Brooke Thorington reports it is unlikely sports betting will be available at the start of the football season…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Senate President Page Cortez says it is likely that a veto override session will begin July 20^th to overturn some controversial vetoes by Governor Edwards, chief among them the Governor’s rejection of legislation banning transgender women from playing on women’s sports teams in K-12 and higher education, and the rejection of legislation doing away with the need to have a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm.

A 170 million dollar chlorine plant is set to be built on the site of a previous chlorine plant 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 which will manufacture chlorine-based sanitizer wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of their employees.

Cut 10 (12) “…were before.”

The project will create 82 direct jobs

The state health department says in the week after registration began for the two-point-three million dollar lottery incentive, COVID-19 vaccinations rose by 14-percent. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s too early to say if the lottery is the reason for the modest bump, but admits every new vaccination is harder to get

Cut 12 (09) “…another”

Senate President Page Cortez said today that a veto override session next month is likely because of the governor’s veto of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating on sports teams. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has already expressed his support for a veto session, while the governor says the anti-transgender bill is in search of a solution that’s not a problem.

315 million dollars in federal American Rescue Plan aid will be distributed to 290 small and midsized Louisiana communities. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is in southwest Louisiana today and was on hand for the groundbreaking announcement of BioLab’s new 170-million dollars chlorine manufacturing plant in Westlake. The previous one 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”

Many people are waiting for legal sports betting to arrive in Louisiana now that the governor has signed the bills that put the regulations and taxation in place. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the gaming control board still has to finalize the rules and issue licenses, so legal sports wagering will likely begin after the football season starts…
cut 5 (08) “…online”
And the governor also needs to appoint a new gaming control board chairman.

290 small and midsized Louisiana municipalities have been awarded over 315 million dollars in American Rescue Plan COVID economic relief funds. Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the funds will be split up over this year and next, and they have few strings attached…

Cut 6 (12) “…revenue loss”

Major cities and municipalities like New Orleans and other larger communities are not included.

Executive Director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty says his organization anticipates sports gaming will be available to Louisianans sometime in fall, but likely not by the start of football season. One reason? The Gaming Control Board is currently without a chair…

Cut 3 (12)  “…regulatory side.”

KIK Consumer Products along with Governor Edwards announced 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.”

The original plant was constructed in 1979 and the new facility is expected to be completed in 2022.

The Delta Variant is spreading quickly in Louisiana with as many as 25 percent of current COVID cases believed to be the more dangerous and transmissible strain. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says those who are fully vaccinated are thought to have about 90 percent protection from this new strain…

Cut 5  (06) “…variant.”

Those with only one COVID shot are thought to only have just over 30 percent protection.

KIK Consumer Products along with Governor Edwards announced a $170 million investment in a chlorine manufacturing plant in Westlake. The dedication of the new facility was on the site of the previous plant that was destroyed 10 months ago during Hurricane Laura. KIK COO, Jeff Schmitt….

Cut 9 (10) “…with us.”

The project will create 82 direct jobs.

An estimated 25 percent of the current COVID cases in Louisiana are believed to be the more dangerous Delta variant strain that first emerged in India. That’s according to State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter who says the number of new Delta cases is doubling every two to three weeks meaning we could face a new spike in overall COVID cases.

Cut 4 (07) “…sick.”

The 25 percent share of Delta cases in Louisiana is above the national average of about 20 percent.

Top law enforcement officials in St. Tammany Parish have voiced their opposition to a proposed 325-million dollar casino in the Slidell area. St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says FBI data shows there are several different crimes and social issues tied to gambling…
Cut 11 (10) “..suicides increase.”

Smith says St. Tammany Parish already has one of the highest suicide rates in the state.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment has guaranteed to hire 50-percent of their employees from the parish and Slidell

Senator Hewitt says some see the casino as a great economic development opportunity for the parish.

Cut 12 (07) “…vote on it.” 

The St. Tammany Parish Council will vote tonight on whether there will be a referendum on the November ballot to ask voters if they want the casino.

At tonight’s St. Tammany Parish Council Meeting, members will vote on whether to grant a parish-wide vote to be put on the November ballot to allow a casino to relocate to the parish. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt sponsored legislation for a public vote and now the parish council will decide its next fate.

Cut 10 (09) “…to vote.”

But St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith opposes a casino stating it will only increase crime in the area, crimes like human trafficking. Smith says they work with federal and state law enforcement on combatting human trafficking which he says is already an issue on the I-10/12 corridor that runs through Slidell.

Cut 13 (08) “…don’t need.”

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 tonight.

The gig is up for a Plaquemine man who was arrested for impersonating a police officer after he allegedly pulled over an off-duty parish deputy. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Lonny Cavalier says 27-year-old Vincent Vinny Marks is no stranger to law enforcement, he was involved in an incident earlier this year and the same deputy he pulled over answered the call.

Cut 8 (10) “…recognized.”

Marks is charged with a felony count of impersonating a peace officer.

America’s Health Rankings 2021 Health Disparities Report finds before just COVID Louisiana saw an increase in some health issues. UnitedHealth Group CMO Dr. Ana Fuentevilla (fwent-uh-vee-uh) says there was a 33 percent increase in depression among Louisiana adults who reported only having a high school diploma.

Cut 16 (04) “…COVID.” 

