The midterm elections haven’t happened yet, but speculation in the 2028 presidential election is already underway. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Board of Regents reports that 54-percent of adults in Louisiana have a credential of value, up from 44-percent in 2019. That means more than half of Louisiana adults have either a college degree or another credential. Nationally around 55-percent of adults have a post-high school credential.

Applied Atomics, which develops, builds and operates small modular nuclear power plants, is building its headquarters in New Orleans. John Fleig (“fleeg”), the chief innovation officer with the Louisiana Economic Development Department, says the facility will be in the Bywater neighborhood, and it will include a training demonstration system that will be operational early next year.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the clock.”

The company, which was founded last year by individuals who used to be at Space X, is expected to create 41 new direct jobs.

Preseason practice is underway for the LSU men’s basketball team and the Tigers list only four players on their roster. Coach Will Wade says several other teams are in a similar boat as they wait on the NCAA to rule on the eligibility of numerous players. Wade says they do have 15 players practicing. Nearly all of them are transfers, some are from overseas…

Cut 14 (11) re-start next year”

Former Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu tells Politico he’s considering a run for President in 2028. LSU New Orleans political scientist Ed Chervenak says Landrieu is quite prominent within Democratic circles…

Cut 4 (09) “….here in Louisiana”

Landrieu says he expects to make a decision by the end of the year.

A nuclear power startup company called Applied Atomics announces plans to build its headquarters in New Orleans. Applied Atomics develops, builds and operates small modular nuclear power plants that can provide energy to data centers and other facilities that need a large amount of power to operate. John Fleig with the Louisiana Department of Economic Deveopment, says Applied Atomics investment builds on Louisiana’s broader strategy to expand its role in the nuclear energy industry.

Cut 12 (11) “…along the river.”

American Sugar Cane League General Manager Jim Simon says Governor Landry’s most recent executive order is providing Louisiana sugarcane farmers with much-needed relief from record-high diesel prices as the harvest gets underway. The executive order suspends the penalty for using dyed off-road diesel in vehcles that are registered for Farm Use or Forest Products. Simon says this means vehicles that haul sugarcane to the mills can use diesel that’s not taxed…

Cut 8 (08) “…on the roads”

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is making no apologies for how he’s built his roster for the upcoming season, which features older players, some of them from overseas, and there are questions over whether they will be eligible when the regular season tips off in November…

Cut 15 (13) “….to be better (2x)

Wade says they have 15 players praciticing, but only four players are officially listed on the roster. He expects he’ll have a full roster when the regular season starts.

With diesel prices at record highs, farmers are thanking Governor Landry for suspending the penalty for using non-taxed dyed diesel to fuel ag vehicles on public roadways. American Sugar Cane League General Manager Jim Simon (see-MOH) says the average price of diesel in Louisiana has soared to more than six dollars a gallon right at harvest time.

Cut 7 (08) “…onto the market.”

Simon says non-tax diesel fuel can now be used to haul sugarcane to the mills.

Former Lt. Governor, New Orleans Mayor and member of the Biden Administration, Mitch Landrieu, tells Politico, he’s thinking about running for President in 2028. LSU New Orleans political science professor Ed Chervenak says Landrieu’s last elected job was as mayor and that term came to an end in 2018, but that shouldn’t be a detriment…

Cut 5 (08) “…of those connections”

We are moving into the middle of football season, but hoops season is right around the corner. LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is making no apologies for how he’s built his roster…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Vidalia city council has struck a deal with a company called Fortalis that plans on building a data center in the Concordia Parish town. Mayor Buz Craft says Fortalis plans to buy the former Fruit of the Loom facility and turn one-third of the facility into a data center.

The midterm elections haven’t happened yet, but speculation in the 2028 presidential election is already underway. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A company that develops, builds, and operates small modular nuclear power plants has decided to build its headquarters. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is making no apologies for how he’s built his roster for the upcoming season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The midterm elections are a little more than a month away, but speculation is already underway as to who will run for president in two years. Among those considering a run for the White House on the Democratic side is former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. He expressed his interest in an interview with Politico, saying he expects to make a decision by the end of the year. LSU New Orleans political scientist Ed Chervenak says Landrieu is quite prominent within Democratic circles.

Cut 4 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

Landrieu was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1988 to 2004 before serving as lieutenant governor from 2004 until his resignation in 2010 when he took over as mayor of New Orleans, a post he held until 2018. Chervenak says not holding elected office since then shouldn’t be a detriment for Landrieu.

Cut 5 (08) “…of those connections.”

If Landrieu does decide to get into the race, he can expect to be in a very crowded field. Chervenak says as such, Landrieu will need to work extra hard to separate himself.

Cut 6 (08) “…support or not.”

The field is also expected to be crowded on the Republican side, with no incumbent eligible to run for re-election due to term limits as spelled out in the 22nd Amendment.

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With diesel prices soaring to record levels at precisely the worst time for the state’s agriculture industry, farmers are thanking Governor Landry for suspending the penalty for using non-taxed dyed diesel on roadways. American Sugar Cane League General Manager Jim Simon (see-MOH) says the average price of diesel in Louisiana has soared to more than six dollars a gallon right at harvest time.

Cut 7 (08) “…onto the market.”

Simon says while sugarcane farmers routinely use dyed diesel on their farms, they rely on taxed diesel to haul the sugarcane to the mills.

Cut 8 (08) “…on the roads.”

Simon says now that those truck drivers can use dyed diesel to haul the sugarcane to the mills through October 22nd without penalty, that could yield around eight-million dollars in economic relief to the sugarcane industry.

Cut 9 (08)  “…question about that.”

