Perhaps one of the biggest storylines in the first day of qualifying in the U.S. House races is who DIDN’T show up to qualify on day one. As we enter day two of the three-day qualifying period, we still don’t know whether Blake Miguez will run in district five or district six. Rick Edmonds, who qualified in district six yesterday, said what speaks volumes is that while President Trump endorsed Miguez in the fifth district in the closed primary that was cancelled, he hasn’t in the sixth..

Cut 4 (12) “…must be earned.”

Former East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor Pro Tempore LaMont Cole was formally indicted on corruption charges by a grand jury Wednesday amid an attorney general probe into the city-parish government.  Cole was charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit public bribery and money laundering as well as one count of malfeasance in office.  Cole issued a statement last night, saying the indictment was a “miscarriage of justice based on association, not attestation, and proximity to potential crimes without proof.”

—————————

We’re learning new details on the deadly shooting of a 14-year-old Shreveport girl. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

If you’re a hunter who wants an opportunity to participate in Louisiana’s third black bear hunting season since 1987, now’s your chance to apply.  LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says if you win a tag, your preparation doesn’t stop there.

Cut 14 (10) “…to complete that.”

One of the big storylines in U.S. House qualifying so far is someone who HASN’T  done so yet. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Attorney General Liz Murril has filed suit against the special prosecutor and the Orleans DA.  She’s asking a civil court judge to order those in question to turn over requested public records in an effort to learn why a grand jury investigated and indicted her on 16 counts, including malfeasance in office and public intimidation.  All the charges have since been dismissed.

———————

Louisiana Tech and LSU Health Shreveport signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a partnership for research and student training. Dr. Oren Rom, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research at LSU Health Shreveport, says the agreement allows students, faculty and researchers to collaborate on research projects and share access to specialized facilities.

Cut 10 (08) “…in North Louisiana.”

Louisiana hunters who want a chance to participate in the state’s third black bear hunting season since 1987 can apply to the LDWF lottery now. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks.

Cut 13 (11)  “…go to apply.”

Qualifying for the U.S. House gets underway in Baton this morning for the second time this year. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says there are questions about who will run as some decisions from candidates like Blake Migues have closely-guarded secrets.

Cut 11 (14) “…more congenial fit?”

A 21 year old Baton Rouge man has been arrested, charged with cruelty to a juvenile, after his five year old brother shot himself in the hand after finding his brother’s gun. Corporal Saundra Watts says while gun possession is a right, we all need to be careful with them, especially around children.

Cut 6 (09) “…lock them up.”

————————-

The Lane Kiffin era at LSU football begins with its first preseason practice today. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Sad news out of the world of horse racing. Legendary Lafayette native Robbie Albarado, who won more than five thousand races as a jockey, passed away Tuesday at the age of 52, just a week after undergoing a heart procedure last.  Albarado retired from racing in 2021.

Qualifying for U.S. House of Representatives gets underway in Baton Rouge this morning…again.  You’ll recall, qualifying was held in February, but the closed primary was cancelled after the Supreme Court ruled the state’s previous congressional map unconstitutional. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says with districts five and six open, there are a few wild cards.

Cut 10 (12) “…to the sixth.”

It’s back to school time across Louisiana and officials are reminding us all to be patient and pay attention around school buses. Dayne Huval (HUE-vahl), the president of the Driving School Association of Louisiana, says too many kids get hurt when people are in a rush and try to drive around school buses. And remember using a handheld cell phone in a school zone is a primary offens.

Cut 9 (10)  “…and pay attention.”

—————————-

A close call for a five-year-old boy. Baton Rouge Police say he shot himself in the hand after finding his older brother’s gun. Corporal Saundra Watts says the boy’s 21-year-old left his gun on a bed while babysitting. Corporal Watts says it’s an important reminder that guns are not toys and should never be treated as such.

Cut 5 (14) “…danger as well.”

Coach Lane Kiffin and the LSU football Tigers kick off preseason camp today. Preston Guy with Tiger Bait-dot-com says there are a lot of questions surrounding Kiffin’s first LSU team, but one area loaded with veterans is the offensive line, and Preston says that’s not exactly a positive with this team.

Cut 14 (10) “…all those problems.”

It’s take two on candidate qualifying for U.S. House races in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Lake Charles tourism leader is now one of the most powerful voices in global destination marketing.  Kyle Edmiston, President and CEO of Visit Lake Charles, has been elected chair of the world’s largest organization supporting tourism boards and convention and visitors bureaus. He is only the second Louisiana CEO to hold the Destinations International chair. The first was Steven Perry of New Orleans.

————————-
A close call for a five-year-old boy. Baton Rouge Police say he shot himself in the hand after finding his older brother’s gun. Corporal Saundra Watts says 21-year-old Haidyn Moten left his gun on a bed while babysitting his younger brother.

Cut 4 (09) “…injury, thank God.”

