The LSU Board of Supervisors approved contracts for several new football coaches today, including head coach Lane Kiffin, defensive coordinator Blake Baker, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., tight ends coach Joe Cox, offensive line coach Eric Wolford, wide receivers coach George McDonald, quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, and strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage.

LSU freshman cornerback DJ Pickett was named to the SEC Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team after recording 30 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions.

LSU Athletics and Nike have announced an extension to their five-decade-long partnership through 2036, Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry announced on Thursday. In addition to the school extending its partnership, Nike has signed a total of 10 LSU athletes across seven different sports, which include Kailin Chio of gymnastics, Derek Curiel and Casan Evans of baseball, Tori Edwards and Jayden Heavener of softball, DJ Thomas of basketball, ZaKiyah Johnson of basketball and Jurnee Robinson of volleyball.

The Haynesville Golden Tornadoes became the first Louisiana High School team to bring home a state title this year after they defeated Mangham in a thriller by a score of 39-37 in the Division 4 non-select championship game. Four-star safety and LSU signee Isaiah Washington rushed for 86 yards with two touchdowns and had an 81-yard pick-six. With the win, Haynesville now has 18 total state championships in school history.

The LHSAA Prep Classic is underway and runs through the end of Saturday. Tomorrow’s first matchup of the day features a Division 2 non-select matchup between the North Desoto Griffins and Iowa Yellow Jackets. North Desoto senior quarterback Luke Delafield led the Griffins to the state championship game as a freshman in 2022. Delafield returns to the Dome as a senior and has the chance to bring North Desoto its first football title in school history. Delafield says he’s stoked to be back in New Orleans.

Cut 11 (11) “…super excited.”

Kickoff in New Orleans tomorrow is at noon.

LSU’s hiring of Lane Kiffin as its new head football coach is poised to yield a big economic impact for both the school and the City of Baton Rouge. Ever since LSU poached Kiffin from Ole Miss, the team has had more than 15-thousand new season ticket requests, as well as a large uptick in corporate partner and donor interest. LSU economics professor Dek Terrell says the real impact will come later.

Cut 10 (09) “…of that nature.”

LSU Athletics and Nike have announced an extension to their five-decade-long partnership through 2036, Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry announced on Thursday. In addition to the school extending its partnership, Nike has signed a total of 10 LSU athletes across seven different sports, which include Kailin Chio of gymnastics, Derek Curiel and Casan Evans of baseball, Tori Edwards and Jayden Heavener of softball, DJ Thomas of basketball, ZaKiyah Johnson of basketball and Jurnee Robinson of volleyball.

The LHSAA Prep Classic in the Superdome starts today. The second game of the day is a Division Four select matchup between the Riverside Rebels and the Ascension Catholic Bulldogs. Spencer Verrett of the LHSAA Network says the Rebels have an advantage at the line of scrimmage.

Cut 5 (12) “…defensive line operate.”

A new professional football team is coming to Monroe this summer. The city is getting a team in the Arena League. The new Monroe team will play its games at the Monroe Civic Center, and league owner Jeff Holmes says the games will feature some exciting entertainment to go along with the exciting football action.

Cut 15 (08) “…of that nature.”

The league is holding a name-the-team contest for Monroe’s newest professional sports franchise.

The New Orleans Pelicans return to action tonight as they face the Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m.

The LSU football team added 14 players to its 2026 recruiting class in the early signing period, and interim head coach Frank Wilson says Lane Kiffin’s efforts put a bow on some of the top recruits’ decisions to sign with the Tigers.

Cut 18 (17)  “…wrap it up.”

LSU sophomore running back Ju’Juan Johnson is planning to enter the transfer portal. Johnson started off as a defensive back with the Tigers but then changed positions multiple times to running back and quarterback. Johnson currently holds the Louisiana High School record for both all-purpose yards and most touchdowns.

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC.

Sterlington is looking to win its fourth total and second straight high school football championship on Friday as the Panthers take on the Jena Giants. Head coach Lee Doty says this year’s team may be even better than last year’s dominant team.

Cut 11 (13) “…same thing now.”

D1 Baseball is reporting that junior UL-Lafayette left handed pitcher Chase Morgan will be out indefinitely and his return in 2026 is to be determined after dealing with a nagging back injury that could require further treatment. Morgan had a 3.52 ERA in 13 starts last season.

McNeese State basketball improved to 8-2 on the year after defeating Rhode Island on the road last night by a score of 66-64. Junior guard Tyshawn Archie hit a fadeaway jumper to put the Cowboys up 2 with 1.2 seconds left on the clock and Javhon Garcia sealed the game with a block.

President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up from three per week to five. So what classifies as work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

The changes go into effect on January 4^th.

After a series of meetings, the legislature’s task force on NIL deals for student-athletes is ready to draft some bills for the upcoming session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC as long as he’s at LSU.

Small businesses are a little more optimistic as 2025 comes to close. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC.

After a series of meetings that concluded Monday, a task force on NIL deals for student athletes is ready to prepare a series of bills for the upcoming legislative session. Homer Democratic Representative Rashid Young is on the task force and says one central theme that came out of the meetings was the fact that there seemed to be no structure for interactions with amateur athletes.

Cut 6 (12) “…’the NIL space.”

President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

As we approach 2026, the National Federation of Independent Business says there’s more optimism among small businesses. NFIB State director, Leah Long, says optimism spikes with the passage of the when the Big Beautiful Bill made the 20% small business deduction permanent and she was glad to see the Louisiana legislature tackle insurance reform which will be a huge help for small businesses.

Cut 8 (09) “…your bottom line.”

Requirements for unemployment insurance benefits are changing. Beginning January 4^th, claimants must complete five work-search activities per week, up from three. Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says there are also new rules that if broken could cause a person to lose their unemployment benefits.

Cut 15 (09) “…lose your benefit.”

Farmers in Louisiana are in position to get federal assistance because of President Trump’s 12-billion-dollar financial aid package for producers. LSU Ag Center economist Michael Deliberto says it’s needed as farmers suffered through a tough 2025.

Cut 3 (15) “…its third year.”

Deliberto says Cotton, rice and soybean farmers have struggled the most this year. President Trump says the funding will come from tariff revenues.

Former Lafayette Christian Academy Star and LSU running back JuJuan Johnson has entered the transfer portal.

The Senate is expected to vote on Bill Cassidy’s health care insurance reform bill tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

United Healthcare will no longer be an insurer for Louisiana’s Medicaid program which means over 300,000 recipients may have to find a new primary care provider who is in-network with one of the other 5 Louisiana Medicaid insurers by January first. LDH reportedly made the decision to not renew United’s contract due to legal issues that involves the state’s requests for documents on how United manages prescription drug benefits.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up from three per week to five. So what classifies as work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

The changes go into effect on January 4^th.

The Jena High School football team is heading to the Dome for the first time in school history. The Giants are the top seed in Division Two non-select and will face defending champion, Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30. Coach Jay Roark expects a big crowd from LaSalle Parish to cheer on the Giants.

Cut 12 (05) “…this weekend.”

The Prep Classic gets underway tomorrow with Mangham versus Haynesville.