Louisiana will once again be on display during one of the biggest parades in the country. We hear more from Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (29) …I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana’s Fortified Roof Grant Program, aimed at helping homeowners strengthen their roofs against hurricanes, is facing scrutiny as it carries over millions in unspent funds due to homeowners withdrawing due to out-of-pocket costs.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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The run of dry weather will allow for Louisiana corn producers to complete their harvest this week and yields are way up over last year when the state suffered through a historic drought. Last year farmers averaged 175 bushels per acre. LSU AgCenter Corn and Cotton Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says production is higher this year…

Cut 3 (10) “…I’ve heard.”

But according to Trading Economics, corn prices have decreased 23-percent since the start of this year. Kerns says unfortunately an increase in yields, plus slightly lower input costs, will not not result in more money for farmers…

Cut 4 (10) “…this year.”

Kerns says the dry weather has helped corn producers compete their harvest, cotton producers could use some rain…

Cut 5 (11)  “…fruit shed.”

South Louisiana will start to see higher rain chances tomorrow and rain chances will go up for north Louisiana on Friday and there’s a good chance for storms and showers this Labor Day weekend.

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For the fourth year in a row Louisiana will once again have a float in January’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser made the announcement at the Louisiana Travel Summit in Shreveport. Nungesser says the parade’s theme this year will be…

Cut 6 (06) “…Louisiana Saturday Night.”

The 2025 Louisiana Rose Parade float features a Louisiana alligator adorned with beads, and will have a Cajun dance hall on its back. Nungesser says they picked the theme “Louisiana Saturday Night,” because he says that’s the best day ever.

Cut 7 (09) “…all over Louisiana.”

And the float will once again feature a local artist.

Cut 8 (9)  “…and coming performer.”

Timothy Wayne signed with UMG Nashville earlier this year and is working on his first studio album.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism estimates the state’s Rose Bowl parade float has generated well over 40-million dollars in earned media coverage.

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In 2021, the NCAA’s Name Image Likeness policy began allowing collegiate athletes to profit from their identity. Since then, power programs have clamored for innovative NIL solutions to recruit the nation’s top prospects, but LSU football coach Brian Kelly says there’s a line he won’t let NIL fundraising cross in Baton Rouge…

Cut 9 (13) “…gameday atmosphere .”

Oklahoma State made headlines this offseason after unveiling QR codes linked to the team’s NIL collective displayed on the back of their helmets. Kelly says the collegiate feeling- the bands, students, and traditions- is what makes the game special…

Cut 10 (06) “…collegiate to me.”

The Tigers have helped lead the charge in NIL innovations, unveiling a first of its kind collaboration between the Tiger Athletic Foundation and the team’s Bayou Collective earlier this summer. Kelly says NIL is a fantastic opportunity but one that should be kept off the gridiron…

Cut 11 (11) ” ….go to work on NIL.”

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Louisiana’s Fortified Roof Grant Program, aimed at helping homeowners strengthen their roofs against hurricanes, is facing scrutiny as it carries over millions in unspent funds due to homeowners withdrawing due to cost. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple tells homeowners the program is worth the investment.

Cut 12 (12) “…came into the system.”

Temple says possible reasons for this could be lack of awareness about the program, the complexities involved in applying for the grants, and out-of-pocket cost that the grant doesn’t cover

Cut 13 (12) “…not enough.” 

The carryover of these funds could mean missed opportunities for homeowners to secure their properties against future storms.  Temple, encourages more residents to apply for the grants, highlighting the long-term savings on insurance premiums and the added protection Fortified Roofs provide.

Cut  14 (10) “…can expect?”

As Louisiana heads deeper into hurricane season, Temple pushes to educate residents about the benefits of the program and how to access the financial assistance available.

Baton Rouge restaurants can participate in The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana oyster recycling program that aims to combat coastal erosion by using recycled oyster shells. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The latest Secretary of State voter registration numbers it shows 64-percent more new women voters registered than men in July when Kamala Harris became Democratic presidential nominee.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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Critical Race Theory is banned in K-through-12 public schools in Louisiana as a result of an executive order signed by Governor Landry. Andrew Greenstein has reaction from a pair of state senators.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.” 

