Two of the candidates that qualified today for the newly drawn 6th congressional district are no stranger to politics. Democrat Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields served two terms in Congress in the 90s, and Republican Elbert Guillory represented Opelousas in the state legislature.
61-year-old Fields says even though the current congressional map with a second majority-minority district is being challenged, he won’t be distracted from his job.

cut 12 (12) “…work better.”

80-year-old Guillory says the 6th district congressional lines were severely gerrymandered and he believes it will be modified. In the meantime, he says, the district deserves to be properly represented.

cut 13 (10) “…we have.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish spoke at the Republican National Convention last night. Since tighter immigration laws and policies are a main push for Republicans, Scalise says keeping illegal immigrants out of the country is a top priority.

cut 11 (14) “…(cheering).”

A new state law from Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey makes it easier to appeal traffic citations from speeding cameras. The law lets drivers appeal tickets from cameras by proving there were outside issues involved, like if someone else was driving their car or if there were hazardous conditions. Additionally, Cathey says now if you get a ticket from a traffic camera….

cut 4 (12) “…if you don’t pay.”

The man accused of killing a Loranger woman and her four-year-old daughter will face the death penalty in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA) has released its 2023 Economic Impact Report. LADA President and CEO Coulter McMahen says the industry is important to Louisiana’s economy.

cut 9 (08) “…Louisiana.”

A new report from Bankrate found more than one-third of U.S. workers say they’re living paycheck to paycheck on their current salary. The report found workers in the South to be most likely to report living paycheck to paycheck, which Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster says isn’t surprising.

cut 4 (12) “…any other region.”

Voting has begun for the 2024 American Association of State Troopers Best-Looking Cruiser Contest. Sgt. Ross Brennan with LSP said they considered locations such as the SuperDome to represent Louisiana in the contest, but ultimately settled on the LARC Acadian Village in Lafayette for its beautiful location and storied history. He says when you think of our state, chances are…

cut 7 (11) “…different cultures.”

Republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana is calling on Americans not to make assumptions about why a 20-year-old gunman attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday. Kennedy urges the public not to jump to conclusions on a motive.

cut 10 (12) “…broken wing.”

 
Trump has announced Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Once a critic of Trump, Vance has become a strong supporter and advocate for the former president’s policies. Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming says the assassination attempt likely didn’t influence Trump’s VP choice.

cut 14 (09) “…this morning.”

 
Republican megadonor Lane Grigsby is still pushing for a state constitutional convention to be held this year so that lawmakers can approve the proposed changes in November. Grigsby believes certain fiscal matters should be taken out of the constitution to provide lawmakers more flexibility in spending state tax dollars…

cut 16 (12) “….the building.”

Louisiana State Police wants YOU to vote for them in the 2024 American Association of State Troopers Best-Looking Cruiser Contest. All 50 states submitted a photo of their cruiser for the contest. The top 13 will be featured in the 2025 AAST wall calendar, and the top-voted cruiser will be on the cover. LSP Sgt. Ross Brennan…

cut 8 (12) “…with this calendar.”

Donald Trump has announced Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Once a critic of Trump, Vance has since become a strong supporter and advocate of the former president’s policies. Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming…

cut 12 (11) “…very, very satisfactory.”

Vance’s strong defense of Trump in media appearances likely helped solidify him as the VP pick.

 
A new report from Bankrate found more than one-third of U.S. workers say they’re living paycheck to paycheck. Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster says the study focused on workers because they’re the group most impacted by the inflated cost of living.

cut 3 (07) “…the present.”

Workers in the southern U.S. were most likely to report living paycheck to paycheck.

Governor Jeff Landry has designated this week as Rural Road Safety Awareness Week. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Committee says rural roads are deceptively dangerous, as more than 62% of fatal crashes in Louisiana in 2022 were on rural roads. Factors in rural road fatalities include excessive speed, drinking and not wearing a seatbelt.

cut 8 (09) “…crashes.”

Voting has begun for the 2024 American Association of State Troopers Best-Looking Cruiser Contest. This year, Louisiana’s submission features a state police cruiser at the LARC Acadian Village in Lafayette. Sgt. Ross Brennan with LSP says the village was chosen because it has…

cut 6 (12) “…state police patrol units.”

After an unsuccessful assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump on Saturday, Republican delegates are gathering at the Republican National Convention this week to formally nominate him for president. Representative Michael Bayham of Chalmette says security at the RNC is tight.
Cut 3 (08) “…other people.”
Trump was not seriously hurt in the assassination attempt, but two people were and one person was killed.

 
During the assassination attempt, 50-year-old Tony Hemker of Virginia was in the crowd. He went with his wife’s uncle, who had removed his hearing aids because they were near an overhead speaker, about 45 yards from the stage. When he heard the shots, Hemker turned to the right and saw a bullet go through a speaker and fall to the ground.
Cut 6 (12) “…(x3) get down.”

