Between now and New Year’s Day, police throughout the state will be working overtime looking for drunk drivers. It’s all part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says if you plan on having a good time at your holiday gatherings, by all means do so – but have a plan to get home safely.

Cut 5 (06) “…a designated driver.”

It’s going to be a frigid start to the work week next week. A cold front is going to come barreling into the state this weekend, and that’s going to plunge Monday morning temperatures into the 20s in the northern parishes and close to freezing in the southern parishes. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while those of you in the north should cover your pipes if you haven’t already, those of you in the south should be okay for the time being.

Cut 8 (07) “…long, long duration.”

Temperatures should warm back up by the middle of next week.

Nearly five years after losing her husband to COVID-19 complications, Congresswoman Julia Letlow is getting ready to tie the knot. Letlow announced on social media her engagement to Baton Rouge lawyer Kevin Ainsworth. No wedding date has been set.

State champions are being crowned in high school football at the Superdome. The first game today was a back and forth affair in Division Two non-select, with Iowa outlasting North DeSoto, 50-43. Iowa joins Dunham, Riverside Academy and Haynesville as state champions for 2025. Making it to the Superdome has now become the standard for Haynesville over the years. Head Coach David Franklin says his players never backed down from the high expectations.

Cut 11 (10) “…lot of pressure.”

Franklin says this state championship was a special one for him, after losing both of his parents earlier this year.

Haynesville claimed its 18th football state championship on Thursday after beating Mangham, 39-37. The Golden Tornado have the second-most football state titles in Louisiana, just behind John Curtis. Head coach David Franklin says the character of his players this season allowed the team to flourish.

Cut 10 (14) “…on the cake.”

Ruston is making its fourth straight state championship appearance in New Orleans this weekend as the Bearcats look to capture their ninth state title in school history. Head coach Jerrod Baugh says that this year’s senior class may go down as the best in school history.

Cut 15 (15) “…expect that.”

The Iowa Yellow Jackets defeated the North Desoto Griffins by a score of 50-43 to claim their first state championship in school history. Three-star wide receiver and Houston signee Jeremiah Buhsnell caught three touchdown passes.

LSU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will be in New Orleans tomorrow to play in the Compete 4 Cause Classic doubleheader. Women’s coach Kim Mulkey is set to face Louisiana Tech for the first time since becoming the coach at LSU. Mulkey says coaching against her alma mater will bring plenty of emotions.

Cut 16 (17) “…will never dissolve.”

Tip-off at the Smoothie King Center is at 5 p.m.

The Saints are coming off a big 24-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns in the win and says he is growing more confident with each game he plays.

Cut 18 (16)  “…from that preparation.”

The Saints host the Panthers on Sunday at 3:25 p.m.

Get ready for some more frigid weather conditions. This weekend will start off mild throughout the state, with tomorrow starting out in the 50s. But then a cold front will come barreling through the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says by Sunday night, temperatures will drop like a rock.

Cut 7 (09) “…the coastal parishes.”

Drive sober, or get pulled over. The three-week enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation got underway today and runs through New Year’s Day. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the holiday season has traditionally been deadly on Louisiana roadways due to drinking and driving, and last year was no different.

Cut 4 (13) “…alcohol-related crash.”

Of the eight championship games in the Prep Classic, perhaps the biggest one is the early one tomorrow between district rivals Ruston and Ouachita Parish. Ouachita Parish dropped four of its five district games in the regular season, but head coach Benjy Lewis says his players thrive off of adversity.

Cut 13 (10)  “…better for it.”

Despite losing a talented senior class, Ruston was able to still win its district and get back to the Dome. Head coach Jerrod Baugh says this year’s senior class may go down as the best in school history.

Cut 15 (15) “…expect that.”

Ruston and Ouachita Parish are looking to join Haynesville, Riverside Academy, Dunham and Iowa as state champions.

Between now and New Year’s Day, there will be extra police on the roadways looking for drunk drivers, as the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is now underway. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there’s traditionally an increase in drinking and driving during the holiday season.

Cut 3 (07) “…and New Year’s.”

If you have nothing better to do this weekend, you’ll want to prepare for some brutally cold weather getting set to come through the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the weekend will start off mild, but the winds of change will blow into the state tomorrow night.

Cut 6 (11) “…50s all day.”

Temperatures Sunday night will plunge into the 20s in the northern parishes and close to freezing in the coastal parishes.

History was made in the Superdome today as Iowa won its first ever state championship. In a back-and-forth Division Two non-select title game, the Yellow Jackets beat North DeSoto, 50-43.

