The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending affirmative action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says in Louisiana schools use objective admissions criteria based on high school GPA, core curriculum, and standardized test scores.

Cut 3 (11) “…the country.”

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter said the court has issued a disgraceful decision that will make it harder for minority students to have a chance at equal admission to our nation’s top schools.

The 29^th Annual Essence Festival kicks off today in Crescent City. New Orleans and Company Senior Vice President of Communications Kelly Schulz says it appears tht the festival will be crowded.

Cut 7 (10)  “…90 percent occupancy.” 

The festival ends on Monday, July 3^rd.

McNeese broke ground on a new press box for Cowboy Stadium today. The previous press box sustained significant damage from the 2020 hurricanes and a complete overhaul was required. Director of Facilities Kevin Martin says the new facility will have 25 suites and a 17-hundred-square-foot sky club. And it will also have an open patio area that can function as more than just a press box…

Cut 10 (07)  “…that building.”

It’s expected to be completed in time for the 2025 football season.

Members of the LSU baseball championship team served fans chicken finger meals at the flagship Raising Cane’s near the LSU campus during lunch today. Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes, Tommy White, Tre’ Morgan, Ty Floyd, and head coach Jay Johnson all took part. Cane’s owner Todd Graves was in Omaha for the College World Series this year and he made a large contribution to keep LSU in the lead for the Jell-o Shot Challenge.

With Independence Day weekend cranking up, the city of New Orleans is ready for a huge influx of visitors for the 29^th annual Essence Festival. It starts today and runs through Monday evening, with dozens of the top names in music and show biz. New Orleans & Co’s Kelly Schulz says it’s a super big event for the Crescent City…:

CUT 06(12)      “…this weekend.”

Last year’s Essence Fest had a $327-million impact on the area’s economy.

Were LSU fans booing Governor John Bel Edwards and Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome at last night’s Tigers celebration? Video from the big event shows little applause for either leader as they were introduced, and crowd sounds that sounded fairly negative. Neither Broome nor the Governor seemed bothered by it.

How does the US Supreme Court’s decision to end Affirmative Action for college admissions impact Louisiana? Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

The man who crashed his SUV through the front of the Hammond Target three years ago is sentenced to 25 years. 44-year-old Walter Allbritton III of Ponchatoula pled no contest to several charges including terrorizing aggravated criminal damage to property. Allbritton also broadcast the incident on Facebook Live.

The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending Affirmative Action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says, in Louisiana, schools use objective admissions criteria based on high school GPA, core curriculum, and standardized test scores. Several have issued statements decrying the High court’s ruling, but Henderson says he understands those positions are more based on our political culture war…:

CUT 05(13)      “…effective way.”

Florida was the only state in the southeast still allowing A.A. use in college admissions.

The well-known Landry’s Feed Store in Rayne took heavy damage from an early morning fire. Traffic was shut down on U.S. Highway 90, while firefighters fought the blaze. The cause has yet to be determined, but we’re told damage was extensive. Landry just observed 70 years in business last month.

Members of the LSU baseball championship team served fans chicken finger meals at a Raising Cane’s near the LSU campus during the lunch hour today. Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes, Tommy White, Tre’ Morgan, Ty Floyd, and head coach Jay Johnson all took part. The Tigers just took the national college baseball championship for the 7^th time.

The Essence Festival is underway in New Orleans; beginning today and running through Monday… and tourism is expected to reach high numbers again this year. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Foxx.”

How does the US Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action for college admissions impact Louisiana? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Essence Festival of Culture is underway in New Orleans beginning today through July 3 and tourism is expected to reach high numbers again this year. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”  

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The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending affirmative action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says in Louisiana schools use objective admissions criteria based on high school GPA, core curriculum, and standardized test scores.

Cut 3 (11) “…the country.”

The cases concerned admissions at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. The organization Students for Fair Admissions argued that Harvard’s race-conscious admissions policy violated the 1964 Civil Rights Act which bans discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Henderson says the ruling impacts schools like Harvard and UNC because they are both highly selective institutions.

Henderson says the UL system has intentional interventions in place to ensure students succeed regardless of their background.

