Drug dealers caught with fentanyl will now face stiffer penalties thanks to a new law that went into effect on August first. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

People in Ville Platte are mourning the death of Deputy Marshal Barry Giglio. He’s the law enforcement officer killed Monday night while serving a search warrant on a known drug house. Giglio is described as a good servant who was always willing to help out. One person inside the home was also fatally shot. State Police is investigating.

The big political news this week is Senator Bill Cassidy’s endorsement of Jeff Landry for governor. Cassidy irked many Conservatives a couple of years ago when he voted to certify President Biden’s electoral college victory and also voted against former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says Cassidy is up for re-election in 2026 and knows he needs the state GOP on his side…
cut 11 (08) “….for re-election”

It’s reporting day for the LSU football team. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says one of the biggest question marks is with the defensive secondary, which returns just two starters, Major Burns and Greg Brooks…
cut 14 (09) “…..in camp”

A police officer and another person were killed last night in a shooting in Ville Platte. State Police say a third person was sent to a local hospital with critical injuries. Very few details are known. At this point we don’t know which law enforcement agency the deceased officer worked for.

Qualifying for the statewide elections is next week, but are voters paying attention? Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says State Farm auto insurance rates will rise on average 29-percent for policyholders. Donelon on what’s leading to the higher premiums…
cut 14 (11) “…problems”
Donelon says if the rate increase is too much, shop around to see if there’s another policy that fits your budget.

The Louisiana Lottery finishes the fiscal year with the highest revenue its history. Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the lottery made over $653 million last fiscal year.
Cut 7 (10) “…year ever.”
Chopin credits record-setting Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots as the driving force behind increased revenues.

Two people, including a law enforcement officer, were fatally shot last night in Ville Platte. A third person was also shot and taken to a local hospital with critical injuries. Details are scarce and it’s unknown what law enforcement agency the officer worked for.

If you’re a State Farm auto policyholder get ready for a rate increase. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Qualifying begins next week for the statewide elections. It’s the first time since 2015 we’ve had an open seat for governor and JMC Analytics and Polling pollster John Couvillon says typically a gubernatorial election will have a 45 to 50 percent turnout, but as it stands now, he expects a lower turnout than that…
cut 11 (10) “….major office”
The primary is October 14th.

Hopefully it will be cooler by then. This heat is rough on just about everyone, including cattle, who can not run inside like us humans. Doctor Pat Bagley, director of the Beef Cattle Research Center at Southern, says this type of heat slows down reproduction…
Cut 4 (09) “…this small.”
Bagley says cows also don’t eat as much when it’s this hot.

Qualifying for the statewide election begins next week and are voters paying attention to the races that are developing for governor and the other open statewide seats, attorney general, state treasurer, and secretary of state. JMC Analytics and Polling pollster John Couvillon doubts we’ll see the same interest as we did in 1983 when 53-percent of the registered voters went to the polls for the Edwin Edwards-Dave Treen gubernatorial race.
Cut 10 (10) “…people running.”.

Can any of the gubernatorial candidates do anything about the rising cost of insurance. Louisiana drivers who are covered by State Farm will see an increase.
cut 13 (12) “…not liability”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 29 percent of motorists in Louisiana have State Farm coverage.

State Police is reporting a law enforcement officer was fatally shot in the Evangeline Parish town of Ville Platte last night. No word on which law enforcement agency this officer was working with. The only other information we have is that two people were shot, one them has critical injuries, the other an officer, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Louisiana Lottery reports record profits for the fiscal year 2023. Brooke Thorington has the winning numbers…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

US Senator Bill Cassidy is the latest Republican to announce his support of Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor. Cassidy says Landry, like himself, is fighting to make flood insurance more affordable.
Cut 5 (11) “…paying jobs.”
Qualifying for the October 14th primary election is next week.

Can any of the gubernatorial candidates do anything about the rising cost of insurance in general. Louisiana drivers insured by State Farm are about to see sticker shock on their premiums….
cut 13 (12) “…not liability”
State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 29 percent of motorists in Louisiana have State Farm coverage.

Despite a drop in demand, gas prices rose during July to a statewide average of $3.36 a gallon for regular gasoline, which is almost 30-cents higher than a month ago. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the supply of gasoline has decreased and the hot weather is partly to blame…
cut 9 (12) “…the heat”

The heat is keeping many of us inside in the air conditioning, but livestock do not have that option. Doctor Pat Bagley, director of the Beef Cattle Research Center at Southern, says this type of heat is not good as it slows down reproduction…
Cut 4 (09) “…this small.”
Bagley says fewer cattle will result in a decline in supply, which means higher prices for consumers at the grocery store.

US Senator Bill Cassidy officially endorses Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor. Landry is the perceived front-runner in the race and is one of five Republicans who’ve declared their intent to run. Cassidy issued his support this morning.
Cut 3 (08) “…of the state.”
University of Louisiana at Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross believes other Republicans will follow suit and begin to announce their support of Landry.
Cut 4 (12) “…unchecked.”
The other Republicans in the race are Sharon Hewitt, Richard Nelson, John Schroder and Stephen Waguespack. Independent Hunter Lundy is also in the race and Governor Edwards has endorsed the lone major Democrat Shawn Wilson. Qualifying is next week.

Just an extremely hot day across Louisiana with high temperatures near 100-degrees. Expect extremely hot temperatures every day this week and Aaron Day at the National Weather Service in Shreveport says there’s little chance for rain…
cut 12 (11) “….and thunderstorms”

The City of Minden will soon be without power as a citywide blackout is planned to repair damage to an Entergy substation due to an early morning fire Sunday. Mayor Nick Cox says there was major damage to the transformer that connects to the power grid…
Cut 13 (12) “…on fire.”
Entergy and AEP are currently are working on a timeline for the controlled outage.

Attorney General Jeff Landry, the front-runner in the 2023 governor’s race, has received the endorsement of U-S Senator Bill Cassidy. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the momentum continues to grow for Landry….
cut 6 (09) “…fundraising”
Meanwhile the other candidates in the race are taking shots at Landry. Sharon Hewitt, says Landry is Louisiana’s top law enforcement official, but yet crime has increased the last eight years.

The city of Minden is bracing for the loss of power after an Entergy substation caught on fire Sunday and in order for repairs to be done, the electricity has to be shut off. Minden Mayor Nick Cox…
cut 15 (09) “….we’re ready”
Cox says they do not know when the power outage will occur or how long it will last.

Gas prices are on the rise again with the average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide at $3.36 up by fifteen cents compared to last week. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Plastic fabrication company, Ampacet Corporation will close its production plant in DeRidder early next year. 65 workers will lose their jobs. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the first round of layoffs will take place the last full week of August.