After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season begins today. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Hundreds of first responders made a procession through the capitol city yesterday, paying tribute to a decorated police officer who died yesterday morning from injuries suffered when a pickup truck hit his motorcycle in what authorities believe was an intentional attack back in June.  Sergeant Caleb Eisworth served on the Baton Rouge Police force for 23.  Authorities say the charge against the man responsible for the crash will be upgraded to first-degree murder.

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With this month marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a new documentary premiering tonight on ESPN takes a look back at the Saints’ first game back in the Superdome. “Above The Tide: 20 Years After Katrina” premiers at six local time tonight on ESPN. It’s directed by Julian Gooden, who says the film features interviews with all the important people who were with the Saints on that magical night in September of 2006.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the film.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon will be in Baton Rouge this morning as part of her nationwide tour. McMahon said she’s looking to highlight what happens when local communities lead.

Cut 13 (08)  “…our local leaders.”

With the peak of hurricane season now just weeks away, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched an updated mobile app. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the new and improved LDI Connect app has some new features, including enhanced weather reporting.

Cut 9 (11)  “…that impact you.”

Louisiana made national news yesterday as ABC News reported the state has agreed to pay $9 million to a man who was partially paralyzed after a trooper shot him in the back during a 2018 traffic stop in Baton Rouge and then falsely reported it as a Taser discharge. According to the report, terms of the settlement, which were not made public, were provided by an anonymous source, with knowledge of the case.  The federal lawsuit was filed by Clifton “Scotty” Dilley, whose injuries confined him to a wheelchair when he was 19.

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly joked yesterday that Garrett Nussmeier will not need his leg amputated after a rumor swirled on Wednesday that he suffered a serious injury. Kelly says it’s just tendonitis in knee that got a little cranky on Wednesday…

Cut 13 (06)  “…calm it down.”

A two-year-old boy is safe after being left in a hot car in Shreveport for up to 30 minutes. Someone saw the little boy in distress inside the car outside a Dollar Tree store and flagged down an officer about 100 yards away. Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says despite the fact that it was well before noon, the temperature was already soaring.

Cut 6 (07) “…about 93 degrees.”

The boy’s mother was arrested and is facing a single count of child desertion.

Freshman running back JT Landry was booked into the East Baton Rouge prison yesterday on two counts of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.  The football player turned himself yesterday evening after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.  He’s accused of letting two friends from his hometown of Alexandria stay in his dorm, knowing they were wanted for murder. The suspects, 17-year-old Shemell Jacobs and 18-year-old Keldrick Jordan, were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service earlier this week.

Tragedy was averted in Shreveport yesterday when a two year old boy was spotted screaming in a hot car alone.  That person flagged down a police officer who managed to get the child out of the vehicle in 93 degree weather. Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says the temperature inside the vehicle was even hotter, even with the window rolled down.

Cut 7 (09) “…removed the child.”

The boy’s mother has been charged with child desertion.

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Noncustodial parents who lost their driver’s license because of delinquent child support payments have an easier chance to get their license reinstated. Jeff Palermo has details on the program.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has updated its mobile app.  Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the LDI Connect  APP initially launched last year, and they took note of what worked and what didn’t, and they worked to improve it for this year..

Cut 11 (08) “…making it better.”

August is Child Support Awareness Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is bringing back its “On the Road Again” program. Assistant Secretary of Family Support, Sammy Guillory, says it’s an opportunity for noncustodial parents who lost their driver’s license because they haven’t been paying their child support to get their license back.

Cut 3 (10) “…meet em.”

We are just weeks away from the peak of hurricane and the Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched a new and improved mobile app. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the LDI Connect app has enhanced weather reporting and some useful  videos to help you navigate through the sometimes complicated world of insurance.

Cut 10 (12) “…file a claim.”

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A little boy is rescued from a hot car, and his mother is facing charges. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke yesterday about the rumors swirling on Wednesday that quarterback Garret Nussmier had suffered a serious injury. Kelly says the QB has patella tendinitis as a result of a surgery in 2023 and it was just acting up on Wednesday.

Cut 13 (06)  “…calm it down.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly joked yesterday that Garrett Nussmeier will not need his leg amputated after a rumor swirled on Wednesday that he suffered a serious injury. Kelly says it’s just tendonitis in knee that got a little cranky on Wednesday…

Cut 13 (06)  “…calm it down.”

Freshman running back JT Landry was booked into the East Baton Rouge prison yesterday on two counts of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.  Landry’s turned himself yesterday evening after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.  He’s accused of letting two friends from his hometown of Alexandria stay in his dorm, knowing they were wanted for murder. The suspects, 17-year-old Shemell Jacobs and 18-year-old Keldrick Jordan, were arrested on campus by the U.S. Marshals Service earlier this week.

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A two-year-old boy is safe after being left in a hot car in Shreveport for up to 30 minutes. Someone saw the little boy in distress inside the car outside a Dollar Tree store and flagged down an officer about 100 yards away. Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says despite the fact that it was well before noon, the temperature was already soaring.

Cut 6 (07) “…about 93 degrees.”

The boy’s mother was arrested and is facing a single count of child desertion.

With the peak of hurricane season now just weeks away, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has launched an updated mobile app. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the new and improved LDI Connect app has some new features, including enhanced weather reporting.

Cut 9 (11)  “…that impact you.”

The new and improved LDI Connect app is live on the Apple App Store and on the Google Play Store now.

The former police chief of the small Lafourche Parish community of Golden Meadow is arrested for allegedly deleting a dozen years worth of files on his way out the door. Tony Dufrene is charged with injuring public records, computer tampering and malfeasance in office. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it all happened after Dufrene lost his bid for re-election.

