The Louisiana Department of Health has issued a “do not use” water advisory for residents in Madison Parish. The advisory warns residents not to consume or bathe in the water due to potential contamination. Louisiana Surgeon General, Dr. Ralph Abraham, says the advisory comes after a significant drop in water pressure, which raises concerns about paraquat, a toxic herbicide entering the water supply.

Cut 3 (11) “…got into the system”

LDH officials are working with the Walnut Bayou Water district to conduct tests to ensure the water’s safety.

On Thursday, Federal Judge Brian Jackson reinforced orders for officials at Angola, to protect prisoners working on the “farm line” from extreme heat. His latest order says 50 inmates reported illnesses from July 2 to August 5 related to working the “farm line.” He ordered more and some form of seating be made available as well as fifteen-minute breaks be given every 45 minutes when heat alerts are in effect. Lydia Wright with Promise of Justice Initiative says because the “farm line” is cruel and replicates slavery…

Cut 7 (05) “…break their spirit.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state’s unemployment rate for July dropped below four-percent to three-point-nine percent. Director of Research and Economic Analysis, Emily Dipalma, says when the unemployment rate is this low, it’s a sign that most people who end up on unemployment do not last long

Cut 9 (07) “…the next.”

The state added 24-hundred jobs from June to July putting the number of people employed in Louisiana just below two-million.

LSU saw its largest Summer Commencement in the school’s history, today.  1061 graduates received their degrees. The youngest graduate is 19 years old and the oldest is 69. Students came from 36 countries, 47 states, and 41 Louisiana parishes. LSU President, Dr. William F. Tate IV said, “No matter if you live in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Los Angels, or London, we need you to go out with great pride in all that you accomplish.”

LDH issues a “do not use” water advisory for residents of Madison Perish after the water supply was contaminated with paraquat, a toxic herbicide. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (35) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

Scary situation earlier today when a fire started in a classroom at Ruby-Wise Elementary School in Pineville. The Rapides Parish School Board says all of the students evacuated safely and are all accounted for. Officials say an electrical issue caused the blazed.

The state department of transportation says preliminary construction activities can begin this year on a new two-point-three billion dollar I-10 Lake Charles bridge. Project manager Paul Vaught says the Landry administration put a financing plan in place earlier this year that received legislative approval and the bonds have been sold…
cut 14 (10) “…were made”
Tolls will help pay for the bridge.

On Thursday, Federal Judge Brian Jackson reinforced orders for officials at Angola, to implement measures to protect prisoners working on the “farm line” from extreme heat. Lydia Wright with Promise of Justice Initiative says she is thrilled with the attention the courts are giving to this case…
Cut 6 (13) “…take those steps.”
The Louisiana Department of Corrections has told the court it’s following constitutionally appropriate policy when it comes to protecting workers from extreme heat.

The Louisiana Department of Health has issued a “do not use” water advisory for residents in Madison Parish. The advisory warns residents not to consume or bathe in the water due to potential contamination. Louisiana Surgeon General, Dr. Ralph Abraham, says LDH officials are working with the Walnut Bayou Water district to conduct tests to ensure the water’s safety.

Cut 4 (07) “…Chemicals in it.”

Until the advisory is lifted, Abraham says residents are urged to use bottled water or other safe sources.

DOTD has made a major step forward in building a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Project Manager Paul Vaught says they’ve officially reached a financial close, as the developer has sold the bonds needed to complete financing. He says the developer, Calcasieu Bridge Partners, will start final designs immediately…

Cut 13 (09)  “…to complete.”

Preliminary construction work can begin later this year, and the goal is to have a new bridge constructed in 2031.

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has released his preliminary investigative report into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

And here’s a look at todays commodities…

The Louisiana Department of Health has told residents in Madison Parish not to drink the water if it came from the Walnut Bayou Water District. L-D-H says the Walnut Bayou Water System suffered a water line break resulting in the drinking water being exposed to a toxic herbicide used for weed control. Surgeon General Ralph Abraham Bottle water has been made available…
cut 5 (10) “…up with”
water can be picked up at the Walnut Water Association Office in Tallulah.

