The world’s best skateboarders, BMX and Moto X athletes are in New Orleans this weekend for the first ever X Games Championship event. Joe Gallinaro talked with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The general election candidates for U.S. Senate release their latest campaign finance numbers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Lane Kiffin broke down how he rebuilt the LSU football roster in one offseason. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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New Orleans has been a destination for major sporting events, but this weekend it’s trying something new as the  Caesars Superdome is hosting an X Games Championship event. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says huge ramps have been built for skateboarding and bike races.

Cut 4 (06) “…of the Superdome.”

The X Games Championship features action sports including skateboard, BMX and Moto X. This event is the final competition of the inaugural MoonPay X Games Summer season. More than 100 competitors will participate, including two from Louisiana — Moto X rider Wyatt Fontenot of Opelousas and BMX rider Broc Raiford of Destrehan. Cicero says ESPN and ABC will provide national television coverage.

Cut 5 (09) “…period of time.”

Tickets can be purchases at x-games-dot-com. Cicero says having the X games championship is significant for Louisiana, bringing international visibility, economic impact and opportunities for regional businesses.

Cut 6 (08) “…against each other.”

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The general election candidates for U.S. Senate release their latest campaign finance reports. To no one’s surprise, Julia Letlow is far outraising Jamie Davis, having raised about three times as much money since both launched their campaigns. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan notes that more than three-fourths of Letlow’s 6.2-million dollars in donations have come from the GOP and political action committees.

Cut 7 (14) “…those traditional sources.”

In direct contrast, all of Jamie Davis’ nearly two-million dollars in donations have come from individuals – his report indicates that he has not received a dime from any political action committee. Hogan notes that Davis’ contributions have come from far and wide, which might not necessarily work to his advantage.

Cut 8 (08) “…their home state.”

Furthermore, Davis’ campaign says it raised 1.6-million dollars since he won the runoff last month to become the Democratic nomination. In fact, Davis’ donations from individuals are outpacing Letlow’s, whose campaign has raised just under 1.4-million dollars from individuals. Hogan says despite all that, that likely will not be enough for Davis to spring the monumental upset at the ballot box in November.

Cut 9 (14)  “…last few decades.”

Currently, Letlow has more than 1.4-million dollars in cash on hand, compared to less than 480-thousand dollars for Davis.

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Incarcerated people approaching the end of their prison sentences have a new program to get job training, thanks to a new federal grant. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen (SHAU-in) says the Department of Labor awarded the commission a RESTART Grant of more than five-million dollars, and the money will be put to good use.

Cut 10 (12) “…the first place.”

Schowen says Louisiana Works will provide job training in skills essential to Louisiana’s economy, including advanced manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding.

Cut 11 (13) “…and targeted support.”

Schowen says by focusing on skilled labor, Louisiana Works can get inmates the training they need in as short amount of time as possible so that when they are released, they can immediately re-enter the workforce and become productive members of society once again.

Cut 12 (14) “…job generally requires.”

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LSU helped wrap up SEC Media Days in Tampa yesterday. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks could have gone to the NFL Draft after an injury-riddled 2025. Instead, he decided to come back to lead coordinator Blake Baker’s defense back to dominance.

Cut 13 (08)  “…to Baton Rouge.”

Weeks will have a new partner in the middle of the defense. Linebacker T.J. Dottery followed Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU this offseason. Dottery explained why he came to LSU.

Cut 14 (13) “…a part of.”

Dottery began his college career at Clemson. He led the SEC with 98 tackles last year.

Weeks was named first-team All-SEC in 2024 when he totaled 125 tackles. He said he loves playing alongside Dottery.

Cut 15 (12) “…to play with.”

Tight end Trey’Dez Green is LSU’s only returning contributor in the passing game after Kiffin’s roster reset. Green said he was worried about an offense with nine transfer wide receivers.

Cut 16 (14) “…just connect us.”

Green has a chance to be one of the Tigers’ top receivers this fall in coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s tight end-friendly offense.

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LSU hosts Texas November 14th. It will be the first meeting between the schools since the Tigers’ 45-38 win in Austin in 2019. The Longhorns were supposed to make a return trip as part of that series, but it was postponed by COVID and their move to the SEC. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning says he’s looking forward to playing in to Death Valley.

Cut 17 (07) “…so we’re excited.”

The New Orleans native led the Longhorns to a 10-and-3 record with a Citrus Bowl victory in his first full season as a starter last year. Manning got off to a rocky start in a major week one matchup with Ohio State, but says he’s grown a lot since that 14-7 loss.

