Louisiana continues to make progress towards its goal of having six out of every 10 working adults having a credential beyond a high school diploma. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hosting National Hunting and Fishing Day tomorrow at four locations across the state. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Louisiana is in the midst of another industrial construction boom — and Andrew Greenstein reports that could lead to a population boom.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The City of Shreveport is teaming up with rapper 50 Cent to revitalize the downtown area. 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, is looking to establish a new entertainment district in downtown Shreveport that would be financed with a two-percent sales tax collected inside the specific zone being revitalized. Mayor Tom Arceneaux says even businesses outside that specific zone will benefit, even though they won’t be eligible for any funding.

Cut 4 (10) “…penny for it.”

Mayor Arceneaux says while the onus in making this plan work would fall primarily on investors, everyone will benefit in the end.

Cut 5 (10) “…into the fund”

Arceneaux says there are certain requirements to be eligible for the funding.

Cut 6 (05) “…ten new jobs.”

Construction is expected to begin either late this year or early next year.

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The state is moving closer to its goal of having an educational attainment rate of 60-percent. The Board of Regents says it’s currently 52.5 percent, more than a full percentage point higher than last year. The education attainment rate is the proportion of people between the ages of 25 and 64 that have a credential beyond a high school diploma. Dr. Tristan Denley says a college degree or certificate from a tech school is essential in today’s economy.

Cut 7 (10) “…want to get.”

Denley is the deputy commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation at the Board of Regents. Louisiana has set a goal of 60-percent educational attainment rate by 2030. He says this year, 80-thousand graduates earned credentials, which is a new record for the state. Denley says these graduates will on average have significantly higher salaries than peers with only a high school diploma.

Cut 8 (11) “…their communities.”

Denley says a variety of programs and initiatives are working to push Louisiana’s education attainment rate to that 60-percent mark. He says it starts with improving overall student success and expanding education and training for adults.

Cut 9 (09)  “…higher education.”

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National Hunting and Fishing Day is tomorrow, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is holding a celebration at four locations where attendees can try their skills at the shooting ranges, fishing ponds and boating activities. LDWF spokesman Trey Iles says there are also exhibits highlighting their conservation efforts.

Cut 10 (10) “…they make.”

Iles says they will have National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrations at the Waddill Wildlife Refuge in Baton Rouge, Woodworth Shooting Range in Woodworth, the Tom Merrill Recreation Area at Bodcau Wildlife Management Area in Haughton, and Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe.

Iles says that young anglers attending the Baton Rouge event can enter a free fishing contest.

Cut 11 (07) “…keep there.”

Iles says the event will also offer many other opportunities for hunters and fishermen to enjoy outdoors.

Cut 12 (06) “…shooting too.”

For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day Activities, go to LDWF’s Facebook page.

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Louisiana is in the midst of another industrial construction boom, and that could lead to a population boom. Leaders for a Better Louisiana says six megaprojects are driving construction activity and will lead to an increase in population. CEO Adam Knapp says between now and 2030, there will consistently be about ten-thousand people working on the projects that include the Meta Data Center in Richland Parish and the Hyundai steel plant in Ascension Parish.

Cut 13 (10)  “…these six sites.”

Knapp says while there are other industrial construction projects underway, these six projects are by far the biggest projects going on in the state at this time.

Cut 14 (09) “…those six sites.”

Knapp says this industrial construction boom is reminiscent of the one that took place in Louisiana between 2012 and 2018.

Cut 15 (13) “…during that period.”

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Tomorrow is homecoming for ULM, which opens Sun Belt play against an Arkansas State team that the Warhawks have not beaten in 15 years. Head Coach Bryant Vincent is calling for all fans to show up and make a difference.

Cut 16 (22) “…become one.”

ULM sophomore quarterback Aidan Armenta is starting to get more comfortable with the offense through each start. Armenta had one of his best games last week in win over UTEP, throwing for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Vincent says it’s evident Armenta is getting more confident.

Cut 17 (19)  “…this league.”