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Applied Atomics, which develops, builds and operates small modular nuclear power plants, is building its headquarters in New Orleans. John Fleig (“fleeg”), the chief innovation officer with the Louisiana Economic Development Department, says the facility will be in the Bywater neighborhood, and it will include a training demonstration system that will be operational early next year.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the clock.”

The company, which was founded last year, is expected to create 41 new direct jobs. Feig says the project shows what’s possible when Louisiana uses its energy and industrial expertise with companies developing what comes next.

Cut 11 (08) “…small modular reactors.”

There’s a demand for small nuclear power plants to provide the power needed to run data centers and other facilities that need a lot of energy to operate. Feig says Applied Atomics investment builds on Louisiana’s broader strategy to expand its role in the nuclear energy industry.

Cut 12 (11) “…along the river.”

Applied Atomics headquarters is not a nuclear power generation site, and no radioactive materials will be handled, processed or stored at the facility.

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Will Wade’s LSU basketball roster officially lists only four players, but he says he’s been practicing with a full team since Labor Day. That’s because most of his players are former international pros or fifth-year seniors waiting on eligibility rulings to play this season. Wade has drawn a lot of criticism for his approach, but he says just because it’s different doesn’t make it wrong.

Cut 13 (12)  “…idiot I am.”

All four of the players currently listed on the roster are transfers, meaning Wade will be starting from scratch for his second stint in Baton Rouge. He says his goal is to hit the ground running, and that is why he’s trying to bring in the experienced talent.

Cut 14 (11) “…restart next year.”

Wade was fired as the Tigers’ head coach in 2022 amid accusations of NCAA violations. He led the Tigers to a 108-and-54 record in five seasons but says that will not be enough this time around.

Cut 15 (13) “…to be better (2x).”

LSU has its first exhibition game at McNeese on October 8th.

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Both LSU and Texas A-and-M will be looking to rebound from disappointing losses when the teams square off in Tiger Stadium this weekend. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says quarterback Sam Leavitt has admitted he had a bad outing against Ole Miss, and the home game will be a chance to get back on track.

Cut 16 (19) “…better this week.”

Texas A-and-M lost to Kentucky 31-21 as over 16-point favorites last week. The Aggies gave up 21 points in the third quarter, but Kiffin says that coach Mike Elko will have his team ready to play better when they come to Baton Rouge.

Cut 17 (12) “…we’re excited about.”

Aggies coach Mike Elko says it was one of the worst defensive performances in his time in College Station.

Cut 18 (14) “…us last week.”

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The Saints host the Raiders in their home opener on Sunday. After the team’s upset win over the Ravens and comeback against the Lions, there is a lot of excitement in New Orleans around the black and gold. Head Coach Kellen Moore says the team won’t be listening to its own hype.

Cut 19 (14) “…a fun battle.”

It will be the first game back in the Superdome since the start of the preseason. Quarterback Tyler Shough expects to see a full house.

Cut 20 (15) “…our detail.”

Kickoff is set for 3:25.

Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel on vehicles that use public roads and highways. It suspends the penalty for using off-road fuel in licensed highway vehicles through October 22nd. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the rise in diesel costs comes at a bad time.

Cut 5 (11) “…at harvest.”

Veterinarians are urging pet owners to make sure their pets are vaccinated after a dog tests positive for rabies earlier this month. Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says humans can get rabies too.

Cut 10 (14) “…through rabbits.” 

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office is investigating allegations that an LSU football player raped an LSU student. LSU originally suspended the student athlete for two semesters; but when the new school year began, that punishment was reduced to two year’s probation. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says it sounds like LSU followed Title Nine requirements.

Cut 7 (08) “…not theres.”

Will Wade’s LSU basketball roster officially lists only four players, but he says he’s been practicing with a full team since Labor Day. That’s because most of his players are former international pros or fifth-year seniors waiting on eligibility rulings to play this season. Wade has drawn a lot of criticism for his approach, but he says just because it’s different doesn’t make it wrong.

Cut 13 (12)  “…idiot I am.”

Governor Landry issues an executive order that allows for the use of nontaxable, dyed diesel fuel in highway vehicles that are engaged in ag and timber harvesting operations. Kace Kieshnick has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office announces 11 inmates have been arrested for using the bible to make cigarettes. Sheriff Charles Guillory says the inmates tore pages from the bible, rolled up the pieces of paper and then soaked them with chemicals and other substances and managed to light the Bible paper and then smoked them.

Louisiana is closing the digital divide faster than many places in the country. According to the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection, Louisiana had the fourth highest proportional growth in the U-S. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gar), the executive director of Connect-L-A, says Louisiana more than tripled the national average in broadband access increase.

Cut 27 (12) “…100 by 20.”

Earlier this month the Louisiana Department of Health reported a rabies case in a dog. The first time that’s happened since 2014 and the fifth time in the last 20 years. Doctor Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says this underscores the importance of vaccinating and don’t let your pets roaming freely, especially in rural areas…

Cut 11 (10) “…them at risk”

Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel, suspending the penalty for using off-road fuel in licensed highway vehicles through October 22nd. Richard Fontenot, the president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, says the record cost of diesel affects expenses for farmers across the board, especially during peak harvesting time.

Cut 4 (09) “…and can’t do.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a case of rabies in a dog earlier this month. Dr. Mark Mitchell with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says especially since rabies is almost 100-percent fatal, this underscores the importance of vaccinating your pets as required by law.

Cut 9 (12)  “…interact with them.”

An LSU student alleges she was raped by a football player last October and has asked the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office to investigate. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

El Nino may be preventing hurricanes from forming in the Atlantic this year, but the weather pattern is causing other kinds of issues. In fact, the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab estimates that this year’s El Nino could be responsible for more than 450-thousand deaths worldwide – mostly in the Southern Hemisphere due to extreme heat.