The state made it official yesterday – the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project is cancelled. The three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project is being replaced with a smaller scale version.

Last November, Governor Landry told the Senate Transportation Committee the project was destroying certain aspects of Louisiana’s culture.

Cut 11 (14) “…to oyster fish.”

Charles Sutcliffe with the National Wildlife Federation is disappointed especially about the money that has already been invested in the project up to this point.

Cut 12 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

Landry says while a lot of the money for the project would come from the settlement from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement, continuing the project would cost money the state doesn’t have.

UL-Lafayette launched the “Cajuns Edge” Fund this week, allowing supporters to contribute directly to revenue sharing. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A UFC championship event is coming to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans tomorrow night. Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier takes on Max Holloway. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says the city is welcoming the UFC.

Cut 6 (11) “…a memorable experience.”

In a widely-anticipated move, the state has cancelled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There have been more measles cases in the U.S. in the first half of 2025 than any full year since 2000. Senator and physician Bill Cassidy says fortunately, the spike in cases seems to have subsided.

Cut 15 (10) “…actually getting vaccinated.”

For the first time ever, New Orleans is hosting a UFC championship event. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says the main event at the Smoothie King Center tomorrow night features Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier in his swan song bout.

Cut 4 (08) “…in his career.”

Poirier takes on Max Holloway as he looks to close out his career with a win

The Southern Jaguars are the preseason favorites to win the SWAC West in back-to-back years under second-year head coach Terrence Graves. Graves says he wanted to set a foundation of intensity and success in his first year as the Jags’ head coach.

Cut 16 (16) “…for the culture.”

 In a widely expected move the state made it official yesterday – the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project is cancelled. The state is replacing the three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project with a smaller scale version. Charles Sutcliffe with the National Wildlife Federation is disappointed with the decision.

Cut 10 (13) “…no longer the case.”

Governor Landry testified last November that while a lot of the money for the project would come from the settlement from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, continuing the project would cost the state money it doesn’t have.

Senator and physician Bill Cassidy is again urging people to get vaccinated against measles. He stresses that measles can be deadly – and has proven so.

Cut 14 (09) “…died from measles.”

There have been more measles cases in the U.S. in the first half of 2025 than in any full year since 2000. Cassidy says fortunately, the spike in cases seems to have subsided, and there may be reasons for that.

For the first time ever, New Orleans is hosting a UFC championship event. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

UL-Lafayette launched the “Cajuns Edge” Fund through the Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation to allow fans to support revenue sharing in Lafayette. Deputy Athletics Director Trey Frazier says proceeds from the fund will go straight to student-athletes.

Cut 7 (10) “…need their help.”

Following the NCAA House settlement, schools are allowed to pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletic revenue directly to athletes.

Four Louisiana law enforcement officers including former and current police chiefs have been arrested. They’re accused of accepting money to fabricate police reports so some foreign nations could obtain U-Visas. Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood says the indicted law enforcement officers do not represent law enforcement as a whole.

Cut 6 (10) “…is what happens.”

A new Louisiana State Police Cadet Class is set to start in January and applications are due by August 18^th. Captain Johnnie Brown says the application process lasts several months and has several components.

Cut 14 (09) “…the application process.”

To qualify, applicants need to be at least 21 years old and meet other requirements. Cadet Class 108 starts January 4th of next year.

South Louisiana could be in for a very wet couple of days, and that could be a sign of things to come later this summer. So state officials are using this occasion to urge you to get emergency kits together when the risk for hurricanes intensifies. Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security Director Chris Anderson says one good thing to have in your kit is a NOAA weather radio.

Cut 9 (06)  “…NOAA weather radio.”

Louisiana Tech was officially welcomed to the Sunbelt conference yesterday. Since missing the May 1st deadline to leave Conference USA next season, officials are negotiating a departure date for the 2026 or 2027 football season. Tech will be the 14th school in one of the premier mid-major conferences. University President Jim Henderson says this is a significant moment.

Cut 11 (13) “…as a whole.”

Four law enforcement officers including former and current police chiefs have been arrested. They’re accused of accepting money to fabricate police reports so some foreign nations could obtain U-Visas. FBI Special Agent Jonathan Tapp says law enforcement officers must hold themselves to a higher standard, and those indicted in this fraud scheme failed to do so.

Cut 5 (09) “…for personal gain.”

Heavy rains from a tropical disturbance are moving into South Louisiana. Homeland security Director of the Livingston Parish, Chris Anderson says as Livingston and other parishes do their part in preparing, you can do your part as well by listening to and heeding the latest forecasts and emergency information.

Cut 8 (06) “…saying is credible.”

Governor Landry is holding a news conference at GOHSEP this morning to update the public.

