LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the conference preseason media poll. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The King of American Seafood will be determined in New Orleans today as the city hosts the 22nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off.  Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser on why this event is so important in promoting domestic seafood.

Cut 5 (12) “…industry throughout America.”

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It’s official, Congressman Cleo Fields announcing yesterday he will not seek a second term in his second stint in the U.S. House. His decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, leading to a redraw of his district.  Fields said except for challenging Troy Carter, he considered all other options to remain in Congress, but he saw no viable path forward.

Cut 7 (07) “…decided not to.”

As for what’s next, Fields says he will run to fill the seat left vacant by the untimely death of Larry Selders in Senate District 14.

Louisiana farmers are reeling after suffering a 112 million dollar loss as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says crop-specific losses were estimated at about 88-million-dollars and an estimated 22-million dollars in infrastructure was lost in the flooding.

Cut 11 (11) “…of fencing.”

The seesaw of Congressman Cleo Fields’ legislative career has swung again. Andrew Greenstein has details on what’s next for the Baton Rouge Democrat…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tropical Storm Arthur created 112-million-dollars in losses for Louisiana farmers last month.  Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says in all crop-specific losses were estimated at about 88-million-dollars.

Cut 10 (09) “…fourteen-point-seven-million.”

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LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll behind Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M. The Tigers have a tough nine-game SEC schedule for the first time this season. The conference added a game for its latest TV deal and to boost strength of schedule, but Head Coach Lane Kiffin said it will do more harm than good.

Cut 13 (11) “…anyone else.”

Lafayette Chef Kris Allen goes for the title of King of American Seafood today as New Orleans hosts the 22^nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off. Louisiana’s not taken the crown in a few years, and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the competition is intense.

Cut 4 (06) “…best seafood dish.”
It all kicks off this morning at 11:30 at the Morial Convention Center.

Congressman Cleo Fields made it official Friday morning — he will not seek a second term in his second stint in the U.S. House. His decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, leading to a redraw of his district. The Democrat from Baton Rouge says the new map leaves him with no realistic path to re-election.

Cut 6 (12) “…the winning path.”

Louisiana farmers suffered an estimated 112-million-dollar loss as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Avoyelles, St. Landry and Rapides Parishes accounted for 90-percent of total losses. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Avoyelles received 29 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.

Cut 9 (09)  “…excessive moisture.”

An estimated 22-million dollars in infrastructure was also lost in the flooding.

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New Orleans plays host to the 22nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off Saturday. Louisiana Seafood King Kris Allen will try to fend off 13 challengers from across the country to take home the title of King of American Seafood. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Allen, who’s the executive chef of Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Lafayette, will try to end Louisiana’s title drought.

Cut 3 (10) “…back to Louisiana.”

LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll. Many national media members have said it’s national championship or bust for LSU and first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin says those types of expectations are why he came to LSU.

Cut 12 (13) “…that does it.”

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for coastal Gulf waters east of the mouth of the Mississippi River as Tropical Storm Bertha gets closer to Louisiana, still expected to make landfall this afternoon.  LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Keim says while coastal areas will get a good amount of rainfall, those readings will drop off considerably once you move inland.

Cut 9 (12)  “…than an inch.”

The 2026 fiscal year was a record-breaker for the Louisiana Department of Treasury, as it returned 70.9 million dollars in unclaimed property. State Treasurer John Fleming says there’s a lot more money yet to be claimed, and it will never go to the state’s general fund.

Cut 6 (07) “…claimed their property.”

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The man referred to as the “Father of the Superdome” is leaving his job on September 4th. Jeff Palermo has more on Doug Thornton’s decision to step down.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congressman Cleo Fields has announced he’s not running for re-election to the 6^th Congressional District or for any other seat.  Instead, he’ll be running to fill the unexpired term for State Senate in District 14.  Fields saying he feels his calling to serve the people is put to better us here at home.  He has a news conference set for Friday at ten.

The far southeastern Louisiana coast is awaiting the arrival of Tropical Storm Bertha. As of yesterday evening, when the storm was leaving Florida’s longitude, Bertha was packing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles an hour. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 7 (08) “…it approaches Louisiana.”
In fact, as of this morning Bertha’s maximum sustained winds are already down to 50 miles per hour.  Keim says the latest forecast track has it making landfall near Buras, in Plaquemines Parish, late this afternoon.

Cut 8 (10) “…an hour range.”

We’re told the New Orleans area will feel the effects of Bertha sometime tomorrow.

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U.S. Census Bureau data shows Louisiana’s population grew by 24-thousand residents in 2024, the state’s first increase since 2017. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The 2026 fiscal year was a big one for Louisiana Department of Treasury, returning 70.9 million dollars to their rightful owners.  State Treasurer John Fleming says in many instances, people didn’t even have to make an effort to claim the money.