 
Fitness guru and New Orleans native Richard Simmons passed away on Saturday at the age of 76. Simmons was born in New Orleans in 1948 and was an overweight child, but became a cultural phenomenon because of his energetic personality displayed in his exercise videos. Tulane Sports Performance Manager Mackie Shilstone…
Cut 12 (08) “…could do it.”

Simmons got to be 200 pounds as a child and renamed himself Richard when he was 10 years old to improve his self-image. He was once a student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was known worldwide for his Sweatin’ to the Oldies aerobics videos.

 
Here’s a look at commodities.

Former President Donald Trump is not seriously hurt after he was shot at in an assassination attempt on Saturday. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says historically, political assassinations aren’t unheard of, but they are extremely unlikely.

cut 4 (09) “…context, right?”

Drivers may notice more road buckles on concrete roads as the summer continues, but it’s nothing to be afraid of if you’re driving safely. Sean Richardson has the story.

cut 2 (26) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two attendees of a rally for former president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania are seriously injured and one is dead after a man who wasn’t at the rally shot at Trump in an assassination attempt. Trump was hit in the ear by a bullet but wasn’t seriously harmed and left the rally safely. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana…

cut 7 (10) “…in your prayers.”

LSU kicks off SEC Football Media Days in Dallas today with Head Coach Brian Kelly. The Tigers will look to improve on a 10-and-3 season last year, but will have to do so without Heisman-winning quarterback and leading rusher Jayden Daniels. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne says he expects Kelly to replace Daniels’ production with an established traditional run game…

cut 13 (13) “…offensive lines.”

President Joe Biden held a press conference last night to dispel rumors about alleged cognitive decline, but whether he accomplished that is debatable. Some Democratic lawmakers are calling for Biden to step aside and let someone younger run after a dismal presidential debate performance left many wondering if Biden is suffering from some sort of memory-related illness. While  LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says yesterday’s press conference went well for Biden…
Cut 7 (11) “…three and a half years.”
As heat advisories and excessive heat warnings pile up across the state, so do heat-related illnesses. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says there are several easy measures you can take to prevent dehydration, heatstroke, and other heat-related illnesses.
Cut 29 (05) “…outdoor activity.”
Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award Thursday night at the ESPYs and the audience also honored him with a momentous standing ovation. As he presented Gleason with the award, former teammate Drew Brees told the audience it would be a lie to say life for Gleason hasn’t been difficult since he was diagnosed with ALS in 2011.
Cut 4 (12) “…his own story.”
Metairie youth pastor Larkin Jackson launches Free Louisiana, an organization dedicated to the goal of the Bayou State becoming an independent country. As a youth pastor, Jackson says he wants to ensure young people continue to have the freedoms he had growing up, like the freedom of speech and the freedom to preach the gospel.
Cut 14 (13)  “…of California.”

The Democratic National Convention will be held next month, and Louisiana will have 53 delegates present. According to one of them, he believes the vast majority will support President Biden.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A temporary alternate child abuse hotline number has been set up due to Hurricane Beryl-related technical issues preventing AT&T phones from reaching regular toll-free numbers across Louisiana. The alternate number for reporting child abuse or neglect is 206-792-7510.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport issued a record 67 tornado warnings across the ArkLaTex Monday due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl. NWS Meteorologist Ryan Knapp…

Cut 3 (10) “…from 2005.”

Of the 67 tornado warnings, 18 included central Louisiana parishes.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says her criminal division has started an investigation into the ankle monitoring contract with the Juvenile Court system in New Orleans. It’s in response to a Fox 8 TV report that said a 15-year-old, who allegedly fatally shot New Orleans tour guide Kristie Thibodaux, was wearing a deactivated court-ordered ankle monitor…

Cut 12 (04) “…happened.”

Kevin Nunez is accused of killing Thibodeaux as she sat in her car near Jackson Square on June 30th. Nunez is one of three teens arrested and charged in the 43-year-old’s death.

Even though Louisiana residents who are non-felons and 18 and older can now carry a concealed handgun without a permit, State Police say there are multiple benefits to having one. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two men were killed in a head-on crash on Louisiana Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish early Thursday morning. State police say neither 63-year-old Shepard Roy, Jr. of Bunkie nor 75-year-old Robert Johnson of Breaux Bridge were wearing their seatbelt at the time of the crash and impairment is a suspected factor.

23-year-old Colby Stokes of Washington Parish has been charged with the murder of his grandparents, Beverly and Carley Stokes. Stokes was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of 2nd-degree murder after allegedly shooting the pair in their home in Mount Hermon on July 3rd. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says Stokes went to a neighbor’s home afterwards and told them what happened. Authorities then responded to a 911 call from the neighbor. Smith says Carley was dead at the scene and Beverly died at a local hospital.

cut 10 (10) “…long time.”

The I-20 major rehabilitation project in Bossier City has reached a significant milestone with the pouring of concrete for new travel lanes. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan…

cut 3 (12) “…through the area.”