Death row convicts can no longer drag out their appeals for decades, thanks to a new law that went into effect last Friday. Slidell Republican Representative Brian Glorioso says under the old law, they and their attorneys were incentivized to delay the proceedings for as long as possible, forcing the families’ victims to wait until final justice is served.

Cut 6 (12) “…up the system.”

The Trump administration announced the cancellation of plans to use more than 3.5 million acres of federal waters for offshore wind farms, ending plans to have wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico. Greg Upton, the executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says planning got underway to construct wind farms in the gulf during the Biden administration.

Cut 7 (06) “…wind energy.”

The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s 25-percent tariff on shrimp imports from India, which is by far the biggest exporter of shrimp to the U.S. Board member Cheri Blanchard of Houma says the low cost of imported shrimp is costing local shrimpers their livelihoods.

Cut 10 (10) “…make a profit.”

Big shakeup at ULM as Athletic Director John Hartwell announces his resignation after only 18 months on the job. ULM’s athletics budget is one of the smallest in the country among FBS schools and recently eliminated its women’s tennis program. Sean Fox, the sports director at Sports Talk West Monroe, says athletics money has been an issue at ULM for years.

Cut 15 (12) “…case here.”

Among the new laws that went into effect last Friday is one that relates to the post-conviction appeals process. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s 25-percent tariffs on shrimp imports from India. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The search is on for a new athletics director at ULM after John Harwell suddenly resigns after 18 months on the job. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pine) has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Death row convicts can no longer drag out their appeals for decades, thanks to a new law that went into effect last Friday. Slidell Republican Representative Brian Glorioso authored House Bill 675, which, among other things, speeds up deadlines in death-row cases.

Cut 4 (07) “…or 25 years.”

Glorioso says the purpose of the new law is to give the victims’ families the swift justice that they deserve.

Cut 5 (14) “…off the books.”

Glorioso says under the old law, death row convicts and their attorneys were incentivized to delay the proceedings for as long as possible, forcing the families’ victims to wait until final justice is served.

Cut 6 (12) “…up the system.”

Glorioso says the convict is still afforded due process, including the ability to get DNA testing. They just no longer have an infinite amount of time to do so.

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The Trump administration announced the cancellation of plans to use more than 3.5 million acres of federal waters for offshore wind farms, ending plans to have wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico. Greg Upton, the executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says planning got underway to construct wind farms in the gulf during the Biden administration.

Cut 7 (06) “…wind energy.”

There are three operating offshore wind farms off the eastern coast of the United States and four more projects under construction off the Northeastern coast. Upton expects those projects to continue, but any plans to build a wind farm off of Louisiana’s coast have been eliminated.

Cut 8 (11) “…right now.”

Upton says several Louisiana-based energy companies were excited about the development of offshore wind energy projects. He says in May, shipbuilder Edison Chouest Offshore completed construction of a ship to service the five-billion-dollar Empire Wind project off the New York coast.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the Northeast.”

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The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s 25-percent tariff on shrimp imports from India, which is by far the biggest exporter of shrimp to the U.S. Board member Cheri Blanchard of Houma says the low cost of imported shrimp is costing local shrimpers their livelihoods.

Cut 10 (10) “…make a profit.”

Blanchard says shrimp exporters, including India, Indonesia and Vietnam, do not abide by the same rules that domestic shrimpers have to abide by, and that makes imported shrimp a lot less healthy.

Cut 11 (12) “…tits natural state.”

Blanchard says she hopes the tariffs will level the playing field between local shrimpers and the exporters

Cut 12 (10) “…those sources out.”

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Big shakeup at the University of Louisiana at Monroe as Athletic Director John Hartwell announces his resignation after only 18 months on the job. Hartwell is responsible for several major hires, in particular football head coach Bryant Vincent, who led the Warhawks to a 5 and 1 start last season. Sean Fox, the sports director at Sports Talk West Monroe, says Hartwell gained a lot of credibility from the Vincent hire.

Cut 13 (11)  “…of the town.”

Fox says Hartwell’s resignation comes as a surprise and an exact reason for his departure is unknown. He says ULM hired a new president in May, Doctor Carrie Castille, and it’s unknown if the two had a falling out.

Cut 14 (12) “…they were behind.”

ULM’s athletics budget is one of the smallest in the country among FBS schools and recently eliminated its women’s tennis program. Hartwell’s official statement explained that he was planning to pursue other professional opportunities. Fox says funding of ULM’s athletic department has been an issue for years.

Cut 15 (12) “…case here.”

Hartwell’s next destination is a question, but some are speculating that he might return to Troy University, where he served as the Athletic Director from 2012 to 2015.

