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 the new cards help modernize the whole system.

Cut 12 (08) “…a federal requirement.”

Participants will need to call the number on the back of the card or use the MyWIC app to choose a PIN before using their new cards.

Chris Olave spoke at training camp yesterday after signing a four-year, 132-million-dollar extension. Olave had the best season of his career last year with 100 catches, over one-thousand yards and nine touchdowns. He says this is the most momentum there has been in New Orleans since he’s been there, and it means a lot to stay long-term.

Cut 15 (11) “…that every day.”

—————————————

After 85 years, a Cameron Parish seaman will finally get a proper funeral here in Louisiana today.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Visitation is being held today from 5 to 8 p.m. and 9 to 11 tomorrow morning before the service. All veterans are invited to the visitation.

Quite a few new laws go into effect today. Among them is one that allows retired teachers to return to the classroom without having their retirement benefits reduced. It was authored by Gonzales Senator Ed Price, who says it will help support teachers and the school systems.

Cut 8 (10) “…agreed to.”

Another one toughens penalties for those who assault teachers and other school personnel. Among other things, it subjects students who assault teachers to expulsion, and it allows up to a year of paid medical leave for teachers and other school personnel injured on the job by an unruly student. Author of the bill, New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says her bill gives them peace of mind.

Cut 7 (12) “…of their administration.”

—————-

WIC participants may begin using their new EBT cards today. LDH Nutrition Operations Manager Leslie Lewis says these cards are different from the old cards that had to have benefits loaded in person every three months.

Cut 10 (08) “…be loaded remotely.”

More than 85 years after he was killed in Pearl Harbor, Navy seaman Joseph Ucline Connor will be laid to rest at his home in Lake Charles today. Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says the Defense Accounting Agency and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify him.

Cut 3 (12) “…from family members.”

Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis outbreak cases have now reached 100. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says if you typically like to start your dinner with a salad, you shouldn’t be afraid to continue doing so. She says  simply taking the precautions you should be taking anyway with fresh produce, should suffice…like washing it and…

Cut 12 (11) “…of the parasites.”

Quite a few new state laws are going into effect this weekend, one of which prohibits businesses from adding a surcharge to your bill if you pay with a debit card. Businesses can still charge a fee when you use a credit card. Author of the measure, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell…

Cut 8 (07) “…hear from people.”
Mizell says the state law gives consumers more protections.

———————

The Saints agreed to a contract extension with their top offensive playmaker. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend and you’re into the paranormal ParaCon in New Orleans’ French Quarter. It’s happening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel today through Sunday.  Event Producer Jennifer Talley…

Cut 5 (09) “…developing psychic abilities.”

A bunch of new state laws go into effect Saturday, and one of them will make consumers happy. Act 751 from the 2026 legislative session prohibits businesses from adding a surcharge to your bill if you pay with a debit card. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is the author of the measure.

Cut 7 (07) “…our own money.”

Businesses can still charge a fee when you use a credit card, but no surcharge can be added when you pay with a debit card.

Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis outbreak now has confirmed 100 cases.  So far, Of those 100 patients, six have been hospitalized. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says  while cyclosporiasis is not considered to be a deadly disease, one of the characteristics is that it can be prolonged.

Cut 11 (07) “…they may return.”

—————

If you’re a fan of the paranormal, there’s something happening in New Orleans this weekend you should check out.  Andrew Greenstein has details.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Saints have agreed to a four year, 132-million dollar contract extension with All-Pro wide receiver Chris Olave. Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says he’s surprised by how quickly the two sides came to an agreement.

Cut 13 (12)  “…to everybody’s benefit.”

Starting tomorrow, it will be against state law for retailers and businesses to charge you a fee when you pay with a debit card. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Advocates and service providers for the homeless worry a new Louisiana law that criminalizes unauthorized sleeping outdoors will make it even harder for people who struggle to find permanent housing.  But, the new law dubbed the “Streets to Success Act”. Does allow local judges to create homelessness courts where defendants can be connected with housing and other support services rather than punished with fines or jail time.

———————————–

A grim milestone in Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis outbreak as the state has now confirmed 100 cases of people infected with the parasite that causes explosive diarrhea. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says that’s considerably more than the state usually sees in the first seven months of the year.

Cut 10 (11) “…we typically see.”

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend and you’re into the paranormal, may we suggest ParaCon in New Orleans’ French Quarter? Event Producer Jennifer Talley says it takes place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel today through Sunday.

Cut 4 (10) “…come and learn.”

A new study finds a combination of THC and CBD can significantly reduce agitation in people with advanced dementia who are receiving end-of-life care. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A new laws going into effect in Louisiana this weekend bans retail and hospitality businesses from adding a surcharge to transactions when customers pay with a debit card. Violations will cost businesses $500 each.

