Big economic development news in northwest Louisiana as Amazon Web Services announces it will invest another six-billion dollars to build a third data center. This one would be located at Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport. Back in February, Amazon announced it was spending 12 billion dollars on data center development in Caddo and Bossier Parishes.

It was one year ago today when the Amtrak Mardi Gras line took to the tracks for the first time. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Twenty-six commercial truck drivers on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge were cited by State Police last week for traveling in the left lane. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transportation Association, says commercial vehicles have been required to stay in the right lane while crossing the bridge since 2003.

Cut 10 (10) “…regional drivers do.”

The targeted enforcement operation came after police received several complaints about truckers in the left lane.

In this hot weather, not only do you need to take care of your bodies, but you also need to take care of the things that transport your bodies comfortably from point A to point B. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas…

Cut 3 (09) “…very, very happy.”

And if you need assistance, Louisiana State Police is ready to help – call star-577; star-LSP.

Entergy VP of Business Operations Laura Beauchamp says Louisiana construction job opportunities are nearing their peak with massive projects across the state like Meta’s Richland Parish data center, which also includes 10 new power plants. She says nearly all of Entergy’s work is done by Louisiana contractors, and they’ve asked Meta to make that a priority as well.

Cut 13 (13)  “…local families.”

The recreational red snapper season in state and federal waters off the Louisiana coast ended earlier this month as the state was approaching its quota. LDWF Assistant Secretary Ryan Montegut says last year the season ended in November.

Cut 11 (08) “….very often”

If the official count on red snapper caught this year finishes short of the state’s quota, LDWF will reopen the season prior to the Labor Day holiday.

For the first time since 2013, the LHSAA will hold a cheer and dance team state championship event. Joe Gallinaro has the story

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A Celebration of Life Ceremony for Coach Skip Bertman, that will be open to the public, will be held next Tuesday, August 25^th, at 7 p.m. in the PMAC. Dan Canevari, who served on Bertman’s coaching staff at LSU, expects thousands will show up…

Cut 27 (10) “…better worker.”

Construction continues on Meta’s 50-billion dollar AI data center in Richland Parish, aiming to be fulling operational by 2030. Entergy Vice President of Business Operations Laura Beauchamp says the tech giant’s investment is already paying off locally….

Cut 28 (07) “…in Monroe”

ULM’s construction management enrollment has increased 37-percent.

For the first time in over a decade, the LHSAA will hold cheer and dance team state championships. Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Jessica Barber says the 2026 championships are expected to feature more than 100 cheer and dance teams. She says the level of interest among the spirit community is amazing…

Cut 8 (07) “..their athletes.”

Tthe 2026 Louisiana High School Cheer and Dance Championships will take place November 30^th and December 1^st at the Lake Charles Event Center.

LDWF closed the private recreational Red Snapper season in state and federal waters off the Louisiana coast earlier this month, but there is a hope there will be another Red Snapper fishing opportunity again this summer.  LDWF assistant secretary Ryan Montague says the season had to close because Louisiana is approaching its statewide quota, but LA creel is still counting what was caught during the first week of August…

Cut 9 (04)  “…Labor Day weekend.”

The college football preseason AP Top 25 poll came out today and the LSU Tigers under first year coach Lane Kiffin are ranked 11^th. LSU System President Wade Rousse says he plans on making extensive use of LSU athletics to promote the university to prospective students nationwide…

Cut 5 (11) “…a medical doctor.”

One of the objectives of new LSU system president Dr. Wade Rousse is to make the university system more accessible to more students. One way he’s working to accomplish this is by creating a more connected system through its regional campuses.

Cut 3 (13) “…very, very happy.”

Those regional campuses also provide a good starting point for college students.

Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Richard Nelson has laid out a plan designed to meet Louisiana’s growing workforce needs. Nelson says one of the initiatives is to provide more transparency to prospective students on the types of jobs they can get with an associate’s degree by visiting their website…

Cut 29 (11) “…an hour.”

