UL-Lafayette kicks off an incentive program to encourage students to return to campus fully vaccinated this fall. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The state health department reports over five thousand new COVID-19 cases today, the third-highest daily count since the pandemic started. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A 17-year-old drown Tuesday after he was thrown from a horse in a retention pond. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Jacory Levier (Leave-ee-a) was on the horse when he led the horse into the pond.

Cut 3 (11) “…and drown.” 

Guidroz says they received a call shortly before six last night about a possible drowning at the retention pond near Beau Chene High School in the Grand Coteau area.

Cut 4 (05) “…the body”

According to investigators, Levier was there with a friend but he was the only one riding a horse. Guidroz says Levier was well thought of in the community and it is heartbreaking for the family.

Cut 5 (12) “…to recover”

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Six Louisianans have been arrested by the Attorney General’s Office for allegedly defrauding California out of a million dollars in unemployment benefits.

Louisiana Bureau of Investigations Special Agent Ernest Green says the scheme was based around filing fraudulent online claims with the nation’s largest state during the early days of the pandemic.

Cut 6 (10) “…system”

Green says the six suspects, who live across Southeast Louisiana, were stealing money and wasting precious resources at a time when people needed them most.

Cut 7 (11) “…these”

Green alleges the suspects were brazen enough to use their own names while putting in false applications in California. But why the Golden State?

Cut 8 (05) “…mark”

___________________________

UL-Lafayette has launched their ‘Don’t Wait. Vaccinate!” incentive program in an effort to make a return to campus as safe as possible for students and staff. Dean of Students Dr. Margarita Perez says they will hold a drawing and give away 10 prizes to fully vaccinated students.

Cut 9 (09) “…vaccinated.”

Prizes include iPhones, MacBook Airs, and free campus parking. Perez says they have put a lot of thought into the campaign and wanted to offer incentives that appealed to students.

Cut 10 (07) “…up with.”

Perez says UL-Lafayette is one of eight schools in the state taking part in the White House and CDC’s COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge to educate staff and students about COVID, vaccines, and offer access to vaccinations.

Cut  11 (10) “…challenge.” 

The first drawing will be on August 10th and continue through early October.

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The Louisiana House has failed to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill to prohibit transgender individuals from competing in women’s sports. In order to execute the veto, the measure needed 70 votes and it got 68. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis voted no and says the legislation is in search of a problem that does not exist

Cut 12 (09) “…to college”

It’s likely the first-ever override veto session will end without legislators overriding any of the governor’s recent vetoes.

In his veto message, Governor Edwards called the bill discriminatory. But during debate on the House floor, Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel disagrees

Cut 13 (11) “…what is true”

Supporters of the transgender sports ban say this bill will help create a fair playing field for biological girls. But Duplessis says the bill would result in transgender boys on a girls team and leading to privacy-violating tests of girls…

Cut 14 (12) “…biological girl” 

Schlegel responds to claims the legislation is in search of a problem that doesn’t exist…

Cut 15 (10) “…growing problem” 

Parts of Mandeville woke up to ten inches of rain this morning, flooding homes and shutting down streets in parts of St. Tammany Parish’s second-biggest city. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

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 The Senate votes to override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation that would ban transgender athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s K-12 and higher education sports teams. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Matt Doyle”.  

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Rain overnight and into the morning caused flooding in several cities in the St. Tammany Parish this morning in the Mandeville region. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Bannan says the area already had a moisture-rich environment in place and that combined with a land breeze…

Cut 3 (12) “…10 inches.” 

Bannan says the afternoon heat should help the area dry up somewhat, but more showers are in the immediate forecast. He says areas that flooded this morning should take precautions and surrounding areas as well.

Cut 4 (11) “…too fast”

Bannan says the area will experience widespread showers today, Wednesday, and possibly into Thursday.

St. Tammany Parish Public Information Director Michael Vinsanau says most of the worst flooding occurred in Mandeville south of I-12 along US 190…

Cut 5 (11) “…area”

Vinsanau says at this point they do not have concerns about the rivers and waters north of Mandeville swelling after this deluge as they have in previous heavy rain events.

Vinsanau asks residents to stay off the local flooded roads not only for their own safety but out of courtesy to their neighbors.

Cut 6 (09) “…prevent”

Sandbags are available at the St. Tammany Parish Government complex on Coop Drive in Mandeville.

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says they will not reschedule football games this season if a team is hit with a COVID outbreak. Sankey says if a team does not have enough players to play as a result of COVID, they may have to forfeit that game

Cut 7 (09) “…comes up”

Sankey says last season’s schedule had open weeks so that games can be rescheduled, he says they will not do that again this season. So his message to football programs is this

Cut 8 (05) “…throughout the year”

Sankey says six of the league’s 14 football programs have a vaccination above 80-percent among its players. The Advocate reports more than 90-percent of the LSU football team is vaccinated, one of the highest rates in the SEC. Sankey says the league or schools can not force players to get vaccinated, but they can educate…

Cut 9 (09) “…from our perspective.”

