The political world is shaken following yesterday’s shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. Kirk’s murder, along with the deadly shootings of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota this summer, underscore the very tense political climate gripping the country. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says people need to stop viewing their fellow Americans as their enemies.

Cut 7 (11) “…a negative light.”

As expected, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell was released on her own recognizance and was given a series of pre-trial conditions, including travel restrictions.

Cut 10 (06) “…District of Louisiana.”

Cantrell may, however, travel elsewhere within the U.S. with prior approval

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The Secretary of State’s Office is beginning an education campaign to inform voters about next April’s closed party primaries. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

After months of delays, construction is back underway this week on the future Buc-ee’s in Lafayette. The site once again active with dirt work.  The most recent projections project an opening date sometime in 2028.  But once complete, the Lafayette Buc-eyes will be one of the largest locations in the Gulf South at about 74-thousand square feet.

When it comes to budgeting money, Louisianans apparently aren’t that good at it. That’s according to a new study by WalletHub, which ranks Louisiana as the second worst state in the country in money budgeting, trailing only Mississippi. According to the study, Louisiana is near the bottom when it comes to debt, credit, and savings and many pay only the minimum on their credit cards.  Analyst Chris Lupo says it’s a by-product of the state’s relatively low median income.

Cut 6 (10) “…their daily expenses.”

Some news on the progress of the new 2.3-billion-dollar Lake Charles I-10 bridge project Johnathan Hill told the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury construction should start early next year, with a finish date set for 2030 . Hill says the new bridge will require a toll, but not until a year after the bridge opens.

Cut 15 (13) “…August of 2031.”

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State Police are investigating a trooper involved shooting that happened in Lafourche Parish yesterday afternoon. Investigators say it all began with an attempted traffic stop that led to a pursuit that ended on a dead-end road in Houma.  We’re told that’s when a passenger exited the vehicle, was shot by the trooper and pronounced dead at the scene.  Officials say the suspect driver then fled again…put was apprehended when the pursuit ended in a crash a short time later.

People who live near Smitty’s Supply in Roseland are getting frustrated at what they say is a lack of progress in the cleanup effort after that explosion August 22nd. Pat Mashburn says he wakes up every morning to the stench of oil and diesel; and for the last two weeks, he’s seen no change in the amount of oil coating the Tanpipahoa River. Mashburn says he’s especially frustrated by what he says is a relative lack of communication from environmental officials.

Cut 9 (10)  “…one-mile radius.”

The explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland happened more than two weeks ago, and people who live near the site are getting frustrated at what they say is a lack of progress in the cleanup effort. Pat Mashburn says he wakes up every morning to the stench of oil and diesel; and there doesn’t seem to be any less oil in the Tangipahoa River just after the explosion.  He says people who live near the explosion site face long-term environmental damage with no relief in sight.

Cut 8 (08) “…any of that.”

A new study by WalletHub ranks Louisiana as the second worst state in the country when it comes to budgeting money.   In devising its rankings, WalletHub examined 12 key indicators of budgeting habits, and Analyst Chris Lupo on where Louisiana landed on some of them.

Cut 5 (11) “…on credit cards.”

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The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new Lake Charles I-10 bridge project. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has started the legal process in the state’s attempt to reinstate the death sentence for convicted killer Dale Dewayne Craig. Craig was convicted in the 1992 shooting death of LSU freshmen Kipp Gullet after stealing his vehicle.

Cut 10 (09) “…to do it.”

Craig was a few days shy of his 18^th birthday when the crime took place and can not be put to death because of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling banning capital punishment for those who were 17 or younger at the time of the crime..

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has started the legal process in the state’s attempt to reinstate the death sentence for convicted killer Dale Dewayne Craig. In 1992, Craig fired three bullets through the head of LSU freshmen student Kipp Gullet after stealing his vehicle.  Craig was a few days shy of his 18^th birthday when the crime took place and canot be put to death because of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling  banning capital punishment for those who were 17 or younger at the time of the crime.

Cut 11 (12) “…precedent.”

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new 2.3-billion-dollar Lake Charles I-10 bridge project which is in the design phase now and is prepping to begin construction early next year. The new Lake Charles I-10 bridge will take several years to construct, but Hill says that it is expected to be ready for use by 2030.

Cut 14 (10) “…in 2031.”

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A new report suggests Louisianans apparently aren’t that good at budgeting money. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

People who live near Smitty’s Supply in Roseland are getting frustrated at what they say is a lack of progress in the cleanup effort after that explosion August 22nd. Pat Mashburn says he wakes up every morning to the stench of oil and diesel; and for the last two weeks, he’s been conducting a test with a paper towel to see how much oil is in the Tangipahoa River.

Cut 7 (08) “…last two weeks.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is seeking to reinstate the death sentence of a convicted killer who fatally shot an LSU student in 1992. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Police are investigating a trooper involved shooting that happened in Lafourche Parish yesterday afternoon. Investigators say it all began with an attempted traffic stop that led to a pursuit that ended on a dead-end road in Houma.  We’re told that’s when a passenger exited the vehicle, was shot by the trooper and pronounced dead at the scene.  Officials say the suspect driver then fled again…put was apprehended when the pursuit ended in a crash a short time later.
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When it comes to budgeting money, Louisianans apparently aren’t that good at it. That’s according to a new study by WalletHub, which ranks Louisiana as the second worst state in the country in money budgeting, ranking ahead of only Mississippi. Analyst Chris Lupo says you can blame that in part on Louisiana’s relatively low median income.

