Governor Landry was in north Louisiana this week and in speeches in front of the Bossier and Monroe Chamber of Commerce he said tax reform is the key to generational change. Tax reform has been a buzz word at the state capitol for decades. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Landry is not the first governor to propose a major change to the state’s tax code that would include the elimination of certain tax breaks…
Cut 6 (06) “…very issue.”

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker is in Baton Rouge today to meet with federal and state transportation officials to talk about the needed changes for the I-20 Tarbutton interchange to accommodate the construction of a Buc-ee’s. Walker says a couple of hurdles still need to be cleared before construction can begin….
cut 14 (12) “…other places”
Planning is also underway for the construction of a Bucees in Lafayette off of I-10.

AccuWeather is predicting a Supercharged September when it comes to tropical storms. AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter says less wind shear and less dry air will create conducive conditions for development in the Atlantic Ocean beginning next week and he says the Gulf’s record-high water temperatures create the perfect environment….
cut 11 (10) “….other concerns”
Porter says we could see between six to ten named storms in September.

The Department of Children and Family Services is now accepting applications from low-income families who have not already qualified for the Sun Bucks program, which provides eligible families with a one-time payment of 120-dollars. The 120-dollars is to help cover meals for children when not in school for the summer. DCFS’s Tim Jenkins says the child will have 122 days to use the funds…
cut 8 (07) “….the account”
You can apply at louisiana-dot-summer-e-b-t-app-dot-com.

In two different speeches in north Louisiana this week, Governor Jeff Landry talked about the need for tax reform. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

State Police is investigating a bus crash that resulted in the death of a student from Terrebonne Parish. The crash between a bus and a vehicle happened on Louisiana Highway 6-65 in Montegut and authorities have not released any other details. The Terrebonne Parish School District says there thoughts and prayers go out to the student, the student’s family and the bus driver involved.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says a critical meeting is scheduled today in Baton Rouge to discuss the I-20 Tarbutton interchange design to accommodate a Buc’ee’s travel center.
Cut 13 (09) “…will be about.”
Walker says they hope to break ground soon on the project and they are hopeful the store will open next year.

Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services has opened the application process for Phase 3 of SUN Bucks. This program provides a one-time benefit of $120 dollars to low income families with children to help pay for meals during the summer time when schools are closed. DCFS Economic Stability Director Tim Jenkins says they have received over two thousand applications so far…
Cut 7 (06) “…September 20th.”
And you can apply at louisiana-dot-summer-e-b-t-app-dot-com.

This week, Governor Jeff Landry said for Louisiana to experience generational change it needs to reform its tax code by eliminating tax breaks for special interest groups. What does he mean by special interest groups? Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that’s the oil and gas industry, petrochemical and farming industries….
Cut 4 (10) “…if at all.”
There has been talk of a tax reform special session in early 2025

The Department of Children and Family Services says the Phase 3 Sun Bucks application period is open. Sun Bucks provides eligible families with a one-time benefit of 120 dollars to help pay for meals during the summer when kids are not in school. DCFS’s Tim Jenkins says families can apply at Louisiana-dot-summer-e-b-t-app-dot-com and for additional info…
cut 9 (10) “…8:30 to 2:30”

AccuWeather is predicting 6 to 10 named storms during what it calls “Supercharged September.” Mel Bridges has the details.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The college football season actually gets underway tomorrow with Week Zero games. McNeese will play Tarleton State tomorrow afternoon.

LSU football has announced they will have two players wearing the coveted number 18 jersey, running back Josh Williams and linebacker Greg Penn. Preseason All-Americans Harold Perkins and Will Campbell will also share the number seven jersey.

Grambling State University made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. The digital library has no physical material. Instead, it provides access to more than one-point-six million digital books and pieces of research material. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says this ensures students are prepared not only for research in higher education, but also for the tech-forward workforce.

Cut 4 (09) “…this information.”

The seventeen-million-dollar facility is also the only one of its kind at an HBCU.

Baton Rouge Police have seized approximately 181 pounds of fentanyl as part of an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking operations involving 42-year-old Cendy Keophimanh (sen-dee kee-oh-fe-men). Keophimanh was arrested last week following another large drug seizure including around 150 pounds of methamphetamine. Detectives conducted another search warrant at a house on Vermillion Drive connected to the suspect. Lt. L’JeanMcKneely says Baton Rouge was being used as a midpoint distribution center…

Cut 7 (08) “…and then distributed.”

The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill for months. Regions Tower is over 90 days overdue on a building-wide electricity bill totaling around half a million dollars. SWEPCO says they’ve been in contact with the California-based company that owns the building to keep the lights on, and Campbell says the tenants are also trying to make a deal…

Cut 10 (12) “…out in California.”

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges in Louisiana. Hicks’s boyfriend pleaded guilty prior to the trial and without a criminal history, received a probation sentence. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says the judge considered Hicks’s criminal history of firearm, assault, larceny, fraud, forgery, drug, ad prostitution convictions when passing down the 35-year sentence…

Cut  14 (10) “…state of Florida.”

Grambling State University has made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says the digital library reflects a tech-forward shift not just among students, but among libraries and institutions as well.

cut 5 (12) “…with the times.”

The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill for months. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says an investment group from California owns Regions Tower.

cut 9 (11) “…five hundred thousand dollars.”