_______________________________________.

As cases numbers grow and Louisiana remains one of the least vaccinated states, Senator and physician Bill Cassidy encourages those who are unvaccinated to speak with their personal physician about the vaccine and ignore the politics.

Cut 10 (11) “…their physician.”

Cassidy was asked about his feelings on mask mandates for school systems amidst the growing number of COVID cases among young people. Cassidy says if the CDC recommends face masks for school-age children he would support it.

Cut  11 (11) “…disease control.” 

Last week LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine, Doctor Catherine O’Neal issued a dire warning that if you choose not to get vaccinated you are choosing death. Cassidy says the message delivered by his former student was accurate.

Cut 12 (10) “…vaccine.”

The state reported more than 15-hundred new COVID cases today and 20 fatalities. Hospitalizations increase also and currently 779 are in hospitals across the state with COVID.

________________________________________________

The veto override of legislation banning transgender athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s K-12 and higher ed sports teams clears the first hurdle, passing the Senate with one vote to spare.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell asked lawmakers to support this bill the way they did in the regular session…

Cut 13 (10) “…protection”

The final tally was 26 in favor 12 against and one absent, that being Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns who was on injured reserve. The bill heads to the House, but it can’t be taken up for at least a day unless three-quarters of House members vote to accept it from the Senate early.

Mizell says this is a widely popular bill and lawmakers shouldn’t vote on it based on financial or political incentives but based on their conscience and constituents.

Cut 14 (10) “…these” 

The vote was strictly party line with all Democrats voting against.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau opposed the bill, saying strict Louisiana High School Athletic Association policy already makes it very difficult for trans athletes to play on girls’ teams.

Cut 15 (08) “…progress” 

Luneau says LHSAA policy requires that transgender athletes receive a hardship waiver to play on teams different from the gender on their birth certificate. After receiving a waiver the athlete’s eligibility does not begin until two years after they have had their reassignment surgery and hormonal therapy.

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says 400 major businesses put out a statement calling bills like this discriminatory…

Cut 16 (12) “…law.” 

The NCAA has indicated that passage of this bill may endanger New Orleans’ hosting the 2022 Final Four.

But Houma Senator “Big Mike” Fesi, speaking in support of the bill, says money shouldn’t factor into this decision…

Cut 17, 11 seconds, morals

Louisiana said goodbye to a legendary figure as former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards was laid to rest in Baton Rouge yesterday. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The veto session begins on Tuesday, and up to 28 pieces of legislation could be overridden. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Catherine O’Neal gives a grim warning for unvaccinated individuals as the Delta variant rages…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_______________________________

Louisiana Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the state needs to get its vaccination rates up to fully beat the pandemic. He says vaccines are like seatbelts, you want to have them before the accident happens…

Cut 4 (11) “…younger person.”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says nursing homes show the vaccine greatly minimizes transmission, sickness, or COVID-related fatalities. He says 85-percent of nursing home residents across the state have initiated or completed the vaccine series

Cut 5  (11) “…outbreak.”

One-point-six million people have been completed the vaccine series in Louisiana. Kanter says 21-hundred people who were vaccinated still got COVID-19 and 125 had to be hospitalized

Cut 6 (11) “…fully vaccinated”

Kanter says the median age of serious breakthrough cases is 72.

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State lawmakers will begin a historic veto session tomorrow. The legislature could override as many as 28 Republican-sponsored bills that Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed. Edwards stands by his vetoes, calling the bills unwise for the state…

Cut 7 (06) “…what happens” 

Two high-profile bills that the governor vetoed are concealed carry and legislation banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Insiders say it was the veto of the latter that inspired a majority of lawmakers to return for an override session.

House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says the first veto session since the new state constitution was adopted in 1974, demonstrates a proper balance of government powers.

Cut 8 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

When asked if he believes a veto session will inhibit him from enacting his policies going forward, Edwards says no.

Cut 9 (12) “…that concern.”

Miguez however believes the highly conservative legislature will be able to counter when Edwards pushes a liberal agenda.

Cut 10 (11) “…disagree with.”

To override an individual veto, it will take a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. Miguez says this will require some Democratic and independent lawmakers to vote in favor of an override.

