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.”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is offering a program that will provide evidence-based obesity treatments to families throughout the state. Andrew Greenstein has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The criminal case against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has been put on hold after the Louisiana State Supreme Court issues an emergency stay against the 16-count indictment. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Belgium in the round of 16 of the World Cup Monday night. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A recent audit of New Orleans restaurants has discovered that the rate of shrimp authenticity has declined over the last year. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting diners ordered shrimp dishes at 44 restaurants, and of those, 11 served imported shrimp. Chief Operating Officer Erin Williams says of those 11, nine of them misrepresented the origins of their shrimp.

Cut 4 (15) “…wild caught shrimp”

Williams says she’s taken aback by the relatively high number of New Orleans restaurants serving imported shrimp, including the two that were up front about it.

Cut 5 (09) “…good Louisiana seafood.”

Williams says that contrasts to an audit SeaD Consulting did in February 2025, which found that three of the 24 restaurants it dined at misrepresented the origins of their shrimp.

Cut 6 (07) “…were misrepresented”

Williams says among the restaurants misrepresenting the origins of their shrimp, it’s possible that the imported shrimp may have been mixed in with domestic shrimp – which is now against the law in Louisiana.

SeaD Consulting uses what it calls the RIGHTTest, which uses genetic testing to determine whether the shrimp is of a species that is not native to U.S. waters.

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LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research has launched a research study to test different ways to treat childhood obesity. It’s called the COACH trial and children five to 17 who are obese can visit a health clinic near them and receive weight management treatment. Doctor Amanda Staiano (stahy-AH-no) is the director of Pediatric Obesity and Health Behavior Laboratory at Pennington…

Cut 7 (09) “…healthier weight.”

Pennington is working with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center to enroll 900 children in Tennessee and Louisiana. Staiano says health clinics around the state are participating….

Cut 8 (09) “…and help.”

Those interested in participating can visit joincoach.org. Staiano says COACH is designed to help families improve their health through personalized nutrition counseling…

Cut 9 (08)  “…sleep.”

Staiano says families will also have the option to explore community resources and access online interactive lessons about healthy habits.

Health experts say over one-five-children are affected by obesity. Childhood obesity can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and other health problems.

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One legal analyst says the 16-count indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill is going nowhere. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino who says the best evidence to support his legal opinion is that the Louisiana State Supreme Court issued a stay in the indictment less than 24 hours an Orleans Parish Grand Jury accused the A-G of malfeasance and intimidation…

Cut 10 (11) “…over.”

The stay puts the case on hold, but Ciolino says the state supreme court is allowing Murrill’s to file motions to quash the indictment. Ciolino says it’s possible a lower court will rule in the Attorney General’s favor, because the grand jury violated several laws in the handling of this case…

Cut 11 (10) “…behind closed doors.”

The indictment stems from letters that Murrill sent to New Orleans elected officials in May where she threatened, they could be removed from office if they didn’t stop interfering with a new state law that combined the city’s criminal and district clears of courts. Ciolino says most legal observers would agree, Murrill’s letters did not violate state law….

Cut 12 (11) “…let this pass”

Murrill calls the indictment a political witch hunt.

State Supreme Court Justice John Guidry was the lone justice to dissent to the ruling to stay indictment. Judge Guidry said Murrill is receiving preferential treatment and this matter should be allowed to be vetted through the normal legal process.

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The funeral of legendary former Southern baseball coach Roger Cador will be held on campus Monday. Cador passed away at the age of 74 last week after fighting brain cancer. Dan Canevari coached with Cador for three years and says he became an instant friend.

Cut 13 (14)  “…human being.”

Cador led the Jaguars for 33 years and won two HBCU national championships and 14 SWAC championships. Canevari says Cador brought the most out of his players because they knew he cared about them on and off the field.

Cut 14 (13) “…adore him.”

Cador also played at Southern from 1970 to 1973 and professionally with the Braves. Canevari says Cador endured racial prejudice during his time in the minors, but he was always positive. He says Cador never had a bad day.

Cut 15 (11) “…every single day.”

The funeral will be held in the F.G. Clark Activity Center at 6 p.m. Public viewing will be available from 3:00 to 6:00.

