Grambling State University has made history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

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Baton Rouge police made the largest fentanyl seizure in state history yesterday. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

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Grambling State University made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says keeping everything online gives everyone access to the most recent, relevant information.

Cut 3 (08) “…minutes.”

The digital library has no physical material. Instead, it provides access to more than one-point-six million digital books and pieces of research material. Webber says this ensures students are prepared not only for research in higher education, but also for the tech-forward workforce.

Cut 4 (09) “…this information.”

Webber says purely online material removes the need for multiple physical copies or constantly purchasing current research material. Additionally, she says, the digital library reflects a tech-forward shift not just among students, but among libraries and institutions as well.

Cut 5 (12)  “…with the times.”

The seventeen million dollar facility is also the only one of its kind at an HBCU.

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Baton Rouge Police have seized approximately 181 pounds of fentanyl as part of an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking operations involving 42-year-old Cendy Keophimanh (sen-dee kee-oh-fe-men). It’s believed to be the largest fentanyl seizure in Louisiana history, Lt. L’Jean MckNeely says the drugs seized in this investigation have the potential to save 42 million lives

Cut 6 (09) “…southeast region.”

Keophimanh was arrested last week following another large drug seizure including around 150 pounds of methamphetamine. Detectives conducted another search warrant at a house on Vermillion Drive connected to the suspect. McKneely says Baton Rouge was being used as a midpoint distribution center…

Cut 7 (08) “…and then distributed.”

Also seized were over 100 doses of Adderall and Xanax, a money counter, an air hydraulic shop press, 42 kilogram stamps and four guns. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in East Baton Rouge Parish and McKneely says they need the public’s help to find find the drug dealers and traffickers…

Cut 8 (13)  “…behind bars.”

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The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill for months. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says an investment group from California owns Regions Tower.

Cut 9 (11) “…five hundred thousand dollars.”

Regions Tower is over 90 days overdue on a building-wide electricity bill totaling around half a million dollars. SWEPCO says they’ve been in contact with the California-based company that owns the building to keep the lights on, and Campbell says the tenants are also trying to make a deal…

Cut 10 (12) “…out in California.”

SWEPCO began posting disconnection notices around Regions Tower yesterday to give tenants time to make plans in case the power does go out. SWEPCO External Affairs Manager Michael Corbin says turning off the power is the last thing they want to do…

Cut 11 (12) ” …moment.”

Building owner Hertz Investment Group of Sherman, California haven’t commented on the situation yet.

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32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges in Louisiana. Hicks was arrested in January of 2023 after she and her boyfriend were pulled over traveling on I-12. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found marijuana in open view and several boxes of Fruity Pebbles cereal…

Cut 12 (14) “…ecstasy pills.”

The boxes of cereal were determined to contain almost 8,000 methamphetamine pills weighing over 4 pounds. During a formal police interview Hicks and her boyfriend admitted they had purchased the pills in Texas with the intent of selling them back in Virginia. Dover says this is what the Highway Enforcement Unit is there for…

Cut 13 (11) “…to buy drugs.” 

Hicks’s boyfriend plead guilty prior to the trial and without a criminal history, received a probation sentence. Dover says the judge considered Hicks’s criminal history of firearm, assault, larceny, fraud, forgery, drug, ad prostitution convictions when passing down the 35-year sentence…

Cut  14 (10) “…state of Florida.”

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously approved new policies from the Let Teachers Teach workgroup. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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Governor Jeff Landry spoke on juvenile detention center funding of 100 million dollars at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and what will be done to improve the juvenile justice system in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources is creating an Offshore Wind Road Map to properly take advantage of offshore wind energy. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) unanimously approved new policies based on State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley’s Let Teachers Teach workgroup. Brumley says the new policies free teachers from what he calls “onerous bureaucracy”…

Cut 4 (10) “…from learning.”

The policies focus on expanding teacher autonomy and creating a disruption-free classroom by tightening student discipline, giving more lesson planning freedom to effective teachers, and reducing the number of training teachers have to repeat every year….

Cut 5 (11) “…paperwork on teachers.”

