The fall election season will ramp up this week as a three-day qualifying period begins tomorrow for candidates to sign up for the elected position they would like to serve. There are seven major candidates in the governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says we’ll know by the end of the business day on Thursday if all seven will actually have their name on the ballot…
Cut 14 (07) “…have the names.”
Pinsonat says there’s a chance one of two will decide not to qualify.

The 2023 “I Voted” sticker was unveiled this morning, featuring the state bird, a pelican, and her three chicks. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he along with New Orleans artist Becky Fos chose the title “Confidence” for this year’s sticker.
Cut 9 (11) “…State’s Office.”
Fos’s colorful artwork for last year’s sticker, which featured the state capitol, won the Elections Assistance Commissions sticker contest last year.

If you’ve never attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Operation Smoke Sheaux, tonight’s your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look on the Food Network’s BBQ USA. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Chef Brody Olive of Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama won the Great American Seafood Cookoff Contest in New Orleans over the weekend. Olive prepared Gafftop catfish smoked over scrub oak, flash-fried mole crabs with Gulf shrimp horseradish cream.

Real Reform Louisiana, a consumer advocacy group, says a new study from the Consumer Federation of America shows drivers with bad credit are being penalized with much higher auto insurance premiums than those with good credit, even when both have a safe driving record. Real Reform Director Ben Riggs says this practice allows insurance providers to pad their profits…
cut 6 (11) “…good drivers”
Riggs says three states have passed laws to prohibit using credit scores in setting insurance prices. He points out all three states have cheaper auto insurance than Louisiana. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says insurance companies have seen people with poor credit try to use minor accidents to improve their financial situation…
Cut 7 (08) “…pay more.”

Qualifying to have your name on the fall ballot begins tomorrow. Most of the attention is on the governor’s race, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the race for Attorney General, State Treasurer and Secretary of State will be hotly contested…
Cut 16 (10) “…election system safe.”
Four people are running for Secretary of State. Three Republicans, Nancy Landry, Clay Schexnayder and Brandon Trosclair. Gwen Collins-Greenup is the Democrat.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Office of Veteran and Military Student Services’ signature fundraising event will be featured on the Food Network TV show BBQ USA tonight. Operation Smoke Show brings in 60 of the most competitive barbecuers in the region and Ryan Gonzales hopes tonight’s publicity will lead to more competitors next year…
cut 10 (09) “…in April”

A new report from the Consumer Federation of America finds on average a motorist with poor credit has to pay twice as much for auto insurance as a driver with excellent credit, even if their driving safety history is the same.
Cut 1 (31) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Two 16-year-olds were killed in a two-vehicle crash on I-49 in Lafayette Parish early Sunday morning. The victims have been identified as Jose Alvarez of Opelousas and Marlin Garcia of Church Point. State Police say they were on the side of the interstate when their vehicle was struck from behind by a box truck. The teens were pronounced dead at the scene. L-S-P says the driver of the box truck was uninjured and displayed no signs of impairment.

The fall election season will ramp up this week as a three-day qualifying period begins tomorrow for candidates to sign up for the elected position they would like to serve. There are seven major candidates in the governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says we’ll know by the end of the business day on Thursday if all seven will actually have their name on the ballot…
Cut 14 (07) “…have the names.”
Pinsonat says there’s a chance one of two will decide not to qualify.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says students are back in class this week so be prepared for school buses that are making multiple stops along neighborhood streets…
cut 12 (10) “….on the road”
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Gregory Fischer says drivers in all directions must come to a stop when the stop sign attached to the bus comes out.

A new study from the Consumer Federation of America finds that safe drivers with bad credit pay an average of 905 dollars more than drivers with excellent credit scores. Director of Real Reform Louisiana Ben Riggs says non-driving related factors should not determine auto rates…
Cut 4 (10) “…excellent credit.”
According to CFA, State Farm charges people in Louisiana with fair credit a 78 percent surcharge over the premiums charged to excellent credit drivers and a 224 percent surcharge for people with poor credit. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon believes credit is an accurate predictor of the likelihood of loss for a policyholder…
Cut 5 (10) “…good credit.”

If you’ve never attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Operation Smoke Sheaux, tonight’s your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look on the Food Network’s BBQ USA. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s back-to-school time as most students return to class this week. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Gregory Fischer says that means the return of school zone speed limits.
Cut 11 (07) “…in the afternoon.”