Cut 4 (10)  “…our communities.” 

And while several individuals and institutions have issued statements decrying the decision, Henderson says he understands those positions are more based on our political culture war.

Cut 5 (13)  “…effective way. ”

Nine states already ban affirmative action, Florida is the only state in the southeast that does.

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There’s a party going down in the Big Easy this weekend. The 29^th Annual Essence Festival of Culture, the nation’s largest music festival, kicks off today through July 3. New Orleans and Company Senior Vice President of Communications Kelly Schulz says the importance of this event is big… 

Cut 6 (12)  “…this weekend.” 

The festival expects tens of thousands of visitors for one of the largest celebrations of Black art and culture in the country. Hotel occupancy rates in 2022 were hovering at 93 percent in and near downtown, according to an informal survey by New Orleans & Co. Schultz says numbers are still holding strong.

Cut 7 (12)  “…last year.” 

Last year’s festival had a $327 million impact on the city’s economy. Schultz says local businesses are anticipating an increase in customers around the city. She says with big luminaries and celebrities in the city, attendance is expected to increase over the weekend.

Cut 8 (12)  “…to New Orleans.” 

Visit neworleans.com or download the Essence Festival app for a line-up of festivities.

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McNeese broke ground on a new press box for Cowboy Stadium today. Much of southwest Louisiana was devastated by Hurricanes Delta and Laura in 2020. The former press box like much of the Lake Charles area sustained significant damages and a complete overhaul was required. Now, three years later, Director of Facilities Kevin Martin says they’ve completed the long process to organize funding from 4 separate sources and get the project underway…

Cut 9 (14) “…like that.”

The updated box is set to be over 28,000 square feet and extends the goal line to the goal line. The state-of-the-art facility will boast 25 suites and a 17-hundred-square-foot sky club and an open patio area that Martin says will allow it to function as more than just a press box…

Cut 10 (07)  “…that building.”

For the Lake Charles area though, Martin says this project is about more than just a football stadium. Recovery from Hurricane Laura has taken longer than expected for many, including the university, but Martin says the new box will be a return of a local landmark and symbol of progress for many in the area…

Cut 11 (13)  “…in a whole.”

The box is expected to open for the 2025 season.

How does the US Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action for college admissions impact Louisiana? Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish arrest a local woman for allegedly stealing tens of thousands from her 81-year-old father’s bank account. Investigators say that during 2022, Sarah Banks made 68 transfers to her personal account; totaling over $35-thousand. She also allegedly wrote herself checks of over $5-thousand. She’s charged with exploitation of the infirmed, bank fraud, theft, and illegal transmission of monetary funds.

A 15-year-old Opelousas teen is arrested for shooting a Port Barre man, and police say his mother turned him in. Neither the juvenile nor his 20-year-old victim have been identified yet. The man was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and the teen booked into detention.

This weekend in New Orleans, the 29^th Annual Essence Festival; the nation’s largest music festival. It kicks off today and runs through July 3rd. New Orleans & Co.’s Kelly Schulz says the lineup of big stars, and celebrities in the city – plus many celebrity visitors – means attendance is expected to go over the top…:

CUT 08(12)      “…to New Orleans.”

Last year’s Essence Fest had a $327-million impact on the city’s economy.

If you’re headed for the Gulf Coast beaches this holiday weekend, be careful. Rip currents anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to Alabama’s shoreline have claimed ten lives in recent weeks.

The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending affirmative action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says the UL system has intentional interventions in place to ensure students succeed regardless of their background.

Cut 4 (10)  “…our communities.” 

Nine states already ban affirmative action, Florida is the only state in the southeast that does.

The 29^th Annual Essence Festival of Culture, the nation’s largest music festival, kicks off today in Crescent City. New Orleans and Company Senior Vice President of Communications Kelly Schulz says hotel occupancy rates last year hovered at 93 percent and an informal survey says numbers are still holding strong.

Cut 7 (12)  “…last year.” 

The festival ends on Monday, July 3^rd.

