The peak of hurricane season is almost here, so this weekend would be a very good opportunity to get your emergency kit together. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says besides Hurricane Erin, there are three disturbances in the Atlantic that the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on.

Cut 11 (12) “…an eye on.”

A close call for a 15-year-old Lake Charles girl as she escapes a would-be kidnapper. 35-year-old Dustin Frederick is charged with attempted kidnapping, and he’s being held on one-million dollars bond. Lake Charles Police Lieutenant Brenda Treadway says kids need to be vigilant at all times while waiting for the school bus.

Cut 9 (11)  “…go back home.”

The Nicholls State football team will be in the national spotlight tomorrow as the Colonels will host Incarnate Word on national TV. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pahn) has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is renewing his call for President Trump and Louisiana’s Congressional delegation to impose a ten-cent-per-pound seafood inspection fee. This is in response to the massive recall of potentially radioactive shrimp imported from Indonesia that was being sold in Walmart stores in 13 states, including Louisiana.

The Nicholls State football team will be in the national spotlight tomorrow as the Colonels will host Incarnate Word on national TV. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pahn) has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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A close call for a 15-year-old Lake Charles girl as she waited for her school bus yesterday morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule in football next season and LSU is excited about it. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Nicholls State football team will host one of its biggest games in Thibodeaux ever tomorrow. The Colonels face the fourth-ranked Incarnate Word Cardinals, and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Athletic director Jonathan Terrell (tuh-RELL) says the team was excited when it found out its game would be on national television.

Cut 4 (09) “…be showcased.”

It is not often that Nicholls is able to showcase its football program coast to coast. Terrell says they jumped at the chance to play in Week Zero on national T-V.

Cut 5 (11) “…and one.”

It’s also a new era of Nicholls football as Tommy Rybacki begins his first year as head coach, replacing the school’s all-time wins leader, Tim Rebowe. Terrell says Rybacki is the perfect successor to Rebowe.

Cut 6 (13) “…to be successful.”

Kick off tomorrow is at noon.

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A close call for a 15-year-old Lake Charles girl, as she escapes a would-be kidnapper at a bus stop. Lake Charles Police Lieutenant Brenda Treadway says it happened at around 6:30 yesterday morning.

Cut 7 (12) “…drive by her.”

Treadway says around the third or fourth time he passed by her, 35-year-old Dustin Frederick stopped, got out, approached her, grabbed her and told her that she needed a ride. But Treadway says the girl was having none of that.

Cut 8 (10) “…fled the scene.”

Video evidence near the scene helped police identify Frederick and take him into custody. He’s charged with one count of attempted kidnapping, and he’s behind bars on one-million dollars bond. Treadway says this should serve as a stark reminder that kids need to be vigilant at all times while waiting for the school bus.

Cut 9 (11)  “…go back home.”

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If you don’t have your hurricane preparedness kit put together for this year, this weekend would be a very good weekend to shop for those essentials. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says now that we’re into late August, the peak of hurricane season is rapidly approaching.

Cut 10 (09) “…six weeks.”

Activity is ramping up in the Atlantic. Hurricane Erin is wreaking havoc along the Atlantic coast with powerful waves and rip currents as it moves away from the U.S. Keim says there are three additional disturbances in the Atlantic that the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on.

Cut 11 (12) “…an eye on.”

Keim says this year, it looks like we will enter the month of September unscathed, but that certainly does not mean that we’re out of the woods.

Cut 12 (13) “…us a visit.”

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The Southeastern Conference announces that starting in 2026 the league will have a nine-game conference schedule in football. The SEC has been playing eight conference games since 1992. LSU Executive Deputy Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry says a ninth conference game will help generate revenue for the SEC and LSU…

Cut 13 (14)  “…let’s be honest.”

The SEC says each school will play three annual opponents focused on maintaining traditional rivalries. Ausberry says LSU does not know the three schools that the Tigers will play every year

Cut 14 (09) “…conference.”

