LSU is holding a celebration of life for Skip Bertman a week from tomorrow at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. It starts at seven p-m; doors open at six. Dan Canevari, who served on Bertman’s coaching staff at LSU after playing for him at Miami when he was their pitching coach, says Bertman was much more than a coach; he was a mentor.

Cut 7 (10) “…a better worker.”

The public event will be preceded by a private ceremony for family and former players, coaches and staffers.

Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Richard Nelson lays out a plan designed to boost enrollment. Nelson says it includes providing students with strong advising, childcare, transportation and ways to reduce student debt.

Cut 9 (11)  “…all these gaps.”

State Police are investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles from over the weekend. State Police say officers from the Lake Charles Police Department responded to a home late Saturday night and negotiated with a man barricaded inside. During negotiations, they say 28-year-old Khylin Stevens showed a gun, and that’s when an officer shot Stevens, who died at a hospital. No officers were hurt during the incident.

Entergy says Meta’s Richland Parish data center will help fund improvements to its power grid statewide.  It’s building 10 new power plants funded by Meta – six near the Richland Parish facility and four in St. Charles and Pointe Coupee parishes. V-P of Business Operations Laura Beauchamp says the project could actually save customers billions of dollars over the next 20 years.

Cut 12 (12) “…because of Meta.”

The man who single-handedly transformed LSU baseball into a national powerhouse has died. Skip Bertman passed away early Friday morning at the age of 88. Former LSU pitcher Ben McDonald says he didn’t appreciate Bertman’s greatness as an 18-year-old, but he does now.

Cut 4 (13) “…he was best at.”

Bertman’s reign as LSU baseball coach began in 1986 and lasted 18 seasons. He holds the highest winning percentage in SEC history and was a six-time national coach of the year. Tiger Rag Editor and the author of Bertman’s biography, Glenn Guilbeau, says it’s been 25 years since Bertman coached a game, but he’s still revered by college baseball fans.

Cut 5 (08) “…in Louisiana.”

This could be the hottest weekend of the summer. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico will drive up temperatures and humidity levels.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the next week.”

And when you add those high temperatures and those humidity levels, those are going to yield some outrageous heat indexes which are going to linger for days with no relief in sight.

Louisiana’s new N-I-L and athlete agents website is live. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it’s the most significant regulation included in Act 895. That’s the new law that extended existing athlete agent oversight to N-I-L agents and gave student-athletes the power to sue agents for damages, attorney fees and other compensation.

Cut 13 (08) …interests at heart.”

Murrill says lawmakers collaborated with the LHSAA and its member schools in crafting the new law.

Legendary LSU baseball coach and Athletic Director Skip Bertman died at the age of 88 early this morning. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Bertman’s impact on the LSU baseball program has lingered even after stepping down as head coach, with the team tacking on three national titles in the years since. A makeshift memorial is growing at the base of his statue outside Alex Box Stadium.

We’re now approaching the peak of hurricane season, although the current El Nino weather pattern will point to a below-average one. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are keeping an eye on a pair of disturbances in the Atlantic, but neither one is expected to impact us here.

Cut 11 (11) “…at this moment.”

Governor Landry is defending the massive Meta data center going up in Richland Parish amid concerns from area residents that their utility bills will skyrocket as a result of it. On WRKF’s Talk Louisiana, Landry says the data center is part of the biggest construction boom the state has ever seen, and he says these jobs are here to stay.

Cut 16 (12) “…coming to Louisiana”

A Louisiana institution has died. Skip Bertman, who single-handedly transformed the LSU baseball program into a national powerhouse, passed away this morning at the age of 88. College Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Walker says Bertman was the ultimate motivator and fondly remembers his pre-game talks in front of the whole team.

Cut 8 (11) “..play like champions.”

This could be the hottest weekend of the summer. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico will lead to high temperatures and high humidity levels, and that’s going to yield some outrageous heat indexes which are going to linger for days with no relief in sight.

Cut 10 (09) “…110 and 115.” 

Louisiana’s new N-I-L and athlete agents website is live. It provides information for athletes, families, schools and agents on the state’s new NIL and athlete agents laws. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Act 895 requires agents to register with the state.

Cut 12 (12) “…integrity and character.” 

The Louisiana Public Service Commission got an earful from several citizens this week concerned their energy bills will go up as a result of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar AI data center in Richland Parish. Governor Landry was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says Meta is paying for its own power use, and their investment will improve the electric grid’s resiliency.

Cut 15 (11) “…what it is.”

