Former WAFB-TV Chief Meteorologist Jay Grymes has been named as the State Climatologist and he’ll report to Governor Jeff Landry and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Grymes says he’ll also continue to teach at LSU…

Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana.”
Unfortunately, we might hear from Grymes quite a bit over the next few months as he’s predicting a hyper-hurricane season.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted the 24-25 hunting regulations pamphlet on their website. LDWF administrator Tommy Tuma says printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at their offices and at vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Cut 5 (09) “…Labor Day weekend.”
This season’s pamphlet has the season schedule for the state’s ten deer hunting areas.

Essence Fest is underway in the Big Easy and Kelly Schulz with New Orleans & Company says the four-day event produces a 316 million dollar economic impact for the city and state…

Cut 12 (12) “…to COVID.” 
The headline performers this weekend are Usher and Janet Jackson. Vice President Kamala Harris will moderate a conversation at ESSENCE on Saturday.

If you plan on lighting your own fireworks tonight, the President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, Tracey Normand, says don’t light fireworks if you’ve been drinking, make sure they are lit 200 feet away from homes and vehicles and never let kids light or handle fireworks…

Cut 7 (11) “…the fire department.”

Former WAFB-TV chief meteorologist Jay Grymes will be the first State Climatologist under GOHSEP. Governor Jeff Landry says though the position existed prior, it was always independent from state government, so implementing a state climatologist under GOHSEP was a priority for him since day one.

Cut 9 (11)  “…weather events.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted its 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet on their website. Tommy Tuma says the pamphlet contains hunting rules, regulations, and season dates.

Cut 3 (11) “…to look at.” 
Printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August.

It’s the Fourth of July and that means a lot of people popping off their own fireworks tonight. President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association Tracey Normand says be sure you are not violating any local ordinances. Normand says drinking and driving is not a good idea; drinking and lighting an explosive is a worse idea.

Cut 6 (10) “…our digits.”
The 30^th Anniversary of the Essence Festival of Culture is underway in the Big Easy and among the headliners are Usher and Janet Jackson.  But Kelly Schulz with New Orleans & Company says the event also draws celebrities, influencers, and corporate leaders. She says it’s more than musical performances, it’s all about empowering future leaders.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the community.”

The four-day event has a $316 million economic impact on the city and state.

Governor Jeff Landry has announced Jay Grymes as the first State Climatologist to serve under GOHSEP. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

The first major hurricane of the season Beryl continues to move west-northwest and is forecast to cross the Yucatan Peninsula Friday morning then enter the Gulf of Mexico. Beryl is the first of the predicted four to seven major hurricanes of the season. The highest number of major storms NOAA has ever predicted.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries releases its 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet online. LDWF Administrator Tommy Tuma says the pamphlet also defines the gear hunters can use during the season and Wildlife Management rules and regulations.

Cut 4 (09) “…private lands.”

Printed copies will be available in August.

Before you attempt to host your own fireworks show, President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association Tracey Normand says first be sure you aren’t violating any local ordinance. And after you’ve lit your last firecracker, he says you need to properly clean up to avoid an encore light show

Cut 8 (11) “…their obstacle”

According to the Consumer Protection Agency on average 200 people will go to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4^th

Former WAFB-TV Chief Meteorologist Jay Grymes has been named as the State Climatologist and he’ll report to Governor Jeff Landry and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Grymes says he’ll also continue to teach at LSU…
cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana”
Unfortunately we might hear from Grymes quite a bit over the next few months as he’s predicting a hyper hurricane season for the state.

If you plan on lighting your own fireworks tonight, the President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, Tracey Normand, says don’t light fireworks if you’ve been drinking, make sure they are lit 200 feet away from homes and vehicles and never let kids light or handle fireworks…
cut 7 (11) “…the fire department”
According to the U-S Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were eight deaths and 97-hundred injuries involving fireworks nationwide in 2023.

The Essence Festival gets underway today in the Big Easy and Kelly Schulz with New Orleans & Company says the four-day event produces a 316 million dollar economic impact for the city and state…
Cut 12 (12) “…to COVID.”
The headline performers this weekend are Usher and Janet Jackson. Vice President Kamala Harris will moderate a conversation at ESSENCE on Saturday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted its 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet on the LDWF website. Tommy Tuma says the pamphlet contains hunting rules, regulations, and season dates.
Cut 3 (11) “…to look at.”
Printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at L-D-W-F offices.

