The St. Tammany Parish Council vote 8-6 in favor of allowing a parish wide vote this fall on whether or not a casino should be allowed on the waterfront just outside of Slidell.  Councilman Jake Airey says he voted no because the legislature only approved a vote allowing gaming at the site of the proposed casino, and not parish-wide.

Cut 6 (08) “…in there.”

P2E is seeking to move a casino license from Bossier City to the Lake Ponchartrain waterfront just outside Slidell.

The first full-time lieutenant governor in Louisiana, Jimmy Fitzmorris Jr passed away Wednesday night.  Fitzmorris redefined the office making it was it is today, a strong promoter of tourism and economic development. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says promoting the Bayou State came naturally for Fitzmorris.

Cut 4 (09) “…loved Louisiana”

He was 99.

A new era of college athletics begins today as student-athletes can be compensated for endorsement deals and other business ventures and not lose their eligibility. Charles Hanagriff works for MatchPoint which will help connect companies and athletes together. He says star athletes with a strong social media presence will benefit the most…

Cut 9 (11) “…first.”

LSU football players Myles Brennan, Derek Stingley Junior and Kayshon Boutte have already announced partnerships.

It’s a new day in college athletics. Beginning today student-athletes can earn money from their name, image, and likeness and not endanger their eligibility. Taylor Sharp reports the NCAA has approved the big change…
cut 1 (28) “…Taylor sharp”

Industry analysts say LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne is in a position to bring in more cash than any other student-athlete because she has five million followers between Instagram and Tik Tok.

After a lengthy debate, the St. Tammany Parish Council voted to give St. Tammany voters an opportunity on November 13th to decide if they want a casino in Slidell.

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Clay Higgins along with other Republican lawmakers joined former President Donald Trump at the border yesterday calling for a return to Trump-era border policies. Johnson says there’s still a crisis at the border and He says President Trump’s appearance was necessary to draw attention to the situation.
Cut 7 (11) “…acknowledge it.”
The Democratic National Committee says Trump’s border policies were cruel.

The man who redefined the office of lieutenant governor in the 1970s, Jimmy Fitzmorris Jr passed away Wednesday night. The New Orleans native was the state’s first full-time lieutenant governor. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain was friends with Fitzmorris and remembers him fondly.
Cut 3 (08) “…great guy.”
Fitzmorris was 99-years-old.

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Clay Higgins along with other Republican lawmakers joined former President Donald Trump at the border Wednesday calling for a return to Trump-era border policies.

Cut 8 (12) “…in words.”

Starting today college athletes can now profit off of their name, image, and likeness and retain eligibility as the Division One Board of Directors approved an interim policy in place. LSU Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Rimp says with NIL in place, college athletics will never be the same as amateurism is no longer a cornerstone…

Cut 6 (10) “…shaken.”

Governor Edwards stands firm on why he vetoed some high-profile bills. One is legislation banning transgender females from competing in women’s sports, it passed with veto-proof margins among lawmakers, but Edwards says it’s a solution looking for a problem.

Cut 10 (07) “…prohibit.”

The anti-transgender legislation passed in the Senate on a 29-6 vote and in the House with a 78-17 vote.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries humanly euthanized a well-known bear Tuesday after he was found with two broken legs and paralyzed due to a spinal injury. Large Carnivore Program manager for LDWF Maria Davidson says Bruno the Bear was put down in Morehouse Parish.

Cut 13 (10) “…types of injuries.”

There’s growing sentiment that the Legislature will hold a veto override session. Legislators are upset the governor has vetoed a conceal carry bill and legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. Governor Edwards says the anti-transgender bill could result in Louisiana losing major sporting events like the NCAA Final Four scheduled for New Orleans next year…
cut 11 (11) “…tourism”

Starting today, college athletes can sign endorsement deals to promote products and give social media shoutouts and still retain their collegiate eligibility. LSU Deputy Director of Athletics and C-O-O Stephanie Rempe says universities can’t be directly involved in setting up endorsement deals but can help student-athletes secure these opportunities…
cut 5 (11) “….the deal”
LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan announced a deal with Smoothie King today, while cornerback Derek Stingley Junior says he’s partnering with Walk-On’s restaurants.

Two Louisiana Congressmen were among the delegation of Republicans who visited the US-Mexican border with former President Donald Trump Wednesday. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The St. Tammany Parish Council has voted to give voters a chance to decide if they want a casino complex in the Slidell area. It will appear on the November 13th ballot.

Former Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris has passed away at age of 99. He served two terms as Lt Governor in the 1970s and also lost close races for governor and mayor of New Orleans.

It’s a new day in college athletics. Beginning today student athletes can earn money from their name, image and likness and not endanger their eligiblity. Taylor Sharp reports the NCAA has approved the big change…
cut 1 (28) “…Taylor sharp”

Tropical Storm Elsa has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the earliest E-named storm on record in the Atlantic. The tropical storm will move through the Caribbean over the weekend and end up in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. That’s according to the National Hurricane Center.

Senate President Page Cortez says a veto override session is likely as a result of the governor’s veto of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. Edwards has also vetoed a bill that would do away with the requirement to get a permit and training to conceal carry a weapon. The governor says removing the requirement to undergo training and hold a permit puts the public and law enforcement at risk and such requirements are a fair trade-off.
cut 12 (09) “…70-percent of Louisiana”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it had to euthanize a well-known black bear after it was found on a person’s property in Morehouse Parish suffering from two broken legs and paralyzed. Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson says they believe the bear was hit by a vehicle…
cut 14 (08) “….the scene”
The bear was known on social media as Bruno the Bear because it was spotted in several Midwestern States.

