A Baton Rouge judge has again extended his order blocking the state’s abortion law from taking effect, meaning clinics can remain open for now. Judge Don Johnson says he will make his ruling in the case on July 29^th.

With inflation continuing to rise, more Louisianans face having to cut other spending in order to make needed back-to-school purchases. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana claims top ranking for the highest number of high school seniors who’ve completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. The Louisiana Department of Education’s Ken Bradford says he National College Access Network tracks applications in the U.S., and Louisiana has consistently been in the top two for the last five years. Bradford says FAFSA completion is also required for high school seniors in Louisiana to be considered for TOPS…:

CUT 10(10)      “…work studies, et cetera”

It looks like District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins has a challenger: Lafayette Republican prosecutor Holden Hoggatt. “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt’s campaign resources are unclear right now, but Higgins has less than $300-k in his warchest…:’

CUT 08(10)      “whole lot of dough.”

Qualifying for the fall elections starts tomorrow in Baton Rouge.

There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward…:

CUT 03(12)      “…hot today.”

Ross says try to remain indoors as much as possible.

With inflation continuing to rise, more Louisianans face having to cut back on spending in order to make needed back-to-school and college purchases. Katherine Cullen, with the National Retail Federation, says spending this year is expected to match or exceed 2021’s record high spending for the fall school term, but many have to pinch pennies to get it done…:

CUT 12  (05)        “…for the season.”

On the eve of qualifying for the federal elections, Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt has announced he will challenge Third District Congressman Clay Higgins. Both men are Republicans. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt has never run for political office before…:

CUT 06(12)      “…back it up.”

Higgins has reported 258-thousand dollars on hand. Alford says that’s the lowest figure among Louisiana’s six incumbent members of Congress.

A Beauregard Parish man has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor. Beauregard deputies say Rusty Boudreaux faces multiple charges for multiple assaults on the victim. He is in jail with no bond.

After its fourth violent escape so far this year, critics are calling for the Bridge City Center for Youth, in Jefferson Parish, to be closed forever. Governor Edwards has called a 3 pm press conference and will address the juvenile jail’s issues.

There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today. C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward. There’s also a Heat Advisory from Natchitoches to Jena. Ross says later in the week north Louisiana will see a drop in temperatures and possibly a scattered shower or two but not enough to relieve drought-like conditions in the area. But in the meantime, try to say inside as much as possible…:

CUT 05(09)      “…the heat.”

Louisiana has highest number of high school seniors who’ve completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. The Louisiana Department of Education’s Ken Bradford credits educators and counselors for the ranking…:

CUT 09(09)      “…and career.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will address the future of the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish during a 3 pm press conference today. There was another violent escape from the center over the weekend; the fourth such escape so far this year. Critics call for the juvenile jail to be permanently shuttered.

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt announces he will challenge Third District Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Qualifying for the fall congressional mid-term elections starts tomorrow, and it appears that District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins will have a challenger. He’s Lafayette Republican prosecutor Holden Hoggatt, who has never run for political office before. “LAPoliticas.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt looks like a formidable challenger and Higgins will need to take him seriously…:

CUT 07(12)      “…this time.”

Hoggart’s financial resources are unclear at this time, while Higgins reported 258-thousand dollars on hand in his run for a 4^th term.

There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today, C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward. Plus there’s a heat advisory for Natchitoches to Jena. Ross says if you feel this has been an unusually warm summer, you’re correct…:

CUT 04(05)      “…summer of 2011.”

There’s an effort underway to restore Pontchartrain Beach so the public can put their toes in the sand once again. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

…and now today’s markets with Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Avery Davidson…

On the eve of qualifying for the federal elections, Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt has announced he will challenge Third District Congressman Clay Higgins. Both men are Republicans. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Hoggatt has never run for political office before

Cut 6 (12) “…back it up” 

Higgins is seeking his fourth term and has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party.

There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for north Louisiana today, C.S. Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says conditions outside will be dangerous from Shreveport to Monroe and northward.

Cut 3 (12) “…hot today.” 

A Facebook message in January helped authorities determine the identity of a person killed while walking I-10 in Breaux Bridge in December 1981. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Ginny Higgins says the victim has been identified as Michele Elaine Oaks Boutilier…(tee-ah) aka Michele Oakes-Gautreaux. The driver who hit the victim was not charged and they believe alcohol played a role in her death….

Cut 12 (11) “…we’ll never know.” 

The drawing for the $530-million Megamillions Jackpot is tonight. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s the 8th largest jackpot in Megamillion’s history and so far, no one from Louisiana has ever won a jackpot in the game…:

Cut 5 (04) “…jackpot winner.”