A 23-year-old man is facing murder charges after he allegedly fatally shot his grandparents. The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office says they began investigating the shooting in the Mount Hermon area after Colby Stokes told a neighbor he shot his grandparents. The neighbor called 9-1-1 and Stokes was arrested without incident.

It’s the Fourth of July and the President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association has a few safety tips if you decide to have your own light show…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former WAFB-TV chief meteorologist Jay Grymes has been named as the State Climatologist and he’ll report directly to Governor Jeff Landry and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux says Grymes will help the state prepare for weather events…
cut 11 (11) “…what we’re facing”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted the 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet on the L-D-W-F website. LDWF administrator Tommy Tuma says printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at LDWF offices and at vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
Cut 5 (09) “…Labor Day weekend.”
This season’s pamphlet has the season schedule for the state’s ten deer hunting areas.

Hurricane Beryl has moved past Jamaica and has its eyes set on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Beryl is a Category Three storm, but weakening is expected today. Forecasters are calling for Beryl to enter the southern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday as a tropical storm and make a final landfall as a Category one hurricane early next week near the Texas-Mexico border.

Governor Jeff Landry has announced Jay Grymes as the first State Climatologist to serve under Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

It’s Fourth of July and that means a lot of people popping off their own fireworks tonight. President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association Tracey Normand says be sure you are not violating any local ordinances. Normand says drinking and driving is not a good idea; drinking and lighting an explosive is a worse idea.
Cut 6 (10) “…our digits.”

It’s a big tourism weekend for New Orleans as Essence Festival gets underway today. The annual musical festival started in 1995 in New Orleans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence Magazine. New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says now Essence Fest is celebrating 30 years. Schulz says the July-August issue of Essence Magazine is a love letter to New Orleans…
cut 14 (12) “…well beyond”
Usher and Janet Jackson will perform at Essence Festival this weekend.

It wouldn’t be Independence Day without fireworks and the President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association has a few safety tips if you decide to put on your own light show.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry has announced Jay Grymes as the first State Climatologist to serve under GOHSEP. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries releases its 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet online at the LDWF website. The pamphlet contains hunting rules, regulations, and season dates. LDWF Administrator Tommy Tuma…

Cut 3 (11) “…to look at.” 

Tuma says the pamphlet also defines the gear hunters can use during the season and Wildlife Management Area (WMA) rules and regulations.

Cut 4 (09) “…private lands.”

Printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at LDWF offices and at vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Cut 5 (09) “…Labor Day weekend.”

This season’s pamphlet also has the season schedule for the state’s ten deer hunting areas.

___________________________________

Before you attempt to host your own fireworks show, President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association Tracey Normand says first be sure you aren’t violating any local ordinances. He says drinking and driving isn’t a good idea; drinking and something explosive is a worse idea.

Cut 6 (10) “…our digits.”

The Gonzales Fire Chief says to set off fireworks at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles, and trash and never to allow children to light or handle fireworks. And make sure you have either a fire extinguisher or water nearby.

Cut 7 (11) “…the fire department.”

And after you’ve lit your last firecracker, Normand says it’s imperative to clean up afterward to avoid an encore light show

Cut 8 (11) “…their obstacle”

According to the Consumer Protection Agency on average 200 people will go to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4^th holiday.

___________________________________

Jay Grymes will be the first State Climatologist under GOHSEP. Governor Jeff Landry says though the position existed prior, it was always independent from state government, so implementing a state climatologist under GOHSEP was a priority for him since day one.

Cut 9 (11)  “…weather events.”

Grymes comes into the role with over 30 years of experience, including serving as state climatologist from 1991 to 2003. Grymes says he’s looking forward to being state climatologist again, this time in a partnership between GOHSEP and LSU, where he currently teaches.

Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana.”

GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux says his department welcomes Grymes’ help in determining what weather events are approaching and how to prepare for them, as well as having a single, official voice from the state government on climate and weather.

Cut 11 (1) “…what we’re facing.”

Grymes will continue teaching at LSU while serving as state climatologist.

___________________________________

The 30^th Anniversary of the Essence Festival of Culture is underway in the Big Easy and Kelly Schulz with New Orleans & Company says the four-day event is a 4^th of July tradition. She says the economic impact for the city and state is as much as $316 million.

Cut 12 (12) “…to COVID.” 

The headliners this year are Usher and Janet Jackson. Schulz says the event also draws celebrities, influencers, and corporate leaders. She says it’s more than musical performances, it’s all about empowering future leaders.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the community.”

And in honor of the festival’s 30^th anniversary, Schulz says the July/August issue of Essence magazine is a love letter to New Orleans.

Cut 14 (12)  “…well beyond.”

She says Essence is devoting $45,000 to support local schools and organizations across New Orleans.  Vice President Kamala Harris is also attending the festival for a third year.

____________________________________________________________

Cut 15 (11)  “…adjustments.”

Cut 16 (14) “…I’m really honored.” 

Cut 17 (12) “…everyone involved.”

Cut 18 (11)  “…and as the host.”

___________________________________________________________________

Cut 19 (19) “…adversity.” 

Cut 20 (22) “…overcome that.”

Governor Jeff Landry has announced the extension of Operation Lone Star and will deploy more Louisiana National Guard engineers to the southern border on July 15th. LANG spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Collins says this reflects the state’s commitment to collaborating with Texas in addressing border security issues and highlights the growing scope of the operation.

cut 5 (08) “…respond to that.”

Hurricane Beryl remains a Category 4 as it barrels towards Jamaica and Central America. Newly appointed state climatologist Jay Grymes says Beryl is expected to turn towards the Gulf early next week, but tells Louisianans not to worry.

cut 12 (11) “…(x2) Louisiana.”

Beryl is expected to hit the Texas-Mexico border as a tropical storm on Monday.

Angola has been ordered to improve conditions for inmates required to work on the farm line. Federal Judge Brian Jackson told the prison to quickly correct what he called quote “glaring deficiencies of their heat-related policies.” Promise of Justice Initiative Legal Director Colin Reingold…

cut 9 (10) “…the farm line.”

The State Department of Corrections says the work conducted on the farm line falls under constitutional and industrial standards, and they plan to appeal the ruling.

 
Fourth of July means BBQs and fireworks but it’s not always a great time for pets. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Communications Manager Ginger Gutner says if you know your pet will be anxious because of fireworks, contact your vet to discuss what you can do to help alleviate that…

cut 7 (09) “…muffled.”

LSU pitcher Thatcher Hurd has entered the transfer portal. Hunt Palmer with ESPN Baton Rouge explains it’s not a big loss for the Tigers as Hurd is expected to be a high draft pick later this month and sign with a Major League Baseball team…
cut 20 (10″ to the table”
MLB-dot-com ranks Hurd as the 114th best prospect.

LSU shortstop Ryan Kucherak has also entered the transfer portal. He was ranked as the second best high school shortstop in Arizona by Perfect Game, but barely saw the field last year.

There’s been a lot of talk about Texas A-and-M infielder Kaeden Kent transferring to LSU, but Kent announced today he’s returning to the Aggies.

Louisiana Tech announced today that associate head coach Mitch Gaspard is retiring after five years with the Bulldogs. Gaspard is also a former head coach at Alabama and Northwestern State.

Former LSU star Angel Reese is a WNBA All-Star. This news comes after he was just named the WNBA Rookie of the Money for June. Reese leads the league in rebounds and she also averages 13 points a game. Reese got emotional about the honor following the Chicago Sky’s 85-77 win over the Atlanta Dream last night…
cut 19 (12) “….believed”
Reese was fifth in the WNBA All-Star fan voting with 381,518 votes. Caitlin Clark was number one with 700,735 votes.

Recreational red snapper season will be weekends-only after a brief close in the season from July 7 to 12. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Director of Marine Fisheries Chris Schieble (shee-ble) there have been similar pauses in the past couple of years and he urges anglers to remember this is nothing new or drastic.
Cut 15 (11) “…adjustments.”
The season runs until Labor Day.