Cut 18 (09) “…repeat that game.”

Manning went 17 for 30 for 170 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Texas hosts the Buckeyes in week two this year.

The indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill may be over, but the investigations into it are just beginning. Congressman Clay Higgins recently asked FBI Director Kash Patel to look into whether the grand jury was properly convened or was used for political retaliation. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says federal investigators would be wasting their time.

Cut 12 (11) “…into than this.” 

Through a partnership with Starlink, Louisiana is helping those in areas so rural that it’s impossible to get fiber internet installed to get online with broadband. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says the customers will get the equipment for free, and the service will be about 55 dollars a month for good, reliable high-speed internet.

Cut 4 (11) “…of those speeds.”

Lane Kiffin took the stage at SEC Media Days as an LSU Tiger for the first time. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Something else that Kiffin weighed in on was a proposed rule that informally bears his name. The so-called “Lane Kiffin Rule” as part of the Protect College Sports Act would prevent coaches from jumping from school to school mid-season. Kiffin said he actually supports it, saying he hopes future coaches aren’t put in the same predicament he was put in last year.

Even though the 16-count indictment against her has been dismissed, Attorney General Liz Murrill wants to get to the bottom of how it all happened. State Police have launched a criminal investigation into the grand jury which indicted her. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says one thing that’s notable is that Murrill’s office generally does not have criminal jurisdiction over matters in Orleans Parish.

Cut 10 (10) “…office’s independent investigation.” 

Louisiana takes a huge step towards connecting the entire state to broadband internet through a partnership with Starlink. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Starlink will deliver high-speed internet access to more than ten-thousand rural locations in more than 50 parishes by the end of the summer.

Cut 3 (12) “…folks with Starlink.”

LSU took center stage at SEC Media Days today. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks could have gone to the NFL Draft after an injury-riddled 2025, which followed a first-team All-SEC selection in 2024 when he registered 125 tackles. Instead, Weeks decided to come back to lead coordinator Blake Baker’s defense back to dominance.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Baton Rouge.”

Of course, another potential reason Weeks came back is so that he could play for his girlfriend’s father. Speaking of whom, Lane Kiffin was asked about his comment in a Vanity Fair story that Oxford’s lack of diversity hurt his talent acquisition at Ole Miss.

Cut 8 (14) “…of the words.”

It was the moment the college football world was waiting for – Lane Kiffin made his first SEC Media Days appearance with LSU today. He reflected on his growth as a person since arriving in Baton Rouge. He said one of the ways he’s grown is his social media use. His son Knox challenged him not to use the apps. Kiffin said he has since deleted them and realized how many others are addicted.

Cut 6 (09) “…try this sometime.”

The criminal indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill may be over, but the investigation into it is just beginning. State Police have launched a criminal investigation into the grand jury which indicted Murrill. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there could be an issue of a conflict of interest.

Cut 11 (09) “…under those circumstances.”

The state takes a huge step towards its goal of making high-speed internet access available to everyone through a new partnership with Starlink. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The road to the 2028 Olympics could be going through Baton Rouge – at least in one sport. The Baton Rouge Metro Council approves a request to amend the Raising Cane’s River Center Rental Waiver Agreement to allow it to host the Olympic boxing trials next year. Holding the event in Baton Rouge would generate nearly seven-million dollars in business sales.

Even though the 16-count indictment against her has been dismissed, Attorney General Liz Murrill wants to get to the bottom of how it all happened. Murrill especially took issue with the way the grand jury went about its proceedings, noting all the information leaks.

Cut 27 (13) “…that it existed.”

Under Governor Landry’s directive, State Police have launched a criminal investigation into the grand jury which indicted Murrill. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino notes that Murrill’s office generally does not have criminal jurisdiction over matters in Orleans Parish.

Cut 10 (10) “…office’s independent investigation.” 

Ciolino says there’s also the potential issue of a conflict of interest, since Murrill is both the state’s top attorney and a former defendant.

Louisiana takes a huge step towards connecting the entire state to broadband internet through a partnership with Starlink.  ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Starlink service will be provided for locations which are so rural that it’s impossible to install fiber internet in a cost-effective way.

Cut 5 (11) “…fixed wireless.”

There will be an interesting dynamic this season at LSU, with linebacker Whit Weeks back for his senior season, not passing up the opportunity to play for his girlfriend’s father. Weeks says he’s become Lane Kiffin’s right-hand man on recruiting and transfer portal visits, and he does not allow what happens on the football field to affect his relationship with his girlfriend. 

