8:30 Newscast

A new bill would give Governor Jeff Landry the power to appoint almost 150 state board and commission chairs. Until now, the boards selected their chairs, and the most the governor could do was appoint a majority of board members and indirectly name the chair. Landry says that this change empowers new governors to further the policies they were elected on.

Cut 9 (09) “…sees fit.” 

Meantime, legal experts say former President Donald Trump will most likely not serve jail time, but LSU Law Professor Lisa Avalos says there are legal implications stemming from his 34 felony convictions, for example possibly losing the right to vote or possess firearms.

Cut 13 (12) “…vote for him.” 

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A chemical plant in St. John the Baptist Parish is threatening to shut down if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Today is the official start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, and NOAA has predicted it will be the most active on record with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan…

Cut 6  (09) “…hurricane season. ” 

While legal experts say former President Donald Trump will most likely not serve jail time, LSU Law Professor Lisa Avalos says before Thursday it was a question if he would be convicted and now it’s a reality for the former reality TV star.

Cut 15 (10) “…the land.

A chemical plant in St. John the Baptist Parish is threatening to shut down if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Saturday is the official start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, and NOAA has predicted it will be the most active on record with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes of which four to seven will be major hurricanes. Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan emphasizes that it doesn’t necessarily take a major hurricane making landfall to have major impacts on both lives and property…

Cut 6  (09) “…hurricane season. ” 

A new bill would give Governor Jeff Landry the power to appoint almost 150 state board and commission chairs. Until now, the boards selected their chairs, and the most the governor could do was appoint a majority of board members and indirectly name the chair. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell expressed concern over someone outside the board choosing the chair.

Cut 11 (09) ” …the room (x2).”

The bill now heads to Landry’s desk for his signature.

While legal experts say former President Donald Trump will most likely not serve jail time for his 34 felony convictions, LSU Law Professor Lisa Avalos says there are legal implications, for example possibly losing the right to vote or possess firearms.

The synthetic rubber manufacturer, Denka Performance Elastomer says they will likely have to shut down the Reserve plant because they can’t meet the EPA’s shortened deadline of 90 days to reduce emissions. Local advocacy group Rise St. James says is celebrating the potential closure of saying they are poisoning people in Reserve. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says Rise St. James doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

Cut 5 (06)  “…prove that.”

EPA had given Denka 2 years to reduce emissions.

Cut 13 (12) “…vote for him.” 

A new bill would give Governor Jeff Landry the power to appoint almost 150 state board and commission chairs. Until now, the boards selected their chairs, while the governor could appoint a majority of board members and indirectly name the chair. Senator Valarie Hodges of Denham Springs says she sponsored this bill because she believes it allows the governor to do their job better.

Cut 10 (05) “…to do.” 

New Orleans Representative Candace Newell opposes giving the power to a governor.

Cut 12 (08) “…community.” 

Hurricane season is upon us officially beginning Saturday. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan says it’s important to know your risks. If you live in a storm surge evacuation zone, you should already have a plan of where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll take with you.

Cut 8 (11)  “…to stay.” 

Synthetic rubber manufacturer Denka Performance Elastomer says it will be forced to shut down its Reserve plant if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed after the agency shortened Denka’s deadline to reduce emissions from 2 years to 90 days. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says that’s an impossible task.

Cut 3 (08) “…90 days (x2).” 

The EPA says the 90-day rule is needed because Denka poses a quote-unquote “imminent and substantial danger” to nearby communities.

Saturday is the official start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, and NOAA has predicted it will be the most active on record with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes of which four to seven will be major hurricanes. Regardless of the forecast National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan says…

Cut 6  (09) “…hurricane season. ” 

A new bill would allow the governor to appoint dozens of state board chairs. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

LSU Baseball takes a win at the Chapel Hill Regionals today in a come from behind victory defeating Wofford 4 to 3 after being down 3 to 1 in the 8^th.  Credit Steven Milam with the exciting Walk Off Home Run. It was his second Homer of the day. The Tigers will play the winner of tonight’s game between North Carolina and Long Island tomorrow at four.

An E-S-A bill is headed to the governor’s desk. The legislation would expand the state’s current voucher program so families of higher income levels can receive public dollars to help pay for private school tuition. Council for a Better Lousiana President Barry Erwin says the program will be phased in slowly…
cut 11 (11) “…long runway”
Erwin says it remains to be seen how many families will be eligible and how much money they will receive.

LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says yesterday’s historic verdict that found former President Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts in his hush money case will not change the views of hardcore Republican and Democratic voters…
cut 14 (09) “….by that”
Sentencing for Trump is scheduled for July 11th, days before the Republican National Convention.

A chemical plant in St. John the Baptist Parish is threatening to shut down if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Doctor Marcus Jones is stepping down as the president of Northwestern State. Jones says he’s leaving the school after 25 years to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the University of Louisiana System. Jones says he’ll also serve as a senior advisor to President Rick Gallot.

