LSU football coach Brian Kelly said backup quarterback Michael Van Buren is getting all of the snaps this week with the first team offense as the Tigers used the bye week to give starter Garrett Nussmeier a chance to rest an ab strain. Kelly says Van Buren is progressing well.

CUT 30 (15): “his ability.”

The New Orleans offense will be challenged with facing one of the best defensive lines in the NFL facing the New York Giants which features Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. With a banged-up offensive line, quarterback Spencer Rattler says the Saints will have to get the ball out quickly.

Cut 18 (15) “…the chains.”

Northwestern State will play a home game for the first time in 37 days on Saturday when it hosts East Texas A&M. The Demons are coming off of a bye week, and head coach Blaine McCorkle says that his team has a chance to learn from their heartbreaking 27 to 24 loss to Prairie View A&M.

Cut 19 (16) “…a win.”

The Saints announce they have finalized a long-term lease of the Caesars Superdome, ending a contentious negotiation with state officials with a deal aimed at keeping the team in the city.

The deal between the Saints organization and the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, known as the Superdome Commission, was made official during a news conference on Thursday. The stadium lease deal is going to run for 10 years and then give the Saints options to renew every five years through 2055.

One economist says Louisiana will soon reach a jobs milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Acadiana is getting hundreds of new jobs as DMR Technologies announces it will build a drone manufacturing facility in Lafayette. The company says it will create 521 jobs over the next ten years. This site will serve as DMR’s primary domestic production hub, integrating advanced flight control printing, rotor manufacturing and assembly.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is calling on building owners, businesses and residents to turn off unnecessary lighting from 11 p-m to 6 a-m to help an estimated 500 million migratory birds pass through Louisiana safely. LWF member Charles Williams says by turning off or dimming non-essential lights during peak migration hours, the public can help birds navigate safely.

Cut 12 (11) “…by saving birds.”

We’re looking at higher rain chances this weekend, but mainly for southeast Louisiana as tropical moisture could bring much needed rainfall to that part of the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the whole state could really use some rain…

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of the state.”

Keim says a tropical disturbance that’s expected to make its way into the Gulf will help boost rain chances for southeast Louisiana.

Southeast Louisiana could be in for a wet weekend. The National Hurricane Center has identified an area of low pressure near the Bahamas that has a low potential of developing into a tropical depression. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that will bump up the rain chances Sunday.

Cut 11 (09) “…part of Wednesday.”

One economist says Louisiana is expected to add almost 75-thousand jobs over the next two years, pushing the state past the elusive two-million jobs threshold. Dr. Loren Scott says this is being driven in large part by the industrial construction boom throughout the state, including in Richland Parish, where a Meta data center is being put up.

Cut 8 (09) “…next few years.”

Congress’s failure to pass a funding bill to keep the federal government operating also means the National Flood Insurance Program is no longer active. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Don Molino.”

Contestants on Jeopardy! apparently don’t pay a whole lot of attention to the news around here. Last week, they were all stumped by a clue about this year’s jailbreak in New Orleans.

Cut 25 (10) “…Plaquemines? No.”

The correct response, Ken Jennings?

Cut 26 (01) “…Orleans Parish.”

One economist says Louisiana will soon reach a jobs milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Illuminator says the LSU Board of Supervisors could hire a new LSU president at its October 24^th meeting. Piper Huchinson is reporting the timeline has been moved up and the firm hired to assist in finding a new president could be delivered to the search committee next week.

Congress’s inability to approve a government funding bill has resulted in the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program. Louisiana Commissioner Tim Temple says this means the N-F-I-P cannot issue new or renew existing flood insurance policies…

Cut 3 (10) “…of people.”

NFIP policies currently in effect will continue until the end of the current one-year policy term.

There are two months left in this hurricane season and the National Hurricane Center has identified an area of low pressure near the Bahamas that has a low potential of developing into a tropical depression in the Gulf. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this tropical disturbance is helping to bump up the rain chances for southeast Louisiana early next week…

Cut 10 (12) “…anybody’s guess.”

