The number of new Delta variant cases in Louisiana continues to grow, concerning state health officials that it could lead to another spike in cases. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Since the state opened registration for a two-point-three million dollar lottery incentive, COVID-19 vaccinations have risen by 14-percent. But the number of people getting vaccinated each day is about 15-hundred less than it was in May.

The St. Tammany Parish Council votes tonight on whether a referendum will go on the November 13th ballot asking if voters want a 325-million riverboat casino in the Slidell area. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt pushed the legislation through the state legislature in order to give the St. Tammany Parish council this opportunity…
cut 10 (09) “….to vote”
But St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith and Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal oppose the casino over concerns it will lead to higher crime.

27-year-old Vincent Vinny Marks of Plaquemine has been arrested for the false impersonation of a peace officer. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lonny Cavalier says Marks got caught after presenting a badge to an off-duty deputy and representing himself as a police officer. Cavalier says they believe this isn’t the first time Marks has done this as they had an encounter with him earlier this year…
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A state capitol insider says based on his discussions with key legislators, it’s highly likely we’ll see a four-day veto session begin on July 20th. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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There’s a nationwide shortage of fireworks this 4^th so if you’re planning on lighting up the skies you might want to make that purchase sooner than later. Brooke Thorington has more…

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La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s highly likely the Legislature will hold its first-ever veto session on July 20th. Alford says lawmakers have until July 15th to vote to cancel the veto session, but many legislators want to override two controversial vetoes made by the governor

Cut 3 (08)  “…highly likely.”

Governor Edwards has vetoed two bills that many lawmakers strongly support, a bill prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports and a measure that does away with a requirement to have a permit to carry a concealed handgun.

Alford says an intense lobbying effort is underway to make sure legislators do not cancel the veto session…

Cut 4 (09) “…rank and file voters.”

If a veto session is called, it will take a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate to override the veto. Alford says based on his discussions with legislators, there is enough support to override the anti-transgender legislation…

Cut 5  (10) “…more effort” ” 

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A lawsuit filed against LSU for the school’s alleged mishandling of campus rape and sexual misconduct has been amended to now include coach Ed Orgeron and the Tiger Athletic Foundation. Three additional women are also a part of the suit. Advocate newspaper reporter Andrea Gallo says this scandal isn’t going away…

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The suit was initially filed involving seven current and former female LSU students. The three additional plaintiffs are seeking five million dollars in damages and an injunction requiring LSU to comply with Title IX.

Orgeron’s inclusion in the suit appears to be linked to an allegation first reported by USA Today that Orgeron had been told that running back Derrius Guice had raped an LSU student.

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When that story was first reported Orgeron said he was not aware of the rape allegations against Guice and that he never said that to the victim’s boyfriend.

Gallo notes that the accusations against Orgeron were not noted in the Husch Blackwell report that first detailed systemic Title IX failures at LSU.

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Orgeron was named in the suit through a business that manages his contract and endorsements. The complaint alleges that Orgeron, as an officer of the business, violated the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act.

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If you’re having a hard time, finding fireworks for the 4^th of July, you aren’t alone. There’s a nationwide shortage of firecrackers and Regional Manager for Little Dixie Fireworks Ashley Routon says it started with factories being shut down in China during the pandemic.

Cut 9 (10) “…just one”

Routon says several of the small fireworks vendors that purchase their stock from larger importers are having a difficult time receiving products this year, so it depends on where you purchase your explosives if they will have a large selection or not this year.

Cut 10 (09) “…fill them.”

Routon says of course gatherings of family and friends will be more plentiful compared to last year as health restrictions have eased.  She’s finding there’s a higher demand for fireworks as people want to mark the occasion.

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You might find tent locations are not as plentiful as they have been in the past due to the shortage and Routon says they are anticipating several of their locations selling out, possibly even before the 4^th.

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Kentwood native Jaime Lynn Spears is disputing allegations that she helped facilitate an allegedly abusive conservatorship of her pop star sister Britney Spears.

Last week Britney Spears, also of Kentwood, alleged in court that her entire family participated in a scheme to control her fortune by depriving her of her rights. Jaime Lynn spoke on Instagram…

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Spears has remained under the legal conservatorship of her father since she suffered a mental health crisis in 2008. Spears alleges under the conservatorship she was restricted in her ability to date, forced to maintain an IUD, and had her vast fortune partially siphoned away by grifters.

