There’s a good chance for more scattered thunderstorms through the weekend. National Weather Service Meteorologist Marti Calhoun …

Cut 10 (10) “…rain weather.”

A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s former bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, on seven counts of wire fraud and one count of false statement. The U-S Attorney’s office says Vappie lied to cover up a romantic relationship with Cantrell and political analyst Clancy Dubos says the indictment implicates the major who is described as “public official number one”….

Cut 12 (12) “…their phones.”

The indictment says there were meals and alcohol shared between the two during at least 14 domestic and international travels, costing taxpayers more than 47-thousand dollars.

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35-year-old Quentin Anderson is the youngest candidate running for the 6^th Congressional District. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A former art teacher at Golden Meadow Middle School in Lafourche Parish has been sentenced to 40-years in prison for sexually abusing one of his former students in 2009. Ralph Cheramie (cher-a-me) Junior was convicted on sexual battery, molestation, and indecent behavior charges. Prosecutor Jason Chatagnier (shot-en-ya)…

Cut 5 (11)  “…ever again.”

Big milestone for a major I-20 rehabilitation project in Bossier City…new travel lanes are being poured. This project, managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), aims to improve I-20 but also the heavily trafficked interchanges. DOTD Spokesperson Molly Buchanan

Cut 4 (08) “…Old Minden road interchange.”

A Mandeville police officer shot and killed a man who had fatally shot a woman running and screaming for help Friday night.  St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Officials say it happened in the 700 block of Heavens Drive when Mandeville PD went to the home for a welfare check and heard screaming inside.  As officers converged on the scene officials say the woman ran from the home and the man came out with a gun shooting her several times.  We’re told the suspect pointed a gun at officers trying to negotiate with him.  That’s when he was shot.

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As expected, tropical storm Beryl is now in the Gulf of Mexico headed toward Texas after hitting the Ucatan Peninsula last night. As of 4 this morning, the storm was located about 545 miles southeast of Corpus Christi and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. It’s expected to make landfall as a hurricane late Sunday or early Monday. Forecasters say Southwest Louisiana will see some flooding and heavy rainfall as Beryl moves through Texas.

As of July 4^th, non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun, also known as Constitutional Carry without a permit. However, Louisiana State Police spokesperson Shelby Mayfield reminds residents there are benefits to having a Concealed Handgun Permit and he says it makes purchasing a firearm easier.
Cut  14 (12) “…a permit.” 

A Mandeville police officer shot and killed a man who had fatally shot a woman running and screaming for help Friday night.  St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Officials say it happened in the 700 block of Heavens Drive when Mandeville PD went to the home for a welfare check and heard screaming inside.  As officers converged on the scene officials say the woman ran from the home and the man came out with a gun shooting her several times.  We’re told the suspect pointed a gun at officers trying to negotiate with him.  That’s when he was shot.

Tropical Storm Beryl is in the Gulf of Mexico now and is expected to strike Texas as a hurricane on late tomorrow or early Monday. Experts say damaging winds, storm surge, flooding rain and tornadoes are all threats. Meteorologist Jonathan Brazzell (bra-ZEL) with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says southwest Louisiana can expect some flooding and heavy rainfall as Beryl moves through Texas.

Cut  16 (10)   “…Thursday.”

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A new Louisiana law now allows adults who are not felons to conceal carry without a permit. But State Polic say there are still benefits to having a permit. Brooke Thorington has details.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

23-year-old Colby Stokes from Washington Parish has been charged with the murders of his grandparents, Beverly and Carley Stokes on Wednesday. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith referenced Stokes’ past mental health struggles along with drug and alcohol abuse, saying these are not uncommon problems in Washington Parish.

Cut 11 (05) ” …mental health issues.”

A 23-year-old Washington Parish man has been charged with the murders of his grandparents. Colby Stokes is facing two counts of first degree in the deaths of Beverly and Carly Stokes. The two were shot to death Wednesday in their Mount Herman Home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says Stokes went to a neighbor’s home after the shooting and told them what happened.

