Baton Rouge Judge William Jorden sides with 44 athletes, including LSU commits Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, in granting a fifth season of eligibility. Even though LSU was not a defendant, one attorney for the plaintiffs said he would ask the court to hold LSU in contempt if it does not add them to the roster. Another attorney for the plaintiffs, Tony Clayton, says he requested LSU to be enjoined.

Cut 12 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”

During testimony yesterday, the SEC filed a federal lawsuit against LSU, Coach Lane Kiffin and others, alleging that they waged a coordinated campaign to recruit former NFL players. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says SEC presidents have even considered suspending or expelling LSU from the conference.

Cut 9 (07)  “…that as well.”

The Pelican Institute for Public Policy says there are some strong indicators that show Louisiana’s economy is heading in the right direction. Among other things, the report finds personal income has increased six percent during the first quarter, compared to three-percent nationally. Chief Executive Officer Daniel Erspamer says excellent changes in state policy is boosting Louisiana’s economy.

Cut 6 (09) “…market this state.”

Construction on the Hyundai Steel plant near Donaldsonville officially gets underway today. Some in the community expressed concern at a recent air permit hearing about whether emissions levels would meet current EPA standards. But Stephanie Malin with Hyundai Steel says the company is taking innovative steps to greatly reduce emissions.

Cut 16 (10) “…by 70-percent.”

The 5.8-billion-dollar plant is expected to open in 2029.

SEC university presidents have reportedly considered suspending or expelling LSU from the conference if it adds former NFL players onto its roster. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr supports that sentiment; but his Louisiana counterpart, Liz Murrill, believes he’s wrong.

Cut 14 (14) “…just ridiculous.”

This comes as LSU gets set to take on Clemson in the REAL Death Valley Saturday evening. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says it will be quite the Baton Rouge initiation for Lane Kiffin, who was undoubtedly impressed with the turnout last Saturday during the team’s gameday dress rehearsal.

Cut 5 (13) “…had at USC.”

Construction of the Hyundai Steel plant near Donaldsonville will get underway in earnest tomorrow with the groundbreaking ceremony. Ascension Parish Chamber President and CEO Donnie Miller says this is a project that will provide generational opportunities and potentially generational wealth for the people of Ascension Parish.

Cut 6 (09) “…our governmental services.”

Northwestern State alum James Genovese has completed two years as the university’s president and says the school is reporting gains in retention, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs and private support.

Cut 9 (08)  “…once had.”

Genovese says the university has welcomed the largest freshman class in several years, and it has one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years.

A hearing in Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge will determine whether 42 former college athletes can return for a fifth season. The lawsuit was amended to also target the SEC after the conference passed rules trying to deter the return of former NFL players in the case. Attorney General Liz Murrill filed an amicus brief supporting the players last night.

Cut 12 (10) “…the SEC.” 

During the hearing, the SEC sued LSU in federal court, claiming president Wade Rousse, athletic director Verge Ausberry and coach Lane Kiffin waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit pro players. 

All this comes ahead of LSU’s highly-anticipated game against Clemson Saturday evening. Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says they ended up issuing more than 900 credentials.

Cut 3 (06) “…been a whirlwind.”

Not only will the media be out in full force Saturday night, so will scores of celebrities, including Franklin Parish’s very own Lainey Wilson. Hours before kickoff, she will join the ESPN College Gameday crew as the guest picker, and she will give a special performance. Livvy Dunne is expected to be among the other celebrities in attendance.

Northwestern State president James Genovese believes the school has made great strides in the two years he’s been leading the school. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU’s home opener against Clemson Saturday is one of the most anticipated games in school history. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Northwestern State President James Genovese believes the school has made great strides in two years he’s been leading the school. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU’s game against Clemson Saturday evening 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 the REAL Death Valley – there will be royalty among the more than 100-thousand fans who will pack the stadium.

Cut 4 (06) “…to be here (2x).”

And ESPN has announced that Franklin Parish’s own country music superstar Lainey Wilson will be the guest picker Saturday morning. Bonnette says this will be quite the Baton Rouge initiation for Lane Kiffin, who was undoubtedly impressed with the turnout last Saturday during the team’s gameday dress rehearsal.

Cut 5 (13) “…had at USC.”

___________________________________________

Construction of the Hyundai Steel plant near Donaldsonville will get underway in earnest tomorrow with the groundbreaking ceremony. Ascension Parish Chamber President and CEO Donnie Miller says this is a project that will provide generational opportunities and potentially generational wealth for the people of Ascension Parish.

Cut 6 (09) “…our governmental services.”

Miller says the new Hyundai Steel plant will mean thousands of new jobs for the region.

Cut 7 (10) “…41-hundred indirect jobs.”

Miller says the arrival of the Hyundai Steel plant will undoubtedly lead to other economic development in Ascension Parish for years to come.

Cut 8 (10) “…these major facilities.”

___________________________________________

Northwestern State alum James Genovese has completed two years as the university’s president and says the school is reporting gains in retention, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs and private support.

Cut 9 (08)  “…once had.”

Genovese says the university has welcomed the largest freshman class in several years, and it has one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years.

Cut 10 (10) “…three years.”

Northwestern’s first to third semester retention rate reached 70-percent, which is higher than the Louisiana average. He says another positive sign is that student involvement has increased, with membership in student organizations growing from 800 to 12-hundred.

