The latest campaign finance reports for the two candidates running for U-S Senate are out. Republican Julia Letlow has outraised Democrat Jamie Davis by three fold. 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.”

Davis’s campaign says the farmer from Tensas Parish has raised one-point-six million dollars in the latest quarter. They say an overwhelming majority of the money has come in since he won the Democratic party primary.

The Louisiana Department of Health says Disaster SNAP benefits will be available for residents in Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne Parishes impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur. Residents can apply next week by calling 1-888-524-3578.

The first ever X Games Championship event is this weekend in NOLA. Joe Gallinaro talked with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

During LSU football’s makeover, 42 players were brought in through the transfer portal. All-SEC linebacker Whit Weeks says he loves playing alongside TJ Dottery, who transferred in from Ole Miss…

Cut 15 (12) “….to play with”

Dottery started his college career at Clemson and that’s who LSU opens the season against on September 5^th.

The Jamie Davis campaign says the Democrat in the U-S Senate race has raised one-point-six million dollars in the recent quarter from donors in all 50 states. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…

Cut 8 (08) “…home state”

Davis is reporting 480-thousand dollars in cash on hand, while his Republican opponent Julia Letlow has one-point-four million dollars in cash on hand.

Louisiana Works has received a federal grant of more than five million dollars that will be used to provide job training for inmates who are approaching the end of their prison sentence. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen says they will focus on training these individuals for jobs in skilled labor…

Cut 12 (14) “…job generally requires”

At SEC Media Days, Lane Kiffin broke down how he rebuilt the LSU football roster in one offseason. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A pastor in Kenner faces up to 20 years in prison after he was found guilty of defrauding two churches out of hundreds of thousand dollars to fund gambling, dining and living expenses. The attorneys for 56-year-old Dale Sanders plan to appeal the conviction. They say Sanders reached an agreement with church board leaders that he can use a debit card in exchange for not receiving a salary.

The latest campaign finance numbers are out for the two candidates who will face off in the November third general election. Andrew Greenstein has the story….

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields announced earlier this week he will not seek re-election as his district has been dramatically changed to favor a Republican. Today, he’ll discuss his desire to return to the Louisiana Senate. Fields will run for a seat that was occupied by Larry Selders, who passed away earlier this month.

The LSU Tigers took their turn at SEC Media Days on Thursday. Tight end Trey’Dez Green is expected to have a big season in Lane Kiffin’s offense. But he’ll be playing with a new quarterback and an entirely new group of receivers, but he believes the chemistry is coming along well…

Cut 16 (14) “…just connect us”

New Orleans has been a destination for major sporting events, but this weekend it’s trying something new as the  Caesars Superdome is hosting an X Games Championship event. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says huge ramps have been built in the Dome for skateboarding and bike races.

Cut 4 (06) “…of the Superdome.”

More than 100 competitors will participate, including two BMX riders from Louisiana — Wyatt Fontenot of Opelousas and Broc Raiford of Destrehan

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.”

____________________________________________

The general election candidates for U.S. Senate release their latest campaign finance numbers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Lane Kiffin broke down how he rebuilt the LSU football roster in one offseason. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

___________________________________________________

New Orleans has been a destination for major sporting events, but this weekend it’s trying something new as the  Caesars Superdome is hosting an X Games Championship event. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says huge ramps have been built for skateboarding and bike races.

Cut 4 (06) “…of the Superdome.”

The X Games Championship features action sports including skateboard, BMX and Moto X. This event is the final competition of the inaugural MoonPay X Games Summer season. More than 100 competitors will participate, including two from Louisiana — Moto X rider Wyatt Fontenot of Opelousas and BMX rider Broc Raiford of Destrehan. Cicero says ESPN and ABC will provide national television coverage.

Cut 5 (09) “…period of time.”

Tickets can be purchases at x-games-dot-com. Cicero says having the X games championship is significant for Louisiana, bringing international visibility, economic impact and opportunities for regional businesses.

Cut 6 (08) “…against each other.”

_______________________________________________________

The general election candidates for U.S. Senate release their latest campaign finance reports. To no one’s surprise, 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.”

In direct contrast, all of Jamie Davis’ nearly two-million dollars in donations have come from individuals – his report indicates that he has not received a dime from any political action committee. Hogan notes that Davis’ contributions have come from far and wide, which might not necessarily work to his advantage.

Cut 8 (08) “…their home state.”

