Just two more days before 11th ranked LSU and Clemson face off in Tiger Stadium to kick off the 2026 season. Are the Tigers locked in despite all the court room drama surrounding the fifth-year players that LSU is interested in adding to the roster? Linebacker Whit Weeks says it’s not a big deal at all for the players.

Cut 16 (11) “… day of work.”

The LSU-Clemson season opener is one of the most anticipated games in school history. Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says the game is so huge, they ended up issuing more than 900 credentials – the most credentials they have ever issued for a single football game in school history.

Cut 3 (06) “…been a whirlwind.”

Bonnette says it’s not just the scores of media who will descend on Death Valley – plenty of celebrities will also be in attendance.

The state’s Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend. It begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson on what type of items you can purchase and not pay state and local sales taxes…

Cut 11 (12) “…types of knives”

For more information go to revenue-dot-la-dot-gov-slash second amendment.

And if you use cash to purchase any item, you might get a one-dollar coin in cash back featuring the likeness of President Donald Trump. Paul Hollis the director of the US Mint, says rolls and bags of the Trump one-dollar coins are now for purchase through the U-S Mint…

Cut 9 (11) “….ten million examples”

Hollis says thousands of the coins have also been placed into circulation, meaning you could eventually come across one in your pocket change.

Athletes, who were part of the high school graduating Class of 2022 and did not receive a fifth year of college eligibility, will make their argument today that they should be eligible to play this college athletic season because of the NCAA’s new five-for-five rule. There are more than 40 plaintiffs, some of them football players, who briefly appeared on an NFL roster. John Holden, an associate professor of business law at Indiana University…

Cut 14 (11) “…from the players”

But the NCAA and the SEC say if you were on an NFL roster, even for a brief time, you should not be allowed to return to college.

This weekend is the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, which means consumer purchases of firearms, ammunition and a wide range of hunting supplies will be exempt from state and local sales taxes. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson on what items are not eligible…

Cut 12 (08) “…such as airboats”

We’re heading into the Labor Day weekend with sky-high gas prices. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Two school principals in Covington plead guilty to failing to report suspected child abuse cases at EE Lyon Elementary School. Principal Lauren Faciane and assistant principal Tanya Barth admitted to their guilt, and both were sentenced to probation for violating the state’s mandatory reporting law.

The blockbuster preliminary injunction hearing that could determine whether LSU and other SEC schools will be allowed to sign players who signed NFL contracts takes place in Baton Rouge today. Tony Clayton, one of the attorneys representing the 40-plus players seeking a fifth season of eligibility, says he is confident in their case.

Cut 13 (10)  “…and the facts.”

The SEC will argue that it has the authority to establish rules and the courts cannot intervene. The hearing begins at 11 AM.

Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the 2nd Amendment Weekend Sales Tax Holiday begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday.

Cut 10 (10) “…local sales tax.”

Henderson says the sales tax holiday only applies to consumer purchases; it does not apply to business or commercial purchases.

Gas prices jumped up three cents to a statewide average of $3.75 a gallon for regular gasoline. Gas prices are a dollar higher than year ago. Triple-A’s Don Redman says this is not as popular of a holiday driving weekend than other holidays…

Cut 5 (06) “..back in session”

The football season is getting underway, the state is reminding you that smoking marijuana on a school campus or within two-thousand feet of school property is now a felony, punishable by up to a year in jail and a thousand-dollar fine. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored the legislation after hearing football fans complaining about smelling pot while tailgating.

Cut 26 (09) “…just that.”

Tonight is the start of the high school football season, a couple of defending state champs are in action tonight…Ouachita hosts Byrd and Iowa visits Barbe.

A highly anticipated court battle goes down in Baton Rouge today as 43 athletes from the high school graduating Class of 2022 will have lawyers make their case on why they should get a fifth year of college eligibility. John Holden, an associate professor of business at Indiana University, says the plaintiff athletes say the NCAA and SEC are violating antitrust and constitutional laws when the rules were changed regarding a fifth year of eligibility…

Cut 15 (14) “…over the players”

Triple-A’s Don Redman says gas prices are a dollar higher than last year, but that should not have much of an impact on Labor Day travel plans…

Cut 4 (08) “..personal economies

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.75.