New real estate rules go into effect tomorrow that changes the way how an agent gets paid. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors President-elect Larry Miller says compensation has always been between the client and broker…
cut 9 (11) “….will be”

The state department of transportation has announced preliminary work on a new I-10 Lake Charles Bridge may begin this year and full-on construction operations will begin in 2026 and construction should be completed in 2031. One-point-two billion dollars in state and federal funding will help pay for the bridge’s construction and so will tolls. But Project Manager Paul Vaught says the state will retain about 15-percent of the tolls net profit…
cut 15 (11) “….five-parish area”
Tolls will not be collected on the bridge until its open to traffic.

The Louisiana Lottery says last fiscal year was their second best year on record as lottery ticket sales produced 643-million dollars in revenues and 205-million dollars of that goes to K-through-12 public school education. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says scratch-offs continue to be the top seller in their game portfolio and the lottery tries to keep scratch offs fresh by adding bigger and unique prizes…
cut 12 (10) …our games”

Many Entergy Louisiana customers can expect a small rate increase of about four-dollars a month. But Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis says the increase is half of what Entergy Louisiana wanted and they negotiated the rate down by settling litigation involving allegations that Entergy mismanaged a nuclear power plant in Mississippi….
cut 6 (13) “…investments in infrastructure
Entergy has also agreed to reduce its late fees to one-point-five percent. eliminate connection and reconnection fees and expanding discounts for seniors.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has issued a “do not use” water advisory for residents in Madison Parish. The advisory warns residents not to use tap water for any purpose. The state’s Surgeon General, Ralph Abraham, says there’s been a significant drop in water pressure in the area, which raises concerns about a paraquat, a toxic herbicide entering the water supply.
Cut 3 (11) “…got into the system”
Residents are urged to use bottle water until the advisory is lifted, which may stay in affect until next week.

Because of a settlement involving the National Realtor’s association, Realtors are facing changes in the way they help homebuyers purchase a home. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors’ President-Elect, Larry Miller on how the new rules will impact the way homebuyers work with their agents…
Cut 7 (12) “…real estate services.”
Sellers will no longer offer compensation in advance as a marketing incentive.

The Louisiana Lottery Corporation just ended its’ second-best fiscal year ever, reporting 643 million dollars in revenue. Spokesperson Dustin Annison says 205 million dollars of that funds K-through 12 public education…
cut 10 (12) “…education system.”

DOTD has cleared the last financial hurdle in building a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

A police shooting in Morehouse Parish yesterday has left a person in serious condition. The Northwest Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit says Morehouse Sheriff deputies were executing an order for protective custody when they were met by a man with a gun. Deputies reportedly told the man to drop the weapon but the situation escalated and the person was shot. He was airlifted to a regional hospital.

The Louisiana Lottery says last fiscal year was there second best ever, with 643-million dollars in revenue and 205-million dollars of that revenue will go to K-through-12 public education. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says they’ve transferred around five billion dollars since they started in 1991, 35-percent of their total revenue…
cut 11 (10) “….education”

New real estate rules go into effect on Saturday that changes the way how an agent gets paid. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors President-elect Larry Miller says compensation has always been between the client and broker…
cut 9 (11) “….will be”

Entergy Louisiana customers will see a rate increase in early 2025 but fees will go down. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has told residents in Madison Parish not to drink the water if the drinking water comes from the Walnut Bayou Water District. L-D-H says the Walnut Bayou Water System suffered a water line break resulting in the drinking water being exposed a toxic herbicide that’s used for weed control. Bottle water has been made available.

The state department of transportation has announced preliminary work on a new I-10 Lake Charles Bridge may begin this year and full-on construction operations will begin in 2026 and construction should be completed in 2031. One-point-two billion dollars in state and federal funding will help pay for the bridge’s construction and so will tolls. But Project Manager Paul Vaught says the state will retain about 15-percent of the tolls net profit…
cut 15 (11) “….five-parish area”
Tolls will not be collected on the bridge until its open to traffic.