Cut 5 (09) “…know about it.”

Louisiana is awaiting the arrival of Tropical Storm Bertha this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

New Orleans city leaders are looking to have the criminal case against Attorney General Liz Murril dismissed.  Mayor Helena Moreno and council members sent letters to the special prosecutor in charge late yesterday saying while they appreciate the service of the grand jury in this case, they feel now’s the time to bring this matter to a close.

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The 2026 fiscal year was a record-breaker for the Louisiana Department of Treasury, as it returned more unclaimed funds than ever before. State Treasurer John Fleming says he and his staff returned 70.9-million dollars to their rightful owners in the last fiscal year.

Cut 4 (07) “…dollars per individual.”

Advocacy group Leaders for a Better Louisiana says there are encouraging signs the state is making strides in ending years of out-migration. Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says the most positive sign is that in 2024, the state grew by 24-thousand people. Knapp says Louisiana’s population grew for the first time since 2017 because fewer people moved away.

Cut 10 (12) “…was most interesting.”

Major impacts are not expected from Tropical Storm Bertha. St. Bernard Parish Emergency Preparedness Director John Rahaim (“ram”) says the strong east wind will likely cause some minor coastal flooding. He says if they don’t get a heavy downpour that lasts for more than a couple of hours, they should be okay.

Cut 10 (10) “…couldn’t handle it.”

The American Red Cross of Louisiana is ready to respond, whatever Bertha brings.   Kenneth St. Charles, the CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, says you never know what area of the state will get hit the hardest, so pre-planning is very important.

Cut 12 (11) “…ready to go.”

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There’s an open house in Lake Charles this evening concerning the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge.   Andrew Greenstein has details on what we can expect.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed its first case of West Nile virus this year in Ouachita Parish. Last year, the state saw 86 confirmed human cases and four deaths. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says it’s important to our part to keep mosquitos from multiplying.

Cut 14 (11) “…that stagnant water.”

All eyes are on Tropical Storm Bertha as it makes its way toward the Louisiana Coast. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says those of you in South Louisiana need to pay attention to this storm’s so-called “cone of uncertainty.”

Cut 8 (10) “…track is showing.”

Preparations are underway for whatever Tropical Storm Bertha bring our way.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed its first case of West Nile virus this year in Ouachita Parish. Last year, the state saw 86 confirmed human cases and four deaths. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there is no human vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile, so it’s important to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

Cut 13 (13)  “…to make sure.”

Sokol says most people infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms. Around 20-percent develop flu-like West Nile fever, and a very small percentage develop a severe neuroinvasive disease.

Cut 15 (12) “…received organ transplant.”

The first human case of West Nile virus of the 2026 mosquito season has been confirmed in Ouachita Parish. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

All eyes are on Tropical Storm Bertha as it makes its way to the Louisiana Coast. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says while Bertha is currently forecast to make landfall in Plaquemines Parish tomorrow morning, it could happen as early as late tonight.

Cut 7 (08) “…along the coast.”

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The American Red Cross of Louisiana is ready to respond to what Bertha might bring to the Bayou State. Kenneth St. Charles, the CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, says if your family needs to evacuate because of flash flooding and you have nowhere else to go, call the Red Cross.

Cut 11 (11) “…residents of Louisiana.”

With construction of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge underway, many people have questions about how that’s going to affect them. John Guidroz with DOTD in Lake Charles says there’s an open house in Lake Charles this evening that you can attend.

Cut 4 (11) “…term as well.”

The open house is this evening from 5:30 to seven in the contraband room at the Lake Charles Event Center.

A new state law will allow victims of stalking and cyberstalking to break their apartment leases without penalty. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says she worked with the Louisiana Apartment Association and the Louisiana Realtors Association, and both supported expanding an existing law to include victims of stalking and cyberstalking.

Cut 11 (08) “…this was passed.”
The new law goes into effect August 1^st.

After a weekend of record-breaking heat in Louisiana, more heat is on the way.  Louisiana Department of Health officials are warning us all to take precautions. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen)…

Cut 5 (08) “…shade and rest.”
Meantime, Tropical Depression 2 is expected to be upgraded to Tropical Storm Bertha later today and current projections show the storm could be a coastal threat all the way from Texas to Florida.

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LSU Health New Orleans is getting a major upgrade to its School of Dentistry. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

An early morning housefire had firefighters in the capitol city busy this morning.  Initial reports show Baton Rouge Firefighters  Department responding to an active fire involving not one, but two homes…and at one point the fire had started to spread to an apartment complex nearby.  We’re told crews were able to get the fire under control, and no injuries were reported.