A Baton Rouge judge is scheduled today to hear arguments both for and against blocking the state’s abortion ban trigger law. The law was triggered by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, but is temporarily on hold pending the hearing. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says plaintiffs argue the law’s language is too vague and therefore unenforceable, but he think today’s hearing in Don Johnson’s 19^th JDC court will not go their way…:

CUT 05(09)      “…illegal in Louisiana”

Qualifying for the fall mid-term congressional elections starts this week in Baton Rouge. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says most will be easy wins for the incumbents, but Senator John Kennedy has three Democrat challengers announced. One potential Republican challenger was Baton Rouge Reverend Tony Spell, but…

CUT 09(08)      “…through with that.”

The Food Network names a popular Lafayette eatery as the Best Barbecue in Louisiana, according to its “50 States of Barbecue” poll. It’s Johnson Boucaniere, on St. John Street downtown. Lori Johnson Walls is the proprietor. She says the secret to their success is “Make it great. Make it consistent and make it with love”…”

CUT 12(11)      “…barbecued at home.”

SEC Football Media Days kick-off today in Atlanta, the unofficial start of the college football season. LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly speaks today and Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says Kelly will get a bunch of questions about his three-way battle for starting quarterback…:

CUT 13(11)      “…to start.”

Buckley says Kelly was averse to having multiple quarterbacks before, but may be warming up to the idea.

Six juvenile inmates escaped from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth in the overnight hours of Sunday morning. Five were captured in relatively short order, but a fifth – who had an adult accomplice – carjacked a vehicle & shot the car’s owner. That man is now in critical condition. Police apprehended him later during a high speed chase.

Qualifying for the federal elections in November will get underway on Wednesday at the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge. Senator John Kennedy and the state’s six congressmen (and woman) are running for re-election. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the one race that may be in question is District 3, where incumbent Clay Higgins could face a well-funded challenger…:

CUT 08(10)      “…community leaders.”

Alford says Higgins has less than a half-million in available campaign money.

SEC Football Media Days begin today in Atlanta. Many fans consider it the start of the college football season…:

CUT 03(29)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The Food Network recently named Johnson’s Boucaniere in Lafayette Louisiana’s best barbecue; listing them in their “50 States of Barbecue” poll. Owner Lori Walls appreciates the honor, and says it IS a team effort…:

CUT 11(09)      “…them as well.”

42-thousand homeowners are looking for a new insurance policy today, after their coverage was dropped by Southern Fidelity Friday. Now those property owners have 60 days to find a new policy.

Qualifying for the federal elections in November begins Wednesday, but Louisiana is looking at a quiet election season. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Today in Baton Rouge, a judge will hear arguments on a petition to block the state’s abortion trigger law from taking effect. A New Orleans judge punted the case back to the Capital City. Last week, 19^th JDC Judge Don Johnson order the law on hold, pending the outcome of this morning’s hearing. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the judge has an important task to decide…:

CUT 04(13)      “…indeterminate.”

Ciolino says, even if plaintiffs lose they will file something else to keep abortion clinics open. He says the case will eventually be decided by the state Supreme Court.

Six incarcerated juveniles escaped from the troubled Bridge City Center for Youth in the Sunday morning overnight hours. Five were recaptured in short order, but a 5^th escape, who had an accomplice, carjacked a man and shot him; leaving the victim in critical condition. That youth was later captured during a high speed chase.

A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments for and against blocking the state’s abortion ban trigger law, which is currently on hold. More from Don Molino on today’s hearing…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Don Molino.”

Police in Natchitoches mourn one of their own. While working a shift in the downtown area Sunday, Officer Brian Olliff suddenly suffered some kind of medical event and collapsed and died. The cause of his death has not been determined and funeral arrangements haven’t yet been made.

Qualifying for the federal elections in November will get underway on Wednesday at the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge. Republican Senator John Kennedy and the state’s six U-S House members are up for re-election and expected to win. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says that’s by design…:

CUT 07(11)      “…the incumbent.”

Alfords say all congressional races are shoe-ins except possibly for District 3, where Clay Higgins may face a well-funded challenger.

