State officials are in talks with the Trump administration to use part of Angola State Penitentiary to house ICE detainees. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The police force in one small community in Jefferson Davis Parish is now down to one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Saints are nearing the start of the regular season as they take on the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday in their first preseason game. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pine) reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The former police chief of the small Lafourche Parish community of Golden Meadow is arrested for allegedly deleting a dozen years worth of files on his way out the door. Tony Dufrene is charged with injuring public records, computer tampering and malfeasance in office. Attorney General Liz Murrill says that data includes traffic citations and fuel expenditures.

Cut 4 (06) “…recover it all.”

Murrill says this all happened after Dufrene lost his bid for re-election.

Cut 5 (08) “…under any circumstances.”

Murrill says after Dufrene lost his re-election bid, protocols should have been in place to prevent him from doing what he allegedly did.

Cut 6 (11) “…something like that.”

Dufrene’s bond was set at 15-thousand dollars.

________________________________________________________

Angola State Penitentiary may begin housing ICE detainees. Louisiana leaders and the Trump administration are in talks to use the prison facility as the President widens the crackdown on immigrants in the country illegally. West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard welcomes the opportunity.

Cut 7 (09) “…always done.”

A wing previously known as “Camp J,” which closed in 2018 due to its condition, is the likely site to house the detainees. Last month, Governor Landry issued an executive order allowing renovations to the wing to proceed without typical bidding rules. Havard says it’s a win-win.

Cut 8 (11) “…be in jail.”

Concerns have reportedly been raised over housing ICE detainees in the same facility as those convicted of violent crimes. Havard says details are still being worked out, but he is confident in the ability of the staff at Angola.

Cut 9 (07)  “…willing to work.”

________________________________________________________

Due to budget constraints, the police chief in one small Jefferson Davis Parish community is forced to lay off his entire force. The decision was made following a contentious council meeting earlier this week. Kay Hebert, the mayor pro tem of Elton, says Police Chief Bruce Lemelle had no other choice.

Cut 10 (09) “…has been exceeded.”

Hebert says Lemelle has already gone through all the money that the council had allocated to the police department – something that Lemelle disputes.

Cut 11 (06) “…has been expended.”

Elton has a population of about 800 people. Hebert says Lemelle knew what his department was budgeted for, and he overextended it.

Cut 12 (11) “…and other officers.”

Since the position of police chief is elected in the Town of Elton, Lemelle is now the only employee in the town’s police department. Law enforcement calls in Elton will now be handled by the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, which will mean increased response times.

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Gracing the cover of the August issue of “Time” Magazine – House Speaker Mike Johnson. LSU Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow (SAD-ow) says it’s the culmination of a meteoric rise for the northwest Louisiana congressman.

Cut 13 (06)  “…he didn’t.”

Sadow points out that Johnson was elected Speaker of the House in the middle of just his fourth term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives – this after serving just one term in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the 1880s.”

As for the story itself in the August issue of “Time” magazine, Sadow says it portrays the relationship between Johnson and President Trump as that of “good cop, bad cop.”

Cut 15 (18) “…to pay off.”

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With the Saints approaching the regular season, there are still some question marks looming with Kellen Moore’s team. The Saints play their first preseason game Sunday as Moore hopes to find out a little more about his depth. Luke Johnson of NOLA.com says to look out for who could become the last starting corner.

Cut 16 (19) “…as well.”

Alvin Kamara enters his ninth season with New Orleans. With his growing age, Moore knows he cannot do it all by himself. Moore is evaluating the running back room to see who could help limit Kamara’s workload. Johnson says to expect more running backs to be involved this year.

Cut 17 (17)  “…two-back approach.”

Preseason games are mostly an opportunity for players to fight for the last roster spots, but as a chance to mesh with each other. Johnson says he is watching out for players who could become a part of the rotation.

Cut 18 (15) “…starting 22.”

Today marks the start of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says this is gymnastics competition at the highest level in the U.S.

Cut 3 (10) “…Los Angeles in 2028.”

This is the first time the event is being held in New Orleans in 30 years. It runs through Sunday; tickets are still available.

Catch limits for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are increased, effective immediately. Andy Strelcheck, the regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, says the Gulf Council requested that NOAA Fisheries take this action for the rest of the year.

Cut 6 (11) “…than previously estimated.”

LSU football fans were sent into a panic yesterday after an unfounded rumor spread on social media that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was seriously injured during practice. Again, there’s no merit to that rumor. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says without Nussmeier, the Tigers would not only lose a leader with heavy experience, but they could kiss their playoff chances goodbye.

Cut 14 (11) “…seriously compromised.”

Nussmeier did have an accident at the end of practice earlier this week, but he is expected to return to practice by the end of the week.

ULM football coach Bryant Vincent’s workload got heavier this week as he was named interim athletic director following the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent doesn’t look at Harwell’s resignation as a setback.

Cut 10 (10) “…come together.”

