The midterm elections haven’t happened yet, but speculation in the 2028 presidential election is already underway. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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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.”

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LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is making no apologies for how he’s built his roster for the upcoming season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The midterm elections are a little more than a month away, but speculation is already underway as to who will run for president in two years. Among those considering a run for the White House on the Democratic side is former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. He expressed his interest in an interview with Politico, saying he expects to make a decision by the end of the year. LSU New Orleans political scientist Ed Chervenak says Landrieu is quite prominent within Democratic circles.

Cut 4 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

Landrieu was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1988 to 2004 before serving as lieutenant governor from 2004 until his resignation in 2010 when he took over as mayor of New Orleans, a post he held until 2018. Chervenak says not holding elected office since then shouldn’t be a detriment for Landrieu.

Cut 5 (08) “…of those connections.”

If Landrieu does decide to get into the race, he can expect to be in a very crowded field. Chervenak says as such, Landrieu will need to work extra hard to separate himself.

Cut 6 (08) “…support or not.”

The field is also expected to be crowded on the Republican side, with no incumbent eligible to run for re-election due to term limits as spelled out in the 22nd Amendment.

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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.”

Simon says while sugarcane farmers routinely use dyed diesel on their farms, they rely on taxed diesel to haul the sugarcane to the mills.

Cut 8 (08) “…on the roads.”

Simon says now that those truck drivers can use dyed diesel to haul the sugarcane to the mills through October 22nd without penalty, that could yield around eight-million dollars in economic relief to the sugarcane industry.

Cut 9 (08)  “…question about that.”

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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 facility will be in the Bywater neighborhood, and it will include a training demonstration system that will be operational early next year.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the clock.”

The company, which was founded last year, is expected to create 41 new direct jobs. Feig 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.”

There’s a demand for small nuclear power plants to provide the power needed to run data centers and other facilities that need a lot of energy to operate. Feig says Applied Atomics investment builds on Louisiana’s broader strategy to expand its role in the nuclear energy industry.

Cut 12 (11) “…along the river.”

Applied Atomics headquarters is not a nuclear power generation site, and no radioactive materials will be handled, processed or stored at the facility.

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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.”

All four of the players currently listed on the roster are transfers, meaning Wade will be starting from scratch for his second stint in Baton Rouge. He 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.”

Wade was fired as the Tigers’ head coach in 2022 amid accusations of NCAA violations. He led the Tigers to a 108-and-54 record in five seasons but says that will not be enough this time around.

Cut 15 (13) “…to be better (2x).”

LSU has its first exhibition game at McNeese on October 8th.

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Both LSU and Texas A-and-M will be looking to rebound from disappointing losses when the teams square off in Tiger Stadium this weekend. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says quarterback Sam Leavitt has admitted he had a bad outing against Ole Miss, and the home game will be a chance to get back on track.

Cut 16 (19) “…better this week.”

Texas A-and-M lost to Kentucky 31-21 as over 16-point favorites last week. The Aggies gave up 21 points in the third quarter, but Kiffin says that coach Mike Elko will have his team ready to play better when they come to Baton Rouge.

Cut 17 (12) “…we’re excited about.”

Aggies coach Mike Elko says it was one of the worst defensive performances in his time in College Station.

Cut 18 (14) “…us last week.”

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The Saints host the Raiders in their home opener on Sunday. After the team’s upset win over the Ravens and comeback against the Lions, there is a lot of excitement in New Orleans around the black and gold. Head Coach Kellen Moore says the team won’t be listening to its own hype.

Cut 19 (14) “…a fun battle.”

It will be the first game back in the Superdome since the start of the preseason. Quarterback Tyler Shough expects to see a full house.

Cut 20 (15) “…our detail.”

Kickoff is set for 3:25.

Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel on vehicles that use public roads and highways. It suspends the penalty for using off-road fuel in licensed highway vehicles through October 22nd. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the rise in diesel costs comes at a bad time.

Cut 5 (11) “…at harvest.”

Veterinarians are urging pet owners to make sure their pets are vaccinated after a dog tests positive for rabies earlier this month. Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says humans can get rabies too.