Saturday is the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane season and NOAA has predicted it will be the most active on record. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan says it doesn’t necessarily take a major hurricane making landfall to have major impacts on both lives and property…

Cut 7 (12) “…the storm.”  

NOAA is predicting up to 25 named storms, as many as 13 hurricanes, and four to seven to be major.

The Gator Scholarship Program received final passage in the Senate Thursday. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says while it’s a win for the governor, a watered-down version of the original bill is what passed.

Cut 10 (11) “…a bit.”

Synthetic rubber manufacturer Denka says it will be forced to shut down its Reserve plant if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed. The EPA shortened their deadline to reduce emissions from two years to 90 days. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser believes it’s more political as opposed to a danger to nearby communities.

Cut 4 (10) “…do this.” 

Local advocacy group Rise St. James says Denka is poisoning people in Reserve and celebrates the potential closure. Denka says they would have no choice but to shut the plant down if forced to adhere to the reduced deadline.

The Gator Scholarship Bill which will expand the state’s voucher program so more families can receive public dollars to pay for private school tuition is headed to the governor’s desk. .
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Saturday is the official start of what is expected to be a very busy hurricane season. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan says…
Cut 6 (09) “…hurricane season. ”

Synthetic rubber manufacturer Denka Performance Elastomer says it will be forced to shut down its Reserve plant if EPA restrictions aren’t relaxed after the agency shortened Denka’s deadline to reduce emissions from 2 years to 90 days. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says that’s an impossible task.
Cut 3 (08) “…90 days (x2).”
The EPA says the 90-day rule is needed because Denka poses a quote-unquote “imminent and substantial danger” to nearby communities.

The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is tonight, and for the first time ever, it’s in Monroe instead of south Louisiana. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the change in location is long overdue.
Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana (x3).”
The cook-off gives 12 of the best chefs in the state one hour to prepare their best dish using Louisiana seafood for the chance to be crowned the King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood.

Former President Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts in his hush money case that involved Baton Rouge native and porn star Stormy Daniels who said the two had sex. A majority of Louisiana voters will likely vote for Trump in the November 5th election and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says yesterday’s historic verdict should not change that…
cut 15 (11) “…teflon like”

The hurricane season begins tomorrow and the long-range forecasts are calling for an extremely active season. Usually the peak of the season arrives around the middle of August and lasts into mid-September. LSU climatologist Barry Keim wouldn’t be surprised if the tropics ramp up earlier than normal this year as a result of the conditions…
Cut 4 (06) “…between there.”
NOAA forecasts 17 to 25 named storms this season. Of those, 8 to 13 are predicted to become hurricanes, and 4 to 7 to become major hurricanes.

The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is tonight in Monroe. Mel Bridges has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting that happened early this morning involving the Iowa Police Department. Very little information has been released, but no injuries reported.

Northwestern State President Doctor Marcus Jones is leaving for a high ranking position with the University of Louisiana system.

An E-S-A bill is headed to the governor’s desk. The legislation would expand the state’s current voucher program so families of higher income levels can receive public dollars to help pay for private school tuition. Council for a Better Lousiana President Barry Erwin says the program will be phased in slowly…
cut 11 (11) “…long runway”
Erwin says it remains to be seen how many families will be eligible and how much they will receive.

How many named storms will we see in the hurricane season that officially starts tomorrow? LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says an extremely active season is expected..
cut 5 (13) “….waves”
There were 20 named storms last year and experts say there’s a good chance we’ll see more storms this year.

The New Orleans Saints announce Beloved Quarterback Drew Brees will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame this year. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Today is the start of the NCAA Baseball Regionals. The defending champion LSU Tigers will face Wofford at 11 AM in the Chapel Hill Regional. At noon today, Grambling makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010 when the Tigers take on Texas A-and-M. Also, U-L Lafayette faces Texas, Nicholls battles U-C Irvine and Tulane is at Oregon State.

The Gator Scholarship Bill which will expand the state’s voucher program so more families can receive public dollars to pay for private school tuition is headed to the governor’s desk. .
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Doctor Marcus Jones is stepping down as the president of Northwestern State. Jones says he’s leaving the school after 25 years to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the University of Louisiana System. Jones says he’ll also serve as a senior advisor to President Rick Gallot.

A New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business records to pay adult film actress and Baton Rouge native Stormy Daniels to keep their relationship quiet so it wouldn’t influence the 2016 election. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan on how the historic verdict will impact the upcoming Presidential election…
Cut 13 (13) “…energize them.”
Legal expects say it’s likely Trump will avoid jail time. His sentencing is July 11th.

The Louisiana Seafood Cookoff is tonight in Monroe on the ULM campus. Twelve chefs from around the state will compete for the title of King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cooking begins at 6:30 at the Bayou Pointe Event Center…
cut 9 (02) “…excited”
The winner will represent Louisiana in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans in August.