It’s Labor Day Weekend and that means law enforcement in Louisiana will be beefing up drunk driving enforcement as part of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.  The campaign is federally funded. Greg Fisher with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission on how departments use the money.

Cut 7 (12) “…the road longer.”

The weather in South Louisiana may also affect your Labor Day Weekend travel, as there’s plenty of rain in the forecast thanks to a tropical disturbance off the coast of neighboring Texas.  Chanele Stigger with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says it’ll be overcast and rainy most of the weekend, but on the flip side…

Cut 10 (11) “…maybe low 90s.”

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60% of Louisiana high school seniors are applying for college financial aid this year, According to a report from the Public Affairs Research Council, that’s a 10% drop from last year. Steven Procopio with PAR says Louisiana still ranks second in the nation for FAFSA completions, but he’s worried that could slip because…

Cut 4 (11) “…overall nation.”

The LSU football Tigers will be looking for their first win in a season opener since 2019 tomorrow night as they take on USC in Las Vegas beginning tomorrow night at 6:30. And Coach Brian Kelley says his team’s preparation for this opener has been superb…

Cut  14 (12) “..outstanding.”

A new PAR report shows around 60% of Louisiana high school seniors are applying for college financial aid this year, a 10% drop from last year. Plus, the report says, around 92% of parish public school districts saw fewer seniors completing FAFSA by June 28 compared to last year. Steven Procopio with PAR…

Cut 3 (11) “…a lot of it.”

Another holiday weekend is upon us; and thus, law enforcement will be out in full force cracking down on drunk driving. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is in effect through Monday.

Cut 6 (13) “…notice of that.”

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Looks like it could be a pretty wet Labor Day weekend in South Louisiana. Chanele Stigger is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles and says the rain is something that we can all use, given the weather we’ve had recently.

Cut 11 (09) ” ….weather is welcomed.”

A tropical disturbance off the coast of Texas is helping to fuel the rain Louisiana will experience this weekend.

The LSU football tigers won’t have to worry about the weather here as we find out how improved the purple and gold defense is as they take on USC tomorrow night in Las Vegas.  Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley is considered one of the best play callers in college football and LSU coach Brian Kelly says Riley will keep you on your toes….

Cut 12 (08) “…non-traditional.”

Mother Nature could be putting a damper on the holiday weekend in South Louisiana. Chanele Stigger is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.

Cut 9 (09) “…skies and showers .”

The flip side of the coin is, when rain is not falling, it will actually be quite pleasant to be outside, with highs only in the mid 80’s to low 90’s.

This holiday weekend, law enforcement will be out in full force cracking down on drunk driving. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the federally funded Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is in effect through Monday all to save lives.

Cut 8 (09)  “…their seat belt.”

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After a confusing FAFSA rollout, a new report from PAR finds less Louisiana seniors are applying for college financial aid this year. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

New Orleans jury has found Preston Higgs guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Liz Quackenbush, with an axe in 2021.   The verdict came yesterday after a three-day trial.  The prosecutor in the case said Higgs’ claim of self-defense was “lunacy”.  Higgs is set to be sentenced later this year.

Governor Jeff Landry has issued an executive order banning Critical Race Theory in Louisiana public schools. But New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis says kids need to be taught history, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Cut 15 (05) “…as a state.”

But Denham Springs Republican Senator Valarie Hodges says that’s not what Landry’s executive order does.

Cut  16 (06)   “…to repeat it.”

After ten years in New Orleans, The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has expanded its oyster shell recycling program to Baton Rouge. The expansion marks a significant step in scaling up the program to preserve Louisiana’s coastline for future generations. Spokesperson James Karst

Cut 6 (12) “…back in the water.”

The latest Secretary of State voter registration numbers it shows 64-percent more new women voters registered than men in July. Colleen Crain takes a look at what that may mean.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

Louisiana’s Travel Summit kicks off today in Shreveport at our state’s tourism levels are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser on what’s attracting so much attention.

Cut 7 (11) “…music of Louisiana.”

After operating in New Orleans for ten years, The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has expanded its oyster shell recycling program to Baton Rouge. Spokesman James Karst says the initiative uses recycled oyster shells to rebuild and strengthen Louisiana’s fragile coastlines and this expansion will help do more.

Cut 5 (09) “…expanding to Baton Rouge.”

For more information on how restaurants can participate in the oyster shell recycling program visit CRCL-dot-org

Latest data from the Louisiana Secretary of State reveals more women registered to vote than men by 64-percent in July. 5,287 newly registered women voters compared to 3,305 newly registered men voters. UL Monroe Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this could be due to Kamala Harris getting the Democratic Nomination.

Cut 10 (12) “…White House.”

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Critical Race Theory is banned in K-through-12 public schools in Louisiana as a result of an executive order signed by Governor Landry. Andrew Greenstein has reaction from a pair of state senators.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.” 

The Louisiana Travel Summit kicks off in Shreveport today and our state is pulling out all the stops when it comes to attracting tourists.   Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says 2024 has been the year of music. And 2025 will be the year of food.

Cut 8 (14) “…around the country.”

After operating in New Orleans for ten years, The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has expanded its oyster shell recycling program to Baton Rouge. This initiative uses recycled oyster shells to rebuild and strengthen Louisiana’s fragile coastlines. Spokesperson James Karst says oyster shells are a critical component in creating new oyster reefs, which act as natural barriers against storm surges and help restore marine habitats.

