An LSU grad student left a vulgar voicemail on the phone of Houma Senator Michael who voted in favor of the governor’s veto of a legislation that prohibits medical procedures that changes the sexual identity of a minor. Authorities say Marcus Venable has been identified as the caller…

Cut 3 (10) “…already suffering”     

Venable taught a class at LSU as a grad assistant. The university says Venable will not be able to teach at the university but can continue his studies.

Mental health officials are celebrating the anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that launched a year ago. State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas says the number of calls increased by 11 percent and they’ve added more counselors from the Bayou State.

Cut 6 (11)  “Louisianans face.” 

The in-state answer rate rose from 64 percent in June 2022 to 91 percent over the last year. Thomas says the previous seven-digit number was shortened to easy-to-remember 988.

The media at SEC Media Days has picked LSU to finish second and placed Alabama on top – winning the SEC West. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes the Tigers should be the preseason favorites to win the West…

Cut 12 (08) “…none of that.” 

Gas prices are up by about 5 cents since last week to a statewide average of $3.18 a gallon for regular gasoline. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says demand for gasoline has decreased about 10% since the Fourth of July, but prices are rising despite the fall…

Cut 9 (12)  “…on production.”

A state senator receives a profanity-laced voicemail after voting to override the governor’s veto on a bill to ban sex-altering medical procedures on minors. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

33-year-old Gabrielle Breax of New Iberia and her unborn child were killed when the vehicle she was riding in collided with an alligator crossing the road. Authorities say Breaux’s truck plowed into the gator on State Highway 35 near Corpus Christi. Breaux was seven months pregnant.

Mental health officials celebrate the first anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas says the goal is to remove barriers to make a connection with residents statewide…

Cut 7 (08)  “…childhood education.” 

OBH launched an awareness campaign in May that included a 988 dashboard. The lifeline offers specialized support to veterans and their families, Spanish speakers, LGBTQ+ youth, and deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

The 2023 football season is right around the corner, and the media at SEC Media Days has picked Alabama to win the SEC West over LSU, who was picked to finish second. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says LSU has shown they can win at Alabama…

Cut 13 (09) “…in Tiger Stadium.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces as of May 31^st, over 17 thousand homeowner insurance policies have been written by companies that took advantage of the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, and St. Charles are the top five parishes for new policies. Donelon says…

Cut 6 (11)  “…of Citizens.”

The federal government announces nearly 300 thousand acres in the Gulf of Mexico will be auctioned off in the first offshore wind lease sale on August 29^th.  Lacey McManus Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans Inc. says the business community has anticipated this moment

Cut 7 (08) “…into place.”

More than 102 thousand acres offshore from Lake Charles and two areas of about 100 thousand acres each near Galveston are under consideration.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is weighing in on the 56 clemency requests sent to the Louisiana Pardon Board from death row inmates.  He says there are emergency circumstances like an execution date, but that doesn’t apply in this situation…

Cut 11 (11)  “…follow the rules.”

Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel says the pardon board can also waive its rules, including the rule that requests need to be filed within one year after the last denied appeal. She says that rule has been waived before in death penalty cases…

Cut 13 (13) “…direct appeal” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued an opinion that advises Louisiana Pardon Board not to hear clemency requests sent by over 50 death row inmates who have filed. He says the pardon board has more than 400 applications to review before getting to death row inmates who are hoping Governor Edwards lessens their punishment to life in prison

Cut 10 (06) “…are pending.”

But Capital Appeals Project Executive Director Cecelia Kappel, says there’s a major conflict of interest….

Cut 12 (12)    “…clemency requests” 

Kappel says the pardon board can also waive its rules, including the rule that requests need to be filed within one year after their last denied appeal. She says that rule has been waived before in death penalty cases…

The first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind energy power lease sale has been approved by the federal government. About 300 thousand acres near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas will be auctioned off on August 29th. Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans Inc. Lacey McManus says building wind farms may be a way off but Louisiana workers are ready.

Cut 9 (09)  “…do this.”

The areas could turn wind energy into nearly 4 gigawatts of electricity each year. A sale notice can be found in the Federal Register.

Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House Republican Tanner Magee says he will not run for re-election. Magee says he’s proud to help secure funds for rural roads and flood control projects in his district. But he says special interest groups have gained too much control…

Cut 16 (11) “..just a game”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy secures $28 million in annual appropriations bills for the state and $2.4 million will be used to upgrade equipment for the New Orleans Criminal Justice Crime Lab. The funding also includes $5 million for a new USDA Sugarcane Research Facility in Houma and $4.5 million to provide law enforcement in St. Landry and Grant Parishes with the equipment they need. Cassidy says…

Cut 6 (12)  “…it better.”

The bills will be a part of a year-end funding package and will receive a Senate vote soon.

It’s quite on the set for Hollywood South as the Writers Guild of America and the Screenwriters Guild labor strike continues. Louisiana Entertainment and Digital Interactive Media Director Chris Stelly says despite the setbacks, they will continue to fund solutions to keep the industry prepared…

Cut 11 (08)  “…training endeavors.”

Former LSU Tennis great Neal Skupski and his partner Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands claimed the Wimbledon Men’s Doubles title Saturday. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

LSU Tigers Womens Basketball superstar Angel Reese has been selected by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to promote ZOA, Johnson’s energy drink. Reese has become one of the top NIL earners, signing with Sports Illustrated, Amazon, and other brands.

Louisiana Republican-controlled Legislature overrode the governor’s veto of a bill that would prohibit doctors from performing sex-altering procedures on minors. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (43)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

A woman in Baton Rouge accused of killing her boyfriend and dumping him at a city park over the weekend is now a suspect in the 2021 murder of her ex-boyfriend. On Saturday, authorities begin investigating the death of 34-year-old Christopher Holden. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 42-year-old Janice Frazier then admitted to murdering Emanie Anderson 2 years ago….:

Cut 8 (05) “…Mr. Anderson.’”

Frazier now faces two second-degree murder charges.

The Office of State Parks launches a pilot project that helps visitors to recyclable aluminum cans and plastic bottles at four different state parks. Pontchartrain Conservancy Executive Director Kristi Trail says recyclable bins did not exist in state parks prior to this initiative …

Cut 11 (08)  “…the park.”

The program has rolled out at the Fontainebleau, Fairview-Riverside, Tickfaw, and Bogue Chitto.