Another statewide poll shows Attorney General Jeff Landry with a big lead in the governor’s race. The Republican from Acadiana received 36-percent of the vote in a survey commissioned by several media outlets. Democrat Shawn Wilson polled at 26-percent, Independent Hunter Lundy seven percent, and everyone else six percent or lower.

A new online tool allows parents to get a better idea of potential child support obligations. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Bayou State continues to bake and several cities could break records today and tomorrow for highest ever recorded temperature. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the highest ever recorded temperature for Shreveport was 110 degrees, in Baton Rouge,105, and in New Orleans 102 degrees. But today…
Cut 10 (10) “…in New Orleans (x2).”

Tonight at 7 PM, Louisiana Public Broadcasting will air the first public broadcast of Cajundome City, a documentary that explores sheltering efforts for 18,500 evacuees in the Cajundome following Hurricane Katrina. Co-Director Christopher Allain (Ah-lan) says the documentary shows how the Lafayette area stepped up…
Cut 4 (10) “…be done.”
The documentary includes interviews with volunteers, hurricane survivors, and Cajundome management.

An audit finds $112 million was spent on Medicaid recipients who live out-of-state from 2016 to February of this year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health releases an update on the total number of heat-related deaths in Louisiana to 25 for the months of June, July, and August. Officials say of the 25 deaths, 22 of the victims were male, and three were female. Louisiana health leaders said they plan to launch a dashboard to display heat-related deaths in the state

The State Department of Transportation reminds drivers to refrain from any action that could cause a roadside fire. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet fears another blaze is merely a spark away…

Cut 13 (07) “…more often.”

The statewide burn ban remains in place and Louisiana is under a State of Emergency due to the heat until September 9^th.

Summer wildfires that started August 14 in Sabine Parish have been contained but crews are still keeping an eye on fire lines. Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Scott Gowen says excessive heat continues to be a threat.

Cut 7 (05) “…out there.” 

One of the Sabine fires near Florien, consumed 14 structures and 19 vehicles, 10 or 11 families were displaced but there were no injuries or fatalities.

The case between the LHSAA and the nine schools from Rapides Parish and Monroe finally has a court ruling. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU basebal has added Nate Yeskie as their new pitching coach and Terry Rooney to the staff for recruiting to help rebuild the team. Coach Jay Johnson says that losing out on staff from their championship season will improve the team’s success moving forward.

Cut 16 (12) “…doing here.”

Four-time MLB All Star Pitcher Ben Sheets and Baton Rouge native will join the likes of some of the Milwaukee Brewers best players as he will be the 22^nd member inducted into the team’s Walk of Fame. He was drafted out of ULM formerly known as Northeast Louisiana in 1999 and pitched eight seasons with the Brewers and started the 2008 MLB all-star game for the National League.

LSU catcher and first baseman, Hayden Travinkski, will dawn the No. 8 jersey for his senior year. The historic jersey number is given out to upperclassman who have high characteristics of leadership and dedication to LSU baseball. The previous wearer of the No. 8 jersey was Golden Spikes winner Gavin Dugas

Former LSU sprinter Sha’carri Richardson won the gold medal in the 100 meter dash world championship in Budapest, Hungary. The 23-year-old has solidified herself as one of the fastest in the world after being disqualified from 2020 Olympic Trials.

The Saints division rival, Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named former number one overall pick Baker Mayfield the starter for the 2023 season. The Saints are scheduled to play the Bucs in week 4 and week 17.

A Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report reveals more than $100 million was paid for Medicaid coverage for individuals who don’t even live in the Bayou State. Data Analytic Manager Chris Magee says the payments were made to the insurance companies that provide managed care for Medicaid recipients.

Cut 3 (12) “out of the state.”

The LHSAA cannot use its current playoff format after losing in court to nine public school from Rapides Parish and the Monroe area. The LHSAA executive committee redefined a select school as any school that ahas a magnet component, is a charter school, or is an open enroll. Representing the schools was attorney Brian Blackwell, and he says he is not sure what this means for the high school football playoffs in November and December.

Firefighters from Baton Rouge, St. George, and Scott are on hand to provide assistance to crews in Sabine. Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Scott Gowensays the parish has also requested help from the governor’s office. While there are three fire departments in the parish, he says the wildfires have been hard to handle with only volunteer firefighters.

Cut 8 (08) “…you know.”

The statewide burn ban remains in place and Louisiana is under a State of Emergency due to the heat until September 9^th. The State Department of Transportation Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says you should never be littering or throwing a cigarette out the window, to begin with.

Cut 14 (12) “…very dangerous.”

A Legislative Auditor’s report reveals LDH spent $112 million on Medicaid coverage for individuals who did not live in Louisiana. State auditor Chris Magee says during the pandemic the federal government would not allow states to end coverage, however, LDH could have taken more steps to make sure recipients were Louisiana residents…
Cut 4 (12) “…the pandemic.”
The audit covered the time period between 2016 and February of this year.

The State Department of Transportation says motorists can do their part in preventing grass or wildfires. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says cigarette butts or chains being dragged off trailers can throw sparks into hot and dry grassy areas…
Cut 12 (10) “…on the interstate.”

