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…:
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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:
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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…:
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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.

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a senate bill that would have gradually eliminated Louisiana’s corporate franchise tax. The measure was sponsored by Franklin Republican Senator Bret Allain II (pronounced “L-N”) who isn’t happy about the veto saying the state’s franchise tax system is cited as a big reason companies choose not to do business here:
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The governor says the timing is bad for big tax cuts.

If you’re heading out of town for the long Fourth of July weekend, you won’t be the only one. AAA is out with its annual report and spokesman Don Redman says travel volume predictions are massive…:
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AAA counts the holiday weekend as stretching from Friday to Tuesday, July 4th.

It might be the big headline you see today, but 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 the ruling was specific to the use of race as a factor in admissions…:
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The cases heard before SCOTUS pertained to admissions at Harvard and the University of North Carolina.

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.

Governor Edwards has vetoed legislation some call the “Stay Back” bill; aimed at heading off bad encounters between police and citizens..:
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Heat index values could reach 115 today or higher. Dr. Jim Aiken is with the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards on his monthly call-in radio show discussed how he plans to restore last minute cuts made to the Department of Health. He also talked about the possibility of a veto override session…:
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To date, the governor has not vetoed any legislation pertaining to the transgender population.

If you still haven’t submitted a survey on damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes, Restore Louisiana is holding outreach events to help out before the August 1st deadline. Representatives are on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center. Community Development Director Pat Forbes many homeowners have still have not finished the first step.
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Homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov.

Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly radio show he intends to restore last-minute budget reductions made by the legislature…
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The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning through 8pm tonight and from 10am-8pm Friday. Dr. Jim Aiken with the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans says you’ve got to protect yourself…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have given police officers the ability to command you to “stay back” while they do their job. Bill author and Pineville Republican Representative Mike Johnson says his bill was about heading off possible interference…:
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The governor said he objected to the bill for reasons including its potential chilling effect on exercising one’s First Amendments rights.

LSU fans packed the stands Wednesday evening in Alex Box Stadium to celebrate the 2023 national champion Tigers. Star pitcher Paul Skenes, who was at Air Force the last two seasons, said he made the decision to transfer LSU so he can improve as a pitcher and win a natty…:
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Get ready for more record high temperatures today. Teiko Foxx reports..:
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The June heat wave is reportedly blamed for at least 13 deaths in Texas and 2 in Caddo Parish. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect today and tomorrow for nearly the entire state with high temperatures this afternoon slated to reach 100 degrees pushing heat index values to between 115-120. Best to stay inside.

Governor John Bel Edwards is speaking out on some unpopular budget cuts approved by lawmakers in the final moments of the tumultuous legislative session, including the $100 million dollar reduction for the Department of Health….:
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The comments were made on the governor’s monthly call-in radio show Wednesday.

If you still haven’t submitted a survey on damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes, Restore Louisiana is holding outreach events to help out. The deadline is August 1st. Community Development Director Pat Forbes says the goal is to get homeowners financial assistance to help them recover from their losses…:
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Restore Louisiana will be on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center.

It is going to be another stifling hot day, as forecasters say we’re looking at more record high temperatures. Dr. James Aiken with the Division of Disaster Medicine and EMS at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans says limiting outdoor activity today is a must…:
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Heat index values could reach 115 or higher today.

The heat didn’t stop people from crowding the stands Wednesday evening at Alex Box Stadium for the celebration of the 2023 LSU national championship baseball team. Tiger star Dylan Crews thanked the fans..:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have made it a crime to get within 25 feet of police officers on duty, saying there is already a state law that punishes those who interfere with cops. Chris Kaiser with the ACLU of Louisiana says this was the right thing to do because the measure was “unconstitutionally vague” and an overreach…:
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That bill author is Pineville Republican Representative Mike Johnson who says he plans to file it again next year when perhaps there will be a governor willing to sign it into law.

A paramedic who was injured in the fatal ambulance crash in Point Coupee Parish Tuesday continues to fight for his life. The driver of the ambulance who was killed in the crash was reportedly pregnant at the time. The patient being transported also died. The accident remains under investigation.

Lawmakers have yet to decide on the final figure for teacher pay raises. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter says this is the time of year when educators look at other opportunities, so timing is everything to keep more qualified teachers from leaving..:
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He says it looks like legislators have settled on a $2,000 increase for teachers.

With the Atlantic Hurricane Season beginning Thursday, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says now is the time to check your roof coverage. He says the deductible for named storms is typically five percent of the insured value of your home…:
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LSU’s annual public opinion research poll finds a majority of Bayou State residents feel the state is moving in the wrong direction. Michael Henderson leads the survey and says those negative feelings are not partisan in nature…:
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Henderson says you can expect to hear the Louisiana Survey’s negative results in campaign speeches, as the fall elections grow near,

The Caddo Parish coroner has identified a man killed in an officer involved shooting Monday as 60-year-old Robert Diamond. State Police confirmed two Shreveport officers responded to a scene where shots were exchanged after an altercation ensued. Diamond was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. No officers were injured during this incident which remains under investigation.

LSU’s annual public opinion research poll, the Louisiana Survey, finds a majority of Louisiana residents feel the state is moving in the wrong direction. Michael Henderson leads the annual survey. He says polling numbers show a majority of residents are not happy…:
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Confidence in state government remains low. Less than 30 percent feel the Governor and lawmakers can solve problems.

The LSU baseball team has earned the No. 5 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The four-team, double-elimination regional at Alex Box Stadium will begin Friday and LSU will play Tulane in the first game. Coach Jay Johnson says he’s proud of his squad even if the work isn’t done yet..:
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Friday’s game begins at 2pm.

Brooke Thorington talks with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers president about pay raises for teachers in the final days of the legislative session…:
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95 Louisiana churches have been approved to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. The split is over same-sex marriages and ordaining LGBT clergy. With so many churches agreeing to leave, the Louisiana Conference of the UMC has lost more than one-third of its affiliated churches.