Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the southern Gulf more than 500 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night or early Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the system will bring areas of heavy rainfall to the central U.S. Gulf coast and much of the Southeast Friday and into the weekend.

Cut 8 (06) “…to ten inches.”

The Department of Children and Family Services is revamping foster caregiver training and certification by launching HomeReady. Secretary Rebecca Harris says with more than seven-thousand children in foster care, the state needed a better way for prospective foster parents to get certified.

Cut 10 (09) “…and help children.”

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State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. Fleming says the recently-released Legislative Auditor’s report uncovered significant discrepancies between certain budget and expenditure reports.

Cut 4 (12) “…other budget items.”

Louisiana is expected to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years, according to an economic forecast. Dr. Loren Scott puts together this economic forecast annually, and he’s projecting more jobs than usual because of the boom in data centers in north and central Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…just about Alexandria.”

Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the southern Gulf more than 500 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night or early Saturday morning. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a portion of the state’s coast is in in the cone of uncertainty.

Cut 7 (10) “…at the cone.”

State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. That’s based on a recent-released Legislative Auditor’s report and a review of financial information from the K-Through-12 School Transparency Project, which showed questionable spending.  Fleming says eliminating unnecessary spending starts with better transparency.

Cut 6 (13) “…that alongside us.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services launches a new way for prospective foster parents to get certified. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The owner and an employee of a Ville Platte smoke shop have been arrested in an ongoing narcotics investigation that began with the death of a 17 year old September 19^th, the day after he purchased over the counter herbal supplement pills from the Tobacco Tavern.  State Police say a search of the shop turned up more of those pills, suspected to contain a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous substance. We’re told both men arrested are facing a charge of  Distribution of a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Forecasters are keeping an eye on the weather, and The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression or storm that could threaten the Northern Gulf coast could form later this week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says even though it’s October, the sea surface temperatures in the Gulf are still in the mid-80s, which is warm enough to support tropical storm development.

Cut 5 (08) “…support tropical activity.”

The numbers show about 90 babies die in their sleep each year in Louisiana, with most deaths being preventable.  That’s why the Department of Children and Family Servies is asking parents to evaluate their infants’ sleep environments for safety.  Secretary Rebecca Harris says you should never place pillows, blankets or stuffed animals inside a baby’s crib.

Cut 9 (13)  “…very tragic situation.”

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On Saturday night in Ruston, Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette will renew an over 100-year-old rivalry for the first time in over a decade. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Not the outcome “Who Dat” nation was looking for last night as Atlanta easily defeated the Saints 45 to 24 on a night where the city celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the team returning to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. It took the Falcons just three plays to score on a 59-yard run. The Saints are 1-and-3 and host undefeated Minnesota this Sunday.

The Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents of to make sure their babies have the safest possible sleep environment at night.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression or storm could form in the Gulf later this week and threaten the northern Gulf coast. National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says it’s hard to predict how much development we’ll see from this disturbance, but a wet weekend is possible.

Cut 4 (05) “…for heavy rainfall.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is calling it the next American Renaissance. That’s how he described the construction of data centers being built in Louisiana and around the country during an appearance on Fox Business.  Of course data centers can hold massive amounts of digital files, handle corporate databases and back up the cloud. Landry says this type of technology is needed in today’s world.

Cut 14 (14) “…subscribe to it.”

Not a great night for the Saints last night as the Falcons dominated the black and gold in Monday night football. It took the Falcons just three plays to take the crowd right out of the game, with Bijan Robinson scoring on a 59-yard run. Head Coach Kellen Moore says the fact that his team laid an egg for the twenty year observance of their return to the dome after Hurricane Katrina was frustrating. .

Cut 11 (14) “…to catch up.”

Forecasters are watching a tropical disturbance in the southwestern Gulf, trying to determine what it will do. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Jeff Landry is touting the four data centers being built in Louisiana. During an appearance on Fox Business, Governor Jeff Landry called the construction of these data centers and others around the country the next American Renaissance.

Cut 13 (07)  “…here in America.”

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DCFS is urging parents of infants to create a safe sleep environment for their babies. Statistics show about 90 babies die in their sleep each year in Louisiana, most of those deaths preventable. Secretary Rebecca Harris says there are some basics parents need to remember.

Cut 7 (13) “…obstruct their breathing.”

The Saints made their return to national television for the first time in two years and it did not go as many had hoped. On a night when the black and gold observed the 20th anniversary of the reopening of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, the Falcons dominated the Saints, 45-24. Head Coach Kellen Moore …

Cut 10 (11) “…and move forward.”

Louisiana’s only one of two states that showed a significant decline in adult obesity rate, dropping almost four percent and moving from the third most obese state all the way to number 19.  That’s according to the State of Obesity 2026 report. Dr. Oren Rom, the assistant vice chancellor for research at LSU Health Shreveport, says that’s thanks in large part to GLP-1 drugs, the benefits of which he says outweigh the side effects.

