The ongoing immigration crackdown has forced the cancellation of a major festival in the state’s largest Hispanic community. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

An Acadiana law firm files a class action lawsuit against CVS over its text blast in opposition to House Bill 358. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

LSU snatches victory from the jaws of defeat and advances to the national championship series at the College World Series. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The federal immigration crackdown has led to the cancellation of the Kenner Hispanic Festival, which had been slated for this September at the Kenner Boat Launch. Anamaria Bech (“beck”), the publisher of the bilingual magazine VIVA NOLA, says a big reason is Kenner’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Cut 4 (12) “…in that city.”

Bech says it’s a huge loss not to be able to hold the event, not only from a cultural standpoint, but also from an economic standpoint.

Cut 5 (11) “…Latino or not.”

Bech says it disheartens her that the ongoing immigration crackdown is putting a damper on cultural events, not only this one but ones like this all across the country.

Cut 6 (15) “…enjoy so much.”

Earlier this week, ICE agents raided a construction site in Kenner. It’s unknown at this time how many people were taken into custody.

________________________________________________________

An Acadiana-based law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit against CVS over its text blast to its patients urging them to tell lawmakers to oppose House Bill 358 in the waning moments of the legislative session. Jerome Moroux with the law firm of Broussard, David and Moroux says the issue here is using patient information for political purposes.

Cut 7 (06) “…kill the bill.”

A provision was tacked onto that bill at the last minute, stipulating that pharmacy benefit managers could not own pharmacies. Supporters say that would bring down prescription costs, but CVS said that would have forced it to close all of its stores in the state. Moroux says CVS used private patient information in an illicit manner.

Cut 8 (06) “…across the state.”

Moroux says one thing he and his legal team wants to know is what information was used by CVS in distributing its message.

Cut 9 (10)  “…and very quickly.”

Ultimately, House Bill 358 died when the Senate failed to vote on the amended version before time ran out. In a statement, CVS says it had a responsibility to inform its customers of what it calls misguided legislation that sought to shutter its pharmacies, and it acted accordingly. It calls its communication with its customers consistent with the law.

________________________________________________________

It was a game for the ages, as LSU snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! After giving up two runs in the top of the ninth to fall behind 5-to-3, LSU scores three in the bottom of the ninth – all with two outs – to beat Arkansas, 6-to-5, and advance to the best-of-three national championship series at the College World Series. Jared Jones was unquestionably the hero of the game, first hitting a two-out solo home run in the eighth to tie the game at three, then driving in the winning run the following inning. Talking about his clutch eighth inning home run, Jones says he was due for a big hit off Arkansas pitcher Gabe Gaeckle (GACK-el).

Cut 10 (15) “…second baseman’s head.”

Jones’ game-winning single came immediately after Luis Hernandez tied the game with a two-out double in left field that scored Ethan Frey and Steven Milam. Left fielder Charles Davalan appeared to be in a position to make the game-ending catch for Arkansas, but he slipped and the ball got away from him. Jones says games like these are par for the course for these LSU Tigers.

Cut 11 (09) “…no matter what.”

LSU head coach Jay Johnson says this game conjured up memories of two years ago, when Tommy White launched the Tigers into the national championship series – and ultimately the national title – with a walk-off home run against top-seeded Wake Forest.

Cut 12 (12) “…tied for first.”

LSU will take on Coastal Carolina in the best-of-three national championship series Saturday and Sunday night, and Monday night if necessary.

________________________________________________________

The former long-time sheriff of Terrebonne Parish, Jerry Larpenter, has died. The sheriff’s office says Larpenter passed away peacefully on Wednesday. Larpenter was first elected in 1985 and served 21 years, he stepped away for one-term, and one was re-elected again in 2011 and 2015. He served as sheriff for about 30 years before current Sheriff Timothy Soignet replaced him in 2020…

Cut 13 (12)  “…Marine Corp.”

Following his service in the Air Force, Larpenter was hired as a patrolman in the 1970s by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Soignet says Larpenter served the people of Terrebonne Parish with honor and dedication for close to 40 years….

