Immunization records from the Louisiana Immunization Network are now available online. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is making progress towards moving forward with $450 million dollars in renovations to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Convicted child rapist and murderer Jason Reeves appeals his death sentence to the US Supreme Court. Matt Doyle talked with Calcasieu DA John DeRosier about what that means…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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A new online service allows residents to securely view, download, and print official copies of immunization records on-demand for free.  Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Dr. Alexander Billioux says it adds convenience for those who may need records for school or recreational activities.

Cut 4 (09) “…in the first place.”

Billioux says the signup and verification process is relatively quick, taking about five minutes to complete.

Cut 5 (09) “…in your dependents.”

Those who have been vaccinated out of state will be able to input their records with the help of their doctor or pharmacist.  Billioux says the state is working toward to support a technology called Blue Button, supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services that many health systems are using to share data.

Cut 6 (09) “…your old data.”

The website can be found at LA.MyIR.net.

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Governor John Bel Edwards visited Saints training camp on Monday and discussed the 450-million dollar plan to renovate the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Edwards says the massive renovation would also result in a new long-term lease agreement between the state and the NFL franchise.

Cut 7 (10) “…doing for Louisiana.”

The changes proposed include more natural light entering the building and modifications to boost the fan experience. Edwards says during the renovation the venue will not be used for as many concerts.

Cut 8 (07) “…renovations are made.”

Edwards says it is vital for the Superdome, which opened in 1975, to see optimizations that keep the facility competitive in being able to host many major events.

Cut 9 (10) “…and we upgrade.”

Artist renderings may be available by the end of the week. The renovation process is expected to start immediately after the current football season.

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An LSU study shows over the last six decades rain events have gotten more intense and drop more rain in a shorter period of time, causing increased risk of flash flood events.

LSU Assistant Professor of Research Dr. Vincent Brown was on the research team and says it’s not that all rain events are more intense on average, but we are seeing an increasing number of more severe downpours…

Cut 10 (10) “trend.”

Brown says other research is pretty clear about why this is: Gulf sea surface temperatures have been rising over the decades…

Cut 11 (08) “…the air”

And Brown says the higher the humidity, the more water available in the air for storm systems to utilize, thus increasing the chance of an intense downpour.

The change has been so gradual that Brown says it would be hard to notice it on a year to year, or even decade to decade range.

Cut 12 (10) “…period”

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A man convicted of raping and murdering a four-year-old child in 2001 has had his death sentence put on hold by a federal judge, just a week before his scheduled execution date.

Jason Reeves’s attorneys filed a federal appeal that could extend the case another few years Calcasieu Parish DA John DeRosier says it’s a ploy to hold out until the Legislature outlaws the death penalty.

Cut 13 (10) “…them.”

Reeves kidnapped, raped, and then stabbed four-year-old Mary Jean Thigpen to death in November of 2001.

DeRosier says the lengthy legal process will now cost the state and feds hundreds of thousands more in legal fees.

Cut 14 (07) “…for it.”

Even if Reeves’ team had not filed the federal appeal, it’s unlikely he would have been executed. The state says they can’t get the lethal injection drugs needed, but DeRosier says that’s just an excuse.

Cut 15 (10) “…to sleep”

The state has not carried out an execution in nearly a decade.

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One of the big position battles at LSU camp is at nose tackle, where 345-pound Tyler Shelvin is battling with 355-pound freshman Apu Ika from Salt Lake City. Senior defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko gives his take on the position battle

Cut 16  (28) “…of view”   

The offensive line is a question mark heading into the 2019 campaign. At times last season the o-line underperformed. Fehoko likes what he sees with that unit

cut 17 (17) “…reckon with.” 

Coach Ed Orgeron has said he wants to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as he’ll ask his team to be more aggressive along the line of scrimmage. Fehoko on what that means

Cut 18 (17) “…the point” 

Along with Texas and Oklahoma, Louisiana is one of only three states where drivers can buy gas for under $2 a gallon.  The statewide average for a gallon of gasoline has dipped 8 cents over the last week to $2.24.  GasBuddy.com spokesperson Patrick Dehaan says the escalating trade tensions between the US and China can take credit for the decline.
Cut 7 (09) “…goes down anyway.”
About two dozen stations are selling gas for less than $2.

The National Weather Service has issued its first excessive heat warning of the year for the northern half of the state until Tuesday night. Meteorologist Gary Chatelain says winds out of the southwest are helping to produce the dangerous heat levels. He says we could see a break from the extreme heat on Wednesday.

