University Medical Center New Orleans’ expanded cancer center officially opens at 11 this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU basketball commit RJ Luis has a preliminary injunction hearing this afternoon to decide his basketball future. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Amazon Web Services hosts an open house tomorrow at the Shreveport Convention Center to answer the community’s questions about the three data centers they are building in Shreveport-Bossier. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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University Medical Center New Orleans officially opens phase one of its expanded cancer center, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 this morning. Dr. Amelia Jernigan with UMC New Orleans says the additional space will allow cancer patients to be able to be seen quickly for frontline care.

Cut 4 (13) “…patients with cancer.”

Dr. Jernigan says the expansion will help support the needs of oncology patients throughout the entire region.

Cut 5 (15) “…systemic therapy.”

Jernigan says this expansion is possible thanks to federal funding that New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter helped secure.

Cut 6 (10) “…to our community.”

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LSU men’s basketball commit RJ Luis (Lewis) has a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon that could decide his basketball future. The 23-year-old was the Big East Player of the Year at St. John’s two seasons ago but is not looking to return to college basketball after signing two brief NBA deals. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU knew his chances of making it to campus were slim.

Cut 7 (09) “…gonna happen.”

Luis signed two-way and NBA G League contracts but never appeared in a pro game due to injury. Alabama attempted a similar move from the G League to college hoops last season with three-year pro Charles Bediako. Guilbeau says he does not expect Baton Rouge Judge Ronald R. Johnson to rule in Luis’s favor.

Cut 8 (12) “…Alabama case.”

A key difference, however, is that Bediako played in numerous professional games.

Guilbeau says Luis’s case has nothing to do with the recent rulings giving class of 2022 athletes a fifth season of eligibility, but the courts’ repeated recent support of athletes may give him a chance. Guilbeau still doesn’t think it will go his way.

Cut 9 (11)  “…it’s ridiculous.”

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A new mRNA vaccine to reduce the risk of melanoma returning is showing great promise. Dr. Katherine Chang, an assistant professor of ear, nose and throat surgery at LSU Health Shreveport, says the vaccine being developed by Merck and Moderna works by removing the melanoma tumor, test it for genetic mutation and create an mRNA vaccine specific to that patient’s genetic profile – and that vaccine is taken with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda.

Cut 10 (09) “…it from coming back.”

Dr. Chang says clinical trials of the new vaccine have been very successful.

Cut 11 (11) “…the long term.”

Merck and Moderna plan on filing for approval from regulators within months, although the specific timeline remains unclear. Dr. Chang says if this vaccine does achieve final approval, it could be a game-changer, especially in states like Louisiana.

Cut 12 (10) “…a death sentence.”

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Amazon Web Services will hold an open house tomorrow at the Shreveport Convention Center to discuss the three data centers they are building in the Shreveport-Bossier area. There are concerns about how much water and electricity the facilities will use. AWS Vice President of Economic Development Roger Wehner says the data centers will use water for cooling only when temperatures climb above 85 degrees — which he says is expected to happen less than 13 percent of the year.

Cut 13 (11)  “…load on the grid.”

Watchdog and local advocacy groups have also raised concerns that residential utility customers could end up indirectly paying for major upgrades to the electric grid. But Wehner says Amazon will cover the cost of the energy improvements needed for its data centers.

Cut 14 (12) “…customers.”

Amazon also plans to invest up to 400 million dollars in public water infrastructure. The company is spending 18 billion dollars to build the three data center campuses, which are expected to create more than 700 permanent jobs. Wehner says Amazon will focus on hiring workers from the local community.

Cut 15 (08) “…workforce development.”

And Wehner says you don’t necessarily need a four-year college degree to work at a data center. He says an associate degree will qualify applicants for many of the jobs.

The open house will run from 4 to 8 PM.

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LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is entering his first yar in Baton Rouge but his ninth season working with Lane Kiffin. Weis has spent the last four years as Kiffin’s Ole Miss offensive coordinator, and he says it was their relationship that kept him from taking a head coaching job or staying at Ole Miss.

Cut 16 (16) “…place to be.”

Weis helped bring Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss up to speed in just a summer last season and will look to do the same thing with Sam Leavitt in an injury-shortened offseason. Leavitt and the offense will rely on a group of nine transfer pass catchers. Weis says there have been a few players who have consistently stood out while others have flashed at times.

Cut 17 (20) “…with him.”

Leavitt’s most reliable target this season could end up being a tight end. Junior Trey’Dez Green is a preseason All-American and first-team All-SEC selection, and Weis says he has all of the physical and intangible attributes a coach could dream of.

Cut 18 (17) “…could want.”

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The Saints are back at their training facility in Metairie after finishing their week in California with a brutal 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Coach Kellen Moore says a performance like that, even in the preseason, is unacceptable…

Cut 19 (17) “…really frustrating.”

Saints starting quarterback Tyler Shough did not play. His backups, Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson, each threw an interception. The Saints defense gave up 405 yards and New Orleans committed 12 penalties. Moore says they need to learn from their mistakes…

Cut 20 (17) “…game of execution.”

Louisiana is getting ready to hold its first-ever recreational alligator hunting season in October, and the lottery for tags is now open. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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After a child was infected by a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne, Louisiana health officials are advising residents to protect themselves when swimming in fresh water. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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For the first time ever, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is holding a recreational alligator hunting season, and the lottery for tags opened this morning. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says the state is able to open up the harvesting of alligators to recreational hunters thanks to an act of legislature in this year’s session, because the state is being overrun with alligators.