________________________

The college football talking season begins as SEC Media Days get underway today in Birmingham, Alabama. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is one of three coaches who will speak today. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says the Tigers could contend for an SEC title this year after a 5-and-5 campaign in 2020

Cut 11 (08) “…last year”

Orgeron has hired new defensive, offensive, and passing game coordinators to address the on-field issues that impacted last year’s team. Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network says this is a critical season for Coach O…

Cut 12 (11) “…hot seat”

CBS Sports has put Orgeron on a list of coaches who are on the hot seat.

Guilbeau says despite last year’s mediocre campaign and questions about Orgeron’s job security, many media members expect LSU to have a good season…

Cut 13 (11) “…pretty high”

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Health officials say the latest surge in COVID cases has undone over four months of progress the state made in the fight against coronavirus. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Catherine O’Neal says the Delta variant is a “different beast” than the coronavirus strain that plagued the nation a year ago…

Cut 14 (12) “…kids.”

She also warns pregnant women could be at higher risk of complications resulting from a Delta infection.

O’Neal says because the virus has mutated so extensively, anyone infected by last year’s version does not have immunity to the new Delta variant.

Cut 15 (09)“..killing us.”

The statewide average daily number of cases per 100-thousand residents has increased 177-percent over the past two weeks and hospitalizations have reached their highest levels since early March.

O’Neal says Delta is more dangerous to healthy younger adults because it features a mutation that allows it to hide in your body for longer before it is detected.

Cut 16 (12) “…alive” 

Despite this new threat from the Delta, variant Governor Edwards says he is not considering reinstating previous COVID restrictions, including the mask mandate. He says instead they are focusing on getting more Louisianans vaccinated. Currently only half of all adults in the state have received at least one shot.

___________________________

Matt Doyle spoke with political analyst Bernie Pisnonat who says changes made during former Governor Edwin Edwards’ four terms in office still shape the Louisiana political landscape…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Governor Edwards celebrated a program dubbed “TOPS for adults” Tuesday afternoon with a ceremonial bill signing. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington”.  

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Former Governor Edwin Edwards was known for his sharp wit but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says beyond the charm the Cajun Prince presided over four highly impactful terms in office.

Pinsonat says one of the biggest changes resulting from the Edwards years was the shifting of political power in the state from the north to the south.

Cut 3 (10)  “…long enough”

Pinsonat says once Edwards stepped into the mansion the first major change he implemented was bringing Blacks into state government.

Cut 4 (11) “….dramatically” 

Pinsonat says that decision to bring Blacks into state government would provide Edwards with a solid base of support from the African American community every time he ran for office.

Pinsonat says another major decision was changing how we got money from the oil and gas industry from a flat fee to a percentage. He says that led to a revenue windfall, but his critics argue…

Cut 5  (10) “..projects” 

Edwards’ tenure also saw the state adopt a new constitution.

___________________________

Caddo Parish authorities have identified the remains of a body found Monday as that of missing teen Shamia Little. Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon says the 17-year old was reported missing last Tuesday at Doug Williams Park, by a person claiming to have been with Little

Cut 6 (09) “…that claim”

Her body was located Monday not far from where she went missing. Bordelon says they are treating this as a homicide investigation.

Cut 7 (09) “…death was.”

On Monday police secured the area around a home on Gloria Street where the body was found.  Bordelon says when the discovery was made the victim’s family was notified.

Cut 8 (09) “…gone missing.”

Shreveport police said that they are still receiving tips regarding the investigation.

_____________________________

Before being confirmed as Higher Education Commissioner in 2018, Kim Hunter Reed also served as Press Secretary for Former Governor Edwin Edwards in his final term in the early 90s. She says it was an amazing opportunity for a woman in her 20s, crisscrossing the state with a Governor known for his wit and political savvy.

Cut 9 (10) “…to none.”

Reed says despite being busy with state business Edwards always made time for his staff. She says he reached out to her after the loss of a family member, and it was Edwards that encouraged her to continue her education.

Cut 10 (09) “…for that.”

Reed was an anchor/reporter in Lake Charles when she was asked to join the Edwards administration. She says despite Edwards’ ability to recall names, stats, and advocate for the state he always made his staff feel they were part of making a difference in the state.

Cut  11 (08) “…machine” 

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Governor Edwards is holding a ceremonial bill signing this afternoon celebrating legislation that starting next summer will authorize 10.5 million dollars in grants for community and technical college students.

(Bill signing Tuesday at 3 PM)

The bill was named after former Governor Mike Foster. Louisiana Community and Technical System President Monty Sullivan says Foster is the father of the state community college system…

Cut 12 (09) “…Louisiana”

Starting in the summer of 2022 the program will be available to Louisianans 21 and older who make about 38,000 dollars a year or less. Those entering programs for five in-demand fields in healthcare, construction, logistics, manufacturing, and IT are eligible for up to 3,200 dollars a year and 6,400 dollars total.

