The Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund is inviting you to “Put The Phone Down.” Executive Director Ursula Anderson says the statewide campaign is actually not about refraining from using cell phones while driving – it’s about reducing the use of cell phones altogether.

Cut 3 (11) “…for our children.”

Anderson says excessive cell phone use has proven to have adverse effects on children, leading to increased anxiety, depression and behavioral problems.

A teen is shot and killed in Eunice over the holiday weekend. Police Chief Kyle LeBouef says sometime after nine Sunday night, someone called police to report a group of teens wearing masks and hoodies walking around, with some carrying guns. A short time later, police got another call, saying that someone had been shot.

Cut 6 (03) “…upper torso area.”

That victim was identified as 18-year-old Frederick Stevens Jr., and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The largest field hospital in history was set up at LSU 20 years ago to provide care after Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Matthew Giglia (JIL-lyah) volunteered there as an undergraduate. He says Katrina showed him that while dealing with a disease, you’re also dealing with a human…

Cut 15 (11) “…in terrified.”

Dr. Giglia is now chief of surgery at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Baton Rouge.

Registration for the new round of the Louisiana Fortify Homes grant program is now open. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the program is limited to those who live in the coastal zone, as well as Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake.

Cut 23 (07) “…in South Louisiana.”

Registration closes Friday, September 12th, then recipients will be chosen by random drawing.

The anticipated opening of the Buc-ee’s in Ruston is now being pushed back to early 2027. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Another round of grants for the Louisiana Fortify Homes program is coming up, and registration for the lottery opens at eight this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The recovery continues in southwest Louisiana five years following one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the Gulf Coast. Jeff Palermo has more on the impact Laura is still having on Calcasieu Parish…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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First, it was announced that construction of the Lafayette Buc-ee’s is experiencing delays. Now, word comes that the scheduled opening of the new Buc-ee’s in Ruston is being pushed back to early 2027. Mayor Ronny Walker says he’s not concerned.

Cut 4 (08) “…especially want that.”

Mayor Walker says he expects dirt to start turning this month.

Cut 5 (06) “…we’re fine with.”

So now, the big question is, which city’s Buc-ee’s will open first, Lafayette or Ruston? Walker says not that it matters, but he thinks his city is in the lead.

Cut 6 (16) “…away to work.”

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A new round of the Louisiana Fortify Homes grant program is coming up, and registration for the next lottery opens at eight this morning. There are 500 grants of up to ten-thousand dollars each, and they will be selected at random among those who have registered. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says what’s new this time around is that if you had registered for a previous lottery, there’s no need to do so again.

Cut 7 (10) “…in the drawing.”

Temple says this program is limited to those who live in the coastal zone, as well as Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake.

Cut 8 (07) “…in South Louisiana.”

Temple says fortified roofs not only protect homes and valuables in the event of damaging storms, but they also make the home cheaper to insure and easier to sell – and homeowners across the state know it.

Cut 9 (12)  “…spent their money.”

Registration for the lottery closes at five p-m Friday, September 12th, and the random drawing will take place shortly thereafter. Those who are automatically entered because of a prior registration will not have any advantage over those who newly register.

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Southwest Louisiana continues rebuilding five years after Hurricane Laura made landfall. Calcasieu Parish President Judd Bares (BEAR-es) says months after the vicious storm, the parish developed a long-term hurricane recovery plan which helped produce a more resilient and upgraded infrastructure system….

Cut 10 (11) “…the recovery.”

Bares says drainage projects and waterworks projects have seen major investments. He says the Police Jury completed a 200-million dollar project to remove debris from drainage laterals following Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Cut 11 (09) “…Beauregard.”

Hurricane Laura made landfall as a Category 4 storm with 150 mile per hour winds on August 27, 2020 near Cameron. It caused 17-billion dollars in damage and killed 33 people statewide. Ninety-five percent of the buildings in Lake Charles sustained damage and the state received one-billion dollars for recovery from hurricanes Laura and Delta. Delta hit the same area six weeks after Laura.

Bares says there are some residents still battling with their insurance company over hurricane repairs…

Cut 12 (09) “…do it still.”

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Twenty years ago, the largest field hospital history was set up at LSU to provide care for storm weary patients who were ill or injured because of Hurricane Katrina. Doctor Matthew Giglia (JIL-lyah) was a sophomore at LSU planning to pursue a medical career and his time as a volunteer at the field hospital in the PMAC convinced him to become a doctor…

cut 13 (12)  “…into medicine.”

Doctor Giglia is now chief of surgery and a colon and rectal surgeon at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Baton Rouge. Giglia says seeing the nurses and doctors at the field hospital interact with the patients, showed him what that this is what he wanted to do in his life…

Cut 14 (11) “…physician”

Giglia says Katrina showed him that not only as a doctor you are dealing with a disease, but you’re also dealing with a human and that’s the more important side of what they do…

Cut 15 (11) “…in terrified.”

