A massive cyberattack could possibly impact your financial and personal accounts. Brooke Thorington has more

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

SWEPCO – north Louisiana’s electric utility company – has discharged linemen to assess and restore utilities from more than 237,000 customers impacted by severe thunderstorms in northwest Louisiana. Crews are also working to support four regional hospitals in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Marshall and Longview Texas.

LSU Tigers is in the C-W-S for the first time since 2017 and the target is bringing home the school’s seventh national championship. The Tigers have the best pitcher in college baseball in Paul Skenes. Skenes is also a good hitter but Coach Jay Johnson says having him focus on pitching has brought out the best in Skenes

Cut 3 (11) “…mastered that”

Skenes is expected to start on the mound Saturday night when LSU begins play in the C-W-S.

Gas prices in Louisiana are down at the pump by nearly a dollar and a half compared to last year’s record-high gas prices. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the drop is due to the price of oil and ease in demand.

Cut 7 (09)  “…initially anticipated” 

The national average for regular gas is $3.58 a gallon.

A number of government agencies including the Office of Motor Vehicles, major businesses, and organizations have been hit by a major cyber attack – the MOVEit data breach. Governor John Bel Edwards was briefed on the incident yesterday. OMV believes anyone with a state-issued driver’s license or ID has had personal information exposed and urges residents to change all passwords, check social security benefits, report identity theft, and monitor their credit.

Tiger fans aren’t the only ones ecstatic about LSU playing in the College World Series. Omaha is thrilled that Purple and Gold are back. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s going to be scorching hot this weekend but taking small measures can protect your pets from heatstroke. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Spokesperson Ginger Guttner says pet owners should be mindful of a pet’s essential needs during the summer heat.

Cut 7 (13) “…them indoors.”

Guttner advises pet owners to avoid jogging or biking with their dogs during midday hours because the pavement can burn the dog’s pads. 

A recent report by the Louisiana Board of Regents shows dual enrollment increase college credits among high school students. Louisiana Board of Regents Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Student Success Mellynn Baker says students can learn how to participate online.

Cut 15 (13)  “…some FAQ’s.”

Following a small drop in enrollments during the 2019-20 school year, the number of students taking dual enrollment courses at public colleges and universities increased by 11% over the past two years despite the pandemic.

The Fortified Homes grant program recently received $30 million in funding and could begin taking applications by October for Louisiana homeowners to strengthen the quality of their roof construction. House Insurance Chairman Mike Huval says offering these grants will motivate homeowners to upgrade.

Cut 3 (13) “…fortified standard.”

Anyone interested in staying updated on programs and details visit ldi.la.gov.

Clemency has been filed for fifty-one of the state’s fifty-seven death row inmates, asking Governor John Bel Edwards to commute their death sentences to life in prison. Edwards has made several comments recently that he opposes the death penalty, and when asked if he plans to commute the sentences…

Cut 9 (12) “…happens.”

Edwards even addressed his feelings on the death penalty at his State of the State address in April…

A 28-year-old woman who posed as a 17-year-old student at Hahnville High has been arrested along with her 46-year-old mother in St. Charles Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Nearly every prisoner on Louisiana’s death row is asking Governor John Bel Edwards to commute their death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 28-year-old woman and her mother have been arrested for using fraudulent paperwork and birth certificate to enroll in Hahnville High School. School Administration was tipped off that the female student was in her 20’s. The mother and daughter were charged with one count each of injuring public records.

The National Security Agency (NSA) selects LSU as the first university in the country to create and pilot and cybersecurity clinic to help Louisiana small businesses. LSU Economic Development Director Greg Trahan (TRAH-Hahn) says it will be offered through the LSU Ourso College of Business, the LSU Center for Computation & Technology, the College of Engineering, and the Small Business & Development Center at LSU…:

Cut 5 (13)   “…point of entry.”

Trahan says work will begin right away to implement the clinics and they hope to have them up and running within 12 months.

Thousands of Tigers fans will flock to Omaha for the College World Series as the Bayou Bengals are in the C-W-S for the first time since 2017. Executive Director of Visit Omaha Deborah Ward says there’s plenty to do besides the game.

Cut 13 (12) “…going strong.”  

Eight teams including LSU will compete in Omaha, which gets underway Friday and runs through June 26.

The Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) releases its assessment of the 2023 state legislative session and what was accomplished. PAR Louisiana President Steven Procopio says, overall, lawmakers did a responsible job of spending and investing $ 2 billion in surplus revenue…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…retirement debt.’”

He says what was accomplished may be overshadowed by the chaotic ending of the session and the final budget deal…:

Lawmen seek the public’s help in gathering information on the alleged sex crimes of well-known Baptist leader Darry Stagg, of Polluck, who was arrested last week for numerous crimes against minors. Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood says they’re building their case against Stagg and encourage any other victims to come forward…

Cut 21 (09) “…for you.”

Contact the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, they are lead agency.

Louisiana Department of Education boosts its accountability and transparency through a new EPIC (Education Progress and Investment Charts) dashboard. The new tool gives citizens an easier way to view K-12 education progress and finances. Superintendent Cade Brumley encourages Louisianans to visit the website and understand how schools operate.

Cut 9 (11)  “…resources.”

EPIC also gives visitors options to share feedback and download data.

