Louisiana now ranks 19th in the country in WalletHub’s ranking of the best states for military retirees, that’s seven spots higher than last year. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The state’s new litter-reporting hotline has yielded some positive results. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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During a public appearance, U-S Senator John Kennedy says he’s been courted by donors to run President and he has not ruled out the idea. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Louisiana came in 19th in WalletHub’s ranking of the best states for military retirees, climbing seven spots from last year. The state scored well in affordability, quality of life, veteran community support, and access to services. Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley credited the capital investment attracted by the administration.

Cut 4 (12) “…good work.”

The state saw a 7.1% increase in the number of veterans receiving benefits, one percent higher than the national average. Meginley says there are more veterans in the stats receiving benefits than there were last year, despite fewer veterans living in Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10) “…percent increase.”

Louisiana veterans are receiving over 2.5-billion-dollars in compensation and pension benefits. Meginley says attracting and supporting veterans will benefit all Louisianians.

Cut 6 (12) “…the economy.”

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The Louisiana Litter Hotline has led to 50 simple littering citations since it was launched last September. A law that was passed last year created the hotline and it expands the authority of Louisiana State Park Rangers to investigate litter complaints, not just on park lands. Susan Russell, the executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, says people are simply fed up with filth.

Cut 7 (10) “…acts of neglect.”

The most common violations involve fast food bags, drink cups, cigarette butts and other trash thrown from vehicles. Russell says people who submit reports must sign an affidavit.

Cut 8 (10) “…the proper investigation.”

Russell says the Louisiana Litter Hotline empowers people, and people should take advantage.

Cut 9 (09)  “…we’ll enforce it.”

The hotline has also resulted in ten citations for illegal dumping.

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U-S Senator John Kennedy is seeking re-election in 2028, but is he eyeing an even higher office? While speaking on Friday at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm’s College, Kennedy said his donors have approached him about running for President and he has not ruled out the idea. Political analyst Ron Faucheux says Kennedy would be an interesting Republican Presidential candidate because of his way with words…

Cut 10 (08) “…a lot of people.”

Kennedy is not as well-known as other potential Republican Presidential candidates like Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but Faucheux says those who follow politics are aware of Kennedy’s political views…

Cut 11 (06) “…what he says.”

LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says a Kennedy presidential campaign has a chance to gain traction, because he agrees with many of President Trump’s priorities. But Hogan says it’s hard to say who Republicans will support post-Trump…

Cut 12 (07) “…looking for.”

Kennedy is 74-years-old. He’s currently serving his second term as U.S. Senator. Before that he was Louisiana’s State Treasurer for 17 years. Kennedy also served as Louisiana’s Revenue Secretary for three-plus years in the late 1990s. In 2007, Kennedy switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP.

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McNeese athletics officially trademarked the nickname Bayou Bandits. The moniker has become synonymous with the Cowboys men’s basketball. McNeese Sports Information Director Matter Bonnette says the name has spread throughout Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 13 (09)  “…for us.”

The Bayou Bandits became the identity of the men’s basketball team during their success under Will Wade. After three straight Southland Championships and trips to the NCAA tournament, Bonnette says it’s brought national attention to McNeese.

Cut 14 (12) “…taking off.”

Bonnette says securing the trademark and protecting the identity they’ve been working to build has been a goal for a while now. He says the Bayou Bandits represent the tradition and people of Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 15 (10) “…that to happen.”

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Will Wade officially signed his first four transfers last week. Abdi Bashir is a lengthy senior shooting guard who averaged over 13 points a game for Kansas State last season. TJ Brown with The Advocate says he is a pure sharpshooter.

Cut 16 (18) “…your roster.”

Michigan State junior guard Divine Ugochukwu averaged just five points in 16 minutes a game with the Spartans last season, but Brown says he has the tools to take a big step forward if Wade gives him the keys to the Tigers’ offense. He says he reminds him of former Tigers guard Eric Gaines.

Cut 17 (16)  “…get up.”

Senior forward Mo Dioubate was a glue guy for Kentucky last season. He averaged just under nine points and five rebounds last season, but Brown says his impact goes beyond the stats sheet.