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After operating in New Orleans for ten years, The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has expanded its oyster shell recycling program to Baton Rouge. This initiative uses recycled oyster shells to rebuild and strengthen Louisiana’s fragile coastlines. Spokesperson James Karst says oyster shells are a critical component in creating new oyster reefs, which act as natural barriers against storm surges and help restore marine habitats.

Cut 4 (07) “…a lot of good.”

CRCL’s program has recycled more than 14-million-pounds of used oyster shells from restaurants, cleans them, and returns them to the water to form new reefs. Karst says the expansion to Baton Rouge allows more restaurants and residents to participate in the program, further increasing the supply of shells for coastal restoration projects.

Cut 5 (09) “…expanding to Baton Rouge.”

The expansion to Baton Rouge marks a significant step in scaling up the program to preserve its coastline for future generations. Karst says this initiative is crucial for Louisiana, where the coastline is rapidly disappearing due to erosion, and the impact of hurricanes.

Cut 6 (12) “…back in the water.”

For more information on how restaurants can participate in the oyster shell recycling program visit CRCL-dot-org

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Louisiana is pulling out all the stops in boosting tourism and entering the global spotlight. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says 2024 has been the year of music.

Cut 7 (11) “…music of Louisiana.”

And 2025 will be the year of food.

Cut 8 (14) “…around the country.”

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says Louisiana tourism is almost all the way back to pre-pandemic levels.

Cut 9 (09)  “…43-million visitors.”

Nungesser delivers the keynote address, updating the future of Louisiana’s tourism industry at today’s Louisiana Travel Summit in Shreveport.

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Latest data from the Louisiana Secretary of State reveals more women registered to vote than men by 64-percent in July. 5,287 newly registered women voters compared to 3,305 newly registered men voters. UL Monroe Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this could be due to Kamala Harris getting the Democratic Nomination.

Cut 10 (12) “…White House.”

Cross says the reasons behind this disparity in registration could be linked to partisan concerns. With women likely casting their vote for Harris and men for Trump…

Cut 11 (05) “…historic levels.”

Cross says while Louisiana remains a red state and will likely go to Trump in November usually election outcome is a three-to-two margin with Republicans taking 60-percent…

Cut 12 (05) “…change that slightly.”

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Critical Race Theory is a no-go in public schools in Louisiana. Governor Landry signed an executive order banning the subject matter in K-through-12 public schools in the state. It’s something that Denham Springs Republican Senator Valarie Hodges has been pushing for.

Cut 13 (08) “…the teaching manuals.” 

But New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis doubts that critical race theory is being taught in K-through-12.

Cut  14 (10) “…in law school.”

Duplessis says kids need to be taught history, even if the history is uncomfortable.

Cut 15 (05) “…as a state.”

Hodges says that’s not what Landry’s executive order does.

Cut  16 (06)   “…to repeat it.”

Duplessis says Landry’s order manufactures division where division doesn’t exist, all while he pushes for the Ten Commandments to be placed in classrooms.

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Louisiana Tech will face Nicholls to open up the season on Saturday. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie named Jack Turner is starting quarterback before training camp started. Turner started four games last year for Tech and Cumbie says he’s the right man to lead this team

Cut 17 (14) “…he can.”

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Sunday’s LSU-USC game features two quarterback trying to replace Heisman winners, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. The Trojans Miller Moss and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier have both waited three years for their chance to be the starter. Coach Brian Kelly on what they expect from Moss who …

Cut 18 (23)  “…game plans.”

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The Saints cut their roster down to 53. One of the biggest cuts was last year’s punter Lou Hedley, who lost out to undrafted free agent Matthew Hayball, who is from Austrailia and punted at Vanderbilt. Head Coach Dennis Allen:

Cut 19 (12) “….consistent than Lou”

As for the race to be the number-two quarterback behind Derek Carr, Coach Allen says he has not decided between Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler.

Cut 20 (20) “…of that nature.”

The Saints open their season Sunday, September 8th, against the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome.