In a tragic discovery, missing 16-year-old Iris Davis was found deceased on Monday. Iris was first reported missing last Thursday. Her body was found in a field not far from her St. Martin Parish home. St. Martinville Police Chief Ricky Martin says investigators are treating her death as a homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

We’re all feeling the heat and temperatures are expected to remain in the upper 90s for the rest of the week. Evan Canzoneri, a safety service consultant with LWCC, says When working outside in these conditions, dress accordingly.

Cut 5 (12) “…head is vital.”

Hood Container is modernizing their St. Francisville paper mill to the tune of close to 120 million dollars increasing production capacity by 80-thousand tons per year. Since taking ownership in 2015, Hood Container has invested more than 160 million dollars in the facility. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says this project will help retain 295 jobs in the parish.

Cut 7 (12) “…community partner.”

Upgrades begin in late 2026, and phase two will be completed during the mill’s annual outage in May of 2027.

The Louisiana Department of Treasury paid out almost 70-million dollars in unclaimed property funds in the 2025 fiscal year. State Treasurer John Fleming says many people who claimed money owed to them found out about it through the department’s outreach efforts.

Cut 11 (09) “…were owed money.”

The unclaimed property is in the form of payroll checks, old bank accounts, utility deposits and interest payments.

The Honey Badger is hanging up his cleats. Announcing his retirement from the Saints today after twelve seasons in the NFL, Tyrann Mathieu posted on social media, As I hang up my cleats, I’m filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of life and officially retire from the game that’s shaped me in every way.” The former LSU star was respected off the field too – nominated for the Walter Peyton Man of the Year and worked to create positive change in the lives of youth.

Last week, President Trump spoke with Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the United States and today Coca-Cola announced the release of a new version of its classic drink sweetened with U.S. sugar. Coke products sold in the U-K and Mexico already use cane sugar. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Coca-Cola’s decision to use cane syrup could have a big impact on Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…few days.”

If you’re working outside this week, you’ll want to take extra precautions given the hot conditions. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Almost 70-million dollars in unclaimed property funds found its rightful owners in the 2025 fiscal year. The Louisiana Department of Treasury paid both current and former residents and State Treasurer John Fleming says claiming money that’s owed to you isn’t difficult.

Cut 10 (10) “…it right there.” (Website: LaCashClaim.org)

Unclaimed property could be payroll checks, old bank accounts, utility deposits and interest payments.

Combine high temperatures with high humidity, and you’ve got conditions that are downright unbearable. Thus, if you have to work outside this week, make sure you’re taking all necessary precautions. Evan Canzoneri, a safety service consultant with LWCC, says not only should you hydrate properly, but you should eat properly as well.

Cut 4 (11) “…up digesting that.”

Hood Container announced a nearly 120-million-dollar modernization project at its historic St. Francisville paper mill. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says Hood’s success is the community’s success.

Cut 6 (13) “…come with it.”

It was a banner year for the State Treasury in its campaign to reunite unclaimed cash with its rightful owners. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

On the day that the Saints open training camp, the team unveils a new alternate jersey. Well, make that reinstates an old alternate jersey. For the first time in 23 years, the Saints will wear a gold version of their primary jerseys. Two differences – the sleeve cuffs are black, and the jerseys will be paired with the black alternate helmet. No word on which game the Saints will wear them.

Coca-Cola announced today it will release a new version of its classic soda sweetened with U-S sugar, which could benefit Louisiana’s sugarcane industry. Louisiana ranks second in the country in sugar cane produced, nearly 14-million tons of sugarcane each year. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is excited about the news…

Cut 12 (07) “…cane sugar”

President Trump said last week he spoke with Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the United States.

The Louisiana Department of Treasury paid out almost 70-million dollars in unclaimed property funds to both current and former residents in the 2025 fiscal year. That’s the second highest annual amount in the program’s history, just a tad less than the amount paid four years ago. State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s surprising how many people are owed money.

Cut 9 (08)  “…1.2-billion dollars.”

A former St. Tammany Parish lawmaker and current BESE board member is in line to become the new head of the U.S. Mint. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In case you haven’t already noticed, it’s a scorcher outside, and it’s going to remain that way for the rest of the week. If you have to work outside, make sure you’re taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Evan Canzoneri, a safety service consultant with LWCC, says you should begin the day by drinking two glasses of water – and make sure it’s water.

Cut 3 (08) “…in your body.”

It’s reporting day for the Saints as players report for training camp today as training camp begins tomorrow. New Orleans is in a rebuilding phase with a new head coach and nine players selected in the 2025 draft, including the ninth overall pick, Kelvin Banks….

Cut 9 (12) “…right away”

That’s New Orleans football’s Mike Triplett.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says beginning next Monday, 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery.  That’s up from ten tags last year.

Cut 12 (10) “…by our citizens.”

Applicants will pay a 50-dollar non-refundable fee, and the 25 lucky ones who get hunting tags will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.

Louisiana has stopped a large-scale coastal restoration project called the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project.  The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Gordon Dove, says the state will now move forward with a smaller diversion plan called the Myrtle Grove project in Plaquemines Parish.