Not only will SEC teams play nine conference games starting next year, the league is also requiring each team to play a non-conference game against a school from another Power Four conference or Notre Dame each season.

That leaves just two games on the schedule against a mid-major or an FCS school. Ausberry says the SEC’s TV partners will appreciate having more compelling matchups

Cut 15 (05) “…ESPN and ABC.”

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The Saints acquired Devaughn Vele (VAY-lay) from Denver in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2026 and a seventh round pick in 2027. Vele fits a need for a big and physical receiver that New Orleans was missing as he is six-foot-five and 210 pounds. Coach Kellen Moore says the offense will benefit from the addition.

Cut 16 (13) “…for our team.” 

Moore announced that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start the final preseason game for the Saints on Saturday against the Broncos. The first year head coach says Rattler’s ability to extend plays with his legs has stood out.

Cut 17 (17)  “…that group’s going.”

Kick off Saturday is at noon.

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Southern begins its football season on Saturday by playing North Carolina Central in Atlanta in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge. The game will be televised on ESPN and Coach Terrance Graves is looking forward to putting on a show.

Cut 18 (15) “…the opportunity.”

Southern went 8-and-5 last season, while the Eagles were 8-and-3 last season.

It turned out to be a high-”steaks” traffic stop in Livingston Parish. Deputies arrested 57-year-old Michael Ardoin after finding hundreds of dollars worth of stolen meat products on him. Sheriff Jason Ard says Ardoin had stolen lean hamburger meat and ribeye steaks from a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Denham Springs, stuffing them down his pants.

Cut 9 (10)  “…type of items.”

Deputies in Rapides Parish arrest a man after getting a tip from a social media post that a man was trying to talk to kids at a bus stop in neighboring Vernon Parish. Deputies arrested 65-year-old Clyde Krider on a probation violation for being near kids as a level two sex offender. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says the call came in at exactly the right time.  

Cut 6 (11) “…with this suspect.”

Walmart is recalling frozen shrimp sold from its stores after the FDA issues a warning that the shrimp is potentially radioactive. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule in football starting next season. Each team will play three annual opponents focused on maintaining traditional rivalries; the remaining six games will rotate among the remaining conference schools, with each team facing every other SEC program at least once every two years.

Cut 23 (01) “Where’s the beef?”

Apparently it was in his pants! Livingston Parish deputies say 57-year-old Michael Ardoin stole hundreds of beef products from a Denham Springs Walmart by stuffing them in his pants. Sheriff Jason Ard says deputies were able to arrest Ardoin after getting some valuable information from the public.

Cut 10 (10) “…find this individual.”

Sheriff Ard says Ardoin stole the beef to trade it for drugs.

Speaking of Walmart, it’s recalling frozen shrimp after the USDA said it could be radioactive. The contaminated shrimp came from an Indonesian firm, and it was sold at Walmart stores in 13 states, including Louisiana. Louisiana Shrimp Association president Acy Cooper says this is why you should buy shrimp caught by Louisiana shrimpers – they don’t have any banned chemicals.

Cut 4 (06) “…lie to you.”

Deputies in Rapides Parish arrest a man after getting a tip from a social media post that a man was trying to talk to kids at a bus stop in neighboring Vernon Parish. Deputies found 65-year-old Clyde Krider asleep at the wheel inside his van in Plainview yesterday and arrested him on a probation violation for being near kids as a level two sex offender. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says especially with the new school year underway, now is a good time for parents to reset important safety rules with their kids.

Cut 7 (09) “…to their house.”

The Saints needed a big-bodied receiver and they turned to an old friend to get one. New Orleans sent a fourth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round pick in 2027 to Denver and Sean Payton’s Broncos sent the Saints Devaughn Vele (Deh-VAWN VAY-lay). Vele is six-foot-five, 210 pounds and in his rookie season at Denver, caught 41 passes for 475 yards and three touchdowns.

