State Treasurer John Fleming says the K-12 School Transparency Project has identified questionable spending by Louisiana public and charter schools. Fleming says nearly everyone wants to see teachers make more money, and it’s possible that could happen if state dollars were spent appropriately.

Cut 8 (10) “…misdirecting these funds.”

President Trump is proposing slashing five-billion dollars from the National Institutes of Health in the 2027 fiscal year budget, and that has doctors greatly concerned. Dr. Chancellor Donald with the Tulane University School of Medicine says the clinical trials that lead to breakthrough treatments for debilitating diseases are all funded by money Congress allocates to the N-I-H.

Cut 5 (10) “…here in Louisiana.”

Governor Landry is expected to announce next Tuesday that SpaceX will build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport in coastal Vermilion Parish that will be used to launch rockets into orbit. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A new college sports eligibility rule could pave the way for players competing for NFL roster spots to return to college for one more season. A Baton Rouge judge has granted a temporary restraining order to allow 16 football players to go back to college for one more season, including former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn. He’s one of the plaintiffs while trying to make the Buccaneers roster.

Doctors in Louisiana are sounding the alarm over potential funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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State Treasurer John Fleming says the K-12 School Transparency Project has identified questionable spending by some public and charter schools. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Governor Landry is expected to announce next Tuesday that SpaceX will build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport in coastal Vermilion Parish that will be used to launch rockets into orbit. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Louisiana doctors are sounding the alarm over a proposed massive funding cut to the National Institutes of Health. For the 2027 fiscal year, President Trump is proposing slashing five-billion dollars from NIH funding, representing 12-percent of its operating budget. Dr. Chancellor Donald, the interim chief of the division of hematology and medical oncology at the Tulane University School of Medicine, says if Congress doesn’t restore that funding by September 30th, the impact will be devastating.

Cut 4 (10) “…in their toolbox.”

Dr. Donald says the clinical trials that lead to breakthrough treatments for debilitating diseases are all funded by money Congress allocates to the National Institutes of Health.

Cut 5 (10) “…here in Louisiana.”

Donald says if NIH funding is cut, that would greatly slow down the progress in finding cures for life-threatening diseases like cancer.

Cut 6 (11) “…tomorrow’s blockbuster cures.”

Donald says NIH funding has paid huge dividends over the years. He notes that the five-year survival for breast cancer has jumped from 75-percent to more than 91-percent, metastatic melanoma survival has jumped from less than 10-percent to more than 50-percent, and childhood leukemia survival has soared from 10-percent to 90-percent.

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State Treasurer John Fleming says the K-12 School Transparency Project has identified questionable spending by Louisiana public and charter schools. The online portal which launched last year allows citizens to see how public and charter schools spend taxpayer dollars, and Fleming says it has uncovered potential misuse of public funds.

Cut 7 (09) “…stores and restaurants.”

Fleming says the portal also shows how school systems have spent thousands of dollars on balloons and fireworks, and there’s also a case where a political donation was made. The state treasurer says nearly everyone wants to see teachers make more money, and it’s possible that could happen if state dollars were spent appropriately.

Cut 8 (10) “…misdirecting these funds.”

Fleming says the financial data that the K-12 School Transparency Project provides to the public led to a complaint investigated by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

Cut 9 (13)  “…a private institution.”

Fleming urges the Legislative Auditor and the Attorney General’s office to investigate any questionable use of public funds.

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We have our first poll in the U.S. Senate general election matchup between Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis. The poll conducted by Public Policy Polling shows Letlow leading Davis by four points, 41 to 37-percent, with 22-percent undecided. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it’s important to note that this is the only poll out thus far.

Cut 10 (13) “…in this state.”

One finding of the poll of 518 registered voters is that more than half had neither a favorable nor an unfavorable opinion of Davis, compared to just over one-fourth for Letlow. Hogan says it underscores the gap in name recognition.

Cut 11 (10) “…the Republican nomination.”

Hogan says over the next two-plus months, those 22-percent of respondents who are currently undecided will eventually make up their minds, and he says Letlow has the advantage.

Cut 12 (09) “…towards her side.”

