The Louisiana Workforce Commission has launched the “Back to Work Louisiana” campaign, an effort aimed at putting people back to work as federally boosted unemployment benefits expire. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says the employment drive will culminate with a statewide in-person job fair on August 4th.
Cut 10 (09) “…eight ball.”
Fiore says job seekers can get assistance at any of the commission’s 62 local offices statewide or at l-a-works-dot-net.

LSU has filled its head coaching baseball vacancy as the school will announce Arizona coach Jay Johnson as the Tigers new baseball coach. D-1-baseball-dot-com’s Aaron Fitt says Johnson is known as an offensive-minded coach…
cut 16 (19) “…offensive mind
Johnson led Arizona to the College World Series this season.

The lineup is in for this year’s fall Jazz Fest. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Senator Bill Cassidy was among 10 bipartisan senators that have reached an agreement on a one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Cassidy says the legislation could lead to new bridges in Louisiana.

The 60-year mystery of where Louisiana’s 13^th governor is buried has been solved. Brooke Thorington talks to one of the amateur historians who made the discovery

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

_______________________________

 The lineup is in for this year’s fall Jazz Fest. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

Federally enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire in just over a month and the Louisiana Workforce Commission wants to help you get back to work before those benefits end. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________________

What had been a mystery for 60 years is now solved after local historians located the gravesite of former Louisiana Governor Joseph Walker. Serving from 1850 to 1853, Walker was Louisiana’s 13^th Governor. Amateur historian Michael Wynne says Walker was buried in 1856 at his family’s graveyard located on his property in Rapides Parish.

Cut 4 (10) “…solid marble.”

In 1864 the homesite burnt to the ground. Wynne says the land later changed hands, was cultivated and the cemetery destroyed.  It wasn’t until Wynne found the first aerial photographs taken of Rapides Parish in 1955 that helped guide him to the gravesite.

Cut 5  (08) “…monument.”

Recent rains and a freshly plowed field unearthed buried artifacts that included craved marble from Walker’s tombstone. Wynne would like to see the gravesite preserved and restored to honor the significant governor.

Cut 6 (09) “…Jackson Square.”

In the meantime, Wynne is hoping a historical marker will be placed at the gravesite.

___________________________

The fall Jazz Fest lineup is in and Foo Fighters, Dead and Company, Stevie Nicks, Jimmy Buffet, Lizzo, and other stars are all scheduled to headline the festival’s return after a year and a half off.

Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis says hotel rooms are already starting to fill up and folks are excited to head to the Fairgrounds October 8^th through 17^th

Cut 7 (06) “…honestly”

Jazz Fest will run for six days, Friday-Saturday-Sunday of both weekends.

The lineup is awful similar to the one we were supposed to have in April of 2020. Davis says those artists were itching to get back to New Orleans.

Cut 8 (10) “…year.”

The full schedule will be available to the public next month.

Festival-goers will be treated to a cool fall breeze but Davis says the plan is to return to the usual spring dates starting next year.

Cut 9 (10) “…catch up.”

3-day weekend passes are on sale now and single-day passes will be available starting in July.

_____________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has launched the “Back to Work Louisiana” campaign, an effort aimed at putting people back to work as federally boosted unemployment benefits expire. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says the employment drive will culminate with a statewide in-person job fair on August 4^th.

Cut 10 (09) “…eight ball.”

Governor Edwards agreed to cut off the 300 dollar federally boosted unemployment benefits five weeks early in exchange for a small bump in weekly state benefits starting next year.

Fiore says there are tens of thousands of good-paying jobs available in Louisiana right now and they want to connect you to employers who are eager to start a post-vaccine hiring spree.

Cut 11 (10) “…head.”

Visit Louisianaworks.net to see a list of job openings statewide or visit one of 62 local offices.

Fiore says the statewide ad campaign is aimed at letting residents know that the LWC isn’t just for dispersing unemployment, it’s for helping you start a career.

Cut 12 (07) “…one job.” 

________________________________________

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will finally get inducted into the Hall on Saturday night during a big ceremony in Natchitoches. The eleven-member class has been waiting for over a year to be inducted. Hall of Fame chairman Doug Ireland says the inductees have been patient and understanding.