A well-known Lafayette eatery is ranked by The Food Network as one of America’s finest barbecue joints and THE best barbecue in Louisiana. The TV network highlighted the brisket and pulled pork at Johnson’s Boucaniere in downtown Lafayette. Proprietor Lori Johnson Walls says she cannot reveal the secret to their tasty barbecue; a special recipe rub made by her husband…:

CUT 10(09)      “…eleven to twelve hours.”

The U.S. House passes a new defense spending bill containing a LOT of money for Louisiana military bases. More from Don Molino…:
CUT 01(28) “…don Molino.”

42-thousand homeowners who had insurance through Southern Fidelity need to find a new insurance policy. Southern Fidelity is the latest insurance provider to pull out of the state as a result of back to back destructive hurricane seasons. Southern Fidelity customers who do not find an insurance provider by September 13th will end up with Citizens, the state’s insurer of last resort.

While President Biden visits with Saudi Arabian leaders, to try to convince them to step up oil production…back at home Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says a much simpler answer is for the White House to stop hindering domestic oil & gas production…:
CUT 13 (12) “…Louisiana jobs.”
The Biden administration has placed restrictions on fossil fuel development in the United States as a way to combat climate change.

Add Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell to the list of folks angry with Entergy over huge power bill increases. 2021 & 22 storm damage repair costs AND higher natural gas prices have caused sticker shot for some ratepayers. Campbell says utility companies having a monopoly in this state is not good…:
CUT 10(12) “…do something”

President Joe Biden is in Saudi Arabi to see if the Middle Eastern country can produce more oil. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy…
CUT 12(12) “…energy production.”
Fox News reports that Saudi Arabi said it’s nearly at its limit for producing oil.

The U.S. House has passed a new National Defense Authorization Act; a spending bill containing hundreds-of-millions for Louisiana military facilities. Louisiana District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson says Fort Polk will get an additional $61-million to build a new Joint Operations Center, and Barksdale will get $125-million to facilitate weapons. The bill must also pass the Senate but Johnson doesn’t expect a partisan fight…:
CUT 08(08) “…funding the military”

State Police seeks the public’s help in finding a gunman who fatally shot one person and injured two others in Richland Parish, in an ambush attack. Master Trooper Javier Leija says the fatal shooting took place late Wednesday afternoon in Delhi. 22-year-old Quattrous Jones of Delhi was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two victims suffered non-life threatening injuries. Trooper Leija says if anyone has information they should contact the North Delta Crime Stoppers…:
CUT 05(11) “zero-zero-zero-zero.”
He says they’re looking for a Chevy Tahoe SUV used in the attack.

In Livingston Parish, a 33-year-old Denham Springs woman was killed when she was struck from behind by a Livingtson Parish Sheriff’s deputy who state police says was responding to a call of service. Christina Estave was stopped on L-A 16 when her Saturn was struck in the rear end. Estave was not buckled up. The deputy was also not restrained, but sustained minor injuries.

Entergy customers are seeing higher electricity bills this summer. The utility company warned its customers their utility bill will go up, because of previous storm repair costs and higher natural gas prices. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell still believes the power company is charging ratepayers too much…
Cut 9 (11) “..sympathy.”
But fellow Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta told Fox 8 TV in New Orleans that Louisiana has some of the lowest rates in the nation.

The U.S. House has passed a new National Defense Authorization Act; a spending bill containing 125 million dollars for Barksdale Air Force Base and 61-million dollars for construction of a new Joint Operations Center at Fort Polk. Louisiana District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson…
Cut 6 (13) ” …important to us.”

The state Department of Health says more cases of monkeypox are turning up. Kevin Gallagher reports all cases so far are in and around New Orleans…:
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A Caddo Parish judge sentenced a 26-year-old Louisiana man to 70 years in prison for killing a man in 2020 with a crossbow. Daniel Ralph Hair will not be eligible for probation, parole or a suspended sentence because he’s habitual offender. Haire was convicted in May of manslaughter in the death of 33-year-old Rodney Nordby. Nordby’s body was found wrapped in two comforters in a park in February of 2020.

