St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith pleaded guilty today to one count of second-degree battery for attacking a critic of his at a restaurant near Madisonville on May 29^th. District Attorney Collin Sims says as part of the plea deal, Smith is no longer the sheriff…

Cut 9 (13) “…protecting the public”

Smith served as the sheriff of St. Tammany for nearly a decade and was serving in his third term.

Pastor Tony Spell of Central addressed the media today after he was arrested on a second-degree battery charge. Video shows Spell punching his neighbor’s 20-year-old son. Spell says the man threatened his family….

Cut 20 (05) “…when I’m gone”

The victim’s family says they’ve never threatened Spell’s family.

Planned Parenthood is re-establishing a clinic in New Orleans. They anticipate the facility will open in the Fall. Emily Wales, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, says the clinic will offer several services for women…

Cut 13 (08) “…well visits”

The Louisiana Right To Life is concerned that Planned Parenthood’s telehealth services may be violating Louisiana law if their medical providers are not licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana.

During last week’s historic rain event in Avoyelles Parish, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents rescued 86 people and 20 pets from flood waters. Captain John Volentine is a native of Avoyelles Parish and says the cleanup process began in earnest over the weekend…

Cut 5 (06) “…and the water”

Residents are asked to report storm damage to damage.la.gov.

Weeks after assaulting a critic at a Madisonville restaurant, Randy Smith has stepped down as St. Tammany Parish sheriff. That was part of the deal to him pleading guilty to second degree battery, disturbing the peace and public intoxication. District Attorney Collin Sims says the victim and the Attorney General’s office are satisfied with the resolution.

Cut 11 (12) “…held accountable.”

The massive flooding in Avoyelles Parish kept LDWF enforcement agents busy. They rescued 86 people and 20 pets from the raging floodwaters last week. Captain John Volentine, who’s the region commander for the affected area, says the rescue mission was unlike any ever undertaken in Avoyelles Parish.

Cut 3 (07) “…the 1927 flood.”

Agents used the department’s two amphibious vehicles in the rescue mission. 

Planned Parenthood is coming back to Louisiana, reopening a clinic in New Orleans this fall. While it will offer a host of services, it cannot provide abortion services since the procedure is banned in Louisiana. Emily Wales, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, says they can facilitate travel to a Planned Parenthood in a state where the procedure is allowed.

Cut 14 (09) “…of the state.”

Former Atlanta Falcons center Todd McClure is one of four LSU Tigers to be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. McClure took over the starting center job midway through his freshman year and never looked back, earning two All-SEC and an All-American first-team selection. He says playing for the Tigers was a dream come true.

Cut 7 (12) “…anywhere else.”

LDWF agents in Avoyelles Parish rescued 86 people and 20 pets during last week’s historic flooding. Region commander for the area Captain John Volentine says along with trucks and vessels, agents used the department’s two amphibious vehicles to rescue people stranded by the floodwaters.

Cut 4 (12) “…parish like Avoyelles.”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree battery after attacking a critic at a restaurant near Madisonville. District Attorney Collin Sims says Smith retired as part of the plea deal and can reduce the felony conviction to a misdemeanor if he completes an 18-month treatment program addressing his alcohol issues.

Cut 10 (08) “…that caused it.”

Planned Parenthood is coming back to Louisiana, with the first reopening happening this fall in New Orleans. Emily Wales, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, says her network took over Louisiana following the closure of the last clinic in the state last September.

Cut 12 (07) “…make that happen.”

Former LSU center Todd McClure is headed to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. After four seasons as a Tiger, McClure was taken by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. After an ACL injury his rookie season, McClure started 195 games over 14 years in Atlanta and was added to their Ring of Honor in 2022. He says Atlanta was a second home for him.

Cut 8 (11) “…see it now.”

McClure was a first-team All-American at LSU.

In St. Tammany, Randy Smith pleads guilty to attacking a critic of his at a Madisonville restaurant and he also resigns as sheriff. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana lawmakers approved Governor Landry’s executive order redirecting 168 million dollars in non-instructional public school funding to give stipends to teachers. The order has been blocked by a temporary restraining order following a lawsuit filed last week. A hearing to determine the future of the order will be held Monday.

President Trump is meeting with Republican Senators behind closed doors today. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s interested to hear what he has to say about peace negotiations with Iran. The outgoing U.S. Senator has criticized the peace deal, calling it a foreign policy blunder.

Cut 11 (11) “…Strait of Hormuz.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame will welcome a new class of 12 Louisiana sports icons. Former LSU and Atlanta Falcons center Todd McClure is one of the four Tigers to be honored. A Baton Rouge native, McClure says he’s honored to join such a special group.

Cut 6 (11) “…truly humbled.”

The other three Tigers set to be inducted are second baseman Warren Morris, center Sylvia Fowles and basketball coach John Brady.

St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith pleaded guilty today to one count of second-degree battery for attacking a critic of his at a restaurant near Madisonville on May 29^th. District Attorney Collin Sims says as part of the plea deal, Smith is no longer the sheriff…

Cut 9 (13) “…protecting the public”

Smith served as the sheriff of St. Tammany for nearly a decade and was serving in his third term. Prior to his time as sheriff, Smith was the Slidell police chief from 2010 to 2016. He has spent 40 years in law enforcement.

An East Baton Rouge Parish pastor bonded out of jail yesterday after he was arrested on a second-degree battery charge. Authorities say the Reverend Tony Spell of Central beat up his neighbor’s 20-year-old son. There’s video of the incident that shows Spell and the victim throwing punches at each other along the side of the road. Spell previously gained national attention for holding church services in the early days of the COVID pandemic.

Republican Senators and President Trump meet behind closed doors today to discuss the Iran peace deal and the SAVE America Act. The election security bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. The President is demanding that Congress approve this legislation, but Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the votes are not there in the Senate.

