After multiple escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, the governor announces an investigation of the Office of Juvenile Justice.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections begins today. Jeff Palermo takes a look at what we might see…:

Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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In addition to statewide races there are plenty of key local races with the potential to heat up. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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After numerous escapes from the Bridge City Center for Youth, some of the inmates will be moved to Angola. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement Tuesday after a weekend in which six inmates escaped from the Jefferson Parish facility.

Cut 4 (12)  “…adult inmates.”

While some inmates will be housed at Angola the Bridge City facility will remain open but with additional security. Edwards says after everything that has happened it’s clear the Bridge City campus cannot continue to operate as it has.

Cut 5 (08) “…an option.”

Edwards says the Bridge City building is outdated and not properly equipped to serve as a youth facility and more security personnel will be provided in addition to the increase that was added last month. He says Office of Juvenile Justice will continue to oversee operations and while the situation is not ideal…

Cut 6 (12)  “…the community.”

An initial review shows that there were numerous deficiencies and failures that contributed to the escape of six juveniles.

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Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections begins today, at the Secretary of state’s Office in Baton Rouge. Candidates for the state’s six congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate race, are expected to qualify over the next three days. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says five of six congressional races should be shoe-ins for the incumbents. But in District 3, Clay Higgins has an announced Republican challenger. Pinsonat says the race could become interesting…:

Cut 7 (10) “…get re-elected.”

Pinsonat says he expects all incumbents will have a challenger of some kind, but doubts any will have the money or support to win this fall. In the U.S. Senate race, John Kennedy seeks another term, but is challenged by Democrats Gary Chambers, Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib. Pinsonat feels they are “spinning their wheels”…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…in a red state.”

Pinsonat says qualifying over the next few days may yield a surprise or two, but he gives the edge to the incumbents in the fall elections. He says the midterms will be a hotly contested affair nationally, but expects Louisiana’s election results will have little effect on any major changes in Congress…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…control of the House.”

Qualifying begins today and ends Friday afternoon.

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While today is first day for candidates to qualify for statewide office on the November ballot, there are also several key local races that are heating up.  “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will be challenged by State Senator Greg Tarver who announced his candidacy from his family funeral home.

Cut 10 (08) “…in a casket”

Alford says even though Perkins is the incumbent he’s viewed as a vulnerable after his failed US Senate bid in the middle of his mayoral term.

In Alexandria, incumbent Mayor Jeff Hall recently said he’ll run for re-election and Alford says he’ll be challenged by the previous mayor.

Cut  11 (05)  “..this week.” 

Alford says it will be a jammed packed ballot with several judicial races, including a Supreme Court judge race.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot going on.” 

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Chemical giant BASF announces a $780-million project that will double production capacity at its plant in Geismar, in Ascension Parish. BASF Senior VP and plant manager Jeremy Lebold (LEE-bold) says, when complete they will produce 600-thousands metric TONs of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (or MDI) annually…:

Cut 13 (13) “…every single day.”

(Chemical is pronounced: METH-ih-leen die-PHEEN-ill die-EYE-so-sigh-uh-nate. You’re welcome…:))

Lebold says this is the third part of a three-phase expansion of BASF’s MDI manufacturing facility. He says the investment will help them retain over 1000 existing employees and create nearly 40 new direct jobs…:

Cut 14 (13)  “…a billion dollars.”

Lebold says the expansion should be complete by sometime in 2025, and when done it will be one of the largest producers of MDI in America. He says the jobs created and jobs retained have a great pay scale at a great company…:

Cut 15 (12)  “…for one another.”

Louisiana Economic Development says the BASF expansion will also create about 150 new indirect jobs.

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The three LSU players that were at SEC Media Days, Mike Jones, Jack Bech and BJ Ojulari raved about the new coaching staff. Jones says he’s very impressed with new defensive coordinator Matt House

Cut 16 (16)  “…be done.”

LSU’s defensive line is expected to be a strength this season and edge rusher B-J Oljulari says there’s a lot of talent with that position group

Cut 17 (22) “…D-Line chemistry” 

N-I-L has been around for over a year in college athletics as players are now able to receive cash for endorsement deals. That means some players are making more than others, but wide receiver Jack Bech says that does not create any dissension…

Cut 18 (18) “ …gets in our way” 

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt announces he will challenge Third District Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With inflation continuing to rise, more Louisianans face having to cut other spending in order to make needed back-to-school purchases. More from Brooke Thorington…:

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward.

Cut 3 (12) “…hot today.” 

And there’s a Heat Advisory for Natchitoches to Jena.

While most Louisianans are used to extreme hot temperature, if you’re thinking this summer so far has been a bit warmer than others, Ross says you’re correct.

Cut 4  (05) “…summer of 2011.”

Ross says later in the week north Louisiana will see a drop in temperatures and possibly a scattered shower or two but not enough to relieve drought-like conditions in the area. But in the meantime, try to say inside as much as possible.

Cut 5  (09) “…the heat.”

Ross says heat indices could reach up to 115 in some areas in north Louisiana today.

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On the eve of qualifying for the federal elections, Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt has announced he will challenge Third District Congressman Clay Higgins. Both men are Republicans. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt has never run for political office before

Cut 6 (12) “…back it up” 

Higgins is seeking his fourth term and has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party. But Alford says Hoggatt looks like a formidable challenger and Higgins will need to take him seriously….

Cut 7 (12) “…this time.” 

Hoggatt’s financial resources are unclear at this time, while Higgins reported 258-thousand dollars on hand. Alford says that’s the lowest figure among Louisiana’s six incumbent members of Congress….