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The Saints are desperately looking to get into the win column after losing the first three games of the season. In their 44-13 blowout loss to Seattle, New Orleans was charged with 11 penalties for 77 yards, including several false starts. Quarterback Spencer Rattler says the team has to get better with limiting the penalties so that the offense can operate smoother.

Cut 18 (19) “…the game.”

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Fourth-ranked LSU hits the road to Oxford for its first SEC road game of the season tomorrow afternoon against number-13 Ole Miss. LSU senior cornerback Mansoor Delane (MAHN-soor duh-LANE) says he embraces the villain role.

Cut 19 (16) “…to prove.”

Ole Miss is expected to start senior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss against LSU over the injured Austin Simmons. Delane says it doesn’t matter who’s at quarterback for the Rebels, but rather how LSU’s defense executes.

Cut 20 (16) “…to do.”

911 service is back to normal throughout the state. It was down for about three hours earlier today due to a cut fiber optic line. During the outage, police departments, fire departments and ambulance companies were advising people in their respective areas of alternate numbers to call. But again, 911 service is back to normal.

State Representative Mike Bayham says he had the honor of a lifetime as he had the opportunity to shake hands and speak with Pope Leo the 14th. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

While the trend is getting better, Louisiana’s truancy rate is still unacceptably high at over 40-percent. Louisiana defines truancy as five or more unexcused absences in a semester. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says the Louisiana Department of Education and BESE are working on a strategy to boost student attendance.

Cut 10 (11) “…a little bit.”

Construction at the new Buc-ee’s in Ruston is finally underway. Equipment moved in last Friday, and construction workers started turning dirt on Monday. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says when it opens in early 2027, it will create hundreds of jobs, and they’re all good-paying jobs.

Cut 7 (05) “…more than that.”

On top of that, Buc-ee’s will offer health benefits and a 401-K.

Breaking news coming into the Louisiana Radio Network newsroom – 911 phone lines are down throughout the state. It’s unclear what’s causing the 911 outage at this time. Individual police departments, fire departments and ambulance companies are putting out advisories on alternative ways to reach them in the event of an emergency. You can also be proactive – go online right now and take down the number of your local police department, fire department or ambulance company’s dispatch center.

Saint Bernard Parish State Representative Mike Bayham recently met Pope Leo the 14th at the Vatican. Along with a copy of a state resolution congratulating him on becoming the first American to be elected head of the Catholic church, Bayham gifted Pope Leo a glass oyster shell, a symbol of St Bernard’s rich commercial fishing heritage.

Cut 4 (09) “…this is unique.”

Louisiana’s truancy rate – defined as five or more unexcused absences in a single semester – stands at more than 40-percent. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says while that’s down from 2018’s peak, it’s still unacceptably high. When considering the national standard of chronic absenteeism, Procopio says Louisiana actually doesn’t rank too badly nationally.

Cut 11 (06) “…about 22.5-percent.”

After months of delays, construction at the new Buc-ee’s in Ruston is finally underway. Equipment moved in last Friday, and construction workers started turning dirt on Monday. Mayor Ronny Walker says the delays will prevent the massive road trip staple from opening in 2026.

Cut 6 (08) “…fine with us.”

Mayor Walker says when the new Buc-ee’s does open, it will create hundreds of jobs with starting hourly wages of 18 to 20 dollars an hour.

While the trend is getting better, Louisiana’s truancy rate is still unacceptably high at over 40-percent. Louisiana defines truancy as five or more unexcused absences in a semester. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says the Louisiana Department of Education and BESE are working on a strategy to boost student attendance.

Cut 10 (11) “…a little bit.”

They’ve finally started turning dirt on the new Buc-ee’s in Ruston. The start of construction of the highly-anticipated road trip staple was delayed for months, but it is now underway. The delays will push the opening back to early 2027, but when it does open, it will create hundreds of good-paying jobs. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the quality of the jobs go far beyond the 18 to 20 dollar an hour starting wage.

Cut 8 (07) “…in North Louisiana.”

