State Police is investigating a profanity laced voicemail left on the phone of Houma Senator Michael Fesi. Fesi voted in favor of the override of the governor’s veto of a bill that bans sex altering medical procedures on minors. Authorities say the man who left the voice mail is LSU grad student Marcus Venable
Cut 3 (10) “…already suffering”
Venable also taught a class at LSU as a grad assistant. The university says Venable will no longer teach at LSU, but can still be a student.

The statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline has increased five cents over the last week. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s the result of a cutback in production by OPEC countries. Redman is hopeful we do not see a big increase, but that changes if a storm threatens the Gulf Coast….
cut 10 (10) “….increase”
Right now the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.18.

The media at SEC Media Days has picked Alabama to win the SEC West in a close vote over LSU, who is picked to finish second. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes the Tigers should be the preseason favorites to win the West…
cut 12 (08) “….Alabama has none of that”
LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels is a first team All SEC selection.

Mental health officials are celebrating the one anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Robyn Thomas says since shortening the previous seven-digit number to 988, call volume has increased by 11 percent and they’ve increased the number of counselors from Louisiana who can take these calls…
Cut 6 (11) “Louisianans face.”
The Lifeline also offers specialized support for veterans, Spanish speakers and LGBTQ-plus youth.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces as of May 31^st, over 17 thousand homeowner insurance policies have been written by companies that took advantage of the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, and St. Charles are the top five parishes for new policies. Donelon says…

Cut 6 (11)  “…of Citizens.”

The federal government announces nearly 300 thousand acres in the Gulf of Mexico will be auctioned off in the first offshore wind lease sale on August 29^th.  Lacey McManus Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans Inc. says the business community has anticipated this moment

Cut 7 (08) “…into place.”

More than 102 thousand acres offshore from Lake Charles and two areas of about 100 thousand acres each near Galveston are under consideration.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is weighing in on the 56 clemency requests sent to the Louisiana Pardon Board from death row inmates.  He says there are emergency circumstances like an execution date, but that doesn’t apply in this situation…

Cut 11 (11)  “…follow the rules.”

Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project, Cecelia Kappel says the pardon board can also waive its rules, including the rule that requests need to be filed within one year after the last denied appeal. She says that rule has been waived before in death penalty cases…

Cut 13 (13) “…direct appeal” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued an opinion that advises Louisiana Pardon Board not to hear clemency requests sent by over 50 death row inmates who have filed. He says the pardon board has more than 400 applications to review before getting to death row inmates who are hoping Governor Edwards lessens their punishment to life in prison

Cut 10 (06) “…are pending.”

But Capital Appeals Project Executive Director Cecelia Kappel, says there’s a major conflict of interest….

Cut 12 (12)    “…clemency requests” 

Kappel says the pardon board can also waive its rules, including the rule that requests need to be filed within one year after their last denied appeal. She says that rule has been waived before in death penalty cases…

The first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind energy power lease sale has been approved by the federal government. About 300 thousand acres near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas will be auctioned off on August 29th. Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans Inc. Lacey McManus says building wind farms may be a way off but Louisiana workers are ready.

Cut 9 (09)  “…do this.”

The areas could turn wind energy into nearly 4 gigawatts of electricity each year. A sale notice can be found in the Federal Register.

Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House Republican Tanner Magee says he will not run for re-election. Magee says he’s proud to help secure funds for rural roads and flood control projects in his district. But he says special interest groups have gained too much control…

Cut 16 (11) “..just a game”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says companies participating in the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program have written more than 17,000 policies as of May 31st. He says SafePoint Insurance has been approved to take nearly 20 thousand policies out of Louisiana Citizens:
Cut 5 (11) “first year”
Donelon says getting policyholders out of Citizens is vital to the state’s economic recovery.

The Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House has decided not to run for re-election, ending his legislative career after eight years. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says Washington D-C partisan attacks have become too much…:
Cut 15 (07) “really change”

The first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind power lease sale has been approved by the federal government to take place August 29th…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

State Police is investigating the case of a teacher at LSU who left a profanity laced voicemail to a state senator for voting to override the veto of a ban on transgender care for minors. The University says Marcus Venable is a graduate student who teaches, and he’s now been pulled from his position. Venable said in the voicemail he can’t wait to see Senator Mike Fesi’s name in the obituaries.

In a push that’s been years in the making, the federal government has officially set the first ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale, opening sites off the coasts of Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. Greater New Orleans Future Energy Executive Director Lacy McManus:
Cut 8 (11) “the country”
About 300-thousand acres will be auctioned off on August 29th.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says the body of a man who went missing while swimming in the Amite River Wednesday afternoon has been recovered. They said the person reportedly jumped from a railroad trestle into the water and did not come back up Wednesday. The search was suspended that night, but divers located the victim Thursday afternoon.

Though demand for gas isn’t budging, AAA reports gas prices are once again steadily increasing. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.18 which is up about 6 cents from a month ago.

State Representative Tanner Magee is not running for re-election. He says the toxic stew at the capitol is a major reason why he’s getting out. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tickets for the Garth Brooks/Lainey Wilson concert on September 2nd in the Superdome go on sale this morning at 10am. Fans are encouraged to have their Ticketmaster accounts ready in advance with updated credit card information to make the process as smooth as possible.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says progress is being made in reducing the number of policyholders who have to rely on Citizens for homeowners’ insurance.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House Houma Representative Tanner Magee has decided not to run for re-election, ending his legislative career after eight years. He says he’s got kids and calls the political atmosphere at the capitol toxic…:
Cut 14 (09) “process”

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued an opinion stating the Louisiana Pardon Board cannot hear clemency requests of over 50 death row inmates who have filed. He says the rule is that death row inmates must submit the application within a year from a court’s direct appeal decision:
Cut 11 (11) “follow the rules”
Capital Appeals Project Executive Director Cecelia Kappel says that rule can be and has been waived in other cases..:
CUT 13 (13) “direct appeal”
She also says Landry’s involvement is a conflict of interest as the AG’s office is prosecuting several of the inmates applying.

