Tropical Depression Number Seven formed in the Atlantic this morning. New Orleans National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says it’s about 800 miles west of the Lesser Antilles. She says it’s expected to remain on a westward track and reach Haiti by Monday. She says this is no time to let your guard down…:

CUT 08(10)      “…time of year.”

It will likely be a week or more before we know if this system poses any threat to our coast.

New inductees into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame: Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri to name a few. Hall of Fame director Doug Ireland says Mainieri’s 641 wins in 15 years made him a shoe-in…:

CUT 13(12)      “…the class.”

Today, carbon dioxide levels in the Earth’s atmosphere are the highest they’ve been in about 800 thousand years. An expert from LSU’s AgCenter says there’s something you can do that’s actually very easy…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Golsby”

A West Baton Rouge Parish school bus driver is charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and more after he allegedly detained a 13-year-old student on his bus alone, while professing his love for her. 33-year-old Christopher Taplin reportedly sent inappropriate texts to the girl. He’s been fired from his job.

Tropical Depression Number Seven formed in the Atlantic this morning. New Orleans National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says it’s about 800 miles west of the Lesser Antilles. As far as Louisiana or even the Gulf of Mexico, Manning says right now it’s not a huge concern, but we should keep our eyes on it…

Cut 7 (06) “…more clear.”

She says it’s on a westwardly track.

And while many cut their trees due to fears of hurricane damage, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk Ballard says we need to plant more because one tree can pull 48 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air and forested areas can be up to ten degrees cooler than cities because trees act as natural air conditioners.

Cut 11 (09)  “…the summertime.”

Nearly a third of small business owners nationwide say inflation is their single most important problem in operating their business. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says the survey also shows small business owners have a dismal outlook when it comes to better business conditions over the next six months…

Cut 4 (08) “..the election” 

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, College World Series Champion baseball coach Paul Mainieri, and LSU’s all-time leading receiver Wendell Davis are going into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Chairman Doug Ireland says former LSU pitcher Paul Byrd and W-N-B-A all-star Alana Beard are also part of the class…

Cut 12 (11) “.. represent Louisiana”  

The 2023 class will be enshrined on July 29th in Natchitoches.

Tropical Depression number seven formed in the Atlantic this morning. New Orleans National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says it’s about 800 miles west of the Lesser Antilles and will remain on a westward track and is expected to reach Haiti by Monday.

Cut 6 (09)  “…out to sea.” 

As far as Louisiana or even the Gulf of Mexico, Manning says right now it’s not a huge concern, but we should keep a watchful eye on Number Seven

LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk Ballard says we need to plant more trees because a single tree can pull 48 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere annually. She says they absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store it as carbon molecules in the plants’ wood, roots, and leaves.

Cut 10 (09) “…they grow.” 

She says many people in Louisiana tend to cut trees out of fear of hurricane damage.

A nationwide survey of small business owners finds that inflation continues to be a serious problem. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Nearly a third of small business owners nationwide say inflation is their single most important problem in operating their business. That’s a slight decrease from a previous survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Businesses. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says inflation remains a serious challenge for small businesses

Cut 3 (09) “…reduced some.” 

LSU Ag center horticulturist Heather Kirk Ballard is urging us to plant more trees to absorb greenhouse gasses.  A single tree can pull 48 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere in one year. She says people in Louisiana tend to cut trees out of fear of hurricane damage.

Cut 9 (07)  “…quickly”

Fast growing trees that resist strong winds include nutall oaks, river birch, and sycamores.

The President and CEO of Ochsner Health is leaving Louisiana to run a hospital system in California. Warner Thomas has led Ochsner for the last decade and during that time the size of the health system tripled. Thomas says Ochsner’s current C-F-O Pete November will take over as the new CEO in six weeks…

Cut 12 (08) “..flourish.” 
Thomas is joining Sutter Health, based in Sacramento, California.

The House Ways and Means Committee has started looking at the possibility of eliminating the state’s income tax, without producing major cuts in state spending. The panel met yesterday and heard from the Department of Revenue. House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop says there’s a lot of work ahead…

Cut 15 (11)  “…a very big task.”
Expect a bill to eliminate the state’s income tax to be introduced in the next legislative session.

The Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation is seeking to raise rates by 63-percent because of higher reinsurance costs and also an increase in demand for homeowners’ coverage as a result of eight private insurance companies going out of business in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Insurance is reviewing the rate increase proposal.

Louisiana is bringing back an African American Heritage Trail.  Whitney Thomas has more…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Whitney Thomas” 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues guidance on complying with Louisiana’s new law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in any home sold and/or rented after January 1^st . Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says now is the time to get the detectors installed…so there will be time to work out any potential issues….:

 Cut  6 (07)  “…if it’s not working.” 

The law was passed after multiple carbon monoxide deaths post hurricanes.

Ochsner’s CEO Warner Thomas announces he’s leaving his position after ten years to serve as a president for a nonprofit hospital network in northern California. During Thomas’s time as president of Ochsner, the health system tripled in size. Thomas says he’ll be forever grateful for Ochsner’s role during the pandemic…

Cut  11 (11)  “..health care entity” 
Ochsner CEO Pete November will replace Thomas in six weeks.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues new guidelines for complying with the state’s new carbon monoxide detector law. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Thibodaux Police announce an arrest in last weekend’s fatal shooting that resulted in the death of 15-year-old Jairen Cole, who was shot multiple times inside a home. Lt. Clint Dempster says a 15-year-old male was taken into custody yesterday and charged with one-count of second-degree murder. Police are not releasing a motive at this time.

The House Ways and Means Committee has kicked off a series of meetings looking to see if Louisiana could eliminate the state’s income tax, without making drastic cuts to state services. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson is leading the effort and points to how other states without an income tax are growing…
cut 14 (09) “…no income tax”
Income taxes generate four billion dollars in revenues for the state, so if Louisiana eliminated it, lawmakers would likely need to raise property and sales taxes and eliminate various tax exemptions.

Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas is leaving to run a hospital system in California. Thomas became Ochsner’s CEO in 2012 and during that time Ochsner Health tripled in size from 13-thousand to 36-thousand employees and that includes 23-hundred physicians…
cut 10 (07) “….everyday”
Ochsner’s CFO Pete November will take over on November first.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued guidance to assist the housing and real estate industry follow a new law that requires at least one carbon monoxide alarm in every home sold or leased after January first. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says this is particulary important for homes using natural gas for heating, cooking or hot water, but also for those with whole home generation….
cut 5 (07) “…be in place”
Again this new law takes effect January 1st.

The House Ways and Means Committee has begun the process of looking at eliminating the state’s income tax as a way to bring more jobs to Louisiana. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the state’s current tax structure continues to hold Louisiana back and it’s time for real tax reform…
Cut 13 (08) “…bring that forward”
House Ways and Means plans to meet several more times before the start of next year’s legislative session.

Ochsner’s CEO Warner Thomas announces he’s leaving his position after ten years to serve as a president for a nonprofit hospital network in northern California. During Thomas’s time as president of Ochsner, the health system tripled in size. Thomas says he’ll forever be grateful for Ochsner’s role during the COVID pandemic…
cut 11 (11) “…health care entity”
Ochsner CEO Pete November will replace Warner in six weeks.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Office of Tourism is relaunching the African American Heritage Trail, which was first launched in 2008. The African American Heritage Trail has about 38 sites starting from the arrival of ships carrying the enslaved and continuing all the way through the Civil Rights period. Nungesser says it will have long-term benefits to the state…
cut 9 (11) “….for tourist”

The House Ways & Means Committee held its first meeting looking at how the state can eliminate income taxes, but still pay for government services.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation is seeking to raise rates by 63-percent because of higher reinsurance costs and also an increase in demand for homeowners coverage as a result of eight private insurance companies going out of business in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Insurance is reviewing the rate increase proposal.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism are relaunching the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. The announcement was made at the Whitney Plantation in St. John the Baptist Parish. Nungesser says the trail originally launched in 2008 with 26 sites and eventually grew to 38. He says the state also has a Civil Rights Trail, but they will now look to expand the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail…
Cut 7 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

The President and CEO of Ochsner Health is leaving Louisiana to run a hospital system in California. Warner Thomas has led Ochsner for the last decade and during that time the size of the health system tripled. Thomas says Ochsner’s current C-F-O Pete November will take over as the new CEO in six weeks…
cut 12 (08) “…flourish”
Thomas is joining Sutter Health, based in Sacramento, California.