Though the federal Department of Transportation has awarded a $20 million grant to develop a passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Congressman Garret Graves feels the money should go towards more immediate needs. On WBRP this week, Graves says Baton Rouge needs another bridge over the Mississippi — a project that’s moving at a snail’s pace…:
CUT 4 (06) “that’s ridiculous”
Graves says spending money on a train is less pressing than enabling east-west traffic to move more quickly through Baton Rouge.

The state has distributed $28 million in homeowner assistance to thousands affected by the pandemic and there’s more to go around if you’re behind on your mortgage. Desiree Honore Thomas with the Division of Administration says it’s easy to apply and there are plenty of checks and balances to prevent fraud…:
Cut 9 (11) “mortgages services”
For more information visit LAcovidhousing.com.

One of the top 10 streaming shows on Netflix this week is the story of a young man from Baton Rouge who admitted to killing his father when he was 17 in 2019. “I Just Killed My Dad” dives into the home life of Anthony Templet and highlights years of child abuse by his father. Jarrett Ambeau, the Attorney for Templet, says his client has received a ton of support and compassion from viewers…:
Cut 12 (07) “people care”
Templet was offered a plea deal for manslaughter, avoided jail time, and was given five years of supervised probation.

With today’s check on gas prices, AAA reports Louisiana’s statewide average is now $3.61 — down 2 cents overnight and 61 cents less than the same time last month, but still about 80 cents up from a year ago.

Entergy Louisiana says they’re not “gouging” ratepayers, and wish to set the record straight…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A Minden High School student is recovering after being shot in her back at a trail ride over the weekend. Two other people, a man and a woman, were also wounded in the gunfire. Webster Parish Sheriff’s Officials believe gunfire erupted when a fight between two females escalated, but the 17-year-old who was hit was not involved in that altercation. The victim was in critical condition, but Facebook posts indicate she’s now talking and alert. An arrest hasn’t been made but the sheriff says there are people of interest.

Speeding fines are now doubled on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a law passed in the 2022 legislature went into effect today and it also calls eight sets of speed limit signs…:
Cut 5 (12) “…80 miles per hour”
There were over 200 crashes that resulted in two deaths and nearly 100 injuries on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge last year.

A new study out of LSU finds drinking a lot of caffeine could be causing you to spend more money on indulgent things. Associate Marketing Professor Courtney Szocs says if you’re trying to save money on back-to-school shopping, watch how much coffee you drink…:
CUT 12 (13) “products”

Starting today the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin is officially designated as a highway safety corridor. Jeff Palermo on what that means…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police is investigating a head on crash in Washington Parish Saturday night that left a driver dead and five other people hurt. The crash claimed the life of 35-year-old Kevin Christensen of Mandeville. Cops believe Christenson was traveling in the wrong direction when he hit a Jeep head on – injuring its 5 occupants. Troopers say Christensen was not properly restrained at the time of the crash.

A number of new laws passed in the 2022 Legislature go into effect today. One will require all law enforcement officers in the state to be trained in how to recognize signs of human trafficking. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell brought the bill…:
Cut 13 (08) “to recognize it”
The I-10/I-12 corridor is known as a pipeline for human sex trafficking.

If you drink a lot of coffee, it could cause you to spend more money according to a new study out of the LSU Department of Marketing. Associate Professor Courtney Szocs says drinks like espressos, coffee and tea impact not only the degree of spending but also the types of things you buy…:
Cut 10 (09) “products”
Examples include buttery, salty popcorn; chocolate candy; luxury vacations along with any other items that induce a state of extreme excitement and energy.

Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May wants to clear up some of what he calls “misconceptions” about high energy bills, and what the utility is doing to help. May says the cost of producing electricity rose quickly as record-high inflation grips the country…:
Cut 7 (10) “from our customers”
Many people are angry over storm assessments Entergy added to bills and May says those from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 will come off starting today.

An NBA legend who was born in North Louisiana has died. Monroe native Bill Russell, one of basketball’s greatest players, passed away Sunday at the age of 88. Russell had 11 championships with the Celtics, including an unpresented 8 straight, he won the NBA MVP five times and is the first black coach in any major sport. Russell was born in Monroe in 1934. At the age of 8 he moved to Oakland.

Starting today, speeding fines are doubled on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge if motorists are caught going above the 60 mile per hour speed limit for vehicles and 55 miles per hour for commercial trucks. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says in 2023 speed cameras will be installed to track drivers…:
Cut 4 (10) “third time”
Wilson says the goal of the beefed up enforcement and higher fines is get people to slow down.

Former State Senator Karen Carter Peterson is expected to plead guilty in federal court today to illegally spending campaign funds and Democratic Party money on personal needs, including gambling.

US Senator Bill Cassidy says he plans to support legislation concerning the duplication of benefits from the 2016 flood. The bill, which has passed in the House, will provide aid for remaining flood victims who were not previously helped…:

      Cut 6 (09)  “…set the record straight.”

Louisiana U.S. Senator John Kennedy rails on record-high energy costs and the White House policies that he says got us there. Kennedy says there has been a drastic turnaround in America’s energy sector and the economy in general under the current administration in Washington D.C….:
Cut 10 (13) “have that again”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy remarks about the infrastructure dollars making their way to Louisiana. He says the Baton Rouge Airport will receive $5.2-million and the Lake Charles Airport will receive $2.5 million from the American Rescue Plan…:
Cut 8 (08) “year 2022”
The state’s senior senator was among the group of bipartisan lawmakers who guided the infrastructure bill through Congress last year.

LSU head football Brian Kelly says he is adjusting rather well to life in the south. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who in 2015 organized a plan to kill her mother, is reportedly now married to a man from Lake Charles though she’s still in prison. The murder of Dee Dee Blanchard was the subject of a Hulu series “The Act” — showing how the mother manipulated Gypsy into believing she was wheelchair bound. Gypsy married Ryan Scott Anderson of Lake Charles in June.

FEMA says by the end of the decade an estimated million Americans will be unable to afford flood insurance under its new risk rating, which US Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress plans to address…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Public Service Commission on Wednesday grilled Entergy leaders over its high electricity bills. Members scolded the utility for relying mostly on natural gas, and also questioned its president’s $17 million dollar salary. This week Entergy announced it would take measures to reduce bills like waiving credit card and late fees.

Louisiana District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins sets the record straight on criticism of his work to help southwest Louisiana’s ongoing hurricane recovery. Higgins’ district was hit by Hurricane Laura on August 24th, 2020…then took another hit from Hurricane Delta just three weeks later. Higgins says coming back from that – even over two years – is no easy task…:
Cut 4 (11) “takes time”
Some of Higgins’ seven challengers in the fall election have attacked what they call his inactivity in responding to his district’s storm response.

LSU Coach Brian Kelly Spoke at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club Wednesday and said he can’t wait for his first night in Death Valley. He says his purpose is to develop 18 to 21 one-year-olds on a day-to-day basis…:
Cut 14 (12) “(laughter)”