The NFL has suspended Saints running back Alvin Kamara for three games for his role in a fight outside a Las Vegas nightclub in February 2022. Last month, Kamara plead no contest to a misdemeanor charge. Before the suspension was handed down, Kamara said he made a very bad decision that day.

But in more positive news, One of the Saints best defensive players has signed a contract extension. Pierson Luscy has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Pierson Luscy”

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is smaller than normal, but it’s still nearly the size of Yellowstone National Park. So this year it covers more than three-thousand square thousand miles. LSU Professor Nancy Rabalais says the smaller hypoxia zone is attributed to low flow of the Mississippi River and the pollution that causes the dead zone has not been reduced…
cut 11 (10) “….the river”

Saturday night is the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s an event that highlights the quality and variety domestic seafood…
cut 8 (11) “…these imports”
Representing Louisiana in the competition is Owen Hohl, who is the chef at Hot Tails in Ascension Parish.

Tonight’s MegaMillions jackpot is the second largest in the history of the game. Would you know what to do if you won? Jeff Palermo has some tips
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A lot of news happening with the Saints today, defensive end Cam Jordan signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Black and Gold through 2025. Also, the NFL has suspended running back Alvin Kamara for the first three games as a result of a fight outside of a Las Vegas nightclub.

The size of the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico is the sixth smallest in 36 years. LSU Professor Nancy Rabalais says unfortunately it’s not because there’s a decrease in pollution that robs this part of the gulf of oxygen…
cut 10 (11) “…action plan”
Rabalais says the dead zone is smaller because the Mississippi River flow is not as high as usual, because of dry conditions across the central U-S.

A dozen chefs from across the country will face off for the crown at the 2023 Great American Seafood Cook-off in the Crescent City tomorrow. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says every year chefs representing their state get to display their incredible talent and showcase their seafood creations…
Cut 6 (11) “…to Louisiana.”
Chef Owen Hohl from Hot Tails Restaurant in Ascension Parish is representing Louisiana.

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is smaller than normal, but it’s still nearly the size of Yellowstone National Park. So this year it covers more than three-thousand square thousand miles. LSU Professor Nancy Rabalais says the smaller hypoxia zone is attributed to low flow of the Mississippi River and the pollution that causes the dead zone has not been reduced…
cut 11 (10) “….the river”

Saturday night is the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s an event that highlights the quality and variety domestic seafood…
cut 8 (11) “…these imports”
Representing Louisiana in the competition is Owen Hohl, who is the chef at Hot Tails in Ascension Parish.

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan signed a two-year contract extension today that will keep him with the Black and Gold through the 2025 season. Jordan is the Saints all-time leader in sacks, but during a press conference he made it clear that he only has one thing he wants before he ends his career…
cut 4 (11) “….of this deal”

The Mega Millions Jackpot for tonight’s drawing is up to 1.35 billion dollars. If you happen to win, financial advisor Fred Dent says sign the back of your ticket, take a high-resolution photo of both sides and put in a secure place…
cut 13 (10) “….advantage”
The drawing is at 10 PM and players must match all five numbers plus the Mega Ball number to claim the jackpot. The Odds of winning are 1 in 302-million.

One of the Saints best defensive players in franchise history is not going anywhere anytime soon as he has a new contract that will allow him to retire as a member of the Black and Gold. Pierson Luscy has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Pierson Luscy”

And suspension news has finally come down from the NFL on running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara will miss the first three games of the regular season for his role in a fight outside of a Las Vegas nightclub in February 2022. Kamara spoke to reporters today before the suspension and said he was completely wrong.

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot is an estimated 1.35 billion dollars. which is the fourth largest ever in the United States and second largest ever in Mega Millions history. If you are the sole winner, you could choose a lump sum payout of nearly 660-million dollars over receive the money over 30 years through an annuity. Financial advisor Fred Dent says if you have the discipline to invest it property, you might want to select the one-lump payment…
cut 14 (09) “…over time”

Tomorrow night is the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans. A dozen chefs from around the country will compete for the crown. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the love and passion the chefs put into each dish is incredible…
cut 7 (12) “…..Louisiana seafood”
Louisiana will be represented by Owen Hohl who is the chef at Hot Tails in Ascension Parish.