Attorney General Liz Murrill has been ordered to pay 245-thousand dollars in legal fees for her laws that accused the Caddo Commission of violating the state’s Open Meeting Law. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Even though President Trump never signed it, the most sweeping federal housing legislation in a generation is now law. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Supporters of year-round Daylight Saving Time are calling on the U.S. Senate to approve the Sunshine Protection Act. The U.S. House has passed legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. President Trump has said he’ll sign the bill if it reaches his desk. Louisiana is prepared to immediately adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time thanks to legislation sponsored by Haughton Representative Dodie Horton that was approved in 2020…

Cut 3 (11) “…clock.”

When Louisiana switches from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, the sun sets around 5 p.m. in December and January. Horton says her constituents want more daylight later in the day…

Cut 4 (08) “…than negative.”

The U.S. tried year-round Daylight Saving Time in 1974 and 1975, but Congress repealed the law after complaints that children were going to school in the dark and morning traffic accidents increased.

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A state judge has ordered Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill to pay nearly 245-thousand dollars in legal fees after her office sued the Caddo Commission for allegedly violating the state’s Open Meetings Law. Murrill says she plans to appeal the ruling…

Cut 5 (12) “…enforcing the law.”

Murrill alleges seven Caddo Commissioners violated the state’s Open Meeting Law when they privately met to discuss preparing a resolution to welcome U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders to Shreveport in June 2025. Murrill also claims the Commissioners violated state law by approving the resolution with electronic voting machines instead of a live voice vote…

Cut 6 (12) “…real problem”

In his ruling, Judge John Davidson called the state’s lawsuit against the Caddo Commission frivolous, not investigated properly and it should never have been filed. But Murrill says her office is charged with enforcing the open meetings law and after an investigation, it was determined a violation occurred…

Cut 7 (07) “…judicial scrutiny.”

The appeal with go to the 2^nd Circuit Court of Appeals and it could end up before the Louisiana Supreme Court before it is finally resolved.

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Even though President Trump never put Sharpie to paper, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law. The most sweeping federal housing legislation in a generation contains several components aimed at making home ownership more accessible to more people. Norman Morris, the CEO of Louisiana Realtors, says one of the biggest ones is placing restrictions on single-family home purchases by investors.

Cut 8 (15) “…off the market.”

Morris says another component of the new law is a modernization of manufactured and modular housing requirements.

Cut 9 (11)  “…in our state.”

Morris says under the new law, it will be a lot easier, especially for first-time homebuyers, to obtain small-dollar mortgages.

Cut 10 (11) “…of the state.” 

Thanks to the new law, a single low appraisal will no longer put a purchase deal in immediate peril, as it will require value reconsiderations and make available second appraisal procedures. Morris notes that the effects of the new law will take some time to be fully felt.

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U-S Senator John Kennedy says the Republican-backed measure known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has reduced the number of Americans who were receiving SNAP benefits by four-million. Kennedy says that’s because the legislation required able-bodied adults to work, volunteer or attend school in order to receive the government benefits

Cut 11 (06) “…food stamps.” (2x)

Kennedy says the full provision of the law is not implement, so he expects this number to grow. He says it was a long overdue reform to this social program and it’s not targeting people who are not able to work for a variety of reasons…

Cut 12 (14) “…it’s working.” 

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his jersey retired in Tiger Stadium. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Congress is trying again to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 36 in-state cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection causing explosive diarrhea. Louisiana is just one of 30 states that have reported cases of the infection. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the CDC and FDA are working to find the source of the outbreak.

Cut 3 (12) “…resolve the outbreak.”

Michigan health officials suggested lettuce and salad greens could be the possible source. Usually contracted by eating contaminated food abroad, Sokol says this national outbreak suggests there is a domestic cause. She says it is almost always caused by contaminated fresh produce.

Cut 4 (09) “…types of items.”

She recommends thoroughly washing all produce and washing your hands before and after handling it.