A one-dollar coin featuring President Trump is now available. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Former LSU women’s basketball player Kate Koval explains in a social media post why she left the Lady Tigers. Koval, who is from Ukraine, said she respects the decision by Kim Mulkey to add a player from Russia to the team, but the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has had a deeply personal impact on her and her family. Koval’s father is a member of the Ukrainian military. Koval’s departure is a big loss, the six-foot-five center averaged eight points and six rebounds a game last season.

Athletes, who were part of the high school graduating Class of 2022 and did not receive a fifth year of college eligibility, will make their argument today that they should be eligible to play this college athletic season because of the NCAA’s new five-for-five rule. There are more than 40 plaintiffs, some of them football players, who briefly appeared on an NFL roster. John Holden, an associate professor of business law at Indiana University…

Cut 14 (11) “…from the players”

But the NCAA and the SEC say if you were on an NFL roster, even for a brief time, you should not be allowed to return to college.

The U-S Mint has released a new one dollar coin that features the likeness of President Trump, along with the inscriptions “Liberty” “In God We Trust” and…

Cut 8 (07) “…of the coin”

That’s US Mint Director Paul Hollis of Mandeille who says the coins are in circulation and available for purchase on the US Mint website.

We’re heading into the Labor Day weekend with sky-high gas prices. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state is making progress in reducing opioid-related deaths and emergency department visits in recent years. From 2022 to 2025, opioid-related deaths in Louisiana decreased 59-percent, compared with a 46-percent decline nationally. During the same period, opioid related emergency department visits declined 52-percent.

A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments today on whether dozens of former college athletes, with NFL ties, should be allowed to return to college sports this season.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

In a court filing, the SEC points to a 1996 ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court that says Louisiana courts generally avoid interfering in the internal affairs of private athletic associations. But there are exceptions and in a separate filing by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, she believes how the NCAA has handled the eligibility rules for the Class of 2022 falls within those exceptions.

A one-dollar coin featuring the likeness of President Trump is now available for purchase and it is also entering circulation. U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis of Mandeville says 250 thousand of the coins were released yesterday.

Cut 7 (08) “…an amazing design.”

The coin is part of a series being released this year to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.

The state’s Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend. It begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson on what type of items you can purchase and not pay state sales taxes…

Cut 11 (12) “…types of knives”

For more information go to revenue-dot-la-dot-gov-slash second amendment.

We’re heading into the Labor Day weekend with sky-high gas prices. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A one-dollar coin featuring President Trump is now available. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments today on whether dozens of former college athletes, including those who signed pro contracts, should be allowed to return to college sports this season. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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As we head into the Labor Day holiday, we’re paying a lot more for gasoline than we were during the Labor Day holiday last year. Triple-A Louisiana says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is about $3.72, which is about a dollar higher than last year. Don Redman with Triple-A says that year-over-year spike in gas prices shouldn’t have much of an impact on Labor Day travel plans.

Cut 4 (08) “…their personal economies.”

Redman says whereas Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are huge travel holidays, that’s not usually the case for Labor Day.

Cut 5 (06) “…back in session.”

Redman says with Labor Day not typically a huge travel weekend, high gas prices may have an effect on what day trips people end up taking during the long weekend.

Cut 6 (07) “…at state parks.”

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A one-dollar coin featuring the likeness of President Trump is now available for purchase and is also entering circulation. U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis of Mandeville says 250-thousand of the coins were released yesterday.

Cut 7 (08) “…an amazing design.”

The coin is part of a series being released this year to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.

The front of the coin features a portrait of President Trump, along with the inscriptions “Liberty,” “In God We Trust” and…

Cut 8 (07) “…of the coin.”

Hollis says Trump is not the first sitting president to appear on an American coin. During the nation’s 150th anniversary celebration, a commemorative coin featuring President Calvin Coolidge was produced. Subsequently, however, the Presidential One-Dollar Coin Act of 2005, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush, explicitly prohibits coins featuring the likeness of a current or a living former president or a president who has been deceased for less than two years.

