A state senator receives a profanity laced voicemail after voting to override the governor’s veto on a bill to ban sex altering medical procedures on minors. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

______________________________________

It’s been one year since the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline changed its number to 9-8-8 and the Louisiana Department of Health says call volume has increased by 11 percent. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”  

______________________________________

State Police is investigating a profanity laced voicemail left on the phone of Houma Senator Michael Fesi. Fesi voted in favor of the override of the governor’s veto of a bill that bans sex altering medical procedures on minors. Authorities say the man who left the voice mail is LSU grad student Marcus Venable

Cut 3 (10) “…already suffering” 

Fesi said on the Senate floor prior to Tuesday’s override vote that there are adults who regret having undergone sex altering procedures as minors. But Venable said in his angry message to Fesi that he doesn’t have his facts straight…

Cut 4 (12)  “…get this care” 

Venable ended his nearly one minute long verbal tirade by wishing that Fesi has an awful day and an untimely death…

Cut 5 (10)  “…the ground.”

Venable also taught a class at LSU as a grad assistant. The university says Venable crossed the line with his voicemail and will no longer be able to teach at the university, but can continue his studies.

__________________________________________________

Mental health officials are celebrating the one anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas says since launching 9-8-8, call volume has increased by 11 percent and they’ve increased the number of counselors from Louisiana

Cut 6 (11)  “Louisianans face.” 

The in-state answer rate rose from 64 percent in June 2022 to 91 percent over the last year. Thomas says the previous seven-digit number was shortened to easy-to-remember 988.

Cut 7 (11)  “…for them” 

OBH launched an awareness campaign in May that included a 988 dashboard. The lifeline offers specialized support to veterans and their families, Spanish speakers, LGBTQ+ youth, and deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Thomas encourages anyone who is experiencing a crisis to call the 988 lifeline.

Cut 8 (11)  “…crisis worker.” 

Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to receive support during a crisis.

_______________________________________________

The price of gas has increased by about 5 cents since just last week to a statewide average of $3.18 a gallon for regular gasoline. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says demand for gasoline has decreased about 10% since the Fourth of July, but prices are rising despite the fall…

Cut 9 (12)  “…on production.”

Oil prices saw a recent jump as models hinted at the possibility of a tropical development in the gulf. As peak hurricane season approaches, Redman warned how developments in the tropics can cause oil prices to rise…

Cut 10 (08)  “…to increase.”

Redman says prices at the pump will typically stay down before a storm as companies absorb the price increase, but they can stay high for extended time after a storm as stations look to recoup their losses. He advises Louisiana residents to remain prepared for emergency situations…

Cut 11 (10)  “…evacuation.”

________________________________________________________

The media at SEC Media Days has picked Alabama to win the SEC West in a close vote over LSU, who is picked to finish second. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes the Tigers should be the preseason favorites to win the West…

Cut 12 (08) “…none of that.” 

LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa this season to take on the Crimson Tide on November 4th. Horne says LSU has shown they can win at Alabama…

Cut 13 (09) “…in Tiger Stadium.”

LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels is a first team All SEC selection. Horne says he can’t argue against that selection…

Cut  14 (09)  “.Jayden Daniels”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says progress is being made in reducing the number of policyholders who have to rely on Citizens for their homeowners insurance. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

_______________________________________________

The federal government has issued a notice that up to 300 thousand acres will be auctioned in the first-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico on August 29th. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

_______________________________________________

State Representative Tanner Magee is not running for re-election. He says the toxic stew at the capitol is a major reason why he’s getting out. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

________________________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces companies that took advantage of the newly funded Insure Louisiana Incentive Program have written over 17 thousand homeowner insurance policies as of May 31^st.  Donelon says the program is working to reduce the number of Citizens policyholders, which is much more expensive than private insurance.

Cut 4 (08)  “…in need.”

The top five parishes for new policies are Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, and St. Charles. Donelon says SafePoint Insurance has been approved to take nearly 20 thousand policies out of Louisiana Citizens during the upcoming round of depopulation.

Cut 5 (11)   “…first year.”

Donelon says getting policyholders out of Citizens is vital to the state’s economic recovery. He urges all Citizens policyholders to contact their agents to be notified if they have an opportunity to leave Citizens…

Cut 6 (11)  “…of Citizens.”

________________________________________________

The federal government announces the first ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale, opening sites off the coasts of Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. About 300-thousand acres will be auctioned off on August 29th. Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans Inc. Lacey McManus says this moment has been eagerly anticipated and officially makes the state a hub for offshore wind activity.

Cut 7 (08) “…into place.”

More than 102 thousand acres offshore from Lake Charles and two areas of about 100 thousand acres each near Galveston are under consideration. McManus says some of the world’s largest wind energy developers have already expressed interest.

Cut 8 (11) “…the country.’”

