A new law that took effect Monday paves the way for Louisiana’s growing wind energy industry. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Former Chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party and state senator Karen Carter Peterson enters a guilty plea to a wire fraud charge. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (27) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Adoptees who are 24 years of age or older can request a copy of their original Louisiana birth certificate thanks to a law that went into effect on August 1^st. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A new law that took effect Monday helps pave the way for Louisiana’s developing wind energy industry. Authored in the legislature by Houma  Representative Jerome Zeringue (zer-ANG), the new law increases a previously set limit of just 5000 acres for development of wind farms to 25-thousand acres which he says creates more possibilities for investors to get into wind power…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…particular wind farm.”

The law adds wind to forms of energy for which the state may officially enter into lease sales – either offshore or on land. It also establishes a mechanism for the state to get a revenue share of energy created. Zeringue says the law removes certain other restrictions, but expanding the available acreage is a major step forward…:

Cut 5 (10) “…economically feasible.”

Zeringue says the new law will be a large part of an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy for Louisiana, and he expects oil & gas companies will want to get more involved…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…build a wind turbine.”

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LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is embarking on two studies that will look at female athletes’ mental and physical resilience. Pennington’s Director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory Doctor Tiffany Stewart says for too long, sports have focused solely on wins and losses, while ignoring athletes’ mental health…

Cut 7 (09) “…difficult times.”

Stewart says one project will recruit 500 female athletes nationwide to assess overall mental health and resilience while a second study will focus on 50 female athletes at LSU…

Cut 8 (12)  “…with that”

Dr. Stewart expects the research projects will result in tools to help female athletes meet the particular challenges they face as female athletes.

Cut 9 (07)  “…in the future.”

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In Louisiana adoptees who are 24 years of age or older can request a copy of their original birth certificate thanks to a law that went into effect on August 1^st. Elise Lewis, one of the founders of the Louisiana Coalition for Adoption Reform says they’ve received positive feedback from adoptees…

Cut 10 (12) “…to know.”

Lewis says they’ve lobbied for several years to give adopted persons the right to have access to their original birth certificate which has the names of their biological parents, but she credits Rosepine Representative Chuck Owens for sharing his personal story of adoption with lawmakers for the bill finally becoming law.

Cut  11 (11)  “…from their families.” 

If you’re adopted and want to get a copy of your original birth certificate you can only request it online at the Louisiana Department of Health’s vital statistics website. Lewis says under the adoption information tab you can click on the application for their pre-adoption birth certificate.

Cut 12 (11) “…pre-adoption birth certificate.” 

For more information click here https://ldh.la.gov/page/680.

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August is often when hurricane season starts to really heat up, and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it pays to get prepared now for a possible storm damage claim. Donelon says now is the time to get out your property insurance declaration page and read it thoroughly…:

Cut 13 (11) “…Named Storm Deductible.”

Donelon says the Named Storm Deductible applies for hurricanes and tropical storms and requires you put up 5-percent of your property’s value before insurance kicks in. A $200-thousand home would have a NSD of $10-thousand. Donelon says you should also shoot photos or video of the interior contents of your home…:

Cut 14 (13)  “…your claim processed.”

Donelon says it’s important to not wait until after a storm has hit your property to take these simple steps. He also says consider getting National Flood Insurance, in case your home should take on high water. He says regular homeowner’s insurance won’t cover that, and – despite cost increases -flood insurance is still a tremendous value…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…continue to do it.”

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Saints linebacker Demario Davis is entering his fifth season in the NFL and his 11th overall. He’s made the All-Pro team the last three years and the 33-year-old says the goal for this year’s Black and Gold defense is to be the best they can be….

Cut 16 (16)  “….to be” .

The Saints had to replace their 2021 starting safeties in the offseason. Malcolm Jenkins retired and Marcus Williams signed with the Ravens. Davis likes the new additions and the team returns many of the key players that made them one of the best defenses in the NFL last season…

Cut 17 (23) “…in the building” 

Many fans are concerned about a drop off at head coach with former defensive coordinator Dennis Allren replacing Sean Payton. But Davis calls Allen one of the smartest coaches he’s ever been around…

Cut 18 (20) “   about it”

28 men and women who have at least two years of law enforcement experience have started their training in the first ever accelerated cadet class with the Louisiana State Police. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Louisiana’s First Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a suspensive appeal as the state’s abortion ban law moves through the court system. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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An accelerated cadet academy for Louisiana State troopers is underway. Sergeant Monroe Dillion says in their 86 years of cadet classes this is their first ever accelerated academy with 28 men and women embarking on their future as state troopers.

Cut 3 (10) “…14 weeks.” 

The accelerated class includes cadets that already have a minimum of two years of full-time law enforcement experience. And because these cadets already have law enforcement experience in Louisiana, Dillon says they don’t have to repeat the curriculum that the cadets are already certified in.

Cut 4  (11) “…defensive tactics”

The cadets will also receive extensive training in lawful uses of force and implicit bias recognition in their accelerated academy.

Dillion says with the retirement of many troopers and the recruitment of law enforcement officers being down nationwide, he says there’s a reason for holding an accelerated academy.

Cut 5  (11) “…be out there.”

LSP’s next cadet academy will get underway in February 2023 and the deadline for applications is October 17th.

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Louisiana’s law that bans most abortions is back in effect. Baton Rouge Judge Don Johnson has signed an order that suspends his preliminary injunction. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Judge Johnson’s action is the result of a ruling Friday from the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals…

Cut 6 (11) “…lower court’s ruling” 

Judge Johnson had issued a restraining order against the law from going into effect while he studies the merits of the law. But Ciolino says it was just a matter of time before the appeals court would act…

Cut 7 (08) “…law requires.” 