Among the 518 respondents, Republicans outnumbered Democrats by 14 points. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four-percent.

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Governor Jeff Landry will reportedly announce next Tuesday that Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport in Vermilion Parish. The Advocate reports the spaceport would be built on 130 acres of coastal marshland near Pecan Island, about 45 miles southwest of Lafayette, and would launch rockets into orbit. Advocate reporter Stephanie Riegel says the project could potentially bring thousands of jobs to Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “..in Richland Parish.”

As part of the deal, a decade-long coastal damages lawsuit filed by Vermilion Parish and the state against ExxonMobil has been dismissed. Riegel says more details will be announced Tuesday at 11 a-m in Abbeville.

Cut 14 (08) “…puts in place.”

SpaceX and Landry have not commented. Musk says the company needs more launch sites to support its goal of deploying up to a million Starlink satellites.

There have been whispers about the proposed project for weeks, and Riegel says there are many in Vermilion Parish concerned about what this will mean for their way of life.

Cut 15 (11) “…Pecan Island community.”

The area is popular for recreational hunting and fishing.

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UL-Lafayette football coach Michael Desormeaux says redshirt junior wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. is progressing in his rehab but is still sidelined during practice. Sampson was the Cajuns’ leading receiver with 32 catches for 537 yards and six touchdowns last season. Desormeaux says he has been out longer than expected.

Cut 16 (14) “…the conditioning part.”

The Cajuns are relying on dynamic redshirt junior quarterback Lunch Winfield to make the next step after leading the team to a 4-and-4 record as the starter last season. Desormeaux says he has done a better job of taking what the defense gives him and has been more accurate through fall camp. He tries to complete 70-percent of his passes every day.

Cut 17 (14) “…are four yards.”

Three weeks into fall camp, Desormeaux has been very impressed with freshman linebacker Harrison Kidder.

Cut 18 (16) “…good football player.”

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The Saints will participate in their final joint practice of the preseason against the Rams today. Los Angeles is coming off a 12-and-5 season behind MVP Matthew Stafford, so Saints linebacker Danny Stutsman says they will be a great test for the defense.

Cut 19 (17) “…Orleans Saints football.”

More than 10 fights broke out during the Saints and Cowboys joint practice on Tuesday. Stutsman says those scuffles can take away from the work being put in on the field, but they do help bring the team together.

Cut 20 (15) “…have everyone’s back.”

State Treasurer John Fleming says the K-12 School Transparency Project has identified questionable spending by Louisiana public and charter schools. The online portal which launched last year allows citizens to see how public and charter schools spend taxpayer dollars, and Fleming says it has uncovered potential misuse of public funds.

Cut 7 (09) “…stores and restaurants.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says youth vaping remains a critical public health crisis in the state, and it’s urging parents and teachers to talk to kids about the dangers of vaping. Taylor Reine (“renn”) with LDH says if your kid is trying to quit vaping, there are resources available.

Cut 14 (09) “…counseling quit support.” 

Teens can enroll in Live Vape Free by texting “VAPEFREE” to 873373.

Now more than ever, be on the lookout for stalled vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway. That’s because the state’s long-standing “move over” law has now expanded. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says whereas the old law applied to emergency vehicles, the new law now includes all types of vehicles.

Cut 6 (10) “…broken down, stranded.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara will miss the start of the regular season with an MCL Sprain suffered during a joint practice with the Cowboys yesterday. The 31-year-old took a pay cut to stay in New Orleans alongside free agent back Travis Etienne this offseason. Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says his availability was one of the reasons he took that cut.

Cut 9 (11)  “…state level.”

The U-S Fifth Circuit of Court of Appeals has rejected an Angola death row inmate’s attempt to avoid execution for killing two people at a Baton Rouge restaurant in 1995. Todd Wessinger is arguing that his court-appointed attorneys did not provide him effective counsel during his trial. But cicruit court judge Don Willett described Wessinger’s argument as a clever attempt, moving him closer to a possible execution date. 

Burn bans are now in effect in 22 parishes throughout the state. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says teen vaping continues to be a crisis. According to the 2023 Louisiana Youth Tobacco Survey, 30-percent of high school students and 18-percent of middle school students vape. Taylor Reine with LDH says two factors which contribute to those high numbers are the marketing of vape products to teens and their ease of availability.

