UL System president Rick Gallot says higher-ed officials will need to make tough decisions regarding the deficits university athletics departments face. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Tonight the Saints host the Falcons and the game will be used to remember rebirth of New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Despite boasting the best cuisine on the planet, Louisiana is actually slimming down. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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College football fans across the state were sent into a frenzy last week after a Louisiana Regent suggested that the UL System should consider moving ULL, ULM and Louisiana Tech down from the FBS to the FCS. UL System president Rick Gallot says that comment was not a directive, but the system will have to consider all cost-cutting measures as it looks to correct athletics deficits.

Cut 4 (09) “…its expenses.”

Gallot said universities around the country are experiencing the same budget concerns.

Each university’s athletics department is 10s of millions of dollars in the red. Gallot says the system commissioned a report from Deloitte to evaluate its athletics departments and develop a path to sustainability. He says that report is expected by the end of the year and will be used to inform his recommendation.

Cut 5 (13) “…have to make.”

While Gallot wants to remain data-driven, that does not mean the UL System will be ignoring the opinions of its universities. He says the system plans to solicit input from each of their campus communities.

Cut 6 (11) “…tough decisions.”

Gallot was not surprised by public backlash to the idea but says it is important to remember their primary mission is the education of students. He says that does not mean athletics and education cannot coexist.

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Tonight, the Saints host the Falcons, but this game is about more than the regular-season rivalry. It’s also a night to remember one of the most emotional moments in New Orleans sports history — the Saints’ return to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. The Saints’ radio voice, Mike Hoss, was a fan in the stands when Steve Gleason famously blocked Michael Koenen’s punt, setting off an eruption of emotion inside the Superdome…

Cut 7 (09) “…once.”

The Saints went on to win 23-to-3, but Hoss says Gleason’s blocked punt became a defining moment in the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 8 (13) “…pivotal moment.”

Gleason, who has been living with A-L-S for years, will be at tonight’s game as an honorary captain and will lead the “Who Dat” chant before kickoff. Hoss says part of what made Gleason’s block so powerful was that nobody saw it coming…

Cut 9 (11)  “…release.”

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U-S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has designated LSU as a Distinguished Military College. U-S Air Force Colonel Joseph Musacchia, who is the commandment of the LSU Corps of Cadet says Hegseth’s order gives LSU Corps of Cadets and ROTC graduates a better chance at starting their military career in the officer ranks…

Cut 10 (11) “…from the pack.”

Musacchia says these military programs teach leadership skills that would help any student regardless of their career path. He says LSU was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, so the school has a long military tradition…

Cut 11 (12) “…Spanish American War”

Musacchia says the cadet crop program currently has about 350 students, which this designation, he expects it will double in size in the next four years…

Cut 12 (14) “…Louisiana State University.”

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It appears that Louisianans are slimming down. According to the State of Obesity 2026 report, Louisiana is only one of two states which showed a significant decline in adult obesity rate, falling from 39.2-percent to 35.6-percent. That helped Louisiana move from number-three down to number-19 in the state rankings for obesity rates. Dr. Oren Rom, the assistant vice chancellor for research at LSU Health Shreveport, says you can thank Ozempic and Mounjaro for that.

Cut 13 (08)  “…receptor agonist drugs.” 

Dr. Rom says the benefits of the GLP-1 drugs, which are becoming more and more popular for weight loss, outweigh the side effects.

Cut 14 (10) “…in body weight.”

Rom says the one side effect of using the GLP-1 drugs, loss of skeletal muscle mass, is easily treatable.

Cut 15 (08) “…don’t do that.”

The only other state to show a significant decline in adult obesity rate is West Virginia.

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The Saints host the Falcons in a 20th anniversary game of the team’s historic return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. Quarterback Tyler Shough was just three days away from his seventh birthday in Arizona when Steve Gleason blocked the punt, but he says he was emotional nonetheless when Kellen Moore showed the team a video about the post-Katrina rebirth.

Cut 16 (18) “…coming up.”

If New Orleans wants it to be another positive memory, the Saints will have to stop Falcons running back Bijon Robinson. The All-Pro is the NFL’s second-leading rusher and ran for 194 yards against the Packers last week. Defensive end Cam Jordan says all you can do is hope to slow him down.

Cut 17 (19) “…than positives.”

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It was a win that LSU had in the bag simply by arriving safely at Tiger Stadium. In easily the most predictable game on the schedule, LSU scored on its first possession and went into cruise control from there, annihilating an overmatched McNeese, 63-14. After the game, Head Coach Lane Kiffin said one of his biggest objectives going into the game was getting his backups as much playing time as possible.

Cut 18 (15)  “…do some things.” 

The biggest question going into Saturday night’s game was how much quarterback Sam Leavitt would play, if at all. While nursing a hamstring injury, Leavitt ended up playing nearly the entire first half – minus a few plays here and there – going 18 for 23 for 176 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. On his decision to play Leavitt, Kiffin said he was going to be cautious with his play-calling.

Cut 19 (18) “…they were running.”

It was a game for the ages for defensive tackle Deuce Geralds. He recorded a full sack and scored an offensive touchdown, becoming the first LSU player ever to accomplish that feat. The freshman from Suwanee, Georgia, says he routinely did it in high school, but not at this level.

Cut 20 (14) “…of my life.”

There are several college football games in the state tomorrow, will the weather cooperate? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU hosts McNeese tomorrow, but the big question is: will starting quarterback Sam Leavitt play? Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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With another weekend of football ahead, all eyes are on the weather. That’s because thunderstorms could cause delays throughout the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says any thunderstorms that develop this evening should move out pretty quickly. However, tomorrow could be a different story.