Iowa joins Dunham, Riverside Academy and Haynesville as state champions in Louisiana high school football for 2025. The Golden Tornado captured their 18th football state title yesterday — and it was a very special one for their coach. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Between now and New Year’s Day, police throughout the state will be working overtime looking for drunk drivers. It’s all part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says if you plan on having a good time at your holiday gatherings, by all means do so – but have a plan to get home safely.

Cut 5 (06) “…a designated driver.”

It’s going to be a frigid start to the work week next week. A cold front is going to come barreling into the state this weekend, and that’s going to plunge Monday morning temperatures into the 20s in the northern parishes and close to freezing in the southern parishes. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while those of you in the north should cover your pipes if you haven’t already, those of you in the south should be okay for the time being.

Cut 8 (07) “…long, long duration.”

Temperatures should warm back up by the middle of next week.

It’s day two of the 2025 LHSAA Prep Classic in the Superdome. In the first game of today’s tripleheader, North DeSoto and Iowa are locked in a tight battle in the fourth quarter of their Division Two non-select title game. Coming up later, Sterlington and Jena face off in Division Three non-select, and St. Charles Catholic takes on Archbishop Shaw in Division Two select in the nightcap.

Yesterday, Dunham, Riverside Academy and Haynesville won state titles. It was a special championship for Haynesville Head Coach David Franklin, who lost both of his parents this year. Franklin says this year’s team will always be special to him.

Cut 9 (11)  “…they put forth.”

The Golden Tornado won their 18th football state championship by beating Mangham, 39-37. They have the second-most football state titles in Louisiana, just behind John Curtis.

If you get behind the wheel after having one too many, you will be caught, and you will be arrested. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

The Haynesville Golden Tornado captured their 18th football state title on Thursday — and it was a very special one for their coach. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

______________________________________________________

Between now and New Year’s Day, there will be extra police on the roadways looking for drunk drivers, as the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is now underway. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there’s traditionally an increase in drinking and driving during the holiday season.

Cut 3 (07) “…and New Year’s.”

Fischer says the holiday season has traditionally been deadly on Louisiana roadways due to drinking and driving, and last year was no different.

Cut 4 (13) “…alcohol-related crash.”

Fischer says if you plan on having a good time at your holiday gatherings, by all means do so – but have a plan to get home safely.

Cut 5 (06) “…a designated driver.”

___________________________________________________

If you have nothing better to do this weekend, you’ll want to prepare for some brutally cold weather coming through the state late this weekend. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the weekend will start off mild, but the winds of change will blow into the state Saturday night.

Cut 6 (11) “…50s all day.”

Keim says on Sunday night across the state, temperatures will drop like a rock.

Cut 7 (09) “…the coastal parishes.”

Keim says while those of you in the northern half of Louisiana should cover your pipes if you haven’t already, those of you in the southern half should be okay for the time being.

Cut 8 (07) “…long, long duration.”

________________________________________________

Haynesville claimed its 18th football state championship Thursday after beating Mangham, 39-37. The Golden Tornado have the second-most football state titles in Louisiana, just behind John Curtis. Head coach David Franklin says this year’s team will always be special to him.

Cut 9 (11)  “…they put forth.”

Haynesville had made it to the state championship game in the last three seasons but came up short. This year, the team was able to finish the job. Franklin says the character of his players this season allowed the team to flourish.

Cut 10 (14) “…on the cake.”

Making it to the Superdome has now become the standard for Haynesville over the years. Franklin says his players never backed down from the high expectations.

Cut 11 (10) “…lot of pressure.”

_____________________________________________________________

Ouachita Parish is back in the state title game for the first time since 1994. The Lions take on their in-district rivals in the Ruston Bearcats in the early game Saturday. Ouachita head coach Benjy Lewis says that his team knew it had a chance to be special after losing a close game to Ruston in week six.

Cut 12 (14) “…started it.”

Ouachita Parish’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, but the Lions found a way to end up in the Superdome. The Lions dropped four of its five district games in the regular season, but Lewis says that his players thrive off of adversity.

Cut 13 (10)  “…better for it.”

Ouachita Parish is seeking its first state title since 1989.

Ruston is making its fourth straight state championship appearance and is looking to capture its ninth state title in school history. Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh says last season’s 42-0 loss to Central is something that’s motivating the players this season.

Cut 14 (15) “…for this year.”

