A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is released from ICE custody following two months in detention. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Scorching heat has communities across our state opening cooling centers.  In Lafayette, city officials are working with community and faith-based organizations to take care of vulnerable people, including seniors. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux:

Cut 14 (08) “…55 and over.”

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Louisiana’s Office of Motor vehicles has a new software vendor to build a brand-new driver’s license system. Appearing on Governor Jeff Landry’s “Diner Days” podcast, OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says he’s hoping  to revolutionize everything from renewing a Real ID to registering a vehicle.

Cut 9 (10)  “…get it there.”

A 35 year old Slidell woman is facing charges for allegedly collecting government benefits, despite being very well off financially. Investigators say Candace Taylor intentionally misspelled her name as she applied for benefits, alleging that she was earning just two-thousand dollars a month. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Taylor actually owns  businesses that generate millions in revenue, and investigators they found her purchases rather peculiar.

Cut 10 (09) “…had no money.”

Governor Jeff Landry has announced a partnership with a new software vendor to overhaul the state’s Office of Motor Vehicles system on his “Diner Days” podcast. OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says the outdated system would frequently shut down, causing long lines, wasted resources and fraud.

Cut 7 (12) “…four months.”

A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is back home after being held in ICE detention for two months. 25-year-old Paola Clouatre (CLOO-aht) was brought to the U.S. when she was 14 and was legally processed. Her family’s attorney, Carey Holliday, says she had an appointment with Citizenship and Immigration Services on May 27th, when she found out something that would change everything.

Cut 4 (11) “…the two children.”

Holliday says he’s now working with Clouatre to get her Green Card and eventually her citizenship.
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A Louisiana woman is dubbed the “Medicaid Millionaire”. Anddrew Greenstein has the story.  Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

With scorching heat making for life-threatening conditions, communities in Louisiana are opening up cooling centers. Among them is Lafayette. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux:

Cut 13 (10)  “…the extreme conditions.”

A second terminal is in the works for Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans.  It’s all part of an overall master plan to accommodate the steady increase in passengers the city has seen.  The city’s aviation director, Kevin Dolliole (DOE-lee-ohl), says the expansion will include additional parking and 15 new gates…all set to be completed by 2031.But that’s not where the growth will end.

Cut 6 (10) “…expand beyond that.”

As of this Friday, the Independent Party will officially cease to exist as a recognized political party in Louisiana. On that day, people registered as “Independent” will have their affiliations changed to “No Party.”  Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says with the change, those registered as such will be allowed to vote in either closed primary, Democratic or Republican.

Cut 9 (11)  “…through that runoff.”

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The numbers are out, and it looks like the number of Louisianans on Medicaid has fallen to pre-pandemic levels.  The Louisiana Department of Health reports as of June, that number is down twenty percent…from two million just two years ago to 1.6 million last month. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Steven Procopio says the expansion started in earnest nine years ago.

Cut 13 (08)  “…you had COVID.”

The LSU football team reports for fall camp today. There are high hopes for Brian Kelly’s fourth campaign in Baton Rouge, led by returning quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. WWL’s Mike Detillier expects the Tigers’ defensive front to be improved.  He has some questions about the LSU secondary but was wowed by six-four freshman cornerback DJ Pickett.

Cut 12 (13) “…very intriguing.”

A second terminal is in the works for Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. The city’s aviation director, Kevin Dolliole (DOE-lee-ohl), says in addition to more lobby, ticket check, and baggage claim areas, there also will be 15 more gates.  He says phase one of the master plan also includes additional parking for the steady increase in passengers.

Cut 5 (08) “…in that demand.”

On Friday,the Independent Party will officially cease to exist as a recognized political party in Louisiana. On that day, people who registered as “Independent” will have their affiliations changed to “No Party,” and Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says there’s a practical reason behind the change.

Cut 8 (10) “…the Independent Party.”

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The LSU Tigers report for fall camp today, and WWL’s Mike Detillier broke down the roster on Tiger Rag Radio. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The numbers are out, and it looks like the number of Louisianans on Medicaid has fallen to pre-pandemic levels by 20%. They peaked in 2023 at 2 million.  But Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana resident Steven Procopio says enrollment numbers took a nosedive then when eligibility checks resumed.

Cut 15 (08) “…call the unwinding.”
Louisiana has one of the highest percentages of its population on Medicaid, trailing only four states and the District of Columbia.

The numbers are out, and it looks like the number of Louisianans on Medicaid has fallen to pre-pandemic levels by 20%.  Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Steven Procopio says the expansion that peaked with two million Louisianans started in 2016 and peaked in 2023.  He says that’s because while people were being added, no one was being taken off the Medicaid rolls.

Cut 14 (10) “…disenrolled from Medicaid.”

The LSU football Tigers report for fall camp today with returning QB Garrett Nussmeier at the helm.   Hopes are high for this team, but WWL’s Mike Detillier says the offensive line is a big question mark, as four of last year’s five starters left in the NFL Draft. DJ Chester will be back but will likely move to guard, where Detillier has questions on the interior.  He is however confident in young tackles Tyree Adams and Weston Davis.

Cut 11 (12) “…pick it up.”

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Come Friday, one political party in Louisiana will be extinct. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A second terminal is in the works for Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. The city’s aviation director, Kevin Dolliole (DOE-lee-ohl), outlined the master plan to the city’s transportation committee last week, saying a steady increase in passengers necessitates the expansion.

Cut 4 (06) “…more baggage claim.”

Louis Armstrong International is getting ready to expand. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Come Friday, the Independent Party will officially cease to exist as a recognized political party in Louisiana. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says the Independent Party will be short-lived in the state.

Cut 7 (11) “…law this year.”

On that day, people who registered as “Independent” will have their affiliations changed to “No Party,”
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The numbers are out, and it looks like the number of Louisianans on Medicaid has fallen to pre-pandemic levels.  The Louisiana Department of Health reports as of June, that number is down twenty percent…from two million just two years ago to 1.6 million last month. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Steven Procopio says the expansion started in earnest nine years ago.

Cut 13 (08)  “…you had COVID.”

The LSU football team reports for fall camp today. There are high hopes for Brian Kelly’s fourth campaign in Baton Rouge, led by returning quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. WWL’s Mike Detillier says Nussmeier is the only sure first-round draft pick on the roster right now, but he has another breakout candidate.

Cut 10 (10) “…in his life.”

President Trump has excluded 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 the exemption is not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. Jefferson, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes will receive the most funding with over four, three and two million dollars in funding, respectively. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says hazard mitigation works to break the cycle of repeated damage.

Cut 12 (13) “…at this time.”

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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.  That makes four prominent in the race.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat another big question is – who will the Democrats put forth?

Cut 6 (08) “…will do differently.”

Another incident shining a negative light on 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, drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer. This comes two months after ten inmates escaped from the same facility. Sheriff Susan Hutson says she knows that she and jail staff have let the community down with this latest failure.

Cut 9 (05)  “…for our community.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be taken.

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.”

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.”

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.”