Treasurer John Schroder launches an attack ad linking gubernatorial opponent Jeff Landry to a Texas attorney accused of scamming property owners after the 2020 hurricanes. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley…

Cut 6 (11) “…the needle.”

LSU coach Kim Mulkey has reportedly agreed to a ten-year contract worth 32-million dollars, which would be the richest total contract in women’s college basketball history. LSU won the first national championship in program history last April and the Advocate’s Scott Rabalais says it took Mulkey only two seasons to reach the top…

Cut 12 (10) “…once again”

The LSU Board of the Supervisors is expected to approve the record deal tomorrow.

Brutally hot and dry weather has kept 95 percent of the state in drought conditions, according to the U-S Drought Monitor. State climatologist Barry Keim says the areas in “extreme and exceptional” drought conditions have gotten worse.

Cut 9 (12) “…move forward.” 

This year’s Christmas Grinch is the state’s extreme drought. Christmas Town, a tree farm in Tangipahoa Parish, announced it will not open for business this year. Owner Lisa Miller says it takes seven to nine years to grow a 6-foot to 8-foot marketable size Christmas tree. She hopes to preserve the tradition next Christmas.

Cut 5 (12) “ … next year.” 

The Southern Christmas Tree Association says the Christmas Town farm is the only one they know of that will not be open this season.

There’s a statewide televised debate tonight involving five of the seven major candidates. In the polls, Jeff Landry has a comfortable lead over his opponents, but one of the candidates, John Schroder, released a new TV today attacking Landry. Brooke Thorington reports the ad links Landry to an attorney in Texas who is in trouble for allegedly scamming property owners after the 2020 hurricanes..
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A Christmas tree farm in Tangipahoa Parish will not be able to sell any trees this holiday season, because the record summer heat and drought has ruined their harvest….
cut 4 (07) “….finished”
That’s the owner of Christmas Town, Lisa Miller, who says she’s owned the farm for 14 years and has seen nothing like this.

LSU and women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey have reportedly agreed on a ten-year, 32-million dollar contract which would be the richest total contract in women’s college basketball history. Mulkey has won four national championships and turned 61 in May. She experienced a health scare in June and had a procedure to put in two stents for a blocked heart artery. The Advocate’s Scott Rabalais says it will be interesting to see if Mulkey coaches another ten years, but she’s good to go for now…
cut 13 (09) “…like that”

This year’s Christmas Grinch is the state’s extreme drought. Christmas Town, a tree farm in Tangipahoa Parish, announced it will not open for business this year. Owner Lisa Miller says the severe drought has destroyed the harvest for the 2023 season.

Cut 3 (09) “…as well.”

Most of Louisiana was classified as being under extreme drought or exceptional drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The state Department of Transportation announces a 117-million-dollar construction project will begin on I-20 in Bossier and Caddo Parishes on September 18th. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says reconstruction work will also be underway from Pines Road to Market Street on the west end.

Cut 6 (11) “…as well.”

The project is scheduled to be completed by 2025.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says they’re once again taking applications from insurance companies who are interested in receiving grant dollars to write more homeowners insurance policies. 42 million dollars to eight insurers resulted in almost 29 thousand policies being written, and many were written in southeast Louisiana…

Cut 11 (14) “…22-hundred”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Wednesday the statewide burn ban remains in effect due to continuing dry conditions, but Louisiana residents can resume outdoor cooking. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says, if you do grill, have safety measures in place…

Cut 15 (09) “…cooking there.”
LSU has since reversed their earlier announcement discouraging tailgaters from grilling, it’s allowed now but you are asked to do so with extreme caution.

The first televised debate in the 2023 governor’s race is tonight. Brooke Thorington on what to expect.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is facing an ethics charge and could be forced to pay a penalty because of a free private plane ride he took with a top donor in 2021. The flight was to Hawaii, where Landry spoke at the annual meeting of the Attorney General Alliance. Landry says he took the free flight so taxpayers didn’t have to pay for it.

The statewide burn ban remains in effect, even though parts of the state have received rain, but officials say it’s not enough to reduce the increased risk of fire due to the prolonged drought. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…
Cut 13 (11) “…fire service (x2).”
Rodrigue says residents can resume outdoor cooking but using grills and smokers and not open flames in a fire pits.

Starting September 18th, I-20 in Shreveport-Bossier City will be under construction as crews will replace the pavement that’s been there since the 1960s. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchannan says there will be lane closures so they are implementing an innovative traffic management system to inform motorists of changing conditions…
cut 5 (08) “…alternate routes”
Motorists are urged to use I-220 as an alternate route.

We’ll hear from five of the seven major candidates in the October 14th Governor’s race tonight in a televised debate. Republican Jeff Landry refuses to participate because he says the organizer is biased. UNO Political Science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says that’s unfortunate:
Cut 7 (10) “front-runner”
The debate will be on TV tonight at 7.

The statewide burn ban was updated Wednesday and private burning is still prohibited but outdoor cooking may resume. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says wildfires are still active even though we have seen some rain…:
Cut 14 (08) “those scenes”
Those planning to tailgate at LSU Saturday are encouraged to seek alternate methods to outdoor cooking.

The state Department of Transportation announces lane closures on I-20 in Shreveport-Bossier City for the next two and a half years for pavement replacement…:
Cut 1 (30) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

LSU Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey has reportedly agreed to a 10-year, $32 million dollar contract extension that will make her the highest paid coach in women’s basketball. The deal is pending final approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors which meets Friday.