The U.S. House has passed a new National Defense Authorization Act; a spending bill containing hundreds-of-millions for projects Louisiana military facilities. Louisiana District 4 Congressman Mike Johnson says Fort Polk will get an additional $61-million to build a new Joint Operations Center, and Barksdale with get $125-million to facilitate weapons. The bill must also pass the Senate but Johnson doesn’t expect a partisan fight…:

CUT 08(08)      “…funding the military”

Add Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell to the list of folks angry with Entergy over huge power bill increases. Entergy asked permission to tack on charges for their 2021 & 22 storm damage AND for higher natural gas costs, which Campbell voted against. He says they have a monopoly which is never good…:

CUT 10(12)      “…do something”

Senator Bill Cassidy is angry that the President is in Saudi Arabia, asking for increased oil production there, while he stifles production here. The Biden White House curtailed domestic oil & gas to fight climate change, but Cassidy says we are the LEAST to blame…:

CUT 14(09)      “…and oil.”

National media reports say it’s unlikely Saudi Arabia will comply with Biden’s request.

More trouble for former state Senator Troy Brown, of Geismar. When stopped for doing 78 in a 55 zone recently, Brown grew belligerent with an Assumption Parish deputy when the officer brought up his five speeding stops over 3 years. Brown was cuffed and loaded in the squad car. It’s not his first run-in with the law. He had two well-published domestic violence incidents a few years ago. Brown left the state Senate before members could debate whether or not to kick him out.

While President Biden visits with Saudi Arabian leaders, to try to convince them to step up oil production…back at home Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says a much simpler answer is for the White House to stop hindering domestic oil & gas production…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…Louisiana jobs.”

The Biden administration has placed restrictions on fossil fuel development in the United States as a way to combat climate change. But Cassidy asks would you rather get oil from the Saudis? Or Americans?

State Police ask for public help in catching the persons responsible for a triple shooting in Delhi Wednesday that left a man dead and two wounded. 22-year-old Quattrous Jones was pronounced dead the scene and now Trooper Javier Leija say they seek a Chevy Tahoe used in the ambush…:

CUT 04  (12)        “…with Quattrous”

The U.S. House passes a new defense spending bill containing a LOT of money for Louisiana military bases. More from Don Molino…:

CUT 01(28)      “…don Molino.”

Police in Zachary say a jealous ex placed a tracking device on his former girlfriend’s car and used it to follow and harrass her. 32-year-old Roger Shoemaker is charged with Stalking, Prohibited Usage of a Tracking Device and more.

LDH reports over 2500 new cases of COVID statewide, with nearly 700 currently under hospital care for it. They also report 2 new COVID-related deaths since Wednesday.

Many Louisiana Entergy customers are upset to see substantially higher utility bills this summer, despite being warned of as much by Entergy. The increases are due to additional charges for storm, repairs and higher natural gas costs. Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell says, nevertheless, the power company is charging too much…:

CUT 09  (11)        “…a lot of sympathy”

Campbell voted “no” to Entergy’s request for the added charges. He says rates would go down, if power companies had to compete with other power companies to get your business.

President Joe Biden is in Saudi Arabi where he’ll urge the Middle Eastern country to produce more oil. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the President doesn’t have to travel halfway across the globe in order to increase the supply of oil…:

CUT 12(12)      “…energy production.”

But Cassidy asks would you rather want the Saudis to produce the oil or America?

State Police seek public help in catching the man who ambushed and shot three people in Richland Parish; killing one and wounding two others. State Police Trooper Javier Leija says the shooting took place Wednesday afternoon in Delhi…:

CUT 03  (10)        “…black male.”

They’re looking for a Chevy Tahoe used in the crime. Call in tips to North Delta Crimestoppers.

A real case of amnesia in New Orleans. University medical Center says a man hit by traffic on Canal Street last month has NO memory of who he is, or where he is from. He’s a white male, 5-foot-9, about 240 pounds with reddish hair & a receding hairline. WWL-TV has a phot on their website. If you know him please call the UMC at 504-702-3000.

LDH reports another three persons with monkeypox, for a total of six. Monkeypox is not fatal, but very uncomfortable…with pain, headaches, fever and pimple-like sores. If you think you may have it avoid contact with people and see a doctor.