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The LSU defense will be anchored by preseason All-SEC linebackers Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins. Perkins has been a dominant pure pass rusher, but head coach Brian Kelly says he’s grown more comfortable with the other aspects of the position as well.

Cut 16 (15) “…not distracted.”

On the outside, LSU features a secondary with four incoming four-star transfer defensive backs, along with returning corners Ashton Stamps and PJ Woodland. Add in five-star freshman corner D.J. Pickett and five returning safeties, and Kelly says playing time becomes the ultimate motivator.

Cut 17 (15)  “…entire unit.”

South Florida transfer defensive lineman Bernard Gooden has been one of the early standouts of camp. Gooden received All-AAC honors after totaling 35 tackles, 10 TFL’s and one and a half sacks in 13 games last season. Kelly says his performance has elevated the defense.

Cut 18 (17) “…difficult to block.”

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The Louisiana Tech defense is coming together under new coordinator Luke Olson. Olson led a Jacksonville State defense that was second in the conference in takeaways last season, and cornerback Cedric Woods says he’s brought that same mentality to Ruston.

Cut 19 (15) “…that ball.”

The Bulldogs were anchored by a dominant defense last year, but much of the defensive front has moved on. Redshirt sophomore Judd Royeau says he welcomed eight new guys to the D-line room.

Cut 20 (18) “…to be better (2x).”

We’re now hearing from the representative who helped get a ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving across the finish line in the legislature and into law. Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso says it was a long time coming.

Cut 3 (09) “…matters and issues.”

The new law makes handling a cell phone while driving a secondary offense.

A new study from Bankrate finds Louisiana has a cool housing market and New Orleans and Shreveport are among the coldest for their market size in the country. Data analyst Alex Gailey says the Bankrate Housing Heat Index looks at data from a variety of sources and Louisiana ranks below average in every category…

Cut 10 (08) “…population growth.”

Gailey says on the flip side, a cool housing market means more options for buyers.

Researchers determined the 2025 Gulf of Mexico dead zone is about the size of Connecticut. The zone represents an area of low to no oxygen, unable to support marine life. The most common way these nutrients make it to the Gulf is through runoff from fertilizers used throughout the Midwest. LSU Oceanography Professor Nancy Rabalais says many farmers are aware of the issue, and their efforts can help.

Cut 7 (10) “…Gulf of Mexico.”

LSU is ranked ninth in the preseason Coaches Poll. Head coach Brian Kelly has seen a motivated group of players, especially in the trenches. He says ongoing position battles and a competitive culture make for great practices.

Cut 12 (10) “…those traits.”

LSU opens the 2025 season on the road against Clemson.

Now that the calendar has flipped to August, you should be making a concerted effort to keeping your hands off your cell phones while driving. After all, it’s now against the law. If you need time to get used to it, Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso, who wrote the new law, has some good news for you – there is a grace period.

Cut 5 (08) “…until January 1st.”

LSU enters the 2025 season ranked ninth in the coaches poll. The team is hard at work preparing for the season opener at Clemson. Wide Receiver Aaron Anderson has missed most of fall camp with nagging knee inflammation stemming from his time at Alabama. Head Coach Brian Kelly says it was reaggravated in his offseason work, but he felt good today.

Cut 13 (12)  “…on the field.”

A study from Bankrate finds Louisiana’s housing market is cool and New Orleans and Shreveport are among the coldest in the country for their market size. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

On the heels of the Medicaid Millionaire comes the story of the Medicaid Romeo and Juliet. The State Attorney General’s Office says Keith and Shelly Duncan of Denham Springs failed to accurately report their marital status and household income to claim Medicaid benefits and to defraud the state out of more than 133-thousand dollars. The two are charged with government benefits fraud.

A new study from Bankrate finds Louisiana has a cool housing market, and New Orleans and Shreveport are among the coldest for their market size in the country. Data analyst Alex Gailey says high homeowners’ insurance rates is one reason why it’s tough to sell a home in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08)  “…housing costs.”

Gailey says on the flip side, a cool housing market is good for buyers as it means more options, you can negotiate more and get concessions from the seller.

Researchers determined the 2025 Gulf of Mexico dead zone is about the size of Connecticut. The zone represents an area of low to no oxygen, unable to support marine life. LSU Oceanography Professor Nancy Rabalais says the zone is caused by high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways.

Cut 6 (10) “…the oxygen.”

We’re now hearing from the representative who helped get a ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving across the finish line in the legislature and into law. Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso says it was a long time coming.

Cut 3 (09) “…matters and issues.”

