Some Louisiana children went back to school this week and the rest will be starting soon.  Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says there are many challenges schools are facing and one is last year’s school performance scores

Cut 12 (08) “…individual schools.”

Another challenge… Louisiana is in need of over 2,520 teachers and has the fifth highest rate of uncertified teachers in the country at 9-percent.

New weekly polling averages show former President Trump’s lead over Vice President Harris is decreasing by about one point for a third straight week. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests if the Trump campaign can’t reverse this decline…

Cut 8 (10)  “…change.”

Currently, Trump and Harris are separated in the polls by just one point.

A groundbreaking celebration kicks off construction of a new LSU Eunice Baseball stadium. It will feature removable, artificial turf that allows the stadium to serve as a multi-purpose facility. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says they didn’t forget about the spectators…

Cut 4 (10) “…our opponents deserve.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.

Three Louisiana towns made Electricity Dot Com’s list of the 150 Most Welcoming Towns for Travelers. 3700 travelers ranked towns they said embraced newcomers as part of the community. Abita Springs made the list at number 53, Natchitoches number 57, and St. Francisville was ranked number 61.

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

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New weekly polling averages show former President Trump’s lead over Vice President Kamala Harris continues to decrease. Mel Bridges has the numbers.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school.

Cut 3 (11) “…building the future.”

The new stadium will feature removable, artificial turf that allows the stadium to serve as a multi-purpose facility. However, Sorenson says they didn’t forget about the stadium part and says fans and players can look forward to…

Cut 4 (09) “…our opponents deserve.”

The new stadium will be a state-of-the-art facility that Sorenson says the 8-time National Champion team deserves. However, it’s also designed to be a multi-purpose facility that Sorenson says will help draw events to Acadiana.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sporting tournaments.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.

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There’s an over 50% chance a cyclone will form in the Atlantic over this weekend. Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the storm, which is a tropical wave over the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean seas right now, is gathering some power as it moves west-northwest.

Cut 6 (07) “…Saturday.”

Jacquemin says the storm is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm as it heads towards the U.S. Current models show the storm hitting Cuba, then curving east towards Florida, but it’s too early to accurately predict exactly where in the States the storm will make landfall.

Cut 7 (10) “…potential threat.”

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New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris decreasing by at least one point for a third straight week. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests if the Trump campaign can’t reverse this decline…

Cut 8 (10)  “…change.”

Couvillon says the shift in campaign momentum could be due to the Harris campaign rolling out smoothly compared to a number of recent blunders from the Trump campaign. While Trump is still technically up in the polls, Couvillon says his campaign should be careful to avoid any further slides.

Cut 9 (12) “…Democratic convention.”

Last week, Trump was 2 points ahead of Harris, and he was up 3.2 points against Biden the week before. Currently, Trump and Harris are separated in the polls by just one point. Though we’re months away from the election, Couvillon suggests the actual deadline to reverse poll sliding is much closer.

Cut 10 (11) “…in October.”

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School is about to be starting back and with that comes challenges for educators and administrators. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says preparation for the new school year has already started for teachers and administrators…

Cut 11 (12) ” …going on right now.”

Faulk says there are many challenge that schools are facing and one is looking at school performance scores from last year and how to address the issues for the upcoming year…

Cut 12 (08) “…individual schools.”

Another challenge for schools is staffing shortages with many schools still trying to fill open position with certified teachers and administration openings as well. Faulk says finding teachers now is difficult, but when principals are retiring and that position is filled with a teacher…

Cut  13 (05) “…all the way down.” 

According to the National Education Association, 80% of teachers report having to take on extra tasks to make up for staffing shortages.

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Cut  14 (08) “…those things.”

Cut 15 (12) “…really important.”

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Cut  16 (10)   “…Thursday.”

New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris continuing to decrease. Mel Bridges has the numbers.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

There’s an over 50% chance a cyclone forms in the Atlantic this weekend. Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the storm, which is a tropical wave over the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean seas right now, is gathering some power as it moves west-northwest.

Cut 6 (07) “…Saturday.”

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school as a whole.

Cut 3 (12) “…building the future.”

Two LSU Tigers who suffered season-ending knee injuries last season were on the practice field for the first day of preseason camp. Cornerback Zy Alexander returned after tearing his ACL on October 21st. Head coach Brian Kelly says he and running back John Emery will use the first few days of camp to see how their repaired knees respond…

Cut 16 (19) “… feeling that.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-leading a field hearing for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf later today in Thibodeaux. He says though some members of Congress from coastal states may share some issues with Louisiana, our state’s shoreline is different from any other because of…

Cut 4 (10) “…United States.”

New laws concerning voter registration drives are in effect in Louisiana. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says those wishing to hold one must be registered with their office or the Registrar of Voters in their parish. Watson points out that doing so is not their office giving clearance to conduct one.

