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)”

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.