The tributes continue after Louisiana sports legend, LSU baseball coach and AD Skip Bertman passed away early yesterday morning.  Author of his biography, Everything Matters in Baseball, Glenn Guilbeau says Bertman had the Midas touch as Athletic Director, and as a coach, he cared deeply about his players.

Cut 6 (10) “…were his sons.”

Bertman created one of the greatest dynasties in college sports, winning five national championships.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission heard from several citizens this week concerned their energy bills will go up as a result of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar AI data center in Richland Parish. Governor Jeff Landry was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says Meta is paying for its own power use, and their investment will improve the electric grid’s resiliency…

Cut 15 (11) “…what it is.”

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The Attorney General’s office launched a new website with resources for athletes, agents, schools and families on the state’s new N-I-L and athlete agent laws. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Louisiana state plane linked to Governor Jeff Landry flew into McAllen, Texas, near SpaceX’s Starbase launch site. Elon Musk’s private jet touched down in Lafayette Thursday, adding fuel to rumors of a deal to bring a SpaceX launch site to coastal Vermilion Parish.

Sad news as the legendary architect of LSU baseball—Stanley “Skip” Bertman has died.  Bertman passed away early this morning at the Baton Rouge General with his daughters by his side. Beloved by his players and fans, the legendary Bertman won five national championships and seven Southeastern Conference titles during his 18 years leading the Tigers.  Skip Bertman was 88 years old.

The Ochsner Transplant Institute performed its ten-thousandth organ transplant, a first for Louisiana.  Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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LSU cornerback D.J. Pickett does not have any intention of changing his number-five jersey despite backlash from former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.The Advocate’s Koki Riley spoke with Pickett’s father who says LSU promised he could have the number… as the number five has become a standard for Pickett and his ten siblings since his oldest brother Jaylen wore it at Eastern Michigan.

Cut 8 (12) “…point of pride.”

Louisiana is losing film industry jobs at an alarming rate. Citing numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a new report from Giggster says Louisiana had the highest percentage of decline in film industry jobs since 2024 at more than 32-percent.IATSE (eye-AT-zee) Local 478 Business Agent Simonette Berry says Louisiana is in danger of losing a good chunk of what it had worked hard to build.

Cut 13 (13)  “…infrastructure already here.”

Heartbreaking news for Louisiana and the world of baseball as legendary baseball coach Skip Bertman passes away at the age of 88.  Bertman took a program that had very little interest on the LSU campus and produced five national championships in the 1990s. After his Hall of Fame coaching career, he served as athletic director in the 2000s, where he hired Les Miles and Paul Mainieri, both of them went on to win championships.

LSU sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett will not be changing his number five despite the reaction from Heisman-winning QB Jayden Daniels. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Amid the cyclospora outbreak, restaurants – especially those which specialize in salads – are going the extra mile to reassure diners that the produce they serve is safe. Scott Henderson, the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette-based Salad Station, says whereas the lettuce responsible for the outbreak was imported from Mexico, his company’s lettuce is not imported from any foreign country.

Cut 10 (08) “…is always domestic.”

The Ochsner Transplant Institute completed its ten-thousandth organ transplant dating back to the Gulf South’s first heart transplant in 1970. That milestone puts the institute among the top 40 transplant centers in the country; and Institute Director Dr. Ari Cohen says it is a deeply personal vocation.

Cut 4 (11) “…with us lifelong.”

One of the most influential figures in the history of college sports has died. Stanley “Skip” Bertman, the legendary architect of LSU baseball passed away early this morning at the Baton Rouge General with his daughters by his side.  Bertman, who was beloved by his players and fans, won five national championships and seven Southeastern Conference titles during his 18 years leading the Tigers.  Skip Bertman was 88 years old.

LSU cornerback D.J. Pickett plans to keep his number five jersey despite backlash from former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who last wore the number. The Advocate’s Koki Riley spoke with Pickett’s father and says if anyone is backing down, it will be the Daniels camp.

Cut 7 (12) “…this whole thing.”

Riley says number five has become a standard for Pickett and his ten siblings since his oldest brother Jaylen wore it at Eastern Michigan.

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Restaurants are going the extra mile these days to ensure their produce is safe amid the cyclospora outbreak. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana is losing film industry jobs at an alarming rate. A new report from Giggster says Louisiana had the highest percentage of decline in film industry jobs since 2024.  IATSE (eye-AT-zee) Local 478 Business Agent Simonette Berry says we’re not just competing against California and Georgia anymore.

Cut 14 (09) “…60-percent incentive.”

A new poll finds Louisianians like talking politics. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A 69 year old Opelousas man is dead after police say he was attacked by two dogs early yesterday morning. Authorities say Horace Brooks was walking down South Court Street just after midnight when Kimberly Faulk arrived home with her dogs.  Authorities say Faulk’s been charged with negligent homicide.

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A report by WWNO says Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow purchased Meta shares after signing the non-disclosure agreement on plans to build the massive data center in Richland Parish. Letlow is considered the favorite to become Louisiana’s next U.S. senator.  But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the story could resonate with some voters and that Letlow’s Democratic opponent, Jamie Davis, will likely make it an issue on the campaign trail.

