Mother Nature could be putting a damper on the holiday weekend in South Louisiana. Chanele Stigger is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.

Cut 9 (09) “…skies and showers .”

A tropical disturbance off the coast of Texas is helping to fuel the rain Louisiana will experience this weekend. The National Hurricane Center is giving the disturbance a low chance of developing over the next seven days.

Another holiday weekend is upon us and law enforcement will be out in full force cracking down on drunk driving. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission…

Cut 6 (13) “…notice of that.”

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is in effect through Monday.

After a confusing FAFSA rollout, a new report from PAR finds less Louisiana seniors are applying for college financial aid this year. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

LSU coaches and players have said the defense is better over last year, we’ll get an idea of how improved when the Tigers take on USC on Sunday night. Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley is considered one of the best play callers in college football and LSU coach Brian Kelly says Riley will keep you on your toes….

Cut 12 (08) “…non-traditional.”

Kelly says USC runs an air-raid offense, which usually means a lot of passing.

A new PAR report shows around 60% of Louisiana high school seniors are applying for college financial aid this year, a 10% drop from last year. Steven Procopio with PAR expects completed FAFSA applications in Louisiana will decline further since BESE repealed a policy that made FAFSA completion a high school graduation requirement. Procopio says he hopes this year’s decline shows lawmakers that students need help getting financial aid.

Cut 5 (08)  “…on the table.”

For more information on the FAFSA, you can visit the Federal Student Aid Office’s website at studentaid.gov.

The LSU-USC game is a hot ticket on the secondary ticket market. Stubhub spokesperson Joseph Bocanegra (Bo-cuh-nay-gruh)….

Cut 10 (12) “….played Arizona”

Boanegra says residents from Louisiana are buying more tickets than those from southern California.

Holiday weekends are times for beefed-up drunk driving enforcement — this weekend is no exception. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

South Louisiana is in for some rain this weekend. Chanele Stigger, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says given the weather we’ve had recently, the rain is something that we can all use.

Cut 11 (09) ” ….weather is welcomed.”

The National Hurricane Center says this weather has about a 20-percent chance of development over the next seven days.

Louisiana has a new prisons chief. Governor Landry promotes Gary Westcott to Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Westcott says he’s ready to get to work.

Cut 4 (11) “…need to make.”

Westcott was deputy secretary under Jimmy LeBlanc, who stepped down yesterday due to health reasons.

With the new school year come a new tool for students and teachers — artificial intelligence. Ronnie Morris, the president of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, says AI can help students understand the subject matter being taught, regardless of the subject and with effective use will benefit everyone, not just the students.

Cut 5 (05)  “…into the classroom.”

BESE says AI systems should be transparent and explainable, and robust data privacy and security measures must be in place.

LSU says its football team is not changing its pregame routine and will remain in the locker room during the national anthem. Jeff Palermo reports the governor requested that all college teams to be present for the anthem…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The UL-Lafayette campus is undergoing a major transformation. Renovation of Madison Hall is already under way and Director of Facility Management Scott Hebert says  Later this month, construction will get underway on the new 55-million-dollar engineering building.

Cut 13 (06) “…parking garage.” 

In all, the university is investing about 600-million dollars in renovations throughout the campus.

The UL-Lafayette campus is undergoing a major transformation. Director of Facility Management Scott Hebert says renovation of Madison Hall is already underway and later this month, construction will get underway on the new 55-million-dollar engineering building. Those two projects are the tip of the iceberg.

Cut  14 (08) “…as well.”

In all, the university is investing about 600-million dollars in renovations throughout the campus.

Northwestern State will play its first football game tonight since October 16th as the Demons will take the field against Tulsa. The Demons ended their season prematurely last year following the fatal shooting of safety Ronnie Caldwell. First-year head coach Blaine McCorkle was brought in to rebuild the program

Cut 9 (11) “…play .”

Natchitoches Police have yet to make an arrest for Caldwell’s murder.

There’s a new tool available for students and teachers this school year — artificial intelligence. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today marks the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a catastrophic event that devastated New Orleans in 2005. Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who led military rescue efforts during the disaster, reflects on the storm’s impact and the changes it brought to the city.

Cut 6 (07) “…day the levees broke.”

Since then the federal government invested 14 billion dollars in stronger levees.

Students and teachers have a new tool at their disposal this year as artificial intelligence enters the classroom. Ronnie Morris, the president of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, says AI can be used effectively without being abused and while AI should not be used for cheating, it can help students understand the subject matter being taught, regardless of the subject.

Cut 4 (08) “…in their laptop.”

Morris says effective use of AI will benefit everyone, not just the students.

19 years ago, today Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the region. Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré who led military rescue efforts during the disaster says Katrina’s devastation was a turning point and since then the federal government invested 14 billion dollars in stronger levees and disaster preparedness is significantly improved. On this anniversary, Honoré says…

Cut 8 (12)  “…neighbors save neighbors lives.”

The UL-Lafayette campus is undergoing a major transformation — and not just the football stadium. Director of Facility Management Scott Hebert says one project underway is a complete renovation of Madison Hall.

Cut 12 (09) “…renovated this semester.”

Later this month, construction will get underway on the new 55-million-dollar engineering building.

ULM football kicks off its season tonight as the Warhawks will host Jackson State. First-year head coach Bryant Vincent is trying to bring a winning football program to northeast Louisiana and he needs Warhawk nation to get behind them…

Cut 11 (13) ” ….as one”

Kick off is at 6 PM.

Critical Race Theory is a no-go in public schools in Louisiana. Governor Landry signed an executive order banning the subject matter in K-through-12 public schools in the state. It’s something that Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges has been pushing for.

Cut 13 (8) “…the teaching manuals.” 

