The number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana has topped 2.01 million for the first time in state history. That’s according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says Monroe posted the fastest job growth of any metro area, fueled by construction of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar data center in Richland Parish. He says six of the state’s ten metro areas added jobs, while Houma and Shreveport lost jobs.

Cut 11 (10) “…the coming year”

Teachers in Richland Parish say the Meta data center is already providing benefits for students there. Sarah Morris, who teaches third and fourth grade at Holly Ridge Elementary School, says the data center is allowing students to learn valuable skills that many adults couldn’t even think of grasping.

Cut 8 (11) “…learn about it.”

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SWAC Media Day kicks off in Birmingham, Alabama, today. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Sun Belt kicks off media days in New Orleans today.  UL Lafayette was picked to finish second in the West division in the preseason coaches’ poll.  We’ll hear from the Cajuns, , La Tech and ULM during today’s events.

A deputy U.S. marshal was killed in a shooting in Alexandria this week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A federal appeals court on Tuesday ended more than 60 years of federal oversight of a Louisiana school system that had been ordered to eradicate all vestiges of segregation. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the mandate for the Concordia Parish School Board.  It’s a victory for President Donald Trump’s administration, which had made the school system a focal point in its attempt to end legal cases dating back to the Civil Rights era.

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If you live in Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany or Terrebonne parishes and your property sustained damage from Tropical Storm Arthur, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance. Nate Custer with FEMA says once you register, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment.

Cut 5 (11) “…to your property.”
To register, either download the FEMA app, go to disaster assistance-dot-gov or call 800-621-3362.

The number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana has topped 2.01 million for the first time in state history. That’s according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says it’s a major milestone, driven largely by growth in the construction industry.

Cut 10 (12) “…the capital region.”

More people than ever are working in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Teachers in Richland Parish say the Meta data center is already providing benefits and will continue to do so once it’s fully built out. Sarah Morris, who teaches third and fourth grade at Holly Ridge Elementary School, says the technology associated with it is boosting student achievement.

Cut 7 (07) “…kids love it.”

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If you live in Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany or Terrebonne parishes and your property sustained damage from Tropical Storm Arthur, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance. Nate Custer with FEMA says while the deadline to apply for assistance isn’t until late next month, you shouldn’t procrastinate.

Cut 4 (11) “…happened to you.”

To register, either download the FEMA app, go to disaster assistance-dot-gov or call 800-621-3362.

A new law going into effect August 1st sets a minimum length limit of 12 inches and a daily creel limit of five for black bass and a minimum length of eight inches and a 25-fish daily limit for crappie in portions of the Atchafalaya Basin. Ryan Montegue with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the law hopes to improve fishing in the area.

Cut 13 (09)  “…catch larger fish.”

A new study shows that the benefits of bariatric surgery go beyond just massive weight loss. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana ranks among the 10 worst states to live in for 2026.  That’s according to a new CNBC report that gave our state a quality of life score of just 89 out of 290 points.  The report cites reproductive rights, inclusiveness, and crime as some of Louisiana’s biggest challenges.
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The search for the remains of a 15-year-old Baton Rouge boy is underway at the Baton Rouge North Landfill after authorities say Je’Derrius Minnieweather was beaten to death and dumped in a trash can.   The FBI is helping with the search. Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp says investigators have narrowed the search area to about one acre, but there are massive amounts of debris to sift through.

Cut 11 (11) “…at a time.”

Meta is expanding its Richland Parish A-I data center, becoming one of the largest data centers in the world. An estimated 75-hundred construction workers are needed to build the project and once the facility is constructed, it’s expected to employ one-thousand people. Governor Jeff Landry says this is the kind of job creation he talked about when he ran for office.

Cut 6 (12) “…those opportunities elsewhere.”

A St. Tammany Parish youth pastor is in jail on a decades old crime. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The search for the remains of 15-year-old Je’Derrius Minnieweather is underway at the Baton Rouge North Landfill. Police here say 51-year-old Maurice Parms beat Minnieweather to death and dumped his body in a trash can that was picked up during garbage collection.  Minniweather’s grandmother, Jawanna Brooks…

Cut 10 (07) “…his mom don’t.”

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Meta’s Richland Parish A-I data center is expanding to become one the largest data centers in the world.  It’ll take about 75-hundred construction workers to build the project and Meta says it’s willing to train many of them for free.  Meta President Dina Powell McCormick says anyone interested in getting trained for electrical, plumbing and fiber optics should look into Meta’s America’s Workforce Academy.

Cut 5 (11) “…data center site.”

A new study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows that bariatric surgery is not only safe and effective in helping morbidly obese people lose weight, but it also helps improve obesity-related health conditions. Dr. Philip Schauer (“shower”), who led the study, says of the patients evaluated after bariatric surgery, not only lost an average of 30 percent body weight, but…

Cut 7 (13) “…60-percent improvement.”

