The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the gulf for the possibility of some tropical activity later this week. It’s not expected to be a wind or storm surge event but LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s likely we’ll see the effects late in the week and into the weekend.

Cut 11 (10) “…from this event.”

Heavy Rain could have been a factor in a single vehicle accident that took the lives of two LA Tech exchange students from Nepal. State police are investigating the accident that happened Sunday night on Hwy 80 during heavy rain. The driver and a passenger were killed when their Honda Accord traveled off the road before striking a tree and becoming engulfed in flames. Two other passengers were treated at an area hospital. The accident is under investigation. La Tech officials remind students that counseling services are available for those who need them.

Sun Belt CEOs reportedly voted to invite Louisiana Tech to the conference. Jeff Palermo broke down the move with Locked on Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU football brought in 18 veterans in the top-ranked transfer class this offseason. Head Coach Brian Kelly expects the class to bolster a defensive unit he acknowledged improved last season, but not to a championship level. He spoke at SEC media days this morning and says defensive coordinator Blake Baker is elite, and his players should be as well.

Cut 4 (14) “…level defense.”

A police chase in Lincoln Parish ends in the shooting death of the driver being pursued. Deputy Amanda Lyon with the Northeast Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit says deputies attempted a traffic stop Saturday night, but the driver instead took off.

Cut 6 (06) “…driver’s side window.”

The pursuit lasted for about 16 miles, ending near Paradise Point Lane where Deputies issued multiple commands for the suspect to drop the weapon, but LPSO says when the suspect made threatening movements, deputies discharged their firearms. The investigation is ongoing and the name of the victim has not yet been released.

We could see some tropical activity later this week. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the Gulf but LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim isn’t expecting a big wind event.

Cut 10 (09) “…across this area.”

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly took the podium at SEC Football Media Days this morning. Expectations have been high for Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in his second year starting. Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels posted historic Heisman-winning seasons in year two. Kelly says while that’s a steep comparison, he expects Nussmeier’s experience to help him improve.

Cut 3 (10) “…with that (x2).”

It’s official. Louisiana Tech is headed to the Sun Belt-bound after league officials voted to invite the Bulldogs this morning. The move was backed by Western schools like ULM and UL-Lafayette despite historic conflicts between the programs. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz expects the move to reignite heated in-state rivalries, especially in Lafayette.

Cut 13 (12)  “…on the field stuff.”

LSU’s proposed new arena project is facing yet another delay after the CEO of the firm, who was the sole finalist to build the facility, was indicted for allegedly rigging the bid process for a similar project at UT Austin. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says there’s a lot of unknown.

Cut 12 (11) “…right now reeling.”

They made it official in Vernon Parish Friday morning – Fort Johnson is now Fort Polk once again but not to honor Confederate General Leonidas Polk. It’s now named for General James H. Polk who served in WWII and the Korean War. They rededicated Louisiana’s largest military base in a 30-minute ceremony and Polk’s son, James H. Polk the Third spoke…

Cut 6 (10) “…James H. Polk.”

Senator Bill Cassidy keeps adding to his campaign war chest. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The funeral for well-known televangelist Jimmy Swaggert will be held this weekend at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge. Public viewing and wake will be Saturday 10 to 3 and the celebration of life will be Sunday evening at 6. Swaggart family spokesperson Megan Kelly says the Swaggart family has been overwhelmed by the personal messages and stories they’ve received.

Cut 10 (13) “…not in..”

The funeral will be broadcast on SonLife Broadcasting Network.

LSU is looking at delays in opening the new arena that was originally expected to break ground in July of 2024. CEO of the firm, who was the sole finalist to build the arena has been indicted for allegedly rigging the bid process for a similar project at UT. CEO of Oak View Group, Timothy Leiweke, allegedly eliminated competition for Texas’s Moody Center with lucrative concessions and premium-seat contracts. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says LSU officials are reeling…

Cut 13 (14)  “…fully investigated.”

Those waiting for a Bucee’s in the Lafayette area are going to need patience because the construction is paused and you can blame it on the rain at least partially. The general contractor, Triton Construction says the delay is due to design delays and poor weather conditions. No date for resuming construction has been announced but when complete the travel center is expected to create 150 jobs with pay starting a $17 per hour.

