Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is the first former LSU pitcher to win a Cy Young Award, winning it for the National League. Skenes led Major League Baseball with a 1.97 ERA and had 216 strikeouts. At LSU, Skenes helped the Tigers win a national championship in 2023 and was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player. LSU Coach Jay Johnson is thrilled to see Skenes having success in the Majors.

Cut 5 (11) “…so awesome.”

LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson says the team will play both Garrett Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren at quarterback this weekend. Senior wide receiver Zavion Thomas says Nussmeier is a great teammate and that he and Nussmeier have a great relationship both on and off the field.

Cut 20 (12) “…for each other.”

Louisiana Tech dropped to 5-and-4 after a heartbreaking 25-24 loss to Delaware last Saturday. Two of the Bulldogs’ four losses have been by one point. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says he believes his team will respond the right way this week.

Cut 17 (19)  “…good football team.”

Kickoff in Pullman on Saturday is at 9 p.m. Central time.

The LSU women’s basketball team stayed unbeaten on the year and improved to 4-and-0 after defeating Charlotte last night by a score of 117-59. It’s the fourth straight game where the Tigers have scored over 100 points. Junior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley led LSU in scoring with 22 points.

The LSU men’s basketball team returns to action tonight as they host Florida International at 7 p.m.

The University of Louisiana System has appointed Ramesh Kolluru as the new interim president at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, replacing Doctor Jamie Hebert, who will go back to his provost position. Kolluru is the school’s current vice president for research, innovation and economic development. He had this message for the faculty at today’s U-L System Board meeting…

Cut 11 (11) “…university forward”

The State Bond Commission has approved the City of New Orleans’ request to secure a 125-million-dollar loan to cover payroll costs into January. How did New Orleans find themselves in this payroll crisis?  Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack says improper budgeting practices, no oversight of overtime spending and the loss of federal COVID recovery dollars.

Cut 13 (12) “…your biggest issue.”

With Louisiana only being able to muster a C-minus in the infrastructure report card, the big question is, how does the state improve that grade? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Work to widen I-12 in St. Tammany Parish has been completed and several months ahead of schedule. I-12 between LA 21 and LA 1077 is now three lanes. Parish President Mike Cooper says this 56-million dollar project will greatly improve the quality of life of citizens who travel this stretch of road daily.

LSU Interim head football coach Frank Wilson said the Tigers will play both quarterbacks this weekend. Guillory defended Garrett Nussmeier after seeing a lot of criticism on social media and says he has full faith in both Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren to give LSU a shot at winning on Saturday.

Cut 19 (22) “…to win.”

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes became the first former LSU baseball player to win the Cy-Young last night. Skenes was selected as the unanimous winner of the National League Cy Young Award and became the first pitcher in 40 years to win the Rookie of The Year one season and baseball’s top pitching prize the next. Skenes has a 10-and-10 record with a league-best 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Florida International tonight at 7 p.m. LRN

Louisiana Tech dropped to 5-and-4 after a heartbreaking 25-24 loss to Delaware last Saturday. Blake Baker, the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback, suffered a season-ending injury after tearing his ACL. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says the team is devastated.

Cut 16 (20) “…for us.”

The Bulldogs are planning to play both Evan Bullock and Trey Kukuk (Q-Kuk) at quarterback in this week’s game at Washington State.

The Pelicans dropped their third straight game last night after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 125-117. Rookie Derik Queen led scoring for New Orleans with a career-high 26 points. The Pelicans are now last in the Western Conference at 2-and-9 on the season.

Louisiana gets its infrastructure report card, and Andrew Greenstein reports like much of the rest of the country, Louisiana has room for improvement.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The federal government shutdown is over. New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter voted no to the funding bill that reopened the government, because the legislation does not extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s time to work together to address the health care affordability crisis.

