Last week, we heard from Public Service Commissioner-elect John Atkins. This morning, we’re hearing from the other commissioner-elect, Stephanie Hilferty. Cade Voisin reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Cade Voisin.”

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LSU is set to embark on a 440-thousand dollar preservation project to restoring the Native American mounds that are located on campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU’s playoff hopes are all but over after Saturday’s performance. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Come January, Stephanie Hilferty will be the new public service commissioner out of district one, which encompasses much of Southeast Louisiana. The Metairie Republican beat Democrat Connie Norris and no-party candidate Chris Justin in last Tuesday’s general election to win a spot on the five-member commission. Hilferty, who had been a state representative, says voters told her one of their biggest issues is their water service.

Cut 4 (11) “…the service side.”

Hilferty says the other big issue she heard from voters, just like everywhere else in the state, was the rapid growth of data centers and their effect on utility reliability and utility rates.

Cut 5 (10) “…like long-term?”

Hilferty says one of her main priorities once she enters office is to update electrical reliability standards, which she says are long overdue to be updated.

Cut 6 (08) “…for since 1998.”

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The Louisiana Board of Regents is developing the new Louisiana Opportunity index to help measure how effectively Louisiana’s higher education system creates career opportunities for its students. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the index allows campuses to assess whether they are career-connected.

Cut 7 (10) “…career guidance.”

Louisiana has announced over 260-billion-dollars in economic investment across the state, and higher education officials are working to ensure their programs can develop students to meet the needs of a growing workforce. Reed says they want to make sure they are developing and retaining great talent in Louisiana

Cut 8 (13) “…opportunities in Louisiana.”

Louisiana met its goal of awarded 85-thousand postsecondary annual credentials four years early, but the index works to make sure those achievements translate to real opportunities. Reed says the index is designed to make sure officials are measuring things that matter.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and to thrive.”

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LSU will soon begin a 440-thousand-dollar preservation project to restore the iconic Native American mounds located on campus. The man-made mounds are thousands of years old, but are suffering from erosion. One mound has lost its cone-like shape, and grass is no longer growing in certain areas, leaving patches of dirt. LSU campus landscape architect Dennis Mitchell is heading up the project…

Cut 10 (07) “…how to do that.”

Mitchell says the preservation work will address mound erosion, resodding the mounds with grass that will not die off as easily, and a new irrigation system will be installed…

Cut 11 (11) “…the perimeter.”

And Mitchell says the irrigation will water the dirt and sediment from the bottom up. He says they are also taking down the chain link fence around the historic site, but they still don’t want anyone walking on the mounds…

Cut 12 (10) “…sacred.”

The National Park Service is paying for half of the project and work should begin in the next six months.

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LSU’s playoff hopes all but came to an end Saturday after losing to Alabama in Death Valley, 31-13. LSU actually took a 13-10 lead with 2:44 left in the third quarter on a five-yard touchdown run by Dilin Jones. But it took Alabama just five plays to regain the lead that it would not relinquish. After the game, Head Coach Lane Kiffin said that two-minute, eight-second drive by Alabama was the turning point of the game.

Cut 13 (12)  “…at the end.” 

Kiffin noted that LSU dominated the game statistically, outgaining Alabama in total offense, 457 yards to 285.

Cut 14 (13) “…the fourth downs.”

Quarterback Sam Leavitt said LSU’s inability to score touchdowns in the red zone is what did the Tigers in against Alabama.

Cut 15 (06) “…don’t do that.”

The loss drops LSU to 6-and-3 on the season, making any realistic chance for the Tigers to finish in the top seven among the non-conference champions in the final College Football Playoff rankings very highly unlikely. LSU wraps up its home schedule Saturday against Texas.

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Louisiana Tech forced five turnovers and scored another defensive touchdown as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten in Sun Belt play with a 41-17 win over Troy for their sixth straight win. Coach Sonny Cumbie is excited to see his team go on the road for a second straight week and get a win…

Cut 16 (16) “…executed.”

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The Ragin Cajuns are bowl eligible for a ninth consecutive season after a 28-26 win over South Alabama. U-L Lafayette rushed for 312 yards and Micah Johnson intercepted a pass with 1:29 left to preserve the victory. Coach Michael Desormeaux says after losing a couple of close games earlier this season, it was nice to win a tight one…

Cut 17 (17) “…what you need.

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For the first time since 2001, ULM defeated Arkansas State in Jonesboro beating the Red Wolves 19 to 17 to retain the Rice Bowl Trophy. The Warhawks got two key interceptions and Coach Bryant Vincent liked what his team did on offense…

Cut 18 (17)  “…working on.”

