Legal sports betting in Louisiana might not happen before the start of the football season. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the Gaming Control Board must finalize the rules and issue licenses and they do not have a chairman at the moment.

Cut 3 (12)  “…regulatory side.”

Lake Charles Republican Senator Ronnie Johns is said to be one of the contenders for the post.

290 of Louisiana’s small and mid-sized communities and municipalities will receive 315 million dollars in American Rescue Plan funding split between now and next June. Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says cities like Baker and villages like Noble will have few restrictions on how the funds can be used…

Cut 6 (12) “…revenue loss”

New vaccinations are up 14 percent since the launch of a COVID vaccine incentive lottery according to the State Health Department. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says we can’t know for sure if Shot at a Million is the reason for the bump, but whatever the reason they’re grateful…

Cut 12 (09) “…another”

Kanter says about 38-percent of the state has received at least one shot and is thus eligible to register for the vaccine lottery.

KIK Consumer Products and Governor Edwards announced today a $170-million investment in a chlorine manufacturing plant in Calcasieu Parish. The dedication of the new Westlake facility is on the site of the previous plant that was destroyed 10 months ago when it caught on fire during Hurricane Laura. KIK COO, Jeff Schmitt….

Cut 9 (10) “…with us.”

It appears that sports betting will not be available in Louisiana for the start of the college football season. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says late fall is now a more realistic outcome due to the Gaming Control Boards’ lack of chairman and the sometimes lengthy process new gaming policies are put through before adoption…

Cut 5  (08) “…online. ” 

The Gaming Control Board is not expected to meet again until July 15^th

Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says 315 million dollars in federal aid will be heading to 290 small to medium sized Louisiana communities as a result of the American Rescue Plan…

Cut 8 (10) “…wisely.”

About half of the funds will be delivered this month and the other half will be delivered next June.

Since announcing the Shot at a Million COVID vaccine incentive campaign Louisiana has seen a 14 percent increase in the number of new vaccinations. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says a chance at a million dollars is certainly a big incentive but for some folks the lure of money just won’t be enough to get them off the fence…

Cut 14 (10) “…you trust” 

Kanter says about 35-percent of the state is fully vaccinated and 38-percent have initiated the series.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana today for the groundbreaking announcement of BioLab’s new 170-million dollars chlorine manufacturing plant in Westlake. A previous chlorine facility at the site caught on fire and was damaged during Hurricane Laura. Edwards says the project will create 82 direct jobs and retain 19 existing jobs

cut 11 (12) “…stronger”

Brooke Thorington reports it is unlikely sports betting will be available at the start of the football season…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Senate President Page Cortez says it is likely that a veto override session will begin July 20^th to overturn some controversial vetoes by Governor Edwards, chief among them the Governor’s rejection of legislation banning transgender women from playing on women’s sports teams in K-12 and higher education, and the rejection of legislation doing away with the need to have a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm.

A 170 million dollar chlorine plant is set to be built on the site of a previous chlorine plant in Calcasieu Parish that caught fire during Hurricane Laura. The facility by KIK Consumer Goods is expected to be completed in 2022. KIK COO, Jeff Schmitt says construction of the BioLab facility which will manufacture chlorine-based sanitizer wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of their employees.

Cut 10 (12) “…were before.”

The project will create 82 direct jobs

The state health department says in the week after registration began for the two-point-three million dollar lottery incentive, COVID-19 vaccinations rose by 14-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s too early to say if the lottery is the reason for the modest bump, but admits every new vaccination is harder to get

Cut 12 (09) “…another”

290 small and midsized Louisiana municipalities have been awarded over 315 million dollars in American Rescue Plan COVID economic relief funds. Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the funds will be split up over this year and next, and they have few strings attached…

Cut 6 (12) “…revenue loss”

Major cities and municipalities like New Orleans and other larger communities are not included.

Executive Director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty says his organization anticipates sports gaming will be available to Louisianans sometime in fall, but likely not by the start of football season. One reason? The Gaming Control Board is currently without a chair…

Cut 3 (12)  “…regulatory side.”

KIK Consumer Products along with Governor Edwards announced a $170-million investment in a chlorine manufacturing plant in Calcasieu Parish. The dedication of the new Westlake facility is on the site of the previous plant that was destroyed 10 months ago when it caught on fire during Hurricane Laura. KIK COO, Jeff Schmitt….

