A poll paid for by Nexstar Media shows Attorney General Jeff Landry with a big lead over his opponents in the governor’s race. Emerson College Polling surveyed likely voters earlier this week and 40-percent of the respondents support Landry.   Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this poll shows Landry receiving 50-percent of the vote on October 14th is possible

Cut 6 (11) “…cake walk” 

If Landry receives at least 50-percent of the vote in the primary, he can win the race without the need of a run-off.

Discount supermarket chain Aldi is buying 400 Winn-Dixie and Harvey Supermarkets in the south from Southeastern Grocers in a cash deal. LSU Economist Jim Richardson believes for now they will probably keep the familiar red-and-white Winn-Dixie branding.

Cut 4 (10) “…of time.”

Aldi will open a store in Central on August 31 and three stores in Baton Rouge and Marrero are under construction.

On his monthly call-in radio show Governor Edwards briefly discussed the Pardon Board’s scheduling hearings to review clemency applications from 20 different death row inmates. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Republican Tim Temple will be Lousiaina’s next insurance commissioner. Temple’s lone challenger on the October 14th ballot, Rich Weaver, has dropped out of the race. Temple has spent 20 years in the insurance business and will replace the retiring Jim Donelon in January.

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis will make a request for all of the state’s utility companies to pause all disconnections of utilities during the excessive heat.  While it is common for electric utilities to pause disconnects following natural disasters and other emergencies, Lewis believes utilities should understand now is not the time to turn off the power because of non-payment…

Cut 15 (11)  “…for them.”

The Democrat represents 10 parishes, that include Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

A new report by Tulane University gives more insight into the prevalence of violence in the Bayou State. Of the 1,000 adults surveyed, more than half have been physically or sexually assaulted. Newcomb Institute Executive Director Anita Raj led the survey and says the nature of the violence differs among genders.

Cut 8 (09) “…an intimate partner.”

Another common theme among the findings was gun violence. Raj says about one in five Louisianans have been threatened or harmed with a gun in their lifetime.

As for today, triple-digit temperatures are a thing of the past. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Baton Rouge businessman accused in a 2015 murder-for-hire plot against his ex-wife has been found guilty of first-degree murder. The jury reached the verdict for Hamid (A-meed) Ghassemi (Ga-semi) after a trial that lasted several days in Baton Rouge. He hired 3 people to kill his ex-wife, Tahera Ghassemi, and get rid of her body. Prosecutors said he did this over a $1.1 million dollar divorce settlement. A sentencing date for the man is set for Tuesday, September 19th.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a State of Emergency due to extreme heat and dry conditions across the state. Spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Mike Steele, says this is an administrative step that authorizes the use in emergency response efforts..

Cut 13 (09) “…to take place.”

The heat has been responsible for some deaths and visits to emergency rooms have already exceeded the yearly average.

Right now, the Acadiana Region of the Department of Health is hosting a drive to collect hygiene products for students in Iberia and Vermilion Parishes. Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tina Stefanski says items will be collected and delivered to schools throughout Acadiana. She hopes the community joins the efforts of supplying essential hygiene products…

Cut 6 (11)  “…all schools.”

Stefanski says only new and unused items will be accepted. Items can be dropped off at libraries and health units in Iberia and Vermillion Parishes.

While the national average for a gallon of regular gas is the highest it’s been in 10 months at $3.85, in Louisiana, prices have remained steady. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two children died early Monday after the car they were riding in was rear-ended by a semi-truck then caught fire in Richland Parish. State Police say the car was slowing to turn left on Highway 42 in Rayville when the semi driven by 70-year-old James Barnes crashed into the back causing the vehicle to catch fire. A 9-year-old and 7-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. 11:30

A Denham Springs woman has filed a lawsuit against her ex-wife challenging custody of their child. This is the first child custody battle between a divorced same-sex couple in Livingston Parish.  Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says this should be a fairly easy decision for the judge in the case. He calls it “cut and dry”…:

Cut 12 (09) “…Louisiana statute.”