Cut 10 (14) “…through rabbits.” 

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office is investigating allegations that an LSU football player raped an LSU student. LSU originally suspended the student athlete for two semesters; but when the new school year began, that punishment was reduced to two year’s probation. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says it sounds like LSU followed Title Nine requirements.

Cut 7 (08) “…not theres.”

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.”

Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel, suspending the penalty for using off-road fuel in licensed highway vehicles through October 22nd. Richard Fontenot, the president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, says the record cost of diesel affects expenses for farmers across the board, especially during peak harvesting time.

Cut 4 (09) “…and can’t do.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a case of rabies in a dog earlier this month. Dr. Mark Mitchell with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says especially since rabies is almost 100-percent fatal, this underscores the importance of vaccinating your pets as required by law.

Cut 9 (12)  “…interact with them.”

An LSU student alleges she was raped by a football player last October and has asked the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office to investigate. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

El Nino may be preventing hurricanes from forming in the Atlantic this year, but the weather pattern is causing other kinds of issues. In fact, the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab estimates that this year’s El Nino could be responsible for more than 450-thousand deaths worldwide – mostly in the Southern Hemisphere due to extreme heat.

An LSU student says she was raped by an LSU football player last October on campus prompting an investigation by the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says sexual assault cases can be difficult to prosecute.

Cut 6 (05) “…a reasonable doubt.”

The accuser says LSU suspended the student athlete for two semesters; but at the start of this academic year, that punishment was reduced to two years probation. 

Veterinarians are urging pet owners to make sure their pets are vaccinated after a dog tests positive for rabies earlier this month. Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says humans can get rabies too.

Cut 10 (14) “…through rabbits.” 

Governor Landry issues an executive order that allows for the use of nontaxable, dyed diesel fuel in highway vehicles that are engaged in ag and timber harvesting operations. Kace Kieshnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you’re into heavily-modified vehicles, don’t drive them in Central. The Baton Rouge-area city is cracking down on squatted vehicles – those with the front ends at least six inches higher than the rear ends. Central Police say those caught driving squatted vehicles will be ticketed and will have their vehicles towed.

Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel on vehicles that use public roads and highways. It suspends the penalty for using off-road fuel in licensed highway vehicles through October 22nd. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the rise in diesel costs comes at a bad time.

Cut 5 (11) “…at harvest.”

Commodity prices are also on the rise, which is helping farmers absorb those high diesel costs. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto notes that while fuel costs have risen 60-percent since March, farm commodities like corn, soybeans and rice have risen nearly 20-percent since January.

Cut 23 (10) “…four-month period.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a case of rabies in a dog earlier this month. It’s the first case of canine rabies in Louisiana since 2014 and the fifth in the state in the last 20 years. Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says especially since rabies is almost 100-percent fatal, this underscores the importance of vaccinating your pets as required by law.

Cut 9 (12)  “…interact with them.”

The OMV rolls out a new system designed to support driver licenses, ID cards, credential management and future digital government services, replacing the previous half-century-old technology. Governor Landry says the CHAMP system will make for an easier experience.

Cut 15 (10) “…vehicle registration system.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office is investigating allegations that an LSU football player raped an LSU student. Kendall Danielle says LSU found the player responsible for rape and suspended the student athlete for two semesters; but when the semester began this year, that punishment was reduced to two year’s probation. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says it sounds like LSU followed Title Nine requirements.

Cut 7 (08) “…not theres.”

Governor Landry issued an executive order to allow Louisiana farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel. Richard Fontenot, the president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, says the record cost of diesel affects expenses for farmers across the board, especially during peak harvesting time.

Cut 4 (09) “…and can’t do.”

The OMV moves into the 21st century with a new system for drivers licenses and other services to replace the half-century-old system. Governor Landry says CHAMP gives the public a faster, simpler way to get the services they need. In a video announcement, Landry spoke with a 13-year employee at an OMV office in Baton Rouge.

Cut 14 (13) “…is an upgrade.”

