The trucking industry in Louisiana says the legal climate is its biggest concern in 2025. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana ranks 31st in the Tax Foundation’s Tax Competitiveness Index, but that’s up six spots from the year before. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Nearly four years ago, a longtime Louisiana politician predicted that LSU would be on the hook for another massive buyout for its football coach. As Andre Champagne reports, his prediction was spot-on.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The trucking industry in Louisiana says insurance and lawsuit abuse are its biggest concerns in 2025. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, says the cost of insurance is driving truckers out of the state.

Cut 4 (11) “…affordable truck insurance.”

Amar says the insurance environment in Louisiana is ripe for fraud, especially when it comes to staged accidents. She says truckers have to pay thousands of dollars out of their own pockets and are forced to wait years before their cases can be prosecuted.

Cut 5 (10) “…premiums for you.”

Amar says while she’s happy that the bill that stopped payments to those more than 50-percent at fault for accidents became law in this year’s session, she’s upset that the medical transparency bill didn’t.

Cut 6 (13) “…20-thousand-dollar bill.”

Amar says the Louisiana trucking industry will try again in next year’s regular session to get that bill passed and onto Governor Landry’s desk.

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Louisiana’s ranking in the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index improved from 37th to 31st, with further improvement expected as a result of the tax reforms improved last year. Tax Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Manish Bhatt (“bot”) says those reforms include a new flat individual income tax rate of three-percent and a corporate income tax rate of 5.5-percent.

Cut 7 (08) “…seeing positive gains.”

Bhatt expects Louisiana’s ranking to improve in 2026, as the state’s franchise tax will be repealed. He says modernizing a state’s tax structure helps position it for growth.

Cut 8 (10) “…period of time.”

Bhatt says Louisiana could move up in their rankings even more if it restricted its sales taxes.

Cut 9 (13)  “…improvement in that.”

Wyoming, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Alaska and Florida ranked in the top five. Maryland, Connecticut, California, New Jersey and New York ranked in the bottom five.

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In 2021, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell predicted that LSU would be responsible for paying a hefty buyout to Brian Kelly before he even stepped onto the field. Nearly four years later, Campbell says I told you so.

Cut 10 (09) “…the get-go.”

Campbell says LSU should have never given Kelly a 10-year contract without it being incentive-based.

Cut 11 (12) “…to pay him.”

Campbell says the LSU Board of Supervisors did not handle Kelly’s contract well and says it needs to avoid the same mistake with this next coach search.

Cut 12 (10) “…never happens again.”

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This weekend, you will want to try on your winter jacket; and if it doesn’t fit or if you don’t have one, you’ll want to head to your local department store to buy one. That’s because we’re going to be in for the coldest temperatures of the season at the outset of next week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is coming down into the state late this weekend, blanketing the state with frigid Canadian air.

Cut 13 (11)  “…in the 50s.”

And if you think that’s cold, Tuesday morning will be even colder. Keim says temperatures in some parts of the state will drop below freezing.

Cut 14 (13) “…the upper 30s.”

Keim says if you can survive those two days, temperatures will start their climb back up to normal afterwards,

Cut 15 (10) “…of next week.”

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LSU football travels to Tuscaloosa to face fourth-ranked Alabama tomorrow. The offense and defense have been going up against each other in inside run drills, which requires more physicality from the linemen. Interim Head Coach Frank Wilson says he’s pleased with his team’s tenacity in practice this week.

Cut 16 (14) “…rewarding for us.”

LSU’s defense will continue to be tested when the Tigers face junior quarterback and Heisman candidate Ty Simpson. Simpson has thrown for 20 touchdowns and only one interception so far this year. Wilson says Simpson possesses an elite skillset.

Cut 17 (19) “…to gain yardage.”

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The Saints’ offense will be without a big weapon moving forward after New Orleans sent Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Tyler Shough says Shaheed’s departure will create more opportunities for other receivers.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to have success.”

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UL-Lafayette got back into the win column after defeating South Alabama, 31-22, in Mobile last week. Even though it hasn’t been the ideal season, head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) was happy for his group and wants his team to continue to play with the same determination this week.

Cut 19 (15) “…do it again.”