Cut 9 (11)  “…cutting up.”

Even though the 16-count indictment against her has been dismissed, Attorney General Liz Murrill has vowed a full investigation into how it all went down. Murrill especially took issue with the way the grand jury went about its proceedings, noting all the information leaks.

Cut 7 (13) “…that it existed.”

Louisiana takes a huge step towards connecting the entire state to broadband internet through a partnership with Starlink. ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar says Starlink will deliver high-speed internet access to more than ten-thousand rural locations in more than 50 parishes by the end of the summer.

Cut 3 (12) “…folks with Starlink.”

Consider it a dress rehearsal. Tropical Storm Bertha didn’t end up being Big Bertha – it really wasn’t Baby Bertha, either. It crossed the Louisiana coast with maximum sustained winds constantly at 45 miles an hour. But the dry air and wind shear from the north prevented any areas inland from getting any significant rainfall. 

Are you trying to consume more protein by eating foods that advertise themselves as being protein rich? Jeff Palermo reports it’s probably not necessary.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Whether the dismissal of the indictment against Liz Murrill was designed to lower the political temperature, the attorney general appears to be in no mood to adjust the proverbial thermostat. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Are you trying to consume more protein by eating foods that advertise themselves as being protein rich? Jeff Palermo reports it’s probably not necessary.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding fielded several questions about LSU coach Lane Kiffin at SEC Media Days yesterday. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The indictment of Attorney General Liz Murrill may be over, but Murrill’s fight against the City of New Orleans over it is just beginning. Murrill is vowing a full investigation into what she calls a weaponization of the criminal justice system against her.

Cut 4 (10) “…against other people.”

Soon after the Orleans Parish grand jury handed down its indictment, Governor Landry ordered Louisiana State Police to launch an investigation. And earlier this month, Congressman Clay Higgins sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, requesting that the FBI get involved.

The jury had indicted Murrill on 16 charges – eight each for public intimidation and malfeasance – in connection with letters she wrote to Moreno and other elected officials, threatening their jobs over their support of an appointment of an interim court clerk and a special election for a permanent one. Murrill says she did nothing wrong by sending those letters.

Cut 5 (13) “…federal constitutional law.”

We asked Murrill whether there was any chance that the dismissal of the indictment could have been interpreted as New Orleans’ way to lower the political temperature that had been reaching a boiling point between the city and the state. Murrill did not appear to be in any mood to turn the proverbial thermostat down.

Cut 6 (11) “…for 80 years.”

Murrill especially took issue with the way the grand jury went about its proceedings, noting the information leaks before the indictment was handed down.

Cut 7 (13) “…that it existed.”

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Bertha is holding on as a tropical storm as it moves west across Louisiana’s coast. It made landfall in St. Bernard Parish yesterday afternoon, but the impacts so far have been minimal. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says wind shear from the north and dry air are keeping the heaviest rainfall south of the storm’s center.

Cut 8 (11) “…of the storm.”

Bertha is expected to maintain tropical storm strength through this afternoon. Grymes says the storm could produce scattered heavy downpours as it moves towards Texas.

Cut 9 (14)  “…can fully exhale.”

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Food manufacturers are adding protein to products that traditionally weren’t considered protein-rich, from cereal and yogurt to coffee and chips. But LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center nutrition expert Dr. Jacob Mey says most people already get enough protein in their daily diets.

Cut 10 (11) “…their protein level.”

Mey says if your meals include lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy, you’re likely getting all the protein you need.

Cut 11 (11) “…our protein in.”

Mey says protein is important for building muscle and maintaining bone health. He says people who exercise regularly or older adults may benefit from more protein, but he cautions against focusing so much on protein that you neglect nutritious whole foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Cut 12 (09) “…whole food products.”

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Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding said there’s no ill-will between him and LSU coach Lane Kiffin at SEC Media Days yesterday. He said he tells Rebels fans who ask about what he thinks of Kiffin to look at it this way…

Cut 13 (11)  “…it’s okay.”

Golding said Kiffin just made the best choice for him and his family.

Kiffin takes the stage today and is sure to get his share of Ole Miss questions. Golding said he and Kiffin’s relationship is like having an ex-girlfriend.

Cut 14 (13) “…to a certain degree.”

LSU visits Ole Miss September 19th.