Cut 14 (10) “…in body weight.”

LSU has been designated a Distinguished Military College by U-S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.  U-S Air Force Colonel Joseph Musacchia, who is the commandment of the LSU Corps of Cadet says it’s fitting as LSU was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy …

Cut 11 (12) “…Spanish American War”

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UL System president Rick Gallot says higher-ed officials will need to make tough decisions regarding the deficits university athletics departments face. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Big night at the Superdome tonight at the Saints host the Falcons and take a look back at one of the most emotional nights in Saints sports history.   the Saints’ return to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina when Steve Gleason blocked a punt for a touchdown.  Gleason, who’s lived with ALS for years will be at tonight’s game as an honorary captain and will led the crowd in the who dat chant before the game.

U-S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has designated LSU as a Distinguished Military College, which experts say will give its Corp of Cadets and ROTC grads a better chance at starting their military careers as officers.   U-S Air Force Colonel Joseph Musacchia, who is the commandant of the LSU Corps of Cadet says the designation will likely double the program’s enrollment. .

Cut 12 (14) “…Louisiana State University.”

It appears that Louisianans are slimming down. According to the State of Obesity 2026 report, Louisiana is only one of two states that showed a significant decline in adult obesity rate, falling nearly four percent and moving us from third in the nation all to way to 19 when it comes to obesity. Dr. Oren Rom, with  LSU Health Shreveport says…

Cut 13 (08)  “…receptor agonist drugs.”

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As the Saints host the Falcons tonight, there will also be a celebration to commemorate the rebirth of New Orleans.
Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Gleason, who has been living with A-L-S for years, will be at tonight’s game as an honorary captain and will lead the “Who Dat” chant before kickoff.

Despite boasting the best cuisine on the planet, Louisiana is actually slimming down. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Three New Orleans Police officers were injured yesterday helping firefighters contain a fire and rescue a toddler from a fire in Gentilly yesterday.  It happened at a building in the 9000 block of Chef Menteur Highway.  We’re told two of the officers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation while a third officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

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U-S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has designated LSU as a Distinguished Military College. U-S Air Force Colonel Joseph Musacchia, who is the commandment of the LSU Corps of Cadet says the order gives the program and ROTC graduates a better chance at starting their military careers as officers.

Cut 10 (11) “…from the pack.”

Tonight, the Saints host the Falcons, but this game is about more than the regular-season rivalry. It’s also a night to remember one of the most emotional moments in New Orleans sports history — the Saints’ return to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. The Saints’ radio voice, Mike Hoss, was a fan in the stands when Steve Gleason famously blocked Michael Koenen’s punt, setting off an eruption of emotion inside the Superdome…

Cut 7 (09) “…once.”

He’s back home from a nine-day trip to Japan and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser hopes the effort will mean more Japanese visitors to our state.  Conducted in partnership with Mississippi River Country, the trip included representatives from seven states. The Louisiana delegation participated in the Tourism EXPO Japan, where they gave out samples of Tabasco ice cream.

Cut 5 (13) “…coming to Louisiana.”

ULM School of Construction Management has received 229-thousand dollars from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Education Trust Fund. School Director Dr. Clint Martin says the school gets similar donations from those two entities every year, and has a big impact on…

Cut 9 (12)  “…the licensing board.”

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Just over 20 years after Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt, the Saints and Falcons will return to the Superdome on Monday Night Football. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LSU is back in action tomorrow night against McNeese. Coach Lane Kiffin said we could see a lot of backups in as the Tigers look to avoid any more injuries.  Kickoff for the Tigers versus the Cowboys is set for 6:45 in Tiger Stadium.

Election Day is one month from tomorrow, and the candidates for U.S. Senate are pulling out all the stops. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A 17-year-old student is facing a terrorizing charge in connection with a threat to kill students at Central Lafourche High School posted to Snapchat.  Authorities say the post was shared rapidly students, parents, and school staff. Bail for the suspect is set at 50-thousand dollars.

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is back in Louisiana after a nine-day trip to Japan that he hopes will result in more Japanese people visiting Louisiana. Nungesser says on Monday, a luncheon was held that showcased Louisiana’s music, culture, and food to 100 Japanese journalists, bloggers and social media influencers.

Cut 4 (08) “…stole the show.”
Nearly half of Louisiana’s Japanese visitors travel alone for business.  And Nungesser says we’d like to attract more families to visit.

It’s a hefty donation for the ULM School of Construction Management. In a ceremony last Friday, the school received 229-thousand dollars from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Education Trust Fund. School Director Dr. Clint Martin says the money will be put to good use.

Cut 7 (07) “…their classes in.”