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 12^th.  A celebration of life service will be Sunday, July 13^th.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled Kelly Orgeron, the ex-wife of former LSU football coach Ed Orgeron, is entitled to more than eight-million of the coach’s 17-million-dollar buyout. Reversing a lower court’s decision. . The Supreme Court reversed the lower courts ’decisions. Legal Analyst Franz Borghart says he’d certainly understand an attempted appeal from Orgeron, but he’s not sure how successful that would be.

Cut 8 (07) “…taking this.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inducted the class of 2025 Saturday night. Headlining the class was former LSU coach Nick Saban. Saban arrived in Baton Rouge in 2000 and took a Tigers program that had gone 3-and-8 the year before to a national championship three years later. LSU, of course, would go on to be a perennial competitor in the SEC.

Cut 14 (12) “…ever since (applause).”

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A month into hurricane season, and we have yet to see our first hurricane. Is that a sign of things to come? Andrew Greenstein says don’t count on it.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We’re coming up on yet another holiday weekend. Triple-A says more than 72-million people to head out of town for the holiday, the vast majority by car. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says  with some 12-million people hitting the road throughout the Gulf South region, you can expect heavy traffic – not just this week, but next week as well.

Cut 5 (12) “…on the roadway.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled former LSU football coach Ed Orgeron’s ex-wife is entitled to half of his 17-million-dollar buyout. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

State Senator Royce Duplessis says he will run for Mayor of New Orleans after all.  He made the announcement on social media late yesterday saying he’s reconsidered his decision not to run after hearing from voters about their frustrations and disappointment with the city’s direction.  Duplessis has said he will make the announcement official tomorrow.

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We’re nearly a month into hurricane season, and so far only two tropical storms, including Barry which made landfall south of Tampico, Mexico last night.  LSU Climatologist Dr. Jill Trepanier (tre-PAN-yer) says conditions haven’t been right for a hurricane yet, but that will change.

Cut 11 (12) “…late into August.”

We’re coming up on yet another holiday weekend. In fact, Triple-A Louisiana says it’s already here. The Fourth of July is this Friday, and Triple-A says it expects more than 72-million people to head out of town for the holiday, the vast majority by car. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the calendar this year makes for a prolonged 4th of July holiday.

Cut 4 (12) “…we speak now.”