Louisiana lawmakers have decided to return to the State Capitol on Tuesday for a veto override session. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says Governor Edwards veto of the legislation that prohibits gender-affirming care for transgender children was the trigger to bring lawmakers back…

Cut 4 (07)  “…canvassing bill” 

The veto override session starts Tuesday and will end Saturday.

58-year-old Johnny Neely has been arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder, hate crimes, home invasion and a bench warrant after allegedly attacking a black Melville priest Thursday night. Police Chief Phillip Lucas says the investigation is ongoing and the machete attack has shaken the community.

Cut 8 (09)  “…in custody.” 

Lucas says Neely of Melville had been walking around town looking for work and that he has a history of being in and out of jail.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed four legislations into law that would aid cancer patients in getting the treatments they need. Former state Rep. Julie Stokes is now with the Louisiana Oncology Society and the Survivors Cancer Action Network. She says the bills help assure care without unneeded exclusions and help keep covered treatments in pace with developing medical technologies…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…from last year.”

The new law also requires insurance to approve whatever oncologists prescribe as treatment.

Grand Coteau police chief Jeffrey Guilbeau has been arrested after authorities received a tip that he was involved in the use and distribution of illegal drugs. St Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Guilbeau confessed to his involvement…

Cut 12 (05) “…been doing.” 

Guilbeau is charged with distribution, theft, obstruction of justice, and malfeasance in office.

Lawmakers decided at midnight Thursday to head back to the Capitol for an override veto session scheduled to take place at noon on Tuesday. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it will take a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate to override any of the governor’s vetoes…

Cut 5 (11)  “…will get there.”

Twelve members of the Senate and 31 members of the House voted to cancel the override veto session. The override veto session is scheduled to take five days.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette celebrates its 125^th anniversary today. It was July 14, 1898, when the governor signed an act to establish Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, now known as ULL. University president Dr. Joseph Savoie (Sav-wa) says a recent economic impact study indicates ULL has a $2.7 billion dollar impact in the state…

Cut 14 (12)  “…big difference.”

ULL will be holding activities commemorating the school’s 125 birthday throughout the year. For a listing visit Louisiana-dot-edu-forward-slash 125.

A macheted attack on a priest in St. Landry Parish last night leaves a small town in shock. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

As expected, state lawmakers are coming back for a veto override session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Current Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Shreveport this afternoon to discuss the future of the former General Motors assembly plant. According to the USA Today Network the economic development announcement could mean 600 new jobs.

The small town of Melville in St. Landry Parish is in shock after a man used a machete and attacked a priest. Police Chief Phillip Lucas says Johnny Neeley of Melville is in custody after the alleged attack of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church priest.

Cut 6 (12)  “…machete knife.” 

The priest is listed in critical condition following the attack.

Hot summer heat can have negative effects on your plants. An LSU Ag Center Horticulture expert recommends ways to keep your leafy friends cool and healthy during the summer months. Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist Heather Kirk-Ballard says putting plants in shaded areas and keeping them saturated can help…

Cut 10 (12) “…the heat.”

Kirk-Ballard also suggests a little liquid fertilizer for container plants but don’t overdo it.

Louisiana lawmakers have decided to return to the State Capitol for an override veto session on Tuesday. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the governor’s veto of a bill to ban gender-affirming care of transgender minors has motivated Conservative lawmakers to hold a veto session for a third consecutive year…

Cut 4 (07)  “…canvassing bill” 

Governor Edwards vetoed 25 bills.

Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the nation, has been approved by The Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Nicole Freehill, Assistant Professor of Clinical OB/GYN at LSU Health New Orleans says when used as directed, the pill has the highest prevention rate among over-the-counter contraceptives.

Cut 6 (09)  “…that’s available.”

The Opill is expected to be widely available at the beginning of 2024.

Attorney General Jeff Landry holds a large lead in many of the polls in the field for the governor’s race among voters. The poll was conducted for the non-partisan good government group, Citizens For a New Louisiana. CFNL director Michael Lunsford says the survey of over 600 likely voters was done between July 6^th and 10^th…:

Cut 7 (08) “…in the 20′s here.”

The primary is set for Oct. 14 with the general election on Nov. 18.

Sweltering heat can be a huge stressor on plants. An LSU Ag Center Horticulture expert has some tips to help your plants beat the summer heat. Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist Heather Kirk-Ballard says it begins with simple practices like keeping them cool and saturated…

Kirk-Ballard says mulching is also a simple yet effective technique to keep plants cool and conserve moisture. She also urges plant lovers to set up alternative care when away from home…

Cut 12 (12)    “…our plants.” 