Cut 9 (08)  “…here in Louisiana.”

A representative for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has told LSU it can no longer use the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner’s  name, image and likeness. CNN is reporting that the University was issued a cease-and-desist after the number 5 was issued to cornerback D.J. Pickett.   A spokesman for Daniels said even though the number hadn’t been retired, Daniels made it clear he didn’t want it used, saying it feels like a failure to honor all he accomplished at LSU.

A report by WWNO public radio says Congresswoman and U.S. Senate Republican candidate Julia Letlow may have benefited financially by purchasing Meta stock after learning about the company’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. Here’s Kace Kieschnick.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Speaking of which, The Louisiana Public Serice Commission voted three to one yesterday to allow Meta to keep records regarding its $50 billion Richland Parish data center confidential. The vote overturns an administrative law judge’s previous order.
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Those in the medical community are speaking out about President Trump’s executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits. LSU Health professor Dr. Corey Hebert says the MMR vaccine has been administered as a combined dose since 19-71 and separating them means going from getting two shots to six.  And he  says there’s no guarantee that separating them will provide any benefit.

Cut 5 (09) “…have that either.”

A new poll finds that Louisiana residents like to talk about politics much more than the average American. Results of the poll by LSU’s public Policy Research Lab and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana found that people in Louisiana appear to feel just as negatively about the opposing political party as people across the country do, but Reilly Center Director Michael DiResto says we are more comfortable in talking with people they disagree with politically.

Cut 11 (06) “…their political belief.”

Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow is facing questions over her purchase of Meta stock after reportedly signing a confidential agreement related to Meta’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. A report by WWNO says Letlow purchased Meta shares after signing the non-disclosure agreement. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan.

Cut 7 (09) “…of their work.”

A new poll by LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana finds that people in our state like to talk about politics much more than the average American. Reilly Center Director Michael DiResto says they surveyed more than one-thousand residents.

Cut 10 (11) “…it has not.”

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The medical community is sounding off on President Trump’s executive order that splits the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into separate visits. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A representative for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has told LSU it can no longer use the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner’s  name, image and likeness. CNN is reporting that the University was issued a cease-and-desist after the number 5 was issued to cornerback D.J. Pickett.   A spokesman for Daniels said even though the number hadn’t been retired, Daniels made it clear he didn’t want it used, saying it feels like a failure to honor all he accomplished at LSU.

Ten years ago today, thousands of lives were changed when a slow-moving weather system dumped torrential rain across south Louisiana, causing catastrophic flooding from the Lafayette area to southeast Louisiana. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry remembers planning a meeting for the morning of August 12th, only to have it cancelled because the water was rising.

Cut 13 (05)  “…inches of water.”

Coca-Cola has announced that it’s investing more than 100-million dollars to modernize and expand its warehouse and distribution operations in Alexandria. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill…

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A 17-year-old girl in Tangipahoa Parish died due to injuries from a reckless driving incident two weeks ago. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says even if you don’t win the billion-dollar prize, you can still win a seven-figure prize by matching all five white balls, as evidenced by a certain drawing back in April.

Cut 12 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”

One of the most destructive floods in Louisiana’s history happened ten years ago this week. Jeff Palermo has a look back at the Great Flood of 2016.

Cut 3 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In the aftermath, billions of dollars in federal aid were sent to south Louisiana to rebuild homes and businesses, elevate houses and improve flood-control systems.

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An 18-year-old is facing a negligent homicide charge, and a 17-year-old is dead after being thrown from a pickup truck.  Tangipahoa Parish. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says Josean (ho-ZAY-in) Martinez was driving his truck recklessly when 17 year old Dulce (DUL-chay) Rudas and a 20 year old were thrown from the vehicle and Martinez fled the scene.  Sheriff Sticker says parents need to teach their children the importance of driving safely and taking that responsibility seriously.

Cut 6 (09) “…have been made.”

The Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures once again.  It’s been happening more often ever since a 2015 change that added ten white balls and removed nine red balls from the drawing…reducing the odds from less than one in 175-million to less than one in 292-million. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery…

Cut 11 (06) “…of this run.”

Another huge economic development win for central Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Here we go again – the Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says be sure to buy your tickets for tonight’s billion-dollar drawing.

Cut 10 (05) “…a billion dollars.”
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An 18-year-old is facing a negligent homicide charge, and a 17-year-old is dead as a result of a dangerous driving stunt in Tangipahoa Parish. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says Josean (ho-ZAY-in) Martinez was driving his truck recklessly while Dulce (DUL-chay) Rudas was sitting outside the passenger window and another 20-year-old was standing in the bed of the vehicle. He says this is a tragedy with a sobering lesson.

Cut 4 (11) “…go home again.”

Sticker says Martinez drove away from the scene and tried to hide his truck, leaving the two passengers injured in the street.

It’s believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine busts in Louisiana history. Deputies with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office pull over an 18-wheeler on eastbound I-12 in Denham Springs and found almost 800 pounds of meth in the trailer. A Russian national was arrested and is now in ICE custody.