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.

Louisiana has handed down a death sentence after a Calcasieu Parish jury decided the fate of cop killer Kevin Daigle who murdered State Police Trooper Steven Vincent in August of 2015. Calcasieu D.A. Stephen Dwight says he stands by the decision to ask for capital punishment…:
Cut 5 (07) “in cold blood…on video”
Trooper Vincent was shot in the face when he stopped to render roadside aid to Daigle. Patrol unit dash cam video captured everything.

Officials at Angola are investigation the death of an inmate who was allegedly killed by another prisoner during a fight. The prisoner who died has been identified as 42-year-old Carlos McGrew who was serving two concurrent life sentences for murder convictions out of Jefferson Parish. The suspect is identified as 26-year-old Kevin Hamburg who may face additional charges.

The coroner in St. Tammany Parish is worried there are pills circulating the black market that are intentionally tainted with fentanyl, after the recent death of a healthy 22-year-old who apparently OD ‘ed on a single dose. Dr. Charles Preston says the pills look like Percocet but they are called FentPerc on the streets. He warns against taking those…:
Cut 9 (08) “in your body”
He encourages people to start adding Narcan to first aid kits which can reverse an overdose instantly.

Thanks to lower demand and lower global prices, the consumer price at the pump keeps falling. In Louisiana the statewide average fell another two cents over night to 4.02 — down nearly 50 cents over last month.

19th JDC Judge Don Johnson has asked both sides in the debate over Louisiana’s trigger laws on abortion to submit their proposed findings this morning on fact and conclusions of law in the case before he rules. The judge left a June 11th temporary restraining order in place in the meantime meaning abortion clinics could remain open until a ruling is made.

There’s an effort underway to restore Pontchartrain Beach so the public can put their toes in the sand once again. Brooke Thorington explains….:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A Facebook message in January helped authorities determine the identity of a person killed while walking I-10 in Breaux Bridge in December 1981. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Ginny Higgins says the message helped through DNA technology, but it took several years before they got a tip that led to a positive I-D…:
Cut 11 (09) “that person”
Higgins says the victim has been identified as Michele Oakes-Gautreaux who was 26 when she was hit.

The drawing for the $530-million Mega Millions Jackpot is tonight. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says no one in Louisiana has hit the Megamillion jackpot, Chopin says five people in the state have been Megamillion Match 4 plus the Mega-ball..:
Cut 6 (11) “Megaball numbers”

A Baton Rouge judge has ruled in favor of insurance companies who refused to pay expenses for those homeowners who evacuated during Hurricane Ida from parishes that did not issue mandatory evacuation orders. Ida hit quick and there wasn’t enough time for many parishes to issue orders in time. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the Legislature has changed the law, so next hurricane season a mandatory evacuation will not be required for insurers to cover expenses…:
Cut 14 (10) “evacuation order”

The Pontchartrain Beach Foundation announced its submitted a proposal they’ll present today to obtain a lease for the site to redevelop it. Co-founder of the Pontchartrain Beach Foundation Guy Williams says the project will include restrooms, an area for food trucks, a site for boaters and more…:
Cut 8 (07) “the beach”

The drawing for the $530-million Megamillions Jackpot is tonight. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s the 8th largest jackpot in Megamillion’s history and it has a cash value of almost $305-million…:
Cut 4 (12) “lump sum payment”

It wasn’t all just football talk when Brian Kelly spoke with reporters at SEC Media Days. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

19th JDC Judge Don Johnson has asked both sides in the debate over Louisiana’s trigger laws on abortion to submit their proposed findings this morning on fact and conclusions of law in the case before he rules. He left a June 11th restraining order in place in the meantime meaning abortion clinics could remain open.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected today to provide an update on the future of the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish, after yet another 6 juvenile inmates escaped from the facility over the weekend.