The National Hurricane Center is watching the Gulf for the possible development of a tropical depression near Louisiana’s southeastern coast later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says regardless of development, significant rainfall totals are expected, with widespread rainfall across south Louisiana on Thursday and Friday…

Cut 4 (07) “…watch on it.”

Southeast Louisiana is under a flood watch from tomorrow afternoon through late Friday night.

The EPA approves two State Implementation Plans aimed at reducing sulfur dioxide emissions. State Department of Environmental Quality administrator Jason Meyers says it’s a necessary first step when an EPA standard changes.

Cut 8 (14) “…outside the state.”

As part of a month-long national campaign, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding drivers that speeding has deadly consequences. Greg Fischer with the LHSC says in 2023, speeding was a factor in almost 29-percent of all fatal crashes nationwide.

Cut 9 (11)  “…speeding is involved.”

And not just on interstates. In 2023, 83-percent of them in Louisiana happened on non-Interstate roadways.

LSU is expecting the return of some key contributors on both sides of the ball from injury. Linebacker Whit Weeks suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in the Tigers’ New Year’s Eve bowl game versus Baylor. At SEC Media Days yesterday, he said he’d be good to go for camp.

Cut 12 (13) “…really good.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is participating in a month-long national campaign aimed at reminding drivers that speeding has deadly consequences. Greg Fischer with the LHSC says the biggest point that they want to drive home through this campaign is that a car is not a toy – it is to be operated safely and responsibly.

Cut 11 (08) “…can’t prepare for.”

Fischer says in 2023, speeding was a factor in almost 29-percent of all fatal crashes nationwide.

The EPA has approved two State Implementation Plans that will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. The first addresses emissions at Cabot Corporation’s Ville Platte carbon black plant. State Department of Environmental Quality administrator Jason Meyers says the plant is redesigning and reconstructing a large portion of the plant to bring Evangeline Parish into compliance with EPA standards.

Cut 6 (08) “…90-plus percent.”

A named storm in the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday is a possibility. Jeff Palermo reports regardless of development, heavy rainfall is expected in Louisiana.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU is getting some player back from injury this season including Wide Receiver Chris Hilton who missed the first seven games of last season due to injury and totaled only nine receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Hilton has always been a big play threat, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier says he’s improved as he’s gotten healthier.

Cut 14 (11) “…season last year.”

The National Hurricane Center says there is a medium chance for a tropical depression to form near Louisiana’s southeast coast later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says regardless of development, significant rainfall totals are expected…

Cut 3 (09) “…south Louisiana.”

The rainfall will reach coastal parishes of southeast Louisiana on Wednesday.

The EPA has approved two State Implementation Plans that will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. The first addresses emissions at Cabot Corporation’s Ville Platte carbon black plant. State Department of Environmental Quality administrator Jason Meyers says their submitted plan proves the area will reach attainment with EPA standards, leaving one non-attainment area in Louisiana in St. Bernard Parish. Meyers says work has been underway there as well.

Cut 7 (09) “…submit it to EPA.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has a stern message for all you kamikaze drivers out there. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Some key LSU contributors are expected back from injury including Linebacker Whit Weeks who suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in the Tigers’ New Year’s Eve bowl game versus Baylor. His linebacking partner, Harold Perkins, suffered a season-ending ACL injury against UCLA in week four. After a true freshman All-American season in 2022, Perkins struggled with position changes and then injury. Head coach Brian Kelly says Perkins will be ready for the start of camp back at his old position of outside linebacker.

Cut 13 (12)  “…to do so.”

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the gulf for the possibility of some tropical activity later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says as of right now, the odds of a tropical depression forming are low.

Cut 9 (08)  “…a watch on.”

He doesn’t expect high winds or storm surge, but we could see a heavy rain event late in the week and into the weekend.

A Carencro man is one point four six million dollars richer after taxes thanks to the Powerball ticket he bought in Lafayette Forth of July weekend. Fermon Bonin was one number away from winning the 192.4-million-dollar jackpot. The Lafayette convenience store where he bought the ticket is excited too since they receive a $20,000 bonus for selling the ticket.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly kicked off SEC Media Days in Atlanta this morning. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana Tech is officially Sun Belt-bound after league officials voted to invite the Bulldogs this morning to replace Texas State who are heading to the PAC-12. The Bulldogs are the tenth team to leave Conference USA since 2022. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says LA Tech needs to reinvest the money it will save from regional rivalries to compete in one of the top mid-major conferences.

Cut 14 (12) “…the Sun Belt is.”

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