Shreveport golfer Sam Burns finished just one stroke short of his first major championship at the U.S. Open yesterday. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Governor Jeff Landry was back in Avoyelles Parish today to assist with the relief efforts from Thursday’s historic flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Former LSU golfer and Shreveport native Sam Burns came up one stroke shy at the U.S. Open yesterday. Burns entered the final round trailing the leader Wyndham Clark by seven shots. He finished his day three under while Clark shot three over, but Burns says he knew it would have taken something special.

Cut 3 (12) “…cap to him.”

The win would have been Burns’s first major title. At last year’s Open, he was the sole leader heading into the final round at four under par but shot eight over on his final 18 and finished 7th. Burns says this year’s championship had a different feeling.

Cut 4 (10) “…win today.”

After the tournament, Burns shared an emotional embrace with his father. Burns is the father of a two-year-old boy with another child on the way. He teared up as he reflected on what could have been.

Cut 5 (12) “…really special.”

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The American Red Cross is intensifying its relief efforts amid the tornadoes and historic flooding. Melissa Duplantier (doo-PLAH-shay) with the Red Cross says they’ve opened shelters in Mansura and Opelousas.

Cut 6 (11) “…meal as well.”

Duplantier says the shelters will stay open as long as people need a place to go.

Cut 7 (11) “…as we’re needed.”

Duplantier says even those who have places to go, like friends’ or relatives’ homes, the Red Cross wants to hear from them.

Cut 8 (06) “…any additional assistance.”

The Red Cross could always use volunteers or donations. If you’d like to donate, the easiest way to do so is to text “REDCROSS” – one word – to 90999. You can also go to the Red Cross’ website, or you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

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One volunteer group lended a helping hand in Gulfport, Mississippi, amid the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Trey Williams with Cajun Navy 2016 says they conducted several high water rescues.

Cut 9 (09)  “…World Series game.”

Williams says the Fort Worth-based baseball team was staying at an AirBNB when it became trapped inside by the floodwaters.

Cut 10 (12) “…when we did.” 

Williams says Cajun Navy 2016 volunteers also rescued a kayaker.

Cut 11 (11) “…individual as well.”

The Cajun Navy 2016 volunteers have since left the Gulfport area and will be focusing their efforts this week on Avoyelles Parish.

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Governor Jeff Landry and First Lady Sharon Landry were in Avoyelles Parish today to distribute food, bottled water and supplies to residents who have experienced flood damage to their homes. Landry says the First Lady’s Love One Foundation and Stine Lumber donated the supplies…

Cut 12 (10) “…clean it up.” 

It’s estimated that 800 to 850 homes and businesses Avoyelles Parish suffered flood damage as a result of the remnants from Tropical Storm Arthur. Plaucheville (Ploy-chay-ville), Dupont and Simmesport are among the hardest hit areas.

Residents who experienced flood damage are urged to report their losses to damage.la.gov. Landry says it’s important to know how many people are affected so the state can submit that information to the White House in the hopes of receiving federal aid for individuals.

Landry says in the meantime the state is doing what it can to help flood victims who need temporary shelter

Cut 13 (16) “…casino campground”

Landry says they are also focused on debris cleanup…

Cut 14 (08) “..as well.”

Governor Landry gets a first-hand look at the flooding in Avoyelles Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Early voting is over, so this Saturday is the last chance for you to make your voice heard in the U.S. Senate runoffs. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is this coming Saturday; and Hall President Ronnie Rantz says fans can stay busy all weekend. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Governor Landry took an aerial tour of the flooding in Avoyelles Parish Friday afternoon, and what he saw from the air took his breath away.

Cut 4 (10) “…was certainly impactful.”

Avoyelles is one of six parishes included in Landry’s disaster declaration following torrential rains both during and after Tropical Storm Arthur. Landry is also working to secure a federal disaster declaration for Avoyelles Parish, which would free up federal dollars for recovery efforts. Landry said those affected can help speed up the process by documenting their damage at damage.la.gov.

Cut 5 (11) “…up the chain.”

Landry also expressed frustration over the relatively low number of people in Avoyelles Parish who carry flood insurance.

Cut 6 (10) “…can’t afford it.”

Earlier, Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, noted that most of Avoyelles Parish is not in a flood zone. He called this event a “one-thousand-year flood.”

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Early voting is over, so voters have one more chance this Saturday to head to the polls to make their voices heard in the U.S. Senate runoffs. The race getting the most attention has been on the Republican side, with Julia Letlow and John Fleming battling it out for the nomination. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow could play an outsized role.

Cut 7 (11) “…of Donald Trump.”

In the primary, Letlow finished 15 points ahead of Fleming, and a poll showing Letlow ahead by that margin since advancing to the runoff appeared to indicate that she was pulling away. But a recent poll commissioned by the Letlow campaign actually showed her trailing Fleming. Hogan says that’s proof that this is anyone’s contest.

Cut 8 (08) “…their minds yet.”

Hogan says while neither campaign delivered the proverbial knockout blow, one campaign committed a potentially fatal unforced error.

Cut 9 (14)  “…the Fleming campaign.”

On the Democratic side, former Tensas Parish police juror Jamie Davis is squaring off against Gary Crockett, who has never held elected office. Hogan says the winner of the Republican race will be the odds-on favorite to win the general election in November.

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One group is sounding the alarm over federal road funding, especially in light of the condition of America’s roads. Brian Turmail, the vice president of the Associated General Contractors of America, says 51-percent of Louisiana’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and that costs drivers almost 900 dollars a year.

Cut 10 (12) “…such rough pavement.”

Congress needs to pass a new transportation funding bill by September 30th to ensure that there will be enough money to pay for maintenance of roads, bridges and transit systems. Turmail says the solution his group is proposing is to add a federal EV and hybrid vehicle tax to compensate for the federal gasoline taxes they’re not paying. 

