24 individuals associated with a Shreveport street gang have been indicted for a CARES Act fraud scheme. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

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After arresting 42-year-old Janice Frazier in the shooting death of her boyfriend found Saturday, Baton Rouge authorities tell Teiko Foxx they have also connected Frazier to the unsolved murder of an ex-boyfriend.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

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The Republican controlled Louisiana Legislature overrides the governor’s veto of a ban on doctors from performing medical procedures on children designed to change their biological sex. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (43)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

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U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown says 24 people closely associated with a Shreveport street gang are facing charges related to a CARES Act fraud scheme. Brown says the defendants defrauded the federal government of thousands of dollars by taking advantage of small business pandemic relief loans to fund criminal activity

Cut 4 (12)  “…vulnerable state.”

Brown says the defendants manufactured a variety of artificial businesses in order to fraudulently receive pandemic relief dollars…

Cut 5 (11)   “…money that way.”

All 24 defendants face counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and varying charges or wire fraud. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison, 1 to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Brown says cases like this is why he became a federal prosecutor…

Cut 6 (13)  “…violent-crime organizations.”

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Authorities say a Baton Rouge woman arrested for killing her boyfriend over the weekend has also confessed to killing an ex-boyfriend in 2021. On Saturday, Baton Rouge Police detectives began investigating the shooting death of 34-year-old Christopher Holden, who was found dead in a park. Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says they determined 42-year-old Janice Frazier killed Holden and during questioning, they learned she was involved in another homicide…

Cut 7 (04) “…degree murder.”

McKneely says Frazier is not only facing a murder charge for fatally shooting Holden this past weekend, they now have a confession that she killed 29-year-old Emanie Anderson in October 2021…

Cut 8 (05) “…Mr. Anderson.’”

McKneely says detectives believe both murders are a result of domestic violence…

Cut 9 (09)  “…being involved.”

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The Office of State Parks kicks off a new pilot recycling project – Let Louisiana Shine Park Recycling Program – as recycling bins will be placed at four different state parks to collect aluminum cans and plastic drink bottles. Pontchartrain Conservancy Executive Director Kristi Trail says recycling bins help keep items out of the state’s waterways and off roadways…

Cut 10 (09) “…better use.”

The program has rolled out at the Fontainebleau, Fairview-Riverside, Tickfaw, and Bogue Chitto. Materials will be collected, sorted, and trash contamination will be removed. Trail says before this initiative, there was nowhere to separate recyclable materials…

Cut 11 (08)  “…the park.”

Trail says collection totals will be recorded on a bi-weekly basis to determine the program’s success rate…

Cut 12 (08)    “…going forever” 

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Louisiana lawmakers have succeeded in overriding the governor’s veto of a bill that bans doctors from performing a medical procedure that attempts to alter the biological sex of a minor. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has called the bill the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act”….

Cut 13 (13) “…gender dysphoria” 

But New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes agreed with the governor’s veto message that the legislation is unconstitutional….

Cut 14 (12)  “…normal children” 

The House overrode the veto by five votes, on a 75-23 vote. Firment says 20 other states, including many in the South, have passed similar legislation

Cut 15 (12)  “…medical experiments.”

A federal judge last month struck down Arkansas version of the trans youth health care ban. Firment’s bill is set to go into effect in January. St. Martinville Senator Fred Mills voted no as he believes the Legislature should not get involved in the relationship between a patient and a child

Cut 16 (10) “..any of that”

The gender affirming care bill as some have called it, is the only bill that lawmakers successfully vetoed. The governor issued over two dozen vetoes from the recently completed legislative session.

