In honor of its 100th anniversary, Southeastern Louisiana University achieved its 100-million-dollar campaign milestone. Kace Kieschnick reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The national champions are home. Andrew Greenstein is outside Alex Box Stadium, where LSU fans gave the College World Series champions a heroes’ welcome.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new law will create a TOPS Excellence Award for students who score a 31 or higher on the ACT and have a 3.5 GPA. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Southeastern Louisiana University reached its 100-million-dollar goal for its “Get There Together” fundraising campaign, celebrating 100 years of SLU. The university’s biggest fundraising campaign to date, university President Dr. William Wainwright says funds will go towards supporting scholarships and professorships.

Cut 4 (11) “…infrastructure improvements.”

The campaign is led by Honorary Chair and ABC Good Morning America Anchor Robin Roberts. Dr. Wainwright says the former Lion will return to Hammond in October for the ribbon cutting of the Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center.

Cut 5 (10) “…transformational investment.”

The initiative will continue to raise money throughout Southeastern’s centennial year. Dr. Wainwright says he’s proud of the continued growth of the university and hopes the current momentum can ensure a strong future. He invites everyone, not just alumni, to join the 100-year celebrations.

Cut 6 (10) “…our beloved Southeastern.”

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LSU fans give their team a heroes’ welcome after returning home after winning the College World Series. A few hundred braved the scorching heat outside Alex Box Stadium to welcome the team back from Omaha, including this man.

Cut 7 (05) “…was pretty cool.”

Fans both young and old came together to greet the team as they got off the buses.

Cut 8 (10) “…and everything else.”

Head Coach Jay Johnson says winning the second title in four years was just as good as winning the first one, and he’s very proud of his players.

Cut 9 (10)  “…to be champions.”

There will be a championship celebration at Alex Box Stadium tomorrow night at seven.

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Drivers are starting to see the effects of the conflict in the Middle East at the gas pumps. But will it last long? Dr. Greg Upton, the executive director of the Center for Energy Studies at LSU, says what’s interesting to consider is that the price of crude actually dropped seven percent after Iran retaliated on U.S. military bases.

Cut 10 (10) “…these geopolitical shocks.”

Dr. Upton says interestingly, the Middle East crisis should not have much of a long-term impact on the oil market.

Cut 11 (09) “…of this magnitude.”

Upton says the longer term trend will be on where companies will decide where to deploy their long-term capital to provide products derived from oil.

Cut 12 (07) “…investments are made.”

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A new law will adjust Louisiana’s TOPS scholarship program to provide a new “Excellence” award for the state’s top-scoring high schoolers. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner says his bill creates a new distinction for students with over a 3.5 GPA and a 31 ACT score.

Cut 13 (08)  “…tuition or fees.”

Students who qualify can receive up to 12-thousand dollars to cover tuition at any Louisiana university. Turner says this may not be the end for changes to the program. He says TOPS is an investment in the state’s best and brightest students, and like any investment, Turner hopes to see a return.

Cut 14 (10) “…state on that.”

Students currently receiving TOPS will not be eligible for the new award. Turner says his original idea was to level off TOPS and allow scholarship money to follow the student, but university discrepancies and opposition changed plans before the bill found support in the legislature.

Cut 15 (10) “…bent in.”

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Another season, another title for LSU baseball. Bill Franques is the longtime public address announcer at Alex Box Stadium and has been with the program for all eight of its national championships. He says the 2025 team is a special one.

Cut 16 (09) “…made the difference.”

Franques says what really made the difference for the Tigers this season was their defense.

Cut 17 (17)  “…defensive first baseman.”

And while LSU certainly had the most dominant pitching rotation, bolstered by their top two starters Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, they all had a secret weapon in front of them.

Cut 18 (10)  “…handled those guys.”

Franques was on the field in Omaha during the title celebration and says this one was extra special.

Cut 19 (13) “…ever has been.”

A new law increasing penalties for drivers lingering in the left lane is set to take effect August 1. Senator Jay Luneau says his bill works to prevent high-speed accidents and road rage caused by vehicles driving side by side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…incredibly high.”

