We’re now in the last weekend of September, and we still have had zero hurricanes in the Atlantic all year long. There are currently two tropical storms churning in the Atlantic, both closer to Africa than North America, and neither is expected to strengthen into hurricanes. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says hurricanes can form at any time of the year.

Cut 9 (11)  “…February, March, April.”

Tomorrow is National Seat Check Saturday – a good opportunity to have your car seat inspected by an expert to make sure it’s appropriate for your child and installed properly. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says what many parents might not know is that there are specific types of car seats depending on the child’s height and weight.

Cut 7 (10) “…a convertible seat.”

LSU basketball icon Bob Pettit passed away this week at the age of 93. Kace Kieschinck has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

No more smoking for Jesus in the Evangeline Parish jail. After 11 inmates were arrested for tearing pages out of a bible and rolling them into cigarettes and smoking them, Sheriff Charles Guillory is removing all bibles and is switching to tablets for religious services. It would be kind of hard to smoke one of those.

LSU basketball legend Bob Pettit has died at the age of 93. Pettit led the SEC in scoring all three seasons at LSU and became just the second major college player ever to average over 30 points per game in a season. LSU basketball sports information director Kent Lowe says Pettit will never be forgotten.

Cut 4 (13) “…of the program.”

Tomorrow is National Seat Check Saturday. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there will be nine events happening throughout the state from nine to noon tomorrow, where parents can get important information on the proper way to keep their kids properly restrained inside vehicles.

Cut 6 (07) “…matter their age.”

Child safety seats will be available for families in need. 

The reward is now up to 10-thousand dollars for information on two women from the Baton Rouge area who have not been seen for more than a year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Kind of a good news-bad news deal. The bad news is there are two named storms churning in the Atlantic – Fay and Gonzalo. The good news is twofold – neither is anywhere close to North America, and neither is expected to strengthen beyond tropical storm strength. So far, there hasn’t been a single hurricane in the Atlantic all year long.

LSU basketball legend Bob Pettit passed away at the age of 93 on Wednesday. The Baton Rouge native was one of the first great stars of LSU sports. In fact, he has a statue outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU basketball sports information director Kent Lowe says he was legendary on and off the court.

Cut 3 (10) “…basketball player.”

The reward is now up to 10-thousand dollars for information on two women from the Baton Rouge area who have not been seen for more than a year. An extensive search of the property belonging to the suspect, Thomas Morris, did not yield any human remains. West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman says investigators, however, did collect items that could help move the case forward.

Cut 6 (09) “…giant jigsaw puzzle.”

Health officials are warning you about a dangerous synthetic opioid that has been found across Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Tomorrow is National Hunting and Fishing Day. Events will be held in Baton Rouge, Woodworth, Haughton and Monroe.  Trey Iles with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ll be giving away lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for those 18 and under at all four events, and there will be a free fishing tournament in Baton Rouge.

Cut 14 (05) “…rod and reel.”

The reward is now up to 10-thousand dollars for information on two women from the Baton Rouge area who have not been seen for more than a year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Health officials are warning residents about a dangerous synthetic opioid that has been found in parishes across Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

Fans of the late Dolly Parton may soon have another way to honor her memory and support her signature cause. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________

Investigators did not find any human remains during an extensive search of a 15-acre property in West Feliciana Parish for two missing women. Sheriff Brian Spillman says investigators did find potential evidence that may connect Thomas Morris to the disappearances of Madison Allen and Stephanie Hevia (HEE-vee-uh).

Cut 4 (09) “…to have done.”

The property is where Morris once lived. Allen disappeared in November 2023, while Hevia has not been seen since March 2025. Both women knew Morris, but their exact relationship is unclear. Spillman says the reward for information leading to their whereabouts has been doubled to 10-thousand dollars.

Cut 5 (09) “…get to that.”

Morris is being held in the West Feliciana Parish jail on 500-thousand dollars bond. He was arrested this summer on an unrelated kidnapping charge. Spillman says investigators are disappointed they did not find more evidence during the search, but they did collect items that could help move the case forward.