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New Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze took the podium today at SEC Media Day. Freeze is known for his ability to turn programs around quickly after helping new FBS teams Arkansas St and Liberty to their first winning seasons and Ole Miss win its first SEC game in two years back in 2012. He’ll hope to help to rebuild Auburn after two losing seasons but says it starts with one position…

Cut 17 (20) “…that spot”

The first step for Freeze has been in recruiting adding 42 new players to the roster since last season ended. While Freeze thought Auburn might be an easier turnaround than his other rebuilds, he doesn’t underestimate the challenge of coaching a new roster…

Cut 18 (17) “…to this” 

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Mississippi State’s new Head Coach Zach Arnett spoke at SEC Media Days today. The Bulldog’s former defensive coordinator has the tall task of replacing the late Mike Leach which starts on the offensive side of the ball. Leach was known for his iconic Air Raid offense but Arnett says new coordinator Kevin Barbay brings a different approach…

Cut 19 (21) “…what they do.” 

While the Bulldogs may be experiencing some major coaching changes, they’ll have many returning players this year including the top two tacklers in the SEC, linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson. Arnett says they’ll be essential in the team’s success…

Cut 20 (14)  “…they didn’t”  

Published campaign finance reports shows Republican Jeff Landry with a huge lead over his opponents in campaign dollars as Landry seeks to replace Governor John Bel Edwards. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (27)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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From film study to Moneyball, sports analysis is always changing, and LSU Coach Brian Kelly says AI could be the next step in LSU’s recruiting process. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Kace Kieschnick”  

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Grant Parish Deputies have seized over 71 pounds of marijuana worth over half a million dollars in the largest drug bust in parish history. Sheriff Steven McCain says the large quantity of pot had a street value of 586-thousand dollars…

Cut 3 (07) “….our community.” 

After a month-long investigation, 57-year-old Charles Dupry and David Hollis of Pollock were arrested in connection with the seizure. McCain says the THC levels in marijuana today are much higher than ever before…

Cut 4 (09)  “…forty percent” 

Hollis faces one count of possession with intent to distribute, four counts of illegal carrying of weapons, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Dupry is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hollis says tips and leads made these arrests possible…

Cut 5 (10)  “…the information.”

Detectives also seized four firearms. Dupry and Hollis were booked into Grant Parish jail.

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The Louisiana House has voted to override the governor’s veto on a bill that would prohibit doctors from performing sex altering medical procedures on transgender minors. Marksville Republican Daryl Deshotel cut his family vacation in France short so he can vote “Yes” to override..

Cut 6 (12)  “…for it.” 

The vote was 75-23 in favor of overturning the veto. It needed 70 votes.

Deshotel says he had to stay up for 28 hours in order to fly back after spending a few days in France with his family. He wanted to be in Baton Rouge for this historic override session…

Cut 7 (11)  “…some of those vetoes.” 

As of publish time, the Senate has yet to vote to override the governor’s veto on a ban on transgender health care for youth.

The author of a vetoed bill that would phase out the corporate franchise tax decides not to seek an override vote. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it’s Louisiana’s worst tax, because it hinders economic development

Cut 8 (08)  “…the veto” 

In his veto letter, Edwards agreed the corporate franchise tax is antiquated, but the fiscal impact is not known. Allain is term-limited so he hopes the next Legislature will take up this legislation again in 2025, which is the next fiscal session.

Cut 9 (12)  “…that opportunity”

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New campaign finance numbers show Republican Jeff Landry has a huge advantage in available dollars over his opponents. Landry reported raising 4.5 million dollars from April 8th to July 7th and has nine-point-two million dollars on hand. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross….

Cut 10 (08)  “… in the race”

Republicans John Schroder and Stephen Waguespack have about two million dollars in cash on hand and so does independent Hunter Lundy. Cross calls that a respectable total…

Cut 11 (07)  “…mean more”

Republican state legislators Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson have less than a million dollars on hand and so does Democrat Shawn Wilson. Cross says Wilson will have to do much better than 594-thousand dollars on hand…

Cut 12 (04) “…statewide office” 

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A heat advisory is in effect again today and we can expect near-record heat for the rest of the week. Heat indices will reach between 105 to 112-degrees. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration are concerns for those who spend a lot of time outdoors…

Cut 13 (13) “…nine minutes.”

Wetherbee says if you plan to spend several hours outside, drink plenty of water.

