Qualifying is over, so let the congressional campaigns begin. In the two open seats in the fifth and sixth districts, political analysts expect Republicans to win both, albeit not decided until runoffs in December. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says it would get very interesting if the balance of power in the House is not decided in November, and a Democratic candidate was in one or both races.

Cut 8 (11) “… redistricting.”

Optimism continues to rise among small businesses, but challenges persist. NFIB state director Leah Long says labor quality is a problem that the Landry administration, state lawmakers, K-through-12 and higher education leaders are trying to fix.

Cut 10 (15) “…owned businesses.”

A doctor with LCMC Health performs the first single-port robotic lung cancer surgery in the Gulf South on a man from Metairie, who is now cancer free. Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude says the groundbreaking procedure involves just a single incision instead of four or five, and that provides great benefits to the patient.

Cut 4 (09) “…potentially less complication.”

Here we go again – the Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says be sure to buy your tickets for tomorrow night’s billion-dollar drawing.

Cut 10 (05) “…a billion dollars.”

If it seems as if billion-dollar jackpots are happening more frequently in Powerball, you’re right. That’s due in large part to a change that happened in 2015, in which they added ten white balls and removed nine red balls, reducing the odds from less than one in 175-million to less than one in 292-million.

The latest nationwide survey finds that optimism continues to rise among small businesses, but challenges persist. NFIB state director Leah Long says for the month of July, the top reported issue was labor quality or availability.

Cut 9 (08)  “…definitely an issue.”

Long says it’s a problem that the Landry administration, state lawmakers, K-through-12 and higher education leaders are trying to fix.

An LCMC Health doctor performs a groundbreaking lung cancer procedure. Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude (ZHAO-day) of East Jefferson General Hospital performed the first single-port robotic lung cancer surgery in the Gulf South on a man from Metairie, who is now cancer free.

Cut 3 (09) “…only one incision.”

Abi Jaoude is currently the only surgeon in the region offering the single-port robotic lung cancer surgery.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan could miss the start of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

It’s believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine busts in Louisiana history. Deputies with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office pull over an 18-wheeler on eastbound I-12 in Denham Springs and found almost 800 pounds of meth in the trailer. Anton Rakov, a Russian national, was arrested and is now in ICE custody.

A man from Metairie is now cancer-free, thanks to a groundbreaking lung cancer surgery performed by an LCMC Health doctor. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan could miss the start of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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An LCMC Health doctor performs a groundbreaking lung cancer procedure. Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude (ZHAO-day) of East Jefferson General Hospital performed the first single-port robotic lung cancer surgery in the Gulf South on a man from Metairie, who is now cancer free.

Cut 3 (09) “…only one incision.”

Dr. Abi Jaoude says through this single incision, he’s able to do the exact same thing that he’s able to do with the traditional multiple incisions. But by using that one incision measuring between two and seven centimeters long along with the Vinci Single Port Robotic Surgical System, that provides great benefits to the patient.

Cut 4 (09) “…potentially lest complication.”

Abi Jaoude says while that certainly results in reduced recovery times, they’re not quite at the point where the procedure could be an outpatient procedure just yet.

Cut 5 (10) “…not happened yet.”

Abi Jaoude is currently the only surgeon in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi offering the single-port robotic lung cancer surgery.

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Qualifying is done and the Congressional races can officially begin. Pearson Cross teaches political science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and says the race to replace Republican Julia Letlow is wide open as four state lawmakers seek a seat in the U-S House…

Cut 6 (12) “…barn burner”

The two most notable candidates in the sixth district Congressional race are state senators Blake Miguez and Rick Edmonds. Cross says Miguez and Edmonds are Republicans, who have served together in both the House and Senate and both are now attacking each other…

Cut 7 (08) “…the case.”

Political analysts expect a Republican will win the 5^th and 6^th Congressional district races, but both races will likely be decided in a December runoff. Cross says it would get very interesting if the balance of power in the U.S. House was not decided in November and a Democratic candidate was in one or both races…

Cut 8 (11) “… redistricting.”

____________________________________________

The latest nationwide survey finds that optimism continues to rise among small businesses, but challenges persist. NFIB state director Leah Long says for the month of July, the top reported issue was labor quality or availability…

Cut 9 (08)  “…definitely an issue.”

Long says it’s a problem that the Landry Administration, state lawmakers, K-through-12 and higher education leaders are trying to fix.

Cut 10 (15) “…owned businesses.”

Long says overall small business owners are encouraged by what they are seeing and one reason for that is inflation has slowed…

Cut 11 (06) “…in their business.”

