The heat for the first half of this week will be downright brutal. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure is pumping warm, moist air in from the Gulf of Mexico, preventing clouds from forming. Combine that with above-normal humidity levels, that’s going to make it that much more unbearable. 

Cut 5 (09) “…week moves on.”

If you have a state tax refund due to you, time is running out to claim it from the Department of Revenue. Department spokesman Byron Henderson says it sent nearly 23-thousand unclaimed property letters to individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 10 (12) “…state treasurer’s office.” 

Any money not claimed by September 4th will be transferred to the unclaimed property division.

Your 2026 teacher of the year is Alisha Butler. She teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge. Butler says she’s proud to be a teacher in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (06) “…humbling.”

By winning the award, Butler gets to drive a new Mercedes Benz for a year.

A new at-home treatment for Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available. The Spectris headset uses brain stimulation to help slow the disease. It’s still in clinical trials, but Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler says early results show the therapy may help remove the plaque associated with Alzheimer’s.

Cut 14 (11) “…high quality of life.”

Ochsner says FDA approval could come by next June.

McNeese has a new president – and for the time being, he’ll be doing double duty. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We could see triple digit high temperatures this week. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 4 (11) “…of those days’

Rain chances return on Thursday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reporting good news about the state’s whooping crane recovery effort.   18 of the 20 total pairs that nested were able to hatch chicks this year, the largest percentage ever. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski…

Cut 8 (11) “…figured out.”

Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project began in 2011 and the Louisiana whooping crane population is now up to 84.

The Louisiana Department of Education has named Alisha Butler as the Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Butler teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge….

Cut 6 (10) “…several years.”

Lauren Rentrop, the principal at Patterson Junior High in St. Mary Parish was named the Louisiana Principal of the Year. The Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year is Sarah Corley of Alexandria. Katie Weber, a ninth grade English Teacher at Fontainebleau High School in St. Tammany is the New Teacher of the Year.

“We’re going to have heat on steroids this week.” Those are the words of LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim as he describes the heat and humidity that’s blanketing Louisiana this week. Keim says the culprit is an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico that serves as a pump.

Cut 3 (12) “…clouds from forming.”

The lack of cloud cover allows the sun to bake on the landscape, preventing rainfall and anything else that could cool us off. 

LDWF reported the state’s whooping crane recovery effort saw 10 fledged chicks, bringing the state’s total population to 84. Biologist Sara Zimorski says it was a historic nesting season.

Cut 7 (14) “…had this year.”

In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields says a lot has changed in the 28 years between his two stints on Capitol Hill, and not for the better. The Baton Rouge Democrat says before, Democrats and Republicans were actually civil towards one another. Today, however, not so much – and that lack of cordialness has spread well beyond the halls of Congress.

Cut 12 (08) “…talking at all.”

The new president of McNeese also happens to be a sitting state senator. Mike Reese, a Republican from Leesville, says he will serve in one more legislative session and will not run for re-election. But between now and the end of his term, given the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day, Senator Reese – make that President Reese – will be juggling his time between his two jobs.

Cut 6 (11) “…as state senator.”

In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields noted that a lot has changed since the first time he served on Capitol Hill, and not for the better. He said when he served in the House for the first time from 1993 until 1997, representatives from opposite parties were actually cordial towards one another.

Cut 10 (09) “…their families together.”

Ochsner Health is partnering with Cognito Therapeutics to develop the Spectris headset, an at-home treatment for Alzheimer’s which uses brain stimulation to help slow the disease. The device is still in clinical trials and has not been approved by the FDA. But Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler says early results show the therapy may help remove the plaque associated with Alzheimer’s…

Cut 14 (11) “…high quality of life.”

Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project fledged 10 chicks this nesting season, the most ever. Whooping cranes a federally endangered species that was once native to the state but had not lived in the Louisiana wilderness since 1950 before the project began in 2011. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says the department has a history of restoring endangered native species in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (14)  “…the next ones.”

LSU baseball signee Logan Schmidt will not sign with the Cleveland Guardians after being selected 59^th overall in the MLB Draft. The lefty pitcher wanted more than the one-point-seven-million Cleveland could pay him. Schmidt is LSU’s top signee and ranked as the number-12 prospect in the country, but he still might not make it to campus. He is reportedly also considering Golden West College, a juco that would allow him to re-enter the draft next year. If he came to LSU he would not be draft-eligible until 2029

LDWF’s whooping crane reintroduction project had its most successful nesting season ever. Kace Kieschinck has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A new headset that uses brain stimulation to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available, and Ochsner Health is partnering with Cognito Therapeutics to make happen.  Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler…

Cut 15 (05) “…game changing.”

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In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields made it a point to point out that things have changed on Capitol Hill since he last served in 1997, and not for the better.  He says the ability to be cordial when heated discussions are over on the floor has gone by the wayside and it’s affecting the whole country.

Cut 12 (08) “…talking at all.”

State senator Mike Reese is now the president at McNeese State University.  He took over July 1^st and says he’s thrilled for the opportunity to help shape the University’s future. As for his political career, Reese says he won’t run for re-election…but in the meantime, time-management will be key in getting both jobs done.