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The U.S. Men’s National Team has a World Cup round-of-16 showdown with Belgium Monday night. The Stars and Stripes have already made it a tournament to remember, winning consecutive games for the first time and earning a knockout round victory for the first time since 2002. Louisiana Soccer Association reporter Paul Boron says this team is different than prior U.S. squads.

Cut 16 (16) “…here in America.”

U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun will be available after FIFA suspended the red card ban he received in a controversial call in the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia. Balogun leads the team with three goals in three in as many games. Boron says fans and analysts around the world disagreed with the red card.

Cut 17 (14) “…on it.”

No player has ever received a suspension of this kind for a red card penalty in the World Cup. Players with red card bans in Cup qualifiers have received the same suspension to allow them to compete in the tournament.

The two teams squared off in a friendly match in March. After the U.S. scored the opener, Belgium dominated the game in a 5-2 win. Boron says this American squad is playing at another level now.

Cut 18 (16) “…U.S. team.”

Belgium, the 9th-ranked team in the world, has not lost in 17 games dating back to March of 2025. The U.S. is 19th in the FIFA rankings. Kickoff in Seattle is at 7 p.m. The U.S. is 7-and-0 in the stadium all-time.

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The LSU Tigers are two months away from their season opener against Clemson September 5. It’s the same matchup as the first game of last year’s campaign, but there will be a lot of new faces. The Tigers are, of course, now led by head coach Lane Kiffin, and Clemson brought back former coordinator Chad Morris to run the offense. The Advocate’s John Blau, who covered Clemson for six years, says two high-powered offenses will go head-to-head.

Cut 19 (16) “…these offenses.”

Clemson finished 7-and-6 last season with a 4-and-4 record in the ACC after starting the year ranked 4th in the nation. They added 11 new transfers and a 25th-ranked high school class this offseason. Blau says Clemson has talent, but he doesn’t know if they quite match up with LSU.

Cut 20 (19) “…at home.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation found the average ten-person Independence Day Cookout will cost almost 74-dollars this year. Kace Kieschnick reports…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to make an extra effort to keep your kids safe in the water. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Lafayette chef Kris Allen was named the new King of Louisiana Seafood at this year’s Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off earlier this week. To win the crown, Allen used modern techniques to highlight a classic crab-stuffed flounder. Allen says seafood has always been part of his life.

Cut 3 (12) “…what I do.”

Allen is the executive chef at Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Lafayette. His career began at New Orleans restaurant Stella!, and he says Louisiana seafood is the best to cook with.

Cut 4 (09) “…second to none.”

Allen will go on to represent the State in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans July 25. A Louisiana chef has not won the competition since 2019. Allen says he can’t wait to promote Louisiana seafood on the national stage.

Cut 5 (09) “…Louisiana seafood.”

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Your Fourth of July cookout may be slightly more expensive than last year, according to a survey done by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The study found the average cookout basket with summer staples like cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, strawberries, potato salad and dessert to feed 10 people costs around 73-dollars-and-82-cents, a four-percent increase from last year. Federation Economist Faith Parum says that’s a pretty standard rise.

Cut 6 (11) “…that inflation.”

The cost actually decreased from last year’s survey when adjusted for inflation. Parum says the most expensive items in the basket are the meats. Two pounds of beef will run you around 14-dollars.

Cut 7 (11) “..beef high.”

Strawberry prices rose over 12-percent from last year, thanks to a Florida freeze. She says refrigeration costs are driving up all fresh produce prices, but the biggest percentage increase was in canned goods.

Cut 8 (08) “…comes in.”

The only two items to fall in price were potato chips and potato salad ingredients. Egg prices have nearly halved as flocks recover from avian influenza.

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Many families will be spending time at the pool this Fourth of July weekend. The Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to make an extra effort in keeping everyone safe. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says you can never take too many precautions with kids.

Cut 9 (09)  “…kids every minute.”

Greenstein says swimming pools need to be supervised at all times.

Cut 10 (07) “…pool every minute.” 

And whoever is in charge needs to give the people in the pool his or her undivided attention – that means no scrolling through Facebook on the cell phone.

Greenstein says swim lessons are also very beneficial – and not just for children.

Cut 11 (06) “…go to work.”

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New Orleans is gearing up for a big Fourth of July weekend. The Essence Festival of Culture begins tomorrow, and Mary Beth Romig with New Orleans and Company says it will kick off in a most historic way.

