The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state hit an employment record for the month of June. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says Lafayette had added 200 over the last month.

Cut 15 (09) “to work”

A cadet with LDWF has died at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge, a day after being rushed to the facility.  LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says 38-year-old Immanuel Washington of Youngsville collapsed following a 2.5 mile run as part of physical training.  Einck says Washington had vital signs when EMTs arrived.

Cut 11 (10) “…passed away yesterday.”

Einck says Washington, who is a former Youngsville police officer, had been training to be an LDWF enforcement officer for a little less than a month.  Washington leaves behind a wife and two small children.

LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC West, according to journalists who attended the SEC Football Media Days. Alabama is once again the favorite in the West followed by Auburn, Mississippi State and Texas A-and-M. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says fifth place is even lower than he projected….

It’s the lowest LSU has been picked since the 1990s. Moran says LSU’s difficult schedule is contributing the low expectations…

Cut 4  (14) “…under Dan Mullen.”

Moran says LSU’s biggest question marks are at quarterback and wide receiver, but the defense could be one of the best in the SEC…

Cut 5  (10) “in skilled positions”

Linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams are first-team all SEC preseason selections.

LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC West, according to journalists who attended the SEC Football Media Days. Alabama is once again the favorite in the West followed by Auburn, Mississippi State and  Texas A-and-M. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says fifth place is even lower than he projected….

Cut 3 (:13) “…Jimbo Fisher’s first year.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state hit an employment record for the month of June. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says the state added nearly 37-thousand jobs from June 2017 to bring the total number of jobs to 2,036,316…

Cut 13 (10) “…as well” 

The last three major candidates for the Secretary of State’s special election in November have qualified to run for the positioned vacated by Tom Schedler after sexual harassment allegations led to his resignation. Representatives Rick Edmonds, Julie Stokes, and a man that, before this afternoon, said he wasn’t running, interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin are now in the special election race.  The office became available after former Secretary of State Tom Schedler resigned in the wake of sexual harassment and stalking allegations involving his former secretary. The high profile resignation lead to calls for an overhaul of state sexual harassment policies. Stokes says if elected, she won’t let that kind of behavior happen on her watch.

Cut 8 (11) “fellow personel”

While primarily considered an elections office, the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for helping new businesses get their paperwork to get started. Edmonds says if elected, he’d work with the department to do more to facilitate business growth in the state.

cut 9 (11)  “with mayors”

Today is the last day to qualify for November elections.

Media that cover the SEC predict LSU will finish fifth in the SEC West. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A cadet with LDWF has died at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge, a day after being rushed to the facility.  LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says 38-year-old Immanuel Washington of Youngsville collapsed following a 2.5 mile run as part of physical training.  Washington, who is a former Youngsville police officer, had been training to be an LDWF enforcement officer for a little less than a month.

Cut 12 (09)   “…with his family.”

Washington leaves behind a wife and two small children.

The last two major candidates for the Secretary of State’s special election in November have qualified to run for the positioned vacated by Tom Schedler after sexual harassment allegations led to his resignation. Representatives Rick Edmonds and Julie Stokes are now in the special election race. Stokes, a Kenner Republican, says her top priority for the job would be election security.

Cut 6 (13)  “the state.”

Secretary of State is responsible for state elections, along with new business registration.

Edmonds, a Baton Rouge Republican, also led with election security as the biggest issue take on if he were to be elected. He says one way he’d address potential vulnerabilities in the election system would be by purchasing the best, most secure voting machines money can buy.

Cut 7 (08)  “best protection.”

The last two major candidates for the Secretary of State’s special election in November have qualified to run for the positioned vacated by Tom Schedler after sexual harassment allegations led to his resignation. Representatives Rick Edmonds and Julie Stokes are now in the special election race. Stokes, a Kenner Republican, says her top priority for the job would be election security.

Cut 6 (13)  “the state.”

Secretary of State is responsible for state elections, along with new business registration.

Edmonds, a Baton Rouge Republican, also led with election security as the biggest issue take on if he were to be elected. He says one way he’d address potential vulnerabilities in the election system would be by purchasing the best, most secure voting machines money can buy.

Cut 7 (08)  “best protection.”

Media that cover the SEC predict LSU will finish fifth in the SEC West. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A cadet with LDWF has died at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge, a day after being rushed to the facility.  LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says 38-year-old Immanuel Washington of Youngsville collapsed following a 2.5 mile run as part of physical training.  Washington, who is a former Youngsville police officer, had been training to be an LDWF enforcement officer for a little less than a month.

Cut 12 (09)   “…with his family.”

Washington leaves behind a wife and two small children.

A Shreveport woman has sustained life threatening injuries after authorities discover she hadn’t left her couch in months. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Get ready for a scorcher. Temps are expected to sit in the mid-90s to low triple digits across the state through Tuesday as a high pressure system blows away any semblance of cloud cover. That kind of heat is deadly serious. State Climatologist Barry Keim says for the next few days, plan on staying indoors.