Despite losing a talented senior class, the Bearcats were able to still win their district and get back to the Dome. Baugh says this year’s senior class may go down as the best in school history.

Cut 15 (15) “…expect that.”

Kickoff between Ruston and Ouachita Parish is noon Saturday.

Get ready for some more frigid weather conditions. This weekend will start off mild throughout the state, with tomorrow starting out in the 50s. But then a cold front will come barreling through the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says by Sunday night, temperatures will drop like a rock.

Cut 7 (09) “…the coastal parishes.”

Drive sober, or get pulled over. The three-week enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation got underway today and runs through New Year’s Day. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the holiday season has traditionally been deadly on Louisiana roadways due to drinking and driving, and last year was no different.

Cut 4 (13) “…alcohol-related crash.”

Three Prep Classic champions crowned; five coronations to go – including either Ouachita Parish or Ruston tomorrow. Ouachita Parish is in the Prep Classic for the first time since 1994, and head coach Benjy Lewis says his team knew it had a chance to be special after losing a close game to Ruston in week six.

Cut 12 (14) “…started it.”

This is Ruston’s fourth straight appearance in the Prep Classic; and this year, the Bearcats are looking to erase some painful memories. Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh says the players are using last season’s 42-0 loss to Central as motivation.

Cut 14 (15) “…for this year.”

Haynesville, Riverside Academy and Dunham won titles yesterday.

Between now and New Year’s Day, there will be extra police on the roadways looking for drunk drivers, as the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is now underway. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there’s traditionally an increase in drinking and driving during the holiday season.

Cut 3 (07) “…and New Year’s.”

If you have nothing better to do this weekend, you’ll want to prepare for some brutally cold weather getting set to come through the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the weekend will start off mild, but the winds of change will blow into the state tomorrow night.

Cut 6 (11) “…50s all day.”

Temperatures Sunday night will plunge into the 20s in the northern parishes and close to freezing in the coastal parishes.

The Haynesville Golden Tornado captured their 18th football state title yesterday — and it was a very special one for their coach. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Riverside Academy and Dunham also captured state titles yesterday, and three more champions will be crowned today.

Day one of the LHSAA Prep Classic was an entertaining one as Haynesville defeated Mangham by a score of 39-37 in the first game of the day to claim its 18^th football state championship in school history, which is the second most in school history. In the second game of the day, Riverside Academy claimed its second state title after beating Ascension Catholic by a score of 31-21. In the final game of the day, the Dunham Tigers defeated Calvary Baptist Cavaliers by a score of 34-17 behind quarterback Elijah Haven’s 5 total touchdowns to claim their second state title.

Today, the Jena Giants are playing for their first state championship today as they take on the defending champion Sterlington Panthers. Aaron Dietrich, the sports director at KNOE-TV, says the support in LaSalle Parish has taken off.

Cut 10 (14) “…for Jay Roark.”

The SEC revealed the 2026 league schedule for all 16 teams last night. LSU will open up the Lane Kiffin era at home where the Tigers will face Clemson. LSU’s SEC schedule opens up in week three on September 19th, where Lane Kiffin will return to Oxford for the first time to face his former team in Ole Miss. LSU is tasked with a brutal November schedule as the Tigers will host Alabama and Texas in back to back weeks and then will finish the season on the road at Tennessee and at Arkansas. The Tigers will also be at Kentucky and at Auburn this season.

The LSU men’s basketball team will face SMU in the Compete 4 Cause Classic tomorrow night in New Orleans. The Tigers are coming off an ugly loss to Texas Tech, and head coach Matt McMahon says the team has to do better moving forward, starting with the offensive side of the ball.

Cut 17 (13)  “…three-point shot.”

Tipoff between the Tigers and Mustangs in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

Nike chooses LSU as the first school to partner with in its new NIL venture that teams up directly with athletes. Zach Greenwell, LSU’s deputy athletic director for external affairs, says they’re promoting products on the Nike store that’s specific to them and their respective sports.

Cut 8 (12) “…place to start.”

Haynesville, Riverside Academy and Dunham won state championships yesterday. Three more champions will be crowned today, and Ouachita Parish will play in its first title game tomorrow as it takes on Ruston. Aaron Dietrich, the sports director at KNOE-TV, says the Lion faithful will be out in full force.

Cut 12 (12) “…towards New Orleans.”

A star-studded lineup will take the stages at the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

The mad rush is on for Powerball tickets. The jackpot for tomorrow night’s drawing is more than one-billion dollars. Powerball hasn’t had a jackpot winner since September 6th.