The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that dove hunting season  officially opens today. As a popular event for Louisiana hunters, the dove season marks the beginning of Louisiana’s fall hunting schedule. LDWF Biologist Richards Temple says Louisiana is divided into a North and South zone…

Cut 3 (11) “…north-south zones is.”

Six more neglected horses and ponies have been taken into custody by Louisiana humane groups, adding to a growing number of equine neglect cases. These animals were found in poor condition, suffering from malnutrition, with untreated injuries. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says the severity of their conditions brings a heavy burden to HSLA…

Cut 9 (09)  “…thousands of dollars.”

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Fans going to Saturday’s LSU home opener will be in for an enhanced gameday experience. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Black and Gold get their 2024 season underway tomorrow against the Carolina Panthers.  Saints head coach Dennis Allen says he and his team are ready to take on Panthers starting quarterback Bryce Young.

Cut  16 (11)   “…he can do.”

South Louisiana homeowners can register for a grant of up to 10-thousand dollars to help pay for a fortified roof.  Sean Richardson reports registration will run from September 18th to the 20th and then three-hundred homeowners will be chosen.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The National Weather Service reports that rainfall is expected to increase across South Louisiana beginning today and excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. A flood watch is in effect through Friday.

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More news from the tragic story out of Minden where a former mayor and his daughter were shot dead, allegedly by a young relative. 82-year-old Joe Cornelieus and his 31 year old daughter Keisha Miles were shot to death Sunday morning.  Police Chief Jared McIver says the shooter is an 11 year old family member, but as for motive…

Cut 14 (06) “…know that yet.”

18-year-old Tarum Varnell of Grayson is facing a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals after Wildlife and Fisheries agents discovered video of him choking a spotted fawn to death. Senior Agent Michael Thacker on the arrest

Cut 9 (05)  “…into jail.”

If convicted Varnell could face fines of up to 25-thousand dollars and up to ten years in prison.

The investigation continues into the deadly shooting of a former mayor of Minden and his daughter by a young family member. 82-year-old Joe Cornelius and his 31-year-old daughter, Keisha Miles, were shot to death inside their home Sunday morning. Police Chief Jared McIver says investigators quickly zeroed in on one of two juveniles who were home at the time.

Cut 13 (14)  “…11 years of age.”

An 18-year-old Grayson man is arrested for allegedly strangling a spotted fawn in Caldwell Parish. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the investigation began in July as investigators were looking into an unrelated incident when they discovered the video of Taryn Varnell taking the deer and choking it to death. Senior Agent Michael Thacker…

Cut 7 (04) “…for sure.”

If convicted on the felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, Varnell could face up to $25 thousand dollars in fines and up to ten years in jail.

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South Louisiana homeowners interested in up to a 10-thousand dollar grant that can be used towards a new fortified roof, can register with the Department of Insurance from September 18 to September 20.  The goal is to reduce damage during storms, lower insurance premiums, and make Louisiana stronger.  Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple

Cut 5 (12) “…South Louisiana.”

LSU Health New Orleans announces the launch of the Louisiana 3.0+ Scholars Pledge, a School of Public Health program designed to recognize and retain the brightest minds in Louisiana. School of Public Health Associate Dean Kari Brisolara says any student who is a Louisiana resident or earned their undergraduate degree from a Louisiana university with a G-P-A of 3.0 or higher will automatically be accepted into the Master’s Program.

Cut 10 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

South Louisiana homeowners interested in up to a 10-thousand dollar grant that can be used towards a new fortified roof, can register with the Department of Insurance from September 18 to September 20.  Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says once the lottery registration period closes, they will randomly select 300 participants from the pool of eligible registrants.

Cut 4 (12) “…FORTIFIED roof.”

18-year-old Steven Varnell of Grayson has been arrested for allegedly strangling a spotted fawn in Caldwell Parish. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Senior Agent Michael Thacker says the video was graphic…

Cut 8 (05) “…aggressive manner.”

Varnell is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony with fines of up to $25,000 and up to ten years in prison.

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An update on a horrific scene in Minden in which a former mayor and his daughter were shot dead, allegedly by a young relative. We get more from Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry is petitioning LSU to bring back the tradition of having its live tiger mascot inside the stadium for home football games.  That’s according to a report from the Louisiana Illuminator.  Mike VII, has never attended a football game and according to the report he won’t attend any this season.

Holiday weekends are times for beefed-up drunk driving enforcement — this weekend is no exception. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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 .”

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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. And PAR expects completed FAFSA applications in Louisiana will decline even more since BESE repealed a policy that made students apply for federal student aid to graduate. Steven Procopio with PAR says he hopes this year’s decline shows lawmakers that students need help getting financial aid.

Cut 5 (08)  “…on the table.”

LSU coaches and players have said the defense is better over last year, we’ll get an idea of how improved when the Tigers take on USC on tomorrow night. LSU head coach Brian Kelly says USC runs an air-raid offense, which usually means a lot of passing. Trojans Head Coach Lincoln Riley says running the football will also be a factor.

Cut 13 (11) “…point of emphasis.” 

Kick off tomorrow is set for 6:30.

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.”