LSU football fans were sent into a panic on Wednesday after a rumor on social media stated quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was seriously injured during practice. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne shut down those rumors after confirming with sources that said Nussmeier avoided any serious injury.

CUT 13: “off the field”

In case there were another scare, LSU wants to make sure its backup quarterbacks are ready to go. Head coach Brian Kelly says the two quarterbacks have potential but both have to be much more consistent at practice.

CUT 18 “big mistakes”

Earlier this week, University of Louisiana Monroe football coach Bryant Vincent was named as the school’s new athletic director. Vincent’s 5 and 1 start with the Warhawks last season sparked a new era in Monroe.  The new position comes with a heavy responsibility as he is not only responsible for overseeing his own football team, but all of ULM’s sports. Vincent believes that he is the right man for the job.

CUT 9 (9): “time calls”

Fishers will be glad to hear that catch limits for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are now increased, effective immediately. Andy Strelcheck, the regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, says the Gulf Council requested that NOAA Fisheries take this action for the rest of the year.

CUT 6 (11) : “than previously estimated.”

The former Police Chief of Golden Meadow was booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail yesterday. Agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation say former Chief Troy Dufrene deleted twelve years’ worth of records including citations, arrest reports, expenditures, and payroll information. The system that maintains those records belongs to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and is shared by the Golden Meadow Police Department. Investigators say Dufrene tampered with the records before he vacated his office after losing the election for police chief.

LSU football fans were sent into a panic on Wednesday after a rumor on social media stated that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was seriously injured during practice. The rumor on Nussmeier’s status blew up on multiple social media outlets, but Tiger Rag executive editor Todd Horne says that the fear initiated by the rumors was unnecessary.

Cut 12 (12) “…no veracity.”

NOAA Fisheries has increased the catch limits of red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

ULM football coach Bryant Vincent’s workload got heavier this week as he was named interim athletics director following the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent is also the offensive coordinator and is trying to build on the Warhawks encouraging five and seven season from a year ago.. Vincent says new ULM president Doctor Carrie Castille reached out to him about running the athletic department on an interim basis…

Cut 11 (11) “…we needed.”

The U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin today at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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NOAA Fisheries has increased the catch limits of red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin today at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says this is gymnastics competition at the highest level in the U.S.

Cut 3 (10) “…Los Angeles in 2028.”

Cicero says many gymnasts who competed in Paris last summer will be competing in New Orleans this weekend.

Cut 4 (11) “…LSU this fall.”

Rivera was the youngest member of the U-S gymnastics team that won the Olympic gold last year in Paris. Simone Biles is not competing.

As for the men, perhaps the biggest name competing is Stephen Nedoroscik, the bespectacled athlete who went viral with his pommel horse routine that won the men the bronze medal in the team competition at the Paris Olympics last year.

Cicero says the return of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships to New Orleans was 30 years in the making.

Cut 5 (09) “…so in 1995.”

Tickets are still available; go to the Smoothie King Center website or the USA Gymnastics website for more information. The competition runs through Sunday.

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Catch limits for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are increased, effective immediately. Andy Strelcheck, the regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, says the Gulf Council requested that NOAA Fisheries take this action for the rest of the year.

Cut 6 (11) “…than previously estimated.”

Strelcheck says because of the population increase, NOAA Fisheries has been able to increase the harvest limit for red grouper and to increase the harvest season out to the end of the year.

Cut 7 (14) “…7.45 million pounds.”

Strelcheck says catch limits for individual fishermen each time they go out into the water remain the same.

Cut 8 (13) “…of the year.”

________________________________________________

ULM football coach Bryant Vincent’s workload got heavier this week as he was named interim athletics director following the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent is entering his second season as head football coach and relishes the opportunity to take on more duties.

Cut 9 (09)  “…if you really care.”

Hartwell’s resignation came as a surprise. During an interview with LRN in June, he was encouraged about the future of ULM athletics, but that all ended on Monday when he abruptly resigned. Vincent doesn’t look at Harwell’s resignation as a setback.

Cut 10 (10) “…come together.”

Vincent is trying to build on ULM”s encouraging five and seven season from a year ago. He’s also the offensive coordinator. Vincent says new ULM president Doctor Carrie Castille reached out to him about running the athletic department on an interim basis.

Cut 11 (11) “…we needed.”

It’s been reported Hartwell resigned because he disagreed with Castille’s proposed budget cuts to the athletic department.

________________________________________________

LSU football fans were sent into a panic on Wednesday after a rumor on social media stated that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was seriously injured during practice. The rumor on Nussmeier’s status blew up on multiple social media outlets, but Tiger Rag executive editor Todd Horne says that the fear initiated by the rumors was unnecessary.

Cut 12 (12) “…no veracity.”

Horne spoke with multiple sources close to the program, who immediately shut down the possibility of any season-ending injuries. Horne did confirm that Nussmeier had an accident towards the end of practice, but he says to expect the LSU quarterback to return to practice by the end of the week.