The infection causes frequent and watery bowel movements, fatigue, loss of appetite, bloating and more. Severe dehydration may result in hospitalization, but cases are rarely fatal. Sokol says symptoms can last up to a month.

Cut 5 (09) “…may have cyclosporiasis.”

Five Louisianians have been hospitalized with cyclosporiasis.

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Could 50 Cent’s investment in Shreveport be in jeopardy? The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, posted a cryptic message on Instagram, saying, in his words, some people in Shreveport don’t want things to get better, and he’s going to have to pull back on the Red River, referring to the entertainment production district he’s seeking to create. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says he’s not concerned about 50 Cent’s overall commitment to the city.

Cut 6 (11) “…on everything else.”

50 Cent’s plan is to transform dormant industrial spaces into state of the art film and television production facilities. Mayor Arceneaux notes that 50 Cent’s efforts in Shreveport date back several years, so there’s no way he’s going to pull out of the city completely.

Cut 7 (09) “…will go forward.”

Arceneaux says the big question at this stage is whether 50 Cent will actually run the Red River District.

Cut 8 (12) “…couple of spots.”

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Former LSU quarterback Bert Jones, the first All-American signal caller in LSU history, will have his number seven jersey retired in Death Valley November 14 during the Texas game. Jones is an LSU Athletics and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer, but he says this takes the cake.

Cut 9 (12)  “…list for me.”

The Ruston native started for LSU from 1970-1972 and went 26-6-and-1. He won three bowl games and an SEC Championship and left campus as the school record holder with 3,255 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. Jones says playing in Death Valley was unforgettable.

Cut 10 (12) “…special time.” 

Jones joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova, Jerry Stovall and Charles Alexander as the former Tigers to have their jerseys retired. All of the jerseys are displayed above the south end zone in Tiger Stadium. Jones says he joins incredible company.

Cut 11 (13) “…always special.”

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What a difference four years make. In 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent, only to have that bill stall in the Democratic-led House. Now, four years later, the Republican-led House passed that same bill on a vote of 308-117. Julia Letlow was among the representatives who voted in favor of it, doing so after polling her constituents.

Cut 12 (08) “…on this one.” 

Since the previous Senate vote was during the 117th Congress, the measure now goes back to the Senate in this, the 119th Congress. Letlow acknowledges it faces an uncertain fate there.

Cut 13 (05) “…so we’ll see.”

If H-R 139 ultimately becomes law, sunrise in Shreveport in early January could come after 8:15 a.m.

Meta is committing another 50-billion dollars to its Richland Parish data center, expanding the campus to nearly ten million square feet and five gigawatts of IT capacity. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you need a job, the “help wanted” sign is out in West Feliciana Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Meta is doubling its AI data center in Richland Parish. President and Vice Chairman of Meta, Dina Powell McCormick, says they now plan to spend as much as 50-billion dollars on the project and related infrastructure, up from the ten billion it originally planned

Cut 3 (12) “…Richland Parish and beyond.”

Governor Landry says artificial intelligence continues to accelerate worldwide , the infrastructure powering it is expanding to meet the growing demand. He says with this investment, Meta is establishing the Richland Parish Data Center as the cornerstone of its global infrastructure and it puts Louisiana in a great spot too…

Cut 4 (10) “…the world.”

The site will encompass more than 32-hunred acres, more than four times larger than New York City’s Central Park. Landry says his administration has created an environment were companies can move quickly and build at scale..

Cut 5 (14) “…150 billion investment.”  (applause) 

The project will support 75-hundred construction jobs, one-thousand permanent jobs once it becomes fully operational in 2036.

There are concerns this massive AI data center in north Louisiana will increase electricity bills for residents, because of the amount of power it takes to run one of these facilities. But Landry says Meta and Entergy have come up with a plan for ratepayers not to bear the extra costs.

Cut 6 (12) “..infrastructure”

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It’s a wet start to the work week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says some parts of Louisiana had six to seven inches of rain on Saturday alone, and that rainy pattern will continue today and tomorrow.

