The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is considering State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley’s Let Teachers Teach policy package. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

43-year-ol Anthony Hughes was shot after a Spirit Night event on Monday behind Bossier High School football stadium. Hughes got into an altercation with some juveniles which led to a fight in the parking lot. The suspect, 32-year-old Marcus Kelly exited his car and shot Hughes. Kelly was arrested and transported to the Bossier Maximum-Security Facility where he was booked. An arrest warrant for Aggravated Criminal Property Damage is pending for Hughes upon his release from the Hospital and Kelly’s bond has been set at $305,000.

Public school enrollment in Louisiana has decreased for the 2024-25 academic year, according to a recent report from the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR) by five percent. The reduction in enrollment poses challenges for the state’s education system, particularly in terms of funding. Public schools on average has been spending more now than in 2019. PAR President Steve Procopio says that’s not a major issue now.

Cut 9 (03)  “…people would think.”

Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Madison Sheahan have asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to expand hunting opportunities for black-bellied whistling ducks.Black-bellied whistling ducks can currently be hunted during the regular winter waterfowl season, which runs from November to January. LDWF is proposing the black-bellied whistling duck season start as early as early September, since, according to Sheahan…

Cut 5 (10) “…own season.”

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a welcome break this week due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Thanks to federal dollars, Louisiana is set to launch it’s largest broadband expansion in the history of the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a lull due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this phenomenon, which occurs regularly during summer months, has drastically suppressed storm development in the Atlantic.…

Cut 3 (09) “…relatively quiet”

The Sahara Air Layer carries dust particles across the ocean, creating a stable environment that hinders the formation of hurricanes by drying out the atmosphere and increasing wind shear, both unfavorable for tropical cyclone development. Keim says we are moving closer to the peak of the hurricane season…

Cut 4 (06) “…whole season.”

Louisiana residents are urged to remain cautious and prepared, as the absence of storms this week does not necessarily indicate a quiet season overall. Keim says stay informed about potential developments in the coming weeks.

Cut 5 (12)  “…in Louisiana.”

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Governor Landry says the state is embarking on the largest broadband expansion program in the state’s history with the launch of Gumbo 2.0. This program will distribute one-point-three billion dollars in federal money to expand broadband. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar predicts the digital divide will be eliminated in the next couple of years…

Cut 6 (07) “…be the first to do it.”

GUMBO 2.0 is designed to accelerate the deployment of high-speed internet across the state by providing additional funding, resources, and streamlined processes for internet service providers. Iyengar says Gumbo 2.0 will put into action the one-point-three billion dollars to expand broadband access to 100-thousand homes, most of those in rural parishes.

Cut 7 (13) “…double that.”

Iyengar emphasized the importance of reliable broadband access for education, healthcare, and economic development in rural areas that have historically lacked sufficient connectivity. GUMBO 2.0 introduces enhanced grant opportunities, new partnerships with local governments, and a focus on leveraging federal infrastructure funds to maximize impact.

Cut 8 (12)  “…behind me here.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says GUMBO 2.0 will create eight to ten thousand new jobs, increase the state’s GDP by $1.3 billion, and generate $2 to 3 billion in new revenue for Louisiana companies.

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Louisiana’s 57 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are in Chicago where they’ll formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says there is an electricity in Chicago as every walk of life is attending the D-N-C

Cut 9 (10) “…Windy City.”

Carter says with this Democratic National Convention, the party is looking to further a democracy that protects social security, troops and veterans and women’s reproductive rights, among other things. He says the convention is about making sure everyone knows they have a seat at the table…

Cut 10 (11) “…be at.”

The convention will feature speeches by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and current president Joe Biden, who speaks tonight. Carter supported Biden’s campaign for a second term, but says he’s proud to support Harris for president, since she was next to Biden during his presidency.

Cut 11 (11) ” ..before it.”

The D-N-C runs until Thursday the 22nd.

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Authorities are investigating an offshore explosion on Saturday night in south Plaquemines Parish that killed one person. Sgt. Kate Stegall with Louisiana State Police says they got a call that a natural gas pipeline had exploded in a marshy area near Venice, and 40-year-old Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles was missing…

Cut 12 (12) “…Mr. Nichols’ body.”