The Louisiana Lottery Corporation just ended its’ second-best fiscal year ever, with around 643 million dollars in revenue. Spokesperson Dustin Annison says the Lottery transferred almost 205 million dollars to the state treasury that will go towards K-through 12 public education…
cut 10 (12) “…education system.”

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a rate increase of four-dollars in early 2025 but Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis says the rate hikes could have been worse…
Cut 4 (13) “…eight to ten dollars.”
Lewis says on a positive note, Entergy is reducing its late fees, eliminating connection and reconnection fees and expanding eligibility for low-income senior bill discounts.

The state department of transportation says preliminary construction activities can begin this year on a new two-point-three billion dollar I-10 Lake Charles bridge as DOTD and the developer, Calcasieu Bridge Partners, have reached what is called a financial close, which allows the contractor to proceed. Project manager Paul Vaught says the Landry administration put a financing plan in place earlier this year that received legislative approval…
cut 14 (10) “…were made”
Tolls will help pay for the bridge.

Real estate agent commissions will change starting tomorrow. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors’ President-elect Larry Miller says buyers who previously didn’t have to pay a commissioner to their realtor who helped them purchase a home will be expected to pay for the service…
cut 8 (10) “..broker directly”
There is a concern this could hurt first-time homebuyers because they are already stretched for cash.

The Louisiana Lottery says last fiscal year was their second best year on record as lottery ticket sales produced 643-million dollars in revenues and 205-million dollars of that will go to K-through-12 public school education. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says scratch-offs continue to be the top seller in the Lottery’s game portfolio and the lottery tries to keep scratch offs fresh by adding more, higher and unique prizes…
cut 12 (10) …our games”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation says a major step has been taken in the construction of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Project Manager Paul Vaught says they’ve officially reached a financial close, which means the developer has sold the bonds needed to complete financing. He says the developer, Calcasieu Bridge Partners, will start final designs immediately…
Cut 13 (09) “…to complete.”
One-point-two billion dollars in state and federal funds will help pay for the two-point-three billion dollar bridge and tolls will also pay for the bridge.

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see their rates go up by about four dollars early next year, but Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis says Entergy has agreed to expand low-income senior discounts, eliminate connection and reconnection fees, and they are reducing late fees…
cut 5 (06) “….one and a half percent”

A settlement involving the National Realtor’s association is bringing changes to the way Realtors help homebuyers purchase a home.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has released his preliminary investigative report into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Higgins says it was a local SWAT operator that shot Matthew Crooks’ rifle stock and fragged his face, neck and shoulder, which stopped Crooks’ from shooting and then a Secret Service sniper fatally shot him. Higgins says he found it disturbing that Crooks’ body was released for cremation ten days after the shooting, but the FBI says they followed proper protocols.

A tragic story out of Jennings: a ten-month-old baby girl has died after being left in a hot car Tuesday. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes (Simms) says the baby’s mother was unexpectedly called into work at a local restaurant and accidentally left the child in the car during her hour-and-a-half long shift…

cut 9 (12) “…emergency room.”

26-year-old Trystan McMillon of Hammond was arrested on charges of second-degree murder after allegedly selling fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose. The Fentanyl Overdose Response Team has seized 8 pounds of fentanyl since January as the drug has contributed to a surge of overdose deaths in Louisiana. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron stresses that those who sell drugs that result in death can face several charges, including murder…

cut 4 (05) “…member of our community.”

DOTD has completed financing for the new Calcasieu River Bridge project. State and federal funding cover 1.2 billion dollars of the 2.3 billion total cost, and the rest will come from tolls collected at the bridge. Once the bridge is open, it will cost those outside the five-parish area $2.50 with a toll tag and $3.75 without. Project Manager Paul Vaught says the state will retain around 15 percent of the tolls’ net profit…

cut 15 (12) “…five-parish area.”

Construction will start early 2026 and finish by 2031.

 
Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves donated 10 thousand dollars to fund a 3D-printed artificial reef off the coast of Grand Isle.  He expressed his commitment to preserving Louisiana’s natural resources with plans to build four more artificial reefs in the Gulf.

cut 8 (07) “…great fishing again.”