Some of the approved policies are ensuring misbehaving students are removed from a classroom immediately if a teacher requests it, giving effective teachers more freedom to plan lessons, and reducing repeat teacher training. Brumley says enforcing these policies will be a collaborative effort between state and local educators…

Cut 6 (11) “…simply teach.”

The policies will take effect before the end of the school year.

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While speaking to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Governor Jeff Landry says the state Legislature  appropriated 100 million dollars to increase the number of juvenile detention center beds around the state and  state dollars will also be spent on ensuring juvenile offenders have access to the necessary resources for rehabilitation

Cut 7 (06) “…path that we’re on.”

Landry also discussed the new law that would allow 17-year-olds to be charged as adults for serious crimes. He believes this will address the rising levels of violent crime among teenagers as it will act as a deterrent

Cut 8 (08) “…amount of violence.”

Together, these initiatives reflect the state’s effort to balance public safety with the need for a more effective approach to juvenile justice. Landry hopes that by expanding detention facilities and enacting stricter laws, they can reduce crime while providing better opportunities for rehabilitation.

Cut 9 (12)  “…incarcerated in there.”

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An Offshore Wind Road Map for Louisiana is being developed by the state Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure they’re able to properly take advantage of offshore wind energy. DENR Communications Director Patrick Courreges (core-ayj) says the road map will help answer questions like…

Cut 10 (11) “…(x2) in that field?”

The road map will serve as a guide for Louisiana’s growing offshore wind industry, addressing things like the supply chain, economic considerations, and shared use of state-owned waters for different interests. Courreges says the Bayou State basically has the workforce part figured out, since…

Cut 11 (10) “…pretty well.”

DENR wants public participation in the road map, and will hold a Zoom meeting on September 5 from 11 to 1 to discuss the road map with the public. Courreges says they want to make sure the public understands the wind industry and its many parts, and the public can help figure out…

Cut 12 (10) “…they can there?”

The meeting agenda, public comments link and other information can be found at louisianaoffshorewind.com.

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The World Health Organization declared monkeypox, or m-pox, a global health emergency as the disease ravages Africa. Tulane Epidemiology Professor Dr. Susan Hassig says mpox was able to spread so quickly among African countries because of…

Cut 13 (10)  “…most affected.”

Mpox spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact, such as a mother holding a child for long periods of time, and Hassig says those who are immunocompromised or have existing skin conditions are especially prone to mpox…

Cut 14 (11)  “…other organ systems.”

Hassig says while mpox is a concern, it’s not likely to affect the U.S. or even tourists to Africa, since mpox spreads via intimate contact. She says mpox was likely made a global health emergency to spread awareness of the disease…

Cut 15 (08)  “…that it’s happening.”

Hassig stresses that mpox is a treatable disease.

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The LSU football team is preparing to kick off the season against 23^rd-ranked USC September 1. The Tigers have lost their season opener four years in a row. Head Coach Brian Kelly will need his revamped defense to stop Lincoln Riley’s high-flying Trojan offense. LSU brought in five new defensive coaches this offseason to improve one of the SEC’s worst groups last season…

Cut 16 (17) “…third down situations.” 

Junior preseason All-American linebacker Harold Perkins will lead the defensive unit. Perkins has been a dominant edge rushing talent but will move to inside linebacker after an unsuccessful switch inside last season. Kelly says Perkins has been different this offseason…

Cut 17 (20) “…(x3) around him.”

Junior gunslinger Garrett Nussmeier will lead the offense this year. The big-arm quarterback has wowed with his passing ability but has been reckless with the football in his limited action. Kelly says Nussmeier’s approach has changed as the starter…

Cut 18 (21)  “…team’s hands.”

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The Saints play their final preseason game against the Titans Sunday. First-year offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak will call plays from the sideline as he leads the revamped Saints offense in their first home game. Star wide receiver Chris Olave is eager to play in Kubiak’s new scheme…

Cut 19 (17) “…next step.”

Olave has been an impact player for the Saints since being drafted 11^th overall in 2022. The Ohio State product has produced back-to-back one-thousand-yard seasons, but it’s not just his playmaking he worked on this offseason. It’s his run blocking…

Cut 20 (18) “…this year.”