Diesel prices in Louisiana are at an all-time high. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The public transit system in Shreveport-Bossier City is using an autonomous bus. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Diesel prices in Louisiana have never been higher. The statewide average for diesel is almost $5.59 a gallon. Interestingly, this comes as the average for regular unleaded gasoline is not close to record territory – currently at $3.85, well short of the record of $4.56, set in June of  2022. Don Redman with Triple-A says the United States, being one of the leading exporters of diesel, is having to export a lot more, especially to Europe.

Cut 3 (09) “…start making diesel.”

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says whereas most of us don’t drive diesel vehicles, we’ll be paying these high diesel prices in the form of higher prices for goods, and those high prices will linger for quite some time.

Cut 4 (13) “…to a year.”

Strain says these high diesel prices are also adding to the woes experienced by already-suffering Louisiana shrimpers.

Cut 5 (13) “…higher than that.”

Redman says he does not expect these high diesel prices to remain this high for too much longer.

Cut 6 (11) “…of those prices.”

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The public transit system in Shreveport and Bossier City has a self-driving bus. It’s part of a pilot program funded by a one-million-dollar federal grant. SporTran CEO Dinero Washington says some passengers might be scared to get on an autonomous bus, so they will still have a driver behind the wheel.

Cut 7 (06) “…going to happen.”

The self-driving bus seats 12 people and it will be used to pick up and drop off passengers in Shreveport’s Medical and Entertainment districts. Washington says they expect to acquire additional autonomous buses.

Cut 8 (10) “…additional vehicles.”

Washington says SporTran will break ground on an autonomous facility next month. While this technology might result in fewer bus drivers, Washington says it will create other job opportunities to run a fleet of self-driving buses.

Cut 9 (11)  “…vehicles.”

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Tomorrow will tie the record for the latest into a hurricane season without an Atlantic hurricane in the satellite era. The September 11th mark was also reached in 2002 and 2013, but State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we could be on track to not only break that record, but also to demolish it.

Cut 10 (11) “…tropical storm.”

The National Hurricane Center expects no tropical cyclone activity over the next week. Grymes says a strong El Niño is doing its job.

Cut 11 (13) “…tropical development.”

With consistent wind shear stopping tropical bands from organizing in their typical hot spots, Grymes says storms do not have the time and space to develop into hurricanes.

Cut 12 (13) “…hurricane intensity.”

Tomorrow, we will tie a record; and on Saturday we will break it. In the satellite era, September 11th is the latest date of the first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting any tropical cyclone activity over the next week. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a strong El Niño is doing its job.

Cut 11 (13) “…tropical development.”

Diesel prices in Louisiana have never been higher. The statewide average for diesel is almost $5.59 a gallon. Don Redman with Triple-A says the United States, being one of the leading exporters of diesel, is having to export a lot more of it, especially to Europe.

Cut 3 (09) “…start making diesel.”

Drivers? We don’t need no stinkin’ drivers! The public transit system in Shreveport-Bossier City is using an autonomous bus. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

One of the stars of the TV show “Swamp People” was arrested in Iberville Parish. 44-year-old Willie Edwards Jr., who starred on the History Channel program which premiered in 2010, is charged with felony theft and possession of stolen items. This, after sheriff’s detectives found the stolen items at the home of 46-year-old Elgin Floyd.

The SEC is no longer slated to discuss or vote on expelling LSU from the conference during a meeting of university presidents and chancellors today. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Another data center is in the works for Louisiana – this one about eight miles north of Lake Charles. Missouri-based Azimuth Renewables signed an option back in April to buy about 12-hundred acres of heavily wooded property in Moss Bluff. Many details about the project remain unclear.

Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history – the 9/11 terror attacks. Louisiana’s governor at the time, Mike Foster, was in Lexington, Kentucky, for the Southern Governor’s Association Conference. His press secretary, Marsanne Golsby, says once it became clear that this was a terrorist attack, the hotel emptied out quickly over concerns it could also be targeted.

Cut 11 (11) “…be another target.”

