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.”

Cleo Fields announces he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress. Instead, he will turn to the 14th State Senate district – a seat he held three times previously, including earlier in the current term. He announced that he’ll run to fill the seat left vacant by the untimely death of Larry Selders. Fields says if he wins, it would be bittersweet.

Cut 8 (08) “…what he started.”

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.”

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

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Tropical Storm Bertha did nothing to cool off temperatures – and that’s going to be the case through much of the week next week. High temperatures for much of the state will be in the mid to upper nineties, with heat indexes approaching or even exceeding 110 degrees. Health officials urge you to limit your time outdoors in these conditions.

Congressman Cleo Fields’ legislative career seesaw continues. Andrew Greenstein was on hand for a major announcement from the Baton Rouge Democrat…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU landed nine players on the preseason All-SEC team. Tight end Trey’Dez Green, tackle Jordan Seaton, edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, linebacker Whit Weeks and punter Grant Chadwick are on the first team. Cornerback DJ Pickett and safety Ty Benefield made the second team, and center Braelin Moore and linebacker TJ Dottery are on the third team.

Louisiana farmers suffered an estimated 112-million-dollars in losses during the flooding of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Avoyelles, St. Landry and Rapides Parishes accounted for 90-percent of total losses. An estimated 22-million dollars in infrastructure was lost in the flooding. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says that makes up 90-percent of all non-crop losses.

Cut 11 (11) “…of fencing.”

LSU was picked to finish fifth in the SEC in this year’s preseason media poll. The Tigers’ defense will be put to the test this season against the fast-paced offenses of Tennessee, Ole Miss, Auburn and Mississippi State. Linebacker Whit Weeks says going against Kiffin’s Tigers’ offense in practice is a big help.

Cut 14 (14) “…than a game.”

We’ve known it for days, but Cleo Fields made it official this morning – he’s not running for a second term in his second stint in Congress. Fields said the way his district was redrawn made it impossible to win re-election. In making his announcement, 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.”

Louisiana farmers suffered an estimated 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.

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

Several crops, including soybeans, rice, grain sorghum and corn, saw yield losses of more than 50-percent. 

LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll behind Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M. 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.” 

New Orleans plays host to the 22nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off tomorrow. 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.”

Baton Rouge 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. Fields says the new map leaves him with no realistic path to re-election.

Cut 6 (12) “…the winning path.”

Instead, Fields will run for his old state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Senator Larry Selders earlier this month. Selders had succeeded Fields after his election to Congress.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Tropical Storm Arthur caused an estimated $112 million in damage to Louisiana agriculture. Strain says the losses extend beyond crops and include damaged infrastructure.

Cut 11 (11) “…of fencing.”

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

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

And the Great American Seafood Cook-Off is set for tomorrow at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Thirteen chefs from across the country will compete for the title of best seafood dish. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana will be represented by Lafayette chef Kris Allen.

Cut 4 (06) “…best seafood dish.”

Congressman Cleo Fields’ legislative career seesaw continues. Andrew Greenstein was on hand for a major announcement from the Baton Rouge Democrat…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is up another penny to $3.68. Gas prices are up 12 cents from a week ago and 17 cents from a month ago.

LSU is picked to finish fifth in a poll of media members who attended SEC Media Days. Georgia is the preseason favorite followed by Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M. This is the first season that the SEC will have a nine-game conference schedule and head coach Lane Kiffin is not a fan…

Cut 13 (11) “..anyone else”

LSU has key games with Ole Miss, Texas A-and-M, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee this season.

Tomorrow is the Great American Seafood Cook-off competition in New Orleans at the Morial Convention Center. Lafayette chef Kris Allen and a dozen other seafood chefs from around the country will compete to be the new King of Queen of American Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this event does a great job of promoting domestic seafood over cheap foreign imports…

Cut 5 (12) “…throughout America”

New Orleans hosts the 22nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off tomorrow. Louisiana Seafood King Kris Allen will try to fend off 13 challengers from across the country. 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.”

We got word a few days ago about Cleo Fields’ political future. Friday morning, he made it official.

Cut 6 (08) “…the U.S. Congress.”

Fields said the elimination of subsection two of the Voting Rights Act set in motion a series of events that culminated with the redrawing of his district in a way that would have made re-election impossible. In making his announcement in Baton Rouge, Fields said he will run to fill the remainder of the term of State Senator Larry Selders, who died unexpectedly earlier this month.

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.”

The general election candidates for U.S. Senate release their latest campaign finance reports. Julia Letlow is far outraising Jamie Davis, having raised about three times as much money since both launched their campaigns. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan notes that more than three-fourths of Letlow’s 6.2-million dollars in donations have come from the GOP and political action committees.

Cut 7 (14) “…those traditional sources.”

The world’s best skateboarders, BMX and Moto X athletes are in New Orleans this weekend for the first ever X Games Championship event. Joe Gallinaro talked with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Also this weekend, it’s the Great American Seafood Cook-off. Thirteen chefs from around the country will try to cook up the best seafood dish in the land on Saturday at the Morial Convention Center…

Cut 4 (06) “…best seafood dish”

That’s Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. He says Kris Allen from Lafayette will represent Louisiana.

The SEC preseason media poll has been released and the LSU Tigers are predicted to finish in fifth place. Georgia is picked to win the SEC for a third consecutive season. Texas is picked to finish second, followed by Ole Miss, Texas A-and-M and LSU. Linebacker Whit Weeks says one of reasons he came back was to restore the tradition of LSU’s defense…

Cut 13 (08) “…to Baton Rouge”

Louisiana Works has received a federal grant that will be used to train inmates who are closed to finishing their prison sentence so they can get a job in manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding…

Cut 27 (12) “…targeted support”

Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen says the grant is for more than five million dollars.

Democrat Jamie Davis says his U.S. Senate campaign raised 1-point-6 million dollars during the latest fundraising quarter from donors in all 50 states. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says raising money outside Louisiana can help demonstrate broader support…
Cut 8 (08) “…home state.”

Davis reports 480-thousand dollars cash on hand. Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow, his opponent in the Senate race, has 1-point-4 million dollars in cash on hand.

New Orleans hosts its first-ever X Games this weekend. Massive skateboard courses, BMX ramps and Moto X dirt jumps have been built inside the Superdome for nearly 100 athletes competing in the action sports showcase…
Cut 6 (06) “…against each other.”

Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says two Louisiana natives will compete: Wyatt Fontenot of Opelousas and Broc Raiford of Destrehan.

At SEC Media Days, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin discussed how LSU rebuilt its football roster in just one offseason. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 27 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Governor Jeff Landry and Entergy have signed a voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge aimed at shielding residential customers from higher electric bills tied to the growing energy demands of AI data centers. Several data centers are under construction across Louisiana, and officials say they’ll require significant amounts of electricity.

The Democrat in the U-S Senate race believes his campaign has some serious momentum because of his victory in the Democratic Party Primary. The Jamie Davis campaign says the Tensas Parish farmer raised one-point-six million dollars in the most recent quarter. But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s still not enough for Davis to spring the monumental upset over his opponent, Republican Julia Letlow, in the November election…

Cut 9 (14) “…last few decades”

Currently, Letlow has more than 1.4-million dollars in cash on hand, compared to less than 480-thousand dollars for Davis.

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot is 743-million dollars. That’s the tenth highest jackpot in the game.

Incarcerated people approaching the end of their prison sentences have a new program to get job training, thanks to a new federal grant. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen (SHAU-in) says the Department of Labor awarded the state a RESTART Grant of more than five-million dollars, and the money will be put to good use.

Cut 10 (12) “…the first place.”

Schowen says they will use this grant to help train inmates for jobs in manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding.

For the first time, the Caesars Superdome will host an X games event as the MoonPay X Games Championship will begin today and run through Sunday. The three-day event will feature skateboard, BMX and Moto X competitions from nearly 100 athletes and it will be televised by ESPN and ABC…

Cut 5 (09) “…period of time”

That’s Jay Cicero, president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Find tickets at x-games-dot-com.