President Biden wants to put a term limit of 18 years and issue a code of conduct for US Supreme Court Justices. Brooke Thorington has more from a local political analyst….
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins will serve on the bipartisan House Task Force charged with investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The Task Force will have subpoena power and Higgins says he looks forward to uncovering the truth.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue has informed nearly 19-thousand individual and business taxpayers about state tax refunds they’ve yet to claim. L-D-R spokesperson Byron Henderson if you received one of these letters in the mail, there are two ways to claim your refund…
cut 8 (12) “….July 26, 2025”
Henderson says by law if a taxpayer does not claim their refunds, they are transferred to Unclaimed Property.

The Louisiana Department of Education has named Elise Boutin (boo-tan) Teacher of the Year. Boutin teaches 12th-grade English at Rayne High School in Acadia Parish.
Cut 4 (07) “…children to adults.”
Boutin revived the student-produced YouTube Channel Rayne, Alive! program which connects students to local broadcasting opportunities in their area, and started a cross-country team at the school.

The Louisiana Department of Education has named Elise Boutin (boo-tan) from Rayne High School the Teacher of the Year. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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President Biden wants to put a term limit of 18 years and issue a code of conduct for US Supreme Court Justices. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LDWF is still investigating a fatal boat collision on the Tickfaw River that occurred on Sunday leaving 31-year-old Thuy Gustin of Springfield and 36-year-old Chase Sharkey of Greenburg dead. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson” 

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The Louisiana Department of Education has named Elise Boutin (boo-tan) Teacher of the Year. Boutin teaches 12^th-grade English at Rayne High School in Acadia Parish.

Cut 4 (07) “…children to adults.”

Boutin revived the student-produced YouTube Channel Rayne, Alive which connects students to local broadcasting opportunities in their area, and started a cross-country team at the school.

Cut 5 (07) “…bit of an impact.”

Boutin is going into her 15^th year as a teacher and says seeing past students succeed as adults and reach goals they didn’t think were possible is a reward in itself.

Cut 6 (12) “…did my job.”

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue sent Notice of Unclaimed Property letters to almost 19-thousand individual and business taxpayers reminding them to claim their refunds before they are transferred by law to the Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasurer’s office. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…

Cut 7 (11) “…unclaimed property.”

The total amount of unclaimed refunds due for transfer is over $15 million, and you can claim your refund one of two ways…

Cut 8 (12) “…July 26, 2024.”

Henderson says any refunds not claimed by the deadline remain the property of the taxpayer…

Cut 9 (07)  “…State Treasures office.”

The Department of Revenue will issue paper checks to all taxpayers submitting claims electronically or with the voucher by the September 6^th deadline.

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President Biden revealed sweeping changes he’d like to enact for the US Supreme Court that include term limits and an ethics code. LSU political science professor Dr. Robert Hogan says because justices receive lifetime appointments it can cause a problem when they stay on too long…

Cut 10 (08) “…talk about it.”

Biden wants to set 18-year-term limits for justices. The president would appoint new justices every two years and they’d serve a maximum of 18 years.

Ethic reforms to SCOTUS would require justices to disclose gifts, refrain from political activity, and recuse themselves from cases in which they or their spouse have a financial or conflict of interest. Hogan referred to Justice Clarence Thomas.

Cut 11 (10) “…has made.”

Hogan says because the proposed changes appeal to Democrats’ criticisms of the courts along with a constitutional amendment to eliminate presidential immunity, it’s very unlikely any of these changes will make it to the floor in either chamber.

Cut 12 (11) “…on this.”

And with a Republican-controlled House, Hogan says it’s very doubtful the lower chamber will vote on the measures either.

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Authorities are still investigating a fatal boat collision on the Tickfaw River that occurred on Sunday leaving 31-year-old Thuy Gustin of Springfield and 36-year-old Chase Sharkey of Greenburg dead and six injured. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents, along with local law enforcement, are leading the investigation to determine the cause of the collision. LDWF Sgt. Randy Lanoux…

Cut 13 (08)  “…kinds of things.”

Lanoux says it seems both boats were traveling at a moderate speed and…

Cut 14 (11)  “…taking action,”

Authorities continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Lanoux says boating accidents can take weeks to investigate due to the time it takes to reconstruct the accident and process forensics.