The Cajuns will host Texas State tomorrow, which will be the last Sun Belt matchup between the two teams as the Bobcats are moving to the Pac-12 after this season. Desormeaux says his team is focused on winning out to become bowl eligible.

Cut 20 (08) “…at all costs.”

After much confusion, LSU has said in no uncertain terms that Verge Ausberry is the school’s full-fledged athletic director – not interim, not acting. The confusion came when incoming President Wade Rousse spoke to WWL radio yesterday.

Cut 24 (03) “…the acting A-D.”

Well, someone might want to tell Dr. Rousse that in that context, “acting” and “interim” mean the exact same thing. In any event, interim head football coach Frank Wilson – yes, he IS the interim coach – says Ausberry deserves an opportunity to lead the LSU athletics department.

Cut 4 (04) “…he has earned.”

A 15-year-old boy is killed early this morning in a drive-by shooting in Ruston. Ruston Police Lieutenant Kayla Loyd says the boy’s grandmother called paramedics to the home during the overnight hours, not realizing that he had been shot.

Cut 9 (08)  “…actually been shot.”

According to a new poll, 65-percent of Louisiana voters want the state to boost spending for early childhood education. Libbie Sonnier, the CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says with families being priced out, that puts a greater burden on federally supported programs like Head Start. Sonnier says the two programs in the state which are funded by Head Start have enough money to operate this month. However:

Cut 7 (07) “…Head Start-affiliated.”

UpONE Insights surveyed 500 Louisiana voters September 8th through the 13th, and it has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4-percent.

Cut 25 (play 2.3 seconds, fade and use as bed)

I hope you didn’t Stop Believin’ that Journey would hit the road again, but that’s exactly what they’re doing. They can’t wait to welcome you with Open Arms in New Orleans and Bossier City next March and in Lafayette next June. Their music is not for Only The Young, so take in the show Any Way You Want It – they won’t Be Alright Without You.

LSU clears up Verge Ausberry’s status as the school’s athletic director. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff  Palermo”

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A new survey shows widespread support for increased state spending in early childhood education programs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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One day after LSU president Wade Rousse said Verge Ausberry was the acting Athletics Director, an LSU spokesperson tells the Louisiana Radio Network that Ausberry is THE director of athletics at LSU. It was reported on Tuesday night that Ausberry was the permanent A-D. Even interim head football coach Frank Wilson discussed Ausberry’s promotion yesterday morning as a positive step for the university.

Cut 3 (09) “…athletic program.”

Confusion came about yesterday when Rousse called Ausberry the acting A-D, a similar title to interim athletics director.

On the LSU website, Ausberry’s bio says he is the director of athletics. Ausberry has worked at the LSU athletics department for 24 years and the New Iberia native is a longtime senior administrator at his alma mater. He’s been involved in four previous head football coaches’ searches and is leading the search for Brian Kelly’s replacement.

Wilson says Ausberry deserves an opportunity to lead the LSU athletics department.

Cut 4 (04) “…has earned.”

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey is heartbroken over the firing of LSU A-D Scott Woodward. But she is happy for Ausberry.

Cut 5 (05) “…this is his school.”

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A new poll shows widespread support for lawmakers to increase spending in early childhood education, with 65-percent of respondents saying they favor it. Libbie Sonnier, the CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says early childhood education is becoming out of reach for many families in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…over their head.”

Sonnier says with the cost of early childhood education taking a huge chunk out of family finances, that puts greater importance on programs like federally supported programs like Head Start. Sonnier says there are two programs in the state which are funded by Head Start – Clover and Primetime – and they have enough money to operate this month.

Cut 7 (07) “…Head Start-affiliated.”

Sonnier says federal support alone is not enough to make early childhood education affordable for many Louisiana families.

Cut 8 (10) “…in doing so.”

Sonnier points out that responses were fairly consistent across political lines, with nearly half of Republicans and almost 85-percent of Democrats saying the state needs to do more to support early childhood education. UpONE Insights surveyed 500 Louisiana voters between September 8th through the 13th, and it has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4-percent.

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A 15-year-old boy is killed early this morning in a drive-by shooting in Ruston. Ruston Police Lieutenant Kayla Loyd says the boy’s grandmother called paramedics to the home during the overnight hours, not realizing that he had been shot.

Cut 9 (08)  “…actually been shot.”

