LSU Associate Professor of coastal meteorology Paul Miller says Louisiana can expect some African visitors this weekend. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A sweeping bill that mandates a series of nutritional reforms is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU hosts West Virginia this weekend with a trip to the College World Series on the line. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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If the sky outside seems hazy and brown this weekend, you don’t need to get your eyes checked. It’s the result of dust particles from the Sahara Desert. Associate professor of coastal meteorology at LSU, Paul Miller, says dust plumes are a regular part of the Atlantic climate system.

Cut 4 (10) “…happening here.”

For most, the plume will be nothing more than a bizarre experience, but Miller says its arrival will bring poor air quality conditions, which can be harmful to certain individuals.

Cut 5 (11) “…something like that.”

It’s not all bad though, Miller says the plume can act as a temporary shield from intense storms and even hurricanes. The dust is brought across the Atlantic by hot, dry desert winds.

Cut 6 (10) “…cyclone development.”

Miller says weather systems off the coast of Florida should disperse the dust by Monday.

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A sweeping bill calling for a series of nutrition reforms is on the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 14, authored by Covington Republican Patrick McMath, unanimously passed both houses of legislature. Major components include banning certain artificial colors and additives in meals served in schools, and forcing food companies to put QR codes on packaging if their products contain certain artificial ingredients. McMath says they’re part of the nationwide Make America Healthy Again movement.

Cut 7 (11) “…change their ingredients.”

Also, restaurants and other food businesses which use seed oils in their cooking will have to clearly indicate such. And McMath says certain medical professionals will be required to take a one-hour course on nutrition and metabolic health every two years.

Cut 8 (16) “…they simply don’t.”

One thing that didn’t make it onto the final bill was banning the use of SNAP benefits to purchase soft drinks. McMath says that’s because Governor Landry made the issue moot.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for SNAP recipients.”

McMath acknowledges that change will not happen overnight, and that it will take some time for food companies to change their ingredients. Therefore, the QR codes won’t take effect until January 1st, 2028, while the school meal ingredient requirements go into effect at the start of the 2028-29 school year.

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Looking for something to do this weekend? How about going fishing! This is the weekend to do it – Rene LeBreton with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this is free fishing weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “…sport of fishing.”

Every state has a free fishing weekend, although not necessarily the same weekend. LeBreton says the program has been going on for decades, and it’s been very successful.

Cut 11 (08) “…license after that.”

And LeBreton says fishing licenses are very easy to obtain – and very inexpensive.

Cut 12 (09) “…top of that.”

And the fishing license is good for 365 days following the date of issuance.

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The Super Regional between LSU and West Virginia kicks off at Alex Box Stadium tomorrow. The Mountaineers and Tigers have similar records at over 40 wins each. Tiger Rag editor Glen Guilbeau thinks LSU may have the upper hand, but that doesn’t mean this weekend’s series is a sure thing.

Cut 13 (15)  “…as well.”

Tigers aces Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson have been a devastating duo on the mound, but Guilbeau says if LSU can’t wrap up the series by Sunday, Monday’s game three could get interesting.

Cut 14 (17) “…off game.”

Guilbeau expects Eyanson to start game one to be available to close out game three if necessary. He thinks coach Jay Johnson will have to save sure-handed righty reliever Casan Evans to start Monday.

Guilbeau believes Johnson will stick with the lineup that secured a Regional championship versus Little Rock.

Cut 15 (14) “…fifth or sixth.”

First pitch tomorrow is set for 1 p.m.

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The Louisiana High School Coaches Association named Franklinton native Jessica Barber as its new director. Barber brings nearly two decades of coaching experience at the high school, college and AAU levels. Barber is proud to be the association’s first female director. She says when she got the job, she thought of the deserving women who impacted her as an athlete.

Cut 16 (12) “…high school athletics.”

Barber was most recently an assistant women’s basketball coach at Southern Miss from 2023 to 2025. She also served at ULM, Loyola University New Orleans, Pine High School, Franklinton High School and Edna Karr High School. Barber says she hopes to be a resource for coaches across the state.