Cut 6 (09) “…giant jigsaw puzzle.”

__________________________________________

Health officials are warning Louisianians about the dangers of cychlorphine (sy-CLORE-feen), a synthetic opioid estimated to be ten times stronger than fentanyl. Mark Ryan, the executive director of the Louisiana Poison Center, says it does not take much for cychlorphine to be dangerous.

Cut 7 (10) “…to kill you.”

Ryan says cychlorphine is so potent that the Narcan typically used to counteract fentanyl overdoses may not be enough. He says naloxone works by blocking opiate receptors in the brain.

Cut 8 (09) “…wake them up.”

Ryan says deaths due to cychlorphine overdoses have been recorded in southeast Louisiana, and the drug has been found across parishes in north and central Louisiana as well.

Cut 9 (11)  “…United States now.”

__________________________________________________

With many considering today to be Dolly Parton Day, 9-25, one lawmaker is using the occasion to announce a bill that he will file in the next session to raise money for her signature philanthropic initiative. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham is proposing a special license plate in memory of the legendary country singer and actress, with 25 dollars from the registration of each plate supporting her Imagination Library.

Cut 10 (08) “…people across Louisiana.”

Bayham says it’s also a way for Dolly’s fans to remember one of the most iconic singers of our time.

Cut 11 (13) “…Foundation of Louisiana.”

Bayham is being joined by members of the Krewe of Dolly in making his announcement at 1:30 this afternoon at the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium in New Orleans. He says he does not expect much, if any, opposition to his bill.

Cut 12 (06) “…were against it.”

__________________________________________________

Tomorrow is National Hunting and Fishing Day; and with Louisiana being “Sportsman’s Paradise,” it should go without saying that the state is very much participating. Trey Iles with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says events will be held at the Waddill Wildlife Refuge in Baton Rouge, Woodworth Shooting Range in Woodworth, the Tom Merrill Recreation Area in Haughton and Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe.

Cut 13 (14)  “…fishing in Louisiana.”

Iles says they’ll be giving away lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for those 18 and under at all four events; and in Baton Rouge, they will be holding a free fishing tournament.

Cut 14 (05) “…rod and reel.”

Iles says through the years, people who attend these National Hunting and Fishing Day events are amazed at how educational they are.

Cut 15 (10) “…what we do.”

All events are free of charge.

__________________________________________________

UL Lafayette visits Charlotte tomorrow. The Cajuns are coming off a 21-14 win over UAB, but the offense struggled and was scoreless in the second half. Head coach Michael Desormeaux says some of his best teams had ugly wins early in the season.

Cut 16 (16) “…in the end.”

Charlotte is 0-and-3 on the season coming off a close loss to Appalachian State last week. Desormeaux says they have a good defense and an experienced offensive line, but this is a massive opportunity for the Cajuns.

Cut 17 (19) “…road this week.”

__________________________________________________

Tenth-ranked LSU and 23rd-ranked Texas A-and-M face off in Tiger Stadium tomorrow night. Both teams have high hopes for the season but now find themselves 0-and-1 to start SEC play after losses last week. There is a lot of pressure on both teams to get a win and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive, but LSU safety Ty Benfield says none of that matters on the field.

Cut 18 (08) “…Aggies right now.”

Benefield has ten tackles and a sack this season and has been a leader on the defense since transferring from Boise State. He says games like this are why he transferred to LSU.

Cut 19 (15) “…line up against (2x).”

__________________________________________________

The Saints host the Raiders for their home opener on Sunday. The Raiders are 2-and-0 under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley says Cousins has made a big difference.

Cut 20 (18) “…the right way.”

One of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s lead researchers on dementia says not enough research has been done to see how ultra processed foods affect the brain. Dr. Owen Carmichael says people would like to know how these dietary items affect the brain as people age.

Cut 9 (09)  “…like that.”

For the first time ever, enrollment at the only junior college in the LSU system has topped four-thousand students. LSU Eunice’s enrollment this semester is just under 47-hundred, including nearly 14-hundred dual enrollment students, more than one-thousand first-time students and 458 transfer students. Chancellor Nancee Sorensen says she expects the growth to continue.

Cut 8 (13) “…seven-thousand-student mark.”

Cut 26 (fade after 3 seconds and use as bed)

Organizers might frown on pouring sugar on others, but the 83rd annual Sugar Cane Festival is happening this weekend in New Iberia. Festival board member Doreen Landry says it’s a great way to honor Louisiana sugarcane farmers every year.

Cut 4 (09) “…commodity around.”

Around 30-thousand visitors are expected to visit downtown New Iberia for the festival.

Also happening this weekend – Saturday, specifically – National Hunting and Fishing Day. Events will be held in Baton Rouge, Woodworth, Haughton and Monroe. Trey Iles with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ll be giving away lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for those 18 and under at all four events; and in Baton Rouge, they will be holding a free fishing tournament.

Cut 14 (05) “…rod and reel.”

The 83rd annual Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival gets underway in New Iberia today. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

A group of inmates in the Evangeline Parish jail apparently improvised in getting their nicotine fix by turning to Jesus. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The 83rd annual Louisiana Sugarcane Festival begins in New Iberia today. The four days of festivities kick off tonight with the Farm Fest, and that’s followed by three full days of entertainment, including carnival rides, live music and the Queen Sugar pageant. Festival board member Doreen Landry says it’s a fun weekend for the whole family.

Cut 3 (08) “…everyone excited.”

Landry says around 30-thousand visitors are expected to visit downtown New Iberia for the festival. She says the festival is a great way to honor Louisiana sugar cane farmers every year.

Cut 4 (09) “…commodity around.”

And of course, no festival is complete without food. Landry says revelers can satisfy their sweet tooth and any other cravings at the festival’s food trucks.

Cut 5 (11) “…come on out.”

____________________________________________

The only junior college in the LSU system is experiencing tremendous growth. The fall enrollment at LSU Eunice has topped four-thousand for the first time ever and is approaching five-thousand. Chancellor Nancee Sorensen says the enrollment increase to just under 47-hundred students is the result of the school’s ability to adapt to changing times.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the past.”

LSU-E’s fall enrollment represents almost a 23-percent increase of last year’s then-record enrollment. Sorensen says the growth encompasses many facets.

Cut 7 (13) “…build more housing.”

LSU-E’s enrollment includes nearly 14-hundred dual enrollment students, more than one-thousand first-time students and 458 transfer students. Sorensen says she expects the growth to continue.

Cut 8 (13) “…seven-thousand-student mark.”

____________________________________________

One of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s lead researchers on dementia says not enough research has been done to see how ultra processed foods affect the brain. Dr. Owen Carmichael says people would like to know how these dietary items affect the brain as people age.

Cut 9 (09)  “…like that.”

Carmichael says we know that ultra processed food consumption is bad for the body, and it’s plausible there are also dementia-related outcomes — but not enough human trials have been done.

Cut 10 (11) “…real life.”

Some studies have founds relationships between greater consumption of ultra processed foods and poorer cognitive outcomes, but researchers are still working to determine how much of that relationship can be attributed directly to the foods themselves and how much may reflect diet, lifestyle or overall health.

Cut 11 (11) “…for people.”

The fall enrollment at LSU Eunice tops four-thousand for the first time ever; in fact, it’s approaching five-thousand. The fall enrollment of just under 47-hundred represents almost a 23-percent increase of last year’s then-record enrollment. Chancellor Nancee Sorensen says the growth encompasses many facets.

Cut 7 (13) “…build more housing.”

One of the lead researchers on dementia at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says not enough research has been done to see how ultra processed foods affect the brain. Dr. Owen Carmichael says we know that ultra processed food consumption is bad for the body, but not enough human trials have been done.

Cut 10 (11) “…real life.” 

