We’re heading into the Labor Day weekend with sky-high gas prices. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A one-dollar coin featuring President Trump is now available. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments today on whether dozens of former college athletes, including those who signed pro contracts, should be allowed to return to college sports this season. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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As we head into the Labor Day holiday, we’re paying a lot more for gasoline than we were during the Labor Day holiday last year. Triple-A Louisiana says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is about $3.72, which is about a dollar higher than last year. Don Redman with Triple-A says that year-over-year spike in gas prices shouldn’t have much of an impact on Labor Day travel plans.

Cut 4 (08) “…their personal economies.”

Redman says whereas Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are huge travel holidays, that’s not usually the case for Labor Day.

Cut 5 (06) “…back in session.”

Redman says with Labor Day not typically a huge travel weekend, high gas prices may have an effect on what day trips people end up taking during the long weekend.

Cut 6 (07) “…at state parks.”

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A one-dollar coin featuring the likeness of President Trump is now available for purchase and is also entering circulation. U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis of Mandeville says 250-thousand of the coins were released yesterday.

Cut 7 (08) “…an amazing design.”

The coin is part of a series being released this year to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.

The front of the coin features a portrait of President Trump, along with the inscriptions “Liberty,” “In God We Trust” and…

Cut 8 (07) “…of the coin.”

Hollis says Trump is not the first sitting president to appear on an American coin. During the nation’s 150th anniversary celebration, a commemorative coin featuring President Calvin Coolidge was produced. Subsequently, however, the Presidential One-Dollar Coin Act of 2005, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush, explicitly prohibits coins featuring the likeness of a current or a living former president or a president who has been deceased for less than two years.

Rolls and bags of the Trump one-dollar coins are available for purchase through the U.S. Mint.

Cut 9 (11)  “…ten-million examples.”

But Hollis says thousands of the coins have also been placed into circulation, meaning you could eventually come across one in your pocket change.

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If hunting supplies are on your shopping list, you can keep the sales tax by buying them this weekend. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the annual 2nd Amendment Weekend Sales Tax Holiday begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday.

Cut 10 (10) “…local sales tax.”

Henderson says the sales tax holiday only applies to consumer purchases; it does not apply to business or commercial purchases.

Cut 11 (12) “…types of knives.”

Henderson says there are items, however, which are not eligible for the sales tax exemption.

Cut 12 (08) “…such as airboats.”

For more information, including a full list of what’s eligible and ineligible for the sales tax exemption, visit revenue.la.gov/SecondAmendment.

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The blockbuster preliminary injunction hearing that could determine whether LSU and other SEC schools will be allowed to sign players who signed NFL contracts takes place in Baton Rouge this afternoon. Tony Clayton, one of the attorneys representing the 40-plus players seeking a fifth season of eligibility, says he is confident in their case.

Cut 13 (10)  “…and the facts.”

Judge William Jorden granted the athletes a temporary restraining order to return to college sports and enter the transfer portal. John Holden, an associate professor of business law at Indiana University, says the players’ lawsuit is based in antitrust law.

Cut 14 (11) “…from the players.”

The SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey joined the NCAA as defendants in the lawsuit after conference presidents approved a policy prohibiting schools from signing the former pros made eligible by the TRO. Holden says winning a preliminary injunction depends on proving immediate harm is caused without it.

Cut 15 (14) “…over the players.”

An appeal is expected no matter which side Judge Jorden rules in favor of.

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Just two more days before 11th ranked LSU and Clemson face off in Tiger Stadium to kick off the 2026 season. Are the Tigers locked in despite all the court room drama surrounding the fifth-year players that LSU is interested in adding to the roster? Linebacker Whit Weeks says it’s not a big deal at all for the players.

Cut 16 (11) “… day of work.”

Weeks is wearing number seven this season because of his playmaking ability. Tight end Trey’Dez Green is also wearing the number seven jersey as he’s expected to be one of quarterback Sam Leavitt’s favorite targets. Green says he and his Q-B have a great relationship.

Cut 17 (15) “…him my quarterback.”

Green had 33 catches for 433 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He has 11 touchdown grabs in his two seasons in Tiger Town. It’s expected that Head Coach Lane Kiffin and Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s game plan will likely call for more targets for Green, and the six-foot-seven junior is ready to take on the added responsibility.

Cut 18 (12) “…I love ’em.”

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ULM begins its football season Saturday at Mississippi State. The Warhawks are entering their third season under head coach Bryant Vincent. He says this year’s team has had a great offseason and is the most mature one he has coached in Monroe.

Cut 19 (17) “…are real goals.”

The Warhawks finished last season last in the Sun Belt West with a 3-and-9 record and lost their last eight games. Vincent says playing an SEC team in week one is obviously a big challenge, but he welcomes the early test.

Cut 20 (19) “…never been in.”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue sends letters to almost 23-thousand taxpayers letting them know they have until Friday to cash their tax refund checks before the money goes into Unclaimed Property. Department Spokesman Byron Henderson says if that happens, those checks become void, and they can claim that money in one of two ways.

Cut 5 (12) “…to the letter.”

The Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City will host the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball championships for the next three years. Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry says this is a huge milestone for the league, which includes Centenary College in Shreveport.

Cut 8 (06) “…participate in.”

