If you’re caught dealing fentanyl in Louisiana, you could face up to life in prison. The stiffer penalties went into effect this week and the author of the legislation, Crowley Representative John Stefanski, believes it sends a strong message to drug dealers.
Cut 4 (11) “…fentanyl distribution.”
Individuals convicted of dealing fentanyl face at least seven years for a first offense, ten years for second offense and life in prison for a third offense. If you are caught with over 250 grams of fentanyl that could also lead to life in prison.

Another law that went into effect this week makes it illegal to create and distribute deep fakes. Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine says many of these visual deep fakes have children performing sexual acts…
cut 8 (10) “…..in Louisiana”

Bill Cassidy’s endorsement of Jeff Landry for Governor could help Louisiana’s senior U-S Senator score political points with the Republican Party. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says Cassidy has fallen out of favor with some Republicans and the state G-O-P strongly supports Landry…
Cut 10 (10) “…left behind”
The state GOP censured Cassidy after he voted to certify President Joe Biden’s electoral college victory and then the Baton Rouge Republican voted against former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial.

The LSU football team reports for fall camp today with high expectations. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says the ceiling should be high, considering the playmakers LSU has on offense…
Cut 13 (12) “…in the country.”

Drug dealers caught with fentanyl will now face stiffer penalties thanks to a new law that went into effect on August first. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

People in Ville Platte are mourning the death of Deputy Marshal Barry Giglio. He’s the law enforcement officer killed Monday night while serving a search warrant on a known drug house. Giglio is described as a good servant who was always willing to help out. One person inside the home was also fatally shot. State Police is investigating.

The big political news this week is Senator Bill Cassidy’s endorsement of Jeff Landry for governor. Cassidy irked many Conservatives a couple of years ago when he voted to certify President Biden’s electoral college victory and also voted against former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says Cassidy is up for re-election in 2026 and knows he needs the state GOP on his side…
cut 11 (08) “….for re-election”

It’s reporting day for the LSU football team. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says one of the biggest question marks is with the defensive secondary, which returns just two starters, Major Burns and Greg Brooks…
cut 14 (09) “…..in camp”

A Ville Platte Deputy City Marshal was fatally shot last night while attempting to execute a search warrant. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

In Cameron Parish, the new Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is scheduled to open in 2024 in Cameron Parish. The coastal facility of 11,000 square feet will cost nine million dollars. The refuge will provide wildlife and fish species along the Gulf of Mexico.

Today is the last day for homeowners who received damage from the 20 and 21 hurricanes to complete a survey for assistance. Director of the Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says more than 33 thousand have completed the survey, but he believes there are other residents who qualify for assistance…

Cut 4 (07)  “…survey yet.” 

Go to restore-dot-la-gov to complete the survey.

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot is more than one-billion dollars. It’s currently the fourth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says this year multi-state lottery jackpots have set records.

Cut 6 (11)  “…a billion dollars.” 

Tickets must be purchased by 9 pm for the drawing at 10 o’clock.

Today’s the last day homeowners affected by 20 and 21 hurricanes and the May 21 severe storms can fill out Restore Louisiana’s survey to be eligible for assistance.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

In Minden, there’s no scheduled power outage yet. A fire at a substation damaged an Entergy transformer early Sunday morning. The utility provider will have to cut off power for residents in order to repair the transformer. For up-to-date information on the planned outage follow the City of Minden’s Facebook page.

A shooting in Evangeline Parish last night claims the life of a Ville Platte Deputy City Marshal and another man. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the sheriff’s office was attempting to execute a search and once they entered a home gunfire erupted. Gossen says the officer has been identified as Barry Giglio.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the shooting.”

Gossen says this is an active investigation…

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot is more than one-billion dollars. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says the state has yet to have a Mega Millions jackpot winner, but the Bayou State can claim 14 winners of one million. And since large jackpots tend to entice those who don’t regularly play…

Cut 7 (08)  “…a prize.” 

Tickets must be purchased by 9 pm

A Ville Platte Deputy City marshal and another man were killed in a shooting in Evangeline Parish last night. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the sheriff’s office was serving a search warrant at a residence for suspected drug activity…

Cut 8 (08)  “…at the scene.” 

The deceased officer has been identified as Barry Giglio. Gossen says anyone with information, video, or pictures is urged to share them with State Police.

DOTD is conducting a public meeting at 5 pm tonight to discuss the widening of the I-20 project in Monroe. The project will add an additional lane in both directions of I-20 from US 165 to the east of Garrett Road. D-O-T-D Spokesperson Erin Buchannen says the goal is to get the community involved in the development process.

Cut 13 (12) “…on fire.”

The meeting will be held at the Monroe Public Safety Center located at 1810 Martin Luther King Junior Drive.

Today is the deadline for homeowners who received damage from the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes to complete the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance program survey. Office of Community and Development Director Pat Forbes says there are a lot of folks who could get money who still haven’t completed the survey…

Cut 3 (11) “…to help you.” 

Homeowners can complete the Survey online at restore.la.gov.

Are you feeling lucky? The jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is an estimated 1.10 billion dollars. It’s currently the fourth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says this year multi-state lottery jackpots have set records.

Cut 6 (11)  “…a billion dollars.” 

The lump sum cash option for tonight’s drawing is over $550 million.