A week from Tuesday there will be a celebration of life ceremony for legendary LSU baseball coach and athletics director Skip Bertman that will be open to the public at the PMAC at 7 PM.  Former LSU star Ryan Theriot says Bertman’s influence on him went far beyond the baseball diamond, including his eight-year Major League career that included two World Series titles.

Cut 5 (11) “…that you’re running.”

For the first time in more than a decade the LHSAA will hold Cheer and Dance team state championships.  Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Jessica Barber says they are giving cheer and dance teams a chance to compete on a championship stage…

Cut 6 (09) “…to do.”

The 2026 Louisiana High School Cheer and Dance Championships will take place November 30^th and December 1^st in Lake Charles.

In the last academic year, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System awarded nearly 53-thousand credentials to 41-thousand completers with nearly 20-thousand graduates entering high-demand occupations. LCTC President Richard Nelson, who has been on the job for the less than a year, says one of his priorities is to align programs with Louisiana’s workforce needs…

Cut 10 (12) “…they need.”

Ten years after median barriers trapped flood waters on I-12, contributing to the massive flooding in Livingston Parish, DOTD will soon begin work to retrofit those barriers. Brooke Goodrich with DOTD says the 6.4-million-dollar project will involve modifying sections of the existing concrete barrier system.

Cut 14 (12) “…a federal roadway.”

Denham Springs and Walker filed suit against the state for the faulty design of the median barriers and part of that settlement will pay for retrofitting the barriers.

Entergy Vice President of Business Operations Laura Beauchamp says Meta’s Richland Parish investment will be felt across the Bayou state….

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

It was a brutally hot weekend. The high temperature in Monroe and Shreveport yesterday got up to 102-degrees. Unfortunately the Climate Predication Center says rain chances will be below normal and temperatures will be above normal into next week.

There are concerns Meta’s AI data center will cause electricity bills to rise. To power the data center, Entergy is building 10 new power plants funded by Meta. Entergy Vice President of Business Operations Laura Beauchamp says the project could save customers billions of dollars over the next 20 years.

Cut 12 (12) “…because of Meta.”

Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Richard Nelson has laid out a plan designed to meet Louisiana’s growing workforce needs. Nelson says one of the initiatives is to provide more transparency to prospective students on the types of jobs they can get with an associate’s degree by visiting their website…

Cut 8 (11) “…an hour.”

Funeral services have been announced for legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman. There will be a celebration of Life Ceremony on August 25^th at 7 PM at the PMAC that will be open to the public. Dan Canevari, who served on Bertman’s coaching staff at LSU, says Bertman was an incredible influence on so many people

Cut 6 (08) “…I’ve ever known.”

The Saints lost their preseason opener to Jacksonville on Saturday 24-20, but 27-year-old Zach Wilson made a case that he should be the backup quarterback to Tyler Shough. The former number overall two pick, who is entering his sixth season, threw for 145 yards and a touchdown…

Cut 19 (13) “…happens, happens.”

Entergy Vice President of Business Operations Laura Beauchamp says Meta’s Richland Parish investment will be felt across the Bayou state.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says eleven people have now died as a result of heat related illness. That’s up from the eight deaths they reported last week.

LSU is planning to hold a celebration of life ceremony for Skip Bertman, a week from Tuesday at 7 PM at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The public is invited to attend.  The former LSU head baseball coach and athletic director passed away Friday at the age of 88. Ryan Theriot, who won a College World Series title while playing for Bertman in 2000, says the hard work that Bertman did in building the LSU baseball program rubbed off on the entire Baton Rouge community.

Cut 4 (09) “…baseball for us.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation will soon begin work retrofitting the median barriers on I-12 in East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes. DOTD spokesperson Brooke Goodrich says the barriers will be modified to allow water to flow through them, which was an issue in the Great Flood of 2016…

Cut 15 (10) “….sections of those”