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The Saints finally won inside the Superdome this season as New Orleans beat the Cleveland Browns 23 to 22 in overtime. The Saints had their troubles in the red zone, including a turnover, but Coach Kellen Moore credits quarterback Tyler Shough and the offense for scoring two red zone touchdowns, one near the end of regulation and the other in overtime…

Cut 19 (13) “…awesome job.”

Shough threw for 265 yards and a touchdown; he also rushed for 51 yards. Chris Olave had seven catches for 98 yards, including a huge 33-yard catch to set up New Orleans first touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Olave says they made their mistakes, but got the win…

Cut 20 (16) “….move forward

First Lady Melania Trump will visit LSU tomorrow to unveil a five-million-dollar permanent endowment fund. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Of the ten constitutional amendments on the ballot, Amendment One passed with the broadest support. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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First Lady Melania Trump is visiting LSU this weekend to announce a five-million-dollar endowment fund supporting scholarships for LSU students who experienced foster care. LSU System President Wade Rousse says the final number could end up even higher than five million, and the fund will support 14 scholarships in perpetuity.

Cut 3 (09) “…be more proud.” 

The fund comes as part of the First Lady’s Fostering the Future initiative. Rousse says only about 3-percent of foster youth in America have the chance to attend college. He says this endowment follows LSU’s mission to make higher education accessible across the state.

Cut 4 (10) “…put this together.”

Trump will hold a special announcement on campus tomorrow and then plans to attend the massive LSU-Alabama game at 2:30. Rousse says fans should expect some changes in stadium security.

Cut 5 (10) “…gate entrances.”

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Nicholls debuted a jersey logo patch partnership with Thibodaux Regional Health System last weekend. The co-branded logo will appear on uniforms across all 17 Nicholls sports as an expansion of the pre-existing partnership between the university and medical system. Nicholls Athletics Director JT Terrel says having the agreement with someone you’re familiar with just makes it better.

Cut 6 (10) “…just awesome.”

The partnership represents the largest long-term commitment to athletics in Southland Conference history. As college athletics departments across the country look for ways to survive the increased expenses in the new era of college sports, Terrell says this agreement makes a big difference.

Cut 7 (10) “…championship level.”

Terrell says Thibodaux Regional Health System is also providing the Colonels with sports medicine services, including a full athletic training staff, advanced medical technology and athletic facilities.

Cut 8 (08) “…student athletes.”

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The constitutional amendment that passed by the most overwhelming margin was Amendment One. That allows the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran to retain the service-related property tax exemption after moving. It passed with 75-percent support. Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says whereas before it made no financial sense for survivors to downsize after the deaths of their veteran spouses, it now gives them a lot more flexibility.

Cut 9 (12)  “…effect January 1st.” 

Meginley says the total value of these tax exemptions statewide is only about 168-thousand dollars, which is a miniscule number relative to the overall state budget.

Cut 10 (10) “…claim the exemption.” 

Meginley says military spouses make so many sacrifices themselves, so this is one way to show them gratitude.

Cut 11 (12) “…us to do.”

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Former LSU head football coach and now special assistant to recruiting and defense Ed Orgeron will be on the sidelines for the Tigers big game against Alabama, but the 65-year-old from Larose said he nearly died earlier this year. In an advertisement, Orgeron praised the medical staff at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge…

Cut 12 (07) “…grateful for that.”

Orgeron did not provide details about his hospital scare. A Yahoo Sports report says Orgeron, who became ill during preseason practice, was hospitalized for sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which a body’s response to an infection can damage its organs.

New Orleans journalist Kaare (Corey) Johnson reported Orgeron spent 18 straight days in the hospital. Coach O says the hospital staff worked together like a championship football team to save his life…

Cut 13 (10) “…unbelieveable”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin acknowledged on September 14^th it got a little bit scary for Orgeron. After missing the first few games of the season, Orgeron has returned to duties on the coaching staff and has been seen walking with a cane. The former national championship winning coach is happy to be alive…

Cut 14 (12) “…Crimson Tide.”

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Even if it’s not in prime time, LSU still has a marquee matchup with Alabama tomorrow afternoon that could eliminate one of the teams from the playoff race. Tigers coach Lane Kiffin is 0-and-5 in his career against the Tide. Mobile radio host Mark Heim says Kiffin could actually end up being LSU’s biggest obstacle.

Cut 15 (12) “…Lane ball.”

Heim says this is Kalen DeBoer’s most talented team since he took over at Alabama, but they have struggled with inexperience and inconsistency. He says Crimson Tide sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell can take fans on a bit of a roller coaster.

Cut 16 (14) “…throw the ball away.”