——————————

The State Department of Education says certain school support staff, including counselors, therapists and nurses, might not be getting stipends this year.  And not everyone’s happy about it. As for finding the money elsewhere,  D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, says doing do would be easier in some areas than in others.

Cut 9 (09)  “…pennies as is.”

Construction jobs are booming in Louisiana – so much so that the Associated General Contractors of America ranks Louisiana number-one in the nation in year-over-year construction job growth and third in the overall number of those jobs.  Reldon Owens, the CEO of AGC’s Louisiana chapter, says the construction boom is being driven by Meta and other data center projects as well as the industrial sector.

Cut 5 (11) “…in Ascension Parish.”

Louisiana ranks second to none in year-over-year growth in one job sector right now. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana is ranked the worst state in the nation for the second year in a row.  That’s according to the latest U.S. news & World Report. The annual report placed Louisiana 50th overall among all 50 states. Our state ranked in the top five in crime, education, health care, infrastructure, and overall economy.  Rounding out the bottom three states were Alaska at #49 and Mississippi at 48.

—————————-

New research has found that the combination of CBD and THC significantly reduces agitation for people with dementia who are at the end of their lives. Dr. Jeff Keller of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is one of the principal investigators of the clinical trial.

Cut 10 (10) “…to manage agitation.”

Keller says nine out of every ten study participants showed overall improvement in target symptoms from the THC-CBD combination.

The Saints kicked off training camp yesterday.  Prairieville native and former LSU safety Justin Reid is entering his second season in New Orleans. He says he remembers coming to Saints games as a kid when it felt like a parade inside the Superdome and he hopes  winning will bring that feeling back this season.

Cut 15 (08) “…pushing it forward.”

Certain school support staff, including counselors, therapists and nurses, might not be getting stipends this year. That’s according to information from the State Department of Education and it’s setting off alarm bells among unions representing those employees. D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, says if those staffers’ stipends are left on the chopping block, they’ll be looking for alternate sources for the stipends.

Cut 7 (09) “…counselors some stipends.”

Construction jobs are booming in Louisiana – so much so that the Associated General Contractors of America ranks Louisiana as number-one in year-over-year construction job growth by percentage and number-three in the nation in number of new construction jobs. Reldon Owens, the CEO of AGC’s Louisiana chapter, says the Meta and other data center projects are driving the construction boom.

Cut 4 (11) “…St Francisville area.”

————————

LSU coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday and commented on the use of A-I in the football program. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieshnick.”

The Saints kicked off training camp yesterday. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will need to improve as the full-time starter this season if the Saints want to contend for an NFC South title. He says he’s focused on growing as a leader of the team.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to get better.”

Northeast Louisiana is already seeing an economic boost from Meta’s artificial intelligence data center — and the facility isn’t even open yet. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office officials are investigating an in-custody death.  Authorities say a deputy was making rounds yesterday when they found an inmate unresponsive in his cell.   We’re told medical staff began life-saving measures until EMS arrived, but efforts were unsuccessful.  It’ll be up to the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office to determine the cause of death.

————————
A beloved St. Landry Parish elementary school teacher was killed in a head-on crash on I-49 Sunday. Leonville Elementary School confirmed the death of Katelyn LeBlanc in a Facebook post that remembered her fondly.  One of her former students, Andre Champagne, says she was a teacher who cared about her students and prepared them for life beyond the classroom.

Cut 6 (06) “…stuck with me.”

State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is urging school districts to crack down on unruly student behavior in the new school year. In the most recent legislative session, lawmakers adopted a House resolution urging school systems to comply with and enforce the state’s anti-bullying laws. Brumley says students have made tremendous strides in the classroom in recent years, and anything that takes away from that should be discouraged.

Cut 9 (08)  “…inappropriate student behavior.”

The St. Landry Parish community is mourning the death of a Leonville Elementary School teacher, killed in a head-on car crash on I-49 Sunday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is urging school districts to crack down on unruly student behavior in the upcoming school year. Brumley is calling on districts to make a commitment to stand firm on inappropriate behavior.

Cut 7 (11) “…make that happen.”

——————————

The search for the remains of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is now in its third week at a landfill near Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the heat and humidity are making it hard for searchers who are sifting through thousands of cubic yards of material, some of it hazardous..

Cut 11 (10) “…in-home care.”

The economic impact of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar A-I data center is already being felt across northeast Louisiana. The Hyperion data center is under construction in Richland Parish, where Grow NELA President and CEO Rob Cleveland says first-quarter sales tax collections are six times higher than this time last year. And he says Meta’s investment is also attracting new businesses.

Cut 14 (10) “…in Ouachita Parish.”