Livingston Parish Judge Erika Green is scheduled to hear the case in early September.

The Louisiana Department of Health is hosting its first back-to-school hygiene drive for students beginning today through September 15 in Acadiana.  Regional Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski says statistics show when students have their needs met, they actually perform better in the classroom. She says the supplies collected are not just for young girls in middle schools…

Cut 5 (08)   “…as well.”

All new and unused items can be dropped off at libraries and health units in Iberia and Vermillion Parishes.

The governor has declared a state of emergency due to the extreme heat. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Police are still searching for an Iberia Parish man who went missing after attending a concert in downtown Baton Rouge. The family of 53-year-old Jeff “Jazzy” Leon is pleading for help after not hearing from him since Friday night. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and a red baseball cap and was driving a tan 2008 Ford Expedition with chrome rims. Anyone with information on Leon’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

Incumbent Mike Strain stood as the lone candidate for Louisiana’s Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner when qualifying for fall elections ended last week. Strain believes it’s a compliment to his team and his work to help farmers.

Cut 10 (10) “…this term.”

The Republican veterinarian from Covington says moving forward, he plans to resolve issues to make the agriculture industry work for farmers statewide…

Students statewide are officially back in school and transitioning to a new school year may be a challenge. But health care experts have some advice for parents to help get kids adjusted. Children’s Hospital New Orleans Pediatrician Dr. Anthony Hudson says if they’ve been lax with bedtime, it’s time to re-adjust sleep schedules…

Cut 4 (10)  “…summer months.”

He suggests feeding foods that are higher in protein and fats to give the kids energy for a longer period of time.

Just over half of the candidates for the Louisiana legislature will have to campaign for office. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A man from Independence is booked amid allegations he was responsible for starting a massive fire in Washington Parish last Thursday night. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture says 24-year-old Kenneth Beaubouf was tending to a fire while camping and left it unattended where it later spread into the woods nearby. He is booked with burn ban violation and fire-raising with criminal negligence.

Campaigning for the October 14^th primary is officially underway and less than half of legislative candidates will have to hit the trail because they’re unopposed. But La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are still plenty of competitive legislative races around the state.

Cut 7 (10) “…legislative history.”

Alford says it depends on who’s elected governor and how that will factor in who becomes Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.  For the last eight years, he says lawmakers have been working towards independence to elect their own leaders.

School is back in session and health care experts are offering some advice to families to help children get back into a regular routine. Children’s Hospital New Orleans Pediatrician Dr. Anthony Hudson advises parents to carve out time to allow children to talk. He says kids need direct communication.

Cut 6 (11)  “…to us.”

Hudson also suggests feeding foods that are higher in protein and fats to give the kids energy for a longer period of time.

After qualifying wrapped up last week, Republican Mike Strain ran unopposed for Louisiana’s Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner. Strain says moving forward, he plans to resolve issues to make the agriculture industry work for farmers statewide…

Cut 11 (11) “…the world.”

The Republican veterinarian from Covington began his first term in 2008 and became the first Republican to hold the post.

Faculty and staff at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville will participate in active shooter training ahead of the fall semester. Chief of Campus Security, John Dauzat (Doe-zaunt) says they train their faculty first on how to respond to a number of different active shooter scenarios.

Cut 15 (07)  “…their lead.”

The university is using the RAVE Guardian App which is an alert system to notify them of any potential security threats at the school. The training is held as part of the faculty’s fall workshop.

The Saints have signed former Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants linebacker Jaylen Smith to a contract that will have him play in New Orleans for the 2023 season. The Saints were expected to sign former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, but he left the city without a contract and went on to visit other teams.

The Saints first preseason game is on Sunday at noon against the Kansas City Chiefs and the team plans on having the first team to take reps a portion of the game. Listed among the first team on the unofficial depth chart was tight end Taysom Hill. Hill typically plays multiple positions for the team and he says that he can do whatever is asked of him.