Sullivan says in the year ahead they will aggressively market the program and explain the first-come-first-served process for applying.

Cut 13 (11) “…enrolled”

Sullivan says he hopes an annual report included in the bill by lawmakers documenting the tax benefits of educating the state will result in the yearly cap increasing.

Cut 14 (08) “…state” 

Louisiana has lost a legendary figure as former four-term governor Edwin Edwards passes away at the age of 93. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (46) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges remembers former Governor Edwin Edwards, who he says was the most important political figure in Louisiana since Huey P. Long…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”.  

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Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards has died at the age of 93. Edwards served four terms as governor, but also eight years in prison after convicted on racketeering charges for corrupting the state’s riverboat gaming licensing process

Cut 3 (11)  “…balances out”

After serving as a state senator and in the U-S House of Representatives, Edwards was elected as governor in 1971 and began the first of four terms in 1972. He took advantage of an oil boom in 1974 and changed the severance tax making Louisiana the most-cash-rich state in the nation according to his biographer Leo Honeycutt. Edwards told Jim Engster in 2011 that he always looked out for the working class…

Cut 4 (11) “….some people are” 

Edwards was released from prison in 2011 and always maintained his innocence. He certainly had his critics, as he was tried three times on federal charges. In his 2011 interview with Jim Engster, Edwards talked about his afterlife…

Cut 5  (11) “..eternal hell” 

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Four-term former Governor Edwin Edwards has passed away at the age of 93. His biographer Leo Honeycutt says Edwards died peacefully this morning at his home in Gonzales with family and friends at his bedside. Honeycutt says last Monday Edwards placed himself in hospice care

Cut 6 (12) “…what happened”

Honeycutt says Edwin Edwards was lucid last week with his visitors at his home in Ascension Parish, but a couple of days ago he stopped eating. He says his last words were to his seven-year-old son, Eli…

Cut 7 (09) “…last words”

Honeycutt wrote a best-selling biography on Edwin Edwards’s life that was released in 2009. He says during their book signing tour, Honeycutt was amazed at the amount of public support the Cajun Prince received…

Cut 8 (10) “…that much”

_____________________________

Former Democratic Governor Edwin Edwards’ legendary race against Republican former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke captivated the nation in 1991.

Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges covered “The Race from Hell” extensively. He says Edwards leaned into allegations of corruption against him with an unofficial campaign slogan of “vote for the crook, it’s Important”.

Cut 9 (05) “…today.”

Edwards ultimately won that race 61 to 39 percent in the runoff after incumbent Governor Buddy Roemer took third place in the primary.

Bridges says Edwards was certainly a politician of his time whose brand of humor and lifestyle likely would not fly in today’s more political correctness conscious political environment.

Cut 10 (08) “…today.”

Edwards was governor from 1972-1980, 1984-1988, and then 1992-1996.

Bridges says despite Edwards’ broad popularity it’s hard to make the case that he substantially improved the state given Louisiana still ranks at the bottom of most rankings. But, he did have that “it” factor…

Cut  11 (08) “…about him” 

Edwards’ last political campaign was in 2014 where he ran for the Baton Rouge-centric 6^th District, ultimately losing to Republican Congressman Garret Graves.

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Memorial services have been set for Doyline Police Officer Billy Collins Junior who was fatally shot on Friday while responding to a service call. Visitation will be Thursday night at First Bossier Church in Bossier City and the funeral will be the next day. In Florida, 12-year-old Zechariah Cartledge ran one mile while carrying a Blue Line Flag in honor of Officer Collins

Cut 12 (12) “…family members”

State Police says the suspect who shot Collins is in serious condition after suffering a gunshot wound. Collins was a Webster Parish deputy, but was working as a Doyline patrol officer when he died in the line of duty. Cartledge is impressed with Collins’s dedication to his community…

Cut 13 (08) “…could ever”

State Police say Collins and two Webster Parish deputies were responding to a call for service. Investigators say Carter was the first officer to arrive at the residence and immediately began to take gunfire from the suspect. Doyline Mayor Steven Birdwell says Collins was loved in the community…

Cut 14 (09) “…happen again” 

Cara the Python is back home at the Blue Zoo in the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge after spending three days out of her enclosure. Taylor Sharp reports Cara was found in a ceiling crawl space…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp” 

____________________________________

Pfizer is lobbying for a vaccine booster shot but the CDC and FDA say not so fast. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.  

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Cara the Burmese Python made headlines this week after her escape from an enclosure at the Blue Zoo in the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. It naturally had people on edge having a 12-foot snake on the loose, but Dr. Christopher Austin with LSU’s Museum of Natural Science says Cara only posed a minimal threat to humans.