Ciolino says once the case reaches the Louisiana Supreme Court, the state’s highest court will likely rule the abortion ban is legal. He says if pro-choice advocates want to change the law, they’ll need the Legislature’s help…

Cut 8 (05) “…not by the courts”

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The Mayor of Ville Platte, Jennifer Vidrine, was installed Saturday as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association; making her the first Black woman to hold that position. Vidrine says she is honored to be elected by her peers…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…it’s also humbling.”

As LMA President, Vidrine will also lead the group’s Executive Board and chair the LMA Executive Committee. She’s been Mayor of Ville Platte, in Evangeline parish, since 2011. In her career in public service, she has broken through a number of racial and gender barriers to get where she is. Vidrine says she didn’t achieve all that alone…:

Cut 10 (11) “…I could stand here.” 

Vidrine says she will represent ALL communities in Louisiana. She says in the past that has not always been the case…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…as they should be.”

Also installed Saturday to the LMA were Cheneyville Mayor Derrick Johnson, First Vice President and Leesville Mayor Rick Allen as Second Vice President.

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A new law taking effect today makes it a crime to use marijuana in a motor vehicle. Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel brought the bill in the legislature. She says she thought of the bill after witnessing people in New Orleans, driving around smoking weed…:

Cut 12 (11) “…not be a good thing.”  

Schlegel says, with smokable medical marijuana now legal, it’s a good idea to establish where one CANNOT use it…:

Cut 13 (10) “…driving in a car…”

Schlegel’s new law prohibits smoking marijuana in a moving motor vehicle for both the operator and any passengers. She says the law also applies to vaping marijuana…:

Cut 14 (05)  “…this law as well.” 

Those caught using marijuana in a moving vehicle will face a $100 fine – even if they are using legally prescribed medical marijuana.

Starting today the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin is officially designated as a highway safety corridor. Jeff Palermo on what that means….

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Entergy Louisiana says they’re not “gouging” ratepayers, and wish to set the record straight. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Looking to save money on back-to-school shopping? Research says putting down that coffee could help you save a buck. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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Starting today, speeding fines are doubled on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge if motorists are caught going above the 60 mile per hour speed limit for vehicles and 55 miles per hour for commercial trucks. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says in 2023 speed cameras will be installed to track drivers…

Cut 4 (10)  “…third time.”

In June Governor John Bel Edwards signed a law that designates the 18-mile Atchafalaya Basin as a highway safety corridor. Wilson says the legislation also calls for signage restricting trucks to the right lane and eight sets of speed limit signs…

Cut 5 (12) “…80 miles per hour”

There were over 200 crashes that resulted in two deaths and nearly 100 injuries on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge last year. Senate President Page Cortez says that’s double the number than 20 years ago as distracted driving and speeding become more common. Wilson says the goal of the beefed up enforcement and higher fines is get people to slow down…

Cut 6 (05)  “…driver behavior.”

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Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May wants to clear up some of what he calls “misconceptions” about high energy bills, and what the utility is doing to help. May says the cost of producing electricity has risen sharply as record-high inflation grips the country…:

Cut 7 (10) “…from our customers.”

May says those high costs are coupled with high customer usage in the summer heat. He says Entergy understands how burdensome it can be for some folks to afford their utility bill…:

Cut 8 (13)  “…who need assistance.”

May says electricity costs have risen sharply all over the U.S., and Entergy is not “gouging” its customers. Still, many customers are angry with storm assessments Entergy has added to their bills. He says they have little choice, if they hope to recoup their storm-related losses…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…present our bills.”

May says storm assessments for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 will come off customer bills starting today.

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A new study conducted by the LSU Department of Marketing along with researchers from other Universities has found that caffeine could lead to greater consumer spending. Associate Professor Courtney Szocs says drinks like espressos, coffee and tea impacted not only the degree of spending but also the types of products…

Cut 10 (09) “…products”

These high hedonic products include buttery, salty popcorn; chocolate candy; luxury vacations along with any other items that induce a state of extreme excitement and energy. Szocs says that one should be mindful of what time they consume that caffeinated beverage in order to avoid making that unnecessary purchase…

Cut  11 (12)  “…trying to say” 

Research shows that about 85% of American consumers have at least one caffeinated beverage a day making the chances of purchasing high hedonic relatively common. Szocs says that if one is trying to save a buck on back-to-school shopping this year they ought to put down that coffee and pick up some water…

Cut 12 (13) “…don’t probably need” 

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A number of new laws passed in the 2022 Legislature go into effect today. One will require all law enforcement officers in the state to be trained in how to recognize signs of human trafficking. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell brought the bill, and says it’s apparent the training is needed, and it will now be required for all LEO’s employed a year or more…:

Cut 13 (08) “…to recognize it.”

Law enforcement has known for some time the I-10/I-12 corridor is a pipeline for human sex trafficking. Mizell says it can easily go unnoticed, especially in places or events with large crowds, but the problem is also very bad in Louisiana’s small towns as well. She says it coincides with the illegal drug trade…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…dirty, dirty thing.”

The new law will mandate training for officers in how to spot the telltale signs that a person is a victim of trafficking, so they can take appropriate action. Mizell says the law also requires state and local law enforcement agencies to regularly report on training compliance and progress…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…the numbers on that.”

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The pads come on for the first time today at Saints training camp. Through the first four days of camp, the defense has performed better than the offense. Saints wide receiver Jarvis Landry says the defense is competing at a high level

Cut 16 (18)  “….our DNA”.

Landry says the defensive secondary has a lot of depth and they are versatile…

Cut 17 (15) “…make plays” 

Saints running back Mark Ingram is competing in his 12th NFL training camp. At the age of 32 he’s the NFL’s second oldest running back…

Cut 18 (21) “   …anytime soon”