Cut 10 (11) “…affordable for Americans.”

Early voting for Saturday’s U.S. Senate primary runoffs closed over the weekend. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says despite lower turnouts for early voting in this election, voters seemed more comfortable with the new closed party primary system.

Cut 13 (14)  “…they go vote.”

St. Landry Parish is in a race against time to save homes from floodwaters. Water levels continue to rise and are creeping into several backyards. Parish President Jesse Bellard (BELL-ard) says the only way to drain water in the parish is to release it further south to the Virgin Canal.

Cut 5 (11) “…release it in.”

Come August 1st. Debit card surcharges will be illegal in Louisiana. They’re already illegal at the federal level; this adds another layer to that. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, who authored the legislation, says businesses which are considering flouting the new state law by offering discounts to customers who pay with cash shouldn’t even think about trying it, because it won’t work.

Cut 9 (09)  “…debit card transactions.”

T-minus three days before Louisianans head back to the polls – this time for the U.S. Senate runoffs. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says your ballot will look different based on where you are and what party you are registered with.

Cut 14 (13) “…geaux-vote-dot-com.”

In addition, ten parishes will hold local races, and 40 will have ballot propositions. 

It could be a contentious meeting between President Trump and Republican Senators this afternoon. Among the topics is the deal Trump made with Iran. Senator Bill Cassidy says he supported Trump’s initial war objectives to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon, but those objectives were not met.

Cut 12 (11) “…have been achieved.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says her office received fewer questions about the new closed party primaries during early voting for Saturday’s U.S. Senate runoffs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Keischnick.”

Sources say St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith could resign as early as today. Smith is set to appear in court today as he faces a felony battery charge for allegedly attacking a vocal critic of his at a restaurant near Madisonville.

Tulane has announced it will transform the former Charity Hospital building into a national hub of bioscience discovery and medical advancements.

Starting August 1^st, it will be against state law for retailers to add surcharges when you make purchases with your debit card. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell authored the legislation that created this law and she says gas stations are some of the biggest perpetrators…

Cut 8 (11) “….same as caseh”

Consumers who are hit with a debit card surcharge can call a hotline, and those businesses have 30 days to remedy the situation. Those which don’t would then face fines of 500 dollars for each violation.

An historic rain event in Avoyelles Parish last week is causing flooding issues in the towns of Washington, Palmetto and Port Barre. St. Landry Parish president Jesse Bellard says several homes are in jeopardy of flooding…

Cut 6 (11) “…in trouble”

Bellard is asking residents in the Lebeau area who live along Highway 171 from US 190 north to LA 10 to voluntarily evacuate due to flooding.

Planned Parenthood announced Wednesday it plans to return to Louisiana later this year with a new clinic in New Orleans and telehealth services launching as early as this summer. The move comes after the organization’s two Louisiana clinics closed last Fall due to a lack of federal funding.

Under a law going into effect August 1st, retailers can no longer add extra charges when we pay with a debit card…:
CUT 1 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith could reportedly resign as part of a plea agreement in a criminal case stemming from an alleged assault at a restaurant. Smith is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning. He was arrested June 4 on charges including second-degree battery after authorities say he attacked a blogger and frequent critic. Smith has served as sheriff since 2016. Sources say a deal has been reached, but details are expected to be finalized in court.

The US Senate Primaries will be held Saturday and Secretary of State Nancy Landry says those who early voted seemed to have less questions about the new closed party primary system. She says not everyone’s ballot will be the same…:
CUT 14 (13) “geauxvote.com”
She says there are local propositions in 40 parishes, and 10 will vote in local elections.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says her office received fewer questions about the new closed party primaries during early voting for Saturday’s US Senate runoffs. Kace Kieschnick has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m Kace Keischnick”

The Louisiana Department of Health says 11 people have become ill, with two being hospitalized after consuming raw milk. LDH says raw milk bypasses the pasteurization process and under Louisiana law may only be sold for animal or pet consumption.

Officials in St. Landry Parish are still working to save homes from floodwaters caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Some residents have already had to evacuate flooded homes and Parish President Jesse Bellard (BELL-ard) says the water keeps rising…:
Cut 4 (11) “getting flooded in”
The storm dumped as much as 30 inches of rain in some areas of Avoyelles Parish and that water is traveling south toward St. Landry.

Republican Senators including Bill Cassidy will meet with President Trump today to discuss items including the Iran Peace deal which Cassidy calls a foreign policy blunder…:
Cut 11 (11) “Strait of Hormuz”

The Mega Millions jackpot rose to $489 million after no tickets matched all six numbers drawn on Tuesday night. It’s the second biggest lottery prize of the year so far. The next drawing will be Friday night.

Bill Cassidy and other Republican Senators will meet with President Trump in what political observers say could be a very tense meeting. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (36) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A controversial pastor out of the East Baton Rouge Parish town of Central has been arrested on one count of second degree battery after cops say he beat up his neighbor’s 20 year old son. Tony Spell was widely known in the area for holding services during the Covid 19 pandemic, which is reportedly when the feud began with the neighbors who live across the street from Life Tabernacle Church.

Retail businesses will no longer be allowed to impose a surcharge on customers who pay with a debit card under a new law that takes effect August 1st. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell who authored the legislation says adding the extra fee specifically to debit cards is against federal law…:
CUT 7 (13) “credit cards do”
Businesses found to be in violation must reimburse the debit cardholder.

Saturday is election day and Secretary of State Nancy Landry says even though early voting turnouts were low, those casting a ballot seemed to be more comfortable with the new closed party primary system…:
Cut 13 (14) “they go vote”
The US Senate race will be voted on in every Parish and Registered Republicans will receive a ballot to vote in the Republican primary, and registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary.