We’ve only seen four named storms, and no hurricanes this season, but the Colorado State University hurricane forecast team is still calling for an above average season. Dr. Phil Klotzbach says we’re nearing the peak of hurricane season and could see at least eight actual hurricanes because…

Cut 15 (07) “…well above average.”

Schools are opening as early as today throughout the state, so Louisiana State Police are urging you to take all precautions necessary to keep your kids safe as they go back to school. Trooper Eddie Thomas says when a crossing guard tells you to do something, you do it.

Cut 4 (13) “…for everyone’s safety.”

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Statistics show a significant drop in the birth rate in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana is expanding a program that puts money back on a SNAP recipients EBT card when they buy fresh produce. Tim Jenkins with the Department of Children and Family Services says people in 11 parishes using SNAP benefits can now get a 30-cent bonus for buying fruits and vegetables at Walmart stores in Calcasieu, Jackson, Lafayette, Rapides and Terrebonne parishes.

Cut 10 (09) “…eat healthy.”

It’s back to school time across much of Louisiana, so drivers need to watch out for the kids and busses on the roadways. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pine) reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana’s birthrate is on the decline. According to recent statistics 52-thousand babies were born in Louisiana last year. That’s down from more than 63-thousand in 2013. And Allison Plyer, the chief demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans, says declining birth rates have a ripple effect.

Cut 9 (08)  “…across the state.”

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Colorado State University’s hurricane forecast team continues to call for a slightly above-average 2025 hurricane season. There have been four named storms so far this year, and experts predict another dozen named storms, eight of which will strengthen into hurricanes. Dr. Phil Klotzbach says the peak of hurricane season is just two weeks away.

Cut 14 (10) “…couple of weeks.”

The state is expanding a program that puts money back on a SNAP recipients EBT card when they buy fresh produce. Tim Jenkins with the Department of Children and Family Services says the program started in Louisiana last April and they are already seeing SNAP shoppers take advantage of it.

Cut 11 (08) “…been earned.”

A program that gives money back to SNAP recipients for purchasing fresh produce with their government assistance is expanding. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Schools are opening as early as today across Louisiana, so State Police are reminding us all to be sure to be on the lookout for the kiddos. Trooper Eddie Thomas says when the red lights on a school bus start flashing and the red stop sign swings out on the driver’s side of the bus, traffic in both directions needs to come to a full stop.

Cut 5 (08) “…bus moves again.”

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The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team continues to call for a slightly above-average 2025 hurricane season. There have been four named storms so far this year, but none of them have grown to hurricane strength. Dr. Phil Klotzbach says they predict a dozen more named storms, eight of which will strengthen into hurricanes.

Cut 13 (12)  “…three major hurricanes.”

Louisiana’s birthrate is on a downward swing.  The latest numbers show Louisiana has seen an 11-thousand drop in babies born in in a little more than a decade.  From 63-thousand  in 20-13 down to 52-thousand last year.   Allison Plyer, the chief demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans, fewer women of child-bearing age living in Louisiana, so there are fewer babies born here.

Cut 8 (08) “…child-bearing age population.”

Autonomous trucks are now driving between Dallas and Houston at night, and it may not be long before they make their way to Louisiana. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association,  says Amar says there have already been test runs for self-driving trucks in the state, though for now, they’ll only be at night during low traffic hours and with a human driver in the vehicle.

Cut 5 (10) “…on the road.”

Starting now, Louisiana school districts will be allowed to accept advertising from politicians and political groups for athletics and other school clubs. It’s a new law which was written by Gonzales Republican Senator Eddie Lambert who says rural areas need every source of revenue they can get.

Cut 11 (09) “…year to advertise.”

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A pair of big athletic events are happening in New Orleans this week. The third NOLA Pickle Fest starts today at the Morial Convention Center and the U.S. Gymnastics Championships start tomorrow at the Smoothie King Center.  Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company  says you may see some of the athletes competing on the mat at the Smoothie King Center this week in Los Angeles three years from now.

Cut 15 (06) “…incredible talented gymnasts.”

Both events run through Sunday.

He’s the voice of Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band.  Now BJ Bell has become the first band announcer to land an NIL deal. Bell signed with Monroe-based Attorney Eddie Clark & Associates. Bell, who always dreamed of playing in the Tiger Marching Band, says announcing for them has allowed him to live those dreams.

Cut 9 (08)  “…great feeling.”

It might not be long before self-driving trucks are rolling in Louisiana.  They’re already driving between Dallas and Houston at night. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association,  says autonomous trucks could transform the industry, but not without employment concerns.

Cut 6 (08) “…down the line.”

He’s the voice of Grambling’s World Famous Tiger Marching Band…and now B.J. Bell has become the first band announcer to land an NIL deal. Bell signed with Monroe-based Attorney Eddie Clark & Associates. Bell says the partnership will take advantage of his local stardom.

Cut 8 (12) “…came into play.”

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Starting this school year, school districts now have the option to accept advertising from politicians and political groups. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Big sporting week in New Orleans as the third NOLA Pickle Fest starts today at the Morial Convention Center. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company

Cut 13 (07)  “…Brees Dream Foundation.”

And that’s not all, the US Gymnastics Championships kick off tomorrow at the Smoothie King Center.  Both events run through Sunday.

