A disturbance over northeastern Mexico is expected to move into the northwestern Gulf later today or Wednesday, with a 50 percent chance of tropical development before coming ashore Thursday. Regardless of development, forecasters say heavy rain and flash flooding are possible across the state which is almost entirely under a flash flood watch through Friday.

Louisiana has expanded its SNAP fruit and veggie bonus to Walmarts statewide. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Education leaders have scheduled a public hearing today hoping to seek clarity from lawmakers on what funds the Governor is asking school districts to use in order to give teachers a $2,000 stipend this year. The fear is that tightening budgets for schools to fund the bonuses may have a negative impact on gains public education in Louisiana has seen in recent years. Lawmakers have until June 23rd to vote on the governor’s plan.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announced the official launch of Love Our Waterways – a statewide initiative that focuses on cleaning up litter and debris from rivers, lakes, bayous, beaches, and shorelines. Colonel Stephen Clark, with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says this is vital to Louisiana:
Cut 11 (12) “State of Louisiana”
More information can be found at LoveLaWaterways-dot-org.

SNAP recipients can now receive a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent with their EBT card on fresh fruits and vegetables at a Louisiana Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market location. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and Louisiana Elderly Protective Services Program Manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips is reminding families to check in on any elderly relatives. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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On the heels of a record-breaking Love The Boot Week comes another Louisiana beautification initiative. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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SNAP recipients can now earn bonus benefits when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their EBT cards at Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market locations. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says it’s part of the Louisiana Carrot Initiative.

Cut 4 (08) “…more healthy foods.”

The Louisiana Carrot Initiative provides SNAP recipients with a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers, which Greenstein says now includes Walmart.

Cut 5 (09)  “…fruits and vegetables.”

Greenstein says participants can earn up to 25 dollars in bonus benefits each month.

Cut 6 (09) “…on your card.”

Since launching in April of 2025, Louisiana SNAP recipients have earned more than 1.6-million dollars in bonus benefits through the Louisiana Carrot Initiative.

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It’s Elder Abuse Awareness month, and Louisiana Elderly Protective Services is reminding you to look for signs of elder abuse. Program Manager Ebony Thomas-Phillips says abuse includes physical, sexual, financial, medical and even caretaker abuse.

Cut 7 (10) “…types of things.”

Thomas-Phillips says her office investigates over five thousand cases of elder abuse each year.  She says if you suspect elder abuse, call 833-577-6532.

Cut 8 (12) “…is actually occurring.”

Thomas-Phillips says elderly citizens are also often the targets of scams and can be exploited by those who abuse the power of attorney. She says it’s important to educate elderly family members on how to protect themselves from scams and look out for their well-being.

Cut 9 (09)  “…say something.”

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On the heels of a record-breaking Love The Boot Week, the state is launching a brand new beautification initiative. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful have officially launched Love Our Waterways, which as the name suggests, focuses on cleaning up litter and debris from the state’s waters and shorelines. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell says dirty waterways are a nationwide problem.

Cut 10 (16) “…in our waterways.”

Colonel Stephen Clark, the superintendent of law enforcement for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says cleaning up litter from Louisiana’s waterways is vital to the state.

Cut 11 (12) “…State of Louisiana.”

The Love Our Waterways will take place throughout the month of September; and already, there are 60 events registered. Russell says you don’t need to register for an event to make a difference.

Cut 12 (09) “…up a bayou.”

More information can be found at LoveLaWaterways-dot-org.

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It will soon be much more difficult to sue the oil and gas industry. Governor Landry signed the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which bans lawsuits over climate change. Tommy Faucheux, the president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, says in his view, these lawsuits are frivolous.

Cut 13 (14)  “…the changing climate.”

Faucheux notes that this legislation is strictly limited to lawsuits related to climate change.

Cut 14 (14) “…they’ve been harmed.”

Faucheux also says that this by no means gives oil and gas companies the go-ahead to operate without fear of any repercussions.

Cut 15 (13) “…any of that.”

The bill was written in a way that does not affect the current pending lawsuits related to coastal erosion.

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The Saints begin mandatory veteran minicamp today. It will be the last on-field action for the Black and Gold before training camp in July. The Advocate’s Matt Paras says the biggest question mark for the defense may come off the field.

Cut 16 (16) “…of step up.”

The Saints spent the offseason building around second year quarterback Tyler Shough. New Orleans added veteran guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne in free agency and stocked up on four new pass catchers in the draft. Paras says Shough has embraced his role as the face of the franchise.

Cut 17 (14)  “…kind of everywhere.”

With the addition of Etienne, questions have swirled around Alvin Kamara’s status with the team, and the Saints have yet to give a clear answer. Kamara’s 12-million-dollar contract would be pricy for a backup, but Paras says he’ll be there for minicamp.

Cut 18 (16) “…dragging this out.”

Drought? What drought? Throughout the state, the chance for rain is high every day through Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says by the end of the week, it’s likely the state will no longer be concerned with drought conditions.

Cut 5 (09) “…this fast.”

Much of the state could see between three and six inches of rain this week, with some areas getting upwards of ten inches.

Registration for the Fortified Roof Program lottery closes Friday at 5 p.m. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says Louisiana is the fastest-growing state in the country for fortified roofs.

Cut 10 (09) “…twelve months.” 

A new law signed last month allowed 50-million-dollars in Louisiana Citizens Insurance excess Katrina bonds to be allocated to the program. 