State Representative Mike Bayham says he had the honor of a lifetime as he had the opportunity to shake hands and speak with Pope Leo the 14th. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We’re almost into October; and knock on wood – Louisiana is so far in no danger of any tropical activity. The same, however, cannot be said for the Southeast Atlantic Coast. The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on a disturbance that could become Tropical Storm Imelda, and it could come at least within close proximity to Florida’s east coast.

While the state is making progress on truancy, it still has quite a ways to go. The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana says statewide, the truancy rate – that is, five or more unexcused absences in a semester – is more than 40 percent. PAR President Steven Procopio says the truancy rate varies by parish, and it varies greatly within each region and demographic.

Cut 9 (08)  “…an immediate connection.”

Republican State Representative Mike Bayham from Saint Bernard Parish had the thrill of a lifetime as he met Pope Leo the 14th at the Vatican. Bayham says he gave the first American-born pontiff a copy of a state resolution congratulating him on becoming the head of the Catholic church…

Cut 3 (08) “…he appreciated it.”

Construction at the new Buc-ee’s in Ruston is finally underway. Equipment moved in last Friday, and construction workers started turning dirt on Monday. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says when it opens in early 2027, it will create hundreds of jobs, and they’re all good-paying jobs.

Cut 7 (05) “…more than that.”

On top of that, Buc-ee’s will offer health benefits and a 401-K. Construction is also underway at the Buc-ee’s in Lafayette, which begs the question – which one will open first?

A new area code comes to North Louisiana today, as new numbers will be given the area code 457. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the commission made the move, because North Louisiana simply ran out of telephone numbers.

Cut 11 (04) “…to do something.”

Also, throughout North Louisiana, you are now required to dial all ten numbers, including the area code, for all calls, local and long distance.

Cleanup continues more than a month after the massive chemical explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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It’s a new take on an old classic – the return of the Rice Bowl. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Ole Miss head football coach Lake Kiffin calls LSU linebacker Whit Weeks an awesome kid. Jeff Palermo reports he’d better – Weeks could end up being his son-in-law.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Cleanup continues in Tangipahoa Parish more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland that spewed oil and other toxic substances into the Tangipahoa River. Adam Adams, a federal on-scene coordinator with the EPA, says the EPA has set up a website to keep the public updated on the cleanup progress.

Cut 4 (12) “…waste we’ve recovered.”

Crews have contained the waste so that it does not get into the community; and so far, they have recovered more than five and a half million gallons of waste from the Tangipahoa River and affected ponds, and Adams says that represents more than half of the overall waste to be recovered. Adams says you can definitely see the progress in the ponds.

Cut 5 (08) “…products on there.”

Adams says yesterday, they started SCAT – Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Techniques. He says that’s the final step in the cleanup of the river.

Cut 6 (13) “…a soft flush?”

To visit the site, go to response.epa.gov, click on the region containing Louisiana, and the Smitty’s Supply Fire is the first incident on the list. Scroll down slightly to the image containing a huge link for the hub site.

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A new take on a longtime college football rivalry game, as the Rice Bowl is making a comeback this year. The first edition is being held this Saturday between ULM and Arkansas State. Brice Jones with ULM says the resurrection of the game was the brainchild of the school’s new president, Dr. Carrie Castille.

Cut 7 (11) “…the same conference.”

Jones notes that Arkansas is the largest rice-producing state in the country, and Louisiana is not far behind at number-three. He says the two schools are using the occasion of the Rice Bowl not only athletically, but also academically.

Cut 8 (12) “…with our industry.”

Jones says the Rice Bowl is a great way to promote the rice industry in the two states.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in our backyard.”

Jones says it’s fitting that the game will be played the last Saturday of September, which happens to be National Rice Month.

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A new area code comes to North Louisiana today, as new numbers will be given the area code 457. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says no existing phone numbers will change.

Cut 10 (08) “…into the area.”

Campbell says the Public Service Commission made the move, because North Louisiana simply ran out of telephone numbers.

Cut 11 (04) “…to do something.”