Cut 3 (11) “…bit more prolonged.”

There are several college football games scheduled for Saturday evening, and Grymes says if thunderstorms delay any kickoff times, the delays shouldn’t be too significant…

Cut 4 (11) “…way it looks.”

As far as rainfall totals go, Grymes says those numbers have come down from the original forecast, with the heaviest amounts being in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 5 (14) “…come down markedly.”

Grymes says north Louisiana, where the worst of the drought currently is, will be lucky to get an inch of rain by the time the system pushes out of the state at the end of the weekend.

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The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches is ranked number one in the country for the best public high school teachers, according to the 2027 Niche rankings. LSMSA Executive Director Doctor Jason Anderson says students are challenged to pursue excellence, while learning from faculty who model those same values…

Cut 6 (08) “…every day.”

LSMSA was founded in 1983 as a residential high school for high-achieving students. Niche also ranks it as the nation’s best public high school for STEM. But Anderson says there’s more to the school than academics…

Cut 7 (09) “..young people.”

LSMSA faculty members are required to have at least a master’s degree in the subjects they teach, and 85-percent have a Ph.D., M-F-A or another terminal degree in their field. Anderson says that level of expertise makes the faculty…

Cut 8 (09) “…remarkable.”

LSMSA has 287 students from across Louisiana.

Anderson says students looking to take the next step in their academic journey should consider whether LSMSA is the right fit for them.

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LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played through a hamstring injury against Texas A&M last week, but coach Lane Kiffin said that he would be cautious playing him against McNeese tomorrow. With the Tigers favored by over 50 points, LSU Radio sideline reporter Gordy Rush says he shouldn’t play at all.

Cut 9 (14)  “…next week.”

WAFB Sports Director Jacques Doucet says the situation reminds him of Garrett Nussmeier starting against Southeastern last season while he dealt with nagging injuries. He thinks LSU should keep Leavitt on the sideline but says that adds another risk.

Cut 10 (10) “…nothing wrong.” 

Leavitt could get the start but be pulled shortly after. That is what Zach Nagy with 247Sports thinks. He says the Tigers need to be especially careful with their starting quarterback for the long term.

Cut 11 (13) “…ramps up more.”

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Baton Rouge is among the finalists to become the permanent home of the National High School Football Hall of Fame. It would honor the best high school players, coaches, teams and contributors and would preserve high school football history through exhibits and memorabilia. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser nominated Baton Rouge…

Cut 12 (06) “…in Baton Rouge.” 

The other finalists are Pittsburgh, Steubenville, Ohio; and Valdosta, Georgia – none of which, according to Nungesser, could compete with Baton Rouge.

Cut 13 (07) “…put on festivities.”

Nungesser says landing the National High School Football Hall of Fame would be a huge win for Baton Rouge and Louisiana.

Cut 14 (06) “…year after year.”

An official announcement could be made later this month or in November.

Two Louisiana Tech students have been arrested for using a racial slur repeatedly in a social media video that went viral. Joe Gallinaro has the story….

Cut 1 (23) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Following a postgame brawl, one football team’s season is over, and another team will play the rest of the season on the road. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Forecasters are predicting rainfall totals from 1.5 to four inches of rain from today through Sunday for central and south Louisiana. Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says scattered thunderstorms are expected today and tomorrow and more widespread rain for south Louisiana this weekend…

Cut 3 (10) “…in this incident.”

LSU hosts McNeese on Saturday night. Southern and U-L Lafayette host homecoming games on Saturday night as well. Manning says there’s a good chance it will rain during those games….

Cut 4 (09) “…not ideal.”

Manning says locally heavy rain and flash flooding is possible for a good portion of the state on Saturday and that threat continues for southeast Louisiana on Sunday. She says some areas could receive a half foot of rain….

Cut 5 (08) “…develop.”

The best chance for rain for north Louisiana is on Sunday.

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If you have lots of outdoor lighting on your property, you’re asked to turn them down or off at night for the time being. That’s because this is fall migration season for birds. Charles Williams, a board member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the founder of Lights Out Louisiana, says bright lights are very bad for birds flying at night.

Cut 6 (09) “…lot of lighting.”

Williams says that disorientation might cause birds to fly directly into tall buildings.

Cut 7 (06) “…in North America.”

Williams says you can go to the Bird Cast website at bird cast-dot-org to follow the birds’ migration.

Cut 8 (08) “…about two weeks.”

Williams says if the lighting on your property is limited to low-intensity accent lighting, such as path lights, that should be okay. But you should keep lights like bright flood lights off late at night.

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The LHSAA comes down hard on a pair of football teams involved in a postgame brawl last Friday night. After Assumption’s 16-6 home victory over Carroll, some Carroll players got into a confrontation with some Assumption fans. It was serious enough that some deputies had to use their Tasers to get the situation under control. Aaron Dietrich, the sports director at KNOE-TV in Monroe, says as a result, Carroll’s season is over, and Assumption will play the remainder of its schedule on the road.

Cut 9 (14)  “…games this year.”

While Monroe City Schools said it would comply with the LHSAA’s ruling, Carroll High School and Senator Katrina Jackson Andrews both said they would fight it, filing emergency appeals.

Dietrich says Carroll had at least two similar incidents in the last 15 years; and he says last Friday, the school did not follow standard procedures when the team went down to Assumption for the game.

Cut 10 (13) “…situations like this.” 

Dietrich says the cancellation of the remaining six games of Carroll’s season has cost not just one, but two homecoming games.

Cut 11 (13) “…few weeks also.”