8:30 am Newscast

 

How’d you like to see a check from the state treasury in your mailbox? Well it could happen soon as the department is mailing checks to residents with unclaimed property. Treasurer John Fleming says when he was sworn in there was a backlog of 2,500 claims. That’s now down to 500. And he says even if you don’t receive a check in the next few days you can still visit their website to see if you’re due some cash.

Cut 6 (11) “…information.”

A new survey on state crime shows 72% of Louisiana residents think crime has increased in the past few years, and 84% support ending state police to help local law enforcement in high crime areas. Dr. Michael Henderson, who directed the 2024 Louisiana Survey, says Louisianians also support nontraditional means of law enforcement.

Cut 8 (09) “…higher crime rates.” 

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Even though the LSU baseball tigers aren’t in Omaha this year, tiger fans can show their support for the purple and gold by helping to defend the Tigers in the Jello Shot Challenge Championship remotely. There’s a QR code for that! In Omaha, it will be the SEC against the ACC for the Jello Challenge, and Mike Manning with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says LSU will remind baseball fans who the reigning champs are with donations.

Cut 12 (08) “…a difference.” 
You can find the QR code on LRN’s social media pages or simply visit Louisianaradionetwork.com
LSU Baseball Head Coach Jay Johnson has already begun rebuilding his roster after losing nine players to the transfer portal so far with more expected to depart in the MLB draft. The Tigers have added 4 new transfers, but Johnson and his staff are also expecting reinforcements in the form of Junior College commits. Pearl River left-hander Connor Ware struck out 28 batters in 17 innings this season. Johnson expects him to make an immediate impact…

Cut 16 (10) “…for us.” 

7:30 am Newscast

A new survey shows 72 percent of Louisiana residents think crime has gone up in our state in recent years. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 
You may want to pay extra attention to your mailbox because the Louisiana State Treasury is mailing checks to residents with unclaimed property. Treasurer John Fleming says since his department began sharing information with the Department of Revenue,finding the rightful owner has been much easier.

Cut 4 (09) “…being issued.”
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Even though LSU isn’t in Omaha you can still show your support for the Purple and Gold by defending the Tigers in the Jello Shot Challenge Championship remotely. Mike Manning with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina has set up a QR code to make donations instead.

Cut 10 (10) “…not there.”

Visit Louisiana Radio Network’s social media pages for the QR code or LouisianaRadioNetwork.com.
And in case you missed it LSU Baseball has landed a commitment from Wofford right-handed ace Zac Cowan. Cowan was one of the most coveted prospects in the portal and will bring his talents to Baton Rouge after posting a 10-and-2 record and 3.35 ERA with the Terriers. The All-So-Con pitcher will look to compete for a starting slot with the Tigers next season. There have also been rumors he’ll be joined by Wofford freshman Camden Wicker. The righty logged a 4.28 ERA and started most of the year for the Terriers but has not made an official commitment.

6:30 am Newscast

A new survey on state crime shows 72% of Louisiana residents think crime has increased the past few years, 10% less than last year’s survey. Dr. Michael Henderson, who directed the 2024 Louisiana Survey, says findings show Louisianians are determined to do something about crime.

Cut 7 (09) “…criminal justice.”

 

For some Louisiana residents, the check is in the mail…for unclaimed property that is. State Treasurer John Fliming says one in six Louisianans have unclaimed property and many are not aware so don’t automatically assume an unexpected check is a scam….

Cut 5 (09) “…real money.”

Most checks average $100 – $200. If a large sum is due you will be contacted by the Louisiana State Treasury.
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Even though Tiger Fans aren’t in Omaha, they can defend the College World Series Jello Shot Championship remotely. Brooke Thorington has the details.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

 

Population and job growth are stagnant in Louisiana. That’s according to the Pelican Institute. Chief Economist Vance Ginn says Louisiana ranks in the bottom 10 in the nation in population growth and unemployment rate. But he believes there’s a way to improve those figures.

Cut 13 (11)  “…coming up.”