Louisiana shrimpers are asking the federal government to cap shrimp imports to save the domestic shrimping industry. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says not only are imported shrimp prices badly undercutting prices of wild-caught shrimp, but the U.S.’ testing of shrimp imports is very lax.

Cut 8 (07) “…than one-percent.”

Louisiana shrimpers are asking the federal government for help. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The SEC is no longer slated to discuss or vote on expelling LSU from the conference during a meeting of university presidents and chancellors today. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough was one of nine Saints team captains named ahead of the team’s season opener at Detroit this weekend. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

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The Department of Health awards more than two-million dollars to U-L Lafayette as part of its initiative to improve health care in rural areas. Almost 1.6-million dollars of that money will go to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The dean of that college, Dr. Lisa Broussard, says the goal is to prepare student nurses to become practitioners in rural areas.

Cut 4 (10) “…that they need.”

Dr. Broussard says the grant will allow the school to admit additional students.

Cut 5 (05) “…the workforce demands.”

Broussard says with an increase in enrollment comes the need for additional personnel and equipment.

Cut 6 (08) “…and equipment, simulators.”

In addition, almost a half-million dollars will go to the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence. That money will help university researchers build an AI-based geographic information system, which will help health care officials in rural clinics to compile large amounts of data to indicate which services are needed and where those services are needed most.

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We’re about three weeks into shrimping season, and many Louisiana shrimp boats remain docked. Acy Cooper, the president of the Louisiana Shrimp Association, says it’s a sign of troubled times for the industry.

Cut 7 (07) “…to make it.”

Cooper says imported shrimp is especially killing the domestic shrimping industry, saying not only are imported shrimp prices badly undercutting prices of wild-caught shrimp, but diners are not getting a good product. He says the U.S.’ testing of shrimp imports is very lax; and as a result, American diners are getting everything that the rest of the world is rejecting.

Cut 8 (07) “…than one-percent.”

So Cooper is asking the federal government for help. He says President Trump’s tariffs on shrimp imports are having a very limited effect, so he’s now asking for limits on shrimp imports.

Cut 9 (08)  “…pounds every year.”

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Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of the nine-eleven terrorist attacks, one of the darkest days in American history. Louisiana’s governor at the time was the late Mike Foster, who was in Lexington, Kentucky, that day for the Southern Governor’s Association Conference. His press secretary, Marsanne Golsby, says they were eating breakfast when the attack began.

Cut 10 (11) “…something like that.”

Golsby says once it became clear that this was a terrorist attack, the hotel emptied out quickly over concerns it could also be targeted because it was filled with elected officials from multiple states.

Cut 11 (11) “…be another target.”

Fifty-one minutes after the first plane slammed into the North Tower of the Twin Towers in New York City, an American Airlines flight crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D-C. Golsby says she will never forget the level of concern everyone had.

Cut 12 (07) “…scared to death.”

Because air traffic was shut down. State Police drove Governor Foster back to Louisiana, and he did not return to Baton Rouge until that night.

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The bitter legal fight between LSU and the SEC over the eligibility of two football players with recent NFL ties appears to be winding down, with LSU no longer facing the threat of expulsion from the conference. A vote on whether LSU should remain in the SEC is no longer on the agenda for today’s meeting of the league’s presidents and chancellors. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the fact that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey threatened to kick LSU out of the conference still doesn’t look good.

Cut 13 (11)  “…Greg Sankey is.”

The SEC filed a federal lawsuit last week seeking to prevent LSU from adding Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to its football roster. Both players were on NFL training camp rosters last month. In an amendment to its lawsuit, the SEC announced it would hold a Thursday meeting to consider whether LSU should remain in the conference.

But an initial hearing in the federal case was postponed yesterday, and the agenda for today’s SEC CEOs meeting no longer includes a vote on LSU’s membership. Guilbeau says it’s good to see the SEC back away from the threat.

Cut 14 (04) “…it’s time for.”

