A new study finds a combination of THC and CBD can significantly reduce agitation in people with advanced dementia who are receiving end-of-life care. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A new laws going into effect in Louisiana this weekend bans retail and hospitality businesses from adding a surcharge to transactions when customers pay with a debit card. Violations will cost businesses $500 each.

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The State Department of Education says certain school support staff, including counselors, therapists and nurses, might not be getting stipends this year.  And not everyone’s happy about it. As for finding the money elsewhere,  D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, says doing do would be easier in some areas than in others.

Cut 9 (09)  “…pennies as is.”

Construction jobs are booming in Louisiana – so much so that the Associated General Contractors of America ranks Louisiana number-one in the nation in year-over-year construction job growth and third in the overall number of those jobs.  Reldon Owens, the CEO of AGC’s Louisiana chapter, says the construction boom is being driven by Meta and other data center projects as well as the industrial sector.

Cut 5 (11) “…in Ascension Parish.”

Louisiana ranks second to none in year-over-year growth in one job sector right now. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana is ranked the worst state in the nation for the second year in a row.  That’s according to the latest U.S. news & World Report. The annual report placed Louisiana 50th overall among all 50 states. Our state ranked in the top five in crime, education, health care, infrastructure, and overall economy.  Rounding out the bottom three states were Alaska at #49 and Mississippi at 48.

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New research has found that the combination of CBD and THC significantly reduces agitation for people with dementia who are at the end of their lives. Dr. Jeff Keller of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is one of the principal investigators of the clinical trial.

Cut 10 (10) “…to manage agitation.”

Keller says nine out of every ten study participants showed overall improvement in target symptoms from the THC-CBD combination.

The Saints kicked off training camp yesterday.  Prairieville native and former LSU safety Justin Reid is entering his second season in New Orleans. He says he remembers coming to Saints games as a kid when it felt like a parade inside the Superdome and he hopes  winning will bring that feeling back this season.

Cut 15 (08) “…pushing it forward.”

Certain school support staff, including counselors, therapists and nurses, might not be getting stipends this year. That’s according to information from the State Department of Education and it’s setting off alarm bells among unions representing those employees. D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, says if those staffers’ stipends are left on the chopping block, they’ll be looking for alternate sources for the stipends.

Cut 7 (09) “…counselors some stipends.”

Construction jobs are booming in Louisiana – so much so that the Associated General Contractors of America ranks Louisiana as number-one in year-over-year construction job growth by percentage and number-three in the nation in number of new construction jobs. Reldon Owens, the CEO of AGC’s Louisiana chapter, says the Meta and other data center projects are driving the construction boom.

Cut 4 (11) “…St Francisville area.”

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LSU coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday and commented on the use of A-I in the football program. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieshnick.”

The Saints kicked off training camp yesterday. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will need to improve as the full-time starter this season if the Saints want to contend for an NFC South title. He says he’s focused on growing as a leader of the team.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to get better.”

Northeast Louisiana is already seeing an economic boost from Meta’s artificial intelligence data center — and the facility isn’t even open yet. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office officials are investigating an in-custody death.  Authorities say a deputy was making rounds yesterday when they found an inmate unresponsive in his cell.   We’re told medical staff began life-saving measures until EMS arrived, but efforts were unsuccessful.  It’ll be up to the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office to determine the cause of death.

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A beloved St. Landry Parish elementary school teacher was killed in a head-on crash on I-49 Sunday. Leonville Elementary School confirmed the death of Katelyn LeBlanc in a Facebook post that remembered her fondly.  One of her former students, Andre Champagne, says she was a teacher who cared about her students and prepared them for life beyond the classroom.

Cut 6 (06) “…stuck with me.”

State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is urging school districts to crack down on unruly student behavior in the new school year. In the most recent legislative session, lawmakers adopted a House resolution urging school systems to comply with and enforce the state’s anti-bullying laws. Brumley says students have made tremendous strides in the classroom in recent years, and anything that takes away from that should be discouraged.

Cut 9 (08)  “…inappropriate student behavior.”

The St. Landry Parish community is mourning the death of a Leonville Elementary School teacher, killed in a head-on car crash on I-49 Sunday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is urging school districts to crack down on unruly student behavior in the upcoming school year. Brumley is calling on districts to make a commitment to stand firm on inappropriate behavior.

Cut 7 (11) “…make that happen.”

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The search for the remains of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is now in its third week at a landfill near Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the heat and humidity are making it hard for searchers who are sifting through thousands of cubic yards of material, some of it hazardous..

Cut 11 (10) “…in-home care.”

The economic impact of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar A-I data center is already being felt across northeast Louisiana. The Hyperion data center is under construction in Richland Parish, where Grow NELA President and CEO Rob Cleveland says first-quarter sales tax collections are six times higher than this time last year. And he says Meta’s investment is also attracting new businesses.

Cut 14 (10) “…in Ouachita Parish.”

