At the State Capitol, Louisiana’s film tax incentives of $150-million annually have been extended to the year 2031. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell has decided not to charge two Pineville Police officers who fatally shot a man threatening a child during a call in April. He says the investigation concluded the deadly shooting of 25-year-old Larry Calk was indeed justified.

The M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides financial assistance to adults who would like to earn credentials to get a job in a high-demand area, is once again accepting applications. Program Specialist Brittany Theriot says the program provides multiple training options…:

CUT 03(12)      “…workforce priority.”

Interested applicants should apply at mjfosterpromise.com.

New Southeastern Louisiana University president William Wainwright is settling in to his first on the job. Wainwright says one of his priorities will be outreaching adults who want to continue their education…:

CUT 14(09)      “…resource for them.”

The Hammond area is growing quickly, and he says SLU is primed for big things.

As things wind down at the State Capitol, lawmakers pass a bill to extend the state’s film & TV tax credits to 2031. Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says the incentives are capped to cost taxpayers no more than $150-million a year, and the six-year extension gives a big boost of confidence for productions that are looking to film in Hollywood on the Bayou…:

CUT 10  (13)        “…very positive.”

This is the first week on the job for new Southeastern Louisiana University president Doctor William Wainwright, whose last gig was chancellor at Northshore Technical Community College. He hopes many of the students attending high schools in the area will give SLU in Hammond a serious look when choosing a college…:

CUT 13(10)      “…at Southeastern.”

Fox 8 in New Orleans reports former Louisiana Congressman and presidential advisor Cedric Richmond was spared a field sobriety test and a traffic citation after he and his son were injured in a single-vehicle crash earlier this year in the Crescent City. New Orleans Police report the incident occurred April 23^rd. They also says the officer on te4h scene reports there was (quote) “no reasonable suspicion of intoxication, nor probable cause to conduct tests for impairment” and a citation was at the officer’s discretion.

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville takes a big step in making their facility accessible for disabled persons, by offering an all-terrain wheelchair to visitors. Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser, who heads up state parks, says it’s part of the state’s mission to create more accessibility options for visitors…:

CUT 07(13)      “…special needs.”

Call ahead to reserve the chair, at least 48 hours in advance.

Just hours after releasing a photo of suspects in the Sunday evening fire set inside the Covington Wal-Mart store, two teens are under arrest. Ashley Rodrigue, with the state Fire Marshal, says citizens ID’ed the boys – ages 15 and 17 – pretty quickly. She says parents need to tell their teens fire is NEVER a toy…:

CUT 11(08)      “…out of trouble.”

The store will be closed for weeks while fire damage is repaired.

The bill to let citizens carry a concealed gun without a permit has been stopped for this year. Already passed by the House, the problems arose when Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau sought to amend mandatory training into the bill. He says he’s been told of gun buyers who don’t know how to LOAD the weapon…:

CUT 16(08)      “…what else does.”

The bill’s author chose to voluntarily defer his own bill; killing it.

Restore Louisiana announces homeowners affected by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida and the May 2021 severe storms have until August 1st to complete a survey in order to receive rebuilding grant money. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Foxx.”

Game time for the LSU baseball team’s first game in the super regionals is 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. The fifth-seeded Tigers will play Kentucky in the best-of-three in the super-regional series in Baton Rouge. LSU beat Oregon State 13 to 7 at the Box Monday.

At the Capitol, the Senate gives final approval to a bill aimed at raising literacy by requiring 3^rd graders to pass a reading exam in order to move up to 4^th grade. Senator Beth Mizell of Franklinton spoke for the House bill. She says passing it will lead to better outcomes for kids later in life…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…we see.”

That bill will go to the Governor for his signature.

The federal environmental protection agency grants nearly a half-million buck to the Louisiana Department of Environmental quality to set up air monitoring in St. James Parish. Congressman Troy Carter says much needs to be done to assure the air is safe…:

CUT 05  (09)        “…punish them.”

The grant is part of the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

The so-called Constitutional Carry bill, which would have allowed citizens over 21 with no criminal record to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, is dead for this year. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull his bill – already passed in the House – from consideration, because of amendments senators were sought to tack on the bill…:

CUT 15(12)      “…defer it.”

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment to make sure training would still be required to conceal carry. McCormick says that defeats much of the purpose of his bill.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a man after video circulates online showing him giving a marijuana cigarette to a toddler. The then-5-year-old takes the joint and smokes it. 48-year-old John Hall’s face is seen in the video, so cops had little trouble rounding him up. He is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A concerned citizen tipped police off to the video a couple weeks ago.

At the State Capitol, lawmakers give final passage to a bill that would require third graders to pass a reading test to advance to the fourth grade. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Palermo.”

Longtime Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will run for another term in office, and he now has an announced challenger. That is former Shreveport Police Chief and former State Police superintendent Henry Whitehorn. Prator has been sheriff in Caddo since 2000.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says two teen boys have been arrested for allegedly starting a fire inside a Covington Wal-Mart store Sunday that did tens of thousands in damage. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the 15-year-old and 17-year-old caused the store to have to be closed for quite some time for repairs…:

CUT 10(10)      “…frequently.”

The boys are in juvenile detention on numerous charges.