Cut 5 (13) “…rainfall”

The southern half of the state is under a heat advisory. Heat indices could range from 105 to 113.

Tomorow morning will be your best chance to catch the famed annual Perseid meteor shower. Best viewing will be just after 4AM until sunrise.  The meteorites are hurtling through the solar system at 25-30 miles a second. LSU Astronomy Professor Brad Schaefer says the “shooting stars” are formed from the friction of the speeding objects crossing the Earth’s atmosphere…

Cut 11 (06) “…can see.”

Louisiana sees a 59 percent decrease in the number of wildfires when comparing 2018 to 2008.

State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says Louisiana had 1,638 wildfires in 2008, but only 676 wildfires last year. He credits the substantial decrease to a successful public education campaign.

Cut 12 (04) “…on fire”

Strain says those 25 arson arrests were linked back to 5,240 acres of burned timberland.

The brutal heatwave continues across the state, with conditions now getting so bad that the National Weather Service has issued its first excessive heat warning of the year for the northern half of the state until Tuesday night. Meteorologist Gary Chatelain says heat indices will climb over 110-degrees.

Cut 3 (09) “…gets soaked”

Tomorrow, Alexandria could see a heat index of 110-degrees.

Louisiana sees a 59 percent decrease in the number of wildfires when comparing 2018 to 2008. Arson cases are also down 82 percent, going from 893 in 2008 to 160 in 2018. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain credits a cooperative effort between his department and the Fire Marshal for putting pyromaniacs behind bars.

Cut 14 (10) “…of arson”‘

Strain says those arrests were linked back to 5,240 acres of burned timberland.

Tomorrow morning will be your best chance to catch the famed annual Perseid meteor shower. The brilliant display comes courtesy of the Comet Swift-Tuttle’s yearly voyage around the sun.  LSU Astronomy Professor Brad Schaefer says every year around August 12^th the Earth’s orbit intersects with the trail of sand grains the comet leaves behind as it travels through the solar system.

Cut 10 (08) “…ice ball.”

Schaefer says Arabic records indicate the shower could be at least 800 years old.

Louisiana is one of only three states in the nation where drivers can buy gas for under $2 a gallon. GasBuddy.com spokesperson Patrick Dehaan says you’re already seeing it in Baton Rouge, and it is possible the statewide average for a gallon could drop to below $2 by Thanksgiving, but..

Cut 8 (12) “…go back up.”

Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma are the only three states in the nation with gas prices under 2 bucks a gallon. GasBuddy.com spokesperson Patrick Dehaan says the statewide average is 2.24, and Baton Rouge prices are a major reason why.

Cut 6 (09) “…at one station.”

About two dozen stations in Louisiana are selling gas under 2 bucks a gallon.

Tomorrow morning will be your best chance to catch the famed annual Perseid meteor shower. Best viewing will be just after 4AM until sunrise.  LSU Astronomy Professor Brad Schaefer says for best viewing find a wide-open space away from light pollution and give your eyes at least ten minutes to adjust to the darkness.

Cut 9 (11) “…do it”

With optimal conditions, you can see one meteor a minute with the dashes of light emanating from the Perseid constellation.

Be prepared for dangerous heat levels over the next couple of days. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Congressman Ralph Abraham has dropped his first statewide campaign ad of the governor’s race where a series of narrators trumpets the Congressman’s frontrunner status as the Republican best suited and most likely to take on Governor John Bel Edwards…

Cut 23

Along with Texas and Oklahoma, Louisiana is one of only three states where drivers can buy gas for under $2 a gallon.  The statewide average for a gallon of gasoline has dipped 8 cents over the last week to $2.24.  GasBuddy.com spokesperson Patrick Dehaan says the escalating trade tensions between the US and China can take credit for the decline.
Cut 7 (09) “…goes down anyway.”
About two dozen stations are selling gas for less than $2.

The National Weather Service has issued its first excessive heat warning of the year for the northern half of the state until Tuesday night. The southern half of the state is under a heat advisory. Heat indices could range from 105 to 113 degrees along the I-10-I-12 corridor. Meteorologist Gary Chatelain says winds out of the southwest are helping to produce the dangerous heat levels. He says we could see a break from the extreme heat on Wednesday

Cut 5 (13) “…rainfall”

A 40-year-old Monroe woman is arrested after mistaking a misquito abatment plane for a drone and opening fire from her yard. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

It’s blistering hot, so hot that the National Weather Service has extended it’s excessive heat warning all the way up to the northern portions of the state. Meteorologist Gary Chatelain says it’s going to stay that way for the next 48 hours, so stay safe, and keep some H2O handy…

Cut 4

99-degrees is the forecasted high for Shreveport and Monroe. Tomorrow, Alexandria could see a heat index of 110-degrees.