Researchers from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical found that despite increasing obesity rates, severely obese individuals are receiving fewer surgeries. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The crackdown on misbehaving employees at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center continues. This morning, Cadet Jaunya Spiller was arrested after he was found with contraband and a loaded firearm as he arrived for his shift. The 30-year-old was subsequently fired and is now facing three charges.

Flooding is a possibility this week as excessive rainfall may produce flash flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An LSU Pennington Biomedical study found that Americans with severe obesity are undergoing fewer surgical procedures. Senior author Dr. Vance Albaugh says this is despite rising national obesity rates.

Cut 6 (07) “…their obesity.”

Albaugh notes that many insurance plans do not cover bariatric surgeries.

Registration for the Fortified Roof Program lottery closes Friday at 5 p.m. 3,000 individuals will receive grants of up to ten-thousand-dollars for a new fortified roof. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says residents can create a profile and register at ldi.la.gov.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the grant.”

The creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board is just Governor Landry’s signature away from becoming a reality. Jason Young, the co-founder of Americans for Lower Drug Prices, says Senate Bill 401, which passed overwhelmingly in the legislature, is designed to address what lawmakers say is a lack of accountability.

Cut 12 (12) “…to respond to.”

Tropical moisture combined with a stalled cold front could result in six to eight inches of rain across Louisiana this week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana residents should be prepared for heavy rains and the possibility of flooding.

Cut 4 (06) “…big time flooding.”

AN LSU Pennington Biomedical study found severely obese Americans are receiving fewer surgeries despite national obesity rates rising. Senior author of the study, Dr. Vance Albaugh suspects insurance coverage is partially to blame.

Cut 8 (11) “…liver disease.”

In 2024, the Louisiana Legislature and Governor Landry passed a law requiring commercial health insurance plans to include coverage for bariatric surgery. Albaugh says it has yet to be enacted.

A bill that would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board passed overwhelmingly in the legislature and is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Co-Founder of Americans for Lower Drug Prices Jason Young cautions that the bill does not impose any price controls or set reimbursement limits.

Cut 13 (06) “…put anything out.”

The deadline to put your name in the lottery for one of three thousand fortified roof grants is this Friday. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says fortified roofs protect against extreme weather and extreme homeowners’ insurance prices. Resilient roofs limit claims, prevent damage and lower insurance rates.

Cut 11 (12) “…fortified roof on.”

Nearly the entire state is under a flood watch as tropical moisture from a disturbance in the Gulf interacts with a stalled cold front. Three to six inches of rain is predicted, with the possibility that some areas could see up to ten inches of rain over the next few days. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (11) “…same location”

That’s what happened today In the Shreveport-Bossier area as numerous cars had to be abandoned.

Legislation was approved in the recently completed legislative session that seeks to lower prescription drug prices. One of the measures puts tougher restrictions on pharmacy benefits managers. P-B-Ms handle prescription drug coverage for health plans. There’s also a bill that creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Jason Young is the co-founder for Americans for Lower Drug Prices…

Cut 14 (11) “..exact same factory”

Researchers out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that despite increasing obesity rates, severely obese individuals are receiving fewer surgeries. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The viral World Cup traveler from Germany, identified on “X” as Freddy, had quite the visit to Louisiana on his way to watch World Cup matches in Houston. He got a tour of the Saints and Pelicans training facilities and during his trip through Baton Rouge, he and his buddies got a tour of Tiger Stadium. Freddy also ate at the original Raisin Cane’s restaurant next to the Baton Rouge campus and said it was life changing.

Flooding is a possibility this week as excessive rainfall may produce flash flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Registration for the Fortified Roof Program lottery closes Friday at 5 p.m. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says Louisiana is the fastest-growing state in the country for fortified roofs.

Cut 10 (09) “…twelve months.” 

The creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board is just Governor Landry’s signature away from becoming a reality. Jason Young, the co-founder of Americans for Lower Drug Prices, says Senate Bill 401, which passed overwhelmingly in the legislature, is designed to address what lawmakers say is a lack of accountability.

Cut 12 (12) “…to respond to.” 

An LSU Pennington Biomedical study found that Americans with severe obesity are undergoing fewer surgical procedures. The study’s senior author, Dr. Vance Albaugh, says one cause of this trend could be insurance coverage, saying many insurance plans do not cover bariatric surgeries or GLP1 medications.

Cut 7 (09) “…first place.”

Most of Louisiana is facing a flood watch this week as a tropical disturbance in the Gulf meets a stalled cold front over the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the chances for rain are high every day through Saturday. He says once this week ends, it’s likely the state will no longer be concerned with drought conditions…

Cut 5 (09) “…this fast.”

Keim says we could see the biggest rainfall totals on Tuesday, but a heavy downpour is possible every day this week, especially during the afternoon hours.

A Pennington Biomedical study found that Americans with severe obesity are undergoing fewer surgical procedures. Senior author of the study, Dr. Vance Albaugh says extreme obesity can predispose patients to knee or hip replacements, heart disease and other health issues that require operation. Despite rising national obesity rates, these individuals are undergoing fewer operations.

Cut 6 (07) “…their obesity.”

Registration for the Fortified Roof Program lottery closes Friday at 5 p.m. 3,000 individuals will receive grants of up to ten-thousand-dollars for a new fortified roof. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says residents can create a profile and register at ldi.la.gov.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the grant.”

Temple says Louisiana is the fastest-growing state for fortified roofs with 13,000 homes across South Louisiana.

McNeese Athletics officially trademarked the nickname Bayou Bandits. Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette says securing the trademark and protecting the identity they’ve been working to build has been a goal for a while now. He says the Bayou Bandits represent the tradition and people of Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 15 (10) “…that to happen.”