Banana Ball is coming back to Louisiana – this time, returning to Baton Rouge. Cade Voisin reports.
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Cade Voisin.”
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Up to 60 LSU football players will participate in a study that could change how concussions are detected. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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LSU takes out its frustrations against a depleted Mississippi State team. Andrew Greenstein reports from Tiger Stadium.
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Banana Ball is returning to Louisiana in 2027 – this time making a return trip to Baton Rouge. Laura Cating (KATE-ing), the executive vice president of Visit Baton Rouge, says the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters will play two games in early March, offering two very different experiences.
Cut 4 (11) “…in Tiger Stadium.”
This year, the Savannah Bananas and the Party Animals played two sold-out games in the Superdome. The last time Banana Ball was in Baton Rouge was in August of 2025 for two games between the Party Animals and the Texas Tailgaters. For that series, they received 142-thousand ticket requests for the ballpark that seats only 13-thousand. Cating says by holding one of the games in Tiger Stadium, they can accommodate a lot more fans.
Cut 5 (11) “…to Baton Rouge.”
Cating says if you’d like an opportunity to purchase tickets, they’re very affordable – but you’d better get a move on, because the clock is ticking.
Cut 6 (08) “…through October 31st.”
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Louisiana is once again ranked among the nation’s top 10 states for business competitiveness. The publication Area Development ranks Louisiana ninth in its latest report, marking the second consecutive year the state has made the top 10. Louisiana Economic Development spokesperson Emma Wagner says site selectors recognized the state’s business-friendly tax environment…
Cut 7 (10) “…tax environment.”
Wagner says tax reforms approved in 2024 helped improve Louisiana’s standing. She says the state’s access to electric power was another factor in the ranking…
Cut 8 (11) “rate payers.”
Louisiana also ranked ninth last year, marking its first top-10 finish in five years. Wagner says the state’s fast permitting process also helped, and she expects Louisiana to remain among the top-ranked states for business in the years ahead…
Cut 9 (08) “…momentum.”
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Researchers are working with up to 60 LSU football players this season to develop a non-invasive sideline test that can use a player’s saliva to detect concussions. FMOL Health lead trauma researcher Dr. Guillaume Spielmann (GEEyulm SPEEL-uh-mun) is leading the study and says concussions are typically identified by looking for changes in specific proteins in blood, but this test tracks the same changes in saliva.
Cut 10 (11) “…in players.”
Researchers will take samples regularly to monitor players’ saliva throughout the season as well as when a concussion is detected to compare biomarkers associated with brain injuries. He says the goal is an accurate test that can be done right there on the sideline.
Cut 11 (13) “…your safety.”
An objective test could eliminate the chance of players trying to beat sideline concussion tests and detect danger even when symptoms are not immediately apparent.
Spielmann adds that the field test could be used in lower-level sports that do not have the same sideline health resources as college football, as well as in other professions.
Cut 12 (13) “…whether they’re not.”
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After last week’s heartbreaking loss in Kentucky, LSU took its frustrations out against a depleted Mississippi State team, blanking the Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium, 31-0. Mississippi State was without starting quarterback Kamario Taylor and its leading running back, Fluff Bothwell. Tigers Head Coach Lane Kiffin said after the game he doesn’t have a whole lot of empathy for injuries, especially since his defensive unit was without many of its top players too.
Cut 13 (09) “…game after game.”
With LSU’s second unit into the game late in the 4th quarter, they were able to preserve the shutout – and that’s something sophomore linebacker T.J. Dottery was very proud of.
Cut 14 (11) “…standard for sure.”
On the offensive side, junior quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 31 out of 38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. After the game, Leavitt noted that perhaps more importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over once.
Cut 15 (08) “…go make plays.”
LSU improves to 5-and-2 on the season, 2-and-2 in the SEC. They have another early wakeup call this Saturday in Auburn – kickoff is once again at 11 a-m.
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Louisiana Tech is 2-0 in the Sun Belt play after blanking ULM 24 to 0 in the first game between the I-20 rivals since 2000. The first half was scoreless, but the Bulldogs offense finally got going in the second half, taking advantage of turnovers forced by the Tech defense. Coach Sonny Cumbie on the message he delivered to his team at halftime…
Cut 16 (16) “…the football.”
ULM remains winless on the season. The Warhawks had just 228 yards of offense and 118 penalty yards. Coach Bryant Vincent is pleased with what he saw from his defense, but disappointed in how the offense played…
Cut 17 (16) “…to win.”
ULM has now lost 14 straight and will visit Troy this Saturday. Louisiana Tech is back home to host Old Dominion.
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The Ragin Cajuns bounced back from a tough loss last week to Louisiana Tech to topple Troy 33 to six. U-L Lafayette rushed for 243 yards and committed just three penalties in a well-played game by Coach Michael Desormeaux’s team
Cut 18 (15) “…one year.”
The Cajuns are 5-2 overall, 2-1 in the Sun Belt and will travel to Southern Miss this Saturday.
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The Saints responded to owner Gayle Benson’s demand for better play by beating the New York Giants 34-27. New Orleans had its usual slow start and fell behind 10-0, but rallied to score 34 unanswered points and held on for a seven-point win. Head coach Kellen Moore says there was a sense of urgency…
Cut 19 (13) “…proud of guys.”
The game turned in the second quarter, when the Saints forced a fumble on a kick-off return. That led to the first of three touchdown passes by Tyler Shough. The defense intercepted three passes. Cornerback Martin Emerson intercepted two of the passes…
Cut 20 (14) “…did that”
The Saints left after the game for Paris, where New Orleans will play the 4-and-2 Pittsburgh Steelers, who beat the Buccaneers in overtime in Tampa.