The Louisiana Department of Insurance has postponed a hearing on the proposed sale of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health. Concerns about the effect on customers have been raised about the two-point-five billion dollar deal. A new hearing date has been set for October 5th and sixth.

We’ll see high temperatures get above 105-degrees in some parts of the state this weekend. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee reports the sun will continue to bake the Bayou State…

Cut 2 (28)  “…this weekend”  

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry reports over 24-hundred acres have been damaged from over 100 wildfires since the middle of last week. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says when the fire spreads to the top of trees then it becomes it a real concern, because then it begins to move faster.

Cut 13 (10) “…to fight it”

The State Fire Marshal continues to investigate a fatal house fire that resulted in the death of a male Franklinton on Thursday. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators believe the victim is the 72-year-old homeowner who had mobility challenges. Rodrigue says authorities are looking into what may have caused the fire.

Cut 15 (08) “…this instance.”

Official identification is pending.

The Saints are scheduled to play the Chargers on Sunday at 6:05 pm central time, but the threat of Hurricane Hilary is causing the NFL to reconsider the game’s status. The NFL said in a statement that “We continue to monitor the weather and will update the situation if anything changes.” Coach Allen says the league and SoFi stadium will call each other to determine the best course of actions.

Pro bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore left practice early today, and Allen says what he saw and how he will be moving forward.

Cut 27 (9) “…where it’s at.”

The Saints were 23^rd in the league last year in penalty yards allowed per game, and Allen says they are working on that issue specifically ahead of the upcoming year.

Cut 28 (13) “… a focus for us.”

Last week against the Chiefs the Saints had nine penalties for 81 yards.

Chris Olave was the Saints leading receiver last year with over a thousand receiving yards, but he says that veteran receiver Michael Thomas has been more of a vocal presence on and off the field.

Cut 25 (15) “…since I’ve been here.”

Louisiana Tech is playing Florida International as apart of Week 0, but they will be without their leading rusher from last year. Running back Marquis Crosby was announced as out for the year due to an undisclosed injury. In 2022 Crosby rushed for 918 yards on 183 carries and 9 touchdowns. Running back Charvis Thornton.

ULM opens the season against Army on Sept. 2. Last year the team averaged 325 yards per game on offense which was third to last in the Sun Belt, but Coach Terry Bowden says how the team has gotten better in the offseason to see more offensive production.

Cut 26 (10) “… us everyday.”

Sabine Parish authorities have evacuated residents due to another wildfire that began earlier today.  The fire is located right behind the new North Sabine Fire Station east of Zwolle. Firefighters contained two wildfires this week that left at least eight houses destroyed or heavily damaged.

Former president Donald Trump continues to receive strong support in his bid to return to the White House according to a recent survey by Louisiana Pollster John Couvillon. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The proposed passenger rail line from New Orleans to Baton Rouge receives $20 million in federal funding left from the Road Home program from the Edwards administration. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne

Cut 3 (11) “…beneficial purpose.”

The $20 million will be used towards the state’s match for a federal grant that can help pay for the project.

The State Fire Marshal is investigating a fatal house and brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a body in Franklinton on Thursday. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators believe the blaze may have started outside of the home.

Cut  14 (12)  “…were discovered.”

Another wildfire has broken out in Sabine Parish and it’s resulted in authorities evacuating residents in the town of Zwolle.

In Washington Parish, a 72-year-old Franklinton man was killed in a house fire that investigators believe started from burning piles outside of the home. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the investigation into the death of the individual and what may have caused the fire continues.
Cut 15 (07) “…this instance.”
A statewide burn ban remains in effect.

And the National Hurricane Center says there’s now a medium chance of tropical development in the central or western Gulf of Mexico next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the best case scenario is that the system provides a little break from the heat…
cut 10 (12) “…triple digits”
But for this weekend, expect temps above 100-degrees.

Louisiana pollster John Couvillon has surveyed over one-thousand likely Republican voters and has found support remains strong for former President Donald Trump, despite multiple federal indictments. But support has declined for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. But is on the rise for entrepreneur and investment manager Vivek Ramaswamy (vuh-Vake RAH-muh-SWAH-mee)…
cut 8 (08) “…more scrutiny”
Couvillon says in a poll he conducted in July, three-percent supported Ramaswamy, now it’s up to five percent.

The state has put another 20-million dollars towards a proposed passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
cut 4 (11) “…to happen”
The 20-million dollars is left over from the Road Home Program, which closed in February. The federal government is allowing the state to use the money for the train, because it could help in future evacuation efforts.

Louisiana pollster John Couvillon says his latest national survey of Republicans still finds President Trump performing well in the polls despite multiple federal indictments. Couvillon says 52-percent of the Republicans he surveyed say they would vote for Trump, but Florida Governor Ron Desantis’ support is starting to wane…
cut 7 (05) “…the the polls”
Desantis got 13 percent of the vote in Couvillon’s latest poll, in July the Florida governor received 17-percent.

