Governor Jeff Landy is holding a press conference today to announce the launch of Gumbo 2.0. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel, who has been instrumental in improving broadband access around the state, says the program will allow for the distribution of $1.35 billion to bring high speed internet to rural areas.
Cut 4 (05) “…good positive way.”
Funding for GUMBO 2.0 came from the federal Infrastructure Act approved in 2021.

A top initiative for lawmakers heading into 2025 is figuring out a way to lower auto insurance rates. Several Louisiana legislators were upset Governor Landry vetoed a bill in the last regular session that could have lowered judgements awarded to plaintiffs in car crash. Landry says he was looking out for the consumer. House Speaker Phillip Devillier says the vetoing of that bill brought awareness to the insurance crisis…
cut 12 (08) “…insurance reform”

The good government group, the Council for A Better Louisiana says several indicators they keep track of show Louisiana’s wellbeing is trending downwards. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State Police says 40-year-old Joshua Nicholas of Lake Charles was killed in an offshore pipeline explosion on Saturday night that occurred in a marsh area near Venice in Plaquemines Parish. Nicholas was operating on a mud boat near the pipeline when it exploded. A cause of the explosion is not known.

LDH issues a “do not use” water advisory for residents of Madison Perish after the water supply was contaminated with paraquat, a toxic herbicide. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (35) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

Scary situation earlier today when a fire started in a classroom at Ruby-Wise Elementary School in Pineville. The Rapides Parish School Board says all of the students evacuated safely and are all accounted for. Officials say an electrical issue caused the blazed.

The state department of transportation says preliminary construction activities can begin this year on a new two-point-three billion dollar I-10 Lake Charles bridge. Project manager Paul Vaught says the Landry administration put a financing plan in place earlier this year that received legislative approval and the bonds have been sold…
cut 14 (10) “…were made”
Tolls will help pay for the bridge.

On Thursday, Federal Judge Brian Jackson reinforced orders for officials at Angola, to implement measures to protect prisoners working on the “farm line” from extreme heat. Lydia Wright with Promise of Justice Initiative says she is thrilled with the attention the courts are giving to this case…
Cut 6 (13) “…take those steps.”
The Louisiana Department of Corrections has told the court it’s following constitutionally appropriate policy when it comes to protecting workers from extreme heat.

The Louisiana Department of Health has told residents in Madison Parish not to drink the water if it came from the Walnut Bayou Water District. L-D-H says the Walnut Bayou Water System suffered a water line break resulting in the drinking water being exposed to a toxic herbicide used for weed control. Surgeon General Ralph Abraham Bottle water has been made available…
cut 5 (10) “…up with”
water can be picked up at the Walnut Water Association Office in Tallulah.

New real estate rules go into effect tomorrow that changes the way how an agent gets paid. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors President-elect Larry Miller says compensation has always been between the client and broker…
cut 9 (11) “….will be”

The state department of transportation has announced preliminary work on a new I-10 Lake Charles Bridge may begin this year and full-on construction operations will begin in 2026 and construction should be completed in 2031. One-point-two billion dollars in state and federal funding will help pay for the bridge’s construction and so will tolls. But Project Manager Paul Vaught says the state will retain about 15-percent of the tolls net profit…
cut 15 (11) “….five-parish area”
Tolls will not be collected on the bridge until its open to traffic.

The Louisiana Lottery says last fiscal year was their second best year on record as lottery ticket sales produced 643-million dollars in revenues and 205-million dollars of that goes to K-through-12 public school education. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says scratch-offs continue to be the top seller in their game portfolio and the lottery tries to keep scratch offs fresh by adding bigger and unique prizes…
cut 12 (10) …our games”

Many Entergy Louisiana customers can expect a small rate increase of about four-dollars a month. But Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis says the increase is half of what Entergy Louisiana wanted and they negotiated the rate down by settling litigation involving allegations that Entergy mismanaged a nuclear power plant in Mississippi….
cut 6 (13) “…investments in infrastructure
Entergy has also agreed to reduce its late fees to one-point-five percent. eliminate connection and reconnection fees and expanding discounts for seniors.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has issued a “do not use” water advisory for residents in Madison Parish. The advisory warns residents not to use tap water for any purpose. The state’s Surgeon General, Ralph Abraham, says there’s been a significant drop in water pressure in the area, which raises concerns about a paraquat, a toxic herbicide entering the water supply.
Cut 3 (11) “…got into the system”
Residents are urged to use bottle water until the advisory is lifted, which may stay in affect until next week.