Walmart is recalling frozen shrimp after the USDA issued a warning about possible radioactive contamination. Federal investigators say the contaminated shrimp is from an Indonesian firm and it was sold at Walmart stores in 13 states. Louisiana Shrimp Association president Acy Cooper is not surprised by the news.

Cut 3 (07) “…screaming it.”

Deputies in Rapides Parish arrest a man after getting a tip from a social media post that a man was trying to talk to kids at a bus stop in neighboring Vernon Parish. Deputies arrested 65-year-old Clyde Krider on a probation violation for being near kids as a level two sex offender. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says the call came in at exactly the right time.  

Cut 6 (11) “…with this suspect.”

A months-long multi-agency crackdown on crime in Baton Rouge has netted 52 federal indictments charging 68 people with various crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. In a news conference yesterday, Governor Landry said now is not the time to let up.

Cut 9 (13)  “…far too long.”

They’re college football shows just for Louisiana. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, a weekly preview show Saturday mornings at ten; and Post Game Notes, a weekly wrapup show Sunday evenings at six. Host Victor Howell says no matter where you are in the state, you can follow your team all season long.

Cut 11 (10) “…we’ll be following.”

With Louisiana being one of the most dangerous states in the country for pedestrians, the state is urging you to practice safety techniques when walking on busy roadways. Business owner and avid runner Jenni Peters says if you’re going to be walking at night, whether there’s a sidewalk or not, your very best line of defense is to wear a reflective vest.

Cut 5 (11) “…magnetic clip-on.”

For the first time, Louisiana has a college football show to call its own. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, which air at ten Saturday mornings; and Post Game Notes, which air at six Sunday evenings. The show is hosted by Victor Howell, who says the show is all about Louisiana college football.

Cut 10 (09) “…State of Louisiana.”

The Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s plan to provide power for Meta’s massive A-I data center that they are building in Richland Parish.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Get ready, Louisiana – the peak of hurricane season is just about here. Activity is ramping up in the Atlantic; but so far, Louisiana is not in Mother Nature’s crosshairs. Hurricane Erin is moving away from the coast, and there are three other disturbances, all of which are in the middle of the ocean.

Statistics show that the streets of Louisiana are quite deadly for pedestrians, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is working to reverse that trend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Starting this year, a college football show just for Louisiana fans. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pahn) reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s plan to provide power for Meta’s massive A-I data center that they are building in Richland Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Statistics show that Louisiana is a dangerous state for pedestrians. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says over the last ten years, more pedestrians have been killed in motor vehicle crashes than passengers. In fact, in 2024, 161 pedestrians were killed on Louisiana roadways – nearly a ten-percent increase from the year before. So the commission is working to reverse the trend. In a news conference at LSU, State Police Captain Bryan Lee issued a challenge for drivers.

Cut 4 (08) “…especially at night.”

Business owner and avid runner Jenni Peters says if you’re going to be walking at night, whether there’s a sidewalk or not, your very best line of defense is to wear a reflective vest.

Cut 5 (11) “…magnetic clip-on.”

DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet (le-DAY) says the agency is taking proactive measures to get drivers to slow down in areas where pedestrians are prevalent.

Cut 6 (14) “…crosswalk patrols.”

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Over the last several months, law enforcement agencies at several levels ranging from local to federal joined forces to crack down on crime in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas. Yesterday in a news conference, they announced the results – 52 federal indictments charging 68 people with various crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Governor Landry says with this kind of cooperation, a lot of great things can be accomplished.

Cut 7 (11) “…see these results.”

Governor Landry says the city got a stark reminder earlier this month that crime in the city remains rampant with the intentional fatal hit-and-run of a Baton Rouge police sergeant.

Cut 8 (14) “…go in vain.”

Landry says while the operation over the last several months has been very successful, now is not the time to let up.

Cut 9 (13)  “…far too long.”