Rolls and bags of the Trump one-dollar coins are available for purchase through the U.S. Mint.

Cut 9 (11)  “…ten-million examples.”

But Hollis says thousands of the coins have also been placed into circulation, meaning you could eventually come across one in your pocket change.

____________________________________________

If hunting supplies are on your shopping list, you can keep the sales tax by buying them this weekend. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the annual 2nd Amendment Weekend Sales Tax Holiday begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday.

Cut 10 (10) “…local sales tax.”

Henderson says the sales tax holiday only applies to consumer purchases; it does not apply to business or commercial purchases.

Cut 11 (12) “…types of knives.”

Henderson says there are items, however, which are not eligible for the sales tax exemption.

Cut 12 (08) “…such as airboats.”

For more information, including a full list of what’s eligible and ineligible for the sales tax exemption, visit revenue.la.gov/SecondAmendment.

_______________________________________

The blockbuster preliminary injunction hearing that could determine whether LSU and other SEC schools will be allowed to sign players who signed NFL contracts takes place in Baton Rouge this afternoon. Tony Clayton, one of the attorneys representing the 40-plus players seeking a fifth season of eligibility, says he is confident in their case.

Cut 13 (10)  “…and the facts.”

Judge William Jorden granted the athletes a temporary restraining order to return to college sports and enter the transfer portal. John Holden, an associate professor of business law at Indiana University, says the players’ lawsuit is based in antitrust law.

Cut 14 (11) “…from the players.”

The SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey joined the NCAA as defendants in the lawsuit after conference presidents approved a policy prohibiting schools from signing the former pros made eligible by the TRO. Holden says winning a preliminary injunction depends on proving immediate harm is caused without it.

Cut 15 (14) “…over the players.”

An appeal is expected no matter which side Judge Jorden rules in favor of.

____________________________________________________

Just two more days before 11th ranked LSU and Clemson face off in Tiger Stadium to kick off the 2026 season. Are the Tigers locked in despite all the court room drama surrounding the fifth-year players that LSU is interested in adding to the roster? Linebacker Whit Weeks says it’s not a big deal at all for the players.

Cut 16 (11) “… day of work.”

Weeks is wearing number seven this season because of his playmaking ability. Tight end Trey’Dez Green is also wearing the number seven jersey as he’s expected to be one of quarterback Sam Leavitt’s favorite targets. Green says he and his Q-B have a great relationship.

Cut 17 (15) “…him my quarterback.”

Green had 33 catches for 433 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He has 11 touchdown grabs in his two seasons in Tiger Town. It’s expected that Head Coach Lane Kiffin and Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s game plan will likely call for more targets for Green, and the six-foot-seven junior is ready to take on the added responsibility.

Cut 18 (12) “…I love ’em.”

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ULM begins its football season Saturday at Mississippi State. The Warhawks are entering their third season under head coach Bryant Vincent. He says this year’s team has had a great offseason and is the most mature one he has coached in Monroe.

Cut 19 (17) “…are real goals.”

The Warhawks finished last season last in the Sun Belt West with a 3-and-9 record and lost their last eight games. Vincent says playing an SEC team in week one is obviously a big challenge, but he welcomes the early test.

Cut 20 (19) “…never been in.”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue sends letters to almost 23-thousand taxpayers letting them know they have until Friday to cash their tax refund checks before the money goes into Unclaimed Property. Department Spokesman Byron Henderson says if that happens, those checks become void, and they can claim that money in one of two ways.

Cut 5 (12) “…to the letter.”

The Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City will host the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball championships for the next three years. Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry says this is a huge milestone for the league, which includes Centenary College in Shreveport.

Cut 8 (06) “…participate in.”

The 2027 event will be held February 26th to the 28th.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he asked his players if they were okay with recruiting fifth-year and former NFL players, and they said yes. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Funeral arrangements for former LSU All-American football player Jerry Stovall have been announced. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge Friday at 11:30 a-m, with visitation taking place beforehand. Stovall passed away late last month at the age of 85.