Cut 13 (09) “…home state.”

Former Ragin Cajun and Chicago Bear Charles Tillman, outdoorsman Phil Robertson and New Orleans native and former NBA player Kerry Kittles highlight the 2020 class. Ireland says the class also features 94-year-old Mackie Freeze. The former football coach at Monroe’s Richwood High School won four state titles in the 1960s and was also a standout pitcher at Grambling State.

Cut 14 (12) “…high school football.”

Four of the inductees are known for their contributions as either media members, sports information, or sports administration. They are former Tennessee athletic director and LSU grad Joan Cronan, Advocate high school sports reporter Robin Fambrough, LSU men’s basketball SID Kent Lowe and broadcaster Tim Brando.

Cut 15 (10)“…the nation.”

___________________________

LSU is expected to name Arizona Coach Jay Johnson as the new head coach of the Fighting Tigers baseball program. Johnson led Nevada to the College World Series twice in six seasons in Tuscon. He’s also been a head coach at Arizona and spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at San Diego. Aaron Fitt from D-1 baseball says Johnson is known as a great hitting coach

Cut 16 (19) “…offensive mind.”

Fitt says one of Johnson’s biggest challenges will be dealing with a passionate fan base who expects a trip to the College World Series every year….

Cut 17 (15) …the west.” 

Fitt says what will help with the learning curve is that Johnson takes over a program where there’s plenty of talent…

Cut  18 (10)”..very exciting.”

Right fielder Dylan Crews and first baseman Tre Morgan were freshman All-Americans.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says President Joe Biden supports a 1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill that will construct new bridges for Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Cassidy has been working with both parties in the Senate and he says the legislation is great for Louisiana…
Cut 15 (08) “…progress.”

Will state lawmakers return to Baton Rouge next month for an override veto session? House Speaker Clay Schexnayder would like to see lawmakers override the governor’s veto of a bill prohibiting transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams. Governor Edwards says the legislation is in search of a problem that does not exist. Schexnayder disagrees…

Cut 5  (07) “…with it then” 

If a majority of either chamber elects not to have a veto session, it’s canceled.

It’s been 40 years since a high rise was constructed in downtown Lafayette, but a now a local developer wants to build the tallest ever in Acadiana. Cliff Guidry with Guidry Land Development wants to build two 20-story high-rise buildings at Seven16 Lafayette. His original idea was office space, however…

Cut 7 (12) “…flexible.”

Construction is expected to begin in the fall.

LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports the search for a new Tigers baseball coach is down to three candidates, Arizona’s Jay Johnson, East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin, and Notre Dame’s Link Jarrett. Guilbeau says Athletic Director Scott Woodward might hold out for a bigger name.

Cut 10 (08) “…Corbin.”

Corbin and the Commodores continue to play in the College World Series.

The Louisiana Republican Party is urging the public to contact their local legislators and push for a veto session to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s a worthy cause.

Cut 3 (08)  “…itself”

Schexnayder anticipates a four-day session would take place mid-July.

51-year-old Derrick Hills of Opelousas was arrested in Rapides Parish after allegedly fleeing from his home after shooting his wife. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Hills’ wife, Rachelle Arceneaux Hills, was found with three gunshot wounds in the couple’s trailer home Wednesday night.

Cut 12 (11) “…fled”

A Lafayette developer wants to build the tallest building in Acadiana. Cliff Guidry with Guidry Land Development says he’s never seen such a booming real estate market in his 20 years in the business. He’s especially surprised coming out of a pandemic with sales prices per square foot so high and record low-interest rates.

Cut 8 (07) “…again.”

He says he’s had an overwhelming response to his development and construction on the $140-million project should begin in the fall.

LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network says  the search for a new Tigers baseball coach is down to three candidates… Arizona’s Jay Johnson, East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin, and Notre Dame’s Link Jarrett.  Guilbeau says Athletic Director Scott Woodward might hold out for a bigger name like Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin and might be a while before a new coach named.