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LSU’s new look offensive line held up against a good Clemson defense on Saturday in the Fighting Tigers 17 to 10 win. Coach Brian Kelly says the addition of starting center Braelin Moore has helped that group get on the same page…

Cut 16 (10) “…as a veteran.”

LSU put extra emphasis on beating Clemson as the Tigers desperately wanted to snap their streak of five consecutive season opening losses. They had shirts printed that said 1-and-0. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier says it’s great to start the season off with a win, now they got to do it again…

Cut 17 (12)  “…being 1-and-0.”

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The Ragin Cajuns passing game was nonexistent in a 14-to-12 loss to Rice on Saturday night. New starting quarterback Walker Howard only threw for 88 yards and he was intercepted once. Coach Michael Desormeaux says he thought they would execute much better…

Cut 18 (16) “…aren’t.”

Howard also left the game late with an undisclosed injury.

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T-minus five days before the Saints get their season underway in the Superdome against the Arizona Cardinals. The game marks the head coaching debut of Kellen Moore, the NFL’s youngest head coach. Moore says it’s a moment that he and the entire team have worked towards all off-season long.

Cut 19 (12) “…ready to roll.”

During the holiday weekend, the Saints made a roster move, and Moore says it was a rather difficult one.

Cut 20 (10) “…had to make.”

(The Saints released safety and special teams standout J.T. Gray) The Saints also announced that they will break out their new gold jerseys for Sunday’s game, which will be paired with their black alternate helmets and black pants. Kickoff in the Superdome Sunday is noon.

One economist says the state of labor in Louisiana is a mixed bag. Loren Scott says while the Lafayette metro and the Houma-Thibodaux area are struggling because of a decline in offshore oil and gas activity, he expects job growth in Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and parts of the New Orleans area, because the price of natural gas is cheap.

Cut 5 (09) “…with us.”

For a fifth year in a row, Louisiana will showcase itself in the Rose Bowl Parade New Year’s Day. The theme of the 2026 parade is “The Magic in Teamwork,” and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the state’s float, “Gulf to Gumbo,” highlights the teamwork needed to make a delicious pot of a Louisiana staple.

Cut 6 (12) “…pot of gumbo.”

With health officials saying too many mothers and families are not getting care for postpartum depression when they need it, the Louisiana Department of Health is now offering a new program called TLC Moms. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says it provides those women with a valuable resource.

Cut 9 (10)  “…to get help.”

Ninth-ranked LSU ended its five-game losing streak in season openers with an impressive 17-10 win over Clemson. The Tigers rallied from a touchdown deficit at halftime to beat Clemson in the highly anticipated opener. Coach Brian Kelly says their preparation helped them prevail.

Cut 12 (14) “…it’s a cliche.”

It’s Labor Day, so what is the state of labor in Louisiana? Let’s start with the bad news. Economist Loren Scott says the Lafayette metro and the Houma-Thibodaux area are struggling because of a decline in offshore oil and gas activity…

Cut 3 (11) “…active rigs.”

The good news: Scott says hiring will pick up in the Monroe area as workers are needed to build Meta’s ten-billion dollar A-I data center.

For a fifth year in a row, Louisiana will have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. The 2026 float is called “Gulf to Gumbo,” and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says it will feature a shrimp boat and fresh Louisiana seafood, and there will be a larger-than-life chef on top bringing it all together.

Cut 7 (05) “…by a pelican.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is offering a new program for new mothers dealing with postpartum depression called TLC Moms. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says there are several reasons why new mothers may experience postpartum depression.

Cut 10 (08) “…a new life.”

LSU wasn’t the only Louisiana team with a huge win over the weekend. Tulane dominated Northwestern in New Orleans, 23-3; and Louisiana Tech shut out Southeastern Louisiana, 24-0, in Ruston. Starting quarterback Trey Kukuk (Q-kuhk) says Tech pulled away in the second half after offensive coordinator Tony Franklin came down from the press box to call plays from the sidelines.

Cut 14 (14) “…in the second.”

Louisiana will once again be rolling a float through the streets of Pasadena in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The 2026 float is titled “Gulf to Gumbo.” In the past, Louisiana’s floats have featured local musical stars, and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says this next one will be no exception.

Cut 8 (10) “…is going by.”

The exact song John Foster will be performing hasn’t been determined yet.

Postpartum depression is a major issue among new mothers, and too many of them are not getting the care when they need it. That’s why the Louisiana Department of Health is offering a new program called TLC Moms. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says it provides those women with a valuable resource.

Cut 9 (10)  “…to get help.”

