LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other for the 21st time on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly has great respect for the Bulldogs and their head coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 11 (13) “…do the same.”

Kick off tonight is set for 6:30

Louisiana Tech isn’t the only in-state team facing a big opponent tonight.  UL-Monroe will take on twenty-first ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa at tonight at 6:45. The Warhawks are looking to pull off the upset in T-Town just like it did in 2007 when it defeated the Crimson Tide 21 to 14 in Nick Saban’s first year at Bama.

And Grambling State faces the top-ranked team in the nation in Ohio State.  It’s the first time the Tigers will have played an AP number one team.  Kick-off for that one is set for 2:30.

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It’s the first full weekend of September which means Louisiana’s holding its annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday. Between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes. But, Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says there are certain hunting-related items, though, that are ineligible for the sales tax exemption this weekend.

Cut 4 (09) “…such as airboats.”

If you’re out and about shopping or attending a big game, be aware that COVID cases are up again this year.  It’s happened every year for the last five years.  But Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport, says so far, this year’s spike isn’t as severe as those in years past, but only time will tell.

Cut 7 (09) “…up each week.”

COVID cases are on the rise again this year in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Powerball frenzy is hitting hard as a big win tonight would be the second largest in US lottery history.  The estimated jackpot for tonight’s big drawing is up to 1.8 billion dollars.  Including this one, there have only been six jackpots of more than $1 billion in Powerball’s 33-year history.

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Louisiana Tech and LSU are set for tonight’s 6:30 kick-off in Tiger Stadium.  The purple and gold are expected to win big as the third ranked Tigers are favorite by more than five touchdowns, coming off an impressive win over Clemson. The Bulldogs have not had a winning season since 2019. LSU head coach Brian Kelly on what he wants from his players.

Cut 12 (13) “…drive themselves.”

It appears that vendors at last weekend’s Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival got the memo to sell only Louisiana shrimp.  SeaD (“seed”) Consulting did genetic testing on shrimp from seven vendors – and the shrimp from all seven were indeed found to be from local waters. Co-founder Erin Williams says it’s a far cry from last year, when shrimp from four of the five vendors they tested turned out to be imported.

Cut 13 (09)  “…help that along.”

COVID cases are on the rise in Louisiana. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport, says spikes in COVID cases have happened every summer since the virus first appeared five years ago, and this year has proven to be no different.

Cut 6 (13) “…over 15-percent.”

This weekend is the annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiana. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes.

Cut 3 (10) “…types of knives.”

The 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is an annual tradition in Louisiana.

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A man wanted for a murder in Ruston was arrested in Texas yesterday after a police chase that started on Interstate 20 near Bossier City. Dylan Castaneda with Ruston Police says 31-year-old Virgil Mack of Dubach fatally shot 35-year-old Ontario Spivey of Ruston at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store on Thursday. Castaneda says security cameras captured the shooting…

Cut 9 (09)  “…shooting itself.”

LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other for the 21st time on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly has great respect for the Bulldogs and their head coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 11 (13) “…do the same.”

LSU is expected to win big, as the third ranked Tigers are favorite by 37.5 points.  Kick off is at 6:30

The Louisiana Supreme Court has denied a death row inmate’s request for a rehearing. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Powerball mania remains in full swing as the estimated jackpot for tonight’s big drawing is up to 1.8 billion dollars.  A windfall tonight would be the second-biggest in U.S. lottery history. Including this one, there have been six jackpots of more than $1 billion in Powerball’s 33-year history.
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Another summer, another spike in COVID cases here in Louisiana, though COVID very different now than it was when it first hit the world five and a half years ago. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton, says while COVID can still have very severe consequences, the likelihood of that is somewhat diminished nowadays.

Cut 8 (10) “…have been vaccinated.”

What a difference a year  can make. Last year at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, SeaD Consulting found that four of the five vendors it tested were selling imported shrimp. This year, it tested seven, and all seven were selling Louisiana shrimp as required. SeaD Co-founder Erin Williams….

Cut 14 (12) “…domestic fishing industries.”

20 years ago, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew nearly became trapped in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Donald Trump yesterday suggesting a federal crime crackdown could be launched in New Orleans. If the National Guard is deployed to New Orleans, it’s likely their presence would be concentrated in the French Quarter.  Governor Jeff Landry has said he would support the move.

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Many child care providers are having trouble staying in business right now.  That’s according to the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.  Public policy and research director Mattilyn Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

Cut 5 (14) “…to other sectors.”