Cut 7 (11) “…the same area.”

Keim says the prolonged rainfall raises the potential for certain major conditions, but other forms of severe weather are not expected for the time being.

Cut 8 (10) “…of weather conditions.”

Keim says the rain will clear out by the middle of this week; but that will not by any means make it any more comfortable to be outside.

Cut 9 (10)  “…be pretty oppressive.”

With that high humidity, heat index values will enter the triple digits in the latter half of this week.

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The “help wanted” sign is out at the Hut 8 data center in West Feliciana Parish, and there will be a job fair tomorrow afternoon to fill scores of positions. Parish President Kenny Havard says the positions cover both immediate and future positions.

Cut 10 (06) “…15-hundred construction jobs.” 

Havard says the job fair will be from three to six tomorrow afternoon at West Feliciana High School in St. Francisville.

Cut 11 (10) “…involved in it.”

Havard says the permanent jobs Hut 8 will be interviewing for are for skilled technical workers, and the salaries are quite lucrative.

Cut 12 (07) “…dollars a year.” 

(The average salaries are between 130-thousand and 150-thousand dollars a year.) And Havard says in the months since, those figures have actually gone up from there.

Louisiana is one of 29 states to report cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Those using artificial intelligence in political ads must now clearly disclose that fact. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Three former LSU Tigers were taken on the opening day of the Major League Baseball Draft. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Over 20 cases of the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis have been reported in Louisiana; that’s above average for this time of year. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says typically those cases come from those who become infected when traveling abroad, but this year’s outbreak is domestic.

Cut 4 (09) “…the parasite.”

Previous outbreaks have been linked to bagged salads, fresh cilantro and basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions.

Louisiana is one of 29 states reporting cases of the parasitic infection. Sokol says dying from cyclosporiasis is extremely rare, but the infection is more than just your average upset stomach.

Cut 5 (12) “…loss of appetite.”

She says if you notice symptoms lasting more than a few days, you should contact a health professional. Sokol says cyclosporiasis can be treated with antibiotics.

Cut 6 (11) “…they can relapse.”

Sokol recommends you wash your hands before and after you eat and wash all fresh produce thoroughly to best reduce your risk of becoming infected.

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From now on, groups releasing political ads using A-I technology must disclose that fact. That’s due to a bill authored by New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry and signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry. Representative Landry says her bill walks a fine line between protecting people’s right to free speech and holding people accountable for using deceptive means to hurt others.

Cut 7 (10) “…harm our reputation?”

Nowhere was that more evident than in the runup to the runoff election in the Republican U.S. Senate primary between Julia Letlow and John Fleming, both of whom had A-I attack ads made against them. Representative Landry says such A-I content is something that will likely be addressed next year.

Cut 8 (11) “…to push it.”

Mandie Landry says those who violate the new law face substantial penalties when it takes effect on August 1st.

Cut 9 (10)  “…years in jail.”

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New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno asks for a face-to-face meeting with Governor Jeff Landry after exchanging letters and social media posts about the city’s finances. Knowing the State Bond Commission would have rejected it, Moreno withdrew the city’s request to seek a 110-million-dollar loan from a third party. Moreno says New Orleans will take a different approach, but it is a more painful path forward…

Cut 10 (08) “…as well.”

Moreno inherited a financial crisis left behind by her predecessor, LaToya Cantrell.

In Moreno’s latest social media post, she asked the governor to work with her administration to be successful so the state is successful…

Cut 11 (06) “…our conversation”

Landry has been critical of New Orleans’ spending and has accused the city of treating Louisiana as an ATM. Moreno responded by saying the bond request would not have resulted in New Orleans receiving more money in the state and that she’s more than happy to discuss the city’s finances in person…

Cut 12 (04) “…ATM machine.”