Cut 12 (09) “…of the festival.” 

And of course, Saturday is the Fourth of July, and Romig says a city that knows how to throw a party has something spectacular planned to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.

Cut 13 (07) “…from the riverfront.”

The Essence Festival and the Fourth of July fireworks show are not the only things going on in New Orleans this weekend. The city is also hosting the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice. Romig says those two conferences are helping to contribute to a projected hotel occupancy of more than 80-percent tomorrow and Saturday night.

Cut 14 (06) “…the French Quarter.”

Former Southern baseball coach Roger Cador passed away yesterday at the age of 74. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The Secretary of State’s voter registration report for July shows that for the first time in Louisiana’s modern history there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Legendary former Southern University Baseball coach Roger Cador passed away of brain cancer at the age of 74 yesterday. Cador led the Jaguars baseball team for 33 years after taking over in 1984. Chair of the Southern Board of Supervisors Tony Clayton says he was an ambassador for the school and the first line of defense between kids and the real world.

Cut 3 (09) “…young men.”

Cador led the Jags to two HBCU national championships and 14 SWAC championships and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022. Clayton says Cador brought global attention to Southern, and he asked him one day how he could bring top recruits like Golden Spikes Award-winner Rickie Weeks to Baton Rouge.

Cut 4 (11) “…still is.”

The New Roads native was also a Jaguars student-athlete and played Triple-A baseball with the Braves organization. He earned 13 SWAC Coach of the Year honors and coached 10 All-Americans and 62 MLB Draft Picks. Clayton says the Southern community is mourning an icon and will open the Mini-Dome Monday to honor him.

Cut 5 (11) “…our children.”

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Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water and enjoy America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 6 (12) “…that we have.”

The usual bag limit for red snapper is four, and the season lasts until November. Bosworth says fishing typically becomes less popular as we get into winter, so the red snapper population can support some extra harvesting now.

Cut 7 (12) “..bag numbers.”

The declaration of emergency will last through this Sunday before reverting back to the normal four-fish limit. Bosworth says he hopes fishing is on the agenda for your Independence Day weekend.

Cut 8 (12) “…out there.”

Those who’d like to fish offshore will need a recreational offshore landing permit, which you can get for free on the LDWF website.

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For the first time in the state’s modern history, there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. That’s based on a report the Secretary of State’s office puts out at the beginning of every month. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says Democrats were once the dominant party in Louisiana, but over time, they’ve been steadily losing party registrants…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to fall.”

Each party has just over one-million registered voters, with registered Republican voters outnumbering registered Democratic voters by 23-hundred.

Couvillon says the number of registered No Party voters is up to 820-thousand and growing

Cut 10 (08) “…Independents.” 

Couvillon says the decline in registered Democratic voters will make it hard for a Democrat to win a statewide office, unless they defy the odds like former two-term Governor John Bel Edwards…

Cut 11 (11) “…conservative voters.”

Couvillon says at the start of the Biden Administration, there were 225-thousand more registered Democratic voters in the state. That number was down to 55-thousand four years later when President Trump was sworn into office for his second term.

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Attorney General Liz Murrill’s threats to New Orleans officials is now the subject of an investigation by an Orleans Parish grand jury. During a news conference this morning, Murrill said she knew nothing beyond what had been reported by the media.

Cut 12 (09) “…I said, ‘No.’” 

Earlier this year, Murrill sent letters to Mayor Helena Moreno, five city council members and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, threatening to remove them from their offices over a special election for a newly-merged clerk of criminal and civil courts. Murrill said she stands by the letters she wrote.

Cut 13 (12) “…think is appropriate.”

The city called the special election, which was struck down by the State Supreme Court, after the legislature eliminated the office of Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court and merged that role with that of the clerk of civil court, dictating that the civil court clerk fill the newly-merged role. Murrill pointed out that her job is not to make the law, but rather to defend the law.

Cut 14 (08) “…the clerk’s office.”

The University of New Orleans is now LSU New Orleans, as the school officially moves to the LSU system today. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana Tech is officially a Sun Belt Conference member. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Now that the State Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s decision to throw out the first-degree murder conviction against a West Monroe man in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s daughter, where does the case go from here? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The University of New Orleans is no more. The school rejoins the LSU system today; and thus, it is now known as LSU New Orleans. University officials believe the LSU brand can help return the school to being a research and workforce engine. It starts with boosting enrollment, and interim chancellor Jeanette Weiland says tuition rates that are affordable will help it attract more students.

