Most of the state is under a excessive heat warning today, but LSU climatologist Barry Keim says this dome of high pressure that’s helping to bake Louisiana is also keeping Hurricane Beryl from making a turn towards the Gulf Coast…

Cut 12 (11) “… hope not.” 

Congressman Troy Carter is upset the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted Denka Performance Elastomer, a chemical plant in St. John Parish, a two-year extension to reduce emissions. Originally they had until October 15^th to cut 98-percent of its chloroprene emissions. But Denka says it’s an unrealistic timeline and will result in the plant closing. Carter says the health of the area residents should be the top priority…

Cut 7 (10) “…anti-violator move..”

Louisiana State Police Crime Lab has launched a statewide sexual assault kit tracking program. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

Police have arrested three teenagers in connection with the murder of 43-year-old Kristie Thibodeaux in the French Quarter early Sunday morning. NOPD says 17-year-old Jerben Albarec, 19-year-old Joshua Aviala-Bonifacio, and a 15-year-old boy were booked on charges of second-degree murder and attempted armed robbery. Around 4:40 Sunday morning Police responded to reports of a shooting at the intersection of Royal and St. Peter. Kristie Thibodeaux of Slidell was found seated in a vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The arrests were the result of the collaborative efforts of NOPD, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, State Police, and FBI.

Congressman Troy Carter is upset the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted the Denka chemical plant in St. John Parish, a two-year extension to reduce emissions. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

A fire broke out at the BioLab Plant in Westlake this morning, prompting a shelter in place. The fire has since been contained and the blaze is under investigation. State DEQ issued a news release that air monitors have not detected unsafe chlorine levels.

The state Crime Lab has launched a statewide sexual assault kit tracking program because of a law approved in 2023. LSP Captain Chad Guidry says the program is helpful not only for survivors, as it ensures they know where their kit is in the process, but for law enforcement too.

Cut 10 (08) “…the kits.”

You can find out more about the Tracking System and Survivor Portal under the Services tab at LSP.org.

State Wildlife has cited six fishermen for illegally catching 120 red snapper of which 97 were undersized in Plaquemines Parish. Captain Tim Fox says Red snapper fishing is tightly regulated to ensure sustainable populations, and each angler is allowed to only catch four a day and the fish must be over 16 inches.

Cut 4 (06) “…24 snapper.”

The men face thousands of dollars in fines.

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 49-year-old Ginny Williamson, 49-year-old Steven Williamson, and the child in their custody died in what appears to be a murder/suicide.

Cut 15 (11)  “…to that.”

Ard says the bodies were discovered Monday morning by a family member who then called authorities around 8:00 a.m.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab has launched a statewide sexual assault kit tracking program as a result of a law approved in 2023. Captain Chad Guidry with the crime lab says this will make the tracking process more transparent for survivors.

Cut 9 (12) “…prosecution time.”

The Tracking System and Survivor Portal can be found under the Services tab at LSP.org.

Congressman Troy Carter is upset the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted Denka Performance Elastomer, a chemical plant in St. John Parish, a two-year extension to reduce emissions. Carter says the extension undermines efforts to protect the health of nearby communities, who have been exposed to harmful emissions from the plant.

Cut 6 (12) “…from the plant.”

Denka has criticized the new regulations as politically motivated and based on flawed science.

Here is a look at commodities…

A new law will go into effect on January first that says commercial insurers must cover the cost of Bariatric surgery. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 20 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Landry plans to send Louisiana National Guard soldiers back to the U-S Mexico border. Louisiana National Guard soldiers spent three months helping with border patrols, but the mission ended earlier this month. Landry says Texas has asked the state to send engineer soldiers so Louisiana will spend 800-thousand dollars to have Louisiana National Guard there until mid-November.

The Denka Performance Elastomer plant in St. John the Baptist Parish is facing a 90-day deadline from the federal EPA to lower its emissions that community activists say is leading to higher cancer rates. But Louisiana DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto says the state will give Denka two years to lower its emissions…
cut 12 (09) “….monitoring”
Denka says the plant does not pose a public health threat and they’ve already spent 35-million dollars on emission controls.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has cited six fishermen for illegally catching 120 red snapper of which 97 were undersized in Plaquemines Parish. The men face thousands of dollars in fines. LDWF Captain Tim Fox says 33-year-old Encarnacion Lopez of Chalmette along with five others who were illegal immigrants were issued citations.
Cut 3 (12) “…fishing that day.”
Fox says Red snapper fishing is tightly regulated to ensure sustainable populations, and each angler is allowed to only catch four a day and must be over 16 inches.

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 49-year-old Ginny Williamson, 49-year-old Steven Williamson, and the child in their custody died in what appears to be a murder/suicide.
Cut 13 (09) “…shot herself.”
Ard says his office had not received any calls out to this family’ home and never received any reports of domestic violence involving this family.

Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds’ new DWI law, approved during the crime special session went into effect on Monday. The law reforms Louisiana’s approach to driving while intoxicated offenses. An ignition interlock device will be required for six months upon first conviction, if the offender had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or greater, the person’s driver’s license shall be suspended for two years.,,,
cut 7 (10) “…other states”
The law aims to reduce the state’s high rate of repeat DWI offenders.

The Denka plant in St. John Parish has received a two-year extension from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to meet the EPA’s order to reduce emissions that residents in the area claim is causing higher cancer rates. Denka says EPA’s 90-day compliance period is unworkable and it will result in the chemical plant closing. DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto agrees…
Cut 10 (07) “…90-days.”
It’s unclear if the state’s two year extension supersedes EPA’s 90-day order that will come to an end in October.

On January 1st, a new law goes into effect requiring commercial insurers to cover bariatric surgery for those who have a BMI over 40 and it will cover those with a BMI of 35 and up if they have another disease. Baton Rouge Senator Barrow says bariatric surgery is a game changer for many obese people,,,
cut 6 (12) “…all fo that”

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent triple homicide-involving a man, a woman and an eight year child. Sheriff Jason Ard says they were found dead Monday morning…
cut 14 (11) “…crime scene”
Ard says his office does not have any history of violence involving this family. And they believe it was 49-year-old Giny Williamson killed her husband and the child and turned the gun hon himself.

A new law went into effect this week that results in tougher punishment for first-offense D-W-I offenders, including the installation of ignition locking devices in order to drive….
cut 8 (08) “….driver’s license’
That’s Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds, who authored the legislation. He hopes the law can reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

The Biden Administration gave the Denka plant in Reserve 90 days to reduce emissions that some say increase the risk of cancer in St. John Parish. But the state Department of Environmental Quality is giving the controversial chemical plant two years to meet the EPA’s new emissions standards.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Authorities have identified the deceased body that was pulled out of the Ouachita River last week. Monroe Police say DNA analysis has confirmed the identity as 32-year-old Christopher Muse. Officials ask that you keep the Muse family in your prayers.

The Denka Performance Elastomer plant in St. John the Baptist Parish was facing a 90-day deadline from the federal EPA to lower its emissions that community activists say is leading to higher cancer rates. But Louisiana DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto says the state will give Denka two years to lower its emissions…
cut 12 (09) “….monitoring”
Denka says the plant does not pose a public health threat and they’ve already spent 35-million dollars on emission controls.

Sad story out of Livingston Parish as two adults and a child are dead in what appears to be a murder suicide near the town of Albany. Sheriff Jason Ard says they believe 49-year-old Giny Williamson killed 49-year-old Steven Williamson and an eight-year-old in their custody, before turning the gun on herself. Ard says there’s no known history of violence involving the family…
cut 15 (11) “…to that”

A new law will go into effect on January first that says commercial insurers must cover the cost of Bariatric surgery. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Jeff Landry says at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott he’s sending engineering soldiers from Louisiana’s National Guard to help with southern border security. Louisiana’s National Guard soldiers were at the border for 90 days before the mission ended earlier this month. Landry says Texas could still use Louisiana’s help and there’s 800-thousand dollars available to pay for this new mission.

The Denka Performance Elastomer plant in St. John Parish has been accused of producing emissions that leads to higher cancer rates. In April, the EPA gave the chemical plant 90-days to lower its emissions, but on Monday the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said it’s giving Denka two years to meet the new emission requirements. DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto says the 90-day timeline was not realistic…
cut 11 (10) “…go to China”
Denka told WWL-TV that its plant does not pose a public health threat.

Starting January 1st, commercial insurers will be required to cover the cost of bariatric surgery. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this type of coverage has been available to Medicaid policyholders and state workers…
cut 5 (03) “…to everyone”

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning in what appears to be a murder/suicide. Colleen Crain has the story
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Hurricane Beryl has set another record. It’s the earliest known category Five storm in the Atlantic Basin. Jamaica could take a direct hit from Beryl tomorrow. The National Hurricane Center expects Beryl to make landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Friday and end up in the southern Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm this weekend.

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 49-year-old Ginny Williamson, 49-year-old Steven Williamson, and the child in their custody died in what appears to be a murder/suicide.
Cut 13 (09) “…shot herself.”
Ard says his office had not received any calls out to this family’ home and never received any reports of domestic violence involving this family.

Beginning next year more Louisianans will be eligible for insurance coverage for bariatric surgery as commercial insurers will be required to cover the weight loss surgery. Medicaid currently covers the surgery and the insurance state workers have also pays for it. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this is an important new law when you consider the state’s obesity rate is around 40-percent…
cut 4 (08) “…Louisiana’s life”
The coverage will go into effect for commercial insurers on January 1st.

