A Louisiana businessman says his insurance rates went up over 40% and he’s not sure how long he can take it. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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President Joe Biden will meet former President Donald Trump for the first presidential debate of 2024 tonight at 8 on CNN. Mel Bridges explains what that means.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Governor Landry vetoed a bill that would have given him the ability to pardon certain first-time convicted marijuana possession offenders without the recommendation of the pardon board. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A Louisiana businessman says his insurance rates are up over 40% and he’s not sure how long he can take it. Todd Hine, owner of Hine Environmental Services, a small waste services business in Sulphur, says he’s been told auto insurance rates are going up because of the state’s legal climate. He likens it to a casino…

Cut 4 (12) “…every single day.”

Hine says his insurance payments went from 300-thousand dollars to over a million, which he was able to negotiate down. He feels increasingly frustrated that he keeps having to pay more.

Cut 5 (06) “(x3)…the market.”

Hine met with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who told him insurance relief would come from tort reform legislation. However, that’s on hold after Governor Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that attempted to prevent windfall judgments for car crash victims. Landry expressed concern the bill would prevent a car crash victim from getting the judgment they deserved and would hurt the everyday working citizen. Hine says any insurance relief would help his company pay the bills and keep their customers.

Cut 6 (11) “…also.”

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President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump will meet for the first presidential debate of the campaign season tonight. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says both candidates are looking to prove something in the debate. President Biden wants…

Cut 7 (10) “…nothing to worry about.”

Stockley suggests that former president Trump, on the other hand, be careful of his onstage conduct and study up on domestic and foreign policies.

Cut 8 (10) “…for an hour.”

Despite all this, Stockley says he doesn’t anticipate tonight’s debate, which is unprecedented early in the campaign season, to be hot TV.

Cut 9 (10)  “…polls.”

The debate will start at 8 P.M. on CNN.

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Governor Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that would have given his office the ability to pardon certain first-time convicted marijuana possession offenders without the recommendation of the pardon board. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says the veto letter explanation that her bill was soft on crime doesn’t make sense.

Cut 10 (11) “…a second chance.”

Landry’s veto letter says the bill is an attempt to have the state accept President Biden’s invitation to join his soft-on-crime, no-consequences-for-criminals agenda.

Boyd, says she’s disappointed because the intent of the bill was not to prevent people from being arrested…

Cut 11 (10) “…our economy.”

The bill which received bipartisan support, Boyd says was an attempt to give individuals a second chance so they would have a fair opportunity at things like employment and housing that require a criminal background check.

Cut 12 (10) “…stopping that.” 

First-time offenders found with less than 14 grams of marijuana would have been eligible under House Bill 391.

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Data from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana’s unemployment rate decreased for the month of May to 4.1%. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director of Research and Economic Analysis Emily Epps says there were 86 thousand individuals unemployed last month, and the state is recording over 100 thousand vacant jobs, which will likely remain unfilled.

Cut 13 (08)  “…that exist.”

Baton Rouge added 200 jobs from April and almost 7 thousand jobs from May 2023, which Epps says is expected. What does come as a bit of a surprise, she says, is Alexandria’s job growth from April to May.

Cut 14 (08)  “…MSAs.”

Alexandria also added 600 jobs from May 2023 to now. However, the Monroe area lost 600 jobs from April and 1500 jobs from May 2023, which Epps says is concerning to the Workforce Commission.

Cut 15 (10)  “…state.”

Major industries that showed the most seasonally adjusted jobs gained are financial activities from April to May and construction from May 2023 to 24.

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The Mannings will kick off their 28^th annual Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls today. Archie, Cooper, Payton and Eli Manning will join more than 140 coaches teaching the fundamentals of offensive technique and schemes. The program has become a premier offensive skills camp for high schoolers across the country and is expected to host over 14-hundred kinds this year. Saints legend Archie Manning says he never expected the camp to grow past a regional event…

Cut 16 (11) “…no way.” 

The camp is open to eighth-through-twelfth grade players and not just quarterbacks. QB’s, wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends will attend seminars, participate in meetings, run through drills, and scrimmage one another over three days of camp. Manning says they aren’t trying to turn every attendee into an NFL player, but they want to make every player better…

Cut 17 (14) “…(x2)try to do.”