Labor Day is a day off for most Louisiana workers. Jeff Palermo has a look at the state of employment in the Bayou State.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

No table pounding this time – LSU finally gets the job done in Week One in the Brian Kelly era. Bolstered by a stellar defensive performance, the Bayou Bengals beat the Clemson Tigers in the “other” Death Valley Saturday night, 17-10. It’s LSU’s first 1-and-0 start since their national championship season of 2019.

The new Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women opens in St. Gabriel. Warden Kristen Thomas says it has the capacity to house almost one-thousand inmates and consists of 15 buildings which go far beyond the two main housing units.

Cut 6 (11) “…an intake center.”

20 years ago, LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center was converted into a makeshift thousand-bed triage and acute care hospital for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. More than six-thousand patients ended up receiving medical care there for several weeks. Sean O’Keefe, who was LSU’s chancellor at the time, says doctors and nurses came from hospitals that were closed due to Katrina.

Cut 10 (14) “…triage this.”

Fifth year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier leads LSU into the other Death Valley Saturday night as the ninth ranked Tigers take on fourth ranked Clemson. Coach Brian Kelly says they are counting on Nussmeier’s experience, and they are asking him to limit mistakes

Cut 12 (11) “…of  the game.”

Northwestern State’s 1,022-day nightmare is over. The Demons football team snapped its 20-game losing streak Thursday night, beating Alcorn State, 20-10. Demons head coach Blaaine McCorkle said the thrill of victory is so much better than the agony of defeat.

Cut 15 (10) “…in the country.”

The Demons, however, should savor the moment while they can. Next Saturday, they go into Big Ten Country to take on Minnesota.

Twenty years ago, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center was converted into a makeshift, thousand-bed triage and acute care hospital. Sean O’Keefe was the school’s chancellor at the time and says it was in the state’s emergency preparedness plan that the PMAC would be a shelter for displaced nursing home residents, but it became much more than that.

Cut 9 (16)  “…the demand.”

The new Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women opens in St. Gabriel. Warden Kristen Thomas says being that this will be the only prison of its kind in Louisiana, it will house inmates of all types.

Cut 7 (09) “…maximum custody inmates.”

For the first time in 1,022 days, the Northwestern State football team is in the win column! In front of their win-starved fans at Turpin Stadium, the Demons beat Alcorn State, 20-10, to snap a 20-game losing streak. After the game, Demons coach Blaine McCorkle said it feels good to finally get a win in Natchitoches.

Cut 14 (17) “…be a-okay.”

Saturday night, it’s Grambling against Langston in the Shreveport Kickoff Classic. Grambling Athletic Director Traevean Scott says Langston, which is an NAIA school out of Oklahoma, has a rich history with several Louisiana ties.

Cut 3 (11) “…to North Louisiana.”

20 years ago, as Hurricane Katrina was ravaging South Louisiana, the number of people living in and around the LSU campus grew exponentially. Sean O’Keefe, who was the school’s chancellor at the time, says students from New Orleans had to take in family members.

Cut 11 (11) “…everything else.”

The new Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women opens in St. Gabriel. One unique feature is that it offers degree programs and training programs so that inmates can get certified in several trades while they serve their sentences. Warden Kristen Thomas says this way, it will be easier for them to find jobs once they complete their sentences.

Cut 8 (08) “…many different positions.”

The new LCIW is expected to welcome its first inmates sometime in the next few weeks.

The talking is almost over, LSU and Clemson are set to finally play tomorrow night in a top ten matchup to kick off the season for both teams. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office withdraws its request to pursue three out of six charges against a Slidell man in connection with a crash that killed a six-year-old boy. The sheriff’s office says this is in light of new information that suggests a second vehicle may have been involved. Cody Beaudette is currently free on bond.

This is the lowest gas prices have been for a Labor Day weekend in five years. Triple-A says the statewide average for regular unleaded is $2.79 a gallon, which is 20 cents lower than a year ago. Triple A’s Don Redman says this is despite a slight increase over the last week.

Cut 10 (08) “…Labor Day weekend.”

Twenty years ago, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center was converted into a makeshift, thousand-bed triage and acute care hospital. Sean O’Keefe was the school’s chancellor at the time and says it was in the state’s emergency preparedness plan that the PMAC would be a shelter for displaced nursing home residents, but it became much more than that.

Cut 9 (16)  “…the demand.”

Just hours to go before LSU faces Clemson in the other Death Valley. With a Heisman candidate at quarterback, LSU attacked the transfer portal to upgrade its defense. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says his offense faces a big challenge tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…heck of a matchup.”

Keeping with the Tigers theme, the Grambling Tigers get their football season underway tomorrow night against Langston in the Shreveport Kickoff Classic. Grambling President Dr. Martin Lemelle says if you go to the game and need to grab some refreshments, your best bet is to do so BEFORE halftime.

Cut 5 (13) “…post the game.”

