Foster parents went before state lawmakers to say a recent policy change has made it more difficult to care for children in state custody. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The U.S. National Guard will conclude its New Orleans deployment on Monday and leave the city at the end of August. Guardsmen spent the last 8-months in the Crescent City after Governor Jeff Landry requested their assistance to support local law enforcement.

ULM is expanding its health science offerings, thanks to a grant of more than two-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health through the Rural Transformation Project. Dr. Wendy Bailes, the dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences, says the grant will allow the school to provide well-educated medical professionals to rural hospitals.

Cut 6 (09) “…becomes very expensive.”

LSU offensive lineman Bo Bordelon is in line to finally get his chance to start after four seasons in Baton Rouge. Bordelon was rated as high as a four-star prospect out of Isidore Newman High School but made just one start his first four years. Despite his time on the bench, he says he never considered transferring and always gave his best to the team.

Cut 12 (14) “…100-percent.”

May and June were very wet months in Louisiana. August – not so much. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Foster parents went before state lawmakers to say a recent policy change has made it more difficult to care for children in state custody. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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What a difference a couple months make in Louisiana. Whereas May and June were marked by torrential rains throughout the state, August is a completely different story. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this month has been almost completely devoid of rain throughout the state.

Cut 3 (09) “…way, way behind.”

Keim says two things are contributing to this unusually dry August here in Louisiana. One is El Nino, which is being largely credited for the forecast of a below-normal hurricane season. The other, Keim says, is a lot of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico which is serving as a pump of hot air into Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…Gulf into Louisiana.”

Keim says whereas May and June reversed drought conditions throughout much of the state, August could be bringing them right back.

Cut 5 (13) “…on the surface.”

Keim says the lack of clouds and water on the surface to cool things off has led to the heatwave that’s been baking much of the state.

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ULM is expanding its health science offerings, thanks to a grant of more than two-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health through the Rural Transformation Project. Dr. Wendy Bailes, the dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences, says the grant will allow the school to provide well-educated medical professionals to rural hospitals.

Cut 6 (09) “…becomes very expensive.”

Dr. Bailes says one of the three initiatives of the grant is to increase nursing school enrollment.

Cut 7 (08) “…students per year.”

Bailes says the grant will allow ULM to expand its capacity in its health science college.

Cut 8 (12) “…win for everyone.”

The other two initiatives are adding a Diagnostic Medical Sonography concentration to the Bachelor of Science in Radiological Technology program, and establishing a Nurse Residency Hub serving rural hospitals in northeast Louisiana.

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Louisiana lawmakers heard from frustrated foster parents upset they are receiving less money from the state to provide care for kids in state custody.  Starting July first, DCFS raised the foster care board rate payments from 600 to 900 dollars a month but stopped reimbursing families for incidental expenses. Danielle Eley from Franklin Parish says it was packaged as a raise for foster parents, but in reality that’s not the case.

Cut 9 (06)  “…go up.”

Eley cares for three children and she says the reimbursements help pay for a lot of incidental expenses.

Cut 10 (11) “…theater.”

Eley testified before the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. Covington Senator Patrick McMath is a member of that panel and says based on the testimony, it’s harder to be a foster parent in Louisiana and urged DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris to bring back the reimbursement policy.

Cut 11 (09) “…this fiscal year.”

Harris agreed and reimbursements will return for the remainder of this fiscal year, which will end on June 30th, 2027.

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LSU fifth-year senior offensive guard Bo Bordelon has earned his starting spot the old-fashioned way. The Raceland native spent four years as a backup but has stood out as the likely week one starter during spring and fall practices. He says he just put his head down and worked.

Cut 12 (14) “…100-percent.”

Bordelon was rated as high as a four-star prospect out of Isidore Newman High School. Despite his time on the bench, he says he never considered transferring. When Lane Kiffin and his staff came to Baton Rouge, he asked them to give him a chance.

Cut 13 (08) “…what I can do.”

The son of former standout Tigers lineman Ben Bordelon, Bo says he had to earn his starting job. He made a switch from right tackle to left guard and put on extra weight this offseason. He says his new O-line coaches have made a big difference.

Cut 14 (13) “…what I want.”

Louisiana lawmakers heard from frustrated foster parents upset they’re receiving less money from the state to provide care for kids in state custody.  Starting July first, DCFS raised the foster care board rate payments from 600 to 900 dollars a month but stopped reimbursing families for incidental expenses. Danielle Eley from Franklin Parish says it was packaged as a raise for foster parents, but in reality that’s not the case.

Cut 9 (06)  “…go up.”

ULM receives a grant of more than two-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health through its Rural Transformation Project, allowing it to expand its health science offerings. Dr. Wendy Bailes, the dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences, says the grant will allow the college to admit more students.

Cut 8 (12) “…win for everyone.”

We’re in the midst of a weeks-long heat wave; and during periods like this, the 988 Helpline typically sees an increase in volume of calls and texts. That’s because people tend to sleep less in hot weather, making them more agitated. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit which operates the 988 Helpline, says the people at the 988 helpline are compassionate people who are there to help.

Cut 15 (07) “…carry anything alone.”

LSU fifth-year senior offensive guard Bo Bordelon has earned his starting spot the old-fashioned way. The Raceland native spent four years as a backup, but he has stood out as the likely week one starter during spring and fall practices. He says he just put his head down and worked.

Cut 12 (08) “…what I can do.” 