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Thanks to a grant of more than 170-thousand dollars, LSU Health Shreveport is helping to address healthcare shortages in rural areas. Dr. Sharon Dunn, the dean of the School of Health Professions and Sciences, says the Louisiana Department of Health is offering scholarships after being awarded the Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity, or HERO, grant.

Cut 13 (10)  “…into rural communities.”

Up to six physician assistant students will receive scholarships covering tuition and fees in exchange for a two to three year commitment at participating rural hospitals upon graduation. Dr. Dunn says the longer the scholarship, the longer the hospital commitment will be. 

Cut 14 (11) “…August of 2029.”

Dunn says these grants are a win for everyone involved.

Cut 15 (14) “…these rural communities.”

Hospitals participating in this innovative partnership are matching the grant funding.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates selected LSU All-American outfielder Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. Curiel had two sensational seasons at LSU, and the California native says he would not be where he is now if it were not for Jay Johnson and the Tigers’ coaching staff…

Cut 16 (11) “…LSU.”

Curiel was named freshman of the year in 2025 as the Tigers won the national championship. He led LSU in hitting this past season and was named a Third-Team All-American. Curiel on what he plans to bring to the Pittsburgh organization…

Cut 17 (20) “…do that.”

The Pirates are an improving team led by former LSU star Paul Skenes. Last year, Pittsburgh drafted former LSU slugger Jared Jones, and he’s been doing well in High A-Ball. Curiel is looking forward to being teammates again with “The Bear”…

Cut 18 (25) remember him a lot.”

In the second round, Seattle selected former LSU right fielder Jake Brown from Sulphur.

The Gulf of Mexico is seeing an increase in its shark population. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The political dispute between the city of New Orleans and Louisiana continues to intensify as the city withdraws a loan request to the State Bond Commission for 110-million dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Gulf of Mexico is seeing an increase in its shark population. Dr. Dean Grubbs, the associate director of research at the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, says while some species continue to decline in population, others are recovering due to warming water temperatures.

Cut 3 (12) “…for bull sharks.”

Dr. Grubbs says while shark populations are in bad shape in most of the world, it’s a different story in the U.S., with the country starting to manage shark populations back in 1993.

Cut 4 (11) “…the populations recovering.”

With an increase in shark population comes an increase in the likelihood of a beachgoer encountering a shark. Grubbs points out, however, that sharks aren’t the only ones increasing in number.

Cut 5 (07) “…30 years ago.”

Grubbs says if you encounter a shark, the best thing to do is not to panic as you make your way back to the beach, because the species which populate the Gulf want nothing to do with humans, just as humans want nothing to do with sharks.

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The MLB Draft is this weekend, and a few Tigers will definitely hear their names called. Koki Riley covers LSU baseball for The Advocate and says this year’s LSU group is not as deep as past years.

Cut 6 (07) “…tenth round.”

Outfielders Derek Curiel and Jake Brown are projected to go in the first and second rounds.

Riley says most of the other players who have a chance to leave Baton Rouge for pro ball are older right-handed relief pitchers.

Cut 7 (09) “…definitely go.”

Jay Johnson and his staff will keep an eye on the draft to see where the top LSU prep signees end up. Riley says there are reports that six-foot-seven right-handed pitcher Jensen Hirschkorn of California would need a big-time signing bonus to go pro.

Cut 8 (12) “…with his fastball.”

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Cash-strapped New Orleans has withdrawn its 110-million-dollar bond and loan request from the State Bond Commission. Mayor Helena Moreno says the city pulled the application because it would have been denied amid the ongoing political dispute. Tulane political science professor Mike Sherman says the relationship between New Orleans and the Landry Administration is not good…

Cut 9 (13)  “…is expanding.”

In a statement, Mayor Moreno says the city has found another path to fund city services, but warned there will be cuts and delays. She went on to say the state of Louisiana needs New Orleans just as much as New Orleans needs the state.

Landry responded by saying no one has done more for the city of New Orleans than him, but he will not allow New Orleans to utilize the state as an ATM.