Cut 3 (09)  “…eating mode”

A search team found Cara in a ceiling crawl space three days after it went missing from the Blue Zoo. Cara never went outside of the mall and Dr. Austin says she made a good call.

Cut 4 (11) “…survive”

Once Cara was removed from the wall, she was sent to the LSU vet school to be evaluated.  Dr. Austin says it was mostly for precautionary reasons.

Cut 5  (12) “..infected” 

After being checked out by a team at the vet school, Cara was returned to her home at the Blue Zoo.

___________________________

Only 49.5 percent of Louisianans 18 and older have received a vaccine dose, second-worst in the nation ahead of only Mississippi.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 39 percent of all Louisianans have received at least one dose of a vaccine, but among those most vulnerable, the 65 and older crowd, that number is 80 percent.

Cut 6 (10) “…improve”

In Texas, 61 percent of all adults have received at least one dose.

Kanter says despite how effective the vaccines are they have recorded 1,763 breakthrough cases in Louisiana. Nearly all were mild to moderate cases, but…

Cut 7 (12) “…Louisiana”

Kanter says it is too early to make any conclusive statements but early evidence suggests areas with higher vaccination rates now have noticeably lower levels of community spread.

Cut 8 (11) “…this week”

_____________________________

Drugmaker Pfizer is advocating for a booster dose of their vaccine as immunity is waning among COVID variants. But the CDC and FDA issued a joint statement against a booster shot right now. LSU Health Shreveport pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere says in the meantime we should focus on vaccinating more people.

Cut 9 (09) “…this time.”

Vanchiere who served as the lead investigator of the Pfizer vaccine clinical trials at LSH Health Shreveport says the Delta strain has quickly become the leading variant in the state and country,

Vanchiere says Louisiana ranks 49^th in the U-S among vaccination and the percentage of those vaccinated in the state is well below 40-percent, even below 30-percent in some areas. Vanchiere says the key is the increase vaccination rates to ward off more variants.

Cut 10 (09) “…coronavirus.”

Currently, there are booster clinical trials underway with both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Vanchiere says the pandemic is only at the halfway mark and until we have more data on boosters, those who are unvaccinated need to roll up their sleeves.

Cut  11 (09) “…boosters.” 

On Friday the state reported 967 new COVID cases, 10 fatalities, and 372 hospitalizations. A week ago there were 259 COVID hospitalizations.

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A 14-year-old girl from Harvey won the Scripps National Spelling Bee last night becoming the first person from Louisiana to win the bee. Zaila Avant-garde is also the first African American winner of the 96-year-old tournament. She spelled Murraya correctly to win…

Cut 12 (10) “…applause fades”

Murraya is a genus of a citrus plant native to southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Here’s how Zaila approached the spelling of the word

Cut 13 (10) “…that here.”

Zaila told ABC’s Good Morning America she studies 13-thousand words a day. The Jefferson Parish native also spelling is a hobby, but her true passion is basketball and she holds three Guinness World Records for dribbling multiple basketballs simultaneously. The talented teenager told ESPN about records

Cut 14 (09) “…six balls.” 

The state’s first full-time Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris, Jr. passed away Wednesday night, Brooke Thorington talks with Ag Commissioner Mike Strain about the man who redefined the office.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

A new era of college athletics is underway as college athletes can earn money through endorsements and other business ventures without losing their eligibility. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The man who redefined the office of lieutenant governor in the 1970s, Jimmy Fitzmorris Jr passed away Wednesday night.  The New Orleans native was the state’s first full-time lieutenant governor. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain remembers Fitzmorris fondly.

Cut 3 (08)  “…great guy.”

Fitzmorris redefined the office of the lieutenant governor making it was it is today, a strong promoter of tourism and economic development. Strain says promoting the Bayou State came naturally for Fitzmorris.

Cut 4 (09) “…loved Louisiana”

Fitzmorris also presided over the state senate at a pivotal time, the drafting of the new state constitution in 1973.

The lifelong democrat began his political career on the New Orleans city council and was involved with setting the framework for the Superdome. Fitzmorris ran twice for mayor of his hometown and lost both times. But Strain says he was very successful on a statewide level.

Cut 5  (06) “…serios too.” 

Fitzmorris was 99.

___________________________

The St. Tammany Parish Council voted 8-6 in favor of allowing a parish-wide vote on November 13th on whether a casino can be built just outside of Slidell.

Councilman Jake Airey says he voted no because the legislature only approved a vote allowing gaming at the site of the proposed casino, and not parish-wide.

Cut 6 (08) “…in there”

P2E is seeking to move a casino license from Bossier City to the Lake Ponchartrain waterfront just outside Slidell. P2E would invest 325 million into the facility should voters approve it.

Airey says now you have a situation where residents in west St. Tammany are voting on gaming in east St. Tammany, whereas the original agreement would’ve impacted everyone in the parish.