Currently, drivers traveling 10 miles per hour or more below the speed limit in the left lane are subject to a $100 fine. The new law lowers that threshold to just 1 mile per hour below the speed limit.

Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina goes out of its way to give residents in one Baton Rouge retirement community the experience of a lifetime. St. James Place went viral after holding its own Jello shot challenge in tribute to the one that Rocco’s does. Tonya Dixon, the director of active lifestyles, then had the idea of actually bringing in Rocco’s pizza.

Cut 6 (05) “…right with Domino’s.”

Rocco’s teamed up with Omaha Steaks. And with a little help from Circa Las Vegas, they delivered 30 pizzas, hot dogs and hamburgers in time for yesterday afternoon’s game.

Two juveniles were involved in a UTV crash late Saturday night in Rapides Parish, leaving one dead and two injured. Kace Kieschnick reports…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

For the eighth time in school history, LSU has won the College World Series. They swept Coastal Carolina in two straight to win the title. This fan says LSU’s two aces, Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, were the difference as they neutralized Coastal’s hitters.

Cut 14 (09) “…let’s rock.”

There were fireworks early in yesterday’s Game Two – by Coastal Carolina’s coaching staff. Chanticleers Head Coach Kevin Schnall and First Base Coach Matt Schilling were ejected in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes. After the game, an animated Schnall said he did not hear he was warned because it was so loud in the ballpark.

Cut 18 (16)  “…tolerance.”

A three-judge panel at the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a lower court’s ruling that Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom is unconstitutional. Loyola University New Orleans law professor Dane Ciolino says the ruling was not unexpected.

Cut 10 (15) “…the First Amendment.”

State Attorney General Liz Murrill is putting out an urgent warning about the growing presence of illegal gambling websites and apps in Louisiana. Murrill says it’s very easy for someone to get their hands on a real-money gambling app, despite being illegal.

Cut 7 (13) “…State of Louisiana.”

The LSU Tigers are once again at the top of the college baseball mountain. They swept Coastal Carolina to win the College World Series. Head Coach Jay Johnson built a very talented team after the Tigers were eliminated in the Chapel Hill Regional last June. He says once he put all of the pieces in place, the team came together very quickly.

Cut 16 (18) “…the season.”

Not only did LSU win the College World Series, they dominated Rocco’s Jello Shot Challenge. No, they ANNIHILATED it! LSU fans scarfed down 52,390 Jello shots during the tournament, over 18-thousand more than the other seven teams combined! As a result, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank will soon be 52-thousand-390 dollars richer.

Online gambling in Louisiana for the most part is illegal, and the attorney general says it’s a growing problem. Colleen Crain reports.

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While gas prices are on the rise, they’re still cheaper than they were a year ago. GasBuddy Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says expect them to continue to climb as we head into the summer.

Cut 6 (05) “…anticipated yet.”

DeHaan says tensions in the Middle East will also have a direct effect on gas prices.

Rising tensions in the Middle East are creating rising gas prices in the U.S.  Sean Richardson has more.

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Online gambling in Louisiana for the most part is illegal in Louisiana, and the attorney general says it’s a growing problem. Colleen Crain reports.

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LSU is once again at the top of the college baseball world. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Gas prices, which were recently at a four-year low before Memorial Day, may soon surge due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. GasBuddy Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says for now gas prices are in a solid upward trend for the next few weeks..

Cut 4 (10) “…more substantially.”

Diesel prices are going up more than gasoline prices.  DeHaan says the reason for that is diesel inventory is nearly 20-percent below the 20-year average.

Cut 5 (08) “…10 to 20 cents.”

DeHaan says gas prices are still cheaper than they were a year ago, but expect gas to continue to climb as we head into the summer

Cut 6 (05) “…anticipated yet.”

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State Attorney General Liz Murrill is putting out an urgent warning about the growing presence of online gambling websites and apps in Louisiana. Online casinos that offer gaming for real money, like slots and poker, are illegal in Louisiana. But Murrill says despite that, it is still very easy for someone to get their hands on a real-money gambling app.