9:30 am Newscast

Three women were attacked by sharks of the coast of Florida with one woman losing her left arm.  Sean Richardson has more from a shark expert in New Orleans.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The resentencing for Cardell Hayes was continued on Monday morning until July 22 as members of the victim’s family were unable to be in court and give statements if needed. The judge decided those family members had a right to be in court, so the judge granted a motion for continuance filed by prosecutors. In April, the 36-year-old Hayes was convicted in the death of former New Orleans Saints star will smith during a confrontation following a car crash in 2016.

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With car theft on the rise in Louisiana, there have been cases where car owners have tried to either confront the thieves during the theft or later when they track down their vehicle. In some cases, the car owner has been injured or even killed. Self-defense expert Dave Newman says it’s not a smart move to go after your vehicle…

Cut 15 (11)  “…short answer.”
The Saints begin a three-day mandatory minicamp today. The team has been going through O-T-As and the media on hand has been able to see a new offense get installed. Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints Podcast, says new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has players moving before the snap…

Cut 16 (16) “…helps a lot.” 

8:30 am Newscast

Bacteria that cause strep throat and some hospital-acquired infections may save millions of lives. LSU Biological Sciences Professor, Roger Laine is working on cancer treatments using polysaccharides isolated from two different bacteria to destroy tumors.

Cut 12 (06) “…blood vessels.” 

The use of polysaccharides for cancer treatment has been researched as far back as 100 years but didn’t progress due to lack of understanding, technology, and funding

Three shark attacks off Florida coast last week sent three women  to the hospital.  Audubon Aquarium of the Americas curator Kristine Grzendasays worldwide there are only around 7,200 shark attacks annually so while the chances are very rare you still need to remain alert at the beach.

Cut 8 (12) “…chord with us.” 

 

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With car theft on the rise in Louisiana, there have been cases where car owners have tried to either confront the thieves during the theft or later when they track down their vehicle. In some cases, the car owner has been injured or even killed. Self-defense expert Dave Newman says if you find yourself witnessing a car theft, try to document as much as you can, for example, record the incident….

Cut 14 (10)  “…(x2) because of GPS.”

Nunez Community College in Chalmette is set to kick off a first-in-the-state associate’s program training students as entry-level wind turbine technicians. Dean of Instruction Reggie Poche hopes this program will push the state to modernize its energy sector, since…

Cut 5 (09) “…this country.”

7:30 am Newscast

Three shark attacks off Florida coast last week sent three women  to the hospital.  Two of the women suffered arm and leg wounds and the third lost her left arm. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas curator Kristine Grzenda.

Cut 7 (12) “…go to the beach”
Nunez Community College in Chalmette is set to kick off a first-in-the-state associate’s program training students as entry-level wind turbine technicians. Dean of Instruction Reggie Poche (Po-shay) says there’s plenty of room for the program to grow

Cut 4 (09) “…Mexico.”
The program is set to begin in the Fall 2024 semester.
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There have been recent incidents where car owners have gone after car thieves and the outcome has been deadly. Brooke Thorington has more from a self-defense expert on what to do and not to do.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Bacteria that cause strep throat and some hospital-acquired infections may save millions of lives. LSU Biological Sciences Professor, Roger Laine is working on cancer treatments using polysaccharides isolated from two different bacteria to destroy tumors. And that’s not all.

Cut 11 (09) “…being affected.”

 

With car theft on the rise in Louisiana, there have been cases where car owners have tried to either confront the thieves during the theft or later when they track down their vehicle. In some cases, the car owner has been injured or even killed. Self-defense expert Dave Newman says it’s best not to confront them whatsoever…

Cut 13 (08)  “…or dead.”

6:30 am Newscast

A Louisiana community college will kick off a first-in-the-state wind turbine program this fall. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Three shark attacks off Florida coast last week sent three women to the hospital.

Dusk and dawn are the most likely times for shark attacks says Audubon Aquarium of the Americas curator Kristine Grzenda, but most of the time it’s a case of mistaken identity.

Cut 9 (09)  “…very costly one.”

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Bacteria that cause strep throat and some hospital-acquired infections may save millions of lives. LSU Biological Sciences Professor, Roger Laine is working on cancer treatments using polysaccharides isolated from two different bacteria to destroy tumors. They work by attaching to receptors in the capillaries that feed the tumors…

Cut 10 (09) “…the tumor.”