Cut 8 (10) “…whole lot of dough.”

Qualifying for Louisiana’s six Congressional races and U-S Senate race involving the incumbent John Kennedy, begins Wednesday and runs through Friday. The primaries are November 8th.

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Louisiana claims top ranking for the highest number of high school seniors who’ve completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. Chief Operating Officer for the Louisiana Department of Education Ken Bradford credits educators and counselors for the ranking.

Cut 9 (09) “…college and career.”

The National College Access Network (NCAN) tracks applications in the US and Louisiana has consistently been in the top two for the last five years. Bradford says FAFSA completion is also required for high school seniors in Louisiana to receive TOPS consideration.

Cut 10 (10) “…etc.” 

To date 67-percent of Louisiana’s Class of 2022 has completed their FAFSA application and Bradford is already encouraging the Class of 2023 to keep Louisiana in first place.

Cut 11 (09)  “…start planning.”

According to NCAN, 84-percent of high school seniors who complete a FAFSA are more likely to enroll in post-secondary education.

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With inflation continuing to rise, more people face having to cut back on spending in order to make needed back-to-school and college purchases. Katherine Cullen, with the National Retail Federation, says spending this year is expected to match or exceed 2021’s record high spending for the fall school term, but many have to pinch pennies to get it done…:

Cut 12 (05) “…for the season.”   

The NRF’s annual survey of back-to-school & college shopping shows more families will cut back on discretionary spending, buy only on-sale or off-brand items or even used items where possible. She says costs of most everything have been escalating over the past two years…:

Cut 13 (07) “..before the pandemic.”

Cullen says back-to-school shoppers are starting early, to spread the expense out over more weeks of income. She says vacations may be curtailed or even cancelled, because NOT making back-to-school purchases is really not an option…:

Cut 14 (06)  “…to be replaced.” 

There’s been an increase in COVID infections among Louisiana nursing home residents. Kevin Gallagher reports COVID deaths have also increased…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health launches 988 as the phone number to dial for suicide prevention to help those in crisis. Don Molino has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”  

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For a second straight month, COVID-19 infections and deaths are increasing among Louisianans living in nursing homes. Two deaths were reported for the month of May 2022, but for that number jumped to seven for June. Andrew Muhl is Policy Director for AARP Louisiana. He says the elderly are more at risk from COVID than anyone…:

Cut 3 (11) “…in nursing homes.” 

Nursing home resident COVIDs cases are up 27-percent nationwide. Cases among nursing home staffs are up 42-percent. Currently in Louisiana, just over 650 seniors in nursing homes are suffering COVID symptoms. Muhl says the best way to mitigate COVID symptoms is to get the shots…:

Cut 4  (07) “…fully vaccinated.”

Muhl says many nursing home residents COULD be catching the virus from the people who work at the facility and take care of them…:

Cut 5  (09) “…still out there.”

Muhl says AARP is imploring nursing home employees and residents to get COVID shots and any needed boosters. Since the pandemic began, nearly 33-hundred Louisiana nursing home residents have died from COVID-19.

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The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice continues to be plagued with incidents. The most recent was at the Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish, where six teens escaped early Sunday morning. All six have been recaptured but Marrero Senator Patrick Connick questions if the extra personnel to assist OJJ is in effect.

Cut 6 (12) “…enough, enough?” 

One of the escapees stole two vehicles and injured an individual during the exchange.

Connick says while the inmates are juveniles he believes those charged with violent crimes belong in better equipped facility. Connick says the Bridge City Center is designed as a dormitory to house teens facing truancy charges.

Cut 7 (10) “…individuals.” 

After multiple escapes from youth facilities in Louisiana, the OJJ was given extra personnel, but Connick says he’s reached out to both the governor and OJJ asking why juveniles continue to escape.

Cut 8 (10) “…gotta stop.”

Connick says the OJJ told him they are meeting today to address the issue.

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988 has been designated as the new three-digit number to dial for suicide prevention. The number is active in Louisiana and Karen Stubbs, Assistant Secretary with the Office of Behavioral Health at LDH says it’s vital to help those in crisis.

Cut 9 (11) “…level of 911.”

Stubbs says if you dial 988 in Louisiana it’s routed to a local crisis center. She says their office wanted to be sure it’s answered quickly and by trained individuals.

Cut 10 (11) “…our culture.” 

There are two 988 call centers in Louisiana, one in northern part of the state and the other covering southern Louisiana. Stubbs says if one is receiving an influx of calls, the other center acts as a backup.

According to the CDC, suicide is the 12^th leading cause of death and in 2020 more than 600 Louisianans took their own life. Stubbs says 988 hopes to change that and even if someone isn’t actively suicidal, they are there to help.

Cut 11 (08)  “…seeking assistance.”

All calls to 988 are free and confidential.

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In Baton Rouge, 19^th JDC Judge Don Johnson extends the temporary order allowing abortion clinics to remain open; telling state Attorney General Jeff Landry to provide him more information on the case, which he’ll review tomorrow and then render a decision. Outside the courthouse, with protesters in the background, Landry had this reaction…:

Cut 12 (07) “…couple of weeks ago.”   

Under Johnson’s temporary restraining order blocking the trigger law, abortion clinics are currently open. Landry says he’s certain that – no matter what Judge Johnson decides – there will be further challenges and the case will ultimately be decided by the state Supreme Court…:

Cut 13 (08) “..effectively as possible.”

(FOR AFFILIATES: here is nat sound of pro-choice protesters in Baton Rouge shouting, ”racist, sexist, anti-gay…A.G. Landry go away!”)

Cut 14 (09)  “…go away!!”