Health officials are concerned Louisiana is vulnerable to the Delta variant as 34-percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated from COVID-19, one of the lowest percentages in the country. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter is also urging people to complete their vaccine series…
cut 6 (09) “….coverage” (2x)
The delta variant has shown to be more contagious and more potent.

The United Health Foundation’s Health Disparities Report finds there’s been a 40-percent increase in multiple chronic conditions in female adults when you compare data from 2011 to 2019. United Health Group C-M-O Doctor Ana Fuentevilla (fwent-uh-vee-uh)
cut 15 (10) “…or depression”
There was also a 33 percent increase in depression among Louisiana adults who reported only having a high school diploma.

A Plaquemine man has been arrested for impersonating a police officer in Assumption Parish. Brooke Thorington reports the man was charged after he pulled over an actual deputy.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The city of Alexandria will not put on a public fireworks show this weekend. Council members say they would rather use the 15-thousand dollars on other things. But there will be a fireworks show across the river. Pineville will host one on Saturday night at Lake Buhlow.

Legal sports betting in Louisiana might not happen by the time the football season starts as lawmakers had hoped when they approved the framework for legal sports betting. That’s because the Gaming Control Board is without a chairman and it’s the board’s responsibility to issue sports betting licenses and finalize the rules.

The St. Tammany Parish Council will hold a special meeting tonight to vote on whether to place a referendum on the November ballot that will ask voters if they want a riverboat casino in Slidell.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Health officer Doctor Joe Kanter estimates 25-percent of all active COVID cases is that of the delta variant, a strain known to be more highly contagious. But Kanter says the good news is that those who are fully vaccinated with either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine have about 90 percent protection from the new, more dangerous strain.
Cut 5 (06) “…variant.”
Louisiana is still seeing about five to ten COVID deaths per day.

The gig is up for a Plaquemine man who was arrested for impersonating a police officer after he allegedly pulled over an off-duty sheriff’s deputy. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Lonny Cavalier says 27-year-old Vincent Vinny Marks presented a badge to the deputy….
Cut 7 (09) “…incident.”
Marks was arrested for false personation of a peace officer.

An estimated 25 percent of the current COVID cases in Louisiana are believed to be the more dangerous Delta variant strain that first emerged in India. That’s according to State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter who says the number of new Delta cases is doubling every two to three weeks, raising a concern we could face a new spike in overall COVID cases.
Cut 4 (07) “…sick.”

Top law enforcement officials in St. Tammany Parish have voiced their opposition to a proposed 325-million dollar casino in the Slidell area. St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith says FBI data shows there are several different crimes and social issues tied to gambling…
cut 11 (10) “….suicides increase”
The St. Tammany Parish Council will vote tonight on whether there will be a referendum on the November ballot to ask voters if they want the casino.

A Plaquemine man picked the wrong person to pull over while allegedly impersonating a police officer in Assumption Parish. Brooke Thorington reports the man he pulled over was an off-duty deputy.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A new report says there’s been a 22-percent decrease in infant mortality in black infants in Louisiana. United Health Group Chief Medical Officer Doctor Ana Fuentevilla says that’s based on data from 2003 to 2018…
cut 14 (06) “…in Louisiana”

The number of new Delta variant cases in Louisiana continues to grow, concerning state health officials that it could lead to another spike in cases. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Since the state opened registration for a two-point-three million dollar lottery incentive, COVID-19 vaccinations have risen by 14-percent. But the number of people getting vaccinated each day is about 15-hundred less than it was in May.

The St. Tammany Parish Council votes tonight on whether a referendum will go on the November 13th ballot asking if voters want a 325-million riverboat casino in the Slidell area. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt pushed the legislation through the state legislature in order to give the St. Tammany Parish council this opportunity…
cut 10 (09) “….to vote”
But St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith and Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal oppose the casino over concerns it will lead to higher crime.

27-year-old Vincent Vinny Marks of Plaquemine has been arrested for the false impersonation of a peace officer. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lonny Cavalier says Marks got caught after presenting a badge to an off-duty deputy and representing himself as a police officer. Cavalier says they believe this isn’t the first time Marks has done this as they had an encounter with him earlier this year…
cut 9 (06) “….complaint”

A state capitol insider says based on his discussions with key legislators, it’s highly likely we’ll see a four-day veto session begin on July 20th. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

About a dozen Republican Congressmen are set to accompany President Donald Trump on a trip to the US –Mexico border Wednesday. Among those in attendance are two of Louisiana’s own, Congressman Mike Johnson and Congressman Clay Higgins.

The pandemic is responsible for a fireworks shortage this 4^th of July. Regional Manager for Little Dixie Fireworks Ashley Routon says with more people gathering this year due to eased health restrictions, she says there’s even higher demand.

Cut  11 (05) “….this year.” 

Routon says factory shutdowns in China and shipping issues are major factors in the shortage of fireworks. She says they anticipate selling out this year, and possibly even before the 4^th.

Kentwood native Jaime Lynn Spears is disputing allegations that she helped facilitate an allegedly abusive conservatorship of her pop star sister Britney Spears. Jaime Lynn denies that she was taking advantage of her sister’s wealth as the main trustee of the Britney Spears estate.

Cut 14 (10) “… long after” 

Both Jaime Lynn and Britney Spears were born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood.