New Orleans police report that a driver died early Saturday after the vehicle he was operating crashed into two homes. The incident occurred just minutes before 4 am at the 1400 block of Kabel Drive in Algiers.  The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead on the scene by Emergency Medical Services. Traffic Fatality Investigators determined that the driver was going north on Kabel Drive before his vehicle ran off of the roadway and collided with two residences.
The Essence Festival takes place this weekend in New Orleans but unlike many other events, festival attendees won’t be bothered by outdoor temperatures in the upper 80s in the Crescent City, or chances of afternoon showers throughout the event. Kristian Sonnier of the New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s bureau says don’t worry about weather conditions because the Essence Fest is indoor fun.

Cut 13 (09) “air conditioning”
Most of the festival takes place in Morial Convention Center by day, where speakers and workshops for personal development will be offered, and by night for concerts at the Super Dome.

The man who performed the first heart transplant in the Gulf South has passed away in New Orleans. Doctor John Ochsner conducted over 12-thousand surgeries during a 57 year career. He passed away at the age of 91. President of the Ochsner Health System, Warner Thomas, calls Doctor Ochnser an icon in the industry
cut 9 (10) “…as well”

Doctor Ochsner’s father, Alton Ochsner, helped found the Ochsner health care system. Doctor John Ochsner stopped performing surgeries at 75-years-old, but was still involved with the clinic on a daily basis.

The LSU football program has received a verbal commitment from four-star linebacker Donte Starks out of John Ehret High School in New Orleans. Starks also had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and other SEC schools. He’s ranked as one of the top inside linebackers in the country and LSU now has 19 commitments for 2019 and the class is ranked third nationally behind Alabama and Texas A-and-M.

The very first hurricane of the season debuted when Hurricane Beryl (BARREL) formed in the Atlantic Ocean.  Forecaster with the National Hurricane Center Robbie Berg it’s not unusual to see a hurricane form this early in the season…

Cut 8  (07) “every year.”

In the case of Hurricane Beryl (BARREL) it may not have the strength to get very far into the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 7  (10)  “it could weaken.”

This is the first full weekend of operation for Duck Dynasty Museum in West Monroe.  Last Sunday the facility opended featuring displays from the Duck Dynasty TV series.  The television show featured the Robertson family’s personalities and hunting business.

Lt. Governor Billy Nunguesser plans to visit the 15 thousand square foot Duck Dynasty Museum this coming week to promote it as a tourist destination in North Louisiana.

Louisiana State Police asked for the public’s help in the death of a Slidell woman who was struck from behind as she rode her bicycle on Louisiana 1090 at Brown-Switch road.  A tip led the arrest of 33- year-old Ray Louis Clark of Slidel was arrested for Felony Hit and Run and Driving with a Suspended License.  Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says the cyclist took proper safety precautions for riding her bike at night.

Cut 4  (10) “..type of collision.”

And in Louisiana sports news, the Pelicans are reportedly bringing back point guard Ian Clark.  He’s signing a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract.  Clark was one of the team’s top guards off the bench last season as he averaged seven points and two assists in 74 games. His role grew on the team after DeMarcus Cousins went down with a torn Achilles tendon in January.

A pioneer in cardiovascular health, New Orleans surgeon John Ochsner, has passed away at the age of 91. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Hurricane Beryl (BARREL) became the first hurricane of the season after forming in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Forecaster with the National Hurricane Center Robbie Berg says it’s a small storm…
Cut 6 (09) “…5 miles wide”

Berg says tiny Hurricane Beryl may not be a threat for the Gulf of Mexico, because it might not hold together as it approaches the Lesser Antilles.

CB&I laid off 370 contract workers according the Advocate newspaper. The job losses are due to Shintech canceling two contracts with CB&I. The contracts revolved around construction to expand a $1.4 billion ethylene plant project in Plaquemine. Shintech signed an agreement with Toyo Engineering which hired C B & I to perform much of the construction. The work that on the Shintech facility changed toward two other contractors.

More tickets were sold for this year’s Essence Festival than in prior 13 years according to the Advocate newspaper. A blockbuster movie that was filmed at 2016 event played a big role in driving ticket sales. “Girls Trip” was a comedy focusing on four friends attending the Essence Festival in New Orleans.