 

With car theft on the rise in Louisiana, there have been cases where car owners have tried to either confront the thieves during the theft or later when they track down their vehicle. In some cases, the car owner has been injured or even killed. Self-defense expert Dave Newman says it’s best not to confront them whatsoever…

Cut 13 (08)  “…or dead.”

11:30 am Newscast

Crawfish season is winding down, and it’s been pretty unpredictable. At the start of the season, things looked extremely dire due to the summer drought and extreme heat. December through February Shirley says supply was down around 90 percent. In May supply increased, but Shirley says it was only 40 to 50 percent compared to other Mays. As for the outlook for the next mudbug season, Shirley says farmers are cautiously optimistic.

Cut 8 (11)  “… next year.” 
Shirley says even though supply increased in April and May, for the most part, folks in south Louisiana were able to enjoy them. Out-of-state eateries went without mudbugs this season.

It looks like there could be a second Bucee’s location in Louisiana. Right now preparation is underway for one in Ruston. And now the Advocate reports, the construction company that has built other Bucee’s has requested a variance with the zoning board in Lafayette, so the possibility exists or a Bucee’s there.

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This Saturday and Sunday it’s Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana. And of course, fishing is a lot more fun when you don’t have to talk about the one that got away. State Wildlife Fisheries Outreach Biologist Josh Porter says chances are there’s a recently stocked pond near you.

Cut 14 (12)  “…those ponds.”

Check their website for a listing of those ponds or their Facebook page.

 

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office has been featured on the A&E show “Murder at the Motel”. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton describes the scene.

Cut 3 (11) “…all over the walls.” 

10:30 am Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has signed what has been called the bathroom bill. The legislation prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom or locker room at a school that does not match their biological sex. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says his legislation is designed to protect females, especially young girls…

Cut 9 (10) “…uh oh” 

The A&E show “Murder at the Motel” featured Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton on the murder victim.

Cut 5 (11)  “… at the hotel.”

You can watch “Murder at the Motel” on A&E or stream online now.

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As the crawfish season is coming to an end, just how bad was it? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two Deputies in Richland Parish were stabbed multiple times after catching up to a fleeing suspect Thursday. 23-year-old Colby Bazan answered RPSO’s request to appear at the sheriff’s office regarding a simple assault and criminal trespass warrant involving alleged threats against his family members. When Bazan realized he was under arrest authorities say he fled and when deputies caught up to him, he stabbed two of them with a knife in his possession. Both Deputies were treated and released from the hospital.

 

9:30 am Newscast

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office has been featured on the A&E show “Murder at the Motel”. The episode tells the story of twenty-eight-year-old Sonya Ortego’s (or-ta-go) murder at the Dees Motel by Jackie Pruitt on March 24, 2016. Chief Deputy Jared Morton says the motive for the murder is still unknown.

Cut 4 (06) “…at all.” 

Pruitt was convicted of first-degree murder in 2017. You can watch “Murder at the Motel” on A&E or stream online now.

Crawfish season is winding down, and to say it was an unpredictable one is an understatement.  LSU Ag Center Crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says towards the end of the season, April and May, supply increased in some fields, but that wasn’t the case for every crawfish farmer.

Cut 6  (11) “…those fields. ” 

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Governor Jeff Landry has signed what has been called the bathroom bill. The legislation prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom or locker room at a school that does not match their biological sex. Director of the Louisiana Trans Advocates, Peyton Rose Michelle, says this law will  only create more fear in the transgender community about bathrooms. But Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says women should not have to worry about a biological man, who is now a transgender woman entering a bathroom

Cut 10 (05) “…their gender.”
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is reminding the public to take precautions against mosquito bites that can expose people to West Nile virus. In Louisiana, we typically see more mosquito activity in the warmer summer months, increasing the risk for mosquito-borne diseases.In 2023, Louisiana experienced 65 West Nile cases, including 46 neuroinvasive disease cases and four deaths. Last year’s cases were located throughout the state, with multiple regions seeing more cases than they have had in several years.