The 83rd annual Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival gets underway in New Iberia today. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

When you lose a bet, you have to pay up. Seattle Storm basketball star Flau’Jae Johnson is learning that lesson the hard way. After LSU lost to Ole Miss last weekend, the Lady Tigers legend arrived at the Storm’s season finale last night rocking Ole Miss gear. Flau’Jae’s mother took to social media to say that’s why you don’t make bets with your friends.

One of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s lead researchers on dementia says not enough research has been done to see how ultra processed foods affect the brain. Dr. Owen Carmichael says people would like to know how these dietary items affect the brain as people age

Cut 9 (09)  “…like that.”

The only junior college in the LSU system is experiencing tremendous growth. The fall enrollment at LSU Eunice has topped four-thousand for the first time ever and is approaching five-thousand. Chancellor Nancee Sorensen says the enrollment increase to just under 47-hundred students is the result of the school’s ability to adapt to changing times.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the past.”

Cut 23 (fade after 2 seconds and use as bed)

The 83rd annual Louisiana Sugarcane Festival begins in New Iberia today. The four days of festivities kick off tonight with the Farm Fest, and that’s followed by three full days of entertainment, including carnival rides, live music and the Queen Sugar pageant. Festival board member Doreen Landry says it’s a fun weekend for the whole family.

Cut 3 (08) “…everyone excited.”

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day; and with Louisiana being “Sportsman’s Paradise,” it should go without saying that the state is very much participating. Trey Iles with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says events will be held in Baton Rouge, Woodworth, Haughton and Monroe. 

Cut 13 (14)  “…fishing in Louisiana.”

With diesel prices soaring to record levels at precisely the worst time for the state’s agriculture industry, farmers are thanking Governor Landry for suspending the penalty for using non-taxed dyed diesel on roadways. American Sugar Cane League General Manager Jim Simon (see-MOH) says the average price of diesel in Louisiana has soared to more than six dollars a gallon right at harvest time.

Cut 7 (08) “…onto the market.”

As LSU’s men’s basketball team begins practice, it does so with only four players on its roster. All four are transfers, meaning Head Coach Will Wade will be starting from scratch for his second stint in Baton Rouge. Wade says his goal is to hit the ground running, and that is why he’s trying to bring in the experienced talent.

Cut 14 (11) “…restart next year.”

A company that develops, builds, and operates small modular nuclear power plants has decided to build its headquarters. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Construction of the new SpaceX launch site in Vermilion Parish is not slated to begin until next year, but the help wanted sign is already out. The company has posted a handful of job openings for positions including civil engineer, senior construction project manager and government affairs manager. In exchange for more than 20-billion dollars in tax breaks, SpaceX must create three-thousand permanent jobs by 2035.

The state’s agriculture industry is thanking Governor Landry for suspending the penalty for using non-taxed dyed diesel on roadways. American Sugar Cane League General Manager Jim Simon says now that truck drivers can use dyed diesel to haul sugarcane to the mills through October 22nd without penalty, that could yield around eight-million dollars in economic relief to the industry.

Cut 9 (08)  “…question about that.”

Even though the midterm elections haven’t happened yet, attention is already starting to turn to the 2028 Presidential race, and one person who has expressed interest on the Democratic side is former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. LSU New Orleans political scientist Ed Chervenak says if Landrieu does get into the race, he will need to work extra hard to separate himself from a very crowded field.

Cut 6 (08) “…support or not.”

Applied Atomics, which develops, builds and operates small modular nuclear power plants, is building its headquarters in New Orleans. John Fleig (“fleeg”), the chief innovation officer with the Louisiana Economic Development Department, says the project shows what’s possible when Louisiana uses its energy and industrial expertise with companies developing what comes next.

Cut 11 (08) “…small modular reactors.”

Will Wade’s LSU basketball roster officially lists only four players, but he says he’s been practicing with a full team since Labor Day. That’s because most of his players are former international pros or fifth-year seniors waiting on eligibility rulings to play this season. Wade has drawn a lot of criticism for his approach, but he says just because it’s different doesn’t make it wrong.

Cut 13 (12)  “…idiot I am.”