Changes could be coming again to the structure of the high school football playoffs. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former LSU Sprinter Sha’carri Richardson is the fastest woman in the world. The 23-year-old won gold in the 100 meters at the world championships in Budapest, Hungary. Her time was a personal best 10.65 seconds. The Dallas native competed at LSU in 2019. She faced heartbreak two years ago when she was disqualified from Olympic compeition after a positive drug test.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office reports the state department of health spent 112-million dollars on Medicaid coverage for nearly 14-thousand adults who did not live in Louisiana. State Auditor Chris Magee says part of the problem was that LDH was told not to remove people off Medicaid rolls during the COVID pandemic. He says the state health agency also plans to use a driver license’s database to check where a recipient lives. He says unfortunately they can’t get the money back unless it was fraudulently obtained…
cut 5 (07) “….go out the door” (2x(

The state department of transportation is advising motorists not to throw anything out the window that cause a grass or wildfire. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says even a cigarette butt can spark a blaze…
cut 13 (07) “….more often”
There’s no

To bring attention to his state treasurer campaign and raise funds, Republican Scott McKnight is raffling Taylor Swift concert tickets. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 30 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In the Secretary of State’s race, the Louisiana Democratic Party has endorsed Arthur Morrell over the other Democrat in the race, Gwen Collins-Greenup. Collins Greenup has run unsuccessfully in the past for this position. Morrell served 23 years in the Louisiana House and he was the clerk of the Orleans Parish Criminal Court for 15 years.

An audit finds $112 million was spent on Medicaid recipients who live out-of-state from 2016 to February of this year. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 41-year-old Christopher Carter of Lake Charles, who allegedly drove around in his SUV with the body of 72-year-old Shelia Ortega. Detectives located Carter’s SUV in a mall parking lot, with her body located inside, deceased. Carter was allegedly opened several loans using Ortega’s information after her death.

Wildfires and grass fires have been popping up around the state and Sabine Parish is one of the hardest hit areas. Thousands of acres have been burned, plus 14 structures and 19 vehicles. Sabine Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Scott Gowen says excessive heat continues to be a threat…
cut 7 (05) “…out there”
Gowen says they’ve received assistance from firefighters around the state.

The high school football season begins next week and it’s unclear what the playoff brackets will look like in November. A Baton Rouge judge has ruled the LHSAA can’t use the current definition that determines a “select” school. Plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Blackwell says the association’s executive committee changed the definition, never giving high school principals a chance to vote on this major change…
Cut 10 (09) “…require”
It’s unknown what the LHSAA will do next.

A Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report reveals $112 million was paid for Medicaid coverage for individuals who live out-of-state. Data Analytic Manager Chris Magee says the payments were made to the insurance companies that provide managed care. During the pandemic the federal government would not allow states to end coverage, however, living out-of-state was an allowable reason.

Cut 4 (12) “…the pandemic.”

The audit covered the time period of 2016 to February of this year.

Summer wildfires that began August 14^th in Sabine Parish are still contained but crews are still keeping an eye on fire lines. Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Scott Gowen says fires have charred acres of land across the parish…

Cut 6 (08) “…situation” 

So far, no fatalities.

Changes could be coming again to the structure of the high school football playoffs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The high school football season begins next week and it’s unclear what the playoff brackets will look like in November. A Baton Rouge judge has ruled the LHSAA can’t use the current definition that determines a “select” school. Plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Blackwell says the LHSAA will likely need to call a special meeting so high school principals can make that determination…

Cut 9 (07) “…select school”

Last year, the LHSAA Executive Committee changed the definition of a “select” school which resulted in dozens of traditional public schools switching from non-select to select and competing against private schools in the playoffs. Blackwell says high school principals never had a chance to vote on this major change to the LHSAA’s constitution…

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named Baker Mayfield the starting quarterback for the 2023 season over former Florida Gators Kyle Trask. The Saints play the Bucs for their week 4 and week 17 matchups.

Former LSU Sprinter Sha’carri Richardson won gold in Budapest, Hungary in the 100 meter dash world championship. She was with LSU in 2019 before turning professional.

The Associated Press released their all American roster and linebacker Harold Perkins was among the few that were selected for the first team. Defensive lineman Mehki Wingo and wide receiver Malik Nabors were named apart of the AP All-american second team.

LSU baseball has set their staff and roster set for the 2024 season. The team is coming off another national championship, and Coach Jay Johnson has assembled a new staff after much of them moved on for better opportunities. Johnson says that even though that many off seasons have required a search for new coaches, it actually improves the team.

Cut 16 (12) “…doing here.”

The Saints return to practice after their Preseason Week 2 win in preparation for the Houston Texans on Sunday.

A Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report reveals more than $100 million was paid for Medicaid coverage for individuals who don’t even live in the Bayou State. Data Analytic Manager Chris Magee says the payments were made to the insurance companies that provide managed care for Medicaid recipients.

Cut 3 (12) “…out of state.”

Magee says the Louisiana Department of Health cites COVID as one reason for the oversite.

AAA recommends Louisiana residents review their insurance policies to make sure they have the right coverage during hurricane season. Spokesperson Don Redman says policyholders should go over the type of insurance they purchased.

Cut 7 (09) “…carried separately.”

Redmans says it is important to get flood insurance and take photos or video inventory of all items.

Gretna Representative Joe Marino resigned from his legislative post-Monday to begin a new chapter as an Ad Hoc Judge for the 24 Judicial District. Marino admits he was under the misconception that it was a part-time gig but quickly found out it’s a full-time job.

Cut 10 (08) “…up with.”

Marino was elected to the legislature in 2016 and authored legislation to raise the pay for lawmakers but that bill failed to receive passage.

Recent estimates by LSU AG Center experts find record-breaking temperatures and drought conditions are likely to lead to $135 million to $290 million in economic loss of cattle and crops. LSU AG Center Economist Kurt Guidry says beef cattle producers are forced to reduce their herd and it remains to be seen if this will impact consumers at the supermarket…

Cut 15 (12) “…lower prices.”

The full effect of the drought on cotton, soybeans, and sugarcane will not be known until after harvest.