LSU backed down first, deciding not to add Wright or Harris to its roster before the season opener. Then  Tuesday night, the Tigers filled their final two roster spots with injured players who are not expected to play this season. That leaves no room for Wright or Harris, despite a Baton Rouge judge issuing a court order allowing both players to play for LSU.

Guilbeau says SEC leadership took the situation too far.

Cut 15 (05) “…really Greg Sankey.”

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UL Lafayette goes on the road to face 14th-ranked USC this weekend. The Trojans are 2-and-0 to start the season with blowout wins over San Jose State and Fresno State. Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux says USC has one of the toughest defensive lines he’s ever faced, but these are the kind of tests great teams pass.

Cut 16 (17) “…they do, period.”

UL kicked off the season with a 38-7 win over Lamar. Junior quarterback Lunch Winfield was 16-for-22 for 189 yards and two interceptions but added 84 yards and two scores on the ground. Desormeaux does not blame Winfield for the interceptions and was pleased with his 73-percent completion rate and smart decision-making.

Cut 17 (18) “…as the starter.”

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The Saints kick off the season at Detroit on Sunday. Running backs Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller returned to practice yesterday. Kamara was limited with an MCL sprain he suffered three weeks ago, but quarterback Tyler Shough says he’s as explosive as ever.

Cut 18 (12) “…feeding those guys.”

Shough took over the starting quarterback job last season and went 5-and-4 as the starter. He averaged 250 passing yards a game and threw 10 touchdowns as the starter. He says he’s excited to be back on the field after a long offseason.

Cut 19 (08) “…the fun part.”

Shough will look to take the next step leading the offense in his first full offseason as the starter. The Saints first-team did not play in the preseason, but he says he got plenty of work in.

Cut 20 (17) “…any negative plays.”

The bitter legal fight between LSU and the SEC over the eligibility of two football players with recent NFL ties appears to be winding down, with LSU no longer facing the threat of expulsion from the conference. A vote on whether LSU should remain in the SEC is no longer on the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting of the league’s presidents and chancellors. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the fact that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey threatened to kick LSU out of the conference still doesn’t look good.

Cut 13 (12)  “…Greg Sankey.” 

This comes on the heels of today’s postponement of an initial hearing in federal court of the SEC’s lawsuit against LSU, which sought to prevent it from adding Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to the football roster. That essentially became moot when LSU filled the final two roster spots with injured players who are not expected to play this year.

There is a lot of purple and gold in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2027. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Classes at Northwestern State in Natchitoches will resume tomorrow. The campus was forced to close early today because of water issues in the city. But now, the school says water service has been restored to the campus.

This afternoon’s hearing in the SEC’s lawsuit against LSU has been postponed. This, after LSU filled its final two available football roster spots last night, seemingly ending its recruitment of two players who spent time in NFL training camps. Attorney Tony Clayton represents Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris and says it was them and not LSU who sued the NCAA and the SEC.

Cut 3 (11) “…and the law.”

The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy is launching a massive effort to plug and clean up orphaned oil and gas well sites. Spokesman Patrick Courreges (KOO-rezh) says the department will use 30-million dollars in federal funding to clean up the sites in north Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…per dollar spent.”

The department will use state funding to clean up orphaned well sites in south Louisiana.

There’s a lot of purple and gold in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2027. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Water issues are plaguing the City of Natchitoches – so much so that they have forced Northwestern State to close early for the day. Students are being asked to monitor the school’s social media channels for information on possible reopening.

This afternoon’s hearing in the SEC’s lawsuit against LSU has been postponed. The hearing was to have taken place in Birmingham; no new date has been scheduled. SEC presidents and chancellors are scheduled to vote tomorrow on whether to kick LSU out of the conference.

LSU, meanwhile, finalized its football roster last night without former NFL signees Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy is granted 30-million dollars from the federal government to plug and clean up orphaned oil and gas well sites in North Louisiana. Spokesman Patrick Courreges (KOO-rezh) says the Monroe and Shreveport districts contain more than 42-hundred of the state’s roughly 64-hundred orphaned wells.

Cut 8 (08) “…well heads behind.”

