It’s feeling hotter in Louisiana and our weather is more humid. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says researchers have measured dew point levels across the eastern U.S. and dew points that rarely reached the upper 70s 50 years ago are now routinely cracking the 80s. Several factors contribute to South Louisiana’s climate.

Cut 4 (11) “…more moisture.”

Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham is reminding parents and caregivers to pay close attention to children while they’re swimming or around water and do so actively.

Cut 10 (08) “…within arm’s reach.”

Dr. Abraham says drowning is the third leading cause of death among kids ages one to 14 in the state. High fences and barriers with self-closing and self-latching gates are also recommended.

House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House a few days early and On NBC’s “Meet The Press,” yesterday the Louisiana Republican said he did it to end the chaos caused when Democrats hijacked the House Rules Committee to turn it into an Epstein hearing. He said to release the files, the discharge petition would have required the release of grand jury testimony.

Cut 14 (10) “…the court proceedings.”

Notices from the Department of Revenue are going out to taxpayers who haven’t cashed their state refunds. They have until September 6th to claim the refund before the money goes into unclaimed property but if the money isn’t claimed by September 6^th deadline, Byron Henderson with the Department of Revenue says it is NOT forfeited.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the taxpayer.”

If you receive a letter of an unclaimed state tax refund, you can claim your money by either going to revenue.louisiana.gov/UnclaimedRefund.

If you’re expecting a tax refund but you haven’t received it yet, now is the time to act. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House a few days early and On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” yesterday, the Louisiana Republican said the purpose of adjourning early was ending the chaos in the House Rules Committee over releasing Jeffery Epstein files.

Cut 13 (11)  “…Committee is about.”

Johnson says the discharge petition would have required the release of grand jury testimony.

Louisiana is due for yet another hot and muggy week, and LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not just your imagination; according to a study from the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program, it’s getting more humid.

Cut 3 (10) “…50 years ago.”

With hot weather upon us, many will be cooling off in the pool and it’s important to remember to keep a close eye on children around water. Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says drowning is the third leading cause of death in the state among children ages one to 14.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in swimming pools.”

He urges parents to enroll their children in swim classes at an early age and to surround your pools with high fences and protective barriers, including self-closing and self-latching gates.

The Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program has proven what Louisianians have felt for years: humidity levels are rising. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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If you’re expecting a tax refund but you haven’t received it yet, now is the time to act. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana is due for yet another hot and muggy week, and LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not just your imagination; according to a study from the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program, it’s getting more humid.

Cut 3 (10) “…50 years ago.”

Researchers have measured dew point levels across the eastern U.S. Keim says dew points that rarely reached the upper 70s 50 years ago are now routinely cracking the 80s. Several factors contribute to South Louisiana’s oppressive climate.

Cut 4 (11) “…more moisture.”

Keim says higher humidity prevents sweat from evaporating off your skin as easily, which helps cool you off.  In addition to increased discomfort, there are more impactful consequences.

Cut 5 (13) “…also increasing.”

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If you have a state tax refund owed to you, you have until September 6th to claim it before the money goes into unclaimed property. Byron Henderson with the Department of Revenue says it has almost 17-million dollars in uncashed tax refunds, and notices are going out today.

Cut 6 (11) “…and business taxpayers.”

Henderson says it’s important to note that if the money is not claimed by the September 6th deadline, it is NOT forfeited.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the taxpayer.”

Henderson says the unclaimed tax refunds were sent out in the form of paper checks.

Cut 8 (11) “…not been redeemed.”

If you receive a letter of an unclaimed state tax refund, you can claim your money by either going to revenue.louisiana.gov/UnclaimedRefund, or you can complete and return the voucher attached to the letter.

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With hot weather upon us, many will be cooling off in the pool. With kids, it’s extremely important to keep a close eye on them at all times. Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says drowning is the third leading cause of death among kids ages one to 14 in the state.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in swimming pools.”

Dr. Abraham says not only watch your kids while they’re swimming, but do so actively.

Cut 10 (08) “…within arm’s reach.”

Abraham urges you to always be prepared when it comes to kids and water.

Cut 11 (08) “…of an emergency.”

Abraham also urges you to enroll your kids in swim classes at an early age and to surround your pools with high fences and protective barriers, including self-closing and self-latching gates.

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***Note: Must credit NBC’s “Meet The Press”***

To avoid a vote on releasing files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House until September a few days early. Why did he do that? On NBC’s “Meet The Press,” the Louisiana Republican said House Republicans insist on the release of all credible evidence – however:

Cut 12 (15) “…include those protections.”

On NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Speaker Johnson says the purpose of adjourning early was ending the chaos in the House Rules Committee.

Cut 13 (11)  “…Committee is about.”

On NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Johnson says the discharge petition would have required the release of grand jury testimony.

Cut 14 (10) “…the court proceedings.”

If you have a state tax refund owed to you, you have until September 6th to claim it before the money goes into unclaimed property. Byron Henderson with the Department of Revenue says it has almost 17-million dollars in uncashed tax refunds, and notices are going out today. 

Cut 6 (11) “…and business taxpayers.”

Henderson says if the money is not claimed by the deadline, it is NOT forfeited.

To avoid a vote on releasing files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House until September a few days early. On NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Johnson said Republicans insist on the release of all credible evidence – however:

Cut 12 (15) “…include those protections.”

The Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program has proven what Louisianians have felt for years: humidity levels are rising. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Two months after ten inmates escape from the Orleans Parish jail, an inmate is released by mistake. Sheriff Susan Hutson says the erroneous release of 30-year-old Khalil Bryan was the result of a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”

Hutson says there will be an investigation, and disciplinary action will be forthcoming. Bryan remains on the loose.

First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you have a state tax refund owed to you, you have until September 6th to claim it before the money goes into unclaimed property. The Department of Revenue says it owes nearly 18-thousand taxpayers almost 17-million dollars. Just a reminder that money transferred to unclaimed property is not forfeited – it still belongs to the rightful owner and not the state.

President Trump has excluded 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. But, Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality the exemption is not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of 2024. Jefferson, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes will receive the most funding with over four, three and two million dollars in funding, respectively. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says hazard mitigation works to break the cycle of repeated damage.

Cut 12 (13) “…at this time.”

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Bill Cassidy has another challenger in the race for the Senate seat he’s held for two terms.  New Orleans-area public service commissioner Eric Skrmetta made his announcement on Friday.  That makes four prominent in the race.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat another big question is – who will the Democrats put forth?

Cut 6 (08) “…will do differently.”

Another incident shining a negative light on the Orleans Parish Jail as an inmate was mistakenly released on Friday.  Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer. This comes two months after ten inmates escaped from the same facility. Sheriff Susan Hutson says she knows that she and jail staff have let the community down with this latest failure.

Cut 9 (05)  “…for our community.”

Hutson says an investigation is underway, and disciplinary action will be taken.

The mistaken release of an inmate adds to the troubles of the Orleans Parish Jail. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules. Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says the exclusion is not permanent and eventually, all 25 plants will need to meet the new emissions rules.

Cut 15 (07) “…was too short.”

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Bill Cassidy has another challenger in the race for the Senate seat he’s held for two terms.  New Orleans-area public service commissioner Eric Skrmetta made his announcement on Friday.  Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat since Cassidy’s raised so much money and he’s the incumbent, the addition of a third primary challenger will be inconsequential to Cassidy’s re-election bid..

Cut 5 (08) “…point in time.”

17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding was approved for nine parishes affected by Hurricane Francine in September of last year. GOHSEP Assistant Director Sandra Gaspard says the funding isn’t a lump sum of money for the parishes, but available reimbursement for approved projects.

Cut 11 (14) “…this December.”

Nine southeast Louisiana parishes were approved to receive 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

President Trump excludes 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 in Louisiana, from federal emissions rules.  But Vannetta Hayes with the air planning division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says the exemptions are not permanent.

Cut 14 (05) “…that were approved.”

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First, there was John Fleming. Then came Blake Miguez. Now, you can add Eric Skrmetta to the growing list of Republicans challenging Bill Cassidy for the Republican Senate nomination. The New Orleans-area public service commissioner announced his candidacy Friday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says job number one for Skrmetta is to introduce himself to voters around the entire state.

Cut 4 (08) “…a viable candidate.”

An inmate at the Orleans Parish Jail was mistakenly released on Friday. Jail staff released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held for possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia, as well as resisting an officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson says the mixup was due to a clerical misidentification.

Cut 8 (11) “…the verification process.”