The Saints traded in black and gold for white and gold with a new alternate helmet released today. Kace Kieschnick has more
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
___________________________________________________
Cotton used to be Louisiana’s top agricultural commodity, but this year the state is expected to produce its smallest cotton crop ever. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
___________________________________________________
President Trump’s budget bill phases out wind and solar power tax credits created during the Biden Administration. These tax credits help energy companies pay for projects that produce solar and wind energy. Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, Doctor Greg Upton, says without this federal subsidy, ratepayers will pick up more of the cost, but the impact is several years away…
New solar and wind energy projects can still receive the tax credit, but construction needs to start in the next year to qualify.
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis has said the bill signed into law by the President last week will raise electricity prices. Upton says it’s possible, but not in the short term…
There are 14 utility-scale solar farms in Louisiana, five of these farms were built last year. The Advocate reports there are at least five utility-scale wind projects in development in Louisiana.
Upton says less than one percent of the electricity in Louisiana comes from solar and wind and that percentage will likely not grow as a result
________________________________________________
University Lab two-way lineman Lamar Brown is set to make his commitment at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow. Zach Nagy of SI on LSU says the five-star is the number one-ranked athlete in the class of 2026.
Cut 6 (11) “…offensive lineman.”
Brown is a top ten recruit according to most outlets and ESPN’s top overall prospect. Nagy says the Cub will have his pick of schools, but he’s narrowed down his list.
Cut 7 (13) “…and versatility.”
Brown canceled his official visit to LSU following his trip to College Station. Nagy says he’s been a top priority for the Tigers’ staff, who currently have two D-line commits in the 2026 class.
Cut 8 (14) “…and he knows it.”
On3.com gives LSU an 86% chance to land the blue chip while 247Sports gives the nod to Texas A&M with a 75% chance.
________________________________________________
Louisiana Democrats say they plan on making inroads ahead of the midterm elections by launching what they call the “Fight For Our Lives.” State Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says that involves reaching out to people from outside the party.
Lanus says that also means traveling to parishes that have historically tilted very far towards the Republicans.
Cut 10 (06) “…to rural parishes.”
Lanus points out that so far, the strategy has worked. He notes that Lake Charles has just elected its first Black mayor in history, with independent Marshall Simien unseating Republican incumbent Nic Hunter. He also noted that DeRidder, in Beauregard Parish, elected its first Black mayor in Democrat Michael Harris. Lanus says the Louisiana Democratic Party can become a better party by Louisiana becoming a better state.
Cut 11 (10) “…slash-united-gulf.”
________________________________________________
For decades cotton was king. But this year the Louisiana cotton crop is expected to be the smallest in history. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says input costs to produce cotton has gone up and the price farmers can get for cotton has gone down from two dollars a pound in the mid-1800s
Cut 12 (12) “…what’s going on.”
Soybeans is Louisiana’s largest crop, followed by corn and rice. The number of cotton gins has also declined from 56 in 2001 to 15 today. Strain says farmers will not spend time growing a crop that’s hard to turn a profit
Strain says less than 100-thousand acres of cotton could be planted this year.