Cut 6 (08) “a bit.”

Dog Feces, Rodents, Flies… just some of the reasons the Louisiana Department of Health has given for the closure of a Shreveport fish market.  Regional Medical Director Administrator at LDH, Dr. Martha Whyte says the decision to shut down the Dupont Fish Market comes after months of working with the business.

Cut 7 (05) “…the last few months.”

LDH says the Dupont Fish Market can only reopen when all cited violations are corrected.

Governor John Bel Edwards has responded with a letter of his own after Attorney General Jeff Landry criticized the governor for allegedly refusing to go through with executions in the state. Edwards responded by saying that executions are not being carried out, because the only drugs that the legislature has authorized for lethal injection haven’t been accessible since 2010.

Cut 13 (08)  “not available.”

Louisiana, It’s gonna be a hot one. Becca Dill let’s you know how bad it’ll get this weekend.

Cut 1 (28)  I’m Becca Dill“

__________________________________

A Shreveport fish market has been shut down by Louisiana Department of Health after months of critical violations.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

__________________________________

A Shreveport woman is sustained life threatening injuries after authorities discover she hadn’t left he coach in months. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

It’s going to be really hot over the next few days. Temperatures are expected to sit in the mid-90s to low triple digits across the state through Tuesday as a high pressure system blows away any semblance of cloud cover. State Climatologist Barry Keim says those clear skies are going to combine with remarkably high humidity to create almost unbearable conditions.

Cut 4  (12) “imagine that.”

With heat indexes easily over 100 and approaching 110 for the weekend, Louisiana could be facing record temperatures for the year. Keim says he expects it to even outpace the record heat we saw a few weeks back.

Cut 5  (11)  “tad worse.”

That kind of heat is deadly serious. Keim says for the next few days, plan on staying indoors.

Cut 6 (08) “a bit.”

__________________________________

Dog Feces, Rodents, Flies… just some of the reasons the Louisiana Department of Health has given for the closure of a Shreveport fish market.  Regional Medical Director Administrator at LDH, Dr. Martha Whyte says the decision to shut down the Dupont Fish Market comes after months of working with the business.

Cut 7 (05) “…the last few months.”

No one has reported any illnesses stemming from the fish market’s short comings.  But Whyte said the agency was working in an effort to prevent that from happening.

Cut 8 (08)  “…had to close them.”

LDH regularly works with businesses, performing more than 79,000 retail food inspections annually.  Whyte adds the agency swiftly responds to the public’s suggestions for inspections as well.

Cut 9 (11)  “…your local health department.”

In order to reopen, the Dupont Fish Market must correct all cited violations.

_______________________________________

A 66-year-old Shreveport man is under arrest after authorities arrived at his house and discovered his wife on the couch, unresponsive, severely malnourished, and suffering from crippling injuries sustained from allegedly not moving from the couch in months. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says when Johnny Essary let first responders into the house, they were shocked.

Cut 10 (08)   “ever seen.”

Authorities arrived after a relative of 68-year-old Alice Essary called for a wellness check. Chadwick says Mr. Essary had been feeding and watching his wife on the couch for the duration, and never informed anyone else of his wife’s condition.

Cut 11 (08) “the time” 

Mr. Essary was charged with Cruelty to a Persons with Infirmities after deputies determined that it was a case of severe neglect. Chadwick says he should have alerted authorities.

Cut 12 (10) “this bad.”

Chadwick says if you or anyone you know noticed someone, particularly someone elderly, has dropped out of social life, report it to police.

_________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has responded with a letter of his own after Attorney General Jeff Landry criticized the governor for allegedly refusing to go through with executions in the state. Edwards responded by saying that executions are not being carried out, because the only drugs that the legislature has authorized for lethal injection haven’t been accessible since 2010.

Cut 13 (09)  “not available 

Sessions accused the Edwards Administration of refusing to communicate with the AG’s office about potential solutions to the execution backlog. Edwards says his office hasn’t received any communications from the AG’s office in over a year.

Cut 14 (10) “little bit”

Landry made his views known on the death penalty last night on twitter, saying “This is simple: I support the death penalty – by lethal injection, gas, hanging, and firing squad. Does the Governor?” Edwards had some comments on yesterday’s twitter blast.

Cut 15 (06) “Louisianans”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections launched an investigation and shakedown following the deaths of two offenders on Wednesday night at Louisiana State Penitentiary, believed to be linked to drug use.  Following the discovery of the men, prison staff conducted a search finding contraband such as synthetic marijuana, amphetamines, a cell phone, and a small pocket knife.  The investigation is ongoing.

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has been named to the conference committee that will try to resolve differences in the Senate and House’s Farm Bill. The Farm Bill sets agriculture policy for the next five years, and also houses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.  Abraham says he’ll be pushing the conference committee, made up of select House Representatives and Senators, to adopt a program he’s pushing that would facilitate educational and vocational training for SNAP beneficiaries.