Cut 6 (11) “…as state senator.”

Ochsner Health has partnered with a company testing a new Alzheimer’s treatment that’s showing promising results. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reporting good news about the state’s whooping crane recovery effort.   18 of the 20 total pairs that nested were able to hatch chicks, the largest percentage ever. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski…

Cut 8 (08) “…figured out.”

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A lot has changed in congress since 1997.  That’s according to Congressman Cleo Fields who’s decided not to seek a second term in his second stint on Capitol Hill.  On the day Fields left Capitol Hill the first time, there was no such thing as Facebook, X was merely the 24th letter of the alphabet, and Donald Trump hadn’t even launched “The Apprentice” yet. Times have changed, and Fields says so has Congress.

Cut 11 (09) “…has to change.”

State senator Mike Reese is the new president at McNeese State University.   Reese takes over for Wade Rousse, who’s now heading the LSU system. Reese notes that 78-percent of McNeese’s graduates remain in Louisiana, so it’s important that the school work very closely with the community to prepare them for life after college.

Cut 5 (08) “…meaningful to them.”

In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields noted that a lot has changed since the first time he served on Capitol Hill, and not for the better. He said when he served in the House for the first time from 1993 until 1997, representatives from opposite parties were actually cordial towards one another.

Cut 10 (09) “…their families together.”

Call him “president,” call him “senator” – when referring to Mike Reese, both titles apply to him simultaneously. The state senator from Leesville is now the new president at McNeese State University, taking over for Wade Rousse, who’s now heading the LSU system. Reese officially took over as McNeese president July 1st with words of encouragement for both current and incoming students.

Cut 4 (13) “…having wonderful careers.”

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A new at-home treatment for Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available, and Ochsner Health is partnering with the company behind the technology. Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler says Cognito Therapeutics has developed the Spectris headset, which uses brain stimulation to help slow the disease…

Cut 13 (13)  “…over time.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported the state’s whooping crane recovery effort saw 10 fledged chicks. That means the chicks are fully grown and capable of flight. It brings the state’s total population to 84. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says it was a historic nesting season.

Cut 7 (14) “…had this year.”

Congressman Cleo Fields made it official Friday morning — he will not seek a second term in his second stint in the U.S. House. His decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, leading to a redraw of his district. The Democrat from Baton Rouge says the new map leaves him with no realistic path to re-election.

Cut 6 (12) “…the winning path.”

Louisiana farmers suffered an estimated 112-million-dollar loss as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Avoyelles, St. Landry and Rapides Parishes accounted for 90-percent of total losses. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Avoyelles received 29 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.

Cut 9 (09)  “…excessive moisture.”

An estimated 22-million dollars in infrastructure was also lost in the flooding.

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New Orleans plays host to the 22nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off Saturday. Louisiana Seafood King Kris Allen will try to fend off 13 challengers from across the country to take home the title of King of American Seafood. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Allen, who’s the executive chef of Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Lafayette, will try to end Louisiana’s title drought.

Cut 3 (10) “…back to Louisiana.”

LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll. Many national media members have said it’s national championship or bust for LSU and first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin says those types of expectations are why he came to LSU.

Cut 12 (13) “…that does it.”

LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the conference preseason media poll. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The King of American Seafood will be determined in New Orleans today as the city hosts the 22nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off.  Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser on why this event is so important in promoting domestic seafood.

Cut 5 (12) “…industry throughout America.”

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It’s official, Congressman Cleo Fields announcing yesterday he will not seek a second term in his second stint in the U.S. House. His decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, leading to a redraw of his district.  Fields said except for challenging Troy Carter, he considered all other options to remain in Congress, but he saw no viable path forward.

Cut 7 (07) “…decided not to.”

As for what’s next, Fields says he will run to fill the seat left vacant by the untimely death of Larry Selders in Senate District 14.

Louisiana farmers are reeling after suffering a 112 million dollar loss as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says crop-specific losses were estimated at about 88-million-dollars and an estimated 22-million dollars in infrastructure was lost in the flooding.

Cut 11 (11) “…of fencing.”

The seesaw of Congressman Cleo Fields’ legislative career has swung again. Andrew Greenstein has details on what’s next for the Baton Rouge Democrat…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tropical Storm Arthur created 112-million-dollars in losses for Louisiana farmers last month.  Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says in all crop-specific losses were estimated at about 88-million-dollars.

Cut 10 (09) “…fourteen-point-seven-million.”

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LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll behind Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M. The Tigers have a tough nine-game SEC schedule for the first time this season. The conference added a game for its latest TV deal and to boost strength of schedule, but Head Coach Lane Kiffin said it will do more harm than good.

Cut 13 (11) “…anyone else.”

Lafayette Chef Kris Allen goes for the title of King of American Seafood today as New Orleans hosts the 22^nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off. Louisiana’s not taken the crown in a few years, and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the competition is intense.

Cut 4 (06) “…best seafood dish.”
It all kicks off this morning at 11:30 at the Morial Convention Center.