One day after LSU president Wade Rousse said Verge Ausberry was the acting Athletics Director, an LSU spokesperson tells the Louisiana Radio Network that Ausberry is THE PERMANENT director of athletics at LSU. Interim head coach Frank Wilson says Ausberry is the right man for the job.

CUT 21 (20): “right now.”

Last night, the LSU men’s basketball team defeated Tarleton State in its season opener by a score of 96-60. The Tigers shot a program-best 71.7% from the field after hitting 33 of their 46 shots. Senior guard Max Mackinnon led scoring for LSU with 19 points.

Once Frank Wilson was named LSU’s interim head coach, he set out to keep the entire team together. LSU’s coaching staff brought a bass drum into the team room, beating it to mirror a heartbeat. Senior linebacker West Weeks says the drum helps set the tone for the day.

Cut 18 (16)  “…for the day.”

The Tigers kick off at Bryant Denny Stadium on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Southeastern football faces its first-ranked opponent on Saturday as the No. 14 Lions take on No. 18 Lamar in Beaumont. Head coach Frank Scelfo attributes the team’s success to its leadership.

CUT 22 (17): “leave here.”

LSU has clarified Verge Ausberry’s title. He is the athletics director according to his bio on lsu-sports-dot-net. This comes one day after new president Wade Rousse said Ausberry was the acting athletics director and his job title would be evaluated after a head football coach is hired. LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey is heartbroken over the firing of LSU AD Scott Woodward. But she is happy for Ausberry…

Cut 5 (05) “…this is his school.”

This is the week that the Louisiana Department of Treasury publishes the names of people with unclaimed property it received in the past year in newspapers throughout the state. This year, that number is 92,348. Treasurer John Fleming says the state will go to great lengths to get that money to their rightful owners. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

Cut 15 (10) “…why this happens.”

A major cold front will arrive in Louisiana this weekend, LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says we are looking at our first significant freeze Monday morning and Monday afternoon will be the coldest day in Louisiana in several months…

Cut 13 (09) “…in the South

Expect mild temperatures until the front arrives as the weather will be good for high school football games tonight and tomorrow.

A 15-year-old boy is killed in a drive-by shooting in Ruston. Ruston Police Lieutenant Kayla Loyd says the boy’s grandmother called paramedics to the home, not realizing that he had been shot.

Cut 9 (08)  “…actually been shot.”

She says the investigation is in the very early stages, and detectives are working to determine whether this was a targeted shooting or if this was random.

This morning, LSU announced that the university is moving forward with Verge Ausberry as the permanent Athletic Director, despite new LSU system president Wade Rousse’s comments on Ausberry being the acting A-D in two different media interviews yesterday. Ausberry will lead the search for a new football coach.

LSU football’s running game showed some promise in the first half against Texas A&M in the 49-25 loss. Junior center Braelin Moore says the Tigers are putting more emphasis on staying committed to the run as well as running the ball better against Alabama on Saturday.

Cut 16 (12) “…ball against Bama.”

The Tigers are currently nine and a half point underdogs.

LSU men’s basketball defeated Tarleton State 96-60 in its season opener. Senior guard Max Mackinnon led scoring with 19 points.

Louisiana Tech will get the chance to have its first six-win season since 2019 with a win over Delaware on Saturday. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says the team is aware of what’s at stake.

Cut 19 (13) “…do our best.”

The Bulldogs kick off at 2 p.m. Central.

The New Orleans Pelicans won their second straight game last night after defeating the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 101-99. Veteran guard Saddiq Bey led New Orleans in scoring with 22 points. Rookie forward Derik Queen scored 11 points while grabbing 7 boards and dishing out two assists. The Pelicans improve to 2-and-6 with the win.  New Orleans will stay in Texas as they will face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The LSU women’s basketball team returns to action tonight after defeating Houston Christian on Tuesday as the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m.

One day after LSU president Wade Rousse said Verge Ausberry was the acting Athletics Director, an LSU spokesperson tells the Louisiana Radio Network that Ausberry is THE director of athletics at LSU. It was reported on Tuesday night that Ausberry was the permanent A-D. Even interim head football coach Frank Wilson discussed Ausberry’s promotion on Wednesday morning as a positive step for the university…

Cut 3 (09) “….athletic program”

But yesterday confusion came about when Rousse called Ausberry the acting A-D, which is similar to interim athletics director.

