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.” 

Visitors to Disney World can now get a taste of new Orleans while they’re there with the theme park’s newest ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The ride, which replaces Splash Mountain, is based on the 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog.” It takes place after the movie and follows Princess Tiana as she gathers musicians for a Mardi Gras party. Mark Romig with New Orleans and Company, thinks the ride, like the movie, highlights the best of Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10) “…our people.”

The Louisiana Farm Bureau’s 102^nd Annual Convention is in New Orleans this weekend. Where more than 15 hundred farmers and their families are gathered. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says the Bureau advocates for farmers, ranchers, and rural residents and ensures that policies are in place for those…

Cut 10 (10) “…practices.”

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Former New Orleans Saints Safety, Steve Gleason will be honored with the 2024 Authur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS.  The award is granted to those whose contributions transcend sports.  The mission of Team Gleason, founded by Steve Gleason and his wife Michel is to improve life for others living with ALS by providing technology, equipment, and support services. Gleason’s publicist, Clare Durrett …

Cut 8 (07) “…he’s done.”

Nicholls introduced new head baseball coach Brent Haring yesterday. Haring spent the 2024 season as the Director of Baseball Operations for LSU and has spent more than 22 years in baseball. 10 of those seasons were as an assistant coach at BYU. Haring says Nicholls has stood out to him since a 2014 visit the Cougars made to Thibodaux…

Cut 16 (21) “…(laughter).” 

LSU fans who donated to the College World Series Jell-o Shot Challenge helped the Tigers place third in the overall competition money-wise this year even though they weren’t in Omaha. Mike Manning with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says LSU fans donated almost 93-hundred dollars, which will even help those who don’t typically need assistance, but do now thanks to inflation.

Cut 14 (11)  “…working poor.”

Not one but two Slidell teachers are without jobs now after being arrested on allegations of inappropriate behavior with students. Slidell Police Department officials said their ongoing investigation of 35 yea old Alexa Wingerter who was accused of having inappropriate relationships with male students led to additional charges against her and the arrest of 31-year-old Shelby Cavignac. She’s charged with prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student.

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Former New Orleans Saints Safety Steve Gleason who founded Team Gleason after he was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 is being honored with the 2024 Authur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 
Disney has brought New Orleans to Disney World with its’ newest ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Mark Romig (Roh-mig) with New Orleans and Company says the ride is a way for people to experience the best of New Orleans.

Cut 4 (03) “…Leah Chase.”

The ride is based on the 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog” and is open now.

Former New Orleans Saints Safety, Steve Gleason will be honored with the 2024 Authur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS.  The award is granted to those whose contributions transcend sports.  Like Ashe whose work to improve the lives of people with HIV began after his own diagnosis, Gleason, diagnosed with ALS in 2011, founded Team Gleason to improve life for those living with ALS.  Gleason’s publicist, Clare Durrett …

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

LSU fans who donated to the College World Series Jell-o Shot Challenge helped the Tigers place third in the overall competition money-wise this year even though they weren’t in Omaha. Mike Manning with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says LSU fans donated almost 93-hundred dollars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…everyone else.”

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The Louisiana Farm Bureau is holding its 102^nd Annual Convention this weekend in New Orleans. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

44 year old Montrel Holmes 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. She had been reported missing three days earlier. Authorities say they located Holmes using his cell phone. He’s been charged with second degree murder.

A Louisiana businessman says his insurance rates went up over 40% and he’s not sure how long he can take it. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”
In Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has said he supports our state’s new law mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms.The law, which has sparked controversy across the country requires the Ten Commandments be in Louisiana classrooms beginning in 2025 and requires the posters include three paragraphs about their influential role in American history. Johnson has said he believes the law will withstand any legal challenges.

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It would have given the Governor’s office the power to more easily pardon some first time marijuana possession offenders, but governor Jeff Landry has vetoed the law approved by lawmakers saying it joins President Biden’s quote “soft on crime, no consequences for criminals agenda”. But New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, who authored the bill, says it was simply a shot at a second chance.

Cut 12 (10) “…stopping that.” 

President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump will meet for the first presidential debate of the campaign season tonight. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says both candidates are looking to prove something in the debate, but he doesn’t expect it will make for hot tv.

Cut 9 (10)  “…polls.”
The debate will start at 8 P.M. on CNN.

President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump will meet for the first presidential debate of the campaign season tonight. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says both candidates are looking to prove something in the debate. President Biden wants…

Cut 7 (10) “…nothing to worry about.”

The debate will start at 8 P.M. on CNN.

Governor Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that would have given his office the ability to pardon certain first-time convicted marijuana possession offenders without a pardon board recommendation, calling it an attempt to join President Biden’s soft on crime, no-consequences-for-criminals agenda. But author of the bill New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says the that doesn’t make sense.

Cut 11 (10) “…our economy.”

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Data from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana’s unemployment rate went down 4.1% last month. Cities across the state added jobs from April to May, including Baton Rouge and Alexandria, but Monro saw a pretty significant loss and Louisiana Workforce Commission Director of Research and Economic Analysis Emily Epps says that’s concerning.
Cut 15 (10)  “…state.”