Cut 15 (09) “…within three years.”

BESE board member Paul Hollis will soon be leaving his post to become the new director of the U.S. Mint. The former lawmaker from St. Tammany Parish says he’s been an avid coin collector his entire life, ever since his grandmother gave him a coin she had saved from the Great Depression.

Cut 4 (14) “…my entire life.”

Eliminating the penny will be one Hollis’ tasks once he’s confirmed in the Fall.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery, starting next Monday.

Cut 10 (10) “…your lottery tag.”

Last year, in the state’s first black bear hunting season since 1987, it was only open in far northeast Louisiana. This year there will be hunting zones n south Louisiana.

After an offseason of questions, it’s time for answers. Saints players report for training camp today. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Saints released an alternate gold jersey today that would go with black helmets.

It’s Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans. The Ragin Cajuns are the favorite to win the West. ULM is picked to finish last in the division.

McNeese says it will make a major announcement regarding its athletic department tomorrow afternoon.

The Saints report for training camp today under first-year head coach Kellen Moore. All eyes will be on the quarterback room to see who wins the starting job. NewOrleans-dot-football reporter Mike Triplett says it will be a true open position battle between second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and second-round pick Tyler Shough (“shuck”).

Cut 7 (13) “…for this team.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says beginning next Monday, 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery.  That’s up from ten tags last year.

Cut 12 (10) “…by our citizens.”

Applicants will pay a 50-dollar non-refundable fee, and the 25 lucky ones who get hunting tags will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.

—————————-

The long-talked about Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Prish won’t happen after all.  The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Gordon Dove, says the cost became too much.

Cut 13 (14)  “…three point one billion”

Dove says the state will now move forward with a smaller diversion plan called the Myrtle Grove project in Plaquemines Parish.

BESE board member Paul Hollis will soon be leaving his post to become the new director of the U.S. Mint. The former lawmaker from St. Tammany Parish’s  nomination hearings before the Senate will take place in the fall, and he’s not expected to face any resistance. Once confirmed, he says he will act on the Presiden’t  call to end the minting of the penny.

Cut 6 (07) “…to make it.”

BESE board member Paul Hollis will soon be leaving his post to become the new director of the U.S. Mint. The former lawmaker from St. Tammany Parish says he’s been an avid coin collector his entire life, ever since his grandmother gave him a coin she had saved from the Great Depression.

Cut 4 (14) “…my entire life.”

Louisiana has stopped a large-scale coastal restoration project called the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project.  The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Gordon Dove, says the state will now move forward with a smaller diversion plan called the Myrtle Grove project in Plaquemines Parish.

Cut 15 (09) “…within three years.”

———————–

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is holding another black bear hunting season; and as Colleen Crain reports; this year’s will be even bigger than last year’s.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The body of a missing St. Martin Parish teen has been found.  St. Martinville Police Department officials say the body of 15 year old Iris Davis, was found in a field near her home her residence. Officials say the teen’s death is being investigated as a homicide.

After an offseason of questions, there will be some answers as the Saints report for training camp today.  Here’s Kace Kieschnick.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

BESE board member Paul Hollis will soon be leaving his post to become the new director of the U.S. Mint. The former lawmaker from St. Tammany Parish says the U.S. Mint plays an important role in the U.S. economy.

Cut 5 (10) “…collector coins.”
Hollis’ nomination hearings before the Senate will take place in the fall, and he’s not expected to face any resistance.

———————————

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has set another black bear hunting season for December. This year, there will be 25 tags available in a month-long lotter y beginning next week.  Last year’ was the first black bear season in Louisiana since 19-87 and was limited to far northeast Louisiana. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says this year it’s expanding to coastal parishes and the lower and upper Atchafalaya basins.

Cut 11 (05) “…two and four.”

Louisiana has put the brakes on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project for the West Bank in Plaquemines Parish which due in part to soaring costs.  The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Gordon Dove, says now that the Mid-Barataria project is cancelled, the state can use the money in other areas along the coast.

Cut 14 (14) “…affected parishes.”

A former St. Tammany Parish lawmaker and current BESE board member is in line to become the new head of the U.S. Mint. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The search for a missing teen has ended in the worst possible way.  St. Martinville Police Department officials say the body of 15 year old Iris Davis, was found in a field near her home in St. Martin Parish. Davis was last seen on Sunday, July 17^th but was officially reported missing once she stopped contacting her guardian last Thursday.  Officials say the teen’s death is being investigated as a homicide.

————————-

Louisiana has stopped a large-scale coastal restoration project called the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. The plan was to construct the Mid-Barataria in Plaquemines Parish on the West Bank and use the Mississippi River to rebuild lost wetlands in the Barataria Basin. The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Gordon Dove, says the cost became too much.

Cut 13 (14)  “…three point one billion”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery, starting next Monday.

Cut 10 (10) “…your lottery tag.”

Applicants will pay a 50-dollar non-refundable fee, and the 25 lucky ones who get hunting tags will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.