By lifting a hold on the Louisiana case regarding congressional maps, the Supreme Court is allowing the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals to rule if the state’s maps should be redrawn or not. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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A project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed to lower the risk of flooding by elevating homes along the coast of Southwest Louisiana has already received $300 million dollars in funding. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”  

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An excessive heat warning has been issued this week as Louisiana is dealing with its first lengthy heatwave of the summer. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says new record high temperatures may be broken.

Cut 3 (12) “…to 120.”

Heat indices ranging from 100 to 104 degrees are forecasted for Shreveport this afternoon. Tomorrow, Alexandria could see a heat index of 114 degrees. Wetherbee says heat-related issues can develop quickly when heat indices get this high.

Cut 4 (11)  “…heat advisories.” 

Dangerous heat with peak index values of 113-119 degrees is expected for all of southeastern LA tomorrow.

Wetherbee says we could see a break from the extreme heat.

Cut 5 (10)  “…heat smart.”

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News of the Supreme Court of the United States’ lifting of a hold on Louisiana’s Congressional map case makes it highly likely the map will be redrawn to have two black-majority-district instead of one. Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis was among the voters who sued the state because the map was not indicative of the state’s 33-percent Black population.

Cut 6 (08)  “…I believe.” 

The Louisiana case was before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals before SOCTUS placed a hold on it. Lewis says Judge Shelly Dick could rule to use the congressional map she was having drawn or let the Governor decide if he should call another re-districting session.

Cut 7 (12)  “…the case.” 

Lewis says he’s pleased with the ruling that opens the door for the maps to be revised before the next congressional election in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (13)  “…in congress.” 

State Senate Majority Leader, Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt issued a statement on the ruling. She says she respects the judicial process and looks forward to having our day in court concerning the maps.

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received hundreds of millions of dollars to elevate homes and businesses in Southwest Louisiana. Corp of Engineers Senior Project Manager Darrel Broussard says this money will be used to elevate at-risk structures.

Cut 9 (10) “…1,000 structures.”

The elevation of 1,000 homes in Cameron, Calcasieu, and Vermillion parishes could begin by January 2024.  The home’s elevation levels will provide protection from surge flooding that has a 1% chance of occurring as a so-called 100-year event in 2075. Broussard says hundreds of residents will be protected against flooding when the next storm comes.

Cut 10 (13)  “…structuring is.”

Broussard says this is part of the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Risk Reduction Project. He says additional environmental restoration projects aimed at restoring marsh areas will also be included.

Cut 11 (09)  “…five or six p.m.”

Congress has already appropriated $300 million. Additional funds must still be appropriated to elevate as many as 2,500 additional homes.

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Tonight is the night, the college baseball season comes to an end and it will be either LSU or Florida holding up the national championship trophy. Will LSU’s ace pitcher Paul Skenes pitch on three days rest?   ESPN Radio Baton Rouge talk show host Charles Hanagriff sees Skenes being used at the end of the game…

Cut 12 (12) “…pitches tops” 

LSU’s most reliable pitcher out of the bullpen Riley Cooper is questionable as he was not at yesterday’s game because of a stomach virus. Hanagriff says LSU needs Cooper tonight…

Cut 13 (11) “…big deal man” 

LSU can use some clutch hits tonight. They’ve left 20 runners on base in the first two games of this series. But Coach Jay Johnson has confidence the hits with men on base will come…

Cut  14 (14)  “…I’m good with that”

The Governor is back from Europe and is expected to use his veto pen this week. Will lawmakers seek to override him? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

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Senator Bill Cassidy and Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins file legislation to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. Teiko Foxx reports the goal is to make flood insurance affordable again.

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The governor has signed legislation to create a crime prevention district on and around the LSU campus. Brooke Thorington explains what happens next.

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With the Governor back from his trade trip to Europe, many wonder which bills passed by state legislators will meet his Veto Pen. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor Edwards has already indicated he will veto bills that some feel are anti-transgender or anti-gay in nature. Alford says the issue stirs strong feelings from both sides…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…a veto session.”

One bill the Governor objects to bans transgender medical procedures for minors. Another prohibits school staff from discussing sexually oriented topics with students, outside of legitimate classroom lessons. Another bill allows teachers to address students by the gender pronouns with which they were born. Alford says legal challenges could follow signing them into law…:

Cut 5 (13)   “…a busy week.”

Alford says the Governor will likely use the line-item veto on some of the state budget, and that could also stir some desire for an override session. A veto override session is automatic, unless a majority of House & Senate members vote NOT to have one. Alford feels a lot of members face a tough decision in the days ahead…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…spent campaigning?”

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Senator Bill Cassidy, Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins and Democratic lawmakers from New Jersey have filed legislation they say will make flood insurance affordable again. The Baton Rouge Republican says flood insurance is a necessity in south Louisiana and it has become unaffordable…

Cut 7 (12) “…nation’s economy.”

The National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 would provide vouchers to low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters if their premiums become too expensive. The legislation creates new oversight measures for insurance companies and vendors and gives FEMA more power to terminate contractor abuse. Cassidy says it also caps annual rate hikes

Cut 8 (10) “…tolerate.’”

According to the Associate Press the NFIP over the last year has lost 100,00 policyholders due to FEMA’s new rating methodology Risk Rating 2.0. FEMA’s new rate calculations have dramatically increased the price of many policies. Cassidy says they will continue to work with every congressional member to secure passage.

Cut 9 (06)  “…it will”

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and New Jersey Representative Frank Pallone are co-sponsors of the bill.

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The governor has signed legislation to create a crime prevention district on LSU’s campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Bill author Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says the area is not immediately a crime prevention district, voters must approve the measure first.

Cut 10 (07) “…their security.”

Safety in the area, especially Tigerland area has been under the microscope after 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks was fatally struck by a car after a night of heavy drinking and an alleged rape in January.

Freiberg says the designation is not forced on property owners and costs for security measures within the crime prevention district are not funded by the state. She says if voters approve the district, it means…

Cut 11 (11)  “…our district.”

Once approved, Freiberg says a board, with representation from business owners, the university and residents inside the district will be appointed. And it’s those board members who will make decisions on how security will be implemented.

Cut 12 (09)    “…look at doing.” 

Board members will serve four-year terms and the board is also subject to open meeting laws.

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Today is a new day for the LSU Tigers and a day where they can win a seventh national championship in baseball. Yesterday was a day to forget as the Bayou Bengals suffered the largest lopsided loss in College World Series history, a 24-4 defeat to Florida. LSU second baseman Gavin Dugas says Sunday’s result will not impact tonight’s decisive game…

Cut 13 (11) “…always do”  

Centerfielder Dylan Crews says following the final out in Sunday’s loss, they moved on to today’s game…

Cut 14 (13)  “…game for tomorrow”

The big question is will Paul Skenes pitch on three day’s rest? Coach Jay Johnson says they will evaluate his status today…

Cut 15 (14)  “…ten days.”

Sunday was an ugly game as Florida hit six home runs, the Tigers left 13 men on base and committed five errors. Shortstop Jordan Thompson committed two of those errors. Johnson still has faith in Thompson…

Cut 16 (15) “…for you”