The teen was rushed to a hospital but did not survive his injuries. Loyd says the investigation is in the very early stages, and detectives are working to determine whether this was a targeted shooting or if this was random.

Cut 10 (09) “…out anything specific.”

No one has been arrested, and Loyd says not only do they not have a description of the shooters or the vehicle, assuming a vehicle was even involved in the first place.

Cut 11 (03) “…were on foot.”

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A major cold front is coming for Louisiana, but LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says we’ll see some mild temperatures until it arrives on late Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Cut 12 (13) “…cold front passes.”

Jacquemin says we are looking at our first significant freeze Monday morning and Monday will be the coldest day in Louisiana in several months.

Cut 13 (09)  “…public service commission.”

Wind chills during this time will be in the 20s for north Louisiana.

According to a new poll, 65-percent of Louisiana voters want the state to boost spending for early childhood education. Libbie Sonnier, the CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says with families being priced out, that puts a greater burden on federally supported programs like Head Start. Sonnier says the two programs in the state which are funded by Head Start have enough money to operate this month. However:

Cut 7 (07) “…Head Start-affiliated.”

This is the week when the state publishes the names of people reported to have unclaimed property over the last 12 months. This year, that amounts to 92,348. State Treasurer John Fleming says there are many reasons that money ends up going unclaimed.

Cut 14 (10) “…they had it.”

The names are published in the newspapers of the last-known parish where they lived. People can also go to LaCashClaim-dot-org to check to see whether they have any unclaimed property.

Is he, or isn’t he? LSU clears up Verge Ausberry’s status as the school’s athletic director. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff  Palermo.”

On this, the record-extending 37th day of the federal government shutdown, Senator John Kennedy is introducing two bills that would withhold lawmakers’ pay during future shutdowns. In a floor speech, Kennedy says it’s only fair that lawmakers feel the same financial pain that they’re putting workers through.

Cut 7 (11) “…not being paid.”

This is the week that the Louisiana Department of Treasury publishes the names of people with unclaimed property it received in the past year in newspapers throughout the state. This year, that number is 92,348. Treasurer John Fleming says the state will go to great lengths to get that money to their rightful owners. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

Cut 15 (10) “…why this happens.”

According to the American Lung Association, Louisiana ranks 45th in the nation for early diagnosis of lung cancer. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former LSU head football coach Brian Kelly stated in an email after his firing that he’s open to reaching a settlement in his 54-million-dollar buyout. In an email obtained by Baton Rouge TV station WAFB, Kelly said any settlement would have to make sense financially. Kelly said despite the school’s decision, he was grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the LSU program for the last four years.

According to the American Lung Association, Louisiana ranks 45th in the nation for early diagnosis of lung cancer. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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As the federal government shutdown drags on, Senator John Kennedy is filing a pair of bills aimed at making lawmakers feel the same financial pain as workers who are not getting paid. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Are you on the list? Andre Champagne reports this is the week to look in your local newspaper to find out.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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A new report reveals Louisiana is among the worst in the nation for diagnosing lung cancer early. Eric Weinzettle, the director of advocacy for the American Lung Association, says their report finds that Louisiana is ranked 40th for new lung cancer cases and 45th for cases diagnosed at an early stage.

Cut 4 (13) “…catch it early.”

Weinzettle says the number-one cause of lung cancer is smoking, and Louisiana has the fifth highest smoking rate in the country at almost 16-percent of adults.

Cut 5 (08) “…50s and 60s.”

In Louisiana, 25-percent of lung cancer cases are treated early, while nationally it’s 28-percent. He says C-T scans of high-risk individuals are one way to catch this disease earlier, and biomarker testing can help doctors decide on different treatment options, possibly avoiding chemotherapy.

Cut 6 (13) “…to biomarker testing.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Louisiana and across the United States.

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On this, the record-extending 37th day of the federal government shutdown, Senator John Kennedy is introducing two bills that would withhold lawmakers’ pay during future shutdowns. In a floor speech, Kennedy says it’s only fair that lawmakers feel the same financial pain that they’re putting workers through.

Cut 7 (11) “…not being paid.”

The difference between the two bills is that one of them calls for lawmakers to forfeit any missed pay, while the other calls for any skipped paychecks to be escrowed and paid when the shutdown ends. Kennedy says he’s introducing the latter just in case the former runs into constitutional issues.