Cut 17 (11)  “…offering solutions”

Barber identified one of the biggest challenges coaches face as burnout and commitment among high school athletes. As an experienced assistant coach, Barber says building relationships and having fun should always be at the center of athletics.

Cut 18 (12)  “…help with.”

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If you check the internet, you can find plenty of trade rumors involving Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. The team’s best receiver has two more years left on the contract that he signed when he was a rookie. Coach Kellen Moore says there’s nothing to the reports that the Black and Gold are looking to deal Olave.

Cut 19 (10) “…in him”

Tight end Foster Moreau is not participating in OTAs because of a knee injury he suffered in Week 18. But Moore is impressed with Moreau’s involvement with the team.

Cut 20 (19) “…we want.”

The 2025 legislative session ends next Thursday, and this session will be remembered for auto insurance reform. Governor Landry has signed several legal reform bills expected to produce lower payouts to car accident victims. He says it’s legislation the insurance industry has been seeking for several years.

Cut 12 (15) “…of that list.” 

Among the other bills awaiting Landry’s signature is one that authorizes a new bidding process to purchase new voting machines, replacing over ten-thousand machines that are nearly 35 years old. Joel Watson of the Secretary of State’s office says the new machines will print out paper ballots.

Cut 8 (06) “…the election.”

Soon, you’ll be able to cruise down Louisiana highways with darker-tinted front windows. A bill on Governor Landry’s desk would allow tint on front windows as dark as 25-percent of light transmission, down from the current 40-percent. Its author, Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel (DESH-uh-tell), says this brings Louisiana in line with other states which suffer through brutal summer heat.

Cut 4 (08) “…and other states.”

In the waning days of the session, several bills still remain pending in the legislature. We recently asked Landry whether there were any pending bills which if they didn’t reach his desk, he would call a special session. Landry said no.

Cut 24 (13) “…of this state.”

Soon, you’ll be able to cruise down Louisiana highways with darker-tinted front windows. A bill awaiting Governor Landry’s signature would allow tint on front windows as dark as 25-percent of light transmission, down from the current 40-percent. Its author, Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel (DESH-uh-tell), says this brings Louisiana in line with other states which suffer through brutal summer heat.

Cut 4 (08) “…and other states.”

Pope Leo the 14th names Ugandan-born priest, Father Simon Peter Engurait, as Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Bishop-Elect Engurait says south Louisiana is home and he loves the people there…

Cut 11 (13) “…next Bishop.”

Legislators approved a new bidding process to help the Secretary of State’s Office replace Louisiana’s decades-old voting machines. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Faculty and fellow graduates gave Wiley a standing ovation as she walked across the stage at graduation.

Soon, you’ll be able to tint your front windows darker. A bill allowing for just that passed overwhelmingly in both houses of the legislature and now awaits a signature from Governor Landry. Its author is Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel (DESH-uh-tell).

Cut 3 (14) “…light coming through.”

Deshotel says this bill brings Louisiana in line with other states which suffer through brutal summer heat.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good.”

Pope Leo the 14th named Ugandan-born priest, Father Simon Peter Engurait as Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The 53-year-old says he did not expect the Holy Father to choose him to be the sixth bishop of the diocese.

Cut 10 (10) “…in saying yes.”

Engurait has served as the Diocesan Administrator in the diocese since January 2024, upon the sudden passing of Bishop Mario Dorsonville. He previously served as the Vicar General since 2017.

Using a hand-held cell phone while driving will soon be illegal in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that you’re never too old to chase your dreams. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana received a “C” grade on R Street’s insurance regulation report card, ranking 39th in the country. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. This, after the House gave its final approval on a vote of 94-to-1, with Oil City Republican Danny McCormick casting the lone “no” vote. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

Redman says cell phone use while driving has become a major problem – not just in Louisiana, but everywhere.

Cut 5 (15) “…a huge distraction.”

It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation, such as speeding or running a red light, that would be an additional fine. Redman says it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Cut 6 (09) “…a big concern.”