Five of the seven major candidates will participate in the first televised debate for the 2023 governor’s race tonight. Republican front-runner Jeff Landry refuses to participate citing organizer bias but UNO Political Science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak believes voters will still want to watch…:
Cut 9 (11) “direction”
The election is October 14th.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says they are once again taking applications from insurance companies who are interested in receiving grant dollars if they write more homeowners insurance policies. He says the goal is to reduce the number of homes that have coverage through, Citizens, the expensive state-run insurer of last resort..:
Cut 12 (09) “Citizens insurance”

Despite the recent rain, the statewide burn ban remains in effect. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington”

Baton Rouge Police say the person who allegedly stole a bike from a priest Monday has been apprehended. Father Michael Alello of St. Thomas More Catholic Church said his garage door was open when a man strolled up and grabbed his bike off the wall and rode away. Surveillance video shows the suspect waving at neighbors before he went into the garage to take the bike.

The first televised Gubernatorial Debate in the October 14th elections will take place tonight. Brooke Thorington offers a preview…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Baton Rouge Police Department says an argument over a basketball game at a local park led to a shooting that left a teenager injured. They say a fight unfolded outside of the gym when the accused gunman went to his vehicle to retrieve a weapon then began shooting the victim’s car has they tried to leave. Three people were inside the vehicle and a 17-year-old male was injured when a bullet grazed his head and leg.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Wednesday the statewide burn ban remains in effect, but outdoor cooking can resume with safety measures in place. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says though we’ve seen some rain, it wasn’t enough to reduce the risk of fire due to the prolonged drought:
Cut 13 (11) “…fire service (x2).”
The burn ban will be reconsidered on a weekly basis.

The state Department of Transportation announces a 117-million-dollar construction project will begin on I-20 in Bossier and Caddo Parishes on September 18th. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says workers will spend the next two and a half years on the project…:
Cut 4 (08) “the top”
The project is scheduled to be completed by 2025.

The first televised debate in the 2023 Governor’s race is tonight, and five of the seven major candidates will participate. Republican Jeff Landry refuses to take part saying the organizer, the Urban League, is biased towards Democrats. But UNO Political Science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says the other candidates will still go after Landry…:
Cut 8 (11) “Republicans”
Election Day is October 14th.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Wednesday the statewide burn ban remains in effect due to continuing dry conditions, but added Louisiana residents can resume outdoor cooking. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says, if you do grill, have safety measures in place..:
Cut 15 (09) “cooking there”

The program offering grants to insurance companies who write new policies in Louisiana is accepting applications over a 30-day period now for a second time. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nearly $42 million of the available $45 million was awarded to eight insurers following the first round of applications…:
Cut 10 (04) “since April”
If you’ve got coverage through Citizens, the state-run insurer of last resort, Donelon urges you to continue to research other options.

Less than a week after a student was shot and killed at the Brusly/Port Allen game last Friday, the Iberville Parish School Board says metal detectors will now be at the entrances of stadiums, and a clear bag policy is in place. Groups will also no longer be allowed to gather under the stadium or parking lot.

The first televised debate of the 2023 governor’s race is tomorrow. Five of the candidates will discuss the issues facing Louisiana at 7 PM at WWL-TV’s studio in New Orleans. But the front-runner, Republican Attorney Jeff Landry, will not be there, because the Urban League is an organizer, and he says they have a bias towards Democrats.

Cut 9 (09) “…Donald Trump.” 

The Urban League denies any bias.

The U.S. Capitol attending physician’s report says Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has not suffered a stroke or seizure. Fellow Kentucky lawmaker Rand Paul believes the 81-year-old Republican had a seizure. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s also a physician, says he’s going to go with the report of the healthcare provider who actually examined McConnell.

Cut 8 (11) “…most significant.”

Singer Jimmy Buffett died Friday from a rare skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. Teiko Foxx spoke with an LSU Oncologist expert about the aggressive disease.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Tailgaters at Tiger Stadium are asked not to light up for LSU’s home opener against Grambling. Due to the on-going drought LSU Athletics is encouraging fans not to grill-out due to the statewide burn ban and greatly reduce the chance of any blaze getting out of control on campus.

Jimmy Buffett, the legendary ‘Margaritaville’ singer, died Friday as a result of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare form of skin cancer. LSU School of Medicine Oncologist Dr. Brian Boulmay says the disease develops after long periods of exposure to natural or artificial light. He says if you see a flesh or colored mole, freckle, or bump on the skin, you should contact your physician 

Cut 4 (11) “…be biopsied.”

Men are twice as likely to develop this cancer than women. And about 80 percent are 70 and older.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a physician, believes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is fit to continue to serve despite two recent episodes in which McConnel froze and was unable to speak. Despite concerns about the 81-year-old’s health, Cassidy is satisfied with McConnell’s role in the Senate.

Cut 7 (11) “…minority leader.” 

The first televised debate of the 2023 governor’s race is tomorrow night, but the front-runner will not be there. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A Simmesport man was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Avoyelles Parish on Sunday. 40-year-old James Dibble Jr. of Simmesport was struck by a Mazda 6 driven by 40-year-old Mary Cazelot on Old Highway 1. Cazelot was arrested for felony hit and run, obstruction of justice, and driving under suspension. The investigation is ongoing.