Cut 7 (13) “…State of Louisiana.”

Murrill says in order to be licensed in Louisiana, there is a process that gaming operators have to go through.

Cut 8 (10) “…or money laundering.”

While casino gaming like slots and poker are illegal, other forms of gambling like sweepstakes, sports betting and daily fantasy sports are legal. Murrill says if someone places a wager on an unlicensed online casino app, that person has no recourse.

Cut 9 (07)  “…illegal gambling site.”

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board issued more than 40 cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed operators doing business in the state.

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A three-judge panel at the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a lower court’s ruling that Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom is unconstitutional. Loyola University New Orleans law professor Dane Ciolino says the ruling was not unexpected.

Cut 10 (15) “…the First Amendment.”

Ciolino says while analysis of that 1980 ruling has evolved since then, the overall essence of the opinion has held steady, as evidenced by the panel’s ruling that stated that the law is, in its words, “plainly unconstitutional.”

Cut 11 (13) “…pass constitutional muster.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill says she strongly disagrees with the panel’s ruling and will seek immediate relief from the full Fifth Circuit and, if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court. Ciolino says there’s no guarantee that the Supreme Court will even take up the case.

Cut 12 (08) “…this statute’s unconstitutional.”

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As LSU was winning its eighth national championship in Omaha, fans were gathered at sports bars throughout the Baton Rouge area some 900 miles away to watch the crowning moment. This fan says the Tigers made the plays they had to make, and that’s why they’re the champions.

Cut 13 (09)  “…they made ’em.”

This fan says LSU’s two aces were the difference as they neutralized Coastal Carolina’s hitters.

Cut 14 (09) “…let’s rock.”

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The LSU baseball team is national champions for an eighth time as the Tigers took down Coastal Carolina two games to none with a five to three win on Sunday afternoon in Omaha. Jay Johnson becomes the first college baseball coach to win two national championships in his first four seasons at a school.

Cut 15 (09) “…some ways.”

Johnson built a very a talented team after the Tigers were eliminated in the Chapel Hill Regional last June. He says once he put all of the pieces in place, the team came together quickly.

Cut 16 (18) “…the season.”

This team featured veterans, impact freshmen and a dozen transfer players, many of them were major pieces to this national championship team. Centerfielder Chris Stanfield, a transfer form Auburn, says Johnson sold him on the vision.

Cut 17 (16)  “…LSU is.”

Stanfield’s two-run single in the fourth inning snapped a one-one tie.

Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Schnall wanted most of this game from the locker room. He was ejected in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes. Schnall thought it was a quick hook after not hearing he was warned because it was so loud in the stadium.

Cut 18 (16)  “…tolerance.”

Anthony Eyanson was the winning pitcher. He earned his 12th win of the year by striking out nine over six and a third innings and allowing just three runs on a hot afternoon. Eyanson transferred in from UC Davis with the goal of winning a national championship.

Cut 19 (19) “…obviously.”

Gas prices throughout Louisiana are creeping up. They’ve climbed to $2.83 a gallon for regular, up from $2.74 last week. Don Redman with Triple-A says the nearly 10-cent increase is driven by rising crude oil prices and uncertainty fueled by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of this war.”

It’s going to be a scorcher as summer officially gets underway this weekend. LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim says so far the tropics have been quiet thanks to the Saharan Air acting as a protective layer for the last few weeks, but don’t expect that to last long.

Cut 13 (07)  “…above normal.”

It was nearly a year ago that Hurricane Beryl formed in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Texas in early July.

The last two teams left standing in the College World Series, LSU and Coastal Carolina, get set to begin their championship series. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A three-judge panel at the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a lower court’s ruling that Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is unconstitutional. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she disagrees with the decision and says she will seek immediate relief from the full Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.

It’s going to be a scorcher as summer officially gets underway this weekend. LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim says so far the tropics have been quiet thanks to the Saharan Air acting as a protective layer for the last few weeks, but don’t expect that to last long.

Cut 13 (07)  “…above normal.”