Cut 19 (19) “…stay ready.”

The Saints also added tight end Jimmy Graham to the roster over the offseason. Both players caught passes from former quarterback Drew Brees and Hill says he is soaking up as much as he can from the Graham now that he is back in New Orleans.

A few LSU football players will speak to the media today after today’s practice, but yesterday offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock was the one who addressed the media. Denbrock says that the much of the team’s success will be on the shoulders of fifth-year senior quarterback Jayden Daniels and Denbrock has seen the QB spread the ball out to his weapons on offense.

Cut 16 (18) “…on the football.”

One of the targets for Jayden Daniels is 1,000 yard receiver Malik Nabors, and Denbrock says what the receiver has done to get better in the offseason.

Cut 17 (14) “…skills necessary.”

The Louisiana Pardon Board is moving forward with clemency hearings for 20 of the 56 cases from death row prisoners a day after Governor John Bel Edward’s request. Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Loren Lampert says the limited time frame for the cases to be reviewed before Edwards leaves office in January presents another issue.

Cut 6 (08)  “…unassailable.”

The 20 cases are scheduled to be heard between October 13 and November 27.

The National Federation of Independent Business’s latest report shows hiring qualified individuals remains a top business concern. NFIB director Dawn McVea says inflation has eased slightly and some small business owners believe the worst is behind them.

Cut 9 (07)  “…for everybody.”

42-percent of owners report job openings are hard to fill, which is a historically high percentage

Qualifying ended yesterday for the governor’s race and the seven major candidates we expected to run have qualified and their names will appear on the October 14th ballot. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry continues to be in a great position to get in the November runoff…

Cut 10 (11) “…most of em.”

Early voting for the October 14th election begins September 30th.

A group of West Carroll Parish cheerleaders have been selected to participate in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade but they need help with funding their travel to the Big Apple. Angela Johnson, the mom of Ashley Johnson – one of the cheerleaders, says the Oak Grove High School squad is extremely talented but it also requires money…

Cut 14 (11)  “…kinda thing.” 

A Livingston Parish high school has been placed on lockdown after a reported bomb threat on the first day of school. Denham Springs High students have been placed in the school’s gym as law enforcement secure the campus grounds. This is a developing story…

Louisiana District Attorneys Association reacts to Governor Edwards’ letter to the Board of Pardons to hear clemency applications. Brooke Thorington has more.

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The monthly survey of small business owners nationwide finds that labor quality remains the biggest concern. National Federation of Independent Business director Dawn McVea says 42-percent of owners report job openings are hard to fill, which is a historically high percentage…

Cut 7 (07) “…for work.”

McVea says labor quality has been an issue the since the pandemic started. She says there are a couple of theories on why…

Oak Grove High School cheerleaders have been chosen to participate in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade but they need help raising money to help fund their travel to the Big Apple. Angela Johnson, one of the girls’ mom, says it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to show their talents and the squad is committed…

Cut 15 (09)  “…trip happen.”

If you’d like to donate, contact Oak Grove High directly.

The field in the governor’s race for the upcoming election is officially closed with no big surprises in the field. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry still has a major leg up on the other candidates who don’t have much time to build name recognition…:
CUT 12 (11) “everybody”
Early voting for the October 14th election begins September 30th.

The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says the body armor clad suspects they were chasing in a car that was allegedly stolen early Thursday morning were going about 100 miles per hour when they struck a tree leaving three occupants dead. One of the suspects is in critical condition. The matter remains under investigation.

In the latest survey of small business owners, finding good workers still remains their biggest issue. National Federation of Independent Business director Dawn McVea says 42 percent of owners report job openings are hard to fill, but their optimism is gradually rising..
Cut 9 (07) “…for everybody.”

Cheerleaders from Oak Grove High School will take part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but need help to make it happen. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”