Cut 4  (11) “for that.”

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation is lashing out against US Senate Democrats who blocked a House resolution from Congressman Clay Higgins that endorses the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE. Higgins says the movement to abolish ICE endangers national security and threatens ICE agents.

cut 9 (09)  “American citizens”

Friday is the deadline for Louisiana homeowners who had flood damage in 2016 to fill out a survey to participate in the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. The governor’s Communications Director Shauna Sanford says 52,500 homeowners have completed the survey that can result in federal assistance for home repairs…

Cut 12 (09)   “…over the phone”

Friday is the deadline for Louisiana homeowners who had flood damage in 2016 to fill out a survey to participate in the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. The governor’s Communications Director Shauna Sanford says those that have not yet completed the survey may be hesitant to do so, due to receiving other forms of government assistance.

Cut 13 (11) “…from the Restore.” 

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation is lashing out against US Senate Democrats who blocked a House resolution from Congressman Clay Higgins that endorses the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE. Higgins says the movement to abolish ICE endangers national security.

cut 9 (09)  “American citizens”

ICE has become a controversial agency in recent months, as the agency that has been tasked with carrying out the Trump Administration’s immigration policies such as family separations and detainment of asylum seekers. Immigrant activist say the agency is being used to terrorize immigrant communities.

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has been named to the conference committee that will try to resolve differences in the Senate and House’s Farm Bill. Farm Bill discussions are hitting just as the Chinese trade war ramps up, with the eastern power targeting US agricultural products in response to the Trump Administration’s initial round of tariffs. Abraham says while that trade war heats up, he wants to make sure Louisiana growers are protected.

Cut 5  (10) “these tariffs”

Abraham says he’s also looking to enforce work requirements for food stamps, which fall under the Farm Bill. The current Farm Bill expires at the end of September.

66-year-old Johnny Essary has been arrested in Shreveport after authorities say they discovered that his wife had not moved from their couch in months, leaving her malnourished and suffering from substantial, life threatening injuries. Essary was arrested and charged with Cruelty to Persons with Infirmities for what police say was his neglect of his wife.

In an open letter from Attorney General Jeff Landry to Governor John Bel Edwards, Landry blamed the governor for the lack of executions in the state since 2010.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Much of the state will be under a heat advisory this afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mario Valverde says it will be even warmer tomorrow, with triple digit readings in north and central Louisiana…
cut 16 (06) “….D-F-W area”

The intense heat will remain in place over the weekend.

Bayou Bridge protesters attempted to break into the Louisiana Radio Network studios, site of the monthly Ask the Governor talk show, to demand an audience with Governor Edwards. Protesters rushed the Governor on his way into the show, and surrounded the studios for the duration of the program, reiterating their call for the state to build an additional evacuation route out of St. James, because they feel the current one is compromised by the pipeline. A No Bayou Bridge Organizer at the action explained their position.

Cut 12 (10) “evacuation route.”

the Bayou Bridge pipeline runs from Lake Charles to St. James Parish. Opponents say it infringes on native territory, and is a danger to water sources.

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has been named to the conference committee that will try to resolve differences in the Senate and House’s Farm Bill. The Farm Bill sets agriculture policy for the next five years, and also houses SNAP. Abraham says he’s looking for big changes to the food stamp program.

Cut 3 (07) “to work.”

Bayou Bridge protesters attempted to break into the Louisiana Radio Network studios, site of the monthly Ask the Governor talk show, to demand an audience with Governor Edwards over his decisions regarding the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, and the community of St. James’ fear that the project would strand citizens in the event of chemical accident. The protesters are part of the No Bayou Bridge movement that opposes the construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline that runs from Lake Charles to St. James Parish. Governor Edwards reiterated his support for the project, saying the state’s economy is reliant on pipelines such as Bayou Bridge, a pipeline that could lead to hundreds of jobs.

Cut 13 (09)  “remain employed 

A heat advisory has been issued for the northern half of the state as the heat index values could reach 110 degrees. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mario Valverde in Shreveport says being too active in this kind of heat could lead to some serious health issues.

Cut 17 (11)  “…die from this”

A LSU PdH student is working out a new hurricane model that will combine rainfall and storm surge to better predict just how far the waters could rise when a storm hits. Felix Santiago-Collazo says old models can be time and labor intensive, and don’t always give you a full picture.

Cut 4  (11) “hydrologists.”

Felix hails from Puerto Rico, and survived the devastating Hurricane Maria that left his hometown without power for nearly a month. He says the experience inspired him.

In an open letter from Attorney General Jeff Landry to Governor John Bel Edwards, Landry blamed the governor for the lack of executions in the state since 2010, saying victims’ families suffer in legal limbo while waiting for justice to be carried out. Solicitor general with the AG’s office, Liz Murril, says it’s time to expand execution methods.

Cut 10 (08)   “…it’s a problem.”