Because Louisiana has one of the costliest and most cumbersome expungement processes in the US, it inspired legislation to remove application fees and improve communication between various agencies. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis says once upgrades to computer systems are complete it will streamline the process.

Cut 10 (11) “…of itself.”

Duplessis says he’s hopeful that once Sheriff’s Offices, Clerks of Courts, District Attorney Offices and State Police will be able to share information with each other that the expungement process will eventually become automatic.

In the final minutes of this year’s legislative session, lawmakers say they had less than 25 minutes to look over and vote for the next fiscal year’s budget. The final budget had a $100 million cut to the Department of Health and only one year appropriated for teacher pay raises. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the most frustrating cut was to LDH.

Cut 5 (06)   “…in Louisiana.”

The final budget dedicated funding for $2,000 teacher pay raises but only for the next fiscal year.

The state legislature also avoided increasing teacher and school staff pay raises but decided to give one-time bonuses of $2000 per teacher, and $1000 for support workers instead. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey…:

Cut 8 (12) “…in education period?’”

Posey says investing in teachers and schools is investing in kids and Louisiana’s future.

A new study by Bankrate.com shows 66% of people have a negative view of tipping. The study shows nearly one in three adults are annoyed by tip suggestions on screens. Senior Analyst Ted Rossman believes people are stingier when confronted with invitations to tip on the screen.

Cut 12 (13)    “…for it.” 

Rossman suggests tipping 20 percent as a standard practice.

The LSU Tigers are heading back to Omaha after taking down Kentucky eight to three last night to win the Baton Rouge Super Regional Series. Cade Beloso delivered a three-run homer in the third inning to snap a one-one tie…

Coach Jay Johnson is leading LSU to the College World Series in just his second season in Tiger Town…

Cut 15 (09)  “…so bad.”

The Tigers heading to the College World Series for the 19th time and they’ll play either Southern Miss or Tennessee in the opening round

Service employees are seeing smaller tips or no tips at all according to a new Bankrate.com survey that shows 66% of people have a negative view of tipping. Senior Analyst Ted Rossman points out that gratuities are declining while annoyance with the request of tips is on the rise.

Cut 10 (13) “…lot more.”

Rossman suggests tipping 20 percent as a standard practice.

LSU is heading back to Omaha as the Fighting Tigers topped Kentucky eight to three last night to win the Baton Rouge Super Regional Series which punched their ticket into the College World Series. Cade Beloso delivered a three-run homer in the third inning to snap a one-one tie…

Cut 13 (13) “…after that”  

LSU will play the winner of today’s game between Tennessee and Southern Miss in the opening round of the College World Series. The game is expected to take place on Saturday.

In the closing minutes of the legislative session, lawmakers expressed their frustration over last-minute changes to the budget. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A 77-year-old Thibodaux man died after attempting to cross Highway 1 on a riding lawn mower in Lafourche Parish Friday morning. Larry Helm was attempting to cross LA Hwy 1 when he traveled into the path of a 2023 GMC 3500 traveling north. The driver of the GMC and their two passengers were properly restrained and suffered no injuries.

Upon the final passage of legislation requiring “In God, We Trust” signs in Louisiana classrooms, a political activist who donated signs in Texas is making the same offer in Louisiana. Artist Activist Chaz Stevens is offering options in french, mandarin, and more…

Cut 10 (10) “…with them.”

To donate to help defer the cost of the signs or to view them visit chazstevens-dot-store.

A recent survey by the American Medical Association shows one in five doctors plan to leave the practice in the next two years. Interim Dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Richard DiCarlo says for many physicians it’s retirement and more than 60 percent of doctors report burnout.

Cut 7 (08) “…for that.”

DiCarlo says it could be as high as 100,000 or even more in the next decade. DiCarlo says mid-level physicians, like nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are capable of providing care for a wider range of patients.

LDWF verifies two Northern Snakehead fish, native to Asia, were seen in a video that was taken in Old River in Concordia Parish. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois says they likely migrated from Mississippi or Arkansas.

Cut 4 (12)  “…were at.” 

Bourgeois urges fishers not to return the species to the water. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport live snakeheads in Louisiana.

Saturday and Sunday is a free fishing weekend in Louisiana. That means a fishing license in not required to drop a line in the water.

As the 2023 legislative session comes to an end tonight, lawmakers work to agree on the $47-billion state budget and how to best use $2-billion in surplus money. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Department of Environmental Quality has issued an advisory for people who are in sensitive groups due to health effects in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe regions are advised to limit outdoor activities today due to ozone air quality. Monroe’s warning is related to smoke from the Canadian fires.

A bill that would create a tax credit for restaurants that recycle oyster shells is headed to the governor’s desk. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana – a supporter of the bill -Advocacy Director Tyler Bosworth says the process involves volunteers to help build shell reefs to limit erosion.

Cut 5 (13)   “…coastal erosion.”

Restaurants statewide would receive a tax credit of $1 per 50 pounds of oysters and up to $2,000 per restaurant recycled to offset costs associated with recycling.

More than 60 percent of doctors report burnout and plan to leave the practice in the next two years, that’s according to an American Medical Association survey. Interim Dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Richard DiCarlo says to address the issue, medical schools have increased enrollment and they need more residency programs.

Cut 9 (10)  “…welcome change.”

DiCarlo says mid-level physicians are capable of providing care for a wider range of patients.