Researchers at the Memphis Zoo breed the Louisiana Pine
Snake with artificial insemination for the first time.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana’s attorney general clarifies a new law going into effect next month concerning a pair of abortion-inducing drugs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Public Service Commission unanimously selects an outside firm to run its upcoming statewide energy efficiency program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Memphis Zoo Director of Conservation and Research Steve Reichling has successfully bred the first Louisiana Pine Snake using artificial insemination, marking a significant conservation achievement, as the Louisiana Pine Snake is a federally threatened species. Reichling’s method involved for the first time the use of frozen sperm samples, instead of fresh ones.

Cut 4 (10) “…calling it a breakthrough.”

The Louisiana Pine Snake feeds on pocket gophers and it has become one of the rarest snakes in North America due to the loss of long leaf pine forest. Reichling says artificial insemination opens new possibilities for breeding programs aimed at repopulating and maintaining genetic diversity in species that are difficult to breed naturally

Cut 5 (12) “…probably declining.”

By utilizing this technique, conservationists hope to bolster efforts to increase the species’ numbers both in captivity and, eventually, through reintroduction into their natural habitats. This breakthrough could serve as a model for other endangered or threatened species.

Cut 6 (09) …they’re valuable.”

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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill clarifies some points of a new law concerning abortion medication that’s going into effect on October 1st. Lawmakers passed the law after the ex-husband of a state senator’s daughter unsuccessfully tried inducing an abortion by lacing her drink with an abortion-inducing drug.

Cut 7 (10) “…substances in Louisiana”

Murrill says the new law does not ban the drugs outright.

Cut 8 (13) “…for emergency purposes.”

Murrill says doctors who prescribe those drugs for legitimate purposes should have nothing to worry about.

Cut 9 (14)  “…actions or prosecution.”

Other drugs classified as Schedule Four drugs in Louisiana include Valium, Xanax and Ambien.

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Louisiana’s state government has accepted its first cryptocurrency payment, signaling a step toward modernizing the state’s financial systems. State Treasurer Dr. John Fleming aims to modernize both the state government and the Louisiana economy. By incorporating cryptocurrency, Louisiana seeks to embrace emerging technologies that can enhance convenience, efficiency, and transparency in its transactions.

Cut 10 (09) “…bitcoin lightning.”

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, known for their decentralized nature, offer the potential for faster and more secure transactions. This move may also position Louisiana as a more attractive destination for tech companies and investors, promoting economic growth and development within the state.

Cut 11 (13) “…by 2028.”

In addition to integrating cryptocurrency, Fleming has a vision of leveraging digital tools to improve the state’s financial infrastructure, including exploring blockchain technology. By adopting such technologies, Louisiana could set a precedent for other states looking to innovate within government operations.

Cut 12 (10) “…government-controlled digital currency.”

The first purchase was a hunting license using Bitcoin Lightning.

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The Public Service Commission is launching a statewide energy efficiency program in 2026, and it has selected an outside firm to run it. The commission unanimously selected Baton Rouge-based Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure over two other finalists. Commissioner Davante Lewis hailed the choice.

Cut 13 (12)  “…1st of 2026.”

Lewis says Louisiana will set the example through this move.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the nation.”

The commission approved a transition to a statewide energy efficiency model earlier this year, and not everyone is on board with it. Eric Skrmetta says it will significantly raise the budget.

Cut 15 (11) “…top of that.”

And Skrmetta says that, in turn, will raise people’s utility rates.

Cut 16 (09)   “…towns in Louisiana”

Aptim has experience in this – it has run Wisconsin’s statewide program since 2011.

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Who Dat Nation is fired up for Sunday’s game as the 2-and-0 Saints welcome the 1-and-1 Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the Caesars Superdome. Quarterback Derek Carr says he’s expecting an electric atmosphere…

Cut 17 (17) “…are really excited.”

Carr says they have to put the 2-and-0 start behind them and focus on beating the Eagles…

Cut 18 (13)  “…going to count.”

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LSU’s defense showed signs it can be dominant in the 36-33 win over South Carolina. The Tigers held the Gamecocks to one total yard in the third quarter, but also gave up long touchdown runs in the second and fourth quarters. Senior defensive end Bradyn Swinson says they are close to being a good defense

Cut 19 (17) “….long ride 

Swinson only had two sacks last year. He had three sacks in the win over South Carolina and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Swinson on the identity they are trying to create with this defense….