Part of the introduction of the new area code involves a requirement to dial ten numbers to make all calls, including local calls. For a while, there was a getting-used-to period. But Campbell says that expired one month ago; so if you omit the area code, you’ll get nowhere.

Cut 12 (02) “…dial the 318.”

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Northwestern State is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as being one of the best public schools among regional universities in the South. Chief Marketing Officer Cole Young says it’s a testament to how the school is committed to student success.

Cut 13 (08)  “…in the workforce.”

Young says Northwestern has long made a commitment to individual student attention – something that large universities may not be equipped to do as easily.

Cut 14 (05) “…to student ratio.”

Young says the quality of students that Northwestern is bringing in has greatly improved in recent years.

Cut 15 (11) “…at this point.”

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LSU’s offense will face a very familiar face when it travels to Oxford on Saturday. Ole Miss senior safety Sage Ryan started his career at LSU, but he transferred to the Rebels in the offseason after a disappointing 2024 season with the Tigers. Head coach Lane Kiffin says Ryan brings valuable experience to the secondary.

Cut 16 (11) “…our team.”

It’s been nothing short of an eventful week for the Kiffin family. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin’s daughter, Landry Kiffin, launched her relationship with LSU junior linebacker Whit Weeks on Instagram earlier this week. Kiffin says that he is happy for his daughter and says that Weeks comes from a great family.

Cut 17 (14)  “…the family.”

Head coach Brian Kelly told the media that running back Caden Durham’s status for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss is still up in the air after suffering an ankle injury against Southeastern. Kelly says the staff will continue to monitor how Durham practices before upgrading or downgrading his status.

Cut 18 (14) “…during practice.”

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UL-Lafayette’s football team has dug itself into a deep hole after starting the season 1-3 before entering conference play. The Cajuns will look to get back on track against Marshall this weekend in what will be a very different rematch of the 2024 Sun Belt Championship. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that his team has to continue working on fixing its issues.

Cut 19 (14) “…to work.”

The Cajuns have had some of the worst injury luck in all of college football this season. U-L’s offense will be without offensive linemen George Jackson and J’Marion Gooch for the rest of the season, which could hurt the offense’s production. Desormeaux says there is a possibility to get a key player back from injury this week.

Cut 20 (13) “…thin there.”

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. He has tapped James Checchio (CHETCH-ee-oh), the bishop of Metuchen (meh-TOOTCH-in), New Jersey, to succeed Gregory Aymond when he retires on November 12th. Checchio noted the abundance of Catholic schools in New Orleans.

Cut 4 (10) “…blessing that’ll be.”

Aymond noted that Checchio had previously served as the chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles, but he expressed confidence that he could switch his allegiance to the Saints.

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. The tour, in which Bourgeois will meet directly with business leaders, is one of the four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week aimed at strengthening the business climate in the state. 

Cut 6 (03) “…an action tour.”

Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website.

Governor Landry proclaims today as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day. Jeff Palermo reports it’s a day southwest Louisiana will never forget…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Nick Saban’s old house in Baton Rouge can be yours if the price is right! The house that Saban sold in 2005 for 2.7 million dollars is back on the market for just under five-million dollars. It’s just under 65-hundred square feet, has six bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

It was 20 years ago today when Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says the days after Rita were very difficult – power was out, a large of portion of Calcasieu Parish was flooded, many roads were impassable because of downed trees and if you did travel through the city there was a good chance you would get a flat because of all of the debris…

Cut 11 (10) “…vehicles.”

Come November, James Checchio will become the new Archbishop of New Orleans. Checchio says he will play an integral role in helping the Archdiocese recover from the bankruptcy brought on by the proposed 230-million-dollar settlement from the sex abuse scandal.

Cut 5 (09) “…have been hurt.”

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. It’s one of four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week to strengthen the business climate in Louisiana. Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “…this new economy.”

LSU now knows which conference opponents they’ll play for the next four seasons. Looking ahead to 2027, LSU will not play Alabama in the regular season for the first time since 1963. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glen Guilbeau says the LSU-Alabama game is one of the most highly anticipated games every season, so it’ll be strange to see a schedule that does not have those two teams facing one another.