Cut 13 (08)  “…contact you.”

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

There’s an over 50% chance a cyclone will form in the Atlantic over this weekend. Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the storm, which is a tropical wave over the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean seas right now, is gathering some power as it moves west-northwest.

Cut 6 (07) “…Saturday.”

At this time the storm does not appear to be a threat to Louisiana

If you are a parent of a homeschooled student your child is eligible to participate in your local school systems athletics and extracurricular activities. Private school homeschoolers had been barred from public school athletics since 1970. But that changed with a new law that went into effect this month. The law allows a student who is enrolled in an approved home study program to try out or apply for extracurricular activities or athletics at the public school they would otherwise attend.

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school as a whole.

Cut 3 (12) “…building the future.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.

A new Louisiana law requires anyone wanting to hold a voter registration drive to be registered with the Secretary of State’s office. But if your drive is fully electronic and done through the state’s voter portal, that’s not necessary. When it comes to voting information in Louisiana, Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says…

Cut 14 (04)  “…more information,”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will lead a field hearing at Nicholls State for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

A child was abducted from New Orleans Wednesday and authorities are asking for help from the public. 8-year-old Alessandra Leonor Bruno was last seen at the Rock-n-Sake sushi bar on Fulton Street. Police say she was taken by her biological mother who’s believed to have Alessandra’s sister Sofia with her as well.

82 years after U.S. Army Private First-Class Joseph C. Murphy died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines during WWII, he’ll be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says Murphy’s surviving family will be at the burial at Pounds Pool Cemetery in Bogalusa tomorrow…

Cut 10 (09) “…of Bogalusa.”

Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in 1942.

The 20^th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday in New Orleans. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Chase Woodward of Parish Restaurant in Monroe will be representing Louisiana as he competes against 13 other chefs trying to bring the title back home to Louisiana

Cut 8 (08) “…to Louisiana.”

The search is on this morning for a child abducted from New Orleans last night. And authorities are asking for help from the public. 8-year-old Alessandra Leonor Bruno was last seen Wednesday night at the Rock-n-Sake sushi bar on Fulton Street in New Orleans. Police say she was taken by her biological mother Alejandra Gutierrez, who’s believed to have Alessandra’s sister Sofia with her as well.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-leading a field hearing for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee today. It’s being held at Nichols State in Thibodaux and will focus on drilling and restoration in the Gulf. Graves says this field hearing is for the group to examine both the beauty and concerns of Louisiana’s coast and he’s hoping a firsthand look will help when it comes to ideas.
Cut 6 (11) “…our economy.”

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Over 80 years after a Louisiana WWII soldier died in the Philippines, he’ll be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Army Private First Class Joseph C. Murphy, will be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a POW camp. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says he hopes tomorrow’s ceremony will be well-attended.

Cut 12 (11) “…fewer and fewer.”
The 20^th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday and Chase Woodward of Parish Restaurant in Monroe is hoping to bring the title back home. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there will be 14 chefs from across the country competing, including the Chef from Lainey Wilson’s Nashville Bell Bottoms Up.
Cut 9 (12)  “…this year.

The event kicks off at 11 am with a parade through the Morial Convention Center

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will lead a field hearing at Nicholls State for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The search on this morning for a child abducted from New Orleans last night. And authorities are asking for help from the public. 8-year-old Alessandra Leonor Bruno was last seen Wednesday night at the Rock-n-Sake sushi bar on Fulton Street in New Orleans. Police say she was taken by her biological mother Alejandra Gutierrez, who’s believed to have Alessandra’s sister Sofia with her as well.

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The 20^th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Chase Woodward of Parish Restaurant in Monroe will be representing Louisiana. The event will take place at the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Tradeshow in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (11) “…best seafood dish.”

82 years after he died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines during WWII, U.S. Army Private First Class Joseph C. Murphy, will be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in 1942 and buried in a mass grave until dental records identified him. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says he can’t imagine the anguish Murphy’s family has felt all these years.

Cut 11 (11) “…proper burial.”

82 years after U.S. Army Private First Class Joseph C. Murphy died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines during WWII, he’ll be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says Murphy’s surviving family will be at the burial at Pounds Pool Cemetery in Bogalusa tomorrow…

Cut 10 (09) “…of Bogalusa.”

Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in 1942.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-leading a field hearing for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf later today in Thibodeaux. Congressman Graves on what makes Louisiana’s coast unique.

Cut 5 (10) “…come down.”

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The Great American Seafood Cookoff is what’s on the menu Saturday in New Orleans. Brooke Thorington has more on the competition.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A new Louisiana law requires anyone wanting to hold a voter registration drive to be registered with the Secretary of State’s office. But if your drive is fully electronic and done through the state’s voter portal, that’s not necessary. When it comes to voting information in Louisiana, Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says…

Cut 14 (04)  “…more information,”