Meanwhile, the LSU football team is getting ready to play fourth ranked Alabama on Saturday. Junior center Braelin Moore says the Tigers are putting more of an emphasis on committing to the run under Coach Wilson…

Cut 16 (12) “…ball against Bama.”

A major cold front will arrive in Louisiana this weekend, but LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says we’ll see some mild temperatures until it arrives on late Saturday night and Sunday morning…

Cut 12 (13) “…cold front passes.”

The National Weather Service says morning lows will be in the 30s for most of the state, with some areas getting below freezing.

A new poll shows widespread support for lawmakers to increase spending in early childhood education, with 65-percent of respondents saying they favor it. Libbie Sonnier, the CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says early childhood education is becoming out of reach for many families in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…over their head.”

As the federal government shutdown drags on, Senator John Kennedy is filing a pair of bills aimed at making lawmakers feel the same financial pain as workers who are not getting paid. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Ruston Police Department is investigating the fatal drive-by-shooting of a 15-year-old. It happened around 3 Am this morning on Second Avenue. The identity of the victim has not been released and police say investigators are actively working the case.

A new report reveals Louisiana is among the worst in the nation for diagnosing lung cancer early. Eric Weinzettle, the director of advocacy for the American Lung Association, says their report finds that Louisiana is ranked 40th for new lung cancer cases and 45th for cases diagnosed at an early stage. Weinzettle says the number-one cause of lung cancer is smoking, and Louisiana has the fifth highest smoking rate in the country at almost 16-percent of adults.

Cut 5 (08) “…50s and 60s.”

A major cold front is coming for Louisiana, LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin  says we are looking at our first significant freeze Monday morning and Monday will be the coldest day in Louisiana in several months…

Cut 13 (09) “…in the South

Apparently, Verge Ausberry is not LSU’s permanent athletics director as was reported Tuesday night. New LSU system president Wade Rousse said in two different media interviews yesterday that Ausberry is the acting athletics director. Rousse says Ausberry has full authority to hire a football coach and it will be assessed at a later time if Ausberry will be the full-time A-D.

Are you on the list? Andre Champagne reports this is the week to look in your local newspaper to find out.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy has filed legislation that says as long as the federal government is shutdown, members of Congress will not be paid. Kennedy also filed a bill that says members of Congress will have their pay escrowed and will receive it after the government re-opens. Kennedy says he’s introducing the latter just in case the former runs into constitutional issues…

Cut 8 (10) “….flavors of bills”

A 46-year-old Slidell preschool teacher helped Police catch a suspected shoplifter. Police Chief Daniel Seuzenau says Lesli Smith saw a suspect fleeing in a getaway car and offered Sergeant Jeff Kahrs a ride. He coached her during the chase while telling patrol units where the suspects were headed. Smith says she was glad to help her town’s police department that works hard to keep their community safe…

Cut 30 (12) “…went shopping.”

As the federal government shutdown drags on, Senator John Kennedy is filing a pair of bills aimed at making lawmakers feel the same financial pain as workers who are not getting paid.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana has suspended its plan to fund the SNAP program this month. That’s because the USDA has said it will issue half of the typical monthly SNAP benefits for November after they were ordered to do so by the courts. L-D-H says all eligible SNAP recipients will receive a portion of their benefits tomorrow, including able-bodied workers.

A new report from the American Lung Association says Louisiana ranks 45^th in the nation in early diagnosis of lung cancer, at 25-percent, while nationally its 28-percent. Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association, Eric Weinzettle says C-T scans of high-risk individuals are one way to catch this disease earlier, and biomarker testing can help doctors decide on different treatment options, possibly avoiding chemotherapy.

Cut 6 (13) “…to biomarker testing.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Louisiana.

This week the Louisiana Department of Treasury is publishing 92-thousand names in your local newspaper that are owed unclaimed property. State Treasurer John Fleming says there are many reasons that money ends up going unclaimed…

Cut 14 (10) “….they had it”

Fleming says all state residents should check their local newspaper to see if they are on the list.