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.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inducted the class of 2025 Saturday night. Headlining the class was former LSU coach Nick Saban. Saban says when he arrived in Baton Rouge, he knew there would be work to do, but his new school, players and fans bought in to something great.

Cut 13 (14)  “…state proud.”

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. Legal analyst Franz Borghart says the couple filed for divorce just 43 days after Coach O signed his LSU contract.

Cut 7 (07) “…is income.”

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Another holiday weekend is approaching – in fact, some are saying it’s already here. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

We’re one month into hurricane season and so far, we’ve had two short-lived tropical storms – including Tropical Storm Barry, which made landfall south of Tampico, Mexico, last night. LSU Climatologist Dr. Jill Trepanier (tre-PAN-yer) explains why we haven’t had any hurricanes yet.

Cut 10 (15) “…of the Atlantic.”

And then, there was one. One of the two remaining New Orleans jail escapees has been captured. Detectives from several agencies caught 33-year-old Antoine Massey at a home in New Orleans. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson addressed the capture during a news conference Friday evening.

Cut 13 (05)  “…this serious incident.”

The Supreme Court postponed ruling on Louisiana’s congressional redistricting plan until next term.  The court will decide whether or not the state’s two majority-Black congressional districts violate the Voting Rights Act. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino….

Cut 6 (14) “…expedited basis.”

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was on hand as Governor Landry signed Louisiana’s Make America Healthy Again bill. During the session, Landry also signed an executive order banning SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy junk food like soda and candy. Kennedy said it’s a bold move by the governor.

Cut 11 (15) “…in this state.”

LSU running back Trey Holly is facing another delay after his July 7 court date was cancelled due to a broken air conditioning system in the courtroom. Holly faces charges of illegal use of a weapon and criminal damage to property stemming from a Union Parish shooting in February of last year. His attorney, Mike Small, says the AC system could not be repaired and needs to be replaced…

Cut 12 (11) “…unbearable situation .”