We’re heading into the Labor Day weekend with sky-high gas prices. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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A one-dollar coin featuring President Trump is now available. Joe Gallinaro has the story.
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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.
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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.
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Redman says whereas Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are huge travel holidays, that’s not usually the case for Labor Day.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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.
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But Hollis says thousands of the coins have also been placed into circulation, meaning you could eventually come across one in your pocket change.
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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.
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Henderson says the sales tax holiday only applies to consumer purchases; it does not apply to business or commercial purchases.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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An appeal is expected no matter which side Judge Jorden rules in favor of.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.