Police say a Houma mother and her live-in boyfriend are facing charges relative to first degree murder after a two-year-old child was found dead in a trash can. Maya Jones told detectives Ezekiel Harry was abducted, but her story eventually fell apart and Ezekiel’s body was found a block away from the police department. Jones and 37-year-old Jeremaine Robinson are in custody.

Baton Rouge police are investigating an apparent vandalism that took place at the pro-life facility called Women’s New Life Clinic. Several messages were spray painted on the facility, including abortion is a right and Jane’s Revenge. Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Sarah Zagorski….
cut 8 (12) “…building as well”
Meanwhile a Baton Rouge judge has suspended the state’s trigger laws that ban abortion allowing clinics to re-open. A hearing on the issue is set for Monday.

A new report shows small business owners hold little hope for the economy – and their businesses – to improve anytime soon.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The housing market is cooling off. Capital region real estate agent Kristin Courville says recent hikes in interest rates—coupled with high costs for gasoline and groceries– are giving many potential buyers cold feet…
cut 14 (09) “….dating the rate”
Courville says buyers can always refinance to a lower rate when the economy improves.

For the second time in two and a half weeks, a state judge has blocked Louisiana’s law that bans abortions allowing the state’s three licensed clinics that terminate pregnancies to re-open. Baton Rouge Judge Don Johnson has a set a hearing on the issue for Monday.

The National Hurricane Center says its less likely a trough along the Gulf Coast will develop into a tropical depression. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee gives us an update….
cut 2 (32) “…I-10 corridor”

Small businesses have a bleak outlook for better business conditions for the near-future. National Federation of Independent Business state director Dawn McVea says their monthly Optimism Index survey of members has dropped nearly 4 points;,,,:
Cut 4 (10) “…unfortunate to see that.”
McVea says as inflation continues to dominate business decisions, small business owners’ expectations for better business conditions have reached a new low.

A new high school sports season is around the corner and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association needs more officials and referees. LHSAA executive director Lee Sanders says there are a lot of benefits in being a referee….
cut 11 (12) “….travel”
Football officials can make at least 72 to 100-dollars a game, plus travel, a volleyball referee can earn at least 60-dollars a match plus travel.

With qualifying for fall federal mid-term elections starting next week, incumbent Senator John Kennedy easily leads in fundraising. Kennedy reports raising another $5.6-million in the 2^nd Quarter, for a total of almost $29-million in his warchest. Democrat challengers Gary Chambers, Luke Mixon and Syrita Steib have gathered only a bot over $2-million between them. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says it’s Kennedy’s race to lose. A possible Republican challenge could come from Baton Rouge area Reverend Tony Spell, the man who flouted the Governor’s orders to stop church services during the pandemic, was arrested and jailed for it and eventually exonerated of any wrongdoing. Stockley says he doubts Spell poses a threat to Kennedy’s hopes for another term…:

CUT 11(07)      “…Senator Kennedy”

The state’s abortion ban law has been blocked again from taking effect. A Baton Rouge judge ruled today to put the law on hold, while legal challenges play out in court. State abortion clinics may resume service once again, in the meantime.

Former four-time governor Edwin W. Edwards died one year ago today, at the age of 94. His widow, Trina, talked about her husband with Baton Rouge radio host Jim Engster today, and shared his last words…:

CUT 07(09)      “…recording it.”

Their son Eli turns 9 next month.

Another star running back commits verbally to the LSU Tigers. He’s 5’7’, 215 pound Kaleb Jackson, from Liberty High in the Capital City. TigerDetails.com writer Jerit Roser says this helps put the Tigers’ 2023 recruiting class in the Top ten…:

CUT 05(12)      “…coast-to-coast.”

The Louisiana Senate voted against holding an override veto session which cancels the session that was scheduled to start on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo”

A Slidell-area woman has been arrested after setting her home on fire while her mother and her 4-month-old child were inside. The St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office says the grandma escaped unhurt, but the baby sustained some burns. 37-year-old Brandy Juan is charged with aggravated arson, child desertion and cruelty to a juvenile.

Qualifying for fall federal mid-term elections starts next week, and incumbent Senator John Kennedy easily leads in fundraising. Kennedy raised another $5.6-million in the 2^nd Quarter, for a total of almost $29-million. So far, Democrat challengers are Baton Rouge activist and blogger Gary Chambers, Rapides Parish airline pilot Luke Mixon and New Orleans area non-profit director Syrita Steib. They have raised only a little over $2-million between the three. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says fundraising is tough when running against a popular incumbent like Kennedy…:

CUT 10(10)      “…these individuals.”

It’s been a year today since the death of 4-term Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards. His widow, Trina, appeared on Jim Engster’s Baton Rouge radio show to talk about what drew her to the silver Fox…:

CUT 06(10)      “…all the time.”

There will not be an override veto session as a majority of state senators voted to cancel the session, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland pushed for a veto session. He says many of the 27 bills the governor vetoed received super majority support by the Legislature…:

CUT 12(12)      “…try it again.”

Twenty-five of the state’s 38 senators voted against an override session, which was the majority vote needed to cancel the session. Some state senators called it a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Police in New Iberia say a pedestrian was struck and killed by a freight train early this morning. When first responders arrived on the scene the victim was already dead. It’s unknown why the person was on the tracks to begin with. The victim’s identity has not been released.

With qualifying for fall federal mid-term elections starting next week, incumbent Senator John Kennedy easily leads in fundraising. Kennedy reports raising another $5.6-million in the 2^nd Quarter, and has almost $16-million cash-on-hand for his campaign. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says this comes as no surprise…:

CUT 09(14)      “…that expectation.”