Because of a lawsuit filed by Brian Kelly’s legal team, we’ve learned that LSU did not formally terminate the former Tigers football coach and they are planning to fire him for cause to avoid paying the entire 54-million dollar buyout. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says Kelly has not been formally terminated because an agreement on the size of the buyout was not reached. He says LSU’s final offer to Kelly was a 30-million-dollar buyout in two lump sums, and Kelly’s attorneys countered with 43-million.

Cut 12 (13) “…can win that.”

It’s unknown what information LSU has on Kelly to fire him with cause.

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes has won the National League Cy Young Award, which goes to the best pitcher in the N-L. LSU Coach Jay Johnson is thrilled to see Skenes having success in the Majors

Cut 5 (11) “…so awesome.”

According to online Sportsbook, Bet Online, Nick Saban is the favorite to be the next head coach at LSU. His odds are two to one. Josh Barton with Bet Online says when they first started taking bets on who will be the next head coach at LSU, Saban was a long shot with odds of 75 to 1….

Cut 3 (12) “…jumped at it.”

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin at 15 to 4 odds is the second favorite, followed by Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who was the co-offensive coordinator at LSU during the 2019 national championship season.

Interim head coach Frank Wilson announced that junior linebacker Whit Weeks will practice today. Weeks has been dealing with a bone bruise since the South Carolina game in October.

The LSU women’s basketball team returns to Baton Rouge tonight as the Tigers host the Charlotte 49ers. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

The LSU offense did not see much success against Alabama in the 20-9 loss; but when it did, the Tigers moved the pocket so that quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren had more time to throw. Frank Wilson says Nussmeier was more comfortable with the rollout plays.

Cut 16 (23) “…out the womb.”

ULM football has lost five in a row heading into Saturday’s game against South Alabama. The Warhawks have to win the rest of their games in order to make it to a bowl game. Head coach Bryant Vincent says his team hasn’t lost faith in one another.

Cut 18 (14)  “…and this mission.”

A five-year-old Slidell boy is killed, and his grandmother is charged in his death. Police chief Daniel Seuzeneau says the boy was sitting in front of 55-year-old Kristen Anders’ SUV yesterday morning when Anders got in and pulled out of the driveway, not realizing the boy was in front of the vehicle.

Cut 4 (12) “…didn’t see him.”

Anders ran over the boy and killed him instantly. Tests showed that Anders was under the influence of alcohol and nervous system suppressants.

According to online Sportsbook, Bet Online, Nick Saban is the favorite to be the next head coach at LSU. His odds are two to one. Josh Barton with Bet Online says when they first started taking bets on who will be the next head coach at LSU, Saban was a longshot with odds of 75 to 1….

Cut 3 (12) “…jumped at it”

The 74-year-old Saban has said multiple times he does not want to coach again.

Today could be the day that the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history comes to an end. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Raisin Cane’s says it’s matching customer donations of up to 250-thousand dollars to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a nonprofit that honors and supports American veterans. Danny Caudle with Raisin Canes….

Cut 14 (10) “…QR code”

Tragic news out of Slidell as a five-year-old boy was struck and killed in his driveway by his 55-year-old grandmother, who police say was under the influence of alcohol and nervous system suppressants. Kristen Anders has been charged with vehicular homicide. Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau…

Cut 5 (09) “….all of us”

Seuzeneau says the grandmother has been cooperative with investigators.

It’s the 43^rd day of the federal government shutdown, but it could be the last day as the U-S House is expected to vote on a budget bill that would re-open the government. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this six week long shutdown could have an impact on next year’s mid-term elections…

Cut 9 (11) “….the hot seat”

Could Brian Kelly’s lawsuit against LSU potentially scare away head coaching candidates from coming to Baton Rouge. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the lawsuit filed by Brian Kelly’s legal team. Kelly is seeking the entire 54-million dollar buyout. LSU has offered 30-million dollars and according to the suit, LSU wants to fire Kelly for cause which could possibly prevent them from paying the full 54-million dollar buyout.