Cut 8 (10) “…flavors of bills.”

The 27th Amendment states that when lawmakers change their pay, the change does not take effect until the next congress is sworn in. Kennedy says there is precedent for his bill, saying President Obama did the same thing in 2013.

Cut 9 (12)  “…lose your paychecks.”

Kennedy says at that point, lawmakers got down to business, reached a deal and reopened government – and that’s what his bills are designed to do.

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Tuesday night’s election results may indicate that Texas’ fight to redraw its congressional map to gain five additional Republican seats could backfire in a big way – and it goes far beyond California voters approving a plan to essentially cancel that out. Shreveport-based political analyst Scott Hughes says in New Jersey, Republicans did worse than they have ever done, likely because they lost any gains they made last year with Hispanic voters. He says if that trend continues in Texas next year, Texas can kiss any G-O-P gains goodbye.

Cut 10 (14) “…a purple-ish state.”

Hughes points out that when you pull Democratic voters from one district, you have to put them in another district, making that district more competitive.

Cut 11 (07) “…those voters from.”

Hughes says Texas Republicans were counting on holding onto the Hispanic support they gained last year in the midterms; but if Tuesday is any indication, that strategy could come back to haunt them.

Cut 12 (09) “…be in trouble.”

Once all current House vacancies are filled, assuming Tennessee’s vacant seat goes to the Republicans as expected, Democrats will need a net gain of three seats to regain control of the lower chamber.

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Are you on the list? Whether you think you are or not, this is the week when you will want to check your local newspaper to see if your name is on the list of names with unclaimed property. Every year, the Louisiana Department of Treasury publishes the names of people with unclaimed property it received in the past year. This year, that number is 92,348. State Treasurer John Fleming says that could come in many forms, including tax refunds, insurance payments or bank deposits.

Cut 13 (07)  “…unclaimed properties division.”

Fleming says there are many reasons that money ends up going unclaimed.

Cut 14 (10) “…they had it.”

Fleming says unclaimed property always belongs to their rightful owners; and while the state will hold onto it for safekeeping, it will never use it for anything. Furthermore, he says the state will go to great lengths to get that money to their rightful owners. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

Cut 15 (10) “…why this happens.”

If the rightful owner is deceased, the money then belongs to that person’s heirs; and if they don’t claim it, it sits in the state’s unclaimed property fund forever. People can also go to LaCashClaim-dot-org to check to see whether they have any unclaimed property.

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LSU’s running game showed some promise in the first half against Texas A&M in the 49-25 loss. Junior center Braelin Moore says the Tigers are putting more emphasis on staying committed to the run as well as running the ball better against Alabama on Saturday.

Cut 16 (12) “…ball against Bama.”

Brian Kelly’s firing shocked many players on the team, but Moore says the team has moved on and has set its focus on prepping for fourth-ranked Alabama on the road this weekend.

Cut 17 (11) “…energy right now.”

Once Frank Wilson was named LSU’s interim head coach, he set out to keep the entire team together. LSU’s coaching staff brought a bass drum into the team room, beating it to mirror a heartbeat. Senior linebacker West Weeks says the drum helps set the tone for the day.

Cut 18 (16)  “…for the day.”

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Louisiana Tech will get the chance to have its first six-win season since 2019 with a win over Delaware on Saturday. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says the team is aware of what’s at stake.

Cut 19 (13) “…do our best.”

Louisiana Tech sophomore running back Clay Thevenin rushed for 143 yards on only 11 carries with three touchdowns in the 55-14 win over Sam Houston State. Cumbie says Thevenin’s efforts in practice are translating to more productive Saturday performances.

Cut 20 (16) “…been really consistent.”

The times, they are a-changin’ at LSU. Not only does the system have a new president, but the Baton Rouge campus has its first chancellor in more than a dozen years, and it has a new full-time athletic director. New President Wade Rousse says with so much that needs to be done, it makes sense to split the roles of system president and flagship campus chancellor.

Cut 4 (10) “…in my mind.”