Sherman says eventually the political war of words will come to an end…

Cut 10 (09) “…off ramp.” 

In May, Governor Landry and New Orleans officials did not see eye-to-eye on a new state law that combined the city’s criminal and civil courts. The conflict grew last week when an Orleans Parish Grand Jury indicted Attorney General Liz Murrill on accusations she violated state law by publicly threatening the mayor, city council members and district attorney Jason Williams.

The Louisiana Supreme Court issued an emergency stay on the indictment and it’s possible the indictment will eventually be dismissed. The governor has ordered State Police to investigate to see the grand jury committed any improprieties in handing down an indictment against Murrill.

Sherman says the state’s dispute with New Orleans will likely not end until Murrill is exonerated and someone takes the fall for the indictment of Murrill..

Cut 11 (10) “…coming together.”

Moreno says she would like to meet with Governor Landry face to face to talk about the city’s finances.

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Get ready for a wet start to the week next week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Carly Kovacik (ko-VAH-chick) says a front will be moving into the state starting Sunday.

Cut 12 (08) “…also pushing south.” 

Kovacik says that’s going to bring some precipitation to areas throughout the state, particularly in the northern half.

Cut 13 (09) “…exist with that.”

But Kovacik says we shouldn’t see a whole lot in terms of rain accumulation like what we saw last month.

Cut 14 (08) “…up setting up.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation says the Atlantic tarpon is a declining species, but that didn’t stop the governor from vetoing the bill that would have put some protections on it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Amir “Aura” Khan is headed to LSU. The viral McNeese basketball student manager officially joined Will Wade’s staff. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A St. Landry Parish woman is cited for allegedly illegally selling native turtles online. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A conservation organization that represents sportsmen is disappointed Governor Landry vetoed legislation that would have designated Atlantic tarpon as a Louisiana saltwater gamefish. Rick Owens with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation says the purpose of the legislation is to preserve a piece of Louisiana’s recreational identity before it fades further.

Cut 4 (04) “…had decades ago.”

Owens says Louisiana waters once supported numerous tarpon clubs, tournaments and seasonal fisheries that attracted anglers from across the Gulf Coast.

In his veto message, Governor Landry said there is no real harvest pressure on tarpon and nothing in science suggests the state needs to put limits or restrictions to protect it, when it is primarily a catch-and-release fish.

But Owens says the LDWF lists the “silver king” as vulnerable and at a moderate risk of going extinct.

Cut 5 (09) “…fish to release.”

Landry says House Bill 688 is a solution in search of a problem. Owens says the legislation that was vetoed would have placed tarpon within the same general management framework Louisiana already uses for other recreational species, including red drum, speckled trout, and black bass.

Cut 6 (11) “…for the tarpon.”

The House and Senate approved the legislation unanimously; and since it did not become law, Louisiana is the only state that does not formally recognize tarpon as a recreational gamefish.

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Viral McNeese basketball student manager Amir Khan is following Will Wade to LSU. He’ll join Wade’s LSU staff in the same role. Khan says he first became a student manager because he grew up as an LSU fan watching Wade.

Cut 7 (10) “…lot to me.”

The Lake Charles native gained massive popularity during the 2025 NCAA tournament, leading the Cowboys out of the tunnel with a boombox. He originally transferred to NC State when Wade took the job there last season but returned to McNeese when his class credits didn’t transfer over.

Cut 8 (08) “…season with McNeese.”

Khan became the first student manager to sign an NIL deal during McNeese’s 2024 tournament run. His goal for his senior year is to help other managers at LSU, McNeese and around the country land deals of their own. As for the boombox making an appearance, we’ll have to wait and see.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the other stuff.”

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A St. Landry Parish woman is cited for allegedly selling native turtles online. Captain Scott Dupre with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the legislature recently passed a law making it illegal to sell native turtles in the state.

Cut 10 (08) “…to protect it.”

