Holiday weekends are times for beefed-up drunk driving enforcement — this weekend is no exception. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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After a confusing FAFSA rollout, a new report from PAR finds fewer Louisiana high school seniors are applying for college financial aid this year. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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A new PAR report shows around 60% of Louisiana high school seniors are applying for college financial aid this year, a 10% drop from last year. Plus, the report says, 92% of public school districts saw fewer seniors completing FAFSA by June 28 compared to last year. Steven Procopio with PAR…

Cut 3 (11) “…a lot of it.”

Procopio says the federal government’s rollout of the new FAFSA form was confusing at best and glitchy at worst, and says it was likely a major factor in the national drop in applications. Louisiana still ranks second nationally for FAFSA completions, but Procopio says he’s worried that rank could slip. 

Cut 4 (11) “…overall nation.”

PAR expects completed FAFSA applications in Louisiana will decline even further after BESE repealed a policy that made students apply for federal student aid to graduate. Procopio says he hopes this year’s decline shows lawmakers that students need help getting financial aid.

Cut 5 (08)  “…on the table.”

For more information on the FAFSA, you can visit the Federal Student Aid Office’s website at studentaid.gov.

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Another holiday weekend is upon us; and thus, law enforcement will be out in full force cracking down on drunk driving. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is in effect through Monday.

Cut 6 (13) “…notice of that.”

Fischer says this is a federally-funded program that allows departments to use the money as they wish to combat drunk driving.

Cut 7 (12) “…the road longer.”

Other departments could use the money for additional patrols or other needs. Fischer says there is something that people can do to protect themselves should they encounter a drunk driver.

Cut 8 (09)  “…their seat belt.”

In 2022, the last year that statistics are available, 490 people across the country were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend; almost 40-percent of those involved a drunk driver.

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Mother Nature could be putting a damper on the holiday weekend in South Louisiana. Chanele Stigger is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.

Cut 9 (09) “…skies and showers .”

The flip side of the coin is when rain is not falling, it will actually be quite pleasant to be outside.

Cut 10 (11) “…maybe low 90s.”

Stigger says the rain is something that we can all use, given the weather we’ve had recently.

Cut 11 (09) ” ….weather is welcomed.”

A tropical disturbance off the coast of Texas is helping to fuel the rain Louisiana will experience this weekend. The National Hurricane Center is giving the disturbance a low chance of developing over the next seven days.

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LSU coaches and players have said the defense is better over last year, we’ll get an idea of how improved when the Tigers take on USC on Sunday night. Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley is considered one of the best play callers in college football and LSU coach Brian Kelly says Riley will keep you on your toes….

Cut 12 (08) “…non-traditional.”

Kelly says USC runs an air-raid offense, which usually means a lot of passing. Riley says running the football is also important to their success…

Cut 13 (11) “…point of emphasis.” 

LSU is looking for its first win in a season opener since 2019. Kelly’s Tigers have lost the last two seasons to Florida State. He says the team’s preparation for this opener has been superb…

Cut  14 (12) “..outstanding.”

Kick off is Sunday night at 6:30.

Louisiana has a new prisons chief. We hear more from Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Congressman Garret Graves says Louisiana will receive 104-million dollars in “lagniappe” federal funds for transportation and infrastructure projects.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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Tiger Fans are headed to Las Vegas to cheer on LSU as they take on USC Sunday Night in the second-ever Vegas Kickoff Classic. Colleen Crain has more

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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Louisiana has a new prisons chief. Governor Landry promotes Gary Westcott to Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Westcott says he’s ready to get to work.

Cut 4 (11) “…need to make.”

Westcott was deputy secretary under Jimmy LeBlanc, who stepped down yesterday due to health reasons. He says his priorities will include fixing the state’s prison system and enhancing public safety.

Cut 5 (09) “…in the past.”

Westcott says he plans to dive deeply into every program within the department.

Cut 6 (11) “…rid of those.”

Westcott had been with the Department of Corrections for 29 years before retiring as regional administrator in 2020.

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Congressman Garret Graves announces Louisiana will receive 104-million-dollars in “lagniappe” federal funds for transportation and infrastructure projects…

Cut 7 (12) “…shovel-ready.”

The funds will be directed toward critical infrastructure upgrades, particularly in road construction and repair, essential for improving transportation safety and efficiency in the state. Graves emphasized that these funds will address the pressing need for better roadways, which have long been a concern for drivers

Cut 8 (07) “…of Louisiana.”

While this funding is a significant step forward, Graves says Louisiana still faces substantial infrastructure challenges, and that continued investment will be necessary.

Cut 9 (07)  “…for decades.”

Graves says currently, the Capital Region has the fourth worst traffic in America.

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LSU Football is headed to Las Vegas to take on USC in the second-ever Vegas Kickoff Classic on Sunday night, and many fans are following. Tiger Fans always travel well and according to Joseph Bocanegra (Bo cuh nay gruh) with Stub Hub, this neutral site game is no exception…

Cut 10 (12) “…played Arizona.”

Bocanegra says you would think with California so close to Las Vegas, Californians attending the game would outnumber Louisianans, but he says that’s not the case…

Cut 11 (10) “…in California.”