The Ochsner Transplant Institute performed its ten-thousandth organ transplant, becoming the only transplant center in Louisiana to reach the milestone. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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LSU sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett will not be changing his number five amidst a controversy with Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Restaurants – especially those which specialize in salads – are going the extra mile to ensure their produce is safe amid the cyclospora outbreak. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Ochsner Transplant Institute completed its ten-thousandth organ transplant dating back to the Gulf South’s first heart transplant in 1970. That milestone puts the institute among the top 40 transplant centers in the country; and Institute Director Dr. Ari Cohen says it is a deeply personal vocation.

Cut 4 (11) “…with us lifelong.”

Cohen says the transplant program has grown exponentially in recent years, striving to stay on the cutting edge with robotic-assisted kidney transplants and pediatric heart and living-donor lung transplants. He says there are still over 100-thousand people across the country and two-thousand Louisianians waiting for a life-saving transplant.

Cut 5 (11) “…alive and well.”

Cohen says becoming an organ donor is a selfless act that can help save a life.

Cut 6 (13) “…supposed to live.”

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LSU cornerback D.J. Pickett does not have any intention of changing his number-five jersey despite backlash from former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who last wore the number. The Advocate’s Koki Riley spoke with Pickett’s father and says if anyone is backing down, it will be the Daniels camp.

Cut 7 (12) “…this whole thing.”

Pickett became the first Tiger to wear the number of a previous LSU Heisman-winner when he switched his number from three to five last week. Riley says LSU promised he could have the number when he asked all of the schools recruiting him if it was available. Riley says number five has become a standard for Pickett and his ten siblings since his oldest brother Jaylen wore it at Eastern Michigan.

Cut 8 (12) “…point of pride.”

Riley says the number is important to Pickett, but he still stuck around through a season at LSU and a coaching change while wearing number three. He says the Pickett family has appreciated Lane Kiffin’s willingness to stick by them and honor LSU’s promise but is upset by the situation it has left the sophomore in.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the first place.”

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Amid the cyclospora outbreak, restaurants – especially those which specialize in salads – are going the extra mile to reassure diners that the produce they serve is safe. Scott Henderson, the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette-based Salad Station, says whereas the lettuce responsible for the outbreak was imported from Mexico, his company’s lettuce is not imported from any foreign country.

Cut 10 (08) “…is always domestic.”

Henderson says the company has been in close contact with all of its suppliers throughout the entire ordeal.

Cut 11 (09) “…tracing it back.”

Henderson also notes that none of the lettuce or any of the other ingredients arrive at the stores pre-cut – everything is cut in the open, in clear view of the customers. He says despite heightened communication with customers, sales have been down since the outbreak started, and he’s afraid of another consequence.

Cut 12 (07) “…impacts on health.”

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Louisiana is losing film industry jobs at an alarming rate. Citing numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a new report from Giggster says Louisiana had the highest percentage of decline in film industry jobs since 2024 at more than 32-percent, and it had the fourth most total job losses from 2024 to 2025. IATSE (eye-AT-zee) Local 478 Business Agent Simonette Berry says Louisiana is in danger of losing a good chunk of what it had worked hard to build up in recent years.

Cut 13 (13)  “…infrastructure already here.”

Berry says with many countries offering aggressive tax incentives, Louisiana is not just competing with California and Georgia anymore.

Cut 14 (09) “…60-percent incentive.”

Berry says in order to remain competitive in the film arena, Louisiana needs to do what it can to keep pace with the tax credits that other states and other countries are offering to lure these jobs away.

Cut 15 (09) “…years in advance.”

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LSU coach Lane Kiffin says his team still has not started tackling, but he’s liked what he’s seen so far during fall camp.

Cut 16 (10) “…and playing physical.”

The Tigers hold their first scrimmage of preseason practice tomorrow. The team put on full pads for the first time this week, and Kiffin says there is a lot more work to be done.

Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. are known for their aggressive play calling, especially on fourth down. Kiffin says his teams have led the trend of going for it on fourth down more often, and they’re starting to see that replicated across the country.

Cut 17 (19) “…time to change.”

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LSU left tackle Jordan Seaton was a five-star addition out of the transfer portal this offseason. He has gotten a lot of practice reps against two more top transfer additions — edge rushers Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross. He says they compliment each other well.

Cut 18 (13) “..honest every day.”

The Tigers ranked bottom in the SEC in both rushing yards and touchdowns last season. Seaton says changing that is a top priority.

Cut 19 (14) “…on my stance.”

Coach Lane Kiffin’s 2025 Ole Miss team led the league in rushing touchdowns and was second in total rushing yards.

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The Saints kick off their preseason versus the Jaguars tomorrow. Former LSU receiver Barion Brown has been one of the stars of training camp, and he’ll play a big role as both a pass catcher and returner with the starters out tomorrow. Receiver Chris Olave says Brown reminds him a lot of former Saint Rashid Shaheed.

Cut 20 (13) “…and his future.”

Kickoff in the Superdome is at three p.m.

