The Louisiana America 250 State Commission is preparing for the 250^th birthday of the United States. Sean Richardson has more.

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A proposed liquified natural gas export terminal in southwest Louisiana is in limbo due to delays from the U-S Department of Energy, even after approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Mel Bridges has more.

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Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s first six months in office. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Louisiana’s America 250 State Commission is part of a national initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, which will occur on July 4, 2026. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham says Louisiana has a unique place in the national narrative…

Cut 4 (12) “…national needle.”

Bayham says to accomplish this the Louisiana America 250 Commission will host events, educational programs, and public engagements that reflect the state’s unique history and contributions to the nation.

Cut 5 (09) “…our economy.”

The commission unveiled the new standardized Louisiana license plate with the America 250 Commission.

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The Louisiana America 250 commission standardized license plate will be available starting January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.

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Dr. Stephanie Compton with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center has been awarded 217-thousand dollars from the American Cancer Society to study the impact of aerobic exercise on colorectal cancer survivors. Survivors are at a higher risk of developing health conditions like type 2 diabetes following cancer treatment. Compton says she hopes her study…

Cut 7 (07) “…completed.”

High blood sugar from type 2 diabetes following cancer treatment could then contribute to other health conditions like heart disease. Compton’s study looks to improve the lives of cancer survivors by finding ways to help them get back to their old selves…

Cut 8 (12) “…cancer treatment.”

Compton says she hopes a better understanding of how aerobic exercises may reduce the risk of health conditions after cancer treatments will improve survivor’s lives. If you’re a colorectal cancer survivor who’s done with treatment, Compton encourages you to participate in the study. Participants will receive a treadmill that you keep once the study is over.

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Compton is conducting her study from July 2024 to June 2027.

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A proposed export terminal for liquified natural gas in southwest Louisiana continues to be on hold, waiting for Department of Energy approval. Kim Montie (Mon-tay) with Cameron Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District says she doesn’t understand the holdup since Calcasieu Pass 2, or CP2, just received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Cut 10 (08) “…looking for.”

The Biden administration put a pause on liquified natural gas projects earlier this year, citing environmental and economic concerns. However, Montie says CP2 would be beneficial not just to local interests, as it would add at least 500 jobs to Cameron Parish, but to national interests as well.

Cut 11 (08) “…allies.”

CP2 would be the nation’s largest export terminal for LNG. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had approved CP2 with little discussion, albeit with more conditions than normal, before the DOE paused the project. Montie says though the commission’s approval wasn’t the go-ahead the parish was hoping for…

Cut 12 (07) “…the parish.” 

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It was six months ago today when Governor Jeff Landry took office, and the Republican hasn’t taken his foot off the gas with two special sessions and a regular one. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat counts the crime session among Landry’s highest achievements and says then he began revamping state government.

Cut 13 (12)  “…six months.”

Pinsonat says the conservative Republican is going about his job like many expected him to, appealing to his base. For example, his support of the Ten Commandments being displayed in the classroom.

Cut 14 (12)  “…those things.”

Pinsonat says the St. Martinville native who’s been in public service for most of his adult life, is somewhat of an enigma to politicos over where he’s coming from and how he makes decisions.

Cut 15 (12)  “…very complicated.”

And while many Democrats say Landry was railroading legislation through the Republican majority legislature, Pinsonat says he did meet resistance in the Senate, who opted to forgo a Constitutional Convention due to lack of evidence for the need for one.

23-year-old Colby Stokes from Mount Hermon has been charged with the murders of his grandparents, Beverly and Carley Stokes on Wednesday. Sean Richardson has more.

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State Police says there are multiple benefits to having a concealed handgun permit, even though Louisiana law now allows adults who are not felons to conceal carry without a permit. Brooke Thorington has more…

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The I-20 major rehabilitation project in Bossier City has reached a significant milestone with the pouring of concrete for new travel lanes. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan…

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This project, managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), aims to improve I-20 but also the heavily trafficked interchanges.

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The $120 million project includes full reconstruction of both eastbound and westbound lanes. This development is expected to enhance traffic flow and safety for the approximately 86,000 vehicles that use this section daily.  Buchanan says the project was long overdue.

Cut 5 (08)  “…here today .”

DOTD says work should be completed late next year.

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The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Sarah Folse and 52-year-old Deanna Witten, both of Amite, turned themselves in yesterday after they allegedly stole three German Shepherd puppies last weekend from a home in the Loranger area. TPSO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue

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Surveillance video shows two women taking the dogs off their leashes from the homeowner’s back porch.

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Rodrigue says the homeowner has no connection with the two women arrested…

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23-year-old Colby Stokes from Washington Parish has been charged with the murders of his grandparents, Beverly and Carley Stokes. The incident occurred on July 3rd at the family’s home in Mount Hermon where Stoke’s grandparents were shot in their home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith.

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Smith says after shooting his grandparents Stokes went to a neighbor’s home and told them what happened. Authorities responded to a 9-1-1 call from the neighbor. The sheriff says Carley was dead at the scene and Beverly died at a local hospital.

Cut 10 (10) “…long time.”

Stokes was arrested at the scene and is charged with two counts of 2nd-degree murder. Smith referenced Stokes’ past mental health struggles along with drug and alcohol abuse, and the circumstances that led to the murders aren’t uncommon in Washington Parish.

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Smith says the investigation is ongoing, and the motive behind the killings has not been disclosed.

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As of July 4^th, non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun, also known as Constitutional Carry without a permit. However, Louisiana State Police spokesperson Shelby Mayfield reminds residents there are benefits to having a Concealed Handgun Permit, for example, training from certified instructors.

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Mayfield says those skills allow gun owners to carry confidentially and safely.

Mayfield says Constitutional Carry is only applicable to residents when they are in Louisiana. If you have a permit, you can carry concealed in 37 other states that provide reciprocity of a Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit.

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Permitted holders are also not liable for damages, any injury, death, or loss suffered by a perpetrator if the discharge of a firearm is justified by the use of force or self-defense.

Mayfield says purchasing a firearm is also easier for permit holders.

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LSP has created a user-friendly portal making the application process for residents as quick and as easy as possible.

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After hitting Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Tropical Storm Beryl will move across the southern Gulf of Mexico this weekend and is headed towards the Texas-Mexico border. Meteorologist Jonathan Brazzell (bra-ZEL) with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says Beryl is expected to re-strengthen into a hurricane…

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Beryl is expected to weaken as it moves over southern Texas Monday into Tuesday. Brazzell says southwest Louisiana can expect minor coastal flooding and heavy rainfall as Beryl moves through Texas.

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Current forecasts have Beryl weakening to a tropical depression over the eastern half of Texas by Wednesday.