Baton Rouge Police have seized around one hundred and eighty-one pounds of fentanyl, over 100 doses of Adderall and Xanax, three rifles, a handgun, and more as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in east Baton Rouge Parish, and latest stats show fatal overdoses are down by over 30-percent. Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says it’s the product of hard work from investigators and help from the community…

cut 8 (13) “…behind bars.”

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges in Louisiana. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found several boxes of Fruity Pebbles that contained almost 8 thousand methamphetamine pills. Dover says this is what the Highway Enforcement Unit is there for…

cut 13 (11) “…to buy drugs.”

Baton Rouge Police have seized approximately 181 pounds of fentanyl as part of an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking operations involving 42-year-old Cendy Keophimanh (sen-dee kee-oh-fe-men). It’s believed to be the largest fentanyl seizure in Louisiana history, Lt. L’Jean MckNeely says the drugs seized in this investigation have the potential to save 42 million lives

Cut 6 (09) “…southeast region.”

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges in Louisiana. Hicks was arrested in January of 2023 after she and her boyfriend were pulled over traveling on I-12. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found marijuana in open view and several boxes of Fruity Pebbles cereal…

Cut 12 (14) “…ecstasy pills.”

 Grambling State University has made history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

 A 14-year-old Parkway High School Student was arrested and charged with terrorizing after making threats against the school on social media. School administrators and resource officers launched an investigation after rumors of a student possessing a gun surfaced. They conducted a search, but no weapons of any kind were found. Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington says the teen was arrested and charged with one count of terrorizing.

Baton Rouge police made the largest fentanyl seizure in state history yesterday. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison for drug trafficking. She was arrested in January of 2023 after she and her boyfriend were pulled over on I-12. Authorities found marijuana and large quantities of methamphetamine. Hicks’s boyfriend pleaded guilty and with not prior criminal record, received probation. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover

Cut  14 (05) “…convictions.”

The California based owners of Regions Tower, a premium office building in downtown Shreveport, have an overdue electricity bill of around half a million dollars because they haven’t paid their bill in months. SWEPCO says they’ve been in contact with the Hertz Investment Group of Sherman, California but Monday they plan to shut off the power. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the building’s tenants are trying to make a deal…

Cut 10 (10) “…the building.”

SWEPCO began posting disconnection notices around Regions Tower yesterday to give tenants time to make plans in case the power does go out.

Grambling State University made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says keeping everything online gives everyone access to the most recent, relevant information.

Cut 3 (08) “…minutes.”

Grambling State University made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. It provides access to more than one-point-six million digital books and pieces of research material. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says this ensures students are prepared not only for research in higher education, but also for the tech-forward workforce.

cut 4 (09) “…this information”

Baton Rouge Police have seized around one hundred and eighty one pounds of fentanyl, over 100 doses of Adderall and Xanax, three rifles, a handgun, and more as part of an alleged ongoing drug trafficking investigation involving 42-year-old Cendy Keophinmanh (sen-dee kee-oh-fe-men). Lt. L’Jean McNeely says Baton Rouge was used as a midpoint distribution center…

cut 7 (08) “…and then distributed.”

The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill in months. SWEPCO began posting disconnection notices around Regions Tower yesterday to give tenants time to make plans in case the power does go out. SWEPCO External Affairs Manager Michael Corbin…

cut 11 (12) “…moment.”

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges in Louisiana. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found several boxes of Fruity Pebbles that contained almost 8 thousand methamphetamine pills. Dover says this is what the Highway Enforcement Unit is there for…

cut 13 (11) “…to buy drugs.”

Grambling State University has made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says the digital library reflects a tech-forward shift not just among students, but among libraries and institutions as well.

cut 5 (12) “…with the times.”

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges yesterday. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found marijuana in open view and several boxes of Fruity Pebbles cereal…

cut 12 (14) “…ecstasy pills.”

Baton Rouge Police have seized around one hundred and eighty one pounds of fentanyl, over 100 doses of Adderall and Xanax, three rifles, a handgun, and more as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in east Baton Rouge Parish, and latest stats show fatal overdoses are down by over 30-percent. Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says it’s the product of hard work from investigators and help from the community…

cut 8 (13) “…behind bars.”

The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill for months. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says an investment group from California owns Regions Tower.

cut 9 (11) “…five hundred thousand dollars.”

Grambling State University has made history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library earlier today. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 1 (30) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved what Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley calls Let Teachers Teach policies. Brumley says one of the new policies will reduce dozens of non-academic trainings and lessons teachers have been required to repeat annually…
cut 25 (04) “…they’re good”
New policies have also been approved that will result in disruptive students being removed from the classroom.

Baton Rouge Police have seized approximately 181 pounds of fentanyl as part of an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking operations involving 42-year-old Cendy Keophimanh (sen-dee kee-oh-fe-men). It’s believed to be the largest fentanyl seizure in Louisiana history, Lt. L’Jean Mckneely says the drugs seized in this investigation have the potential to save 42 million lives…
Cut 6 (09) “…southeast region.”
The drugs were found in two different homes in Baton Rouge.

The World Health Organization declared monkeypox, or m-pox, a global health emergency as the disease ravages Africa. Tulane Epidemiology Professor Dr. Susan Hassig says mpox has spread quickly among African countries because of…
Cut 13 (10) “…most affected.”
Hassig says while mpox is a concern, it’s not likely to affect the U.S. or even tourists to Africa, since mpox spreads via intimate contact.