If you absolutely must have your oyster fix, use caution at least until the temperature cools down. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Baton Rouge man is living proof that you’re never too old to pursue your dreams. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU football opens up conference play Saturday night at 6:30 against Florida in a sold-out Tiger Stadium. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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After two people have died and several others became sick after eating raw oysters contaminated with the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, the LSU Ag Center is urging you to use caution before eating raw oysters. Seafood extension specialist Evelyn Watts says the risk is especially high during the summer.

Cut 4 (11) “…the warm months.”

Watts says the best rule of thumb is – when in doubt, don’t.

Cut 5 (08) “…eating raw oysters.”

Watts says if you absolutely must satisfy your oyster fix, you can always order cooked oysters. Cooking them to an internal temperature of 145 degrees will kill any bacteria. Or, if you really prefer raw oysters, your best bet is to wait until later this fall when the water temperature cools down, since Vibrio vulnificus can’t survive in cooler waters.

Cut 6 (12) “…they are handling.”

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Four low-cost airlines will be adding new routes to and from New Orleans in the coming months. Erin Burns with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport says starting in November, travelers will have an additional option to travel to South Florida.

Cut 7 (09) “…day year round.”

Burns says early next year, there will be an additional low-cost option for a pair of top southwest destinations.

Cut 8 (07) “…starting February.”

Frontier will launch new flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Baltimore and Detroit in February, and Allegiant will begin service to Punta Gorda, Florida, November 21st. Burns says with a planned expansion of New Orleans Airport, there will certainly be more new routes to come in the future.

Cut 9 (10)  “…and more people.”

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Putting the “Golden” in “Golden Band from Tigerland” — Kent Broussard is the most talked about newcomer to the LSU marching band this season. He also happens to be 66 years old. Broussard says while he always had a love of football, he also had a love of marching band from an early age.

Cut 10 (12) “…stuck with me.”

After raising a family and retiring from a long career as an accountant, Broussard went out to prove that you’re never too old to pursue your dreams. So after discovering that his age was no barrier to making LSU’s marching band, he re-learned how to play the Sousaphone, got himself in shape and tried out for the band. Broussard, who got his undergraduate degree from Southeastern, also had to apply for admission to LSU as a student.

Cut 11 (12) “…they did.”

So he was accepted, and he tried out for the marching band. And being evaluated under the same standards as everyone else, Broussard made the band. Broussard says performing with the band so far this season has truly been a dream come true.

Cut 12 (06) “…that so far.”

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The Southern Rail Commission is pleased with the ridership numbers for the new Mardi Gras Amtrak passenger train service. The 145-mile route connects New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with four stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. John Spain with the Southern Rail Commission says they’ve had over 32-hundred people ride that train since it relaunched on August 18^th.

Cut 13 (07)  “…Saints game.”

For this Sunday’s Saints game and future home games, Amtrak has added another car, which allows for an additional 60 seats.

The Mardi Gras Service has stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis. Spain says those Mississippi cities are very excited about this train.

Cut 14 (10) “…car there.”

The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service runs twice daily, meaning there are morning and evening departures from New Orleans and Mobile. Fares start at 15 dollars. Spain says some days they have 80 to 90-percent ridership and there are 134-seats on the train. He says so far they are getting positive reviews from riders.

Cut 15 (12) “…every time.”

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The last time he played Florida, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was on the ground more times than not, being sacked seven times. Nussmeier respects the Gators program, but he says there’s not a lot of love lost between the two teams.

Cut 16 (14) “…pretty exciting.”

Young and talented Florida quarterback D-J Lagway has had his struggles in the first two games of the season, but he has all the potential to lead the Gators to pulling off an upset in Baton Rouge. LSU junior linebacker Whit Weeks says he is a dangerous quarterback and that the unit will have to keep an eye on him often.

Cut 17 (14)  “…after him.”

Through the first two weeks of the season, the LSU defense has allowed only 17 total points and ranks 11th nationally in total defense. Weeks says that even though the Tigers have had a decent start, he knows they can be even better.

Cut 18 (15) “…right now.”

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Louisiana Tech will open up conference play against New Mexico State Saturday night at 6:30. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says he and the staff are still evaluating the quarterback room. Cumbie said the Bulldogs need more production at the position, and believes this weekend will help them make a decision.

Cut 19 (13) “…be productive.”