Louisiana is one of only three states in the nation where drivers can buy gas for under $2 a gallon.  The statewide average for a gallon of gasoline has dipped 8 cents over the last week to $2.24, and GasBuddy.com spokesperson Patrick Dehaan says it’s gas stations around the capital city in particular dragging down the state average.

Cut 6 (09) “…at one station.”

Texas and Oklahoma are the other two states where gas can be purchased for under $2.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association is cracking down on human trafficking at hotels across the country, and honing in Louisiana, where 19 cases of human trafficking were reported at state hotels last year. AHLA President and CEO Chip Rodgers says guests should keep a lookout for the signs of trafficking.

Cut 14AM

Louisiana sees a 59 percent decrease in the number of wildfires when comparing 2018 to 2008. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Louisiana had 1,638 wildfires in 2008, but only 676 wildfires last year. He credits the substantial decrease in the potentially deadly events to a successful public education campaign.

Cut 12, 11 seconds, their lives

Strain also credits a crackdown on arsonists, and an effective controlled burning effort last year.

President Trump announces he’s backing stronger background checks for gun purchases and red flag laws allowing authorities to remove firearms from those who are a danger to themselves or others.  Despite the White House’s shift in policy many Congressional Republicans are still strongly against the proposals. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the President’s shift hasn’t changed his mind.

Cut 7 (08) “…tragedies.”

Abraham voted against recent background check and red flag laws that cleared the House on a party-line vote.

The US Small Business Administration is opening tomorrow a disaster loan outreach center in the Ruston City Hall in an effort to issue low-interest loans to those impacted by a tornado outbreak in April.  SBA spokesperson Louise Porter says the SBA issues loans to communities following a disastrous event.

Cut 4 (09) “…Small Business Administration.”

A Monroe woman has been arrested for allegedly shooting at a mosquito abatement aircraft that she says she thought was a drone circling her home.  Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says they received a call from a woman who said a drone had been circling her home, taunting her, so she shot at it three times with her revolver to knock it out of the sky.
Cut 10 (12) “…control.”
After deputies determined what had actually happened, 40-year-old Stacy Rodgers was arrested on illegal use of weapons.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association announces the “No Room for Trafficking” campaign aimed at helping hotel workers recognize the warning signs to look for when dealing with potential human trafficking situations. Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported that 756 total cases and over 2,700 contacts came from Louisiana.  AHLA President and CEO Chip Rodgers suggests that other aspects of the tourism industry should as well.

Cut 15 (09) “…and report it.”

The President has signaled his support for expanded background check legislation, but many Congressional Republicans say they still oppose the effort. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle ”

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 A 40-year-old Monroe woman is arrested after mistaking a misquito abatment plane for a drone and opening fire from her yard. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Friday night was the time to shine for Saints backup QB Teddy Bridgewater.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The US Small Business Administration is opening a disaster loan outreach center in the Ruston City Hall in an effort to issue low-interest loans to those impacted by a tornado outbreak in April.  SBA spokesperson Louise Porter says the SBA issues loans to communities following a disastrous event.

Cut 4 (09) “…Small Business Administration.”

Anyone who has received damage is eligible to apply.  Porter says while there is consideration put into a person’s ability to handle repayment, the SBA is a bit more flexible than a conventional lender.

Cut 5 (09) “…an official determination.”

Porter says another feature that makes the SBA loans stand out from conventional loans is a lower interest rate.

Cut 6 (08) “…as low as 4%.”

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President Trump announces he’s backing stronger background checks for gun purchases and red flag laws allowing authorities to remove firearms from those who are a danger to themselves or others.

Despite the White House’s shift in policy many Congressional Republicans say they’re still strongly against the proposals. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the President’s shift hasn’t changed his mind.

Cut 7 (08) “…tragedies.”

Abraham voted against recent background check and red flag laws that cleared the House on a party-line vote.

The gubernatorial candidate says none of the proposals coming from Democrats or the White House would have stopped the recent shootings in El Paso or Dayton.

Cut 8 (09) “…to go.”

The biggest fight over background checks will likely be in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated he’d allow discussion of the issue.

The President says he’ll take a more active roll in bringing warring Congressional delegations to the table over the issue, but Abraham says he’s not confident about the parties finding a middle ground.

Cut 9 (10) “with that.”