Cut 13 (08) “…and retail stores.”

The state has expanded its long-standing “move over” law. Previously, you only had to change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle on the shoulder. Now, that applies to ANY vehicle. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says there is an allowance if that’s impossible given traffic conditions.

Cut 7 (15) “…with extreme caution.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported a brain-eating amoeba infection in a resident. The department says the resident likely became infected while swimming in Lake Claiborne in Cameron Parish. LDH says the infection may result when freshwater containing the amoeba rushes up one’s nose and reaches the brain. It says while the infection is extremely rare, it’s almost always fatal.

Staying with LDH, it says youth vaping remains a critical public health crisis in the state, and it’s urging parents and teachers to talk to kids about the dangers of vaping. Taylor Reine (“renn”), who oversees the division of chronic disease prevention at LDH, says kids need to know that vaping is no safer than smoking cigarettes.

Cut 12 (13) “…for lifelong addiction.” 

Reine says there are resources available for teens who want to quit vaping, including free text-based counseling support.

Amid hot, dry conditions, burn bans are now in effect in 19 parishes – mainly in north Louisiana, with five parishes being in south Louisiana. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says more burn bans could be forthcoming, and they’re always issued at the local level.

Cut 4 (13) “…a burn ban.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara will miss the start of the regular season with an MCL Sprain suffered during a joint practice with the Cowboys yesterday. The 31-year-old took a pay cut to stay in New Orleans alongside free agent back Travis Etienne this offseason. Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says his availability was one of the reasons he took that cut.

Cut 9 (11)  “…state level.”

Burn bans are now in effect in 19 parishes throughout the state. Most are in north Louisiana, along with Jefferson Davis, East Feliciana, St. Helena (hu-LEE-nah), Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes in south Louisiana. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says conditions outside are not conducive to burning anything.

Cut 3 (09) “…firefighters to control.”

Now more than ever, be on the lookout for stalled vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway. That’s because the state’s long-standing “move over” law has now expanded. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says whereas the old law applied to emergency vehicles such as police units, fire trucks and ambulances, the new law now includes all types of vehicles, including private passenger vehicles and even motorcycles.

Cut 6 (10) “…broken down, stranded.”

Amazon Web Services says it’s adding a third data center in Northwest Louisiana. This one’s going up at Resilient Technology Park in west Shreveport. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Amazon has promised to protect natural resources and invest in infrastructure as it constructs these three data centers.

Cut 14 (05) “…hardening the grid.”

Louisiana nonprofit The Boot has helped 255 service members transition into post-military careers during the previous fiscal year. CEO Benjamin Armstrong says the careers that the servicemembers pursue usually relate in some way to the training they received while serving their country.

Cut 5 (15) “…is another one.”

Authorities are hopeful that they’ve found the remains of 15-year-old Je’Darrius Minnieweather in a 400-acre landfill in East Baton Rouge Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Investigators say Parms beat the teen to death during an argument over Parms’ treatment of a 16-year-old girl Minnieweather knew. Detectives say Parms dumped the teen’s body in a trash can that was picked up and taken to the landfill June 22nd.

Amazon Web Services says it’s adding a third data center in Northwest Louisiana. This one’s going up at Resilient Technology Park in west Shreveport. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Amazon has promised to protect natural resources and invest in infrastructure as it constructs these three data centers.

Cut 14 (05) “…hardening the grid.”

Louisiana nonprofit The Boot says it helped place 255 service members into post-military careers during the 2025-26 fiscal year. CEO Benjamin Armstrong says the leadership skills these servicemembers build during their time in the military will come in very handy in their post-military careers.

Cut 6 (11) “…their new careers.”

Since launching in 2024, The Boot has placed 366 service members into careers.

Authorities believe they have found the remains of 15-year-old Je’Darrius Minnieweather at the East Baton Rouge Parish landfill, ending a 36-day search for the teenager who was reported missing June fifth. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says DNA testing will be conducted to confirm the remains.

Cut 25 (08) “…very, very hopeful.”

