Many voters aren’t aware, but tomorrow is an election day in Louisiana for 46 parishes. Voters will be deciding on vacancies in the state House, the the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal and the Lake Charles Mayor’s office. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there is also a big Senate race:
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He says if you aren’t sure there’s an election in your area tomorrow, check out the GeauxVote app.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s investigating after a body was found in a burning car in DeSoto Parish Friday morning. The victim has been identified as Kelly Jo Brunettin of Frierson. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says her vehicle was the only one at the scene and the investigation is ongoing…:
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He says the discovery was made around 2 a.m. this morning on Interstate 49 near Stonewall.

A synthetic drug called ‘pink’ has made its way to Bayou State and is more potent than heroin. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Hundreds of thousands of people will pack out the New Orleans Fair Grounds beginning this weekend for Jazzfest. How does the event get bigger and attract more people and big name artists every year? Festival producer Quint Davis says the secret is keeping it family friendly…:
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Hitting the big stages this weekend are Harry Connick Junior, Maroon 5 and Tom Petty.

The Storm Prediction Center is calling for an enhanced risk of severe weather for northwest Louisiana tomorrow. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says a cold front will bring the potential for severe weather as early as Saturday afternoon…:
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Forecasters say the severe weather threat will shift to the eastern side of the state after midnight on Saturday.

Universities would be required to make an action plan to prevent unplanned teen pregnancies, under a proposal approved by the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop, who spent over two decades working in higher ed, says only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school, and just two percent complete college by age 30…:
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The proposal now heads to the full Senate.

Jazz Fest is back beginning today at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. This year’s acts include Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Harry Connick Jr, and first timers Lorde and Snoop Dog. Festival Producer Quint Davis says the festival at the Fairgrounds Race Track really is like a mini version of the Big Easy…:
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Davis says the two-weekend festival has a $300 million annual economic impact.

Gov. John Bel Edwards joined President and CEO Michael Doss of Graphic Packaging International Inc. and CEO Scott Sureddin of DHL Supply Chain, North America, to announce the companies will make a combined $274 million capital investment in Northeast Louisiana and develop a 1.27 million-square-foot folding carton plant and logistics center in Monroe. In West Monroe, Graphic Packaging will continue to reinvest in its paper manufacturing location, including upgrades to the mill’s paper machines.

Universities would be required to implement an action plan to address unplanned teen pregnancies under a proposal approved by the Senate Education Committee. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop spent decades working in higher education and says many young women dropped out of school for so-called medical reasons…:
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SB 106 now heads to the full Senate.

The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a burning car in DeSoto Parish where the body of a woman was found inside. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they responded to a call from the Sheriff’s Office at 2 a.m. reporting a vehicle fire on Interstate 49 near Stonewall…:
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Browning says the victim has been identified and they are notifying next of kin before releasing her name to the public.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is underway in The Big Easy.
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Governor John Bel Edwards today announced Graphic Packaging International will make a combined $274 million dollar capital investment in Northeast Louisiana and develop a folding carton plant and logistics center in Monroe. He says the company will continue to invest in its paper mill in West Monroe, retaining over 800 jobs and the new project creating 93 new jobs.

Officials are sending out warnings about a dangerous drug that is making appearances in Louisiana. It’s known as Pink — a synthetic opioid much stronger than heroin or prescription pain meds. That’s according to East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark who say access to these illicit drugs needs to stop sooner than later…:
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Pink originally gained media attention when a child overdosed from the drug in Colorado.

Hundreds of thousands of people will pack out the New Orleans Fair Grounds beginning this weekend for Jazzfest. How does the event get bigger and attract more people and big name artists every year? Festival producer Quint Davis says the secret is keeping it family friendly…:
Cut 11 (09) “to go too”
Hitting the big stages this weekend are Harry Connick Junior, Maroon 5 and Tom Petty.

It looks like ULM will soon be getting a new medical school in a deal with a private New York based institution. The College of Osteopathic medicine would start accepting up to 110 students for the 2019 fall semester. But first, ULM President Nick Bruno says they still have to work out a lot of details….:
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The school would have about 200 students on campus after two years, with 200 more doing clinical rotations in the community.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette was taken as the 4th pick in the NFL draft last night, going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He becomes the highest sleeted player from LSU since 1963 when West Monroe’s Jerry Stovall was selected number 2 in the first round. LSU safety Jamal Adams was picked with the sixth selection of the first round by the New York Jets. The Saints used their first pick in the first round to take the top cornerback, Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore.

A synthetic drug called ‘pink’ has made its way to Bayou State and is more potent than heroin. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Public school students could apply sunscreen on themselves — and their teachers would be allowed to help under a House approved measure that’s headed to the Senate. It’s currently on a list of items not allowed and Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey was upset a bill like this was even necessary…:
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But Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith doesn’t think it’s a good idea for teachers to apply sunscreen to students. The vote was 99-1.

