After raising over $29-million for his re-election, Senator John Kennedy says he wants to hit the $40-million mark before Election Day. Brooke Thorington has more…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Bayou State ranks at the top of the list, but it’s not necessarily the first place ranking consumers are pleased about. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (34) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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If you are paying more than four-dollars a gallon for regular gasoline, you are paying more than the statewide average. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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U.S. Senator John Kennedy has already raised about $29-million in campaign cash, but says he’d like to break the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says a standard rule in politics is “more money is always better”…:

Cut 4 (07)  “…get rid of him.”

Cross says there’s no reason Kennedy should stop raising campaign donations, because unused funds for this election can be saved and used in a future re-election bid, but only for the Senate. That money could not be used if he decides to run for Governor next year…:

Cut 5 (04) “…in the Senate.”

Cross says that’s a good way to curry favors or support with fellow U.S. Senators.

Kennedy now has a sizeable list of challengers qualified, but his campaign cash far outpaces all of them combined. When asked during qualifying if he’d debate opponents, Kennedy said he has a busy schedule. Cross says there’s no “upside” to him doing that…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…bad in a debate.”

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Among states with combined state and local sales tax Louisiana ranks at the top of the list at 9-point-55-percent. That’s according to Tax Foundation’s state and average local sales tax rates for July 2022. Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts says it’s a distinction that most people do not find flattering.

Cut 7 (12) “…that position.”

Fritts says the most likely reason Louisiana’s local sales taxes are higher than others is due to the fact that there isn’t as much control over the local tax structure compared to other states.

Cut 8 (11)  “…pretty high for states.”

But Fritts says consumption taxes, like a sales tax, tend to be less economically harmful than an income tax or a corporate income tax, but when a sales tax is high it still can be burdensome.

Cut 9 (08)  “…state lines.”

In July of 2025, the state sales tax will drop from 4-point45 percent to four percent.

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After hitting a record high of $4.55 a gallon for regular gasoline on June 15th, the statewide average has finally fallen back to four-dollars a gallon according to Triple-A. Fuel analyst Don Redman says the demand for gasoline has led to a drop in prices at the pump

Cut 10 (07) “…demand erode.”

Redman says travel on our roadways was brisk in June and for the fourth of July, despite record high gas prices. But he says reality has set in on how much it costs to fuel a vehicle when gas prices are above four-dollars a gallon…

Cut  11 (11)  “…that impact” 

The statewide average has fallen 50-cents over the last month. Redman says as long as the price of crude oil falls, gasoline prices will fall as well…

Cut 12 (09) “…in demand.” 

Redman says prices could kick back up if a tropical storm or hurricane slows oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico.

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Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson. A lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws is at the center of the injunction. The order gives both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial, however, Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino believes abortions will stop sooner than later.

Cut 13 (12) “…district judge.”

Ciolino says Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s defending the state’s abortion ban, most likely will file an appeal.

Cut 14 (09)  “…be illegal.”

The merits of the case will be heard in state district court, but Ciolino says due to the nature of the issue he believes it will move to the state’s highest court quicker than other matters.

Cut 15 (12)  “… than years.”

A ban on abortions in Louisiana has gone into effect twice and been blocked twice since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24^th.

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The Southern Jaguars have been picked to win the SWAC Western division based on a preseason poll released by the conference. Center Dallas Black was named to the All-SWAC preseason first team…

Cut 16 (08)  “…of the season”

Southern has two all preseason SWAC performers on the defensive line, Jordan Lewis and Jason Dumas. Lewis was the SWAC defensive MVP last season and Dumas is a transfer from Prairie View. Southern defensive defensive tackle Cameron Peterson is excited about the addition of Dumas…

Cut 17 (20) “…very fortunate.” 

Grambling is picked to finish fourth in the SWAC West Division. Grambling offensive lineman Tyler Thomas says the Tigers are ready to surprise some folks this year…

Cut 18 (12) “ …be seen” 

Grambling only plays three games on its campus this year. First-year coach Hue Jackson hopes future schedules feature more games at Eddie Robinson Memorial Stadium…

Cut 19 (21) _“…our university” 

Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school” 

Abortions can continue in Louisiana as a lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger laws remains in litigation. State District Judge Donald Johnson preliminary injunction orders attorneys on both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial.

The Louisiana Bond Commission withholds funding for the New Orleans water and sewerage board over the city’s threat not to enforce state laws that ban abortions. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Bayou State is still in its sixth surge that started about two months ago and it’s on track to be one of the longest upticks in COVID cases. And after 28 months Kanter says COVID fatigue has definitely set in.

Cut 5  (11) “…get it again.”

News broke earlier today that President Biden tested positive for COVID and is experiencing mild symptoms.

While some parts of the state are under an excessive heat warning, State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says other parts of the state are seeing rain cooling showers, and thunderstorms in the afternoon. But the standing water attracts mosquitos…

Cut 14 (12)  “…eastern encephalitis.” 

The state Bond Commission votes to withhold some state money from the City of New Orleans; $39-million in sewer & water cash. It’s in response to Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatening she would not enforce the state’s abortion law, which is currently on hold. During arguments for and against, State Treasurer John Schroder wasn’t pleased at using the Bond Commission to send a political message..:

CUT 11(11)      “…to get on.”