Today is a somber day. The 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The costliest natural disaster in the country’s history, claiming 18-hundred lives. Jeff Palermo has more on one of Louisiana’s worst days.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Gas prices for this Labor Day weekend are the lowest they’ve been since 2020. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The rescue effort in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was practically nonexistent. Andrew Greenstein spoke with the man who single-handedly brought order to a chaotic situation.

Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Today is the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the darkest days in Louisiana history. Bob Mann was the communications director for Governor Kathleen Blanco; and at first, they thought Katrina only produced wind damage. But then, reports came in of rising water.

Cut 4 (12) “…somewhere.”

Katrina produced catastrophic flooding, not only in New Orleans, but also in Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. Once the storm passed, the mission was to get thousands of stranded people, some of them living on rooftops, out of the flooded waters and onto dry land. Mann says the federal government was not much help.

Cut 5 (09) “…too late.”

Blanco took a lot of criticism for the state’s response to Katrina. It was a major factor in her decision not to run for re-election. Mann says there was certainly failures at all levels of government, but FEMA’s role was to provide federal resources to states dealing with a disaster, but that didn’t happen.

Cut 6 (13) “…sent in.”

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Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Plaquemines Parish at 6:10 in the morning on this date. Katrina produced catastrophic flooding. Saint Bernard Parish had widespread flooding and devastation, and current Parish President Louis Pomes (Louie POE-mez) was an employee of the parish at the time.

Cut 7 (09) “…of tears.”

Pomes was amazed at how fast the water rose as a result of breaches in the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

Cut 8 (12) “…as it was pushing.”

He says the population of St. Bernard pre-Katrina was 70-thousand, now it’s 48-thousand.

Pomes says St. Bernard wouldn’t be where it is today without the spirit of the parish’s residents and federal money.

Cut 9 (15)  “…billion dollars recovery.”

Pomes credits local leaders for using the federal recovery dollars wisely. Not only rebuilding schools, hospitals and the sewer system, but also providing new amenities for its residents , like a skate park, dog park and bike paths.

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This is the lowest gas prices have been for a Labor Day weekend in five years. Triple-A’s Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.79, which is 20 cents lower than a year ago. Redman says motorists are enjoying the lowest price at the pump in five years, despite a slight increase over the last week.

Cut 10 (08) “…Labor Day weekend.”

Redman says once we move into September, he expects prices to decline again.

Cut 11 (10) “…rule that out.”

Redman says as long as there is not a disruption in the supply of gasoline, he believes gas prices will be around $2.50 or possibly by the end of September. He says the price of crude oil is why the price at the pump is well below three dollars.

Cut 12 (08) “…64 dollars.”

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If you could sum up the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in one word, “chaos” would be quite appropriate. With most of New Orleans underwater, people were left stranded for days, with no indication of when help would arrive. Needing a strong federal response, they designated Lieutenant General Russel Honoré as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, and he immediately took charge of the rescue effort. General Honoré says he does not blame local officials for the initial response.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a real disaster.”

Honoré said he would have liked to have been in New Orleans earlier, but the city had flooded so badly that he and other members of the National Guard had no way of getting into the city – and, in effect, they had no way of getting people out.

Cut 14 (15) “…bus people out.”

One of the lasting images of Honoré during the immediate aftermath of Katrina is of him shouting to police officers, “weapons down, dammit!” Honoré says those officers were acting on orders from Governor Kathleen Blanco to shoot anyone they found looting. Honoré said he told Blanco to rescind that order.

Cut 15 (09) “…can’t do that.”

A three-star general, Honoré retired from the Army in 2008 and continues to serve as a consultant on disaster preparedness.

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LSU junior linebacker Harold Perkins returns to the field after missing most of the 2024 season with a torn ACL. Perkins decided to come back to LSU and build up his stock, playing in the STAR position. Perkins says he likes how the position allows him to showcase his pass rush abilities as well as his pass coverage.

Cut 16 (13) “…my versatility.”

LSU senior wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. returns as the longest tenured receiver on the unit. Hilton’s LSU career has stalled due to multiple injuries, but he says he is thankful to be finally be healthy. Hilton says he is looking forward to showcasing what he is made of this season.

Cut 17 (17)  “…for Saturday.”

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks grew up only an hour away from Clemson, South Carolina but has never been to Clemson’s campus. Weeks says he is looking forward to playing in such a hostile environment.

Cut 18 (12) “…excited to go.”

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UL-Lafayette kicks off its season on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Rice. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that he wants starting quarterback Walker Howard to play free while trusting his offense.

Cut 19 (17) “….chance to win.”

The Cajuns defense will be tasked with countering a triple option offensive attack from Rice. Desormeaux said Rice’s offensive attack will be a good first test for the Cajuns.

Cut 20 (16) “…are at.”