Funeral services for world-renowned televangelist Jimmy Swaggart will be held in Baton Rouge this weekend.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Republican Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign announces the US Senator from Baton Rouge raised a little more than two-million dollars during the second quarter of this year and he now has nine million in cash on hand. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy needs to be well-funded with two well-known Republican candidates challenging him in an April primary

Cut 3 (10) “…to spend.”

State Treasurer John Fleming and state senator Blake Miguez from Acadiana are challenging Cassidy in the newly created Republican primary.

Republican Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign announces the US Senator from Baton Rouge raised a over two-million dollars in the second quarter bringing him to nine million in cash on hand. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy needs to be well-funded with two well-known Republican candidates John Fleming and Blake Miguez challenging him in the April 18th primary. Pinsonat expects TV ads to begin after Labor Day weekend.

Cut 5 (05) “…approaching us.”

The funeral service for Reverend Jimmy Swaggart will be held at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge this weekend. A public viewing and wake is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a celebration of life service is Sunday evening at 6:00. Swaggart family spokesperson Megan Kelly says SonLife Broadcasting Network will also air the funderal. She says the celebration of life will be a combination of Swaggart’s life as a televangelist.

Cut 11 (08) “…the night.”

They made it official in Vernon Parish Friday morning – Fort Johnson is now Fort Polk once again but not after Confederate General Leonidas Polk. The new name honors General James H. Polk who served in WWII and the Korean War.  At the renaming ceremony, Polk’s son, James H. Polk the Third paid tribute to Sergeant William Henry Johnson whose name graced the Fort between the two Polks.

Cut 8 (12) “…that he was.”

The Army announced during the ceremony that on July 24th, its installation post exchange will be dedicated as the Sergeant William Henry Johnson Exchange.

LSU’s proposed new arena project is facing yet another delay after the CEO of the firm, who was the sole finalist to build the facility, was indicted for allegedly rigging the bid process for a similar project at UT Austin. Groundbreaking for LSU was expected in 2024 but not until May of this year did LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward announce the Oak View Group bid. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says the arena was expected to be finished in 2029.

Cut 14 (12) “…of this year.”

Matthew Mire who in 2021, murdered Louisiana State Trooper Adam Gaubert and Ascension Parish resident Pamela Adair has made a plea deal that spares his life. The agreement will sentence him to 2 life sentences plus 348 and a half years in prison for his multi-parish crime spree that also left three other people injured. The deal means Mire will avoid a trial. Sentencing was handed down in Ascension Parish and will also need to be formalized in part in Livingston Parish for the crimes in that parish.

A two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 17 in Richland Parish Tuesday night left two dead and one injured. State Trooper Ryan Davis says the crash claimed the lives of 28-year-old driver Billie Myers and 59-year-old James Washington. Driver of the GMC Terrain, 18-year-old, Alexis Cox is stable with serious injuries.

Cut 6 (12) “…head on.”

Neither Myers nor Washington was wearing a seat belt. Davis says vehicles carry massive amounts of energy.

Iconic musician Paul McCartney is bringing his “Got Back Tour” to New Orleans. Michelle Southern has more on his October 29th show at the Smoothie King Center…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Five-star University Lab lineman Lamar Brown announced his commitment to LSU on ESPN2 today. With his Cubs teammates behind him in front of a packed U High gym, ESPN’s top overall recruit put on the purple LSU cap and revealed a gold Tigers baseball jersey.

Cut 9 (11)  “…(applause) go Tigers.”

The Baton Rouge native chose the Tigers over Texas, Texas A&M and Miami, and it was reportedly a tight race between the Aggies and Tigers

Colorado State University researchers have decreased their hurricane season forecast. Experts are now predicting 16 named storms, including eight hurricanes and three major hurricanes, one less than the school’s initial prediction for each category. C-S-U lead researcher Phil Klotzbach credits wind shear in the Caribbean

Cut 10 (10) “…the reduction.”

Researchers still predict slightly above average activity due to warm Atlantic temperatures and other factors

This may be FEMA’s last hurricane season as President Trump talks of doing away with the agency. The FEMA Review Council met in New Orleans yesterday. Governor Jeff Landry says the panel was set up by President Trump to create an agency that prioritizes efficiency over bureaucracy when a natural disaster strikes.