The excessive heat is threatening Louisiana crops. State Ag Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says corn and soy farmers are working overtime to assure their crops don’t dry up in the heat…:

CUT 13(12)      “…of the heat.”

Some parts of the state are getting some cooling rain, but that means another problem; mosquitos which transmit West Nile and Eastern encephalitis.

COVID-19. The BA.5 variant means the current surge in Louisiana is on track to be one of the longest. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Tech’s men’s basketball team is headed for Puerto Rico. The Bulldogs travel to San Juan early next month for an NCAA three game summer exhibition tour. Head Coach Talvin Hester says it’ll be a great experience for his guys. Tech has ten players returning from last season.

The Louisiana Bond Commission votes to withhold funding for the New Orleans water and sewerage board over the city’s threat to not enforce state laws that ban abortions. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

In Caddo Parish, a 21-year-old Haughton man gets the longest sentence possible, after pleading guilty to raping a child. Oscar Gonzalez was ordered to 40 years behind bars for the 2020 assault on a 7-year-old. He will also have to register as a se offender for life.

As we hear news that President Biden has COVID, state health officials say we need to be vigilant of the BA.5 variant; more infectious, but less deadly. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 3400 new cases are reported today, but there are likely many more cases yet undetected…:

CUT 04(07)      “…access to testing.”

If there’s an upside, it’s that BA.5 COVID is sending fewer people to the hospital than previous variants.

A Baton Rouge woman told sheriff’s deputies she had to play dead, after being shot by her ex right in front of her kids, in hopes she’d avoid being shot again. The victim says 30-year-old Roy Haynes instead kicked her in the stomach and left. Her children, ages 9 and 15, witnessed the whole thing. She will be OK. Haynes is now in custody; charged with attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a gun.

The state Bond Commission will withhold at least SOME state money from the City of New Orleans, to send a message to the Mayor who has vowed NOT to enforce the state’s abortion ban law. The $39-million for the Sewerage & Water Board held back, is in response to a request from Attorney General Jeff Landry who wanted it ALL held back. One commission member voting against that was Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:

CUT 10(09)      “…politically correct vote.”

The Bond Commission will consider again next month whether to release that money to the city.

The President has COVID, despite four total COVID shots. Medical experts say that BA.5 variant is awfully easy to catch. Louisiana’s state Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says COVID in its 6^th surge and this is one track to be the longest…:

CUT 03(07)      “…transmissible variant.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is elated at Senate Energy Committee approval of his offshore revenue sharing bill today. Called the RISE Act, that stands for Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems. Cassidy says the bill would remove limits on how much annual revenue sharing can flow into the state, and that money can be put to important use…:

CUT 08(12)      “…to natural resources.”

The bill goes now to the full Senate for debate. A number of Senators from all parties signed on as co-sponsors, which is good sign.

A Winn Parish woman and her unborn child were killed in a single-vehicle crash on state Highway 505 a few miles west of the town of Dodson. State Police say 32-year-old Bronwyn Chandler crashed into tree. She was taken to a hospital, but she and her baby didn’t make it.

The State Bond Commission agrees to withhold SOME state funding for the City of New Orleans; a response to Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s vow to NOT enforce the state’s abortion ban law. Attorney General Jeff Landry made the request. A $39-million line of credit for the city’s Sewerage & Water Board has been suspended by a 12-2 VOTE. Commission member and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is in full support…:

CUT 09(12)      “…be impeached.”

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bill to provide the state bigger revenue shares of offshore energy developed passed the U.S. Senate Energy committee this morning. Cassidy says the bill will lift a cap on state revenue sharing (currently at $375-million a year), and create a revenue sharing mechanism for offshore wind energy..:

CUT 07(11)      “…other coastal states.”

A bunch of senators have signed on as co-sponsors; a good indication it could pass the full Senate.

The BA.5 variant has the current surge of COVID in Louisiana on track to become one of the longest surges yet…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Jefferson Parish family is upset at their high bill from Entergy; especially because there’s been no power to their home since Hurricane Ida. The Avondale residents say the power company wants $2200, but the wire to their meter has been cut for the past 11 months. So far, no response from Entergy.

A Calcasieu Parish jury gives convicted cop killer Kevin Daigle a death sentence. Daigle shot and killed State Police Trooper Steven Vincent in August of 2015. He was found guilty in 2019. Calcasieu D.A. Stephen Dwight says Daigle was cold and unrepentant, and he stands by the choice of capital punishment…:

CUT 28(07)      “…on video.”

Daigle’s appeal is automatic under Louisiana law.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bicameral bill to provide the state bigger revenue shares of offshore energy developed passed the U.S. Senate Energy committee this morning. Cassidy says it’s called the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems Act, aka RISE…:

CUT 06(10)      “…restore that coastline”

The full Senate will debate it next.

Lafayette prosecutor Holden Hoggatt says he’s the first well-funded Republican to challenge Congressman Clay Higgins. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 26 (33)     “…Brooke Thorington.”

…and now Farm Bureau’s Avery Davidson with today’s markets….