Jazz Fest is back beginning today at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. This year’s acts include Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Harry Connick Jr, and first timers Lorde and Snoop Dog. Festival Producer Quint Davis says the festival at the Fairgrounds Race Track really is like a mini version of the Big Easy…:
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Davis says the two-weekend festival has a $300 million annual economic impact.

A jury hands down a unanimous guilty verdict against a Homer man accused of fatally shooting a Webster Parish Sheriff’s Deputy in 2016. It took the jury nearly an hour to find Andrew Critton at fault in the death of 69-year-old Sulyn Prince, who prosecutors say was buried in a shallow grave after Critton used a fire extinguisher to bludgeon her in the head.

Nicholls State University says they’ve received a very generous pledge from longtime supporter Tommy Meyer to enhance several Colonel athletic facilities.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival gets underway today in the Big Easy…:
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East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says a drug more deadly than heroin is hitting the streets in Louisiana. He says it’s called pink and wants the public to be aware that drug dealers aren’t concerned with what they are selling when it comes to this drug’s potency…:
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He says pink is a synthetic opioid combined with Fentanyl.

North Louisiana is reportedly getting a new medical school at ULM, and it’s expected that enrollment would begin in the fall semester of 2019. Word is that the school signed with a New York based institution for the The College of Osteopathic medicine. ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno says this new med school could offer a lot of opportunities to students…:
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He says this partnership could help improve the health sciences programs already offered at ULM.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted former LSU running back Leonard Fournette with the 4th pick of the first round. The New Orleans native left LSU as one of the all-time greats in the program, rushing for 3,380 yards, a 6.2 yard per carry average and 40 touchdowns. Two picks later, the New York Jets took safety Jamal Adams. It’s the first time since 2007 that two LSU players were selected within the first six picks of the NFL draft.

A new drug called ‘pink’ is hitting the streets in Louisiana and is more deadly than heroin. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says pink is a synthetic opioid combined with Fentanyl. He says this drug has all of the same effects as heroin…:
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Pink originally gained media attention when a child overdosed from the drug in Colorado.

The House overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow children to bring sunscreen to school and apply it themselves. The lone dissenting vote came from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith, who raised concerns about teaching putting lotion on students…:
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It would also allow parents to designate someone at the school to help their children put on the sunblock.

Music lovers from all over the country are gathering in New Orleans for the Jazz & Heritage Festival that kicks off today. Producer Quint Davis says they have 580 musical acts over a two-weekend period. Harry Connick Junior, Maroon 5, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are headliners this weekend and 2nd weekend performers are just as good…:
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Davis says the two-weekend festival has a $300 million annual economic impact.

The federal decision in the Alton Sterling police shooting case out of Baton Rouge could be imminent, according to several sources close to the investigation. City leaders say they’ve been told the decision will be announced on or before next Tuesday.

The former Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sex with a student still has legal issues as there’s still a civil suit pending against her. Michelle Southern has more…

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A jury hands down a unanimous guilty verdict against a Homer man accused of fatally shooting a Webster Parish Sheriff’s Deputy in 2016. It took the jury nearly an hour to find Andrew Critton guilty in the death of 69-year-old Sulyn Prince, who prosecutors say was buried in a shallow grave after Critton used a fire extinguisher to bludgeon her in the head.

US Senator Bill Cassidy says President Donald Trump’s tax reform plan will simplify the tax code, create jobs and incentivize investment and growth. Cassidy says he likes that Trump is engaged and following through with his campaign promises.

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Cassidy serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee and will play a role in the passage of any tax reform plan.

Over 30 dogs were rescued after Webster Parish authorities raided three alleged dogfighting rings. Anna Ware is with an Atlanta-based group that investigates animal cruelty cases. She says they received an anonymous tip about an operation in North Louisiana so they contacted police.

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Four people have been arrested in connection with the case.

A bill to provide parole eligibility for juveniles convicted of murder has been approved by the state Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s measure calls for parole after 25 years. He says that would apply to a handful of jailed offenders..:

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Claitor says his proposal would bring Louisiana in line with a Supreme Court decision that prohibits juvenile offenders from receiving life sentences without parole.

A House panel approved two bills that would expand who is covered under domestic violence laws. One measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno would include couples who are dating. She says currently the laws only apply to couples who are living together or married.

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The other measure headed to the full House would include same sex couples.

D+ is the grade Louisiana gets on its roads, bridges and drinking water on a report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Executive Director of the project, Dr. Kam Movassaghi (Mo-vuh-sah-gee) says there are several bills filed for the session that could help address these problems, but that means getting the legislature to shell out more money:

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There is a bill to increase the state gasoline tax by as much as 17-cents.

The House overwhelmingly approved a measure to allow children to bring sunscreen to school and apply it themselves, or parents could designate someone at the school to help. The lone dissenting vote came from Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith, who raised concerns about teachers putting lotion on students.

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The measure was approved on a 99-1 vote and now heads to the Senate.