There will be a getting-used-to period before officers start issuing fines after the first of the year.

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A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Faculty and fellow graduates gave Wiley a standing ovation as she walked across the stage at graduation, and Wiley says she’s very grateful.

Cut 7 (11) “…me their support.”

Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom two years later. Her desire to complete the program never wavered; and she went back to school following the death of her husband.

Cut 8 (12) “…me on target.”

In all, Wiley’s gap in her Master’s program lasted more than ten years. As such, while she was able to carry over a small handful of credit hours she had previously earned, she had to take most of her core courses over again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the courses over.”

The whole time, Wiley was serving as a substitute teacher at Bossier Parish Schools. She plans to continue substitute teaching while exploring new opportunities through counseling or mentoring.

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Louisiana earned its highest grade and rank since 2013 on the R Street Institute’s annual report. Louisiana received a “C” on its report card evaluating the effectiveness of the state’s regulation and property and casualty insurance, ranking 39th in the nation. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the improvement shows regulatory reforms made last legislative session are working.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the ranking.”

Temple and the report credited reforms to the process for rate changes as well as the ongoing Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. The program helps to provide fortified roofs for Louisiana homeowners, limiting insurance claims.

Cut 11 (07) “…the resiliencies.”

In addition to showing that the state is trending in the right direction, Temple says the grade can influence insurance companies in the future.

Cut 12 (10) “…do consider.”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good.”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape.

New Orleans Democrat Alonzo Knox gave passionate testimony for the bill. He says government should not be making the decision for a teenager who is pregnant because of a sexual assault.

Cut 14 (10) “…monster’s child.”

New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd is the author of the legislation, and it’s the third time she’s brought this bill before state lawmakers. It’s personal to Boyd as well, because her mother was raped as a minor and gave birth to her.

Cut 15 (10) “…that choice.”

The bill was defeated in committee on an eight to three vote.

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LSU will host West Virginia in the Super Regional round of the NCAA baseball tournament this weekend. The Mountaineers went 3-and-0 in the Clemson regional with a 9-6 victory over 11-seed Clemson and two narrow comeback wins against Kentucky. Voice of the Mountaineers Andrew Caridi says it’s an experienced group.

Cut 16 (16) “…pretty good season.”

WVU shares the load offensively with five players batting over .300. A tight-knit group, Caridi says the team was excited for the atmosphere in Clemson, and a trip to Baton Rouge will be another step up.

Cut 17 (12)  “…get to competing.”

West Virginia is 44-and-14 under first-year head coach Steve Sabins, who spent nine years as an assistant in Morgantown. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says he considered targeting Sabins for his own coaching staff, and he isn’t underestimating the Mountaineers.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to win.”

After 7 of 16 hosts failed to advance to Super Regionals, LSU is the betting favorite to win a College World Series title. The SEC sent a record 13 teams to the NCAA tournament this year, but only four have made it to the second weekend. Johnson, though, doesn’t doubt the quality of the nation’s top teams.

Cut 19 (18) “…by a mile.”

Game one of the best-of-three series is set for 1:00 Saturday.

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. This, after the House gave its final approval on a vote of 94-to-1. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

The House Education Committee advances a bill that would pave the way for public schools to give mental health screenings to K-through-12 students, but not without concern. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee says she’s concerned that schools would have too much authority over students’ sensitive health data.

Cut 10 (14) “…can’t unsee it.”

Despite those concerns, the committee passed it on a vote of 10-to-one.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore….

Cut 13 (08)  “…good”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape. That was also the case with the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd – her mother was raped as a minor and gave birth to her.

Cut 15 (10) “…that choice.”

The bill was defeated in committee on a vote of eight to three.

A man acting as a police officer in Webster Parish is arrested for shooting a dog over the weekend. A video posted onto social media shows 54-year-old Reginald Ferguson wearing a Cullen Police Department uniform and badge as he shot the dog. Sheriff Jason Parker says Ferguson was not dispatched to the scene; he went on his own.

Cut 4 (14) “…answered the door.”

The House Education Committee advances a bill that would pave the way for public schools to give mental health screenings to K-through-12 students. Baton Rouge Democratic Senator Larry Selders says the screenings give schools a way to identify students who are struggling so that they can get them help.

Cut 9 (05)  “…get the resources.”

Some, however, expressed concerns that the students’ privacy could be jeopardized.

LSU Designated Hitter Ethan Frey has had a breakout junior season, but not all fans are surprised. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom. Her desire to complete the program never wavered.

With hurricane season now here, the state is urging you to begin making your preparations now instead of waiting until the last minute before a storm approaches. Brigadier General Jason Mahfouz says don’t be dismissive of a storm if it doesn’t rise to the level of a Category One hurricane; even tropical storms can have devastating effects.

Cut 6 (11) “…high-intensity winds.”

The search continues for the last two inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail last month. One of them is 32-year-old Antoine Massey, who posted a video onto social media proclaiming his innocence on domestic abuse charges. State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges says there’s a proper forum where Massey could plead his innocence – the courtroom.

Cut 8 (07) “…you’re an escape.”

Pelicans owner Gayle Benson addresses the lawsuit filed against Zion Williamson. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Just over a week left in the legislative session, and several bills are nearing the finish line. Among them is one that would ban hand-held cell phone use while driving. That’s now one House vote away from landing on Governor Landry’s desk. It comes after several previous attempts to pass similar legislation; this time, supporters say it could contribute to lower auto insurance rates.

The Louisiana House passes legislation that would result in a long prison sentence for anyone convicted of intentionally infecting another person with an incurable sexually transmitted disease. The vote was 68-to-18. Monroe Democrat Pat Moore’s measure calls for a person to serve at least ten years in prison if convicted of this crime and serve at least 25 years of hard labor if the victim is a juvenile or a senior citizen…

Cut 12 (10) “…incurable disease.”

Moore’s bill received pushback from fellow Democrat Jason Hughes of New Orleans. He asked unless there’s a written contract, how can a prosecutor prove someone did not verbally disclose they have an incurable sexually transmitted disease?

Cut 13 (11)  “…safe place.”

Handling a cell phone while driving is just one House vote and one governor’s signature away from becoming illegal in Louisiana. Similar bills have failed in previous years, but supporters like Covington Republican Senator Patrick McMath says this can help lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 8 (10) “…so yes.”

Senators slam the breaks on a plan to lower income and sales taxes. The House-approved bills stalled after a report revealed that the tax cuts would result in a 142-million-dollar shortfall in fiscal year 2027 and a 590-million-dollar shortfall in 2028. Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan (“yahn”) Moller says it was a wise move given the recent income tax cuts.

Cut 23 (08) “…schools and hospitals.”

With more money in the general fund than originally anticipated, the Senate Finance Committee restores 30-million dollars in high-dosage tutoring for K-12 students in the proposed budget for next fiscal year. Senate President Cameron Henry says the high-dosage tutoring program is showing results…

Cut 9 (08)  “…utilization rate.”

The budget heading to the Senate floor also includes the 199-million dollars for teacher stipends, which means teachers will not receive a drop in pay.

Senate Finance Chairman Greg Womack went over the amendments during a committee hearing last week, and they include money to transfer UNO from the U-L System to the LSU System and an increase in dollars for sheriffs to house state inmates

Cut 11 (11) “…offered up.”

A bill is making its way through the legislature that would require insurance companies to allow homeowners to purchase “stated value” policies. The bill was written by Belle Chasse Republican Representative Jacob Braud (“bro”), who says it would essentially allow homeowners to purchase coverage that matches the value of their homes.

Cut 4 (09) “…dollars of insurance.”

Braud acknowledges that there is risk involved in buying too little insurance under his bill. That’s why he included an educational component to it.

On a narrow eight to seven vote, the House Ways and Means Committee approves a Senate bill that would allow low-income homeowners to receive up to a two-thousand-dollar income tax credit to help them pay homeowner property insurance costs. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis is the author.

Cut 13 (10)  “…insurance premiums.”