Cut 4 (07) “…a lot of good.”

Louisiana is pulling out all the stops in boosting tourism and entering the global spotlight. And the news is good as Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says 2024 Louisiana tourism is almost all the way back to pre-pandemic levels.

Cut 9 (09)  “…43-million visitors.”

Nungesser delivers the keynote address, updating the future of Louisiana’s tourism industry at today’s Louisiana Travel Summit in Shreveport.

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Critical Race Theory is a no-go in public schools in Louisiana. Governor Landry signed an executive order banning the subject matter in K-through-12 public schools in the state. It’s something that Denham Springs Republican Senator Valarie Hodges has been pushing for.

Cut 13 (08) “…the teaching manuals.” 

But New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis doubts that critical race theory is being taught in K-through-12 and he says kids need to be taught history, even if the history is uncomfortable.

Cut 15 (05) “…as a state.”

Additional flights from Shreveport to Las Vegas added due to LSU season opener.  Officials at Shreveport Regional, said Allegiant normally has flights on Mondays and Fridays to Las Vegas, year round, but because the flight sold out so early this year, they decided to add a second flight that leaves Saturday of this week and returns on Monday as well. That flight on the way to Las Vegas has also sold out.

In Acadia Parish Many are mourning the death of 27-year-old Rayne Police Detective Javonta Flugence, killed in a single-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon, along with fiancée Amber Davy, and their two-year-old child, Caroline.  State Police Trooper Peggy Bourque says the wreck occurred on Louisiana Highway 13 near Bluefish Road…

Cut 14 (12)  “…the scene.”

A human skull found in the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in St. Tammany Parish seven years ago has finally been identified. Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape says his office worked with a genetic genealogy company to identify a living niece in California who confirmed the skull as Gary Maggio of Slidell and finally give his family some closure

Cut 6 (09) “…heartbreaking.”
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Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc is stepping down after holding that job for nearly 17 years. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

Gov. Jeff Landry, Secretary of State Nancy Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill will be discussing election integrity today, ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The news conference will be held at the Louisiana Capitol, where Governor Landay will also sign an executive order to maintain integrity in the electoral process and protect the accuracy of voter rolls.

A human skull found in the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in St. Tammany Parish seven years ago has finally been identified. Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape says his office worked with a genetic genealogy company to identify a living niece in California who confirmed the skull as Gary Maggio of Slidell…

Cut 4 (11) “…unfortunately.”

The man who has run the state’s prison system for the last 16 years is is stepping down due to health reasons.  Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc made the announcement on Friday. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says Leblanc worked hard to reduce the state’s recidivism rate…

Cut 12 (10) “…stop that.”

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LSU football fans are getting ready for a trip to Vegas later this week where the Tigers are set to take on the Trojans of USC.  Owner of Mr. Fun’s Travel Jason Ramezan says the purple and gold faithful are not just attending the game, they’re bringing their unique energy and traditions to the city.

Cut 9 (06)  “…Las Vegas this weekend.”

Kick off at Allegiant Stadium is set for 6:30 central time on Sunday.

State Fire marshal Chief Bryan J. Adams is reminding all of us about the importance of smoke alarms following a fatal fire in Oak Grove last week that left a woman dead. Chief Adams says Louisiana’s Operation Save A Life program can help families in need get free smoke alarms FREE of charge.  Just head to lasfm.org for details. 

A human skull found at a wildlife refuge in St. Tammany Parish in 2017 has finally been identified. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc is stepping down due to health reasons after sixteen years at the helm. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the key to Leblanc’s success was that he was level headed…

Cut 13 (05)  “…made it easy.”

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LSU Tiger fans will head to Las Vegas later this week for the purple and gold’s  season opener against the USC Trojans this Sunday at llegiant Stadium. Owner of Mr. Fun’s Travel Jason Ramezan says LSU is expected to have a strong presence in the city, with fans eager to witness the Tigers’ debut under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Cut 8 (07) “…represented in Vegas.”

Many are mourning in Acadia Parish as 27-year-old Rayne Police Detective Javonta Flugence was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon. Flugence’s fiancee, Amber Davy, and their two-year-old child, Caroline, were also killed. State Police Trooper Peggy Bourque says Bourque says it appears none of the occupants were restrained…

Cut 15 (08)  “…do that.”

Flugence started as a detective for the Rayne Police Department in 2019. He was considered a pivotal person in Rayne’s fight against drug activity.

The man who has run the state’s prison system for the last 16 years is resigning. Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says health reasons are forcing him to step down. Former state lawmaker and House Criminal Chairman Joe Marino says Leblanc did an excellent job despite limited resources…

Cut 10 (10) “…long time.”

Many are mourning in Acadia Parish as 27-year-old Rayne Police Detective Javonta Flugence was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon. Flugence’s fiancee, Amber Davy, and their two-year-old child, Caroline, were also killed. State Police Trooper Peggy Bourque says the wreck occurred on Louisiana Highway 13 near Bluefish Road…

Cut 14 (12)  “…the scene.”

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LSU Tigers fans are heading to Las Vegas to support their Tigers in the season opener against the USC Trojans this Sunday. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The Saints dropped their preseason finale 30 to 27 to the Tennessee Titans. It was one final chance for Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler to claim the second-string quarterback spot behind starter Derek Carr. Rattler had the better day as he threw for 105 yards and a touchdown but knows this decision is out of his hands.

Cut 17 (09) “…my best foot forward.”