Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to make landfall in Southwest Louisiana tonight. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The severe weather is leading to many cancellations of summer schools and other programs. School districts across South Louisiana, extending to the Capital region and beyond, have announced the closure of their campuses tomorrow in anticipation of the storms. More cancellations will likely be announced throughout the day today.

An Australian woman who’s living legally in Franklinton but is not a U.S. citizen is charged with illegally voting in a pair of federal elections. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says there are open investigations into other cases of illegal voting thanks to the information found with the SAVE database; and as such she expects more indictments similar to that of Nataly Migliore.

Cut 5 (11) “…our elections.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says he opposes the proposed deal the Trump administration made with Iran to end the war there and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Cassidy says along with not meeting any of its goals, the U.S. just gave Iran a massive amount of ammunition for future negotiations that it cannot undo.

Cut 8 (10) “…in the future.”

We have our first named storm of the season, and it’s expected to bring flash flooding conditions to south and central Louisiana. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says while Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to weaken by the time it makes landfall just west of the Texas state line, the biggest threat from the disorganized storm is heavy rainfall in a short amount of time.

Cut 10 (08) “…not anticipated.” 

An Australian woman who’s a legal permanent U.S. resident but not a citizen faces up to five years in prison for allegedly voting in the 2022 and 2024 federal elections, when she wasn’t allowed to. Secretary of State Nancy Landry’s office found Nataly Migliore’s name by using the federal SAVE database, which compares registered voter lists to federal databases to check citizenship status.

Cut 4 (11) “…citizen or not.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out against the proposed deal with Iran to end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. He says the deal strikes him as what he terms “JCPOA 2.0,” which was the deal that President Obama struck with Iran, which he also opposed. He says this deal will cost the U.S. and the American people dearly.

Cut 7 (08) “…billions of dollars.”

A sting operation results in the arrests of ten people, including a St. Mary Parish corrections deputy. Investigators launched “Operation Bear Trap” after getting information that 49-year-old Earnest Ladday (luh-DAY) was bringing contraband into the jail and giving it to certain inmates. Sheriff Gary Driskell says all department employees are held to the same standards as everyone else.

Cut 15 (07) “…integrity than most.”

Tropical Storm Arthur, located off the Texas coast, is expected to bring flash flooding conditions to south and central Louisiana. The system was upgraded to a tropical storm this morning with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says Arthur could bring eight or more inches of rain to some areas.

Cut 9 (07)  “…urban flooding.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out against the proposed deal with Iran to end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. Cassidy says if it goes through, the deal makes the entire U.S.-led operation in vain.

Cut 6 (14) “…everyone failed.”

Cassidy says the deal strikes him as what he terms “JCPOA 2.0,” which was the deal that President Obama struck with Iran, which he also opposed.

An Australian woman in Franklinton faces federal crimes for allegedly illegally voting in the last two federal elections. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The state’s top running back in the Class of 2027 has committed to Lane Kiffin and the Tigers. Franklin Parish football star Trey Martin gave a verbal pledge to LSU after also considering Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss. 247 sports ranks Martin as the 14^th best running back in the nation.

Tropical Storm Arthur has formed off the central Texas cost and will spend today moving up the Texas coast line towards southwest Louisiana. The biggest threat for Louisiana is heavy rainfall into Thursday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says one to five inches of rain is expected across south and central Louisiana and some areas could see eight or more inches…

Cut 30 (10) “…this one”

With flash flooding possible, the state transportation department is urging you to be extra careful when venturing out onto the roadways. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says it’s called “flash flood” for a reason – it happens so fast, before crews have time to respond.

Cut 4 (19) “…they’re going safely.”

Mallett says if you encounter a roadway under water, Turn Around, Don’t drown.

Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack says there are just a handful of school districts who do not have the funds to pay for a two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend. Governor Landry is proposing to reduce public school funding by 170-million dollars to pay for the stipend, which according to local school officials would result in a five-percent reduction in state funding.

Landry’s plan is just for the 2026-27 school year. He’s called for studies to determine how the state can better use its financial resources to pay teachers and at a higher salary. At Tuesday’s Legislative Audit Advisory Council meeting, Alexandria Senator Luneau asked Avoyelles School Board President Aimee Dupuy if they they can handle a reduction in what is known as the M-F-P to make sure teachers get their two-thousand-dollar stipend.