Cut 4 (08) “…on that lane.”

Before Hurricane Katrina, the school had an enrollment of 17-thousand. It’s now down to five-thousand, and they are pushing for an enrollment of six-thousand this fall. Weiland says their recruiting efforts are not just in Louisiana; they’re looking to attract out-of-state students, and they believe the campus has a lot to offer.

Cut 5 (11) “…have everything here.”

Weiland says the quality of the education is legit.

Cut 6 (10) “…learning as well.”

Weiland says they’re also making internships in local industry a high priority, because they want LSU New Orleans graduates to remain in the metro area after graduation to help boost the region’s population.

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Louisiana Department of Insurance officials are in Avoyelles Parish, answering questions from concerned residents who are putting their lives back together from the flooding caused by last month’s historic rainfall from Tropical Storm Arthur. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says unfortunately the vast majority of Avoyelles Parish residents do not have flood insurance.

Cut 7 (10) “…14-thousand homes.”

Those without flood policies will either need to pay for the damage out of their own pockets, or they can hope for federal assistance. Temple says they can do their part by documenting their damage on a special website set up – disaster.la.gov.

Cut 8 (14) “…or local dollars.”

Some properties also sustained wind damage – and because this was caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, the named storm deductible applies. Temple points out that should those people suffer losses from another named storm before the end of the year, they might not be subject to a deductible.

Cut 9 (08)  “…every 12 months.”

Officials will be answering questions today and tomorrow from nine until four at the LSU AgCenter in Mansura.

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Louisiana Tech is now a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The move became official today. Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey expects to compete for conference championships right away and welcomes the pressure of a new conference.

Cut 10 (09) “…compete moving forward.”

The Sun Belt sent a school to the College Football Playoff last year and had back-to-back College World Series appearances.

The Bulldogs join in-state rivals ULM and UL-Lafayette in the conference. Both schools advocated for Tech to join the conference due to decreased travel costs and the renewal of historic rivalries. Ivey says they’re already seeing the impacts.

Cut 11 (12) “…of the schedule.”

No longer part of the weekday C-USA schedule, the Bulldogs will host six home Saturday football games for the first time since 2017.

Louisiana Tech agreed to an over eight-million-dollar exit fee with Conference USA after back-and-forth negotiations and a lawsuit the UL system filed in March. Ivey says the athletics department may be strapped for cash in the short term, but the investment will pay off quickly.

Cut 12 (11) “…here early on.”

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Now that the State Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s decision to throw out the first-degree murder conviction against a former death row inmate, where does the case go from here? Ann Ferebee is one of the lawyers representing Jimmie Duncan, who spent 27 years on death row for the death of his ex-girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter. She says despite the conviction being thrown out, Duncan is not out of the woods just yet.

Cut 13 (12)  “…those would be.”

Ferebee says whatever prosecutors decide, the clock is ticking.

Cut 14 (10) “…they tell us.”

Ferebee says the West Monroe man’s story from the December 1993 incident has remained consistent – Duncan says he was giving Haley Oliveaux a bath; and as he stepped away briefly to wash some dishes, he heard a splash in the bathtub and found the little girl unconscious. While new evidence suggests Haley likely died from a seizure while in the tub, prosecutors used now-discredited evidence to claim that Duncan sexually assaulted her. Ferebee says it will be up to the prosecution to decide how to proceed.

Cut 15 (10) “…on other facts.”

Ferebee says if prosecutors seek to try him for negligent homicide, they’d be wasting their time, since Duncan has already served three times the maximum prison sentence for that charge.

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Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt tomorrow, and Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is just as excited as the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A former LSU running back is arrested on vehicular homicide charges for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people earlier this month. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded. This is thanks to a new law signed by Governor Landry that went into effect earlier this month. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861, which holds out-of-state vehicles to the same standard as those registered in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…out-of-state drivers.”

Firment says the issue of uninsured vehicles continues to be a problem in Louisiana, and it’s not just vehicles registered to in-state drivers.

Cut 4 (13) “…their states require.”

