Governor Landry gets a first-hand look at the flooding in Avoyelles Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Early voting is over, so this Saturday is the last chance for you to make your voice heard in the U.S. Senate runoffs. Joe Gallinaro reports.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”
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The 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is this coming Saturday; and Hall President Ronnie Rantz says fans can stay busy all weekend. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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Governor Landry took an aerial tour of the flooding in Avoyelles Parish Friday afternoon, and what he saw from the air took his breath away.
Cut 4 (10) “…was certainly impactful.”
Avoyelles is one of six parishes included in Landry’s disaster declaration following torrential rains both during and after Tropical Storm Arthur. Landry is also working to secure a federal disaster declaration for Avoyelles Parish, which would free up federal dollars for recovery efforts. Landry said those affected can help speed up the process by documenting their damage at damage.la.gov.
Cut 5 (11) “…up the chain.”
Landry also expressed frustration over the relatively low number of people in Avoyelles Parish who carry flood insurance.
Cut 6 (10) “…can’t afford it.”
Earlier, Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, noted that most of Avoyelles Parish is not in a flood zone. He called this event a “one-thousand-year flood.”
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Early voting is over, so voters have one more chance this Saturday to head to the polls to make their voices heard in the U.S. Senate runoffs. The race getting the most attention has been on the Republican side, with Julia Letlow and John Fleming battling it out for the nomination. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow could play an outsized role.
Cut 7 (11) “…of Donald Trump.”
In the primary, Letlow finished 15 points ahead of Fleming, and a poll showing Letlow ahead by that margin since advancing to the runoff appeared to indicate that she was pulling away. But a recent poll commissioned by the Letlow campaign actually showed her trailing Fleming. Hogan says that’s proof that this is anyone’s contest.
Cut 8 (08) “…their minds yet.”
Hogan says while neither campaign delivered the proverbial knockout blow, one campaign committed a potentially fatal unforced error.
Cut 9 (14) “…the Fleming campaign.”
On the Democratic side, former Tensas Parish police juror Jamie Davis is squaring off against Gary Crockett, who has never held elected office. Hogan says the winner of the Republican race will be the odds-on favorite to win the general election in November.
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One group is sounding the alarm over federal road funding, especially in light of the condition of America’s roads. Brian Turmail, the vice president of the Associated General Contractors of America, says 51-percent of Louisiana’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and that costs drivers almost 900 dollars a year.
Cut 10 (12) “…such rough pavement.”
Congress needs to pass a new transportation funding bill by September 30th to ensure that there will be enough money to pay for maintenance of roads, bridges and transit systems. Turmail says the solution his group is proposing is to add a federal EV and hybrid vehicle tax to compensate for the federal gasoline taxes they’re not paying.
Cut 11 (10) “…federal fuel tax.”
Turmail says EV drivers in particular are getting a free ride, and they should be paying their fair share towards the funding used to maintain roads and bridges.
Cut 12 (10) “…a gas car.”
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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be inducted in Natchitoches this weekend. Hall President and CEO Ronnie Rantz says there will be events celebrating the inductees all weekend. He says his favorite day is Friday, kicked off by the Celebrity Bowling Bash at the Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria.
Cut 13 (10) “…the whole family.”
Headlining this year’s class are former LSU Tigers Warren Morris, Todd MccLure and Sylvia Fowles. Saints wide receiver Joe Horn and LSU basketball coach John Brady are also in the 12-person class. Friday evening is the Rockin’ River Fest with live music on the Natchitoches riverfront.
Cut 14 (09) “…bring the family.”
The induction ceremony will be Saturday night and will be broadcast on LPB across the state. Rantz says there will be even more opportunities for family fun during the day.
Cut 15 (09) “…a Cane’s lunch.”
And for the parents, there will be a round table luncheon and Q&A with the inductees.
Rantz says many events are free, but you can purchase VIP tickets and find more information about the 2026 class at L-A-sports-hall-dot-com.
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After missing the postseason for the first time since 2011, LSU is revamping its baseball roster. Coach Jay Johnson has added six new talents from the transfer portal, including top portal prospect Bino Watters. Johnson says the Notre Dame outfielder is a complete player.
Cut 16 (16) “…from Notre Dame.”
Johnson also added Tulane outfielder Jason Wachs, who’s been the Green Wave’s best hitter the last two seasons. The transfer duo is expected to slot into the corners of the outfield.
The Tigers also landed a duo of experienced infielders. Florida transfer Cade Kurland has 190 starts in four years with the Gators and will likely be the LSU starting second baseman. With Steven Milam returning, Johnson says Texas State sophomore shortstop Dawson Park can shift over to third.
Cut 17 (14) “…to move around.”
On the mound, Johnson welcomes two talented arms coming off their freshman seasons. Gonzaga righty Landon Hood was the number-one pitcher in the portal with a fastball that touches 97. USC’s Diego Velazquez showed great command both as a starter and in relief for the Trojans this year. Johnson says they’ll complement a young staff he has faith in.
Cut 18 (15) “…Cooper Moore back.”