As legislators await a vote to hold a historic override veto session, Governor Edwards defends his reasons for rejecting two high-profile bills
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After a lengthy debate, the St. Tammany Parish Council voted to give St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide if they want a riverboat casino in Slidell. The item will appear on the November 13th ballot.

Former Louisiana Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris has died at the age of 99. He was the state’s first full-time Lt. Governor and served two terms in the 1970s.

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Clay Higgins along with other Republican lawmakers joined former President Donald Trump at the border yesterday calling for a return to Trump-era border policies. Johnson says there’s still a crisis at the border and He says President Trump’s appearance was necessary to draw attention to the situation.
Cut 7 (11) “…acknowledge it.”
The Democratic National Committee says Trump’s border policies were cruel.

A bear who was a viral sensation on social media because he was spotted in several Midwestern states was euthanized humanely by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Bruno the bear as he was known had two broken legs and was paralyzed after most likely getting hit by a vehicle. The bear was on a person’s property in Morehouse Parish and his health was declining.

Governor Edwards stands firm on why he vetoed two high-profile bills with state lawmakers likely heading towards their first-ever override veto session. Legislation banning transgender females from competing in women’s sports passed with veto-proof margins in the House and Senate but Edwards says it’s a solution looking for a problem.
Cut 10 (07) “…prohibit.”
The governor has also vetoed a bill removing the need for a permit and training to conceal carry a weapon. Lawmakers will vote next month on whether to hold an override veto session.

Two Louisiana Congressmen, Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson, were at the U-S Mexico border yesterday with former President Donald Trump. Johnson says the trip was an effort to force the Biden Administration into going back to Trump-era immigration and border policies…
cut 9 (04) “…force”
Beginning today college athletes can now profit off of their name, image, and likeness and retain eligibility as the Division One Board of Directors approved an interim policy. LSU Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Rempe says athletes seeking compensation must do four things in order to properly market themselves.
Cut 4 (13) “…need permission.”

After a very lengthy meeting, the St. Tammany Parish council voted to give voters a chance to decide if they want a riverboat casino in Slidell. It will appear on the November 13th ballot.

Legal sports betting in Louisiana might not happen before the start of the football season. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the Gaming Control Board must finalize the rules and issue licenses and they do not have a chairman at the moment.

Cut 3 (12)  “…regulatory side.”

Lake Charles Republican Senator Ronnie Johns is said to be one of the contenders for the post.

290 of Louisiana’s small and mid-sized communities and municipalities will receive 315 million dollars in American Rescue Plan funding split between now and next June. Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says cities like Baker and villages like Noble will have few restrictions on how the funds can be used…

Cut 6 (12) “…revenue loss”

New vaccinations are up 14 percent since the launch of a COVID vaccine incentive lottery according to the State Health Department. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says we can’t know for sure if Shot at a Million is the reason for the bump, but whatever the reason they’re grateful…

Cut 12 (09) “…another”

Kanter says about 38-percent of the state has received at least one shot and is thus eligible to register for the vaccine lottery.

KIK Consumer Products and Governor Edwards announced today a $170-million investment in a chlorine manufacturing plant in Calcasieu Parish. The dedication of the new Westlake facility is on the site of the previous plant that was destroyed 10 months ago when it caught on fire during Hurricane Laura. KIK COO, Jeff Schmitt….

Cut 9 (10) “…with us.”

It appears that sports betting will not be available in Louisiana for the start of the college football season. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says late fall is now a more realistic outcome due to the Gaming Control Boards’ lack of chairman and the sometimes lengthy process new gaming policies are put through before adoption…

Cut 5  (08) “…online. ” 

The Gaming Control Board is not expected to meet again until July 15^th

Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says 315 million dollars in federal aid will be heading to 290 small to medium sized Louisiana communities as a result of the American Rescue Plan…

Cut 8 (10) “…wisely.”

About half of the funds will be delivered this month and the other half will be delivered next June.

Since announcing the Shot at a Million COVID vaccine incentive campaign Louisiana has seen a 14 percent increase in the number of new vaccinations. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says a chance at a million dollars is certainly a big incentive but for some folks the lure of money just won’t be enough to get them off the fence…

Cut 14 (10) “…you trust” 

Kanter says about 35-percent of the state is fully vaccinated and 38-percent have initiated the series.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana today for the groundbreaking announcement of BioLab’s new 170-million dollars chlorine manufacturing plant in Westlake. A previous chlorine facility at the site caught on fire and was damaged during Hurricane Laura. Edwards says the project will create 82 direct jobs and retain 19 existing jobs

cut 11 (12) “…stronger”

The start date of legal sports betting in Louisiana is in question. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the Gaming Control Board doesn’t have a chair at the moment and there are several other things that must be completed before sports wagering is online.

Cut 4 (12) “…kinds of things”

Duty says most likely it will be later in the season, not the beginning of football season before it’s online.

The state health department says in the week after registration began for the Shot at a Million lottery incentive, COVID-19 vaccinations rose by 14-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says about 35-percent of the state is fully vaccinated it’s one of the lowest percentages in the country…

Cut 13 (10) “…flat”

A 170 million dollar chlorine plant is set to be built on the site of a previous one in Calcasieu Parish that caught fire during Hurricane Laura. The facility by KIK Consumer Goods is expected to be completed in 2022. KIK COO, Jeff Schmitt says construction of the BioLab facility wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of their employees.

Cut 10 (12) “…were before.”

290 small and midsized Louisiana municipalities have been awarded over 315 million dollars in American Rescue Plan COVID relief funds. Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the funds are being allocated based on population. For example, the city of Baker is receiving five million dollars while the Village of Noble, 1.6 million.

Cut 7 (10) “…didn’t happen.”