Furthermore, Davis’ campaign says it raised 1.6-million dollars since he won the runoff last month to become the Democratic nomination. In fact, Davis’ donations from individuals are outpacing Letlow’s, whose campaign has raised just under 1.4-million dollars from individuals. Hogan says despite all that, that likely will not be enough for Davis to spring the monumental upset at the ballot box in November.

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.

________________________________________________

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 commission 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 Louisiana Works will provide job training in skills essential to Louisiana’s economy, including advanced manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding.

Cut 11 (13) “…and targeted support.”

Schowen says by focusing on skilled labor, Louisiana Works can get inmates the training they need in as short amount of time as possible so that when they are released, they can immediately re-enter the workforce and become productive members of society once again.

Cut 12 (14) “…job generally requires.”

___________________________________________________

LSU helped wrap up SEC Media Days in Tampa yesterday. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks could have gone to the NFL Draft after an injury-riddled 2025. Instead, he decided to come back to lead coordinator Blake Baker’s defense back to dominance.

Cut 13 (08)  “…to Baton Rouge.”

Weeks will have a new partner in the middle of the defense. Linebacker T.J. Dottery followed Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU this offseason. Dottery explained why he came to LSU.

Cut 14 (13) “…a part of.”

Dottery began his college career at Clemson. He led the SEC with 98 tackles last year.

Weeks was named first-team All-SEC in 2024 when he totaled 125 tackles. He said he loves playing alongside Dottery.

Cut 15 (12) “…to play with.”

Tight end Trey’Dez Green is LSU’s only returning contributor in the passing game after Kiffin’s roster reset. Green said he was worried about an offense with nine transfer wide receivers.

Cut 16 (14) “…just connect us.”

Green has a chance to be one of the Tigers’ top receivers this fall in coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s tight end-friendly offense.

_______________________________________

LSU hosts Texas November 14th. It will be the first meeting between the schools since the Tigers’ 45-38 win in Austin in 2019. The Longhorns were supposed to make a return trip as part of that series, but it was postponed by COVID and their move to the SEC. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning says he’s looking forward to playing in to Death Valley.

Cut 17 (07) “…so we’re excited.”

The New Orleans native led the Longhorns to a 10-and-3 record with a Citrus Bowl victory in his first full season as a starter last year. Manning got off to a rocky start in a major week one matchup with Ohio State, but says he’s grown a lot since that 14-7 loss.

Cut 18 (09) “…repeat that game.”

Manning went 17 for 30 for 170 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Texas hosts the Buckeyes in week two this year.

The indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill may be over, but the investigations into it are just beginning. Congressman Clay Higgins recently asked FBI Director Kash Patel to look into whether the grand jury was properly convened or was used for political retaliation. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says federal investigators would be wasting their time.

Cut 12 (11) “…into than this.” 

Through a partnership with Starlink, Louisiana is helping those in areas so rural that it’s impossible to get fiber internet installed to get online with broadband. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says the customers will get the equipment for free, and the service will be about 55 dollars a month for good, reliable high-speed internet.

Cut 4 (11) “…of those speeds.”

Lane Kiffin took the stage at SEC Media Days as an LSU Tiger for the first time. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Something else that Kiffin weighed in on was a proposed rule that informally bears his name. The so-called “Lane Kiffin Rule” as part of the Protect College Sports Act would prevent coaches from jumping from school to school mid-season. Kiffin said he actually supports it, saying he hopes future coaches aren’t put in the same predicament he was put in last year.

The state takes a huge step towards its goal of making high-speed internet access available to everyone through a new partnership with Starlink. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The average price of Gas in Louisiana has jumped 14 cents in the last week. The current state average for regular gasoline, according to Triple-A, is around three-dollars-67-cents a gallon. That’s a 26-cent increase compared to a month ago and a 90-cent increase from this time last year.

Lane Kiffin has been on a rare sabbatical from social media use this summer. At SEC Media Days today, he explained his son Knox challenged him to stop using the apps. Kiffin said as people go through life, they often add things, but this break has helped him find the importance of subtraction.

Cut 7 (09) “…refreshing”

Kiffin has made just one post on X since May 11.

Attorney General Liz Murrill and Governor Jeff Landry are not letting go of the dismissed 16-count indictment against Murrill from an Orleans Parish Grand Jury. Landry directed State Police to launch a criminal investigation into the grand jury when it was first announced, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Murrill’s involvement could raise a potential conflict of interest.

Cut 11 (09) “…under those circumstances.”

Even though the 16-count indictment against her has been dismissed, Attorney General Liz Murrill wants to get to the bottom of how it all happened. State Police have launched a criminal investigation into the grand jury which indicted her. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says one thing that’s notable is that Murrill’s office generally does not have criminal jurisdiction over matters in Orleans Parish.

Cut 10 (10) “…office’s independent investigation.” 

Louisiana takes a huge step towards connecting the entire state to broadband internet through a partnership with Starlink. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Starlink will deliver high-speed internet access to more than ten-thousand rural locations in more than 50 parishes by the end of the summer.

Cut 3 (12) “…folks with Starlink.”

LSU took center stage at SEC Media Days today. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks could have gone to the NFL Draft after an injury-riddled 2025, which followed a first-team All-SEC selection in 2024 when he registered 125 tackles. Instead, Weeks decided to come back to lead coordinator Blake Baker’s defense back to dominance.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Baton Rouge.”

Of course, another potential reason Weeks came back is so that he could play for his girlfriend’s father. Speaking of whom, Lane Kiffin was asked about his comment in a Vanity Fair story that Oxford’s lack of diversity hurt his talent acquisition at Ole Miss.

Cut 8 (14) “…of the words.”

A State Police investigation into the 16-count indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill has been ongoing since the indictment was handed down on July 2^nd. Now that the charges have been dismissed, Murrill is calling for a federal investigation. But Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says that might be a waste of time…

Cut 12 (11) “…into than this”

Murrill says an investigation needs to happen to see if the grand jury system in Orleans Parish was weaponized against a state official.

Louisiana has signed a grant agreement with Space X’s Starlink that will expand broadband access to more than 10-thousand locations in over 50 parishes by the end of the summer. ConnectLA executive director Veneeth Iyengar says Starlink can provide high-speed internet to those very rural areas…

Cut 5 (11) “…fixed wireless”

To see if Starlink is available to you, go to Starlink’s website.

Lane Kiffin took the stage at SEC Media Days as a Tiger for the first time. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The cases of cyclospora, also known as exploding diarrhea, is up to 79 total cases in Louisiana. An increase from 43 cases last week. Six people are hospitalized from the parasite that causes cyclospora. Lettuce and berries are common sources of cyclospora.

It was the moment the college football world was waiting for – Lane Kiffin made his first SEC Media Days appearance with LSU today. He reflected on his growth as a person since arriving in Baton Rouge. He said one of the ways he’s grown is his social media use. His son Knox challenged him not to use the apps. Kiffin said he has since deleted them and realized how many others are addicted.

Cut 6 (09) “…try this sometime.”

The criminal indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill may be over, but the investigation into it is just beginning. State Police have launched a criminal investigation into the grand jury which indicted Murrill. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there could be an issue of a conflict of interest.

Cut 11 (09) “…under those circumstances.”

The state takes a huge step towards its goal of making high-speed internet access available to everyone through a new partnership with Starlink. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The road to the 2028 Olympics could be going through Baton Rouge – at least in one sport. The Baton Rouge Metro Council approves a request to amend the Raising Cane’s River Center Rental Waiver Agreement to allow it to host the Olympic boxing trials next year. Holding the event in Baton Rouge would generate nearly seven-million dollars in business sales.

Even though the 16-count indictment against her has been dismissed, Attorney General Liz Murrill wants to get to the bottom of how it all happened. Murrill especially took issue with the way the grand jury went about its proceedings, noting all the information leaks.

Cut 27 (13) “…that it existed.”

Under Governor Landry’s directive, State Police have launched a criminal investigation into the grand jury which indicted Murrill. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino notes that Murrill’s office generally does not have criminal jurisdiction over matters in Orleans Parish.

Cut 10 (10) “…office’s independent investigation.” 

Ciolino says there’s also the potential issue of a conflict of interest, since Murrill is both the state’s top attorney and a former defendant.

Louisiana takes a huge step towards connecting the entire state to broadband internet through a partnership with Starlink.  ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Starlink service will be provided for locations which are so rural that it’s impossible to install fiber internet in a cost-effective way.

Cut 5 (11) “…fixed wireless.”

There will be an interesting dynamic this season at LSU, with linebacker Whit Weeks back for his senior season, not passing up the opportunity to play for his girlfriend’s father. Weeks says he’s become Lane Kiffin’s right-hand man on recruiting and transfer portal visits, and he does not allow what happens on the football field to affect his relationship with his girlfriend. 

Cut 9 (11)  “…cutting up.”