Kirk-Ballard suggests the best time to water plants is early in the morning or early evening.

Lawmakers will return to the State Capitol for an override veto session on Tuesday. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says Governor Edwards vetoed 26 bills and items in the state’s operating budget and construction budget

Cut 3 (12) “….vote as well” 

Lawmakers had until midnight Thursday to cancel the veto session, but the votes fell short of a majority vote needed in either the House or Senate.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved Opill, the first-ever over-the-counter once-a-day birth control pill.  Unlike other forms of birth control that cause blood clots, Dr. Nicole Freehill, Assistant Professor of Clinical OB/GYN at LSU Health New Orleans says Opill lessens the risk…

Cut 5 (07)   “…progesternone are.”

The Opill is expected to be available at the beginning of 2024.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette turns 125 today. University president Dr. Joseph Savoie says the university continues to make an economic impact in the state…

Cut 14 (12)  “…big difference.”

State Police are searching for the individual who hit and killed a pedestrian and fled today on U.S. Highway 90 in Terrebonne Parish. Troop C spokesman Ross Brennan says they received calls about a man walking on the divided highway. He says the speed limit is around 70, and it is not safe for walkers…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…in the left lane.”

The unknown male victim was taken to a New Orleans hospital, where he later died.

LDWF Artificial Reef Program has deployed its first-ever Fish Attracting Device (FAD) buoys in the Gulf of Mexico. The device is located 30 miles southeast of Venice.  Artificial Reef Coordinator Mike McDonough says the device gives fishers an idea of where they can cast their rods for larger fish…

Cut 7 (07)  “… billfish…” 

Will lawmakers return for a veto override session next week? We know tomorrow. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

No Powerball winner last night. That means the jackpot will roll over for Saturday’s drawing; worth an estimated $875-million. Selecting a lump-sum cash payment would still get you about $441-million. The odds of your ticket being a winner are about 1 in 290-million.

Louisiana Right to Life is holding a “Celebration for Adoption” event today at the capital and honoring Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds for sponsoring the Adoption Tax Credit legislation. Edmonds says he presented House Bill 443 to help those who are pro-life and give adoptive parents an incentive.

Cut 5 (10)   “…State of Louisiana.”

Garth Brooks will headline the first Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff concert at the Superdome, and he isn’t alone…

Cut 13 (08) “…good time.” 

The last time Brooks played in the Bayou State was April of last year in front of a sold crowd at Tiger Stadium and the seven-time winner of the CMA Entertainer of the Year says he’s game to play the kickoff every year.

A new poll on the governor’s race shows Jeff Landry dominating his opponents but it also shows voters are hopeless when it comes to state government. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

LSU Forward Angel Reese won Best Breakthrough Athlete at the 2023 EPSY awards last night. Reese helped the Tigers to win the 2023 Women’s NCAA Championship earlier this year. In her speech, Reese told the fans another one is coming.

The latest poll on the Governor race shows Jeff Landry dominating the field by double digits. The poll shows 55 percent of those surveyed feel the state is going in the wrong direction. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says this should be concerning for anyone running for office this fall…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…the state budget.”

The poll was conducted by Citizens For a New Louisiana.

As students prepare to return back to school, the Louisiana Department of Education launches its first hurricane preparedness playbook to help school systems prepare for the peak of hurricane season. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says this serves as a tool to address several areas on how to protect students and staff before, during, and after a hurricane…

Cut 8 (12) “…damage assessment.’”

Brumley says a playbook of this kind did not exist when he became superintendent in 2020.

Country music superstar Garth Brooks is heeding the call and headed to New Orleans for the inaugural Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff on September 2^nd. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There was no winner in last night’s massive Powerball drawing which now grows to an estimated $875 million dollars. That’s an estimated $441 million lump sum cash value before tax.

School and athletic events are required to have an AED thanks to a bill from Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields. He says he’d been working on the “Jump Start Your Heart” legislation prior to the collapse of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in January during the Cincinnati Bengals game. He says the incident only highlighted the need for AEDs and CPR training.

Cut  18 (10)  “…nation.”

Baton Rouge insurance professional Tim Temple, who is running for insurance commissioner, has announced he will start buying statewide media ads to promote his candidacy. Temple says he has been traveling the state since he announced last fall, but the time has come to invest in a broader message…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…in this campaign.”

After pleading not guilty to a felony charge of battery, Saints running back Alvin Kamara pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace for his involvement in a 2022 fight in Las Vegas. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A 14-year-old juvenile has been charged with negligent homicide in what police are calling the accidental shooting death of a 13-year-old female in Hammond last weekend. The shooting happened in a home in the 1200 block of Willow Street. The investigation is ongoing.