Nichols died in the incident, and his body was recovered. Police believe he was working on the pipeline at the time of the explosion. No one else was injured in the explosion or resulting fire. Stegall says the pipelines have been blocked off, as one of them is still burning the reserve natural gas in the line.

Cut 13 (08) “…to the public.” 

Stegall says the fire doesn’t pose a threat to the public. The cause of the explosion and the incident are under investigation.

New Orleans Representative Mandi Landry is in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention.Landry says Harris and running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are normal people and they call Walz “Dad” because of his humor and principles…Cut 15 (12)  “…a teacher.”

The DNC runs through Thursday, August 22nd.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing a lull this week due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). This phenomenon, which occurs regularly during summer months, has drastically suppressed storm development in the tropical Atlantic. LSU Public Health Climatologist  Barry Keim says that good news for Louisiana…

Cut 3 (09) relatively quiet.”

The National Hurricane Center monitors the situation closely and Keim urges people to stay informed about potential developments in the coming weeks.

State lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce auto rates after Marketwatch.com crowned Louisiana the state with the highest full-coverage car insurance rates last week. House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says legislators are trying to figure out why Louisiana is an outlier in auto insurance rates…

Cut 10 (12) “…as well.”

Five legislative committees are meeting monthly about the insurance crisis and to prepare for a possible special session.

The Council for A Better Louisiana (CABL, pronounced cable) says the state is making progress on less than half of the 35 indicators for wellbeing, and trending slightly downwards from last year. CABL president Barry Erwin says one problem area is health and wellness…

Cut 7 (09) “…those things.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has issued a “do not use” water advisory for residents in Madison Parish. The advisory warns residents not to consume or bathe in the water due to potential contamination. Louisiana Surgeon General, Dr. Ralph Abraham, says LDH officials are working with the Walnut Bayou Water district to conduct tests to ensure the water’s safety.

Cut 4 (07) “…Chemicals in it.”

Until the advisory is lifted, Abraham says residents are urged to use bottled water or other safe sources.

DOTD has made a major step forward in building a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Project Manager Paul Vaught says they’ve officially reached a financial close, as the developer has sold the bonds needed to complete financing. He says the developer, Calcasieu Bridge Partners, will start final designs immediately…

Cut 13 (09)  “…to complete.”

Preliminary construction work can begin later this year, and the goal is to have a new bridge constructed in 2031.

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has released his preliminary investigative report into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

And here’s a look at todays commodities…

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement has arrested a Pineville man for allegedly selling THC products to kids. 40-year-old Ahmed Gaber (gah-bear) of Pineville was booked in the Rapides Parish Detention Center for distribution of a stage-one classified drug above 2.5 pounds and released the same day on a ten-thousand-dollar bond. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says vapes in schools are a big problem…

Cut 12 (12) “…this type of stuff.”

A 10-month-old baby girl has died after being left in a hot car Tuesday in Jennings. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes (Simms) says the girl’s mother was unexpectedly called into work at a local restaurant and accidentally left the child in the car during her hour-and-a-half-long shift.

Cut 9 (12) “…emergency room.”

Temperatures were in the mid-90s across Acadiana on Tuesday, with heat indexes over 105 degrees.

This school year, some of Louisiana’s educators will be evaluated under a new system. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (sha-son) says the old system lacked a comprehensive rubric or ongoing support, so they developed Louisiana’s Educator Advancement and Development System, or LEADS…

Cut 13 (09)  “…one-time event.”

LEADS will be fully implemented for the 2025-26 school year, this year will be treated as a learning year.

Todd Graves, the founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, donated $100,000 to fund the creation of a 3D-printed artificial reef off the coast of Grand Isle. The reef will replace an old, decommissioned oil platform, contributing to marine conservation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. Graves expressed his commitment to preserving Louisiana’s natural resources with plans to build four more artificial reefs in the Gulf.

Cut 8 (07)  “…great fishing again.”

Aug 14 1130

LSU received a $200 thousand grant from LED to expand their film program in the College of Music and Dramatic Arts hiring additional faculty in the film and digital media production. This funding is part of LED’s broader initiative to boost the state’s creative economy and strengthen its position as a hub for film production. Sosnowsky says the program has been growing fast…

Cut 4 (12) “…diversify our offerings.”