Cut 10 (10) “…long time.”
Stokes was arrested at the scene.

As of July 4^th, non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun, also known as Constitutional Carry without a permit. But Constitutional Carry is only applicable to residents when they are in Louisiana.   Louisiana State Police spokesperson Shelby Mayfield says if you have a permit, you can carry concealed in 37 other states that provide reciprocity of a Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit.

Cut  13 (07) “…website.” 

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Tropical Storm Beryl is in the Gulf of Mexico now and is expected to start strengthening tomorrow and is forecast to strike Texas as a hurricane on Sunday into Monday. Experts say damaging winds, storm surge, flooding rain and tornadoes are all threats, with flooding and heavy rainfall in Southwest Louisiana as well. Right now, Beryl is centered in the southwest Gulf of Mexico and is moving to the west-northwest.

The I-20 major rehabilitation project in Bossier City has reached a significant milestone with the pouring of concrete for new travel lanes. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan…

Cut 3 (12) “…through the area.”

This project, managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), aims to improve I-20 but also the heavily trafficked interchanges. It’s expected to be complete late next year.

All eyes are on Tropical storm Beryl right now. After hitting Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, forecasters say Beryl will likely strengthen to a hurricane as it continues to move across the southern Gulf of Mexico this weekend towards the Texas-Mexico border. Meteorologist Jonathan Brazzell (bra-ZEL) with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says southwest Louisiana can expect some flooding and heavy rainfall as Beryl moves through Texas.

Cut  16 (10)   “…Thursday.”

As of July 4^th, non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun, also known as Constitutional Carry without a permit. However, Louisiana State Police spokesperson Shelby Mayfield reminds residents there are benefits to having a Concealed Handgun Permit, for example, training from certified instructors.

Cut 12 (10) “…procedures.” 

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23-year-old Colby Stokes from Mount Hermon has been charged with the murders of his grandparents, Beverly and Carley Stokes on Wednesday. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Sean Richardson.”
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Sarah Folse and 52-year-old Deanna Witten, both of Amite, turned themselves in after they allegedly stole three German Shepherd puppies last weekend near Loranger. TPSO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue

Cut 6 (09) “…those puppies.”

People across the country are still talking about Thursday night’s presidential debate campaign, and Americans with a wide array of feelings about the two likely presidential nominees. Tulane Associate Professor of Political Science Brian Brox says former President Trump delivered about what was expected from him…as for President Biden.

Cut 4 (11) “…campaign.”

New Orleans Democrat Representative Mandie Landry posted her thoughts about the presidential debate on social media. She says said even though she couldn’t watch it on TV and get the full impact she did watch it on her cellphone.

Cut 9 (12) “…just unfortunate.”

The next presidential debate will be in September.
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To safeguard the public and the state’s seafood industry, Congressman Troy Carter has introduced a foreign seafood bill with Congressman Clay Higgins. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (27)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Hometown hero Alyson Habetz was introduced today as U-L Lafayette’s new head softball coach. Habetz had a Hall of Fame playing career as a Cajuns softball player and after a 25-year run as an assistant coach at Alabama, she’s back home at her alma mater

Cut 12 (11) “… wow.” 

The first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign season was last night, leaving Americans with a wide array of feelings about the two likely presidential nominees. Tulane Associate Professor of Political Science Brian Brox says former President Trump delivered about what was expected from him…

Cut 3 (09) “…rallies.”

New Orleans Democrat Representative Mandie Landry posted her thoughts about the presidential debate on social media. She says said Trump clearly came out on top in the debate, but says she wasn’t surprised either. As for talks about the Democratic Party possibly choosing a nominee other than Biden, Landry says she still believes the current administration is the better option.

Cut 11 (10) ” …post-COVID world.”

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Louisiana Congressmen Troy Carter and Clay Higgins have joined forces, introducing bipartisan legislation designed to protect Americans from contaminated seafood and protect domestic seafood producers.  The legislation empowers the  the FDA to close the loophole and destroy imports that don’t meet inspection standards.  Congressman Carter says this bipartisan bill demonstrates while he and Higgins might not agree philosophically on everything…

Cut 8 (10)  “…get things done.”

Speaking of getting things done, UL Lafayette’s new head coach says she’s ready to win.  Former U-L softball star Alyson Habets was introduced as the new head coach yesterday.  She led the Cajuns to the Women’s College World Series in 1993, but the team hasn’t been back to the tournament since 2014.  Habitz says she wants to get back there, and would like the team to stay together to make it happen.

Cut  14 (12) “..stay together.” 

People across the country are still talking about Thursday’s presidential debate. Mel Bridges has the details from Tulane Associate Professor of Political Science Brian Brox.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

Congressmen Troy Carter and Clay Higgins have introduced bipartisan legislation to protect Americans from contaminated seafood. He says He says the bill protects consumers and Louisiana Seafood farmers who are following the safety guidelines.

Cut 7 (08) “… the right thing.”  

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A secret indictment handed up by a Caddo Parish grand jury Thursday accuses a Shreveport man of manslaughter in the shooting death of a 12 year old in May. 32 year old Kelvin Boles was arrested by Shreveport police Friday. Boles is accused in the deadly shooting of Jaylen Coleman who was reportedly breaking into Boles’ car outside his home in the 8900 block of Hawthorne Drive on May 11.

A former U-L Lafayette softball hero is headed back home to lead the Cajuns as head coach. That announcement came yesterday. Alyson Habetz helped lead the Cajuns to the Women’s College World Series in 1993 and won a national championship in 2012 as Alabama’s associate head coach. She takes over a program that’s dominated the Sun Belt Conference but has not been to the W-C-W-S since 2014…

cut  13 (11) “…(applause).” 

People across the country are still talking about Thursday night’s presidential debate campaign, and Americans with a wide array of feelings about the two likely presidential nominees. Tulane Associate Professor of Political Science Brian Brox says former President Trump delivered about what was expected from him…as for President Biden.

Cut 4 (11) “…campaign.”

New Orleans Democrat Representative Mandie Landry posted her thoughts about the presidential debate on social media. She says said even though she couldn’t watch it on TV and get the full impact she did watch it on her cellphone.

Cut 9 (12) “…just unfortunate.”

The next presidential debate will be in September.
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To safeguard the public and the state’s seafood industry, Congressman Troy Carter has introduced a foreign seafood bill with Congressman Clay Higgins. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (27)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Hometown hero Alyson Habetz was introduced today as U-L Lafayette’s new head softball coach. Habetz had a Hall of Fame playing career as a Cajuns softball player and after a 25-year run as an assistant coach at Alabama, she’s back home at her alma mater

Cut 12 (11) “… wow.” 

A 44 year old suspect was arrested Thursday in Arizona by U-S Marshalls in connection with the death of 14 year old Ashley Barnes whose remains were found in Bastrop June 23^rd after her parents reported her missing three days earlier. Authorities say they located Montrel Holmes using his cell phone. He’s been charged with second degree murder.

Disney is bringing New Orleans to Disney World with its’ newest ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opens today. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”
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He founded Team Gleason to improve life for those living with ALS. Now former New Orleans Saints Safety, Steve Gleason will be honored with the 2024 Authur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS. Gleason’s publicist Clair Durrett says she believes the award will enable Gleason to encourage others who see what he and wife Michel been able to accomplish.

Cut 9 (10)  “…this region.”
This year’s ESPYS will air live on Thursday, July 11 at 7 PM.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau’s 102^nd Annual Convention is in New Orleans this weekend. One of the convention highlights will be a talent show for members and their families and the crowning of a new Farm Bureau Queen. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says the weekend also offers farmers a chance to talk about what’s impacting their crops and let voting delegates know about them

Cut 12 (11) “…is led.”