Cut 20 (14) “..everybody loved”

Seems like a lot of people want to take advantage of the state’s Fortify Homes program. The Department of Insurance opened the three-day registration period today for people living in the coastal areas. The department says it’s experiencing a large volume of users, and that’s making it difficult for people to apply online. The department urges you to keep trying until the deadline of five p-m Friday. Since it’s implementing a lottery system to choose 300 people, those who apply early do not have any advantage over those applying late in the application period.

Police in Lafayette make a second arrest for the double murder that took place at a barbershop during Labor Day Weekend. 19-year-old Quincy Duhon Junior and 48-year-old Johnny Trailer Junior were fatally shot. Sergeant Robin Green says detectives worked hard on this case.

Cut 10 (12) “…for awhile.”

Shylon Mouton and Jeffery Broussard, both of Lafayette, are facing two counts of first degree murder.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announces its class of 2025. Chairman Doug Ireland says the headliner is football standout Andrew Whitworth, who won championships at all three levels – high school, college and pro.

Cut 14 (08) “…with the Rebels.”

And after winning the national championship with Nick Saban’s LSU squad in 2003, Whitworth went on to play in the NFL for 16 years, ending his career with a win in Super Bowl 56.

Scary moments at a recent freshman high school football game as a player for East Ascension High School suffered a medical emergency. Video footage shows the player going down after taking a hit to the chest. The game was called at that point, and the junior varsity game was also cancelled. The student is said to be alert and talking in the hospital.

A man who went on a shooting spree outside a Shreveport movie theater in 2021 is sentenced to more than a century in prison. 20-year-old Ikerryunt’a Stewart pleaded guilty to manslaughter and eight counts of attempted second-degree murder.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, Senator John Kennedy had some choice words for Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute.

Cut 6 (13) “…do not support.”

Kennedy ended his remarks by telling Berry to, quote, “hide your head in a bag,” which drew gasps from those in attendance.

DOTD marks one year of progress on the $127 million I-20 rehabilitation project in Bossier City. Spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says the project will ensure the interstate can handle the growing traffic demands.

Cut 12 (11) “…that’s what happens.”

The phased construction approach has allowed work to progress while minimizing disruptions.

LSU Alexandria saw more than a one-third increase in the number of undergraduates enrolled for the fall semester.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A Louisiana Army National Guard soldier died while on a training mission. The National Guard says 32-year-old Mitchell Benham of Folsom was in Title 32 status conducting inactive duty training at Fort Johnson on Sunday when he died. The incident is under investigation.

A junior high school student in Livingston Parish is in custody for allegedly having a weapon on campus. The sheriff’s office did not specify the type of weapon the student had. No students were threatened.

Police in Lafayette make a second arrest for the double murder that took place at a barbershop during Labor Day Weekend. 19-year-old Quincy Duhon Junior and 48-year-old Johnny Trailer Junior were fatally shot. Sergeant Robin Green says detectives worked hard on this case.

Cut 10 (12) “…for awhile.”

Shylon Mouton and Jeffery Broussard, both of Lafayette, are facing two counts of first degree murder.

LSU Alexandria saw more than a one-third increase in the number of undergraduates enrolled for the fall semester.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Senator John Kennedy had some choice words for the executive director of the Arab American Institute during a Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes. Kennedy implied that Maya Berry supports Hamas and Hezbollah, which she denied.

Cut 7 (11) “…I appreciate it. (applause fades)”

Kennedy responded by telling Berry to, quote, “hide your head in a bag.” Several people took that comment as racist, and it drew an audible rebuke from people attending the hearing, as well as committee Democrats on Social Media afterwards.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, Senator John Kennedy had some choice words for Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute.

Cut 6 (13) “…do not support.”

Kennedy ended his remarks by telling Berry to, quote, “hide your head in a bag,” which drew gasps from those in attendance.

LSU Alexandria sees a big surge in enrollment for the fall semester, growing by more than a third. Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Shelly Gill says one factor is the growing popularity of online courses.

Cut 3 (09) “…percent of that is online.”

Gill says affordability has also played a key role in attracting more students.

Lafayette Police arrest a second 17-year-old for the double murder that took place at a barbershop during Labor Day Weekend. Sergeant Robin Green says Shylon Mouton and Jeffery Broussard, both of Lafayette, are facing two counts of first degree murder…

Cut 9 (10)  “…barbershop.”

19-year-old Quincy Duhon Junior and 48-year-old Johnny Trailer Junior were fatally shot.

Lottery registration for the Louisiana Fortify Homes grant program is now open to those living in the coastal zone. Registration is open through Friday, and 300 will be chosen.