High school sports season is right around the corner and once again there is a need for referees. Director of Officials for the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Lee Sanders says football alone, only 1,000 refs are officiating more than 20-thousand players in Louisiana. And of those officials, he says 60% of them are over the age of 50.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the sports.”

Morgan City grad Vernon Norwood is back in the United States after winning two medals in track at the Paris Olympics. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The Louisiana State Police have issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory on behalf of the St. Martinville Police Department for 2-year-old Kaizor Louis. Louis was last seen on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in St. Martinville. He was taken by his non-custodial mother Mashays Johnson from his daycare and was last seen traveling south on Resweber Street in a black sedan. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Kaizor Louis contact the St. Martinville Police Department or call 911.

LED (Louisiana Economic Development) is providing a $200 thousand grant to the LSU film program, hiring an additional faculty member in film and digital media production, and expanding the enrollment capacity of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television program. Executive Associate Dean of the LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts Kristen Sosnowsky…

Cut 3 (08) “…in the state”

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released a survey highlighting ongoing inflationary pressures on Main Street businesses. The survey revealed that 25 percent of small business owners identified inflation as their most pressing problem, marking it as the top concern for nearly three years. Louisiana NFIB Director Leah Long says some business owners are optimistic about the future, but many remain cautious, due to the uncertainty about how long inflation will persist.

Cut 6 (10) “…may or may not change.”

Another high school sports season is right around the corner and once again there is a need for referees. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

45-year-old April Poitras of Shreveport pleaded guilty to two counts of aiming a laser pointer at multiple aircraft on August 15, 2023. Law enforcement responded to the area by vehicle and a police helicopter. While responding the helicopter was also illuminated by the green laser from the ground. The helicopter was able to direct officers to the location where Poitras was standing in a yard holding the laser pointer. She faces a sentence of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $250 thousand.

While crops like corn and rice are seeing a good harvest this year, Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain estimates it will take years for the state crawfish industry to bounce back from last year’s historic drought. Strain says while the Agriculture and Forestry Commission plans for almost any disaster a farmer could face, they were blindsided by last year’s drought.

Cut 4 (10) “…dry up the ponds.”

Last season, crawfish prices reached as high as $14 per pound due to the drought.

The state is preparing to roll out GUMBO 2.0 ensuring every community, no matter how small, has high-speed internet. Director of the State Office of Broadband Development Veneeth Iyengar (ai·uhn·gaar) says $1.36 billion of federal funds is dedicated to the project.

Cut 6 (11) “…economic development”

Iyengar says the broadband initiative is a high priority for Governor Jeff Landry.

Over 1200 farmers in Louisiana who experienced documented discrimination in federal farm lending programs before January 2021 will receive a combined 77 million dollars in financial assistance from the USDA. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the money is going to some of Louisiana’s Black farmers.

Cut 9 (08) “… end-all-be-all.”

A man who allegedly shot into a crowd of a thousand people in Many (Manny) has been arrested after an overnight manhunt. Detective Wade Seegers with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department says 21-year-old Julius Winfield IV faces charges including attempted first-degree murder and terrorizing in connection to the shooting in July. Seegers says police spotted Winfield in his car yesterday near Pleasant Hill…

Cut  14 (12) “…we got him.”

Winfield has been booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center.

Louisiana’s restaurant industry is improving post-pandemic in areas around the state. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 1 (32) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

Officials are investigating after a body was reportedly found in a pond just south of I-12 Monday morning. The body was found in a pond off South Frost Road, also known as Highway 63. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene after someone reported a male body floating in a pond. There was no immediate information on how long the body had been there or the body’s identity. This is a developing story.

As investigations into the assassination attempt on former President Trump’s life continue, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says there are even more concerning details in the case that the Secret Service wasn’t forthcoming about.

Cut 7 (13) “…important jobs.”

Scalise says the job of the Secret Service is to protect the President, Vice President, former Presidents, and visiting Heads of State.

AP’s preseason top 25 is out, and LSU football ranks 13th. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says AP’s rank shouldn’t come as a surprise, since LSU ranked 12th in the preseason AFCA Coaches Poll a week ago. However, he thinks the top 25 rankings usually don’t accurately reflect how the Tigers will do in the coming weeks, adding the AP lists are…

Cut 11 (12) ” …season opener.”