The third season of the Brian Kelly era will begin Sunday when the 13th ranked Tigers host 23rd ranked USC. LSU lost some big-time players off of last year’s team, like Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Junior and three of the team’s top defensive tackles. But Kelly likes the experience that’s returning…
Cut 18 (16) “…darn close.”
LSU has lost four straight season openers.

Rivals is reporting St. Martin’s of Metairie running back Harlem Berry has innked a six-figure NIL deal. Berry is ranked as the nation’s top running back and is committed to LSU.

Former LSU star Dylan Crews made his major league baseball debut last night for the Washington Nationals and went 0-for-3 with a walk. Crews started in right field and the Yankees won the game five to two.

Ben Woolridge has beat out Chandler Fields to be the Ragin Cajuns starting quarterback for Saturday night’s game against Grambling State. Coach Michael Desormeaux explained the decision when he met with reporters on Monday….
cut 17 (09) “…day and out”
Woolridge also won the starting quarterback job out of camp last year, but suffered a season ending foot injury in week three.

If you want to participate in Louisiana’s first black bear hunt in 37 years, you’ll have your chance starting Thursday. That’s when the lottery will open to all licensed hunters. The state banned black bear hunting in 1988; and four years later, black bears were added to the endangered species list. Louisiana Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries Madison Sheahan notes that black bears were removed from the list in 2016.
Cut 10 (12) “…a hunting season.”
Lottery applications can be found on the LDWF website and the lottery will run from Thursday through September 25th.

For those seeking to hunt black bears in December in northeast Louisiana, a lottery begins on Thursday to award the ten permits that are available…..
cut 11 (12) “…..general public tags”
Louisiana Department of Wildlfife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan says the lottery will run through September 25th and lottery applications are available on the LDWF website.

New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez is seeking an attorney general’s opionion over U-L Lafayette’s decision to establish a one-thousand-foot gun-free zone around several off-campus locations.…
Cut 7 (12) “…gun-free zone.”
If a one-thousand foot gun-free school zone is established around the U-L Lafayette Science Museum, it would be illegal to possess a gun for a large portion of downtown Lafayette.

Many LSU fans are eager to watch the Tigers take on USC Sunday night. Colleen Crain reports the Louisiana Economic Develolpment department will air ads during the game to encourage Louisiana natives working in other states to come back home…
cut 3 (30) “….I’m Colleen Crain”

KSLA-TV is reporting the power will not go out this week at Region’s Tower in Shreveport. The 25-story building is reportedly owned by the Hertz Investment Group and they have finally paid their past due electric bill to SWEPCO.

It’s finally game week for the 13th ranked LSU football team and they have one major injury concern heading into Sunday’s season opener against 23rd ranked USC. Starting wide receiver Chris Hilton is suffering from a bone bruise and is listed as questionable for the season opener. Coach Brian Kelly says if Hilton can’t play, they have options…
Cut 13 (14) “..what we are doing.”
Kick-off is on Sunday at 6:30 on ABC.

Former LSU baseball star Dylan Crews will make his major league baseball debut tonight when he suits up for the Washington Nationals as they host the New York Yankees tonight. Washington selected Crews with the number two overall pick last year and the centerfielder quickly made it through the minor leagues to the bigs…
Cut 12 (10) “…here.”
Crews hit .270 in the minor leagues this season with 13 home runs and 68 RBIs.

Ben Wooldridge is named the starting quarterback for the Ragin’ Cajuns to begin the 2024 campaign. Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says it was a tough competition between the redshirt senior and Chandler Fields.
Cut 16 (11) “…for each other.”
Woolridge started the first three games of the season last year, before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. The California native has appeared in 13 games for the Cajuns and thrown four touchdown passes.

Last year’s leading rusher for U-L Lafayette, Jacob Kibodi, rushed for two touchdowns in the Saints preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Baton Rouge native says it was thrill to finally play in a game in the Superdome…
cut 18 (08) “….good showing”
Kibodi now waits to see if he’s done enough to make the team. Cut down day throughout the NFL is tomorrow.