Jayden Daniels’ number will grace Death Valley once again, and the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is not happy about it. An attorney for Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness after the Tigers issued his number-five jersey to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Pickett is the first Tiger to be issued the number since Daniels moved on to the NFL.

Cut 9 (11)  “…strong argument.”

Coach Lane Kiffin said Pickett was promised the number five by the previous coaching staff during his recruitment, and he wanted to honor that promise. Pickett was made available to the media today and had a brief statement on the controversy.

Cut 12 (10) “…that’s all.” 

A former police officer accused of plotting a mass shooting at Jazz Fest back in April is a free man after a grand jury declines to indict him. 45-year-old Christopher Gillum was released from jail on June 30th after Attorney General Liz Murrill dropped the charges against him. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says while Gillum is off the hook for now, that doesn’t mean he’s completely out of the woods.

Cut 5 (13) “…jury for reconsideration.”

On a three to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission votes not to follow a judge’s recommendation that Meta should be required to provide exact job numbers and how much energy it plans to use for its massive data center in Richland Parish. Several members of the public urged the P-S-C to require Meta to release this information, including Democratic congressional candidate Rubia Garcia.

Cut 6 (06) “…people of Louisiana?”

A former police officer accused of plotting a mass shooting at JazzFest back in April is off the hook for now. Attorney General Liz Murrill drops charges of terrorizing against 45-year-old Christopher Gillum after a grand jury declines to indict him. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says whereas the standard is “beyond a reasonable doubt” in a trial, the standard in a grand jury proceeding is very low.

Cut 4 (14) “…support a prosecution.”

A new poll finds that Louisiana residents like to talk about politics much more than the average American. In a potential sign of civic health, PAR president Steven Procopio says only eight-percent of the respondents say they frequently post about politics on social media.

Cut 12 (08) “…in that.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will not require Meta to provide exact numbers on how many people will work at the AI data center in Richland Parish and how much energy it will use. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Jayden Daniels is furious that LSU has reissued his number 5. The former Heisman Trophy winner’s attorney has sent Athletic Director Verge Ausberry a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the school stop using his name, image and likeness as a result of giving that number to sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett.

A former police officer who was allegedly plotting a mass shooting at Jazz Fest earlier this year quietly had the charges against him dropped back in June. A grand jury in Louisiana declined to indict 45-year-old Christopher Gillum for terrorizing, after he was found at a Florida hotel in April with a handgun and several rounds of ammunition. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says a grand jury proceeding is not a trial.

Cut 3 (13) “…crime of terrorizing.”

Ciolino says if new evidence emerges, charges could be re-filed.

A 69-year-old Opelousas man is dead after being mauled by two dogs yesterday morning. Horace Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene. The dogs’ owner is now facing a negligent homicide charge. 

Former LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels is not happy that his number 5 has been reissued. His attorney has sent the school a cease and desist letter demanding that the school stop using his name, image and likeness. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says it may not be entirely Lane Kiffin’s fault, this is just another controversy for a coach steeped in it.

Cut 11 (12) “…for his player.”

We’re getting reaction to President Trump’s executive order that recommends splitting the MMR vaccine across three separate visits. One concern among a select few people is that vaccines involve injecting into the body a tiny amount of the virus that it’s intended to immunize against. LSU Health New Orleans professor Dr. Corey Hebert says combining the MMR Vaccine reduces that amount of virus even more.

Cut 6 (12) “…think you get.”

What does the medical community think of President Trump’s executive order splitting the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A report by WWNO public radio says Congresswoman and U.S. Senate Republican candidate Julia Letlow may have benefited financially by purchasing Meta stock after learning about the company’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A new poll finds Louisianians like talking politics. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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What does the medical community think of President Trump’s executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits? LSU Health professor Dr. Corey Hebert notes that the MMR vaccine, which has been administered as a combined dose since 1971, isn’t even available as separate vaccines in the U.S., but this executive order may pave the way for them to be available separately.

Cut 4 (09) “…that way yet.”

But Dr. Hebert notes that by separating them, you go from getting two shots – one at 12 months and one at four years – to getting six shots. And he says there’s no guarantee that separating them will provide any benefit.

Cut 5 (09) “…have that either.”

One concern among a select few people is that vaccines involve injecting into the body a tiny amount of the virus that it’s intended to immunize against. Hebert says combining the MMR Vaccine reduces that amount of virus even more.

Cut 6 (12) “…think you get.”

It’s important to note that Trump’s executive order is merely a recommendation and is not legally binding. All vaccine requirements for things like registering kids for public school are all established at the state level.

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Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow is facing questions over her purchase of Meta stock after reportedly signing a confidential agreement related to Meta’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. A report by WWNO says Letlow purchased Meta shares after signing the non-disclosure agreement. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the report raises red flags about whether politicians are getting access to information that could benefit them financially.