Cut 15 (12)  “…to say.”

No one was wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the collision.

Lanoux says to stay alert on the water, especially during the busy summer months when recreational boating activity peaks.

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Saints training camp is well underway in Irvine, California. One of the standouts so far has been 26-year-old linebacker Willie Gay. He and 2021 second-round pick Pete Werner are expected to compete for playing time alongside Demario Davis in New Orleans’ two-linebacker scheme, but Gay says their performance might change things…

Cut 16 (20) “…helps us win.” 

2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning has had a slow start to his career riddled with injury and finds himself battling for the starting right tackle spot this offseason. The Northern Iowa product says he learned a lot from working with former Saints All-Pro and current Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead this offseason…

Cut 17 (22) “…what he’s gonna do.”

The Saints offense is expected to look completely different under new Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kubiak is expected to run a motion and play action-heavy scheme like the one he did under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. Penning says the new scheme won’t help just Derek Carr and the skill positions…

Cut 18 (19)  “…fit really good.”

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Cut 19 (11) “…four or five more years”

Cut 20 (13) “…higher results.”

Cleanup efforts are underway after a large oil spill in Bayou Lafourche Saturday. The spill was traced to a leaking fuel tank and valve failure at the Crescent Midstream pumping station in Raceland. The cause is unknown and company officials say 820 barrels, or 34,440 gallons spilled onto the ground and into the water. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson (shasson) says response has been immediate and effective…

Cut 9 (12) “…been contained.”

The investigation continues into last Thursday’s fatal shooting of Lafayette police officer, Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette, a 35-year-old, who leaves behind a wife and five children. A candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday night at the Lafayette Police Department for Jolivette. Visitation and funeral services will be held Wednesday and Thursday in Opelousas.

Passenger rail service from New Orleans to Mobile is closer to getting on track, as soon as February 2025. Chair of the Southern Rail Commission Knox Ross says Amtrak and the City of Mobile will begin finalizing the paperwork over the next week so platform work can start in Mobile.

Cut 6 (11) “…downtown New Orleans.”
The goal is to have service up and running in time for the Superbowl

St. James Parish sugarcane farmer Bryce Gautreau says rainfall totals are way up over last year when the sugarcane struggled to grow because of drought conditions….
Cut 4 (11) “…last year.”

LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says sugarcane production has been increasing in Louisiana and that trend will continue this year.

More than 100 workers are on site trying to clean up an oil spill in Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish. The spill was traced to a leaking fuel tank and valve failure at Crescent Midstream pumping station in Raceland that has been fixed. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says unfortunately 17 aquatic salamanders and two turtles have died as a result of the spill and they’ve seen oil on several ducks and alligators…
cut 11 (08) “…after the fact”

Tributes and condolences continue to pour in for Lafayette Police officer, Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette, who was fatally shot in the line of duty while conducting a SWAT operation in Jeanerette last Thursday. Interim Lafayette Police Chief Paul Trouard….
cut 12 (10) “…greater Acadiana community”
Jolivette leaves behind a wife and five children. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for tomorrow night at the Lafayette Police Department. Visitation and funeral services are Wednesday and Thursday in Opelousas.

Passenger rail service could be soon available for a route that connects New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama. Brooke Thorington reports Mobile officials have to sign off on the deal…
Cut 1 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins will serve on the bipartisan House Task Force charged with investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Higgins is one of seven Republicans on the 13-member panel. The Task Force will have subpoena power and Higgins says the American people demand answers and he looks forward to uncovering the truth.

Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson (shasson) says cleanup efforts are going well following a Bayou Lafourche oil spill Saturday. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

The Louisiana Department of Revenue is about to send over 15 million dollars to the state’s Unclaimed Property Division. LDR sent over 18,000 letters advising individuals and businesses to claim their tax refunds before September 6^th. Any refund not claimed after that date will have to be retrieved from the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office.

Despite last year’s historic drought, Louisiana sugar cane is growing — in more ways than one. LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says sugarcane production has been increasing in Louisiana and that trend will continue this year…

Cut 5 (07)  “…this year.”

Passenger rail service from New Orleans between Mobile is closer to getting on track. Chair of the Southern Rail Commission Knox Ross says the goal is to have service up and running in time for the 2025 Superbowl in the Big Easy

Cut 7 (10) “…Super Bowl.”

Stops in between the two cities will include Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, Mississippi.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has identified the two people killed in a boating crash on the Tickfaw River this past weekend that also seriously injured six people when two boats collided in the middle of the night. The deceased are identified as 31-year-old Thuy Gustin of Springfield and 36-year-old Chase Sharkey of Greensburg.

Passenger rail service could be soon available for a route that connects New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama. Brooke Thorington reports Mobile officials have to sign off on the deal…
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The investigation continues into last Thursday’s fatal shooting of Lafayette police officer, Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette, a 35-year-old, who leaves behind a wife and five children. State Police is the lead investigating agency and Trooper Peggy Bourque says they are asking for the public’s assistance…
cut 15 (12) “…hotline”
A candlelight vigil will be held tomorrow night at the Lafayette Police Department for Jolivette. Visitation and funeral services will be held Wednesday and Thursday in Opelousas.

Cleanup efforts are underway after a large oil spill in Bayou Lafourche Saturday. The spill was traced to a leaking fuel tank and valve failure at the Crescent Midstream pumping station in Raceland. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson (shasson)…
Cut 9 (12) “…been contained.”
17 aquatic salamanders, two turtles, and one crawfish were found dead because of the spill. Officials are searching for three alligators and four ducks covered with oil.

Passenger rail service from New Orleans to Mobile is closer to getting on track, as soon as February 2025. Chair of the Southern Rail Commission Knox Ross says Amtrak and the City of Mobile will begin finalizing the paperwork over the next week so platform work can start in Mobile.
Cut 6 (11) “…downtown New Orleans.”
And the goal Ross says is to have service up and running in time for the 2025 Superbowl in the Big Easy.

St. James Parish sugarcane farmer Bryce Gautreau says rainfall totals are way up over last year when the sugarcane struggled to grow because of drought conditions….
Cut 4 (11) “…last year.”
LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says sugarcane production has been increasing in Louisiana and that trend will continue this year.

The investigation continues into Thursday’s fatal shooting of a Lafayette Police Officer. Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette was gunned down while trying to end a hostage situation in Jeanerette. The 35-year-old was one of four officers shot and his wounds were fatal. State Police Trooper Peggy Bourque says L-S-P is leading the investigation…
Cut 10 (12) “…available.”
Media outlets in Lafayette have identified the shooter as 31-year-old Nyjal Hurst. There will be a vigil tomorrow night for Corporal Jolivette at the Lafayette Police Department. Visitation is Wednesday night at Our Saviors Church in Opelousas. The funeral is Thursday afternoon.

Two people were killed over the weekend when two boats collided on the Tickfaw River near Kings Point in Livingston Parish. A 25-foot pontoon boat and a 25 foot Sea Fox boat hit each other around midnight on Saturday night, causing significant damage to the pontoon boat. A 27-year-old female and a 36-year-old male died and six others suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Standardized test scores from other states indicate students are behind due to the pandemic, but the latest LEAP scores show Louisiana public school students are performing at pre-COVID levels. However, Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it’s still not a cause for celebration.
Cut 19 (08) “…big challenge.”
2024 LEAP scores show a slight improvement in English scores, but math scores held steady.

Tributes and condolences continue to pour in for Lafayette Police officer, Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette, who was fatally shot in the line of duty while conducting a SWAT operation in Jeanerette last Thursday. Interim Lafayette Police Chief Paul Trouard is appreciative of the support his department has received…
cut 12 (10) “…greater Acadiana community”
Jolivette leaves behind a wife and five children. The suspect in the shooting is behind bars. Authorities say he has a long criminal history.

Rain chances are down this week compared to the last couple of weeks and all of the rain that has fallen in south Louisiana this month has helped the state’s sugarcane crop. South Louisiana crop consultant Blane Viator says rainfall totals are way above normal…
Cut 3 (15) “…in maturity.”
LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says sugarcane production has been increasing in Louisiana and that trend will continue this year.