Cut 5 (08) “…under any circumstances.”

Meanwhile the police chief in the small community of Elton is now thee only employee of his town’s police department.  Police Chief Bruce Lemelle had to lay off the rest of his force due to budget constraints.  Kay Hebert, the mayor pro tem, says says Lemelle knew what his department was budgeted for, and he overextended it.

Cut 12 (11) “…and other officers.”

We’re told law enforcement calls in Elton will now be handled by the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, which will mean increased response times.

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A wing that’s been close since 2018 at Angola, may soon be sued to house ICE detainees. State leaders are in talks with the trump administration and renovations are already in the works.  There have been some concern raised over housing detainees in a facility with as those convicted of violent crimes. But West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard says he’s confident in the ability of the staff at Angola.

Cut 9 (07)  “…willing to work.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana is on the cover of Time Magazine this month.  LSU Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow (SAD-ow) says the story portrays the relationship between Johnson and President Trump as that of “good cop, bad cop.”

Cut 15 (18) “…to pay off.”

The Saints are nearing the start of the regular season as they take on the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday in their first preseason game. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pine) reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana’s famous Elmer Chocolate has been sold to a Florida based conglomerate.  Hoffman Family of Companies operates 120 different brands. They’re known for buying strong, local brands, helping them grow, all while keeping existing management and employees in place.  There’s no word on what the overall price-tag was of the Pontchatoula based maker of Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash, but Elmer, which has been in business since 1850, has an estimated yearly revenue of about 100-million dollars.

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Angola State Penitentiary may begin housing ICE detainees. Louisiana leaders and the Trump administration are in talks to use the prison facility.  A wing, which closed in 2018 due to its condition, will likely house the detainees. Last month, Governor Landry issued an executive order allowing renovations to the wing to proceed without typical bidding rules. . West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard.

Cut 8 (11) “…be in jail.”

Budget constraints have forced the police chief of one small Jefferson Davis Parish community to lay off his entire force. The decision was made following a contentious council meeting earlier this week. Kay Hebert, the mayor pro- tem of Elton, says Police Chief Bruce Lemelle has already gone through all the money that the council had allocated to the police department – something that Lemelle disputes.

Cut 11 (06) “…has been expended.”

Law enforcement calls in Elton will now be handled by the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Angola State Penitentiary may begin housing ICE detainees. Louisiana leaders and the Trump administration are in talks to use the prison facility as the President widens the crackdown on immigrants in the country illegally. West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard welcomes the opportunity.

Cut 7 (09) “…always done.”

Gracing the cover of the August issue of “Time” Magazine – House Speaker Mike Johnson. LSU Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow (SAD-ow) says it’s the culmination of a meteoric rise for the northwest Louisiana congressman.

Cut 13 (06)  “…he didn’t.”

A wing previously known as “Camp J,” which closed in 2018 due to its condition, is the likely site to house the detainees. Last month, Governor Landry issued an executive order allowing renovations to the wing to proceed without typical bidding rules.
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The police force in one small community in Jefferson Davis Parish is now down to one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The former police chief of the small Lafourche Parish community of Golden Meadow is arrested for allegedly deleting a dozen years worth of files on his way out the door. Tony Dufrene is facing several charges. Attorney General Liz Murrill says that data includes traffic citations and fuel expenditures.

Cut 4 (06) “…recover it all.”

Angola State Penitentiary may begin housing ICE detainees. Louisiana leaders and the Trump administration are in talks to use the prison facility as the President widens the crackdown on immigrants in the country illegally. West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard welcomes the opportunity.

Cut 7 (09) “…always done.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson is on the cover of “Time” Magazine this month, describing the his relationship with President Trump as a good cop-bad cop scenario. Johnson was elected Speaker of the House in the middle of just his fourth term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives – this after serving just one term in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the 1880s.”

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The police force in one small community in Jefferson Davis Parish is now down to one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After nearly two centuries making candy in Pontchatoula, Elmer Chocolate has been sold to a Florida based conglomerate.  Hoffman Family of Companies, which operates 120 different brants, says they like to buy strong, local brands, help them grow, all while keeping existing management and employees in place.  There’s no word on what the overall price-tag was, but Elmer has an estimated yearly revenue of about 100-million dollars.

Schools are opening as early as today across Louisiana, so State Police are urging you to take all precautions necessary to keep kids safe as they go back to school. Trooper Eddie Thomas says it’s important to obey crossing guards, and always use caution when approaching a school bus stop.

Cut 6 (10) “…the bus safely.”

The latest numbers are out and it appears the birthrate in Louisiana has dropped significantly…from 63-thousand babies born in 2013 to just over 52-thousand last year. Allison Plyer, the chief demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans, says the trend in birth rates and population goes hand-in-hand.

Cut 7 (12) “…lot fewer babies.”

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The state is expanding a program that puts money back on a SNAP recipients EBT card when they buy fresh produce. Tim Jenkins with the Department of Children and Family Services says the program started in Louisiana last April is open to all Louisiana SNAP recipients who shop at a Walmart in eleven parishes.

Cut 12 (09) “…incentive.”

The 30-cent bonus is automatically added to EBT cards at checkout and can be used as soon as the next purchase.

The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team continues to call for a slightly above-average 2025 hurricane season. There have been four named storms so far this year, but none of them have grown to hurricane strength. Dr. Phil Klotzbach says they predict a dozen more named storms, eight of which will strengthen into hurricanes.

Cut 13 (12)  “…three major hurricanes.”