The state Office of Community Development has set an August 1 deadline for homeowners hit hard by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida – and the May 2021 severe storms – to complete the initial survey needed to get Restore Louisiana Program relief funds. OCD director Pat Forbes says thousands of homeowners statewide still have not completed the survey…:

CUT 12(13)      “…be elgible.”

Go online to “restore.la.gov.”

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling to those of a crime of violence awaits the governor’s signature…:

CUT 01 (31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana lawmakers are adding teeth to a recently enacted law that requires pornography websites verify users are at least 18 years old. The bill allows the state attorney general to investigate and fine sites up to $5-thousand a day and $10-thousand for non-compliance. That bill goes to the Governor’s desk.

Are you a Cleco customer? The utility is spreading the word on how customers can lower energy costs during the summer months by launching its Watt Matters campaign. Cleco’s Caitlyn Watkins says the program includes three focus areas: Manage it – Save it – Know it. Manage It highlights the budget billing program that allows the customers to pay the same amount each month. Watkins says Save It is implementing small changes at home…:

CUT 13 (13)      “…help customers.”

Find it online at “cleco.com/wattmatters.”

A legislative proposal that supporters say would make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order for the measure to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert voted “no”…:

CUT 29 (09)      “…Constitution.”

The measure will not be appearing on vote ballots this fall as a proposed amendment.

The House and Senate are showing signs of reaching a compromise plan on raising the state’s expenditure cap. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

State Police say a drug bust on I-20 in Ouachita Parish Friday yielded over 32 pounds of marijuana. The trooper says he could smell the weed as he approached the vehicle. One suspect, the driver, was arrested and is still in custody.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for your help in identifying two suspects in connection to a fire inside the Covington Walmart Sunday night. State Fire Marshal Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators have determined the blaze was intentionally set…:

CUT 06(11)      “…was injured.”

A photograph of the two suspects can be found on our website at “LouisianaRadioNetwork.com.”

A political action committee backing Jeff Landry for Governor hits back at an ad placed by a pro-Stephen Waguespack PAC, which called Landry soft on crime. The new ad hits pretty hard…:

CUT 28(05)      “…and record debt.”

Political analyst Roy Fletcher is surprised by the early negative ads…:

Cut 11  (08)      “…started like this.”

A political action committee supporting candidate for Governor Stephen Waguespack fired the first negative ad of the campaign; calling Attorney General Jeff Landry soft on crime. Now a PAC backing Landry fires back. Here is a portion of the ad (edited for radio), placed by “Protecting Louisiana’s Children”…:

CUT 09  (12)        can’t make twice

Political analyst Roy Fletcher says answering the Waguespack attack brings him attention – and recognition – the Landry campaign perhaps doesn’t want.

LSU baseball is one win away from advancing to the Super Regionals after rallying back from a three-run deficit to beat Oregon State six to five. The Tigers overcame a pesky Beavers baseball team, AND a three-hour rain & lightning delay. Coach Jay Johnson says Thatcher’s Hurd five inning, 12 strikeout performance was huge…:

CUT 13(10)      “…country tonight.”

If LSU wins one more game today, they head to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2021.

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling to those for a crime of violence awaits the governor’s signature…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

KSLA TV in Shreveport reports a man died and another was rescued, when their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters under the Union Pacific Railway bridge in Shreveport’s Ingleside neighborhood Sunday. First responders got one man out, but found themselves in need of rescue while trying to locate the second.

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling received final passage Sunday. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says it’s a good bill in the sense that it will deter burglaries, however it flies in the face of justice reforms in recent years…:

CUT 04(07)      “…people in jail.”

Borghardt says, if it becomes law, it may be unlikely many judges or prosecutors will use it.

The legislature adjourns Thursday, but House & Senate members re still hammering out the $47-billion state budget bill. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the two chambers are at odds over what to do with about $2.2-billion in surplus revenue…:

CUT 10(11)      “…one time needs.”

Failure to pass a budget by Thursday’s 6 PM deadline, would require lawmakers to go into a special session.

State lawmakers have approved a new law that will give more people convicted of a DWI the option to have a breath monitoring device in their vehicle…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

… and now today commodities report…

At the State Capitol, Senate members vote to resurrect a bill to ban transgender medical procedures for minors…after it was killed last week in the Health & Welfare Committee. Members voted to call the bill from the committee and sent it to a Judiciary committee, where it was sent to the Senate floor…:

CUT 08(11)      “…with amendments.”

A floor vote could mean final passage for the bill, but the Governor has said several times he will veto it. Will lawmakers want to muster an override vote?

Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams is reportedly considering running for Governor; which would make him the second Democrat in the race. On Jim Engster’s radio show, Baton Rouge political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray says some may decide to get out of the race before the October 14^th election…:

CUT 14(07)      “…on August 10^th.”

LSU is ending its controversial, seven-figure agreement allowing Caesar’s entertainment to advertise sports betting across the campus. Playfly sports, who helped broker the deal, says talk of ending it started when a bill was filed in the Legislature to prohibit state colleges from such agreements. Colleges in Michigan and Maryland have also severed ties with sports betting.

The peach industry continues to battle a fungus in the soil as the City of Ruston prepares to celebrate the 73^rd Peach Festival Saturday…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Teiko Foxx.”