Beefed-up police presence at Covington High School due to a reported social media threat. The Covington Police Department says a juvenile has been taken into custody for questioning, and police will maintain a heavy presence at the school for the rest of the day as a precaution.

Lottery registration for the Louisiana Fortify Homes grant program is now open to those living in the coastal zone. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says these grants, previously available on a first-come, first-served basis, received feedback and now should give residents more opportunity to receive the grant.

Cut 4 (10) “…change that format.”

Registration is open through Friday, and 300 will be chosen.

The Bossier (BOZH-er) Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning of a new scam. Lieutenant Matt Gaydos says the scammer claims to have taken control of the victim’s computer or device, putting a virus on it to allow the scammer to retrieve sensitive information, and the scammer demands money as a ransom.

Cut 14 (16) “…to that account.”

Gaydos says so far, no one has fallen victim, mainly because not everyone knows how to use Bitcoin.

Nearly all Entergy Customers have had their power restored since Hurricane Francine. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network were on Capitol Hill urging lawmakers to take the final steps in passing a bipartisan bill to allow Medicare payment for early detection screening tests. Brenda McCain from Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tish) Parish says nearly everyone knows someone who’s been affected by cancer.

Cut 12 (07) “…decrease cancer deaths.”

Entergy has restored power to virtually all customers who can safely receive electric service after Hurricane Francine. Fewer people lost power during Francine than in previous storms, and Vice President of Customer Service Michelle Bourg (BERG) says that’s due to Entergy’s attention to the need for reinforcement and improvement, especially in coastal areas…

Cut 9 (10)  “…higher standard.”

At the height of response efforts, over eight thousand storm responders worked around the clock to restore service to customers.

The Bossier (BOZH-er) Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning of a new scam. The scammer demands two-thousand dollars in Bitcoin to remove a virus from the victim’s computer or smartphone. So far, no one has fallen for it. Lieutenant Matt Gaydos says it takes very few people who bite in order for scammers to strike it rich.

Cut 15 (08) “…money really quickly.”

Lottery registration for the Fortify Homes Program Grants opens today for those living in the Coastal Zone.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Beefed-up police presence at Covington High School due to a reported social media threat. The Covington Police Department says a juvenile has been taken into custody for questioning, and police will maintain a heavy presence at the school for the rest of the day as a precaution.

Lottery registration for Fortify Homes Program Grants opens today through Friday with 300 grants to residents living in Louisiana’s Coastal Zone.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Nearly all Entergy Customers have had their power restored since Hurricane Francine. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The Bossier (BOZH-er) Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning you of a new scam. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is opening lottery registration for grants starting today through Friday. The program offers 300 grants to residents living in Louisiana’s Coastal Zone, aimed at fortifying homes against future storms and hurricanes. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says these grants, previously available on a first-come, first-served basis, received feedback and now should give residents more opportunity to receive the grant.

Cut 4 (10) “…change that format.”

The program is a proactive approach to reduce insurance costs and minimize the need for extensive rebuilding after hurricanes. The program will also draw 200 registrants who will be placed on a waiting list…

Cut 5 (06) “…various reasons.”

Temple emphasizes eligible residents must live in the state’s designated Coastal Zone, an area frequently affected by hurricanes, and it must be your primary residence.

Cut 6 (12) …citizens as possible.”

Homeowners can register through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program website, with recipients being notified the following week after the registration period closes.

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Entergy says they’ve restored power to virtually all customers who can safely receive electric service after Hurricane Francine. Vice President of Customer Service, Michelle Bourg (BERG) says nearly half of the more than 300,000 customers who lost power had it restored one day after the storm. She credits the upgrades and improvements to infrastructure after the devastating storms of the last few years…

Cut 7 (10) “…secret sauce”

Bourg says since the storms of 2020 and 2021, Entergy’s standards have changed and so have the needs of customers…

Cut 8 (13) “…they’re taller.”

Fewer people lost power during Hurricane Francine than in previous storms and Borg says that’s due to Entergy’s attention to the need for reinforcement and improvement especially in coastal areas…

Cut 9 (10)  “…higher standard.”

At the height of response efforts over eight thousand storm responders worked around the clock to restore service to customers.

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Advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network were on Capitol Hill urging lawmakers to take the final steps in passing a bill to allow Medicare payment for innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests. One of them, Brenda McCain from Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tish) Parish, who says a simple test can go a long way.

Cut 10 (05) “…can be treated.”

McCain says whatever Congress decides will have a profound effect on people’s well-being.