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LSU hosts Texas A-and-M September 26th. A 49-25 second half blowout to the Aggies at home last season resulted in the firing of Brian Kelly. Texas A-and-M quarterback Marcel Reed was a problem for LSU with 202 yards in the air, 108 yards on the ground and four total touchdowns. Head coach Mike Elko says the Aggies just need him to play at that standard more consistently.

Cut 15 (16) “…really high ceiling.”

After Elko helped get Kelly fired, he then went out and signed his starting left tackle Tyree Adams out of the transfer portal this offseason. Adams started eight games for the Tigers last year, and Elko says he’s made an impression in College Station.

Cut 16 (18) “…a major role.”

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Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is entering his third year in Tuscaloosa. He led the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff win last year; but he says he knows at Alabama, his success is measured by national championships.

Cut 17 (13) “…everyone around me.”

LSU hosts Alabama in Tiger Stadium November 7th. Three-year DeBoer backup Austin Mack and former top recruit Keelon Russell will compete for the starting quarterback spot this preseason. DeBoer says he’ll have a tough decision between the veteran and young talent.

Cut 18 (12) “…the football field.”

The indictment of Attorney General Liz Murrill may be over, but Murrill’s fight against the City of New Orleans over it is just beginning. Murrill is vowing a full investigation into what she calls a weaponization of the criminal justice system against her.

Cut 4 (10) “…against other people.”

Congressman Clay Higgins is requesting that the FBI get involved in the investigation. 

Bertha is holding on as a tropical storm as it moves west across Louisiana’s coast. It made landfall in St. Bernard Parish Tuesday afternoon, but the impacts so far have been minimal. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says wind shear from the north and dry air are keeping the heaviest rainfall south of the storm’s center.

Cut 8 (11) “…of the storm.”

Former LSU football standout Ryan Clark was fired from ESPN Monday after more than 10 years with the network. Clark was part of a number of layoffs to on-air personalities announced yesterday. Clark, though, was fired abruptly while on ESPN’s “NFL Live” show because OutKick writer Dan Zaksheske had the story early and asked ESPN to comment.

Cut 3 (08) “…after the fact.”

The bad blood between LSU and Ole Miss surrounding Lane Kiffin may be limited to the fans. At SEC Media Days, Rebels coach Pete Golding said he had no problem with Kiffin bolting the program before its playoff run last year – in fact, he still talks to his predecessor.

Cut 13 (12) “…appreciative of that.” 

Ole Miss hosts LSU on September 19th – our sources say Kiffin will have extra security detail with him that day.

The 16-count indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill is dismissed. The lawsuit led to a lot of political bad blood between New Orleans and the State of Louisiana, with Governor Landry saying at one point that the city is not as essential to the state as it once was. Tulane University political science professor Mike Sherman says that talk is pure hyperbole.

Cut 8 (12) “…New Orleans is.”

It looks like Tropical Storm Bertha is not going to pack much of a punch at all when it reaches ashore this afternoon. Lauren Chandler with the National Weather Service says what’s unique about this storm is that the biggest threat is actually excessive heat, since it will produce almost no rainfall over land.

Cut 10 (10) “…from strengthening anymore.” 

Former LSU football standout Ryan Clark was fired from ESPN Monday after over 10 years with the network. Clark was part of a number of layoffs to on-air personalities announced yesterday. Clark, though, was fired abruptly while on ESPN’s “NFL Live” show because OutKick writer Dan Zaksheske had the story early and asked ESPN to comment.

Cut 3 (08) “…after the fact.”

The 2026 fiscal year was a record-breaker for the Louisiana Department of Treasury, as it returned more unclaimed funds than ever before. State Treasurer John Fleming says he and his staff returned 70.9-million dollars to their rightful owners in the last fiscal year. 

Cut 24 (07) “…dollars per individual.”

Fleming says the biggest check he returned this past fiscal year was one for more than 400-thousand dollars.

Louisiana is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Bertha. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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U.S. Census Bureau data shows Louisiana’s population grew by 24-thousand residents in 2024, the state’s first increase since 2017. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The man referred to as the “Father of the Superdome” is leaving his job on September 4th. Jeff Palermo has more on Doug Thornton’s decision to step down.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The 2026 fiscal year was a record-breaker for the Louisiana Department of Treasury, as it returned more unclaimed funds than ever before. State Treasurer John Fleming says he and his staff returned 70.9-million dollars to their rightful owners in the last fiscal year.

Cut 4 (07) “…dollars per individual.”

