U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announces infrastructure dollars are making their way to Louisiana….:
Cut 7 (13) “months ahead”
The state’s senior senator was among the group of ten bipartisan lawmakers who guided the infrastructure bill through congress last year.

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly was able to show a bit of his personality when he addressed the Baton Rouge Rotary Club Wednesday. The Massachusetts native who’s spent the majority of his 32 years as a head coach in the Midwest says it’s been an easy adjustment for him and his family in the south…:
Cut 13 (11) “down here”
Kelly also praised LSU’s facilities and says he’s looking forward to his first Saturday Night in Death Valley.

Louisiana District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins sets the record straight on criticism of his work to help southwest Louisiana’s ongoing hurricane recovery:
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Checking on gas prices — there’s more good news. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.88, down another 2 cents over yesterday.

Have you bought your tickets yet? Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot sits at an estimated $810 million dollars with a $470 million-dollar lump sum payout. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison has good advice for anyone who plays the Lottery; no matter which game…:
Cut 6 (09) “you can claim it”
If there is NO winner in tonight’s drawing, the Mega Million jackpot could easily grow to over a billion dollars.

The Louisiana Economic Development’s LED FastStart program, which helps businesses coming to or expanding in the state, is number one in the nation according to Business Facilities magazine. Director of LED FastStart, Paul Helton says FastStart also works with educational partners like the Louisiana Community and Technical College System…:
Cut 9 (03) “is needing”
In 2021, the program reported 6,000+ hours of training for 32 firms in the state.

The New Orleans City council’s Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee today will discuss placing a moratorium on power shutoffs by Entergy New Orleans until November 1st for delinquent customers struggling to pay skyrocketing summer bills. Residents throughout the state report having trouble paying their electricity bills this summer because they are so high.

Louisiana voters are starting too look at who they might be voting for governor with the race a little over a year away. Attorney General Jeff Landry, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and State Treasurer John Schroder have all voiced plans to run for governor. As for US Senator Bill Cassidy, his wife Dr. Laura Cassidy says her husband is focused on the job he has at the moment…:
CUT 13 (11) “big things right now”
The comments were made on Jim Engster’s radio show, Talk Louisiana.

Have you seen the size of the jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing? Kevin Gallagher reports someone could be a multi-millionaire tomorrow morning…:
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Gas prices are staying in reverse. AAA says lower demand and lower oil prices keep sliding the price at the pump as the current statewide average stands at $3.92 which is down two cents overnight. We’re paying 52 cents less than this time last month.

With the next election for a Louisiana governor a little over a year away, many ask will U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy enter the race? Appearing on Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana radio program, Cassidy’s wife, Dr. Laura Cassidy, says the senator’s work in Congress is his top priority…:
Cut 14 (07) “end of the year”
Attorney General Jeff Landry, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and State Treasurer John Schroder have all voiced plans to run for governor.

Louisiana is getting $130 million to expand internet access for folks across the state, and now there is a program to improve digital literacy. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed…:
Cut 12 (07) “successfully”
She says they hope to increase the digital literacy rate by 50 percent in five years.

Louisiana’s FastStart program at the Louisiana Economic Development office is the best in the nation according to the magazine Business Facilities. Executive Director of LED FastStart, Paul Helton…:
Cut 7 (05) “in the list”
LED FastStart assists businesses moving into or expanding in Louisiana.

Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot stands at a whopping $810 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says when winnings grow this high, there is always a big spike in ticket sales…:
Cut 5 (09) “three-point-five-million”
Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves has reportedly bought 50,000 Mega Million’s tickets on behalf of his employees and plays to divvy up the money if he hits the jackpot.

In addition to providing broadband access to rural areas of the state, there’s now a pilot program to teach individuals how to best use the internet…:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state Department of Children and Family Services announces Pandemic EBT benefits will be issued from late summer into fall for eligible children in K-12 schools. DCFS received approval to expand the P-EBT program with each eligible child receiving $391 for June and July.