Several stipulations have been added on potential holders including agreeing to support workforce training programs. McManus says building wind farms may be a way off but Louisiana workers are ready.

Cut 9 (09)  “…do this.”

The areas could turn wind energy into nearly 4 gigawatts of electricity each year. A sale notice can be found in the Federal Register.

____________________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry has issued a legal opinion that advises the Louisiana Pardon Board not to hear the clemency applications sent in by 56 death row inmates. Landry says the pardon board has 440 applications to examine before they get to the death row inmates who are hoping Governor Edwards reduces their punishment to life in prison

Cut 10 (06) “…are pending.”

Landry says the Pardon Board’s own rules say that a clemency application should be filed within their last appeal was denied. He says there are emergency circumstances like an execution date, but that doesn’t apply in this situation…

Cut 11 (11)  “…follow the rules.”

But executive director of the Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel, says Landry’s legal opinion has no binding force on the board and there’s also a major conflict of interest….

Cut 12 (12)    “…clemency requests” 

Kappel says the pardon board can also waive its rules, including the rule that requests need to be filed within one year after last denied appeal. She says that rule has been waived before in death penalty cases…

Cut 13 (13) “…direct appeal” 

_______________________________________________________________

The Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House has decided not to run for re-election, ending his legislative career after eight years. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says he has 14-year-old triplets, plus he calls the political atmosphere at the capitol toxic….

Cut 14 (09)  “..process” 

The 42-year-old Magee says Washington D-C partisan attacks have become too much…

Cut 15 (07)  “…really change”

Magee says he’s proud to help secure funds for rural roads and flood control projects in his district. But he says special interest groups have gained too much control…

Cut 16 (11) “..just a game”

______________________________________________________________________

Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin did not hold back at SEC Media Days when discussing the problems NIL and the transfer portal have created for college football. He called it a disaster. He says there needs to be more restrictions when it comes to the two transfer portal windows. He says no other sport allows its athletes to opt into free agency every year…

Cut 17 (20) “…issues”

Kiffin says he has no problems with players getting paid and he’s benefited from the transfer portal as he signed LSU transfer and former St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. But he’s concerned the best players are going to schools that have boosters with the deepest pockets

Cut 18 (09) “…their salary.” 

Kiffin says he knew it would turn into a disaster when NIL and the portal became a major part of college athletics. He says it legalized cheating…

Cut 19 (16) “…pay for play” 

On his monthly radio program, the governor was asked about a poll by Citizens for a New Louisiana that shows only 24 percent of residents believe the state is moving in the right direction. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

______________________________________

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion that may result in dozens of death row inmates not receiving a clemency hearing. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

Record breaking heat and drought is affecting crop yields. Farmers across the country will see smaller harvests this year. That’s according to Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain who says the heat causes plants to go into survival mode, slowing photosynthesis…

Cut 3 (13) “….United States.” 

One of the processes slowed by the suffocating heat is reproduction. Strain says fruit production is a luxury for plants in survival mode leading to full vegetation with no crop…

Cut 4 (09)  “…the fruit” 

Crop yields aren’t the only thing affected by the steamy conditions. Heat and humidity help suppress reproductive hormones in livestock which Strain says can cause Louisiana markets to be left behind…

Cut 5 (11)  “…heat and humidity.”

__________________________________________________

On his monthly radio call-in show Ask the Governor – Governor John Bel Edwards addressed a recent statewide poll by Citizens for a New Louisiana that shows 55 percent of residents think the state is heading in the wrong direction. Edwards says the state has made strides but agrees progress could be made in certain areas…

Cut 6 (10)  “to be.” 

Louisiana has ranked for years near the bottom in several education rankings. Edwards says it’s an ongoing battle that starts with pre-k education…

Cut 7 (08)  “…childhood education.” 

Edwards believes leading the state takes dedication and he will continue to do what is right for the citizens…

Cut 8 (11)  “…positive change.” 

_______________________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion that is a setback for death row inmates seeking a clemency hearing with the state Board of Pardons. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Director Loren Lampert says Landry states that clemency requests must be made to the Pardon Board within a year after a judge issues a ruling on their appeal

Cut 9 (09)  “…emergency exception”

Landry’s legal opinion says emergency clemency requests can be made when an execution date is near, but the Attorney General points out no execution dates have been scheduled. Lampert says based on the A-G’s opinion, most of these clemency requests should not be heard

Cut 10 (10)  “…an emergency”

Cecelia Kappel, an attorney for several of the clemency applicants, says Landry’s opinion has no binding force. Kappel says the timing provision on which Landry relies on is not applicable, because Louisiana’s death penalty system is broken.

Earlier this year Governor Edwards voiced his opposition to the death penalty and he’s set to leave office in January. Lampert is concerned about taking up these clemency petitions in a short time frame, because death penalty cases are complex….

Cut 11 (13)  “…clemency”