It was nearly a year ago that Hurricane Beryl formed in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Texas in early July.

The issue of lawmaker safety is now at the forefront following the shootings last weekend of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says with the legislative session over, there are currently no plans to beef up security for lawmakers.

Cut 5 (04) “…in other areas.”

DeVillier says the shootings should serve as a reminder that public officials – elected or otherwise – should moderate their messaging.

During LSU’s run through the College World Series, Mardi Gras Mike has been taking the City of Omaha by storm. Mardi Gras Mike is a 30-foot-long tiger sculpture created by Kern Studios of New Orleans. Barry Kern, the CEO of Kern Studios, says he got the inspiration to create the sculpture when he saw how much fun LSU fans were having during the Tiger Walk before their home football game against Ole Miss last season.

Cut 7 (11) “…just built it.”

Kern says Mardi Gras Mike will be a part of the greater LSU community – not just athletics – for many years to come.

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

A new report from WalletHub shows financial problems loom large in Louisiana. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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As LSU gets ready to take on Coastal Carolina for the national championship at the College World Series, their fans are blowing out the competition in the Jello Shot Challenge across the street. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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ULM discontinued its women’s tennis program as it works to balance its athletic budget. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

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A new report from WalletHub shows financial hardships loom large in this state. Its first quarter report shows Louisiana with the second highest percentage of delinquent accounts, with 13-percent of tradelines and nearly 12-percent of loan balances delinquent. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says this signals risks to credit scores and financial stability.

Cut 4 (11) “…to be damaged.”

Lupo says it’s a statewide issue, but he says with investments from Meta and restrictions being lifted in the petroleum industry, the economic forecast looks promising.

Cut 5 (05) “…which is key.”

Delinquency can trigger fees, higher interest rates, and credit damage; but hardship programs and a 30-day grace period may offer relief. Lupo says the best course of action is to reach out to your lender and make a payment to become current on your account.

Cut 6 (10) “…several years.”

The only state with a higher percentage of delinquent accounts, according to the report, is Mississippi.

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As LSU gets set to do battle with Coastal Carolina for the national championship at the College World Series, there’s no doubt as to who’s running away with the title in the Jello Shot Challenge at Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina across the street. Of the eight teams represented, Rocco’s has sold more than three times the number of LSU Jello Shots than the second place team. Manager Pat McAvoy says LSU has been bolstered by a few heavy hitters, including Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves.

Cut 7 (10) “…we did that.”

There seems to be a few people taking aim at Graves, including Baton Rouge injury lawyer Gordon McKernan, who’s buying 888 Jello Shots every day LSU remains in the tournament – yes, there’s a reason for that number; and, no, we’re not saying what that reason is (he can take it up with our sales department). McAvoy says that friendly rivalry is boosting LSU’s – and Rocco’s – numbers.

Cut 8 (14) “…Todd did it.”

One dollar of every Jello Shot sold in the Jello Shot Challenge goes to the local food bank in each school’s local area, and 50 cents of each Jello Shot sold goes to the Food Bank of Omaha. For that reason, McAvoy says Graves, McKernan and Morrison are more than happy to part ways with their money, even if the Jello Shots they buy end up unconsumed.

Cut 9 (15)  “…they cared about.”

McAvoy says since they started the Jello Shot Challenge, they have raised more than 350-thousand dollars for food banks across the country.

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A milestone for East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, as it has successfully completed its first heart transplant. It was performed on a woman in her early 60s by Dr. Jamil Borgi (BORE-jee) and Dr. Sasha Vukelic (voo-KELL-itch). Dr. Vukelic says the patient is recovering well at home.

Cut 10 (13) “…it becomes stable.”

Dr. Vukelic says while the procedure took about two hours, recovery time is considerably longer.

Cut 11 (11) “…around two months.”

The surgery was done through a partnership with the Tulane Transplant Institute and LCMC Health. Vukelic says a new heart will add several years to a patient’s life.

Cut 12 (10) “…is 14 years.”

With this initial heart transplant under its belt, that will create additional opportunities for additional cardiovascular care in a state that ranks among the highest for heart disease.