Bordelon the rest of the LSU Tigers take on Clemson in Baton Rouge September 5th.

ULM is expanding its health science offerings, thanks to a grant of more than two-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health through the Rural Transformation Project. Dr. Wendy Bailes, the dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences, says the grant will allow the school to provide well-educated medical professionals to rural hospitals.

Cut 6 (09) “…becomes very expensive.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism unveil their marketing campaign for out-of-state tourism. Nungesser says the campaign, which was unveiled during the Louisiana Travel Summit in New Orleans, is entitled “Every Moment Feeds Your Soul.”

Cut 10 (11) “…world to Louisiana.”

May and June were very wet months in Louisiana. August – not so much. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

An ICE officer is arrested for allegedly entering his ex-girlfriend’s Covington-area home without her permission. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says they arrested 58-year-old Thomas Bailey this morning on one count of unauthorized entry. Sheriff Bret Ibert says regardless of where you work, the law applies to everyone.

August has been a very dry month throughout Louisiana. Whereas the state averages five inches of rainfall in August; this year, the state has averaged only seven-tenths of an inch. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says two things are at play – El Nino and a lot of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 4 (12) “…Gulf into Louisiana.”

Volunteers at Louisiana’s 988 Helpline get an increase in the volume of calls and texts coming in during periods of brutally hot weather conditions. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit which operates the 988 Helpline, says the fact that people normally get less sleep in hot conditions has a lot to do with it.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the crisis line.”

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that physical education classes will be designed to get students moving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

September 5th won’t be the only time a game featuring LSU will be the featured matchup on ESPN’s College Gameday. Two weeks later, Rece Davis and the crew will be in Oxford, Mississippi, for the highly-anticipated matchup between LSU and Ole Miss. It will be Lane Kiffin’s first game in Oxford since leaving Ole Miss for LSU.

Starting next school year, physical education classes in Louisiana public schools will put greater emphasis on getting students moving. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says these fitness-based standards equip students with knowledge and skills they will use the rest of their lives to remain active…

Cut 4 (10) “…and heart health.”

Brumley says the old standards asked students to name a skill, the revised standards ask them to demonstrate skills.

Hunters For the Hungry is encouraging those of you who hunt to clean out your freezers this Sunday to prepare for the upcoming season and feed those in need. Executive Director Julie Gunewald says simply visit clean-out-your-freezer-dot-com to find out where you can drop off your frozen food.

Cut 8 (07) “…to accept ’em.”

Nearly 18,5000 pounds of frozen goods were collected from Clean Out Your Freezer Day last year.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has unveiled the design of Louisiana’s float that will roll in the 138^th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day. A musical entertainer rides on the float and performs and this year it’s award-winning jazz vocalist and songwriter Robin Barnes of New Orleans, who will perform her hit song “SongBird of New Orleans…

Cut 12 (10) “…coming to Louisiana”

The 2027 parade marks the sixth time since 2022 the Louisiana Office of Tourism will sponsor a float in the iconic event.

What a difference a couple months make in Louisiana. Whereas May and June were marked by torrential rains throughout the state, August is a completely different story. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this month has been almost completely devoid of rain throughout the state.

Cut 3 (09) “…way.way behind”

Keim says two things are contributing to this unusually dry August, El Nino and  a high-pressure system in the Gulf which is pumping hot air into Louisiana.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism unveils a new marketing campaign aimed at out-of-state tourists. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU national champion pitcher Kade Anderson earned his call-up to the Majors. The lefty hurler makes his major league debut for the Mariners against the Cubs at 6:15. Anderson is the top pitching prospect in baseball and has a 10-and-1 record with a 1.06 ERA and 135 strikeouts in Double-A this season.

Next year, Louisiana public schools will roll out revised physical education standards that emphasize learning and demonstrating fundamental moving skills, not just identifying them. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the skills will build on one another from kindergarten through 12th grade. He says they are designed not only to get students involved in physical activity.

Cut 6 (09) “…their social relationships.”

Brumley hopes classes will give students physical activity skills that will stay with the long into life and help prevent health issues like heart disease and diabetes.

The Louisiana 988 Helpline sees an uptick in the number of calls and texts during periods of intense heat. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit that operates the 988 Helpline, encourages people struggling with their mental health this summer to reach out. She says the people at the 988 Helpline are compassionate people who are there to help.

Cut 15 (07) “…carry anything alone.”

Louisiana’s Department of Education has a new plan to get students moving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This Sunday is “Clean Out your Freezer” Day.  Hunters for the Hungry Executive Director Jule Grunewald says they collected nearly 18,5000 pounds of frozen goods this time last year to feed those in need and they hope to surpass that this year.

Cut 9 (09)  “…many hot meals.”
For drop off locations visit, clean-out-your-freezer.com
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Volunteers at Louisiana’s 988 Helpline get an increase in the volume of calls and texts coming in during periods of brutally hot weather conditions, like we’re seeing now. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit which operates the 988 Helpline, says if the heat is affecting your mental health to the point that you’re considering harming yourself or others, you should reach out for help, regardless of the circumstances.

Cut 14 (09) “…very much is.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism announced a new marketing campaign to attract more out of state tourists.  Nungesser says the goal of the campaign, dubbed, “Every Moment Feeds Your Soul,” is to highlight the unique things in Louisiana that you don’t get to do anywhere else.

Cut 11 (08) “…in the state.”