Cut 9 (10) “…with us.”

The original plant was constructed in 1979 and the new facility is expected to be completed in 2022.

The Delta Variant is spreading quickly in Louisiana with as many as 25 percent of current COVID cases believed to be the more dangerous and transmissible strain. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says those who are fully vaccinated are thought to have about 90 percent protection from this new strain…

Cut 5  (06) “…variant.”

Those with only one COVID shot are thought to only have just over 30 percent protection.

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…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

About a dozen Republican Congressmen are set to accompany President Donald Trump on a trip to the US –Mexico border Wednesday. Among those in attendance are two of Louisiana’s own, Congressman Mike Johnson and Congressman Clay Higgins.

The pandemic is responsible for a fireworks shortage this 4^th of July. Regional Manager for Little Dixie Fireworks Ashley Routon says with more people gathering this year due to eased health restrictions, she says there’s even higher demand.

Cut  11 (05) “….this year.” 

Routon says factory shutdowns in China and shipping issues are major factors in the shortage of fireworks. She says they anticipate selling out this year, and possibly even before the 4^th.

Kentwood native Jaime Lynn Spears is disputing allegations that she helped facilitate an allegedly abusive conservatorship of her pop star sister Britney Spears. Jaime Lynn denies that she was taking advantage of her sister’s wealth as the main trustee of the Britney Spears estate.

Cut 14 (10) “… long after” 

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

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 that’s due to Governor Edwards’ controversial vetoes of legislation involving trans athletes and concealed carry permits…

Cut 3 (08)  “…highly likely.”

If a veto session is called, it will take a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate to override a veto.

Advocate newspaper reporter Andrea Gallo says coach Ed Orgeron’s recent inclusion in a Title IX lawsuit filed against LSU is evidence that the school’s campus rape and sexual harassment scandal isn’t going away. Gallo says three more women have come forward…

Cut 6 (12) “…part”

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…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

23-year-old Dejuan Clay of Lafayette has turned himself in after a warrant was put out for his arrest in the robbery-murder of 19-year-old Brandon Arnold, also of Lafayette. The incident also resulted in the shooting death of 19-year-old Xavier Batiste, who police say was an accomplice of Clay, but was left behind in the getaway vehicle after the robbery went south.

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 who enrolled in 2009, 2015, and 2019 respectively are now a part of the suit. Advocate reporter Andrea Gallo…

Cut 6 (12) “…part”

Orgeron’s involvement in the suit appears to be linked to allegations that he was aware of a rape allegation against Derrius Guice and did not report it. Orgeron denies this.

La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says due to some controversial vetoes by Governor Edwards it is highly likely Louisiana will have a historic veto session July 20^th….

Cut 4 (08) “…number of ways.”

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 they are anticipating several of their locations will likely sell out of fireworks before the 4^th of July.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says it appears that the state is seeing an uptick in the number of severe rainstorms and that realization will likely lead to further increases in flood insurance premiums going forward…

Cut 11 (07) “..stress.”

Keim says this formal recognition of the more frequently powerful rainstorms is set to be included in an update to a NOAA rainfall forecast model.

The Louisiana Conservative Caucus backs heading into a veto override session after the Governor rejects legislation allowing those 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Caucus head, Representative Jack McFarland, says there’s also interest in holding the veto session to override the Governor’s rejection of legislation banning transgender athletes from girls’ K-12 and college sports teams.

Cut  11 (10) “…right.” 

Both bills cleared the legislature on veto-proof margins.

Ouachita Parish Sheriffs arrest a man right outside of the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center who allegedly told deputies he was there to free his family on god’s orders. Ouachita Sheriffs’ spokesperson Glenn Springfield says 35-year-old Bobby Koch admitted to being on meth…

Cut 7 (10) “…methamphetamine.”

A passenger on an overseas flight gets lucky after two LSU Health New Orleans medical students were at the right place at the right time. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Kenner-born and raised blogger, model, and actress Cassondra Billedeau-Stratton is among the 159 people who remain missing after the collapse of an apartment building in Surfside, Florida. Billedeau-Stratton is known to spend most of her time between Miami and New York City while maintaining her substantial Instagram account dedicated to fashion.