Cut 14 (11) “…build upon.”

During his time as sheriff, Larpenter established a full-time K-9 team, purchased state of the art communications equipment, body cameras and bulletproof vests.  Soignet says Larpenter was known for his huge personality and his love of Terrebonne Parish…

Cut 15 (11) “…which you served.”

_____________________________________________________________

The Saints Hall of Fame announced cornerback Tracy Porter and safety Brett Maxie have been selected for induction in 2025. They also honored former WGNO Sports Director Ed Daniels with the Joe Gemelli “Fleur de Lis” Award and Steve Gleason with the Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award. Porter recalled watching the second round of the 2008 draft with his mom.

Cut 16 (15) “…(laughter).”

Porter is of course known for one of the most iconic plays in Saints history with his 76-yard pick-six against Peyton Manning and the Colts to clinch Super Bowl XLIV (fourty-four). In four seasons in New Orleans, the Port Allen native recorded 227 tackles, seven interceptions and 37 pass break ups. He said it was a dream come true playing for his home team.

Cut 17 (11)  “…was unbelievable.”

Maxie signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Southern in 1985. In nine seasons in the black and gold, Maxie recorded 438 tackles and 15 interceptions and is remembered as one of the best safeties in franchise history. He credited his family and his faith for where he is today and shared values they’ve instilled in him.

Cut 18 (19)  “…with love”

Maxie’s signature moment came in the form of a fourth down stop against the Steelers in 1987 to secure a winning record for the first time in the Saints’ 20-year history. New Orleans would go 12-and-3 that season earning their first playoff appearance which Maxie started in.

__________________________________________________________

Cut 19 (12) “…that doesn’t change.”

_____________________________________________________________

Cut 20 (19) “…get going.”

An Acadiana-based law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit against CVS over its text blast to its patients urging them to tell lawmakers to oppose House Bill 358 in the waning moments of the legislative session. Jerome Moroux with the law firm of Broussard, David and Moroux says the issue here is using patient information for political purposes.

Cut 7 (06) “…kill the bill.”

A stark warning from Senate President Cameron Henry on federal Medicaid funding. During a webinar hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, the Republican from Metairie says due to changes the Senate is considering on President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” Louisiana could be in for a huge loss.

Cut 12 (09) “…to the state.”

And Henry says that would certainly trigger a special session.

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association says progress on legal reform was made in the legislative session, but more work needs to be done. Executive Director Renee Amar (AY-mar) says the organization will continue to push for a cap on damages in an effort to lower insurance rates.

Cut 5 (14) “…State of Louisiana.”

A recent study shows that if you want Gulf Shrimp in Alexandria, it’s about a 50/50 chance. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting Co-Founder Erin Williams says 24 restaurants were tested that advertised Authentic Gulf Coast Shrimp and 13 of those were serving imported shrimp.

Cut 6 (11) “…Gulf Shrimp.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that authorizes state and local law enforcement to actively intercept and disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety. GOHSEP Executive Officer of Security and Interoperability Thomas Mule (MUE-lay

Cut 9 (12)  …nefarious drones.”

Senate President Cameron Henry says it’s possible a special session will be needed if drastic cuts are made by the federal government in terms of funding for Medicaid. Henry says they are waiting to see what the U-S Senate does with the One Big Beautiful Bill. He says if proposed Senate amendments pass Congress, Louisiana will lose four billion dollars in Medicaid funding…

Cut 13 (07) “….to do it”

Federal and state authorities arrested 84 undocumented immigrants yesterday at Delta Downs Racetrack in Calcasieu Parish during a worksite enforcement operation. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The former police chief of Jeanerette has been arrested on cockfighting charges. The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office says they have charged 39-year-old Dusty Vallot of Lafayette with cock fighting and aggravated cruelty. Vallot resigned as Jeanerette’s police chief last December.