Now that school’s starting in many parts of the state, drivers need to be aware of school buses and the youngsters who’ll be getting on and off of them.  Dayne Huval (HUE-vahl), the president of the Driving School Association of Louisiana, is reminding us all that when a school bus stops and puts out its stop signs, you must wait behind the bus until the driver brings in the signs. He says to take the same caution as if it was your own child.

Cut 8 (09) “…that’s their job.”

A close call for a five-year-old Baton Rouge boy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A 13-year-old boy is charged with the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old girl. It happened Sunday afternoon at a home in Shreveport.  The Caddo Parish coroner’s office identified the victim as 14-year-old Makayla Pennywell.  We’re told the 13-year-old boy is facing a  second-degree murder charge and is being held at a juvenile detention center.

———————-

With the school year already getting underway in some parts of the state, it’s time once again to be patient and pay attention around school buses. Dayne Huval (HUE-vahl), the president of the Driving School Association of Louisiana, says too many kids get hurt when people are in a rush and try to drive around school buses.

Cut 7 (09) “…in our communities.”

LSU football begins preseason camp today – its first under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Preston Guy with Tiger Bait-dot-com says there are a lot of questions surrounding Kiffin’s first LSU team, most of which deal with chemistry.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to the team (2x).”

Three groups are coming together to challenge Entergy Louisiana’s proposal to build seven new gas plants for Meta’s new A-I data center in Richland Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A federal inmate serving life in prison for his role in the kidnapping and murder of a Northwest Arkansas man died yester after being found unresponsive at the U.S. prison in Pollock on Sunday.  Prison officials have not released a suspected cause of death.

———————–
If you held a State Farm auto insurance policy before the end of last year, be on the lookout for a check in the mail. State Farm is Louisiana’s largest auto insurer, and 136-million dollars in dividend payments will be issued in total. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says any refund is good money, and any money back in the pockets of consumers is a blessing.

Cut 11 (09) “…other than insurance.”

The Department of Children and Families has a new website.  DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says the re-design makes the website more user friendly and just like most reputable websites, the new DCFS website is also mobile-friendly.

Cut 6 (14) “…your cell phone.”

With the recall effort against East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards falling way short, what does that mean for the two statewide efforts? Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

New Orleans police are investigating an aggravated battery in the Seventh Ward after they say a man was deliberately set on fire.  It happened last night around seven.  That’s when police got the call that a man had been doused with flammable liquid and set on fire on North Roman Street. We’re told the victim suffered burns to his arms and legs and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

——————————–

If you held a State Farm auto insurance policy before the end of last year, be on the lookout for a check in the mail. State Farm is issuing policyholders in Louisiana a special dividend of around 138 dollars per vehicle on the policy. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says dividends like this one are not uncommon.

Cut 10 (08) “…that money back.”

The Department of Children and Families has a new website. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says the site’s more user friendly now, in part because the department was able to simplify the website.

Cut 5 (09) “…easier to navigate.”

A trio of groups is joining forces in challenging Entergy Louisiana’s proposal to build seven new gas plants for Meta’s new A-I data center in Richland Parish through Governor Landry’s “Lightning Speed” initiative. Susan Stevens Miller, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, says Entergy and Meta are trying to ram through these gas plants by leveraging their political influence.

Cut 7 (13) “…long-term impacts.”

With the recall effort against East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards coming up way short, what does that mean for the efforts against Governor Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says since Landry and Murrill are much more closely aligned with the Trump administration, certain voters may be more motivated to act against them.

Cut 13 (09)  “…would join in.”

——————–

State Farm is giving 136-million dollars in dividends back to Louisiana policyholders. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Pitkin man is accused of setting fire to his home to commit insurance fraud.  Officials with the State Fire Marshal’s office said 37 year old was arrested Friday in connection with a house fire on Hopewell Road in February.  Ware faces two counts of insurance fraud and one count of arson with the intent to defraud.

One of several new laws going into effect today allows retired teachers to return to the classroom without having their retirement benefits reduced.  It also allows retirees to suspend their benefits and regain membership in the retirement system and allows for a new supplemental benefit. by Gonzales Senator Ed Price, who authored the bill says the new should benefit everyone.

Cut 9 (09)  “…retirement system.”

Navy Seaman Joseph Ucline Conner is being laid to rest in Lake Charles today, more than 85 years after he was killed in Pearl Harbor thanks to anthropological and mitochondrial DNA. Connor was 24 years old when he joined the military and rose to the rank of Fireman 1st Class when he was aboard the USS Utah on that fateful day in 1941.

Cut 4 (11) “…including Joseph Conner.”

Conner was decorated with several service medals, including the Purple Heart.

——————
Participants in the Louisiana Women, Infants and Children program may begin using their new EBT cards today. Leslie Lewis, the nutrition operations manager at the Louisiana Department of Health, says in most cases it’ll mean fewer clinic visits for participants.

Cut 11 (07) “…just about yearly.”

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave spoke yesterday, just a day after signing a four-year, 132-million-dollar contract extension. Kace Kieschnick has details.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschncik.”