Fleming says the biggest check he returned this past fiscal year was one for more than 400-thousand dollars. He says in many instances, people don’t need to do anything to claim the money that’s theirs – the department uses data matches to find the people the money belongs to.

Cut 5 (09) “…know about it.”

Fleming reminds you if you get a check in the mail from the Treasury Department and you didn’t ask for it, it’s real and not a scam – go ahead and cash it. And if you’re concerned, you can always call the department for clarification.

Fleming says there’s a lot more money yet to be claimed, and that money will never be placed in the state’s general fund.

Cut 6 (07) “…claimed their property.”

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The far southeastern Louisiana coast is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Bertha. As of yesterday evening, when the storm was leaving Florida’s longitude, Bertha was packing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles an hour. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s where it will likely top out at.

Cut 7 (08) “…it approaches Louisiana.”

Keim says the latest forecast track has it making landfall near Buras, in Plaquemines Parish, either late this afternoon or early this evening.

Cut 8 (10) “…an hour range.”

The New Orleans area will feel the worst of it tomorrow evening, with sustained winds of between 15 and 20 miles an hour, with gusts of between 30 and 35 miles an hour. Keim says while coastal areas will get a good amount of rainfall, those readings will drop off considerably once you move inland.

Cut 9 (12)  “…than an inch.”

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Advocacy group Leaders for a Better Louisiana says there are encouraging signs the state is making strides in ending years of out-migration. Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says the most positive sign is that in 2024, the state grew by 24-thousand people. Knapp says Louisiana’s population grew for the first time since 2017 because fewer people moved away.

Cut 10 (12) “…was most interesting.”

Knapp says their research found 84-thousand people left the state in 2024, the lowest number since 2010. Knapp says a deeper dive into the number finds that younger families are moving into the state.

Cut 11 (11) “…kids under 18.”

Knapp says Louisiana will unfortunately lose residents to Texas, but they’re seeing a trend where people are moving to Louisiana from states where the cost of living is much higher.

Cut 12 (11) “…because of cost.”

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A heavy hitter in the New Orleans sports scene is leaving his post. Doug Thornton, who has managed Caesars Superdome since 1997, is leaving his job on September 4th. The Dome hosted its first Saints game in 1975; and to this day, it still hosts Super Bowls, major college football games and other big events.

Cut 13 (09)  “…building to succeed.”

Thornton oversaw the massive renovation of the Dome following Hurricane Katrina. Another four-year, 560-million-dollar renovation was completed in 2024.

The Superdome is set to host a college football semifinal game in January and a CFP National Championship game in 2028. Thornton has played a critical role in New Orleans hosting big sporting events.

Cut 14 (09) “…live music events.”

Thornton says one of his biggest career highlights is the reopening of the Superdome in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. That includes the 2007 Essence Festival, the first major music concert in the Dome post-Katrina.

Thornton also played a role in bringing an NBA franchise to New Orleans in 2002. His job with Legends Global also had him involved in the largest stadium project in the world, the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

Thornton says he’s not retiring and plans to remain active in New Orleans, but he says he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time as the so-called father of the Louisiana Superdome.

Cut 15 (07) “…of my life.”

Thornton was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 for spearheading the rebuilding and reopening of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina.

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Southland Conference Media Day was held in Houston yesterday. Southeastern Louisiana made the FCS playoffs with a 9-and-3 record last season. Quarterback Kyle Lowe returns to a team that ninth-year coach Frank Scelfo says has conference championship aspirations.

Cut 16 (15) “…to go to.”

Tommy Rybacki enters his second year as Nicholls’ head coach after ten seasons as the defensive coordinator. The Colonels went 4-and-4 in the conference and 4-and-8 overall, and he expects improvement in year two. He says big-picture success comes from daily effort.

Cut 17 (19) “…great practice one.”

Blaine McCorkle has won just one game since taking over as the Northwestern State head coach in 2024. He says year one, they cleared the rubble; year two, they laid the foundation, and now year three is the time to start changing the scoreboard.

Cut 18 (18) “…of the game.”

McNeese coach Matt Viator (VEE-uh-tore) enters year two of his second stint in Lake Charles. The Cowboys were 5-and-7 and 4-and-4 in Southland play last season. Starting quarterback Jake Strong is back, and Viator says he loves this year’s team.

Cut 19 (19) “…going next week.”

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LSU visits Auburn on October 24th. Former South Florida head coach Alex Golesh now leads the Tigers. At SEC Media Days yesterday, he said a successful year one would establish a foundation and identity. His goal is not just to win games.

Cut 20 (19) “…every single game.”