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler looked good in the final preseason game on Sunday as he led the Saints on three touchdown drives in a 30-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Rattler is trying to beat out Jake Haener for the role of primary backup to Derek Carr. Rattler acknowledges that the decision is out of his hands…
cut 17 (09) “…my best forward”
Haener played in the first and third quarters yesterday and went eight for 17 for 87 yards, while Rattler was 7 of 13 for 105 yards and one touchdown.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says the defense as a whole did not not have a good day, but backup linebacker Anfrernee Orji had a nice game as he led the team with nine total tackles. Orji on his chances of making the team..
Cut 19 (08) “…hope for the best.”
The deadline for NFL teams to reduce their rosts to 53 is 3 PM on Tuesday.

Ruston High’s Aidan Anding has committed to LSU. He becomes the third cornerback in the Tigers 2025 recruiting class. DJ Pickett from Florida and Kade Phillips from Texas are the other two. Anding is a three-star prospect, who was strongly considering Texas, until LSU made him an offer in late June.On3 ranks him as the 13th best player in Louisiana.

KATC-TV is reporting Ben Woolridge will start at quarterback when U-L Lafayette hosts Grambling on Saturday. Woolridge played in three games last season because he suffered a season-ending injury. He threw for 508 yards and five touchdowns.

ULM Coach Bryant Vincent has named General Booty as the Warhawks starting quarterback for Thursday night’s home game against Jackson State.

Lafayette’s Mondo Duplantis has done it again! For the tenth time in his career, and third time this year, he’s set a new record for highest pole vault. Yesterday he cleared 6.26 meters in a Diamond League meet in Poland.

Former LSU baseball star Dylan Crews makes his major league debut tonight as Crews will likely play center field for the Nationals when they host the New York Yankees.

The Saints dropped their preseason finale 30 to 27 to the Tennessee Titans yesterday It was one final chance for Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler to claim the second-string quarterback spot behind starter Derek Carr. Rattler had the better day as he threw for 105 yards and a touchdown and led the offense to scores on all four of his possessions. Coach Dennis Allen….
Cut 16 (16) “…quarterback room.”
Rattler acknowledges that the decision is out of his hands…
Cut 17 (09) “…my best foot forward.”
The Saints will have to get their roster down to 53 by 3 PM Tuesday.

One of the state’s top cornerbacks has committed to LSU. Ruston High School’s Aidan Anding becomes the third cornerback in LSU’s 2025 recruting class. He’s a three-star prospect, but has only played one season of football. Anding is a three-sport star at Ruston and was instrumental in the Bearcats winning their first state championship since 1990 last season.

No surprise here…but ULM head football coach Bryant Vincent has named Oklahoma transfer General Booty as the Warhawks starting quarterback when they host Jackson State in the regular season opener. This will be Booty’s first extensive playing time since he was the signal caller for Tyler Junior College in 2021.

Tough loss for McNeese to begin the season as they were one of a handful of teams to play in Week Zero. The Cowboys nearly ralled back from a 26-7 halftime deficit to beat 21st ranked Tarleton State, but came up short and lost 26-23.

Former LSU baseball star Dylan Crews is expected to make his Major League Baseball Debut tonight for the Washington Nationals as they take on the Yankees.

A human skull found at a wildlife refuge in St. Tammany Parish in 2017 has finally been identified. Mel Bridges has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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LSU Tigers fans are heading to Las Vegas to support their Tigers in the season opener against the USC Trojans this Sunday. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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The Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc is stepping down after holding that job for nearly 17 years. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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A human skull found in the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in St. Tammany Parish seven years ago has finally been identified. Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape says his office worked with a genetic genealogy company to identify a living niece in California who confirmed the skull as Gary Maggio of Slidell…

Cut 4 (11) “…unfortunately.”

