The Mobile City Council unanimously approved funding for a passenger rail service going round trip between New Orleans and Mobile, with stops in Bay St.Louis, Gulfport Biloxi and Pascagoula. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross believes this will become a great weekend getaway for South Louisianians, as all the cities along the route are pedestrian-friendly.

cut 8 (08) “…get on the train.”
Today was Purple Heart Day, and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs encouraged the public to wear purple. LDVA Program Manager and Purple Heart recipient William McInnis says the department’s initiative aims to foster greater public awareness and respect for veterans awarded with the Purple Heart, reinforcing the message that their sacrifices are not forgotten.

cut 4 (07) “…lift their spirit.”

We’re nine weeks into the 2024 hurricane season and there have been four named storms. The Colorado State Hurricane forecast team predicts this season will produce around two dozen storms. CSU Hurricane Forecast Team researcher Levi Silvers says sea surface temperatures are running well above average…

cut 18 (07) “…active season”

Silvers says there’s a 20-percent chance Louisiana will see a major hurricane this year.
State Police are urging motorists to slow down as kids head back to school. Trooper Eddie Thomas reminds you to be mindful of cross-guards when in a school zone, saying they have the authority to control traffic flow at intersections and ensure student safety. Thomas also says to pay attention to speed limits in school zones.

cut 10 (11) “…picking up children.”

At the Olympics, former LSU pole vaulter and Lafayette native Mondo Duplantis, who competed for his mother’s home country of Sweden, vaulted 20 and a half feet to break the world record for the ninth time and win a gold medal. Duplantis says in the moment, he wasn’t focused on getting the world record, he was just focused on making the jump.

cut 3 (11) “…really good.”

 
There are more records going around, as triple-digit high temperatures expected across the state this week threaten to break temperature records. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is baking under another heat dome…

cut 6 (10) “…Gulf of Mexico.”

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, and is expected to introduce him at a rally in Philadelphia this evening. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics says Walz is a safe pick for the Harris campaign, adding Walz is…

cut 9 (10) “…Democratic Party.”

Before serving as governor, Walz was a teacher, member of Congress and command sergeant major in the Army National Guard.
An arrest has been made in connection to the July 22nd murder of a Marksville man. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Department say suspicious circumstances led them to arrest 19 year old Jacob Michot of Marksville for Principle to Second Degree Murder and Possession of Stolen Things related to the murder of Gary P. Normand of Marksville. Michot is still in APSO custody, and more arrests are expected.

At the Olympics, former LSU pole vaulter and Lafayette native Mondo Duplantis, who competed for his mother’s home country of Sweden, vaulted 20 and a half feet to break the world record for the ninth time and win a gold medal. He says he’s so thrilled about winning, he can’t possibly think about what’s next.
cut 5 (12) “…except this.”
Another record sweeping through the state as triple digit high temperatures are expected across Louisiana this week that threaten to break temperature records. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says even the early morning temperatures will be oppressive as Louisiana bakes under a heat dome…
cut 8 (07) “…above normal.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate as she campaigns for president. Jeff Palermo has more.
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

After resigning last week as Mayor of Deridder, 42-year-old Misty Roberts was arrested today and charged with 3rd degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. The LSP Special Victims Unit is investigating the case. State Police Sgt Ross Brennan says if you believe a child or anyone is being victimized, you should speak up and notify law enforcement.

cut 13 (12) “…investigating.”

Roberts was booked into the Beauregard Parish Detention Center; her bond is $75,000. Adam Johnson, Roberts’ attorney, released a statement that his client maintains her innocence, she’s grateful for the support she’s receiving from family and friends, and she looks forward to putting this unfortunate situation behind her.

 
Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been appointed to the bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for security measures surrounding former presidents and high-profile political figures in the future. Congressman Garret Graves says this can’t happen again…

cut 5 (05) “…the United States.”

There’s a 70% chance of a cyclone developing over the weekend, but it looks like it won’t hit Louisiana. What could hit Louisiana, though, is at least one of the 22 named storms predicted for this above-average Atlantic hurricane season, especially as we head into the peak of the season. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says we were spared in July thanks to the Saharan Air Layer passing through.

cut 10 (11) “…storms form.”

Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley urges school system leaders to quote “recommit to assertive discipline action,” for the new school year.

cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Funeral services begin tonight for Lafayette Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette who was killed in the line of duty last week in Jeanerette during a hostage standoff. Interim Lafayette Police Chief Paul Truard says he’s received many calls of sympathy…

Cut 10 (06) “…here.”

The oil spill in Bayou Lafourche from the Crescent Midstream pumping station in Raceland on Saturday has been successfully contained. The spill was traced to a leaking fuel tank and valve failure, prompting immediate response efforts to minimize environmental damage. The rapid response and efficient coordination among various local, state and federal agencies have been praised for preventing a potentially more severe environmental disaster. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson…

cut 5 (06) “…next week.”

It’s report day for the LSU football team and Brian Kelly’s 35th season as head coach. During an appearance at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, Kelley said name, image and likeness deals are not changing how he recruits. In fact, he’s looking to hire a salary cap manager to decide how much a player should receive through NIL deals…

cut 12 (12) “…I do.”

Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley urges school system leaders to quote “recommit to assertive disciplinary action” as the new school year begins. Brumley says teachers deserve the right to teach in an environment free from disruption and students deserve the right to learn in one.

cut 7 (09) “…those expectations.”

It’s report day for the LSU football team and Brian Kelly’s 35th season as coach. Kelley spoke about name, image and likeness deals during an appearance at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, where he admitted he’s not capable of determining a recruit’s potential NIL income, so he’ll let other staff members determine that while he tries to convince a student-athlete to come to LSU because they’ll become a better player and person…

cut 13 (07) “…love to do.”

The oil spill in Bayou Lafourche from the Crescent Midstream pumping station in Raceland on Saturday has been successfully contained. The spill was traced to a leaking fuel tank and valve failure, prompting immediate response efforts to minimize environmental damage. The rapid response and efficient coordination among various local, state and federal agencies have been praised for preventing a potentially more severe environmental disaster. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson…

cut 5 (06) “…next week.”

Newsweek ranks St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington as the best hospital in the state for cancer treatment. St. Tammany Health System President Joan Coffman says the secret to their success is their staff…
cut 30 (09) “…with so many”
Coffman says they prioritize screening education and early detection to stop cancer before it’s a problem.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy had a chance to grill U-S Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe on Capitol Hill today about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Kennedy asked Rowe why Secret Service snipers didn’t see Thomas Crooks laying on a roof 150 feet away from where Trump was speaking.

cut 12 (12) “…neutralized.”

Rowe testified before the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees. Kennedy is a member of the Senate Judiciary. Kennedy said he doesn’t understand why Secret Service Snipers didn’t see Crooks since they were in an elevated position above the roof…

cut 13 (06) “…see the guy.”

Kennedy says he’s heard reports Secret Service snipers saw Crooks 20 minutes before he fired his AR-style rifle, which Rowe says is inaccurate.
Governor Jeff Landry spoke with Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana about the pushback against the passage of the Ten Commandments Law which requires all state-funded schools and universities to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.

cut 9 (09) “…if you would.”

The law, which is facing litigation from several families and advocacy groups, is set to go into effect on January 1st.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Nursing Annex Building at Nicholls State University, home of the Thibodaux Regional Health System School of Nursing, was held today. Dean Raquel Engolio (En-go-lee-ah) says the project is a critical investment in the future of healthcare in the region with the 27-million dollars in funding from state-appropriated funds.

cut 5 (12) “…workforce.”

GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump will deliver his first public speech tonight since Saturday’s attempted assassination to close out an emotional Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves says if the assassination attempt didn’t happen, you’d see Trump going after President Joe Biden during his keynote speech tonight, but now the former president will deliver a different message…

cut 11 (12) “…would have seen.”

Though Graves has chosen not to seek re-election, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who qualified for re-election this morning, says he’s been a gracious friend. Now that portions of her District 5 will include portions of his District 6, Letlow says Graves told her he will continue to act as a mentor.

cut 4 (08) “…with him.

The LSU football program has received a commitment from the nation’s number one cornerback. Jeff Palermo has the details.

cut 2 (26) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

James Genovese has been unanimously chosen by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana Systems as Northwestern State University’s next president. Genovese, who currently serves as an Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, is a distinguished member of Northwestern State University’s “Long Purple Line” Alumni Hall of Distinction and says the opportunity to lead a university that holds a special place in his heart is a privilege. He will assume his role next month.

GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump will deliver his first public speech tonight since Saturday’s attempted assassination. He’ll close out an emotional Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves says he’s eager to hear what the former president has to say…

cut 9 (11) “…right now.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting today to discuss a proposed I-10 widening/overlay project in West Monroe. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan…

cut 6 (05) “…opinions about it.”

The open house meeting, scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center, will provide information about the project and gather public feedback.  DOTD Representatives and the consulting team will be available to address questions and discuss the project’s impact.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is running for a third term to represent the 5th District that now stretches from north Louisiana as far south as the Baton Rouge area. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A former art teacher in Lafourche Parish has been sentenced to 40 years for sexually abusing a student. The Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s office says Ralph Cheramie Jr. sexually abused his victim while she was his student at a middle school in 2009.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow officially qualified to run for re-election this morning. The Republican’s 5th Congressional District was altered when the lines for District 6 were redrawn. Even though Congressman Garret Graves has chosen not to seek re-election for District 6, Letlow says he’s been a gracious friend. Now that portions of District 5 will include portions of the one Graves currently represents, Letlow says he’s told her he will continue to act as a mentor.

cut 4 (08) “…with him.”

A 15-year-old who was accidentally shot at a home in St. Tammany Parish has died. St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s office Lt. Suzanne Carboni says the teenager was sitting in the living room of the home in the Goodbee area.

cut 12 (12) “…accidentally fired.”

The shooting took place on Tuesday and she died last night from a single gunshot wound.

 
The LSU football program has received a commitment from the nation’s number one cornerback. Jeff Palermo has the details…

cut 2 (26) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting today to discuss a proposed I-10 widening/overlay project in West Monroe. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan…

cut 6 (05) “…opinions about it.”

The open house meeting, scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center, will provide information about the project and gather public feedback.