A hurricane watch has been issued for a portion of Florida’s Gulf Coast as Tropical Depression Four moves toward the Gulf of Mexico. That’s according to the national Hurricane Center this morning. The depression is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby later today or tonight and should approach hurricane strength before making landfall. To become a tropical storm sustained winds must reach 39 miles per hour. Sustained winds were at 30 miles per hour as of eight this morning.

New weekly polling averages show Donald Trump’s lead over Kamala Harris decreasing by at least one point for a third straight week. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests if the Trump campaign can’t reverse this decline…

Cut 8 (10)  “…change.”

Last week, Trump was 2 points ahead of Harris, and he was up 3.2 points against Biden the week before. Right now, Trump and Harris are separated in the polls by just one point

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The start of school is right around the corner in Louisiana and with that comes some challenges. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says one of those challenges is taking a look at school performance scores from last year and finding a way to address them in this one.

Cut 12 (08) “…individual schools.”

Just in time for the start of school, LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school.

Cut 3 (11) “…building the future.”

The search is on this morning for a child abducted from New Orleans last night. And authorities are asking for help from the public. 8-year-old Alessandra Leonor Bruno was last seen Wednesday night at the Rock-n-Sake sushi bar on Fulton Street in New Orleans. Police say she was taken by her biological mother Alejandra Gutierrez, who’s believed to have Alessandra’s sister Sofia with her as well.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-leading a field hearing for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee today. It’s being held at Nichols State in Thibodaux and will focus on drilling and restoration in the Gulf. Graves says this field hearing is for the group to examine both the beauty and concerns of Louisiana’s coast and he’s hoping a firsthand look will help when it comes to ideas.
Cut 6 (11) “…our economy.”

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Over 80 years after a Louisiana WWII soldier died in the Philippines, he’ll be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Army Private First Class Joseph C. Murphy, will be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a POW camp. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says he hopes tomorrow’s ceremony will be well-attended.

Cut 12 (11) “…fewer and fewer.”
The 20^th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday and Chase Woodward of Parish Restaurant in Monroe is hoping to bring the title back home. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there will be 14 chefs from across the country competing, including the Chef from Lainey Wilson’s Nashville Bell Bottoms Up.
Cut 9 (12)  “…this year.

The event kicks off at 11 am with a parade through the Morial Convention Center

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will lead a field hearing at Nicholls State for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The search on this morning for a child abducted from New Orleans last night. And authorities are asking for help from the public. 8-year-old Alessandra Leonor Bruno was last seen Wednesday night at the Rock-n-Sake sushi bar on Fulton Street in New Orleans. Police say she was taken by her biological mother Alejandra Gutierrez, who’s believed to have Alessandra’s sister Sofia with her as well.

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The 20^th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Chase Woodward of Parish Restaurant in Monroe will be representing Louisiana. The event will take place at the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Tradeshow in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (11) “…best seafood dish.”

82 years after he died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines during WWII, U.S. Army Private First Class Joseph C. Murphy, will be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in 1942 and buried in a mass grave until dental records identified him. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says he can’t imagine the anguish Murphy’s family has felt all these years.

Cut 11 (11) “…proper burial.”

82 years after U.S. Army Private First Class Joseph C. Murphy died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines during WWII, he’ll be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says Murphy’s surviving family will be at the burial at Pounds Pool Cemetery in Bogalusa tomorrow…

Cut 10 (09) “…of Bogalusa.”

Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in 1942.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-leading a field hearing for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf later today in Thibodeaux. Congressman Graves on what makes Louisiana’s coast unique.

Cut 5 (10) “…come down.”

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The Great American Seafood Cookoff is what’s on the menu Saturday in New Orleans. Brooke Thorington has more on the competition.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A new Louisiana law requires anyone wanting to hold a voter registration drive to be registered with the Secretary of State’s office. But if your drive is fully electronic and done through the state’s voter portal, that’s not necessary. When it comes to voting information in Louisiana, Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says…

Cut 14 (04)  “…more information,”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-leading a field hearing for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf later today in Thibodeaux. He says though some members of Congress from coastal states may share some issues with Louisiana, our state’s shoreline is different from any other because of…

Cut 4 (10) “…United States.”

New laws concerning voter registration drives are in effect in Louisiana. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says those wishing to hold one must be registered with their office or the Registrar of Voters in their parish. Watson points out that doing so is not their office giving clearance to conduct one.

Cut 13 (08)  “…contact you.”

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Over 80 years after a Louisiana WWII soldier died in the Philippines, he’ll be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

The 20^th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday in New Orleans. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Chase Woodward of Parish Restaurant in Monroe will be representing Louisiana as he competes against 13 other chefs trying to bring the title back home to Louisiana

Cut 8 (08) “…to Louisiana.”

A Baton Rouge infant has become the 17^th infant who’s died after being left in a hot car this year. It happened on Tuesday. Amber Rollins, Director of child safety group Kids & Car Safety says changes in routine are the number one contributor to forgetting kids in the back seat and encourages parents to remind themselves, like putting a stuffed animal in the passenger seat.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in the backseat.