Morse says DNA testing could take one or more days, and crews will continue searching the area for additional evidence.

Governor Landry signs a pair of executive orders that he says will streamline the permitting processes for businesses. Landry says with the Supreme Court ruling that most permitting needed today is at the state level, he signed the Expedited Environmental Permitting executive order.

Cut 10 (11) “…paying jobs.” 

This brutally hot weather will not only take a toll on your body, but it will also take a toll on your vehicle. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says especially if you’re going out on a long road trip, there are a few things you should check on your vehicle before you leave your house.

Cut 4 (11) “…check your battery.”

Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss about eight weeks with a right hamstring strain. This is Tyson’s fourth hamstring injury and sixth lower-body injury in the last four years. Saints sideline reporter for WWL radio, Jeff Nowak, thinks the offense can get along without him by relying on top receiver Chris Olave and other playmakers.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the field.”

Governor Landry signs two executive orders that he says will streamline the permitting processes for businesses. Landry says for decades, the federal government bogged down the permitting process for both small and large businesses, but the Supreme Court has ruled on cases that gives states more control of the permitting process.

Cut 9 (05)  “…state level.”

The scorching weather will not only make it dangerous on your body, but it will also put a huge strain on your vehicle. DPS Trooper Eddie Thomas says in these conditions, it’s very important to have your emergency roadside kit in your vehicle in case it breaks down, especially in the middle of nowhere.

Cut 5 (08) “…and a jack.”

And if you need assistance, Louisiana State Police is ready to help – call star-577; star-LSP. 

The Saints’ top draft pick, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, is expected to miss around two months with a hamstring injury. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Cut 23 (fade after 2 seconds and use as bed)

That’s what passengers aboard the Carnival Valor must have been screaming Sunday. Video posted to social media shows pool water surging into a pizza restaurant onboard, after the boat listed in the Mississippi River due to the captain having to make a hard right turn to avoid a cargo ship that had lost power.

The scorching heat will not only do a number on your bodies, but it will also wear down your vehicles. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Saints’ top draft pick, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, is expected to miss around two months with a hamstring injury. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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During these brutally hot conditions, not only do you need to take care of your bodies, but you also need to take care of the things that transport your bodies comfortably from point A to point B. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says whereas excess heat takes a toll on you and me, the same is absolutely true for motor vehicles.

Cut 3 (09) “…on the tires.”

Thomas says especially if you’re going out on a long road trip, there are a few things you should check on your vehicle before you leave your house.

Cut 4 (11) “…check your battery.”

Thomas says in these brutally hot conditions, it’s very important to have your emergency roadside kit in your vehicle in case it breaks down, especially in the middle of nowhere.

Cut 5 (08) “…and a jack.”

And if you need assistance, Louisiana State Police is ready to help – call star-577; star-LSP.

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Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss about eight weeks with a right hamstring strain. Saints sideline reporter for WWL radio, Jeff Nowak, says that means he could return week five against the Vikings at the earliest, but New Orleans should be careful bringing him back too soon.

Cut 6 (09) “…one-year investment.”

Nowak says it is frustrating to lose the eighth-overall pick to injury, especially when the team knew his concerning injury history. This is Tyson’s fourth hamstring injury and sixth lower-body injury in the last four years. Head coach Kellen Moore said this strain was unrelated, but Nowak says there is more to it.

Cut 7 (11) “…correlation whatsoever.”

Nowak’s biggest concern is Tyson’s long-term availability. He was limited after the draft, performed well in camp and then was injured during the team’s first joint practice. For the time being, he thinks the offense can get along without him by relying on top receiver Chris Olave and other playmakers.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the field.”

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Governor Jeff Landry signs two executive orders that he says will streamline the permitting processes for businesses. Landry says for decades the federal government bogged down the permitting process for both small and large businesses, but the Supreme Court has ruled on cases that gives states more control of the permitting process.

Cut 9 (05)  “…state level.”

Landry says that’s why he has signed the Expedited Environmental Permitting executive order.

Cut 10 (11) “…paying jobs.”

Landry says the second executive order seeks to secure Louisiana’s mineral supply chain.

Cut 11 (13) “…red tape.”