LSU football scores another verbal commitment from a hot prospect; Liberty Magnet High school running back Kaleb Jackson. The Baton Rouge back is 5’7”, 215 pounds. TigerDetails.com writer Jerit Roser says Jackson plus Union Parish commit Trey Holley should make a good team of backs…:

CUT 04(10)      “…can company.”

There will not be a veto overrise session as a majority of Senators voted to cancel the session which was set to begin Saturday. House Conservative Caucus Chairman Jack McFarland says there was not a strong desire in the Senate to override any of the governor’s 27 vetoes, plus there are scheduling conflicts…
cut 14 (11) “….the country”

LSU received a commitment from one of the top running backs in the country today as Kaleb Jackson from Liberty Magnet High School in Baton Rouge announced he plans to play for the Tigers. Tiger-details-dot-com staff writer Jerit Roser says Jackson is a big back at five-foot-eleven, 215 pounds…
cut 3 (12) “…so well”
Roser says the Tigers 2023 recruiting class is now ranked in the Top Ten.

New campaign fundraising figures show incumbent Senator John Kennedy leads the field, far and away. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

During a candid interivew on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, Trina Edwards, the widow of former governor Edwin Edwards, talked about her new love and that is 78-year-old John Alario, a longtime former Louisiana lawmaker…
cut 3 (12) “…so well”

The Louisiana Senate voted against holding an override veto session which cancels the session that was scheduled to start on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans Police report a 1-year-old boy was attacked and killed by the family dog Monday night. The child died at a local hospital. SPCA officers tried to corral the animal but were also attacked before a cop finally shot the animal dead.

With qualifying for fall federal mid-term elections starting next week, incumbent Republican Senator John Kennedy easily leads in fundraising, with nearly $29-million in his warchest. His three declared Democrat challengers have raised just over $2-million between them. Another possible challenger is Republican Baton Rouge minister Tony Spell, the man who flouted the Governor’s orders to stop church services during the pandemic, was arrested and jailed for it and eventually exonerated of any wrongdoing. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says Kennedy isn’t losing sleep over Spell possibly running…:

CUT 11(07)      “…Senator Kennedy.”

Stockley says the race is Kennedy’s to lose.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards died a year ago today. His widow, Trina, was on Jim Engster’s Baton Rouge radio show to talk about the Silver Fox, and shared the former Governor’s last words…:

CUT 07(09)      “…recording it.”

There will not be a veto override session as a majority of state senators voted to cancel the session, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland pushed for a veto session. He’s disappointed with the Governor’s vetoes over the Education Savings Accounts bill that set up a way to provide more school options for disabled and special education students

CUT 13(08)      “…quality education.”

Twenty-five of the state’s 38 senators voted against an override session, which was the majority vote needed to cancel.

Marking one year since the death of former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards, his widow Trina Edwards was a guest on Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana and explained what attracted her to one of the state’s most colorful politicians…:

CUT 06(10)      “…all the time.”

Trina’s new beau is former state lawmaker John Alario.

Incumbent U.S. Senator John Kennedy is leading his three Democrat challengers by leaps and bounds in fundraising. He’s raised nearly $29-million; adding another #5.6-million between March and July 1^st. Opponents Gary Chambers, Syrita Stieb and Luke Mixon have raised just over $2-million between them. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says they are definitely “swimming uphill”…:

CUT 10(10)      “…these individuals.”

Stockley says Kennedy is has little chance of losing this fall.

…and now today’s markets with Farm Bureau’s Neil Melancon…

The state legislature has selected NOT to convene a veto override session that would have begun on the 16^th. 25 of 39 Senators voted “no”; nixing the session. Many House & Senate members feel that bills vetoed this year by Governor Edwards can be reintroduced next year, which will be his last year in office.

Louisiana-based meal delivery service WAITR will change its name AND business model. Brooke Thorington reports that’s coming very soon…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

With qualifying for fall federal mid-term elections starting next week, incumbent Senator John Kennedy easily leads in fundraising. Kennedy reports raising another $5.6-million ion the 2^nd Quarter, and has almost $15-million cash on hand for his campaign. His declared challengers have raised only slightly more than $2-million combined. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says this comes as no surprise…:

CUT 09  (14)        “…seeing that expectation.”

Stockley says a lot can happen between now and November, but he says Kennedy has a distinct advantage.

The U.L.-Monroe College of Pharmacy will begin testing and researching hemp and cannabis for quality, purity and further health applications. West Monroe state Representative Mike Echols says the estimated $1-million-plus in revenue from that would be just for testing existing product…:

CUT 15(09)      “…unlimited potential.”

Forecasters continue to watch an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf of Mexico. LRN meteorologist John Weatherbee has an update on the system…
Cut 2 (26) “….Danielle.”

There will not an override veto session as a majority of state senators voted to cancel the session, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland pushed for a veto session. He says many of the 27 bills that the governor vetoed received super majority support by the Legislature…
cut 12 (12) “…try it again’

Construction of a $110 million lumber production facility in Bossier Parish is now underway. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the Canadian-based Teal Jones Group chose the Plain Dealing site in December. He says their investment ripples through the economy because you have to harvest timber…
Cut 10 (10) “…like this.”
The project is expected to create 125 new direct jobs with an annual average salary of $47-thousand dollars plus benefits.

Legislation approved in the last regular legislative session urges the Public Service Commission to set a clear rate for the sale of electricity for Electric vehicle charging. Charge Ahead Partnership director Jay Smith says the legislation opens the door for grocery stores and gas stations to get involved. Smith says that’s important because the 73-million dollars in federal money for electric vehicle infrastructure is not enough…
cut 9 (09) “….on the road”