The Manning Passing Academy is perhaps best known for its counselors- dozens of the nation’s top college quarterbacks. Talents like Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart, and Garrett Nussmeier will have the chance to learn from Payton and Eli and participate in a public exhibition, but Manning says their primary purpose is to teach the campers…

Cut 18 (19)  “…Patrick Mahomes.”

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Cut 19 (19) “…adversity.” 

Cut 20 (22) “…overcome that.”

36-year-old Daniel Callihan the man accused of killing a Lorange woman and her four-year-old daughter is now listed as an inmate in the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center. He was being held in Mississippi since he was apprehended June 13^th. The Plaquemines Parish Detention Center is one of three jails that hold inmates for New Orleans federal court. He’s already been charged in Mississippi and Tangipahoa Parish.

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s not running for any office this year, not Mayor, not PSC commissioner, or even dog catcher. Graves says he looks forward to being a normal citizen, reintroducing himself to friends and family and…

Cut 10 (11) “…prospective.”

His term ends in January. Grave’s district was redrawn to become the state’s second majority-Black congressional district.

Louisiana’s law that calls for the posting of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom is heading for a court fight, U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even if the law gets thrown out, it’s still a political victory for Governor Landry who signed the bill and said he couldn’t wait to get sued…
cut 8 (08) “….him really”
The ACLU case will be heard by a federal judge in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana is seeing an increase this year in a fuzzy blondish caterpillar called fall webworms. LSU AgCenter urban entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says they do not bite humans, but they could do a number on trees and bushes in your yard

Cut 3 (09) “…defoliators.”

He recommends using a pesticide that has BT in it.

Governor Landry is making national headlines with the Ten Commandments law requiring them to be displayed in every Louisiana public classroom. Some might wonder if the Republican has political aspirations outside of the state. ULM Political science professor Pearson Cross believes Landry’s “end game” is without boundaries…
Cut 6 (09) “…this game.”
Cross says if Louisiana wins the court battle over the First Amendment Law, Landry would be considered a hero by Christian conservatives.

Congressman Garret Graves makes it clear he will not seek another political office this year, and that includes Baton Rouge Mayor, PSC Commissioner, or dog catcher. Graves announced earlier this month he will not seek re-election
Cut 9 (05) “…take a step back.”
But Graves plans on finishing strong by bringing back more federal dollars to his south Louisiana district.

Louisiana is seeing an increase in the fall webworm population for this time of year. Jeff Palermo reports they like to munch on leaves…
Cut 1 (31)… I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Nicholls has named Brent Haring as its new baseball coach. Haring spent the 2024 season as LSU’s Director of Baseball Operations. Before spending one year on Jay Johnson’s staff. Haring was a long-time assistant at BYU. He takes over a program that has made two straight trips to the NCAA Regionals.

Congressman Garret Graves makes it clear he will not run for another political office this year, including dog catcher.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

What area of the state saw the highest job gains from April to May? It’s central Louisiana according to Emily Epps with the Louisiana Workforce Commission…
cut 14 (09) “….MSAs”
For the year, Alexandria added 600 jobs from May 2023 to last month.

Governor Jeff Landry’s national prominence is growing with him signing a bill that requires every public school to post the Ten Commandments in their classroom, effective January 1st. Is it possible the governor could secure a spot in the Trump Administration if Donald Trump beats President Joe Biden in November. ULM political science Professor Pearson Cross says Landry just became governor in January…
cut 7 (10) “…one term”

A caterpillar called fall webworms are here earlier than usual and in greater numbers according to LSU urban entomologist Aaron Ashbrook. Ashbrook says there are few possibilities for the boom in population…
cut 5 (12) “…them less”
Ashbrook says fall webrooms like to chew on leaves so if you see a bunch of fuzzy blondish caterpillars, use a pesticide with B-T.

Louisiana’s law that calls for the posting of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom is heading for a court fight as the ACLU says its in violation of the separation of church and state. U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even if the law gets thrown out, it’s still a political victory for Governor Landry who signed the bill and said he couldn’t wait to get sued…
cut 8 (08) “….him really”
The case will be heard by a federal judge in Baton Rouge.

A caterpillar called fall webworms seem to have a bigger population this year and they are out earlier this year. They like to munch on leaves. LSU AgCenter urban entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says in heavy wooded areas the damage can go unnoticed…
cut 4 (10) “…environments”
Ashbrook says if you see fuzzy light blond caterpillars in your yard, use a pesticide with B-T.

Most of the state is under a heat advisory again today as heat indices could reach 110-degrees so be careful when spending long periods of time outside…
cut 27 (11) “….as well”
That’s Doctor Sunday Winder with the Louisiana Department of Health.

A strong line of storms is moving through northwest Louisiana and much of the northern half of the state is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 7 PM. The Monroe-Ruston area is under a severe thunderestorm warning until 3:15 PM.

A Ragin Cajuns legend has been named as the new head coach of the U-L Lafayette softball team. Crowley native Alyson Habetz was a two-sport star for the Cajuns and led the team to the Women’s College World Series in ‘93. Habetz will be officially introduced Friday.

Governor Jeff Landry is making national headlines with the Ten Commandments law requiring them to be displayed in every Louisiana public classroom. Some might question if the Republican has political aspirations outside of the state, UL-Monroe Political science professor Pearson Cross believes Landry’s “end game” is without boundaries…

Cut 6 (09) “…this game.”

After announcing he won’t seek re-election after his district was redrawn to be a majority-black one, Congressman Garret Graves says one of his main priorities is finishing out his fifth term in the U-S House…

Cut 11 (11) ” …huge wins.”

The Republican from Baton Rouge’s term ends in January. Graves says, “God has a plan, and he intends to listen.”

Daniel Callihan the man accused of killing a Loranger woman and her four year old daughter has been extradited back to Louisiana from Mississippi. The 36-year-old is listed as an inmate in the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center. Callihan faces charges in both states and federal charges are anticipated.

Louisiana is seeing an increase in the fall webworm population for this time of year. They could cause major damage to your fruit and nut trees.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31)I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congressman Garret Graves makes it clear he will not run for another political office this year, including dog catcher.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Ragin Cajun fan base is thrilled over the announcement that former player and Crowley native Alyson Habetz will be the next head coach of the U-L Lafayette softball program. Her former coach Yvette Girouard calls it a Grand Slam hire…
cut 14 (12) “…help her”

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Heat-Related Illness Dashboard is new and improved this year. Dr. Sundee Winder with the department says if you thought last year was hot, you’re right. The average number of ER visits for heat-related illness for the last decade was 2,800.
Cut 29 (08) “…numbers.”
You can see the dashboard at ldh-dot-la-gov-forward slash-heat

Louisiana is seeing an increase this year in a fuzzy blondish caterpillar called fall webworms. LSU AgCenter urban entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says they do not bite humans, but they could do a number on trees and bushes in your yard…
Cut 3 (09) “…defoliators.”
Ashbrook recommends using pesticides that don’t harm other, beneficial insects by using BT.

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s not running for any office this year, not Mayor, not PSC commissioner, or even dog catcher. Graves says he looks forward to being a normal citizen, reintroducing himself to friends and family and…

Cut 10 (11) “…prospective.”

His term ends in January.

Most of the state is under a heat advisory again today as heat indices could reach 110-degrees so be careful when spending long periods of time outside…
cut 6 (11) “….as well”
That’s Doctor Sundee (Sunday)  Winder with the Louisiana Department of Health and you can find more information and about heat-related illnesses as well as a dashboard on their website.

Process Service Specialists will spend 3.5 million dollars over the next three years to outfit an existing building to be their manufacturing facility at the Port of Lake Charles. Aaron Reeves with PSS says the expansion will create 160 new jobs with an average salary of 100-thousand dollars…

cut 8 (05) “….these guys”

A Ragin Cajuns legend has been named as the new head coach of the U-L Lafayette softball team. Crowley native Alyson Habetz was a two-sport star for the Cajuns and led the team to the Women’s College World Series in ‘93. Her former coach Yvette Girouard credits athletics director Bryan Maggard for convincing Habetz to take the job…
cut 15 (15) “….it could be a go”
Habetz will be officially introduced tomorrow.