Jaime Lynn Spears says she supports her sister and if she wants to end the conservatorship, she supports that decision as well.

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Jaime Lynn denies that she was taking advantage of her sister’s wealth as the main trustee of the Britney Spears estate.

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Both Jaime Lynn and Britney Spears were born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood.

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter told a New Orleans TV station that based on his estimate 25-percent of all COVID cases are the result of the highly contagious delta variant. Kanter predicts it will be the dominant strain in Louisiana in the next month and he’s making another call for young adults to get vaccinated.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the state is recording more severe rain events and that will likely mean higher costs for homeowners and state and local governments…
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A biofuel company is proposing to build a 70-million dollar plant in the Iberia Parish town of Jeanerette. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this is one of several renewable energy projects the state is working on to diversify Louisiana’s energy portfolio…
cut 5 (10) “…..conscious way”
The facility would produce biomass fuel pellets and it would create 162 indirect jobs.

The deadline to receive a lump sum instead of monthly payments from the advanced child tax credit program was last night. The first payments will begin July 15th. IRS spokesperson Aaron Wiley says you can still opt out of the monthly payments starting in August and the deadline to do so is August 2nd by going to the Child Tax Credit portal at IRS.gov.
Cut 13 (08) “…other payments.”

Jay Johnson has been introduced as LSU’s new baseball coach and his job will be to make sure the Tigers are in the College World Series on a consistent basis. Johnson is known as an excellent hitting coach and recruiter but does not have ties to the south. Johnson plans to sell recruits on LSU’s storied history…
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LSU baseball has won six national championships, but the last one was in 2009.

The governor’s office says Delta Biofuel is planning to build a 70-million dollar renewable fuel plant in Iberia Parish. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says they have been talking to Delta since December…
cut 6 (09) “…near future”
The Jeanerette facility would produce 126 new direct jobs.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the state has seen an increase in major rainstorms that has led to more flooding incidents. Keim says this could lead to a revision to a long-term forecast that predicts rain totals. He says if the Atlas 14 forecast is revised upwards then local and state governments will have to spend more money on flood control projects…
Cut 12 (08) “…on top of it.”

Starting July 15th, the I-R-S will begin issuing the advance Child Tax Credit, which is three thousand dollars annually per child between the ages of 6 and 17. Parents who will be automatic recipients should have already received a letter about their eligibility. IRS spokesperson Aaron Wiley says if your income has changed since you filed your 2020 tax returns, you can visit the Child Tax Credit Portal …
cut 14 (12) “….signed up” .

State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is seeing more major rain events, with large amounts of rainfall in a short period of time producing more flooding. Keim says this could have an impact on flood insurance rates…
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Keim says state and local governments will also have to look at more flood control projects.

New LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson is now leading a program that has won six national championships. Johnson says he never met Skip Bertman, a winner of five national championships, until a few days ago, but was well aware of Bertman’s brilliance when he was a 24-year-old youth coach…
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The 44-year-old Johnson says he understands the lofty expectations the LSU baseball program faces every year.

State officials say 466-thousand Louisianans have registered for their chance at a million dollars or other cash and scholarship prices as part of the shot-at-a-million COVID-19 vaccine lottery. More than one-point-six billion Louisiana residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you are a parent that prefers to collect a refund check after filing instead of the option to receive monthly child tax credit payments, you can unenroll. Brooke Thorington explains.
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Researchers are likely to increase the projections for the number of expected severe rain events for Louisiana going forward. The revisions will affect what is known as NOAA’s Atlas 14 rainfall frequency forecast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says over the last ten years, Louisiana has received more frequent, powerful rainstorms.
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The forecast allows for the planning of flood control projects and flood insurance rates also play a factor.

Delta Biofuel is looking at building a $70-million renewable fuel plant in the Iberia Parish town of Jeanerette. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the facility would produce a fuel source that is a byproduct of sugar cane fiber known as bagasse.
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If located in Louisiana, Delta would create 126 new jobs and another 149 indirect jobs.

LSU fans got their first taste of new head baseball coach Jay Johnson Monday at his introductory press conference. Matt Doyle has more…
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LSU’s projected starter at left tackle Dare Rosenthal has reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal. The Ferriday native is reportedly facing disciplinary action that could lead to him missing most of the upcoming season.