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For the first time, Louisiana has a college football show to call its own. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, which is a weekly preview show which airs at ten every Saturday morning, and Post Game Notes, which airs at six Sunday evening. The show is hosted by Victor Howell, who says the show is all about Louisiana college football.

Cut 10 (09) “…State of Louisiana.”

Howell says no matter where you are in the state, you can follow your team all season long.

Cut 11 (10) “…we’ll be following.”

Every week, Howell will be joined by former linebacker Scott Shanle.

Cut 12 (13) “…Bowl with them.”

The new series begins tonight at seven with the Fall Preview Special. Game Notes premiers August 30th, and Post Game Notes premiers August 31st. The shows air on all Louisiana Public Broadcasting stations and will be posted on its YouTube channel the day after the shows air.

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On a four to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved Entergy Louisiana’s plan to build three natural gas powered turbine generators to power Meta’s proposed A-I data center in Richland Parish. More than a dozen people spoke out against the plan, including Logan Wolf from Thibodaux, who says a data center in Memphis is causing problems…

Cut 13 (15)  “…produce.”

PSC Member Davante Lewis was the only one commissioner to vote against the plan. Fellow Democrat, Foster Campbell, voted for it, because he says Meta’s new data center is projected to create more than 500 jobs for an area of the state that desperately needs it…

Cut 14 (14) “…or Delhi.”

Opponents are also concerned that Entergy’s plan to power the data center will result in higher bills for Entergy residential customers. But Entergy’s vice president of regulatory and public affairs, Larry Hand, says Meta will pay most of the bill for the new electric generation, while residential customers might see their bill go up a dollar…

Cut 15 (12) “…this opportunity.”

Renee Carthan of  Lake Charles also spoke against Entergy’s plan, she’s concerned about higher bills, even if it’s a small increase…

Cut 16 (13) “…corporation.” 

It’s estimated Meta’s data center will need roughly three times the amount of electricity that the city of New Orleans uses in a year. Two of the facilities Entergy will build will be in Richland Parish, the other will be built in St. Charles Parish.

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LSU was not as effective as it would have liked to be last season in terms of creating explosive plays when returning punts. Wide receiver Zavion Thomas averaged only 4.6 yards per return on a whopping 66 total return yards during the entire season. Head coach Brian Kelly says he wants the Tigers to be much more reliable on special teams this season.

Cut 17 (17)  “…single time.”

LSU hired special team analyst Aman Anand in January after he helped lead Grambling in the SWAC in kick return yards. Anand has placed a focus on special teams, becoming more group-oriented than it has been in the past. Kelly says that he likes what Anand has done in his short time in Baton Rouge.

Cut 18 (16) “…its details.”

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UL Lafayette has named its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Former five-star and Lafayette’s own Walker Howard has been named the starter after beating out Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield for the job. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) said that Howard earned the job after an impressive camp.

Cut 19 (20) “…really excited.”

Howard has had his fair share of ups and downs during his college career. He began his career at LSU coming in as the No. 5 quarterback and later transferred to Ole Miss. When Desormeaux told him that he won the starting job, Howard said he got emotional.

Cut 20 (14) “…behind me.”

Governor Landry is celebrating the news released by the state Insurance Department that 20 auto insurers have filed rate decreases. Landry says this includes some of the biggest companies in the industry.

Cut 12 (13) “…and more.”

Former LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron says he’s ready to get back into coaching. He hasn’t coached since being fired after the 2021 season. Orgeron says while he would ultimately like to be a head coach; with this being his fourth year away from the game, he would accept any viable coaching opportunity that comes his way, whether it be as a head coach or as an assistant coach.

Cut 5 (10) “…best for us.”

The state legislature could return to the state capitol this fall for a redistricting session. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Whether the Congressional district lines change or not, absentee ballot envelopes will certainly change in time for the next election. The envelopes will be color-coded and will feature larger print and will be easier to read. The ultimate goal is to make it simpler to cast absentee ballots.