Cut 4 (10) “…median annual income.”

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new 2.3-billion-dollar Lake Charles I-10 bridge project. Project spokesman Johnathan Hill says that it’s currently in the design phase and is prepping for construction, which will start early next year.

Cut 13 (13)  “…design plan.”

The new Lake Charles I-10 bridge will take several years to construct, but Hill says that it is expected to be ready for use by 2030.

LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other for the 21st time on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly has great respect for the Bulldogs and their head coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 11 (13) “…do the same.”

Kick off tonight is set for 6:30

Louisiana Tech isn’t the only in-state team facing a big opponent tonight.  UL-Monroe will take on twenty-first ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa at tonight at 6:45. The Warhawks are looking to pull off the upset in T-Town just like it did in 2007 when it defeated the Crimson Tide 21 to 14 in Nick Saban’s first year at Bama.

And Grambling State faces the top-ranked team in the nation in Ohio State.  It’s the first time the Tigers will have played an AP number one team.  Kick-off for that one is set for 2:30.

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It’s the first full weekend of September which means Louisiana’s holding its annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday. Between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes. But, Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says there are certain hunting-related items, though, that are ineligible for the sales tax exemption this weekend.

Cut 4 (09) “…such as airboats.”

If you’re out and about shopping or attending a big game, be aware that COVID cases are up again this year.  It’s happened every year for the last five years.  But Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport, says so far, this year’s spike isn’t as severe as those in years past, but only time will tell.

Cut 7 (09) “…up each week.”

COVID cases are on the rise again this year in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Powerball frenzy is hitting hard as a big win tonight would be the second largest in US lottery history.  The estimated jackpot for tonight’s big drawing is up to 1.8 billion dollars.  Including this one, there have only been six jackpots of more than $1 billion in Powerball’s 33-year history.

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Louisiana Tech and LSU are set for tonight’s 6:30 kick-off in Tiger Stadium.  The purple and gold are expected to win big as the third ranked Tigers are favorite by more than five touchdowns, coming off an impressive win over Clemson. The Bulldogs have not had a winning season since 2019. LSU head coach Brian Kelly on what he wants from his players.

Cut 12 (13) “…drive themselves.”

It appears that vendors at last weekend’s Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival got the memo to sell only Louisiana shrimp.  SeaD (“seed”) Consulting did genetic testing on shrimp from seven vendors – and the shrimp from all seven were indeed found to be from local waters. Co-founder Erin Williams says it’s a far cry from last year, when shrimp from four of the five vendors they tested turned out to be imported.

Cut 13 (09)  “…help that along.”

COVID cases are on the rise in Louisiana. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport, says spikes in COVID cases have happened every summer since the virus first appeared five years ago, and this year has proven to be no different.

Cut 6 (13) “…over 15-percent.”

This weekend is the annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiana. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes.

Cut 3 (10) “…types of knives.”

The 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is an annual tradition in Louisiana.

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A man wanted for a murder in Ruston was arrested in Texas yesterday after a police chase that started on Interstate 20 near Bossier City. Dylan Castaneda with Ruston Police says 31-year-old Virgil Mack of Dubach fatally shot 35-year-old Ontario Spivey of Ruston at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store on Thursday. Castaneda says security cameras captured the shooting…

Cut 9 (09)  “…shooting itself.”

LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other for the 21st time on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly has great respect for the Bulldogs and their head coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 11 (13) “…do the same.”

LSU is expected to win big, as the third ranked Tigers are favorite by 37.5 points.  Kick off is at 6:30

The Louisiana Supreme Court has denied a death row inmate’s request for a rehearing. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Powerball mania remains in full swing as the estimated jackpot for tonight’s big drawing is up to 1.8 billion dollars.  A windfall tonight would be the second-biggest in U.S. lottery history. Including this one, there have been six jackpots of more than $1 billion in Powerball’s 33-year history.
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Another summer, another spike in COVID cases here in Louisiana, though COVID very different now than it was when it first hit the world five and a half years ago. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton, says while COVID can still have very severe consequences, the likelihood of that is somewhat diminished nowadays.

Cut 8 (10) “…have been vaccinated.”

What a difference a year  can make. Last year at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, SeaD Consulting found that four of the five vendors it tested were selling imported shrimp. This year, it tested seven, and all seven were selling Louisiana shrimp as required. SeaD Co-founder Erin Williams….

Cut 14 (12) “…domestic fishing industries.”

20 years ago, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew nearly became trapped in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump yesterday suggesting a federal crime crackdown could be launched in New Orleans. If the National Guard is deployed to New Orleans, it’s likely their presence would be concentrated in the French Quarter.  Governor Jeff Landry has said he would support the move.

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Many child care providers are having trouble staying in business right now.  That’s according to the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.  Public policy and research director Mattilyn Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

Cut 5 (14) “…to other sectors.”

Batson says the simplest solution is for child care providers is to raise tuition. but, that’s a lot easier said than done.

Cut 6 (11) “…affording child care.”

Batson says there are programs aimed at helping both child care providers and families afford child care, but those programs are underfunded, which only adds to the problem.