Cut 13 (11)  “…off the field.”

Nussmeier comes back with the Tigers as one of the top returning starters in college football, so it is key to keeping him healthy. Without Nussmeier, the Tigers would not only lose a leader with heavy experience, but Horne says it would also ruin the Tigers’ playoff chances.

Cut 14 (11) “…seriously compromised.”

The latest cover of Time Magazine has a familiar face. U.S. Congressman and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson who represents parts of North and Central Louisiana graces the cover of the latest publication that includes an article titled “How Mike Johnson Became Trump’s Speaker.”  The article discusses his ascent to the seat and his role in getting the president’s agenda passed. Speaker Johnson was in District 4 last week to give constituents updates on his activities in D.C.

Some happy fisherman as Red grouper limits in the Gulf of Mexico have increased, effective immediately. Andy Strelcheck, the Southeast regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries says they were able to increase the limit and extend the season to the end of the year because of the increase in the population of the fish.

Cut 7 (14) “…7.45 million pounds.”

Catch limits for each outing remain the same for individual fishermen.

The U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin today at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell’s resignation came as a surprise. During an interview with LRN in June, he was encouraged about the future of ULM athletics, but Monday he abruptly resigned. ULM football coach Bryant Vincent, now also serving as interim athletic director, doesn’t look at Harwell’s resignation as a setback…

Cut 10 (10) “…come together.”

Catch limits for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are increased, effective immediately. Andy Strelcheck, the regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, says the Gulf Council requested that NOAA Fisheries take this action for the rest of the year.

Cut 6 (11) “…than previously estimated.”

Storm activity is starting to ramp up in the Atlantic; but so far, Louisiana has nothing to worry about. The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on two potential disturbances in the Atlantic. Dr. Phil Klotzbach says the Colorado State University hurricane forecast team predicts a dozen more named storms, eight of which will strengthen into hurricanes.

Cut 13 (12)  “…three major hurricanes.”

The U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin today at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the return of the event to the Big Easy was 30 years in the making.

Cut 5 (09) “…so in 1995.”

Tickets are still available; go to the Smoothie King Center website or the USA Gymnastics website for more information. The competition runs through Sunday.

ULM football coach Bryant Vincent’s workload got heavier this week as he was named interim athletic director following the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent is entering his second season as head football coach and relishes the opportunity to take on more duties.

Cut 9 (09)  “…if you really care.”

It’s been reported Hartwell resigned because he disagreed with new president Dr. Carrie Castille’s proposed budget cuts to the athletic department.

The state is expanding a program that puts money back on a SNAP recipients EBT card when they buy fresh produce. Tim Jenkins with the Department of Children and Family Services says the program started in Louisiana last April is open to all Louisiana SNAP recipients who shop at a Walmart in eleven parishes.

Cut 12 (09) “…incentive.”

For more information go to D-C-F-S’s website.

ULM football coach Bryant Vincent’s workload got heavier this week as he was named interim athletics director following the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent is entering his second season as head football coach and relishes the opportunity to take on more duties…

Cut 9 (09)  “…if you really care.”

Hartwell’s resignation came as a surprise. During an interview with LRN in June, he was encouraged about the future of ULM athletics,

We’ve only seen four named storms, and no hurricanes this season, but the Colorado State University hurricane forecast team is still calling for an above average season. Dr. Phil Klotzbach says we’re nearing the peak of hurricane season and could see at least eight actual hurricanes because…

Cut 15 (07) “…well above average.”

The U-S Gymnastics Championships get underway today in New Orleans and will continue through Sunday with 136 athletes vying for a spot on the U-S National team that will compete at the 2025 World Championships in October. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says the competition will feature five Olympic medalists, including one that will compete at LSU next year…

Cut 4 (11) “…this fall”

Rivera was the youngest member of the U-S gymnastics team that won the Olympic gold last year in Paris. Simone Biles is not competing.

The U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin today at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says this is gymnastics competition at the highest level in the U.S.

Cut 3 (10) “…Los Angeles in 2028.”

Tickets are still available; go to the Smoothie King Center website or the USA Gymnastics website for more information.

Statistics show that the birth rate in Louisiana is on the decline. Just over 52-thousand babies were born in Louisiana last year, down from more than 63-thousand in 2013. Allison Plyer, the chief demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans, says with fewer women of child-bearing age living in Louisiana, there will naturally be fewer babies born in the state.

Cut 8 (08) “…child-bearing age population.”

Schools are opening around the state as early as today; and as such, you should especially be on the lookout for kids making their way to school. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pine) reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Getting sticker shock over your electric bill? Join the crowd. The Louisiana Illuminator reports electric bills last month reached levels not seen in three years. Utility companies say soaring natural gas prices are the biggest culprit behind the price spike, with those costs passed on to customers as “fuel adjustment” charges.