The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is tonight in Monroe. Mel Bridges has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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The Gator Scholarship Program is on its way to becoming a reality for the next school year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The New Orleans Saints announce Beloved Quarterback Drew Brees will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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The hurricane season begins tomorrow and the long-range forecasts are calling for an extremely active season. Usually the peak of the season arrives around the middle of August and lasts into mid-September. LSU climatologist Barry Keim wouldn’t be surprised if the tropics ramp up earlier than normal this year as a result of the conditions…

Cut 4 (06) “…between there.”

NOAA forecasts 17 to 25 named storms this season. Of those, 8 to 13 are predicted to become hurricanes, and 4 to 7 to become major hurricanes. Keim says this projected monster of a season is due to a number of factors.

Cut 5 (13) “…waves.” 

Keim says the warm sea surface temperatures could help produce storms in June and July…

Cut 6 (09) “…even worse.”

There were 20 named storms last year. 2021 was the last time a hurricane made landfall in Louisiana.

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The 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off kicks off this evening, and for the first time ever, it’s in Monroe instead of in south Louisiana. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the change of location for the cook-off is long overdue.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana (x3).”

The cook-off gives 12 of the best chefs in the state one hour to prepare their best dish using Louisiana seafood for the chance to be crowned the King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood. Nungesser says the publicity the cook-off brings is good for both the state and the chefs.

Cut 8 (07) “…special dishes.” 

While usually held in south Louisiana, this year, the cook-off is on ULM’s campus. However, Nungesser says seafood lovers can’t buy tickets anymore because, in a historic first…

Cut 9 (02)  “…excited.”

The winner of the cook-off will represent Louisiana in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans in August.

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The Gator Scholarship Program, an expanded use of the school voucher program received final passage in the Senate Thursday. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says while passage is a win for the governor, a watered-down version of the original bill is what he’ll have the opportunity to sign.

Cut 10 (11) “…a bit.”

Erwin says the Education Savings Account bill still offers opportunities for families to use tax dollars to pay for private school but the program will be phased in slower than originally intended.

Cut 11 (11) “…long runway.”

In the final version of the legislation, Erwin says the amount of money each family could potentially receive remains to be determined. He believes lawmakers wanted to proceed with caution due to an anticipated budget shortfall in the future.

The program will begin the next school year and Erwin says it will primarily focus on students currently enrolled and eligible for the school voucher program, then open to other students depending on their family’s income level.

Oversight and accountability of the program will fall under the purview of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and determine the mechanics of how the program will work.

Cut 12 (09) “…the kids.” 

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A New York jury found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business records to pay adult film actress and Baton Rouge native Stormy Daniels to keep their relationship quiet so it wouldn’t influence the 2016 election. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Trump will most likely not serve jail time…

Cut 13 (12)  “…view him.”

According to Hogan, the outcome of this case is unlikely to sway Republicans or Democrats…

Cut 14 (09)  “…by that.”

Hogan says Trump is still expected to win the Republican nomination next month but as for how his conviction will affect the voters at the polls…

Cut 15 (06)  “…November.”

Trump, who’s expected to appeal the case, will be sentenced July 11th. He’s the first former president to be convicted of a felony.

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The New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame will soon include Beloved Quarterback Drew Brees the team announced Thursday. Brees who retired in 2021 after a 20-seasons, 15 with the Saints, 13-times a Pro Bowler; Super Bowl XLIV champion and MVP; two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year talked about visiting New Orleans prior to joining the team with Katrina’s mark still fresh…

Cut 16 (16) “…greatest cities.” 

Brees credits his teammates for making his accomplishments possible, saying they inspired him every day. He led the NFL in passing seven times and broke the 5,000-yard passing barrier five times.He holds the NFL record for highest completion percentage in a season, highest completion percentage in a game, and is tied for the single game passing touchdown record. Just before joining the Saints, Brees suffered a potential career ending injury…

Cut 17 (16) “…secret weapon.”

The date of Brees induction into the Saints Hall of Fame has not been announced but some have suggested a thursday night in October when Sean Peyton returns to the Superdome as the coach of the Denver Broncos.

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Louisiana Tech takes on Kansas State tonight in the opening round of the Fayetteville Regionals. The Wildcats plan to start senior Owen Boerema on the mound. He’s six and three with a 4.91 ERA. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says Boerema is a tough left-handed pitcher

Cut 18 (17)  “…competitive kid.”

Louisiana Tech will start Luke Nichols, who is 4-and-3 on the season with a 3.74 ERA. Burroughs likes Nichols makeup…

Cut 19 (12) “…tomorrow.” 

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The Ragin Cajuns will start Carson Fluno on the mound toay against the Longhorns, while Texas will send Max Grubbs to the hill. Fluno is 4-0 with a 2.94 ERA and Coach Matt Deggs says the senior from Wisconsin has been solid for them all season long…

Cut 20 (19) “…really pitch.”

The State House gave final passage to a measure that eliminates the regulation requiring employers to give 16 and 17 year old employees at least a 20-minute meal break. Sean Richardson has more.

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If you’re out on the water this summer and spot some dead fish LDWF is asking you to let them know. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The State House, in a 63-28 vote, gave final passage to a measure that eliminates the regulation requiring employers to give 16 and 17 year old employees at least a 20-minute meal break if they work at least five hours.

The bill goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed. Denham Springs Republican Representative Roger Wilder says this legislation is good for teenagers that are looking for work.

Cut 3 (05) “…get employment.” 

Wilder says this bill will result in less red tape for employers hiring minors that make the hiring process more productive.

Cut 4 (13) “…with paperwork.” 

Wilder went on to say it can be hard finding minors with a good work ethic in today’s market.

Cut 5 (12)  “…seven or eight dollars.”

Wilder owns 19 Smoothie King franchises, including multiple in his home district of Denman Springs.

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking for help if you are on or around bodies of water this summer and see fish kills to give them a call.

LDWF Inland Fisheries Technical Advisor Robby Maxwell…

Cut 6  (11) “…appropriate manner. ” 

Maxwell says there could be multiple reasons for fish kills this summer.

Cut 7 (09) “…follow up on it.”  

Fish kills are typical this time of year. Causes have been from droughts to hurricanes, but mainly it’s due to temperature and low oxygen in the water.

Maxwell says typically after a fish kills they see very good recovery of the fisheries resources.

Cut 8 (10)  “…fish kill.” 

Neighborhood ponds are prone to fish kills due to the small size and depth and while LDWF doesn’t investigate neighborhood ponds they do keep records.

If you see any fish kills natural and non-natural this summer, report them to the LDWF as soon as possible.

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The 74^th annual Peach Festival is this Saturday in downtown Ruston, an opportunity to enjoy 12 hours of live music, an art market and it’s Louisiana so of course there’s a plethora of peachy good food. Tori Davis with Experience Ruston…

Cut 9 (12) “…in Lincoln Parish.” 

Davis says Lincoln Parish is home to the largest peach orchard in the state and the event which honors their farming heritage is the longest-running agricultural festival in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (12) “…of course.” 

It’s a day full of family-friendly activities and Davis says it’s easy on your wallet too.

Cut 11 (10) ” …all day.”

The festival begins at 9 am and the last call for peaches is 11 pm.

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Police in Zachary arrested two teenagers this morning after an attempted car burglary that ended with a woman being shot three times when she tried to intervene.  Chief Darryl Lawerence says the two suspects are 17 and 15 years old were in the Baton Rouge area.

Cut 12 (13) “…Parish Prison.” 

Because this is considered a violent crime, Lawerence says the 17-year-old is one of their first arrests that the suspect can be charged as an adult due to a recent law passed to curb juvenile crime.

The female victim has been released from the hospital.

Lawrence says detectives got some good leads on the getaway vehicle the suspects used Tuesday at 3 am and within two days they were able to make the arrests.

Lawrence says while they commend the victim’s bravery, he urges citizens to let law enforcement handle matters.

Cut 13 (09) “…a crime.” 

Instead of confronting criminals, Lawerence says to collect as much information as possible like the color, make, and model of a vehicle and a description of the suspects.