Louisiana Tech’s defense did a great job of limiting the LSU offense from getting in the end zone. Junior cornerback Michael Richard (ree-SHARD) intercepted Garrett Nussmeier on the first drive. Richard says that the performance against the Tigers gives the Bulldogs a lot of confidence moving forward.

Cut 20 (20) “…things happen.”

Louisiana ranks at or near the top among all states in the prevalence of sexually transmitted illness. Dr. Andrea Giamalva (jee-ah-MAHL-vah), the chief medical officer at Experity, says STIs are especially prevalent among younger people in this state.

Cut 4 (08) “…STIs as well.”

Giamalva says in Louisiana, urgent care centers are experiencing a high burden of STI cases, because people can get tested there and get their results as early as the following day.

This month, Lafayette-based Acadian Ambulance, the nation’s largest employee-owned ambulance service, is celebrating 54 years of service. Porter Taylor, Acadian Ambulance’s director of operations in Louisiana, commends the many medics who have continued to value its patients all these years.

Cut 6 (12) “…ambulance company.”

The Saints are closing on a new lease agreement to keep playing at the Superdome for at least the next decade. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The police chief in Cheneyville, a town of less than 500 in Rapides Parish, finds himself on the other side of the law. 37-year-old Charles Isaac is arrested on charges of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13. State Police say Isaac was not on duty when the alleged abuse occurred.

The fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk brings back harrowing memories for Congressman Steve Scalise, who survived an assassination attempt back in 2017. Scalise says those who disagreed with Kirk politically who are celebrating his murder ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Cut 12 (12) “…us to be?”

Louisiana ranks at or near the top among all states in the prevalence of sexually transmitted illness. Dr. Andrea Giamalva (jee-ah-MAHL-vah), the chief medical officer at Experity, says STIs are especially prevalent among younger people in this state.

Cut 4 (08) “…STIs as well.”

Giamalva says in Louisiana, urgent care centers are experiencing a high burden of STI cases, because people can get tested there and get their results as early as the following day.

The Saints are closing on a new lease agreement to keep playing at the Superdome for at least the next decade. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, along with the deadly shootings of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota this summer, underscore the very tense political climate engulfing this nation. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says if the political heat in this country is ever going to be turned down, the best person to start that process is the man at the very top.

Cut 9 (15)  “…critical of him.”

Louisiana ranks at or near the top among all states in the prevalence of sexually transmitted illness. Dr. Andrea Giamalva (jee-ah-MAHL-vah), the chief medical officer at Experity, says reasons include stigma and limited routine screening.

Cut 3 (07) “…for example.”

The Secretary of State’s Office is beginning an education campaign to inform voters about next April’s closed party primaries. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Pro football experts have said throughout the offseason that Saints aren’t going anywhere this season. While that remains to be seen on the field; off the field, we can now say with 100-percent confidence that the Saints really aren’t going anywhere. The team is signing a new lease that will keep it in the Superdome for at least another decade.

The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office is considering seeking the death penalty against a man who allegedly raped a four-year-old child. D-A Hillar Moore says the biggest obstacle in pursuing the death penalty against 25-year-old Anthony Jelks is a Supreme Court decision that ruled that executing someone for a crime in which the victim did not die violates the Eighth Amendment.

Cut 3 (06) “…several years ago.”

Moore says if the death penalty is off the table, he will also consider castration, in accordance with Louisiana law.

Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision, and he says he’s not the only Republican who feels that way.

Cut 7 (06) “…about that decision.”

A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers starting center has a good chance to play this Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Sylvia Fowles and Joe Horn are among eight legends who will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame next year. Fowles led LSU to four straight Final Fours from 2005 to 2008 and was an eight-time WNBA All-Star in her 15-year career. Horn played seven of his 12 NFL seasons with the Saints and played in four Pro Bowls.

All options are on the table for the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney in the case of a man accused of raping a four-year-old child, including a punishment not carried out for that crime in more than 60 years. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers’ starting center has a good chance to play Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With the blessing of Attorney General Liz Murrill, the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office is considering seeking the death penalty against a man who allegedly raped a four-year-old child, infecting that child with a sexually transmitted disease. 25-year-old Anthony Jelks is charged with first-degree rape and is behind bars without bond. District Attorney Hillar Moore says the biggest obstacle in pursuing the death penalty against Jelks is a 2008 Supreme Court decision that ruled that executing someone for a crime in which the victim did not die amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Cut 3 (06) “…several years ago.”

Moore says while many states which had statutes on their books allowing for the death penalty in cases of child rape or other crimes in which the victim survived, Louisiana took a different approach.