Cut 18 (17) “…to win.”

Senior guard Austin Nunez was a top-75 recruit coming out of high school but ended up with UTSA after stints with Ole Miss and Arizona State. He averaged almost ten points and three assists a game with the Roadrunners, and Brown says he can be an effective role player.

Cut 19 (18) “…backup player.”

In the May 16th primary, confusion reigned supreme at times regarding which ballots no-party voters could cast. Andrew Greenstein is here to untangle the confusion for the runoff.

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A documentary on the great Billy Cannon will air on Louisiana Public Broadcasting on the week of LSU’s football game versus Ole Miss. Kace Kieschnick reports.

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During the U.S. Senate primary election, there was a great deal of confusion in some polling places about the ballots that no-party voters could cast. Some reported being denied the ballot of their choice, when the rules clearly stipulated that they had that option. And that confusion could be compounded in the runoffs, for which early voting is now underway. Trey Williams with the Secretary of State’s Office says for no-party voters who cast a Republican or Democratic ballot last month, there’s no last-minute party-switching allowed.

Cut 3 (09) “…this go-around.”

Williams says the no-party voters who still have the option are those who didn’t make a choice for U.S. Senate last month.

Cut 4 (14) “…to vote in.”

Williams says there is one instance in which those who cast ballots in one party’s primary can cast ballots in the other party’s runoff, but the deadline for them to act passed last Saturday.

Cut 5 (11) “…to vote in.”

Early voting runs through June 20th; there will be no early voting this Sunday or next Friday, with that day being Juneteenth, which is a state and federal holiday. Election day is June 27th.

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A documentary on legendary Heisman trophy-winning LSU running back Billy Cannon is set to release the week of this year’s LSU-Ole Miss game. His daughter, Bunnie Cannon, made the project happen. She says she wants to give fans a glimpse at who he truly was.

Cut 6 (12) “…the football.”

The documentary will be aired by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Bunnie says creating the documentary is the first of three remaining goals she has to honor her father’s memory.

Cut 7 (09) “…went through.”

The other two are a major motion picture she says she’s been working on for eight years and a national award in his name.

The documentary is going to be the only one that has the full support of the Cannon family, but Bunnie says just because it has their approval doesn’t mean it will hold anything back.

Cut 8 (10) “…open mind.”

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After a week of relief from the rain, you can expect summer showers across Louisiana to return next week. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says a front will combine with tropical moisture and linger over the state throughout the week.

Cut 9 (12)  “…next week.”

A low-pressure area has formed off the coast of Mexico and is expected to move up the Gulf towards Louisiana and Texas. While the system is not expected to develop, Keim says the moisture it brings will certainly add to the total rainfall.

Cut 10 (06) “…whole week.” 

Although the rain may dampen your plans for the week, Keim says it’s not all bad news. After a dry pattern last week, he says parts of the state could really use the rain.

Cut 11 (08) “…too fast.”

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LSU shortstop Steven Milam has removed his name from the MLB draft and will return to LSU for his senior season. Milam has been an elite defensive starter all three years in Baton Rouge and was a key piece of the Tigers’ 2025 national championship. Glen West of On3.com says it’s a massive win for the Tigers.

Cut 12 (08) “…open arms.” 

“Monster” Milam hit .296 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI this season.

The move is one West says you wouldn’t have seen before the N-I-L era. The Tigers almost certainly made Milam a lucrative offer to stay in Baton Rouge another season, and West says the Major League money will still be there for him next year.

Cut 13 (14) “…can offer him.”

West says the decision isn’t just a financial one. LSU head coach Jay Johnson recruited Milam out of high school, and he’s blossomed into a collegiate superstar in his three seasons as a Tiger.

Cut 14 (12) “…at LSU.”

Milam will return to an infield that just made two major transfer portal additions in Texas State’s Dawson Park and Florida’s Cade Kurland. Kurland was a Freshman All-American with the Gators in 2023, and West says he just announced he’d be removing his name from the draft as well.

Cut 15 (14) “…next season.”