But New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis doubts that critical race theory is being taught in K-through-12.

Cut  14 (10) “…in law school.”

Duplessis says kids need to be taught history, even if the history is uncomfortable.

A Sabine Parish man is behind bars for allegedly sexually abusing underage girls. 60-year-old Jerry Bryant Vines Junior of Converse was arrested earlier this month on charges of sexually touching an 11-year-old girl. Sheriff’s Detective Wade Seegers says there could be additional victims.

Cut 11 (6) ” ….contact our office.”

That number is 318-590-9475.

Postpartum depression is a common concern among new mothers; and now, there’s a facility opening next week in Baton Rouge dedicated to helping those women. We hear more from Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (27) …I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana homeowners could see significant savings on property insurance through wind mitigation inspections. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says homes with strong wind mitigation measures such as a Fortified Roof, can qualify for discounts on their insurance premiums and he encourages homeowners to invest in the inspections.

Cut 8 (12)  “…gaming the system.”

Visit LDI-dot-la-dog-gov for more information.

A Sabine Parish man has been arrested for alleged sexually abuse of underage girls. 60-year-old Jerry Bryant Vines Junior of Converse was arrested earlier this month on charges of sexually touching an 11-year-old girl. Sheriff’s Detective Wade Seegers says Vines is facing several charges, with more likely to follow.

Cut 10 (14) “…under age 13.”

Investigators believe there could be additional victims.

A Natchitoches man is behind bars after Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s officials found two malnourished pit bulls chained to a fence at his residence. On Friday, Deputies responded to the home of Alvin J Metoyer after receiving complaints about animal neglect saying the dogs were horrifying to see. Metoyer claimed the dogs weren’t eating because they were sick. Metoyer has been charged with 2 counts of cruelty to animals.

Wind Mitigation Inspections could give Louisiana homeowners significant savings on property insurance which will be welcome relief due to increased premiums caused by recent hurricanes. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge is opening the first inpatient mental health unit for pregnant and postpartum women in the state. Chief Nursing Officer Cheri Johnson says mental health is a significant concern among pregnant and postpartum women. Johnson says unlike in most cases, patients will not be sharing any rooms with other patients.

Cut 5 (5)  “…some protected sleep.”

A New Orleans 15-year-old old boy who was sleeping in his bed Saturday night is now in intensive care after authorities says an SUV plowed through a fence then into the bedroom around 4:00 AM. When the crash awakened his grandmother, she ran to find Jamal Jackson, Jr under the SUV driven by 54-year-old Cedrick Marshall. NOPD says after Marshall failed a sobriety test, he was arrested and booked on First Degree of Vehicular Negligent Injury and Reckless Operation.

Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order today to protect election integrity by preventing non-citizens from voting. Any state agency that provides assistance to an individual is also required to offer that person the opportunity to register to vote. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says this executive order says the agency must also inform the person they can’t vote if they are not a legal citizen

Cut 11 (11) ” ….other benefits”

Gas prices are down to an average of $2.98 for a gallon of regular reports AAA. Fuel Analyst Don Redman says that’s a slight decrease compared to previous weeks, offering some relief to drivers amid a fluctuating fuel market…

Cut 3 (12) “…break at the pump.”

Former LSU baseball star Dylan Crews makes his major league baseball debut tonight with the Washington Nationals as they host the New York Yankees. Washington selected Crews with the number two overall pick last year and the centerfielder quickly made it through the minor leagues to the bigs…

Cut 12 (10) “…here.”

Soon, automakers may be required to keep AM radio in their vehicles, as Congress continues debating the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, or GOHSEP, says AM radio is an invaluable source for information during emergencies.

Cut 6 (10) “…out for everyone.”

Steele says in many areas, AM radio is the only resource available during emergencies.

AAA reports that the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is 40 cents per gallon cheaper than this time last year but Fuel Analyst Don Redman cautions, while prices may stabilize or decrease slightly in the short term, the overall trend remains unpredictable, with potential spikes depending on global conflicts.

Cut 5 (10)  “…continue to fly”

Drivers are advised to stay informed and consider strategies to conserve fuel as they navigate these fluctuations.

Governor Jeff Landry signs an executive order that puts an extra protection in place to prevent non-citizens from voting in Louisiana elections. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

It’s game week for the 13th ranked LSU football team… one major injury concern heading into Sunday’s season opener against 23rd ranked USC is Starting wide receiver Chris Hilton is listed as questionable, suffering from a bone bruise. Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 13 (14) “..what we are doing.” 

AAA reports that the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $2.98.  Nearly 40-cents a gallon cheaper than this time last year.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

Soon, automakers may be required to keep AM radio in their vehicles, as Congress continues debating the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says AM radio can do things that other media, including TV stations, are unable to do during emergencies.

Cut 8 (07)  “…the public informed.”

The bill comes as some automakers, including Tesla, are starting to omit AM radio from their vehicles.

A new executive order from the desk of Governor Jeff Landry seeks to protect election integrity by preventing non-citizens from voting. The order instructs federal and state agencies who offer individuals the ability to register to vote, to also provide a disclaimer that tells a person that he or she cannot vote if they are not a U-S Citizen. Secretary of State Nancy Landry…

Cut 10 (11) “…not a citizen.”

State agencies that provide assistance to an individuals are also required to offer them the opportunity to register to vote, if they are not registered.

Former LSU baseball star Dylan Crews will make his major league baseball debut tonight when he suits up for the Washington Nationals as they host the New York Yankees tonight. Washington selected Crews with the number two overall pick last year and the centerfielder quickly made it through the minor leagues to the bigs…

Cut 12 (10) “…here.”

Crews hit .270 in the minor leagues this season with 13 home runs and 68 RBIs.