The state education superintendent has a message for school district leaders – crack down on unruly kids. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Northeast Louisiana is already feeling the economic impact of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar A-I data center. Grow NELA President and CEO Rob Cleveland says just 18 months into construction, sales tax collections are soaring.

Cut 13 (09)  “…40-million dollars”

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A beloved St. Landry Parish elementary school teacher was killed in a head-on crash on I-49 Sunday. Leonville Elementary School confirmed the death of Katelyn LeBlanc in a Facebook post that read, “She loved her students wholeheartedly and poured herself into helping them learn, grow, and feel valued each day.” One of her former students, Andre Champagne, says she was a pure soul.

Cut 4 (09) “…of the classroom.”

The search for the remains of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is now in its third week in the North Landfill in Zachary, near Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the hot, humid conditions are making things very hard for the searchers, especially with them being covered in gear from head to toe.

Cut 10 (12) “…go back out.”

LDWF’s whooping crane reintroduction project had its most successful nesting season ever. Kace Kieschinck has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A new headset that uses brain stimulation to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available, and Ochsner Health is partnering with Cognito Therapeutics to make happen.  Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler…

Cut 15 (05) “…game changing.”

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In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields made it a point to point out that things have changed on Capitol Hill since he last served in 1997, and not for the better.  He says the ability to be cordial when heated discussions are over on the floor has gone by the wayside and it’s affecting the whole country.

Cut 12 (08) “…talking at all.”

State senator Mike Reese is now the president at McNeese State University.  He took over July 1^st and says he’s thrilled for the opportunity to help shape the University’s future. As for his political career, Reese says he won’t run for re-election…but in the meantime, time-management will be key in getting both jobs done.

Cut 6 (11) “…as state senator.”

Ochsner Health has partnered with a company testing a new Alzheimer’s treatment that’s showing promising results. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reporting good news about the state’s whooping crane recovery effort.   18 of the 20 total pairs that nested were able to hatch chicks, the largest percentage ever. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski…

Cut 8 (08) “…figured out.”

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A lot has changed in congress since 1997.  That’s according to Congressman Cleo Fields who’s decided not to seek a second term in his second stint on Capitol Hill.  On the day Fields left Capitol Hill the first time, there was no such thing as Facebook, X was merely the 24th letter of the alphabet, and Donald Trump hadn’t even launched “The Apprentice” yet. Times have changed, and Fields says so has Congress.

Cut 11 (09) “…has to change.”

State senator Mike Reese is the new president at McNeese State University.   Reese takes over for Wade Rousse, who’s now heading the LSU system. Reese notes that 78-percent of McNeese’s graduates remain in Louisiana, so it’s important that the school work very closely with the community to prepare them for life after college.

Cut 5 (08) “…meaningful to them.”

In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields noted that a lot has changed since the first time he served on Capitol Hill, and not for the better. He said when he served in the House for the first time from 1993 until 1997, representatives from opposite parties were actually cordial towards one another.

Cut 10 (09) “…their families together.”

Call him “president,” call him “senator” – when referring to Mike Reese, both titles apply to him simultaneously. The state senator from Leesville is now the new president at McNeese State University, taking over for Wade Rousse, who’s now heading the LSU system. Reese officially took over as McNeese president July 1st with words of encouragement for both current and incoming students.

Cut 4 (13) “…having wonderful careers.”

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A new at-home treatment for Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available, and Ochsner Health is partnering with the company behind the technology. Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler says Cognito Therapeutics has developed the Spectris headset, which uses brain stimulation to help slow the disease…

Cut 13 (13)  “…over time.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported the state’s whooping crane recovery effort saw 10 fledged chicks. That means the chicks are fully grown and capable of flight. It brings the state’s total population to 84. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says it was a historic nesting season.

Cut 7 (14) “…had this year.”

Congressman Cleo Fields made it official Friday morning — he will not seek a second term in his second stint in the U.S. House. His decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, leading to a redraw of his district. The Democrat from Baton Rouge says the new map leaves him with no realistic path to re-election.

Cut 6 (12) “…the winning path.”

Louisiana farmers suffered an estimated 112-million-dollar loss as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Avoyelles, St. Landry and Rapides Parishes accounted for 90-percent of total losses. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Avoyelles received 29 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.

Cut 9 (09)  “…excessive moisture.”

An estimated 22-million dollars in infrastructure was also lost in the flooding.

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New Orleans plays host to the 22nd Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off Saturday. Louisiana Seafood King Kris Allen will try to fend off 13 challengers from across the country to take home the title of King of American Seafood. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Allen, who’s the executive chef of Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Lafayette, will try to end Louisiana’s title drought.

Cut 3 (10) “…back to Louisiana.”

LSU is picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll. Many national media members have said it’s national championship or bust for LSU and first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin says those types of expectations are why he came to LSU.

Cut 12 (13) “…that does it.”