Governor Jeff Landry will reportedly announce next Tuesday that Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport in Vermilion Parish. The Advocate reports the spaceport would be built on 130 acres of coastal marshland near Pecan Island, about 45 miles southwest of Lafayette, and would launch rockets into orbit. Advocate reporter Stephanie Riegel …

Cut 13 (11)  “..in Richland Parish.”

A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling shows Republican Julia Letlow leading Democrat Jamie Davis by four points in the race for U.S Senate.  One finding of the poll of 518 registered voters found that more than half had neither a favorable nor an unfavorable opinion of Davis, compared to just over one-fourth for Letlow. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it underscores the gap in name recognition.

Cut 11 (10) “…the Republican nomination.”

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Doctors in Louisiana are sounding the alarm over potential funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A Ruston High teacher is now facing a second-degree rape charge after a multi-agency investigation uncovered multiple sexual assault allegations.  Ruston Police say PD, the investigation began in July when a woman reported that 32-year old Frasier Hogan had sexually assaulted her in 2020 when she was just 14.  We’re told Hogan was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center following his arrest yesterday.

An announcement is expected from Governor Landry on Tuesday regarding a multi-billion-dollar spaceport that will be built in Vermillion Parish.  Kace Kieshnick has details on the SpaceX project that will launch rockets.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana doctors are sounding the alarm over a proposed funding cut that would slash  five-billion dollars in funding for the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Chancellor Donald, from the Tulane University School of Medicine, says the impact of those cuts would be devastating.

Cut 4 (10) “…in their toolbox.”

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We have our first poll in the U.S. Senate general election matchup between Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis. The poll conducted by Public Policy Polling shows Letlow leading Davis by four points, 41 to 37-percent, with 22-percent undecided. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it’s important to note that this is the only poll out thus far.

Cut 10 (13) “…in this state.”

State Treasurer John Fleming says the K-12 School Transparency Project has identified questionable spending by Louisiana public and charter schools. The online portal which launched last year allows citizens to see how public and charter schools spend taxpayer dollars, and Fleming says it has uncovered potential misuse of public funds.

Cut 7 (09) “…stores and restaurants.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given the thumbs up for the new Louisiana International Terminal that will be able to accommodate much larger ships. Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch it will transform the city of New Orleans and the region into a major logistics hub.

Cut 9 (14)  “…six national railroads.”

Construction is expected to take five years.

Today’s the one year anniversary of the kick-off of Amtrak’s Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile. New Orleans and Company President and CEO Walt Leger says they with more than twice the number of riders expected, the Mardi Gras line has led to a 20-percent increase in visitors to the city from the Mobile area, giving New Orleans a huge economic boost.

Cut 5 (07) “…extending their stays.”

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Louisiana State Police cited 26 commercial truckers along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge last week. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Caddo Parish Commissioner wants to make changes to a tax incentive pilot program passed last year for data center projects.  Commissioner John Paul Young  wants to see a resolution passed that puts a two-year moratorium on tax benefits for future data center projects. The moratorium would stop tax benefits for future data center projects or expansions of current ones.

It was one year ago today when the Amtrak Mardi Gras line took to the tracks for the first time. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grants a federal permit for the new Louisiana International Terminal. Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch says the new terminal will mean Louisiana can accommodate much larger ships.

Cut 8 (13) “…24-thousand containers.”

Twenty-six commercial truck drivers on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge were cited by Louisiana State Police during a targeted enforcement operation to keep trucks out of the left lane. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transportation Association, says commercial vehicles have been required to stay in the right lane while crossing the bridge since 2003.

Cut 10 (10) “…regional drivers do.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grants a federal permit for a new International Terminal in Louisiana. Joe Gallinaro explains what it could mean for our state.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Boomtown Casino in Harvey is the latest Louisiana casino to announce plans to build on land.  PENN Entertainment says it will build a 140-thousand square foot development with a casino, sportsbook and dining options that will be rebranded as Hollywood Casino.

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It was one year ago today when the Amtrak Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, welcomed its first passengers. New Orleans and Company President and CEO Walt Leger says they expected about 75-thousand passengers to board the trains in the first year; instead, ridership was about 150-thousand.

Cut 4 (07) “…for our region.”

If your spouse or partner has dementia, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America wants to hear from you. AFA spokesman Chris Schneider says it’s launched a groundbreaking national research study to examine the impact caring for a spouse or partner with dementia has on physical and mental health.

Cut 13 (07)  “…is all about.”

This could be the hottest weekend of the summer in Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico will drive up temperatures and humidity levels.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the next week.”

Louisiana’s new N-I-L and athlete agents website is live. It provides information for athletes, families, schools and agents on the state’s new NIL and athlete agents laws. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Act 895 requires agents to register with the state.

Cut 12 (12) “…integrity and character.”

Agents in existing representation agreements were required to register by August 1.

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Legendary LSU baseball coach and Athletic Director Skip Bertman is being remember after he passed away early yesterday morning. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Guilbeau says Bertman had the Midas touch as Athletic Director from 2001 to 2008, revolutionizing LSU athletics fundraising and ticket sales.

LSU legend Skip Bertman passed away early this morning at the age of 88. Bertman led LSU Baseball to five College World Series titles and 11 trips to Omaha and hired four national championship-winning coaches as Athletic Director. Former LSU pitcher Ben McDonald says Bertman transformed LSU into the greatest baseball program in the country.

Cut 3 (10) “…game of baseball.”

Louisiana’s new N-I-L and athlete agents website is live. Attorney General Liz Murrill says the new law extended existing athlete agent oversight to N-I-L agents and gave student-athletes the power to sue agents for damages, attorney fees and other compensation.

Cut 13 (08) …interests at heart.”

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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 pointed out that the data center is part of the biggest construction boom the state has ever seen, and says the jobs they’re creating are here to stay…

Cut 16 (12) “…coming to Louisiana”

Louisiana could be facing its hottest weekend of the summer right now.  LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure is driving up humidity and the temperatures, leading to outrageous heat indices which will linger for days.

Cut 10 (09) “…110 and 115.”

Legendary LSU baseball coach and Athletic Director Skip Bertman is being remember after he passed away early yesterday morning. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Guilbeau says Bertman had the Midas touch as Athletic Director from 2001 to 2008, revolutionizing LSU athletics fundraising and ticket sales.

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Louisiana’s new N-I-L and athlete agents website is live. It provides information for athletes, families, schools and agents on the state’s new NIL and athlete agents laws. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Act 895 requires agents to register with the state.

Cut 12 (12) “…integrity and character.”

Agents in existing representation agreements were required to register by August 1.

This could be the hottest weekend of the summer in Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico will drive up temperatures and humidity levels.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the next week.”

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.”