Cut  11 (09) “…he wants to.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says President Joe Biden supports a 1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill that will result in new bridges for Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Cassidy has been working with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and he says the legislation is great for Louisiana…
Cut 15 (08) “…progress”

Will state lawmakers return to Baton Rouge next month for an override veto session? House Speaker Clay Schexnayder would like to see the Legislature override the governor’s veto of a bill that prohibits transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams. Governor Edwards says the legislation is in search of a problem that does not exist. Schexnayder disagrees…
cut 5 (07) “….with it then”
If a majority of either chamber elects not to have a veto session, it’s canceled.

The skyline of downtown Lafayette could change as a developer wants to build a 20-story tower near the federal courthouse. Brooke Thorington has more on the 140-million dollar project
Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In Vermilion Parish, sheriff deputies arrested a man from Gueydan who is accused of killing his father. The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s office says 29-year-old Anthony Caro was taken into custody last night. Deputies say Caro got into an altercation with his dad, Anthony Caro Junior, who died from a fatal gunshot.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder believes support is growing among lawmakers to hold a veto session in July. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

One of Louisiana’s oldest whooping cranes hatched her first chicks this year, and with 24 mating pairs, it almost doubles the previous state record for the world’s rarest cranes. Unfortunately, state biologists say that while 14 hatchlings peaked their way out of eggs this year, only four survived.

51-year-old Derrick Hills of Opelousas was arrested in Rapides Parish after allegedly fleeing from his home after shooting his wife. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Hills’ wife, Rachelle Arceneaux Hills, was found with three gunshot wounds in the couple’s trailer home Wednesday night.

Cut 12 (11) “…fled”

Hills will be transported from Rapides Parish to St. Landry Parish today.

LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports the search for a new Tigers baseball coach is down to three candidates… Arizona’s Jay Johnson, East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin, and Notre Dame’s Link Jarrett, Guilbeau says Athletic Director Scott Woodward might hold out for a bigger name like Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin and says might take a while before a new coach is named.

Cut  11 (09) “…he wants to.” 

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder believes support is growing among lawmakers to hold a veto session in July. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

____________________________________

The skyline of downtown Lafayette is possibly about to undergo a $140-million alteration if one developer has his way. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

The Louisiana Republican Party is urging the public to contact their local legislators and push for a veto session to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s a worthy cause

Cut 3 (08)  “…itself”

The governor could also veto two other high-profile bills, a gun-rights bill and a transportation funding measure that would take dollars away from other parts of the budget. Schexnayder believes they could override all of the governor’s vetoes during a four-day session in the middle of July…

Cut 4 (10) “…worked for”

Edwards calls the anti-transgender bill discriminatory and in search of a problem that does not exist. But Schexnayder doesn’t see it that way…

Cut 5  (07) “…with it then” 

If a majority of either chamber elects not to have a veto session, it’s canceled.

___________________________

A local developer is hoping to change the skyline in downtown Lafayette. Cliff Guidry with Guidry Land Development has unveiled his plans to build two 20-story high-rise buildings. Guidry says it’s been 40 years since the last high rise was built in the Hub City.

Cut 6 (10) “…Lafayette.”

While the development in Alabama is condominiums, Guidry says he used the same business model to develop Seven16 Lafayette tower. Guidry wants the towers to eclipse others and be the tallest in Acadiana. His original idea for Lafayette was office space however…

Cut 7 (12) “…flexible.”

Guidry, a developer for more than two decades, says he’s never seen such a booming real estate market. He says he’s especially surprised coming out of a pandemic with sales prices per square foot so high and record low-interest rates.

Cut 8 (07) “…again.”

Construction is expected to begin on the $140-millon development in the fall and Guidry wants the development the be the tallest in Acadiana.

_____________________________

LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports the search for a new Tigers baseball coach is down to three candidates…

Cut 9 (11) “…Jarrett.”

With Arizona’s Jay Johnson, East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin, and Notre Dame’s Link Jarrett squarely in the mix, Guilbeau says Athletic Director Scott Woodward might hold out for a bigger name.

Cut 10 (08) “…Corbin.”

Corbin and the Commodores avoided elimination last night at the College World Series and play again tomorrow. As far as when the school will announce a hire, Guilbeau says there’s a chance that it could take a while.