The Mannings will kick off their 28^th annual Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls today. Archie, Cooper, Payton and Eli Manning will join more than 140 coaches teaching the fundamentals of offensive technique and schemes. The program has become a premier offensive skills camp for high schoolers across the country and is expected to host over 14-hundred kinds this year. Saints legend Archie Manning says he never expected the camp to grow past a regional event…

Cut 16 (11) “…no way.” 

Federal Labor Statistics show Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped last month a little more than four percent. Experts say the capitol city alone added 200 jobs from May to June and almost seven thousand jobs since May of last year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director of Research and Economic Analysis Emily Epps says that wasn’t unexpected, but was a little surprising, month to month job growth in Alexandria…

Cut 14 (08)  “…MSAs.”

A Louisiana businessman says his insurance rates are up over 40% and he’s not sure how long he can take it. Todd Hine, owner of Hine Environmental Services, a small waste services business in Sulphur, says he’s been told auto insurance rates are going up because of the state’s legal climate. He likens it to a casino…

Cut 4 (12) “…every single day.”
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Governor Landry vetoed a bill that would have given him the ability to pardon certain first-time convicted marijuana possession offenders without the recommendation of the pardon board. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has said he supports our state’s new law mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms and says he thinks it will survive any legal challenges. The law, which has sparked controversy across the country, requires the Ten Commandments be in Louisiana classrooms beginning in 2025 and requires the posters include three paragraphs about their influential role in American history.

President Joe Biden will meet former President Donald Trump for the first presidential debate of 2024 tonight at 8 on CNN. Mel Bridges explains what that means.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

The man accused of killing a Loranger woman and her four-year-old daughter is now listed as an inmate in the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center. Daniel Callihan had been held in Mississippi since his arrest June 13^th. The Plaquemines Parish Detention Center is one of three jails that hold inmates for New Orleans federal court. Callihan has already been charged in Mississippi and Tangipahoa Parish.

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Governor Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that would have given his office the ability to pardon certain first-time convicted marijuana possession offenders without the recommendation of the pardon board. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says the veto letter explanation that her bill was soft on crime doesn’t make sense.

Cut 10 (11) “…a second chance.”
Data from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana’s unemployment rate decreased for the month of May to 4.1%. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director of Research and Economic Analysis Emily Epps says there were 86 thousand individuals unemployed last month, and the state is recording over 100 thousand vacant jobs, which will likely remain unfilled.

Cut 13 (08)  “…that exist.”

Police in New Orleans are investigating a fatal shooting that happened early this morning in the French Quarter. It happened in the 600 block of Bourbon Street around four this morning. The man who’d been shot was taken to the hospital where he later died. So far neither the name of the victim nor a possible motive for the shooting has been released.

Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is front and center across the country…and it could face legal challenges here. The ACLU has said it plans to fight the law in court. But author of the legislation, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes it will withstand the challenge. In the meantime…

Cut 8 (09)  “…in schools.”

Under the law, public schools, including colleges and universities that receive state funding, are required to post the Ten Commandments in the classroom no later than January 1, 2025.
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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class tonight. Among those being honored, former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, LSU’s Seimone Augustus, and former McNeese star turned Canadian Football League MVP Kerry Joseph. There are also some great coaches being honored, including Tulane men’s basketball coach Perry Clark, former high school football coach Frank Monica and legendary Grambling Coach Wilbert Ellis, who won 701 games in 26 seasons as a head coach…

Cut  14 (11) “…win games.” 

Governor Landry has signed legislation giving the Louisiana Workforce Commission the responsibility of spearheading state workforce changes and solutions. Under the bill, LWC will also empower the Department of Education to expand access to high school and university internships and apprenticeships. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen says this bill is an important first step to fixing several issues in the state, not just economic ones.

Cut 11 (08) ” …get better.”

As Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in public classrooms continues to attract national attention, groups like the ACLU have said they plan to fight it in court. is receiving national attention and groups like the ACLU say they plan to fight it in court. Alanah Odoms with the ACLU of Louisiana says the law clearly violates the First Amendment and the law calls for a government-mandated version of the Ten Commandments.

Cut 7 (11) “…by this.”  
The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class tonight. Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and LSU women’s basketball star Seimone Augustus are the headliners. Brees is not the only former Q-B being inducted. Former McNeese star Kerry Joseph will also be inducted. The New Iberia native led the Cowboys to the 1995 Division One-Double-A semifinals and turned into an M-V-P performer in the Canadian Football League

Cut 13 (10) “…before me.”

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After a delay in request for two missing Loranger girls, a lawmaker is calling for an overhaul of Louisiana’s AMBER Alert system. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The man accused of killing Callie Brunette and her four year old daughter Erin is expected to be extradited back to Louisiana to face charges here. A Tangipahoa jury indicted 36 year old Daniel Callihan and a second suspect 32 year old Victoria Cox on Thursday. The two are both in the custody of the U-S Marshall’s Service. Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says he hopes to have Callihan back in Louisiana as soon as possible.