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A Monroe woman has been arrested for allegedly shooting at a mosquito abatement aircraft that she says she thought was a drone circling her home.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says they received a call from a woman who said a drone had been circling her home, taunting her, so she shot at it three times with her revolver to knock it out of the sky.

Cut 10 (12) “…control.”

After deputies determined what had actually happened, 40-year-old Stacy Rodgers was arrested on illegal use of weapons.

Springfield says you can’t just shoot at a drone, even if it’s on your property. He adds there’s still some debate about who owns the airspace around your home…

Cut 11 (05) “…into it.”

Springfield says there are laws on the books against illegal drone use and harassment, so if you think one of your neighbors has crossed a line, keep your gun holstered and dial 9-1-1.

Cut 12 (10) “…at it”

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The American Hotel and Lodging Association announces the “No Room for Trafficking” campaign aimed at helping hotel workers recognize the warning signs to look for when dealing with potential human trafficking situations.  AHLA President and CEO Chip Rodgers says in 2018, Louisiana had 149 cases with 19 of those in hotels.

Cut 13 (09) “…human trafficking spike.”

Louisiana has a voluntary training law that creates a general plan and overview for the hotel industry.  Rodgers says there are signs hotel guests can be on the lookout for as well.

Cut 14 (12) “…neglect or abuse.”

Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported that 756 total cases and over 2,700 contacts came from Louisiana.  Rodgers says the hotel industry is doing it trying to combat the crime and suggests that other aspects of the tourism industry should as well.

Cut 15 (09) “…and report it.”

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The Saints first preseason game of 2019 saw the Black and Gold coming up short against the Minnesota Vikings with a final score of 34-25 on Friday night.  The spotlight was placed firmly on backup QB Teddy Bridgewater, who took plenty of snaps throughout the first half.  Bridgewater spoke after the game, calling it a learning experience.

Cut 16  (09) “…guys did a great job.”   

Bridgwater threw for 14 completions and had the Saints just 2 points behind the Vikings going into the half.  Bridgewater says he feels confident about his performance.

cut 17 (07) “…of doing that.” 

The Vikings were a familiar foe to Bridgewater who says Friday night’s game brought back memories of his own time on the Minnesota roster.

Cut 18 (08) “…the old practice days.” 

The New Orleans Saints set foot back on the field at the Mercedes Benz Superdome last night to take on the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason opener.  While the Saints came up short with a final score of 34-25, the game exhibited the talents of back up QB Teddy Bridgewater.  As expected, Bridgewater got plenty of snaps throughout the first half.  Bridgewater spoke in last night’s postgame press conference and says the game was a great learning experience.

Cut 26 (07) and move forward

Statewide incumbents appear to have gotten off pretty easy this year with few high profile, or well-funded challengers signing up to run for their seats. Prominent Republicans sat out this cycle with all statewide offices except for Governor controlled by the party. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says challengers are rare in states with one-party rule.

Cut 3 (11) “…party”

New Orleans city council unanimously bans property owners from renting out homes for Airbnb use unless the home itself is the owner’s primary residence. Supporters say real estate speculators have been buying up historic residential neighborhoods, pricing locals out of owning homes, and drastically cutting the supply of rental units. One man who spoke at the council meeting says it could have unintended consequences.

Cut 14 (6) “…neighborhoods”‘

The ruling also caps the percentage commercial “short term rentals” to 25 percent of the units in a single property, a substantial limit on private business use of Airbnb as well.

A Shreveport woman is accused of intentionally slamming the head of her 23-month old child following a bus accident in an effort to collect an insurance pay day.  State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says the arrest of 38-year-old Deidra Lee comes after an investigation into the incident that took place on a city bus.

Cut 6 (07) “…of the child.”

New Orleans city council unanimously bans property owners from renting out homes for Airbnb use unless the home itself is the owner’s primary residence. Supporters say real estate speculators have been buying up historic residential neighborhoods, pricing locals out of owning homes, and drastically cutting the supply of rental units…

Cut 12 (11) “…New Orleans”

Opponents say the ruling is a violation of property rights.

A Shreveport woman is charged with cruelty to a juvenile and two counts of insurance fraud after a bus accident where she intentionally injured her 23-month old child. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says the arrest of 38-year-old Deidra Lee comes after an investigation into the incident that took place on a city bus.

Cut 7 (09) “…crash that occurred.”

Incumbents got off easy this year with few established candidates set to challenger statewide officeholders. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Gas is down nearly ten cents a gallon over last month in Louisiana as the typical fall gas price reduction appears to be arriving a month early. The average for a gallon in Louisiana is 2.29 a gallon, down from 2.38 last month, and 2.64 this time last year.