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.”

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.