Bocanegra says LSU/USC is Stub Hub’s best selling game of the season followed by Saturday night’s Notre Dame and Texas A&M in College Stadium. He says you can get into Allegiant Stadium for less than 200-dollars…

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re able.”

Bocanegra urges fans to buy tickets from reputable sellers with a fan protect guarantee, to avoid social media sources, and never to pay cash.

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The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is underway in Morgan City. Festival Association President Nelson Cortez says the food court and craft section kicks off tonight, as well as music performances in Lourdes Park. And later on:

Cut 13 (16) “…the Atchafalaya River.” 

The festival runs through Monday, Labor Day. This is the 89th year for the festival.

Cut  14 (14) “…started from that.”

Cortez says they’re expecting a lot of people to attend this year.

Cut 15 (06) “…the five days.”

The festival is sponsored and financed solely by donations, and Cortez says they usually raise more than 100-thousand dollars each year.

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LSU will unveil what is expected to be a new and improved defense on Sunday night against USC. Linebacker Greg Penn says first year defensive coordinator Blake Baker wants his guys playing fast, so that means less thinking….

Cut  16 (16)   “…last year.”

Coach Brian Kelly has said the defense played with more enthusiasm during preseason camp. Penn says Baker is big on giving great effort…

Cut 17 (12) “…for him really.”

LSU is looking for its first win in the season opener since 2019. Penn says the team has learned from previous week one losses…

Cut 18 (17)  “…next play.”

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Louisiana Tech is looking for its first winning season since 2019 and the Bulldogs will kick-off the 2024 campaign against Nicholl State. Joe Aillet Stadium has a new video board in the North End Zone and sound system. Coach Sonny Cumbie is looking forward to a great gameday atmosphere…

Cut 19 (18) “…since January”

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UL-Lafayette opens its season tomorrow night at home against the Grambling Tigers. Last season, the Ragin’ Cajuns went 6-and-6 in the regular season and lost to Jacksonville State in the New Orleans Bowl, 34-31 in overtime. Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says there’s always something special about the start of a new season, and that Grambling will be a formidable opponent.

Cut 20 (08) “…do it for.”

Grambling has a new coach in Mickey Joseph, and the Tigers were picked to finish third in the SWAC West. Kickoff is at seven p-m.

There’s a new tool available for students and teachers this school year — artificial intelligence. We hear more from Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU says its football team is not changing its pregame routine and will remain in the locker room during the national anthem. Jeff Palermo reports the governor requested that all college teams to be present for the anthem…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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With the new school year underway, students and teachers have a new tool at their disposal — artificial intelligence. As such, the state Department of Education is issuing guidance on the do’s and don’ts on using AI. Ronnie Morris, the president of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, says AI can be used effectively without being abused.

Cut 3 (09) “…solve the problem.”

Morris says while AI should not be used for cheating, it can help students understand the subject matter being taught, regardless of the subject.

Cut 4 (08) “…in their laptop.”

Morris says effective use of AI will benefit everyone, not just the students.

Cut 5 (05)  “…into the classroom.”

Among other guidance issued by the state — AI systems should be transparent and explainable, and robust data privacy and security measures must be in place.

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Today marks the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a catastrophic event that devastated New Orleans in 2005. Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who led military rescue efforts during the disaster, reflects on the storm’s impact and the changes it brought to the city.

Cut 6 (07) “…day the levees broke.”

Hurricane Katrina left thousands of people homeless and 80-percent of the city of New Orleans was flooded. He remembers the chaos and the difficulties in coordinating relief efforts amid widespread destruction but also seeing the city come together…

Cut 7 (08) “…before we got there.”

Honoré says Katrina was a turning point for New Orleans, as the federal government  invested 14 billion dollars in stronger levees. There are also more robust emergency response plans for Louisiana. As the anniversary passes, Honoré urges ongoing awareness and preparation for future disasters.

Cut 8 (12)  “…neighbors save neighbors lives.”

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Northwestern State will play its first football game tonight since October 16th as the Demons will take the field against Tulsa. The Demons ended their season prematurely last year following the fatal shooting of safety Ronnie Caldwell. First-year head coach Blaine McCorkle was brought in to rebuild the program

Cut 9 (11) “…play .”

Natchitoches Police have yet to make an arrest in Caldwell’s murder.

Northwestern State has 107 players on this year’s team, 54 newcomers and 53 returners. McCorkle says they are fired up to play, but they have to play under control…

Cut 10 (10) “…and toughness.”

Kick off in Tulsa is at 7 PM.

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ULM football kicks off its season tonight as the Warhawks will host Jackson State. First-year head coach Bryant Vincent is trying to bring a winning football program to northeast Louisiana and he needs Warhawk nation to get behind them…

Cut 11 (13) ” ….as one”

Kick off is at 6 PM.

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The UL-Lafayette campus is undergoing a major transformation — and not just the football stadium. Director of Facility Management Scott Hebert says one project underway is a complete renovation of Madison Hall.

Cut 12 (09) “…renovated this semester.”

Later this month, construction will get underway on the new 55-million-dollar engineering building.

Cut 13 (06) “…parking garage.” 

And those two projects are the tip of the iceberg.

Cut  14 (08) “…as well.”

In all, the university is investing about 600-million dollars in renovations throughout the campus.