Twenty-five percent of small business owners nationally plan to make capital outlays in the next six months.

Qualifying is over, so let the congressional campaigns begin. In the two open seats in the fifth and sixth districts, political analysts expect Republicans to win both, albeit not decided until runoffs in December. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says it would get very interesting if the balance of power in the House is not decided in November, and a Democratic candidate was in one or both races.

Cut 8 (11) “… redistricting.”

Optimism continues to rise among small businesses, but challenges persist. NFIB state director Leah Long says labor quality is a problem that the Landry administration, state lawmakers, K-through-12 and higher education leaders are trying to fix.

Cut 10 (15) “…owned businesses.” 

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan could miss the start of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is blasting President Trump for his executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says the MMR vaccine which was first introduced in 1971 is overwhelmingly safe.

If statistics are any indication, Steve Scalise should have the easiest path to re-election among Republicans in the state. Based on voter registration, the first district – which includes St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Lafourche and portions of Terrebonne and Tangipahoa parishes – is the most heavily Republican district in the state. Scalise says he’s proud of his record on job creation.

Cut 6 (08) “…in south Louisiana.”

The massive partisan voter disparity is not stopping Democrat Lauren Jewett from her quest to unseat Scalise, though. Jewett says state lawmakers are counting on Democrats to quit, but that’s not how she rolls.

Cut 9 (10)  “…is too important.”

Scalise and Jewett will be joined on the open primary ballot by Republican Randall Arrington and no-party candidate Liddy Glass.

The Small Business Administration is encouraging Louisianians to apply for low-interest disaster loans if they need financial help to repair damages caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is blasting President Trump for his executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says the MMR vaccine which was first introduced in 1971 is overwhelmingly safe.

Governor Landry is defending the use of non-disclosure agreements that employees in the governor’s office signed as part of the negotiations with Meta that resulted in the tech giant building a 50-billion-dollar A-I data center in Richland Parish. Landry says confidentiality is critical when state government talks with private companies about mega projects.

Cut 4 (07) “…close the deal.”

It’s another active year for vibrio vulnificus in Louisiana. So far this year, nine people have been infected with the flesh-eating bacteria due to exposure with open wounds, five of whom have passed away. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says if you have liver disease, diabetes or cancer, be sure to pay close attention to vibrio infection symptoms.

Cut 12 (12) “…drainage or discharge.”

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt spoke to members of the media for the first time as a Tiger. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

What does LSU’s former head coach think of the current team’s chances? Brian Kelly, who’s now a college football analyst for CBS Sports, predicts the Tigers will go 10-and-2 this season, with one of those losses coming in Oxford against Lane Kiffin’s old team, Ole Miss.

The tropics are starting to heat up as the National Hurricane Center is monitoring three different tropical systems, two of them are moving towards the Caribbean. And LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says one of the areas of low pressure could develop into a tropical depression later this week.

Cut 9 (06)  “…over the next week.”

A frantic search is on for a woman and her daughter missing since late April. Jordan Lippincott with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Danielle Lea and her ten-year-old daughter, Alayna, were last seen in Butte La Rose at that time and were reported missing three months later on July 28th.

Cut 3 (11) “…of Baton Rouge.”

The Leas were reportedly with 42-year-old James Nona, who was arrested just north of Houston on unrelated charges. The United Cajun Navy is preparing to join in on the search.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says auto insurance rates may not be done dropping. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana’s quest for the Little League World Series comes up just short. The team from Ascension Parish lost to Boerne Little League, representing West Texas, 4-1, in the Southwest Regional Championship this afternoon in Waco, Texas. So it’s Boerne which earns the trip to Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

A frantic search for a mother and daughter missing since April. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says auto insurance rates may not be done dropping. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A frantic search is on for a woman and her daughter missing since late April. Jordan Lippincott with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Danielle Lea and her ten-year-old daughter, Alayna, were last seen in Butte La Rose at that time and were reported missing three months later on July 28th.

Cut 3 (11) “…of Baton Rouge.”

Lippincott says the Leas were reportedly with 42-year-old James Nona, who was arrested in Montgomery County, Texas – just north of Houston – on unrelated charges.

Cut 4 (07) “…wasn’t a misdemeanor.”

Lippincott says combined with the length of time the Leas have been missing and the seriousness of Nona’s unrelated charges, investigators are understandably worried.

Cut 5 (10) “…are definitely concerning.”

The Baton Rouge Police Department and Louisiana State Police are assisting in the search, and the United Cajun Navy is preparing to join in.