Maggio had never been reported missing. Officials learned Maggio was an outdoorsman, so him being in the wildlife refuge isn’t immediately suspicious. However, Tape says Maggio was being treated for severe mental health issues and didn’t tell anyone he was going camping. Tape says they can’t rule out foul play or suicide…

Cut 5 (12) “…at this point.”

Maggio’s niece, who lives in California, told officials her uncle hadn’t been heard from since 2016, and Maggio’s skull was recovered in 2017. Maggio is believed to have been 67 when he died. Tape says they’re glad to finally identify the skull and to bring Maggio’s family some answers after seven years.

Cut 6 (09) “…heartbreaking.”

Anyone who knew Maggio or has information about his last days is asked to contact the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office.

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LSU fans will head to Las Vegas later this week for the Tigers season opener against the USC Trojans this Sunday. The game, set to take place at Allegiant Stadium, has generated considerable excitement as it marks the start of the college football season. Owner of Mr. Fun’s Travel Jason Ramezan says this trip rivals any he has been a part of including the 2016 trip to Lambeau Field and the Rose Bowl in 2021…

Cut 7 (08) “…bucket list.”

Ramezan says LSU is expected to have a strong presence in the city, with fans eager to witness the Tigers’ debut under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Cut 8 (07) “…represented in Vegas.”

Ramezan says LSU fans are not just attending the game, they’re bringing their unique energy and traditions to the city, transforming Las Vegas into a temporary home for the Tiger faithful.

Cut 9 (06)  “…Las Vegas this weekend.”

Ramezan estimates there will be 30,000 LSU fans in Las Vegas for the game.

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The man who has run the state’s prison system for the last 16 years is resigning. Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says health reasons are forcing him to step down. Former state lawmaker and House Criminal Chairman Joe Marino says Leblanc did an excellent job despite limited resources…

Cut 10 (10) “…long time.”

Leblanc served for three governors, Republican Bobby Jindal, Democrat John Bel Edwards and now Republican Jeff Landry. Marino says his expertise will be difficult to replace…

Cut 11 (08) “…experience.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says Leblanc worked hard to reduce the state’s recidivism rate…

Cut 12 (10) “…stop that.”

Landry says Leblanc’s dedication has been unmatched. Moore says the key to Leblanc’s success was that he was level headed…

Cut 13 (05)  “…made it easy.”

Landry says appointing a new secretary to this position will be a top priority.

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Many are mourning in Acadia Parish as 27-year-old Rayne Police Detective Javonta Flugence was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon. Flugence’s fiancee, Amber Davy, and their two-year-old child, Caroline, were also killed. State Police Trooper Peggy Bourque says the wreck occurred on Louisiana Highway 13 near Bluefish Road…

Cut 14 (12)  “…the scene.”

Bourque says it appears none of the occupants were restrained…

Cut 15 (08)  “…do that.”

Flugence started as a detective for the Rayne Police Department in 2019. He was considered a pivotal person in Rayne’s fight against drug activity.

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The Saints dropped their preseason finale 30 to 27 to the Tennessee Titans. It was one final chance for Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler to claim the second-string quarterback spot behind starter Derek Carr. Rattler had the better day as he threw for 105 yards and a touchdown and led the offense to scores on all four of his possessions. Coach Dennis Allen….

Cut 16 (16) “…quarterback room.” 

Rattler acknowledges that the decision is out of his hands…

Cut 17 (09) “…my best foot forward.”

The star of the second half of was Jacob Kibodi. The rookie running back who grew up in Baton Rouge and attended U-L Lafayette scored two roushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Cut 18 (08)  “…good showing.”

Allen says the defense as a whole did not not have a good day, but backup linebacker Anfrernee Orji of Rockwall, Texas had a nice game as he led the team with nine total tackles. Orji on his chances of making the team..

Cut 19 (08) “…hope for the best.”

The deadline for NFL teams to reduce their rosts to 53 is 3 PM on Tuesday.