23-year-old Vonteeko Anderson has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Ville Platte City Marshal Barry Giglio. Giglio and other law officials were issuing a search warrant at a drug house when shots were fired. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says Anderson was taken into custody and booked on weapon and drug charges…

Cut 3 (05) “…yesterday” 

The city of Minden is set to go in the dark around 10 o’clock tonight. The power outage is due to needed repairs after a fire over the weekend at the Entergy Substation. Mayor Nick Cox says the plan includes setting up a temporary bypass to allow Entergy crews to make the repairs.

Cut 5 (12)  “…with power.”

The outage is expected to last up to six hours.

Office of State Parks officially opened new attractions and upgrades at Bogue Chitto State Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Franklinton today. In addition to upgrades, the 2,000-acre site also added kids’ pump tracks, a bike repair area, and a new restroom. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says there’s also an award-winning mountain bike trail to cater to bike enthusiasts…

Cut 9 (10)  “…the country.”

Colorado State University hurricane forecast team is now changing its weather forecast for the rest of the season.  They are still calling for 18 named storms but say El Nino weather conditions can help suppress hurricane activity.  Researcher Angelie Nieves-Jimenez says warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures can result in an above-average season…

Cut 12 (05) “…the moment” 

The 18 named storms include five named storms that have already formed.

The Republican Party of Louisiana endorses Liz Murrill in the Attorney General’s Race. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Pop icon Taylor Swift is bringing the “Eras Tour” to New Orleans with three shows in October of 2024. Tickets go on sale next week. Swift’s last performance in New Orleans was in 2018. Fans will have to register to buy tickets to the show.

City of Minden officials say the citywide power outage is set for 10 tonight. The blackout is to repair the Entergy substation damaged by a fire over the weekend.  Entergy has been working on a plan to reduce the length of the outage to lessen the inconvenience for residents and businesses with the heat. Mayor Nick Cox asks residents for their patience and understanding…

Cut 7 (09)  “…no doubt.” 

The peak of hurricane season is quickly approaching and today Colorado State University hurricane officials have updated its forecast for the rest of the season. Researcher Angelie Nieves-Jimenez says they are still calling for 18 named storms, which means an active season, despite an El Nino…

Cut 11 (08)  “…it would be”

18 named storms include the five named storms that have already formed, including the unnamed storm in January.

The Louisiana Department of Health is reminding the public to catch up on routine vaccinations with its Operation Immunization campaign. Vaccination rates show a downward trend in Northeast Louisiana. Regional 8 Medical Director Tonya Hunter says it’s never too late to catch up on your vaccinations and protect your health.

Cut 9 (09)  “…we can.”

Small white flags will be placed along roadsides throughout the Monroe area to serve as a reminder to update vaccinations. You can find information about recommended vaccinations at immunizations.la.gov.

8-year-old Alli Glass is being credited with saving her grandfather’s life after a four-wheeling accident Tuesday night. The two were thrown from a four-wheeler and the 83-year-old was pinned underneath in a canal. Sheriff Kevin Cobb says her grandfather is grateful Alli didn’t get hurt after running for help.

Cut 6 (09)  “…him help.”

A Tulane study finds the more you drink, the greater the effect on your blood pressure. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Residents in Minden are bracing for a citywide power outage after a fire damaged the city’s Entergy Gilark substation over the weekend. The blackout is set for 10 pm Thursday and is expected to last up to six hours. Entergy representatives say their priority is to minimize any inconvenience to residents and businesses during the heat.

August is Vaccination Awareness Month and State officials have launched Operation Immunization reminding Louisianans, especially in the Northeast region to get vaccinated. Regional 8 Medical Director Tonya Hunter says vaccinations are crucial for protecting us against crippling diseases

Cut 8 (10) “…diseases.”

Hunter says nine parishes in northeast Louisiana have below-average vaccination rates for children at the age of two.

A Franklin Parish man is on the mend after his eight-year-old granddaughter saved his life Tuesday night. The two were ejected from a four-wheeler when the grandfather was trapped underneath. Sheriff Kevin Cobb Alli Glass knew to prop his head up to keep him from drowning and went for help.

Cut 4 (07)  “…a bind.”

A new study finds a correlation between consuming alcohol and high blood pressure. Co-author of the study Dr. Paul Whelton at Tulane University says the observational study of 20-thousand participants conducted over a 24-year period found a direct connection and even one beer a day can increase your BP.

Cut 13 (06) “…linear relationship.” 

The full study is published in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension.