Cut 7 (07) “…yours.”

Airey says the Legislature’s decision to not allow a parish-wide vote on gambling legalization, and instead, limit it to just allowing one casino in Slidell is a bit frustrating.

Cut 8 (05) “…happen.”

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A new era of college athletics begins today as student-athletes can be compensated for endorsement deals and other business ventures and not lose their eligibility. Charles Hanagriff works for MatchPoint which will help connect companies and athletes together. He says star athletes with a strong social media presence will benefit the most…

Cut 9 (11) “…first.”

LSU football players Myles Brennan, Derek Stingley Junior and Kayshon Boutte have announced paid partnerships with Smoothie King and Walk-ons and other businesses. Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis is now a spokesman for EatLafayette.

Hanagriff expects some athletes will strike six-figure deals, but most of the sponsorship agreements will be for a few hundred bucks…

Cut 10 (09) “…grassroots deals.”

Hanagriff says football and basketball players will not be the only ones benefitting from this new era of college athletics…

Cut  11 (11) “….Olivia Dunne” 

Industry analysts say LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne could bring in more cash than any other student-athlete because she has five million followers between Instagram and Tik Tok.

_________________________________________________

State Police are encouraging drivers to stay attentive and sober as one of the busiest travel periods of the year begins for the 4^th of July weekend. Trooper Thomas Gossen says law enforcement will be out in full force from now until Monday as part of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

Cut 12 (05) “…in danger.”

In 2019 during the July Fourth holiday period, there were 70 alcohol-involved crashes that resulted in three people being killed and 97 people being injured.

Gossen says Louisiana State Police are also working in conjunction with law enforcement in neighboring states along I-10 for the three-day weekend.

Cut 13 (12) “…deter speeding”

Last year about sixty percent of drivers and passengers killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. Gossen says if you’re going to be impaired have a designated driver and always buckle up. If you encounter an aggressive driver, Gossen has a few tips.

Cut 14 (10) “…the law.” 

To report impaired drivers, you can dial star-L-S-P from your cellphone (*577).

College athletes can now officially collect compensation for their name, image, and likeness after the NCAA Division One Board of Directors approved an interim NIL policy.  Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Taylor Sharp”

_______________________________

Two Louisiana Congressmen were among the delegation of Republicans who visited the US-Mexican border with former President Donald Trump Wednesday. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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As legislators await a vote to hold a historic override veto session, Governor Edwards defends his reasons for rejecting legislation of two high-profile bills. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

Beginning today college athletes can now profit off of their name, image, and likeness and retain eligibility as the Division One Board of Directors approved an interim policy in place. LSU Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Rempe says that athletes seeking compensation must do four things in order to properly market themselves.

Cut 4 (13) “…need permission.”

While the universities can’t be directly involved in setting up endorsement deals for athletes, Rempe says LSU still plans on helping the student-athletes.

Cut 5  (11) “…the deal.”

Rempe says with NIL in place, college athletics will never be the same as amateurism is no longer a cornerstone…

Cut 6 (10) “…shaken.”

___________________________

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Clay Higgins along with other Republican lawmakers joined former President Donald Trump at the border Wednesday calling for a return to Trump-era border policies.

Johnson says there’s still a crisis at the border that hasn’t ceased since earlier this year. He says President Trump’s appearance was necessary to draw attention to the situation.

Cut 7 (11) “…acknowledge it.”

Johnson and the rest of the delegation visited the southeastern quadrant of the border just south of La Joya, Texas.

Cut 8 (12) “…in words.”

Johnson says the trip with President Trump was an effort to force the Biden Administration into going back to Trump-era immigration and border policies like wall construction and the Remain in Mexico.

Cut 9 (04) “…force.”

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Governor Edwards stands firm on why he vetoed two high-profile bills. Legislation banning transgender females from competing in women’s sports passed with veto-proof margins among lawmakers but Edwards says it’s a solution looking for a problem.

Cut 10 (07) “…prohibit.”

The anti-transgender legislation passed in the Senate on a 29-6 vote and in the House with a 78-17 vote.

Edwards says such legislation also puts the state at financial risk with the potential loss of sporting events like the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament scheduled for New Orleans next year.

Cut 11 (11) “…tourism.”

Edwards also vetoed legislation removing the requirement to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana. The governor, who is a second amendment rights supporter, says removing the requirement to undergo training and hold a permit puts the public and law enforcement at risk and such requirements are a fair trade-off.

Cut 12 (09) “…70-percent of Louisiana.” 

Conceal carry legislation passed in the Senate on a 27-10 vote and in the House 73-28.