Cut 11 (05) “…made in Congress.”

McCain notes that nearly everyone in the country knows someone who’s been affected by cancer.

Cut 12 (07) “…decrease cancer deaths.”

McCain notes that the bill already has the support of more than two-thirds of Congress, encompassing representatives of both parties.

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The Bossier (BOZH-er) Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning of a new scam. Lieutenant Matt Gaydos says the scammer claims to have taken control of the victim’s computer or device, putting a virus on it to allow the scammer to retrieve sensitive information.

Cut 13 (07)  “…out of them.”

Gaydos says the scammer demands money as a ransom.

Cut 14 (16) “…to that account.”

Gaydos says so far, no one has fallen victim to the scam, mainly because not everyone knows how to use Bitcoin. He says scammers know that their tactics have a very low percentage of succeeding, but it only takes a very small number of people to bite in order to strike it rich.

Cut 15 (08) “…money really quickly.”

If you get an email like this, the very best thing to do is to delete it right away.

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The Saints could not have gotten off to a better start, winning their first two games in dominating fashion – 47-10 over the Panthers and 44-19 over the Cowboys. Still, Coach Dennis Allen says there are flaws that the team needs to work through as the season progresses.

Cut 16 (16)   “…the first half”

On the defensive side, Defensive End Carl Granderson says while his unit’s performance against the Cowboys was dominant, it wasn’t perfect.

Cut 17 (11) “…to force turnovers.”

The Saints will try to make it three in a row to start the season Sunday afternoon against the Eagles in the Superdome. Kickoff is at noon.

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One of the big surprises on LSU’s offense this year is wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who leads the team in receiving yards. The redshirt junior from New Orleans has caught 15 passes this year, three more than all of last year. Coach Brian Kelly says Anderson has grown in every aspect of his life…

Cut 18 (21)  “…so much better.”

Caden Durham had a big game on Saturday as he led the Tigers with 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, 50 of his yards came after contact. But Kelly is not ready to name Durham as the top back…

Cut 19 (12) “….looking for 

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Louisiana Tech is hoping to see more from its running game when they host Tulsa on Saturday night. The Bulldogs rushed for just 43 yards in their loss to North Carolina State. Marquis Crosby is still dealing with an injury he suffered in the season opener and only had two carries last week. Cumbie says they would like to get former Acadiana star Omiri Wiggins going…

Cut 20 (24) “..that room”

Senator Bill Cassidy is despondent over this weekend’s assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump – the second time in a two-month span that someone tried killing him.

Cut 12 (09) “…or should become.”

Cassidy joins seven fellow Republican U.S. senators in calling for the Secret Service to beef up protection for Trump, saying it should be at the level of a sitting president.

Entergy says it’s restored power to virtually all customers who can safely receive electric service after Hurricane Francine. Michelle Bourg (BERG), the vice president of customer service, says nearly half of the 300-thousand customers who lost power had it restored just one day after the storm.

This week marks Voter Registration Week, with efforts underway to ensure residents are prepared for the upcoming November 5th election. Louisiana has a high registration rate, with about 90-percent of eligible residents registered to vote.

Governor Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state was approved by the White House following Hurricane Francine.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Starting this season, Pelicans fans can watch their team on TV for free. Greg Bensel with the Pelicans says the new deal will greatly boost TV viewership.

Cut 4 (11) “…to TV access.”

This week marks Voter Registration Week, with efforts underway to ensure residents are prepared for the upcoming November 5th election. Joel Watson with the secretary of state’s office reminds citizens to register or to update their registration.

Cut 6 (12) “…October 15th or online.”

Watson says Louisiana has a high registration rate, with about 90-percent of eligible residents registered to vote.

A new report shows that sexual harassment remains a problem. The study by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute shows that 82-percent of women and 42-percent of men experience some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime.Lead researcher Anita Raj says one way to stem the tide is to begin the awareness campaign at an early age.

Cut 12 (09) “…experience before 13.”

Starting this season, Pelicans fans can watch their team on TV for free. Greg Bensel with the Pelicans says the new rights deal with Gray Media will give many more fans the opportunity to watch games on TV.

Cut 3 (12) “…seven-million new viewers.”

The 11 stations that will carry Pelicans games will all form the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network.

Enrollment at Northwestern State is at its highest level in five years. University President James Genovese (JEN-oh-veeze) says enrollment at the main campus in Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tish) is up considerably.

Cut 14 (09) “…vibrant and healthy.”

And President Genovese says nearly every single on-campus housing unit is occupied.