Autonomous trucks are now driving between Dallas and Houston at night, and it may not be long before they make their way to Louisiana. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association,  says a law was passed in 2019 allowing autonomous trucking in the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…on their own.”

Beginning now, school districts will be permitted to accept advertising from politicians and political groups for athletics and other school clubs. It’s a new law which was written by Gonzales Republican Senator Eddie Lambert who says rural areas need every source of revenue they can get, and the prohibition under the old law made it more difficult for them to raise money.

Cut 11 (09) “…year to advertise.”

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B.J. Bell, the voice of Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band, became the first band announcer to sign an NIL deal. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pine) has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

New Orleans is hosting two big athletic events this week. The third NOLA Pickle Fest starts today at the Morial Convention Center. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says the festival is designed for both players and spectators, and money raised goes towards a good cause.

Cut 13 (07)  “…Brees Dream Foundation.”

And for all you gymnastics fans, the  U.S. Gymnastics Championships start tomorrow at the Smoothie King Center.

Self-driving trucks are taking to the highways between Dallas and Houston and could service the Bayou State as soon as 2027. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A couple of big athletic events are happening in New Orleans this week. The third NOLA Pickle Fest starts today at the Morial Convention Center. And  the U.S. Gymnastics Championships start tomorrow at the Smoothie King Center. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says the event’s return to New Orleans is a long time coming.

Cut 14 (06) “…some incredible athletes.”

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Starting this school year, school districts will be permitted to accept advertising from politicians and political groups for athletics and other school clubs. It’s a new law which was written by Gonzales Republican Senator Eddie Lambert, who says rural school districts were put at a huge disadvantage under the old law.

Cut 10 (13) “…support the teams.”

B.J. Bell serves as the Voice of Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band, but his job will be a bit different after becoming the first band announcer to land an NIL deal. Bell signed with Monroe-based Attorney Eddie Clark & Associates, and he says the partnership with Clark is unlike any other.

Cut 7 (13) “…NIL deal.”

The Superdome is celebrating its 50th anniversary tomorrow.  The venue has brought legends and fans from all over the world over the years. The Superdome houses two million square feet of space, twice the size of the Astrodome when it was built in 1975. Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, Doug Thornton, says it was an engineering marvel ahead of its time, and its massive footprint has allowed it to be reinvented over the years.

Cut 11 (12) “…couldn’t survive.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

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Dozens of new state laws went into effect yesterday including a measure that could result in a motorist receiving a ticket for traveling below the speed limit in the left lane on a highway. The previous stipulated that travelling ten miles per hour below the speed limit could earn you a ticket. But Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s legislation changes the law so that a ticket can be issued if a motorist is not going at least the speed limit….

Cut 8 (07) “…get ticketed.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy officially launched his re-election campaign during a press event in Metairie yesterday.  Despite having nine million dollars in cash on hand, political analysts say Cassidy faces a tough re-election bid, because of his vote to impeach President Trump in 2021. But Cassidy maintains he has a productive working relationship with President Trump…

Cut 14 (09) “…all of us.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy launched his re-election campaign during yesterday in Metairie. The 67-year-old Republican is seeking a third term in the Senate where he’s already drawn three well-known challengers from his own party, who claim Cassidy is not a true conservative.  Cassidy says that’s not true.

Cut 13 (15)  “…gender ideology.”

A couple of Louisiana Congressmen are teaming up on an Act that would expand fishery disaster relief programs…to include those who catch crawfish in the wild.  Congressmen Clay Higgins and Cleo Fields say the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts and Fields says including those who fish crawfish is long overdue.

Cut 5 (06) “…the same light.”

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If you’re in the habit of driving too slow on state highways, there’ s a new state law in effect that could mean a 150 ticket if you’re caught doing it.  Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s legislation, which  is designed to reduce road rage and accidents,  received overwhelming support from lawmakers who passed it.  And Luneau says the public also strongly supports the move.

Cut 7 (09) “…move over.”

Tomorrow a big day in New Orleans as the Superdome celebrates its 50th anniversary. When it opened August 3, 1975, the Superdome’s convention and meeting rooms, turned club lounges, and enormous unobstructed space were unheard of in its time. Doug Thornton who’s Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium,  says the founding fathers of the Superdome knew what it could mean to the city.

Cut 10 (11) “…that billing.”

The cost of a ticket for driving slower than the speed limit in the left lane of a highway just went up, thanks to a new law that went into effect yesterday.  Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs to wild-caught crawfishermen.

Cut 4 (10) “…frankly years ago.”

Fields says this legislation became a necessity following the historic drought of 2023, which resulted in significantly fewer crawfish in 2024.

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy launched his re-election campaign during a press event in Metairie in front of a room full of supporters. The 67-year-old Republican is seeking a third term in the Senate…

Cut 12 (16) “…all of us.”

Cassidy has drawn three well-known challengers from his own party, state treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta.

The Superdome is celebrating its 50th anniversary tomorrow. From the Rolling Stones to Muhammad Ali, the venue has brought legends and fans from all over the world to the Crescent City. Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, Doug Thornton, says its impact on downtown New Orleans has been immeasurable.

Cut 9 (12)  “…those days.”