The film was released in 2017 earning over $100 million at the movie box office. The popularity of “Girls Trip” seemed to renew interest in the Essence Festival 2018 event ticket sales. The Essence Festival kicked off Friday and lasts through Sunday in the Superdome.

A pioneer in cardiovascular health, New Orleans surgeon John Ochsner, has passed away at the age of 91. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSP are asking for the public’s help as they are currently looking for a truck in the Slidell/Pearl River area following a fatal hit and run.  Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says be on the lookout for possible damage to the front end and the passenger side of the vehicle.

Cut 3 (10) “…of the crash.”

Essence Festival has started in New Orleans, bringing three days of entertainment some of the biggest names in music, comedy, and culture. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle” 

A hit and run Thursday night has left a 42-year-old Slidell woman dead.  LSP are asking for the public’s help as they are currently looking for a truck in the Slidell/Pearl River area.  Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight offers advice for cyclists.

Cut 5  (07) “off the roadway.”

The man who performed the first heart transplant in the Gulf South has passed away in New Orleans. Doctor John Ochsner conducted over 12-thousand surgeries during a 57 year career. He passed away at the age of 91. President of the Ochsner Health System, Warner Thomas, calls Doctor Ochnser an icon in the industry

cut 9 (10)  “…as well”

Thomas says Doctor Ochsner pioneered valve and coronary surgery and received the prestigous Michael E DeBakey Surgical Award in 2000.

Essence Fest has kicked off today in New Orleans, taking over the city for three days as some of the biggest names in entertainment take the town. Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Snoop Dog headline the show tonight, and New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s bureau Spokesperson Kristian Sonnier says that’s not all.

Cut 12 (10)   “and more”

Hurricane Beyrl is the first hurricane of the season after forming in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Forecaster with the National Hurricane Center Robbie Berg says it’s a small storm…

Cut 6 (09)  “…5 miles wide”

A hit and run Thursday night has left a 42-year-old Slidell woman dead.  LSP are asking for the public’s help as they are currently looking for a truck in the Slidell/Pearl River area.  Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says it’s important that drivers remember that bicycles have many of the same rights on the roadways as cars and to give cyclists a three-foot gap when passing them.  He also offers advice for cyclists.

Cut 5  (07) “off the roadway.”

3:30 PM News

A pioneer in cardiovascular health, New Orleans surgeon John Ochsner, has passed away at the age of 91. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 4 year-old girl is dead today following a shooting in Chalmette last night.  Deputies in St. Bernard Parish received the call that a child had been shot around 9:30 PM.  The girl was taken to University Medical Center where she later died.  Investigators recovered handgun believed to be used in the shooting.  The shooting appears to be accidental, but the investigation is ongoing.

A hit and run last night has left at 42-year-old Slidell woman dead.  LSP are asking for the public’s help as they are currently looking for a truck in the Slidell/Pearl River area.  Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says to be on the lookout for possible damage to the front end and the passenger side of the vehicle.

Cut 3 (10) “…of the crash.”

Essence Fest kicked off today in New Orleans, taking over the city for three days as some of the biggest names in entertainment take the town. Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Snoop Dog headline the show tonight, and New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s bureau Spokesperson Kristian Sonnier says that’s not all.

Cut 12 (10)   “and more”

Renowned New Orleans heart surgeon Doctor John Ochsner has passed away at the age of 91. President of the Ochsner Health System, Warner Thomas, says Doctor Ochsner performed the first heart transplant in the Gulf South and conducted over 12-thousand surgeries during a 57-year career. He received the utmost respect from his patients…
cut 10 (09) “…amazing outcomes”
His father co-founded the Ochsner Health System.

Hurricane Beyrl is the first hurricane of the season after forming in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Forecaster with the National Hurricane Center Robbie Berg says its a small storm…
Cut 6 (09) “…5 miles wide”
Beyrl is not a threat to the Gulf of Mexico at this time.

State Police are looking for the driver that hit a bicyclist in Slidell last night and then fled the scene. Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight says 42-year-old Sandra Royer took proper safety precautions for a night ride…
cut 4 (10) “…type of collision”
Dwight says be on the lookout for an SUV with damage to the front end and passenger side.

The Essence Music Festival is underway in New Orleans. It’s known as the country’s largest celebration of black women and black culture. Influential voices in business, politics and entertainment are speaking throughout the day and then there’s big concerts at night. New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Kristian Sonnier says it’s the coolest event in town….
cut 13 (09)_ “….air conditioning”