There’s a concern on the state level that proposed U-S Senate amendments to the One Big Beautiful Bill in Washington D-C will result in a significant reduction in federal dollars for Medicaid. Senate President Cameron Henry said on a webinar hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council that the reduction could be four billion dollars. Herny says he’s talking with Louisiana’s Congressional delegation…

Cut 14 (08) “….our delegation”

About 35-percent of Louisiana residents rely on Medicaid for health insurance.

Sea D (seed) Consulting conducted testing at two dozen Alexandria restaurants to see if they were serving authentic Gulf Shrimp as advertised, it turns out about half of them were not. SeaD (seed) Consulting Co-founder Erin Williams says they are partnered with Florida State University to develop a Rapid ID genetic high accuracy test…

Cut 7 (08) “…and reliable test”

Williams says more needs to be done to enforce Louisiana’s labeling laws.

Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana has become the first state to authorize local law enforcement to neutralize dangerous drones. The new law empowers specifically trained officers to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic technology to neutralize drones operating unlawfully near high-risk areas such as schools, public events, and critical infrastructure….

Cut 11 (06) “…against it”

Penalties for violators include fines of up to five-thousand-dollars, up to one year in jail, and mandatory forfeiture of the drone used in the offense.

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association says the Legislature made progress this year in trying to reduce auto insurance premiums by making changes to the legal system, but L-M-T-A executive director Renee Amar says Louisiana still lags behind other states in meaningful legal reform…

Cut 4 (12) “…rates in half”

Amar (AY-mar) says she hopes in future sessions lawmakers address transparency in medical billing, phantom damages, and pervasive fraud that distorts claims and inflates costs.

Potential federal cuts in Medicaid could have devastating effects here in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Law enforcement has announced the arrest of 15 people in Lincoln and Union Parishes as part of Operation Safe Streets. Authorities say the initiative was designed to enhance community safety through proactive policing strategies targeting violent crime, drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a law that allows law enforcement to intercept and disable threatening drones. The legislation comes amid rising national concern over unauthorized drone activity near sensitive locations. Thomas Mule with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says there are more than two-thousand critical infrastructure facilities in the state, including two nuclear power plants.

Cut 10 (06) “…those facilities.”

Landry says recently law enforcement arrested several people for using drones to drop drugs and cell phones into a federal prison in Grant Parish.

Earlier this month, SeaD consulting went around to two dozen restaurants in Alexandria and found that about 50-percent of the restaurants advertising Gulf shrimp, were serving foreign shrimp. It’s illegal in Louisiana to mislabel the origin of seafood. Violators could be forced to pay significant penalties. Sea-D Founder Dave Williams says even with Louisiana’s strict mislabeling laws there still needs to be more enforcement.

Cut 8 (08) “…what we do.”

A stark warning from Senate President Cameron Henry on federal Medicaid funding. During a webinar hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, the Republican from Metairie says Louisiana could be in for a huge loss.

Cut 12 (09) “…to the state.”

Speaker Henry says if that happens, lawmakers would certainly be forced back into a special session to find ways to make up for the shortfall.

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that authorizes state and local law enforcement to actively intercept and disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety. GOHSEP Executive Officer of Security and Interoperability Thomas Mule (MUE-lay) says this is a public safety and homeland security issue.

Cut 9 (12)  …nefarious drones.”

Federal and state authorities arrested 84 undocumented immigrants yesterday at Delta Downs Racetrack in Calcasieu Parish during a worksite enforcement operation. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (00) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU has two chances to win its way into the best-of-three national championship series at the College World Series. The Tigers face Arkansas at six this evening. If they win, they move on to the championship series. If they lose, same two teams tomorrow, with the winner advancing. LSU is looking to win its second national baseball championship in three years.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a bill criminalizing grooming, the act of building trust with minors to enable sexual abuse. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says his legislation was inspired by his daughter, Sarah Gioe (Jee-Oy), and her husband, Tim Gioe, who was abused by a priest as a child.

Cut 10 (12) “…this bill passed.”

The law takes effect August 1.