Because of a settlement involving the National Realtor’s association, Realtors are facing changes in the way they help homebuyers purchase a home. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors’ President-Elect, Larry Miller on how the new rules will impact the way homebuyers work with their agents…
Cut 7 (12) “…real estate services.”
Sellers will no longer offer compensation in advance as a marketing incentive.

The Louisiana Lottery Corporation just ended its’ second-best fiscal year ever, reporting 643 million dollars in revenue. Spokesperson Dustin Annison says 205 million dollars of that funds K-through 12 public education…
cut 10 (12) “…education system.”

DOTD has cleared the last financial hurdle in building a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

A police shooting in Morehouse Parish yesterday has left a person in serious condition. The Northwest Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit says Morehouse Sheriff deputies were executing an order for protective custody when they were met by a man with a gun. Deputies reportedly told the man to drop the weapon but the situation escalated and the person was shot. He was airlifted to a regional hospital.

The Louisiana Lottery says last fiscal year was there second best ever, with 643-million dollars in revenue and 205-million dollars of that revenue will go to K-through-12 public education. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says they’ve transferred around five billion dollars since they started in 1991, 35-percent of their total revenue…
cut 11 (10) “….education”

New real estate rules go into effect on Saturday that changes the way how an agent gets paid. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors President-elect Larry Miller says compensation has always been between the client and broker…
cut 9 (11) “….will be”

Entergy Louisiana customers will see a rate increase in early 2025 but fees will go down. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has told residents in Madison Parish not to drink the water if the drinking water comes from the Walnut Bayou Water District. L-D-H says the Walnut Bayou Water System suffered a water line break resulting in the drinking water being exposed a toxic herbicide that’s used for weed control. Bottle water has been made available.

The state department of transportation has announced preliminary work on a new I-10 Lake Charles Bridge may begin this year and full-on construction operations will begin in 2026 and construction should be completed in 2031. One-point-two billion dollars in state and federal funding will help pay for the bridge’s construction and so will tolls. But Project Manager Paul Vaught says the state will retain about 15-percent of the tolls net profit…
cut 15 (11) “….five-parish area”
Tolls will not be collected on the bridge until its open to traffic.

The Louisiana Lottery Corporation just ended its’ second-best fiscal year ever, with around 643 million dollars in revenue. Spokesperson Dustin Annison says the Lottery transferred almost 205 million dollars to the state treasury that will go towards K-through 12 public education…
cut 10 (12) “…education system.”

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a rate increase of four-dollars in early 2025 but Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis says the rate hikes could have been worse…
Cut 4 (13) “…eight to ten dollars.”
Lewis says on a positive note, Entergy is reducing its late fees, eliminating connection and reconnection fees and expanding eligibility for low-income senior bill discounts.

The state department of transportation says preliminary construction activities can begin this year on a new two-point-three billion dollar I-10 Lake Charles bridge as DOTD and the developer, Calcasieu Bridge Partners, have reached what is called a financial close, which allows the contractor to proceed. Project manager Paul Vaught says the Landry administration put a financing plan in place earlier this year that received legislative approval…
cut 14 (10) “…were made”
Tolls will help pay for the bridge.

Real estate agent commissions will change starting tomorrow. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors’ President-elect Larry Miller says buyers who previously didn’t have to pay a commissioner to their realtor who helped them purchase a home will be expected to pay for the service…
cut 8 (10) “..broker directly”
There is a concern this could hurt first-time homebuyers because they are already stretched for cash.

The Louisiana Lottery says last fiscal year was their second best year on record as lottery ticket sales produced 643-million dollars in revenues and 205-million dollars of that will go to K-through-12 public school education. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says scratch-offs continue to be the top seller in the Lottery’s game portfolio and the lottery tries to keep scratch offs fresh by adding more, higher and unique prizes…
cut 12 (10) …our games”