39-year-old Nelson Montgomery was arrested at Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans for allegedly hurting himself and a flight attendant on an arriving flight Wednesday. Officials say Montgomery hurt himself with a sharp object and then grabbed a flight attendant. Passengers were able to finally stop Montgomery’s attack. The flight attendant was treated at the hospital. Officials say Montgomery was treated with non-life-threatening injuries.

Bass Pro Jake Ormond of Sterlington set a new state record for the biggest longnose gar which he caught on Bayou Bartholomew. It took Ormond finally hooked the large fish after three casts…

Cut 6 (10)  “…too long.” 

The fish was 65 ½-inch and weighed nearly 32 pounds.

And the heat goes on in the Bayou State with another day of excessive heat. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s been one of the worst summers on record for heat.

Cut 12 (10) “…yesterday.” 

He says the 104 high temp August 1^st in the capital city ranks in the top seven for hottest days ever.

The state Department of Education says LEAP scores for third through 12th graders are up for a second consecutive year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Office of Public Health is launching Operation Immunization, an initiative to raise awareness about the importance of immunizations and reverse declining vaccination rates among children in Monroe and other parts of Northeast Louisiana. Nine of the 12 parishes have lower vaccination rates than the statewide average for the common childhood vaccines series at the age of two.

A three-vehicle crash in Assumption Parish claims the life of a Houma woman and her unborn child. Trooper Ross Brennan says 23-year-old Tia Gorrell was traveling north on Highway 308 when she was hit by a 2014 Jeep Wrangler…

Cut 9 (09)  “…the Toyota.”

The investigation revealed that 38-year-old Kendall Dollar was the driver of the Jeep Wrangler. Toxicology results for Gorrell and Dollar are pending.

It’s another day of oppressive heat in the Bayou State. We asked State Climatologist Barry Keim what is causing it and if there is any relief in sight. He says a ridge of high pressure continues to hover over the southeast, it moves in and hangs around for a week baking the area with triple-digit temperatures.

Cut 11 (09)  “…things down.”

Keim says the ridge of high pressure eventually moves out but unfortunately, it’s replaced with another one right behind it.

Pro bass angler Jake Ormond of Sterlington set a new state record for the largest longnose gar ever caught. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (34)  “….I’m Kace Kieschnick.”  

Anyone caught dealing fentanyl in Louisiana could face up to life in prison under a new law that took effect Tuesday. The law’s author, Crowley Representative John Stefanski believes it sends a strong message to drug dealers.

Cut 4 (11)  “…fentanyl distribution.”

Individuals with less than 28 grams of detectable fentanyl face five to 40 years in prison. More than 28 grams for a first offense, seven to 40 years.

A new Louisiana law that makes it illegal to create and distribute pornographic deepfake images that use someone’s likeness onto another person’s body especially minors went into effect this week. Perpetrators could face up to twenty years in prison and also fined no less than ten thousand dollars. Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine says this is a safeguard against potential abuse of technology…

Cut 9 (09)  “…in Louisiana.

US Senator Bill Cassidy’s endorsement of Jeff Landry for governor may help him get back in the good graces of the Republican Party. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Sulphur tight end J-D LaFleur, who is the son of former LSU All-American tight end David LaFleur, has committed to LSU. He’s rated as a three-star prospect for the Class of 2025. The six-foot-six, 220-pounder also received interest from Florida and Texas A-and-M. His father was an All-SEC selection as a senior in 1996.

A new law in Louisiana that increases harsher penalties of up to life in prison for fentanyl possession took effect this week. Bill author Crowley Representative John Stefanski hopes tougher sentencing will help curb the war on drugs…

Cut 5 (10)   “…twenty-five years.”

A second offense is 30 to 40 years.

Anyone caught creating and distributing pornographic deepfake images that show false events could face up to twenty years in prison now. The new law went into effect Tuesday. Senator Jeremy Stine says this type of material causes harm to individuals.

Cut 7 (09) “…picture of.”

A pregnant woman died in a three-vehicle crash in Assumption Parish Tuesday. 23-year-old Tia Gorell of Houma was killed when her 2016 Toyota Corolla was hit by a RAM pulling a camper that was sideswiped by a Jeep. The accident occurred on Highway 308 just south of highway 1011. The other two occupants driving the RAM and Jeep were not seriously injured. The investigation is ongoing.

Bill Cassidy’s endorsement of Jeff Landry for Governor could help Louisiana’s senior U-S Senator score political points with the Republican Party. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says Cassidy does not want a Republican governor who may oppose his re-election efforts……

Cut 12 (12)   “…same team”