The man who crashed his SUV through the front of the Hammond Target three years ago is sentenced to 25 years. 44-year-old Walter Allbritton the III of Ponchatoula pled no contest to several charges including terrorizing aggravated criminal damage to property. Allbritton also broadcasted the incident on Facebook Live.

McNeese broke ground on a new press box for Cowboy Stadium today. Much of southwest Louisiana was devastated by Hurricanes Delta and Laura in 2020 and the former press box was damaged significantly. Three years later, Director of Facilities Kevin Martin says they’ve completed the long process to organize funding from 4 separate sources and get the project underway…

Cut 9 (14) “…like that.”

The US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling today, ending affirmative action for college admissions. University of Louisiana system president Dr. Jim Henderson says in Louisiana schools use objective admissions criteria based on high school GPA, core curriculum, and standardized test scores.

Cut 3 (12) “…the country.”

The 29^th Annual Essence Festival of Culture, the nation’s largest music festival, kicks off today in New Orleans and runs through July 3rd. New Orleans and Company Senior V. P. of Communications Kelly Schulz says the festival has a huge impact on the Crescent City…

Cut 6 (11)  “…New Orleans.” 

We could see some record-high temperatures today. Health officials warn to stay out of the heat. Teiko Foxx has more….

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the state budget on his monthly call-in radio show. The budget contained a $100 million reduction to the Louisiana Department of Health. Among the anti-transgender bills, is one to prohibit transgender procedures and or treatments of minors. Edwards says the bills have nothing to do with improving the economy, education, or healthcare.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and so forth.”

If you had damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes and need assistance with submitting surveys, Restore Louisiana representatives will be on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center before the August 1 deadline. Community Development Director Pat Forbes says homeowners statewide still have not completed the initial step.

Cut 13 (12) “…survey done.”  

Homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov or call 866-735-2001.

Governor Edwards has vetoed legislation some call the “Stay Back” bill; aimed at heading off bad encounters between police and citizens. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (31)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The June heat wave is reportedly blamed for at least 13 deaths in Texas and 2 in Caddo Parish. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect today and tomorrow for nearly the entire state with high temperatures this afternoon slated to reach 100 degrees pushing heat index values to between 115-120.

Thousands of LSU fans packed the stands in Alex Box Stadium last night to celebrate the 2023 C-W-S national champion LSU men’s baseball team.  Several star players spoke to the big crowd. Dylan Crews thanked the fans…

Cut 16 (19) “…can I say.”

On his monthly radio call-in show “Ask the Governor” Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the state budget that passed in the final moments of the session earlier this month. The budget included a $100 million cut to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Cut 7 (13) “…and compassion.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed legislation that would have made it a crime to get within 25 feet of police officers on duty, saying there is already a state law that punishes those who interfere with cops. Detractors said it threatens citizens’ First Amendment rights and prevents people from video-recording police. Bill author and Pineville Republican Representative Mike Johnson says the legislation did none of that…:

Cut 12 (11)    “…a police officer.” 

Restore Louisiana representatives will be on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center to help homeowners who had damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes complete surveys before the August 1 deadline. Community Development Director Pat Forbes says the program expanded its criteria for homeowners to qualify.

Cut 15 (12)  “…fifty thousand.”

Homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov or call 866-735-2001.

Governor Edwards has vetoed legislation some call the “Stay Back” bill; aimed at heading off bad encounters between police and citizens..:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Heat index values could reach 115 today or higher. Dr. Jim Aiken is with the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans…:
Cut 4 (13) “to it”

Governor John Bel Edwards on his monthly call-in radio show discussed how he plans to restore last minute cuts made to the Department of Health. He also talked about the possibility of a veto override session…:
CUT 8 (11) “to that”
To date, the governor has not vetoed any legislation pertaining to the transgender population.

If you still haven’t submitted a survey on damage from the 2020-2021 hurricanes, Restore Louisiana is holding outreach events to help out before the August 1st deadline. Representatives are on-site in Kenner today at the Martin Luther King Center. Community Development Director Pat Forbes many homeowners have still have not finished the first step.
Cut 13 (12) “survey done”
Homeowners can complete the survey at restore.la.gov.