8:30 AM Newscast

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.”

 

7:30 AM Newscast

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.”

6:30 AM Newscast

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.”

11:30 AM Newscast

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.”

10:30 AM Newscast

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.

9:30 AM Newscast

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.

8:30 AM Newscast

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.”

9:30 AM Newscast

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.”

 

8:30 AM Newscast

More than one-thousand girls ages 5 to 19 will descend upon Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World Series. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

For only the second time ever, the number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana surpasses the two-million mark. The state eclipsed the milestone in the second quarter this year. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says while the job growth can be attributed to efforts to grow diverse, resilient industries, two of them are leading the way.

Cut 8 (10) “…across the U.S.”

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Four people are dead, including three children…killed in a house fire in Lacourche Parish.  It happened in Raceland around one yesterday morning.  Pastorick says one adult managed to escape the flames.

Cut 5 (07) “…she is hospitalized”

The Baton Rouge Police Department will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” Police Chief TJ Morse says he’s excited for people to get a look at the inner workings and advanced technology of policework in the Capitol Area

Cut 14 (13) “…really is.”

The program airs Friday and Saturday nights on Reelz and streams on Peacock.

7:30 AM Newscast

Four people, including three kids, are killed in a house fire in Lafourche Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A coastal restoration project heavily damaged by Hurricane Zeta in 2020 could be revived soon, according to the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.  CPRA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently signed an agreement authorizing the use of up to 4 million cubic yards of sand—to repair the West Belle Headland west of Port Fourchon. To give you some idea, that’s enough sand to fill up the inside of the Superdome.

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For only the second time ever, the number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana surpasses the two-million mark. The state eclipsed the milestone in the second quarter this year. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says this is tremendous news and a testament to the growth of the economy.

Cut 7 (11) “…that since then.”

Knapp says every region of the state is experiencing job growth.

More than a thousand softball players will be in Ruston this weekend for the 50th Dixie Softball World series.  The tournament will run from tomorrow through Wednesday at the Ruston sports complex with opening ceremonies tonight at Louisiana Tech.   Experience Ruston’s Tori Davis says the tournament will have major impact on the local economy.

Cut 11 (11) “…like this.”