LDWF agents got a tip that 32-year-old Sydney Broussard of Eunice was selling turtles online. They found that she was selling red eared slider turtles for eight dollars apiece and an alligator snapping turtle for 30 dollars. Captain Dupre says Broussard faces a 350-dollar fine for each turtle she was selling.

Cut 11 (10) “…responsible for restitution.”

Agents seized the turtles and returned them to the water. Dupre says while it’s illegal to sell native turtles in Louisiana, it’s not illegal to possess them, but there are limits.

Cut 12 (08) “…alligator snapping turtle.”

There are also prohibited turtle species, which are illegal to possess at all.

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Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center have released their initial findings from their RURAL Health study in Franklin Parish. Lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Broyles says some of the more notable findings include elevated rates of two key health factors.

Cut 13 (13)  “…others like diabetes.”

(The study shows that Franklin Parish has elevated rates of obesity and high blood pressure.) The RURAL Health study compares rural communities to other rural communities, as opposed to urban communities. Dr. Broyles says these findings underscore the importance of having strong health care in all communities, including in rural areas.

Cut 14 (13) “…address these conditions.”

These findings come on the heels of the initial findings from an earlier study in Assumption Parish. Broyles says now that we know the what, now the job for the researchers is to figure out the why.

Cut 15 (13) “…do about it.”

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The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft is this weekend, and two LSU baseball stars should hear their names called on Saturday. Center fielder Derek Curiel is expected to be a top 15 pick in the first round, while right fielder Jake Brown is a potential second round pick as he’s ranked by ESPN.com as the 64th best player in the draft. Brown will spend draft day with his family in Sulphur.

Cut 16 (11) “…in my life.”

Brown’s junior season at LSU ended prematurely when he broke the hamate bone in his wrist on April 19th. Brown was one of the Tigers best hitters, hitting .309 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI. He was able to swing again a week after LSU’s season ended in the SEC Tournament.

Cut 17 (15) “…I’m feeling great.”

Brown loved being a Tiger and could have returned for his senior season, but he’s ready to play professional baseball.

Cut 18 (11) “…draft this year.”

Brown will likely receive a seven-figure signing bonus.

You are no longer required to get an inspection sticker for your vehicle in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick has the new process.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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One U.S. House district’s race is getting crowded, while potential candidates in another are waiting to see what a certain someone does. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisianians no longer need to get a vehicle inspection sticker, but how does the new QR code work? State Senator Alan Seabaugh says the QR code sticker will go in the same spot as your current inspection sticker.

Cut 3 (12) “…displayed anyway.”

QR code stickers are not required until January 1, and Governor Jeff Landry has issued a grace period for the rest of this year, meaning you can no longer be ticketed for a missing or expired inspection sticker. Seabaugh says the QR code will work differently for law enforcement.

Cut 4 (12) “…by law to have.”

Instead of paying ten-dollars for an annual inspection, you will purchase the QR code for six-dollars as part of the cost of renewing your vehicle registration. Seabaugh says the OMV stickers will send you the sticker in the mail.

Cut 5 (10) “…vehicle registration.”

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Another Republican announces his intention to run for the district five U.S. House seat. The latest is Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey. Greg Hilburn, a political reporter for the USA Today Network, says Cathey is the third Republican state legislator to enter the district five race.

Cut 6 (13) “…in the race.”

So far, no Democrats have announced their candidacies in the heavily Republican district. Hilburn says there is one big question surrounding the race.

Cut 7 (12) “…Baton Rouge-based.”

(The big question is whether Blake Miguez will run in the fifth or the sixth district). Hilburn notes that Miguez has moved to Baton Rouge, which is now in the sixth district. Speaking of the sixth district, Hilburn says the field there so far is very thin.

Cut 8 (09) “…he would prefer.”

Qualifying is August 5th through the 7th; and due to the late redrawing of the congressional map, the election will revert to the open primary, and it will be on November 3rd.

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We’re now in the time of year when something outside is really bugging you – mosquitoes. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says this is prime mosquito season; and as such, you need to take every precaution possible when venturing outside, especially at night.