James Dalton, who was a finalist for LSU president, has been tapped as Baton Rouge campus chancellor. And Verge Ausberry, who less than a week ago was named interim athletic director, has had his interim tag removed. One of Ausberry’s first jobs is to find a new head football coach, saying he must be a leader, manage NIL, recruiting and practices.

Cut 8 (09) “…buy in.”

A 46-year-old preschool teacher receives a Good Samaritan Award from the Slidell Police Department for helping cops chase down a suspected shoplifter. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (39) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Time to get those winter coats ready; we’re going to be in for some brutally cold temperatures next week. A cold Canadian air mass will send temperatures below freezing in some parts of the state Tuesday morning.

New Iberia native Verge Ausberry is expected to be formally named the permanent athletics director at LSU. Last week, the former Tigers linebacker and longtime athletics administrator was named the interim A-D, but LSU’s new leadership wants Ausberry to have the job going forward. Ausberry says he has already hit the ground running.

Cut 6 (10) “…this position.”

Even though Democrats were expected to do well in last night’s elections, the way they dominated will certainly set off alarm bells in the Republican Party. Shreveport-based political analyst Scott Hughes says in Virginia, not only did Democrat Abigail Spanberger win by almost 15 points, but Democrats made gains throughout the entire state.

Cut 12 (12) “…to the left.”

A 46-year-old preschool teacher receives a Good Samaritan Award from the Slidell Police Department for helping cops chase down a suspected shoplifter. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (39) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It took only seven tries, but the Pelicans finally got themselves into the win column last night. They beat the Charlotte Hornets at the Smoothie King Center, 116-112.

The Wade Rousse era is underway at LSU. The Golden Meadow native took over as LSU system president yesterday. Before the Board of Supervisors named him president, several students voiced their opposition. Ryan Spalt was one of seven students arrested during last month’s meeting for speaking past their allotted time. He’s upset that Rousse is perceived as Governor Landry’s handpicked choice.

Cut 8 (11) “…Landry lap dog.”

Rousse took a huge step towards putting students’ fears at ease by naming Verge Ausberry LSU’s new athletic director, dropping the interim tag from his title. Ausberry says he has already hit the ground running.

Cut 6 (10) “…this position.”

A formal announcement is expected in the coming days.

A new threat is emerging for livestock owners throughout Louisiana and elsewhere: the New World screwworm. While it hasn’t been in the U.S. since the 1960s, it’s been found as far north as Mexico. LSU AgCenter veterinarian Christine Navarre says while the New World screwworm mainly targets livestock, it can target other species as well, including humans.

Cut 5 (08) “…and also birds.”

The Saints traded two players at the trade deadline – wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks and offensive lineman Trevor Penning to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mike Detilier, the host of SportsTalk on WWL Radio, says Penning, who was a first-round pick, was one of the biggest letdowns in franchise history.

Cut 15 (15) “…struggled there too.”

Wade Rousse is now the new president of the LSU system. Rousse is a Louisiana native and grew up in Golden Meadow. As he was introduced as the new LSU system president, Rousse said he’s eager to build on LSU’s strong foundation.

Cut 7 (11) “…ahead of us.”

Rousse wasted no time in getting to work. His first official act in his new role was taking something away from Verge Ausberry – the “interim” tag in his job title, promoting him to full-time athletic director. The former LSU football standout from New Iberia had been named interim athletic director just last Friday after former A-D Scott Woodward parted ways with the school. He ended up holding that temporary position for about 96 hours before being promoted to the position full-time. Ausberry and Rousse will now team up with the Board of Supervisors to find a new head football coach.

We are now in the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. Today is day 36 of the shutdown, eclipsing the old record of 35 days that started at the end of 2018 and continued into the beginning of 2019. Healthcare subsidies is the one and only sticking point. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says even though House Speaker Mike Johnson has halted business in the House until the shutdown is over, that’s no barrier in ending the shutdown.

Cut 12 (10) “…for a compromise.”

Livestock owners throughout Louisiana and elsewhere are on the lookout for the New World screwworm. While it hasn’t been in the U.S. since the 1960s, it’s now been found as far north as Mexico. LSU AgCenter veterinarian Christine Navarre says beef producers should diligently monitor their herds amid this threat.

Cut 6 (11) “…it under control.”

Navarre says while the screwworm is a live animal problem and will not affect beef, beef prices could be affected if an outbreak occurs.