20-million dollars left over from the now closed Road Home Program will be used to help fund a proposed passenger rail line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they planned to give the 20-million dollars back to the feds…
cut 5 (07) “…a decision”
Dardenne says they had until June 30th to decide how to spend the money left over from the Road Home Program, which was used to help people rebuild their homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

We’ll see high temperatures get above 105-degrees in some parts of the state this weekend. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee reports the sun will continue to bake the Bayou State…
Cut 2 (28) “…this weekend”

The rumors of a relationship between former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes and LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne are true. Skenes told the Pittsbugh Post-Gazette that he is dating the internet sensation who is making millions off N-I-L deals. Skenes says his best friend at LSU was dating Dunne’s roommate, which is how the romance started.

Louisiana Pollster John Couvillon has done another survey on the race to get the Republican Presidential nomination and former president Donald Trump continues to do well.
cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Nexstar Media and Emerson College Poll of Louisiana residents found that 70-percent of the respondents said their car insurance rates went up in the past year. 40-percent say their new premium presents a major financial burden. And nearly 62-percent also report an increase in their homeowners-flood insurance rates.

The State Fire Marshal is investigating a fatal house and brush fire that resulted in the discovery of a body in Franklinton on Thursday. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators believe the blaze may have started outside of the home…
Cut 14 (12) “…were discovered.”
The victim is believed to be the 72-year-old homeowner who had mobility challenges.

The heat will be turned up a notch this weekend as temperatures will push well above 100-degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says central and north Louisiana will be baking Saturday and Sunday…
Cut 9 (08) “…heat index values”
Keim says next week south Louisiana could catch a little bit of a break from a tropical wave that has a chance of developing as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite four separate federal indictments against Donald Trump, the former president continues to receive strong support from Republicans in his bid to return to the White House. Louisiana pollster John Couvillon…
Cut 6 (11) “…ganging up on him”
Couvillon surveyed 11-hundred likely Republican voters nationwide and 52-percent said they would vote for Trump in the Presidential Primary.

The state has put another 20-million dollars towards a proposed passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
cut 4 (11) “…to happen”
The 20-million dollars is left over from the Road Home Program, which closed in February. The federal government is allowing the state to use the money for the train, because it could help in future evacuation efforts.

We’ll see high temperatures get above 105-degrees in some parts of the state this weekend. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee reports the sun will continue to bake the Bayou State…
cut 2 (28) “….this weekend”

Louisiana Pollster John Couvillon has done another survey on the race to get the Republican Presidential nomination and former president Donald Trump continues to do well.
cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Nexstar Media and Emerson College Poll of Louisiana residents found that 70-percent of the respondents said their car insurance rates went up in the past year. 40-percent say their new premium presents a major financial burden. And nearly 62-percent also report an increase in their homeowners-flood insurance rates.

The Edwards administration is using $20 million left over from the Road Home program for the proposed New Orleans to Baton Rouge passenger rail line. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the federal government agreed to this move because the train could help evacuate residents out of New Orleans when a hurricane is approaching
Cut 3 (11) “…beneficial purpose.”
The $20 million will be used to help put up the state’s match for a federal grant the state is seeking to pay for the project.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry reports over 24-hundred acres have been damaged from over 100 wildfires since the middle of last week. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says hot and dry conditions and plenty of dead wood is providing the kindling…
cut 12 (11) “……quickly”

As of right now there are no plans to reschedule the Saints preseason game against the Chargers. Hurricane Hilary has formed off the West Coast of Mexico and is expected to make landfall in southern California by Sunday night. The game is currently scheduled in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood California for Sunday Aug. 20 at 6:05 p.m. central time and according to the National Hurricane Center the storm will make landfall in the area around 9 p.m. central time. If the status of the game changes we will bring you updates at the next sportscast.

The Saints head coach Dennis Allen was previously the defensive coordinator of the team before taking his current role, so he has primarily been with the defense during the Chargers and Saints joint practices. He says what he has seen so far from the Saints defenders while going up against their new opponents.

Cut 17 (10) “…skill players.”

If the game is played on Sunday, there is still no update on how much the starters or the second and third team will play on both sides of the ball.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke to the media on Wednesday before their two closed practices on Thursday and Friday, and he says how the defense can use linebacker Omar Speights for the team’s production.

Cut 19 (13) “…him around.”

The Tigers are returning quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier, and Kelly also says how he has seen the quarterback room get better over the course of the offseason.

Cut 20 (23) “…and control.

The Pelicans 2023 schedule has been released, and their home opener is on Oct. 28^th against the New York Knicks.