The US Supreme court is being criticized for striking down President Biden’s student loan cancellation plan. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the decision will limit the ability for many to purchase a home, start a business and spend extra money in local economies…:
Cut 8 (09) “them relief”
Student loan payment requirements are to resume in the fall.

State taxes on nicotine vape products and e-cigarettes tripled July 1st as a bill signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards went into effect. Additionally, in the coming months every vapor and nicotine manufacturer whose products are sold in Louisiana must register the merchandise with the ATC.
Cut 6 (10) “current laws”
That’s Kevin Richard, Secretary of the Department of Revenue.

A new poll in the Governor’s race shows GOP candidate Stephen Waguespack surging into 3rd place, but is it an accurate representation of voter preference? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Governor John Bel Edwards on Friday vetoed three bills widely opposed by LGBTQ+ advocates — his final actions on measures stemming from the 2023 legislative session. The Republican-controlled legislature will now consider whether to reconvene in a session that could override the governor’s vetoes. A two-thirds vote in the House and Senate is required to override a veto which is exceedingly rare in Louisiana.

AAA says this 4th of July Holiday weekend will be one of the busiest on record in terms of people who’ve decided to go out of town, and state officials are urging you not to drive impaired. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is underway and Greg Fischer, with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says July 4th is among the worst holidays for DWI mishaps…:
Cut 13 (11) “impaired drivers”
The campaign is in place through Wednesday.

A stretch of I-10 was closed off to westbound traffic in Ascension Parish Friday after a portion of the roadway buckled from excessive heat, according to highway officials. The pothole was reported around near the Sorrento exit and was patched up about one hour later as traffic backed up for miles. DOTD says there have been numerous instances of buckling across the state.

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise met with Brian Kelly, Nick Saban, and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation surrounding college athlete NIL deals. There are no regulations and protections in the current NIL space and Scalise wants to have something in place to keep college athletics on the up and up…:
Cut 11 (14) “in jeopardy”

The chance that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session went up Friday as Governor John Bel Edwards nixed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Governor promised he would veto any measures similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” that seeks to ban talk about gender and sexual identity in K-12 classrooms. The governor called such proposals an attack on some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

On a hot 4th of July weekend like this one where Excessive Heat Warnings remain in place, going out on the water is a great way to keep cool – but state officials urge you to have a sober boat operator. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has put Operation Dry Water in place this weekend where boating Education Coordinator Lt. Garret Kimble says to expect heightened enforcement…:
Cut 3 (05) “and checks”
A Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is also in place for the Holiday weekend.

After close to 50 years in law enforcement, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces he will not seek re-election. Prator says he wanted to make public his decision as there are only six weeks left to qualify for the office…:
Cut 15 (10) “successful campaign”
But he says he’s not resigning and that he will continue to serve as sheriff for the next 12 months.

Cops in East Baton Rouge Parish are looking for a driver who ran over a Central Police Officer’s leg during an incident Friday evening. They say when the officer learned there were narcotics in the vehicle the driver sped off causing the officer to be dragged before his leg was run over. The officer is expected to be okay, and now authorities are searching for the person involved.

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed anti-LGBTQ legislation Friday, including the state’s version of what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. GOP lawmakers have said if this happened as the governor promised, they would call for the legislature to return to Baton Rouge for a veto override session.

Most of the state is under yet another excessive heat warning today where the heat index could reach between 110-115 degrees. On Friday it got so hot in Ascension Parish that a section of I-10 buckled causing a brief shutdown near the Sorrento exit.

The 4th of July Holiday weekend is one of the deadliest on the roadways so expect to see lots of cops on the road as a Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is underway.
Cut 12 (11) “off the road”
That’s Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Congressman Steve Scalise met with LSU Coach Brian Kelly and other SEC officials to discuss potential legislation regarding collegiate Name-Image-Likeness deals. Kace Kieschnick has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

LSU is set to hire Nate Yeskie from Texas A&M as its next pitching coach according to head coach Jay Johnson. Johnson confirmed a report that his former assistant coach would be reuniting with him in Baton Rouge. LSU is in need of a new pitching coach since former coach Wes Johnson was announced as the next head coach of the Georgia Bulldog program.

More than 50 million people are expected to travel over the long 4th of July Holiday weekend. AAA Spokesman Don Redman says most folks will be driving as gas prices are down $1.10 over last year. It costs almost 50% more to fly this year, but Redman says that’s not a factor..:
CUT 5 (12) “to travel”
He says the earlier you leave in the day, the better.

The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down college affirmative action programs will have little impact in Louisiana. That’s according to Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Kim Hunter Reed who says it’ll be business as usual here…:
CUT 15 (10) “in our state”
She says she knows of no public institution in Louisiana that uses race as a factor in admissions.

Extra hours of play in scorching temperatures for kids can mean dehydration. Teiko Foxx spoke with the Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare – Louisiana…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

An Excessive Heat Warning is once again posted for most of the state today, with no significant changes expected in our weather, according to forecasters. Afternoon highs will range from the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, with heat index values climbing to 110-115.

Traveling over the 4th of July weekend? So is everyone else. Brooke Thorington reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “reporting”

A motorcyclist from Texas was killed in a head on crash in Iberville Parish Thursday afternoon. State Police report 66-year-old Ronald Harter of Galveston made a right turn and crossed the center line, colliding head-on with an oncoming Land Rover. Harter died on the scene.

Governor John Bel Edwards used his veto pen on a senate approved measure to phase out Louisiana’s corporate franchise tax. The bill was sponsored by Franklin Republican Senator Bret Allain II (pronounced “L-N”) who says it would have been beneficial to Louisiana’s business environment:
Cut 8 (11) “with that opinion”
Allain is term-limited, so he cannot bring the bill back next year.

When it comes to the scorching hot temperatures, today will be a near repeat of Thursday with a heat index potentially reaching 115 degrees. With kids out enjoying their summer break, heath experts are reminding parents to make sure children are drinking plenty of water. Dr. Kevin Stephens is the Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare – Louisiana:
CUT 11 (13) “given water”
He says if you think your child may be suffering from heat illness, hydrate them and consult a physician.

With another Excessive Heat Warning in effect, health officials are reminding parents to keep kids enjoying the summer break properly hydrated. Dr. Kevin Stephens, Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare – Louisiana, says there are ways to tell if your child isn’t drinking enough water…:
CUT 10 (11) “severe problems”
He says children have higher water requirements than adults but they may not recognize the signs of thirst.

With the 4th of July falling on a Tuesday this year, that allows for a nice long weekend getaway — and plenty of people are taking advantage. For the period that begins today through Tuesday, more than 50 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more, according to AAA:
CUT 6 (03) “who’s traveling”
That’s AAA spokesman Don Redman.

The Governor vetoes a bill intended to phase out Louisiana’s corporate franchise tax; seen as detrimental to business. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The National Champion LSU Tiger Baseball team delighted hundreds of fans behind the counter of the original Raising Cane’s near campus Thursday, serving patrons some of their favorite chicken fingers for lunch. Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes, Tommy White, Tre’ Morgan, Ty Floyd, and head coach Jay Johnson all took part.