The department will use state money to clean up orphaned well sites in South Louisiana.

Former LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson is among the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2027. In 2010, Peterson won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defender and the Thorpe Award as the top defensive back, becoming the first LSU player to win those two prestigious awards. Chairman Doug Ireland says Peterson played 13 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons.

Cut 10 (09) “…Hall of Fame.”

Even though LSU has finalized its roster without Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, the SEC is moving forward with its lawsuit against the school. The suit claims that coach Lane Kiffin was involved in coordinating and encouraging the athletes’ lawsuit against the NCAA, but Attorney Tony Clayton says his clients made their own decisions, and he has never even met Kiffin.

Cut 5 (09) “…and the SEC.”

SEC presidents and chancellors are also scheduled to vote tomorrow on whether to kick LSU out of the conference over its efforts to roster the former NFL training camp participants. It would take a two-thirds majority for that to happen, and Senator John Kennedy says in the unlikely event that that happens, the federal government will come down hard on the SEC.

Cut 15 (10) “…a ham sandwich.” 

The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy secures 30-million dollars to help with a massive effort to plug and clean up orphaned oil and gas well sites throughout North Louisiana. Spokesman Patrick Courreges (KOO-rezh) says it’s important to get these orphaned well sites plugged and cleaned so that they don’t cause any problems down the road.

Cut 7 (10) “…use of it.”

Two of LSU’s best football players during this century, running back Leonard Fournette and cornerback Patrick Peterson, highlight the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2027. Chairman Doug Ireland says Fournette earned All-American honors as a sophomore at LSU, rushing for nearly two-thousand yards, which is a school record.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Billy Cannon.”

The SEC amends its federal lawsuit against LSU, seeking the authority to expel the school from the conference. Attorney General Liz Murrill and LSU’s entire board of supervisors were added as defendants in the lawsuit alongside Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, president Wade Rousse and football coach Lane Kiffin. Murrill filed an amicus brief supporting the return of the players formerly on NFL rosters in the preliminary injunction hearing last week but says she has no idea what claim they could be making against her or her office.

Cut 11 (13) “…sure why.”

When forecasters say this hurricane season would be quieter than normal, they weren’t kidding! We’re coming up on the middle of September, and we haven’t had one Atlantic hurricane yet. The record for the latest in the year without a hurricane is September 11th, accomplished in 2002 and 2013, and we will break that record.

The Louisiana sports world is mourning the death of NFL and college football analyst Mike Detillier, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer Sunday. Today would have been his 66th birthday. Detillier hosted the popular second guess show with Bobby Hebert on WWL radio on Monday nights during the football season for two decades. Hebert says he can’t believe Mike D is gone.

Cut 8 (11) “…on sobbing.”

In his four months remaining on Capitol Hill, Senator Bill Cassidy is continuing to urge Congress to address the solvency of Social Security. In an appearance on NewsNation, Cassidy accused his colleagues in the Senate of sitting on this issue and not taking it seriously.

Cut 5 (10) “…not be considered.”

The Southeastern Conference is threatening to boot LSU out of the league for attempting to roster players who were on NFL rosters last month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An Abbeville man is cited for allegedly running charter fishing trips in Grand Isle without a license. LDWF says it got a tip about 59-year-old Glenn Leboeuf, who it says was chartering trips without a charter boat license or insurance.

The Louisiana sports world is continuing to mourn the death of legendary football analyst Mike Detillier, who died of pancreatic cancer Sunday. Detillier’s M-and-D draft report was staple for any football fan as it was 200 pages, filled with in-depth profiles of the players. His co-host on LRN affiliate WWL, Bobby Hebert, says you’d better pack a lunch if you were going to talk football with Detillier.

Cut 7 (11) “…draft guru.”

In his four months remaining on Capitol Hill, Senator Bill Cassidy is continuing to urge Congress to address the solvency of Social Security, whether it’s his plan or someone else’s. On NewsNation, Cassidy said the first step in solving the issue is actually being allowed to put the proposals before Congress.

Cut 4 (09) “…put them forward.”