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The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries humanly euthanized a well-known bear Tuesday after he was found with two broken legs and paralyzed due to a spinal injury. Large Carnivore Program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says Bruno the Bear was put down in Morehouse Parish.

Cut 13 (10) “…types of injuries.”

Bruno was the adult male black bear that garnered notoriety last year when he wandered through several Midwestern states and was captured in Missouri. Bruno was then relocated to Arkansas.

Davidson says they don’t know exactly how he was injured, but usually, when someone hits a bear with their vehicle LDWF is contacted immediately.

Cut 14 (08) “…the scene.”

A homeowner in Morehouse Parish said Bruno appeared on their property and wouldn’t leave. Upon inspection, Davidson says biologists found the bear was in distress with catastrophic injuries and wouldn’t be unable to survive in the wild.

Davidson says because of the fragmentation of bear habitats we have in Louisiana it’s common for a large number of bears to live successfully near humans.

Cut 15 (10)“…problems.”

Davidson says to deter bears from your property never feed them, secure garbage, and do not leave pet food outdoors.

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The Saints have made All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle. Ramczyk who was entering the final year of his rookie contract has agreed to a five-year, 96-million dollar deal that includes 60-million dollars in guaranteed money. Not bad for the former first-round pick who quit playing football for a year after high school

Cut 16 (25) “…back at it” 

The 27-year-old also recently had a baby boy so it’s been a great few months for Ramczyk

Cut 17 (15) …so far.” 

Ramczyk has allowed just three sacks in the last two years. The three-time All-pro selection on being named the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history…

Cut  18 (19)”..yeah.”

Lawmakers anticipated when they passed sports betting legislation in the spring it would be online in time for the football season. But it’s not a quick process. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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315 million dollars in federal American Rescue Plan aid will be distributed to 290 small and midsized Louisiana communities. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Legal sports betting in Louisiana might not happen before the start of the football season. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the Gaming Control Board must finalize the rules and issue licenses and they do not have a chairman at the moment.

Cut 3 (12)  “…regulatory side.”

The Gaming Control Board is not expected to meet again until July 15^th, but Duty says the Governor’s office has indicated they wish to name a new chairman sooner than later. In spite of that Duty says there are other factors that must be completed before sports wagering is online.

Cut 4 (12) “…kinds of things”

Duty says while a fall timeline is still likely for sports betting, realistically it won’t be until after the football season begins.

Cut 5  (08) “…online. ” 

Lake Charles Republican Senator Ronnie Johns is said to be one of the contenders for the post.

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290 small and midsized Louisiana municipalities have been awarded over 315 million dollars in American Rescue Plan COVID economic relief funds.

Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says there are few strings attached to these federal dollars.

Cut 6 (12) “…revenue loss”

Major cities and municipalities like New Orleans, Shreveport, St. Tammany Parish, and other larger communities are not included in this relief because they already received funds directly from the feds.

The funds are being allocated based on population. Dardenne says for example the city of Baker is receiving five million dollars while the Village of Noble will receive 1.6 million dollars.

Cut 7 (10) “…didn’t happen.”

Dardenne says this is an unprecedented amount of money coming from the federal government to localities in response to the pandemic.

Cut 8 (10) “…wisely.”

About half of the funds will be delivered this month and the other half will be delivered next June.

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KIK Consumer Products and Governor Edwards announced today a $170-million investment in a chlorine manufacturing plant in Calcasieu Parish. The dedication of the new Westlake facility is on the site of the previous plant that was destroyed 10 months ago when it caught on fire during Hurricane Laura. KIK COO, Jeff Schmitt….

Cut 9 (10) “…with us.”

Schmitt says construction of the BioLab facility which will manufacture chlorine-based sanitizer wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of their employees.

Cut 10 (12) “…were before.”

Edwards says the project will create 82 direct jobs and retain 19 existing jobs…

Cut  11 (12) “….stronger” 

The original plant was constructed in 1979 and the new facility is expected to be completed in 2022. The project will create 82 direct jobs

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The state health department says in the week after registration began for the two-point-three million dollar lottery incentive, COVID-19 vaccinations rose by 14-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s too early to say if the lottery is the reason for the modest bump, but admits every new vaccination is harder to get

Cut 12 (09) “…another”

Kanter says about 35-percent of the state is fully vaccinated and 38-percent have initiated the series. Those are some of the lowest percentages in the country…

Cut 13 (10) “…flat”

Kanter says there’s a push to increase the vaccination rate as the Delta variant continues to spread quickly. It is more contagious than other strains and it’s affecting mostly people who are unvaccinated. Kanter says word of mouth is the other way they can boost vaccination rates

Cut 14 (10) “…you trust” 

The number of new Delta variant cases in Louisiana continues to grow, concerning state health officials it could lead to another spike in cases. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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A Plaquemine man picked the wrong person to pull over while he was allegedly impersonating a police officer in Assumption Parish, the man he over was an off-duty deputy. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The St. Tammany Parish Council will hold a special meeting tonight and vote on whether to allow a referendum to go on the November ballot to approve a proposed casino for the area.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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An estimated 25 percent of the current COVID cases in Louisiana are believed to be the more dangerous Delta variant strain that first emerged in India. That’s according to State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter who says the number of new Delta cases is doubling every two to three weeks meaning we could face a new spike in overall COVID cases.