Cut 12 (12) “…made a plan.”

All eyes are on potential tropical storm one as it moves up the Texas coast towards Louisiana. There’s the potential this Gulf disturbance will become Tropical Storm Arthur. LSU health climatologist Barry Keim says even if this system does not strengthen into a tropical storm, it will dump a lot of rain…

Cut 9 (09) “…12 inches or more”

Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall are expected into Thursday. If you are wondering about road closures due to high water, the state has an app for that…

Cut 6 (14) “….the 511 app”

That’s state department of transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett. Tropical storm conditions are expected to arrive overnight, and earlier along the coast.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan is returning for one more season with the Black and Gold…

Cut 3 (33) “….I’m Kace Kieshnick”

A St. Mary Parish corrections deputy is facing multiple charges after he allegedly smuggled contraband into the jail and gave it to inmates. Forty-nine-year-old Earnest Ladday has been fired and Sheriff Gary Driskell says all jail employees are fully trained to prevent situations like this…

Cut 14 (09) “…will be arrested”

The tropical disturbance moving up the Texas coast and into Louisiana is expected to dump massive amounts of rain across the state. Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued along the central Gulf Coast, extending from the east Texas coastline to St. Mary Parish…:
Cut 8 (11) “moisture with it”
That’s LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim.

DOTD’s Rodney Mallet says with so much rain, we need to be extra careful on the roads. He says the reason they always push “turn around, don’t drown” is because flash floods are always unpredictable even if you think you’re familiar with a particular road…:
Cut 5 (09) “a regular puddle”
He says if it’s raining hard the best thing to do is just stay put.

School officials expressed concerns Tuesday about funding Governor Landry’s proposed $2,000 stipend for teachers…:
Cut 2 (34) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Cameron Jordan is returning for a 16th and final season as a New Orleans Saint. The one year deal was inked Tuesday and Jordan said pretty much everyone told him to stay…:
Cut 17 (10) “in my corner”
Jordan’s 132 sacks are the most by a player in Saints history and rank 17th in the NFL all-time.

We’ve got quite an active weather pattern headed this way as a tropical disturbance moves inland later tonight. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the biggest threat is lots of rain…:
Cut 9 (09) “inches or more”

DOTD says we need to be extra careful on the roads. Andrew Greenstein reports:
Cut 1 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

State lawmakers heard from school districts Tuesday who are concerned about Governor Landry’s plan for a two-thousand-dollar pay bump for teachers. The executive order calls for the state to reduce public school funding by nearly $170 million dollars to cover the cost. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau said most districts have the money and the legislature would have to help those who don’t:
Cut 11 (06) “folks some money”
Lawmakers have until next Tuesday to vote on the order.

A sting operation results in the arrests of ten people, including a St. Mary Parish corrections deputy. Sheriff Gary Driskell says investigators launched “Operation Bear Trap” after getting information that 49-year-old Earnest Ladday (luh-DAY) was bringing contraband into the jail and giving it to certain inmates, allegedly:
Cut 13 (09) “on several people”
No bail has been set for Ladday or his alleged co-conspirators at this time.

Much of Louisiana’s coast is now under a tropical storm warning extending from St. Mary Parish to the Louisiana/Texas line. LSU Environmental Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Potential Tropical Cyclone One is moving directly up the Texas Coast…:
CUT 7 (12) “a tropical storm”
Most models show the system becoming a tropical storm today.

Heavy rainfall and flooding remain the biggest threat, and DOTD is urging you to be careful when venturing out on the roadways. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says it’s called “flash flood” for a reason – it happens so fast, before crews have time to respond…:
Cut 4 (10) “they’re going safely”
He says if you encounter an area of the road covered with water, turn around, don’t drown.

Lawmakers heard from school districts Tuesday with concern over where the money is coming from in Governor Landry’s plan to give teachers a $2,000 stipend. Districts would need to take funds originally allocated for operations to pay for the bonuses, but Caldwell Parish School Board president Gary Cassels told legislators they can’t swing that…:
Cut 10 (10) “to do it”
Lawmakers need a two-thirds vote to approve the governor’s plan by close of business next Tuesday.

Two airmen connected to Barksdale Air Force Base are among the eight people who died in Monday’s B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Family members, friends and fellow service members identified Lt. Col. Greg Watson of Haughton and Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella as being on board the bomber when it went down during a test flight, according to social media posts.