Cut 7 (09) “…of their work.”

This is not the first time Letlow has faced questions about potential insider trading. During the primary, political ads accused her of violating federal law by failing to timely disclose more than 200 stock transactions worth millions of dollars.

Letlow denied any wrongdoing, saying a third-party broker conducted the trades without her knowledge or direction. A representative for Letlow says she had no role in directing any of her trades, including the Meta transactions, and that the NDA played no role because she was unaware the trades were taking place.

Letlow is considered the favorite to become Louisiana’s next U.S. senator. Hogan says he does not expect the report to cost her significant support.

Cut 8 (09) “…to enrich himself.”

But Hogan says the story could resonate with voters who believe politicians face different rules than the general public. He says Letlow’s Democratic opponent, Jamie Davis, will likely make it an issue on the campaign trail.

Cut 9 (08)  “…here in Louisiana.”

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A new poll finds that Louisiana residents like to talk about politics much more than the average American. That conclusion is part of a survey conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. Reilly Center Director Michael DiResto says they surveyed more than one-thousand residents to gauge political polarization.

Cut 10 (11) “…it has not.”

DiResto says survey results found that people in Louisiana appear to feel just as negatively about the opposing political party as they do nationwide, but in Louisiana people are comfortable in talking with people they disagree with politically.

Cut 11 (06) “…their political belief.”

In a potential sign of civic health, PAR president Steven Procopio says only eight-percent of the respondents they frequently post about politics on social media.

Cut 12 (08) “…engaging in that.”

DiResto says 70-percent of the participants reported having a conversation with someone with different political views within the past month.

Cut 13 (11)  “…matter either way.”

The 2026 Louisiana Common Ground survey is part of an effort by LSU’s Public Policy Lab and Park to understand and reduce polarization while promoting dialogue and civic thought.

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UL-Lafayette football coach Michael Desormeaux identified two Baton Rouge-area freshmen as players to watch in Cajuns training camp. Leading wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. is still out with a bruised knee, and Desormeaux says Zachary product Kristion Brooks has stepped up with other injuries in the room.

Cut 14 (13) “…that are going.”

The Cajuns are also dealing with injuries in the linebacker room, as junior Lester Jones has missed the last three practices with a groin injury. Desormeaux says Catholic High School alum Harrison Kidder (ki-DARE) has made an impact there.

Cut 15 (13) “…playing physical.”

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LSU welcomed back two starters from last year’s offensive line — center Braelin Moore and right tackle Weston Davis. Transfers Jordan Seaton and Aliou Bah join fifth-year Tiger Bo Bordelon to fill out the rest of the unit. Moore says he feels they have the talent to win a Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in college football.

Cut 16 (16) “…two Super Bowls.”

Moore started 12 games for LSU last season after transferring from Virginia Tech. After head coach Brian Kelly was fired and almost all of the offensive staff that recruited him left, he still decided to come back to LSU so he could play for coach Lane Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis.

Cut 17 (16) “…do for me.”

Kiffin’s offense is known for it’s lighting-quick tempo. His Ole Miss squad last season averaged one snap every 23-and-a-half seconds of game time. Moore says he had to adjust to the pace, but it can be a lethal asset for the Tigers this season.

Cut 18 (13) “..for the defense.”

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The Saints host the Jaguars for a joint practice today. The teams square off in their preseason opener at three p.m. Saturday, but head coach Kellen Moore says the starters will see more action today and rest for the game. He says it will be an excellent opportunity for the team.

Cut 19 (17) “…need right now.”

Moore says the running back group will get great experience with tackling that they haven’t been able to see in camp so far. He says he knows the talent Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne have at the top of the room, but the joint practice gives a great chance to evaluate younger talents.

Cut 20 (14) “…to come alive.”

The state is in for another brutally hot weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the humidity is going to make it unbearable to be outside.

Cut 3 (10) “…into the weekend.”

Grymes says while parts of the state have seen some rain this week, today will likely be the last day we’ll see any rain for quite some time.

State representative Danny McCormick has proposed a ban on all AI-powered Flock cameras in Louisiana.  Despite their benefit to law enforcement, there’s been growing opposition to Flock cameras nationwide over privacy concerns. But Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says any abuse of the technology has been due to misuse by law enforcement, not the cameras themselves.

Cut 8 (10) “…abuse it.”

A new school year is underway, and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is optimistic the recent gains in student achievement will continue. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

At the outset of this school year, a 14-year-old Hammond boy is learning the hard way what not to bring to show-and-tell. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested the Hammond Eastside Upper School student for allegedly packing two BB guns inside his book bag this morning. There were no threats, although the school was briefly placed on lockdown.