A Ville Platte Deputy City Marshal was fatally shot last night while attempting to execute a search warrant. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

In Minden, a date and time of when the city will be without power has yet to be determined. Entergy says they need to make repairs to a substation that caught on fire Sunday morning. Follow the City of Miden’s Facebook page for updates.

Today is the last day to complete a survey if you received damage from the 20 and 21 hurricanes.  Director of the Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says visit restore-dot-la-dot-gov and you could possibly receive funds for repairs.

Cut 5 (14)  “…from the storm,.”

That’s restore-dot-la-dot-gov

The Department of Transportation is holding a meeting at five o’clock tonight in Monroe to discuss the widening of I-20. D-O-T-D Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the project is still in its early stages…  

Cut 12 (11) “…toward that.” 

The meeting will be held at the Monroe Public Safety Center.

A shooting in Evangeline Parish last night claims the life of Ville Platte Deputy City marshal Barry Giglio and another man. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the sheriff’s office was attempting to execute a search and once they entered a home gunfire erupted. Gossen says it’s an active investigation.

Cut 10 (08)  “…processed.”

State Transportation is hosting a public meeting at 5 tonight to discuss the widening of the I-20 in Monroe. D-O-T-D Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says they want to provide information on the project and get input from the public.

Cut 11 (11)  “…development process.”

The meeting will be held at the Monroe Public Safety Center

Today is the last day for homeowners who received damage from the 20 and 21 hurricanes to complete a survey for assistance. Director of the Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says more than 33 thousand have completed the survey, but he believes there are other residents who qualify for assistance…

Cut 4 (07)  “…survey yet.” 

Go to restore-dot-la-gov to complete the survey.

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot is more than one-billion dollars. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says the state has yet to have a Mega Millions jackpot winner, but the Bayou State can claim 14 winners of one million. And since large jackpots tend to entice those who don’t regularly play…

Cut 7 (08)  “…a prize.” 

Tickets must be purchased by 9 pm for tonight’s drawing.

A shooting in Evangeline Parish last night claims the life of a Ville Platte Deputy City marshal and another man. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the sheriff’s office was attempting to execute a search and once they entered a home gunfire erupted. Gossen says the officer has been identified as Barry Giglio.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the shooting.”

Gossen says this is an active investigation…

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot is more than one-billion dollars. It’s currently the fourth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery this year multi-state lottery jackpots have set records.

Cut 6 a billion dollars.

Tickets for tonight’s drawing must be purchased by 9 pm.

Today is the last day homeowners affected by the 20 and 21 hurricanes and severe storms can fill out Restore Louisiana’s survey to be considered for recovery assistance. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

Louisiana drivers insured by State Farm will see a significant surge in their auto premiums. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 29 percent of motorists in Louisiana have State Farm coverage.

Cut 13 (12) “…not liability.” 

The commissioner says he’s unhappy to impose additional costs to State Farm policyholders and urges policyholders to compare price and coverage.

A shooting in Evangeline Parish last night resulted in the death of a Ville Platte Deputy City Marshal and another man. A woman was also shot and is in stable condition. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the sheriff’s office attempted to execute a search warrant for suspected drug activity inside the Ville Platte home…

Cut 8 (11)  “…the market.” 

The deceased officer has been identified as Barry Giglio.

Homeowners who suffered damage from hurricanes in 2020 and 2021, today is the last day to complete a survey in order to be considered for financial assistance for damages. The Restore Louisiana program is providing grant dollars to homeowners to help with home repair and reconstruction and reimbursement of completed repairs. Director of the Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says the survey takes ten minutes to complete…

Cut 3 (11) “…to help you.” 

Since the program began in February 2022, more than 33-thousand homeowners have completed the survey and funding has been offered to over 3-thousand.

The heat is keeping many of us inside in the air conditioning, but livestock does not have that option. Doctor Pat Bagley, director of the Beef Cattle Research Center at Southern, says cattle farmers try to sell their calves once they’ve reached 600 pounds, but that’s more difficult when it’s hot because cows don’t eat as much when it’s hot…

Cut 6 (08)  “…breeding as well.”

Drivers insured by State Farm in Louisiana are about to be surprised with a hike in their premiums. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s a significant surge driven by a number of factors…

Cut 14 (11)  “…problems.” 

Donelon suggests auto policyholders price compare rates and coverage.

Extreme summer heat can slow down reproduction in livestock. Director of the Beef Cattle Research Center at Southern Doctor Pat Bagley says livestock cattle producers are making sure the cattle have plenty of salt because they are losing a lot of salt during the sweat process…

Cut 5 (12)   “…sweat out”

Bagley says fewer cattle will result in a decline in supply, which means higher prices for consumers at the grocery store.

Voters are showing a lack of interest in the races that are developing for governor and the other open statewide seats.  JMC Analytics and Polling pollster John Couvillon says that typically there’s a 45 to 50 percent turnout for a gubernatorial election but numbers are currently at the lower end of that spectrum…

Cut 11 (10)  “…major office.”

Couvillon expects interest will grow as we get closer to the October 14th primary.

The Louisiana Lottery made over $653 million for the fiscal year 2023 with the highest profit in the state’s history. Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the introduction of the $20 scratch-off has also increased their revenue.

Cut 9 (11)  “…experiences”

Since the lottery began operations in 1991 more than $12.9 billion has been generated in revenue for Louisiana.