There are reports that say an unusually high number of older Americans have retired as a result of the Pandemic. LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says this just adds to a labor crunch on an already stretched thin workforce. He says businesses will adjust by doing one of two things…
cut 8 (12) “…machines for people”

Continental Structural Plastics announces a 13-million dollar expansion to its Webster Parish-based manufacturing facility, adding 22,000 square feet to their already three-building complex. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says CSP has been around for 50-years as a major player in the automotive market.
Cut 10 (08) “..out there”
Pierson says the expansion will help maintain 170 jobs in rural northern Webster Parish and result in 33 new jobs.

Authorities are willing to grant immunity for anyone that comes forward with information about a man wanted for more than a decade on first-degree murder charges. Brooke Thorington has more.
cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The search for Cara, the 12-foot python, that went missing from her aquarium in the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge has been found alive and well. The snake went missing early Monday morning and was found early this morning in a crawl space after an exhaustive search.

The federal investigation into the death of black motorist Ronald Greene who died shortly after his arrest by state police in 2019, has prompted investigators to look at other incidents involving LSP. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt…
Cut 4 (11) “…spinoff investigations.”
The F-B-I is taking a new look at Greene’s autopsy to consider evidence that was not provided after his death, including body camera video that showed state troopers stunning and punching him.

Authorities in Calcasieu Parish are offering immunity to anyone who can provide information on the whereabouts of Joe Constance and info on the people who may have helped him escape the area after allegedly killing his estranged wife Mary Jeannette Duhon in her Lake Charles home on June 5, 2011…
cut 13 (08) “….get away”
That’s retired Lake Charles Police Chief and now lead investigator Don Dixon.

According to the Pew Research Center, an unusually high number of older Americans have retired over the past year further exacerbating the nation’s labor shortage. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says because of this companies are having trouble finding people to work and deliveries are behind schedule due to a lack of labor in the supply chain.
Cut 7 (07) “…problem.”
Scott expects companies will try to lure retirees back with increasingly generous compensation or accelerate automation in many industries.

The search for Cara is over. The 12-foot non-venomous python that left her enclosure early Monday morning in the Mall of Louisiana aquarium was found in a crawl space and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will give the snake a wellness check.

After a very lengthy meeting, the St. Tammany Parish council voted to give voters a chance to decide if they want a casino in Slidell. It will appear on the November 13th ballot. Councilmember Jake Airey voted against it because he says the Legislature’s decision to not allow a parish-wide vote on gambling legalization, and instead, limit it to just allowing one casino in Slidell is a bit frustrating.
Cut 8 (05) “…happen.”

It’s a big day for college athletes as the NCAA is now allowing them to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness and still retain their college eligibility. Charles Hanagriff Match Point expects some athletes will strike six-figure deals, but most of the sponsorship agreements will be for a few hundred bucks…
Cut 10 (09) “…grassroots deals.”
Several LSU football players have already announced new sponsorship deals.

The state’s first full-time Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris, Jr. passed away Wednesday night, Brooke Thorington talks with Ag Commissioner Mike Strain about the man who redefined the office.
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Law enforcement is reminding motorists that during this Fourth of July weekend, Drive Sober or Get Pulled over. State Trooper Thomas Gossen..
cut 12 (05) “…in danger”
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says during the 2019 July fourth holiday period there were 70 alcohol-related crashes.

It’s a new day in college athletics. Beginning today student-athletes can earn money from their name, image, and likeness and not endanger their eligibility. Taylor Sharp reports the NCAA has approved the big change…
cut 1 (28) “…Taylor sharp”

Industry analysts say LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne is in a position to bring in more cash than any other student-athlete because she has five million followers between Instagram and Tik Tok.

After a lengthy debate, the St. Tammany Parish Council voted to give St. Tammany voters an opportunity on November 13th to decide if they want a casino in Slidell.

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Clay Higgins along with other Republican lawmakers joined former President Donald Trump at the border yesterday calling for a return to Trump-era border policies. Johnson says there’s still a crisis at the border and He says President Trump’s appearance was necessary to draw attention to the situation.
Cut 7 (11) “…acknowledge it.”
The Democratic National Committee says Trump’s border policies were cruel.

The man who redefined the office of lieutenant governor in the 1970s, Jimmy Fitzmorris Jr passed away Wednesday night. The New Orleans native was the state’s first full-time lieutenant governor. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain was friends with Fitzmorris and remembers him fondly.
Cut 3 (08) “…great guy.”
Fitzmorris was 99-years-old.

There’s growing sentiment that the Legislature will hold a veto override session. Legislators are upset the governor has vetoed a conceal carry bill and legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. Governor Edwards says the anti-transgender bill could result in Louisiana losing major sporting events like the NCAA Final Four scheduled for New Orleans next year…
cut 11 (11) “…tourism”

Starting today, college athletes can sign endorsement deals to promote products and give social media shoutouts and still retain their collegiate eligibility. LSU Deputy Director of Athletics and C-O-O Stephanie Rempe says universities can’t be directly involved in setting up endorsement deals but can help student-athletes secure these opportunities…
cut 5 (11) “….the deal”
LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan announced a deal with Smoothie King today, while cornerback Derek Stingley Junior says he’s partnering with Walk-On’s restaurants.

Two Louisiana Congressmen were among the delegation of Republicans who visited the US-Mexican border with former President Donald Trump Wednesday. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The St. Tammany Parish Council has voted to give voters a chance to decide if they want a casino complex in the Slidell area. It will appear on the November 13th ballot.

Former Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris has passed away at age of 99. He served two terms as Lt Governor in the 1970s and also lost close races for governor and mayor of New Orleans.

It’s a new day in college athletics. Beginning today student athletes can earn money from their name, image and likness and not endanger their eligiblity. Taylor Sharp reports the NCAA has approved the big change…
cut 1 (28) “…Taylor sharp”

Tropical Storm Elsa has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the earliest E-named storm on record in the Atlantic. The tropical storm will move through the Caribbean over the weekend and end up in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. That’s according to the National Hurricane Center.

Senate President Page Cortez says a veto override session is likely as a result of the governor’s veto of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. Edwards has also vetoed a bill that would do away with the requirement to get a permit and training to conceal carry a weapon. The governor says removing the requirement to undergo training and hold a permit puts the public and law enforcement at risk and such requirements are a fair trade-off.
cut 12 (09) “…70-percent of Louisiana”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it had to euthanize a well-known black bear after it was found on a person’s property in Morehouse Parish suffering from two broken legs and paralyzed. Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson says they believe the bear was hit by a vehicle…
cut 14 (08) “….the scene”
The bear was known on social media as Bruno the Bear because it was spotted in several Midwestern States.