Cut  11 (09) “…he wants to.” 

Florida’s Kevin O’Sullivan and Drew Bianco of Ole Miss were once considered strong candidates but neither materialized, but both removed their names from consideration

_________________________________________________

51-year-old Derrick Hills of Opelousas was arrested in Rapides Parish after allegedly fleeing from his home after shooting his wife.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Hills’ wife, Rachelle Arceneaux Hills, was found with three gunshot wounds in the couple’s trailer home Wednesday night.

Cut 12 (11) “…fled”

Guidroz says law enforcement eventually tracked Hills to his brother’s home in Alexandria.

Cut 13 (11) “…meet me”

Hills will be transported from Rapides Parish to St. Landry Parish today.

___________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says a bipartisan group of lawmakers has reached an agreement with President Biden on an infrastructure bill.

Cassidy says this comes after long negotiations.

Cut 14 (12) “…process” 

Reportedly the bill spends 1.2 trillion dollars over eight years with only 600 billion of it being new spending. The rest is reallocated COVID relief money. The price tag comes in far under the President’s initial two trillion-dollar proposal.

Cassidy says the bill focuses on major infrastructure projects…

Cut 15 (08) “…progress” 

__________________________________

Cut 16 (09) “…soil saturation.” 

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder believes support is growing among lawmakers to hold a veto session in July. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

____________________________________

The skyline of downtown Lafayette is possibly about to undergo a $140-million alteration if one developer has his way. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

The Louisiana Republican Party is urging the public to contact their local legislators and push for a veto session to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s a worthy cause

Cut 3 (08)  “…itself”

The governor could also veto two other high-profile bills, a gun-rights bill and a transportation funding measure that would take dollars away from other parts of the budget. Schexnayder believes they could override all of the governor’s vetoes during a four-day session in the middle of July…

Cut 4 (10) “…worked for”

Edwards calls the anti-transgender bill discriminatory and in search of a problem that does not exist. But Schexnayder doesn’t see it that way…

Cut 5  (07) “…with it then” 

If a majority of either chamber elects not to have a veto session, it’s canceled.

___________________________

A local developer is hoping to change the skyline in downtown Lafayette. Cliff Guidry with Guidry Land Development has unveiled his plans to build two 20-story high-rise buildings. Guidry says it’s been 40 years since the last high rise was built in the Hub City.

Cut 6 (10) “…Lafayette.”

While the development in Alabama is condominiums, Guidry says he used the same business model to develop Seven16 Lafayette tower. Guidry wants the towers to eclipse others and be the tallest in Acadiana. His original idea for Lafayette was office space however…

Cut 7 (12) “…flexible.”

Guidry, a developer for more than two decades, says he’s never seen such a booming real estate market. He says he’s especially surprised coming out of a pandemic with sales prices per square foot so high and record low-interest rates.

Cut 8 (07) “…again.”

Construction is expected to begin on the $140-millon development in the fall and Guidry wants the development the be the tallest in Acadiana.

_____________________________

LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports the search for a new Tigers baseball coach is down to three candidates…

Cut 9 (11) “…Jarrett.”

With Arizona’s Jay Johnson, East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin, and Notre Dame’s Link Jarrett squarely in the mix, Guilbeau says Athletic Director Scott Woodward might hold out for a bigger name.

Cut 10 (08) “…Corbin.”

Corbin and the Commodores avoided elimination last night at the College World Series and play again tomorrow. As far as when the school will announce a hire, Guilbeau says there’s a chance that it could take a while.

Cut  11 (09) “…he wants to.” 

Florida’s Kevin O’Sullivan and Drew Bianco of Ole Miss were once considered strong candidates but neither materialized, but both removed their names from consideration

_________________________________________________

51-year-old Derrick Hills of Opelousas was arrested in Rapides Parish after allegedly fleeing from his home after shooting his wife.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Hills’ wife, Rachelle Arceneaux Hills, was found with three gunshot wounds in the couple’s trailer home Wednesday night.

Cut 12 (11) “…fled”

Guidroz says law enforcement eventually tracked Hills to his brother’s home in Alexandria.