Commodity prices are on the rise, and that’s helping farmers absorb the higher costs of things like fuel and fertilizer. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto says despite that, many farmers are still struggling to cover the high costs of production.

Cut 9 (10)  “…costs have gone.”

The OMV rolls out a new system designed to support driver licenses, ID cards, credential management and future digital government services, replacing the previous half-century-old technology. Governor Landry says the CHAMP system will save taxpayers 30-million dollars and will make for an easier experience.

Cut 15 (10) “…vehicle registration system.”

Louisiana is closing the digital divide at among the fastest rates in the country. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gar), the executive director of Connect-L-A, says whereas other states could take as long as six years to fully close the digital divide, Louisiana is on pace to do so in just two more years.

Cut 5 (13) “…100-percent.”

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a reported rape involving an LSU student athlete. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A former high school band director is arrested on juvenile sex allegations. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says the alleged victim, who’s now an adult, came forward and accused 56-year-old Kevin Williams of sexual abuse over the course of several years while in the Haughton High School band program. Bossier Schools says Williams is no longer employed by the district.

An LSU student alleges she was raped by a football player, and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office is investigating her allegation. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Police arrest 32 people over the weekend in response to increased criminal activity in Ouachita and Morehouse parishes. State Trooper Ryan Davis says most of them were fugitives.

Cut 7 (06) “…court system.”

A Kenner business owner is accused of recording people inside the bathroom of his business. A woman discovered a camera mounted underneath the sink when she used the bathroom at the business owned by 57-year-old Henry Rios. Kenner Deputy Police Chief Mark McCormick says detectives seized three additional concealed surveillance cameras last week, and a search of those cameras uncovered some startling findings.

Cut 13 (07) “…videos or images.”

And McCormick says that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg, as detectives have also recovered 13 thumb drives, five memory cards and a hidden camera disguised as an LED alarm clock. 

Not everyone believes Governor Landry’s idea of halting diesel exports for 90 days is the answer to getting prices under control. In fact, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says that will only have the opposite effect. President Tommy Faucheux says diesel pipelines are already operating at capacity.

Cut 3 (08) “…to export them.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is investigating an alleged rape involving an LSU football player. On TikTok, LSU student Kendall Danielle says the player admitted during a Title Nine investigation to raping her last October. The player, whose name has not been made public, was suspended by LSU for one year but has since been allowed to return to campus.

Cut 9 (08)  “…similar to this.”

A Kenner business owner is accused of recording people inside the bathroom of his business. Kenner Deputy Police Chief Mark McCormick says a woman used the bathroom at the business owned by 57-year-old Henry Rios earlier this month and discovered a camera mounted underneath the sink.

Cut 12 (09) “…using the bathroom.” 

A subsequent investigation has so far confirmed three victims, although detectives believe there are many more.

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says Governor Landry’s plan to rein in diesel prices is counterproductive. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

State Police detectives are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Jefferson Davis Parish. According to the preliminary investigation, deputies found a man lying in a ditch behind the gas station he’s suspected of robbing. They say when he charged at them with a knife, a deputy shot the man. The suspect is being treated at a hospital. No deputies were injured.

An LSU student alleges she was raped by a football player, and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office is investigating her allegation. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Police arrest 32 people over the weekend in response to increased criminal activity in Ouachita and Morehouse parishes. State Trooper Ryan Davis says most of them were fugitives.

Cut 7 (06) “…court system.”

A Kenner business owner is facing felony charges for allegedly recording people inside the bathroom of his business. According to his LinkedIn profile, 57-year-old Henry Rios owns a sign and banner shop called ETC NOLA. Kenner Deputy Police Chief Mark McCormick is urging businesses which have done work with Rios to thoroughly inspect their workplaces.

Cut 14 (07) “…in our community.”

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says Governor Landry’s plan to rein in diesel prices by suspending exports for 90 days will only have the opposite effect. President Tommy Faucheux says with diesel pipelines already operating at capacity, halting exports will only cause a chain reaction series of events which will ultimately raise not only diesel prices, but also gasoline prices.

Cut 4 (10) “…that they produce.”