Cut 8 (12) “…in 2020.”

Music legend Paul McCartney is coming back to New Orleans as his “Get Back Tour” makes a stop at the Smoothie King Center on October 29^th. NOLA-dot-com entertainment reporter Keith Spera says

83-year-old Sir Paul is still and elite performer and has a long history with the city…

Cut 5 (14) “…studio.”

The presale for tickets will begin next Tuesday and tickets for the general public will be available a week from Friday.

A long overdue honor for a Louisiana military hero who was killed in action more than eight decades ago. Marine Private First Class Harry LeBert was killed in June of 1944 during World War Two. His then unidentified remains were transferred to the Philippines in the 1950s then to Hawaii three years ago where DNA testing conclusively put LeBert’s name with his body.  Louisiana V-A Secretary Charlton Meginley says LeBert was interred July 2nd at Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.

Cut 26 (10) “…was finally home.”

The FEMA Review Council, which is looking to make major reforms to the federal disaster response agency, held its second meeting in New Orleans. Last month, President Trump said he wants to phase out FEMA after the current hurricane season. Governor Jeff Landry, who attended yesterday’s meeting, says the President’s goal is to have a competent and functional agency whether that’s FEMA or something else.

Cut 7 (10) “…that need”

An Iranian woman taken by ICE from her New Orleans home last month is back home. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 27 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Legendary musician Paul McCartney is returning to New Orleans as his “Get Back Tour” will make a stop at the Smoothie King Center on October 29^th. NOLA-dot-com entertainment reporter Keith Spera says McCartney is 83-years-old, but he is still an elite performer, and he put in a Hard Day’s Night at his last New Orleans performance in 2019…

Cut 3 (08) “…any performer.”

The presale for tickets will begin next Tuesday and tickets for the general public will be available a week from Friday.

St. Gabriel police captain Devin Boutte was found stabbed to death in his home Sunday morning. Authorities report the officer had an on-and-off domestic relationship with the suspect and was under investigation for corruption. 25-year-old Warren Mitchell III admitted to stabbing Boutte multiple times. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says the suspect sold drugs for Boutte.

LSU head coach Jay Johnson was named D! Baseball Coach of the Year after winning his second national championship in Baton Rouge. It is his second time receiving the honor after earning the same award from the American Baseball Coaches Association in June. Johnson is the fastest coach to win two national titles with a program after taking home two trophies in four years at LSU.

Cut 3 (11) “…doing together.”

The United Cajun Navy is in the Texas Hill Country helping with search and rescue efforts following the catastrophic flash flooding that has so far killed 108 people. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana is responding to the disaster through its UnitedGulf disaster relief campaign. Volunteer Coordinator Ashley Norman says the very best thing you can donate right now is money.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of logistical work.”

To donate, text UNITEDGULF to 40403 or visit unitedwayswla.org/unitedgulf

The United Cajun Navy is in Texas helping with the search and rescue operation in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 100 people have been killed in flash floods. So far, United Cajun Navy searchers have found 11 bodies. Vice President Brian Trascher…

Cut 7 (12) “…to be there”

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana Volunteer Coordinator Ashley Norman says the best way to help is to give cash and it’s easy with their UnitedGulf disaster relief campaign.

Cut 11 (10) “…slash-united-gulf.”

(Text UNITEDGULF to 40403 or visit unitedwayswla.org/unitedgulf)

St. Gabriel police captain Devin Boutte was found stabbed to death in his home Sunday morning and reportedly had an on-and-off domestic relationship with his accused killer, 25-year-old Warren Mitchell III. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says the vicious attack occurred while Boutte was sleeping, and the entire situation is tragic.

Cut 5 (14) “…that person.”

Participating in Operation Dry Water, LDWF arrested 19 people for DWI over the Fourth of July weekend. Two of those arrested were involved in boating accidents. 40-year-old Sean Blanchard of White Castle is accused of DWI and reckless operation after authorities say he struck a dock and fled the scene in Lake Verret. When located, Blanchard required medical treatment.  Also in Lake Verret, 43-year-old Darrell Borne was arrested and charged when he allegedly lost control of his vessel, ejected himself and his passenger, leaving the vessel to ramp up on a barge.