If you like playing Mega Millions when the jackpot is big, tonight’s drawing is worth an estimated $720 million dollars.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says companies participating in the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program have written more than 17,000 policies as of May 31st. He says this is reducing the number of Citizens policies, which are extremely expensive compared to private insurance…:
CUT 4 (08) “in need”
He urges all Citizens policy holders to contact their agents to see if they have another option.

State Police is investigating the case of a teacher at LSU who left a profanity laced voicemail to a state senator for voting to override the veto of a ban on transgender care for minors. The University says Marcus Venable is a graduate student who teaches, and he’s now been pulled from his position. Venable said in the voicemail he can’t wait to see Senator Mike Fesi’s name in the obituaries.

The first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind power lease sale has been approved by the federal government to take place in late summer near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. Greater New Orleans Future Energy Executive Director Lacy McManus says these areas have the potential to power almost 1.3 million homes, and it’s been a long time coming…:
CUT 7 (08) “into place”
She says though it may take a while the great thing about Louisiana is that the workforce is here and ready to go.

Anyone who tried to buy tickets to Garth Brooks’ Tiger Stadium show last year knows they had better hop on Ticketmaster early today when the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff event goes on sale. ALL tickets for the September 2nd Show in the Superdome are just $98.95 and though the sale officially opens at 10am, eager buyers are encouraged to log on to the site early to make sure their account is ready to go with up-to-date credit card information.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says companies participating in the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program have written more than 17,000 policies as of May 31st. He says this is reducing the number of Citizens policies, which are extremely expensive compared to private insurance…:
CUT 4 (08) “in need”
He urges all Citizens policy holders to contact their agents to see if they have another option.

State Police is investigating the case of a teacher at LSU who left a profanity laced voicemail to a state senator for voting to override the veto of a ban on transgender care for minors. The University says Marcus Venable is a graduate student who teaches, and he’s now been pulled from his position. Venable said in the voicemail he can’t wait to see Senator Mike Fesi’s name in the obituaries.

The first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind power lease sale has been approved by the federal government to take place in late summer near Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. Greater New Orleans Future Energy Executive Director Lacy McManus says these areas have the potential to power almost 1.3 million homes, and it’s been a long time coming…:
CUT 7 (08) “into place”
She says though it may take a while the great thing about Louisiana is that the workforce is here and ready to go.

Anyone who tried to buy tickets to Garth Brooks’ Tiger Stadium show last year knows they had better hop on Ticketmaster early today when the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff event goes on sale. ALL tickets for the September 3rd Show in the Superdome are just $98.95 and though the sale officially opens at 10am, eager buyers are encouraged to log on to the site early to make sure their account is ready to go with up-to-date credit card information.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s disappointed but not surprised the Republican led Legislature overturned his veto of a bill that bans doctors from performing medical procedures on children that could alter their biological sex. He believes politics played a role…:
CUT 15 (09) “two thirds vote”
Edwards says the legislation harms a very small population of vulnerable children, their families and health care professionals. But the bill’s author, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment, says his legislation protects kids who might be temporarily confused about their biological sex…
Cut 14 (11) “…not health care”
Firment’s law goes into effect January 1st, but will likely face a legal challenge.

All but one Louisiana death row inmate is seeking clemency from the governor, but Attorney General Jeff Landry says if the Pardon Board hears these cases, they would violate their own rules by allowing the hearings to take place one year after their last appeal was denied. Louisiana District Attorney Association director Loren Lampert…
cut 10 (10) “…an emergency’
The Capital Appeals Project says Landry’s opinion has no binding force.

On his monthly radio show, Governor Edwards was asked about a recent poll that showed 55-percent of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Edwards believes strides have been made during his eight years in office, but wishes more could be done…
cut 8 (11) “…positive change”

Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion that is a setback for death row inmates seeking a clemency hearing with the state Board of Pardons. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Director Loren Lampert says Landry states that clemency requests must be made to the Pardon Board within a year after a judge issues a ruling on their appeal
Cut 9 (09) “…emergency exception”
But an attorney for for several of the clemency applicants says the clemency hearings should take place because of a myriad of problems with the state’s death penalty system.

Governor Edwards was asked on his monthly call-in show about a recent poll that shows 55-percent of the state’s residents believe Louisiana is heading in the wrong direction. Edwards says certainly more can be done in the area of education.
cut 7 (08) “…childhood”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says progress is being made in reducing the number of policyholders who have to rely on Citizens for their homeowners insurance. Donelon says since the state incentivized insurance companies to write homeowners insurance policies, 17-thousand new polices have been written, which allows homeowners to avoid the more expensive Citizens Insurance…
cut 21 (05) “…increase”

Hollywood South is reeling from the writers and actors strike. Louisiana Entertainment Media Director Chris Stelly says the film industry impacts the economy and hopes there will be a resolution soon to get the cameras rolling again…:
Cut 12 (11) “ more importantly”
Many actors believe the labor stoppage will take a while to solve.