Cut  14 (11)  “..elderly too”

A smaller pool of workers and higher salary demands have made it difficult to manage state parks, according to a report from the legislative auditor. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

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State lawmakers convene an override veto session at noon today. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry is lapping the field when it comes to campaign dollars in the race for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (27)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

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If you meet certain income requirements, Cleco residential customers may be eligible for energy-efficient products and services at no out-of-pocket costs. Power Wise is Cleco’s energy efficiency program designed for qualified homeowners during the summer months. Cleco spokesperson Marianne Addy says weatherizing homes can save customers energy and money.

Cut 4 (12)  “…energy usage.”

The program helps low-income households make their homes more energy efficient. Addy says customers will be able to take advantage of a number of services and products at no expense.

Cut 5 (12)   “…the program.”

Homeowners and renters who may not meet federal income guidelines are also encouraged to apply. Addy urges all customers to this smarter approach to cutting energy use at no expense.

Cut 6 (06)  “…benefit you.”

Cleco customers can visit www.cleco.com/weatherization or call 833-373-6842

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The Louisiana Legislative Auditor releases a new report that finds low staffing levels present challenges for administering state parks. Director of State Parks Brandon Burris says recruiting new employees has been difficult…

Cut 7 (12) “…us yeah.”

OSP revenue increased by nearly fifty percent from 2016 through 2022 due to short-term revenue including the COVID-19 relief fund. OSP also generates visitation revenues through sources like cabins, campsites, and day-use admissions and non-visitation revues revenues. Burris says despite the audit’s findings, visitation numbers are high.

Cut 8 (11) “…we are.’”

According to OSP, $42 million is needed for improvements to keep parks and historic sites operating at expected service levels. Burris says fee and price increases are on the table but they are considering all options before a final decision is made.

Cut 9 (12)  “…comes through.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in visitation, recent hurricanes have damaged or forced some parks to close.

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State lawmakers return to the capitol today for an override veto session. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed 25 bills and parts of three budget bills approved by lawmakers in the last legislative session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if legislators focus on just a few of the vetoes they can get the two-thirds vote needed in the House and Senate

Cut 10 (09) “…passing nothing.”

Last year, the Republican controlled Legislature was successful in overriding the governor’s veto of the congressional redistricting bill. This year, a bill that would ban doctors from performing medical procedures to alter the sex of a child has been the driving force of the override veto session. Pinsonat says a vote to overturn that veto could happen today…

Cut 11 (12)  “…be done.”

It will take 70 votes in the 105-member House and 26 votes in the 39-member Senate to override a governor’s veto.

Pinsonat says do not count out John Bel Edwards, because he’s a lame duck governor. He says Edwards still has control over spending and what projects get funded….

Cut 12 (12)    “…put together” 

Pinsonat says the votes are likely there to overturn the governor’s veto on a bill to ban medical procedures to alter a child’s sex and possibly a couple of the other anti-LGBTQ bills.

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Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the suspect in a deadly double shooting at a shipyard in Harvey is dead after a shootout with authorities. Lopinto says a man who was recently fired from FMT Shipyard returned on Monday and killed two of his former-coworkers. The sheriff says they tracked the gunman down at St. Germaine apartments…

Cut 13 (10) “…pronounced dead” 

Lopinto the gunman was fired last week and he returned on Monday to kill his former co-workers who were part of a grass-cutting crew…

Cut 14 (14)  “…answer”

The Jefferson Parish coroner’s office has identified the two men killed at the shipyard as 48-year-old Nakie James Brown and 20-year-old Dustin Parrie Junior. Both of Harvey.

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LSU won an SEC West title in Coach Brian Kelly’s first season at the helm and the Tigers plan on building on that success this season. Jayden Daniels is back as the starting QB and Daniels believes they can have one of the top offenses in the country…

Cut 15 (15)  “…make plays.”

Kelly says Daniels will have to get better because back-up Garrett Nussmeier is getting better every single day as well…

Cut 16 (14) “..move forward”

Daniels is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, but the senior is more focused on victories than trophies…

Cut 17 (14) “…with it”