The 2027 event will be held February 26th to the 28th.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he asked his players if they were okay with recruiting fifth-year and former NFL players, and they said yes. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Funeral arrangements for former LSU All-American football player Jerry Stovall have been announced. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge Friday at 11:30 a-m, with visitation taking place beforehand. Stovall passed away late last month at the age of 85.

LSU football players are in support of Lane Kiffin’s decision to add players who are fighting in the courts for a fifth year of eligibility. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright is one of those players who started practicing with the team this week. Junior tight end Trey’Dez Green says he’s glad Wright is on the team for now…

Cut 11 (12) “…I’m excited.”

Wright, edge rusher Junior Tuihalamaka and dozens of other athletes have a preliminary injunction hearing tomorrow to determine their egibility status moving forward. The players seeking a fifth year of eligibility are part of the high school graduation class of 2022 and they say it’s unfair they were excluded from the new NCAA rule that allows athletes to compete for five years over five seasons.

Tomorrow’s hearing begins at 11 AM inside Judge William Jorden’s courtroom.

If you got your state tax refund by paper check and have yet to cash it, you have until Friday to do so before that money gets transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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The Rapides Parish Police Jury says a child who swam in Cotile Lake last weekend has been diagnosed with Shigella, an intestinal infection caused by bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach pain and fever. Most people recover on their own by resting, drinking plenty of water and taking antibiotics.

On Friday, the state is slated to move millions of dollars in uncashed tax refunds to the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. The average uncashed refund is more than 750 dollars, and Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue points out with almost 23-thousand people yet to cash their refund checks, those amounts add up.

Cut 4 (09) “…is 17,145,961 dollars.”

As football season gets underway, the state is reminding you that smoking marijuana on a school campus or within two-thousand feet of school property is now a felony, punishable by up to a year in jail and a thousand-dollar fine. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored the legislation after hearing football fans complaining about smelling pot while tailgating.

Cut 13 (09) “…just that.”

LSU players appear to be cool with former NFL players signing with the team so close to the first game of the season. Notre Dame transfer defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka and former Ole Miss and NFL tight end Dae’Quan Wright are now practicing with the Tigers. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks says they have been valuable additions and the team is not distracted by outside noise.

Cut 10 (12) “…their business.” 

The Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City will host the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball championships for the next three years, starting in February of 2027. Bossier City councilman Brian Hammons says they are excited to welcome the SCAC student-athletes, families and fans.

Cut 6 (12) “…to us.”

If you got your state tax refund by paper check and have yet to cash it, you have until Friday to do so before that money gets transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to Child Care Aware of America, the average cost of childcare nationally is 13-thousand dollars, but childcare is not as expensive in Louisiana. The report says childcare for infants or four-year-old is around eight thousand a year in Louisiana and for school-aged children it’s about six-thousand dollars.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin asked his player leadership council whether they were okay with the Tigers signing returning fifth-year players to the roster this close to the regular season. Quarterback Sam Leavitt says the team leaders wanted their coach to do what he thought could make the team better.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in college.”

Tomorrow a Baton Rouge judge is expected to rule if several LSU football commits and other athletes should receive a fifth year. If the plaintiffs are successful, the NCAA and the SEC are expected to appeal.

The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference has announced its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be held at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City for the next three years, starting in February. Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry this will be the first time their basketball tournaments will be held at neutral site….

Cut 7 (08) “…is remarkable’

If you were issued your state tax refund by paper check and have not yet cashed it, you have until Friday to do so before that money gets transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the department sent letters to almost 23-thousand individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 3 (12) “…cash those checks.”

That money totals more than 17-million dollars.

With football season getting underway, Governor Landry is reminding you about a new state law that makes it a felony to smoke marijuana on a school campus or within two-thousand feet of school property. Landry says anyone convicted could face up to one year in prison and a one-thousand-dollar fine.

Cut 12 (09) “…season.” 

LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he asked his players if they were okay with recruiting fifth-year and former NFL players, and they said yes. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

In November, LSU students can get a free lesson on credit education from Shaquille O’Neal. The basketball hall of famer who earned his undergrad degree from LSU and subsequently earned a doctorate will be at Fred’s Bar in Tigerland as part of a national tour across several universities.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue sends letters to almost 23-thousand taxpayers letting them know they have until Friday to cash their tax refund checks before the money goes into Unclaimed Property. Department Spokesman Byron Henderson says if that happens, those checks become void, and they can claim that money in one of two ways.

Cut 5 (12) “…to the letter.”

September is Love Our Waterways month. Those of you with boats are encouraged to pick up a bucket at your local marina and head out onto the water to pick up litter from the surface. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says even if you don’t have a boat, you can still participate in the cleanup effort.

Cut 14 (11) “…lakes and bayous.”

The LSU Alumni Association launches its Tiger Nation Challenge for 2026. Vice President of Development Lauren Griffin says this year, in honor of LSU’s big game against Clemson in the real Death Valley, they’re having a friendly competition with Clemson’s alumni association to see which school can raise more money.

Cut 11 (08) “…can get involved.”

Griffin says since this is a friendly competition, the winning school will merely get the satisfaction of winning.

The Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City will host the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball championships for the next three years. Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry says this is a huge milestone for the league, which includes Centenary College in Shreveport.

Cut 8 (06) “…participate in.”

The 2027 event will be held February 26th to the 28th.