To be eligible for tonight’s drawing tickets must be purchased by 9 PM.

A Baton Rouge judge could decide today that trigger laws banning abortions in Louisiana should go into effect. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…. I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Lafayette Republican prosecutor Holden Hoggatt (hog-it) will qualify to run against Congressman Clay Higgins in the November election today. Higgins has represented the third congressional district since 2017. Louisiana’s 3^rd congressional district includes most of Acadiana and southwest Louisiana.

A Baton Rouge judge has ruled in favor of insurance companies who refused to pay expenses for those homeowners who evacuated during Hurricane Ida from parishes that did not issue mandatory evacuation orders. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says for hurricane season 2023 they will have to pay evacuation expenses if authorities prohibit the use of a dwelling.

Cut 15 (05)  “…return order”

There’s a movement underway to restore Pontchartrain Beach that’s sat dormant for decades. Co-founder of the Pontchartrain Beach Foundation Guy Williams says the site will have a renovated fishing pier, a volleyball area and dog park. And along the western side of the project, there will be a created wetland to filter the water and the runoff.

Cut 9 (09)  “…storm protection.”

If approved, they hope the project will be open to the public in four years.

19th JDC Judge Don Johnson has asked both sides in the debate over Louisiana’s trigger laws on abortion to submit their proposed findings this morning on fact and conclusions of law in the case before he rules. The judge left a June 11th temporary restraining order in place in the meantime meaning abortion clinics could remain open until a ruling is made.

There’s an effort underway to restore Pontchartrain Beach so the public can put their toes in the sand once again. Brooke Thorington explains….:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A Facebook message in January helped authorities determine the identity of a person killed while walking I-10 in Breaux Bridge in December 1981. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Ginny Higgins says the message helped through DNA technology, but it took several years before they got a tip that led to a positive I-D…:
Cut 11 (09) “that person”
Higgins says the victim has been identified as Michele Oakes-Gautreaux who was 26 when she was hit.

The drawing for the $530-million Mega Millions Jackpot is tonight. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says no one in Louisiana has hit the Megamillion jackpot, Chopin says five people in the state have been Megamillion Match 4 plus the Mega-ball..:
Cut 6 (11) “Megaball numbers”

A Baton Rouge judge has ruled in favor of insurance companies who refused to pay expenses for those homeowners who evacuated during Hurricane Ida from parishes that did not issue mandatory evacuation orders. Ida hit quick and there wasn’t enough time for many parishes to issue orders in time. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the Legislature has changed the law, so next hurricane season a mandatory evacuation will not be required for insurers to cover expenses…:
Cut 14 (10) “evacuation order”

The Pontchartrain Beach Foundation announced its submitted a proposal they’ll present today to obtain a lease for the site to redevelop it. Co-founder of the Pontchartrain Beach Foundation Guy Williams says the project will include restrooms, an area for food trucks, a site for boaters and more…:
Cut 8 (07) “the beach”

The drawing for the $530-million Megamillions Jackpot is tonight. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says it’s the 8th largest jackpot in Megamillion’s history and it has a cash value of almost $305-million…:
Cut 4 (12) “lump sum payment”

It wasn’t all just football talk when Brian Kelly spoke with reporters at SEC Media Days. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

19th JDC Judge Don Johnson has asked both sides in the debate over Louisiana’s trigger laws on abortion to submit their proposed findings this morning on fact and conclusions of law in the case before he rules. He left a June 11th restraining order in place in the meantime meaning abortion clinics could remain open.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected today to provide an update on the future of the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish, after yet another 6 juvenile inmates escaped from the facility over the weekend.

A Baton Rouge judge could decide today that trigger laws banning abortions in Louisiana should go into effect. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Heat Advisory is in effect for most of the state today beginning at noon, with the exception of coastal parishes. High temperatures are slated to reach the mid 90s, with heat index values likely climbing to above 105 in many areas. And don’t expect rain to bring much relief today as forecasters have reduced the chance for showers to 20%.

A Baton Rouge judge has ruled in favor of insurance companies who refused to pay expenses for those homeowners who evacuated during Hurricane Ida from parishes that did not issue mandatory evacuation orders. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issued a directive following Ida that insurers should cover evacuation costs, but Judge Patrick Moore ruled Donelon overstepped his authority…:
Cut 13 (10) “my authority”
That’s Mr. Donelon who says the Legislature has changed the law, so for next hurricane season a mandatory evacuation will not be required for insurers to cover evacuation expenses.

Louisianans are seeing lots of relief at the pump certainly compared to a month ago. The current statewide average stands at $4.06, down 46 cents this time in June.