There are several peitions on the website Change-dot-org that are seeking signatures in an effort to reverse the state’s new law that bans students from having their cell phones in the classroom. Mel Brooks spoke with a Walker High School freshman who started one…
cut 2 (34) “….I’m Mel Bridges”

An eleven-year-old will attend LSU this fall after he graduated middle and high school in two years. Joe Petraro is from East Rockaway in New York and has an IQ of 168 despite living with Tourette syndrome. Petraro will take online classes and his dream is to be a sports broadcaster.

The Joe Burrow Foundation, led by former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, has partnered with the Three O’clock Project to donate 9,999 meals to schools in Baton Rouge. Through this initiative, the Burrow Foundation continues its commitment to supporting education and addressing hunger in areas where children are most vulnerable.
Cut 15 (09) “…own nonprofit.”
That’s Three O’ Clock Project Executive Director Emily Chatelain who says Burrow is partnering with Kodiak food company to donate the meals.

On August 1st, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) introduced a new option for individuals purchasing hunting and fishing licenses with ACT 348. The ability to register as organ donors. LDWF Undersecretary Brian McClinton says this initiative is part of a broader effort to increase organ donor registrations.
Cut 10 (10) “…save someone’s life.”
Louisiana has seen a significant need for organ donors, with over 2,000 residents currently waiting for transplants.

Mortgage rates have dropped to a 15-month low and that’s not just good news for today’s house hunters, it could bring significant savings to homeowners who have higher rates. Guild Mortgage Company Area Manager, Richard Allen, says homeowners are taking advantage of the rate drop, and depending on the loan type, savings go beyond interest rates…
Cut 10 (11) “…to pay.”
Allen says calls have increased from homeowners seeking to refinance.

High temperatures ranging from the mid to upper 90s are expected for the foreseeable future which is why the Humane Society of Louisiana is urging pet and livestock owners to provide extra care to keep their animals from getting heat stroke. Director Jeff Dorson says you should be mindful of your furry friends…
Cut 7 (07) “…bring them in?”
Heat stroke in animals can happen in five to ten minutes.

Construction is underway on Phase Two of the Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex in Dulac. The H-N-C Lock Complex will prevent saltwater intrusion, distribute freshwater within the Terrebonne Basin and is a key component of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection system, which will prevent flooding in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes…
cut 15 (10) “…as well”
That’s Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District President Tony Alford.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has partnered with the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA) to launch the “Put the Brakes on Litter” campaign. KLB Director Susan Russel says participating dealers will distribute litter kits to customers, aiming to raise awareness about the environmental impact of littering.
Cut 3 (11) “…all throughout Louisiana.”
The campaign emphasizes the role that individuals can play in reducing litter, particularly from vehicles.

Four legislative committees met this week discussing how to lower auto insurance rates. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says legislators heard from the insurance industry, attorneys, the state department of transportation, and other stakeholders. Temple says it’s a matter of bringing all interested in parties together to find answers…
cut 5 (10) “…solutions”
A special session on insurance reform could happen early next year.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has issued a heat advisory alert as heat indices continue to rise above 100-degrees. Heat stroke in animals can happen in five to ten minutes. Director Jeff Dorson says animals will let you know if they’re too hot by panting and whining, among other symptoms.
Cut 8 (10) “…necessarily.”
Dorson says please keep your pets inside or in heavily shaded areas for any outside time.

Tropical Depression Debby continues to impact the mid-Atlantic region and now the focus for us along the Gulf Coast is a wave that’s crossing the Atlantic. Forecasters says the wave continues to show an increasing chance at organizing into a tropical depression sometime over the next few days as it moves toward the eastern Caribbean.

Mortgage rates have dropped to a 15-month low. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Four legislative committees met this week to discuss the state’s auto insurance crisis, raising the possibility of an insurance reform special session early next year. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has received criticism for the solutions being floated that will benefit insurers, not the consumers directly. Temple says his goal is to reduce the costs of providing insurance…
cut 6 (11) “…the consumer”

Those looking to buy a new home are seeing mortgage rates fall, in fact they dropped to a 15 month low this week. The Federal Reserve could cut its benchmark interest rate next month, but Guild Mortgage Company Area Manager, Richard Allen, says that doesn’t guarantee a further decline in interest rates…
cut 12 (07) “….that day”
Allen says, If the Fed makes a larger-than-expected rate cut, then mortgage rates could possibly drop further.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging pet and livestock owners to keep their animals cool as the heat index continues to surpass 100 degrees. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

According to the Louisiana Department of Health’s heat dashboard, there have been eleven heat-related deaths as of August 3rd. Six of those deaths happened in June and eight of the eleven people who have died from the heat were men. The dashboard shows Jefferson Parish leads the state for the most Emergency Department visits with more than 200.

The CDC says Louisiana has twice the national average of COVID cases. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 26 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff concert in New Orleans featuring Eric Church has been cancelled with no reason given. Church and other country artists were set to perform in the Caesars Superdome on August 31st. The AllState Sugar Bowl planned to use the concert’s proceeds to support its community programs.

Construction has begun on phase 2 of the Houma Navigational Canal Lock Complex. Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District President Tony Alford says the project will bring a number of benefits, including limiting saltwater intrusion that’s killing cypress trees. He says if you go to Houma…
Cut 13 (12) “…go look at that.”
The HNC Lock Complex will also distribute freshwater within the Terrebonne Basin, which will help foster thousands of acres of wetlands and fisheries.

Good news for home shoppers, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has dropped to its lowest level in more than a year to 6.47-percent. Guild Mortgage Company Area Manager, Richard Allen, says when rates go down, those looking to buy a home have increased purchasing power…
cut 11 (07) “….and purchase”