The man who admitted to killing and dismembering a New Iberia woman last year has been deemed incompetent to stand trial. Anthony Hollard, Jr admitted to killing 19-year-old Sheryl Turner and dumping her body parts in the Ouachita River in January of 2024. She had been reported missing in December 2023. Hollard is being held at the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System facility in Jackson. Authorities there say they will inform the court when the accused can comprehend the proceedings and participate in his defense.

There continues to be very little tropical activity in the Gulf, but because it’s been so quiet, sea surface water temperatures are two-degrees hotter than normal. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 9 (10)  “…big deal.”

Keim says hot sea surface temperatures help fuel storms, leading to rapid intensification.

A new ICE detention center has opened at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry and federal officials announce Camp J at the Angola Prison has been renovated to house those identified as the worst of the worst criminal illegal migrants. Renovations to the wing were funded by the Big Beautiful Bill and renamed Camp 57 referring to Louisiana’s 57^th governor, Jeff Landry. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says it’s a model facility…

Cut 15 (14) “…law library.”

Landry says they expect to house about 200 detainees by mid-September and over 400 when all of the repairs to the facility are complete.

No one reached billionaire status by Powerball in last night’s drawing for the 1.4-billion-dollar jackpot and as of this morning, the jackpot is 1.7 billion dollars. That’s the third largest in history. The next drawing is Saturday at 10:00 PM.

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is concerned about what the cost of doing business is doing to the childcare industry. Mattilyn Batson, the public policy and research director, says providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business because nearly every expense involved in running a childcare center has gone up in recent years.

Cut 5 (11) “…leave.”

She says raising tuition is not a good solution since parents are also struggling and programs designed to help are underfunded.

20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina nearly trapped Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew in New Orleans. They were in town taping three weeks of shows at the Morial Convention Center. Then executive producer, Harry Friedman, says by the time they made the decision to cancel the taping of the third week of shows and evacuate, they had no way to get out.

Cut 10 (14) “…need their buses.”

After making out of the city, he says staff made sure all 30 contestants who appeared on the show were accounted for.

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Mattilyn Batson, the public policy and research director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says they’re being stretched thin financially.

Cut 4 (14) “…in their community.”

20 years ago, Wheel of Fortune was forced to evacuate New Orleans with Katrina bearing down. They were supposed to tape three shows at the Morial Convention Center, but they only got two weeks worth of shows in. Executive Producer Harry Friedman says the contestants who were slated to appear in that third week eventually did get on the show from the show’s regular studio in Culver City, California.

Cut 12 (09) “…in New Orleans.”

The Senate Finance Committee is questioning Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his health policies this morning. Senator Bill Cassidy’s vote in the committee effectively sealed his confirmation back in February. That fact was not lost on WWL-TV reporter Paul Murphy, who asked him about it yesterday.

Cut 9 (20)  “…have his say.”

State Police now have some information on the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run crash that killed a 53-year-old pedestrian in Jefferson Davis Parish last month. They say the suspect vehicle may be a green or turquoise pickup truck or SUV with damage to the front end or the driver’s side.

Camp J at the Angola Prison has been renovated to house what Governor Landry and federal officials are calling the worst of the worst criminal illegal migrants arrested by ICE. Landry says 51 migrants have already been located there, with more to come.

Cut 14 (14) “…secure America.”

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is defending his health policies in front of the Senate Finance Committee this morning. While Kennedy has long stated his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines, Senator Bill Cassidy has said President Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for his role in getting those vaccines out as quickly as they did. Cassidy said those two viewpoints are not easily reconcilable.

Cut 8 (12) “…figure that out.”

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

(Paper tearing SFX)

The sound of worthless Powerball tickets everywhere being ripped up, after not a single one matched all five numbers plus the Powerball last night. So that means the jackpot, which has rolled over every drawing since May 31st, will be worth an estimated 1.7 billion dollars Saturday night.

20 years ago, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew nearly became trapped in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump yesterday suggesting a federal crime crackdown could be launched in New Orleans. If the National Guard is deployed to New Orleans, it’s likely their presence would be concentrated in the French Quarter.  Governor Jeff Landry has said he would support the move.

—————————

Many child care providers are having trouble staying in business right now.  That’s according to the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.  Public policy and research director Mattilyn Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

Cut 5 (14) “…to other sectors.”

Batson says the simplest solution is for child care providers is to raise tuition. but, that’s a lot easier said than done.

Cut 6 (11) “…affording child care.”

Batson says there are programs aimed at helping both child care providers and families afford child care, but those programs are underfunded, which only adds to the problem.

A new ICE detention center is now open at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are having a hard time staying in business.  Mattilyn Batson, with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says they’re being stretched thin financially.

Cut 4 (14) “…in their community.”

Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

—————————

20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina nearly trapped Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew in New Orleans. They were in town taping three weeks worth of shows.  Harry Friedman, who was the executive producer at the time, says by the time they decided to evacuate, they had no way to get out – so they commandeered two tour buses.

Cut 10 (14) “…need their buses.”

The two weeks of shows they did manage to tape aired in November, with an introduction from Pat and Vanna stating that they were taped just before the storm. Friedman says staff made sure that all 30 contestants who appeared on the show were accounted for.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the hurricane.”

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is testifying before the Senate Finance Committee this morning amid chaos at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This, after Kennedy fired Susan Monarez, triggering a wave of resignations by top employees. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a member of the Finance Committee, says he will have lots of questions for the secretary.

Cut 7 (07) “…make a decision.”

Governor Landry and federal officials announce Camp J at the Angola Prison has been renovated to house what they are calling the worst of the worst criminal illegal migrants arrested by ICE. Landry says this facility fulfils the President’s promise to make America safer…

Cut 13 (08)  “…holding facility.”

Renovations to Camp J were paid for by what the President calls his “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

____________________________

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

President Donald Trump yesterday suggesting a federal crime crackdown could be launched in New Orleans.  And Governor Jeff Landry has said he would support the move.  If the National Guard is deployed to New Orleans, it’s likely their presence would be concentrated in the French Quarter. As of now, there’s no timetable on when or if the deployment would happen.

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

20 years ago, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew nearly became trapped in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A new ICE detention center has been opened at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________________________________

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Mattilyn Batson, the public policy and research director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says they’re being stretched thin financially.

Cut 4 (14) “…in their community.”

Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

Cut 5 (14) “…to other sectors.”

Batson says the simplest solution is for child care providers is to raise tuition. However, that’s a lot easier said than done.

Cut 6 (11) “…affording child care.”

Batson says there are programs aimed at helping both child care providers and families afford child care, but those programs are underfunded, which only adds to the problem.

_________________________________________________

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is testifying before the Senate Finance Committee this morning as chaos at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to reign supreme. This, after Kennedy fired Susan Monarez, triggering a wave of resignations by top employees. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a member of the Finance Committee, says he will have lots of questions for the secretary.

Cut 7 (07) “…make a decision.”

Secretary Kennedy has long stated his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines. Cassidy, on the other hand, has said President Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for his role in Operation Warp Speed, in which Pfizer and Moderna developed vaccines to immunize people from the virus that has killed more than a million people in the U.S. since 2020. Cassidy said those two viewpoints are not easily reconcilable.

Cut 8 (12) “…figure that out.”

In February, Cassidy was the 14th and deciding vote in the Finance Committee to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the full Senate, effectively sealing his confirmation. That fact was not lost on WWL-TV reporter Paul Murphy, who asked him a point-blank question.

Cut 9 (20)  “…have his say.”

___________________________________________

20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina nearly trapped Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew in New Orleans. They were in town taping three weeks worth of shows at the Morial Convention Center. Harry Friedman, who was the executive producer at the time, says by the time they made the decision to cancel the taping of the third week of shows and evacuate, they had no way to get out – so they commandeered two tour buses.

Cut 10 (14) “…need their buses.”

So they boarded those buses mid-morning Sunday morning and in the first hour of their journey back to Los Angeles, they had traveled all of two miles on I-10, with the storm clearly visible in the rearview mirror. The two weeks they did manage to tape aired in November, with an introduction from Pat and Vanna stating that they were taped just before the storm. Friedman says staff made sure that all 30 contestants who appeared on the show were accounted for.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the hurricane.”

They did, however, cut out a puzzle that made reference to the Superdome, which was used as the shelter of last resort. Since they cancelled the third day of taping, 15 contestants who were scheduled to appear on the show didn’t. Friedman says they eventually did get to appear on Wheel of Fortune from the show’s studio in Culver City.

Cut 12 (09) “…in New Orleans.”

And because he felt that the show had some unfinished business in New Orleans, Wheel of Fortune returned to the city five years later – this time, without incident.

___________________________________________________________

Governor Landry and federal officials announce Camp J at the Angola Prison has been renovated to house what they are calling the worst of the worst criminal illegal migrants arrested by ICE. Landry says this facility fulfils the President’s promise to make America safer…

Cut 13 (08)  “…holding facility.”

Camp J was built in 1976 and state prisoners lived in solitary confinement there. It closed in 2018 over concerns it was no longer a secure facility. Landry says it’s been renovated, and 51 migrants have already been located there, with more to come…

Cut 14 (14) “…secure America.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill as the Trump administration calls it, paid for the renovations to Camp J, which is now called Camp 57 in honor of Landry, Louisiana’s 57^th governor. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says it’s a model facility…

Cut 15 (14) “…law library.”

Landry says they expect to house about 200 detainees by mid-September and over 400 at the ICE detention center when all of the repairs to the facility are complete.

_____________________________________________

LSU-Louisiana Tech is not the only intrastate matchup. The Ragin Cajuns host McNeese at 7 PM. Cowboyshead coach Matt Viator returns to Lafayette after serving as an offensive analyst for the Cajuns the last four seasons. Viator and UL-Lafayette coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) worked together, and Viator likes the in-state matchups.

Cut 16 (17) “…lot of fun.”

The Cajuns started the season with a very disappointing 14-12 loss against Rice. Desormeaux says that he knows the Cajuns will turn things around.

Cut 17 (16)  “…believe that.”

Cajuns quarterback Walker Howard has been ruled out for Saturday night’s game because of an undisclosed injury. Desormeaux says former Catholic High of Baton Rouge star Daniel Beale will start..

Cut 18 (09) “…believes in him.”

____________________________________________________

The  Saints kick off their season on Sunday at noon against the Arizona Cardinals. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start under center for the Black and Gold. Head coach Kellen Moore says he is seeing lots of confidence from Rattler going into game week.

Cut 19 (15) “…lead us.”

The Saints will face a talented Arizona Cardinals defense led by safety Budda Baker and linebacker Josh Sweat. Spencer Rattler says avoiding negative plays will be the key….

Cut 20 (15) “…the chains.”