A difficult search is underway for the remains of a teenager who authorities believe ended up in a landfill. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A deputy U.S. Marshal was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant on a fugitive in Alexandria yesterday afternoon. According to officials, the suspect is in custody.  We’re told the FBI is leading the investigation into the deputy’s death. The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation into the shooting itself.

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Meta has announced it’s expanding its Richland Parish A-I data center to five gigawatts, becoming one of the largest data centers in the world. Work on the 32-hundred-acre site is underway; and the president of Meta, Dina Powell McCormick, says they anticipate the project will be completed in 2036.

Cut 4 (12) “…to move fast.”

A St. Tammany Parish youth pastor is arrested for allegedly sexually abusing several children decades ago. 72-year-old David Mercer was wanted on a warrant issued out of Bossier Parish. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Matthew Bertrand says Mercer was wanted for crimes committed between 1989 and 1995, while he had served as youth pastor at Cypress Baptist Church in Benton.

Cut 13 (08)  “…molestation of juveniles.”

More than 20 cases of the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis have been reported in Louisiana.  Louisiana is one of 29 states reporting cases of the parasitic infection. Sokol says dying from cyclosporiasis is extremely rare, but the infection is more than just your average upset stomach.

Cut 5 (12) “…loss of appetite.”

A new Louisiana law will require groups releasing political ads using A-I technology to disclose they’re using it.  New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the bill which is now law, says such A-I content is something that will likely be addressed next year.

Cut 8 (11) “…to push it.”

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Three former LSU Tigers were taken on the opening day of the Major League Baseball Draft. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Big News out of Richland Parish as Meta joins Governor Landry this morning to announce expansion of the company’s Hyperion data center.  The expansion represents a landmark investment in Louisiana’s future. The News conference is set for 9:30 this morning.

Those using artificial intelligence in political ads must now clearly disclose that fact. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Over 20 cases of the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis have been reported in Louisiana; that’s above average for this time of year. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol…

Cut 4 (09) “…the parasite.”

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New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno asks for a face-to-face meeting with Governor Jeff Landry. That after withdrawing the city’s request to seek a 110-million-dollar loan from a third party after learning the State Bond Commission would have rejected it.  Moreno says employees will now have to stay on furlough and the city will have to delay some projects.  On social media Friday, she asked the governor to work with her administration to be successful so the state is successful…

Cut 11 (06) “…our conversation”

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected LSU All-American outfielder Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. Curiel had two sensational seasons at LSU, and the California native says he would not be where he is now if it were not for Jay Johnson and the Tigers’ coaching staff…

Cut 16 (11) “…LSU.”

In the second round, Seattle selected former LSU right fielder Jake Brown from Sulphur.

Big News out of Richland Parish as Meta joins Governor Landry this morning to announce expansion of the company’s Hyperion data center.  The expansion represents a landmark investment in Louisiana’s future that includes a $5 million grant to Louisiana Delta Community College to train the next generation of data center workers.  The News conference is set for 9:30 this morning.

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno asks for a face-to-face meeting with Governor Jeff Landry after exchanging letters and social media posts about the city’s finances. Knowing the State Bond Commission would have rejected it, Moreno withdrew the city’s request to seek a 110-million-dollar loan from a third party. Moreno says New Orleans will take a different approach, but it is a more painful path forward…

Cut 10 (08) “…as well.”

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From now on, groups releasing political ads using A-I technology must disclose that fact. That’s due to a bill authored by New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry and signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry. Representative Landry says her bill walks a fine line between protecting people’s right to free speech and holding people accountable for using deceptive means to hurt others.

Cut 7 (10) “…harm our reputation?”

Thanks to a grant of more than 170-thousand dollars, LSU Health Shreveport is helping to address healthcare shortages in rural areas. Dr. Sharon Dunn, the dean of the School of Health Professions and Sciences, says the Louisiana Department of Health is offering scholarships after being awarded the Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity, or HERO, grant.

Cut 13 (10)  “…into rural communities.”

The political dispute between the city of New Orleans and Louisiana continues to intensify as the city withdraws a loan request to the State Bond Commission for 110-million dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In response to Governor Landry’s social media comments, Mayor Moreno took to social media has since asked for a face to face with the Governor…saying she’ll meet with him anytime.

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Louisiana’s seen more than  20 cases of the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis this year.  Our state is one of 29 states reporting cases of the parasitic infection. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says dying from cyclosporiasis is extremely rare but the infection is more than just your average upset stomach.

Cut 5 (12) “…loss of appetite.”

Previous outbreaks have been linked to bagged salads, fresh cilantro and basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.

A new Louisiana law will require groups releasing political ads using A-I technology to disclose they’re using it.  New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the bill which is now law, says such A-I content is something that will likely be addressed next year.

Cut 8 (11) “…to push it.”