Cut 11 (10) “…federal fuel tax.”

Turmail says EV drivers in particular are getting a free ride, and they should be paying their fair share towards the funding used to maintain roads and bridges.

Cut 12 (10) “…a gas car.”

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be inducted in Natchitoches this weekend. Hall President and CEO Ronnie Rantz says there will be events celebrating the inductees all weekend. He says his favorite day is Friday, kicked off by the Celebrity Bowling Bash at the Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the whole family.”

Headlining this year’s class are former LSU Tigers Warren Morris, Todd MccLure and Sylvia Fowles. Saints wide receiver Joe Horn and LSU basketball coach John Brady are also in the 12-person class. Friday evening is the Rockin’ River Fest with live music on the Natchitoches riverfront.

Cut 14 (09) “…bring the family.”

The induction ceremony will be Saturday night and will be broadcast on LPB across the state. Rantz says there will be even more opportunities for family fun during the day.

Cut 15 (09) “…a Cane’s lunch.”

And for the parents, there will be a round table luncheon and Q&A with the inductees.

Rantz says many events are free, but you can purchase VIP tickets and find more information about the 2026 class at L-A-sports-hall-dot-com.

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After missing the postseason for the first time since 2011, LSU is revamping its baseball roster. Coach Jay Johnson has added six new talents from the transfer portal, including top portal prospect Bino Watters. Johnson says the Notre Dame outfielder is a complete player.

Cut 16 (16) “…from Notre Dame.”

Johnson also added Tulane outfielder Jason Wachs, who’s been the Green Wave’s best hitter the last two seasons. The transfer duo is expected to slot into the corners of the outfield.

The Tigers also landed a duo of experienced infielders. Florida transfer Cade Kurland has 190 starts in four years with the Gators and will likely be the LSU starting second baseman. With Steven Milam returning, Johnson says Texas State sophomore shortstop Dawson Park can shift over to third.

Cut 17 (14) “…to move around.”

On the mound, Johnson welcomes two talented arms coming off their freshman seasons. Gonzaga righty Landon Hood was the number-one pitcher in the portal with a fastball that touches 97. USC’s Diego Velazquez showed great command both as a starter and in relief for the Trojans this year. Johnson says they’ll complement a young staff he has faith in.

Cut 18 (15) “…Cooper Moore back.”

An Australian woman in Franklinton faces voter fraud charges for allegedly illegally voting in the last two federal elections. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to make landfall in Southwest Louisiana tonight. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A 51-year-old Australian woman is facing up to five years in prison for allegedly illegally voting in the 2022 and 2024 federal elections. Nataly Migliore (Mil-ee-yor-ay) is a legal permanent resident of Franklinton who allegedly registered to vote despite not being a U.S. citizen. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says she is just one of what of numerous noncitizens found in Louisiana’s voter registration.

Cut 3 (12) “…since the 1980s.”

Landry’s office found the alleged illegal voters by using the federal SAVE database. A new law signed by Governor Jeff Landry will require all future Secretaries of State to also utilize the database. Landry says the tool compares registered voter lists to federal databases to check citizenship status.

Cut 4 (11) “…citizen or not.”

Landry says there are open investigations into other cases of illegal voting thanks to the information found with the SAVE database. She says she expects more indictments similar to Migliore’s in the near future.

Cut 5 (11) “…our elections.”

The U-S Attorney’s office says Migliore lied about being a U-S Citizen and that false claim led to her being able to register to vote. Migliore faces two counts each of fraudulent voting and false statement.

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Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out against the proposed deal with Iran to end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. Cassidy says if it goes through, the deal makes the entire U.S.-led operation in vain.

Cut 6 (14) “…everyone failed.”

Cassidy says the deal strikes him as what he terms “JCPOA 2.0,” which was the deal that President Obama struck with Iran, which he also opposed. He says this deal will cost the U.S. and the American people dearly.

Cut 7 (08) “…billions of dollars.”

The Trump administration says the deal mean Iran will not procure or develop nuclear weapons.

Cassidy says furthermore, the U.S. just gave Iran a massive amount of ammunition for future negotiations that it cannot undo.

Cut 8 (10) “…in the future.”

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Tropical Storm Arthur, located off the Texas coast, is expected to bring flash flooding conditions to south and central Louisiana. The system was upgraded to a tropical storm this morning with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says Arthur could bring eight or more inches of rain to some areas.

Cut 9 (07)  “…urban flooding.”

In the one o’ clock advisory, Arthur’s maximum sustained winds were 45 miles per hour, but the wind speeds are expected to drop as Arthur makes landfall. Tingler says the biggest threat from the disorganized storm is heavy rainfall in a short amount of time.

Cut 10 (08) “…not anticipated.” 

The center of the storm is currently over the Texas coast, moving towards Louisiana at around nine miles per hour. Tingler says Southwest and Central Louisiana  will be right in the path of the heaviest rain.

Cut 11 (11) “…into tomorrow.”

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Franklin Parish four-star running back Trey Martin will be a Tiger. Martin is the state’s top back in the 2027 class and is ranked as the number 14 tailback in the nation by 247Sports. Franklin Parish football coach Adrian Burnette says having Martin in the backfield is a coach’s dream.

Cut 12 (09) “…to have him.” 

Martin started his high school career at safety before taking over as the Patriots’ lead back when starter DJ Neal went down with injury. As a track sprinter, Martin posted a season-best time of 11.31 seconds in the 100 meters and a six-foot high jump mark. Burnette says he’s a special athlete.

Cut 13 (12) “…out of it.”

Martin chose LSU over offers from Florida and Ole Miss. Burnette says he’s quiet off the field, but he’s always around his teammates.

Cut 14 (14) “…fit him.”