An emotional celebration of life ceremony in Baton Rouge for legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman. Kace Kieschnick reports.
Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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As the world remembers Dolly Parton, we’re hearing from a Natchitoches woman who served as her local stand-in as she was in town filming a major motion picture. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (51) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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SpaceX announces plans to launch from coastal Louisiana in Vermilion Parish and the aerospace manufacturer also wants to protect the state’s coastline. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Sunday’s endorsement of Blake Miguez in the district six race for U.S. Congress might not be the last word in that contest. The executive committee’s decision raised some eyebrows within Republican circles. Tyler Bridges, a political reporter with The Advocate,” says the nod came after more members of the state Republican central committee chose to back Miguez’s most prominent GOP opponent, Rick Edmonds.
Cut 4 (06) “…Louisiana Republican Party.”
Bridges says an endorsement from the state Republican party means a huge advantage for the candidate getting that nod.
Cut 5 (10) “…congressional district race.”
Bridges says Governor Landry has also expressed outrage over the decision, and it’s possible that the infighting could lead to a re-vote.
Cut 6 (06) “…of both candidates.”
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Former players, coaches, administrators and the LSU community joined the family of Skip Bertman in celebrating the life of the legendary baseball coach and athletic director, who died August 14th at the age of 88. LSU’s current head baseball coach, Jay Johnson, noted that Bertman was in Omaha for both times he led the team to the national championship, and he told a story of what Bertman told him before the second game against Coastal Carolina in the 2025 championship series.
Cut 7 (12) “…better win today.”
Ben McDonald was a star pitcher for Bertman from 1986 until 1989 and recalled seeing Bertman in the hospital shortly before his passing.
Cut 8 (16) “…see Coach Bertman.”
LSU’s current athletic director, Verge Ausberry – who played football for LSU while Bertman was coaching the baseball team – paid tribute to his predecessor, using the nickname he had given himself, playing off his Jewish faith.
Cut 9 (11) “…the chosen one.”
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As the world mourns the passing of Dolly Parton, we’re hearing from a Natchitoches woman who served as her local stand-in when she was in that city filming “Steel Magnolias” in the summer of 1988. Jacque (“jackie”) Horton says Dolly may have been one of the biggest celebrities on the planet back then, but you wouldn’t have known it by spending time with her.
Cut 10 (07) “…most beautiful woman.”
Horton says Dolly made everyone around her feel important, including learning people’s names.
Cut 11 (08) “…lots of us.”
During the filming of “Steel Magnolias” in Natchitoches, each cast member had his or her own RV. Horton remembers that those responsible for locating the cast members probably could have done a better job with Dolly’s initial location.
Cut 12 (12) “…little more recluse.”
But Dolly thoroughly enjoyed her time in Natchitoches, so much so that she joined the Northwestern State marching band in a rendition of her hit song “9 to 5” to the delight of the Demons crowd.
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SpaceX plans to build the largest rocket launching facility in the world on roughly 125-thousand acres near Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish. The 100-billion-dollar spaceport will bring thousands of jobs to Acadiana. SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell says once operational, SpaceX will launch multiple rockets a day, but it will also take steps towards protecting the coast.
Cut 13 (09) “…projects start immediately.”
Shotwell says in Vermilion Parish, the coastline is eroding between three and 23 feet per year. She says part of their mission in Louisiana is to protect and restore the coast.
Cut 14 (10) “…and wildlife conservation”
Shotwell says another of its initiatives is to rebuild the marshlands.
Cut 15 (09) “…coast has lost.”
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LSU welcomed 12 newcomers to the 13-man wide receiver room this offseason. Florida transfer Tre Wilson was the highest-rated transfer addition to the room. He says he’s enjoyed building chemistry with quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is one of the smartest football players he’s met.
Cut 16 (16) “…of the receivers.”
Wilson was a five-star recruit out of high school and totaled 538 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman for the Gators. His career was derailed by a hip surgery that limited him to four games in 2024 and a high ankle sprain that cut last season short. He says all he can do is learn from it.
Cut 17 (16) “…go with it.”
There are nine new transfers in the receiver room, and players and coaches have not confirmed a top target to emerge. Wilson will likely be in the initial top four, but he says the competition is still wide open.
Cut 18 (11) “…watch for sure.”
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The Saints added a pair of former Raiders this week. New Orleans made a trade with the 49ers for running back Zamir White as injuries piled up in the backfield. White says he was shocked by the trade, but he has had a good time with the team so far and is excited to compete for a roster spot.
Cut 19 (13) “…grateful for it.”
New Orleans also signed two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson to compete with Tannar Hudson and Charlie Smyth. Carlson, whose family is living in Auburn, says he’d been in contact with New Orleans throughout the offseason.
Cut 20 (15) “…the season’s going.”
Both will have a chance to win a place on the roster in the final preseason game against the Cowboys Friday night.