Visit Lake Charles has launched the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority (LCRSA), a new division to boost the region’s profile as a premier destination for sporting events.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Alexandria Farmers Market is celebrating ten years with events through September. Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Visit Lake Charles has launched the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority (LCRSA), a new division to boost the region’s profile as a premier destination for sporting events.  LCRSA Director Eric Zartler says it’s been a long time coming…

Cut 3 (06) “…out of the country.” 

LCRSA is focused on hosting and promoting a wide range of sports activities, from youth tournaments to professional competitions, to attract more top-tier events to the area. Recently it was announced that Lake Charles will host the 2026 through 28 NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championships.  Zartler says it seeks to position Lake Charles as a competitive player in the sports tourism industry.

Cut 4 (05) “…sport title here.”

The Regional Sports Authority will also work to strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones with sports organizations, teams, and event organizers. Zartler says Lake Charles proved Olympic Officials wrong after hosting the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Trials for Boxing…

Cut 5 (11) “…fuel to the fire.”

Zartler says LCSA played a key role in coordinating resources, facilities, and services to ensure the success of these events, making Lake Charles a go-to destination for sports enthusiasts.

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The Alexandria Farmers Market is celebrating its ten year anniversary with celebrations through September. Executive Director of Farm & Food at Louisiana Central Bahia (Bah-hee-ah) Nightengale says the market is proud to have built a reputation of quality and consistency over ten years.

Cut 6 (11) “…agriculture.”

Nightengale estimates the market sees around one thousand visitors a week from 25 parishes. In addition to produce, local goods and nutrition services for customers, the market also has programs for vendors to make sure they’re able to set up a booth every week.

Cut 7 (11) “…local businesses.”

The farmer’s market is held every Tuesday from 3 to 6 pm. Nightengale says they work to help vendors grow and sell their produce to keep the market running at the same time every week with the most offerings possible. 

Cut 8 (08) “…every Tuesday.”

The market is hosting events every Saturday in September. You can find more information on the market’s Facebook page.

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The early childhood care industry faces significant challenges. That’s the takeaway of a new survey by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. Director of Policy and Research Mattilyn Batson says the cost of doing business is a big hurdle.

Cut 9 (14)  “…margins of profit.”

Batson says not only is the cost of doing business high, but the wages of the providers is very low.

Cut 10 (10) “…cents an hour.”

As such, retaining those providers has been problematic.

Cut 11 (07) “…wages somewhere else.”

In addition, most early childhood care providers say they’re experiencing rising costs for routine expenses, such as food, cleaning supplies and insurance.

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UL-Lafayette’s massive years-long fundraising campaign is approaching its goal. The campaign kicked off in 2021 and has about 18 months to go; and it’s raised 450-million dollars out of its goal of 500-million. Rebecca Doucet (DOO-say), the associate vice president of development for UL-Lafayette, says this is a comprehensive campaign.

Cut 12 (10) “…Art Museum, KRVS.”

The university got some very notable donations.

Cut 13 (12) “…and construction projects.” 

But the university appreciates all donations, large and small.

Cut  14 (07) “…makes a difference.”

Other donations also provide assistance to students so that they won’t have to work while they’re going to school.

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.