Cut 9 (08)  “…sort of thing.”

Not only is this prime mosquito season, but it’s also prime encephalitis season. Strain says because of that, you also need to protect any animals on your property.

Cut 10 (08) “…for your horses.” 

Strain says mosquitos breed in standing water; so especially with all the rain that we’ve been getting lately, if you have standing water on your property, get rid of it at all costs.

Cut 11 (14) “…where mosquitos breed.”\

Baton Rouge State Senator Larry Selders died at the age of 44 after a suspected heart attack last night. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Federal assistance is now available to homeowners and renters in four parishes who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

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State Senator Larry Selders passed away unexpectedly of a suspected heart attack suffered at an event last night. The Baton Rouge Democrat was 44 years old. Fellow Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she is still in disbelief.

Cut 3 (10) “…serving the people.”

Selders had surgery for a heart aneurysm in May.

Barrow says Selders served in the heart of Baton Rouge and always cared about doing what was best for the people he served. Selders is survived by his wife and two sons. Barrow says he was a family man.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the legislature.”

Selders served as a State Representative before filling the Senate seat vacated by Congressman Cleo Fields. Barrow says he was a social worker by trade and truly cared about others.

Cut 5 (11) “…behavior and outcomes.”

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Federal assistance is now available to homeowners and renters in four parishes who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur. Nate Custer with FEMA says those parishes are Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. 

Cut 6 (10) “…considered for that.”

Custer says people will be considered on a case-by-case basis based on an inspection of the damage to their homes.

Cut 7 (09) “…personal property losses.”

Custer says you may be eligible for federal assistance if either your flood insurance policy does not cover all of your damage or you don’t have a flood policy at all.

Cut 8 (07) “…provided by FEMA.”

To apply, either download the FEMA app, go to disaster assistance-dot-gov, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA.

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Colorado State University is once again lowering its hurricane forecast for 2026. Senior Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach says the forecast now calls for nine named storms, including Arthur, including four hurricanes, with one of them being a major hurricane.

Cut 9 (09)  “…normal hurricane season.”

Klotzbach says the main driver behind the well-below-normal hurricane forecast is a strong El Nino event for the peak of hurricane season.

Cut 10 (15) “…apart the storms.” 

Klotzbach says revising the hurricane forecast is something that they routinely do, doing so in early June, early July and early August.

Cut 11 (12) “…ocean look like.”

Facing a major blood shortage, Vitalant (vy-TALENT) is holding blood drives throughout the summer in Morgan City, Lafayette and the Baton Rouge area. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says this year’s legislative session was a very productive one for his department. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Blood services provider Vitalant (vy-TALENT) is experiencing a critical shortage of type “O” blood that it has not seen in two years. Barley Juarez with Vitalant Blood Banking says they usually experience blood shortages this time of year.

Cut 3 (10) “…in to donate.”

Juarez says they especially need type “O” blood, especially “O”-negative.

Cut 4 (09) “…can take it.”

“O”-positive donations will also come in very handy, since Juarez says that can be given to anyone with any positive blood type, and 85-percent of all Americans have a positive blood type.

There are several blood drives taking place this summer in the Morgan City, Lafayette and Baton Rouge areas, and Juarez says for a limited time, there are thank you gifts for everyone who donates blood at these blood drives.

Cut 5 (11) “…to pick from.”

Furthermore, from July 9th through August 8th, donors will be automatically entered to win a car, valued at up to 30-thousand dollars.

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For 100 dollars, you can purchase a one-in-two-thousand chance to win the sports fan’s ultimate dream-come-true – season tickets to nearly every major sporting event in South Louisiana for an entire year! New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero says the money raised goes to a very important cause.

Cut 6 (10) “…of New Orleans.”

Cicero says this comes at a time when New Orleans faces increasing competition from more cities across the country.

Cut 7 (14) “…seek to host.”

Cicero says only two-thousand raffle tickets will be sold, and the one winning ticket drawn will receive more than 500 tickets to some of the biggest sporting events in the state.