Firment says this law is also intended to lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 5 (13) “…for Louisiana drivers.”

________________________________________

Politicos are concerned about the low turnout in Saturday’s closed party primary runoffs in the U-S Senate race. Voter turnout was just 17-percent. Political consultant Roy Fletcher, who worked on John Fleming’s campaign, suspects the toxic environment surrounding national politics is a factor…

Cut 6 (06) “…understand it.”

More than 512-thousand people voted in the Republican and Democratic Senate Primaries runoff elections on Saturday. Political consultant and pollster Greg Rigamer says historically Louisiana will have at least one-million people vote in the mid-term elections and it will be interesting to see if the state can achieve that number in November with all of the bickering between the two national parties…

Cut 7 (12) “..locally.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat has been around Louisiana politics for decades and the low voter turnout number on Saturday is concerning…

Cut 8 (08) “…pathetically low.”

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Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow after 13 years in Conference USA. Many of the Bulldogs’ conference football games the past three seasons have been on Tuesday and Thursday nights as part of the Weekday CUSA TV deal. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is thrilled to welcome fans for six Saturday home football games.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

13 of the 16 schools in C-USA when Tech joined in 2013 have already departed, including three the Bulldogs now join in the Sun Belt. The LA Tech football team traveled nearly 8,000 miles last season, but Walker says that, with the Sun Belt’s regionality, those days are over.

Cut 10 (09) “…or wherever.” 

Tech joins the Sun Belt West division with historic rivals ULM, UL Lafayette and Southern Miss. LA Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey said the school has already seen a 150-thousand-dollar increase in season ticket sales year-to-date, and Walker expects the city to feel a similar effect.

Cut 11 (10) “…with the move.”

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A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Sondra Watts says 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving recklessly back on June 14th when he ran a red light and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver and his daughter-in-law, 69-year-old Carla Tarver.

Cut 12 (10) “…miles per hour.” 

Corporal Watts says while it’s unknown exactly why Murphy was driving so fast on that downtown street, evidence shows that he was not sober at the time.

Cut 13 (10) “…driving while intoxicated.”

Watts says Murphy, who played in five games at running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012 following his career at LSU, is facing several charges, including driving with a suspended license (and also driving while intoxicated, two counts of vehicular homicide and reckless operation of a vehicle).

Cut 14 (08) “…degree vehicular injuring.”

The Rayville native played at LSU from 2007 until 2010. His best season with LSU was his first season, during which he gained 304 all-purpose yards — 230 rushing and 74 receiving — and scored two rushing touchdowns in helping the Tigers win the national championship.

The closed party primaries are over; and thus, the race for the U.S. Senate moves to the general election phase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Baton Rouge officials are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North landfill to recover the remains of a missing 15-year-old. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The historic rain event on June 18th may be long gone in Avoyelles Parish, but the painstaking task of recovery is just getting underway. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says many people in the parish lost everything.

Cut 3 (08) “…just thrown away.”

Frank says more than 15-hundred households in the parish have reported flood damage. He says 120 displaced residents are staying in hotel rooms or in RVs at the Paragon Casino, with the state picking up the tab.

Cut 4 (10) “…just so sad.”

Frank says they’re winding down the emergency supply distribution centers.

Cut 5 (10) “…and in Dupont.”

Those with damage are strongly encouraged to document all of it at damage.la.gov, in order to bolster the state’s quest to secure a federal disaster declaration.

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Political analysts say the hard part is over for Julia Letlow. Nearly all of them say Letlow is all but certain to beat Jamie Davis and be elected to the U.S. Senate. But after beating John Fleming Saturday night, Letlow says she’s not taking anything for granted.

Cut 6 (11) “…House of Representatives.”

During the closed party primaries, Letlow and the other candidates only had to gear their messaging towards their fellow Republicans. Now that the race has shifted to the general election phase, Letlow says her strategy will remain consistent with her approach ever since she entered the race in January.

Cut 7 (10) “…earn their vote.”

Letlow was the last to enter the race, only doing so after President Trump endorsed her. That proved to be the game-changer, as her entry thinned the field, allowing her to easily beat Fleming and incumbent Bill Cassidy. Letlow says Trump reached out to her after she was projected to be the winner.

Cut 8 (07) “…the Senate side.”