Batson says the simplest solution is for child care providers is to raise tuition. but, that’s a lot easier said than done.

Cut 6 (11) “…affording child care.”

Batson says there are programs aimed at helping both child care providers and families afford child care, but those programs are underfunded, which only adds to the problem.

A new ICE detention center is now open at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are having a hard time staying in business.  Mattilyn Batson, with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says they’re being stretched thin financially.

Cut 4 (14) “…in their community.”

Batson says nearly every expense involved in running a child care center has gone up in recent years.

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20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina nearly trapped Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the rest of the Wheel of Fortune crew in New Orleans. They were in town taping three weeks worth of shows.  Harry Friedman, who was the executive producer at the time, says by the time they decided to evacuate, they had no way to get out – so they commandeered two tour buses.

Cut 10 (14) “…need their buses.”

The two weeks of shows they did manage to tape aired in November, with an introduction from Pat and Vanna stating that they were taped just before the storm. Friedman says staff made sure that all 30 contestants who appeared on the show were accounted for.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the hurricane.”

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is testifying before the Senate Finance Committee this morning amid chaos at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This, after Kennedy fired Susan Monarez, triggering a wave of resignations by top employees. Senator Bill Cassidy, who’s a member of the Finance Committee, says he will have lots of questions for the secretary.

Cut 7 (07) “…make a decision.”

Governor Landry and federal officials announce Camp J at the Angola Prison has been renovated to house what they are calling the worst of the worst criminal illegal migrants arrested by ICE. Landry says this facility fulfils the President’s promise to make America safer…

Cut 13 (08)  “…holding facility.”

Renovations to Camp J were paid for by what the President calls his “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

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A children’s advocacy group says child care providers are finding it more difficult to remain in business. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

President Donald Trump yesterday suggesting a federal crime crackdown could be launched in New Orleans.  And Governor Jeff Landry has said he would support the move.  If the National Guard is deployed to New Orleans, it’s likely their presence would be concentrated in the French Quarter. As of now, there’s no timetable on when or if the deployment would happen.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will face a Democratic challenger in next November’s general election. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Powerball mania is in full effect across the country as the prize for tonight’s jackpot is up to an estimated 1.3 billion dollars.  Tonight’s jackpot is the fifth largest in Powerball history with an estimated cash value of $589 million dollars.

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State and Federal officials are set to make a big announcement later today, making it official that Angola will house ICE detainees in Camp J.  It has been closed since 2018. However, Louisiana Illuminator Editor Greg LaRose says ays in late July the governor declared a state of emergency for expedited repairs.

Cut 14 (11) “…changed.”

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says smoke-free policies are working when it comes to reducing the rate of smoking-related cancers.  And Senior Director Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson, says the positive effects of smoke-free policies have many more benefits.

Cut 8 (12) “…having asthma attacks.”

Louisiana’s 2026 U.S. Senate race could get even more crowded. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Democrat Conrad Cable has announced he will run against U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson in the general election next November.  Cable on who he is as a candidate.

Cut 5 (12) “…serve my community.”

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Governor Jeff Landry, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi will announce this afternoon that the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola will house ICE detainees. Louisiana Illuminator Editor Greg LaRose says the ICE detainees will be housed at Camp J.

Cut 13 (12)  “…facility.”

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says smoke-free policies have been very effective in reducing the rate of smoking-related cancers. Senior Director Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson, says Orleans and Ouachita parishes, where smoking is prohibited in all indoor establishments, including bars and gaming facilities, both experienced a much higher decrease in smoking-related cancers, relative to the rest of the state.

Cut 7 (09) “…those respective parishes.”

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will have a Democratic opponent in next November’s general election for his District Four House seat. Conrad Cable has announced that he is running for Johnson’s seat. Cable says he’s not a politician; he’s a vegetable farmer.

Cut 4 (14) “…of Louisianans face.”

We could see more Republican candidates enter next year’s U.S. Senate race and challenge incumbent Bill Cassidy. Carencro State Representative Julie Emerson told the Advocate she will throw her hat into the ring, if Congresswoman Julia Letlow doesn’t get in the race. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says everyone is waiting to see if Letlow will make a run for Senate.

Cut 10 (07) “…things up.”

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One anti-smoking group says smoke-free policies help contribute to a drop in smoking-related cancer. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The billion-dollar Powerball jackpot is still on the rise! The prize has surged to an estimated $1.30 billion for tonight’s drawing, with an estimated cash value of $589 million.  Tonight’s jackpot is the fifth largest in Powerball history.