Cut 8 (08) “…men’s and women’s.”

Also included are tickets to the Sugar Bowl, the New Orleans Bowl, the Zurich Classic and more. To enter, visit gnosports.com/win.

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says this year’s legislative session was a very productive one for the Department of Insurance. For starters, Temple is hailing a new law that allows the department to take action against people who are working without a license.

Cut 9 (12)  “…type of thing.”

Temple says the new law gives the department more leeway to start investigations on people in the business of insurance who are accused of committing insurance fraud.

Temple says another new law increases the annual aggregate limit of fines his office can issue, noting that the old caps were ten-thousand dollars for insurance professionals and 100-thousand dollars for insurance companies and PBMs.

Cut 10 (11) “…it can multiply.” 

Temple says another law that the legislature passed is more or less a pre-emptive one which protects those who “bundle and save.”

Cut 11 (14) “…happen to them.”

A shooting in downtown Shreveport early Sunday morning left one dead and an officer injured. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The lawyer representing Attorney General Liz Murrill calls the 16-count Orleans Parish grand jury indictment against her client a political witch hunt. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is taking the next steps in building the I-49 Lafayette Connector. Officials signed a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Deidra Druilhet with the DOTD says it is a required document evaluating the environmental impacts of a project.

Cut 3 (09) “…next phase.”

The Lafayette I-49 Connector project would extend the interstate five-and-a-half miles from I-10 to the Lafayette Regional Airport. Druilhet says the raised roadway will significantly improve the lives of residents in the region.

Cut 4 (10) “…to grow.”

The connector is part of a larger I-49 project to upgrade U.S. Highway 90 to interstate standards and improve the commute between Lafayette and the Gulf Coast and eventually New Orleans. Druilhet says Lafayette is part of one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…that matter.”

Druilhet says officials hope to conclude the environmental review process in January of 2027.

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A person was killed in the shooting of a Shreveport officer early Sunday morning. Police responded to a call about an altercation outside a downtown bar. Tim Huck is the business owner who alerted police and witnessed the event. He says four people were fighting in an alley next to the business when the officer stepped in.

Cut 6 (11) “…wrong time.”

Huck says the officer’s bulletproof vest did its job, and her injuries are non-life-threatening. He says the shooter continued firing wildly after hitting the officer.

Cut 7 (12) “..was phenomenal.”

The armed subject has been pronounced dead. Huck says two of the three others involved in the fight were arrested and the officer should be commended.

Cut 8 (08) “…saved lives.”

Huck says he was involved in another fight earlier that night near a separate business.

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The lawyer for Attorney General Liz Murrill calls the 16-count Orleans Parish grand jury indictment against her client a political witch hunt. Laura Rodrigue says Murrill was simply doing her job in enforcing a law that the legislature had passed in consolidating the Orleans Parish clerks of court, noting that it was the only parish that had separate clerks for criminal and civil courts.

Cut 9 (13)  “…of the state.”

Rodrigue says the way the grand jury went about its business in indicting Murrill is also very troubling.

Cut 10 (13) “…the grand jury.” 

Rodrigue says if those allegations against the grand jury are corroborated, those are very illegal, since the grand jury is supposed to be operating in secret. And she says that would give Murrill great concern about Orleans Parish grand juries as a whole.

Cut 11 (09) “…in New Orleans?”

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Public and charter students in grades three through 12 are making record-breaking achievements in the classroom. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says this year’s LEAP scores set new standards for the state.

Cut 12 (12) “…36-percent.” 

That 36-percent of students who achieved Mastery or Advanced is the highest overall performance in the state’s history. Brumley says that’s especially notable, especially given what the state has been through in the seven years that he’s been the education superintendent.

Cut 13 (12) “…educators had prevailed.”

Brumley notes that these are the first LEAP results under the state’s Grow, Achieve and Thrive initiative.

Cut 14 (09) “…new revised model.”