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Baton Rouge officials are partnering with the FBI to recover the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, believed to be in the Baton Rouge North Landfill. Police Chief T.J. Morse says it is an active solid waste landfill covering over 400 acres that receives around 16-hundred tons of waste each day.

Cut 9 (08)  “…half an acre.”

Officials searching will wear fully insulated suits due to the threat of hazardous gases. Fire Chief Michael Kimble says the safety of the men and women conducting the search is a top priority.

Cut 10 (10) “…the search.” 

The physical search is expected to begin July 13 after extensive planning. Kimbell says the search will be conducted entirely by hand and compares the process to combing through the wreckage of 9/11. He says it could take several weeks.

Cut 11 (11) “…no more.”

Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. 51-year-old Maurice Parms was arrested and faces a first-degree murder charge. He has not provided any information on the location of the remains.

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So, what is next for John Fleming following his loss to Julia Letlow in the U-S Senate Republican Primary runoff? LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says the 74-year-old Fleming will continue working as State Treasurer and will likely seek re-election next year…

Cut 12 (05) “…stature.”

There were reports the Senate Republican Primary runoff could be a nailbiter, but Letlow won by 14-percentage points. Fleming’s campaign strategist, Roy Fletcher, told Talk Louisiana on WRKF, the Letlow campaign spent a lot on advertising in the days leading up to the run-off election…

Cut 13 (09) “…never heard of.”

Despite the defeat, Fletcher says Fleming ran a good campaign, nearly hitting a home run…

Cut 14 (04) “..of people.”

A state park in Calcasieu Parish will undergo a multi-year restoration. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The U.S. Senate nominations will be decided Saturday night. Jeff Palermo has a look at the two candidates on the Republican side.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Jefferson Parish officials and Loop Linen Service broke ground on a 25-million-dollar project to keep the family-owned company in the parish. Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission Executive Director Jerry Bologna says Loop Linen had outgrown their previous facilities and was looking to move. He says retaining these businesses is key to economic development.

Cut 3 (11) “…support them.”

Loop Linen serves nearly 17-hundred customers across Louisiana and Mississippi. Bologna says the new 16-million-dollar, 62-thousand-square-foot facility will retain 125 jobs from its current operation.

Cut 4 (11) “…supported them.”

The location near the intersection of U.S. 90 and Louisiana Highway 18 had lots of green space but lacked required infrastructure. Bologna says the project also includes a half-million dollars from the state and 350-thousand-dollas from the parish council.

Cut 5 (07) “…future development.”

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Sam Houston Jones State Park in Calcasieu Parish will be undergoing a major restoration after sustaining significant damage from Hurricane Laura and other storms. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the project will cover more than 800 acres of forest habitat over the course of six years.

Cut 6 (12) “…help that park.”

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says the planting of the native trees will help the park withstand future natural disasters.

Cut 7 (06) “…support to wildlife.”

Nungesser says Woodside Energy is exclusively funding the project, committing five-million dollars for the restoration.

Cut 8 (13) “…State of Louisiana.”

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2026 induction ceremony is Saturday night in Natchitoches. Former LSU second baseman Warren Morris is one of the inductees. Morris, of course, blasted the iconic walk-off homer to win the 1996 College World Series. He says he spent most of the season injured in the dugout supporting his teammates.

Cut 9 (07)  “…that championship.”

Former Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College coach Mike McConathy is the winningest college basketball coach in state history. He was also a standout point guard at Louisiana Tech. In 2006, he led the Demons to an NCAA tournament upset win over 15th-ranked Iowa. He says that team was built on the ones that came before it.

Cut 10 (10) “…how to win.” 

Former Florien coach Dewain Strother is the second-winningest high school girls basketball coach in the nation. He led the Lady Black Cats to six state championships and 21 Final Fours. Strother says he was blessed by talented players.

Cut 11 (13) “…that I love.”

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The race to represent the Republican Party in the 2026 U.S. Senate election comes to an end Saturday night, as the primary runoff between Julia Letlow and John Fleming will be decided. Negative ads have been prominent in this campaign as the two sides try to distinguish themselves as the more conservative candidate. Letlow has continuously pointed out that she has the endorsement of President Trump.

Cut 12 (12) “…desperate ads.”

