North Central Louisiana is losing 245 jobs as a glass plant in Lincoln Parish tells its employees they are shutting its doors next month. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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A new poll on the governor’s race shows Republican Jeff Landry as the front-runner, while Democrat Shawn Wilson in position to claim the second run-off spot. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The U.S. Coast Guard says wreckage from the missing submersible that was taking five people to the sunken site of the Titanic has been found. The pilot and four other crewmembers are believed to be dead according to the expedition company. LSU Professor Christopher Drew, Co-author of the Robert Ballard Memoir – the explorer who found the Titanic, says the lack of proper equipment made it difficult to find the vessel.

Cut 3 (13) “…the submersible.”

The submersible named Titan left Sunday with only 96 hours of oxygen and lost contact about an hour and 45 minutes into the dive. The vessel free falls one hundred feet a minute taking about an hour and a half to two hours to get to the sea floor. Oceangate says the submersible may have imploded. Drew says it’s possible that the underway expedition went out of control mid-water

Cut 4 (04)  “…obliterated.” 

Robert Ballard and his team discovered the wreck of the Titanic in 1985 in the North Atlantic. It lies at a depth of 12,500 feet off the coast of Newfoundland. Drew hopes this unfortunate tragedy will convince other thrill seekers not to try and visit the site…

Cut 5 (10)  “…be exploited.”

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Authorities have confirmed the heat-related death of 62-year-old Tina Perritt of Keithville, who was without power for an extended period. SWEPCO spokesperson Doug Warner says approximately 16,000 customers are still without power in Bossier and Caddo Parishes. More than 4,000 workers have responded to the widespread outages from last Thursday’s storms.

Cut 6 (11)  “…was done.” 

Warner says almost 800 poles were broken or fell to the ground and a large portion of the poles involved transmitters.

Cut 7 (08)  “…tranmission problems.” 

Warner says if you are still without power to contact SWEPCO. He says some customers could have damage to the weather head on their homes which is keeping power from reaching their property.

Cut 8 (11)  “…things down.” 

The line of storms that impacted northwest Louisiana a week ago today had reported wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour.

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The small village of Simsboro in Lincoln Parish is in shock after learning the Ardagh Glass Packaging Plant will close next month. The plant’s 245 employees were told Wednesday and Simsboro Mayor Sybil Smalling-Foster says news of the closure is a complete surprise.

Cut 9 (09) “…unexpected.”

Smalling-Foster says the closure will have a large impact on the community of approximately 1,000 residents because Ardagh is one of the largest employers in the area.

Cut 10 (12)  “…nine-yards.”

About five years ago Smalling-Foster says the plant faced a similar fate but local legislators worked with the manufacturer to keep their doors open. She says it’s not just Simsboro that will be affected by the closure.

Cut 11 (10)  “…feel it.”

She says the plant will close on July 17^th.

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A new poll on Louisiana’s governor’s race has Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry with 31-percent of the vote, Democrat Shawn Wilson 21-percent and the rest of the contenders in the single digits. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s not a surprise Landry continues to have a commanding lead…

Cut 12 (11) “…front runner” 

Republican candidates Sharon Hewitt, Richard Nelson, Stephen Waguespack and John Schroder are trying to take support away from Landry. Stockley says it will not be easy….

Cut 13 (13) “…front-runner” 

The Kitchens/Vantage poll surveyed 16-hundred likely voters last week. Four percent of the respondents said they will vote for Independent Hunter Lundy. Stockley says Wilson is in good position to make the run-off, but the former Louisiana transportation secretary has to boost his name recognition…

Cut  14 (12)  “…who he is”

The Governor has signed into law a bill assuring your right to an independent public adjuster in your homeowner’s insurance claim. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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With 200 strikeouts, off the field that equals $2,000 for LSU Tigers Paul Skenes who pledged $10 for every strikeout to Folds of Honor a non-profit that provides educational scholarships. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Beginning next month, a tax increase on e-cigarettes and vape products goes into effect in Louisiana, Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Governor Edwards signs a bill that assures homeowners the right to hire a public adjuster to handle their property insurance claims. St. Bernard Parish Republican Representative Ray Garafalo is the House sponsor of the bill. He says the new law serves notice to insurers that their customers DO have the right to a third-party assessment of one’s damage…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…the insurance company.”