Cut 4 (09) “…Supreme Court decision.”

Louisiana also allows for chemical castration; and as of last year, the state also allows for surgical castration in certain sexual assault cases. Moore says his office is also considering one of these punishments if the death penalty is off the table.

Cut 5 (14) “…like anyone else.”

Moore says the child contracted chlamydia. It is not a permanent infection, and Moore says the child will make a full recovery. The last time someone was executed in the United States for a rape in which the victim lived to tell about it was 1964.

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Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision.

Cut 6 (05) “…will be immunocompromised.”

Cassidy says he’s not the only Republican who’s concerned about that move by Florida.

Cut 7 (06) “…about that decision.”

Cassidy says the childhood vaccines, like the ones for measles, mumps and rubella, have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

Cut 8 (07) “…care of others.”

Cassidy says Florida Senator Rick Scott pointed out that parents in that state cal already opt their kids out of vaccines for religious reasons, although no major religion explicitly prohibits vaccines.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson has some ideas for you.

Cut 9 (09)  “…you feel good.”

Dorson says this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge,” and it comes at a time when Louisiana is facing challenges such as overpopulation, stray animals and limited resources for shelters.

Cut 10 (07) “…our fellow creatures.”

You’re encouraged to take a video and post it onto social media. Dorson says he’s doing the same thing.

Cut 11 (08) “…the same thing.”

As expected, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell pleaded not guilty this afternoon to federal corruption charges. Cantrell is accused of covering up a romantic relationship with a retired NOPD officer, bilking the city out of 70-thousand dollars in the process. Cantrell was released on her own recognizance. She was ordered to surrender her passport and has had her travel restricted to within the Eastern District of Louisiana. She may travel elsewhere within the U.S. with prior approval.

The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney is considering pursuing the death penalty against a man charged with raping a four-year-old. The Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment is unconstitutional in cases in which the victim survived, so District Attorney Hillar Moore says he’s also considering castration against 25-year-old Anthony Jelks.

Cut 5 (14) “…like anyone else.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says Florida’s move to do away with the requirement that all children get their childhood vaccinations before enrolling in school is a bad decision, saying there will be children who will become immunocompromised or will die as a result. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says these vaccines have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

Cut 8 (07) “…care of others.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. You’re encouraged to take a video and post it onto social media. Humane Society of Louisiana Founder and Director Jeff Dorson says he’s doing the same thing.

Cut 11 (08) “…the same thing.”

A Baton Rouge man is accused of raping a four-year-old, and the district attorney is considering pursuing the death penalty. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutional in cases in which the victim survived, and most states repealed their statutes. But Louisiana didn’t.

Cut 4 (09) “…Supreme Court decision.”

Moore says if the death penalty is off the table, he’s also considering castration against Anthony Jelks.

Florida will soon become the first state in the country to exempt all children from routine childhood vaccines as a condition of enrolling in school. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says it’s a bad decision. 

Cut 6 (05) “…will be immunocompromised.”

Cassidy says the childhood vaccines have been administered for years; and up until now, school districts in all 50 states have required them.

A back-up defensive tackle for LSU is off the team, but the Tigers starting center has a good chance to play Saturday against Florida. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is challenging you to perform at least one random act of kindness to animals over the course of the next 30 days. Founder and Director Jeff Dorson this is the first year that the Humane Society is doing the “Be Kind To Animals 30-Day Challenge.”

Cut 10 (07) “…our fellow creatures.”

Today is the statistical peak of hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting a storm to form over the next week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Bermuda High Pressure has kept storms away from the United States.

Cut 11 (09) “…East Coast.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is being arraigned in federal court this afternoon on charges related to covering up a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. Prosecutors say Cantrell and retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie (VAA-pee) bilked the city out of 70-thousand dollars for trips they took together under the premise that Vappie was providing security. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell will plead not guilty.

Cut 4 (12) “…small property bond.”

Due to new federal rules, Louisiana is one of 12 states where a prescription is now required to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Senator Bill Cassidy says there is a go-around – a blanket prescription issued by State Surgeon General Ralph Abraham.

Cut 7 (11) “…the prescription written.”

LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry had one of the best plays of the game Saturday night as he evaded multiple tacklers to break off a 43-yard run late in the fourth quarter of his team’s win over Louisiana Tech. Head coach Brian Kelly says that Berry has put the staff on notice after starting to get used to the transition to college.

Cut 16 (14) “…eye on.”