Cut 14 (05) “…TV ratings.”

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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Governor Jeff Landry proclaims today as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day. Jeff Palermo reports it’s a day southwest Louisiana will never forget…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. He has tapped James Checchio (CHETCH-ee-oh), the bishop of Metuchen (meh-TOOTCH-in), New Jersey, to succeed Gregory Aymond when he retires on November 12th. Checchio says he will put his leadership skills to good use in his new role.

Cut 3 (08) “…effective parish priests.”

Checchio noted the abundance of Catholic schools in New Orleans.

Cut 4 (10) “…blessing that’ll be.”

Checchio says he will play an integral role in helping the Archdiocese recover from the bankruptcy brought on by the proposed 230-million-dollar settlement from the sex abuse scandal.

Cut 5 (09) “…have been hurt.”

Aymond noted that Checchio had previously served as the chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles, but he expressed confidence that he could switch his allegiance to the Saints.

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Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. The tour, in which Bourgeois will meet directly with business leaders, is one of the four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week aimed at strengthening the business climate in the state.

Cut 6 (03) “…an action tour.”

Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “…this new economy.”

Bourgeois’ first stop yesterday was in Monroe, where she met with small business owners about the impact of the upcoming Meta Data Center. Landry said Bourgeois will meet with hundreds of businesses throughout the state throughout the fiscal year.

Cut 8 (07) “…needs and opportunities.”

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Governor Jeff Landry has proclaimed today as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day. Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on this day 20 years ago, bringing powerful storm surge that devasted Cameron and Vermilion parishes. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says the Category Three storm also destroyed homes and businesses…

Cut 9 (10)  “…were replaced.”

Roach says Rita produced a lot of suffering as many lives were changed, but he will always remember the resiliency of the community…

Cut 10 (06) “…part of.”

Governor Landry has ordered the flags at the State Capitol, and all state buildings will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor the victims and those who contributed to recovery efforts.

Roach remembers the days after Rita were very difficult, as power was out, a large of portion of Calcasieu Parish was flooded, many roads were impassable because of downed trees and if you did travel through the city there was a good chance you would get a flat because of all of the debris…

Cut 11 (10) “…vehicles.”

Roach says a big part of the recovery was that the city was able to hold a Mardi Gras parade in February of 2006. He says it brought a lot of joy to the city.

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LSU now knows which conference opponents they’ll play for the next four seasons. The SEC has announced next season LSU will host Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas A-and-M and Texas. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau is looking forward to the matchup with the Longhorns as it will likely mark the return of New Orleans native Arch Manning to Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…Bo Jackson.”

Texas has not played in Tiger Stadium since 1953.

LSU’s road opponents next season will be Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Under the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule format, each school will play every school at least twice over a four-year period. Guilbeau believes the format is good for the players and the fans…

Cut 13 (08)  “…dozen years.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 schedule, LSU will not play Alabama in the regular season for the first time since 1963. Guilbeau says the LSU-Alabama game is one of the most highly anticipated games every college football season, so it will be strange to see a schedule where the Tigers and Tide are not scheduled to play that season…

Cut 14 (05) “…TV ratings.”

20 years ago today was a day that Southwest Louisiana will never forget. On that date, Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, bringing powerful storm surge that devasted Cameron and Vermilion parishes. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says Rita produced a lot of suffering as many lives were changed, but he will always remember the resiliency of the community…

Cut 10 (06) “…part of.”

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. The tour, in which Bourgeois will meet directly with business leaders, is one of the four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week aimed at strengthening the business climate in the state. 

Cut 6 (03) “…an action tour.”

Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino.”

When the University of New Orleans rejoins the LSU system, it may also revert back to its old name. Interim LSU President Matt Lee tells the Board of Regents that in order for the transfer to succeed, UNO should once again be called LSU New Orleans – which the school went by from 1958 to 1974. UNO’s enrollment fell from 17-thousand before Hurricane Katrina to six-thousand and has never recovered.