The Fleming campaign has portrayed Letlow as a liberal. Fleming accused Letlow of supporting a liberal environmental agenda when it comes to carbon capture and sequestration, and he says Letlow supported DEI initiatives when she interviewed to be the president at ULM. Letlow says she’s anti-DEI, and that’s why she authored the Parents Bill of Rights Act.

Cut 13 (12) “…DEI.”

Fleming says Letlow’s Parents Bill of Rights Act did not pass, and there’s very little she can point to as far as accomplishments since she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021.

Cut 14 (10) “..into law.”

Fleming says his resume is much more robust. Fleming has previously served in the U.S. House, and he was part of the Trump Administration during the President’s first term. The 74-year-old Minden native also says voters value his experience in the military, as a doctor and a business owner.

Cut 15 (07) “…no comparison”

Polls are open Saturday from 7 a-m to 8 p-m.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are joining forces on national legislation aimed at reclassifying crawfish processors. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Construction is underway on a 30-million-dollar renovation to the Shrine on Airline. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Louisiana lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are sponsoring legislation that would reclassify those who work on crawfish farms. Congressmen Troy Carter, Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are joining forces in proposing what’s known as the CRAW Act. Andy Brown with the Louisiana Farm Bureau says Congress had gotten it wrong by not classifying crawfish processors as agricultural workers.

Cut 3 (11) “…of the programs.”

By reclassifying them as agricultural workers, crawfish processors would be eligible for the uncapped H-2A visa program instead of having to secure a capped H-2B visa. Brown says the current arrangement could be detrimental to food security, as evidenced this year by the shortage of crawfish peelers.

Cut 4 (11) “…within that cap.”

Brown says these workers are not taking any jobs away from Americans, who he says on a whole simply do not find that work very a-peel-ing.

Cut 5 (14) “…off the job.”

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The Shrine on Airline is receiving a 30-million-dollar renovation to convert the baseball stadium into a multi-use venue hosting football, soccer, concerts and more. Jefferson Parish is putting 15-million-dollars in pandemic relief funding towards the project. Executive Director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission Jerry Bologna says it’s an investment in the community.

Cut 6 (12) “…events like this.”

Construction is scheduled to be completed June of next year.

While the stadium has already received interest from minor league football and soccer teams, its primary function will be a home for high school sports. Bologna says the renovation will add visitor sideline seating for the first time, a must for high school football in the area.

Cut 7 (11) “…view the game.”

The transformation will also add a stage to host concerts and festivals. Bologna says an entertainment venue in the area has proven to be successful.

Cut 8 (08) “…help that.”

He hopes the investment in the Shrine will spur development along the Airline corridor.

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Last Thursday’s torrential rainfall in Avoyelles Parish is one step closer to being an official state record. A volunteer observer with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network measured 29.06 inches of rain within a 12-hour period three miles southeast of Cottonport. Jonathan Brazzell (“Brazil”) with the National Weather Service is among a team of meteorologists who are now verifying that measurement.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on the gauge.”

Brazzell says the team, which also includes State Climatologist Jay Grymes, has verified the volunteer’s rain reading from that day.

Cut 10 (10) “…will become official.” 

And once it becomes official, it would annihilate the previous record of 22 inches, set in Hackberry on August 29th, 1962. Brazzell says there are indications that some areas got even more than 29.06 inches.

Cut 11 (07) “…around 30 inches.”

To put those numbers in perspective – those areas of Avoyelles Parish got seven times more rainfall in 12 hours than what the Las Vegas metropolitan area gets in one year.

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East Baton Rouge Parish Pastor Tony Spell said he had a right to defend his family and church by fighting a neighbor who he claims threatened to kill and rape his family. Spell and his attorney blamed the Central Police Department for a failure to respond to numerous complaints made about the family, but Police Chief Roger Corcoran refutes the claim.

Cut 12 (11) “…back and look.”

Corcoran says his department has record of only five incidents involving the Spells in the last four years, and only one of those was a complaint, which a detective followed up with.

Cut 13 (10) “…responds to that.”

Corcoran says even if the department had received several complaints, the Spells would have been redirected to the sheriff’s office.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged Spell with second-degree battery, and Corcoran says he will not interfere with their investigation. Spell’s attorney alleged that Central Police were working with the neighbors against Spell. Corcoran denies the allegation.

Cut 14 (11) “…out here.”