That’s not sitting well with many who live and work in the Quarter. Glade Bilby with the French Quarter Management District says even though a judge ruled the Mayor can move forward with the emergency contract, the issue is far from over.

Cut 3 (11) “…not quite settled.”

Louisiana Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson has established a committee to monitor and communicate with the LHSAA. Johnson says the LHSAA is a private corporation with authority over student-athletes across the state.

Cut 6 (10) “…little involvement.”

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The list of republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for his U.S. Senate seat has gotten a little more crowded. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta has announced today that he’s running for his seat. Skrmetta made the announcement in a video, in which he introduced himself to voters statewide.

Cut 14 (10) “…and engineering company.”

Skrmetta joins State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez among the prominent Republicans to challenge Cassidy for the seat that he has held for two terms.

When people think of tourism in Louisiana, naturally the one city that comes to mind is New Orleans. But in speaking to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says while New Orleans is certainly a fun place to visit, he’s trying to change that narrative.

Cut 12 (09) “…of the state.”

The Louisiana legislature is taking a hard look at the LHSAA, thanks to a new committee established by Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson. Here’s Kace Kieschnick.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

For many, visiting Louisiana means, a visit to New Orleans. But Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says his office is promoting every area of the state as he has concerns the Crescent City could become overcrowded with visitors.

Cut 13 (09)  “…those tourism numbers.”

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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has gotten the green light from a judge in her efforts to terminate the French Quarter’s trash and sanitation contract with I-V Waste. She wants to award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. But Glade Bilby with  the French Quarter Management District that ruling is being appealed and believes I-V Waste will continue to provide trash pickup and sanitation services in the French Quarter.

Cut 4 (10) “…process of doing.”

Seven teens, including six juveniles, are facing felony charges for causing damage to Grand Ridge Golf Course in St. Charles Parish.  All suspects are boys, and they range in age from 13 to 17. Sergeant Barrette says the 17-year-old, Hunter Graffia of Destrehan, is facing the most charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…that were underage.”

We’re told he golf course is still playable, albeit with a few additional man-made – make that juvenile-made – hazards on the 11th through the 13th holes.

The battle over the French Quarter’s trash contractor is heating up. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the person responsible for a crash that left a 55 year old man dead in Evangeline Parish.  It happened on LA Highway 104 just after 7:30 yesterday morning as Errol Deville of Eunice was riding a motorized bicycle southbound in Mamou.  Troopers are urging anyone with information related to this crash or who may have been in the

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Seven teens, including six juveniles, are facing felony charges for causing damage to a golf course in St. Charles Parish. Sergeant Jenni Barrette (buh-REHT) says this happened at the Grand Ridge Golf Club.

Cut 9 (06)  “…of the greens.”

Another challenger has thrown his hat into the ring looking to take the seat Senator Bill Cassidy has held for two terms.  Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta announced in a video yesterday he is running for the seat, outline some of his priorities and why he should be elected.

Cut 15 (09) “…and balanced trade.”

Skrmetta joins State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez among the prominent Republicans to challenge Cassidy. And there’s talk Congresswoman Julia Letlow may also join the field.

The list of republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for his U.S. Senate seat has gotten a little more crowded. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta has announced today that he’s running for his seat. Skrmetta made the announcement in a video, in which he introduced himself to voters statewide.

Cut 14 (10) “…and engineering company.”

Skrmetta joins State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez among the prominent Republicans to challenge Cassidy for the seat that he has held for two terms.

When people think of tourism in Louisiana, naturally the one city that comes to mind is New Orleans. But in speaking to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says while New Orleans is certainly a fun place to visit, he’s trying to change that narrative.

Cut 12 (09) “…of the state.”

______________________________________________

A dispute over trash pickup and sanitation in the French Quarter is heating up. Mayor LaToya Cantrell is looking to terminate the contract with I-V Waste and award an emergency contract to Henry Consulting at a higher cost. That’s not sitting well with many who live and work in the Quarter. Glade Bilby with the French Quarter Management District says even though a judge ruled the Mayor can move forward with the emergency contract, the issue is far from over.

Cut 3 (11) “…not quite settled.”

Louisiana Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson has established a committee to monitor and communicate with the LHSAA. Johnson says the LHSAA is a private corporation with authority over student-athletes across the state.

Cut 6 (10) “…little involvement.”

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Raceland early yesterday morning.  We’re told one adult in the home did manage to escape. Ken Pastorick with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal says Pastorick says while the cause is still under investigation, it’s possible that a lack of working smoke alarms may have made the difference between life and death.

Cut 6 (09) “…believe they were.”

For the second time ever, there are more than two million non-farm jobs in Louisiana. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says this is tremendous as every region of the state is experiencing job growth.

Cut 9 (08)  “…rarely the case.”

Knapp especially singled out the Northshore, with places like Slidell and Hammond leading the state.

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More than one-thousand girls ages 5 to 19 will descend upon Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series.  It’s being held at the Ruston Sports Complex.  It’s a community wide effort.  Experience Ruston’s Tori Davis says volunteers will help as scorekeepers, announcers and gate workers, plus more than 80 families will host visiting players and their families.

Cut 12 (13) “…many days.”

Baton Rouge Police will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” Police recruitment rates have been down nationwide Chief TJ Morse says he hopes the exposure brought by the show can help stop the slide in Baton Rouge. Morse says the department’s most recent basic training graduating class was seven officers.

Cut 15 (14) “…82-thousand.”