Cut 4 (07) “…sick.”

The 25 percent share of Delta cases in Louisiana is above the national average of about 20 percent.

Kanter says the good news is that those who are fully vaccinated with either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine have about 90 percent protection from the new, more deadly strain.

Cut 5  (06) “…variant.”

Louisiana is still seeing about five to ten COVID deaths per day.

And Kanter also warns that now more than ever those who started a vaccine series need to finish it due to the Delta variant’s higher transmissibility.

Cut 6 (09) “…(x2) coverage.”

19 Delta variant cases have been officially recognized in Louisiana but Kanter warns the number is much higher due to the lack of variant testing available.

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The gig is up for a Plaquemine man who was arrested for impersonating a police officer after he allegedly pulled over an off-duty parish deputy. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Lonny Cavalier says 27-year-old Vincent Vinny Marks got in trouble when he flashed his flights and pulled over the off-duty deputy….

Cut 7 (09) “…incident.”

Cavalier says Marks is no stranger to law enforcement, he was involved in an incident earlier this year and the same deputy answered the call.

Cut 8 (10) “…recognized.”

Marks was booked Monday night in the Assumption Parish Detention Center on a felony count of impersonating a peace officer. Cavalier says they believe this isn’t the first time Marks has done this.

Cut 9 (06) “…complaint.”

Marks posted a commercial bond in the amount of $10,000.

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At tonight’s St. Tammany Parish Council Meeting, members will vote on whether to grant a parish-wide vote to be put on the November ballot to allow a casino to relocate to the parish. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt sponsored legislation for a public vote and now the parish council will decide its next fate.

Cut 10 (09) “…to vote.”

St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith, alongside Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal, oppose the casino and say an increase in criminal activity typically accompanies such venues and developers have not shown them any research that says otherwise. Smith quoted FBI data on the types of crimes associated with gambling.

Cut 11 (10) “..suicides increase.”

Smith says St. Tammany Parish already has one of the highest suicide rates in the state.

Senator Hewitt says some see the casino as a great economic development opportunity for the parish.

Cut 12 (07) “…vote on it.” 

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment has already stated they will make a $325-million investment in the new casino in hopes of luring gamblers that usually visit Mississippi’s casinos to stay in the state. P2E has guaranteed to hire 50-percent of their employees from the parish.

Smith says they work with federal and state law enforcement on combatting human trafficking which he says is already an issue on the I-10/12 corridor that runs through Slidell.

Cut 13 (08) “…don’t need.”

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 tonight to decide if the casino referendum will be put on the Nov. 13th ballot. Voters in the parish will have to undo a 1996 vote that currently blocks casinos.

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America’s Health Rankings 2021 Health Disparities Report finds before just COVID Louisiana was making some progress in longstanding problem areas but began facing new health issues.

Black infant mortality declined 22 percent between periods measured between 2003 to 2006 and 2015 to 2018. UnitedHealth Group CMO Dr. Ana Fuentevilla (fwent-uh-vee-uh)…

Cut 14 (06) “…Louisiana.”

The report also noted there was a 28 percent decline in the share of the white population that had less than a high school degree and a 30 percent decrease in the number of Black adults who couldn’t get medical care because of the cost.

But Fuentevilla the bad news is that compared to men there was a 40 percent increase in the number of women who suffer from multiple chronic conditions.

Cut 15 (10)“…or depression.”

There was also a 33 percent increase in depression among Louisiana adults who reported only having a high school diploma. Fuentevilla says this has likely gotten even worse over the last year and a half.

Cut 16 (04) “…COVID.” 

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One of the first priorities for new LSU Head Baseball Coach Jay Johnson is to hire a staff, including a pitching and hitting coach.  Johnson says he will not rush to hire someone because he wants to make sure he finds the right fit.

Cut 17 (20) …narrow search.” 

Kendall Rogers of D-1-Baseball-dot-com reports Texas Tech recruiting coordinator and assistant coach J-Bob Thomas is staying in Lubbock. He’s refused Johnson’s offer to take on the same duties with the Tigers.

Johnson also needs to meet with the players and try to find guys to fill out the holes in the roster.  The new coach on the type of team he wants to field…

Cut  18 (17)”..than LSU.”