Garafalo’s bill had a senate companion; filed by New Orleans Democrat Senator Royce Duplessis. The two bills were merged together before final passage. Garafalo says this is big step in assuring consumer rights in property claims…:

Cut 5 (13)   “…with the insurance company.”

In recent years, over a dozen insurance companies have either closed up shop or quit writing new coverage in Louisiana; leaving thousands with few or no options for affordable coverage. Garafalo says the bill is not overly onerous on insurers, and was part of a package of bills aimed at easing the state’s property insurance crisis…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…in the law.”

The law takes effect on August 1^st.

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The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 101st convention begins today in New Orleans. Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says as they enter their next century attendees can expect something different this year, a forum with six of the seven gubernatorial candidates.

Cut 7 (11) “…the state.”

After the forum on Friday, Davidson says U.S. Senator John Kennedy will address members and give an update on issues before Congress.

Cut 8 (10) “…Dr. Matt Lee.’”

Saturday evening the 2023 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen will be crowned at the Queen’s contest. Sunday, Attorney General Jeff Landry will address delegates and Davidson says they’ll also set policy and elect board members for the next year.

Cut 9 (11)  “…in Baton Rouge.”

An awards ceremony and talent contest will also be held during the convention.

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LSU Tigers Paul Skenes has recorded a whopping 200 strikeouts on the field which adds up to $2000 donated to the non-profit – Folds of Honor. Skenes pledged $10 for every strikeout he records this season. Senior Director of Chapter Relations Diane Niemecek says Skenes generous supporters continue to give and change lives.

Cut 10 (12) “…changing scholarships.”

Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to children and spouses of fallen and wounded service members and first responders. Niemeck says it’s an amazing contribution to the organization.

Cut 11 (13)  “…these recipients.”

Skenes became affiliated with Folds of Honor as a player for the United States Airforce Academy. Niemecek points out its contributions from individuals like Skenes that keep the organization going.

Cut 12 (11)    “…to Paul” 

Skenes and supporters raised 65 hundred dollars going into the C-W-S and currently donations total over 24 thousand dollars.

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A tax increase on e-cigarettes and vape products sold in Louisiana beginning next month, will go towards pay raises for state police. Bill author, Covington Representative Paul Hollis, admits going into the session he was doubtful lawmakers would approve a tax increase, especially during an election year.

Cut 13 (09) “…underpaid”  

Hollis says the current tax is a nickel per milliliter and that will increase to 15 cents beginning July 1^st.

Cut 14 (07)  “…bit spotty.”

In addition to increased taxes on vape products, Hollis says there are other aspects involving the sale of vape products addressed in the bill.

Cut 15 (07)  “…online dealers.”

State Police Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis says he’s losing troopers to neighboring states who pay officers more than Louisiana.

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The NBA draft is tonight and rumors have swirled around what the Pelicans will do with their 14th overall pick and young talented core. Reports came out that the organization believed 2nd overall prospect Scoot Henderson out of the NBA G League to be a franchise-building player and were making a push for a top-three pick. To move up though they’d have to give up one of their young stars in Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram which host of the Locked On Pelicans Podcast Jake Madison believes is unlikely…

Cut 16 (16) “…get done.”

With a move up in the draft unlikely, the Pels could stay at 14 where Madison says they could add some much-needed shooting around Williamson in the form of UCONN guard Jordan Hopkins. Another prospect is Kobe Bufkins out of Michigan who Madison says could be a potential scorer off the bench. Madison says the Pels could also look to trade back or add depth at center…

Cut 17 (23) “…more than that”

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LSU has forced a second game against Wake Forest after beating the Demon Deacons five to two last night in the semifinal round of the College World Series. The Tigers gave up two runs in the second inning, but Coach Jay Johnson liked how his team responded after that

Cut 18 (17) “…contributed tonight” 

Wake Forest scored two runs off LSU’s starter Javen Coleman. But Griffin Herring entered the game in the second inning and threw 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball, striking out six. Gavin Guidry and Riley Cooper also performed well out of the pen and Cooper earned his second save in as many nights.

So could we see Paul Skenes back on the mound tonight? Johnson says we’ll have to wait and see…

Cut 19 (17) “…any decision” 

Cade Beloso’s three-run homer in the third inning was the difference. Beloso on trying to win a third straight elimination game

Cut 20 (20)  “…have fun”  

First pitch tonight is at 6 PM. The winner advances to the championship round to play Florida in a best-out-of-three series.