Cut 13 (11) “…meet me”

Hills will be transported from Rapides Parish to St. Landry Parish today.

___________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says a bipartisan group of lawmakers has reached an agreement with President Biden on an infrastructure bill.

Cassidy says this comes after long negotiations.

Cut 14 (12) “…process” 

Reportedly the bill spends 1.2 trillion dollars over five years with only 600 billion of it being new spending. The rest is reallocated COVID relief money. The price tag comes in far under the President’s initial two trillion-dollar proposal.

Cassidy says the bill focuses on major infrastructure projects…

Cut 15 (08) “…progress” 

__________________________________

Cut 16 (09) “…soil saturation.” 

The Louisiana Republican Party is urging the public to contact their local legislators and push for a veto session to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. And The governor could also veto a gun-rights bill and a transportation funding measure. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder believes they could override all vetoes during a four-day session mid-July…

Cut 4 (10) “…worked for”

LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports the search for a new Tigers baseball coach is down to three candidates, Arizona’s Jay Johnson, East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin, and Notre Dame’s Link Jarrett. Guilbeau says Athletic Director Scott Woodward might hold out for a bigger name.

Cut 10 (08) “…Corbin.”

Corbin and the Commodores continue to play in the College World Series.

It’s been 40 years since a high rise was constructed in downtown Lafayette, but a now local developer wants to build the tallest ever in Acadiana. Cliff Guidry with Guidry Land Development wants to build two 20-story high-rise buildings at Seven16 Lafayette. His original idea was office space, however…

Cut 7 (12) “…flexible.”

Guidry says they will either lease or sell the space and construction on the $140-million project should begin in the fall.

The Louisiana Republican Party is urging the public to contact their local legislators and push for a veto session to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s a worthy cause…
cut 3 (08) “…the bill itself”
Edwards calls the anti-transgender bill discriminatory and in search of a problem that does not exist.

Governor Edwards has signed a bill that removes the limits on how much a candidate running for office in Louisiana can receive from political action committees. There is a concern this will drastically increase the amount of influence out-of-state actors have on state politics, but the bill’s author. Gonzales Senator Ed Price disagrees…
cut 10 (07) “…happening”

A local developer is hoping to change the skyline in downtown Lafayette. Cliff Guidry with Guidry Land Development has unveiled his plans to build two 20-story high-rise buildings. Guidry says it’s been 40 years since the last high rise was built in the Hub City.
Cut 6 (10) “…Lafayette.”
Guidry says his proposal still needs approval from the local government. He imagines the towers will contain office space and possibly condominiums.

LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports the search for a new Tigers baseball coach is down to three candidates…
Cut 9 (11) “…Jarrett.”
With Johnson, Godwin, and Jarrett squarely in the mix, Guilbeau says Athletic Director Scott Woodward might hold out for a bigger name, like Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, but it’s unknown if Corbin is interested.

Governor Edwards approved the Legislature’s tax swap proposal that removes the ability to deduct federal income taxes in exchange for lower overall income tax rates for businesses and individuals. Tax expert Jason DeCuir the entire tax swap plan was constructed so that if this narrow amendment fails at the October ballot, none of the proposal will take effect.

Cut 5  (09) “…law.”

Governor Edwards signs legislation removing the cap on the amount of money candidates in state elections can receive from political action committees. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the new law could drastically increase the amount of influence out-of-state actors have on in-state politics.

Cut 9 (11) “…elections.”

Bill author Gonzales Senator Ed Price says his legislation is about transparency.

20-year-old Mykia Tyson is behind bars in St. Tammany Parish in what authorities say was an alleged murder-for-hire scheme to have her ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend killed. St Tammany Sheriff’s Spokesperson Captain Scott Lee says Tyson hired four teenagers and 17-year-old Delester Magee was the shooter.

Cut 13 (09) “…custodial agreement.”

Tyson faces solicitation for murder and contributing to the delinquency of minor charges. No one was physically injured in the June 5^th shooting.

Before the proposed Slidell casino has even gone before St. Tammany Parish voters, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment announces they plan to invest even more than initially proposed to the casino site. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says a $75-million investment alone is pretty significant.

Cut 14 (10) “…hear that.”