One economist is predicting that with the addition of almost 75-thousand jobs over the next two years, Louisiana will eclipse the elusive two-million jobs threshold. Dr. Loren Scott says the record employment is being driven in large part by the industrial construction boom throughout the state. He says in Shreveport, one thing to watch for is whether a long-rumored project will come to fruition.

Cut 7 (10) “…sign non-disclosure agreements.”

The government shutdown and the failure of Congress to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program will impact real estate transactions. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says that’s because properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area are required to have flood insurance.

Cut 5 (08) “…to be closed.”

Temple says private flood insurance is available.

We’re looking at higher rain chances this weekend, but mainly for southeast Louisiana as tropical moisture could bring much needed rainfall to that part of the state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the whole state could really use some rain…

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of the state.”

The Superdome is hosting yet another football championship. This time, it’s the College Football Playoff title game on January 24th, 2028, to crown the champion of the 2027 college football season. Governor Landry says the big football game will bring thousands to the city, which serves as the front door to the rest of Louisiana.

Cut 15 (11) “… unbelievable place.”

One economist is predicting that Louisiana will achieve a significant employment milestone within the next two years. Dr. Loren Scott says it won’t be long before Louisiana breaks through the two-million jobs mark.

Cut 6 (11) “…employment in Louisiana.”

Scott predicts the state will add more than 74-thousand jobs over the next two years with the Baton Rouge and Lake Charles areas leading the job growth.

There’s still two months left in the hurricane season and because Congress failed to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program before the government shutdown, new NFIP flood insurance policies can not be purchased or renewed. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the NFIP can still pay claims, but that will stop once available funds run out…

Cut 4 (10) “…hurricane season.”

Two Alexandria Police Officers have been fired and State Police has charged them with malfeasance in office because of multiple use of force incidents that took place last July. Details of what they did are not known at this time. Austin Butler and Dylan Tritle were booked in the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. Butler also faces one count of simple battery.

The College Football National Championship game is returning to New Orleans in January of 2028. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 29 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Congress’s inability to approve a government funding bill has resulted in the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says this means the N-F-I-P cannot issue new or renew existing flood insurance policies…

Cut 3 (10) “…of people.”

The EPA says it’s making good progress in the cleanup from the Smitty’s Supply explosion in Roseland. It says crews have cleaned out more than four-million gallons of oily materials from the Tangipahoa River and adjacent ponds, accounting for 75-percent of the oily material that ended up in the waterways. Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says they’re also working to prevent additional oily materials from reaching the river or the ponds.

Cut 23 (09) “…petroleum-based liquids.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is calling on building owners, businesses and residents to turn off unnecessary lighting from 11 p-m to 6 a-m to help an estimated 500 million migratory birds pass through Louisiana safely. LWF member Charles Williams says by turning off or dimming non-essential lights during peak migration hours, the public can help birds navigate safely.

Cut 12 (11) “…by saving birds.”

The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources is now the Department of Conservation and Energy. C-and-E spokesman Patrick Courreges (koo-RAHJ) says despite a new name, the mission remains the same.

Cut 7 (13) “…and land itself.”

The EPA says it’s making progress in the cleanup of the Tangipahoa River more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. The update comes just days after Governor Landry took to social media to urge the EPA to pick up the pace. During a news conference, in which Landry attended, EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says crews have cleaned up most of the oil that ended up in the waterways.

Cut 4 (11) “…material recovery effort.”

The College Football National Championship game is returning to New Orleans. It will be held in the Caesars Superdome on January 24th, 2028. During the official announcement, Jeff Hundley, the chief executive officer of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, says this will have a huge economic impact for the city.

Cut 14 (09) “…same year.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging the public to go “Lights Out” to protect migrating birds this fall. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Cut 23 (05) “…I’m hunting wabbits.”

And starting Saturday, Elmer Fudd and the rest of you can start hunting wabbits – err, rabbits – as well as squirrels. LDWF says rabbit and squirrel hunting is a great way to introduce kids to the sport. The season runs through the end of February. Those 18 and older will need a basic hunting license.