The new law makes handling a cell phone while driving a secondary offense. That means an officer will not pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving; but if the officer observed you doing so while committing another moving violation, that would add an additional fine to your citation. There is a grace period; officers will issue warnings instead of additional fines until the end of the year.

Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick had some choice words for House Speaker Mike Johnson for sending the House home early for summer recess to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. McCormick says Johnson was wrong for calling out fellow Republican Thomas Massie, who’s sponsoring a bipartisan resolution calling for the files’ release.

Cut 15 (07) “…singled him out.”

Honorably discharged military veteran residents can now purchase a Sportsman’s Paradise license – a recreational hunting and fishing combination license – for just $20, an 80-percent discount. Lafayette Republican Senator Brach Myers, who authored the bill that paved the way for the steep discount, says it’s a small token of our appreciation for their selfless service to our country.

Cut 10 (09) “…the right heroes”

The Department of Children and Family Services needs second shift Child Protective Services investigators. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says they need workers in the second shift because child maltreatment does not happen just between the hours of 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

Cut 4 (08) “…to respond timely.”

Harris says they’re looking to hire 53 people to work four, 10-hour shifts per week.

Central Louisiana is showing steady economic growth, according to a study from the Cenla Economic Dashboard. The Alexandria metropolitan area has gained 707 jobs since May, and the dashboard’s author, LSUA Professor Randall Dupont, says Natchitoches is recovering from the April closure of its International Paper plant.

Cut 7 (08) “…of this year.”

On Sunday, the Superdome hits the big 5-0! Opened August 3, 1975, the Superdome’s convention and meeting rooms, turned club lounges, and enormous unobstructed space were unheard of in its time. Doug Thornton, the vice president of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, says the founding fathers of the Superdome knew what it could mean to the city.

Cut 10 (11) “…that billing.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry, which is vital to Louisiana’s economy.

If you are driving slower than the speed limit in the left lane of a highway and holding back traffic, you can receive a 150-dollar ticket because of a new law that is now in effect. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry issues an executive order fast-tracking repairs at Camp J within the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Camp J was designed to hold the most violent offenders under the highest level of security; it was closed in 2018 due to security malfunctions and concerns about staff safety.

It’s one of the first things you’re taught in driver’s ed – the left lane is for passing only. A new state law reinforces that, with fines of 150 dollars for first-time offenders. Under the new law spearheaded by Alexandria Democratic Senator Jay Luneau, a ticket can now be issued if a driver is not going at least the speed limit in the left lane while not passing another vehicle.

Cut 8 (07) “…get ticketed.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says wild-caught crawfishermen are currently not eligible for fishery disaster assistance under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and he says that’s not right.

Cut 4 (10) “…frankly years ago.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry.

The Superdome will celebrate 50 years as the iconic center of downtown New Orleans Sunday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Among the many new laws that went into effect today is one that will save honorably discharged military veterans quite a bit of money on their hunting and fishing licenses. Starting today, they can obtain a combination hunting and fishing license for the low price of just 20 dollars. They can apply on LDWF’s website.

Starting today, you’d better not be hogging the left lane – otherwise, be prepared to pay a 150-dollar ticket for your first offense. Under the previous law, you would have been subject to a ticket by going at least ten miles under the posted speed limit in the left lane. Now, the standard is one mile under and riding abreast with a vehicle in the next lane over. Alexandria Democratic Senator Jay Luneau says the public got squarely behind his measure.

Cut 7 (09) “…move over.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry, which is vital to Louisiana’s economy.

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning you of a growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. It’s a bacteria that naturally lives in coastal waters; it does not live in freshwater. The bacteria can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.

Cut 23 (12) “…in those temperatures.”

So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio, and four of them have died.

Hold the phone! But not if you’re driving – that’s now illegal in Louisiana. Triple-A Louisiana had been pushing for a ban on handling cell phones while driving for years. Don Redman with Triple-A says a ban on texting while driving simply didn’t go far enough.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the phone.”

There’s an elevated presence of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus in coastal waters this year, and it has proven deadly. So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected, and four have died. State Epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms, time is of the essence – contact your doctor or get to an emergency room.

Cut 5 (15) “…to two days.”

The Louisiana Independent Party is now no more. Registered independents are now registered as “No Party.” John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says with this change, they can now participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.

Cut 14 (08) “…they can.”

There are closed primaries only in U-S Senate, U-S House, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE contests, starting with the federal elections in April.

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds. It’s a specific bird that is being shot at it, called the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated just two Mississippi kite birds for bullet fragments, this year they’ve treated eleven.

Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”