State lawmakers are attempting to ban the sale of kratom at gas stations and smoke shops. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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Two new buildings are coming to Louisiana Tech. Colleen Crain reports
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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If you’ve ever said you could do a better job than the legislature at balancing the budget, now’s your chance to put up or shut up. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Louisiana lawmakers are debating the future of kratom, an herbal substance with stimulating or sedating effects sold in gas stations and smoke shops. Monroe Senator Jay Morris, seeks a total ban, citing safety concerns and support from law enforcement. Possession could lead to fines or prison. Morris argues that if it’s a medicine, it should have FDA approval.
Cut 4 (11) “…sold in Louisiana.”
Morris says kratom can be addictive, causing hallucinations, nausea and even death. He says medical professionals are even seeing babies born addicted to the substance.
Cut 5 (06) “…legal substance.”
Some parishes have issued bans amid reports of overdoses and misuse, prompting broader discussions on kratom’s legal status, public safety, and potential therapeutic value. Morris says some use kratom to manage pain, which is exactly what opioids do.
Cut 6 (12) “…approved as a drug.”
The Louisiana District Attorneys Association and the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association support Morris’s bill.
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Two new buildings are under construction at Louisiana Tech. One of them is the new Origin Bank Academic Center for Student Athlete Success. University President Jim Henderson says it will be located adjacent to Joe Aillet Stadium, and it will help give student-athletes the academic resources they need to be successful in the classroom.
Cut 7 (11) “…are fully supported.”
Henderson says the other one is the Forest Products Innovation Center on the south campus that houses ag and forestry.
Cut 8 (10) “…using yellow pine.”
Henderson says the Forest Products Innovation Center will expand the school’s research capacity.
Cut 9 (07) “…in the country.”
Both buildings are expected to open in the fall of 2026.
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If you’ve ever said you could do a better job balancing the budget than the elected officials you repeatedly insult on social media, you’re now invited to put your money — make that the state’s money — where your mouth is. PAR, LSU and The Advocate have all teamed up to launch the online game, “Solve The Budget.” PAR President Steven Procopio says it covers many aspects of the state budget.
Cut 10 (10) “…things like that.”
Procopio says you can also decide which facets of education to spend money on and which ones to cut.
Cut 11 (10) “…and university spending.”
Procopio says one practical purpose behind this exercise is to illustrate how daunting of a task it is for the legislature to balance the budget. While the task in Baton Rouge is very intense, the Solve The Budget game makes it easy for you by asking simple yes or no questions, each with a dollar figure of how much the item will cost or how much it will increase revenue by.
Cut 12 (09) “…areas to cut.”
With every decision you make, a line graph at the top shows you how much your surplus or deficit is. The game will remain live throughout the rest of the legislative session.
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The LSU Tigers took two of three from Tennessee in a matchup of the last two College World Series Champions. Freshman left fielder Derek Curiel nearly hit for the cycle yesterday as the Tigers won 12 to 2 in eight innings. One day after failing to reach base in a game for the first time this season, Curiel went 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles and five RBI…
Cut 13 (13) “…going forward.”
LSU improved to 36-9 overall, 14-7 in the SEC. After only getting a total of ten hits in the first two games of the series, the Tigers scored a dozen runs against one of the top pitching staffs in the nation. Coach Jay Johnson liked his team’s approach…
Cut 14 (09) “…good plan.”
The other story in Sunday’s run-rule victory was freshman right-hander Casan Evans, who allowed just two runs over six innings in his first collegiate start. Evans settled down after giving up two runs in the first inning…
Cut 15 (15) “…after that.”
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The Saints have added a quarterback to their roster. They used a second-round pick to select Tyler Shough (“shuck”). He’s 25 years old, played seven seasons of college football with three different schools, and suffered three significant injuries. Coach Kellen Moore says they came away more impressed every time they interacted with Shough during the draft process.
Cut 16 (20) “…he was.”
Shough says it’s been a long journey to get to this point so it was surreal when he got the call from the New Orleans Saints ….
Cut 17 (15) “…earn it.”
The Saints added depth to their defensive secondary with the selection of Jonas Sanker. Moore says there is a lot to like about Sanker as he was a three-year starter at Virginia, a team captain and led the ACC in tackles for two straight seasons…
cut 18 (19) “…this guy.”
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At the TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin are your 2025 Zurich Classic champions. The two finished at 28 under par, one stroke better than brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard (HOE-guard). The first and third rounds were played using the best-ball format, while teammates alternated shots in the second and fourth rounds. This is the first PGA win for both Novak and Griffin; and Griffin said after some recent close shaves, this first win is very gratifying.
Cut 19 (14) “…get it done.”
Novak and Griffin were tied throughout much of the final round with their playing partners, Jake Knapp and Frankie Cappan the Third. But the pivotal moment of the tournament came on the 17th hole when Novak and Griffin birdied, while Knapp and Cappan bogied. Novak says after watching Cappan hit his tee shot in the water, that gave his team the opening they needed, and he made sure not to repeat the mistake Cappan made on the tee.
Cut 20 (20) “…on the wind.”
Novak’s tee shot ended up on the fringe, and Griffin sank the 36-foot put for the birdie to put the pair up by two strokes and effectively seal the win. The Hojgaard brothers birdied the 18th to leapfrog Knapp and Cappan and finish second. With the win, Novak and Griffin each take home more than 1.3-million dollars.