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Earlier this year, Louisiana saw its first decrease in auto insurance rates in five years, and insurance commissioner Tim Temple says they may not be done dropping. Temple says fewer accidents have resulted in fewer claims and less money paid out by insurance companies.

Cut 6 (08) “…less in premiums.”

Temple says 46 auto insurance providers have lowered premiums recently, saving drivers 400-million dollars. He says the decrease in accidents is part of a nationwide trend largely due to safety features in new vehicles.

Cut 7 (12) “…fewer accidents.”

That leads to fewer injury claims and litigation for insurance companies.

Temple says one auto insurer, Lemonade, even rewards drivers for enabling autonomous driving. Temple says their data shows that self-driving vehicles get into less accidents than human drivers.

Cut 8 (11) “… on driving.”

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The tropics are starting to heat up as the National Hurricane Center is monitoring three different tropical systems, two of them are moving towards the Caribbean. And LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says one of the areas of low pressure could develop into a tropical depression later this week…

Cut 9 (06)  “…over the next week.”

Keim says this is the time of year when the tropics start to get active

Cut 10 (11) “…day or so.”

The 2026 hurricane season has produced two tropical storms so far. Colorado State’s hurricane forecast team along with NOAA are predicting a below normal season. However Keim says we should not let our guard down

Cut 11 (10) “…big bad storm,”

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The LSU football team puts on full pads for the first time during fall camp this week. Coach Lane Kiffin says his team avoided tackling in the spring to stay healthy. He says making and breaking tackles will be a priority as they prepare for a week one matchup versus Clemson.

Cut 12 (13) “…in this opener.”

Freshman defensive tackles Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson have made headlines through the first week of camp as they earn first-team reps. Top recruit Lamar Brown has worked with the second-team as an edge rusher after enrolling this summer. Kiffin says this is the most freshman talent he’s ever had on a defensive line.

Cut 13 (14) “…make more mistakes.”

Fifth-year senior Bo Bordelon is poised to start at left guard when the Tigers open the season. The Raceland native has made just one start in four seasons at LSU, but Kiffin says he has learned the playbook quickly and impressed during the spring and summer.

Cut 14 (11) “…excited about that.”

Blake Miguez lives in the third district, originally qualified in the fifth and is now running in the sixth. Miguez’s announcement came two days after his Republican state senate colleague, Rick Edmonds, qualified and took aim at Miguez for not living in the district. In a statement, Edmonds said he’s glad Miguez finally decided on the district to run in and that, in his words, he and his out-of-state supporters have been panicked since losing President Trump’s endorsement. Miguez addressed that after qualifying Friday.

Cut 5 (11) “…this new race.”

Miguez is one of four candidates who moved from the fifth to the sixth district after the lines were redrawn in the wake of the Supreme Court decision. In all, the reopening of qualifying got 15 new candidates to qualify, while seven – including sixth district incumbent Cleo Fields – opted not to requalify.

The number of cyclosporiasis cases in Louisiana is up to 125. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says with cyclospora causing severe dehydration, it’s important to take extra precautions these days when handling not only lettuce, but any fresh produce.

Cut 9 (13)  “…and market withdrawals.”

You can now officially call him Hall of Famer Drew Brees. The quarterback who led the Saints to their one and only Super Bowl title was enshrined on Saturday. Brees gave a blanket thank you to the hundreds of players he played with during his 20-year career, saying it was them that kept him going and carried him to Canton.

Cut 12 (13) “…of my teammates.”

Blake Miguez ended the speculation with just hours to go in qualifying – he’s running in the sixth congressional district. His primary residence is in New Iberia, which is not in the sixth district. While it’s perfectly legal to run in a district where one does not live, Miguez’s primary opponent, Rick Edmonds, took him to task on that. Miguez responded by accusing Edmonds of being absent from the district he aims to represent.

Cut 6 (07) “…to do that.”

Louisiana now has 125 cases of cyclosporiasis. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the most recent cases involve two clusters of six cases, and investigators determined that romaine lettuce was the culprit.

Cut 8 (11) “…was romaine lettuce.”

Hospitalizations remain steady at six, and there are still no deaths.

President Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana is now at 49-percent. That’s according to The World Population Review, which has his approval rating down nine points from just five months ago. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says while it’s not unusual for a president’s popularity to decline while in office, it could be difficult for Trump to reverse the trend.

Cut 15 (16) “…he can do.”

Drew Brees is now officially a Hall of Famer. He was inducted Saturday. Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2006 and led the Saints to new heights, including a Super Bowl title in his fourth season. Brees gave an emotional thank you to New Orleans.

Cut 11 (11) “…that calling.”  (cheering)