Rivalries renewed — the Sun Belt officially welcomed Louisiana Tech at a press conference in Ruston yesterday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The LSU Tigers will open SEC play against the Gators on September 13th. There are high expectations for Florida’s quarterback, DJ Lagway and He’s looking forward to the expectations and a Saturday night matchup in Death Valley.

Cut 17 (13)  “…put on a show.”

Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP this morning to give an update on the heavy rains heading to South Louisiana. Forecasters are calling for several inches of rain, with possible flooding in some areas. And South Louisiana Parishes are preparing. Homeland security Director of the Livingston Parish, Chris Anderson says the parish is already on top of things.

Cut 7 (10) “…local fire stations.”

Governor Landry is expected to urge residents to use this storm to get emergency kits together for later this summer, when the risk for hurricanes intensifies.

Louisiana State Police are now accepting applications for Cadet Class 108. Captain Johnnie Brown on the requirements for consideration.

Cut 15 (07) “…of college credit.”

He says a combination of the two, such as one year of law enforcement experience and 30 semester hours of college credit is also acceptable. Three years of continuous active duty military service will also qualify. The application deadline is August 18^th.

The law enforcement community in Louisiana is shaken to the core over the arrests of four Louisiana law enforcement officers in a massive visa fraud scheme. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Tech and the Sun Belt Conference held a press conference yesterday to welcome the Bulldogs to the conference. Tech will owe a Conference USA exit fee of at least five million dollars. With lowered costs and increased revenues from Sun Belt West opponents, President Jim Henderson says the Bulldogs are committed to returning to their athletic pedigree.

Cut 12 (12) “…conference championships.”

The indictment of four law enforcement officers in a visa fraud scheme has shaken the law enforcement community. The officers, including two current police chiefs and one former police chief, are accused of accepting money to fabricate police reports so some foreign nationals could obtain U-Visas to remain in the U.S. IRS Criminal Investigations Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman says incidents like these are a black eye to the law enforcement community.

Cut 4 (09) “…at every level.”

Louisiana State Police is now accepting applications for Cadet Class 108. While the class does not start until January 4th, 2026, the application deadline is August 18th – a little more than one month from now. Captain Johnnie Brown says you can fill out the application on the state police website.

Cut 13 (08)  “…police application process.”

And Captain Brown says that application process lasts several months and has several components.

Governor Landry is holding a news conference this morning to discuss severe weather preparations. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Tech and the Sun Belt Conference held a press conference in Ruston, officially welcoming the Bulldogs to the conference yesterday. University President Jim Henderson is looking forward the return of heated rivalries for Louisiana sports fans.

Cut 10 (13) “…student athletes.”

Five people, including Police Chiefs from Oakdale and Forest Hill, Former Police Chief of Glenmora Tebo Onishea, and businessman Chandrakant Patel face charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas. Acting Western District U.S. attorney Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook says the people listed on the U-Visa applications were never victims of or witnesses to crime, which is required to obtain the special Visa.

Cut 5 (12) “…United States Government.”

The indictment says Patel paid the officers five-thousand dollars for each foreign national placed on the report, to keep them in the United States.

The Ouachita River is set for designation as a U.S. Marine Highway. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the designation will increase opportunities for infrastructure upgrades.

Cut 9 (07)  “…infrastructure grants.”

A tropical rainstorm is heading for the Louisiana coast this week. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

In Football news, LSU will open SEC play on September 13 hosting Florida. The Gators face one of the toughest schedules in the country again this year, but head coach Billy Napier is leaning on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway to lead his team.

Cut 14 (14) “…really special.”

A major indictment announced in Lafayette this morning against five people, including several Louisiana law enforcement officers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (45) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Forecasters are now urging those who live near the Gulf Coast to be weather aware for the next few days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a disturbance brewing in the gulf, but it’s not expected to rise to the level of a major storm.

Cut 7 (09) “…a tropical depression.”

He says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be. Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP Thursday morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

Police Chiefs from Oakdale, Forest Hill, and a former chief from Glenmora were arrested, at least one while attending a conference in Baton Rouge. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announces a 62-count indictment against five people, including four law enforcement officers, in connection with a visa fraud scheme. Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, told a news conference this morning that the five are charged with fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas.

Cut 3 (12) “…witnesses to crime.”

A disturbance brewing in the gulf is not expected to rise to the level of a major storm but

LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be.

Cut 8 (13) “…rain on us.”

Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP Thursday morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

After 21 years, Louisiana Tech is headed back to the Sun Belt. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you hold a library card at the state library or at the library systems in Iberville, Livingston, Tangipahoa or Rapides parishes, you can now use that card to get into a museum! State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says it’s an expansion of the State Library’s “Check Out Louisiana” program, which was originally developed to allow cardholders to obtain passes to state parks.

Cut 8 (08) “…with our museums.”