The EPA gave the Denka plant in Reserve 90 days to reduce emissions that some say are increasing the risk of cancer in St. John the Baptist Parish. But the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is giving the controversial chemical plant two years to meet the EPA’s new emissions standards.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Robert Taylor the Executive Director of Concerned Citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish, says Louisiana’s D-E-Q would rather believe Denka’s science over the E-P-A’s and expose the area to toxic emissions.

Thanks to a new law that goes into effect next year more Louisianans will be able to have weight loss surgery covered by their insurance. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

The Denka plant in Reserve, Louisiana, has received an extension from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to meet the EPA’s new emissions standards. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

____________________________________________

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning in what appears to be a murder/suicide. Colleen Crain has the story

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

___________________________________________

Beginning next year more Louisianans will be eligible for insurance coverage for bariatric surgery. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow has been pushing for the change so more people can qualify for coverage for what she calls life-changing.

Cut 4 (08) “…Louisiana’s life.”

Barrow says obesity costs the state $32 billion annually in health-related costs and work productivity losses. Out-of-pocket costs for the surgery range between $15,000 and $,25,000.

Former New Orleans Senator Diana Bajoie began the initiative two decades ago for insurance coverage and Barrow has since led the charge.

Barrow says a pilot test was conducted among 300 state employees who are medically qualified to show the benefits of the surgery and how it reduced other obesity medical related issues. She says the pilot’s success helped justify the legislation.

Cut 5 (09) “…to everyone.”

For state employees, the law does not change, and the state cap of 300 patients annually for the surgery.

Barrow says Louisiana is among the last states in the country to receive insurance coverage for the surgery.

A patient who was part of the pilot program Barrow says approached her in the grocery store and shared with her how dramatically her life has improved because of the surgery.

Cut 6 (12) “…all of that.”

Barrow says in the future she plans to introduce legislation for more health insurance providers in the state to cover medications that have been proven to help with weight loss.

___________________________________

Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds’ new DWI bill, approved during a special session, aims to significantly reform Louisiana’s approach to driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses. The law lowers the blood alcohol content from 0.20 to 0.15, which aligns Louisiana with most other states.

Cut 7 (10) “…other states.”

The aim is to reduce the state’s high rate of repeat DWI offenders.

Key requirements include the immediate reinstatement of driving privileges for DWI offenders who install electronic monitoring devices in their vehicles, eliminating the previous 30-45 day waiting period.

Cut 8 (08) “…driver’s license.”

The bill also introduces compliance-based removal for electronic monitoring devices, requiring offenders to demonstrate consistent sober driving before the devices can be removed.

The legislation has garnered broad support from various organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Edmonds says the changes are expected to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Louisiana

Cut 9 (06)  “…take you home.”

In 2021, the Louisiana Driving Commission reported that 40% of vehicle crashes were alcohol-related.

___________________________________

The Denka plant in Reserve has received an extension from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to meet the EPA’s new emissions standards for chloroprene, a carcinogenic chemical used in neoprene production. Denka claims the initial 90-day compliance period is too short to achieve the necessary reductions without risking a shutdown of the facility, which employs around 250 people. DEQ Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto…

Cut 10 (07) “…90-days.”

The EPA filed a complaint against Denka, citing the plant’s emissions as a substantial public health risk, particularly due to the increased cancer risk. Giacometto says…

Cut 11 (10) “…China.”

While activists view the EPA’s strict deadlines as a victory for public health, Denka has criticized the new regulations as politically motivated and based on flawed science, warning of economic repercussions if the plant is forced to shut down.

Cut 12 (11) “…monitoring.” 

The extension from the DEQ will provide Denka additional time to comply with the new standards without an immediate shutdown of operations.

______________________________________________

Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 49-year-old Ginny Williamson, 49-year-old Steven Williamson, and the child in their custody died in what appears to be a murder/suicide.

Cut 13 (09)  “…shot herself.”

Investigators believe the shooting occurred late Friday or early Saturday. Ard says the bodies were discovered Monday morning by a family member who then called authorities around 8:00 a.m.

Cut 14 (11)  “…crime scene.”

Ard says, LPSO had previously responded to calls at the West Bates residence for alarms and things of that nature but there was no history of calls related to violence.

Cut 15 (11)  “…to that.”

____________________________________________________________

Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics Director Jay Artigues (Ar-teegs) will serve as the chair of the 2025 NCAA Division 1 Baseball Committee. The former Lions head baseball coach has been a member on the committee for the last three years…

Cut 16 (14) “…I’m really honored.” 

Artigues can be a voice for the mid-major conferences. He says several conferences are represented on the selection committee

Cut 17 (12) “…everyone involved.”

The committee is responsible for selecting, seeding, and bracketing the entire 64-team NCAA Tournament field, as well as recommending rule changes. Artigues says it’s not an easy job, but rewarding…

Cut 18 (11)  “…and as the host.”