Not only will Louisiana be receiving $130 million dollars from the America Rescue Plan to bring more affordable and accessible internet, the state is also piloting a program to improve the state’s digital literacy rate. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says they want to help people use the internet safely and successfully..:
CUT 10 (08) “forward in Louisiana”
She says it’s estimated 462,000 Louisianans lack basic digital literacy skills.

Holy Mega Millions Jackpot. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says tonight’s drawing is the 3rd largest jackpot, and the 4th largest in U.S. lottery history…:
Cut 4 (07) “that kind of money”
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 303 million.

The FastStart incentive program at Louisiana Economic Development takes top honors for the 13th time. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

With today’s check on gas prices, AAA reports the statewide average for a gallon of regular fell another two cents overnight to $3.92. That’s down 14 cents over last week.

A Calcasieu Parish jury gives convicted cop killer Kevin Daigle a death sentence. Daigle shot and killed State Police Trooper Steven Vincent in August of 2015. He was found guilty in 2019. Calcasieu D.A. Stephen Dwight says Daigle was cold and unrepentant, and the death penalty is appropriate…:
Cut 4 (07) “justice was served”
In Louisiana, a death sentence means an automatic appeal.

The Humane Society of Louisiana blames inflation and Covid-era adoptions as the reason they are seeing an overwhelming number of pets being surrendered. Spokesman Jeff Dorson says as people returned to work full time, they realized they couldn’t care for a pet. To relieve the situation…:
Cut 15 (08) “…shelters.”
To assist an animal in need you can donate at humaneLA.org.

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt says he’s the first well-funded Republican to challenge Congressman Clay Higgins….:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The children of the late former Governor Edwin Edwards have issued a plea to his widow Trina to release the ashes of their father. Anna, Stephen and Victoria Edwards would like to see the ashes, which are currently at Trina’s home, buried next to their mother Elaine. Their public plea through the press is, “Trina set our father free.”

The coroner in St. Tammany Parish warns of the dangers of illegal drugs, after a local man died from taking one pill. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A prominent pastor in St. John the Baptist Parish has been convicted for a second time for killing his 8-year-old stepson in 2008. Rev Errol Victor had to be retried after the same conviction in 2014 because the jury then wasn’t unanimous which the US Supreme Court said wasn’t constitutional in 2019. The jury that convicted Victor Wednesday was unanimous.

Day 2 of Qualifying in the November Louisiana Congressional Primary is underway. On Wednesday Republican incumbent US Senator John Kennedy was the first one to sign up, with Democrats Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers qualified to run against Kennedy, as did political newcomer Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib. In the third district, Republican Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt qualified to run against Congressman Clay Higgins. He says Higgins extremist views don’t reflect those of the district:
Cut 12 (12) “…south Louisiana.”
After the first day of qualifying Lane Payne Jr. and Jack Shaheen are also candidates for the Third Congressional District.

The dangerous heat continues across Louisiana today, as heat advisories are once again posted in most parishes through 7pm for the third straight day. High temperatures will again reach the mid 90s for most, with heat index values peaking near 110 in some locations. There is a higher chance for some cooling showers this afternoon across South Louisiana, but any rain won’t be widespread.

Qualifying for the November Open Congressional Primary continues today and runs through tomorrow. Republican Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt (Hog-It) has qualified to run against Congressman Clay Higgins in the Third District. He accused Higgins of not doing much for his constituents after Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated southwest Louisiana…:
CUT 10 (12) “the need”

Animal shelters across the state and the country are overwhelmed with pets that have been surrendered. Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says some pets are being left to fend for themselves in the woods and on the streets..:
Cut 14 (07) “as well”
To assist an animal in need you can donate at humaneLA.org.

The man who murdered State Trooper Steven Vincent seven years ago in Calcasieu Parish gets the death penalty. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A teacher in the Zachary school district is one of two people arrested in a child porn sting. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says 25-year-old Peyton Lambertson is booked with 100 counts of child porn and 100 counts of computer aided solicitation of a minor. Zachary Community School District Superintendent Scott Devillier confirmed that officials are taking appropriate action in view of Lambertson’s arrest.