Genovese helping to address the state’s workforce needs is a big priority for the university. He says they’ve partnered with more than 100 businesses to produce well educated future workers.

Cut 11 (13) “…get that job.”

Across the university, 78-percent of academic programs have been created or updated within the past five years.

___________________________________________

A hearing is taking place in the Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge to determine whether 42 former college athletes can return for a fifth season. The lawsuit was amended to also target the SEC after the conference passed rules trying to deter the return of former NFL players in the case. Attorney General Liz Murrill filed an amicus brief supporting the players last night.

Cut 12 (10) “…the SEC.”

As this hearing is underway, the SEC has filed a federal suit in the state of Alabama against LSU, alleging  president Wade Rousse, athletics director Verge Ausberry and football coach Lane Kiffin waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit pro players.

Murrill believes that the conference should not be allowed to circumvent a ruling against the NCAA with its own rules.

Cut 13 (08) “…this case.”

SEC university presidents have reportedly considered suspending or expelling LSU from the conference if the school rosters former NFL players in defiance of the conference bylaw. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr supported that sentiment, but Murrill believes he is on the wrong side of the case.

Cut 14 (14) “…just ridiculous.”

The SEC is suing LSU, Coach Lane Kiffin, Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and President Wade Rousse in federal court, alleging that they waged a coordinated campaign to recruit former NFL players. SEC university presidents have also reportedly considered suspending or expelling LSU from the conference if it rosters former NFL players. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr supports that sentiment; but his Louisiana counterpart, Liz Murrill, believes he’s wrong.

Cut 14 (14) “…just ridiculous.”

All this comes ahead of LSU’s highly anticipated game against Clemson Saturday evening. Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says there will be royalty among the more than 100-thousand fans who will pack the stadium.

Cut 4 (06) “…to be here (2x).”

Ground will be broken on the new Hyundai Steel plant near Donaldsonville tomorrow morning. Ascension Parish Chamber President and CEO Donnie Miller says the arrival of the plant will undoubtedly lead to other economic development in the parish for years to come.

Cut 8 (10) “…these major facilities.”

In his two years as the university’s president, Northwestern State alum James Genovese says the school is making progress in retention, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs and private support. Genovese says the university has welcomed the largest freshman class in several years, and it has one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years.

Cut 10 (10) “…three years.” 

Northwestern’s first to third semester retention rate reached 70-percent, which is higher than the Louisiana average.

The SEC has filed a federal lawsuit against LSU, Coach Lane Kiffin, Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and President Wade Rousse, alleging that they waged a coordinated campaign to recruit former NFL players. It was filed during a hearing in a Louisiana state court to determine whether 42 former college athletes can return for a fifth season. Attorney General Liz Murrill filed an amicus brief supporting the players last night.

Cut 12 (10) “…the SEC.” 

All this, as LSU gets set to take on Clemson in the REAL Death Valley Saturday evening. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says it will be quite the Baton Rouge initiation for Kiffin, who was undoubtedly impressed with the turnout last Saturday during the team’s gameday dress rehearsal.

Cut 5 (13) “…had at USC.”

Construction of the Hyundai Steel plant near Donaldsonville will get underway in earnest tomorrow with the groundbreaking ceremony. Ascension Parish Chamber President and CEO Donnie Miller says the new plant will mean thousands of new jobs for the region.

Cut 7 (10) “…41-hundred indirect jobs.”

Miller says the arrival of the Hyundai Steel plant will undoubtedly lead to other economic development in Ascension Parish for years to come.

Northwestern State alum James Genovese has completed two years as the university’s president and says the school is reporting gains in retention, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs and private support.

Cut 9 (08)  “…once had.”

Genovese says the university has welcomed the largest freshman class in several years, and it has one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years.

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

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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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.

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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.

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.

On Friday, the state is slated to move millions of dollars in uncashed tax refunds to the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. The average uncashed refund is more than 750 dollars, and Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue points out with almost 23-thousand people yet to cash their refund checks, those amounts add up.

Cut 4 (09) “…is 17,145,961 dollars.”

As football season gets 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 13 (09) “…just that.”

LSU players appear to be cool with former NFL players signing with the team so close to the first game of the season. Notre Dame transfer defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka and former Ole Miss and NFL tight end Dae’Quan Wright are now practicing with the Tigers. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks says they have been valuable additions and the team is not distracted by outside noise.

Cut 10 (12) “…their business.” 

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, starting in February of 2027. Bossier City councilman Brian Hammons says they are excited to welcome the SCAC student-athletes, families and fans.

Cut 6 (12) “…to us.”

If you were issued your state tax refund by paper check and have not yet cashed it, you have until Friday to do so before that money gets transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the department sent letters to almost 23-thousand individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 3 (12) “…cash those checks.”

That money totals more than 17-million dollars.

With football season getting underway, Governor Landry is reminding you about a new state law that makes it a felony to smoke marijuana on a school campus or within two-thousand feet of school property. Landry says anyone convicted could face up to one year in prison and a one-thousand-dollar fine.

Cut 12 (09) “…season.” 

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.”

In November, LSU students can get a free lesson on credit education from Shaquille O’Neal. The basketball hall of famer who earned his undergrad degree from LSU and subsequently earned a doctorate will be at Fred’s Bar in Tigerland as part of a national tour across several universities.