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ULM announced its women’s tennis program would be discontinued due to increased operating and infrastructure costs. The Warhawks now sponsor the NCAA minimum 16 sports as required for an FBS program. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says this was an unfortunate fiscal necessity.

Cut 13 (09)  “…and expenditures.”

The program consisted of eight scholarship athletes, a head coach and an assistant coach. Hartwell says ULM will honor the undergraduate scholarships awarded to its tennis student athletes if they choose to stay in Monroe. As the students graduate or transfer, he says the scholarships will be reallocated to other women’s sports.

Cut 14 (09) “…ratio is.”

Hartwell says the cut was not motivated by the upcoming introduction of revenue sharing to college athletics. He says ULM will continue to offer its athletes N-I-L opportunities and has investigated individual-supported revenue sharing options.

Cut 15 (08) “…revenue share.”

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LSU will face Coastal Carolina in a best-of-three championship series for the College World Series title. The Chanticleers have won 26-straight and have only lost one three-game series all year. A Cinderella to some, LSU coach Jay Johnson knows not to underestimate this Coastal program.

Cut 16 (20) “…program traits.”

Unlike Coastal Carolina’s dominant run, the Tigers have overcome adversity on their path to the championship series. After surviving a scare from Little Rock in the Baton Rouge Regional and dominating West Virginia in Super Regional, LSU has trailed in the last two games they’ve played in Omaha, but they’re still undefeated at Charles Schwab. Johnson says this team is built for anything.

Cut 17 (15)  “…on Saturday.”

LSU will have both of their ace pitchers, Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, available for the series — a luxury the 2023 championship team didn’t enjoy due to their path through the loser’s bracket. Johnson says avoiding a winner-take-all rematch with Arkansas was crucial.

Cut 18 (16)  “…got me now. (laughter)”

Game one is set for 6:00 tomorrow night.

State Senator Blake Miguez is pulling no punches in telling voters how he feels about Senator Bill Cassidy in his video announcing his candidacy for U.S. Senate. He’s reminding voters of a certain vote Cassidy took four years ago in the second impeachment trial of then-former President Donald Trump.

Cut 6 (07) “…I won’t. (gunshot)”

While Miguez is painting Cassidy as someone who does not stand with President Trump, Cassidy says that simply is not true.

Cut 8 (12) “…gotten them approved.”

Cassidy says he welcomes both the challenge by Miguez and the attack ad, saying it’s not the first and won’t be the last. Miguez is the second prominent Republican to announce a primary challenge against Cassidy, after State Treasurer John Fleming. The primary election is next April.

The Louisiana State and U-S Open Turkey Calling competition starts tomorrow in Hammond.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU is getting ready to face Coastal Carolina in the best-of-three national championship series at the College World Series. Game One is Saturday night. Even though the cast of characters is different, LSU actually has a score to settle with the Chanticleers; en route to their national title in 2016, Coastal eliminated the Tigers in the Baton Rouge Super Regional.

President Trump signed an executive order extending TikTok’s operation in the U.S. for 90 days, marking the third extension as his administration seeks to transfer the app to American ownership.  Tech Gumbo Host Haggai Davis says at some point these executive orders will wear thin.

Cut 13 (08)  “…somethings got to give.”

Amid primary challenges from State Treasurer John Fleming and now State Senator Blake Miguez, Senator Bill Cassidy defended his record in his two terms representing the people of Louisiana.

Cut 9 (08)  “…ever gotten before.”

Cassidy says he welcomes the primary challenges and Miguez’s attack ad, saying it’s not the first one and likely won’t be the last one. The campaign is getting off to a chippy start and it has a long way to go; the primary election is not until next April.

The Louisiana State and U-S Open Turkey Calling competition starts tomorrow in Hammond.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU is getting ready to face Coastal Carolina in the best-of-three national championship series at the College World Series. Game One is Saturday night. Even though the cast of characters is different, LSU actually has a score to settle with the Chanticleers; en route to their national title in 2016, Coastal eliminated the Tigers in the Baton Rouge Super Regional.