Two LSU alumni are going for Olympic gold today in Paris. Team USA’s Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth are 2 and ) entering their final match against China.  Russell Brock, who coached the duo at LSU says beach volleyball has become more popular in recent years and that watching a local pair dominate in the Olympics makes it a little more special.

Cut 12 (10) “…just a lot of fun.”

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This afternoon the Greater New Orleans Little League team will take to the diamond in Waco, Texas in the Southwest Region of the Little League World Series. Coach Derek Anderson says it’s the first time GNO Little League has partnered with Jefferson Parish Parks and Rec, And when asked what his players are looking forward to the most about making it to regionals in Waco…

Cut 14 (10)  “…biggest thing,”

New Absentee Voting laws for Louisiana go into effect today. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State Office says one of them prevents the harvesting of ballots. Watson says no person, except for an immediate family member can distribute an absentee application to any person who has not requested one.

Cut 6 (13) “…ballot out.”

A Baton Rouge infant has died after being left in a hot car all day Tuesday. According to the National Safety Council, this is the 17th infant who has died after being left in a hot car this year. Director of child safety group Kids & Car Safety Amber Rollins expects that number to increase as summer continues. She encourages parents to take hot car safety seriously even if they don’t think they need to.

Cut 8 (10) “…forget them?”

New Absentee Voting laws for Louisiana go into effect today. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State Office says one of these laws prevents a person from helping more than one person, who isn’t immediate family, with their absentee ballot. It’s because when you’re helping someone with the process, you could have undue influence on their vote.

Cut 5 (08) “…our elections”

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Two LSU alumni are going for Olympic gold today in beach volleyball. Team USA’s Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth have gained notoriety on and off the Olympic court as a duo perfectly balancing confidence and humility. Russell Brock, who coached them both when they played at LSU, expects they’ll bring that grace and momentum into the Olympic finals.

Cut 11 (12) “…just fun to watch.”

The LSU football team begins practice today. The Tigers were picked to finish 5^th in the SEC preseason poll. Head coach Brian Kelly though is praising his offence led by what he calls the best o-line in the country.

Cut 16 (20) “…to watch.” 

Amber Rollins, director of the advocacy group Kids & Car Safety, says hot car safety should be on everyone’s minds after a Baton Rouge infant died when he was left in a hot car all day. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans police are looking for help in uniting a baby with his family. Police Officials there say they found the 12-to-15 month old toddler early yesterday near the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Wilson Drive. They’re asking for the public’s help in finding the child’s family.

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This afternoon the Greater New Orleans Little League team will take to the diamond in Waco, Texas in the Southwest Region of the Little League World Series. Coach Derek Anderson says it’s the first time GNO Little League has partnered with Jefferson Parish Parks and Rec, and he admires how his players play for each other.

Cut 13 (11)  “…something special.”

Two LSU alumni are going for gold today in beach volleyball. Russell Brock, who coached Team USA’s Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth when they played beach volleyball at LSU, says anyone who knows the pair isn’t surprised they’re doing well on and off the court.

Cut 10 (09) “…last few years.”

A Baton Rouge infant has died after being left in a hot car all day Tuesday when his parents forgot to drop him off at daycare. Director of child safety group Kids & Car Safety Amber Rollins says many parents don’t take hot car safety seriously enough because they believe they could never forget their child.

Cut 7 (07) “…seriously.”

You can find more information about how to keep your child safe in cars at kidsandcars.org.

New Absentee Voting laws for Louisiana go into effect today. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State Office says the first of three new laws deter ballots harvesting and close a loophole so now no one person can take more than one absentee ballot to the registrar’s office unless it’s for an immediate family member.

Cut 4 (08) “…voter’s office.”

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Two LSU alumni are going for Olympic gold today in beach volleyball. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

This afternoon the Greater New Orleans Little League team will take to the diamond in Waco, Texas in the Southwest Region of the Little League World Series.  First Year Little League Coach Derek Anderson’s has some advice for his players heading into the series.

Cut 15 (08)  “…chances.

Responding to a hostage situation Thursday, a Lafayette SWAT negotiator was killed in the line of duty.  Brooke Thorington

Cut 1 (27) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirmed four human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease in Winnsboro. LDH Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says only 1 percent of people who get West Nile, get the neuroinvasive strain which can kill 1 out of 10 people who develop it.

Cut 14 (07)  “…of the disease,”

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There will not be a tax reform special session this year, but House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says the goal for this Legislature is to pass some meaningful reforms in the near future to bring more businesses to the state. DeVillier says he would like to get suggestions from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development

Cut 6 (12) “…and why?”

There are new rules for New Orleans Mardi Gras on what you can’t bring to parade routes. Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says the devil isn’t just in the details it’s also in enforcement. Among the banned items are…

Cut 3 (10) “…now banned.”