A recent study shows that if you want Gulf Shrimp in Alexandria it’s about a 50/50 chance that’s where it actually came from. SeaD (seed) Consulting Co-Founder Erin Williams says 24 restaurants were tested that advertised Authentic Gulf Coast Shrimp and 13 of those were serving imported shrimp.

Cut 6 (11) “…Gulf Shrimp.”

An invasive fish species thought to be eradicated has been discovered in Port Sulphur. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

And now, a look at today’s commodities…

The addition of State Senator Blake Miguez in the U.S. Senate race is bad news for Senator Bill Cassidy. That’s the opinion of LSU-Shreveport Assistant Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow, who says Republican primary voters now have another alternative to Cassidy and State Treasurer John Fleming.

Cut 13 (10)  “…have another choice.”

The primary election is in April.

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association says progress on legal reform was made in the legislative session, but more work needs to be done. Executive Director Renee Amar (AY-mar) says she hopes in future sessions lawmakers address outstanding issues, including transparency in medical billing.

Cut 3 (11) “…the insurance market.”

Amar says legislation is also needed to eliminate phantom damages and pervasive fraud that distorts claims and inflates costs.

Come August 1st, kratom will be illegal in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The former police chief of Jeanerette has been arrested on cockfighting charges. The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office says they have charged 39-year-old Dusty Vallot of Lafayette with cock fighting and aggravated cruelty. Valot resigned as Jeanerette’s police chief last December.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed Senate Bill 154 into law, making the possession, sale and distribution of kratom illegal in the state. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain was on hand when Landry signed the bill. He witnessed first-hand the impact of kratom in his community.

Cut 7 (10) “…and were hallucinating.”

Landry has signed a bill criminalizing grooming, the act of building trust with minors to enable sexual abuse. The new law allows authorities to intervene even if abuse hasn’t yet occurred, targeting manipulative behaviors by adults at least four years older than the child. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick introduced the legislation saying it’s an important tool in protecting children.
Cut 12 (07) “…to be involved.”

The law takes effect August 1^st.

LSU plays Arkansas tonight in the semifinal round of the College World Series after beating UCLA, nine-to-five. Freshman right-hander Casan Evans was the winning pitcher. He took the mound in the fourth inning after the game was halted on Monday night because of severe weather. Evans pitched four and one-third innings and held the Bruins to two runs on four hits, no walks and five strikeouts. Coach Jay Johnson knew he would get a great performance from Evans.

Cut 16 (15) “…has it.”

Tilapia, a hardy invasive fish, has reemerged in canals near Port Sulphur in Plaqeumines Parish, two decades after escaping a pond during Hurricane Katrina. LDWF Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Chris Schieble says they thought Tilapia was eradicated in 2009 through a costly rotenone treatment, and recent findings of juvenile tilapia suggest some survived.

Cut 4 (12) “…many are there.”

A slew of new laws will go into effect August 1st. Among them is one that makes kratom illegal. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain was with Governor Landry when he signed the bill into law last week; he recalled when he testified in favor of the bill, he came face-to-face with powerful lobbyists within the kratom industry.

Cut 8 (12) “…it in Louisiana.”

Another law going into effect that day is one that criminalizes grooming – the act of building trust with minors to enable sexual abuse. What’s different here is the new law allows authorities to intervene even if abuse hasn’t happened yet. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says in the case of his son in law, authorities had to wait until a priest molested him before taking action.

Cut 11 (09) “…then and stopped.”

While you might be able to order tilapia at your favorite seafood restaurant, you might not know that it is actually an invasive species, and it is reemerging in canals near Port Sulphur. LDWF Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Chris Schieble says if you catch tilapia, do not release it back into the water.

Cut 6 (09) “…you got it.”

The addition of State Senator Blake Miguez in the U.S. Senate race is bad news for Senator Bill Cassidy. That’s the opinion of LSU-Shreveport Assistant Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow, who says Miguez’s entry in the U.S. Senate race greatly increases Cassidy’s vulnerability.

Cut 14 (08) “…chances of re-election.”

Miguez joins State Treasurer John Fleming in challenging Cassidy for the G-O-P nomination in the newly-closed primary.