Louisiana could be the next state to hop onto the extraordinary mid-decade redistricting bandwagon. House Speaker Phillip DeVillier told legislators to prepare for a possible special session in either October or November. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says if lawmakers redraw the Congressional map this fall, the big question is – how will they reshape the two majority-minority districts?

Cut 7 (10) “…Troy Carter.”

If you’re casting an absentee ballot, you will notice that the envelopes will look different from now on. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says the new color-coded envelopes will incorporate changes in election laws that the legislature passed in the last couple years.

Cut 9 (10)  “…legally allowed to.”

Governor Landry is celebrating the news released by the state Insurance Department that 20 auto insurers have filed rate decreases.

Cut 13 (04)  “…on the way.”

While Landry says the decreases are the result of legislation he pushed targeting the insurance industry and injury lawyers who seek big settlements, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says insurance companies have told him they’re in response to a decrease in accidents since last year.

Former LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron says he wants to coach again. Orgeron was fired in 2021 and received a 17-million-dollar buyout– half of which ultimately went to his ex-wife. He says his focus since his firing has been seeing his sons start their coaching careers; and now that they’ve done that, it’s time for him to get back to work.

Cut 4 (09) “…got it done.”

Ed Orgeron says he’s been away long enough – he wants to return to the sidelines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The state legislature could return to the state capitol this fall for a redistricting session. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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He may be living the good life in Miami, but former LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron says he wants to return to the sidelines. Orgeron told Tiger Rag Radio that now that his sons have started their coaching careers, he’s getting the itch to coach again.

Cut 3 (14) “…and compete again.”

Orgeron was fired in 2021 and received a 17-million-dollar buyout– half of which ultimately went to his ex-wife. He says his focus since his firing has been seeing his sons start their coaching careers; and now that they’ve done that, it’s time for him to get back to work.

Cut 4 (09) “…got it done.”

Orgeron says while he would ultimately like to be a head coach; with this being his fourth year away from the game, he would accept any viable coaching opportunity that comes his way, whether it be as a head coach or as an assistant coach.

Cut 5 (10) “…best for us.”

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Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier has told legislators to keep their calendars open for a possible redistricting special session in late October or November.  La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are already constitutional questions about Louisiana’s current Congressional map and there’s also an effort to create more Republican seats.

Cut 6 (12) “…Congressional seats.”

The U-S Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on October 15th over whether Louisiana’s current Congressional boundaries are constitutional. The legislature created a second majority minority district last year, but opponents of the current map say politics, not race shaped the new boundaries.

Alford says if lawmakers seek to decide to redraw the Congressional map this fall, how will they reshape the two majority-minority districts.

Cut 7 (10) “…Troy Carter.”

It’s not a guarantee that we will see a redistricting special session this fall, but Alford says if the Republican led legislature goes through that difficult process again, it would be to redraw a map with one majority minority district, not two.

Cut 8 (06) “…back””

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If you’re casting an absentee ballot, you will notice that the envelopes will look different from now on. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says besides incorporating larger print and easier to read instructions, the new envelopes will incorporate changes in election laws that the legislature passed in the last couple years.

Cut 9 (10)  “…legally allowed to.”

Watson says the new envelopes are much more colorful – for a good reason.

Cut 10 (14) “…the pre-addressed envelope.”

Watson says the ultimate goal of the redesigned envelopes is to make it simpler to cast absentee ballots.

Cut 11 (11) “…these absentee ballots.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is celebrating the news released by the state Insurance Department that 20 auto insurers have filed rate decreases. Landry says this includes some of the biggest companies in the industry.

Cut 12 (13) “…and more.”

Landry says the rate decreases are coming after he pushed the legislature to pass several insurance reform measures that target both the insurance industry and attorneys who seek big settlements. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says insurance companies have told him the rate decreases are in response to a decrease in accidents since 2024.

Landry says it’s good to see Louisiana drivers are starting to see relief from some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country.

Cut 13 (04)  “…on the way.”