Cut 3 (08) “…has fully recovered.”

Bosworth says there are roughly three-million alligators in the coastal zone alone – that’s about two-thirds of the state’s human population. And he says you will have plenty of chances to score a tag.

Cut 4 (11) “…ten-thousand opportunities statewide.”

Bosworth says if you’re successful in snagging one of those ten-thousand tags, there is a series of rules you will need to abide by.

Cut 5 (11) “…with landowner consent.”

The lottery is open through August 30th, and the season runs throughout the entire month of October. There is a non-refundable 50-dollar application fee, and you may only apply on the LDWF’s licensing website.

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Louisiana public health officials are urging residents to take precautions when swimming in fresh water after a brain-eating amoeba infection in Claiborne Parish. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the infection occurs when water containing the amoeba gets up your nose.

Cut 6 (11) “…brain-eating infection.”

Bocchini says the amoeba is a single-celled organism naturally found in fresh water, and it grows more rapidly when temperatures rise.

Cut 7 (11) “…within it.”

The amoeba is not found in saltwater or properly chlorinated pools.

Bocchini says the only way to get the infection is through nasal exposure. A brain infection cannot occur if the water is swallowed and is not spread person to person. He says take steps to protect yourself when swimming.

Cut 8 (11) “…your nose.”

He also advises using sterile, distilled water or boiling water for at least a minute for nasal rinses.

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The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former substitute teacher for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lytonja (luh-TAHN-jah) Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter alerts at several schools.

Cut 9 (13)  “…out five more.”

Corporal Jackson says it was easy for the school board to determine who was triggering those false active shooter alarms.

Cut 10 (07) “…to those schools.” 

Jackson says while the investigation is ongoing, it’s possible that Barfield may have been seeking retaliation against the school district.

Cut 11 (15) “…the school district.”

Barfield was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center and is facing several counts of menacing.

Burn bans are now in effect in 19 parishes throughout the state. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health is urging parents and teachers to talk to kids about the dangers of vaping. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Burn bans are now in effect in 19 parishes throughout the state. Most are in north Louisiana, along with Jefferson Davis, East Feliciana, St. Helena (hu-LEE-nah), Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes in south Louisiana. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says conditions outside are not conducive to burning anything.

Cut 3 (09) “…firefighters to control.”

Strain says more burn bans could be forthcoming, and they’re always issued at the local level.

Cut 4 (13) “…a burn ban.”

Strain says if you live in a parish where there’s not a burn ban in effect at the present time, still use extreme caution, and never leave a fire unattended.

Cut 5 (13) “…that it causes.”

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Now more than ever, be on the lookout for stalled vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway. That’s because the state’s long-standing “move over” law has now expanded. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says whereas the old law applied to emergency vehicles such as police units, fire trucks and ambulances, the new law now includes all types of vehicles, including private passenger vehicles and even motorcycles.

Cut 6 (10) “…broken down, stranded.”

Now, whenever you approach any vehicle on the shoulder, you are required to move to the next lane over as you pass it. Wallace says there is an allowance if that’s impossible given traffic conditions.

Cut 7 (15) “…with extreme caution.”

Wallace says the objective of the expansion of the move over law is to keep everyone safe in case, for example, someone ends up walking into the lane immediately adjacent to the shoulder as he or she is swapping out a flat tire.

Cut 8 (10) “…safe out there.”

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Saints running back Alvin Kamara will miss the start of the regular season with an MCL Sprain suffered during a joint practice with the Cowboys yesterday. The 31-year-old took a pay cut to stay in New Orleans alongside free agent back Travis Etienne this offseason. Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says his availability was one of the reasons he took that cut.

Cut 9 (11)  “…state level.”

Kamara missed the final six weeks of last season with a similar knee injury. He has not played in every regular season game since his rookie year.

Jackson says with Kamara out and an injury to running back Audric Estime in the first preseason game, there will be more opportunities for others in the room. He says 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller and 2025 sixth-rounder Devin Neal both returned form injury yesterday.

Cut 10 (12) “…stay on the field.” 

Cornerback Quincy Riley left practice early with a groin injury, and the severity of his injury is unknown. Jackson says it could be a big loss for the Saints if the second-year starter is unable to return.

Cut 11 (09) “…for New Orleans.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health says youth vaping remains a critical public health crisis in the state, and it’s urging parents and teachers to talk to kids about the dangers of vaping. Taylor Reine (“renn”), who oversees the division of chronic disease prevention at LDH, says kids need to know that vaping is no safer than smoking cigarettes.

Cut 12 (13) “…for lifelong addiction.” 

According to the 2023 Louisiana Youth Tobacco Survey, 30-percent of high school students vape, making Louisiana the third highest state in the nation for high school vaping. In addition, the survey shows 18-percent of middle school students vape – nearly one out of every five. Reine says two factors which contribute to those high numbers are the marketing of vape products to teens and their ease of availability.

Cut 13 (08) “…and retail stores.”

Reine says there are resources available for teens who want to quit vaping.

Cut 14 (09) “…counseling quit support.”

Teens can enroll in Live Vape Free by texting “VAPEFREE” to 873373.